Camping

I really shouldn't be blogging. I really should be making a packing list and checking it twice. It is time for the annual camping trip. Actually it is more than annually, but whatever. I have the menus all made out, the laundry is almost done, the house looks ok (especially for my house) and the list goes on.

When I was a little girl my family went camping all the time. Most of the time, I didn't care for it unless a friend came along. If no one came with me then I was always lonely. The boys all had each other, mom had dad and I had no one. I took many a lonely walk while camping. I really grew to appreciate God's wonderful, marvelous creation. I absolutely loved the wildflowers and that has not changed. I still love them. I would turn anything I could find into a friend and I would tell my new friend everything. I talked all the time and it never mattered if anyone was listening or not. I knew that God was hearing me.

I always liked the food when we went camping. It was always so good and something about being outdoors made it taste even better. My mom made great camp food. We would have fried potatoes, baked potatoes, corn, steak, green beans, fried chicken (my favorite) and well you get the picture. One of my favorite parts is that we could have soda which we didn't normally get at home.

I think one of the main reasons I did not like camping is that we camped in the mountains. I would get so sick going around those curvy roads. I was never going to go camping when I grew up.

But, I did (I still try to avoid the mountains) I am glad because it really makes one appreciate the conveniences at home. A shower seldom feels better than when you haven't been in your own shower for several days. A washer/dryer is a welcome sight, and a dishwasher and a refrigerator suddenly become newly found friends.

So, I better get back to my prep work for our latest adventure. By the way, another reason I have never been a huge camping fan is the weather. Did I mention that the forecast for the weekend is: raining?

Happy Mother's Day to My Mom

Dear Mom,

On this eve before Mother's day I just want to let you know how thrilled I am that you are my mother. I reflect more often these days, I think it is my age, but I really don't know. Whatever it is I want you to feel appreciated. So, in honor of you here are some of my thoughts.

l. One of my favorite things about you is I know I can always count on you to be praying for me and my family. This is such a comfort to me. Thank you for being a great prayer warrior and for standing in the gap for me.

2. I will always remember you for your singing. You taught me so many songs. You sang in the car all the time. I loved singing with you. You were never critical of my singing. I love the hymns and have tried to pass this love on to my children.

3. I am so glad you always took me to church. I loved going all the time. Come to think of it, I still love it and I don't like to miss. You have taught in church for so many years. How thrilling it is to think of the lives you have touched with your dedication.

4. It is a great heritage that you are so evangelistic. You have such a desire for everyone to know Jesus. I know you have spent many hours in prayer for the salvation of your loved ones as well as countless others.

5. You are a great one for celebrating!! Anything and everyone. I have fond memories of a few parties. I especially remember my 4oth that I celebrated while living with you when Rob was in Korea. It's hard to believe that was 10 years ago. It seems like yesterday.

6. You are generous to give to the Lord's work as well as others. You will share anything and give away your last penny. You have taught me a trust in this area that has served me well.

7. I know that family is very important to you. You care for them all and want to know the details of their lives. So many, many times you have come to take care of me or to help me move. What a blessing you have been over and over in this area of my life.

8. You're not afraid of very much. I still am a bit in awe of the fact that you drove back and forth to Cheney to get your degree! I also remember when I was in the 7th or 8th grade how hard you worked to get your G.E.D.

9. You have never been a quitter and you are not one to give up. I wish I was more like you in this regard. I have seen you deal with many difficult things and still hold your head high while trying to help others along the way.

10. You have always been so pretty. I am pleased to call you my mom and never ashamed of how you dress or act. You taught me to take care of myself and you set a great example.

I will admit we aren't so much alike in so many ways, but in others we are truly peas from the same pod. So many things I thought I would never understand, so many things I would never do, well rest assured I do them all. I laugh when I think about these. As a child I didn't comprehend, but as an adult, somedays I understand a little too well.

The thing I now understand the best is that love makes all the difference. When you love someone the way I love you, Mom, and the way I know you love me then the differences do not separate you, they bring you together. You are a great Mom and I love you so very much. I praise the Lord for you. Happy Mother's Day.

Wedding Dresses

Clare posted about picking out wedding dresses. It, of course, gets one thinking about their own wedding or dress whether it is past, soon to be or in the future. I thought I would share a wedding dress story of my own.

Many years ago now, almost 31 to be exact, I was busily going to school (college), and planning a wedding. However, I didn't have to shop for a dress.

It seemed that since I was a little, tiny girl. Yes, I was a tiny girl. I only weighed 96 pounds on my wedding day. Anyway, I had seen and heard about my aunt's wedding dress. It was absolutely dreamy. I had seen pictures of her in it and she was beautiful. I knew people had talked about me wearing it when someday I married. The years passed quickly and the marriage hour was soon to be upon us. I tried on the dress and it fit as if it had been made for me. So the decision was easy. Of course, I would wear it. I didn't choose to wear it because I looked fabulous in it, although I thought I looked good. I didn't choose to wear it because the price was right, although it certainly was (only a cleaning cost was involved). I didn't choose to wear it because I had dreamed of wearing it and the dream was finally coming true.

I chose to wear it to honor my aunt who had gone home to be with Jesus. I wanted to honor her memory, for my mom, for my other aunt and for my grandmother. I wanted to wear the dress because my aunt only had sons and no daughters. I wanted to wear it because I knew she loved me and she would have felt honored that I wanted to wear it.

It was a beautiful dress, now yellowed over the years with age, but still gorgeous when seen through the eyes of days gone by. Aunt Jerry, thanks for the dress. It was such a blessing.

And even then, the dress wasn't what I had my eye on. It was the groom. And I still have my eye on him:)