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In case you missed yesterday's post, or in case you forgot-I'll remind you that Hayden (along with forty other Nederland friends) are at camp.  Fuge Camp is being held at Glorieta Conference Center.

Glorieta is a sanctuary nestled in the rugged mountains of New Mexico; an escape from of day-to-day life.  Jason and the kids and I spent a day there before leaving Hayden with the youth group.

While there, I drank in the peaceful atmosphere; my surroundings still (apart from aspen leaves dangling overhead).  I wondered how God would work in the lives of the Nederland youth amongst hundreds of others.

From what I hear, God is surely moving. We have already heard reports of students accepting Christ as their Savior.  I feel certain that recommitments are being made as well.

  Glory.

Glory defined from its Latin roots is the manifestation of God’s presence.

Surely the presence of God is in this place.

Glorieta.

It means  “little glory”.

I have but a single prayer at this moment.

My prayer is that God would transform these students into “Little Glories”.

.....And the Lord --who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. - 1 Corinthians 4:18b

Please take a moment to pray for our youth group.  Pray a silent prayer or type your prayer in comments.

 

 

 

 

 

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Jason and I dropped Hayden off with thirty- something youth from our church.  More than ever I am burdened to pray for them.  I can’t exactly put my finger on it; can’t recall certain incidents that require urgent prayer on behalf of our youth.  I can only explain it like this.

On our vacation, Jason and I hiked up a mountain in the San Juan National Forest.  I was quite impressed with us.  It was over a two hour hike.  Jason brought a small bottle of water.   I took a swig  somewhere near the top.  But  I didn’t feel thirsty;not even when we finished our climb and had reached our cabin below.  It wasn’t until I was handed a water bottle some time after we returned that I took a drink, and kept on drinking.  I drank an entire bottle of water.

I’ve read that much of the time when people are dehydrated, they don’t know they are dehydrated.

Naturally we drink when we’re thirsty.  The problem is that we don’t always feel thirsty.

I think of our church and what it provides.  Our church like most churches is full of servants who love God and love people.  Bible Study, worship, fellowship opportunities and other activities exist to fill us to overflowing,  with the knowledge of God. We have the Word of God in our grasp and prayer at the tips of our tongues.

Most importantly, the Spirit of God who is in our presence quenches our thirst.

It's good to thirst.

But what about times we don't even realize we're thirsty.

We find ourselves in a world, and in an age where we have so much.

This is especially true for our young people.  Often as a parent I find myself allowing my children to be disillusioned by prosperity, comfort pleasure and success.   As parents we seek to temporarily satisfy (our children) and an underlying thirst goes unnoticed.  I speak most loudly to myself.

A bird’s eye view of Glorieta, the place where our children are camped, would show on its map, thousands of trees. Composed of trees and rock-hard red dirt; it is a dry and thirsty land.  It would be easy to be lost in this forest of trees.

I’m thinking of Hayden.

I’m thinking of the two buses of youth we have at camp.

Are they lingering and satisfied? Or do they realize they’re thirsty; I pray that they would. I pray that at camp they would be lead to drink. I pray that when they return, that we would lead them to drink.  And I pray as they drink, they would increasingly know what it is to thirst.

And as they thirst…..

I pray they would KNOW a refreshing sanctuary is supplied in their midst.

Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters –Isaiah 55:1

I'm so thankful for Micah and Laurie who consistently and without reservation tirelessly serve our youth.  Thank you for the cool water you offer our youth. I'm thankful for our youth.  I'm also thankful for the sponsors who are at camp with our youth.  Please pray for great things!

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I heard the news the moment we arrived!  We reached South Fork a day early.  We were trying to find accommodations for the night, with no luck.  Pretty much every hotel and lodge in the small town was full.

Walt Disney is filming "The Lone Ranger" in nearby Creede.  The crew and cast are being housed in the area.  This news meant that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, stars in the film, were somewhere in my vicinity.  For those of you who need a reminder, Johnny Depp is the despicable yet endearing pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He will play the part of Tonto in "The Lone Ranger".

I knew at once that I had to tell everybody (making for a facebook post and a couple of texts).

I had to make plans too.

When are we going to Creede (the actual filming site)?

What am I going to wear when we go?

What would I say if I ran into Johnny on the streets there?

These questions filled my mind.  And that made me a little excited.

We didn't get to meet Johnny Depp or any other cast members. We did however get to walk the streets they walked.  We ate at a little cafe and heard stories from the locals about the filming.  We stalked the edge of the film set with cameras to the irritation of a security guard.

I am proud to say that we did get pictures of some of the props.  We got so close as to know some great secrets.  The train cars moved on a trailer rather than tracks. Wind in the movie is made by rather large fans and not nature. And the rocks in the train cars are NOT REAL!  And as I read online sources, I was reminded that Johnny Depp is human- he's really human.

Honestly, it was fun getting up close though not personal.  I enjoyed the pursuit of fame and power.  Over six million dollars was spent during the three weeks filming at Creede.  But I'm pretty sure the train scene will have lost some of its magic with me having seen the props; knowing the tricks.

I remember going to a Christian concert several years ago and getting to meet the one of the singers backstage.  Granted the guy was exhausted, but he was borderline cranky as we approached him from the end of the line.

 The guy was much more pleasant from a distance.

I guess that's the reality with people and even nature.  I sit here typing now thinking how Colorado is not quite as heavenly as I remember it.  My nose is dreadfully dry and stuffy.  My skin is cracked and dry. And the soles of our feet are black as soot from mountain dirt.

Even the rich and famous and the most glorious places disappoint.

Yet we chase.

I believe this chase occurs because God has placed a desire in us to pursue that which is greater.  The pursuits of the fleshly nature just never quite meet our expectations.

Just think.

What if we paid more attention to the urging of the spirit.

What if lay our heads down at night reveling in the day spent with the Almighty.

What if we woke with anticipation knowing that He who is indescribable will be walking by our side.

What if we even got up close and personal.  And we realized that He doesn't disappoint.

What if we allowed ourselves to be   .....starstruck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"

made his light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay

to show that this all-surpassing power 

is from God and not from us.

-2 Corinthians 4:6-7

On one of my hurried afternoons, I was stopped in my tracks by this gorgeous leaf. I'd walked past this leaf countless times that same day.  I'd not kicked or swept it to the side, but I'd also not taken the time to notice it.  It was when the leaf took in the last rays of sun that day that I noticed it.  Momentarily I forgot everything else.  For several moments, I stood and I marveled.  I made sure to snap a picture though I'm sure that neither the picture nor my memory adequately captures the leaf's vibrance.

This leaf, on its own was ordinary.

-With the sun shining through it; it was captivating. 

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Happy Father's Day; sounds funny telling you.  You're not my father, you're my husband.  But in being your wife I have had the pleasure that no one else has had of watching you be a father day in and day out. Sure there are others that observe your fathering skills.  And the kids are around you as much as I am.

But I see you.

I've seen the way you wrestle with Hayden.  When he was younger and couldn't hurt you, I watched you grab your side in mock pain and listened to you groan like it was unbearable. Now that he lacks two inches being your size, I watch you inwardly groan as he forces his weight on you. You laugh it off, though I'm pretty sure it's not funny. The kids always know what I'm feeling; I've never been able to hide that well. You always seem to know when you need to be heard and when to be silent.

 

You've changed diapers. In addition to chick flicks, you have suffered ad nauseam every Disney movie made. You've played Pretty Pretty Princess, and you played it well- even when the earring didn't match what you had on. You've been the fun guy.  You've been the bad guy. You have stood firm, when I simply wanted to please. Oh how I've been thankful for that. You were the one that Hallie looked to; the one whose hand she grasped firmly while showing the world her decision to follow Christ through baptism. What a blessing-you've baptized Hayden too. You have been there to cheer accomplishments and to comfort through disappointments. 

 

I've witnessed you attend tea parties. You've brushed and fixed hair. You've taught the kids to compliment meals even when Griffin wouldn't eat the leftovers. By example you have always taught the children to hold me in high esteem even when I didn't deserve it. You've proudly smiled the "that's my girl" smile at Rylie countless times.  And though I know you want the same things for Rylie that I want, you are the one who is patient.  You are the one who trusts when I am determined to make things happen. You exemplify peace in the midst of chaos.

You're the kind of man, husband, and father I hope Hayden someday to be.

You're the kind of man and husband  I pray the girls will someday  find.

You're the kind of man, husband and friend I'm glad to have.

 

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If you ever see me eating M&Ms you can be certain that they melt in my mouth AND in my hands.  -That's because I've microwaved them for as long as I can remember.  Before you start thinking that I'm crazy, know that I'm not the only one who does this. My siblings do it too.  And our children microwave their M&Ms.  My mom even has a stack of small microwavable bowls and a large container stocked with M&Ms at all times.

The origin of intentionally melting our M&Ms is quite simple. For years, my Dad drove eighty or more miles everyday from our small town to his workplace in Arlington.  He worked long hours and then had a long drive home.  I remember being excited along with my brother and sisters when we would hear his truck driving down the dirt road returning home.  We were doubly excited when, many times Dad would get out of his truck and then pat his shirt pockets.  That signal let us know that he had stopped on the way home to get M&Ms for each of us.  Having stayed in his pocket for the trip, the M&Ms were always melted to perfection.

My Dad

Having tasted my M&Ms that way, I have abandoned eating them any other way.  I mean, I may have tossed a few of the unmelted candies in my mouth if they were offered to me or if I see a bowl of them at a party.  But I hold no affection for them.

The candies I love are reminiscent of my father's love. They represent a father who, though busy and tired, took the time to make his children feel special and loved. They bring back time spent with my father. I am thankful my children and my nieces and nephews have experienced the thrill of seeing Papa pat his pocket.

We live over three- hundred miles away from my Dad now. My Dad is still the hardest working man I know.  We look forward to finding time between demanding schedules and distance to spend time together. Even over geographical distance, M&Ms are still eaten melted at the Burden house. I don't remember who started microwaving the M&Ms. Like many other things, my siblings and I would probably each assume lone credit.  But I think we would agree on one thing. The melted M&Ms serve as a reminder that our lives have been blessed having been warmed by our father's heart.

You must know Dad.

Through your provision,

through your sacrifice,

through your love,

and simply through your presence,

you have colored my world and warmed my heart.

 

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We had a God's Girlies gathering yesterday.  I think I can speak for everybody when I say it was fun. 

Banana Extravaganza 

The Bunch

The girls went to three different stations.

The girls made "Banana Boats".  They were easy and delicious-two of my favorite cooking words. I'll post the recipe soon.

We made Go Banana Cookbooks with banana inspired recipes.

Last but not least, we had devotion time and a game of Bananagrams

They learned that once in their maturing state, bananas grow up as they sense the sun. Likewise as we sense the "son" we are called to grow up as well, allowing things that once held weight in our lives to be replaced with the things of God - the fruit of the Spirit.

For the full devotion, go the search box and type in "grow up".  It should pull up the devotion "Grow Up. Be the Better Banana".

There was even a little backyard time left.

Good times.

Good Friends.

All because of a Good God!

Thanks to all the moms.  Thank you for coming.  Thank you for your help.  I continue to be certain that these investments in our girl's lives are invaluable.

Excited to announce-God's Girlies T-shirts to come! Check out our facebook page.

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Devotion for GG's Banana Extravaganza

 

Now that I've got your attention, this title isn't meant to be rude.

It's simply good advice.  We all want to grow up.  And we want to grow up well.  -Believe it or not bananas give us some great advice on just how to do that.

Most of you know the answer, but I'm going to ask the question anyway-just to get you thinking.

How do bananas grow? -Up from the stem or do they hang Down?

I specialized in Biology in college and didn't know bananas could grow up until I saw them with my own eyes on our Kenya trip.  How did I miss that?  Maybe because it seems logical that such a heavy fruit would grow down hanging from a branch or stem.

Bananas do indeed grow up, but they don't start that way.  Baby bananas actually grow down like most other fruits and vegetables. Gravity pulls them toward the ground just as it pulls you back down when you jump.

Here are some vocabulary words to keep you smart this summer.

Geotropism-the way an organism grows in reaction to gravity

Positive Geotropism-  organisms that grow downward ex. the way roots grow

Negative Geotropism-  organisms that grow upward ex. stems

Bananas display negative geotropism.  The more they encounter sunlight, the more they gravitate toward it.  This the reason bananas are curved..  In their small state, they grow toward the ground as gravity would have.  But as the bananas start to mature they start to sense the sun more and more. Referred to as fingers, the bananas curve from their starting place on the stem upward toward the sun.

You, my dear have spent time as a baby banana. 

As a baby banana some interesting things have gravity in our life. Gravity is defined as importance.  In Science you may have learned that gravity means weight.

Lets think of some weighty or important things in the life of you- as a baby banana.

Your clothes?

Others opinion of you?

TV and other entertainment?

What else?

As we mature, these things shouldn't hold so much importance.  Especially after we've sensed the sun.  The sun in our lives should be Jesus.  There would be no life without him.  It's also him who sees to it that we grow. As we reach for "the son" we begin to grow away from the old things that used to have gravity.

Just as the growing banana stretches to the sky leaving the ground behind, those things we once found weighty and important shouldn't matter so much anymore.

Grow up. Grow beautiful.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

Discussion Questions:

1.Which way does a banana grow?

2. How are you like a baby banana?

3. What does a banana sense that helps it to grow?

4.How can you be more like a mature (or grown) banana?

Just for fun.

Banana bunches are referred to as hands and single bananas are referred to as fingers.  Fingers are much better combined to make a hand.  Likewise friendships and other healthy relationships are like bananas.  They come in bunches and grow together.

Also, a banana like any fruit stops growing and soon loses its beauty when disconnected from the branch or stem (think of a mushy brown-spotted banana). Likewise, our beauty and growth comes from staying connected to Jesus.