FAMILY TIME

We do everything we can to have dinner together every night. I take Fridays off and spend them with Teresa and the afternoon and evening with the family. Many Saturdays there is quite a bit of time together. But, I am very grateful for the times when we get to go away and some time together away from home completely. Granted, most of the time, we go to visit friends or family, where the lodging is free and it is great to catch up with everyone. It has been a while since just our family has gotten away; and it happened this week.

Tonight we pack and tomorrow we head back from Lake George, up here in Silver Bay, New York. Teresa grew up coming to this campground (YMCA) with her family and next summer there is a Campagna family reunion here; so, we thought we would come up here and check it out. Actually, the real reason we came now is because it is off season, and the food and lodging is free for pastor's families. When talking about this trip, I have had more than one pastor tell me: "My policy is: if it's free, it's me!" I suppose we pretty much adhere to that policy as well.

It did mean taking our kids out of school for a week, and missing some practices, games and special events; but you know what? Those things will always be going on with our busy lives, and it was worth it, just to spend a week alone as a family! We are grateful for the many blessings that come with being a pastor's family; and the generosity of camps like this, and Chip Devenger (our host this week), are prime examples. We don't take these things lightly, or for granted.

It is really beautiful here, and being right on Lake George is great! We have used kayaks (2 of our children that will remain unnamed got stranded and had to be rescued!), the archery range, climbing on rocks, tennis, soccer, basketball and "nuke'em" (a family favorite on the volleyball court); and there is probably more I am forgetting.

But, my absolute favorite thing has been, after breakfast, having everyone pick a scenic spot and having their own private time wth God. Then, we meet together at a certain point along the beach, sing, pray, and share what they learned in their time alone. It was awesome! I suggested that at home, we all get up at 5:30 a.m. go to the beach at Lake Erie and have family devotions every morning; but that great suggestion was not met with much approval or applause.

So, I will be content with remembering this great time of family; and thank God for His many blessings.