Been Thirsty Lately?

Here in SC it's a balmy 105 degrees! My A/C tries desperately to keep up with the rising temps outside. Our son's bedroom thermostat reads 77.8 right now as he tries to nap--and we keep our temp set at 71 during the day, so you can tell it's really having a difficult time (esp. when boiling potatoes for potato salad to take to church tonight). I have found myself wanting more and more to drink...I fill up one cup with filtered water (thank you, Br*ta!) and before I can finish that cup, I find I am craving another.

But I have another thirst....

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my sould pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" Psa. 42:1-2

Since becoming a mom 5 1/2 years ago and even since being married nearly 10 years ago, it seems that those times of refreshing don't come soon enough. Or maybe it's I am not making that time a priority, as we all know we make time in life for the things that we deem most important. The things of the world are so alluring and steal me away. I have so longed for the times to read my Bible and devotional book and to be a part of Sunday School and worship with my fellow brothers and sisters at church!

Sometimes I find myself sitting back remembering with such joy all the time I had in college to read and pray and study God's word. The Winthr*p lake was such a wonderful, peaceful place where God was soooo very real to me. I would cry out to Him, literally in an audible voice. I prayed for everyone in my family and all of my friends at Winthr*p and at home near every day as well as for the man I would one day marry.

I long for those times when my Daddy held me and called me back to Him each and every day for hours and hours. I know what it means to pant for streams of water, for the God who knows me completely and LOVES me unconditionally. He completes me.

It's so nice to know that sweet love and to be able to crawl up into His lap. I don't have hours and hours anymore in my life, but Oh, how I savor 30 minutes or an hour when I can commune with the Father. That water in my cup might help me not to physically thirst, but I give thanks that He has drawn me close once again and made me THIRST for Him. It's been a L O N G time since I've felt this thirst, but PRAISE BE TO GOD that it's back. You don't know how that makes me want to sing and shout!!!! How I pray I might not ignore the thirst or try to fill it with anything else.

Allinger Family Reunion at Givhans Ferry State Park

Yesterday we traveled 2 hours to Givhans Ferry State Park for the Allinger family reunion. It was a good time to talk with and catch up with family we hadn't seen in at least a year and some in 2 years. Uncle Bill has been struggling with lung cancer and had recently learned that his CT scan came back all clear of cancer! But then, he had to be admitted to the hospital on Friday night due to episodes of passing out due to thinning blood. He and Aunt Carol were certainly missed! I know Jason really looked forward to talking hunting and fishing with Uncle Bill! Jase was begging for his paci and blanket by noon, which is his usual napping time. But we held him off til 3:30pm and then headed on home so the kids could nap on the way back.

Then Jason was able to mow the grass and do the weed eating before he leaves again this Tuesday for the SC Fir*fighter's Association Convention at Myrtle B*ach where he will have a booth to work for his program at the Fire Marshal's Office. I am really hoping to get a respite and be able to go with him for a couple of days this week before the convention actually gets started on Thursday. I'll leave you with some pics from the day yesterday. Aunt Pam will have to get me the big family picture with all 28 people that some lady heading toward the restroom took so I can upload it.

Our family at the picnic shelter where the reunion was held.
Aunt Kaye Kaye brought the vegetable tray.

Mandy and her family (husband Lonnie and girls Kayla and Brianna)

One of our cooks--Uncle Jimmy

Two more cooks-- My cousin Brian Allinger and cousin Brenda's husband Mark.

Aunt Pam uncovers the food & Dad drools!

My family plus Uncle Roy--everyone awaiting lunch!

My cousin Michael, cousin Mandy, Aunt Jenny, and cousin Brenda

Emma Grace is starving for lunch---even resorts to eating celery with ranch dip!