Influenced by...Camp Wesley Pines

Not sure I'm going to be able to cover everything about Camp Wesley Pines. I began going to camp there as a camper to the younger and older elementary camps, then on to junior high camps and retreats. I began to work different camps as a counselor in training there and then on to senior high retreats. I worked several summers and I almost remember each one individually. It was in the tabernacle by the lake when I was 16 that I asked Jesus into my heart. I feel like I learned many lessons there and was introduced to many character traits. I made friends there that I still have....and even though we may not see each other quite as often as I'd like, I know we share an amazing common bond by being blessed by God through Camp Wesley Pines. I've been through several things as an adult there as well and the same remains true of my youth.....that God is faithful to meet me right where I am. When I drive through the front gates...everytime...I get the feeling of "coming home", and that feels really good. I pray our daughter will discover how special that place is. She's gone for the past two summers and can't get enough...I think she's getting it too.

Influenced by....my parents

You know the old saying, "It takes a town to raise a child.." That would possibly be very true of me. Living in a small town America it does tend to be the responsibility (and privilege) of raising others children. The friends that I was in first grade with, were the very same friends I graduated with. There were my besties parents that treated me as their own and vice versa. All wonderful role models. There aren't a whole lot of people that can say that. I was going to start now and go back but decided I better start from the beginning. I will say that my parents have been the most important influence in my life. From as early as I can remember, even though I didn't have a word for it, I had a feeling of what unconditional love was. The love that they had and still have for one another is truly an inspiration to me. The character traits that I learned from them, I am frantically trying to teach our children and am seeing that it isn't such an easy job. That patience that my mother has and still has with my father is immeasurable. The way that no matter what time he use to get in from the hospital or have to leave unexpectedly at lunch on Thanksgiving..no complaining...just keeping a plate for him and having it hot when he got home. The compassion that my father has for people when I would've been so done with them. It all comes from making God the center of a marriage. I get it now.

Complete Overhaul

Well, to be quite honest, I had thought about deleting this blog altogether but I think I'll carry it out a bit longer.... ONLY because my old friend John gave me such a good idea. John and I recently caught up with one another on where else, Facebook (another thing that's been keeping me from blogging) I've enjoyed so much reading his blog and he has given me some motivation to blog about some things. Some of his posts have really made me stop and examine some parts of my life...especially my past. Uuugghhh..don't ya hate that word? PAST.. Thank God that's exactly what it is. The Past.
Some much has happened since my last post before Christmas. I won't even attempt to go back and touch on everything. What I can tell you is that this crazy deployment that is keeping my husband away from us is about to come to a close. Less than one month away now. I've gone this long....One month is a piece of cake.
So the thing that John blogged about that has my wheels turning is People or Places I've Been Influenced By.... I've got a few important ones in mind. Still have a little churning to do...but please stay tuned to see who made the list.....
In the meantime, I've given this little silly blog a makeover and changed some blogs that I follow. Check them out! I'll be back soon...Promise.