Twelve Years Ago, Today...

… we made a choice.

Sitting in a little house on the EMD campgrounds, Phil and I looked at each other and asked (and answered) a question, “Are we going to sit around talking about it forever, or are we going to do it?”  And then we jumped in, with both feet, and started on a journey that lasted for a dozen years and changed us, forever.

Today, we pulled a moving van into the driveway at a little house on the EMD campgrounds.  And just as the decision all those years ago was an answer to the call of God on our lives to leave home; this day was an answer to the call of God on our lives to return.

It’s been one of those days that you just couldn’t dream up, even if you tried…

From the sounds of Caedmon’s Call’s “Coming Home” blaring on the radio, at sunrise, as I crossed the Michigan border…

To the welcome we received from friends, old and new, for the unloading of the truck (and I have to note here, that two of those sets of friends had also greeted us, in Colorado Springs, when we first began this journey – simply amazing)…

To watching the kids run across a field to a playground to play with kids they knew in what seems like a former life... and they don't even realize it... but I do...

To the worship with Olivet’s “The Narrow” that seemed to hit on every era of our adventure, leaving me in tears for most of the night… happy tears… astounded tears…

To the way this house even smells and feels like that first little house...

I am, perhaps, a little floored at the way God works things out. 

“How many years did you plan this moment here just to show me that you love me?” (Britt Nicole, Seeing for the First Time).  I am so thankful, and I wouldn't change a thing...

L.

This Week...

In some ways it was harder than I thought, and in some ways it was easier than I’d imagined.

It’s a little crazy how things kept coming together for me, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  So many pieces of my life have come together on the EMD campgrounds (I’ll share more of that in a minute), so why not this chapter of life?  It is where I go to listen to God.  I needed to be there this week.

But I have to be honest, there were some challenges.  Among them, was a detour.  Ironic:

For the first few days, I spent a pretty good amount of time being lost.  Later in the week, I had re-gained a grasp of the winding, jarring, dirt roads that used to be so familiar.  As I shared before, Ian and Miah thought we were on a roller coaster, at times… hands up, screaming, and all…  Maybe they have a more accurate understanding than I do…

But even on the roller coaster, God spoke:

God spoke through friends this week.  Maybe they know it, and maybe they don’t, but God spoke.  It is always a little unnerving when someone can anticipate the next words out of your mouth, and friends were finishing sentences for me that I didn’t even realized I’d started…  

God spoke through evangelists and worship leaders this week.  I have already shared some of those things in earlier posts, but the final one, from Friday night, was this:  “God doesn’t always answer prayer in the way we think He should”.  It’s not as if this is a new concept or anything, but Dr. Diehl brought a new perspective, for sure.

But maybe most interestingly, God spoke on the detour.  Go figure.  As I was driving, by myself, on Wednesday morning, these words resonated in my heart and mind, “I’m not taking away what you want, Lisa.  You can have stuff, or you can be happy…”

I’ll choose happy…

In recent days, I have had some trouble letting go of our current situation, because there are so many good memories.  Being on the campgrounds reminded me that the memories last far beyond the moments and places in which we create them.  And so… 

Yesterday afternoon after I recounted the story of how Phil and I met and first talked at one of the windows at the Gibson Center… and after I reminisced about the evening that Phil proposed to me out by the lake, while I sat on a tree stump… and after I thought about our first house out there on the grounds, and walking through the door after our honeymoon… and walking through the door with a newborn Seth… and then a newborn Grace…  I almost couldn’t start the van to leave.  There were some tears then, and if I’m honest, there are some tears, tonight.

But then God spoke again, through a song.  No kidding, this is what was playing when I pulled out of the campgrounds…

"Home"

By: Caedmon’s Call

So you asked, so I'm going
Here I am, never knowing
Where this horizon ends, and the next road begins
Or where I'll find you

It's getting dark and I'm a long way from home
But I can't stand spending this night alone
And I will sleep, my eyes to the east
And wait for the sun to come, home

I've gone to walkabout to find your face
The land I love, don't look the same
Look the same

So cover me like a blanket in the cold
You have given me this hand to hold
To help me up
'Cause I fall down

It's getting dark, and I'm a long way from home
But I will not spend this night alone.
I will sleep with my eyes to the east
And wait for the sun to come, home.

It feels something like I'm chasing the wind
I feel like this road has no end
But the end is you I know
So I chase on   

L. 

General Assembly, Part 3

I am “backblogging” at this point.

The last day of our trip was good… maybe even very good.

Although we had planned to go to both worship services on Sunday, it became very obvious during morning worship that Miah was just done.  I am thankful that she was so good during the Friday and Saturday night services, but the truth is we broke new ground, this morning.  I am almost certain that, “Let’s Dance, Little Pookie,” had never before been read during a Church of the Nazarene communion service.  We have accomplished that now.

Still… mishaps and all… there is something uniquely special about celebrating the Eucharist with thousands of other worshippers, and I’m glad we did this, squirmy toddler and all.  I love how Miah actually sought understanding of communion, today.  After explaining it to her, she said, “It makes Jesus happy!”  This, in turn, makes me happy.  How many three year olds really get it?

Switching gears, we spent the afternoon (seriously almost 7 hours) at America’s Incredible Pizza Company, where we ate lunch… and dinner… and other various snacks!  We played games until we dropped, and Grace even managed to win an iPod touch, far more than making up for what we paid for hours of endless fun and ice cream!

This was an amazing trip for us, but there’s always something very good about stepping through the back door and resuming our regular lives, too.  And yet…

L.

(to be continued)

General Assembly, Part 2

I feel like today started a million years ago.

Quick rundown…

Went to see Monsters University, which was really great except for the 372 previews we had to endure before it began… except maybe The Lego Movie preview…  that one has potential merit…  Phil and Ian missed about the last 90 seconds of the movie, because no one should be subjected to the vigorous potty dance that Ian was doing in his seat.  Random thought.  Why do people leave before the credits are over?  Do they not realize that they miss things?  Anyway, I think this is the second movie that our entire family has ever gone to the theater to watch, together.  It was time (and even money) well spent.

One of the best parts of GA is catching up with friends from all over the country.  It was great to run into Kate and the kids and to see how they have grown into beautiful people!  I loved chatting with Pastor Jim and Marilyn!  Undoubtedly one of the best quotes of the day came from Marilyn, who said, “I’m so glad you guys found each other, because your kids are so cute!”  And eating at The Old Spaghetti Factory (Mizithra and Spumoni, oh how I enjoy eating you every four years or so) with Nicole, Ralph, Tamar, and Jadon was just great!  As an added bonus, we got to sit in the trolley!

I think, maybe, I was the only one who found it hysterical that the boys kept spinning through the revolving door.  At any rate, I'm pretty sure I thought it was funnier than the people waiting to get into the building...

Hearing Dr. Porter speak is always a highlight of Naz. events for me, and it sure didn’t hurt to close out the service with some Rend Collective Experiment!

Bedtime…  It’s definitely bedtime…

L.

Phil’s Graduation Trip, Day 5…

This was supposed to be our “down day”…

We started the morning by going to Early Church at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene. I was so pleased with the child care staff, who managed to keep Miah for the whole service even though she was unhappy at times. This provided me with an opportunity to participate in a corporate worship gathering from start to finish for the first time in a very long time. I was not disappointed in the least. We had the privileged of seeing Pete become a member of Nampa First, and we experienced Holy Spirit moving in a way that was so amazingly powerful. It was a very, very good start to another wonderfully made day.

As it it Mother’s Day, Phil wanted to take me out for lunch, even though we have enough leftovers in the mini-fridge for a small feast. We headed for Boise Town Square, where we got a buzzer for The Cheesecake Factory and did a little shopping at Borders while we waited for a table. All I can really say is, “Wow!” I have experienced The Cheesecake Factory once before in my life, and it is not that great of a memory, to be honest. This time was much, much better, primarily because of the company I had, but the food was delicious, as well! Miah was a real stinker, but we survived!

When we arrived back in Nampa, we took some pictures on campus. We actually took a lot of pictures, but here is my favorite one:

Then we made our way back to the hotel, did some packing, swam for an hour (Marco Polo is a riot with Caleb), and took a dip in the hot tub. This is all understated. It was an incredible day. There are just no words.

Lisa

PS Some things are meant to be cherished and remembered in our hearts…

I Don't Really Want...

... my blog to deteriorate into song lyrics posts...

However...

This song pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about life right now, so here it is...

I Am Not Leaving Now
By: Satellite Soul

I spent my life stumbling down this road that I must travel
And I spent my time chasing dreams that never did unravel
I've seen the light in the darkness
And I've seen the clouds roll away

I am not leaving now
Faced the prairie darkness, seen the cold wind howl
I cannot take my bow
'til I've stated the reason for the hope I found
I am not leaving now

I run this race with weary feet
And a heart that's newly branded
And I set my face
To the east and so far I'm still standin'
Though I'm afraid of the silence
(Well) I am not running away

I am not leaving now
Faced the prairie darkness, seen the cold wind howl
I cannot take my bow
'til I've stated the reason for the hope I found
I am not leaving now

(Well) I believe there is a prize awaitin'
Those who will finish strong
I could stand around here debating
Or take my cross and carry on for I

I spent my life stumbling down this road that I must travel
I spent my time chasing dream that never did unravel
Though I'm afraid of the silence
I am not running away

I am not leaving now
Faced the prairie darkness, seen the cold wind howl
I cannot take my bow
'til I've stated the reason for the hope I found
I am not leaving now

L.

Sometimes I Wonder…

… If this is really what I was created for…

It’s just been one of those days…

It didn’t really start out that bad… I mean, I managed to take a bath, wash my hair, put a minimal amount of make-up on, find clothes for the kids, and practice the song that Phil and I were to lead off worship with (twice)… all in about an hour. Ian’s socks didn’t match, but nobody’s perfect…

At this point, I turned my attention to throwing together what I needed for children’s church. The project supplies were in the new dining room, and as I was getting them I noticed that Ian was with me… and that he had shut the French doors behind him… and I just thought, “Oh, Ian… you didn’t”…

Now, this might not seem like that big of a deal to most people, but here’s the thing… Our new dining room is almost finished, but it is still a work in progress. There are only handles on the living room side of the doors, and to get out of the dining room, you must pull (not push) the doors… and they latch!

For the next three minutes, Ian pushed on the doors (even though I told him it wouldn’t work), while I screamed at the top of my lungs for Seth, Grace, or Caleb to let us out… They could not hear me over the Christmas music that was blaring in the kitchen. Thankfully, Seth finally made his way to the living room (only Heaven knows why), and I managed to catch his attention… He let us out… I considered the fact that my voice was now hoarse, and for a fleeting moment wondered whether or not I should put Ian back in the dining room… then I remembered that the good china is housed there…

Even though I have determined to wear shoes more often this winter, I started looking for my flip flops, because I didn’t think my tennis shoes would make a fashion statement with my dress (which, by the way, was a maternity dress, because I am still quite overweight from having Miah… and remember this, because it is important to a later part of this story)…

As the minutes ticked away, I decided that maybe the tennis shoes weren’t the worst option, and I put them on… without socks… I knew, instinctively, as I did this that I had just committed wardrobe suicide, because everyone in this church greets me with eye to foot contact, just to see whether or not I’ve given up on the flip flops for the winter… But I had to get moving…

I’m not sure if this is the appropriate place to digress, but last week… about fifteen minutes before we were supposed to sing… I realized that my keys were locked in the van and had to call the church to see if someone could find Phil… steal his keys… and bring them to me. George, our Senior Pastor, showed up at the back door within minutes. I am sure that is just what he needed to be doing (rescuing crazy woman with five children who also happen to be Associate Pastor’s family) right before worship… Thanks, George…

Today, I had my keys in hand. This is only useful if the doors aren’t frozen shut…

I am almost sure that as I pushed and pulled and grunted and snorted that I said something like, “You have got to be kidding me!” Seth said, “Let me try, Mom,” and in the world of cartoon animation and corny movies, it always works, so I stepped aside. Seth pushed and pulled and then said, “I can’t get it either.” I let out a scream (not an angry one, mind you… just kind of exasperated), and then Seth and I looked at each other and started cracking up and almost fell in the snow… I don’t think Miah found it all that funny. Grace, Caleb, and Ian were still in the house…

I finally did manage to get enough doors open to get everyone in the van.

An uneventful drive to “building church” was followed by the realization that there was only one parking spot left, and it was over ice… I took it.

When I got out of the van, I realized that the ice wasn’t all that frozen and that the kids were now going to have to exit into a slushy puddle. I informed them that Mommy just played a game of “Don’t Break the Ice” and lost. They thought that was hilarious… I didn’t, really, but I laughed anyway as I propelled them across the puddle, one by one, and realized that Seth and Grace are really getting too heavy for this. Grace proceeded to whine about how cold it was while I stood almost ankle deep in freezing cold water and got everything else we needed out of the van.

The kids ran in the door.

I took a deep breath and tried to think of something funny to say to the first person who commented on my tennis shoes… or my coat (which I haven’t mentioned until this point, because I like coats about as much as I like shoes… which isn’t very much. If you’ve seen the commercial for Head and Shoulders where the lady is wearing a huge, ugly, black coat and the announcer exposes the myth that “black is always flattering”… well… that’s my coat)…

I crossed the threshold and lost the coat (leaving me, of course, in my sleeveless maternity dress, which I thought was maybe the first good choice of the day, since it caused people to comment on how cold my arms must be; taking the attention away from my feet altogether!)

I dropped Miah off at the nursery, and almost immediately ran into a college aged girl who used to be part of our ministry to teenagers. She had her baby with her, whom I have only seen once before. I commented on how cute the baby is. The girl patted my tummy! This is awkward for me when I am pregnant. Awkward doesn’t even really describe the feeling when I am not pregnant… which I am not! The only thing I could think to do was to be honest, so I said, “There’s not a baby in there. That’s just baby fat. If you want to see my baby, she’s in the nursery.” What else can you really say?

I talked with a few more people here and there, and got ready to enter the sanctuary, take the stage, and sing the song I wasn’t sure I could sing with my waning voice… Remembered I was sucking a cough drop… almost spit it out in the aluminum can collection basket that is for raising funds for the Haiti mission trip (oops)… found a regular trash can (thanks, Ruth)… and took my position again…

Only to see Phil coming down the hall, who said something to the effect of, “Oh good… you’re here! You’re wearing your tennis shoes?” Good one, Phil…

I wish I could say that the rest of the morning wasn’t as interesting…

Every kid except ours who was at Children’s church is going on vacation somewhere cool for Christmas.

Miah was distraught in the nursery, and I finally had to flip my stupid dress around backwards to nurse her… long story… She also showed up at church with only one sock and left with none… epic fail, Mommy… cold toesies…

At least one other person made a reference that made me think she also thought I was pregnant… I think I’m burning the dress… did I mention that?

And I find myself sitting here… typing to beat the band… trying to get this story out before we start phase 2 of this day… Please, oh please let the mini musicale, children’s Christmas party, and whatever else we end up doing tonight go a little more smoothly…

Oh wait… Ian just ran by wearing only pants… Here we go again!

Lisa

You're So Vain...

You probably think this post is about you…

And maybe it is…

And maybe it’s not…

I think I am still kind of egocentric. All of the psychology classes I’ve taken make it pretty clear that I should have outgrown this… oh… about a dozen years ago… but I haven’t… not completely…

The vast majority of the time, I think this is just a result of my overactive imagination that must somehow desire to be a people pleaser, deep down inside, even though I have never, ever been a people pleaser… in my whole life… ever.

I am, however, much better than I used to be at actually recognizing that other people exist and then going out of my way to help them in whatever way possible. It doesn’t come naturally to me, but I have learned to do it, because people matter. And I don’t want to sit here patting my own back all day long, but anybody who really knows me also knows that I will run myself into the ground for the sake of others, and that I would give someone the shirt off my back if they needed it. Again… no credit to me… I haven’t always been this way… And, again… I have to think about it. It takes effort on my part… I am no angel…

But I do like helping people.

I’m going to be frank and admit that sometimes I get over-committed and it makes for a negative outcome for all of my work. I get whiny and start to complain. I am the first to admit that I do not “do tired” well… and I do not “do sick” well… and I am a picky eater! These can be pretty serious limitations. I do work hard, though… and I give 150%... and I am often the first one to arrive and the last one to leave (except for maybe my husband who works harder than anyone I know).

A little over two months ago, I decided to take a break. Actually, one of these days I am going to come back and dissect the phrase “take a break”, because it has grown a life of it’s own, and I really hate the phrase, but I did, indeed, decide to cut back on some (a lot) of my volunteer activities.

It was necessary, because I am currently very hugely pregnant and not feeling that amazingly great… (Please see above… does not do sick and tired well…)

The “people pleaser wannabe” in me wants to make a list, now, of all of the activities I have continued to participate in (sometimes against my better judgment or that of my doctor… who is my friend… so I can’t get away with as much as I might like… she will catch me)!

But it just occurred to me that I don’t owe anybody a list…

What I will say is this…

“YOU HAVE NO IDEA!”

There… I have said it… In fact I have yelled it in all caps… almost feels like the Lisa of old who didn’t mind if she stepped on a few toes (and seriously… If I stepped on your toes right now… It would hurt)…

I have learned… over many years of ministry… how to be humble (yep… I just said I’m humble… took that right from Moses…). And I have learned what it means to really care about people and the kinds of interactions and relationships that you must have with people in order to become a credible influence in their lives. I have learned to push… and to push… and to push until that amazing moment when you see someone finally grasp what it means to really follow Christ with their whole life. And I have learned to back off when it isn’t the right time. The hardest lesson I have learned is that I can’t force anything… on anyone… and that it’s not my job to save the world.

I have learned… to learn… from people who are older… and wiser… and more experienced than I am. And then I learned that lesson… again… when I thought I had it figured out… again. I have learned to take something positive from everyone I meet.

I have learned… to teach… people who are younger… and less knowledgeable… and inexperienced. And I know, with certainty, that if any of them are reading this, they may be offended… because I used to be there… I have learned to give something positive to everyone who will take it.

Everyone basically has a choice to make in life. It doesn’t have anything to do with whether you are a pessimist… or an optimist… an introvert… or an extrovert… It doesn’t even have anything to do with your personality or the way you were raised. Everyone has a choice whether to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

The way I see it, most people have no difficulty finding fault with the world. This is just human nature. But it’s what we do with those faults that really matters. And look… I know I’m not the answer… and neither are you…

But I’m all about transformation… And I’m all about making everybody welcome… and that’s a harder promise to fulfill all the time… But that’s primarily because people get selfish…

Ah… age old issue…

Lisa

First Day of School...

... was really fun!

The end of the summer caught me by surprise, and here I find myself with a preschooler, a second grader (age 6, goin' on 16), and a third grader... Oh, and of course the baby who sits down to "do school" with us and looks offended when I don't hand him a workbook and a pencil! How did this happen?

We had a very nice first day of school. It started at 4:30am for me, and since I am "back blogging" this, I can already tell you that didn't last for this week!

We started out with some worship time, and I have to say that over and over again in my life, one (rather old now) worship song keeps springing back to the top of my list. Some lyrics please...

Sometimes by Step
By: Rich Mullins

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it, but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You'd already done

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek you in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek you in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes the night was beautiful

I think that's just about exactly how I felt on this first day of school.

Lisa

"Words to Build a Life On"

As promised, here are the lyrics for "Words to Build a Life On"... Amazing song... It speaks for itself...

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak

Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain

Blessed when you're broken
Blessed when you're blind
Blessed when you're fragile
When you have lost your mind

Blessed when you're desperate
Blessed when you're scared
Blessed when you're lonely
Blessed when you've failed

Blessed when you're beat up
Blessed when you're bruised
Blessed when you're tore down
Blessed when you're used

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed when you're heartbroke
Blessed when you're fired
Blessed when you're choked up
Blessed when you're tired

Blessed when the plans
That you so carefully laid
End up in the junkyard
With all the trash you made

Blessed when you feel like
Giving up the ghost
Blessed when your loved ones
Are the ones who hurt you most

Blessed when you lose your
Own identity
Then blessed when you find it
And it has been redeemed

Blessed when you see what
Your friends can never be
Blessed with your eyes closed
Then blessed you see Me

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed when you're hungry
Blessed when you thirst
Cause that's when you will eat of
The bread that matters most

Blessed when you're put down
Because of me you're dissed
Because of me you're kicked out
They take you off their list

You know you're on the mark
You know you've got it right
You are to be my salt
You are to be my light

So bring out all the flavour
In the feast of this My world
And light up all the colours
Let the banner be unfurled

Shout it from the rooftops
Let the trumpets ring
Sing your freaking lungs out
Jesus Christ is King!

Jesus is my Saviour
Jesus is divine
Jesus is my answer
Jesus is my life

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Give us ears that we may hear them
voice that we may sing them
life that we may live them
hope that we may give them
hearts that we can feel them
eyes that we can see them
thoughts that we may think them
tongues that we may speak Your words

Copyright Mike Crawford 2004, BMI
CCLI Song No. 4541172

Paradise '08...

For those of you who don't know, Phil and I spent Memorial Day weekend in Missouri/Kansas, participating in an intense, extensive time of worship. It was awesome.

It was not the kind of awesome that you usually experience. It was not the been there... done that... got the T-shirt and wear it everywhere I go kind of awesome. It was different.

Our day out in the field started with no direction, which, to be honest, got on my nerves a little bit. Except it really shouldn't have, because as Phil and I began talking, I know that God used those moments to work in my heart. I don't think I really want to get into all of it, and a lot of you who read this blog regularly have already heard the story (or lived through it), but let me just say that it is a pitiful thing to nurse wounds you didn't even realize still existed...

At some point it started to rain. I admit there was a tiny, little bit of lightning, but I counted the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, and it was like 30 miles away, so we stayed on the field (although Phil did run up to the tree line where we'd left our lunches, because we didn't particularly want to serve our group soggy sandwiches). During this time, spontaneous singing broke out. I liked that. The rain lasted for about 10 minutes...

We experienced a group time together, which was good...

Our late morning silence time was a bit on the interesting side. I really don't think most people understand the significance of silence. Most days, I don't fully "get it" myself. I had a difficult time getting settled in a place where I felt like I could completely focus my attention on God. The first place I chose was inhabited by a great multitude of tics. The second place I chose was also inhabited by tics, as well as some other friendly insect creatures, but perhaps the worst part about that spot was that when I sat down I came to realize that the ground was a good deal wetter than I had anticipated. Finally, I climbed a tree...

I did not climb very high, mind you, but I did climb, and that's saying something since I don't believe I've been up in a tree in well over a decade...

I decided to read about Nicodemus... which led me to the passage about the master and the talents and the servants who invested them wisely and the one who didn't. And then I felt like I was getting absolutely nowhere, so since there was a breeze I went ahead and let the pages of my Bible blow at which point I came to the parable of the lost sheep. And in the end, to be completely honest, I exclaimed, "God, You are so confusing!"...

Carefully climbed out of the tree... found Phil... headed toward the field for the Sacred Assembly...

Let me insert here that this is the point at which I should have applied sunscreen. However, I am sometimes an idiot, so I now look at bit like a lobster, seeing as this is the worst burn I have ever experienced, hands down...

The first part of the Sacred Assembly was good. It was probably better than good, but my mind was wandering to a few other issues at the time, so for me it was just good...

Then, one of our girls started to feel light headed, so I took her up to the first aid tent. Actually, we were headed to the ambulance, because I thought that was where they were administering first aid, but as it turned out there was a tent right out on the field where they were equipped to serve warm Gatorade, so that's where we ended up... She really didn't feel well...

I stayed up there with her for probably 30-45 minutes. During this time, some of my favorite worship songs were being played on the field, and I have to admit that I was a little on the irritated side... again... because I would have liked to have been down there. At some point, another one of our girls joined us, and I went back to the group. I was able to clearly see our girls in the first aid tent from where the rest of the group was, and if they needed me to come back, the doctor had Phil's cell number. They eventually rejoined us, as well, when they had partaken of all of the warm Gatorade their bodies could handle...

The major turning point for me, during the Sacred Assembly, was a song I'd never heard before. It was called "Words to Build a Life On"... I think. At any rate, I do not have the lyrics right now, but I sent a message to the guy who I presume is the author of this song, and when I do have lyrics... or music... or whatever, I will share it.

There is something amazing about reading Scripture aloud and singing to God alone for hours on end! I was not ready for this time to be over when it was...

We spent some more time as a group, munched more sandwiches and snacks, and made our 1/2 mile trek back to the bus. We did not stay until sunset. I would have liked to, but it didn't seem to be the best choice in our particular set of circumstances...

I know that this writing has not done justice to what I actually experienced at Paradise. It was very personal and internal. I would definitely do it again (minus the sunburn).

Lisa