Yes, I know you haven't heard from me in some time. It's not that I don't have anything to say (no comments). It's because I haven't made the time to sit and write. Putting thoughts down on paper (or screen) just doesn't come naturally and so often I procrastinate in beginning a new post.
Right now, I am sitting in a place where I can see the bright sunlight through the brand new birch leaves, and it's 9:25 pm. What a glorious sight! We've spent the last week working along side our First Baptist Ocala, FL family in an effort to spring clean the camp. The group was such a blessing! They cleaned every building from top to bottom, split more than a year's worth of wood, and raked more leaves than I even care to talk about. In fact, I'm afraid if I truly mention how many loads of leaves we haul no one would ever come help at the camp. There is really a method to our madness of "raking the forest", as Andy says. It's a way to decrease our mosquito population and help create a fire protection barrier around our camp building, but more than anything, it makes the place look like a well-kept, well-loved park.
My body aches in places that I didn't even know would ache after such a hard week of work, but my spirit is revived and ready for the busy summer. Not only did our Ocala family bring hands to help around the camp, but they brought the fellowship we needed to fuel up our tanks. It was a week of sightseeing, singing around the campfire (thanks to David), creating new variations of S'mores, game nights, and tons of fun and laughter. So many special memories and moments!
If all has gone well, the Ocala team is now in the air heading back to the sunny south. I am praying for safe travels for these dear people. I am also praying that their tired bodies will get the rest they need because many of them have to be back to work Tuesday morning. I am also praying that I'll see them again soon because I'm already missing them terribly. They're all a part of our camp family now...whether they want to be or not, and they always have a home in Alaska as long as I am here. What a wonderful week! What a wonderful week of blessings! What a wonderful God we serve!
Night all!
