Diamond Dig:

I have to tell you a funny story.For several years, I have been promising my family that I would take them on a ‘diamond dig’.There’s this old diamond mine in Arkansas that had been turned into a park and now open to the public.They did a wonderful job at advertising all the big diamonds people were finding and you get to keep everything you find.So, this was the summer! We are going! I wanted that rock! I’m gonna find me a diamond!

My nieces flew in from Chicago and joined the other children and off we went.I felt they really needed a camping adventure, so I booked our accommodations in a “resort” that had Teepees.We were going to rough it at night and dig during the day.I was so excited that this trip was finally happening.

Our GPS led us to this farm area with no resort in sight.We soon realized they were calling this farm a resort.We could see the teepees.Still kinda excited, we got out of the car to go check in.The gate to access the porch and office was locked.We soon realized our phones could not get a signal. So we waited and kept trying to call “the resort” to let them know we were outside.Finally, the owner came outside and acted as if they didn’t know who we were or that we were coming.However, she proceeded in show us the property and where we would be staying.There before our eyes was the Grand Master Teepee I had reserved, except it wasn’t so grand and apparently had been patched over about 50 times.Still following the owner, she led us inside.We had to nearly crawl just to get inside.Once inside, to our amazement, lay four mattresses on the floor, a rigged light hanging from a TV antennae, and a window air unit on the floor, sticking out of the back of the teepee.Then lo and behold, we looked up and there were multiple, large sized, holes in the teepee.It had already began to sprinkle, so I asked, “what is the contingency for rain?”She answered, “just move the mattress over, only this one gets wet.”

Me and my sister began to laugh.I knew there was no way on earth, in heaven or below that I would sleep there tonight.The attendant continued to show us the rest of the property.She walked us over to a “mud hole” and said, you can swim and boat here.I’m sure it was snake infested.Oh, I almost forgot, the teepee was molded and smelled of mildew and reeked of cat and animal urine.I am sure their many cats and dogs had been sleeping on the mattresses every day. Then there was this outhouse looking structure where we would bathe and use the bathroom, and a hot tub that looked about 50 years old that we could soak in at night.I don’t know if the water had ever been changed. ROTFL (Rolling on the floor laughing) by now. I digress, let’s get back to the diamonds.That’s what we came for.Needless to say, we left that place and did not return.After checking into a decent hotel, we retired for the night.The kids would not get the experience of camping out this time.

A new day!We are so excited to finally get to the diamond mine.The place was a beautiful sight as we drove up.Finally, everything was beginning to look up.We paid for our digging equipment, bought our hats to shield the sun and was now allowed to enter the gates to the mine.Before our eyes lay rows and rows of dirt.It looked as if someone was getting the field ready for planting a garden.

People were spread out over the field, some sitting, others standing and digging, digging, digging for diamonds.We joined in.Not too long the kids were tired and ready to go.But no, we were going to find some diamonds.We spent 10 hours driving to this location.We were not leaving short of finding at least a 2 carat.Pretty soon, everything became hysterically funny and we had us a good laugh.Laughter is good medicine.We got our medicine doses in that day.

How could I have fallen for such a gimmick? I am smarter than that.I even convinced a physician to come along.This was such a bust, I mean Blast!They got us.I still laugh when I think about it.There is a song that I love whose lyrics say He’s making diamonds out of dust, He is refining, in His timing, He’s making diamonds out of us.Oh I get it, he’s making diamonds out of us, not diamonds for us. (LOL)

God does make beautiful things out of dust.Why he made us. Job 23:10 says, But He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as pure gold.