Sabbath Rest – Yet Not I but Christ in Me

I often fail, but still – this is my prayer. My longing…

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Savior He will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Quick update

It’s been a long day, but before we turn out the lights, I wanted share the good news that we’ve been reunited with our motor home, Lizzie.
She has a shiny new turbo (at least I’m picturing it that way), and she made it home (about a three hour drive that involved three states,

crossing the Ohio River several times,
Retrieving Lizzie
driving on big roads
Retrieving Lizzie
and through small towns.

And quite frankly, going over a few too many hills and windy roads for this girl’s comfort!) without so much as a sputter!

Even though we’ve been reunited, we still have a bit of work to do before we can actually move back in –

(Like finding the bed) so we’re still enjoying our camp accommodations for another couple of days! But it’s grand to have all our ‘stuff’ back within reach!
And on another very practical note – the repair cost was not nearly as traumatic as I was afraid it would be. Still our largest repair bill yet, but once again I can only express thanksgiving for God’s care for us! Thank you for your many prayers and offers to help- we appreciated them all.

Sweet dreams,

Steph

 

Cornbread, Kiddos, and Waiting

It’s been a week filled with all of those things! First on the waiting – we’ve been told that our new part should be at the mechanics today(Monday), and then it will be on to the repair. So it looks like it might be several more days until we can be reunited. (Quick refresh – the turbo ‘went’ on our motor home, and it is now waiting patiently at a repair shop in Jackson, Ohio. We packed a bag and continued on to our September project at Camp Nathanael in Emmalena, KY, where they have generously supplied us with a room until we go pick-up Lizzie (the RV).) We’ve been blessed with a sweet room –
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(You can’t see him, but Gary is snoozing on that comfy sofa! ) It’s pretty much like having our own living room! Oh, we miss our house immensely, but it has been such a blessing to have these lovely accommodations while we wait.
And then there are the kiddos! Last week was the beginning of a 5 week stretch of Outdoor Education sessions that are being run by the camp. School children come from the area counties for a day filled with reenactments and demonstrations about what life was like in the “Pioneer Days”.
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There are different stations for quilting, butter making, candle making, washing and dying, and barn building to name just a few! This past week was “Kinder Week” so it was a little scaled down – a good option for us new folks! I was helping out in the “General Store”
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Which I confess was more 21st Century trinkets than Olson’s Mercantile, but the little ones sure had a great time picking out some treasures!
But aside from being a helper wherever I am needed (maybe quilting next week??), I’ve been making cornbread!
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The cornbread is cut into little squares and then a dab of butter (which the kids have actually made!) is put on top and the little squares are distributed at the end of the class.
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Since there are approximately 200 kids that come through the program each school day (and there are 20 more days of kids) – that’s a fair bit of cornbread! So I’m trying to get ahead of the curve and plan to have plenty in the freezer since we won’t be here the last two weeks of the program!
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Being that I love working in the kitchen and think helping students experience some quilting will be a delight – pretty sure this month will go by quickly.
Now if we could just get our motor home back.
Ah, the waiting…
Happy Monday, all ya’all!
Steph
PS – Gary has (of course!) been busy these days also. Heaters, A/C’s, shower floors – you know, Gary stuff. No pictures though, sorry!

Sabbath Rest – Jesus Calms the Storm

Yes – it’s a crazy world out there! And if it seems crazy to me, I can only imagine how crazy-scary life can be to young hearts. This hymn was written for those young, tender hearts – but what a great reminder that I do indeed have ‘a rock when I can go”.  Praying you do also!

When my heart is filled with fear
Like a stormy sky
Jesus says “be not afraid”
He is at my side

Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm

When my thoughts are tossed and turned
Like a raging sea
I will listen to His voice
He will comfort me

Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm

When I feel the shame of sin
Like a crashing wave
My Redeemer rescues me
By His grace I’m saved

Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm

He who rules the wind and waves
Soon will come again
Oh take courage little heart
Every storm will end

Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm

There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm
Jesus calms the storm

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Three September Things

    1.  Today this happy little guy
      Noah-2 turned 14!
      Noah
      What a delight it has been to watch him grow into manhood! He’s smart and kind, helpful and funny, and handsome and tall. (Yes, another grandchild has grown taller than me) Happy 14th Birthday, Noah! You’re our favorite 14 year old on the planet. We love you so!
    2. These youngun’s
      are celebrating their 53rd anniversary today!

      We’ve re-upped for another year – so we’ll see how it all goes!
      Gary & Steph - 53 years (still with that goofy grin!)
    3. We started work today at Camp Nathanael! We are the only SOWERs this month, but there are lots of other volunteers here all getting ready for the Pioneer Days/Outdoor Education program which begins on Thursday here at the camp. Looks like this month my days will be filled with cornbread, quilting and kids! I’ll let you know how it all pans out!!

So it’s been a pretty good start to the month! Family celebrations, interesting SOWER activities ahead, and the part for Lizzie has been ordered!! There is so very much to be thankful for, isn’t there?
Thanks for stopping by!
Steph

Seeing the country……Serving our Lord!