On Tuesday, September 7th, we pulled out of Twin Oaks and headed to Family Camp in Lansing, Iowa.
We have been attending Family Camp since 2011, even though there were three years (2012, 2015, and 2018) that we did not attend the entire week but only visited for one evening.
We were SO excited about this year because EVERYONE was going with us, including Kayla’s crew!!
Blake rented us a camper, and it was the same one we have used the last two years.
Our little home on wheels for the week!
This will be the last year for this camper for us, as it had obvious wear and tear from lots of use.
Thankfully Blake was able to fix the stove, the oven and the heater before we left home!
The air conditioner, however, leaked the entire time we used it.
It was a nice shower right in the middle of our living space, ha, ha.
Next let’s talk about the weather.
We were watching the extended forecast very close the weeks before camp, as we do every year.
We do that for packing purposes – because at this time of year in our area you could need summer clothes or winter clothes depending on the weather.
We were also watching the forecast after our experience last year where it rained the ENTIRE time!
We were hopeful for better than that!
The extended forecast was looking better than that, but not the best, so the my trio and I began to pray about it.
God cares about details!!
I LOVE that I felt prompted to do this with my trio – because God answered YES and gave us the most beautiful week of beautiful weather!!
We were able to constantly praise Him for those answered prayers!!
Camp is a beautiful place!
Please notice the campers in this first photo – we are the one farthest to the left and Kayla’s crew is right next to us in that big beautiful RV.
Our week at camp was SO full, SO fabulous, SO encouraging, SO challenging – we always leave with our cups overflowing and already dreaming about next year!
The chapel sessions were powerful!
The worship and special music was incredible! (my favorite part!)
The families that run this camp for us speak truth into our ears and hearts the entire week and it is just SO GOOD.
I guess I don’t need to say how I felt about being next door to my grand loves all week??
I WANNA GO BACK!!
Addie shared all her photos with me too – so I have so many wonderful memories captured with our grand babies!
Snack time in “Nai Nai’s house” (I LOVE that they called our camper that!!) –
Don’t you love how Aspen is checking out Grant in this photo??!!
The afternoons at camp are always full – when the weather is nice like it was anyway!
We signed Tate and Eliza up for horse riding lessons – and they were THRILLED.
They went to class every day right after lunch.
These three took a trail ride one afternoon together!
There was also archery, trap shooting, clay targets, swimming at the lake, playing on the playground, and of course the famous game of Mighty Might Scoop Noodle challenge on the last afternoon!
In the evenings, right after dinner and before chapel, they offered things like hay rack rides and a ride on a firetruck – with the horns and sirens blaring!
After chapel each evening was one of my favorite times.
I would take Tate and Eliza back to the camper and we would have a special one-on-two time before they headed to bed.
They were up later than they are here at home, but not much, as we wanted to be sure they were getting enough rest to enjoy the week to the fullest!
I would make hot cocoa and we would play a game and have some read aloud time.
It was so sweet!
Not too long after Tate and Eliza were asleep, I would head to bed too.
I knew my limits!
Blake stayed out with the bigger kiddos, as most of the dads did, and enjoyed it very much too!
They take a photo of each family the first day at camp and post them on a board so we can try to get to know everyone.
I love a family photo, you know!!
Blake and I are beyond grateful that we had our entire family together for camp this year!!
Before we knew it, camp was over.
Did we ever have a hard time pulling ourselves away from there this year!
Thankfully we were able to stick around long enough to hug the necks of our sweetest friends who were coming to camp for week #2!!
We stood under a pavilion in the rain, everyone talking at once, and everyone talking really fast, ha, ha!!
SO grateful we got to see them all!!
OUR HEARTS WERE SO FULL as we drove away that Sunday afternoon!
I have pages upon pages of notes from the sessions.
We have already implemented several things that the Lord has laid on our hearts from listening to the speakers there.
I guess to sum up such a wonderful week…let me just say this.
Find your people.
The ones who spur you on.
The ones who point you in the right direction – right to Christ.
Be with those people.
Whenever you can.
And make sure to pray that you can be a light and huge blessing right back to them.
Pray for your people.
Daily.
And then tell them that you are.
Make sure your people STARTS with your family.
Be with them the most.
Pray for them the most.
And tell them too that you are.
To our sweet friends that make camp possible each year – THANK YOU.
Thank you and may the Lord bless you for your efforts!
We appreciate you more than words will ever say!
WE CAN’T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!
Oh my!! I just love this post so so much!! Made me start crying to read about how much your family loved camp this year. So beautiful. We just love having you guys attend!!
Missed you so so much!!!❤️❤️❤️
Chels, we missed you all SO MUCH!! Grateful you have such a little miracle as your reason for missing this year 😊💞 Bless you and John for all you do for camp. We love you guys!!! Kiss Maddy for me!! ❤️
Hi there!!! I found your blog last week and I have greatly enjoyed “ catching up”! : )
I really like your approach to a healthy lifestyle, can I ask what products you use for makeup and skincare? That’s where I always have a hard time finding something I like and that is effective. Your blog is encouraging and God- honoring. Very appreciated!
Awe, HI!! Thanks for your encouraging words. You are sweet. I use Beauty Counter and Young Living skin care and make-up products. They are very clean, although expensive, and I have had great results with them. Thanks for being here!!
Thank you for the information! Have a very blessed day : )
Hi again!
I truly have enjoyed reading your posts… may I ask what Bible you use? I just purchased the “Morning and Evening” devotional you recommended and it’s already a favorite!
Hi again! Most of us use the ESV Student Study Bible – it is the one I have and I like it a lot. We got them on Christian Book Distributors several years ago. Glad you like the devotional book! I still use it daily!!
Thank you again! : )
Happy Monday!
Would you happen to have a link or brand/ style number for your eyeglass frames? I need progressives 😬 and they look like they would work, my current frames are too small.
Blessings in Christ,
Sharon B.
The frames are KLIIK 633.
Thank you!😊
Sure thing!
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