*Campers for Christ 2015*

Every year over spring break, Rance and a few others lead a camping trip over spring break for middle school & high school boys!  Over the years, the leaders have grown so much in taking note of how to do things better from year to year so instead of JUST getting together for the camping trip in April, the group of guys began meeting in February on Sunday afternoons to build relationships and get to know one another better.  The time together was super helpful in building a closeness and trust before the camping trip ever happened.  The guys shared testimonies but also what they each wanted out of the trip.  Several of these boys come from broken homes or situations that have been very difficult.  How beautiful that we can be set free from this brokeness and identified solely in who Christ says that we are!

Just a few pictures from Sunday get-to-gethers!

The camping trip itself was 'BETTER THAN EVER' they said!  They were gone from Thursday to Sunday and it rained almost the entire weekend.  Did the rain stop them from REJOICING and PRAISING THE LORD?  Not one bit.  Rance said that noone complained the entire trip!  Wonder if a group of girls would be that way?!?! 

They had separate quiet times each morning with designated reading and questions.  Then the guys would meet in small groups afterwards to talk through what they were learning.  I love the vulnerability and openness that was shared according to the leaders too. 

While a long weekend trip is nice, the goal is always to continue building relationships and investing in these boys afterwards if the desire to grow in their relationship with the Lord is present! 

 

RAIN PICS!!!!!!!!!

 

Continue praying for these boys!

*Mother's Day Weekend*

I have mentioned before that I am a QUALITY TIME kind of gal.  THAT speaks volumes of LOVE to me.  If I could have been given anything for Mother's Day weekend it would have been to just spend QUALITY TIME with Jayden and Rance (since going to see my mom wasn't really an option!). 

....and I am thankful to say this past weekend was just that - FULL of quality time with both!

Friday night, we decided to go to the pool for a little while and Jayden was ESTATIC!

On Saturday, Rance sent me all over the house on a scavenger hunt which was fun, fun, fun.  He can come up with some riddles like none other!  I was pretty pumped about the new frames and photos.  I'm all about some pictures people!

 

 

 

Saturday afternoon we headed back out to the pool to hang with everyone and Jayden literally stayed in the pool 3 SOLID HOURS (with only a short break to snack and reapply sunscreen).  He was fascinated by the water and ALL the kids 

 

 

Saturday evening we headed to the river for dinner and it was YUMMY.  The weather was lovely too.

 

 

 

On Sunday, I shed many tears with a heavy heart for so many.  Mother's Day is not easy for everyone.  I know personally several that have lost their mother, those who have lost a child, those who desire to have a child and cannot get pregnant, and the list goes on.  My prayer all day was for the focus and trust to be in the ONE who knows best for us all!  His heart of love for us goes beyond measure and we can trust Him with all the areas of our lives knowing that HE writes the story that is BEST for each of us individually. 

 

Each day with Jayden is a gift and I don't want to take each moment for granted.  One of my biggest prayers is that each and everyday I will BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT.  I don't want to be so focused on what's next or what I can get done or distracted by all the to-do's that seem to be piling up - but actively engaging in every single moment with not only Jayden but whomever I am with that day.

 

Sunday was a beautiful time of worship and tears and full of prayer for so many of my family and friends and even those I do not know!

 

 

And a picture dump of me and little man trying to get a pic:

 

Sunday afternoon was spent OUTSIDE playing!  We laughed and I teared up a few more times!  

"Mama, let me have those sunglasses..."

He's going in for the kill...

GOT EM!

 

Time for sugies (sugar)!!!

 

"Yea right ma ma, give me back those sunglasses"

 

 

We rarely get THAT much family time in one weekend but I have a heart overflowing with thankfulness for a much needed weekend of TIME together and being present in the moment!