Disclaimer: I am currently working on developing a more positive attitude in my daily life. I am not an optimistic or overly positive person by nature (this is where Christ is so needed). My husband is a very positive person. And he calls to my attention this character fault of mine often enough. Furthermore, I am a bit sarcastic (JJ appreciates this part). I apologize if you do not respond well to a dose of sarcasm. :)
I've never been camping before. I'm not sure I'll ever go camping again. No, not true... I'll probably give it one more try.
Here's why...
So in the beginning, I was really excited. I knew it wouldn't be a cake walk, but I thought it would be a somewhat relaxing recreational time to soak in nature and chat with friends (we went with two other couples and their families from church).
It was none of those things...because:
When we were all getting ready to go swimming, we realized that we left one bag at home... JJ and I's bag... no clothes, no swimming suits. So JJ had to drive back into town 45min. away.
Elsie was especially unenjoyable. As soon as we got there she asked when we could go home. She hated the water... lots of tears and lots of spankings, without JJ's help (he's gone getting our junk).
At supper (which is rarely enjoyable on any occasion...our kids are picky whiny eaters), we heard thunder and watched clouds roll in. Hail and heavy rain was expected... in 20 min. So we threw everything back into the car...except the tent... crying kids and all.
Rain, rain, rain... lots of rain. We luckily had a cabin nearby which we all crowded into to wait out the rain. It was way past bed time. I was cranky. Kids were cranky. Jeremy and I were trying hard not to fight in front of our church friends (remember we've just moved here... we need them to like us :), and I'm having a full out panic attack. -all in another person's little cabin which he graciously allowed us to cram all 9 sandy/muddy/wet children and 6 adults into. When the worst of it was over we headed back to our tents.
In the rain, we threw our blankets, pillows, pack n' play, and children into the tent. I, being a naive camper, burned my arm on the lantern. I think that was the moment that I really became quite unpleasant in my spirit.
It kept raining- hard. Then it hailed. Amazingly enough Sadie was asleep through all of this, when the rain stopped, she woke up. Classic. JJ's was out fishing, and I was not liking my youngest daughter very much.
About 45 min. after Sadie and I FINALLY fell asleep, JJ and the other men folk, decided we should bail. More rain was coming. I was thinking at this point... It was definitely a good thing JJ had wasted an hour and half to go back and get our swimming suits earlier. So at something past 3 in morning we all loaded back into the car and began to drive the 45 min. home.
As we're driving, JJ clued me in that he had a migraine and might need to stop to throw up. There was crazy wicked lighting every 5 seconds all around us, heavy rain, and a way too awake 5 year old in the back seat who wouldn't stop freaking out about it all. These all added significantly to JJ's migraine and my unpleasant demeanor.
As I finally crawled into my warm soft bed I felt slightly more positive. At least it was over.
Okay, okay... on a positive note, it was a good memory, a good story. The land that we camped on was absolutely beautiful... even in the rain. And Alice my oldest was actually quite pleased with the experience (she was big part of why we wanted to go in the first place). Also the whole family took a really long nap today... which never happens.
So lesson to be learned... I don't like camping, but I definitely need to keep working on my positive attitude in less than ideal circumstance. My friend, Kerstin, who was on the trip with us demonstrated this beautifully. She had even more things to be grumpy about... she has four kids, invested alot more in the trip (food and such), had invited us (pressure), and had a leaky tent!!!! Yet, she never complained and tried to see the positive in everything. I have a lot to learn.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corithians 12:9
Someday I will boast of the change He's made in me. Until, then I'll keep trying... and avoid camping trips. :)
