As I sit here this morning alone again, waiting for Melissa to return from Mechanic Falls Family Camp and David just having left for Chocorua to work on his truck for yet another day, I am thinking of yesterday.  What an awesome day! 

We started off getting up early so that we could be on the road for Mechanic Falls, Maine by 7:30am.  A nice ride, and even a yard sale on the way.  We arrived at our destination at 9:30am and the worship service was to start at 10am.  We had time to move around a bit before sitting again.....we visited with friends and enjoyed the morning with a walk around "camp".  The bell rang, it was time for worship to begin....we went in and found our seat and prepared ourselves as best we could for the morning worship.  The worship songs and special music were a blessing to my heart, and then Pastor Roger gave a short exhortation before communion.  Following communion, the service was opened to anyone and everyone for testimonies, or scripture, or song.....What a moving of the Holy Spirit!  Jesus was present in that place yesterday morning......there were tears and laughter......and a feeling of cleansing.  I was truly blessed!

And that's not all......after the worship service, the "family" gathered in different areas of the "camp" to fellowship with games, puzzles, visiting...then lunch.  After lunch more of the same.......until 4pm.  A baptism of 3, 2 sisters and 1 brother.  Testimonies were shared, tears and laughter were again shared as the Spirit moved.  What a special time as we sat and stood around the pool witnessing the commitment of these 3 "family" members to follow Christ into the waters of baptism.  It brought back the memory of my own baptism in April 1988, and how that commitment has changed my life, and how grateful I am to God for giving me a second chance(3rd, 4th, 5th...but who's counting...He was patient and I have been blessed).

Then, dinner with the "family".  I love this "family", gathering together sharing our lives with one another....watching the little ones running and playing together, the teens and young adults playing games and talking with one another, and then us "older" family members, sitting in the sunshine, warming our bodies from the cool air(and warming our souls with the delights of the Lord) or playing indoor games and building puzzles, sharing our lives in simple ways.  I have to tell you, I was blessed, I was filled with much joy.  I did not expect anything from the day except to be in fellowship with my brothers and sisters and their families and I came away with thanksgiving, gratefulness, blessings, joy and a whole lot more than words can express.

Thank you God for a wonderful day!  So, as I sit and wait for Melissa to return from "camp", and wait for David to come home from working on the truck, I am not alone.  I have memories of a wonderful day, and God to spend time with, one on one.   

I just love Spring. All the signs of new life. The new leaves coming out on the trees and new grass poking up through the turf, flowers budding and coming into full bloom. Absolutely beautiful! The fruit tree buds turning into blossoms and the smell of the new apple blossoms. Oh, spring is such a wonderful time of year.  It brings me back to May 12, 1987, when I experienced new life in Christ. What a great night that was! I went from being dormant for 32 years, to being made alive in Christ. For the past nearly 21 years I have experienced new growth, the pain of being "pruned" and "cut back", but most of all the love of the Creator to guide me through it all.  I am so grateful to God for loving me that much. That He had a plan for me and waited patiently for me. I can't imagine life without Him. Thank you, God!

So, how should I be feeling today?  I'm loving the springtime air, even the mud.  Melissa went out last night and sat on the porch for about 30 minutes and when she came in the smell of the fresh air was all through her clothes.  It was great!  Then there is the feeling of busyness.....and that feeling is not one that I really like.  There are days that everything has to be done on that day.......especially a day like today.  Kids, Food pick up, Client meeting, Cleaning and then.............oh yeah, the end to the day.  A great big wonderful end to the day.  It's Thursday......and that means it's "OUTBACK" night.  And I am sooooo looking forward to it.