Answers to Prayers in Myrtle Beach

I was beginning to question myself.  Well, it's not the first time and it's not always just me.  Matt and I both wonder sometimes if we are doing the right thing...for our kids, for Matt or myself.  We should be happy every day doing what we are doing, right?  We are on this trip, traveling with our amazing kids, seeing great places and I feel......dissatisfied, even unhappy, maybe slightly depressed.  How can that be????  How can I feel this way when clearly I know how good life is.  As exciting and changing as each day is, I realized that spiritually, I was beginning to crumble.  We had been seeking a Sunday routine of watching some DVD's from church, but had run out of those, and I just hadn't found any resources that kept all of our interest at different age levels. We haven't been to church in nearly 3 months.  I felt depleted.  With others praying for us, and myself jumping in that plea, I soon found answers.  And, I'm telling you, answers so clear, they smacked me in the face.  Our strange neighbor at our park in North Myrtle Beach (who began to hide his puppy from Elise) directed me to an RV camp that was ocean front.  I couldn't remember the name, but found a different "family RV park" right next to the one he mentioned.  Had we gone to his recommended one, we'd have not had the experience we had.  Coincidence? 

Nah. 

We end up at this amazing ocean front park that, during peak summer time, is PACKED with 1500 campers.  We are in the wonderful off season.  Not only was it full of recreational opportunities, but it was a Christian family run park. Coincidence? 

Absolutely not. 

Within an hour of arriving, I biked past a vendor who had Christian music blaring from the speakers.  It gave me chills.  That night we ate from "Montana Fish and Chips" (that same food vendor) at a table on the sand, listening to contemporary worship and Matt and I looked at each other smiling with relief.  It was like God was sitting there with us, saying, "You asked, I answered."  We attended a convicting and fantastic church service that was 15 feet from our camp site in an amphitheater on Sunday morning.  A wonderful pastor, his wife and 21 year old son (a one family show) blew us away with a timely and meaningful morning of pure praise and Truth from the Word. I began to realize that my dissatisfaction was stemming (again) from my selfish nature.  Letting my eyes drift from a purpose filled life to my own wants and needs. 

We don't always know what specific purposes lie in wait, but that's the beauty in this unpredictable life. 

Our three nights turned into seven and then eight.  Our days were filled with blessings that were so blaring, we could not deny God's hand; swimming in His warm ocean waters, playing football in the surf in the light of His moon, sliding at the fully staffed but empty waterpark, daily peddle boats and miniature golf, but mostly, meeting new and wonderful families at each place that encouraged our souls.  We also met others who needed our encouragement.  Our kids met new friends, Matt and I invited people into our space, and we were humbly reminded that the universe does not revolve around us.  Our awesome Lord uses people, (thank God for pastors), new friends, exemplary marriages, elderly wisdom and even music to speak truth that can change even a hardened heart.  We got a healthy dose of all of these at different times.  I know that discontentment will once again rear it's ugly head, but I hope to starve it off with a good dose of humility and thankfulness for a God who has given me all I need.

Tanner's creativity at the beach

One of my favorite shots

Calleigh (from Summerville, SC) and Elise enjoy making caramel apples

Our daily view of the waterpark.  Helped move school work along well.

From the top of the waterpark overlooking camp and the beach.

Chilly water....oh well.  This was us nearly EVERY day we were there

Two six year olds minus some teeth

Brooklyn and Bradlee, new friends from Greenwood, SC

 Brooklyn, who we met our last two days.  Elise and she were buddies for Halloween

All ready for Halloween

We found a great neighborhood for all the kids to trick or treat in and they scored 200 pieces of candy each.  We dragged them home only to crash soundly.  In the morning, Matt negotiated a deal with each of them to buy back 100 pieces.  Our budget minded children, took the deal. 

 



The day we left our favorite campground, it was pouring rain. 

Here we come Charleston......