Who Went on a Man Trip?

-

IMG_20151230_091358 (1)

Darron has had privy to take each boy on a “man trip”.  It has always been at least 24 hours away with Dad. Pre puberty is the age (hint hint).  Aubrey= Smokey Mountains.  Andrew= Skiing.  (All the brothers agree that Andrew got the most extravagant man trip). Jacob=kayaking to a private island.  Now it was Nathaniel’s turn.  The Lake Road would be the destination.  On the motor bike.  The night before New Years Eve. 

 

We might as well kill 2 birds with one stone.  The Mom (me) had requested 24 hours alone.  No kids.  No husband.  No interruptions.  Just peace, peace, peace.  So why not send the 3 older guys off on their own adventure at the same time as Nathaniel’s man trip?  They were game.  Furiously Mom begins making all the food preparations.  Assuring younger ones that what they had packed was sufficient.  Running around gathering supplies for the man trip props.  Cancelling girl friend plans.  Trying not to fret over the 3 older guys driving 2 hours away, to surf and camp, on the NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE.  The MOM kept thinking about drunks harassing innocent boys and surfing mishaps. 

 

By 9:30 the next morning they were all off.  Each full of their own anticipation.  Even the Mom, hers.  She had to choose trust and peace over fear, so that her 24 hours would not be ruined.  The older guys declaring that they were going on their own “MAN TRIP!”  Mercy.  Before they left, the Mom had her picture snapped with her LAST boy that was about to enter into manhood.

 

 

IMG_20151230_091500IMG_20151230_091632IMG_20151230_091640

 

 

IMG_20151230_092304IMG_20151230_092330

While important messages were listened to and great things discussed.  While long drives, poor waves, some slightly harassing men, and many things unknown (to the Mom who wouldn’t understand).  The MOM enjoyed a nap, a book, blogging, a chick flick, some chocolate, silence, a text or two from boys and husband so she knew they were safe and making wise choices, gardening, painting, crafting and time to think and reflect undisturbed.  Glorious!!!!  Delicious!  Soul reviving!

The Mom is still unsure who went on MORE of a man trip.  The Dad and youngest son?  Or the three older guys?  This she does know……she is happy to have them all tucked away in her home again, until the next adventure, which have only just begun.  Pass the chocolate please.  Hand her the Bible.  She needs to claim some promises and learn to slowly let go for the boys are all becoming MEN.

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 10, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    I absolutely love the idea of your man trip! Nate is 10, so maybe it should happen soonish for him! ;-) I will talk to Carl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruth's AdventuresJanuary 30, 2016 at 3:57 AM

      Awe yes! We stole the idea from the Rainey's. Who put out a wonderful kit called, "Passage Way to Purity". Beautifully done. Well worth the investment and it sets the tone for a special weekend away with parent. : )

      Delete
    2. Ruth's AdventuresJanuary 30, 2016 at 3:57 AM

      Awe yes! We stole the idea from the Rainey's. Who put out a wonderful kit called, "Passage Way to Purity". Beautifully done. Well worth the investment and it sets the tone for a special weekend away with parent. : )

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Last Flight

-
Image
Bob and his daughter, Stephanie, flying on a different day in Papua . Jan and Bob It was another ordinary Wednesday in Papua.  The rain had come down all night.  Leaving the runway soggy.  6 a.m. I had finished reading my Bible and I hear Bob take off on first flight.  I think, “Wow, he is early this morning!”  Then the typical morning craziness starts in my house.  The cooking of a hot breakfast.  Packing school lunches.  Signing forms.  Arranging pick ups.  Off to school.  Exercise.  Home. Unfortunately, the freezer has frozen over so much that the door is on longer sealing.  It’s a forced, defrost the freezer day.  Out comes all the food.  Towels are laid everywhere.  Drip. Drip.  Jacob is on his 3rd day of not feeling well.  It has been a week of no routine.  No home school.  POP a video into the DVD player for Jacob and lucky little brother to watch.  I go into the office...
Read more

Change Never Happens Fast, Except Today it Did

-
Image
Today (Wednesday, Nov. 1),  Darron and Gary were leaving on an afternoon flight to the Philippines.  The nicer of our two cars had just been picked up from the repair shop ( it was an alternator this time).  They are at that stage.  Always, something falling apart.  With the mission mobile, we can’t complain.  It is 21 years old!!!!  Darron just popped down to the hanger to fill up the tires with air and I heard him pip the horn at the gate, to indicate he was read to go to the airport.  Yet, he had a different message.  The tire needed repaired…..or more probably replaced. Groan.  There is ONE thing, I disdain as a woman and that is handling car problems.  It’s hard enough to do it in your home country and a language you are fluent in.  Try doing it in a foreign country.  Also to me, it is a MANS world.  If you want to plop me in my discomfort zone, tell me I have to get the car fixed. So off we drive.  Air hiss...
Read more

Anguished Hearts

-
Image after image flashes through my mind.  I see little but “growing bigger and stronger” two and half year old Azarya coming towards me on the gravel runway.  Wanting to give me a high five and nothing warms my heart more.  Knowing that this is the little boy who drank his way back to life with goats milk.  More images of all over campus this little boy waving at me and smiling shyly, running and playing like normal children should.  Every time I saw him, I rejoiced in the second chance that Jesus had given him.  More images of being with his Mommy and Daddy and their JOY and gratefulness in Ayarya’s strength and change as he transformed before their eyes from being severely malnourished to vibrant.  Ida, his Mommy, is my closest Papua friend, and I see so many images of her and I chatting and laughing together and enjoying her new fat little baby boy, now two months old.  Despite that Ida was still morning the unexpected loss of her father and ...
Read more