First Family Reunion

This summer, my family participated in something we had never done before... a family reunion! It included all of the siblings of my dad's mom. SO, that meant Pat (Mema), Gordon, and Sylvia, and each of their families and extended family. Mema and Papa brought us. Gordon and his wife, Cheryl, brought their son, Shane, and daughter, Danielle. Danielle is married to Jeff and they have six kids (Aidan, Daniel, Mya, Jonathan, Ty, and Brielle). Sylvia brought her family and is actually 20 years younger than my grandma. She is married to Steve and they have Joseph, Scott, and Erica (whom I have actually met before in my life more than once). That's all the people that came, and there were others that couldn't make it.

But, that's not what I wanted to write about. :) I have 2 stories/ experiences that I want to share. One is on a lighter, funnier note and the other is good but more serious.

On the 4th of July, we went at it allllll day! We started off the day with a hike to see a waterfall that Ty (14) so desperately wanted to see. Let me stop here to say that kid really is a nature boy. He could survive longer than the rest of us if we got lost in the woods. And he had also preceded to tell us on another hike that the cousins had done behind the house, to wear flip flops and it would be alright. (?) Thankfully, my mom didn't let me. hehe. Anyways, it was rough getting there. It was about 30 miles away... and it tool 1 hour 40 minutes. We continually got lost and tried to make light of it but all 3 of the 16 year old girl cousins were crammed in the back. And I was hot and tired already. ;) (hahahahaha) BUT, we made it to the place and started out on our 1.5 mile hike. We also heard pretty loud thunder as we entered. That's not far.. but let me stop again to say we had a 3 year old, a 5 year old, and a 6 year old. That provided for some funny things to be said along the way to water fall. Aidan (3) was carried by Ty on his shoulders and said "teeee" for every tree he saw. Mya (6) was carrying a large backpack stuffed with arts and crafts "to prepare for the Olympics". Long story short, she got carried some as well by Erica (16) who is patient and runs track. Daniel (5) was the funniest to me. He and Scott (20) were right behind me most of the way and the three of us played "Made ya look!" Dad joined our game on the way back. Some of the things we heard... (he can't pronounce his r's and has the cutest voice ever)

"Look, Scott!!!! It's a REAL LIVE bear!! .......made ya look!"
"Look, Kayla!!! It's a PINK power ranger!!! ..... made ya look!"
"Look, Scott!! It's deer poop!!! .... made ya look!"

It got old, but he was cute so he got away with it. Eventually, we made it to the waterfall. It was beautiful. I'll dedicate a post to pictures when we get them downloaded. There was a huge area of large rocks, little rocks, and sticks. All the cousins, even the youngest, were able to climb and play. We were able to make it out eventually and had a nice meal at home. Mom and Papa grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, and we had smores by the fire that night. We also played with fireworks and water balloons. :)

For my 2nd story, Erica and I had a very neat opportunity to share Jesus with Brielle. (We're all 16.) Brielle and her family are Mormon and I actually did not know hardly anything about their beliefs. Erica and I both had wanted to talk to her, but didn't know how or when. But, as I got ready for bed that night in the bathroom, I heard them talking in the game room. When I came out, they were talking about God and differences in our beliefs. SCORE! We ended up staying up until 2 in the morning, talking for 2 hours about everything.. really, everything. It was so special. I can say now that I know a lot about the church of latter day saints. I would love to share more with anybody interested about their beliefs but it's so much that I will save it for later if wanted by anybody. It is really messed up and made me sad as I tried to go to sleep after our talk. She was very defensive, but not angry. Nobody came away from the conversation upset and we all still love each other. She is still were she stood before the conversation. :( But, I am praising God that the seed was able to be planted and I am praying He waters it. I think it gave me a new view in boasting in Christ. I honestly felt "proud to be a Christian". It brought me joy in sharing my faith. I think it is mostly through prayer and practice and studying that we are able to become better at defending what we believe. However, it is on both sides, because Brielle knew how to stand firm. She couldn't give anything Biblical for the "why's" but I realized that she along with many others don't think they need something "biblical" necessarily. I don't evangelize often, regrettably. But, it sure did give me a very strong desire for her to be saved. I want so badly for her and her immediate family to be saved. One of the hardest things for the lost to do is realize they are lost, especially those who so firmly already believe in something such as Mormonism.

Well, that was long, but I hope it was good for a first post. I'll work on the length and excitement. :) It will probably be another week before a post.. I'm off to soccer camp at Covenant College on Monday. Have a great week! :) KayBay