Written by Arlene Stamper, from the Village Church.
As a teenager living in Garden Grove California, I had a close friend Terry. We were on our high school Rancheros Drill Team together, wearing “cowgirl” outfits that had leather fringed vests, cowboy boots and hats. We would practice our routines at her house after school and many times her mother would invite me to stay for dinner with their family. Terry had two siblings so it was a large family dinner, well, at least it was large for me as I had no siblings my age. Also, I was missing family meals and family at my own home as my mother had died in my freshman year of high school.
Terry’s grandma owned a cabin in Big Bear mountains and they invited me to spend weekends up there. I had never been there. It was springtime and as we spent time outdoors, I loved the tall pine trees and the woodland smell, the sun filtering through the trees and the blue jays chattering. I was so comforted by Gods beauty and majesty. And also loved by the surrogate family that God had provided to comfort me. Years later, those trips to the mountains were so impactful that I chose Big Bear Community Church as the place to be married at. Jerry and I will celebrate our 57th anniversary this March!
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. [Psalm 26:3)
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