Labor Day Lessons

Where do I begin?

This has been an incredible Labor Day Weekend for me. In many completely, different, unrelated ways. It was made up of some "just plain fun" and some, well... laborous times. I will try to keep it as short as I can and sum it all up as best as I possibly can...but I have a feeling it won't be all that easy!

Each day was so unique onto itself. But I'll start with Saturday...

We all met up with my half-sister and her friend, who had driven up from Sacramento, and along with my mom, went to "Pioneer Days" at a local state park called Champoeg. I have always loved this place! It's a park filled with history, concerning both the native Americans and also for being the location for one of the first real farms in Oregon. But I had never been on Pioneer Day, so the kids got a fun dose of living history...we sewed lavendar sachets, helped make homemade buscuits, helped turn butter- the list just goes on and on. And it was especially nice to see my sister. It was a bit humid for all of us, but an interesting day, nonetheless, and though we couldn't actually "visit" too much, I at least got to see my sister on her whirlwind trip to the northwest.

The following day was spent after church, cleaning and organizing.

And talking.

Not the pleasant, nice everyday chatter...but the kind of marriage-related conversation where issues are addressed and your forced to deal with them...and though not exactly fun in the process (Ok, that is an understatement) the outcome is for our good. That's the way it was for us on this day. It was a very healing thing, and one that brought us closer as a result. It reminds me of giving birth...or Labor! It can be so very painful but the end result is very rewarding!
I say this because not only do I want to be "real" about things...but I know we just can't possibly be the only Christian couple on the face of the earth that love each other but who still have to sometimes "work" at our marriage. But working on it is so well worth it! (OK...more in a separate post for later!)

Well, then came Monday...Labor Day itself. And it was by far, the best day of the three, hands down! (At least, it was definately the most fun.)

My husband (yes, he is pretty nice guy!) picked out the place we'd be going all by himself, and I simply knew was that it would somewhere in Washington State.

As it turned out, it was a gorgeous group of lakes, within the forest-laden hills, not far from what remains of Mt. St. Helens. (I still remember when it blew...we lived so far away at the time, and still my parents' cars were dusted with ash!)
Anyway, this was a completely new spot to us...we picnicked, waded in two separate adjoining lakes, and carefully trekked across the rocky shore, watching the boats sail by. The water was surprisingly warm as we inched further and further out in the shallow bay area. We even found some wild blackberries!

But best of all...my husband and I were like sweethearts... the girls were so loving and obedient... that just for this day, it was kind of perfect!

We all know that life isn't always wonderful. There are challenges for all of us, both big and small, that come our way in this imperfect world. But at this moment, I do feel so blessed and thankful for the gift of my family...for the beauty surrounding us...for the way that God can renew us spiritually, personally and relationally just when we need Him to the most.

*photo 1: Pioneer gal shows lil' cherub how to play ribbon toss.
*photo 2: picking out quilt squares
*photo 3: a "pioneer" looks over the large garden
*photo 4: the girls toss rocks into the water
*photo 5: Lil' Cherub in the shallow bay
*photo 6: Sweetie-girl shows she is Strong-girl by lifting a log
*the girls and I pose after the picnic