Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Another Wonderful Summer Wrapping Up...

As we are getting ready to dive head first into the swing of things around here - I am gratefully looking back over another crazy summer of life, learning, family and friends.

The kids all went to Sunnyside Bible Camp in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. I was a little hesitant sending Teigan at 6, but she was so excited to make new friends. What a great attitude. Of course she loved it!

Because of the 14+ hour drive ahead of us, I picked the kids up early from camp. While the kids were in chapel, I spent my time rummaging through their cabins in search of items I recognized, packing up camp clothes, stuffing sleeping bags, finding wet towels, muddy shoes and beloved stuffies, before heading to the chapel.

The theme of the week was heroes. Godly heroes. As I sat in the back of the final kids' chapel, before the rest of the parents arrived, I watched and listened to over a hundred little kids, voices raised in worship to a God who had become even more real to them that week. The speaker went over some of the stories and things they'd learned; how King David was anointed and set apart as a child. I sat, tears streaming down my face, as I watched my children go to the front to be anointed. Set apart.

While I don't expect my kids to be kings - I do know that God has an incredible plan for their lives. They are set apart.

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I know... they look set apart don't they?! Oh, but to wonder what a mighty God will do with little ones who stand fast in Him.

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We had LOTS of nature studies through the summer...

from dissecting owl pellets and organizing the different bones...

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...to the pink lady butterflies that we raised from the larva. We have done this twice now and never cease to be amazed at the wonder of God's glory in such a tiny little creature. One thing that we learned this time is that scientists know that the caterpillar turns to goo inside the chrysalis, but have NO idea how it becomes a butterfly. "God uses the weak things of the world to confound the wise." (1 Cor. 1:27)

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This beautiful mama robin decided that one of our planters would be a perfect place to set up home. We, of course, appreciated that greatly as it gave us a fabulous front row seat to all the going-ons from eggs to first flights.

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How's this for an up close and personal look at elk?! We of course stayed on the far side of the road, close to the car. It is after all a dangerous wild animal. (When it decides to be - and we weren't going to find out when or if that might be!)

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From the majestic mountain peaks to the ocean shores. The kids spent hours digging, exploring, and lost in the wonder of life in the tidal pools.

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There were always lots of books around, so my little readers were never at a loss for what to do during down time...

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Ah... let see - how about a little P.E.?!

Lots of beautiful hikes during our stay in Whistler.

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Samuel spent 9 days at a ski and water ramp camp. From early morning until 8 at night some evenings! He's working on his 360s and 540s.

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A little bit of crazy fun on a stunningly beautiful lake?!

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Or maybe a game of beach football...

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The dock is always a favourite.

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Of course respecting the wildlife as we hike!

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Some hair raising experiences...

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and a little luge...

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Of course the REAL Olympic sliding track at Whistler was something to see. Maybe next year we'll get to have a ride in a bobsled!

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Teigan all ready to go on the skeleton. "Mommy, I look like Jon Montgomery!"

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And some cultural experiences at the First Nations center at Whistler.

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The Peak to Peak experience is exactly that. An experience. With the longest unsupported span in the world (over three km), it is an engineering marvel. As we passed over a small river below, one of the others on the tram asked if anyone knew what the waterfall was down below. Without missing a beat, Samuel pipes in that it is a hydroelectric dam. While not a large one, it certainly was. We learned that it is actually large enough to power all of the Whistler area. How about that study on hydroelectricity last year! Yeah!

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And of course LOTS of friends, cousins and family.

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This summer was a monumental year for our family as my Dad and Mom celebrated 50 years of marriage. What a testimony and a blessing for our family to have parents/grandparents who love and stand by through all of life.

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An amazing summer, filled with joy and laughter, family and friends, living and learning, and the blessings of God.

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