Making Time For Vacation: The Importance Of Rest AND Our Weekly Blog Party!

Hebrews 4:11a "So let us do our best to enter that rest...."

How do we obtain balance? What exactly does it mean to be 'balanced'?

Balance can be defined as "a state in which different things occur in equal 

or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance."

 I believe it is vital in this work-crazed society of ours to at least AIM

 for this state of 'equilibrium' in our lives...

Although it may always be in a state of 'flux', I feel it's always worth it to keep trying!

I've often had to learn the hard way:

too much work & you end up burned out & disillusioned with life.

Too little work leads to frustration & boredom.

Neither extreme being productive or well balanced.

Finding the RIGHT balance seems to be an elusive goal that 

we work on for the duration of our lives...however we must never give up!

_______

For the past six years, my family & I have made a four hour trek

up north to a small township called Bancroft.

It's absolutely gorgeous up there, but we actually don't come up for 

the landscape.

We make the journey so that we can join with friends & strangers 

to participate in what is called, 'family camp'.

All sorts of activities, meals & inspirational time are spent together

as part of a spiritual retreat & get away. It is inclusive to both adults AND the kids!

It has become the week that all of our children look forward to every single year...

__________

Here are a just a few of the highlights from 2015:

Campfire Time

Rock Jumping: Getting Ready 

 One Of My Sons Making The 35 Foot Jump!

An Attempt At A Family Shot

The Main Beach Front

The Dining Room Hall: Serving Hannah Birthday Cake

The Main Playground: Saying Farewell To Friends

I feel like we, as a society, are much too overworked.

As such, we don't always see the benefit or importance of a time of rest.

If asked how one is doing, how many of us respond with 'busy', or 'stressed'...

If we're not doing actual paid work, we tend to be'working' on 

this project or that. Trying to achieve this goal or that one.

We often don't even know HOW to slow down...

But I would argue that scheduling vacation time is a necessity.

____________________

Being away for a week of camp was both refreshing & rejuvenating for me.

Right down to my very core.

I was able to have some time by myself (thanks to my hubby) &

even time to write (journal).

A highlight for me was getting to do one of my absolute fav activities: swimming!

I swam across the lake three times over the course of the week.

(note: only one way!)

I went on some lovely walks.

Had the privilege of hearing an amazing band lead us with inspirational music.

Heard motivating & thought-provoking messages from a local speaker.

And met some new friends.

Loved everyday of it!

My one son summed it up this way,

"Mom, we've already been gone too long. I wish we could go back &

live there all year long!!!"

Although that wouldn't be practical, it demonstrates even

a child's need for a break from the mundane & often monotonous daily grind 

that we all find ourselves in.

___________________________

So to sum up this post??

If you haven't taken a vacation, ensure that you schedule some down time

for yourself & your family. You won't regret it!

(Camp Joy, for more info on all their retreats/programs

www.joycamp.ca)

The Mom 2 Mom Encouragement Link Up Party

Welcome to another week our Mom 2 Mom Link Up!!!

The Mom 2 Mom Monday Link-Up is built on the foundation of 1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)"

This is a place you can come to offer encouragement to other moms as well as be encouraged. 

Your Hosts:

Sarah from My Joy-Filled Life {Facebook}    {Pinterest}    {Twitter}    {Google+}    {Instagram}    {Bloglovin'}

Jenn from The Purposeful Mom {Facebook}    {Pinterest}    {Google+}    {Bloglovin'}

Tauna from Proverbial Homemaker {Facebook}    {Pinterest}    {Twitter}    {Google+}    {Bloglovin'}

Rachael from Diamonds in the Rough  {Pinterest}    {Twitter}    {Google+}    {Instagram}    {Bloglovin'}

You are welcome to link up AS MANY of your own posts that would offer encouragement, tips, wisdom, or advice to other moms.

Some suggested post topics are:

Homemaking, Motherhood, Meal Planning, Recipes, Christian Faith, Encouraging Words, Homeschooling/Education, Financial Stewardship, Health & Wellness, Hospitality, Marriage, Discipline, Ministry, Pregnancy & Childbirth, Time Management, Organization, Crafts & Activities for Kids.......

Each week we will be featuring the most clicked on post and each of our 3 favorites from the previous week.  We will also be sharing the featured posts on our social media outlets.




MOST POPULAR POST

& please be sure to check over at Proverbial Homemaker, The Purposeful Mom, and My Joy Filled Life to see if you were featured there!

Don't want to miss a Mom 2 Mom Monday Link-Up?  

Sign up below to get an email reminder every Monday morning when the link-up is live (don't worry, we won't send you any other kinds of emails - this sign up is exclusively for the Mom 2 Mom Monday Link-Up).

Subscribe for Mom 2 Mom Link-Up Reminders

Subscribe for Mom 2 Mom Link-Up Reminders 

***A few things you should know before linking up:

Please link up to a specific post on your blog, not your blog's main page.

By linking up your post(s), you are giving the hosts of Mom 2 Mom Monday Link-Up permission to use your graphics in the featured posts and on social media outlets.

PLEASE NOTE: Visit other bloggers - visit at least 3 other links at the party.

A link back is not required, but appreciated.  Go ahead and grab a button too, especially if you were featured.

The hosts would be blessed if you followed them.

They would also be blessed if you would spread the word about the Mom 2 Mom Monday Link-Up.

Please only link up posts from your own blog and not 

posts for others

And now for the link-up! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up