Friends, Family, FOOD!!! 3 essentials.........

Greetings!I have survived my first stretch of my busy month! *yawn* It was so GREAT though, because I feel Like we really got to just hang with this first group of kids! Oh and the food, naturally because I made it (kidding) was AMAZING! The menu was tweaked just a little for this group, because they are younger, and generally more finicky when it comes to eating. Some of the favorites were tator tot casserole, nachos, spaghetti, grilled cheese, french toast, and this new stuff called Krupsua. OH MY HEAVENS it was all so good! then to top it off, some of the ladies (older) baked cookies, and bars for desserts! I think that secretly after you reach a certain age within the church the elders must take you aside and either pay for private baking courses or instruct you from a long line of family recipes, I mean THAT is the only reason these treats are sooooooo delicious! Holy cow, I think I may have steered off my diet, slightly,......ok ok I admit it, I was a diet train wreck this week, but these sweets are just THAT delicious.

on another note, we had a different speaker this time, usually we have the ever amazing Pastor Shiloh, but he was unavailable this time. Which, BTW, threw some people and made them a little uncomfortable, because people HATE change, and heaven forbid we broaden our horizons or something. But anyhow this woman was awesome! She had three children, which were so well behaved and such little joys! plus, wait for it....she was so much like me that we connected instantly! She is her church's Children's minister, and here's one of the best parts, her church is in Eau Claire, so when we go visit my best friend's additional out of town friends, who live in Eau Claire, we have a church to go to!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO! This woman was such a great woman of God, she just fit right in, and the kids welcomed her and learned about the Armor of God! *sigh* I will miss her, hopefully she returns next year.

I also got to hang out with my favorite 7 year old on the whole planet, my little Mad Dog. She and I had some major breakthroughs this week, and we prayed together for things yet to come. She is so smart and receptive to her surroundings. I Just love her sooo much! In fact, she always tells me that she loves me more than there are stars in the sky......*sigh* I will miss her! Hopefully if my ex has a heart, she can stay with me for the next session of camp, and then we can hang even more! ....here's to praying about it!

Plus I got to see women that I generally only see once a year, and it, too, was amazing. With a smaller group of kids this year we were able to hang out a little bit more, which of course, I LOVE! Overall, it all ran VERY smooth! I will admit that everyday I found myself missing my best friend, but maybe next year, or in the near future, he can join me on the front lines of seed planting via camp.....we shall pray about that as well. i am looking very much forward o the next session!......until next time.......

The cost of Freedom......

Happy 4th of July Everyone! Do you know that most people have no idea why we even celebrate the 4th of July? Their perception of the whole ordeal is fireworks and cookouts, along with adult beverages. THIS is not what the whole deal is, but naturally us being humans, and i would even say Americans with an intense sense of entitlement, we have turned the whole spectacle into yet another event all about US..as in ourselves...as in selfish.

We are celebrating the day when our founding fathers "freed" us from the monarchy, the control of the king.....they rose up and stood for what was right, and God honored that. Yep, there I go again, with the God thing......Nothing happens without Him knowing, and quite frankly, i believe that if He doesn't approve He allows it to fail. But when He is on board 100%, he blesses the socks off us....and so We have a nation founded on Freedom.

However, You must have some sacrifice with any type of Freedom, and so, enter in stage left....Our military. These men and women fight other nations to keep us free....and so we also celebrate the 4th to Honor the soldiers, both alive and still fighting and those who have sacrificed the one thing that is most precious, their own life.

There was a man, John Henry who said, 'GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH....." well I want to poke your brain a little and make you see something else.....Jesus GAVE US LIBERTY THROUGH HIS DEATH.....He sacrificed Himself to bring us home...so really even if the soldiers of America aren't "religious" or "Christian" they are demonstrating a Christ Like Love for their Country and fellow Americans, sure you can mask it with Patriotism, but really, the root of it all is exactly what Christ did for us......Everyday these men and women lay their life on the line for the good of the many......and because of that, I believe that God honors and protects them.

So why the fireworks and cookouts? Everyone know that fireworks are an amazing spectacle, and that everyone loves a good BOOM, but really it's because The fireworks are a huge sign of celebration......people can see fireworks for miles in some places.....they are huge and everyone can celebrate, and what better thing than to celebrate the Freedom of a WHOLE NATION, Under God, nonetheless.

Cookouts? well come on, July is hot so nobody wants to be inside cooking, so why not grill.....not to mention the fact that we as humans, love to have that sense of family, and what better excuse to have everyone come over and see each other again....plus it's generally a three day weekend in the very least, so those who live out of town can swing in for the festivities......

Now understand this, I am not knockin how we celebrate the 4th because I love the parades (which I am still unsure why we do that, but I DO love th candy!) and cookouts, and fireworks. I just want to draw attention to the fact that we need to remember that Christ gave his life to keep us free from the flames of Hell, and our soldiers give their lives to keep us free from living in countries that are much like hell........ remember that this holiday weekend.....WE ARE THE HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE............until next time.......