Sweet Goodbye...

     We are still spending a fabulous time in the good ole US of A!  Our time has been wonderful.  My youngest daughter has gotten VERY attached to her grandparents once again.  Especially her Pawpaw!
     I have love to watch Emily and my dad play together.  Emily even has my dad smell her STINKY feet and they have even learned a little broadway "jazz hands" together! ha!  It has been so sweet to watch them together.  The last time we came to The States, Emily was scared of EVERY man we met. She barely let the ladies hold her or hug her, but if you were a man??.....forget it!  Now, as a mama, her staying away from boys does not really bother me too bad! ha ha!  I do love it though that she has a special place in her heart for her grandparents - ALL of them.  

     Emily follows her Pawpaw just about everywhere and I am thankful that even in his busy schedule, he makes time for my children to follow him around and pester him to death:)  Emily likes nothing more than to go somewhere with her Daddy.  Being here at my parent's house, she has transferred that excitement to my dad as well.  The other day my dad had to go to the church and she was told to just stay in the house and he would be back soon.  Knowing that her Pawpaw would be coming back in the house soon, Emily just stood at the screen door and waited.  She kept saying "Bye, Pawpaw!  I love you Pawpaw.  I miss you Pawpaw."  And then she waited and watched for signs of him returning!  What a sweet picture she was for this mama!
     I am so thankful for the relationship my children enjoy with all of their grandparents.  I am also thankful for the time they have been able to spend with them while we have been in America.  I feel so blessed to be able to watch a special relationship develop between my children and our parents.  

God is good!

No Place Like Home!

     I have to admit that I have neglected our blog here in the last week or two.  We have been back in the good ole US of A and it has been so much fun!  We have gotten to see friends and family and get reacquainted with everyone!  So much fun!!
     I have always heard people say "You can never go home again".  Meaning, home is just never the same once you leave.  I know that to be true, and we have happily make England our home.  We love it there!  I do have to admit though, that each and every time we come back to little, old Amelia, Ohio, USA and the amazing folks at Central Baptist Church, I feel like I have come home!  
 

     My parents live at the parsonage (manse) that I grew up in and it feels so comfortable and "homey".  I immediately remember favorite childhood times and happy family holidays together in this home.  I can even see little (and big:) dents in doors, etc that us kids put there when we were growing up.  Each nook and cranny of this place holds special memories for me.  It is home!  Not my current home, but still home to so many happy memories.

     My father has been the pastor of Central Baptist Church of Amelia, Ohio for 32 years now!  This church was really the only church I knew growing up.  The pews and the classrooms hold a special place in my heart.  I care for the Central Baptist Church building, but the Church itself - the dear people - I love with all my heart!   So many of these church members have been around most of my life.  They helped me grow up.  They taught me in Sunday School, I worked on bus routes along-side them and together, we served the Lord.  I learned to be a productive Christian through their example.  Again, I have to say,

I love my Central Baptist Church family!  

     I have a few preachers that I can listen to endlessly but there are two in my life who are and always will be my favorites:  my husband and my father! 

Camp Joy - Day 5 .... the final day:(

     Well, Friday is the final day of Camp Joy 2013.  The week went incredibly fast but so full of activity.  Today is the day the kids get to have their "Treasure Hunt".  Pastor Martin Wickens spend a good portion of one morning this week making cool looking treasure maps for the kids to use in the treasure hunt.  The only problem was....Friday morning came with LOADS OF RAIN!!! :(
     The hunt took place anyway, but the rain did make most of the clues quite soggy.  The kids still loved the activity and thoroughly enjoyed themselves - wet or dry!!
     Each of the kids were given certificates for the week stating the team they were on - Jumping Jaguars or Pouncing Panthers.  They also got certificates for the boy and girl campers of the week.  These children were chosen by their Tent Leaders because of their display of good character and good attitude throughout the week.  I have to say as a mother, I was thrilled to pieces that my AJ was chosen as the boy camper of the week!
     As a parent, you always think that your children are wonderful.

Camp Joy Day 4

TODAY IS WATER DAY!!!!!

     Every year at camp, there is at least one day that is the water day.  A large piece of plastic is rolled out, a hose-pipe is added and then baby shampoo or washing-up liquid is added to the slide.  The kids love slipping and sliding down the slide and challenge each other to make it to the end.  I don't know who has a better time at this, the Tent Leaders and Preachers or the children!!!  It is always a highlight of the week and this year was no different:)
     The adults, of course, had to try the slide first to be sure it was okay for the kids to come down.....it was fabulous!  

Camp Joy Day 3

Well, it has been a week, but I wanted to continue to share the memories of Camp Joy 2013.....
      On Tuesday, a close preacher friend of our, Kent Gossmeyer, said something that stuck with me all day on Wednesday.  He was telling us folks in the kitchen about a preacher friend of his and said how they had become close friends very shortly after meeting each other.  He said this preacher did many amazing things and he admired him even more for it.  The way he put it was

  "I like people who do hard things."

Camp Joy....Day 2

     Okay, so I did not post yesterday as I was EXHAUSTED after a long day of cooking, washing-up and fun fun fun with everyone, but the second day of Camp Joy was pretty good!  The second day of camp was.... my BIRTHDAY:)

     I have to admit that my ideal birthday does not include cooking three meals and a snack time for 45-60 children and adults, plus washing up the dishes and cleaning the kitchen and tables over and over again, but.....that did not mean that my day was not special.  I had the privilege of spending my birthday here at Camp Joy with wonderful friends.  

CAMP JOY, JOy, Joy, joy....down in my heart!

     Well, it is finally here!  It is that time of year again - church camp time!  To be specific - Camp Joy time here in England.  It is ALWAYS a wonderful part of our summer any time we are privileged to participate in this special week.This year the theme for the week is     "KING OF CREATION - Jungle Adventure".
     We left on Sunday afternoon just after our morning services at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Carlisle, and after a quick lunch from McDonald's and a LONG load-up of luggage into the car, all 10 of us (in two vans) were finally on the road!  After nearly 6 hours, we arrived at Brimpton Baptist Church.  Our kids were thrilled - to be out of the car AND to finally be at camp!!!