Discover the storybook cottages, historic Camp Meeting traditions, and timeless charm of Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania.
Remember When Churches Had Hymn Sings and Ice Cream Socials?
How a summer evening with my Mamaw in Shelby, North Carolina became one of the sweetest memories of my childhood. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to old-fashioned church ice cream socials with my Mamaw Hamrick in North Carolina. On warm summer evenings, we’d gather under the shade of big trees after church….
County Fair Survival Guide for Grandparents Taking the Grandkids
There’s something magical about a county fair. The smell of funnel cakes drifting through the air, the bright lights of the midway, the sounds of laughter and carnival music—it’s the perfect setting for making memories with the grandchildren. My favorite activities are always the ferris wheel and the animal barns! Oh and let’s not forget…
What We Always Pack for Our Family Lake House
When the house already has everything you need, these are the personal comforts we never leave behind. **This Article Needed a Second Look** Sometimes, after an article has been published for a while, I go back and read it with fresh eyes. That’s exactly what happened with this one. Originally, I called it a list…
Why Should I Be Involved in Church?
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Dad’s Lesson Date: July 18, 1999 (If you have not read the explanation behind the devotional series, “The Stories You Gave Me”, click here for the back story.) Roger Hamrick (my dad) had a gift for taking everyday objects and turning them into life lessons. A baseball glove. A hammer. A…
The Lake House Isn’t What It Used to Be — And Neither Am I
Yesterday, as we swept floors, packed coolers, and loaded the last bags into the car, I found myself fighting back tears. The lake house was exactly the same. The dock was still there. The water still sparkled in the afternoon sun. The familiar creak of the screen door still welcomed us as it has for…
Recreating the “Pontoon” Lifestyle: How to Capture That Easy Summer Feeling on Your Own Boat
There are some songs that instantly transport us to another place. You hear the first few notes and suddenly you’re no longer sitting at your desk, folding laundry, or running errands. Instead, you’re floating peacefully on a lake, soaking up sunshine, laughing with family and friends, and forgetting for a little while about the stress…
What Is Yacht Music? Why This Boomer Can’t Hear “Sailing” Without Going Back to 1982
Whenever I hear Christopher Cross singing “Sailing,” I’m instantly transported back to Virginia Beach in 1982. As someone who came of age in the early 1980s, yacht music wasn’t just a genre—it was the soundtrack of my youth. Back then, we didn’t call it yacht rock or yacht music. These songs were simply everywhere. Every…
Top 10 Things You Need for the Perfect Dinner Cruise on Your Pontoon Boat
Free Checklist at the End! This past weekend, my sister-in-law and I celebrated our 62nd birthdays together in one of my favorite ways—on a pontoon boat, cruising across the lake while enjoying a beautiful birthday dinner. I’ve always believed that ordinary places can become extraordinary with a little creativity and intention. Over the years, I’ve…
Preparing the Way
May 21, 2000 | 1 Chronicles 21-22 Several years ago, my dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas. My answer surprised him. I didn’t ask for jewelry, a gift card, or something wrapped in festive paper. Instead, I asked for something that had been quietly accumulating over decades—his Sunday School lessons. For years, Dad…