That's right, Rob and I spent the weekend camping. We met friends from Long Island at Moreau Lake State Park. Our stay had a rainy start Friday night. We arrived around 6, our friends had been there for a few hours and were all set up. After chatting for a few minutes, we set up the tent and began to settle in. We made a run to the store and then made dinner. The rain refused to let up. It was more of a mist than a rain but either way it continued on through the night. The next morning was still damp, however, by the time we had breakfast and had all showered the rain seemed to be letting up. We went apple picking and while it was chilly we had a good time. The sun was shinning by the time we got back to the camp site. The weather was nice for the rest of the time. Don't get me wrong - it was cool, down right cold at times. Most of the time, we were wearing at least a few layers- to include hats and gloves!!
Yesterday we played monoply. I was the first to go bankrupt but Rob was in the final 2 (of four) and was sadly beaten by Shannon. We took a break for showers- the morning it was too cold for showers- the bathrooms were not heated!! It was like a polar bear dip only inside! Once we were all clean, it was time for Uno! We played that until it started to get dark and was time to start dinner.
The rest of the time was mostly spent sitting around the fire talking and laughing! We had a great time! While the weather made it difficult from time to time, the company made up for it! This morning was quite brisk and we all went to work to break down and pack up camp. It was difficult to say good bye the chilly air pushed us to our vehicles with great memories of this year's trip and high hopes for next year's trip!!!
Charlie did not accompany us for our trip - he spent the weekend with Uncle Nate and Aunt Sarah and cousin Colby. It must have been a big weekend for him. Shortly after we got home, he jumped up on the couch all by himself- our little guy is getting big!!

Last night, Rob and I brought home a bouncing baby boy!! He has light hair and big, dark eyes. He is so handsome and has quickly become a part of our family.  He likes to snuggle and be close to us. It is quite an adjustment having another living creature in our house but I think we will be just fine. Oh yeah, his name is Charlie. He has big floppy ears and is still pooping on the floor.  Charlie is our new dog!  We picked him up last night, got him a hair cut and had a visit with Grandma and Grandpa.  Poor little guy was all tuckered out and fell asleep while at Connie and Dave's.  Then he was up a good part of the night barking!!

He has the sweetest face and I have fallen in love with him!! He is half shih tzu and half poodle.  He will stay small - he is about 4 - 5 pounds now and won't get any bigger than 10 or 12 pounds.  I will post pictures when I can.  Or you can stop on out to see him. We are so excited about our new addition!!

I am weak.  I give in to my feelings and emotions - sometimes being a slave to them. Sometimes I find it hard to have faith and to remember that everything comes in God's time. I want things in MY time, I am selfish. God has ways to remind us that He is in control and He does know best! He reminds me that I am weak, I am selfish and He is strong and He knows best. He reminds me that I must have faith in Him and trust in Him - even when that can be difficult.
I have been listening to Prophets & Princes by Derek Joseph (Levendusky). This is an amazing CD!! I have been stuck on one particular song. Its number 13, its short, sweet and to the point, plus, the guitar is pretty awesome (and I don't use that word lightly). It took me a while to really hear the words - or at least have them sink in. Oddly enough the title is Strong (I have a friend who says God doesn't work in Neon signs...sometimes I think He has to). I just feel like this song represents where I have been for the past few weeks and where I am picking myself up from.
Here are the words:
     Here I am
     Laying at Your feet again
     Weaker than my enemies
     But I know You are strong

     I have come
     As far as these legs carry me
     So take me beyond what I see
     For I know You are strong

     Sovereign Lord
     Could it be I've fainted here
     So you could whisper in my ear
     That you are so strong
 
     Foolish man
     Trusted in myself again
     But now I can so plainly see
     That my God is strong

Once I really listened to the words, let them in my heart, I cried. I realized that I have been trying to take all the grief, anger, frustration, guilt, everything and push it away, way down deep because that is how I deal with it.  But it is so much easier to give it to someone who loves me and wants me to give it to Him, so He can deal with it. I feel like Derek wrote this song just for me...it is part of my revelation. I am not saying that all of my grief and other emotions are gone...but they seem a lot easier to deal with when there is someone there saying give your worries to me.

I wanted to thank all of those who have prayed for us, who have shared a look, a hug, a tear, an encouraging word (or a pan of brownies - thank you Mrs. Hull!!) with us. The support has been amazing, even overwhelming at times. I have a tendency to pull away during something like this. I like to go inside myself during pain and sadness. Its nice to realize how liberating it can be to talk about things and air them out in the open and let them drift away on a breeze. Its nice to not have something eating you alive from the inside out. So thank you to those who have made me talk, cry or otherwise engage in communication. Rob and I thank all of those who have thought of us in their prayers - we can certainly feel those prayers in our hearts. It is great to be part of God's family - how he puts those we need within arms reach at all times.  Thanks again.