sleeping in tents + great memories = camping

This summer was a big summer for me - I went .C.A.M.P.I.N.G. For most people, that isn't a big deal, but it was the first time I've ever gone this kind of camping. It was a multiple nights sleeping in a tent, multiple meals cooked over fire, multiple times popping a squat in the woods, multiple fires to gather around, multiple days without showering besides for swimming in the lake.
And to be completely honest - I LOVED IT! It was such a great time. It probably helps that we were with some of my very most favorite people in the whole world, Dave and Dana (Ben's brother and sister-in-law)and 4 of our precious nieces and nephews. It also probably helped that we camped out on the outskirts of a small town in Robbinsville, on one of clearest and most beautiful lakes I have ever seen, right in the middle of the Appalatian mountains.
We spent a lot of time just hanging out, being together, talking, swimming in the beautiful, clean lake, swinging in hammocks, talking around the fire, snacking on yummy food, and kayaking/canoeing. It was so peaceful.
There is just something so special about being in a place with people you love that seems to be secluded from everything else for just a short breath of time. There is something about taking in those moments and thanking the Lord for bringing you to this beautiful place with these amazing people. Even time spent with the Lord seemed to last and come almost naturally, just like it was meant to in the beginning of time. It was like we were in a different world. It was a breath of fresh air to my life.
Our trip ended early due to some crazy monsoon-like rain, but even that was fun. We stayed huddled together, wrapped in towels trying to keep warm. We figured it wouldn't have been as fun to stay there in the crazy mud, with little leaks in our tents, with the kiddos, and with company coming to join us for dinner, so we grabbed what we needed and spent the last night at Dave and Dana's home. (I must say, it was really nice to take a hot shower after being stuck in the cold rain!)
The weekend finished off with me talking late into the night with my sister-in-law, and praying with her over things we had talked about. I don't think I will ever forget that precious time with her, usually we are the first of the adults going to bed!
Ben and I headed home the next day, leaving the mountains to head back to cornfields, but refreshed and recharged and thankful for the sweet memories of camping and family and the blessing of being out in God's creation, away from our everyday lives :)