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Not much going on for the last week or so. Weather has not been the greatest, pretty chilly with occasional rain and snow. Night temps below freezing and days only in the 40’s. Despite that, the snow is melting all over. You kind of don’t even realize it, except for the noticeable shrinking. No puddles, no slush, no mud. The dry air just sucks all that stuff up!
We’ve had a couple of frustrating occurrences since we’ve been here. Initially, we had no hot water. Actually, we weren’t even the only ones. At least 3 of the about 7 campers that arrived about the same time had water heater problems, 2 off us had the same one. All the guys travelled from site to site trying to identify the problems, see who had what part available, and get everyone operational.
Our water froze one night. We knew it was going to be cold, and as we got ready to go to bed we went to turn the water on to let it run a bit through the night and lo and behold, it was already frozen. That was a pain for a little while.
Lost electricity for about 12-14 hours one day, starting sometime during the night. By the time we pulled ourselves out of the warm bed, the generator wouldn’t come on. Soon there was a knock on the door from someone just out checking on everyone. Anyone who had a need had a small army of assistance to get things fixed and make sure everyone was warm until the power was restored.
Our friends who arrived at Fishing Bridge have had no water at all. They too have banded together to help one another and make sure everyone is ok.
Finally, last weekend our jeep broke down. We left it at a repair shop that was closed for the weekend with the key and a note. We were about 1 ½ hours from home, but a friend picked us up without question. Other friends loaned us a vehicle for a few days. We have it back, the cost of parts for the repair were covered by warranty and all is well, thank you Jesus!
My point here is not to moan about our bad luck or hardships, but instead to thank
God and be grateful for the wonderful community we are in. We are a diverse group of people from every walk of life. We are represented in every age group. We have different belief systems. We are united here due to a shared love for where we are- and we vary there in terms of how much we love it- and we are bound together in relative isolation to be a community to support and assist one another. We need each other. Every person here is committed to the welfare of the other members of the community daily. What a blessing that is!
That put me in mind of the early church in the book of Acts. The new believers in Christ “…had all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Acts 2: 42-47.
We have become so self-sufficient in the world. We don’t think we NEED anybody. Jack is always ready to give, but has great difficulty receiving (sorry honey..). Most of us are that way, I think. With that independence, we really are missing out on a blessed experience of true community. Naturally, I don’t think that everyone needs to pack up and live somewhere isolated to experience needing community for survival or something, but I do think we all should consider how to replicate that community in our own churches. We don’t need each other at Sunday morning worship, or at fellowship dinners, or mid week Bible studies. We GET to do these things together. We NEED each other every other day, for all the things in our lives, to battle against the elements, physical or spiritual, that challenge us or weaken us.
I don’t have the answers. I barely know the questions! But I do know that through these experiences that I have received a glimpse of the type of community that the Body of Christ should be part of. I am so blessed to be here and share in this community. And I know
that to add Jesus to this diverse yet united Yellowstone community would be indescribably wonderful experience. Think about it Church. Just as we here have a love for Yellowstone, we the Church have the Lord of Lords and King of Kings to bind us together. Let’s make that community!
Ok, done “preaching”. That has really been on my heart the last few days. Don’t have many pics, and the ones I have are not real clear. I think I will break down and buy a photo editing program…. Enjoy these few for now. Jack finally got his schedule, and is off on Monday and Tuesday. The weather is supposed to be good and we are hoping to get up into the Lamar Valley for the day. It is supposed to rain and snow today, but right now it is sunny, so I guess I had better get outside and clean out the jeep while I can!
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Desiree Your Monkey
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Holy
Holy is his name, Jesus. I so loved reading this blog. Thank you for sharing! The picture of "he is in our way" I would love to have a copy of that picture and your permission to have this picture painted for me by an artist I have just met. Love you both Monkey