Lawn mowing

Is this on your chore list?

It is NOT on mine. 

When Larry and I got married (and had kids), the lay of the chores just kinda 'fell into place'.  I do inside...he does outside.  That doesnt mean that we dont help each other out.  But for the most part, this is pretty much how it goes. 

I like to think that we work well as a team, so when the allocated 'chores' get too much, one picks up where the other one left off.   

That was the case this weekend. We needed to get a list of 'Honey-Dos' done and it was time to pitch in and do it.  I took on the job of mowing the lawn.  My husband didnt get a chance to waiver in his decision and  struggle with giving up his domain because if he was going to get his project done on the dock, he needed me to help!

I have mowed the lawn before...in an effort to lessen the burden and be a blessing to my husband.  I know the neighbors always get a good chuckle at me 'attempting to start' the lawn mower.  And then when I do get it going...it isnt always pretty! 

Sometimes it looks like the yard got a bad haircut, maybe the lines are not always straight, I might even miss a whole patch of grass.  I even laugh at myself sometimes as I am mowing. I can barely push it up the hill at times. I have even found that I slip trying to push it at just the right angle. Needless to say, most of the neighborhood kids could do a much better job. 

But working as a team,

pulling together to do a task that may not 'BE YOURS',

is sometimes what God calls us to do!

Sometimes, it takes going outside of your comfort zone to really bless another. You may not be perfect at it (most likely, you wont be), you may or may not enjoy it, it may take alot of work, and you may even slip along the way.  But if your heart is in the right place, the Lord will give you strength to guide you in just the right direction. 

Lord, I pray that you will guide my heart to be comfortable being uncomfortable!

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, 2nd day of camp

We have a large team this year...

There was one point in which we wondered if everyone was needed on the team.  We really prayed about whether or not we were called to go to camp this year.  However, we kept feeling lead to be part of this family mission trip.

Today, it became obvious why God called each and every extra hand on this trip! 

The camp needed Faith Lodge completed by next week to be occupied by campers- and God gave us the extra hands to help!

Sub flooring,

construction of bunk beds,

& installation of hardwood, etc.

 Thank you Lord for the willing hearts,

the flexibility, and the pure attitude of servitude of this team! 

"..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, First day of campers!!

Let the registration begin!

We prayed for God to send a large number of children, and He did just that!

We had over 80 campers today. 

This number is up from last year at the beginning of camp by 20 campers! 

By the end of the week, our total was up to 166!!

Everything seemed to flow seamlessly...

From the games

  to the pool

to arts and crafts

Even though we had more campers than expected,

everyone worked together well in helping through each step of the day. 

The extra help was much appreciated especially at lunch-

Before...

During..

 

When we prayed for unity among our team, the Lord poured out His blessing.

I pray for our camp team, leaders, and counselors to have perserverance throughout the week, to touch the lives of these campers with Your Truth, may their lives be forever changed by your word Lord!

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, arrival day

Back ground Info: Our church supports many diverse missionaries across the globe. One of our local missionaries is a camp in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee called Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go. This camp exists to share the love of Jesus Christ. A group from our church goes up to this camp each year to run the day camp and share the gospel with these precious children. Last year over 100 campers attended and we are praying that our number increases even more this year. 

Family Mission Trip Day 1~
The day started with the hustle and bustle of trying to get everything together, pack the car, and think of any last minute details.  I must have checked the car a dozen times and I am still wondering if I have everything?!
Then we are off...
For some of us, the familiarity of camp comes to mind, the comfort of knowing where to go and what to expect.  Then the barrage of questions begin from the backseat, 'will we have the same cabin?' 'can we swim?' 'can I do the zip line this year?'
For other members of our team, there is a bit of uncertainty, the unknown and anxiety of what to expect.

I pray the Lord will quiet our hearts and minds to achieve His purpose, to unite us together for His glory.  I pray for each and every child attending camp to have open eyes to see, open ears to hear, and receptive hearts to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.  ~Philippians 2:13 

 We have been blessed with a day filled with excitement for what the Lord has done for this camp, providing an impressive Boy's cabin just this year. 

Our team came together for our first song and skit practice on stage

 and even enjoyed some relaxing time in the pool before calling it a day!

I cant wait to see what tomorrow holds!