God sets the lonely in family Ps 68:6

So I am not lonely nor did I grow up lonely.  I grew up feeling very loved and wanted. However I did grow up in a small family with extended relatives physically far away and thus not knowing them very intimately.  My immediate family never extended very far as neither my brother nor I married.  Peter has been a gift in extending our family by his adoption yet he is a bit solitary in his life currently as well.  At this point my immediate family consist of Mom, Peter and me. My estate lawyer says in his business, I am at the advantage to not haves siblings to squabble with.  However when I compare myself to those Holiday commercials or friends with big family gatherings I have always felt a bit "lonely."

Thus, this verse in Psalms 68 has  been one of my favorites for a long time.  It says: "But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God:  may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name. extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him - his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing." Psalm 68: 3-6a

I have seen God set me in families in so many ways such to give me the big extended family I often have longed for.  I could list several different ways but at this time I want to share one specific.  When I graduated from college I went to work at Camp Willow Run not knowing what I would do when summer ended.  I quickly connect with some of the full time staff and in a fun turn of events was invited to stay and work through the winter, temporarily.  That temporary job ended up lasting 7 years to the day of my arrival.  I was a single twenty-something living in a train box car on the lake far from my parent's home.  And there God put me in a family.  I was part of the Camp Willow Run full time staff family.  And within that group I also became parts of individual families, the Harris Family, the Moore Family, the Crawley Family, and the Adam's Family.  Thirty years later these families remain an important part of my life.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be with part of this extended family at Camp Willow Run and neighboring Camp Willow Springs. The above picture show the two couples who I always say "raised me" in my twenties. On the left is Beth and Keith Moore who was the Camp Director at the time and Kevin and May Adams who was the Assistant Camp Director and still work at CWR.  The picture is missing another lady who highly influenced my life during this time, Marysue Crawley.  Marysue was the Food Service Director I worked along side and suggested to Keith I stay on beyond the summer.  Marysue  died 10 years ago and left a empty spot in our family. 

I have maintained particularly close relationship with the Adam's family over the years. The babies (4 of them) who I helped raise are now married raising their own babies.  I have had the privilege of helping to coordinate the wedding of all three daughters and helping with the rehearsal dinner for the son.  Now I am holding their babies and playing with their little children. This past trip all the whole family was gathered as we married off the last child.  And it wasn't just the last child, it was my goddaughter and namesake with whom I share a middle name.  Pretty big stuff.  

I could go on and on about the details of the wedding and how we went from a raining rehearsal day to a beautiful wedding day.  Instead I will just share a few favorite pictures.  It was a beautiful day.  The setting and décor was gorgeous.  But the best part for me is these people, my family.  It was being with people who have claimed me as one of there own when they didn't have too.  And not just the Adam's family but other families intertwining with theirs that I have been made a part of.   Sometimes it did feel like a Hallmark  Holiday Commercial and I got to be part of it!

Living close to Anna allowed me the fun adventure of traveling to wedding with these two cuties.

We were very excited to see May May!!!

Patrick was my 25th birthday present and I am beyond impressed with this man!

Camp Willow Spring Dining Hall for the reception.

Wedding at neighboring Camp Willow Springs Outdoor Chapel

Kelsey and her boys

Anna with the littlest wedding party member.

Haley Kay and her dad.

The kitchen where I was first adopted into the Camp Willow Run family.

The big family send off breakfast in CWR Dining Hall.

Some of my babies' babies (4 of the 6) that I think are fantastic!!

Loading up the cars, laughter and tears, very "Hallmark - ish"

The List

So tonight I am sending the prayer list I didn't include last time.  There won't be a lot of elaboration due to the call of the dishes and a shower.  But then you know me, its hard for me NOT to elaborate.

1. Peter needs a job.  Preferable one not too far from home.

2. Peter needs a therapist.  We meet with one possibility October 14.  I have also reached out to a local counseling center through the college down the street from our house based on the recommendation of someone I liked but couldn't afford. 

3.  Peter was willing to address one personal issue a couple weeks ago with a therapist or group.  He needs to still be willing by the time we get someone lined up.

4. Peter's birthday is tomorrow and I hope our birthday dinner  tomorrow night will be pleasant.

5. I need to know how to handle things when Peter runs out of money and/or can't pay me the money for his phone bill due in a week and a half.

6. That Peter won't disturb my bible study this coming Monday evening as I have 4 really cute 20 something girls coming to my home.  Preferably he will have a job or sleep through it.

7. For this bible study God has been prompting me to start for 2 years and he amazingly had these girls organize when I was finally was willing to simply suggest it.

8. I have been offered an opportunity at some part time work.  It is something I am excited about doing but requires some classes. I am not a great student.  Because it will be self employment it will also require some financial help.  I think I may need an accountant.  I will share more at another time, like if and when it really happens but for now no it's not a Pyramid scheme nor Color Street Nails.

9. I am headed to NC do direct my Goddaughter's wedding next weekend.  There is talk of a hurricane.  Two years ago I drove through a hurricane to help with her brother's rehearsal dinner.  I would prefer not to do that again. 

10.  For Peter to take his meds and be safe especially while I am away.

Okay that is more than enough.  If led, you can pick and choose one or more.  I am grateful and encouraged.  Thank you.