Bible camp, the beach and the book

So I don’t even have the words to express how completely full and overjoyed I was after my time at Ponderosa Bible Camp last week.

Seriously. I’ve written before about how my oldest son would live there and eventually he may, who knows?  I get it and so does my youngest and WE WANT TO LIVE THERE too!  I told my friend, the camp director’s wife, “I have free range chickens runnin’ around at my house.  You have free range campers.” My youngest isn’t of age to stay overnight at camp but she was ever-so kind and gracious and allowed him to roam free with her littles all week.

Not only is it a beautiful, quiet place to go and unplug there is ALL THE FUN…

The question isn’t, “What do they do at camp?”

It’s, “What do they NOT DO?!”

They sing, swim, pray, play tons of games, learn scripture, make friends, ride horses, fish, learn about missions, wagon ride, kayak, zip-line, sky swing, eat, shop the snack shack, LAUGH, SMILE and that’s not all as the Cat in the Hat says, “No, that is not all.” It’s a week of jammed pack fun and fellowship and I was absolutely delighted to play a small part. I spoke at chapel each night. We had lots of fun learning about the Lord and His might and His faithfulness through His word and the use of objects lessons.  The Lord heard and answered my prayer in allowing me to lead at least one to Christ.  She was precious and sincere.  We walked outside after chapel, sat down on the steps, talked, hugged, cried,  asked for His forgiveness, BELIEVED and prayed.  The committed group of volunteer counselors lead six others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ with a total of seven commitments to make Him their personal Lord and Savior. (Next time I won’t just ask for one.) To God be the glory for such a special time.

—>PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVETISEMENT.. These thoughts are completely mine from a heart overflowing from an AMAZING week spent with a FANTASTIC group of people. And by the way-YOU SHOULD TOTALLY SIGN YOUR KIDS UP TO GO TO PONDEROSA BIBLE CAMP! Read MORE about CAMP HERE!

in other news….

tonight it’s HOME EVE and greetings from the seashore…….the sisters, our precious momma and the herd of seven children that call us momma have been here soakin’ up more sun than we should the last few days..

enjoying each other away from the mundane..or at least attempting to enjoy each other after the ride down and the 96,734 times we were asked by our short ones, “Are we almost there?  Are we close to the beach? How much longer to the beach?..Be near me Lord Jesus be near….Soon I will tell you more about our night out at THE HANGOUT and the dog show, and the trip to “Alan’s Island” (also more commonly known as “Alvin’s Island)  and how we shopped for hermit crabs, apparel, toy trucks, squeeky, aquatic toys and jewelry with seven children on a budget.  Oh! and who didn’t brush their teeth, who lost a toenail, who almost drowned in the hot tub, who lost their cool, who cracked the tablet screen, who lost their glasses and which short one didn’t wear underwear the whole trip. Or maybe I won’t.  I mean it is vacation and what happens on vacation  stays on vacation, right?.

raise your hand if you heart THE GOONIES! Omgosh!! we LOVED the movie the GOONIES growing up! we thought we were the Goonies..a.n.y.w.a.y.s.. meanwhile back at the ranch…………………..

in 23 days I am going to meet with 2, possibly 4 Christian publishers to pitch our story.  I am currently working on the book proposal and I COVET your prayers.  Remember, true story:  I am a cowboy’s wife, a mom, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, and speaker of truth who is MUCH more comfortable speaking than writing.   I know I’m not supposed to worry.  I’m fighting that battle each day surrendering it all over again -trusting the Lord to use me.  But for real-I can not do this alone. Many of you who read here are friends, others are family and many have become my family of friends.  Will you please pray for me when you think about it…

1.  For God to do what only He can do.  It’s all about Him.

2.  If this is the story and this is the time for God to direct each step and keep His hand upon us so that I may complete that which He has started in me.

3. that I will steward my time well.  I hope to have the proposal completely polished and ready by July 17th.

Something that would THRILL me is if you haven’t already done so…please CLICK HERE to LIKE and SHARE : Blessings Beyond the Barnyard Facebook page, follow on Twitter and/or on Instagram.  I need to show a growing platform.

And BTW (which is “by the way” if you are late to the party)

I APPRECIATE YOU &  AM FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR YOU!

much love,