The campout last week was a blast! I only wished it could have lasted longer. ;oD Here are some highlights of our time there:

Friday: I arrived at about 6:30. (still can't get over the fact it takes hardly over an hour to get to Oklahoma :o)) After getting just slightly lost (had the right general area), I navigated my way to our campsite, which was right on the shore of Lake Texoma. There were just a couple of us there (I actually thought I'd be late!) and we kind of hung out down by the water for a while. Then when people finally started arriving, we helped get supplies, etc. to the campsite. I had sausage for supper.And later on, of course, we all roasted smores by the campfire. :o)

Okay ... I know I haven't covered Saturday and Sunday yet, but I'll write later ... I promise? :o) I'm kind of ready to get home now.

Saturday: Rolled out of bed, went and took a shower, and had some time with the Lord by the beach. It was such a refreshing, peaceful time! Then I came back to the campsite and we all hung around eating breakfast. Then Rob and I went to Wal-mart and got water and ice. I got a volleyball since the leader of the campout had forgotten his and I'd kind of been wanting one anyhow. The big joke of the weekend was "What did Rob NOT bring?" :o) He had everything, from aluminum foil and graham crackers, to tweezers and a first aid kit. * Incredible. We lazed around in the shade most of the afternoon and then some of us swam out toward an island. That was fun! Trace and I walked around the island and talked, then we began the trip back. A couple of the guys went with us in a canoe, which was a huge blessing, especially since I got tired part of the way there and had to be towed by rope and lifejacket. :oD

*When Trace and I came across some quicksand on the island, I was walking some on it and we joked that if I got caught in it, she could just go get Rob and he would come to my rescue with "Pulley 646". :o)

Sunday: We had a short service with communion, and I took one last walk and had some time with the Lord. I looked out over the lake and thought of how nice the weekend was and how I wanted to stay. :o) Then when I came back, we all had breakfast and picked up everything from the campsite. Then we all pretty much headed home.

I'm doing MUCH better now. And SO thankful. :oD My shoulders were hurting quite a bit this morning, but that wasn't so bad -- I am just glad I've been doing better otherwise!

This weekend is a long-awaited camping trip with my S.S. class. I'm looking forward to that. I have a lot of peace about this trip and feel that this is such a good time for a change of pace. I hope to come back from the weekend refreshed, invigorated, and having had some good times with the Lord in His creation!

I know it's been a while. The last few days have been kind of hard for me. I feel discouraged ... not fun. I feel like the enemy has really been attacking. (Ephesians 6:12) I don't want to feel this way ... I want to focus on the wonderful promises in God's Word and glean encouragement that overcomes these dark times.

Lord God, I pray that I would feel Your arms around me during this time ... that soon You would bring me through this. By faith I thank You for not shrinking back from making me a little more like You through life's circumstances, even when they are painful. Help me feel Your love for me on a heart level. And go before me and give me Your words as I teach Kids Korner tonight, I pray. I love You, Lord.

On a bright note, I went to lunch today with my friend Christine. We had a good time of fellowship together. And, bright note #2, I enjoyed skating with friends over the weekend and going out afterwards with one for late-night icecream bars! (we tried two grocery stores and one Walgreens before settling on our fine delicacy :o))