Camping Re-cap

We went to Winema Christian camp in Lincoln City for Week of Missions. It was our first time there and we enjoyed it! There were classes for the boys from 9 to noon, while John and I joined the other adults for a lecture. Then from noon to 7 was free time, coming back for another lecture and worship service at night. It was a week of fellowship, teaching, and inspiring stories from missionaries from all over the world. The kids were asking us by the second day, would we promise to come back every year?!! Here are a few photos of what we enjoyed:


On Thursday we toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It was busy there but worth it for that delicious ice cream. I think Caleb looks a little like his Aunt Kelli in this picture...


There was a big waterslide that emptied into a lake. This might have been the boys favorite activity, after Carpetball.


While we were there, on Friday, Josiah turned 14 years old.
Yesterday Claudia pointed out that in 1 and a half years he will be DRIVING A CAR. I haven't recovered yet, from that reminder.


I had hidden his gifts in the trailer-not easy to do in such a small space! He loved the Legos and Indiana Jones movie. I think this boy will still be asking for Legos at 36 years old...(and I'm glad!)


It was really great weather, for the Coast. The boys even got a little tan! It only rained once. The clouds opened up and poured while we were in the middle of the lake. Sam and Josiah paddled the Funyaks all over by themselves and John and I took Caleb in the canoe. So, even though noone tipped and fell out, the rain was drenching enough that we all looked like we had, afterwards. But it made the hot cocoa taste all the better, when we got to it!


The Johnstons graciously let the boys and I help them compete in the sandcastle building contest. We had the biggest one, I'm pretty sure!


The Johnstons have gone to Winema for years and seem to know everyone (and there were over 500 people registered) but made sure we felt welcome and comfortable. They had told us for the last few years how great Missions week is, and it definitely lived up to all their hype! Here they are, enjoying Tillamook with us. I wish I had taken pictures of our bonfire nights with the S'mores feasts we shared-those were pretty impressive! Sticky, but impressive.


The boys and I at Tillamook. You like my bright blue doo-rag? Yeah. My hair texture and ocean air humidity are not a good mix. As silly as this bandana looked, it was an improvement on my Medusa-like locks.


Caleb's courage muscle is on steroids lately! It is amazing to see him embracing all kinds of activities that just six months ago he would shun. This Summer he has ridden three wheelers, paddled canoes, climbed trees, learned to ride a bike, and taken on 50 foot waterslides without batting an eye.


Sam flew a kite. Well, he tried but there wasn't a lot of wind. John can always get it going though and took over for awhile.


Sam had been scooping at tiny fish in the lake, without success, for a half hour when Caleb walked up and asked what he was doing. Sam explained and Caleb said "Like this?" and caught this fish in one try. The incredulous look on Sam's face was priceless! It's a good thing for Caleb that his big brother is so easy-going, he might have been socked in the eye by a more envious, competitive personality!


The beach, my favorite part. The steady roar of the ocean and the faithfulness of waves. I am still washing sand out of all our clothing and sweeping it out of the trailer but it is so, so worth it.