Family Fun!

 CAMPING TRIP: JULY 2015

 This past Friday evening we got to go on an adventure!  We were able to go CAMPING!!  For many of you who know us this does NOT happen  very often!!  In our 12 years of marriage we have went camping as a family 2 times and just the boys once.  The first time was as a couple when I was 8 months preggo with our first.  The second was as a family on a river where I forgot to pack the flashlights and we woke up to a bear sounding animal near our tent. (Maybe NOT having a flashlight wasn't a bad thing! ;) Then a couple of years ago my hubby took our oldest camping just the two of them.

I LOVE camping! I have so many fond memories of camping for weeks at a time on the other side of the lake when I was a kid.  We slept in a camper or a tent.  We went fishing and actually caught fish.  We swam in the lake and hiked in the woods. (I remember one time hiking with one of my sisters and we ran ALL the way back to the camp because we got scared!! ;) BUT I won't tell you which sister I was with!)  I even got to bring my bike along.  I thought it was GREAT and it was!! BUT since then I have discovered that when you are all grown up taking your own kids camping it a little different ;)

For those of you who don't know us: we live in a fairly large city just 7 blocks from an NFL stadium.  My husband works a full time job and is an Assistant Pastor.  We do not get out of town much!  We did not go far away but to a small family owned campground only about 20 minutes from here that has a small creek running through it.  We enjoyed it so much that we would like to stretch ourselves next time and go a little further away, a little more out in the country and for more than one night.

I did not include a picture but we were able to fellowship with some dear friends of ours. The Lord is using them there at that campground.  On Sunday mornings they hold a church service there before going to Sunday School at their own church.  A lady who helps run the place and others have gotten saved.  It was neat to meet them and it was a blessing to spend time with friends who have been where we are at in our Christian life as a husband, wife, father , and mother.  They ministered to us and our hearts are full. May God be praised!

Some Things Learned:

• Bring an extra blanket or two: It gets colder in a tent at night.
• A mommy and a toddler CAN both fit on a single cot.
• I was reminded that you never know who you are going to run into and how God will use you. We visited with two sets of neighbors and were able to have a spiritual conversation with both. We always need to be ready to talk to people and share the Gospel with them.  

It takes kids longer to fall asleep in a tent and it is fun to sit out under the stars; by the fire with your husband; listening to your kids in the tent and counting your blessings.














With Love,

 Tina

Col. 3:17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."