So today I thought it would be fun to do something special with the kids. Knowing that they are always all about making crafts I quick hopped on the computer to search for something to do. Side note: what would we seriously do without the internet?
I came across this blog, among MANY others, and found this fun and easy “recipe” for homemade puffy paint. We followed the directions on the blog (though I had to add a tiny bit more water than the recipe called for) and ended up doing 4 different colors of paint.
I decorate the kids birthday cakes by putting frosting in a ziplock bag to use for my piping. The kids were pretty excited when they found out they were going to be able to paint just like mommy does their cakes…
After they had finished painting one of their pictures I put the drawing in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds (also a little different than the blog suggested). When they came out of the microwave the kids were quite amazed to see that the paint had “puffed” up and was able to be touched without getting them messy.
Though the activity itself didn’t last too long (about a half hour of actual painting) they still seemed to have a great time. Here’s to the internet and a lazy Sunday afternoon!
I find it hard to believe that winter is right around the corner. Ok, so I might get in trouble for saying that but the reality is, it’s true. Which for us right now only means one thing (well, maybe not just one, but for this post we’ll say one!)
It’s canning time!
First up for us is always peaches. Last year I was able to get 50lbs at our local Walmart but this year I just ordered them from our local bulk food store. They were amazing. Softball sized and excellent flavor and texture. The kids were a big help again this year and enjoyed the process. It is good for them to learn how we prepare for the winter by canning!
Jack’s job was to peal the peaches after they had been blanched. He had a lot of fun with it. They slid right now nice and easily!
Once they were peeled Lauren cut them into nice sized slices.
All in all we ended up with 25 quarts of sliced peaches and a pan of fresh peach cobbler!
This year has been quite a rough garden year to say the least but we are still thankful for the crops that have done well. We have harvested some yellow waxed beans and have many more still to pick.
Our peas have done the best they ever have in years past too. We have been able to enjoy them fresh as well as froze a small amount to use for stir-fry this winter.
We do have some peppers coming and our tomatoes are just really behind but we will have a few I am sure. Thanks though to a friend we have a bushel of peppers coming tonight which will fill our freezer for fajitas!
Next week we will work on canning applesauce and then as the tomatoes come we’ll hopefully make pizza sauce, maybe spaghetti sauce and some salsa! We are grateful for how the Lord continues to provide.
As I sit here in my office, taking a second to update the much-neglected blog, I’m impressed with the speed at which life continues to move by.
This past week I’ve been without my regular assistant, so I’ve been out taking all of the photos and video clips. While it has meant that a number of items remain uncared for at the desk, it has also given me the opportunity to get out and interact with a number of the families. It has also forced me to look very closely, and analytically, at what goes on here at Camp Forest Springs. What I’ve seen has been a great encouragement.
Our summer started off in the regular fashion of Counselor Training Institute, followed by Youth Camps, and now Family Camps. Throughout the past weeks much ministry has been accomplished! It’s a joy to watch the staff come here for the first time. They are always a bit nervous, which manifests itself in either general goofiness, or in a more timid fashion, of reserved emotion. By the time they have gone through their training they have really gelled into a group that works well together and is ready for the summer activities.
Then there was Youth Camps… talk about a crazy time of year for the Media Department! There is a saying that goes something like the following: “A Photographer Works When Everyone Else Plays”. And, at a CFS Youth Camp, there is much playing! I was able to help create a follow-up, highlight DVD for each camper. This packet included a video that recapped the week, a challenge for the kids from the speaker, as well as recordings of the Bible sessions. Hopefully this will be a tool that helps keep them connected with Camp, as well as get them motivated to come back in the future.
From what we’ve heard, there were many significant decisions that were made by the campers. I don’t know the exact numbers, but someday we will see the fruits of our labors!
That pretty much brings us up to where we are at right now, in Family Camps.
This morning Lauren and I were able to lead a group of families out to Voyager’s Breakfast. Paddling across James Lake in the early morning mist, while listening to the family units chatter back and forth, I was impressed with the fact that Camp Forest Springs truly is a place where families can get away from regular life and enjoy being together, sharing experiences, making memories, learning, and laughing. Sometimes it’s easy for us to forget that things are happening in peoples lives. It’s easy to get distracted by our own issues and forget that there is much important ministry to do! People need Jesus! Our world needs Jesus!
Anyhow… I hope that this gives you a bit more info on what Jesse and April have been up to this summer.
PS - Here are a few videos that I thought you might like to see
