Camp Hye Sierra occurs in T-minus 4 days and counting...

I never realized just how much STUFF is needed to put on a camp. There's the shirts, the staff gifts, the leftover food from the previous year, the supplies, the boxes of booklets and camp banners, the Gatorade, the signage, and the list goes on. It's truly incredible just how much supplies are needed, and this isn't everything!! I wish I could figure out how to put a picture on here, because my dining room is currently a giant pile of stuff.

One of the realizations that Shannon and I came to earlier this week is that there is simply not enough space in our vehicle to haul all of the stuff that has to go to camp. We've also come to the realization that this isn't going to be a "this year" thing, it is going to be an EVERY year thing. The amount of things that need to go to Hye Sierra will fill the entirety of our minivan with the rear seats down and then some. 

I thought that would work until Shannon reminded me that we have children.

So with these things firmly in mind - we realized that it was time to find something different than the minivan that we have had for a number of years now and seek out something that can sit all of the kids, AND provide space for boxes of stuff, AND could tow a trailer. So like any sane person who is directing a camp in another state in less than a week, we decided to buy a car.

If you ever have the opportunity to direct a youth camp - can I just suggest never trying to find a vehicle the week before camp?

I've never cared much for the car-buying experience in the first place. I'm not much of a window shopping kind of person. I do a lot of research and background from the comfort of my home, and by the time I decide to go check out a vehicle, I have basically nailed down what it is that we are going to get. I've also typically located the locations where those vehicles can be purchased and all that is left to do is go check them out to make sure they're sound. Unfortunately, this time around - there were next to no private vehicles for sale, they were all on lots. Which means dealing with car salesman. 

Some car salesman are solid and super helpful, others, you explain what you're looking for and they take you to the cars that don't come close to matching what you're actually after. They require major concessions, or a complete change of what you're looking for in the first place. 

We had a few cars that we went to check out that looked great on the online ads, but when you looked at them closer had some major problems, or a lot of minor problems, but you're already on the lot, and on the hook. The inevitable question comes - "What are you looking for?"

"We're looking for a midsize SUV with towing capabilities, gets 18-20 mpg combined or better, can seat 7, and is within our price range."

"Have you considered the Equinox?" (Seats 5...)

"The Lexus ABCD is incredible..." ($71,000 dollars...)

"What about a minivan?" (Have one of those already...)

Sometimes it feels like they're just trying to sell you what is on their lot since they don't have any more of what you're looking for. Of course, that is probably because they don't have what you're looking for, and are just trying to sell you what is on their lot.  

In other words - they know what you want. They know what you're focused on getting, and they know what you desire, and they're going to try to talk you out of it. They're going to offer you something else. Something you don't want, and try to convince you that is what you wanted in the first place.

Sound familiar?

It is the same basic principle behind how Satan operates with us as followers of Jesus Christ. We know what we desire , we know the goal we want. We want to be a part of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33) We are seeking it - we're looking specifically for the things that lead to that - the things that are above. (Colossians 3:2) Yet Satan, the god of this age is doing all that he can to prevent us from obtaining it. (1st Peter 5:8) At every turn, he offers us something else. Something we really don't want, but he manages to convince us that it is actually what we want.

Imagine that. Satan floats these things out in front of us - and manages to talk us into something we don't even WANT if we're not continually on our toes and remaining vigilant. We must remain vigilant, and watch (Matthew 25:13) preparing ourselves spiritually. 

The Sabbath provides an incredible opportunity for this - to allow the stress of the week to dissipate, and relax and focus on God. May you have a wonderful Sabbath rest!