There is something about a fresh box of crayons and a brand new notebook.  I have always loved school supply shopping.  This school year, I found myself in the school supply aisle once again.  I am teaching part time.  Many know that I have partnered with the school in multiple capacities previously.  It is a long story how I stumbled upon such a unique opportunity and such unique classes, but to cut to the conclusion after much prayer, I teach two classes of high school English and partner with an at-risk middle school study hall.  It is challenging.  It is good.  It is where I need to be for this season.

As I think of all that happened this summer so many pictures come to my mind….pictures of kids on the patio shouting cheers, counselors sitting in their weekly meetings sharing through tears of the hardships in their cabins, the wilderness groups pulling in on the big bus filled with kids whose lives have been challenged after a week on the river, parents and children of all ages playing together at family camp, the auditorium packed with people singing praises to our God—-all pictures, simply glimpses of what has happened this summer.  Attempting to share a glimpse with you and privileged to be a small part of it all….  -laura

Family Camp Paddle Boating

High Ropes….(my playground…)

(and the way down…..the giant swing….)

Family Pond Study Class

Sunset Run

Voyager’s Breakfast (Canoe out as a family and we make breakfast over the fire!)

Adventure Ministries….kayak trip with Molly!

The Gang!

Favorite Pic of the Summer…. Dana and Brad (As Brad said, “photo compliments of Jesse—scenery compliments of God.”

I remember this rainbow….It was after high ropes course training…..I was tired an overwhelmed and God painted a reminder of His faithfulness in the sky.

It’s true…..many know that I am just not an animal person.  I think it is great that they exist, and I really don’t mind sharing the planet with most of them.  However, we have no animals that we invite into our home—though some of you try to find a place in our heart for pets.  Because of this, I don’t often hang out at the camp mini-farm.  Someone was perplexed by the fact that we have a mini farm at camp curious as to what is there.  I must admit, though I don’t frequent it often, it’s pretty must the best mini-farm around.  So, to prove it to you, I have documented my visit to the mini-farm through pictures.  check it out….

Who doesn’t love bubbles???  Bubble mania is an activity that we do for little kids during Family Camp.  As you can see from the picture it is not just the little ones that enjoy playing with bubbles.  Especially when the bubble are HUGE!!!  Don’t worry I did give the kids a chance to play with the bubbles, I didn’t steal all the fun.  Bubble Mania is one of the favorites with our young kids and it is so much fun getting a chance to play with them and watch their excitement.  If we all had that much excitement about life…what would it be like?

It seriously is the most delicious turkey I have ever tasted.  Thursday nights at family camp is a furry of activity as we seek to facilitate a “special activity” for campers.  This year is a banquet night where we serve gourmet trash can turkey!  You see, you plaster the ground with tin foil, drive a steel (food service approved steak in the ground), put the turkey on it, cover with hickory chips, put the garbage can on top, surround with 20 pounds of charcoal, light, and whoala…then two and a half to three hours later, you have a golden smoked turkey!  I have had the privileged of being a part of the banquet process, but here is a glimpse of the turkey action.  Campers have loved it….and it has been so fun to serve them in a ‘er, well, unique way!   

(Special thanks to Alex, Matt, and Brian for the cooking.  And Jesse for the pics!)

I ran in high school.  I was faster and smaller then.  Now, 15 years after joining cross country as a high school student I found myself enjoying running again.  It has been refreshing to have a “me goal” this summer….something that I do not because I have to, not because I should, not because I need to prove something, but simply because I am a happier person when I run a few days a week, simply because it has been good for me to challenge myself and jog and talk with a friend, simply because it is a “me goal.”  It has been incredible to challenge myself in this way and see how God created legs to move and hearts to pump and muscles to stretch.  (Not to mention some ‘er pain in the knees!) So, in one month I will run my first half marathon.  (I read an article that said I should tell people because that ensures that there is no backing out.) So, there you have it…“run” might be a bit of a stretch at times, but none the less, these buns will be shuffling 13.1 miles and enjoying every minute of it!