Summer Afternoons

It's eleven o'clock, dear readers, on a summer afternoon. I look out my window and see a collage of beauty--hues of green, sky blue, white and hints of yellow stream into my room as I lay on my bed with a cup of coffee, a warm chiwawa and a biography to keep me company. Please don't think me too lazy; I just finished a good week of hard labor and a morning of serving yummy cinnamon rolls and smokies to twenty-nine campers and staff. :) 

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And that brings me about to my topic--my campers. This week I had seventeen campers who eagerly appeared each meal time and also came in thirty minutes prior and afterwards for kitchen duty. Because Discovery Ministries is a Christian organization we typically have church related groups; however, this week was different. This group was a non-Christian group made up of junior high kids who came from military families. Because of this camp's make-up I prepared myself to have a very non-spiritual week. I was so wrong.

According to one of the leaders, one of the girls saw my "A Tip for Ghana" jar. After reading it she ran upstairs where the simple tupperware canister was passed from hand to hand filling with love, goodwill and money which could have bought candy bars and soda. When I appeared the next morning to start my ovens and set up the counter I was tremendously blessed to see that they had put at least thirty dollars. Thirty dollars worth of Snickers, Sprite and iceceam bars where given to an almost-complete stranger who is trying to go to Ghana for a missions trip. And the amount grew as the week progressed.  These children were so excited to give something--their joy and complete willingness encouraged me to keep going. They encouraged me to keep looking unto the Lord. Last night I told the Lord that I am trusting Him completely; if He desires me to go He will provide. I also told Him that when He does I will be as David and sing praises.

O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.  Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me .God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice,

. . .

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

  Psalms 108:1-7a, 12,13

Altogether this group gave forty-seven dollars--I told my campers that, although some may find the amount small,  their firty-seven dollars could be the exact amount God will give in order to meet my need. My Abba not only used these young people to provide physical needs but also spiritual--He used them to strengthen my faith, encourage me my heart and also chide me for the times I have often been stingy in giving. I praise God for using this week for my complete good.

I hope that you are all well and enjoying summer; I think before I drift asleep I should talk a walk to the mail box and see if there are any goodies inside. :)

May the LORD bless each of you today! Yo u all are so dear to me!

With a smile, 

 Frannie

P.S I have two very good sites I would love for you to visit. First, Miss Sonja from Girlish Musings recently wrote a most excellent piece concerning followers and our hearts toward them. Please drop by and read this; it was quite challenging for me and I feel the need to pass it on.  Also, please visit ButtonWillow Chronicles. I recently found this and I truly enjoy stopping by--its a breath of fresh air! :) Blessings to you!