Enjoy the Journey

Wasn't it just yesterday I posted The BIG Question and 31 days and counting??

We are currently only 8 days until the wedding!!

Wowzers

Today, I am packing, making lists, preparing a few things for the rehearsal dinner, charging camera, and getting myself overall ready for leaving. We leave tomorrow to start our 30 hour drive down to AZ, with a short stop in OR to pick up a couple people. I have to admit that loooong drives like that (going straight through with 7 people and tons of stuff), is not my absolute favorite thing to do. Oh, the destination....I CAN'T WAIT!!

With that thought in mind, I saw this on Pinterest this week and thought it was fitting....

OK {I thought}

No matter how hard it will be to sit in that car for hours, I am striving to enjoy those long hours to AZ.

I am so stinkin' excited to get there, it's going to be an awesome week!!!!

For now my peeps, have a great rest of July!! See you in August!

Graceway Camp

Graceway Baptist Camp is a brand new camp in Goldendale, WA. Several churches in WA, including ours, went there this year for Junior Camp.

I was so awesome to hear how the church in Goldendale had a burden to start a camp, then God provided this huge piece of property for FREE! It was donated by a couple in their church, then tons of things that needed to be done to get it running was accomplished for a fraction of the price estimated. God has had a huge hand in the building of the camp. It was amazing to hear the story behind it! It was just another great testament of how we need to trust God, even in the little things.

This year's Junior Camp was the first ever camp to be held there! From the week at camp, at least 15 kids made a profession of salvation, and many others made decisions for Christ. In total, about 200 + people where able to come. What an awesome start for a camp that is seeking to honor God in all they do!

I had a great time with our kids! It was nice to have them for several days, outside of church, to get to know them better. Lots of fun games, delicious food, and awesome preaching were things we were able to enjoy while there!

I put together a slide show of the pictures for our church to see yesterday. I figured you all might enjoy seeing them too :)

                              

What's Up

July is already proving to be an extremely busy month, with many more things to come. I am going to be out of town for about half (if not more) of the month. This means pack, unpack, pack, unpack, pack, unpack.... *sigh* All in the name of glorious summer plans! 

Mom and I just got back from a 5 day trip to Oregon visiting family. We had a great time complete with a graduation party for a cousin who graduated, shopping trip, floating down a couple rivers, soaking up some UV rays, and of course tons of yummy food! I had a cousin who was very pregnant, so we were hoping the little baby would come when we were there. We left early on Tuesday morning, then the lovely doctors decided to induce her around noon of the same day. Of course! I did have a beautiful baby girl {second} cousin enter this world at 9:02 pm, named Pearl Elizabeth (after my Granny). Even though we just missed her arrival, we are thanking the Lord that it was a safe delivery!

We also brought back my cousin Selma to stay with us for several weeks!

I'm home for a few days, then starting Monday next week I will be going as a counsellor for Junior Camp. I am super excited about getting to know our kids better and to see how God will work in their lives next week! Totally worth every.single.minute.

THEN, one week after I get back from camp we are leaving to go to AZ for Josh's wedding! Whoop Whoop!! It is coming up soooo fast, can't even believe it!

In a nutshell, this is my life for the month of July. It's already flying by, but I am so excited about the coming events!!

So, if you don't here from me much this month you know why! Life happens and I am happy to be busy in it!

Happy July!!

31 days and counting

Only 31 short days and my brother is marrying his love.

When your growing up you can only imagine what it will be like.

Will I cry?

Will I like my future sis?

Will I be shouting for joy?

Now, putting those long ago dreams into a reality, I can't tell you how I will be the week in AZ leading up to the wedding. Happy, tearful, joyous, sad.....?

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love my soon-to-be sis!! She is already being a wonderful and Christ-like  help meet to Josh and I am so very thankful for her. Through their relationship, especially throughout their engagement, God has so clearly drawn them closer to Him as a couple, preparing them for their future together. It has been so special to see first-hand. 
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On the other hand.....

Wasn't it just yesterday we were squishing in Mrs. B's car to catch a ride to school?

Wasn't it just yesterday we were playing outside in the woods?

Wasn't it just yesterday we were getting on each others nerves?

Wasn't it just yesterday you were sitting in my room and we were chatting as old friends?

Wasn't it just yesterday we were fishing by the lake and I hooked you with my fishingpole?

Wasn't it just yesterday all us kids were trying to squish in our little bathroom to get ready for church?

Wasn't it yesterday??

How is it that my big brother is getting married in a month?

Even though it seems like yesterday that we were doing all those things, its also becoming more and more of a reality of the man he is today.

God has been preparing and shaping Josh to be a Godly spiritual leader of a home, provider, etc....

I am so blessed to have this man as my brother.

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As I walk down the isle on August 3, I will see my brother standing there waiting to greet his bride.

Even as I think about it, I can't even anticipate what my emotions will be.

Yet, I DO know partly what I will be feeling.

JOY and PEACE

 That God has brought two precious people together who earnestly desire to honor and glorify God in their marriage.  

A couple who seeks to trust and rely upon their Heavenly Father in every trial and circumstance that comes their way.

For this, I am one thankful and blessed sister!

Photo a Day ~ Week 5

June 25 -- "something cute"

June 26 -- "where you shop"

June 27 -- "bathroom"

June 28 -- "on the shelf"

June 29 -- "soft"

June 30 -- "a friend"

WHEW! 

At the beginning of the month this challenge seemed a like a good idea. Yet, when you add in busy days, sometimes the last thing you want to be concerned with is finding a good picture to take!

IT. IS. DONE! :)