Camping...it really brings you together...if we weren't friends before...we sure are now :)
8 families...20 kids (I think...3 of them babies)...1 dog...
...lots of fun!
Steve took Friday off and we headed out to Robbers Cave, OK that afternoon. The temps were cool and it had rained, but the storm was moving out and the rest of the weekend promised to be pretty weather.
By early evening, many of the families had arrived, tents were pitched, and dinner was under way. We had a primo camp spot...by the lake, near a playground, and close to the restrooms. The view of the lake was really beautiful...nestled in the San Bois Mountains in southeastern OK...I didn't even know that OK had mountains (hills really, c'mon, I did live in Colorado :)...it was so pretty!
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| Bella loved helping Steve set up the tent...good job, Bella! |
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| Our tent~ |
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| Blessings~ |
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| I think she's telling an exaggerated fish story :) |
Along with being amazingly welcoming, this group is brilliant as well...we were all assigned a meal to prepare, so we could focus our energy and resources on one big meal...it worked out so nicely. For dinner on Friday night, we had sliders...gourmet, no less...yes, this group knows how to eat well :)
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| We weren't "roughing it" in the food department! |
Of course we had a campfire that night...and talked and shared...and laughed...and ate fire roasted apples. Some of the guys brought their guitars so we sang too. I marveled at the night sky filled with stars...it's been a while since I've seen night skies that dark and clear...breathtaking!
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| Gathered together~ |
Eventually we all climbed into our sleeping bags in our tents...and wished we had heaters! It was cold that first night...low 40's was what the forecast had called for...someone told me their car temp said 36 degrees in the morning...either way, it was cold! Baby Gray was in her pack-n-play wearing 3 layers of footie jammies and wrapped in a big comforter. She woke up in the middle of the night and her poor little hands were so cold...she spent the rest of the night with me in my sleeping bag...baby snuggles, so sweet :)
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| Baby Snuggles :) |
We enjoyed a great breakfast...pancakes, eggs, fruit...and the ever-so-important french press coffee :) Then we all gathered for worship and devotions...pretty awesome stuff!
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| How sweet is this...our littlest worship leader looking up to his daddy~ |
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| The gang gathered for morning worship~ |
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| Steve sharing a kid's devotional from The Gospel Story Bible...Marty, you went camping with us~ |
We hiked to Robbers Cave later that morning...what a neato place! The terrain was rocky and we all had a blast scrambling around...especially the kiddos. We found a few little caves on our way to the "big one". The area was absolutely gorgeous...it reminded me of some areas of Colorado and it really reminded me of my visit to Vedauwoo in Wyoming. Robbers Cave got its name because it was, in fact, used by outlaws back in the day. I don't mean to be a name dropper, but I did spend time in the same cave as Jesse James and Belle Starr :)
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| Historical graffiti....this guy was seriously devoted to his graffiti...wonder how long it took him to carve this? |
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| Our littlest camper and her mommy :) |
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| Sophia inside Robbers Cave~ |
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| Baby Gray had a sweet ride! |
My girls were hoping to find some long forgotten treasure...their search was fruitless...bummer, 'cause that would have been really cool :) But they still had a blast...climbing, scrambling, searching, sliding...
Saturday afternoon was spent enjoying the beautiful weather...paddle boats, canoes, a walk with new friends, kickball, and even some swimming. This mom (yes, as in me) forgot towels and really didn't want her kids in the chilly water...but fun won out...and I'm glad :)
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| Having fun on the lake~ |
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| Friends on the water~ |
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| These guys had a really cool old paddle boat :) |
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| Kickball! |
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| Escapee :) |
We were part of the dinner crew for Saturday night...fajitas, baby! It was fun to plan and prepare a meal with friends...and the rest of the gang seemed to really enjoy the meal...yummy!
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| The Griller~ |
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| Oh yeah...the fajitas were yummy! |
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| Sweet friends~ |
That evening, around the campfire, the crew shared different things about God's creation that we had enjoyed so far...precious to hear kids and adults sharing...really, really precious.
S'mores later that night...another glorious blanket of stars...and kids in bed much earlier than the night before :) The adults all pulled our chairs around the campfire and continued to enjoy stories and laughter.
This camping weekend marked four months since we left Pennsylvania...just a couple days over four months since our Community Group in PA had gathered around us and prayed for us. They had prayed for so many things, but one thing they had especially lifted up to our Lord was for us to be knit in quickly to this church...for God to quickly grow friendships. I marveled that we were here with this group camping...here with this group sharing life. I marveled at God's kindness...I am so thankful, Lord, so thankful.
Our second night was much better than the first...it wasn't nearly as cold. Steve and I got up early on Sunday and began breaking camp...we wanted to get back to Frisco so we could attend our New Members Class after church.
And heaven knows we all needed a shower! Note to self: next time bring towels and you can use the camp showers :)
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| A great weekend! |
We are looking forward to many more camping adventures...and hopefully some more with this group~
God bless~
Rach
