Fall Retreat

My wife and I just got home from our Fall Retreat with the youth at the "Big Brown House." We had a great time and enjoyed the kids that went. There were some that were missed as they could not make it, and they know who they are. This year we had the biggest mud fight that we have ever had. Pics will be posted soon. Mud was everywhere. I have video of Michael Barrie rolling in the mud all over the place. The kids had to be freezing, especially the guys, as they had their shirts off.

My son, Alexander, managed to crack his head on the coffee table and put a good gash in his eye. He was doing fine until he saw his own blood running down his cheek. The face bleeds easily. He calmed down quickly when he saw his brothers getting their swimsuits on for the hot tub. He too quickly put a band-aid on his cut, and jumped into the hot tub.

I have four beautiful children, and they continue to make me smile. Though my daughter is terribly tired right now and is whinning about everything. She will be going to bed early tonight.

We had fun playing Texas Hold em. Though Kyle was missed, as everyone thinks he is the greates poker player in the world. I am horrible, as I can't bluff worth beans.

I spoke on who we are in Christ. The first night I shared about being forgiven. That God takes our sins, and casts them as far east is from the west. How God chooses not to remember our sins. Saturday night, I shared about how God gives us his Spirit to dwell inside us. How the spirit is sealed in us, and how it guarantees that we are going to Heaven. This morning, I shared about how faith and works go together. I used Jesus example of how good fruit bears good fruit, and how bad fruit bears bad fruit. I confirmed that the kids could know they are saved if 1.) they believe, 2.) They have the Holy Spirit, 3.) Their lives reveal their faith. I hope I encouraged the kids, and challenged some that are playing church.

All in all, I had a great time. Tyler was much appreciated as he played guitar for us, and Bill and Suzie were such a huge blessing as they are every year.

On our way home, we hit a road block. My oldest two have a teacher that has been helping them with their reading at school. She is a very sweet and wonderful lady, who has been such a blessing as a parent. Last week she fell into a coma, and this morning she passed away. We are pretty confident she is a believer, as she encouraged Caleb and Joshua in their scripture memory verses for Awana, and gave my boys opportunities to share thier faith.

This hit Joshua the hardest, as he really loved this teacher. His heart hurts for her, and he wanted to know if Jesus ever cried when people died. I shared that Jesus did cry when his friend Lazarus died. He took comfort knowing that it was okay to cry, if Jesus cried when people died.

God is good,

Shawn