GTL and other nonsense

It's Friday.  Friday means laundry.  Since we are in Baltimore that means an early morning and a chance to hit the gym before the sun comes up.  So, I have already done two of the popular GTL combo.  WHAT?????  Here is where my soapbox comes scooting underfoot.

The fact that I even know what a GTL is (gym-tan-laundry) let alone where the phrase comes from (that awful MTV show Jersey Shore) and, worse yet, who says it the most ("The Situation" yup, that's his name!) makes my head spin.  I don't watch tv, much less that show, but I know all about it.  So, if I know this much about it - what do our children, who have seen whole episodes, know???

This group of hard partying, overly tan, gel-haired, 20-somethings has the attention of our children, not just in the hour they are watching the show but, obviously, during the other 23 hours of the day too.  I have not seen even 5 minutes of this show and I know way more than I ever should.  I feel my IQ dropping just mentioning these attention mongers.

It' not just Jersey Shore.  Bad Girls Club, Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, I Just Want My Pants Back and MORE are telling our kids that no morals, sex before marriage and parental disrespect are the norm and if they want to fit in this is the way they need to be too.

What are we as parents doing to counteract this attack on our children??  Sadly, most of us aren't doing anything.  Too many parents are more worried about being their kid's friend rather than their parent.  "NO" is not a bad word.  Boundaries are not cruel.  And, setting standards for appropriate behavior and dress does not make you a mean parent.

By no means do I have it this parenting-in-a-social-media-generation thing figured out.  I can't stand the music the kids listen to but, no where in the Bible have I found "Thou shalt not listen to gangsta rap."  It does have plenty of other passages that help me navigate today's culture.

We, as parents, need to start by becoming the person we want our child to be.  If we can't explain to our children why it's ok to rent that movie, download that song or frequent that web site then we need to change our media choices too.  

Like I said, I don't have this all figured out but I do know where I can always find the right answers and I don't have to worry about the content when I read it to the kids!  More Bible, less People parents!

We are currently on our second trip to Daytona.  This past week back in Virginia was hard.  Not just because we had snow and ice but because we had gotten out of a rhythm.  The tent had been taken down before our first trip here.  We are now making due with everything in the canopy tent.  It was just a disorganized mess.  


During this really uncomfortable week I had a conversation with a friend of mine about our camping experience.  It was a conversation I have had with many people many times over.  "I love camping but I don't think I could ever give up everything and do it all the time."  At that moment I was thinking the same thing.  This is sucking big time and it's not fun any more!  I can't find my long johns.  The bed is deflating faster than ever.  There's no room to sit cause we having bedroom, living room and kitchen all in one.  It's snowing.  There's ice. The tarps are making it too hard to get in and out of the tent.  One complaint after another.  I was having a good ol' pity party!!


This is when God shouts, "SNAP OUT OF IT!"  I don't hear His whispers, I'm kind of stubborn that way, so He usually has to shout to get my attention.  Philippians 4:13 came to mind.  We all know it.  It's a very popular verse.  You can go into any Christian book store and find it on plaques and coffee mugs and t-shirts and key chains.  You name it, it's been printed on.  But, as with most of these popular verses we know just that one small part without reading the whole chapter to get the big picture.  

"I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me.  Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me.  You just had no chance to show it.  Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally.  I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.  I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.  I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." 
-Phillippians 4:10-13 (The Message  Emphasis is mine.)

That's it!!!  Until last week I had been so content in our adventure but one moment of discomfort and I was questioning the whole experience.  We're out here for Him.  We're out here because this is where He wants us.  Hot or cold.  Sunshine or snow.  Bed or air mattress.  It's all for Him.


Am I still going to complain when it's a bit colder than I want or when things get misplaced?  Yeah!  I'm human.  But, I know that contentment can be found just as quickly remembering that His strength, not mine, is what will get me through.

New Year, New Adventures!

We love the outdoors.  Obviously.  You don't make a choice to live in a tent if you don't love being outside all the time.  Even so, I am thankful that this winter has been very mild.  Every day we learn a bit more about what to do and what not to do.  Being able to do that without having to worry about several inches of snow and constant bitter cold has been a blessing.  Our heaters can only do so much in an enclosure that has plastic walls and no floor.

We have had a wonderful time this winter.  There is a certain perspective of what is really a need when your resources are limited.  I thought I would miss all the "fluff" that comes with having a house.  No pictures on walls.  No knick knacks to dust.  No floors to mop. No grass to mow.  No tv.  None of these are bad, but are they necessary to have a full life?

We traveled to Daytona Beach, FL this week and are back in a hotel.  All that is provided in a hotel was taken for granted before we began our adventure.  Now, there is a great appreciation of simple things like running water and electricity.  The ocean view and kitchenette are nice and we will enjoy it while we are here but we miss our tent!  Simple is good!!

Our winter adventure hadn't been as "productive" as far as helping people that we had hoped it would be. Until we started thinking about it.  When we help a stranger we know it's God putting them in our path to help.  When it's family, it's not so clear.

In Virginia and Maryland it's impossible to find a state park camp site that is open in the winter.  There are plenty of private campgrounds that have RV sites that you can put a tent on but they want a king's ransom for the privilege to stay there.  Darren's brother, Trever, cleaned out his backyard and it has been an ideal campground this winter.

Cleaning his house.  Picking up dog food.  Adding an extra plate when I make dinner.  These are all things that if it was a stranger, I would know instantly that it was a "God thing".  Since it's family we just do it without seeing that God had us right where we were needed most this winter.  He didn't want us out helping strangers when there was a greater need right in our own family.

We are really looking forward to all the adventures that God has in store for us in the coming year!!  Where will God lead YOU this year?