The Swimming Hole

  Today after lunch we took the opportunity to go w/ Bruce & Joan and their daughter Amy Zorrilla & her family to an area in the Loyalsock creek that they like to swim in. Amy & Andres are staying at the Haft for 3 weeks, they're on furlough from Honduras where they are stationed with MCC. We have enjoyed interacting with the Zorrillas & our children have enjoyed spending time with their daughters Beatrice (13) & Abigail (9). Beatrice loves kids so she has bonded with MaKayla & Gabby. So when they invited us to go on a little outing, we readily agreed. They took us to a spot that they frequent, it's an area in World's End State Park- an area away from most of the other people. It was great, it was deep enough for the adults to swim and enjoy themselves, yet there were shallow areas for the smaller kids. It wasn't exactly the beach or the nice clean swimming pool that I'm used to swimming in, but it was cool, wet and a new experience for the kids. I love the idea of being creative, & using the resources you have where ever you're at- we don't have a pool close by so we use the next best thing we can find. The added benefit of a place like this in the creek is the fact that you can enjoy the beauty of nature while you're swimming. This swimming area is situated at the bottom of the mountain so we were surrounded by trees & rocks. And Madison was standing beside Dutch admiring his surroundings when he commented, "How can anyone think there is no God"?? I think he was in awe of nature & he saw God's handiwork in it. The Bible says when it comes to the Kingdom we need to "become as a child" & I understand why- they have a simple way of looking at things. Oh that we would keep a simplistic outlook on life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything Matters

  Paul & Leslie, a pastor & his wife that were here for a week Sabbatical, asked to have a word with the on-site team before they left here on Sat. morning. So we gathered in the "newly renovated lounge (thanks to Dutch)"- & Paul thanked each one of us for the part we play here. He said not only did they have a time of refreshing in their quiet times here, but also watching each one of us participate & work together was refreshing to them. And that is so encouraging to hear, because we all play a different part here- some people mow the grass, some people do construction, some people do counseling, etc. etc. So to hear Paul say that he was touched not only by the counseling they received here, but by all of us doing our part including Dutch & Madison workin along side each other- that was a tremendous boost to keep on with the everyday little things that God calls each one of us to!!!! That means that we're ALL important even the "little" things have significance. We don't just minister to people through preaching, counseling or witnessing- we can be a blessing in a lot of ways. This can be applied to life in general- people are watching, and our lives can be a testimony in every way. Our lives in action speak far louder than anything we could ever say, & the things that seem like "little" things to us might impact people in a big way. Don't ever think that being a mom is a "small" job, the way we raise our children, & handle them speaks to people. In other words, there are no "small" areas when you're a christian- every thing matters, our attitudes, & actions need to be in line at all times. Trust me I'll be the first to admit that when I'm alone with my kids, they see a side of me that I'd rather that nobody else see. Sometimes I snap & lose my temper, but sometime that will show up in my kids when they're in public & they get upset at some other kid & they show their temper. Well, no denying it, they learned it from me. So in all reality we can't drop our guard, we make impressions on people 24/7.  It's important that we make the effort to make good impressions & do everything with a good attitude no matter what the job is that we're doing.

A Conversation w/ My Kids

  Don't you love the stuff that kids come up with?? I was sitting down w/ my kids at breakfast this morning & we were chatting. The conversation was about "free" stuff- like magazines that we get in the mail for free aren't REALLY free because the advertisers pay to put an ad in them & that's how we get them for free. What we were discussing was that nothing like that is really FREE, someone always pays for it some way or another. So Madison pipes up & says, "People just don't have willing hearts now days, everything is about money".
  Then ShaLyn quips, "But Madison you NEED money to live, you have to have SOME money".
  And Madison comes back with, "Well not the way I see it. You can live off the land!!!"
  To which ShaLyn replies, "What are you gonna wipe your butt with"??
  I was sitting there smirking. What an interesting conversation. I love to hear how my kids see things. Their ideas & view points are priceless. Kids hear their parents talking, then they process these things in their little minds- then when it comes out their mouth it is amazing what they come up with. This mornings conversation continued but I can't remember all the details, but Madison did eventually agree that you need a little money to get equipped to live off the land, for instance, he said, "You would need to BUY fishing lines to catch the fish that you're gonna eat". And we discussed ShaLyn's question & decided that leaves would work for the wiping part as long as they're not poisonious!!!
  I write all this to say- I'm encouraging you to take a moment to have a chat with your kids & LISTEN to what they've got churning in their little minds. They might have a "word" for you. They may have dreams, plans & ideas for their future that you have no clue about. Their minds have a lot of info in them, tap in & see what's on their hearts. Take time with your kids today!!!!