Off at Camp

My oldest is away at camp for 72 hours, well now 60 hours and 33 minutes, yes I am counting! My husband and I grew up going to camp for a week every summer since we were eight years old. We both went to Camp Grier, a church camp in the mountains of NC. We even became counsellors there during our college years. That is where we initially met. My children have visited Camp Grier with us many times especially when the director we worked under was still there. They've heard all our stories, some I'm sure have grown taller year by year. I should not have been surprised when our oldest wanted to go. Camp Grier is too far so we found a similar camp nearby to our home.

This type of camp gives the opportunity to participate in a 24 hour a day experience in Christian group living in the out-of-doors, through which the counselors and campers involved can find meaning and purpose for their lives.

This takes place in the warmth and security of a small group where each person is helped to find himself and has the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others.

In this experience of simple living in a small group in the out-of-doors: Counselors and campers are truly participants as they take part in planning the activities of each day and helping make decisions which affect their lives, they develop a stake in their own program.


My husband and I have shared with each other, and our children how our faith was nurtured and grew while we were at camp as campers and especially as counsellors. I am not certain if my parents saw the fruit of this time while I was growing up, but they have seen it in my life as an adult.

My mother said my first time at camp while dropping me off I seemed nervous and did not mingle with other campers. She encouraged me to go and talk to a nearby little girl since she might be in my group. I said, "Well she might not." and stayed by my mom's side until the counsellors helped us all become friends.

My son asked us, myself and his younger siblings, not to get out of the car, he could handle his luggage and he'd already made a friend (we'd been there two minutes). We did get out and helped him get set up in his bunk. I even coerced him into posing for this picture. (No other campers were looking).

I am excited for my son in the discoveries he will make about his God, the adventurous outdoors, living in community and serving others, and also things he will learn about himself. He may never tell me of these things, but I pray I will get to see the fruits when he becomes a man.

Dear God,
Oh how bitter sweet my children's growing up can be. It's hard for me to let them venture out from under the safety of my wing-so that they can learn who and whose they are- not just who I want them to be. Help me to trust in the safety of Your wing over them and the plans You have for their lives. Keep my son safe. May his adventures be fun but mostly I long for him to seek You and to grow to be the man You planned. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Today my son is studing Gen 2:4b-22
He is learning about relationship.
"Campers will hear and explore the story of God creating the first garden and be invited into relationship with God and each other and learn to care for God's creation. Campers will:

• Be intorduced to ways they can grow in a relationship with God.
• Discover connectedness within camp and settle in
• Explore ways they can care for creation at camp
  
  

We Are All God's Family

The Patterson 5 travelled to DC today for a mini field trip! We decided we would only try to do two sites so as not to over whelm the kiddos! My oldest son right away was amazed by the hoards of people that were there. We explained to them that they would see people from many places and hear languages they have not heard before. Mr P and I love to people watch but we did not encourage this behavior to our children as we thought they might go on to stare and perhaps even point-which would be embarrassing!

We parked at the end of the mall. I giggled as my younger son asked if we were going shopping. I too had mistaken the mall for a place to shop about 12 years ago on my first DC trip. We visited the Museum of Natural History first. We only made it through a handful of exhibits. The boys especially enjoyed the dinosaurs, mammals and insects. My youngest seemed to enjoy it all and sang "Angels Watching Over Me" sometimes loudly throughout part of the museum- the other parts were regaled with "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands".

We walked on to the Lincoln Memorial, stopping along the way to dip our feet in a cool fountain!

We stopped and read the Gettysburg address and were thankful for a President who helped us hold true to equality for all peoples.

The walk back to the van was a long one. Long walks seem to spur on deep thoughts from our middle son. He picked up on a conversation from almost two weeks ago about a serious subject of death (see Hiking With My Boys) He picked up on it like there had been no time in between. Out of the blue he said, "Well what about when a baby dies only a few seconds after being born -how did the baby do God's purpose." I answered as best I could since there are so many hard questions I just do not have the answer for. I told him I believe we are all connected and our lives are all intertwined. We each help each other complete our purpose for God. I shared that perhaps my purpose in this world my simply be to be their mom and teach them about God so that they will be properly equipped for their lives and their purpose. I suggested the baby's short life could have been so the parents of that child could help others with loss or to promote the sanctity and beauty of life. I think my answer was too wordy as by the time I finished they were on to another topic.

Nearly back to the van we saw a carousel and just had to ride!

As we were driving away by the capitol building we noticed an out door concert going on. The sign read One big family under God. It was a group promoting world peace. It made me think again how even though we did not know any of the peoples around us they are all God's and He wants us all to be His children. Our lives are intertwined and everything we do affects others.

Dear God,
Thank you for our country and the many freedoms we have that I know I have often taken for granted. I am especially thankful for the freedom we have to worship You openly. As we travelled home we passed Arlington cemetery-I am thankful for these solders who gave their lives for others, following the example of Jesus. Please comfort their families with the hope they will see them again in heaven. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

Yearly our dentist treats us to a baseball game at a local ball park. We enjoy the evening together as a family, and as the children are getting older we get to actually watch more and more of the game! My youngest was fascinated by the Diamond Duck. Immediately when she saw him she stood up and waved as if they were long lost friends! This was surprising to us as often times she is painfully shy, and warms slowly to new faces and experiences. She, unlike both our boys, even wanted to meet him! Thankfully we had opportunity to do so!

Another highlight for the children was the food selection! They each chose the dippin dots and are hoping for "pink stuff" (cotton candy) when we go to the fair later this year. My youngest was delighted that the "snack man" comes by with peanuts, popcorn and cracker jack!

The boys were in awe of the batters that could hit a home run, and that some could also hit the ball so hard - the bat broke!

Once again, Thanks Dr Baum for a wonderful family evening out!

Love, The Patterson 5