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.
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.
We had LOTS of nature studies through the summer...
from dissecting owl pellets and organizing the different bones...
...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)
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.
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!)
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.
There were always lots of books around, so my little readers were never at a loss for what to do during down time...
Ah... let see - how about a little P.E.?!
Lots of beautiful hikes during our stay in Whistler.
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.
A little bit of crazy fun on a stunningly beautiful lake?!
Or maybe a game of beach football...
The dock is always a favourite.
Of course respecting the wildlife as we hike!
Some hair raising experiences...
and a little luge...
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!
Teigan all ready to go on the skeleton. "Mommy, I look like Jon Montgomery!"
And some cultural experiences at the First Nations center at Whistler.
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!
And of course LOTS of friends, cousins and family.
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.
An amazing summer, filled with joy and laughter, family and friends, living and learning, and the blessings of God.
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