Guess where we went this past weekend...

No, it wasn't Africa.

But Faith Wrenn and I did go to Africa last night.

GHANA to be exact. 

We went to VBS at my mom's church, and their theme is missions.  It is based on 1 John 3:18 which says,

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue
but with actions and in truth."

I tried not to get too emotional, especially when we were learning about the missionary David Livingstone who served in Africa.  The gentleman who was sharing the story ended by saying, "God may be calling some of you in this room to go be missionaries in Africa" and he looked right at me!

More confirmation! 

Okay, back to guessing where we spent our weekend.

I'll give you a hint.  It was somewhere in NC.

But it was not at the same place in NC where I took this tree picture today.

Nope.  This morning, I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon at the Cancer Center in Uptown Charlotte. This picture of RAINBOW colored TREES was in my examination room. It was just a routine appointment that turned into another divine appointment.

When I was checking out, the sweet lady helping me had a prayer calendar taped to her wall.  I asked her what was the prayer request for today.  She said, "COURAGE - Lord, may I always be strong and courageous in my character and my actions.  Deuteronomy 31:6."
("Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”   Deut. 31:6).

WOW!

Then, I looked up and saw a lady checking in.  She was wiping tears from her eyes, trying not to lose it completely.  The Holy Spirit prompted me to go to her once I was finished checking out.  

God didn't waste any time answering that prayer for COURAGE, did He??!!!  He granted me the opportunity to be courageous right away when He prompted me to approach a stranger in need.

Also, the sweet lady who was taking care of my paperwork gave me a copy of her prayer calendar!  This is another answered prayer because I'm going on a mission trip next week to Costa Rica, and I wanted to post a specific prayer request each day on this blog.  God made it easy for me!  He handed me a prayer calendar - a simple one with Scripture!

After I checked out, I went back into the waiting room and approached the crying lady.  I told her I didn't know what was happening in her life, but I felt like God wanted me to give her a hug.  She gladly accepted my offer.

We talked awhile and she shared her story with me.  She said she was ready to quit smoking today.  She had been smoking for about 30 years.  Four years ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and she had actually stopped smoking for 2 years.  She has been cancer free for a while but she started smoking again.  Her doctor is not happy and has been asking her at her checkups if she is ready to quit.  Every time she has told him no, she was not ready.  Then she failed to keep her last 2 appointments.

But, today was different.  She was ready to quit smoking and follow through with her doctor's appointment.  And it was time for her to have a CT scan to see if her lungs are still cancer free.  I'm sure this is what had her so emotional. Talk about being COURAGEOUS!

I was able to encourage her and then she allowed me to pray over her.  What a precious, tender time! God is so amazing! 

Okay, okay.  Back on track here. I'll give you one more hint. And this should give it away.

Yes, you guessed it....we went camping in NC with some friends. Every time we I go camping, it rains.  Even during a drought.  Guaranteed.

Here we are with our friends Lee & Angie and their children Daniel & Matthew and dog Rainey.  We have known them for over 15 years.  Angie was Tanner's 2 year old teacher at our church daycare back in Chapin.  We love them so much!  They are very dear to us.

The food was better than a 5 star restaurant....

Fresh garden veggies cooked to perfection and then...

made into a delicious breakfast casserole.  YUMMY!

Faith is eating tenderloin wrapped in bacon.  She couldn't get enough!

For dessert, we had homemade ice cream!

Here's Matthew, Tanner, Daniel & Faith enjoying their Oreo ice cream.

And check out the monster marshmellows!  They were a breakfast appetizer!

We don't eat this good at home!  Now, I'm afraid my family is going to start expecting this kind of food all the time.  Lee and Angie go all out. They spoil us!

Here is my knight in shining armor giving me a ride back from the pool.

Here is Daniel with his blinking Rudolph nose he found at Goodwill.  We did the "Goodwill tour" (went to a few of them) in search of great deals.  I found some "missionary clothes." And I met some ladies looking for missionary clothes too.  Another lady shared her desire to join her son and his wife on their next trip to Haiti or the Dominican Republic.  God had me encourage her to GO! Start making plans now!  Go home and tell your husband! Start taking the necessary steps to make it happen. 

At night, we sing. 

Here is Angie by the campfire with her song book

leading us in a time of praise and worship.

Here's Lee playing the songs on his guitar.

Once the singing was done, everyone went to bed - except me & Angie.  We had not seen each other since April 2010.  We had some catching up to do. 

And it took us until 5:15 AM to do it! 

We had such a good time with our dear friends.  We plan to do it again in October.  I've already put my raincoat in the camper :)

Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,

Nancy