The Shack

I am 3/4 of the way through The Shack by William Young. This book is so thought provoking that I am having a hard time absorbing all that God is trying to tell me. The beginning is so disturbing that I had a hard time sleeping but I figured the storyteller had to tell it this way so that we could revel in his redemption. Here is a short section that really spoke to me....

Jesus is speaking "When I dwell with you, I do so in the present -- I live in the present. Not the past, although much can be remembered and learned by looking back, but only for a visit, not an extended stay. And for sure, I do not dwell in the future you visualize or imagine. Mack, do you realize that your imagination or the future, which is always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you?

Again Mack stopped and thought. It was true. He spent alot of time fretting and worrying about the future, and in his imaginations it was usually pretty gloomy and depressing, in not outright horrible. And Jesus was also correct in saying that in Mack's imaginations of the future, God was always absent.

"Who do I do that?" asked Mack.

"It is your desperate attempt to get some control over something you can't. It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't even real, not will it ever be real. You try to play God, imagining the evil that you fear becoming reality, and then you try and make plans and contingencies to avoid what you fear."

"So why do I have so much fear in my life?"

" Because you don't believe. You don't know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love. I am not talking about rational fears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projection of those into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it; but you don't know it."

Mack looked down once more at the water (he was about to walk on it with Jesus) and breathed a huge sigh of the soul. "I have so far to go."

I had to read this several times to get a full grasp on it... and I am still reading it and trying to pull from it. The entire book is full of these conversations with God that are full of vibrant color and depth. Definitely not boring. I must keep reading. Some of it I don't understand, but it is still good. Just like God Himself. He is always Good. Even when we can't grasp it.

BFF.

Emma's birthday party is coming up and we have a scrapbooking activity in the works. We held a photo shoot at small group last night to take pictures for their albums! It is going to be a fun day!

Abbey, Isabel, Emma, Kira, Makayla, Kaitlyn, Stephanie

Back to Camp!

Oh those camp days. The girls had another fabulous year at Camp Allendale. They went with some girlfriends, but of course made a few more while there. I think this is their favorite week all year long. Right before I was dropping Emma off at her bunk... we were delayed by a ferocious storm... she asks if she can dip into Sunday night's care candy package I packed for her.. gummy bears. I told her no and she went through her usual noises of unhappiness and I am ready to get out of there. My girlfriend Holly says... "Emma, just wait until we leave and then eat them." Pretty much telling her, you are on your own! She quickly smiles and says "OH!" That was the end of it!

Brown County

Our beautiful hike.

Hi Momma... I look at you with my "noculars."

I think this is my favorite photo thus far this year. Kira had no idea I was going to take her picture. She said "I wonder how a dog feels?" and stuck her head out the window... (for those of you worried about her not being in a seat belt, we were just cruising around the back roads of the State Park.). I stuck my camera out the window and voila... my favorite shot!

Kings Island!

In front... Ben and Emma, in second seat Beth and Kira.... This looks impressive, but it is actually a kid ride in Nick land... The Rugrat Runaway Reptar. Just my speed, but a bit jerky.

This photo was taken at our departure from King's Island. You cannot see the puddle dripping off of me. Emma and I rode the White Water Canyon together and I was of course the only one completely drenched. I went to the restroom and rung out my clothes. Then the other three joined us after riding Son of Beast and wanted to ride the Water Canyon too.... David was talking about how half of his shorts got wet.... I, of course, had to go wring out my clothes in the bathroom again.

It was a great day. We loved having Ben along with us. He is such a well-behaved boy and Kira and Emma loved having the special time with him.

Kira's favorite ride and my nightmare... the Vortex!

Emma's dream came true! She met Spongebob Squarepants! I told Dave we need to make a time capsule and put the opening song from her favorite show in it!

Oh my heart.... someday. Ben and Kira pose for me. Best Friends.

Day 2 of our vacation was a big hit. Paul and Holly gave us a play by play list for KI and it really helped. We did the Stunt Coaster first and I decided that was about as "racey" as I was going to get for coasters. Emma decided the same thing. Ben, Kira and David hit the Vortex with no line at all and did it twice... and a third time later when the line thinned out. I was so very proud of my daughter and Ben and so excited for David to finally have his "coaster gal." Ben and Kira encouraged each other all day long. When one would get scared, they would give them the boost they needed. Kira's favorite was the Vortex. David and Ben both loved the WORLD'S TALLEST, FASTEST, LONGEST COASTER IN THE WORLD... SON OF BEAST! (I thought this was the old kiddie coaster, the Beastie... it certainly is not. David's chiropracter will not be happy at all with him as it shook him to his very core, but was his favorite...huh?) Emma's favorite was the EuroBungie.... if you ever wanted to see Emma hung up by a rope... here you go! Mine... I really did enjoy the rides that I rode on, but I enjoyed the Flashback 80s show! Sorry Paul.... just not a mover and a shaker. I was proud of my participation, but rides just aren't my thing.

Great Wolf Lodge!

This place was SOOOO much fun for all of us. We missed having Ayla with us, but Ben was a much more independent replacement. David and I even got to hang out together... a first for a long time! The slides were all great. I even did them all! Emma was hesitant on one, but it quickly became her FAVORITE!

Seeking Medical Employment

Job Wanted. Very focused 2 year old that can handle a stethoscope very well. Picks boogers and does not eat them. Doesn't take lunch breaks because she doesn't eat anything. Won't get pregnant for many, many years. No personal mortgage to pay, so not much overhead. However, her personal favorite stethoscope "patient" is the refrigerator. (Maybe she will remember to check the daily temps per SBOH regulations?!) She doesn't whine much, but will require the best seat on the break room couch. Has her own fashion sense. Seek parental approval as she is a minor.

No crying in baseball, REALLY?

Kira had a rough scrimmage last night. We almost took a trip to the ER. She was pitching to a really competitive travel team from Noblesville and there was a play at the plate. She must have been watching the runner on third when her catcher muscled the ball to her. Yikes, it really hurt. There was crying in softball last night.

She is feeling better this morning. :)