rewind {life group trip 2010}
Joel and I have been getting things ready to start up our life group again for the fall. Our first meeting is tomorrow and we are excited to catch up with everyone again. There is something so special about growing together in Christ and having a group of people to "do life" with.
Our group commits to meet for the school year and then we have always tried to take some sort of weekend trip together in the summer. As I was thinking about our group today I realized I never posted pictures from our trip this summer. So, rewind to July. This year we went to Beaver Lake. It was our first time to leave Levi overnight. I think I cried all day as I was packing and thinking about leaving him. I never used to be like this, but ever since loosing Cora leaving Levi has been hard. He was with Gramps and Grammy, so I knew he would be fine, but I wasn't sure if I would be fine. Once we got there we had a great time...I didn't even cry the whole trip. But I was very ready to go see my little guy again. I don't think I could have handled being away from Levi much longer!
We got to our cabin on a Friday night and spent all of Saturday on the lake. The cabin was right on the lake. So perfect. We could just go back and forth, hang out on the dock, and take turns on the boat. It was a very fun and relaxing day.
We had skis, a tube, and a knee board. I tried knee boarding for the first time. It was HARD. I finally got up on my last try. I definitely paid for it the next day. My arms were so sore.
We swam and floated on rafts all day.
And some people braved the tube {not me}.
We even found some cliffs to jump off of. I usually am not much of a dare devil. My husband lovingly calls me a fun hater. But, for some reason this day I was feeling adventurous.
My friend Abby talked me into jumping with her. I think she has pictures, but I didn't get any. We jumped off those rocks that the boys are jumping off of.
I promise, they were MUCH higher than they look in the picture. At least it felt like they were.
After our day on the lake we went back to the cabin for dinner. The boys grilled some very yummy steaks. We hung out in the evening and then went back to the lake to swim under the stars. It was awesome.
Only five of our eight couples could go on the trip this year. We missed the other three!
We have such good memories from our summer life group trips. If you are not in a small group you really should join one...or start one up! It is definitely a time commitment, but the encouragement in your walk with Christ and relationships you will build are invaluable.
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Thank you so much for all of the sweet comments about my hair. You sure know how to make a girl feel good about herself!! And I couldn't believe how many of you have donated your hair to Locks of Love. That is so awesome! One of my readers has a little girl who already donated her hair in honor of Cora. So, so sweet. And many of you said you would grow your hair out and donate it in honor of Cora too. I can't tell you how humbled I feel knowing that you would do something like that to honor my sweet girl. And think of all the little girls who will be so blessed by your donation. Thank you.
16 Comments:
My 9 year old daughter has been growing her hair for a year to donate. She is so excited to have a way to help other kids. When I showed her your post she was so touched and excited. We had to measure her hair and see how much longer she has. She only needs 2 more inches!!! That is in order to have hair to at least her chin once it is cut.
Kathryn
That is so nice. Great pictures!
How I would love to be in YOUR life group.
You and your sister have beautiful hair. I am so jealous and yes, I am doing Locks of Love for Cora now too!
I can't agree more with you on the importance of small groups. We now consider our small group our family - they are our best friends and like you said, it's amazing to have such special people to live life with. What a fun trip!
Small groups are such great networks of support!
Looks like you guys had a great time--we might have to plan a couples-only getaway too!
Jenae- www.icanteachmychild.com
Looks like a lovely trip
great pictures! Looks like lots of fun. I don't blame you for crying about leaving Levi. I've never lost a baby of mine and I have a super hard time leaving my babes when they're little.
we took a similar trip with our "life group" this summer, but it was a 5 day camping trip w/ all of our families, so the kids were there too. there is a special relationship in groups like that! looks like you guys had a blast!
Hey Jess, looks like you guys had such a great time, it was good to see some pictures! We were so sad to miss out on it this year!! Hope small group is going well, we think of you all often and pray for you as well. Your blog has been a wonderful, lovely way to keep up with the happenings back home!!
Those pictures are great! It looks like you had a good time. Can I tell you something? I noticed that you spell "losing" "loosing". I just wanted to let you know it's just one "o"! HA! I really like your hair, too. Super cute!
Hey! My mom and I have been readers of your blog for several months now. We are so encouraged by you are your family. I thought I would tell you that I have decided to grow my hair out and donate it (like many of your other readers... :) ) in honor of Cora. Many girls will be so blessed... and it is because of your sweet Cora!
God bless you, your husband, and adorable little Levi!!
For His Glory,
Emma
Jess, thank you so much for the encouragement about small groups. I used to host one but presently we are not involved in one. I appreciate the way you highlighted all the good things about them and the fun you guys had on your trip and continuing the build the relationships you have. Kelly
Jess! You neglected to tell me that you jumped off the cliff. I am very impressed with you. That should definitely entitle you to "Fun LOVER" for life. I have always been too scared to do that and just watch others.
I just want you to know that the way you handle life and life's challenges is inspiring and wonderful. Keep smiling and keep living life. Your Cora would want you to be happy and she is proud of the type of wife, mother, and friend you are. She knows you love her and she knows you will see each other again. Take heart that you are doing good things and she knows that, too. A friend in Salt Lake City, Utah :)
I read your blog from time to time and I just wanted to let you know that my husband calls me the "fun sucker". It is my belief that it is just part of being a mom:) If anything is a little dangerous, I can be counted on to let him and the kids know all the bad things that could happen.
Looks like a beautiful place. Very impressive cliff jumping!!
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