One of the things we love is simply being with our friends. It’s a simple thing, yet oh so good. We love their kids, conversations had, food grilled, and simply sharing life together. We are thankful for friends who walk beside us and allow us the privilege to walk with them. Thanks Guys….
to an incredible group of people who have been pouring their energy, time, prayer, and love into kids for the past four weeks. Our counselors have committed themselves to this journey of personal growth as they seek yo love our campers well and point them to Christ. They have laughed with their campers, uttered countless crazy sheers on the patio, sought the Lord’s wisdom to lead meaningful devotions, cried tears over the hurts of their kids, and continued to grow through the process. This week is our biggest week filled with high school campers. Please pray for our counselors as they lead, encourage, process, and grow.
One of the summer highlights are the fresh berries from Nelson’s Berry Patch down the road. We love the pick-your-own goodness of it all! Yes, that means fresh strawberry pie on a summer evening….call it spoiled, call it blessed, we call it delicious!
It’s no secret folks…really, very easy. Just make or by a crust and bake it. After it has cooled, fill the shell so that it is heaping with succulent fresh berries. Boil 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch. Boil and stir until clear. Remover from heat and stir in 2 Tablespoons of strawberry jello powder. Cool slightly and pour over strawberries. Chill in for 2 hours. Happily consume the delectable sweetness (really, it is sweet) with a dolip of fresh whipped cream.
Some ask what the days are filled with at camp and sometimes I just can’t figure out how to formulate an answer….countless activities, sessions, mealtimes, camp-outs, devotions, music, cheers, ice-cream, archery, air rifles, rec-activities, wilderness trips, paintball, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, swimming, biking, handcrafts, mini-farm, slingshot, challenge course, high ropes, girls activities, guys activities, prayer meetings, planning, conversations, mini-golf, hiking, climbing wall, mountain boarding, staff worship, cabin clean-up, the list goes on….....exhausting at times, but we love it.
Thursday night of Youth Camps is filled with an all-camp game….Staff dig it and truly get into character and campers love completing each challenge and meeting the characters they encounter. Catch a glimpse…...
(yep that’s Larry…..)
One of my favorite times is when campers are all together with counselors meeting on the patio! (see below….)
A few days in PA with friends and family….I’ll just say that Larry is wonderful, and was able to get me a good flight and assured me it was okay to step away. Though it was impossible for him, he insisted that I hang out with dear friends, family, new babies, and those anticipating moves. At times I felt a bit guilty as many asked, “shouldn’t you be at camp?!” However, it was priceless to see friends in person, hold children, hear their hearts in countless joys and challenges in many capacities, laugh, and cry, and simply BE together. My trip was quick, yet so sweet. I am thankful. (A handful of pics as I didn’t take many….)
(blueberry picking eith my sister-in-law and nieces!)
Autumn lost her first tooth!
My dear girlfriends…these are truly AMAZING women!
We count it a huge privileged to be able to work with summer staff who provide leadership to many—-counselors and support staff. Below is a glimpse of their fine faces. Pray for them….for wisdom (not from themselves but from HIM), for patience & perseverance (amidst challenging circumstances and situations that arise), for rest (physically and for their souls), for love (that they would love others well as an outpouring of HIS love.
