Refuge

For me, going to my parents house is a refuge.

Until we play euchre. Then it's more like a stronghold.

Going back home to our house is also a refuge.

Our church is another place of refuge.

Campgrounds are always a place of refuge. The only exception is the one down in southern Indiana that used to be part of a mental facility. The large living quarters were still there and it was creepy. That place was not a refuge for me.

Where do you find refuge?

Wilderness

I'm having a difficult time trying to think of something to write about in regards to wilderness.

I could talk about the summers I spent at camp where I hiked through the wilderness. I saw God there, but truly it was more in nature than wilderness.

We live in an small urban jungle. Sometimes going to work is like being in the wilderness. In the wild you fight rushing waters, and wild animals only to be beat down. At work you fight deadlines and multi-tasking only to be worn out.

Temptations find us in the wilderness. We found out what we're really made of.

Clearly, I have not overcome using prepositions at the end of my sentences. My wilderness is climbing through words and language only to fail.

But I will push on, just keep swimming, and not give up.

Ha, I had to end with that one.

pictures from camping

Oh the beautiful lake...

Sunset...
Bill and Em watching the sunset.


Emily pretending to have her senior picture taken (again, many, many years later -shush!)
Amy holding Cora who was massaging Bill's head.

Last Saturday

As I mentioned last week, we (Quota) had camp for our new Junior Quota (JQ). Here are some pictures. Everyone had a blast! We roasted hot dogs over a campfire (ahem! It was too damp to have a real fire, so we may have used a grill. But we didn't use charcoal for the s'mores. We put logs and had an actual fire), made s'mores, went swimming, had crafts, a scavenger hunt and had a photo booth.

Here's the entire group!!!


Here are the brave counselors.


This is me enjoying my s'more (and I managed to keep it neat... usually I'm pretty messy).

it's "camp" week

This week is our church's version of VBS. It's called Arts Alive!

The Jr. High youth are helping to build a shed at one of our member's house.


It does not hurt that she has a trampoline, big back yard and a swimming pool.

You'll see from these photos that we worked and had fun.

That's where I was yesterday and where I'll be Thursday. Then, on Saturday, Quota is hosting a "camp" for our new Junior Quota. I hope to take pictures of that too.

scones

I haven't ever made scones. I have enjoyed eating quite a few. Including one this morning. But the first time I had them was at camp.

Yes, camp. We had a nutritionist who was the head of the kitchen. God Blessed that camp food. Brown was not the food group of choice that summer. Although it totally spoiled me. Brown camp food does very little for me except raise my blood pressure and jack up my sugar levels.

Back to scones. I think she made them because of Ian, who was our... I forget his title, but he was British and he worked at camp. He was a counselor for at least one summer. Anyway, back to the scones. I think she made them for Ian. They were good. I had nothing to compare them too (well, muffins, I guess) and I liked them.

This morning, I had a meeting at the local bakery. They had double chocolate chip scones. Yum! I've had scones there before. They rate right behind croissants, which is another post on a food I love.

But I haven't ever made scones. So I checked out PW's website to see if she's made any. Guess what? She has. It looks like I'll be making these soon.