Why Camp?

If you were with me yesterday, I said I'd explain why I had no time to create chive butter balls. The reason? We were madly packing to leave for a short camping trip. As you read this I have spent the last couple of nights "swamp side", falling asleep to the sound of a million frogs, trying to resist dreams of critters in my sleeping bag. I'm sure Jeff has assured me repeatedly that there are NO critters inside, just outside ;) We will have been hiking through the sandy forest, lizard hunting (I admit ... I only pretend. I really don't hope to catch any myself...), and walking along the Atlantic shore. This is our first beach camping experience. As I write this I am beyond excited. The ocean is just "therapy" for my spirit, and it speaks God's power to me like nothing else.

However ... in between games of Dutch Blitz, campfires, pancakes, sandy s'mores and swamp hikes, I am not so naive to think our time will not be interrupted by the realities of camping. I feel hesitant to make it sound "rough" since this time we will be staying in a pop up camper, will have hot showers a mere path away, will have real restrooms, and even a working light bulb (I may be setting myself for disappointment .... ). My manly mountain loving rugged Romeo is afraid we have sold out and are no longer really acting like true "campers," but I assure him that when I saw my last decade turn, my camping approach needed to morph. I'm ok with a slight sellout. :) So, I've accepted my role as "the camp wean." :) I'm afraid camping photos are not usually most flattering, but I'll share an old one for YOU! ;) Jeff actually says he loves me like this.

With all this in mind, I thought I should remind myself about WHY we camp and maybe even entice a few of my bloggy friends in the process. Here are the first 10 reasons I could think of:

• our family gets alone away from technology and work
• we have to work together to provide for the daily needs
• the quiet is a great place to listen to each other, to ask each other questions, to share
  
• we laugh a lot when we camp
• parents have permission to be silly when we camp
• we play games
• we all smell the same: smoke, bacon, wool socks ... & we bring it home with us as a memory
  
• the dog LOVES to go camping and the kids LOVE to have him camp with us ... sigh :)
  
• we are reminded of so much about God's nature when we are immersed in creation
• we have time to read and study and pray and think and even sing
  

I'm sure as you're reading I'm getting ready to come home now, and Jeff is telling me to make sure I shake all of the critters out of my sleeping bag. ;) We're teaching the kids how to pack up and clean up, or we're chasing a loose dog down the beach. We're carrying pounds of sand into the car to clean up when we're back home. Our sweet girl is trying to smuggle a crab into the car. But our spiritual and relational tanks are a little more full than when we left home, back where all the light bulbs are. We feel refreshed. I guess that's why we camp. Does that make sense? Do you camp? What fills your "tank"?

Can't wait to share with you when I get back about what the Lord teaches me. I'm taking a great study Bible, a clean notebook, and the anticipation of spending some quiet time with my Jesus. Even with the swamp sounds, it will be really quiet, and I can't wait to hear what the Lord has to say.