June Camping

The Spring was nice and long this year - I really enjoyed the cool, fresh weather! But the warmer weather was very welcome in June especially since we were camping!

Since our digital camera is "kaput", you'll have to settle for a photo-less post (you could always go back to look at a previous post from June - it looks pretty much the same each Spring except not as much beach/dunes were washed away this year).

And hopefully Chris will post some of her photos.
Yes, she came up with Josh & Kenny half way thru for 4 days! and Maurice joined us for Friday. Lots of fun! I'll let her tell you more about it.

Another highlight was a visit from our Pastor (what dedication!) and his 2 sons. Actually he takes them there for father-son time every year when it's not busy - it is one of their favourite vacation spots too. We had a good time with them on Friday (and our first hot day too).

We enjoyed renewing some previous acquaintances and developing friendships with Dan & Maria & their kids (also thanks to Kenny) and Julianna & Darryl and their adorable Carrie-Ann.

Some of Dad's unique highlights:
- campers coming up to him and saying they remember us from other years...
- reading a big fat thrilling book - a true story about exploration of the South Pole - the first week "
- playing chess with Dan
- being admired by the ladies at the pump who were juggling little pans and bowls of water while he biked away with his big water jug in the front-carrier-basket of my bike
- the hot showers and shaving facilities every day
- waving and talking to our Maintaince buddies: Scott the boss, Elliot the big guy, LaVerne (Smiley), Dave the water tester (Mom's favourite)
- frequent trips to town, meeting Melrose and Michelle, going to Walker's garage, or campstore
- celebrating Father's Day with special breakfast, dinner, and a fancy delicious strawberry/pinapple/chocolate shortcake-camping version - at an exclusive beach-side "restaurant"
- getting home in time for his birthday - 75th! - and for the church picnic

Some of Mom's unique highlights:
- celebrating her 68th birthday and being treated for dinner at above mentioned exclusive beach-side "restaurant" and getting 2 birthday phone messages
- Josh & Christine taking Mom and Kenny for a canoe ride along the river to East Lake
- visiting an Art Gallery with Christine et al and painting with her (attempted - rain cut it short)
- a visit with her friend Pat on Sunday evening, and other local friends who came to visit twice (Paul & Grace)
- morning & evening beach walks with hubby, watching the antics of the cliff swallows
- actually having time to lay around and read!!
- going to bed earlier (not only her)
- ending with a visit at Bill & Rita's gorgeous place on the lake and chatting with all the cousins who were camping there for the weekend

Marguerite's
- the sunsets and windy/wavy days & nights (and rainy nights too) when I slept good
- picking organic strawberries with Joan
- no computer, no phones = no stress (well, not always - there were times when it would've been helpful)
- 1-on-1 time with Kenny and watching Kenny & Sasha playing together
- canoeing along the cottage coast with my sis

This year the best part of Sundays here was going to the little white church! Yes, I'd actually rather be there than on the beach on the Lord's Day - for part of the day anyway.... Phil had a really good sermon series on the Glory of God. He's been listening to John Piper's sermons and it shows! Good to have life put into perspective over again: Its not all about us! Its all about HIM! Our purpose/job is to glorify Him - i.e. to see, appreciate, enjoy, and express God's quality and worth.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

That's easier in a way to do that when you're surrounded by nature, yet its hard too as there's lots of temptation around here also and many worldviews encountered that completely disregard God - subtly, if not blatently.

Listening to speakers such as Ravi Zacharias, Michael Ramsay, John Piper throughout the weeks was really helpful too. We especially appreciated "Conversational apologetics" which we listened to repeatedly - you'll know why if you've ever heard him speak!

So, although I had some very difficult times with my health, yet it was a real blessed time in many ways.

To sum it up in Dad's words: "We had a wonderful time... Its never boring, there's always something to do, someone to talk to."... :) (remind Dad before our next camping trip)