There's no denying it.  Camp is almost here. 
From the scraps of paper with numerous lists to the dreams that wake me in the middle of the night, the signs all point to camp.  I can tell, because my mind is constantly racing, thinking about all the details and there seems an abundance of things yet to be done.  It's also clear that camp is getting closer because there are always roadblocks as we approach this special time of inviting kids into a relationship with Christ.  The office desktop hard drive completely quit on us.  The printer stopped working.  Leaders are discouraged.  Fundraising is slow-going.  And my chickens don't want to lay eggs. 

Yeah.  Chickens. 

That's what happens.  You start on this road of only seeing what's going wrong and complaining and soon enough, there you are talking to a bunch of chickens about their lack of egg-laying.  Which is pretty ridiculous when you stop and think about it.  Something I've been struggling a lot with lately, has been my attitude.  Right on the heels, comes my attitude with others.  Let's just say Ivan wins some kind of award because I have not been easy to deal with lately.  I could try to justify my actions... (hey, pregnant woman here!) but is it really the hormones, lack of sleep mixed with lack of coffee, and new aches and pains that spur this ugly attitude on?!?  Sure, maybe I've got a lot on my mind these days and I'm feeling nervous about the events/changes about to happen in my life but it's no excuse to take that out on others (especially poor, helpless chickens!). 

Reading through 2 Chronicles, I came across this in chapter 15
"They had given their promise joyfully from the heart.  Anticipating the best, they had sought God- and He showed up, ready to be found."

Two things desperately in need of some repair in my heart:  JOY and ANTICIPATING THE BEST.  I've been seeing the glass half-empty for far too long and anticipating the worst.  Worrying about what can/could go wrong instead of fixing my eyes on the joy and the blessings that will come.  Expecting God to be the good Father that I know Him to be. 

This past weekend we held a retreat at our home with 16 leaders.  One of the many blessings of our new house is that on the same property are suites/rooms for guests and a large meeting area that can be rented out.  It allows us to easily host others, while still enjoying the comforts of home.  The time was specifically designed to join as a team but also to take some personal time with the Lord.  Taking advantage of the landscape and the blue skies, we were given several hours of solitude to just hang out with God.  Sitting down, and looking at the flowers I realized, since moving here, I hadn't actually taken much time to just sit and ENJOY what is around me.  There's always something that can be done (weeding, cleaning, working...).  In my time of quiet, I was reminded again of how great God's blessings are and the way He provides not only for our needs but our desires.  As it says in the verse, "He showed up!"  Praise God! 

And wouldn't you know, the next morning there was a fresh egg waiting for me :)

36 weeks!

*Baby is right on track for end of July... Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we enter into the last few weeks!  Little guy likes to move and let me know he's there.  We have a great bilingual doctor we are working with now and while she warned me that I will indeed put on a few more pounds, everything is as it should be.  :)  We are getting anxious to meet our little boy!

P.S. We are registered at Target, if you are interested in sending a small gift to help us welcome baby!  Please have any gifts sent to my "home" address in VA, by July 14th at the latest.  E-mail me with any questions at rhahn606@gmail.com

June Newsletter