Campfire: Farewell to Camp Humility 2012 (+ Winners!)

Another week at Camp Humility has come and gone - time really does go by so fast! I hope you've enjoyed your time here, from our hike this morning to our fishing excursion and our evenings around the campfire. My wish is that this week was uplifting and inspiring and maybe even a little challenging for you!

And - *insert drum roll* - we have winners! With the help of Random.org's List Randomizer (including the initial entries as well as the extra entries), the winners are:

The Secret Keeper - Aizess!

Garden of Madness - Julie!

Wildflowers from Winter - Michelle T (scraphappy71)! 

Thank you once again to the authors and publishers for providing the books for the giveaway! (And winners, I'll be sending you an e-mail soon to get your mailing addresses!)

(I have to post this button one more time for posterity - I had fun making it, and I was happy with how it turned out! *Grin* Thanks, mybannermaker.com!)

And thank you very much to each and every one of you who stopped by and made this week meaningful and so much fun! Your comments and your enthusiasm - as well as your willingness to go along with this whole virtual camp idea... - really have blessed me. I'm so grateful to call you friends! 

So help yourself to one last s'more before you go!!

P.S. When you're checking out of the cabins, don't forget to check the bathrooms and all around your bunk beds to be sure you didn't forget anything! ;)

In Other News...

• The last couple of years I've hosted a birthday bash here... But since this post-intensive week included a multiple-book giveaway, and since it's close enough to my birthday (this Sunday), I think I'm going to pass this year. But I'll see you again on Monday on the other side of 21! ;) And I might be sharing a recipe with ya'll soon - yes, I'm branching out!

• I think I will be going to Disneyland again this summer (in a couple of weeks), so I'm sure you'll be seeing some posts about that soon, too!

• Also, since my permit expired this last month, I had to re-take the written test and all of that jazz at the DMV... But I got 100% again, so *maybe* there will be more entries to my "driving diary" again - we'll see! ;)

Have a great weekend!

Let's Go Hiking!

Every year at Camp Humility (at least so far), we have to go on a hike! God's creation is so beautiful, and there's so much to see and appreciate. Today I'm going to take you to the Trees of Mystery, where we'll go on a walk through the redwoods. But first, we have to take a detour through the lupines on the Bald Hills Scenic Drive...

Oh, just look at that view! The sky is so blue, the clouds are so light and wispy, and the lupines are so lovely.

Let's get in close to admire the color - and snap a picture in this great setting!

We've got to zoom out again to see the grand picture - certainly quite grand! My friend Elena pointed out the distinct line between the different types of trees on that far hill - almost looks like a shadow on one side!

Don't you just want to frolic through the flowers??

Nothing like a sunny summer day spent with family and friends. =) Such a gift!

Aww, look at my beautiful mom among the lupines!

Anybody up for a game of hide-and-seek? ;)

Take in one last whiff of that sun-drenched-lupine smell. There's nothing like it!

Now, on to the Trees of Mystery! Up there is the "lightning tree" - see how jagged it is, just like a bolt of lightning?

And there's the Cathedral Tree. It's the site of many a wedding. That's my "the-only-thing-I-need-is-a-man-to-complete-this-picture" pose. ;)

You can see that the redwoods are amazing just by looking at their huge trunks. But let's tilt our heads back and gaze up at the sky - I think we'll get a whole new perspective.

Want another perspective? Let's take the Skytrail (riding in the gondolas) up to the top!

What a view from up here!

And...back down we go!

Before we leave the redwoods, let's take a quick stop at the Forest Cafe across the street. Isn't it so cute?? (And the food's not bad either! The pulled pork sandwich and the sweet potato fries that were the lunch special yesterday? - Mmm!)

Wait!! Oh no!! The bear got me! (I guess that's my frozen-stupid-in-fear look, LOL!)

Oh, no worries! We were just playin'. ;) (But seriously, I look as white as a vampire!)

Be sure to wave good-bye to Paul Bunyan - he might just wave back! 

I hope everyone enjoyed the hike (and more)! Remember, the giveaway closes this evening when I put together the last post of Camp Humility 2012. See you at the campfire!

(Pictures were taken yesterday by my mom and me on an actual outing with my dear friend, Elena. We had a fabulous time, and I'm so grateful to my mom for taking us!)

Campfire: Fourth Evening

The fire is warm, and though the hour is rather late, I have marshmallows and cookies for anyone who is interested! A toasty campfire on a summer night - a perfect place for some story-sharing, wouldn't you say?

I just wrote a short scene for my WIP (Historical Romance), and I thought I'd share a few lines in honor of "writing day" here at Camp Humility:

A shiver racked her body as the wind swept through Seven Mile Canyon. Sally pulled her shawl more tightly about her shoulders, longing to leave the wretched scene but held in place by the rhythmic beating of desert sand and dirt being flung onto a pathetic casket. Joe and John took turns filling up the hole in the ground, neither man saying a word. What could any of them say? John’s wife left this world mere days before his brother brought his new bride to the ranch.

The scene is rather somber - sorry about that!

But now it's your turn! If you'd like an extra entry in this week's giveaway (click the button in the sidebar to enter if you haven't already done so!), just leave a comment sharing a line or a few lines from some writing that you've done recently - a poem, a scene from your WIP, or anything! Let's celebrate writing and get excited about our stories! =)

(P.S. I had a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors today with my mom and a dear friend - so be sure to stop by tomorrow for our hike here at Camp Humility, complete with freshly taken pictures!)

Let's Write!

I suppose it's rather hypocritical of me to put this sort of post together right now, as I'm going to keep this short and sweet, and I'm not planning on doing any other writing at the moment... But here it goes!

Today I plan to go on an outing with my mom and a friend, and I'm hoping this will lead to some beautiful pictures for tomorrow's hike! So, that's kind of my main focus today rather than writing.

However, I encourage you if you have some time to enjoy the lovely scenery of our virtual Camp Humility and maybe let it inspire you to compose a poem or add another scene to your WIP or write a short story. Tonight at the campfire (which might be kind of late depending on when I get back, but you can check in tomorrow, as well!), I'm hoping we'll have some sharing time. =)

I participated in what is called a #wordwar on Twitter recently with a couple of friends, which was about a 45-minute writing session, with the person writing the most words during that time being crowned the winner of the "word war." Afterwards we shared our favorite line (or more) from the writing we had just done. I'd love if sometime today we can squeeze in some writing, and then tonight at the campfire we can share our favorite lines. I'll even throw in an extra entry to the giveaway if you participate! ;)

Also, if we're not already "friends" on Twitter, and if you have a Twitter account, I'd love to meet up with you there (I'm @SeasonsHumility.) Maybe we can do some more of these #wordwars or #1K1HR (1,000 words in 1 hour) to help motivate each other to just sit down and write! (Huge thanks to Krissi Dallas and Allison Duke for introducing me to #wordwars and for allowing me to join ya'll the other day!)

Well, I hope you all are enjoying Camp Humility so far, and I hope you have a beautiful day! See you later around the campfire!

(My mom took the picture of the dogwood flowers in Grants Pass, Oregon, when we stopped there on our way home from graduation. Aren't they gorgeous?)

Campfire: Third Evening

Tonight I've set up an outdoor projector screen so that we can enjoy a movie while we snack on our s'mores and some popcorn! I "previewed" the movie yesterday in anticipation of talking about it tonight. For all you Disney fans out there, we're watching Brother Bear!

(In lieu of posting the whole movie on here, which probably isn't allowed anyway, I'm just going to share a YouTube video I found of a scene that shows the joy of relationships. Enjoy!)



Humility and Relationships

Brother Bear has a lot to say about familial relationships - whether it's blood-related family or love-related family. The three human brothers (Kenai, Denahi, and Sitka) all have different strengths and were given different ways in which they specifically needed to grow in order to become men. In order for there to be harmony and unity between the brothers, appreciation of their differences and a dose of humility are necessary.

Humility, you ask?

Well, Sitka is the eldest, and as such he is supposed to help guide his brothers. But all leaders need to be humble, and it is often shown in their interactions that Sitka doesn't choose to act high and mighty, but instead listens to his brothers, laughs at their antics when they are harmless, and helps them without the need to make himself look good.

Denahi is supposed to be wise. At the beginning of the movie, he often isn't. He mercilessly teases Kenai at times, suggests that he blames Kenai when Sitka dies, and then decides to seek revenge. And yet, he learns from his journey. In order to reconcile with his brother and with his future, he has to be humble enough to realize his errors - and humble enough to share the story with his village later on in his life.

Kenai has a long way to go to learn how to love when the movie first starts. He scoffs at his totem - "the bear of love." He thinks that real men don't need love - they need something much more "manly" like "bravery," "strength," or "greatness." But throughout the movie he realizes how important and powerful love really is. Love, too, requires humility. Kenai had to be humble enough to accept responsibility for his actions, to be open with Koda about his sin, and to choose to sacrifice for another rather than seek his own way. (Jesus Himself gave us the ultimate example of humility in love: "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death on a cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him..." ~ Philippians 2:8-9a)

No matter what position we have been placed in within our family or in our other relationships, humility can help us draw closer to one another. But it all has to start with being humble before our Lord, as our relationship with God is the most important relationship we can have, and it determines how we choose to act in our relationships with others.

Easier said than done, right? This is something I really have to work on! But I hope that on this blog we can remind one another of the value of humility and encourage one another to strive to be more humble. It's a journey, and I'm so glad that you are willing to share it with me!

(You can read more of my thoughts on the movie Brother Bear HERE.)

Vlog: Let's Try Some Archery and Go Canoeing!

So here it is - the surprise activity I mentioned in our itinerary! My parents got our family a Wii for Christmas, and we've been enjoying the Wii Sports Resort games recently - which include archery and canoeing. Well, since this is a virtual camp, we ought to have some virtual camp activities, right? ;)

Archery

I think it's much easier to aim with a remote than a real arrow...

Canoeing

This is the way to go - no need to worry about getting wet!

I was wrong in that last video - one of my vacation posts from a couple of years ago included a video of me in it ("Beautiful Oregon"). But I think this is my first actual "vlog" where you can really see and hear me... It's not professional by any means, but I do hope the sound and quality are OK. I mean, these were filmed with a little iPod, so they're not too shabby, right? ;) I hope you find the videos fun and maybe a bit humorous - and not too boring, LOL! 

Special thanks to my mom and sister for being willing to do this with me!

See ya tonight at the campfire, where we'll continue today's technology-meets-camping theme!

Campfire: Second Evening

It's been a long (but hopefully rewarding!) day - so let's relax around the campfire with a thermos of hot chocolate (complete with mini marshmallows) and some more s'mores.

Did you enjoy the fishing today? How many of you actually caught fish? And if you didn't, did you still enjoy the experience??

We're going to continue the fishing theme with our devotional tonight. What does fishing have to do with humility? - you might ask...

Well, plenty, if you can't catch any fish! ;)

But seriously, let's consider a story about a fishing miracle:

Humility and Miracles

When you think of fishing in the Bible, do the gospels come to mind? Some of the disciples had been fishermen before Jesus found them, and were still found fishing even after Jesus died and rose from the dead. Consider the account in John 21, when some of the disciples went out fishing, but "that night they caught nothing" (v. 3). In the morning Jesus called out to them and asked, "Children, have ye any meat?" And they responded, "No" (v. 5). So Jesus told them to "cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find" - and "they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes" (v. 6).

The disciples had to admit that they had "failed." They hadn't caught any fish. Having spent hours at a time fishing with my family, I know that it really is disappointing when the fish aren't biting. It's humiliating to go out of your way to catch fish and then not catch any! And to think - we fish for pleasure. While fishing might have been "pleasant" in some sense to those disciples, I'm pretty sure that catching fish meant much more to them. It meant food. For some, it meant a livelihood and a way to provide for their families. So I'm guessing a night of catching nothing was not something to be proud of.

The disciples had to experience what it was like going a whole night without catching fish to truly experience the miracle of catching a ton of fish (153 fish, according to v. 11). Why?

The humbling thing about miracles is that they don't occur because of our own strength or genius or prowess. They occur because of God's power and goodness and love. They occur in order to bring God glory. Not us, but God.

About a year and a half ago I wrote about my very own Christmas miracle - the almost-horrible trip home for Christmas break that turned into an amazing testimony of God's provision. I met a friend who kept me company during the long wait at the San Francisco airport, helped us get a ride back to our hometown when our flight was cancelled, and watched out for me to make sure I was alright. The long delays, the flight cancellation, the late-night drive with virtual strangers... Nothing I could do was going to change the fact that I was not going to be able to fly home that day, nor the fact that unless someone reached out to me and helped me along, I was clueless. The miracle didn't point to my own intelligence or abilities. It pointed to God's mercy and the blessings of friendship that He gives us.

Your Turn!

Can you think of any other connections between fishing and humility? (Feel free to be creative and stretch the connections a bit!) Do you have any miracle stories that you can share with the rest of us that can remind us of how amazing God is?

Let's Go Fishing!

Just look at that view! This is what makes fishing so wonderful.

Let me start off the day by being very clear: I'm rather under-qualified when it comes to teaching anyone how to fish. So today, I'm not going to tell you what bait is best to use to lure a certain type of fish, or how much you ought to spend on fishing gear, or what time of the day is the best for catching fish.

Instead, I'm going to show you how to experience the joys of fishing - with or without actually catching fish. So grab your fishing pole, your tackle box, and some munchies, and we'll head for the lake!

Here are some important things to remember about fishing (according to me, anyway!):

1. Pick a beautiful day to go fishing. Sunshine on the lake - that's what I'm talking about!
2. Pick a beautiful place to go fishing. (If you're ever in Northern California, I highly recommend Lewiston Lake - just look at these pictures, if you're not convinced!) Notice that I said the place has to be beautiful. I'm not really overly concerned about where the most fish are. I figure, if I'm going to spend a day fishing, I want to enjoy the view, right?
3. Bring food. A well-stocked cooler (not the one designated for the fish you catch!) is essential. Consider packing a Subway sandwich, chips, sodas, cookies, and fruit.
4. Bring a journal/iPod/book. If the cooler is essential, one or all of these are even more so. Want inspiration for writing your latest scene or composing a poem? What could be more inspiring than riding on a patio boat on the lake? Want a nice spot to relax? Music can add to the mood. Want some time to dive into that great summer read sitting on your TBR stack? Umm... The one thing about fishing that is pretty much guaranteed is waiting. So bring something with you to best help you enjoy the wait!

Today we're renting a patio boat or two so that we can all experience the wonder of fishing. By now you're probably wondering how exactly I define fishing...

Well, OK - catching fish is nice, and it does kind of come with the territory. There is a certain thrill in reeling in a fish, and I really like fishing - as most people define it - in theory. But at this point in my life, you won't catch me preparing the fish afterward! And, quite frankly, you probably won't catch me catching much fish either. I'm really not that skilled at it.

So to me, fishing means taking the time to go away for the day. It means spending a sunny summer day on a covered patio boat in the middle of a sparkling lake, writing in a journal or listening to music or reading a book (or all three!). It means enjoying the beauty of God's creation and just sitting in the sunshine, thinking.

Yes, sometimes I get upset when the fish aren't biting. But I'm sad to think that I've helped ruin a wonderful day by being grumpy and having a poor attitude for some reason or another. I much prefer those times when - fish or no fish - I just enjoy a day away with the people I love.

Today, I invite you to come fishing with me, "Amber-style." No pressure. No worries. Just a peaceful day out on the lake together. =)

Campfire: First Evening

Tonight we're having a barbecue along with our campfire - so feel free to help yourself to some steaks or hamburgers or veggie burgers while we get the fire going. Renee brought marshmallows, and there are some graham crackers and chocolate bars over at the picnic table. I won't say anything if you choose to have dessert first. ;) I know this is a bit of a late start to the evening for those of you not living on the West Coast, but I hope you'll still enjoy the refreshments!

Earlier today I attended a Memorial Day service at a local cemetery. This year's service was especially moving, as the group the Avenue of the Flags was dedicated to was none other than our local branch of the Honor Flights program. (I interviewed Vince's sister a year and a half ago regarding her experiences working with this program - you can read more about that HERE.) The determination and dedication given to make sure our veterans get to see the war memorials in Washington D.C. is so admirable and beautiful. My own grandpa, who served in the Korean War, even got the chance to go last year.

I'll pass around some pictures of today's service while I prepare to tell you a story:

The story I want to share tonight isn't actually from today's service, though. It's actually from last year's Memorial Day service. My grandpa was the main speaker, and I was supposed to sing the song "This is My Son" along to the music from the CD "Don't Believe" by the bluegrass band Cherryholmes.

Everything started off great. I sat next to my grandpa on the platform, and I listened to him do a great job giving the speech he had been practicing over and over. At the end of his speech my sister was supposed to read a poem by one of my grandpa's friends who had recently passed away, but I ended up reading it instead. His testimony seemed to really bless the people in the audience, and they gave him a standing ovation. It was a powerful moment.

And then the man overseeing the ceremony turned to the man who was going to play the bagpipes and asked him to begin. But wait... What about my song?? I tried to make eye contact with the man in charge, but it didn't work. I had been forgotten, and the ceremony concluded without me singing a note.

As everyone mingled after the ceremony, I was eager to leave. Yes, I was proud of my grandpa, and nothing was going to change that. But I was also hurt and embarrassed, and I didn't want anyone to see my shame. My name and the name of the song I was going to sing had been written in the program, but still I had been overlooked. (As a side note, the man in charge apologized and was very kind about the whole thing!)

The whole way home I sulked in the car, huddled into myself and my own hurt. But when we got to the house, I spent some time outside thinking and talking with God - and God showed me that the way things turned out had more important things to teach me about humility than if things had turned out the way I had planned.

You see, my poor attitude was because I was embarrassed. I had been overlooked and forgotten, in my opinion. I felt short-changed. But that Memorial Day service wasn't about me. Sure, I think the words of that beautiful song by Cherryholmes could have blessed the audience. But they had already been blessed by my grandpa's story and his service to our country. And I shouldn't have let my embarrassment keep me from wholeheartedly sharing in the honoring of my grandpa and others who had served in the U.S. military.

In a twist of wonderful irony, the last line of the poem by my grandpa's friend that I read went like this:

"This once proud ship will sail no more."

When that realization hit me - how those words tied into what I needed to learn from the experience - I laughed. My "proud ship" really needed to stop sailing!

Oh, laughter really can be such good medicine! =) How can you stay angry and hurt when you can honestly laugh at your own folly and rejoice in the goodness of God?

As the author of Ecclesiastes noted, there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh" (3:4a).

So now I'll open up the sharing time! Is there anyone else who has had to learn some lessons about humility the hard way? (Really, is there any other way than the hard way??)

"He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

~ Proverbs 15:32-33 ~

Camp Humility 2012 Itinerary

Welcome to the Third Annual Camp Humility!

How fun that this is the third year I get to host this! Camp Humility is one of my favorite themed weeks to put together. Why? Because Camp Humility is supposed to be a type of virtual summer camp - a week for us bloggers to celebrate community and humility together.

So don't let the "camp" part scare you! We're not really roughing it... I picture us at a sunny retreat, complete with cabins and bunk beds and a fire pit for our nightly campfires - not to mention that lovely river nearby and plenty of beautiful trails for us to enjoy. =)

Are you ready to begin? As you're getting settled in to your assigned cabin, I'll read you the itinerary for this week:

• Monday (Today): Welcome/Giveaway announcement
• Tuesday: Fishing
• Wednesday: Surprise Activity
• Thursday: Writing
• Friday: Hiking

(I think I might have a fun idea for Wednesday, but in case it doesn't work out the way I want it to, I'll wait to announce it, LOL! And Thursday's activity may not seem like a "camping" activity necessarily, but what better time and place to have a mini writing retreat, right?)

There will be two posts here each day. The itinerary above shows what will be going on during the morning on those days, and then each night we will spend some time around the campfire - eating virtual s'mores and sharing devotionals (etc.).

I hope you find this to be a refreshing and enjoyable week!

And for the U.S. residents attending Camp Humility this year (sorry to my international friends, but shipping costs keep me from opening the giveaway to everyone) - we have a fun giveaway! Just read/fill out the form below, and be on the lookout for opportunities to get extra entries throughout the week. Winners will be announced at the last campfire session on Friday, June 1st.

*The giveaway form has been updated!* 

If you have any questions, let me know! And feel free to leave a comment saying you're signing up as a camper for the week. =)

See you tonight at the campfire! (Our devotional will be military-themed in honor of Memorial Day. And you can make a slight detour to The Borrowed Book blog today to check out another post I put together in honor of Memorial Day. Those who have followed this blog for a while might recognize the content...)

Campfire: Winner and Farewell

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable time at Camp Humility! I loved participating in this week's activities with all of you, as well as sitting around the campfire together, eating s'mores and discussing God's provision. It is a real blessing to know each one of you, and I'm glad Camp Humility gave us a chance to "get away" for a week!

Before we say our farewells, I'd like to announce the winner of the $15 Amazon.com gift card, according to the List Randomizer from Random.org:

Michelle (scraphappy71)!

Congratulations, Michelle! Be on the look-out for my e-mail!

To all of my campers, thank you for making this week so much fun and so memorable! As my official farewell, I put together a slide show/video like I did last year, except this one includes pictures from the Bald Hills area and Prarie Creek State Park in Northern California, many of which you'll recognize from earlier this week.

The song is called "Faraway Land" by Ron Block, and I think the word fits so well for this retreat we've been on, focused on humility before our Lord.




If it is the Lord's will, perhaps this will continue to be an annual event. In that case, I hope to see you next year at the Third Annual Camp Humility 2012!

Craft Time!

Today let's gather together in the lodge and spend some time working on crafts! The craft I'm working on right now is top secret: a counted cross-stitch piece for my grandma. She was the one who taught me how to cross-stitch, so I want to surprise her with a project I've made on my own. So, shhhh! It'll be our secret. ;)

Here's what it looks like so far:

I have a tad bit more to finish on the flowers, and then I have to complete the two hummingbirds and do the back-stitch to outline the picture and put it all together.

This is the back of the piece. Not quite as nice looking as the front, but I try to keep it somewhat clean like my grandma taught me!

And this is what it will (hopefully) look like when I'm done! I love these kits, because I would be so lost without step-by-step instructions and the chart!

The chart uses different symbols to color-code the project. (Don't worry--they also include a legend so that you know which symbol is which color!) I like to cross out the stitches I've done as I go so I can keep track of my progress.

I love cross-stitching! Once you learn how to make the stitches, it's really pretty simple (at least for the more basic projects like I make), and it's so neat to see the picture coming together before your eyes! There's something special about counting out the stitches and poking the needle in and out of the fabric to make something beautiful, especially when you know who you're going to give it to!

So, are any of you currently working on a craft?

(And before you leave, I just want to remind you to stop by tonight for the last campfire, where we'll say our farewell to camp and I'll announce the gift card winner!)

Campfire: Fourth Evening

I'm passing around the marshmallows again so we can use them for s'mores or a topping to our mugs of hot chocolate. I even brought whipped cream and chocolate chips if anyone wants some!

Last night we talked about hunger, and tonight I'd like to add a little bit to that discussion.

Here's another quote from the pocket inspirational called Jesus, Name Above All Names by Roy Lessin, which I shared from during our first campfire this week, regarding Jesus as "The Bread of Life":

"All who are spiritually hungry have been called to partake of the life of Jesus by faith. Jesus is God's manna to us. Like manna--the daily food God provided to the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness--coming down from heaven, so Jesus comes to us from the Father. We don't need to store Him away and save Him for another day. He is ours every morning and He will sustain us throughout the day."

That last part really caught my attention. I'm the kind of person that likes to save things for later. For example, I have books in my TBR stacks that have been there for a while (or will be there for a while) because I'm saving them, because I'd be so sad to get through my whole TBR stack and not have something to look forward to. As another example, at meals I usually like to save a bit or more of something I really enjoy (like a roll, as I'm a big bread fan!) for the end.

But it's not that way with Jesus. We don't have to "store Him away and save Him for another day." We can have beautiful, satisfying experiences in His Presence every day! And because we can have a relationship with our everlasting Lord, we should never think of Him as something to objectify--He is God, and His love and provision have no end!

So don't ever worry about running out of joy in God's Presence. We can trust that each morning He will be there, willing to bless His children with His care. God is so good!

Let's Go Horseback Riding!

Today we have a special guest--my younger sister, Emily! She has been on countless horseback rides since she was four years old, and it is her lifelong dream to have her own horse. She is a very knowledgeable horsewoman, in my opinion, and today she's going to share some tips on horseback riding with us as we hit the trail!

Amber: Before we get on the horses, what should we do/know to prepare ourselves?

Emily: First tip: Always wear a helmet. Always wear cowboy boots when you go riding, because if you wear rubber boots or any other shoe your heel can slip through the stirrup, and you can fall off the horse and be dragged. I've heard a story about that!

When you're riding make sure you don't have the reins past the horn of the saddle, otherwise it will cause your horse to stop when you don't want him to.

When you're out riding, if your horse spooks, don't be frightened. The horses can sense fear, and they act really crazy! Instead, you should remain calm and soothe the horse.

Make sure the stirrups are at an appropriate height for your legs, so that you have better control of the horse with your feet, and that way your feet won't slip out.

Amber: Where are the best places to go horseback riding? (That is to say, are there places that are safer to take horses or more enjoyable to go riding?)

Emily: Rocky terrain is not good for a horse, because a horse can stumble, and it would be messy. ;) In the desert would be fine, if you live near a desert. Forest is fun to ride in, and so is a meadow.

It's not the best idea to ride horses on concrete. When you're trotting and running on concrete, you can't stop the horse, because if you pull back on the reins they would slip.

Amber: What do you love most about horseback riding?

Emily: Being with the horses! It's just fun being with the horses.

Amber: And that's all she wrote (or said, in this case)! ;) Thank you, Emily, for joining us and letting me put you on the spot!

Stay safe on those trails, everyone, and I'll see you back at camp tonight for our campfire!

Campfire: Third Evening

Anyone hungry?

Go ahead and grab some s'mores fixings and gather around the fire, because tonight we're going to discuss hunger.

Spiritual Hunger

If you'll join me in opening your Bible to Matthew 4:3-4, we'll read:

"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

At first glance, this verse seems to be saying that humans need more than physical food--that we are in need of spiritual food to fully live. And I believe that is true. First Peter 2:2-3 states,

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

It takes time to prepare a good meal, and it takes time to be spiritually fed by God's word and through prayer. When you pour out your heart to God, there is a very real comfort and satisfaction that nothing and no one else can bring, because God is our Provider, our Friend, and our Lord. He is in control, and He cares about us. Yet how often I neglect this truth!

God Provides

And this brings us to the reference given for the Scripture Jesus was quoting in Matthew--Deuteronomy 8:3. Let's take a look at this verse along with the preceding verse in chapter 8:

"And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live."

I think by seeing the context of the Scripture Jesus quoted, it seems that there is another element to Matthew 4:4, which is this: we are sustained by the very words of God, by His commands. God may give us food to live, but ultimately that shows it is His control that gives us our lives and the ability to live them. Sometimes, he suffers us to hunger. And sometimes he feeds us--something we take for granted.

Humility and Hunger

I do not claim to know what exactly Jesus meant when He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, but I think that perhaps He was alluding to the power of His Father. He was trusting His life in His Father's hands, because at that time, while He was fully God, He was also fully human. And He submitted to His Father's will, whether that meant being fed or not.

Consider some of the following verses in Deuteronomy 8:

"Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him....

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

Lest when thou hast eaten and art full...then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."

(Verses 5-6, 10-12a, 14-18)

And there it is--a connection between hunger and humility.

When we are hungry (for love, for wealth, for success, for food, for hope, etc.), will we trust that God truly seeks "to do thee good at thy latter end"?

Will we believe that God chastens us because He loves us?

Will we realize that He tries us because He wants us to grow?

Will we remember and praise Him for what He has done when He provides for us?

Let's Go Hiking!

Today we're going to go on a hike through the redwoods at Prairie Creek State Park in Northern California. Bring your camera and let's hit the trail!

The sunshine pouring across the ferns is framed by the majestic redwoods in this scene. Isn't is so peaceful here in the forest? The redwoods are such an amazing part of God's creation, and I'm blessed to be able to show them to you on this hike!

Anybody want to stop and read the informative signs? There are a lot of beautiful plants here on the North Coast. (And I know I don't look prepared for hiking, but I didn't want to leave my purse in the car, and it's only a short walk!)

I think now would be a good time to read the verse that Renee Ann mentioned out on the lake during last night's canoe ride as we look up at the towering, grand redwoods on the aptly named Revelation Trail:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." ~Romans 1:20

I'm so strong--I can hold up that tree with my fingertips! Just kidding. ;) Any taller people want to try to reach the higher end?

Across the way you can view the clearing. If you look closely, you can see stick-like things standing out above the grass. Those are elk antlers! Best to keep our distance as they rest in the sun.

Before we head back to camp, anyone want to go to the gift shop?

(Pictures were taken by my mom at Prairie Creek State Park.)