The Week of Peace
As your peace rules in our hearts, we give thanks to you, Lord, and rejoice in the birth of the Prince of Peace. Amen
Weekly Advent Prayers by Betty Claire Jackson
By Shirley Cowden
Isaiah 43:1-3
One summer during my high school years I had the opportunity to canoe in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota with members of the Misty Moon Horizon Club, my Camp Fire group. Floyd and Frances Langford had nurtured us through our elementary and middle school years with much laughter and tolerance and guided us on this memorable trip.
Our group had spent summer periods at Camp Tesuya, camped with and without tents in varied locations and learned outdoor skills from this beloved couple. Despite our unruly behavior on many occasions they continued to ”want us” and accepted this volunteer position throughout our Camp Fire years.
We prepared for this journey for many months with community projects and lots of parental support. Our parents remarked later how worried they were to bid us farewell when we drove away in the rundown Rambler of the Langford’s. Our destination was Ely, Minnesota.
Each day’s routine after breakfast, breaking camp and loading was to start our paddling in this area of pristine waters. We could drink directly from the lakes because of the waters purity. It was beautiful.
The weather changed quickly one day when we were far from shore and far apart from one another’s canoes. High winds and a stormy sky changed our dispositions to fear and panic. “Girls, paddle over here by us, and we will get all the canoes together.”
We did as she said with difficulty but trying not to show her, or one another, how scared we were. Then in a calm stern voice, she asked ”Remember the chocolate bars you packed in your emergency kits? Let’s eat them while the rain passes.”
We ate while we shivered in wet clothes and soaked orange life jackets until the rain stopped. I felt safe. I felt secure because she was there with us.