CarolynPierpont.com

Yesterday was real nice and the whole family enjoyed some outdoor fun.

Josiah

Nick on the jump the guys made for their bikes

Shooting hoops

Zack and J.D. pause from digging for worms to pose for a picture

Last week I went for a bike ride in the evening with Kevin M. and Taylor. We stopped by the lake and I took a few pictures. Kevin M. borrowed my camera to take some pictures of a spider web. I took a few more pictures and then stuck the camera in my pocket and we headed home. When we got home I put my hand in my pocket to get the camera and it wasn’t there. I had a sick feeling as I realized that I had lost my camera somewhere between the boat launch area where we had been using it and home. Kevin M. and Taylor joined me in riding back over the area in search of the camera. Taylor and I also walked the area again looking for it. In the next couple of days, several of the kids and I went looking again.

In the hope that someone may have found it, I called the relevant local law enforcement agencies to report the lost camera. I also placed an ad in the classified lost and found section of our local paper. So far no one has reported finding it.

I felt terrible when I lost it. It’s actually a camera Kevin had bought so he could have a handy pocket camera to grab and take with him more conveniently than taking his larger, nicer camera. When I told him I had lost it, he replied, “it’s just a camera.” While looking for it on the trail I was struck by the thought that it was “just a camera” and thought of times when I’ve seen reports of groups of people looking for a lost child. How heart wrenching it would be to have a missing loved one. In light of eternity, a lost camera really isn’t that big of a deal.

Kevin pointed out to me that after a couple of days of being out in the rain and cold, if someone hasn’t found it, the camera would be worthless anyway. Losing the camera has been a good reminder to me that stuff really isn’t important. What matters is the eternal. I want to store up treasures in heaven not on earth.

Matthew 6:19 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Kevin took this picture of the new camera he bought for me. Thanks to my generous husband, I made out quite well since this is a better camera than the one I lost.

Luke, Zachary and I walked this morning as the sun was rising. It felt good to get out and walk after a couple of rainy days.

After the short days of winter, it’s nice to have longer days again. Zack, Kevin, Taylor and I went for a bike ride after supper. The other kids enjoyed getting outside too.

After lunch today I decided to go for a bike ride since most of the snow has melted and it’s a sunny, pleasant day. Kevin, Nicholas, Zachary and I rode to the park. The lake looked beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. I love to sit and enjoy its beauty and hear the waves as they hit the shore. As soon as we got to the park, Nick and Zack asked if they could go down and look at the lake. Kevin had fun trying out the sling he made. The fresh air and exercise always does wonders for me. I highly recommend it.

The lake today

Nick and Zack checking out the lake

Swinging at the park

Kevin’s sling

This morning I had 3 walking buddies join me.

Zack, Josiah and Nick

Josiah and Zachary taking a rest

Nick resting for a bit

Checking out the lake temperature

I read this article this morning and thought it was very helpful in understanding ways parents provoke their children to anger. It was a great challenge and encouragement to me as I seek to bring my children up in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6: 4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The culprits

Luke and I went for a walk this afternoon. The lake looked pretty on this sunny day. When we got back I took some pictures of the other kids who were out enjoying some fresh air and sunshine.

In spite of the snow and cold, we had a very nice Easter day. The kids enjoyed finding their Easter baskets Sunday morning. We had wonderful services celebrating Christ’s resurrection and then enjoyed a nice brunch at church with lots of good food.