Lessons from the Black Hills

We spent eight days in the Blacks Hills. I learned many lessons while we visited GeeMa and GeePa as John calls them. I learned many lessons while we visited FCA Endurance camp as Elijah calls it (it is actually just FCA Camp).

1. A tractor is the most fun with Grandpa.

2.. Helmets are cute.

3. Throwing rocks into the rushing water can entertain for many minutes, until your brother's hat almost becomes a mistaken for a rock.
4. Who needs a pool when a water fountain will do.

5. Toys are not necessary for camp as long as the golf carts are parked outside.

6. Toons are better with friends.

7. It is important to announce to everyone on the bus that they are indeed riding a bus.

8. Grandpa has the coolest job.

Me & Self-Control

1 Peter 4:11, "If anyone speaks [which is all of us], he should do it as one speaking the very words of God."

Nothing makes you feel more convicted than when the words you say to your children are the words God has been whispering in your ear for ages. Car rides to and from work have become excersises in how much Mommy can handle before she bursts. It is often not much after a day with middle schoolers. On one particular car ride John was practicing his shreek. It is a very good, ear piercing, shrill shreek. I was trying to control my voice and calmly was asking him to please stop. When that didn't work I raised my voice and said, "Stop it, you need to listen to Mommy." And as if on cue, God whispers to me, "Yeah, Suzanne, stop it, you need to listen to me."

I am supposed to be working on self-control this year but so far I have done a lot of talking to myself about it but not a whole lot of action. This part of myself is so dissappointing. I am a pretty abnormal statistic, one would think I could do this too. I often feel like Paul when he wrote about doing the evil he did not want to do but was unable to do the good he knew he should do (Romans 7:19). God justwants me to start. I don't have to wait until Monday. I don't have to wait until I start a new Bible study. I don't have to wait until I feel better. I don't have to wait until the TV shows are on summer break.

I just have to start. I just have to listen & obey