I'm Back and Going Full Speed!

We have been so busy..... (i wrote about this in my last blog). Summer time is always crazy and sad (for me). Let me start from way back when (in April). (Please read all of this blog and then visiting our scrapbook blog to see all the great pictures). As of today, Wednesday, I dont have all the scrapbook pages done. I should have them on the scrapbook blog tonight, I'm just happy to complete this blog (I have been doing it little by little in my free time).


Junior Senior Banquet (aka Prom Alternative)


Last year Eric and I started a tradition. We wanted to have a Junior Senior Banquet for those of the group that don't go to their high school prom. It was a fun night and we had a blast. Our theme was "Hollywood- A Night on the Red Carpet"! We decorated the tables with popcorn buckets and movie reels (thanks katie for making those) and we even had a red carpet down the middle of the room. The group had a nice meal prepared and served to them along with strawberry shortcake for dessert. After the meal we had the "entertainment". I had a great idea to present each of the kids with a certificate and they would have to come up with an acceptance speech for their award. Eric came up with the award titles (most all of them had to do with something funny that they did during the past year). The speeches were so funny.... some more dramatised (sp?) than others. We had such a great time. After that we went bowling and we had even more fun! I can't wait till next year!

Graduation 2008


We had several graduate from high school this year. This will be their last summer in the youth group and they will be missed.


Eric also graduated this year! He is finally finished! He graduated on May 31, 2008 from Amridge University (formerly known as Southern Christian University). He has a Bachelors in Biblical Studies. He will be taking at least a year off before returning for his masters. During that time off I am hoping to go back to school (if I can find the time with our busy schedules).


CAMP!!!!!!!!


I could blog about this subject all day! I would be a summer camp junkie if I didn't work! We went to Gulf Coast Bible Camp the last week of May. Eric directs Montgomery/Baldwin county week for 3rd-12th grade (the last week of May). But it all started when we were in Gulf Shores and Eric was asked to direct a 6th-8th grade week (mostly for Baldwin, Mobile and the Pensacola area) in June. He was so happy that he was asked. This is a BIG deal to be asked to direct a whole week of camp. They must have a lot of FAITH in him. (He has only been in full time youth ministry for a little over three years and he has already accomplished so much...... can you tell that I'm a proud wife or what lol). Since last years 6-8 grade went so well he was asked if he would start another week from scratch (Montgomery/Baldwin week). He of course was overjoyed and said YES! (I was really happy for him but later I thought HOLY COW directing 2 weeks of camp! He asked Brian (of the Dalraida Church, click here to see his families blog http://smilingsmyfavorite-jal.blogspot.com/) and they began working...... the week went so well. We had about 100 (I think), with campers and staff. I got to spend the week with my Mom who was in charge of crafts and the kitchen. I was camp nurse (if my lovely husbands appoints me this next year, which I don't mind, Dalraida has to supply my band aids and pay a copay for each child that visits the nurse lol). I would have been rich this summer! We only had 2 broken bones (one fractured ankle and a broken thumb) the whole week. It was more than I wanted but still not bad for a week at camp with that many people. Mostly it was just scratches, tummy aches (homesickness and not drinking enough water) and a few wonderful and smart children who decided to go on a nature walk and swing from unknown branches (apparently poison oak/ivy). I also helped in the kitchen and assisted in crafts. WOW! Next year I'm only taking on two jobs..... Nurse and directors wife are enough! We got to see some of the kids in our "old" youth group who are also the kids that were our "first" youth group. That was fun. We also made new friends. The staff was so much fun. Tom and Tracy from the Summerdale Church are a hoot to be around! They can make you laugh in any situation.... and good ole' Mrs. Leslie just ags them on. The Gills did a great job feeding the army! The Dailraida women have such good hearts and "they" know what I mean! :) Doug (from Dalraida) had a great sense of humor (he had one of our homesick kids in his cabin). He was so wonderful to him and he tried in every way possible to help him. The Group from Forrest Park (in GA) were all great! I saw a few of their older boys taking care of the younger ones and it did my heart a lot of good! Brian (Dalraida) was the co-director and you would have never know that it was his first time to direct camp. Eric loved having him there and looks forward to many years to come with the Montgomery/Baldwin(/GA) week at camp! Gulf Coast Bible Camp (GCBC) has changed a lot over this last year. They tore down two girls cabins and replaced them with one large cabin with two different rooms on each side and a bathroom in the back. Now the girls wont have to go outside to the bath house to shower! And guess what they have A/C, not window units real a/c! The boys will get the new cabins next year! The Mess Hall was also extended! It was much needed (we had outgrown the smaller space provided to eat) and a front porch was added with picnic tables! All of the new amenities are due to one man (Byron) and the support he has raised from wonderful churches! He has worked (broke foot and all) year around to make camp a better place for the campers and staff! I was sad to leave camp and I cant wait for next year! Montgomery/Baldwin week is the best week of camp! (I'll update you about 6-8 grade when Eric gets through it!)

Devo with the Camp Crew
Tracy Moore, the minister in Sumemrdale, came to speak at Dalraida. He and the youth minister brought along some of their teens and parents that came to camp. So Dailraida, Summerdale and Prattville all got together Wednesday night after church at the Faulkner Multiplex. We had a great time seeing our new found friends (it had only been 2 weeks since we had seen them at camp) and we enjoyed the food and fellowship. We all piled into one one and sang. It was the most beautiful singing I had heard in a long time! And for those of you who went to camp with us I would like to let you know that my husband has a new motto..... "What would Tom do?" I'm still not sure if this is good or bad?!?

Bible Studies

On Thursdays, during the summer, we have a Bible Study in our home for the teenagers! Its a great time! They have a 30 min. lesson and then they talk, play Wii and fellowship with one another for about 45 min. We have fun and it's a great chance for them to bring their friends!

Renovations

We have completed the renovations in our guest bathroom and we are half way done with our master bathroom. We had to take a break due to camp and vbs. We will get back to it soon!


VBS

Wow! I love VBS but on the last night I'm glad we are done! Eric and I help another couple at church direct VBS. I am in charge of the 2 and 3 year olds (their classes, decorations, crafts and snacks). I also help with the decorations at the building as well as the odd and ends things for the Teen class, and some of the overall planning of VBS. It was such a blast and a success. I love seeing the young kids growing closer to God in that week!

Odd &Ends

Work is going great I'm just so darn busy! I took a week off to go to camp and it took me several days to catch back up when we got back. I feel like I am going non-stop between work, the youth group and being a wife with a home to take care of. uuuggggg...... need break....... need break! But its full steam ahead till the end of the summer. I am really wanting a break, just the two of us, after the summer. We have not had a vacation for just he and I since we were married 2 1/2 years ago. We have taken 2 vacays in 2 1/2 years. One was back home so we were with family the whole weekend and the other was with a few couples from the young adult group. These were both really fun but I am longing for a get-a-way for just the two of us. I think its much needed as busy as we are. We just dont have the time or the $$$$$$ (gas costs WAAAYYYYY TTTOOOOOOO MMMUUUUCCCCCHHHHHH)! And that gov. stimulus check... ha! That went to Lowes (all $600) for a shower and all to do-dads to hook it up and make it work! All-in-all we are alive and kicking! Sometimes I feel like I'm barely hanging on by a thread but just when I feel like I can't hang on any more God lifts me up to the top so I can start the ride all over again! I have said it before and I think its my motto by now...... Our life is hectic but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

I hope all of you have had a great summer thus far! If you know of anything I have forgotten just let me know! Check back tomorrow for pictures on my scrapbook blog!