Remembering How to Fly

I always feel at home on the water - maybe because I was a "summer baby", and maybe because I learned to swim before I could walk (literally). Water has always had a calming, "centering" effect on me, and our day on the lake in the Ozark mountains was especially memorable.

We spent the whole day on a 30,000 acre spring-fed lake in between the mountains. We climbed to the top of rocks to jump off. We found a tiny island to explore. And we laughed and swam and acted like children. It was awesome!

It had been too long since I forgot to be a "grown-up" and just jumped off a cliff without thinking twice. It was exhilarating and relaxing at the same time!

So, now it's back to the "real world" - and I feel like Peter Pan trying not to grow up and forget the magical powers of thinking like a child...it can fade if we don't choose to NOT FORGET...to remember how to fly. Do you remember what it felt like?

Don't forget - and if you're starting to, then JUMP OUT OF THE BOAT!!! :-)

Come on in, the water's fine...Peace.

Now This Is What I Call a Cabin!

If you really want to "get away", then the Ozarks are a great place to start. Mountain Time just moves at a different pace, it definitely takes some getting used to. Byron and I needed to be forced to rest, sit and not run around in the "rat race" of every day life in the ministry.

It's funny, though, that when you become used to the hectic pace of city-life, the slower pace of the country can be less relaxing until you give up your need for instant gratification. Nothing happens quickly in the mountains, even driving takes longer when you're winding around steep mountain roads (and having to take Bonine just to go to the laundry-mat).

I've gotta run - because now I'm home in the city, and the "rat race" has missed me.

Peace.

C3 Party in the Big "D"

After the work was done, we took the party to Dallas. Texas Stadium was our first stop, then Six Flags, then Fellowship Church of Grapevine for Sunday morning church. Although everyone was exhausted after their labor and lack of sleep, the group had a great time unwinding in the big "D"!

There are many other photos - some of which I have added to prior posts (my "Blackberry Blogs") in order to fill in some of the blanks.

It was awesome, and it's also awesome to be home. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine, gearing up for the fall, and getting back to C3! Peace.

IMAC in Beaumont (It's So C3!)

Many of the C3 youth and adults went to Beaumont, Texas to be a part of IMAC - a youth camp/mission trip. During the days, they were working in homes that still had damage from hurricane Rita. In the Southeast Texas heat and humidity, they all worked tirelessly to help others less fortunate than they are - they represented C3 and Christ well, and Byron and I are very proud.

Happy Birthday, Nate The Great!

Today is a great day mainly because ten years ago our Nate The Great was born. We've been celebrating all day in our cabin in the mountains.

Byron, the kids and I, Byron's parents, Barry O. and Adam make this quite a full house, but we're having fun. Byron and I had great fun hanging-out at the local laundry-mat for a couple of hours this morning washing laundry for eight.

We spent a few hours downtown Eureka Springs, and then came home to bake birthday cake which didn't turn out quite right (Ethan asked me if it's because I'm not a very good cook...I didn't answer, just changed the subject). Then, some of us were traumatized by the presence of a racoon at the back glass door - names won't be mentioned.

So,now I'm finally getting to spend some time blogging, although still on my phone.

My next blog (after my fingers get a rest) will be about all that God did at IMAC student camp last week - it was awesome.

Byron's cleaning the kitchen, and I really need to help, at least to salvage my self-esteem in the domestic domain...if I can't cook, the least I can do is clean...

I love this cabin, I love these mountains, I love that my son is still not too old to crawl in bed with us in the morning to tell us about his dream. I thank God for all of His blessings - like blessing us with our very own Nate the Great! Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Arkansas, Here We Come!

We are currently driving through a rainstorm somewhere in Oklahoma - we have eight people in our Excursion, so to say it's crowded would be an understatement, but everyone's being a trooper.

This week in TX was awesome, and I took a bazillion pictures which I hope to post as soon as I have access to high speed wireless again. I'm definitely going through Internet withdrawals - thank goodness for Blackberry technology! Fellowship Church was great, but of course we missed being at C3.

So now we're headed to Arkansas - I wonder if I'll get wi-fi there? Anyway, I hope the mountains are ready for us 'cuz we're coming like a Mack truck! Peace.

C3 Students Rock!

I've only got a few minutes of internet access before I go back to the church here in Texas to make dinner for the kids (IMAC - C3 youth mission trip). It's been a long hard day for the kids and counselors, after a 19 hour bus ride. Last night and this morning we had awesome services led by Robbie Robision and Travis Conrad with music by "Riverdale". Then today the group broke up into teams to do hurricane repair work in some homes around Beaumont. The work is grueling and it's VERY HOT! We are making sure they are all drinking lots of water and Gatorade - they are all working hard and well-representing Christ and C3. I know the people who have been living in these damaged homes will be thankful for their labors. I've been taking lots of pictures and will post them ASAP. Everyone is well, but tired and we are all looking forward to what God is going to do tonight in the service! More info will follow as I often as I can get to a computer. Pray for us! Peace.

A Blackberry, a Blog, and a Big Vocab (aka: The Perfect Storm!)

So blogging from a Blackberry on the road somewhere on I-10 is not easy. This is definitely going to shorten the length of my blog (and the people cheered...). But, at least I have neglected my nails, and they are very short - I'm really rethinking the importance of proper punctuation and grammar though! I also didn't realize how many long words I use. I need to get dumber if this is going to be workable at all! I don't know how Kayleigh and Ashley text messege so fast - I guess it's all about motivation! That's all I've got for now - my fingers are exhausted (like I can't just say "tired"? - I've got to change my ways!!). Peace!