We took more books, games and fishing gear than we did clothing. We "roughed it" in a gorgeous cabin at the base of Mt. Lassen. The start of every day was coffee and fruit. Then, we quietly made our way to the van and crept out of the driveway at the wee hours of the morning to go out and catch "The Big One".
Oh, and did we EVER! All three of the boys caught their limit every day. We ate Rainbow Trout for dinner every night last week, and we brought plenty home to share with loved ones and stock our freezer. I'm really excited about trying some recipes that include smoked trout. YUM!
The best part about it was just the togetherness though. I prayed for weeks leading up to this trip that we would just have a sweet time of connection before starting yet another school year. The Lord heard my requests, and He provided more than what I could have even imagined!!
I witnessed a new bond taking place between Lucas and Colby. The kind of bond shared between brothers, but this time brothers who will now share the high school experience together. Lucas is so good at being just the right amount of goofy and wise to pull a younger brother under his wing. Colby has grown so much himself this year that I can sometimes even see him pull Lucas under his own little wing. Hard to put into words, but so very neat.
Caleb and his daddy have always shared a unique bond, and this week that bond was further strengthened by Caleb's obsession with fishing! Caleb prayed FOR WEEKS..... EVERY day that he would catch fish. It almost became something to be concerned about. The boy couldn't get enough information in his mind about the sport and all there is to know about it. He was web searching, library hunting, and bait and tackle shopping until we just couldn't take it anymore. His daddy was right beside him the whole time, sharing in his excitement the whole way.
Finally, his time came.
Oh, if I could just even TRY to explain to you the smile on that boy's face upon pulling that first fish up out of the water!! He went on to catch the rest of his limit in a matter of only an hour! The joy that flooded his heart (and then mine) is indescribable. His brothers tried to share in his joy, but their faces were more clearly that of envy. I quickly had to remind him that it was Caleb that did all that praying... And God just kept leading those fish straight to Caleb's bait. In the end, Lucas and Colby caught theirs too, and life was good.
I received daily reminders of how GREAT our GOD is from that beautiful mountain. From the creeks that flowed abundantly to the brightest green expanse of gorgeous meadows, the MAJESTY of our Creator was around every bend. At times, I found a lump in my throat as I became overwhelmed with everything around me. Not just the tangible things.... More importantly, the things not tangible.
It was a blessed week. One that was prayed for, prayed about and prayed upon. The bounty that came home with us will stay with us and be a part of who this family is for a lifetime.
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