Summer is usually jam-packed with fun activities...play dates...vacation...swimming...and more. But one particular week this summer was full to bursting with fun.

First off...Jason's parents came to stay with us.

Whenever grandparents come to stay...fun is involved.

The last day they were here, we headed to uptown for pizza and Discovery Place.

Once again, Grammie and Poppie joined right in and had as much fun (if not more) than the kids did.

We LOVED having them here...and it was SO hard to let them leave.

We actually tried to get them to change their tickets several times...but AZ was calling them home.

We are always so thankful for the time we get to spend with them and the love they shower on all of us! 

We already miss you Grammie and Poppie!!!

During that same week...VBS started!!!

This year, I took a break from teaching music and taught Bible to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

I absolutely loved it!
 I had the privilege of teaching with Rob Reece, who works at Calvary in the sports ministry.
The two of us together had a bunch of fun...and managed to teach the Bible as well! :-)

I am so thankful that the kids had VBS to help them get their minds off of their grandparents leaving.

They were surrounded by their best buddies during the week and were busy playing, learning, serving, laughing, and loving!

 This summer...the kids were able to participate in the missions project they were contributing towards.

Servants with A Heart packs meals for families in Nicaragua.
During VBS, Tyler and Amy were able to help pack up some meal bags.
And all of the kids that attended raised over $16,000 to cover not only what we packed but also to buy goats for the needed villages!

When I was a freshman in high school, several of my friends signed up to take missions trips overseas. I listened to their anticipation and growing excitement and couldn't help but want an adventure of my own. My parents weren't quite ready to send me across the ocean...and to their credit, I do not blame them...I wasn't the most mature fourteen year old!!! But they had an alternative.

My grandparents had been pioneer missionaries in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky when my mother was born. They served with a ministry called Scripture Memory Mountain Mission. The missionaries would go into the public schools and were free to teach Bible lessons to any of the students that were interested. If these students would do their provided lessons and memorize a certain number of verses during the year...they received a free week at Camp Nathanael. Many years later, the mission and camp were still in full swing. And that is where I spent the next six summers of my life.

Each summer holds different memories...but the summary of all of them is incredible blessings. God used the people and the beauty of Kentucky to change my heart towards Him and His service. And I cannot help but look back on those memories with a bit of sentimental longing.

I have been back to Kentucky twice since being married. Once for a family reunion...and once just passing through. But each of the visits were brief...and did not include the full camp experience. So I asked Jason if we could attend Family Camp this year...and that way I could introduce my family to my beloved Camp Nathanael.

Jason agreed and I immediately emailed the camp director. But Jason wanted to do more than to just attend...he wanted to serve. He wanted to "pay back" this amazing ministry that poured into his wife over the years. So, he was asked to be the missions speaker for the week and readily agreed.

Leading up to the week at camp, I regaled the kids with story after story of all my years at camp. Their anticipation grew...and the trip there seemed to fly by. They were ready for "the best week of the lives". And of course...that is exactly what we had!

 

They were busy creek stomping, hunting for craw-dads, playing gaga ball, foosball, basketball, swimming, riflery, archery, and on and on and on. There was so much for them to do!!!

 It was an amazing week...full of sweet reunions...fun adventures...precious family time...meeting new people...being amazed by God's beautiful handiwork...and encouraged by the steadfastness of His body.

Camp Nathanael will always hold a special place in my heart. 

I am so thankful for the time the Lord allowed me to spend there...and the joy that my family has now experienced there. 

Praying for the ministry to continue to flourish in their lives and ours!!