Roller coaster effect

If you've read my blog for a while, you've been on the ride with me. One day is super fantastic, the next- it's a trial. I suppose alot of people go through that in their lives...or do they? I'm starting to wonder. Sometimes I pause when I'm about to praise the Lord for something because I know that a trial is coming. I know I shouldn't, I should welcome them- that's what we're told.
So Saturday, we were getting ready to take off for Lake Ellen. We needed to pick up Andrew, Tyler's buddy about 8am. After getting all packed and stopping for a coffee for Paul and some baby wipes, we arrived late at 8:15. Also, on the way I realized that we needed to go back home cause I needed the church checkbook so I could pay a scholarship for a girl that was also going to Lake Ellen the same week as Tyler. So we finally got on the highway about 8:40EST. That's way late cause we had to be at the camp before 9am CST for the closing ceremony for Katia and it normally takes about an hour and 45 minutes to get there. Needless to say, my husband was speeding. No we didn't get a ticket, PTL and we actually got there a few minutes early. PTL! What a great thing to hug my girl- we both cried. She missed me too, but she said she didn't cry all week. She had a super time, made some great friendships especially some great counselors. Upon our arrival at Lake Ellen though, Paul realized that he had lost a $100 bill. Since the only place we had stopped was for coffee at a local Escanaba gas station called The Store- Mobil- he figured that when he paid for the coffee and baby wipes, he had handed the guy what he thought was three one dollar bills, but actually was two one dollar bills and the hundred. You know that panic you feel when you are away from home and suddenly you don't have enough money? Or that horrible feeling when you know you just lost a good amount of money that you worked hard for? We felt kind of green under the gills for a bit. Most of it was for Tyler's balance and his canteen. But we proceeded with our plans, found an ATM and camped out near Lake Ellen at a place called Timberlane. Once we got settled, Paul called the gas station and explained what had happened. Obviously, when the till would be counted, it would over $100. They told us to call back on Sunday morning and they would let us know. So we put it out of our mind for the night. We tent camped- that's all we do. It was especially hot and humid and unfortunately the Lake we were on, Butler, was not a swimming lake. But we tried fishing it for a wee little bit and gave up. It was a large lake, but only five feet deep at the most. It was filled with very large leaches which my littlest loved to throw mud on. The kids caught lots of frogs too. We had our meals over the open fire- kielbasa, onion, potato packs for supper and good old burgers and dogs for lunch. Right before going to bed, we found out from a fellow camper, that there was a bear about 100 yards away from us. So I didn't sleep too much. The next day, it rained, and rained and rained. We had to stay at the campground till about 1pm their time because that was about the earliest we could get in for registration for Tyler. They start the horse camp registrations at that time so they also allowed others then as well. Before leaving the campground, Paul called the gas station and they said the till was not over. That was more upsetting. I had hoped for honesty from them- I had worked there as a teenager although there are new owners now. Times are tough I suppose and the truth is, the person who is lying about it will face the wrath. If that person is able to sleep at night, they need the money more than we do. I just refuse to do any more business there. So that was a bummer.
But Tyler and his friend got all settled in their teepee and are going to have a great week of adventure. I'm told that his friend was saved recently with another mutual friend, but he soooo needs discipling and direction. He and Tyler have been friends since kindergarten and he's kind of been around a not so great group of friends. This was the boy I wrote about a few months back that basically wanders around the streets after school because he can't get into his house till his mom gets off work. When our little school here in Ford River closed, he went to a different school than Tyler. Now they are together again in the Jr. High. So I've been praying that he would see the Lord's face this week and realize with his heart what he needs. There's sure no better place to find that out than at Lake Ellen. They'll be going on an all night canoe trip where they will camp out along the way. The counselors were really excited about all they had planned to do. The Jr. High adventure, as they call it, is all about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. Relying on God when you don't think you can do something. So I can't wait to hear all about it.
So we got home late yesterday afternoon, got all unpacked, I started washing everything and I'm all caught up! I hung two full loads of laundry outside today and one yesterday. I hardly ever use my dryer anymore. I love it!
This coming Sunday, Paul and I were asked to chaperone and cook for an overnight camping trip with the youth group- Jr and Sr. High kids from church. We'll be going down somewhere in Wisconsin to our Pastor's cottage. I guess we'll be doing some tubing behind a boat. Should be fun, haven't done that in quite a while. I'll have the girls and Paul and our youth director are with the boys. There is a young couple we have to keep a close watch on and another character that likes to experiment with fire. So pray for us, okay?:-)
So it's early in the week, I'm sure it will be filled with ups and downs. I have an appt. with my doctor tomorrow to go over my heart monitor test and the bloodwork. I'm not worried about it. My short term memory has definately been affected, but I was always a little ditzy. It's just annoying when you can see it- like an out of body experience almost. Afterwards, I think, why couldn't I remember. It has sure given me a whole new respect for the aging generation. How frustrating it is when you have ask about something you can't remember. My feet are doing a little better. I have good days and bad days, but more good than bad so that's good!! Got that? My doctor will have to decide if I need more therapy or if I should get a cortisone shot- I sure don't want that. Got one bill for a couple tests, it was nearly $7000. Wow! Thank God we have decent insurance. The MRI was $5000 and another $340 just for the dye they injected during the MRI! I had no idea it was that expensive- I thought maybe $2000. So the bill I opened was $1200 after the insurance paid their amounts. But after a call to the hospital this morning, it should only be about $240. We applied for charity assistance through the hospital last year and because of our income, we are able to get 80% assistance (after our insurance pays) through their foundation. Talk about a blessing!
Well, that's about it for tonight- thanks for riding along on my roller coaster:-)