Oak Glen 2014

This year we were able to go to Oak Glen again for a weekend of encouraging fellowship and get away from the busyness of city life!

 We invited some friends of ours, the Weston family to come and though some of them had to work, Mr. and Mrs. Weston and Emily were able to come up with us! We had a really neat time of fellowship!

A line of hungry people eagerly awaiting breakfast...:)

Morning greetings....:)

Finding a seat for everyone.:P A neat praise was that originally we thought Daddy would not be able to join us until Saturday morning due to work. However, Friday morning he surprised us all! He enjoyed getting to visit with Mr. Weston again!

A picture with Jerome the camp director of Oak Glen. Daniel has been interested in ventriloquism ever since we returned from Higher Ground last summer, and has since then been mastering his skills and working on creating his own puppets. This is one of four he has made which he named Jerome after the camp director.

Emily put her camera to work almost as soon as we got there. This is a picture of the walkway in from of our cabins....

Several of us  young people rotated watching the very small children during sessions. We had a lot of fun this particular morning simply observing these kiddos! You certainly can learn a lot from children playing!:)

A beautiful flower that Emily photographed on a break between meetings...

The meetings always began with a  time of singing which "Uncle Joe" always led. His clear strong voice has always been a familiar bit of nostalgia for our family.

After the singing, the children went with an older couple to sing, learn verses, play games and hear a Bible story.

In the afternoons, we ladies enjoyed the craft room very much! This year the crafts were making jewelry, and decorating mugs....

Caytlin had been looking forward to this all year! She worked whenever she could and very faithfully too! By the end of the weekend she had made several pieces of jewelry as gifts for friends.

Mrs. Weston working on some earrings, while visiting with Mommy.:)

At each meal, Mr. Osborn picks someone different to pray for the food....

Friday afternoon, preparing for the talent show......a big highlight of the weekend!

Songtime before getting started...

The children's group sang a song and recited some verses.....

Natey-doing his ventriloquism act. (Daniel has inspired others to this new hobby!)

Uncle Paul played his saw.....

Introducing Jerome!

Breakfast time was always a treat with so many yummy choices.

A game of air hockey in the gymnasium....

Isaiah dodging his pursuers in a round of British-Bull-Dog.....

Waiting for the lunch bell to ring....;)

Mr. and Mrs. Weston hanging out with Mom and the little ones...

 This is the closest picture we ever got to a group picture and it's missing some people!

Visiting with one of the speakers, Jesse Gentile. He spoke on the covenants in Scripture, what they mean, and how they relate to Israel, as well as us believers. It was really good! Something he said, in pointing out God's role  in history was "God just keeps coming back with goodness!"

 Emily and I were very excited to have this weekend to visit! We had so much fun!;)We were very grateful for the opportunity to spend time together! The Lord knew we needed this time of fellowship and it was a real blessing!

Ryan got this neat picture of a resident, passing by....:)

The last day, Saturday, they had a pinada for the younger children! (Normally they have the pine derby race, but the track owner realized the track was not fit for racing and there wasn't time to build a replacement.)

A game of volleyball....

Timmy keeping himself occupied with blowing up balloons...

Josh was determined to get the candy out! Later on the broom they were using was broken by a very eager someone!;)

Evie bringing us ladies some of the candy......

Before we knew it the weekend was over and it was time to pack up and say goodbye! This year we were once again blessed, encouraged and challenged in our walks with the Lord. The Lord did a lot of cleaning in our hearts. The fellowship was refreshing and the time was well spent. We were so very thankful to be a part of it and really enjoyed having the Westons with us!!;)

One of the men who spoke talked about the story of the woman who washed Jesus feet. This was one of the best messages of the whole weekend! He asked us to consider if we were really giving all for the Lord Jesus like she had? Are we a "50 or a 500?" Is He really everything to us? Is He at the center of our hearts?

This is what life is really about, and this weekend was yet another powerful reminder to us to set our affections on things above and remember what's really important: Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him. In eternity, nothing else will count. Nothing else will matter.

 

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

                       Colossians 3:1-4