Reimerstock 2014

"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:13

 

Oh, the long awaited Reimerstock! 3 days of peace & climbing...and much, much, more. I have been looking forward to this gathering since the inaugural Reimerstock a year ago. And this year's version was even better than before...

 

After it was all said and done, I thought to myself, "Wow, I just got to enjoy all my favorite things with most of my favorite people." It doesn't get any better...

...but it did. It did on the way home. As we were driving home from Austin, I flashbacked to the quick prayer Jeremy and I prayed the first day of Reimerstock. We asked the Lord for a few things...but most of all, just that he would be honored and glorified through our entire Reimerstock festival. As this prayer crossed my mind, I began to look back on the weekend. I replayed all the things I saw, and was so thankful. And that thankfulness reminded me that this experience only gets better because I get a chance to tell Jesus about it.

What: Reimerstock 2014

When: May 24-26, 2014

Where: Reimer's Ranch, Camp Hardin, Barton Creek Greenbelt

Who: Reyes-Ortiz', Gilbert's, Hendrix's, Moore's, Lee's, Crownover's, Hardin's, Pasquel's

(Camp Hardin)

...So my prayer was to honor Him. I hoped to please him with our gathering. I hoped to offer a pleasing gift to Jesus with our serving of one another through family, friendship, fellowship, food, and fun. To take Ecclesiastes and turn the meaningless into the meaningful. To live out:

 

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

So this is what I am going to do (and bear with me), I am going to do my best to give back to Jesus what he gave to us. I sound like a looney huh? But my heart just wants to package this weekend's memories and offer it as a "THANK YOU...I LOVE YOU TOO!" offering to the Giver of Life! So if you want, please continue to read below...and make this prayer of mine, your prayer too. Usually, these posts are for us...and this one is too...but from this point on, I am speaking directly to my King! I hope you can join me in my thoughts and prayers. (Forgive the literature, sentence structure, etc...my prayers are not quite up to AP English standards)





  

Jesus, where do I begin. I guess for starters, I can't even begin to thank you. What you have done and continue to do is beyond words in this prayer. But if I can, I would love to offer you my weekend at Reimerstock as an offering. I know you have gifted all of us with a fun, wonderful weekend full of family, friends, food, and bunches of love...but I would love to return the gift by honoring you, the Gifter (is that a word?...you know what I mean) with a gift. I want you to know what I have seen. I want you to know that the things experienced this past weekend were good...like real good...and that I know all good things come from you. The sights, sounds, and taste of this past weekend are sweet sweet gestures from you. Thank you for giving us these moments. These memories are treasures to me and my people.

  
 
 
 

 
Then there are the kiddos...They were my favorite part of the weekend. Lord, these kids are awesome. They are full of energy...full of life. They brought so much joy to me this weekend. Lord, these kids make me laugh. They are so stinkin' funny. I love knowing my girls have wonderful cousins and friends that love them so much. Watching them interact is great...and I learn so much about you when I watch them be. They are honest, do not hide their emotions, and express what they need. Although they can be terds, they are our terds...and I am so grateful you have placed each one in my life.

Matter of fact, I learned a lot from B...man, Jesus, I know it's not right...but it would have been awesome to see B destroy that little boy pulling his hair in the pool. Just saying. That punk deserved it. Either way, I love seeing this kid's spirit. He is adventurous, fiery, strong, fearless...also curious and inquisitive...yet sweet, sensitive, and absolutely loving. I found myself wanting to be more like this little boy. It's humbling knowing this 3 year old is already a better man than I. But thank you for showing me truth through this kid.

 

And Lord, though the weekend didn't go quite as planned due to weather. I could have not asked for a better weekend. We got plenty of rain, which the area needs big time...but as you know, it's not conducive to rock climbing. But that's ok, because we still had time to play on rock...and find other things to do that were as much fun. Either way, it didn't matter...because we did it together. That's what this was all about anyways. So they say, when life gives you lemons...you make lemonade! right? Well, we made some sweet, sweet lemonade Lord. And as you know..it looked like this:

 
 
 
 

 Looks like good time huh? Lord, thank you! You did this. We got to spend quality time, more intentional time hanging out with friends and family. I can't remember the last time I got to hang out with so many people in one place and have good friends, good food, good drinks...with wives and kids! That's rare. Lord, you gave me everything in one weekend! How can I say thank you. All my favorite things with all my favorite people. My wife, my kids, my family, my best friends...

     
 
 
 
...You did this! Look at these faces Lord! Nothing but Joy. Nothing but love. What a feeling I have. And I only hope you feel the same way Jesus. I feel like I'm riding a spiritual high...I hope this is what you desire of us. To be with one another, in spirit...serving each other...pouring into one another...in fellowship...I hope this is a sweet fragrance to you. Lord I hope that we are to you the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15) I hope this weekend pleased you!

  

  
So Lord...I want to publicly profess your name! I want the world to know how good you are. I want the world to know you...I want what King David wants everyone to know:

"I will praise you, O Lord, with my FULL HEART; I will tell of all your wonders. i will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."  Psalm 9:1-2

Jesus, I give you Reimerstock. Please take it, I hope I have honored you. I love you.