Lake Powhatan National Forest, Asheville, North Carolina
Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy! Psalm 98:8
I want to begin by apologizing for getting so far behind. We’ve been super busy every day with various things, and I just keep getting further and further behind. Once I start though, there will most likely be several each day. Try to keep up. . . . and bring along a raincoat and a life-jacket. There’s a lot of rain and swift-moving water! 😊
Today was moving day, but we didn’t have to leave until noon because it’s a short drive.
Since we skipped organized church yesterday in order to worship in creation, we listened to Pastor Mike continue his lessons from Revelation. Of course it was wonderful! But I’m not re-creating it. You’ll just have to listen online at green.thechapel.life, or purchase the CDs from The Chapel. It’s a great series and we highly recommend taking the time to learn about this great book!
So, instead, I’ve decided to share with you a small portion from my God Moments journal I wrote for my children years ago. It’s not much of a lesson, but instead talks about how my life-long walk with the Lord began.
I don’t remember any time in Sunday School or church for quite a few years. I know for a fact my mother took me, but I have no recollection of it. I vaguely remember Rev. Kipp, the pastor of Grace United Church of Christ in Uniontown, Ohio. This was in the original Grace UCC that was on top of the hill by the cemetery on Church Street. And I sort of remember the sanctuary – especially the tapestry of Jesus holding the sheep.
My next memory is from Jr. High. Eighth grade to be exact. I somewhat remember Rev. John Hood – tall, dark hair and friendly-looking. At the church I grew up in, once you reached 8th grade, you were expected to attend Confirmation classes and at the end of that year, in the Spring, you were confirmed into the church. Like becoming a new member. I would have to say that God was working on me at that time, because just before the end of the classes, I decided that I wasn’t yet ready to become part of the church. You must realize that this was absolutely unheard of. No one ever quit! It was probably quite the scandal for my mother. But she was very supportive of me and didn’t force me to be confirmed. I remember Rev. Hood trying his best to convince me and probably felt hurt or slighted that I would drop out of his class.
Two years and a new pastor (Rev. Eugene Milligan) later, I decided I was ready. Classes were almost over when I made this decision. The other kids were in 8th grade, I was a high school Sophomore – in fact, Blaine‘s younger brother Bruce, was in that class. But Rev. Milligan allowed me to just finish up with the class and be confirmed. That morning, after church, I bawled and bawled. I couldn’t stop the tears. Although I didn’t know it at the time (because this sort of thing wasn’t taught at Grace UCC) I believe that is when I became a true believer. I was ready to belong to God and to serve Him. And even though it’s been a life-long process of growth as well as failures, I’ve never regretted a minute of my decision.
During these Jr & Sr High years, I was involved in the Jr & Sr choirs at the church. My aunt, Lorena Glass, instilled in me a love for God’s music and it is a gift I use each and every day. Over her years, Auntie served as the adult, children’s & teen choir director, bell choir director and also taught music to the toddlers in their class during the worship service (and accompanied them on the piano). Most of these ministries she took on at the same time. For having no training in music, she did a great job, too!
Also, during my high school years, I befriended a neighbor and schoolmate, Cindy Bennett. Her father was the pastor at a “holy roller” church on the corner. Every once in a while, I attended church with her. What a place!! So different from my home church!! There were tambourines on every wooden pew and no one ever sat in the front row, because sometimes the pastor would come down from the pulpit and jump right up on those pews! There was no stop-time for church. It was over when the Holy Spirit left (the building or the pastor – I was never sure which). Sometimes I’d be home about 12:30, sometimes not till 3. But this is the place where I first heard about actual “salvation” and accepting Jesus into your heart. I remember one day kneeling by my bed and praying for Him to come into my heart, but then not feeling a thing. I felt kinda “Oh, well.” I was expecting flashing lights or tears or something, but got nothing. I now believe it’s because I already belonged to Him.
Then there was Youth Group. We had great leaders and great kids. Almost every one of us grew up to actively serve God in a church somewhere. Pretty amazing when you think about it. Our leaders were Ron and Joan Peck (my future in-laws). They did a great job of making us accountable and responsible – both personally and spiritually. They even lead an optional Bible Study which met before youth group. Almost all of us kids attended. (You should understand that Bible Study – individually or in groups – was just not something that was done in that church at that time – at least as far as I know. People didn’t even carry a Bible to church. Most still don’t.)
This was when I fell in love with Blaine. Red hair and full of fun and freckles!
At 16, I prayed and prayed and prayed for God to give him to me. Promising just about anything in return. I pointed out all his good characteristics, why he’d be good for me, you name it. I didn’t realize at the time that you don’t negotiate with God. His will is done, but not by manipulation and promises that you can’t possibly keep!
Then, I worked poor Blaine a bit on my own. Manipulation you say, but I say Divine Intervention! Before I got my driver’s license, my mother had jokingly said she didn’t think she could take me for my test. So I showed up at youth group bemoaning “What am I gonna do???” Blaine, kind, wonderful guy that he was, offered to take me (he’s 2 month’s older, so he already had his license). I passed the parking test, but failed the driving test. Another boy, Dave Clark, offered to take me back, but I said Blaine already was – it was a bold-face lie. He hadn’t even offered yet. I had to ask – again!
Then, our youth group had a fund-raiser. A “Rock-a-Thon”. This wasn’t music as you might think, it was 24 hours of rocking in a rocking chair. We had to get sponsors either for the entire time, or by the hour. Then, on the given night, we all showed up with rocking chairs. I put mine down right next to Blaine’s and he was stuck with me for 24 hours. That’s all it took! Course, I was the only girl on what turned out to be the “boy’s side” of the room, but I didn’t care. I was always more comfortable around boys than girls anyway – too much of a tomboy back then. At one of our breaks, Blaine and I were walking outside and he put his hat on my head! I knew I had him then! He rarely ever took his hat off, let alone let anyone else even touch it!
My second most memorable time within the group was a mission trip to Pipestem, West Virginia. We were to get the camp ready for summer (I think). The place was a mess! The people of the area might have been very poor, but they were also very dirty! My family was also poor, but, as my mother often said, that’s no excuse for being dirty. She kept our home spotless. Anyway, I remember we had peanut butter and honey sandwiches every day for lunch (which some complained about, but I thought they were just fine – difference between the “haves” and the “have nots”. I was already a “have not” so I was used to it and quite happy) The last night we sat around with the people at the camp talking about God and salvation. At the end of the evening, we joined hands in a circle outside and prayed and prayed. What a marvelous time of feeling the Holy Spirit – and the first time I can remember an actual “feeling”!
And that’s the message for today. A glimpse into my past, and the commencement of my future as a child of God.
Solitude Pointe Campground, Cleveland, South Carolina
We headed out to our next destination, with a forecast of rain – – heavy rain. For the next three days! Which happens to be all the days we’re here. Bummer! It’s supposed to be a great weekend here, but we’ll be gone by then. ☹
It rained almost the entire 51 miles/one hour drive, and by the time we arrived, it was pouring! And it was only 37 degrees!
I’m in the Jeep waiting to follow Blaine to a level spot to hook up.
There’s something wrong.
The brake pedal is supposed to pump when Blaine applies the coach brakes.
It’s not.
But everything else was working fine, so we gave it a go.
No problems. Hmmmm . . . . .
Narrow wet roads for most of today. Yuk!
Crossing the Carolina border.
No kidding!
Have there been problems with people running into this hill?
Almost there . . .
Another narrow and hilly and twisty road!
Made it!
Now to get to our site! But not until the owner fills us with propane.
Blaine had help from the same guy, so I just waited in the Jeep this time until they got us parked.
It’s not often we have to set up in the rain, but we did today, and we were drenched. The campground host was as well. To give you an idea, he was using an umbrella, but you could see, he was still soaking wet, and it wasn’t even windy.
It was one of those rare times we wished we had a dryer. However, by the next morning, everything was dry once more.
Inside anyway.