Hidden Treasures (Reunion Part 2)

Posted by Anna

The next morning we woke up filled with excited anticipation for what the day would bring! It was on the schedule to tour the Blanchard Springs Caverns in the morning, then visit The Springs after a picnic lunch, and then go swimming!

~ The Caves ~

After a "long" waiting period, we were ready and excited to see and experience part of the miraculous wonders of God's marvelous creation…underground!

Team #1 left for the Discovery Trail a few minutes before Team #2 departed for the Dripstone Trail. Both of them were phenomenal, and we wish we had some pictures of the Discovery Trail, but since I was with Team #2 and I had the camera for our family, here are some magnificent shots from the Dripstone Trail.

" And I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden treasures of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by name, am … God…" 
(Isaiah 45:3)

"In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also." (Psalm 95:4) 

"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, Thou preservest man and beast." 
(Psalm 36:6) 

"O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep." (Psalm 92:5)

"But we speak of the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained…" 

(1 Corinthians 2:7)

"My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." 
(Psalm 139:15)

"Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all the deep places."

 (Psalm 135:6)

When we exited the cave, there was a bus ready to take us back to the lobby where we met up with the Team #1 again.

~ The Springs ~

~ The Swimming Hole ~

After spending some time at the springs, we all headed to the swimming area to finnish what we started at the springs :)

Here, Papa, Josiah, Joshua and Grandpapa had a blast jumping off the bluff into the water! Down below are a progression of pics that they thought were so fun!

Daniel LOVED the water…after he got used to it :) It put him to sleep after a while!

After swimming, we all headed back to our picnic spot to enjoy Aunt Rhoda's speciality Hotdogs and Hamburgers for dinner. While She was grilling them, Grandpapa did a wonderful job heading up a children's time acting out some of our favorite children's songs.

~ Down Memory Lane ~
After the dinner, everyone headed to a natural theater, snuggled in the corner beside a mountain for the wrap up and closing of the time we had been able to share together the last couple of days.

Most of the Grandchildren acted out a very well done Bible charade on the platform of the theater. Looking at the pictures, can you guess what it was?

After the Bible charade, we enjoyed a resounding sing time lead by Uncle James and Grandpapa

After the Ampa Theater, we all caravanned through some memory highlights of Mama and her family's growing up years, specifically camping at Blanchard Springs. With an Aunt or Uncle in every car, we divided up so we could hear stories triggered by familiar sights and sounds of past family times spent throughout the grounds. At one spot, the caravan halted and we all got out at a former favorite swimming hole to skip some rocks and be together one last time before heading back to the cabins.

We all had such a fun time that week and are so thankful the Lord allowed us to spend this time together as a family! It was hard to say 'bye' again, but we look forward to the next family gathering in the near future!

This was memory lane for Papa and Mama as well in the fact that this particular week, 22 years ago, Mama and her family had come to this very place one last time before she, being their oldest daughter and beloved sister, was launched to become one with a young sailor and begin a family of their own. It was in this place, also, that the same newly wedded couple enjoyed the first few days of life together on their Honeymoon.

What a special time for everyone all around! We Love You All!!!

"O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." 

Isaiah 25:1