san clemente beach

We spent a long weekend in beautiful California. We camped at San Clemente beach (just outside San Diego). The weather was chilly, but that didn't keep us from getting in the water-- or getting terribly sunburned! We invited a family in our ward that we didn't know very well. They've decided to homeschool this year and we thought our boys would have fun playing together. Little did we know that they would be the best camping partners EVER! They insisted on making a few meals and it would be safe to say those were the yummiest camping meals I've ever had... pizza by fire, steak that tasted like candy, and bacon, eggs, sausage & pancakes for breakfast. And they also just.so.happen to be champion Rook players. We had a couple of serious card playing evenings while the kids climbed trees and played in the "glitch" ditch. Oh, and have I forgot to mention that we were on the beach? We were and it was beautiful. We survived Simon crawling everywhere and eating his body weight in dirt/wood chips/rocks/sand. And both nights we had little stinky black and white creatures visiting our camp! Yes... there were skunks! Luckily they didn't spray us-- even after Steve hit one with a baked potato.

Sometimes I think good things happen because you plan them. Other times I believe good things happen because they were meant to happen.. specifically and divinely set aside to happen at that time and place in your life. This weekend was spiritually therapeutic for me. Maybe it was spending 4 solid days with my family, maybe it was being out in nature, maybe it was the deep, meaningful conversations we had over the fire with friends who were mere acquaintances just a few days ago. Whatever it was, I came home knowing that God loves me and He knows me personally. San Clemente, I will remember you for always.