Family Camp 2012

Hello sweet ladies,

Base Camp

I have been gone all weekend starting Fri, and ending on Sunday........our whole family went to Extreme Kansas Camp. The same place my sweet man, myself and girls worked 2 different summers. It is owned by our precious friends Shawn and Cheryl. They have 9 children and are one of the sweetest and committed families. They are dedicated to encourage families to be all the Lord wants them to be. It was a precious time. When you walk into camp it feels like family is going to be happening......my heart was ready to hear all the Lord had to teach us! Two of our three son's went, plus their families, my sweet man, myself and our girls also. Lots of other families came and we all spent time in the morning and evenings searching God's Word and as our Tay said, "being in Nature". You had to hear her say it. She made us  laugh all weekend....we are were saying the same. It was such a beautiful time and seeing God's finger prints all over His creation was frosting on top of the cake. 

The camp is nestled at Milford Lake.......it is a huge manmade lake. Beautiful! The weather was wonderful, but very windy. For boating that wasn't the most fun.........our family had two 5 ft. waves in front of us.......I was talking big time to Jesus for protection. There was other things to do to keep us busy. We slept in tents........ours had a little air conditioner........YEAH for me! We had Josh's family in with us......we had John Boy memories. Two of the family members drank a mountain dew before going to sleep.....total silliness......fun though! 

Shawn would have all the children that wanted to come down on the matt to give them instruction before we started. He always gives the best story examples.......the parents enjoyed also!

Turned to Duet 5 and 6........in my Bible..........5 years ago when we were at the first Family Camp.......we talked about the same verses.  I write and underline in my Bible for future generations. I write my prayers using God's Word. Along the top and side I had written every one of our children .....and grandchildren's names and this prayer. "I pray this for my sons and daughters as they teach their children......that was 5 years ago. I got to add our Vitaliy to this prayer. The most precious part of this was the theme at camp was "Your Family Heritage".......Deuteronomy 5 -6 :1-9. As a Grammie, my heart was so full the whole time we were there.  In a nut shell Duet. 5 talks about the commandments of the Lord and Deut. 6 gives families instruction. We read the commandments and then zeroed in on chapter 6.

Love the Lord

6 These are the commands, laws, and rules the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. Obey them after you enter the land and take possession of it. ² As long as you live, you, your children, and your grandchildren must fear the Lord your God. All of you must obey all his laws and commands that I’m giving you, and you will live a long time. ³ Listen, Israel, and be careful to obey these laws. Then things will go well for you and your population will increase in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord God of your ancestors promised you.

⁴ Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is the only God. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ Take to heart these words that I give you today. ⁷ Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. ⁸ Write them down, and tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Shawn encouraged us in those 3 days to not be weary in training our children......it was very refreshing. 

My sweet man and I have used this verse as a family verse ever since the day we heard it which was probably about 35 years ago. We have done what it said and have talked of the ways of the Lord, have we done it perfectly......no, you put two sinners together and you get two sinners. It was so precious to have our grandchildren with us at the camp. We pray for their parents everyday. It is hard in this day......so much is hitting the family......but it was the same in the day of Moses.....not much has changed...... ladies......tuck your children close to you......and Grammies.......I encourage you to do the same, use the opportunities you have to train your children......the day is so evil. Even if your grands are far from you.......write them "Grammie Letters......I have a precious friend Vicki who sends boxes of special little things for her grand daughter to do.......to bring her closer to the Lord. It can be done!

WE ate together!!!!!!! Lots of fellowship was happenin'!

Tressa on the right had so much fun serving.

We ate as families........our daughter was serving......that brought back memories when we worked there. 

I told our 3 grandson's who have a little snow cone company that I would by the stuff needed if they donated the machine to bless the families......they were so cute! They take the snow cones to the farmer's market on saturdays......they are learning lots. Their Uncle Josh was there to encourage them. 

Jason, our oldest and sister Tressa worked together........made it a very special family time. He was the boys Daddy. 

There were big water toys that the kids had a blast on also........so did the big kids (the Dad's). This was Vitaliy's first experience with Family Camp. A man that our son Josh had never met really had fun when Josh, Vitaliy and Ian went out to play on the Staturn. Vitaliy is used to being rough and tough by living in the orphanage. He lovedddddd the attention at being knocked off. It was such a praise time for me to see V enjoy other CHRISTian families. God is so precious. God loves to use the body of CHRIST as an example of His Love!

Tay our youngest daughter had the baby that belonged to Shawn and Cheryl in her arms....lots...........we love those babies!!!!!!

Shawn exhorted us to be the parents and children the Lord wanted us to be........the sun was going down......

the cross was behind us CHRIST was before us!!!!!!. He encouraged us to gooooooo and make disciples......starting with our families.......and then out. Precious time.

Well, I know this is long, but I wanted to journal the memory for my family......we can't wait until next year. If you live close to Topeka, KC, Hutchinson, Salina area or really anywhere and you would like to be a part of next year's camp. Let me know. It really is a fun time. You bring most of your own food, so it doesn't cost much for the camp. They keep the price very low. $10. per person. 

Hugs to your day........and know that I thought about you all a lot while I was gone! 

Linda