Another year of Family Camp has come and gone!
We signed up many months ago and the anticipation had been building…we were so excited for camp!
My crew had been watching the weather closely the week before camp, and much to our dismay it was NOT looking good.
It did not deter us, but we did have to scramble to make sure everyone had warm things to wear that fit them!
The day we left for camp it was literally pouring rain and 48 degrees.
We were so thankful we had a house on wheels!
And that it had a good heater!
We arrived at camp at 3 p.m. last Tuesday.
Soon after the guys got us all set up we had visitors!
Our favorites came to camp this year too!!!
They were camping in a camper next to ours!
The grand babies called our camper “NaiNai’s house,” which made me smile very big.
They loved to come and play at NaiNai’s house!
We also brought dear friends with us to camp this year.
I am so thankful they joined us.
It made the week SO MUCH BETTER!
As usual, we took all of our own food.
Tuesday night I made a baked yam bar.
It was yummy and warmed our freezing cold bones!
After Chapel that evening, I brought the littles back to the camper for some hot cocoa and read aloud time before bed!
The older kiddos always stayed out later playing volleyball and spending time with their friends in the gym.
The mornings found a routine quickly!
I tiptoed over all of the sleeping bodies, got myself ready, and then had something warm to drink while spending some time in my Bible.
Bible time with a flashlight worked great!
I would get everyone moving and while they headed to the lodge to get ready I would make breakfast.
I always let the littles wake on their own and they would stay with me!
There was a lot of food that went through that tiny kitchen!
Speaking of food – this is one of my favorite photos!
One afternoon we made s’mores for snack – inside the camper – because RAIN.
This shows my son-in-law to a tee.
He is always serving others and always having a blast while doing so!
He is a KEEPER!
Family Camp is run by three families.
They organize Chapel time in the morning and evening, and also a mother/daughter and father/son time in the morning.
Chapel time is filled with singing, scripture memorization, teaching, skits, and music from different talented families who share their talent with us!
IT IS ALWAYS AMAZING.
It rained non-stop ALL week until Saturday at 2 p.m.
We had two breaks in the rain before Saturday, and we used those breaks to the fullest!
Camp watched the radar too and made sure the schedule got changed so we could be outside when the rain stopped!
Everyone from my crew wanted to ride the horses.
So we did!!
It was FANTASTIC!
These guys took a trail ride.
The littles got to have riding lessons!
How cute is THIS?!!
On Saturday they planned our annual game of Mighty Mighty Scoop Noodle Challenge for the afternoon after the rain stopped.
It is like a giant game of capture the flag!
The big kids played!
Grant even came and joined us at camp on Saturday!
We were SO happy he was there!!
While that game was going on, the little guys played on the playground and jumped on the trampoline.
Pay attention! To the photo of Eliza jumping! There is some blue sky peeking through there!
We spent a lot of time in that gym!
There was a game room too.
And bunnies to love on!
The littles participated in a coloring contest and Eliza got third place!
Her picture is the one by her shoulder.
I do not have photos of SO many things.
The constant games of volleyball, the people who shared in teachings and music, the guys when they went trap shooting, our friends…I wish I did!
We have attended Family Camp since 2011, making this our tenth year.
Three years of those ten we just visited for one day, but the other seven we stayed the entire week.
IT IS THAT GOOD!
Iron sharpening iron!!
Blake and I both had very vulnerable, deep conversations with dear friends – friends who challenge us and encourage us and stand by us in love and prayer.
We feel refreshed, energized, encouraged, challenged, and on a spiritual “high.”
But as the speaker said on the last morning, once we are home is when the “rubber meets the road.”
YES.
ALL that we heard and learned needs to be APPLIED.
Blake and I are purposing that very thing, and I see some kiddos doing the same thing too.
To every single person who made Family Camp 2020 possible, thank you and bless you!
You are helping us press on in this race!!
To not grow weary!
But to run OUR VERY BEST all for the glory of the Lord!!
We have already started our collection jar to save our money for next year!!
We can’t wait till next time, Lord willing!!!!
