Thinking...

I'm up and it's very quiet...so I'm thinking. I spent quite a bit time earlier praying. I've been praying quite a bit this week. Ryan and Christen are at Fall's Creek and it's their first time to go. I know I've heard alot about how Falls Creek has alot of faults now...more than it ever it used to...and that's probably why I was shy about sending Ryan a couple of years ago when he became old enough to go. But after seeing footage from there and being able to listen to the services each night online....other than the lights, sound and instruments....it's the same ole Falls Creek to me. Although it looks as if they have really added more activities for the kids to do!! Plus...and this is the biggie....the adults we had going with our youth are wonderful with the kids. I know (b/c we've known for a while) that Christen is going to come home and tell us that she has been called into missions. While I'm so proud of her for not being afraid of that call...I'm scared to death!! I know God protects those He calls....and I know He will have to do some major work in me so that I don't always this knot in my tummy when she actually goes to fulfill her call. Kevin seems to be handling it very well....but we'll see!!

As for Ryan...well....I had to force him to go. Kevin and I didn't see eye to eye on that...but I couldn't let up on him going. He has had a tough time feeling like he has a place in the youth group at church. He has friends there...but they aren't his close friends. He really likes his Sunday School teacher and enjoys his class...but outside of that, he doesn't involve himself in the fun stuff that goes on during the week. So, I thought if he would just go to Falls Creek, all the walls he has put up around him would come down. As I began to pack him up and pump him up that he was going to have an awesome time....I seriously started to wonder if I had made a mistake. As we watched him get on the bus, I started to crumble on the inside. I remember as a kid going to a sleepover and not wanting to be there and how I felt....and I began to think I'm doing this to him for a whole week!!!! After waiting a full 24 hours before calling any sponsor (b/c they couldn't take phones, ipods, etc)....I had enough and began to go down the list. Is it coincidence that nobody answered their phone? Or that only 1 phone went to voicemail? I did leave a message, however, it was one of Christen's sponsors. So, Christen calls me later on in the day and tells me she is having fun....but Ryan...well not so much. Praying again!! Long story short....I did get two text responses from Ryan's sponsors very late that night and one said "so far so good"....and the other that nearly brought tears to my eyes said "He says he wants to come back next year!!" Ryan never says things he doesn't mean....so, I think mission was accomplished. I knew that it has been no accident that my kids were at Falls Creek. I know I forced Ryan to go....but really...I gave him several opportunities to back out....and he didn't want to. So, I know that while God's plans for Ryan's future is probably in the form of public service...He is equipping him before my very eyes for that plan. I could be totally wrong....maybe he has been called to do something this week that's new, I don't know...but I can't wait to get them home to find out!!!!!!

So, today is their last day. I bet everyone there is feeling the affects of little sleep....and perhaps too much togetherness?? But I know the memories made this week will last a lifetime. I'm so looking forward to the Falls Creek service Sunday night!!

And crazy as I am....I'm actually looking forward to doing their stinky, smelly, gross laundry tomorrow!!!!