An explanation has been demanded for my recent absence, so here it is: I've been under conviction. I've been seriously questioning whether God wants me to continue this blog. And last night I got my answer. He does not.

It's not that there's anything wrong with xanga itself. The things I've been reading and posting have not been wrong or harmful; in fact, some have been uplifting and beneficial. However, I feel that my Lord is calling me to choose that which is excellent over that which is good. Last night I made a commitment...for the next month I will spend more time in prayer each day than I do on the Internet. And, for now at least, no more blogging.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement, everyone! Please pray that I will be faithful to my commitment and that God will reveal more of Himself to me in the days and weeks ahead.

Goodbye...for now.

~Maribeth

Currently Listening Who I Am By Jessica Andrews, Jessica Andrews Who I Am (the only really good song on the entire CD, unfortunately) see related

I'm sorry it took me so long, but here they are at last...Wyalusing pictures! (Now, you have to understand that I took about 400 pictures and it was nearly impossible to pick the "best" ones...so these are just a few that struck my fancy.)

On Saturday, the young ladies had a tea party...

...and the young gentlemen served.

Tara Schwalbach teaching Christina Wolf the "Salty Dog Rag" (I learned it too...lots of fun!)

Call me crazy, but doing dishes in the industrial kitchen is always one of my favorite activities.

Favorite games included football...

...Pit...

...Catch Phrase...

...and Dutch Blitz.

The evening worship was wonderful! Both the playing...

...and the singing.

Two little cuties...Sarah Wilks and Elizabeth Krmpotich.

Sam and Luke on the way to Lookout Point...I just couldn't resist!

Sorry for not posting any pictures of scenery... The pictures make me sad, because they're so far from capturing the glorious beauty of the reality. Besides, I'm sure you've all had quite enough!

Currently Watching The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe By Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox see related

Okay, I apologize in advance for the utter lack of substance in this post! I truly am planning to post pictures...in fact, I tried to earlier! But my Photobucket account is acting up and I was tagged to do this survey. So here goes!

Ten Years Ago:
I was six. Our family was living in an upper flat in Milwaukee and attending a Lutheran church (we would switch to Crossroads within a year). My best friend was our next-door neighbor Emily. I loved riding my bike, listening to Adventures in Oddessy tape, reading, and writing stories (which, unfortunately, were little more than poor imitations of L.M. Montgomery).

Five Years Ago:
I was eleven. We had moved into this house a little more than a year before and had been attending Crossroads for about four years. My siblings and I were going to the Lammars' house nearly every Thursday and I was developing my acting talent with imaginative games and performances for our parents. I had just taken a babysitting course and learned CPR (I was also learning to cook). I made my first dress all by myself. I still loved reading and writing, and my stories were improving.

One Year Ago:
I was fifteen. I had recently gotten my Learner's Permit and was taking Behind the Wheel. I was also taking several classes with other homeschooled friends: Chemistry, Literature, and American History. I was teaching Good News Clubs at College Park and Hi-Mount and making my first movie costume reproduction.

Yesterday:
I spent most of the day at the Lammars' house. MPS had given Hi-Mount the day off for teachers' conferences, so there was no Good News Club. I helped Keaghlan plan her table for the Bright Lights Tea, held part of Keaghlan's easel for Cameron while he screwed it together, goofed around on the computer with Keaghlan, took a personality test, and went on a delightful walk.

Five Snacks I Enjoy:
1. Ice cream!
2. A Symphony candy bar
3. Ritz crackers with cream cheese
4. Apple slices with homemade caramel dip
5. Granola bars

Five Songs I Know All the Words to:
1. Who I Am by Jessica Andrews
2. Awake O Israel
3. Stand Still by Billy Ray Cyrus
4. Battle Hymn of the Republic
5. Dream a Dream by Charlotte Church

Five Things I Would Do With 100 Million Dollars: 
1. Tithe
2. Donate to charity
3. Buy my Dad a farm
4. Buy Mrs. Lammar a big house
5. Order georgeous fabrics by the bolt

Five Favorite TV Shows:
1. Sue Thomas F.B.Eye
2. DOC
3. Extreme Makeover, Home Edition
4. Those are the only shows I watch!

Five Bad Habits:
1. Worrying
2. Talking too fast
3. Wasting time
4. Playing with my hair
5. Not enjoying the moment

Five Greatest Joys:
1. Worshipping my Savior
2. Getting lost in a good book
3. Having fun with good friends
4. Enjoying the beauty of Creation
5. Holding a newborn baby

Five people I tag:
1. Hannah
2. Leah
3. Ingrid
4. Greta
5. Morgan

I'll try to get pictures up tonight or tomorrow...

Currently Reading High Rhulain (Redwall) By Brian Jacques see related

I'll warn you all ahead of time...this is not going to be a very substantial post. We just got home from Wyalusing and my memory is still so saturated in camp memories, I can talk of little else.

Thank you all for your prayers! They were answered...we arrived there safely Friday night, had incredibly good fellowship, made it through the weekend without anyone needing serious medical attention, and had gorgeous weather on Saturday and fairly good weather the rest of the weekend (although it actually snowed a tad bit on Sunday morning...that was quite a shock!)

We had an unusually large group. The indoor camping area we stay in has four double cabins meant to house eight families (plus a large central lodge which houses an industrial kitchen, a large dining area, and a nice meeting room with a fireplace). This year, we crowded ten families into the cabins, with an additional two families in campers nearby! This made for looong lines at mealtime and crowded tables when we played cards...but it was delightful. Some of the families I see once or twice a week, while others I hadn't seen in years, but every one there I count as a friend. There were also lots of babies, which is such fun! I often miss the days when my younger brothers and sisters were babies, but this weekend I got to hold and cuddle little ones to my heart's content.

When I wasn't holding babies, I could be found hiking, playing outdoor games such as football and Ultimate Frisbee, learning to dance the "Salty Dog Rag," writing in a journal for an absent friend, playing Catch Phrase, doing dishes (which is actually one of my favorite Wyalusing activities, believe it or not), or playing cards (the favorites this year were Dutch Blitz and Pit). We also had wonderful worship times morning and evening, singing to the accompaniment of a guitar, a banjo, and six violins! And, for at least an hour or so after dark, the kids would always go outside and play flashlight tag. This is probably my favorite thing we do at Wyalusing...the campground seems so much larger and more exciting when covered in shadow. And the stars! I can't even begin to describe how glorious the heavens are with the total absence of city lights.

I made some new friendships, strengthened current ones, and renewed an old one...I forgot about responsibility for a while and was able to just be a child...I enjoyed the remarkable beauty of God's creation...I danced and sang and worshipped my Lord...and I've come home sore in body but refreshed and strengthened in spirit.

I can only say...thank you, Father!

~Maribeth

Currently Reading Leota's Garden By Francine Rivers, Francine Rivers see related

We're leaving this afternoon for our church camping trip at Wyalusing State Park.

Please pray...
~That my dad will be able to get off work early today
~That we will get there in a safe and timely fashion
~For protection as we hike and play football
~For sunshine!
~That our fellowship will be both God-honoring and enjoyable
~For a safe trip home

Thanks everyone!

~Maribeth