a wonderful day for a wonderful man

it began with everyone staying at camp having our traditional "chuck brunch" and naturally we started the meal with a grace camp style, the iron man for those of you who know-chris & abbie

then on to chuck and Jane's church

it was beautiful, chuck would have been embarrassed by it all I think not being the upfront type of guy but today was all about him and the God he served

and we capped it off with what I think was the best time, worship camp style in the tab

there was singing, dancing, sharing & remembering

now this is more chucks style, this I know he would have loved a party for him it was perfect!

the next time we go to camp it will not be the same a piece will be missing. the "rhythm "of the camp will be off. things will look familiar but a bit of love will be gone. I John 5 tells us- we know for certain that the son of God has come and has giving us understanding so we can be certain of the truth. Chuck knew and lived the truth of Jesus his cross changed everything. If you read this and aren't certain of the truth please let us explain it to you it's what chuck would have wanted.

keeping busy helping out

being at camp and helping was so comforting to all of us
everyone had a job to do

getting ready for the "Chuck brunch" and the funeral lunch at camp

liv did her best work right here. she also took care of the babies during the service at church which was a real blessing to the moms there

everyone loves Dave I always say. she was laughing she just did the dear in head lights thing for the picture

everyone needs a little fun too. pass up a wrestling match with Colby? no way!

after it was all said and done so many people thanked and even praised us for the work , I was perplexed of course we would help it's why we are here its what you do. David reminded me that our family is not the norm, Reggie taught us you just jump in with 2 feet when someone needs help. there was a lot of work to be done there at camp and we are so happy we got to come early because many hands make light work and we bring 14 of them. As I think back on it even my 5 year old helping I am so thankful for the blessing we have in our godly heritage we live out and praise God even Reggie's great grand kids are following his example, God gave us hands and feet let's use them!

one of my favorite places on earth isn't so beautiful today

we finally made it up to camp and although it seems dim and sad knowing something- someone is not here. I guess I have to remember it's not just the beauty of God nature why we love it here it's the beauty of God's people, my heart feels warmer here. being in this place brings me comfort like a big needed hug. you look outside the snow is falling, and several of Gods people jumped right in to action, furniture is being moved, floors cleaned, cooking done. preparation to get everything just right. it is good to be productive to see my kids jumping in knowing that they have grown up here. known just as "camp" to us no other explanation needed. it has become so much a part of our lives. praise God he let Dave have the day off work so I didn't have to get here alone, ah so many feelings I'm trying to get out it's not so easy...
one by one the first time you see this chair empty it cuts right through your heart. one man who touched the heart of so many. makes me wonder how many people have I touched with the love of Jesus?

from the mouth of babes...

my boy sky has begun to play the guitar and I would brag but he is not what this post is about. This week sky and liv have been writing the words and music for their first song but we would have never dreamed it would end up being for our friend chuck, here is their song.

I COULD IMAGINE

I could imagine walking down the streets of gold

I see you walking from a distance your robe as white as snow

I call your name you turn around and I see you face to face

I run to give you a hug it was the best feeling

I can only imagine but when that day comes it will be so much more than I imagined

Take me LORD just as I am

I'm not good enough to get in to heavens place without you

God's the lucky one tonight

today a man among all men went to meet Jesus and we know they are both happy we are left here broken. we have had to deal with so much death it seems unbearable to have to let go of someone again. I'm sitting here trying to put in to words just who he was to us and keep erasing it every time, if you knew Chuck well then you know he was so, well, Chuck! he and his wife were the perfect match if every there was one. like bacon and eggs or pancakes and syrup you have to have both and they are so wonderful when together. hearts around the world are broken tonight and I can't even find the words to say how much we loved chuck.
oh how I love this picture and am so glad I have it. He adored liv and she him. He always teased us about leaving her at camp with him. she is so blessed to have had such wonderful time spent with him. here he is here teaching her his secrets to camps famous pizza how awesome is that?. I pray that one of my kids will grow to be a Chuck and touch the hearts of so many with Jesus love. The world is a little worse today because we have to let one of the best go tonight, goodbye Chuck God is the lucky one tonight. Jane The Rills love you very much and will pray for you continually.

just what I needed

we keep this board in our bathroom to leave each other notes and pictures this is what I walked in on tonight.
Today this broken world sucker punched us right in the gut. with eyes fuzzy and feeling like the wind had been knocked out of me I walked into this.
ah cute right? well it's so much more than that. A little girl who a year ago could only communicate threw charades and never heard the name of Jesus asked me yesterday "mama how do you spell Jesus?" she only knows how to spell 7 English words isn't just like a child to bless you with the tiny abilities they have? It was a beautiful reminder of how He saved a little orphan girl to come here and bless me just when I needed it. Thank you for loving me God an Jesus!

folding laundry who knew?

my heart is struggling why you might say? It's because my baby fits into his daddy's shoes. I was folding laundry today and wham it hit me as I was folding the Loyola running pants David wore in college, it was because B was the one who had worn them. ugh how did my baby get so big? I knew in my mind it would come but I never thought of him being as big as his daddy. all around me are babies and It's not that I need another one I just wish I could have held on to mine a little longer. I am proud, nervous, sad.... all at the same time. I praise God because I have spent everyday with him with exception of a hand full, pouring over him to prepare him for this day he would leave my school to go to the next, we have done a good work I just really wish I could have him sitting on my lap again begging me to read that book just one more time or to make his owie better with my magic kisses or to have him tell me I'm the prettiest girl ever . all these babies they have so many years ahead and 14 have so quickly passed for me. I never wished to just get through this stage with my babies I needed all of them and I'm surely hanging on to this stage too because I know I won't be his #1 girl forever. I love you B and thank you God for giving him to me!