The following is something I wrote some nearly ten years ago.

When I was young I was on a camping trip and we had gone a very long way into the wilderness. And as we approached the lake I could see their was still ice in the distance. I thought, the last place I want to be is in that water. On the other hand, I had sweated myself up to the place where not being clean was high on my agenda. So, as we circled everything up and got things prepared for dinner, I decided I was going to take a swim. I went over to a little bank, perhaps 4-5 above the water and looked in and decided a shallow dive and a quick swim over to the small “beach.” Now, I will tell you, my brothers and I played hockey on a few marginally frozen ponds and going through the ice had not been “that bad.” Probably because I had neglected to remember that it had probably not included total immersion. In I went. As soon as I hit that water with the tips of my fingers, I knew that life was going to be exciting. As I plunged in I felt what could only be described as heart stopping. My swim was as short as I could make it. And let me tell you it was a rush. I was giddy, trying to think through. I got out of the water and more cold took over. Now, that was cold weather camping or winter camping. Continue reading Rejoice For God Is Here! →