Church camp is the thing my kids look forward to during the summer!  So we packed up Clara's bags the middle of June and off we went.  Since she's a big girl this year she got to stay five days...and let me tell you something.  That was a looooong five days for her mother.  Clara, on the otherhand, had a blast. 

She caught up with Mr. Hawkins' granddaughter and they got along swimmingly! She said they learned about the disciples and Jesus and memory verses. They did a slip and slide with soap - very bubbly. Campfires....campfire songs....campfire mosquitoes. 
And of course, SWIMMING!!!!

Timothy was able to go this year too.  Since he's not a big boy yet (HA) he only got to go to an overnighter.  He and his cousin were pumped (poor counselors.... I'm not sure they knew what hit them). Since this was just a taste of camp for them they only learned a new song or two, swam and did a bible story. Boy did they enjoy it though.


It's hard to believe they are growing up so quickly.  I'm thankful there is a place where my kids can go every summer to learn more about Jesus and spend time with those who are like minded!!!

VBS!!!!

The first week of June is always vacation bible school at my church.  It's a time where the church is overrun with dozens of three year olds to sixth graders.  They play.  They learn about Jesus.  They sing songs.  They do crafts.  And they eat tons of cookies.  I think at our largest day we had nearly fifty kiddos running around.  It's a fun time.
 

Another thing the kids all love is our missions time.  This year we supported a fella who had spent the last six years translating the entire bible into the Lisu (not sure I spelled that right) language so that the people in the village where he works could read it in their own language.  The kids love helping others and one of the things we have that is a big hit is PENNY DAY on Friday.  The kids save their pennies all year just to bring them in on the last day of vbs. 

Pennies came in red piggy banks

In orange juice bottles

In sacks, ziploc bags, in pockets and in precious little hands.

When our minister Wallace Wartick took those pennies to the bank to be counted he carried in a gallon can of them and set them on the counter.  He told the cashier he had pennies to be counted.  She smiled and told him no problem.  He then told her to wait a second he had more, but couldn't carry them all at the same time.  He then proceeded to bring in four more gallon containers.  That's right folks.  Those kids brought FIVE GALLONS of PENNIES in on Friday.  Our God is truly an awesome God!!!