Camping!

This past weekend I went camping with some “missions” friends that I have made over the last few months. After work on Friday, I headed 3 hours east near Ponca, AR on the Buffalo River to meet 7 friends. Libby and Katie, who are two twin sisters, along with Brittne from my China travels and Jarod Townsend, Luke and a couple of new friends made a campfire quite cozy on Friday evening. I arrived a little late, and lucky for me, the tents were set up and the fire was blazing. Set right on the Buffalo River, I knew we would be in for a treat when the sun came up. You could see the granite cliffs rising above the river in the moonlight.

Everyone was so inviting and genuine to me throughout the weekend. I was the only one who doesn’t attend Mercyview with them, but they treated me as one of their own. We chatted around the fire, ate smores and toasted bananas, and laughed a lot. We encouraged each other and just enjoyed one another’s’ company.

Saturday morning, I woke up to Luke and Mitch making “pourover” coffee, which takes way more science and measuring than I realized. It’s a funnel that flows into a beaker like object. You pour boiling water over hand-ground beans and it slowly trickles into the glass. Very strong and very good. We had a divine breakfast of Katie’s scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits cooked in a dutch oven over a fire. Yum! With our stomachs full, we headed out for a hike in the mountain wilderness. This 3 mile hike did not disappoint. We meandered through woods, then eventually hugged the side of a mountain that had a several hundred foot drop. Lots of sitting, pondering and pictures followed. I wish I had some to post but hopefully soon. The leaves were mostly off the trees, but the silence of the Ozarks was really cool, broken up by the occasional eagle flying over the valley below. I came back to Tulsa Saturday afternoon, but the rest of the group stayed through Sunday. It sounds like the weekend continued to entertain after I left.

Its always good to get away for a time of refreshment. On my drive to and from camping, I got a chance to spend time talking with the Father. I’m really trying to be thankful for all he has provided for me, especially during this time of the year. He has been so gracious to me- providing me employment, putting people in my life who truly care and love me, giving me challenges for growth, and forgiving me when I fail Him. I’m thankful for this year- the good and the bad. In looking back on what I wanted to accomplish in 2013, many things have been done. Some haven’t but there is still time. Just like the river below our tents, I yearn to always be flowing and never stagnant. Being stagnant causes water to lose its vitality and life. Things stop moving in a river that stops flowing. I don’t want to be stagnant or lukewarm.  Rather, I want to be challenged daily to live for him and show what “living water” is like- refreshing, purifying and nourishing. To a great weekend!

Make it a great day,

Jeff