camping, chatter and cameras

This past weekend we took our first ever family camping trip. Mike and I had gone camping...BC (Before Children), but have never made it happen since the kids were born. His folks gave us their camper in 2006...I guess with the hope that we would use it? I ended up pregnant that summer and "ME + early pregnancy + sleeping in a tent = NIGHTMARE!" Many excuses and missed opportunities later, we finally made it happen...with the help of our small group.

The kids were SO excited...and they had no idea what they were in for! The days prior to camping we were constantly hearing them play "camping" together, ask if it was time for camping and begging to go early. Those days were also freezing...leading to my desire to cancel the trip before it began. Thankfully, the weather took a turn for the better (other than the DOWNPOUR all night Friday) and we had a great time. We were SO glad to have the camper...especially during the rainstorm Friday night. But really, the whole time because I've never been a huge fan of the whole tent thing. Not to mention, it was much easier to settle the kids when we had two separate beds! Saturday was PERFECT!!!! Sunny, warm and beautiful. We enjoyed time with families in our small group and it was so nice to finally have some true family time for the four of us! There were 15 kids in our group...all 10 and younger! I love watching our kids make memories and begin to form relationships. They are both (after 10 months at our church) starting to ask and talk about other kids from church on a regular basis and we love it! They are finally feeling part of the community and that is what it's all about! It also helped that the campground was directly on the ocean. This little walkway was directly behind the playground...We are all gearing up for next week...my return to Full-time work. Each of us are processing that in different ways. Mike was officially "let-go" from work on Monday, so we are enjoying some unexpected, yet very welcome family time at home. He has taken his new role seriously...I came home to scrubbed floors today! I can get used to that! Nate has no idea what is happening, but LOVES having Daddy around! Paige is feeling it all out and beginning to show transition signs. Please pray for her. We expect the first few weeks to be the most difficult on her.

I can't really tell you how I am processing it yet. I have moments of deep gratitude that I have been given this opportunity to mix my professional passions with my personal passions, all the while bringing home a paycheck. Pretty cool! The next minute, I see something the kids are doing and it hits hard that I will no longer be here for the day-to-day life of our family. I will miss Paige's first field trip at school next week. I won't be taking Nate on our special adventures in the morning. The sadness would be stronger if I didn't have complete peace in my heart that this is where God wants our family right now. I don't understand it...but I'm not supposed to. I've learned that lesson many times since we moved. For most of my life, I thought my faith was about understanding how God works and why He does things. Why he allows things for one person, and not for another. It's not about that at all.

Philippians 4:7 -
"And the PEACE of God,
which transcends ALL UNDERSTANDING,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I have not always had peace with decisions I have made. But I can say that the peace I have right now, as I approach next week can only be explained by that verse. I don't understand why I can't be home with my kids. I don't understand why the last 16 months have been so rocky. I don't understand why I am being blessed with such an amazing opportunity to do the work of the Lord in this capacity. But the peace that can ONLY come from God overrides my lack of understanding. That peace is taking over, when I assumed my anxiety would rule. That peace is paving a clear and smooth path, when I feared it would be long and bumpy. God doesn't call us to understand...He calls us to seek, listen, obey and trust. I am working on those 4! My prayer is that HIS peace will continue to reign in my heart these next weeks of transition and that I will be a willing and worthy vessel for the work He has in store.

And although we enjoyed our camping trip, I can't guarantee there will be more in the near future. After arriving home Sunday, Mike's parents sold the camper. It will take a lot of convincing to get me back into a tent...WC! Not to mention, my camera broke on the adventure. I've been dropping hints about a new one for a few months, so maybe I'll get a nice Christmas "surprise" this year?