Sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch of the lodge, I watched my children play in the grass and had a cup of coffee with my husband. What could be better? Not much.
We spent last week as a family at White Sulphur Springs, the Pennsylvania conference center of the Officers Christian Fellowship (OCF). Having never been there, we did not necessarily know what to expect, and certainly had no idea how much we needed to slow down. Throughout the week we spent wonderful times with other military families and learned a million things about OCF, but we enjoyed even more the time we spent with family.
This military life can be crazy at times. Even if you are not in the military, life can be crazy. We get so caught up getting everything done, we forget to enjoy. Last week we enjoyed. Taking the kids to swim in the pond, ride horses, climb a rock wall, picnic, line dance, and eat ice cream, we became a family again, one that just enjoys each other’s company.
I learned last week through our “downtime” that we should do this more often, but I also learned that to be successful at the experience we will have to be intentional about it. We will have to make the time to get away and just enjoy each other without meetings, phone calls, and to do lists. Our marriage and our family both need this time.
The plan is to get away or even try a “staycation” at least every couple of months – not for a whole week, but maybe a three-day or four-day over the weekend. We love to camp, so it should be easy peasy if we just do it. We have to if we plan to be a family. So this is our mission – “Team Yates, in it to win it”. (the prize that is: Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”)
What does your family do to pull back together again and enjoy “downtime”? Do you find that you need these times to be refreshed and connect again? I would love your ideas!
(By the way, White Sulphur Springs in not an exclusive resort. If you are connected to the military, you can stay there and enjoy family camp during the summer as well as many other activities during the rest of the year. You should try it!)
Whoo Hooo! Yates (and Boland)family time. . . good for you. Hope ya’ll checked in on the “Leavenworth Room” and were thus reminded of us back here in “Middle Earth”. Miss you all. ..sorry we couldn’t come too. Love you! S
Susan
Susan – They actually put us in the “Fort Bragg – Home of the Airborne” room, but we did pass the Leavenworth room every time we went to ours. Would have loved to have y’all down the hall!! We are big fans of Vordermark people!
Kori, this looks so fun! It was so great to run into you at the post office ; )
It was great to see you too! I will try to not talk so much the next time I see you, but I have yet to master that skil ;). Praying for you as you move! Hollar if we can help anything.