Camping Tales

I wrote this when we got back but due to my full-time job as a laundress I didn't get it posted right away. Go figure!

We're back and it's always so good to get home. Although we had a great trip, it's nice to sleep in my own homemade four poster bed! And remember those ten loads of laundry I did before we left? I did them over again today plus three more. So I'm all caught up until morning.

Oh I have so much to tell you about our trip. Every time I would start to smile and write in my notebook, Mike would roll his eyes.

It's no secret that I don't love camping. My idea of a fun vacation involves hotels, pools, beaches and shopping malls. The trip we took was Mike's idea and his plan. I thought we should stay home and do things around here.

When we got to our campground I was already a little irritated. I like to take showers. I was annoyed with all our stuff in a small space. I admit to wondering a few times why on earth I let him talk me into this.

While Mike was setting up, the rest of us were going on a walk and Grant was so excited he said, "Whatever you're doing, I'm in!". We found the showers and they were fine. The camper was really not any messier than our house.

As we were leaving, I realized that in a few years I will look back on these days as golden: all of us together crammed in a camper, the kids loving every minute of it, sitting around the fire with friends, no TV, computer or cell phone and little ones eating breakfast outside in their jammies that still have S'mores smeared on them from the night before.

I couldn't help but think of what I would have missed had I dug my heels in. There are so many things in life that I don't want to give up. I want my independence. I want it my way.

I know people who have let those things destroy their marriage like living in a certain state or house, insisting on having things they cannot afford, turning up their nose at the way their spouse was raised. And one of those people is me.

It might be a little like camping. We don't have any camping stuff. It was super classy for us to use our friends pop-up camper. We had a lot of nice campers pull in next to us. All of a sudden yours doesn't seem so great. I guess there's even envy in the camping world.

When we got to my Grandparents we stayed in a motorhome my Uncle's friend let us borrow. I told them not to worry about it since we could sleep in the pop-up. I must admit, the queen size bed in the back was a little more comfy and the air conditioning was nice. I'm not sure you can call that camping!














But all in all, I wouldn't change anything I have or don't have for the world.

Dream Vacation

Don't you just love getting ready for a trip? Doing ten loads of laundry, making sure everyone's blankies are packed, filling the car up with snacks and DVD's, getting someone to watch the dog - really what a joy.

This is my husband's dream vacation. He wanted to go camping. I told him I thought that might be nice if we had...a tent, which we don't. Then some friends wanted us to go soo badly that they offered us their pop-up camper. Mike dreams of having a full-size van/pop-up camper combo. We've got the van, but the camper has been elusive.

Now we've got it all packed up: food for a family of seven, clothes for a family of seven, shoes for a family of seven, toothbrushes for a family of seven. It's getting late and I still have to pack my clothes. I really need to get to bed because it wouldn't be family fun if we didn't try to leave at the crack of dawn.

And fun we'll have. We are meeting up with our friends in DeSmet to tour the Little House of the Prairie stuff together. Then we'll be off to a very classy RV park with a water park. I know, I know - I'm really not trying to make you jealous. Then finally on to my Grandparents. There's a county fair, fun farm stuff and a family reunion.

Here's to family adventures!

The Boys

Tonight we had a baby shower at our house. I had an extensive amount of cleaning to do for the house to be somewhat presentable. E.X.Tensive! Mike had to leave for music practice. Jenna was at a friends and the three younger girls were here. It's difficult to host a shower with Maren and Annie fighting over the crystal plates and pulling the punch bowl off the counter. I do wish that Mike would have swept them all away, but there was something more important for him to do.

You see, Mike and I do not have the same taste in movies. A few years ago when all the Lord of the Rings movies were coming out I had no interest in seeing them. I remember him saying that he couldn't wait until Grant was old enough to do that stuff with.

Well, he is now old enough. And there are nights when I can tell the boys need to get out on the town alone. Tonight was one of those nights.

While I was struggling under the girls' tyranny at the shower, Denise told me the story of what happened at worship practice. There was another man from church there. He also has many daughters and one son. His son is almost 5. He was saying the exact same thing Mike had said a few years ago. He can't wait to be able to do all the guy stuff with his boy.

Mike chimed in agreement sharing that he loves being able to see movies and eat out with Grant and that they were going on guy's night out right after music. The piano player noticed Grant sitting on the couch "beaming."

I don't think I need to tell you that it was totally worth enduring Maren and Annie's "help" with the shower for my boys. May there be many more!

SuperMom

Sometimes people tell me I'm a good mom. They think that because they don't live with me. They aren't here when I'm cranky and snap back for no reason. Or when I don't feel like cooking dinner and would rather do my own thing than attend to their needs. Or when I'm more interested in finding out who's on FaceBook than playing with my kids. Really I'm not a good mom.

Some days I wake up and think I can do it all. I'll exercise and have quiet time before everyone wakes up. We can have extra kids here, I can wash all the bedding and line dry it. I can make cookies and go to the beach. I can potty train and run errands and go to four baseball games a week. But it doesn't work.

The weeks get so busy and go so fast. Last week, my friend and I wanted to bring a meal to someone that just had twins. I had to call and admit that I just couldn't make it work.

I can't do it all.

And I don't like it one bit. I want to be supermom. But I'm just me, a sinner saved by grace.

When I have to admit that I can't do it all and slow down, I might just be at my best. By slowing down and getting my heart where it needs to be most I become a better Mom. I change things to put my family first. I ask for help. I make supper and do laundry. I visit with my husband at night. I know other people can bring meals and throw showers, but no one else can mother my children. I start to find joy in doing the most important things, not everything.

I become supermom.

Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us -
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Back to Father's Day!

I deleted my original post about Father's Day because I was going to re-do it. That was before I realized that I was totally wiped from Girl Scout Camp. Kayaking, canoeing, polar bear plunging, swimming, cooking over the open fire and keeping up with 12 girls can do that to you.

So, back to Father's Day. Last year I got Mike a Jeff Foxworthy "Red Neck" Card. It said:

If you think the first four words to the National Anthem are "Gentlemen Start Your Engines", you might be a redneck.

This year, I got another one because I couldn't find any good ones. Although I have a frequent buyers card for Hallmark, I'm not into gushy cards. So this year's said:

You might be a redneck, if you have a cup holder on your riding lawnmower.

Guess what! He does have one and even better, it's homemade! I had no idea what that thing was being that I mow the lawn ALL THE TIME.




All kidding aside, I'm blessed beyond reason! My kids wake up to find their Dad reading his Bible, praying and drinking coffee. He makes them very delicious breakfasts too! They try to wake up really early so they can have hot cocoa and be with him. All this while I snooze away!

I also have a Dad that's a Godly influence. Just a few years ago at Christmas he gave me a Bible he had read and made notes in. I affectionately call it the "Wayne Pederson Study Bible". It's one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever received. (I cannot get this to stop underlining!!!!)

















So for me, it was natural to trust in the Heavenly Father. For a lot of people it isn't that easy. Relating to God as their Father is a big problem. Some earthly father's leave, drink too much, don't care, work too much or abuse.

I didn't understand this until just recently. There was a situation where a single mother was trying to protect her son from his father. I couldn't understand why they didn't just get the father to sign his rights away. It seemed so easy to me.

But a friend who's Dad walked out on her family when she was young clued me in. She told me how devestating it was to know your Dad didn't want you. Even if he was a worthless guy. I'm starting to see the big hole it left in her heart.

But God holds his arms open to the fatherless.

Psalm 146:9
The LORD protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

Psalm 68:5-6
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

And that brings me back to the story of The Prodigal Son in Luke 15. When the rebellious son returns, the father is waiting for him with open arms. In that parable, we are the prodigals. God is the father. He is waiting for us, watching the horizon for our return. He's ready to clothe us in the finest robes and throw a feast for us. He desires for us to come home.

So whether your earthly father is a great inspiration, a wonderful memory, or something you'd rather forget; God the Father will never leave you, never makes mistakes and always loves you. He is waiting for you even now. Please don't miss that message this Father's Day.

Growing a Life of Faith

Something that I'm just learning in my life of faith is how vital repentance is. That seems pretty basic right? I'm not sure how I missed that. But somehow, I've had the idea that I should strive to be perfect and a "good" Christian. Of course, that's foolish because in my own selfish nature I can never be either of those things.

I'm reading another great book by Philip Yancey called Rumors of Another World. This rang so true to me,

“In childhood I thought of each of my sins as a brick filling in a space that walled me off from God. My guilt feelings blinded me to the truth that I was busily constructing a wall God had already destroyed. I now believe that God accompanies me at each stage of my struggle, present with me even as I flee from him. At that moments I am most aware of my own inadequacy; at that moment I am probably closest to God.” Page 156-157

It’s crazy to me how many church people have odd ideas on how to help your children grow spiritually. Well, you take them to Sunday School and have them baptized. And help them learn how to keep most of the ten commandments. I mean really, who can keep them all? We want them to be “good” but not necessarily Godly. Because when they are good, we look good. No tantrums in church, no talking back, but at the heart, they are still sinners. We’re born sinners and the only way they’ll be good is through God’s gift of salvation.

The biggest thing God is showing me is to help them recognize and not run from their weaknesses. I learned quickly in church to be “good” and never let anyone know things weren’t perfect. It’s a slow process to get over that as an adult. So I want my kids to Learn the act of confession and restoration with God. I want them to avoid the pitfall of trying to pretend they aren't sinners by coming to Christ for the forgiveness that he desires to give us all.

Because when we are weak, He is strong. When we are weak, we are closest to Him. Our weakness drives us to the foot of the cross, drives us into His loving arms.

Psalm 51: 1-4
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.

Delayed Gratification

We live in an instant gratification society. If you're at a stoplight and do not floor it the second it turns green, someone will honk. If I have to wait more than 2 seconds for the page to load, I impatiently tap my fingers on the keyboard. Fast food, microwaves - you get the picture.

But things in life don't always come right away or as planned. Like, some friends of ours that have been trying to adopt for seven years. It's been a tough road! There have been a lot of times that it looked like it was going to happen and then fell through. This week they have a new baby boy. I am absolutely giddy and teary with happiness for them.

And we know a couple who tried and tried to get pregnant and after adopting a son, were very surprised to get pregnant with another one. After being close to them through their infertility they moved away. It was such a blessing to see them this summer with two beautiful boys!

I'm also super happy for the couple in our church who just had their fourth baby in five years, but it seems there is a little extra sweetness when it has involved waiting, suffering and wondering why.

Do you think it's a little like us waiting for Jesus? Our waiting and suffering will add fuel to anticipating the sweetness of Jesus' return.

Lately, I've caught myself feeling like the world is passing me by. People are off going wonderful places and buying grand things. I drive a junky old van, have no job, no retirement, do not own a home.

Does that mean that I am more eager to go to my eternal heavenly home?

How much more do people who have lost loved ones ache and desire for the Lord's return?

After her family completed the five hunger challenge, my friend Jenn commented that the banquet of the Lamb will be so much sweeter for those who have lived in a third world country.

How much more unbelievable will a new, perfected body be to an 18 year old I know of that was paralyzed this winter?

I think it will be heavenly.

Romans 8:18-23
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.