This past Friday and Saturday, me and 6 other guys from our community group went North about 1 hour to spend some time “camping”. One of my buddies, Mike was able to secure a private compound with a “cabin” and multiple private ponds. Our goal was to get to spend some quality time getting to know each other while spending some time enjoying the outdoors.
We arrived Friday afternoon about 5:30 and begun to claim our beds and check out the amenities. After a short while, we got coals going for our beef fajitas with peppers and onions dinner. It was fab! Another pal, Justin pulled out a legit campfire-coal dutch oven and began to whip together a peach cobler to be cooked on the coals for desert. A little fishing at dusk then we headed back to the cabin for a campfire. T’was awesome. We stayed up for a while discussing current struggles and successes in our walk with Christ. Where we were, and where we wanted to be in our relationship with Him. A great time of sharing was followed up by a great nights rest.
Saturday morning we woke up to breakfast burritos a devotion of scripture readings and then headed out for some exploring and more fishing. There was a much larger pond that we began to cast into for a while. Funny as it was, there was a tiny little overflow lake just off the large one that one of the guys curageously threw his line into. With out fail, every one of the 8ish fish that was pulled from this golf-course-green-sized pond was larger than anything else we had caught all weekend. It was a blast. “Fish in a barrel” for sure. We then proceeded to get on some small fishing boats and paddle our way around the larger lake before a quick lunch then departure.
Time getting to know my brothers this weekend was great and I was actually sad to leave as early as we did, about noon yesterday. I believe that we began to break through the “small-talk chatter” and get into some real fellowship. I can’t wait to see where we go from here and how these friendships develop. We will definitely plan another one for the fall. This time, mandatory tenting! Peace.
Congrats on your MAN TRIP get-a-way!
Aways enjoyed our camping trips. A special memory was the time Mom and I had the big tent while you and Ross had the pup tent from the Hartts. Late that night a thunder storm came. I said to Mom, they will be here in a minute. Sure enough you and Ross came scampering inside. The four of us talked for a while waiting for the lightning and thunder to subside. The rain continued to pour down and I said your guys can go back to your tent, if you want. You said to Ross — Let’s go! and off you two went.
Love the story about the small pond that has been overlooked for a long time. Kind of like our small dreams that don’t seem to create enough interest to pursue. But, once we take that second or third look at our dreams things can blossom into awesome! Get another MAN TRIP planned (2 a year would be good).
Love
Dad D