Week Four ~ Dreher Island, SC

Dreher Island has been my favorite stop on our RV route so far!

Our campsite backed right onto a lake very similar to the one Gandy and Pop live on in Virginia.  It really felt we were back at their lake, and should be able to simply turn a corner to have the lake house with all the cousins come into view.  The lake setting made us miss them, but it was a happy sort of missing them, and we really enjoyed our time on the Island. We did a lot of kayaking, swimming, exploring, fishing and generally just enjoyed the beauty of the area. 

Sunday morning we attended a cute little Baptist church near the campsite.  Sunday mornings are always like Christmas to me - we never know what we're going to get, but it's always something good. Since we're never in one place long enough to go to the same church twice, every Sunday has been very unique and sweet in its own way.  As we pulled into the church parking lot, we noticed an unusually abundant number of occupied handicapped parking spaces, though few cars were parked elsewhere.  As we entered the church, feeling rather like the new kid on the block, nearly everyone of the sweet elderly congregation came to greet us and shake the seven pairs of hands belonging to my family.  After being thoroughly greeted, I counted the congregation out of the corner of my eye.  Our family alone made up a full third of it!  Sundays have been such a gift from God to me, and this one, though a bit of a different atmosphere, was another such gift.  As we got in the car to leave afterward, I scrutinized the sign and was disappointed to see that there was no evening service listed.

Early in the week, Mom and I paddled out in kayaks to the middle of the lake and had a long, honest talk about the challenges, joys and struggles of RV living.  Though a gift and blessing, the challenges of all of us being so close for so long certainly are very present.  After both being quite real with each other, it has felt like much of the weight and strain that was there before has been lifted.  Directly communicating what my attitudes or actions have been hinting at has been a game changer for me and allowed me to really begin embracing our new normal.  It tangibly brings out the truth of Mark 4:22 when it says: "For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open."  It's so amazing how God's word is always proven true, even through unexpected ways.