Last year we were family camp newbies. But after a week of refreshment, bonding and spiritual encouragement, we were hooked on the concept. In fact, before we left camp we had signed up come back again this year.

I could literally talk to you for hours about all the reasons Pine Cove is a gift to our family. (In fact, our time riding horses last year, inspired the most popular post I’ve ever written.–>read it here)

With such a high bar, I worried how this year would measure up. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. (well, ok, I didn’t ride horses this year. . .which was disappointing at first. . .but I’m saving that story for another post).

The director of Pine Cove Bluffs is Chris Sherrod. He is a gifted teacher and invaluable source of Spiritual mentoring to the husbands who attend camp. His lovely wife, Katie, also a superstar, spends one lunch with all the moms spurring us on with Truth and love.

When I started my podcast, one person I wanted to interview was Katie Sherrod. So, along with our bags of clothes and some flashlights and lots of swimsuits, I grabbed my mic. She and I sat on the floor in my cabin one afternoon and recorded this podcast.

I hope her words remind you of your value as a wife and mom. Most importantly, that you accept God’s rest, relish His grace and seek His wisdom.

What we chat about:

• How she and her husband followed their hearts for families and found a place to serve, even if that included a season of unemployment.
• How their adopted daughter was delivered to their door Christmas Eve & God’s protection of this baby from disease and addiction.
• How they were given a vision of how God accepts us in our broken state, no questions, for the long haul, to rescue us.
• When you fear you won’t be able to love more people, realizing you are standing in a river of God’s love, never-ending, inviting others to join you.
• How Katie grabs time with Jesus anytime and every time. . .not just a “first in the morning” quiet time.
• Her advice to expect hard things to happen, not getting upset when they do.
• Allowing your kids to see Jesus in your reactions, even when you make mistakes, asking for forgiveness.
• How little ones reveal and remind you all your brokenness and need for God.
• Advice she would give her young self, to allow herself rest & accept God’s grace.
• To cry out: “Give me wisdom to rule these people that you’ve put under me.” and He will give it to us.
• How there is no recipe for motherhood–which keeps you on your knees.
• First picture of the gospel is how you love your husband.
• Don’t have to pray for a calling when you have young children.
• Everything  you do for your children is your spiritual act of worship.

A mother’s prayer:

“God, give me wisdom in this situation for this child for today in this moment.”

Show Notes:

• Pine Cove Christian Camps
• “Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living” – Elisabeth Elliot

If you are reading via email, click here to listen to the podcast. If you are reading email, on your phone, click here. 

As you heard on my last podcast with OhAmanda (Amanda White), she and I love movies. We also LOVE to use movies to help talk to our children about God.

On today’s podcast, she and I chat about the newly released, “How to Train a Dragon 2”. We answer the question, “Is it okay for my kids to see?” We let you know what we did not like in this flick.

We also share what we loved. For those of you who’ve already seen it, we discuss our favorite overriding themes and conversations you can have with your kids. A few examples:

• Stoick, Hiccup’s dad–his role as a protector and his unfailing, redeeming love for Hiccup’s mom.
• Drago’s tragedy turned angry aggression–how bad things happen, but if we go to God for healing and restoration, it can be used for good. But in Drago’s case, “Hurt people hurt people”.
• Dragon training as an analogy of parenting styles–harsh/domineering vs. gentle/caring. And the loyalty which results from one over the other.
• Toothless’ challenge to tune out the alpha dragon and trust Hiccup–when temptations come we need to often close our eyes, cover our ears and trust God to deliver us, overcoming evil.

At the end of the week Amanda will be posting her discussion guide and possibly a link-up where you can add your own family movie guide. Choose a film you’ve enjoyed watching as a family and type up some ideas for discussion topics/questions stemming from the movie.

Show Notes:

• OhAmanda.com
• IMDb Film summary
• The one line in the film that caused controversy–plugged in
• Susanna Wesley’s separation from her husband over politics (for 5 months, not a year like I mentioned in the podcast).

Join the Family Movie Mom discussion.

What themes, questions, and/or conversations did you come up with after seeing this film?