The Paine Family » Family News

Back to……CAMPING 101 !!!

Nate — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:07:18 +0000

Do you remember those good old days of going out with your family or friends camping…? Cold mornings where you could make a fire and get warmed by it and warmer evenings where you could go fishing or wading in the river…..? Well, our family just came back from one of those memory making adventures!

Since we sold our RV, we needed an alternative that would house our family while camping….so we found a tent that slept 9 since we already had our 4 man tent. Getting this tent entailed checking prices of several different other tents + going to several different places to do so. Such places as the all amazing outdoorsman Bass Pro Shop or the nationally known Cabela’s sporting store, etc.! All in all, we came to an agreement on our families living quarters….thus, a Coleman 9 person tent!

After getting all the necessities of tent camping life for a family of 10 (Thomas and Chad were not with us)…we headed off for the Kankakee River State Park in southern IL. Upon arriving, we had amazing weather that evening, temperatures dropping down into the 40’s. And we all know that makes for perfect camping weather. With only a little bit of rain the last night we were there, the Lord provided beautiful weather for us to enjoy .

In the Kankakee State Park there is a river which allows for perfect fishing, wadding and canoeing. We took all of these opportunities. Amazingly, there were barely any misquotes due to the cooler weather and stronger winds…this was a great relief! We enjoyed cooking over our camp fire (especially smores and pudgy pies) and relaxing in the wonderful atmosphere God provided.

We just thank the Lord for allowing our family this privilege to rest and rejuvenate from our responsibilities. It was a time to draw closer as a family and most importantly to grow in our relationship with our Savior. As I rethink our time spent there, I am reminded of a passage that the Lord used to speak to me while seeking Him there…

“ But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:3-8

ITC Conference

Chad — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:43:22 +0000

This past our family was reunited in Indianapolis. For the past couple of months we have been all over the place it seems. When the opportunity came up to serve during the Indianapolis Regional conference, we jumped at it. It was definitely a busy week but we enjoyed it. We were able to see many familiar faces, meet up with acquaintances, and work alongside good friends.

All in all, the week was a success.

The Promised Pictures!

Nate — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:11:02 +0000

Here they are!!! Tabitha and Thomas got back safely and now I have the ability to post some of the pictures Thomas shot while he was there. I hope you are encouraged by them! God was able to use them there and they were blessed greatly through the experience! (Ps. These are just a few of them and it was kind of hard to pick them)

A Mission Field…In Peru!

Nate — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:05:48 +0000

Jesus said “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Thomas and Tabitha have the opportunity to do just that! They headed out on July 11, 2010 with a group from the Institute in Basic Life Principles to advance the opportunity the Institute has to help evangelize and to teach character in Peru. They are currently meeting with the head officials of Peru, including the vice president to give the government ideas on how they might be able to strengthen their country as a whole in character. Please keep them in your prayers as they come to mind and pray that doors would be opened that were never thought possible by man. They will be returning, Lord willing, this coming Sunday and we are all looking forward to seeing them and hearing of how the Lord worked mightily! (PS.. pictures of their trip will be posted when they come back!)

The 5th of July Celebrations and Fellowship

Nate — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:20:49 +0000

Fireworks, watermelon, fellowship and much more only to reach the climax of the 5th! It was that day that the IBLP staff and our family celebrated the Independence of our nation! We enjoyed volleyball, capture the flag, a treasure hunt coinciding with past history facts, the all amazing water balloon toss and more! Mom, Hannah, Tabitha and Brielle all participated in entering their pies into a contest which were to be judged at the end of the day. Wow…what a full day! But even amidst the hustle and bustle of that day, there was a very important reason behind celebrating. No, not because of food, nor games and not even friends…but something even more special than these; we celebrated because of the freedom God has given to our nation due to our compliance in the past, of biblical principles. God has truly blessed our nation because in the very birth of it we honored and glorified Him desiring to keep the founding laws of His Word. It is such a blessing that even now, though our nation is fast declining morally and we have refused God, that we as Christians can eternally have freedom in our personal relationship with the Lord! Jesus said “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 We can always rest assured when we are walking in the Spirit that we will continually have inward freedom that can only bring true joy and peace to our soul. God bless you all as you continue to rejoice in God’s blessings upon our nation…God bless America!