there are some places where, like Joshua, you drag rocks up from the middle of the river and build an altar so that your children will know what a mighty God they serve. Delanco Camp is one of those places for me where I have encountered the living God- a place of refuge I can to- the place I've made forever friends- and so this weekend as we said goodbye to this place, the people, and all it represents- until we return in the summer of 2013. this list of gratitude. these photos. are my rocks of remembrance today.
#3668. these trees- sentries standing at attention for generations
#3669. bright blue patches of sky through the branches
#3670. the distinctive smell of Delanco. pine. dust. mold. fresh air. the scent of history.
#3671. these chairs where life on life transforms: jokes are made. games are played. staff meetings held. classes pour Scripture into young lives.
#3672. my spiritual home amongst the sand and pines.
#3673. hands raised in worship- praising You with dance.
#3674. sand. sun. frisbees. sweat. glory.
#3675. watching their little feet jump from stone to stone. history repeating itself
#3676. supportive campers when tears spring up unannounced.
#3677. an original building from the old camp
#3678. sweets and a cold soda on a hot day
#3679. these concrete walls that have seen it all. have cooled warm bodies in the night. have listened in on hushed midnight conversations. have carved their way into my memory forever.
#3680. the altar in the tabernacle. marking spiritual milestones. a place I've encountered the living God. surrendered my will to His. cried tears of repentance.
#3681. this banner of holiness waving for generations. a patchwork of history stitched by many hands.
#3682. this boy falling in love with this place.
#3683. walks around the lake. heart conversations. natural beauty creating space to meet God.
#3684. little leaves in the sun. nature's confetti!
#3685. evening sun cascading through the tree. Caleb says: "glorious."
#3686. these two silly boys- loving this place.
#3687. a quiet walk with my boys. savoring the beauty.
#3688. heart friends made here that will stand the test of time.
#3690. Seth's precious hands brushing my tears away.
#3691. being truly loved and sent from here out into the world
#3692. a circle of prayer embracing us and releasing us.
#3693. Your hands big enough to hold us- in You all things hold together!
#3694. You- who are near to the broken-hearted.
#3695. the lost and lonely souls in Uganda who make all this pain worth it,
Thanks for stopping by. I am praying for your family (including mother and mother-in-law). I look forward to following this wonderous journey that God has called you on.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your list. Especially # 3689.
Dear Josh and Kelly, I believe God led you to my blog and vice versa. My brother is a long time missionary serving currently in Uganda. My own daughter and her family, (my two grandbabies too!), leave in September as missionaries to Ghana. I definitely know how hard this is for your mom and mom in law. I am starting a second blog, a "support group" blog if you will, called M{oms} O{f} M{issionaries}. If your mom or mom in law are online I would love for you to let them know. We could use the support of others who are walking in our shoes of letting our precious ones follow God's call.
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