Memaw Summer Camp - Day 6

Our kiddos

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." (Eph. 6:1)

Lesson #5: Obey your parents.

From A Chancellor Ferry Tale:

Peter’s mama had threatened to skin him alive if she ever caught him anywhere near that devil’s den. Sometimes a boy’s curiosity can pull him straight opposite of good sense; but to this point, Peter had minded and stayed away – up to this point, that is.

All alone on a deserted dirt road with nobody watching but Norman’s five eyes, the boy commenced to figuring that a quick sneak-peak of that hangout might just help him understand why he wasn’t supposed to go there. He glanced here. He glanced there. Presuming the coast was clear, he slithered down the forbidden path; but around the first bend of the trail, as Providence would have it, he ran right smack dab into Tom Weatherby – Peter’s pop.

Read more...

Memaw Summer Camp - Day 5

My little fisherman

"On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer..." (Acts 16:13)

Lesson #5: O brother let's go down - down to the river to pray.

From Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer: 

“We feed the birds at our house,” said Isaac.

“I’m so glad you do, dear,” said Mrs. Willowkins. “God feeds His feathered friends through your precious, little hands. Did you know that whenever someone helps you know the good way to go or the right thing to do, it’s really the Lord guiding you? Well, it’s bedtime, children. Elizabeth, would you like to talk to God tonight?”

“Sure,” said Elizabeth.

Next, all the he, she, and wee-humans bowed their heads and closed their eyes, so Mr. Greenleaf did, too.

“Dear God,” said Elizabeth, “thank You for letting us come to Alabama to visit Papaw and Mamaw Willowkins. Thank You for guiding us and taking care of us and for taking care of all the animals. Thank You for our new friend, Mr. Green Jeans, and please keep him safe. Amen.”

“Amen,” said the Willowkins family.

Read more...

Memaw Summer Camp - Day 4

My little "camper" at the zoo

"Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD,  invisible in battle." (Psalm 24:8)

Lesson #3: My God is so BIG, so strong, and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do!

From Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer:

     “Fern,” said Mr. Greenleaf, “you won’t believe what just happened. I’ve unquestionably survived yet another hair-raising adventure with Mrs. Willowkins. Not that I have hair to raise, mind you. But if I did, I’m quite certain it would be sticking straight up like the black plume of a Mountain Quail - although the quail’s plume is most indubitably a feather and not hair. Nonetheless, I tell you truthfully that I’ve weathered another spine-tingling ordeal! A torrent of water washed me from the handle hollow onto foreign soil. Instantly, the brave she-human wheedled me back onto the watering pot, and then she rapidly carted me up a steep incline, past the Croaker-infested fishpond, and up Big-Blue Mountain; and I dare say, faster than a wild cheetah in the grasslands of Africa!”

            Fern stood completely dumbfounded.

            “Mrs. Willowkins talked to the Lord throughout the entire mission,” said Mr. Greenleaf. “However, this time, she called Him by a special name – Jesus. And when she had me to safe haven, Mrs. Willowkins said as plain as day, ‘Thank You, Lord Jesus.’ I believe that’s the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard – Jesus. What a remarkable day at the end of this unforgettable summer. The Lord is God, and He made everything. The Lord is my Guide, and His name is Jesus!”

Read more...

Memaw Summer Camp - Day 3

2 of our precious 8 boys




"I will sing to the LORD because He is good to me." (Psalm 13:6)

Lesson #2: The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord.

From Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer:

That evening, singing voices woke Mr. Greenleaf two and a quarter hours before the sun slid behind Double Oak Mountain.

“The Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord,
For giving me
The things I need -
The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me.
Amen!”

What a lovely melody. I wonder who’s singing, thought Mr. Greenleaf, and who is the Lord?

Uncertain as to whether he should be visible or invisible, the little tree frog stretched his slim, lime legs, quietly crept to the opening of the watering pot, and peeped through the window into the Willowkins’ tremendously full kitchen. Humans were everywhere – he-humans, she- humans, wee-humans, and one teeny-human – an even dozen to be exact. 

Read more...

Memaw Summer Camp - Day 2

Toddler-grand and goldfish

"Then God said, 'Let the waters swarm with fish...So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water..." (Gen. 1:20-21)

Lesson #1 - The Lord is God, and He made everything!

From Mr. Greenleaf's Unforgettable Summer:  

He studied the rocks with his protruding eyes and scanned the fishpond with his excellent binocular vision. Below the ivory pond lilies closed tight for the night, he spotted goldfish shimmering in the moonlight.

             Mr. Greenleaf hopped closer to the water’s edge and called down to the carp family,

“Excuse me, ladies and gentleman,

May I have your attention please?

Do you know a game to play

On water, rocks, or trees?”

            One lone fishy glided to the surface, stuck her round mouth above the water, and noiselessly opened and closed, opened and closed her thin, orange lips. Mr. Greenleaf strained his neck toward the visitor and said, “What’s that, madam? I can’t hear one burble that you’re saying.”

            Goldie simply winked a bubble eye, swirled around, and then returned to the other fish resting on the bottom of the pool. 

    

Read more...