Camp Barakel

This weekend TDM and I were blessed to be a part of the camping ministry of Camp Barakel.  Each year, for as long as we have been married and even a few years before that, we have spent weekends at camp during their retreat seasons serving up warm meals and really sticky, Sticky Buns (cinnamon rolls) because we love to be there.  Our involvement has declined in the last few years because having kids cramps your style changes your priorities and it isn’t as easy to slip away for 48 hours.  However, we are more than blessed to have both sets of our parents living within minutes of us and my parents have graciously taken first Miss E a few years ago and then both of our kids this year so that we could get away to do what we love best – serve together at Camp Barakel.

When we were first married and learned that Barakel has two entire weekends centered around families and realized that, as newlyweds, we were a family even though there were only two of us, we began taking an our travel trailer to enjoy either Labor Day or Memorial Day camping at Barakel.  The first year that we had Miss E it was really, really, really hard to go camping – but we did it and loved it and found other families who could relate to what we were going through as far as the adjustment of becoming a three person family complete with a colicky infant.  I remember telling TDM as we left camp that Labor Day Monday in 2009 that I wanted Barakel to always be a part of what made our family unique.  And since then we have returned every year with our camping trailer and the three of us, which became the four of us last year, have soaked up enough Barakel atmosphere on Memorial Day weekend to remember that we love being there and want it to always be a part of our family.

...fast forward to a few months ago…

Actually, let’s go back to last year when I wrote about change and what God was doing in my heart.  As the months have gone on from there I have wondered exactly what it is that God is working on but instead of growing frustrated I have continued to pray, asking God for His leading.  And I have tried to be the best steward of the resources that God has given our family as I know to be.

And through the months I have known that God is working in TDM’s heart as well, but because he isn’t as vocal as me, I haven’t known for sure what God has been talking to him about.  When TDM is thinking he tends to withdrawal from those around him until he is ready to talk and then watch out!  The words are coming! 

So, in the past eleven months we have tossed around various ideas about where God may or may not be leading us and along the way, we have continued asking God to show us His plan.  And I must confess, that way too often I would like God to show me every single cotton picking day that He is doing something to get us there – wherever ‘there’ is - and God patiently tells me to wait.  And I we have waited.

Tick.  Tock.  Tick.  Tock. – though thankfully God’s version of tick-tocking doesn’t sound like tick-tocking.  It sounds more like the busy-ness of a family of four complete with a toddler who turns into almost potty trained pre-preschooler and a teeny tiny infant who blossoms into a bookshelf climbing toddler.  Tick.  Tock.  Tick.  Tock.  It sounds like a woman who feels obligated to a business she began as a young, carefree, single woman but also feels God leading her away from it.  It sounds like that woman being obedient, even when she can’t see why.  Tick.  Tock.  Tick.  Tock.  It sounds like a big, fading, red Kenworth firing up to head off to Florida again.  And again.  And again.  With it’s driver (TDM) knowing that change is on the horizon but not knowing how or what or when.  It sounds like a man who has a family to lead and support in a world that tells us that it’s all on his shoulders instead of God’s.  Tick.  Tock.  Tick.  Tock.  It sounds like a family sitting around the dinner table pondering what makes our family special and unique…and Miss E’s observance that we ARE a family.  And a mom and dad’s prayer for direction for what is best for our family.  Tick-tocking sounds a lot like life.

And now, back to a few months ago…  the weekend before Christmas, in fact, when God (and a few people) planted the first seeds of serving at Camp Barakel in our minds.  Not serving for a weekend, but serving as full time Missionary staff.   Hmmm, interesting…

And that idea kicked off a lot of prayer and thinking and jotting and praying and more praying and more than anything, trusting that God would show us if this idea was of Him.  So, we asked to be put on a list of people who would like to serve this winter if an opening came about and asked God to create an opening if this was part of His plan.

And, literally, a week ago this morning, I glanced at our calendar, mentally calculated that there were only two retreats left during this camping season and realized that we wouldn’t be heading to Barakel any time soon.

And, literally, a week ago tomorrow morning, we were contacted about an opening in the kitchen this past weekend.  And that began some schedule juggling in order to be able to be there – and God orchestrated all of it so that we could go.

And, after being aproned and head covering-ed up for about an hour Saturday morning, we both realized that our hearts were at home.  So we talked some more, and we both asked God to lead us - which led us to conversation with some of the full time staff who are already there, and questions about their journey to get there and more silent prayers for God’s leading. 

And, after serving five warm meals to a ton of spiritually fed-sleep deprived-tubing hill cold- teenagers-and-almost-teenagers, we realized that we needed to find the camp Director and share with him what was on our hearts.  Which, we did.  And our hearts were (still are!) overwhelmed when he invited us to stay in contact with him as he prayed for God’s direction about our family and we continue to pray for God’s direction regarding full time involvement at Camp Barakel.

So, that’s where we are.  Praying.  Seeking God’s direction for our family.  Starting up a big red truck and heading out for Florida one more time.  Starting a new week and a new day with two precious little girls.  Paying household bills and keeping up with life.  And seeking God’s plan for us.  And waiting, ever so patiently, for God to show us the kind of change that He has in mind for us.

Will you pray along with us that God will clearly show both TDM and I, as well as the folks at Camp Barakel if this is His plan?