My Head in the Clouds: Little House on the Lake

This is the log house that, many years ago, was built by three generations of hands.

Well, truth be told, just two generations as the younger wasn't interested in helping. Although, not helping isn't an option in this family. Work ethic is instilled at an early age and the value of a relationship with God and family along with it. More than likely, any time you're with one of the generations at this house, there will be a story brought up of when this house took shape. Many a memory made and passed on.

A couple of weeks ago, the wise man I married, told me we needed to spend some time there. To take a break. We went spontaneously...as spontaneous as you can be with a family of 5. Later that night, once we had unpacked and put kids to bed, we sat in the house still painted country blue and mauve and a hundred memories came flooding back.

I had first come to the house in college with our dorm floor and J's floor. There were about 30 of us packed in and overflowing out of the house that day. It was at this house, on that first visit, my future husband would get up the nerve to hold my hand for the first time on this back porch swing.

Months later I would come home from a three week missions trip to Europe knowing two things: one-if the Lord ever wanted me to go into missions, I would do it. Two: I was going to marry the pilot. I just didn't know how...or when...because I hadn't really broken that news to him.

Later the same week, with new insight that I kept to myself, I went to the lake to meet the pilot's parents for the first time. Guess I wasn't the only one that had some insight into the future?

Through the years this house has welcomed the pitter patter of the future generations who would explore the great outdoors and have their first taste of s'mores gooey goodness.

There have been domino victories and losses and Yahtzee mayhem...

There have been dry ice bombs by dumb college boys, firecrackers and bonfires (some from those same boys!), Sunday School parties, sleepovers with sweet girlfriends, temporary housing for friends and families in need.

There have been countless family gatherings with an abundance of food (because everything tastes better at the lake!) Washer board competitions have been battled and peaceful getaways sought when life gets too crazy.