Keith and Jacob, along with some of their good buddies, were campers at Big Sky this past week. They enjoyed lots of field games (few favorites - sharks & minnows, capture the flag, Pinky's Revenge, Dodge Ball City), the high ropes course, archery, martial arts (Keith's practicing with a girl - she slapped out real quick he said :), swimming, and tons more - even a Jello Toss! Jacob had told us before the week began that his goal was to win the plaque for the Bible drill finals. We were so proud that he made it to the finals. He didn't win the plaque, but did GREAT! Keith came away very pumped (you can see Keith "pumped" can't you) about keeping a prayer journal and about a Christian band, Newsboys, which his counselor played for them in the mornings as they got ready. "It's fun to be a camper, but it's also fun to be back with your family!" stated Keith as we loaded up to head home for laundry and such.
We're still living out at camp most days. This coming week will hold the special day of Simon's third birthday. Sure he'll be sung to for at least one meal that day in the dining hall, and we plan to have a party on Saturday for him. Kim headed down to Denver today for a visit of a week or so with her former foster family. She's super excited to be with them there, but a bit nervous about flying (her first time). She's been hanging out with them for a couple of weeks while they were visiting family in Kalispell. Kara's especially looking forward to her return.
The coming weeks have lots of appointments - eye dr, dentist, etc. - for all the kids before school starts. Pray that as we smoosh all these things in with more camp and final days of free time before school that we'd all feel "rested and ready" for the different busy of school and such!

We wear ourselves out with fun at Camp Promise :)! It is a beautiful, fun place! We were reminded, again, this year, of the beauty of God's creation in our surroundings and also in the lives of each camper and staff!

Our second week of Camp Promise has come to a close, and we had such fun with these friends! There is much fun to have, from free time to learning together in chapel.

Thursday started to get much cooler, but we still braved the elements to do the waterslide and more outdoor fun! Jeff continued during chapel to play the part of Jonah, this time in a shadow play, inside the big fish. Kim did a great job this week joining the L.I.T. crew (Leaders in Training) cleaning and serving in the kitchen and coming alongside counselors to help them with their campers.

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Wednesday, we had a beautiful sunny day to enjoy electives (like boating, archery, and the ropes course). We also enjoyed our annual cookout. Jeff's camper, Alan, needed a table, so Jeff's back worked well! As we studied the life of Jonah in chapel, we discussed how God, in His love, rescued Jonah by sending the fish to swallow him whole. He rescued us by sending Jesus to die to take the punishment for our sins so that we could be friends with God! We ended our chapel time with a DVD of Alan's testimony - of God changing his life after an accident when he was in the Coast Guard. Another camper, Jennifer, sang Amazing Grace for us! I am always touched by how God works in and through the lives of our campers to minister to us! WOW!

Today marks the end of our first week of Camp Promise. It has gone by fast in some ways and slow in others, but it was a week full of fun! We now have an official camp photographer to whom we are SO grateful! I'll try to post many of her pictures in the days to come!