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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

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Let Me Tell You About Family Camp: Crazy, Wonderful, Fun & Incredibly LOUD

by Susan Alexander Yates

We have 5 kids, all married, and 21 grandchildren. Because we live in different states it’s hard for cousins to know one another so years ago we began hosting a “Cousin Camp” each summer. We began with 5 grands from 3 different families and the last few years all 21 grands attended. (No parents allowed!!) … Read More about Let Me Tell You About Family Camp: Crazy, Wonderful, Fun & Incredibly LOUD

How to Support Your Husband (Whether He’s a Pastor or Not!)

by Susan Alexander Yates

I’m excited to share an interview with you that I did a while back with The Gospel Coalition’s Front Row Seat series. These videos are especially for pastors’ wives, and are hosted by Kristen Wetherell and Kari Olson — both pastors’ wives themselves, so they understand the needs of their audience. But I know you’ll … Read More about How to Support Your Husband (Whether He’s a Pastor or Not!)

My 7th Big Hike (and 4 Metaphors for Your Spiritual Life)

by Susan Alexander Yates

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.”  (Psalm 65:8) AWE at your wonders! This was the refrain that ran in my head as I anticipated my 7th big hike with my friend Melody. We choose the Suiattle River Trail (named … Read More about My 7th Big Hike (and 4 Metaphors for Your Spiritual Life)

A few good reads…and a summer break.

by Susan Alexander Yates

I hope your summer is off to a good start! To make space for summer activities (including another hike out West), I’ll be taking the month of July off from blogging. Rest can be counter-cultural in a world that encourages us to never stop striving. I hope you’re able to get some “down time” this … Read More about A few good reads…and a summer break.

We Need the Comfort of Being Fully Known. Where Do We Find It?

by Susan Alexander Yates

This week I’m blogging over at Club31Women about being fully known by God. Here’s an excerpt: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5) The impacts of COVID linger.  Some are realized, others carefully hidden. Counselors are overwhelmed and in short supply. Having a mental health issue has … Read More about We Need the Comfort of Being Fully Known. Where Do We Find It?

How Grandparents Can Make a Positive Difference in a Child’s Life

by Susan Alexander Yates

Many of us are grandparents now or will be in the future. It’s exciting and scary. We so badly want to be good grandparents. But what does that look like? Where do we begin? We begin with supporting their parents, our kids. As grandparents our job is not primarily to train our grands. That’s the … Read More about How Grandparents Can Make a Positive Difference in a Child’s Life

10 Questions to Ask Yourself When You Need to Make a Hard Decision

by Susan Alexander Yates

Recently my husband John and I have been with many people who are in the midst of having to make a tough decision. Old, young, married, single — most of us struggle with decision-making, especially when the best decision isn’t that clear. Our decision might involve a college choice, whether to move forward in a … Read More about 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When You Need to Make a Hard Decision

Celebrate! Your Recipe for a One-Day Summer Gratitude Extravaganza

by Susan Alexander Yates

Do you have days when you feel down in the dumps? Discouraged for no reason or devastated by bad news? Joyless? Perhaps you feel stale in your walk with Christ. Staleness which gets turned into false guilt and condemnation because you know “you should…” You are not alone. I’ve felt this way, too. It’s a … Read More about Celebrate! Your Recipe for a One-Day Summer Gratitude Extravaganza

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Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • Let Me Tell You About Family Camp: Crazy, Wonderful, Fun & Incredibly LOUD
  • How to Support Your Husband (Whether He’s a Pastor or Not!)
  • My 7th Big Hike (and 4 Metaphors for Your Spiritual Life)
  • A few good reads…and a summer break.
  • We Need the Comfort of Being Fully Known. Where Do We Find It?

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Barbara & Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion & Your Next Great Adventure

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More of our Family Camp fun from Labor Day weekend More of our Family Camp fun from Labor Day weekend. Such a joy! ⁣
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Be sure to check out the blog for more details and pics. (Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)⁣
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* Poppy (John) is always happy to get help with the horses and the kids love them.⁣
* There's always a competition of some kind going on! Volleyball, a hula hoop contest, a ping-pong tournament. ⁣
* The "ice cream gutter" is a cherished annual tradition!⁣
* Lots of hanging out, and even some quiet moments, but not a lot of sleep. ⁣
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If you want to host a camp or family event of your own, check out my book Cousin Camp for all kinds of ideas. (Link in bio.)⁣
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#christianmom #christianfamily #grandparent #cousincamp #familycamp
One Word: Mystery One Verse: “To them God ch One Word: 
Mystery 
 
One Verse:
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
 
One Thought:
You are a God of mystery. It’s a glorious mystery. I can’t explain you even though sometimes I want to. Your mystery is part of what makes you so much greater than man. Thank you that you, with all of your glorious mystery, have chosen to dwell in me.
John and I are in Colorado for a week’s vacation John and I are in Colorado for a week’s vacation, still celebrating 54 years of marriage! We had a fun dinner, sharing about folks who have been role models-mentors for us in ministry and family life over these years. It sparked a fun discussion and thankful memories!
We're so grateful we got to host another Family Ca We're so grateful we got to host another Family Camp over Labor Day weekend!⁣
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Here's a peek behind the scenes. I'm sharing all the details (and more pics!) over on the blog, check it out. (Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)⁣
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1 - We had 33 of us this year!⁣
2 - So much prep and shopping. But I never clean before they come because I learned that's futile. 😜⁣
3 - Lots of cousin bonding.⁣
4 - My daughter-in-law @christenbyates, who's a professional artist, set up an art station this year and the kids loved it.⁣
5 - Cousins with their camp journals. (I keep the journals at my house and they get to write in them every year.)⁣
6 - John led a short teaching time every day, this year on Psalm 139.⁣
7 - Meals are crazy when you're cooking for 33 people!⁣
8 - There are shoes everywhere. 😂 ⁣
9 - The kids actually did dinner cleanup this year, without any prompting! ⁣
10 - A few of our guys.💙⁣
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#christianfamily #cousincamp #familycamp #christianmom #grandparent
One Word: Shows One Verse: “But God shows hi One Word:  Shows
 
One Verse:

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
 
One Thought:

If you, God Almighty, would send your son to die for me in my own wickedness, then how much more will you show me how to make the decision I need to make.
Cousin love at Family Camp! These are 2 of our you Cousin love at Family Camp! These are 2 of our youngest grands. (We have 21!)

Catch the blog later this week for details and more pics.
This photo of me and John is from our trip to Isra This photo of me and John is from our trip to Israel last fall. When we first got married, I didn't know what being a pastor's wife would entail. Now after more than 50 years of marriage I understand a little better (although I can always learn more!).⁣
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I'm sharing an interview over on my blog with @thegospelcoalition's Front Row Seat series on Supporting Our Husbands.⁣
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We discussed how pastors’ wives can support and encourage their husbands in ministry, marriage, and life. But so much of this applies to any marriage, whether your husband is a pastor or not.⁣
⁣
Check it out -- link in bio, or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog⁣
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You might want to share it with your pastor's wife -- it will encourage her!⁣
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@kristen_wetherell  @kario312⁣
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#christianwife  #pastorswife  #christianmarriage
One Word: Founder One Verse: “...let us run One Word:  Founder
 
One Verse:

“...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12: 1-2
 
One Thought:

You are the author of my faith. You began it, Father. It is yours. I ask you to be perfecting it. Thank you that even this isn't up to me. My part is to fix my eyes on you and let you do your work within me.
This is how we feel right now -- we finished our A This is how we feel right now -- we finished our Annual Family Camp yesterday!

4 days with 33 kids and grands; 19 teens sleeping on floors and outside, 44 bags of trash, 15 gallons of ice cream, 67 dirty towels, 135 ping pong games, 90 individual miles hiking on the AT, gleaning from Psalm 139, 532 tickles and hugs, and 2 exhausted grandparents--who are deliriously grateful!

More pics coming soon.

* numbers are estimates 😆

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

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