Jump Again!

Pair Dune Jumping.
The Entrance
Craziness! Say CHEESE!
Simply a beautiful picture of Autumn.

Sorry Autumn, it was too funny to leave out.
If all else fails, wrap your pants around your neck.
Adrianne.
This is one of the many ways that God shows His love for us!
Sand. God's thoughts of you are many more than all the sand in the universe!

Love is the Larger Prayer

" At first I prayed for light: Could I but see the way,
How gladly, swiftly would I walk to everlasting day!

And next I prayed for strength: That I might tread the road
With firm, unfaltering feet, and win the heaven's serene abode.

And then I asked for faith: Could I but trust my God,
I'd live infolded in His peace, Though foes were all abroad.

But now I pray for love: Deep love to God and man;
A living love that will not fail, However dark His plan.

And light and strength and faith; Are opening everywhere!
God waited patiently until I prayed the larger prayer.

Lake Michigan

The beauty of Lake Michigan.
The sunset. Wow!
Climbing the big one. This really reminded me of life. When I go through trials it seems like they are too hard and sometimes I just feel like giving up. What I noticed while climbing this huge dune was that as I neared the top I was all the more determined to conquer it. Yet the further I climbed the more laborous my steps were and the steeper the climb. Along with that came heavy breathing, screaming muscles and sweat dripping off my face. But, then I would hear some encouragement from the top of the dune, "Press on Melanie, you are almost to the top." I was also carrying a backpack with several people's stuff in it. It was tempting to unload the burden but I kept on. If time should last I plan to drop whatever useless burdens I might find myself carrying in life. Finally, I reached the top and what a great feeling that was to break open my backpack and drink some water. Everyone made it to the top where we enjoyed some songs and Bible reading together. God is so good to provide such beautiful places to worship Him. I want to thank Him for bringing friends into my life.
Kyle and Michael skipping stones.
Precious Friends
High Flying!!! Michael took the gold on this one!

Pine River 2007

The Pine River
Team Prickly Pear... AKA...Black and Blue! No we did not tip. Our team song is, "In Everything Give Thanks". Normally we don't wear our life jackets and if we feel like it, we will go down the river backwards. We had a blast!
The campers of 2007! Where's RV?
Dune climbing.
Our Sabbath hike. I have to say that being out in the woods is one of my favorite things. There is just a special sense of God's presence there, a peace that helps me to know He is with me.
Jennifer and I by the Pine River.
Rough and tough women of the woods;)
I spy an apple!!!
How many campers does it take to set up a tent?
Our beautiful campsite by the river!

God has provided so many evidences of His love. Nature is one of my favorites, thus my love for camping. While we were on our Sabbath hike we passed a tiny log cabin, my dream house. It was high on this bluff above the river with trees surrounding it. I'm sure it's warmed by a wood stove and there is no need for electricity there. Sometimes I wish that my life was more simple and plain. I actually didn't mind wearing smoky clothes all weekend and not doing my hair in the morning. We all enjoyed a dip in the 60 degree water and what's better than reading God's word in nature. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

This week I have been thinking a lot about God's creative power that made me and everything in nature. WOW! Who else could ever hope to accomplish that? This gives me so much hope. GOD CAN DO ANYTHING! "Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee". Jere. 32:17 This text has been a major part of my prayer life lately. Whatever the trials I am facing, I know that with God all things are possible. It is up to Him....I need a willing heart. Since I have gotten back from the GC Tour I have been learning many new songs. Most of them are scripture songs. This has really grown my faith and my thoughts are more focused. I want so much to grow and grow and grow.

" The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our characters. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process, it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the simlitude of a palace." TMB 23,24

Praise God that I am not useless material, and neither are you. We are being polished to look just like a beautiful palace, His palace!

The First Yield

Some beautiful specimens from my garden this year. I really enjoy seeing my plants grow even though they are all crammed in such a little space. They have survived the Michigan drought and hopefully they will keep bearing fruit. Speaking of bearing fruit, I hope we are bearing fruit. It is God's job to water us, but our priveledge to slurp up all the life giving water we can get. In the Bible, Jesus said that if we drank of that kind of water, we would never thirst again. I want that and I hope and pray that you do too.

Wisconsin

My friend Jen lives in northern Wisconsin. These are her five beautiful horses.
My two favorite pets on Jen's farm.
Getting up close and personal with Ginger
We had so much fun on the farm
It was a nice leisurely ride. I was feeling a little amish.
Jen preparing the horse to drive
It was hard work to sit on this tractor
A very cute little orange puff

It's a real blessing to go and spend time in the country with Jen and her family. Plus, the animals are so much fun. I had the priveledge of going to a Bible study with Jen's mom. One Sabbath Sandy came to their church and asked if she could become a member. Since then she has completed two sets of Bible studies and is very eager to be baptized. God's work is so exciting.