I am not really good at vacations! I love what I do and I have always said that doing ministry is my work and my hobby! I have a calling and when I am ministering, I am fulfilling that thing that I was called to do! Usually when I have taken time to go on vacation – I spend most of the time thinking about what I am going to do in ministry when I get back! Most of my vacations have been trips away from where I live physically, but everything pretty much stayed the same mentally and spiritually!
But things have changed! Joy and I bought a travel trailer and took our girls on our first ever camping experience! It was the best vacation I have ever been on! It was the best vacation I have ever been on because I saw this experience as making an investment in myself and my family. The travel trailer forced me to slow down! When you are pulling a 30 foot trailer behind your vehicle – your racing days are over! On the ride there I was forced to slow down and enjoy the ride, and I was able to focus on family, conversation, music, scenery and whatever caught my fancy! We will get there when we get there!
There was some work to getting everything set up, but once the major work was done – we had a lovely week of just being together and enjoying God’s creation all around us. We met some new friends, took in a lot of sunshine, spent a good bit of time on the sand and in the ocean and I got to read without having to be in a hurry! At the end of the week – we all wanted to stay for another week!
The most important thing that I got from this vacation was a RECHARGE! One of the things that the girls liked to do, was go for a ride around the campground on a golf cart. We would ride all day and most of the night, but when we went to bed, we would plug it into a charging system. If at any point we failed to recharge the golf cart – the next day the golf cart would take us nowhere! If a golf cart has to be recharged, the we as people must be recharged too!
You may not be able to get away in a travel trailer anytime soon, but you can recharge! Take some time during a lunch break to get out and away from all of the hustle and bustle and just enjoy what God has created all around you. Take some time to slow down and spend some meaningful time with friends and family – not because you have to, but because you want to! Take and make some time to allow God to recharge you with His energy and Spirit – you’ll be surprised at how much better life can be!
Michael Joe Harvell 
I’m glad you all had a good vacation. Rest and relaxation are a must for any family and you and your family deserved a much needed rest! We went camping once…it was a comedy of errors. You’ll have to get Tony to tell you, he’s a much better story teller than I am!
Michael Joe, I too am glad to and your family got to get away for a much needed and deserved vacation. Thanks for reminding me how important our time is, especially with our families. I’m praying for you daily in your walk with God and I am so grateful that Northwood has a great Pastor like you. You have helped me to grow spiritually so much since I have been at Northwood. God bless you always and keep your chin up !!!
Michael Joe, It sounds like you had a much needed rest and some quality time with your family away from all the demands of being the leader of a flock. We all love you and your family and pray for you daily. Continue to let all that stuff run off your back.
MJ,
Were you gone somewhere?
Just kidding, I am SO glad you guys had a chance to get away and unwind.
I personally know what you said about ministry being your job and your hobby is true.
However, it’s times like these you mentioned above that build lasting memories for you and your family.
God bless you, Joy and the girls.
P.S, (I am glad you’re back)
Michael Joe,
I too have a camper and I think its the ONLY way to go! My Mother, and sister also have campers and when you take the WHOLE family, that is when its really fun! I have tried to get Krystal to atleast visit us when we are camping and she says NO!. You will have to show her how much fun it is. Please try to got to Springfield on Lake Hartwell. Its a great camp ground.
Welcome to the family of campers!
Lisa
Glad you and Joy and the girls had such a good time.When Dub was alive we went camping with Marie and James a lot. I will never forget following them down to Myrtle Beach. James would fly and the back of his trailer would swerve back and forth. We would all just laugh,we didnt have enough sense back then to be afraid.Now i would be scared to death. Ah Well those were the good old days. Love to all of you Dell
Hi MJ,
You must have been gone about the same time we were. Some people love the mountains but I am definitely a beach girl. I love to smell the salty air, hear the crashing of the waves, and look out over the ocean and see the ocean touching the sky, and to know that it all came from our Creator. It definitely gives me a RECHARGE!!!
Nothing could be more beautiful to me than the shore or let’s just say that it is my most favorite place to view God’s handiwork.
I am so glad you got to get away and make some wonderful memories with Joy and the girls. You deserve the time away. Thank you for being the wonderful leader and example that you are. It gives me great encouragement from my brother in Christ to keep on keeping on. You are truly a blessing in my life.
Love in Christ,
Mari Lynn
Just a little side note. War wounds on your camper and tow vehicle are not required to be considered a full fledge camper!!! but they do happen. Just try to keep it between the trees.