This past weekend was a busy one for the Childs' family.  We had worked all week to get things together for the teenagers who were looking forward to a weekend with Christian friends and plenty of positive peer pressure.

We've been told many times that we're crazy for planning a campout during the last 2 weekends of October.  Sometimes we believe it ourselves, but God always has a way of changing out minds.  When the teens come driving in from 6-10 hours away full of enthusiasm, big smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts, we know that it's worth it!  So many times they simply come to get away from the bad peer pressure at home.  Sometimes it's to see friends that they made during the summer MAP training.  Other times, it's because they enjoy the spiritual environment, camping out, learning new things, or being able to tell about their experience when they get back home.  Whatever the reason, they make it worthwhile.

This weekend was no exception.  We had 20 people, including 4 adults, who slept in the woods with the cold, cold air all around them.  Out of those 20, one person came from Kentucky, six from Louisiana, and the rest from Arkansas.  They were so excited to be together, to encourage one another, to work together, play games together, and worship together!  You could feel the enthusiasm all around. 

It was fun to watch them as they built their tents, went on a scavenger hunt, tried to fit as many as possible on one log, enjoyed the hayride, and worshiped together.  It was wonderful to hear their thankfulness as they politely said, "Thank you" for the meal, asked if they could help with different chores, sang praises to God and expressed with words how blessed they felt. 

Was it just the outdoor fun that brought all of these feelings?  Of course not, but being out in nature often brings about a feeling of awe toward God.  It also draws us closer together as a spiritual family and being with our spiritual family makes the whole outdoor experience that much sweeter!

If you haven't taken the time to enjoy the great outdoors lately, why not invite some of your spiritual family (or your physical family or close friend) to enjoy it with you.  It doesn't have to be a campout.  It could be a cookout or something as simple as looking up at the stars shining in the darkness.  It can bring us a little closer to God and to each other.

(Special note:  This is supposed to be a good time of the year to look for meteor showers/shooting stars.  The Orionid meteor shower can best be seen on October 22 - if the sky is clear.  It lasts from October 16-October 25.  We still have a few more days left to look for it!  The Taurid meteor shower can be seen from October 20-November 30.  Possibly the best night to see it is November 5.)