the value of a friend

This week at camp we had the priviledge of getting to know our camp speaker as well as his family - his wife and two little ones. On the last day of camp I was talking to their 3 1/2 year old and said goodbye.

Roughly 10 seconds later I hear little footprints hitting the ground and an excited call of "Friend! Friend! Friend!"

Turning around I saw him standing there. Chuckling to myself I watched for a moment as he (now recognizing my attention) said, "Gouh-bye Friend!" and waved. I waved back, turned around and continued to my cabin.

Suddenly it struck me just how weighty these simple words of a 3 1/2 year old were. "Friend!" He called me friend, anxiously, excitedly, he shouted pursuing a response.

Isn't that sort've how the Lord calls to us sometimes: "Beloved! Beloved! Come! Friend! Love! Child! I am near! Come!"

If only our hearts would recklessly choose to always delight in Christ the way a small child delights in a newly made friend. His pursuit is just as important and just as intense. We just sometimes lack in our response. I pray you are delighted by the love of the Lord today. He is good...and His mercies endure forever.

one man's story

Who knew a simple question could open a hurting man's heart so easily?
Simple table talk - suddenly shifts into a serious, deep, outpouring of painful memories and cloudy yesterdays.
Just one question.
He hesitated for just a moment after I asked the question. He had worked the Jersey shore for years as a paramedica and likely had many life "saves" under his belt. Despite years of training and preparation - nothing would prepare him for this day.

He remembered well how crystal clear the sky was that morning, like nothing he had ever seen before. Shortly after arriving at his meeting, he got the call. Someone had hit the Trade Towers. Laughing off the silly event, they figured someone had missed their route, that's when the second plane hit.

After some 40 minutes of hearing his story, I began to realize just how much he needed to share his story. His eyes were moist with tears and a deep, agonizing pain seemed as though it began to release itself from him. My spirit felt that he really needed to share whatever was inside his hear and his conversation affirmed that. 40 minutes I sat, he talked, I listened. Watching his eyes was like watching him relive every second of the events of that day and the months to follow.

This man two years after the tragedy, attempted to take his own life and became consumed with 20+ years of darkness, hurt, death, and finally the purposeful destruction of persons through terrorism. He didn't know what to do or where to go. Confusion, depression and PTSD taunted his very being - but I saw Jesus in there. Those eyes and that sad smile, they bore the image of the living God whose love cannot be measured and from which we cannot be separated.

His story ended there for the evening - but last night he shared the "bright" side of the story as he called it - his coming to know Christ as Savior and Lord. He decided he shouldn't focus on anger and the darkness anymore, but on joy and life.

Bless the Lord! I'm so thankful for our stories.

Sussex in the summer

I went for a short walk this evening after our re-group festivities wrapped up.
It was an enjoyable time.
The air was thick with the all too familiar fragrance of cow.
Several houses on the main road have been dressed up with new siding, pretty flowers and such.
One house was even turned in a completely different direction - right off its foundation.
One of my favorite observations was that of a man in his 50s with a sweet pair of edging scissors. He was plucking a large amount of leaves off a tree in his yard that eventually took the shape of a mushroom.
Everything looks a little different with brilliant green leaves and flowers in full bloom. What am amazing example of His creation. Sometimes I wonder why - if summer is so full of life that in the winter time everything looks so dead. Then I remember the concept of seasons and how just like summer is brilliantly alive and winter is seemingly dead, cold, and biting - it can easily represent our lives. Some seasons are brilliant, exciting, alive and fresh - they might even be appealing to our senses, yet others are frustrating and seem to pass so slowly. I'm convinced however that if we look close enough we can see beauty in all seasons - regardless of its "look".
All the pathways in Sussex were clad with great greenery and the smell of lilacs lingered in the air. I have an appreciation for nature. It is truly remarkable. God's creation...WOW!

Summer Teams 2008

Re-group is just around the corner.
Tomorrow I pick up our rental vehicle and Wednesday morning I will adventure to Sussex to join my lovely friends for our regroup festivities. It should be a good and informative time.
Packing still needs to be accomplished, but my heart is growing excited to see the Lord move in a powerful way this summer at each and every camp.

Below is a picture of my teammate(Aisha Davis) and myself (courtesy of Zach Schible):


We would greatly appreciate your prayers, thoughts and comments as we venture with the Lord this summer. I will post our itinerary soon.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Daddy,Daddy what shall I say?
Remember the endless days we would play?
You taught me to swing, to ride my bicycle and to drive...
You drove me towards excellence that in life I might thrive.

Cleanliness, order, and lists are your things.
You treat your ladies like princesses and Mom as your queen.
Your love is to be treasured.
You cook and clean and encourage me to dream.

I love you much Daddy! Enjoy your special day! Kisses and hugs.



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!

happy highschool graduation Sherm!

Sherri - Congratulations on your soon approaching highschool graduation! It seems like yesterday I was wearing my Ducktales t-shirt driving to the hospital with Dad to meet you.

We hung out lots when we were little:

Had picnics and played lots of fun things:

I suppose you were always quite a ham - especially in those classic* Easter dresses Mom always dressed us up in:

Your love for chocolate is a force not to be crossed (sorry no photo was available with the fudgicles):

For a brief season as a younger child you seemed to appreciate the great outdoors:

Pool time adventures (you were always way more brave than me when it came to water):

Remember Hershey Park?? Our vacation memories are countless as we've grown up:

Oh how you've grown - much bigger now - mature and dressy in a pretty prom dress:


I'm proud of you Sherri! May you bless the Lord for all your accomplishments and blessings. Remember to keep Him as your focus always for His path is the best way.It offers life and never doubt your potential to succeed. Take risks - challenge yourself and always remember the Lord - He is the One who makes your path straight before you. Your health may fail you, but God will remain the strength of your heart forever. (Psalm 73:26)

future thoughts

I was reminded the other day through the writing of a good friend of something very important - We can choose to live Christ's adventure every day - but we only have one life with which to do so.

I've been tossing ideas around in my mind and thoughts lately concerning school and the future - but after a short while, my brain grows tired of trying to think and reason and make sense of the uncertain, the unknown. There's a lot of outside pressure from people to 'know' what's next - to have a plan - a career path set up and established, but I don't want that. My heart longs for adventure.

Sure I understand the importance of finishing school and though sometimes I want nothing more than dropping everything and moving to an impoverished country to live amongst the lowly to love them like Jesus, I feel the weight of my responsiblity in finishing my education. However, some people are keen on going to school their entire lives and expectations have been placed on the table about Master's degrees and doctorates and PhDs.

What do titles matter? If God should call me to furthered education I want to be available to that and prepared to tackle the challenge, but even more so, if His plans say 'no' and lead me another way I want to be content in walking away from comfort and security. I want to be okay not knowing waht's next.

Celebrating: Joshua Michael Ramos

In the next few weeks our family will be celebrating some important milestone markers in the lives of those we love. The first being this weekend as Josh (my cousin) graduates from Fort Fairfield Highschool.

I am sure for many it seems like yesterday you were this big:

Then you grew a little:

And a bit more:

Josh I rejoice in your accomplishments and am very proud of you!
Continue seeking the Lord as you further your education & adventure in life.
Remember always Him who makes your path straight and walk faithfully in His ways - they are always and will always be higher than yours.

It has been a pleasure and joy to grow and laugh with you - I pray you journey well in the coming season. Love and blessings on your special day!

the countdown begins

So I hit the road in just over 2 weeks and lots of questions and thoughts rest upon my mind and heart.

What should I be expecting? How must I prepare? Why have I been chosen to go?
Lord be my vision and guide in the season of preparation for journeying.