the thread remains

Both wonderful and dreadful is the coming and going of many amazing people in our camp world. Getting to know, hear the stories of, be challenged by such diverse people always puts me in awe of how God works intimately and intricately with His people, for His people and through His people. A tapestry of beauty. More than thirty years ago, Marty and Patti met Dennis and Corrie Stone at college. Time carried on, paths went different ways, and life got busy as it always does. They kept in sparse contact over the years, until last year when the Stones (who are both teachers) wondered if they could come serve with us for the summer. Corrie became our cook (bless her!) (this summer's kitchen crew!)

and Dennis became our help in grounds & general maintenance! (this summer's maintenance crew)

I think I speak for us all when I say that they blessed our socks off as we served with them and got to (re)know them! As this summer approached we were excited to hear they wanted to give their time and energy for the month of June! You know those people that you can pick right back up where you left off, as if you never said goodbye? Like they are part of the family? That's how it is with the Stones.  We laughed with them, struggled with them, shared our world with them! Not too challenging to feel at home with them! What is dreadful about feeling at home with people is the saying goodbye. Today we said goodbye to these most humble, fun and generous people! 
But all wrapped up in the dreadful is the wonderful! In their going they have left us to soak up the love they shared, hearts to make God famous, encouragement through having watched them pour themselves out with no thought to themselves. They have left that scarlet thread that never really leaves our tapestries, but continues to weave us together in the family of God until that day when we never say goodbye again!