It is a big week at our house. We are moving furniture, buying groceries, and girding up our loins. On Thursday, our two-bedroom bungalow will fill up with more than a dozen grandchildren from three states. Yes, we are slightly insane. I’ve bought camp cots. And everyone has their own water bottle. And we are going to mash ourselves into this house, spill over into the garage and the yard, and basically have a relationship blast.
I came up with the idea the year the boys were born. John Michael was two when his cousin, Jesse, and his brother, Andrew, were born within three weeks of one-another. At Christmas, Peter joined the pack. Looking at those four little boys, I had the strong sense that we needed to make sure they became good friends. That together, they could impact the world even stronger than they would apart.
The feeling grew with each addition to our clan. Not that I think our grandchildren are more special than yours. (Okay. I do. But that is beside the point.) What I really think is that God loves to work through families who are devoted to Him.
The Old Testament is filled with examples, and the New Testament continues the theme. Jesus chose two sets of brothers as His first disciples. John the Baptist was his own cousin. Jesus’ brother became a great leader in the early church. Paul’s nephew once saved the apostle’s life.
I’m not sure our grandchildren will ever turn the world upside down. But I think they have a good chance of doing it. And, I know their chances are better if they can count on one another for support.
That is why I move the furniture.
Even Macy is throwing around the phrase “Cousins Camp” every few sentences! So excited. It is such a wonderful treasure of an idea. And I don’t think you are crazy – I think you are brave, maybe – but mostly I think you are simply one who praises God to the next generation.
Awe, Thanks, Felic. I thought it was so sweet that Macy was telling me which stuffed animals she is bringing to Camp. She is a girl with priorities.
I love that you do this. I never grew up with cousins, and sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if we actually knew each other (then and now). We don’t have a camp, but Ruth and I definitely try to make sure our kids understand what a treasure it is to be related to each other.
Having our cousin’s camp this weekend! It is our second year. We do it with extended family cousins and have adult cousins come and help out. We are sleeping in tents and hoping that this year is a blast!
This is the third morning that Sims has awakened asking me to take him to Pawpaw Kaffe’s house. Oh, and Jake is going to be quite the popular guy at this event. Sims can’t wait to see him either! 🙂
It’s going to be legendary.
I can’t wait for the moments I’m there for.