Family Camp

For the first time, our family attended Family Camp at the ALERT campus in Big Sandy, Texas. We had a blast! We have been blessed to attend the annual ATI Regional Conferences there but never have had opportunity to go to Family Camp. We had so much fun that we are planning to attend again next year. We arrived very late on Friday night (Thank you Mr. Murphy for the extra lighting to set up our tent!). Brent was able to stay and hang out with us all until Sunday afternoon when he had to return home to be the wonderful provider for our family. We greatly appreciate his willingness to let us go to Family Camp and for making sure we got down there and set up safely. We were blessed throughout the week with encouraging and inspiring speakers, fun things to do, LOTS of good friends to visit with and many opportunities to grow in the Lord. The theme for Family Camp 2010 was Choose You This Day. We are glad we made the choice to attend Family Camp!

This was taken just before Brent had to return to Oklahoma. We sent him off after enjoying a family tradition meal at a great Chinese Buffet in Gilmer. We like to eat their whenever we are at the ALERT campus. One of our fortune cookies had this saying..."Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that amateurs built the Ark." How appropriate! We were trying something new by being at Family Camp and one of the wonderful talks we heard was about how hard things were during the building of the Ark and time spent on the Ark. Yet through all that time, Noah was in the center of God's will. Definitely food for thought! We were sorry that Hattie, Dennah and Susanna weren't with us but there is always next year.

When the rain started and just kept on coming, Spencer Covey blessed us by putting up a huge tarp to cover the leak in our trailer and keep us all dry. How nice to have friends who are willing to help out in time of need. Thanks Spencer!

Clara Covey, Sophie Covey, Olivia Kraft and Lillie

Here is Camie, Emma & Parker shooting at targets with the help of an ALERT guy, David Fagala and Dillon Berry. Daniel and Dillon were just passing by when I grabbed them to help out. Thanks men for being available to serve and for having such great attitudes!

Every Chance that Becker and Parker got, there were either riding their bikes, playing Carpet Ball (Mrs. Sholtess is the player to beat!), climbing the rock wall or repelling. Becker had a great time hanging around with Stuart Covey and John Berry. Parker had lots of fun with his buddy, Oliver Covey. Camping right next to the Covey's made it easy to be with their friends all the time which added to their joy. Family Camp is a paradise for active growing boys!

Stuart and Becker, buddies since birth!

Lillie, Sophie and Clara spent lots of time volunteering in the concessions stand. On Thursday during the Fair/Carnival, the girls spent six hours making cotton candy. Lillie says that she will never look at cotton candy the same. They were covered with sparkly, sticky stuff when they got done. Looked pretty but was quite the mess! The kids enjoyed this event a lot. Parker, Clay, Emma & Camie got to ride the ponies. All the kids got to throw water balloons at Goliath, throw darts at balloons, and throw a baseball to dunk the ALERT guy. Becker and Parker got him wet their first throws! It was all lots of fun. That evening we got to hear a very special message by Dr. Lew Sterritt while he trained a horse.

Sarah & Nate Ballman, Ben, Lillie, Olivia, Sophie, Clara and Weston Kraft

Aside from hanging around with her forever best buddy Sophie, Lillie also was able to meet new friends and spend time with the Kraft family. We were all excited to meet the Ballmann family since Elizabeth Ballmann is on the same team as Dennah at EXCEL. We were also able to meet Lydia Vanderford's parents. It was important to Dennah that we meet some of the families whose daughter's have made EXCEL so special for her. Both are wonderful families and we are grateful for them.

One afternoon, the Sholtess family signed our family and the Murphy family up to do the obstacle course with them. It was great fun for everyone. One of the perks about camping near the Sholtess' was their wonderful granddaughters, Ana and Allison. Our kids had a delightful time playing with them, riding bikes together and sitting around the campfire in the evenings together roasting marshmallows. We also were blessed to camp next to the Murphy family. They have a sweet six year old son, Sam. He was a bit overwhelmed by our clan but soon warmed up to all the new friends God had sent his way. One morning there were break out sessions for the men, women, young men & young ladies. During that time there was a special session for the younger children. They had a great time and still talk about all they learned. Some of the photos I have posted came from IBLP photographer, Sara Quinnett. I am especially thankful for the two of Clay below.

Family Camp has turned our family into a camping family. The triplet's are ready to pack up and go again. They will have most likely have to wait until April for the next opportunity but with the way time flies, it will be here before we know it!

Many families rose to the occasion to bless our family during Family Camp. A special thanks to the Coveys for watching out for us all. Mr. Covey even took on the triplets one afternoon and braved the sharp shooting and bow & arrow events with them! The Fagala family blessed us in numerous ways throughout the week. The ultimate blessing came when David, Mark & Gloria came to help take down our camp, hooked up our trailer and got us pointed in the right direction. We showed our appreciation by having our youngest kids "help" them take down their tent which I am sure increased the take down time by half! The Berry family was constantly available to meet any need that arose, just as the Sholtess' and the Murphy's were. We are humbled by every one's kindness. Thank you dear friends. We hope to see you all again at Family Camp next year. We love you!