Checking in from camp…

I had hoped to check in daily from camp, but that obviously hasn’t happened. I have been pretty busy, but it’s been just incredible. This camp is just amazing. I have the really cool opportunity to be camp photographer, so I get to see the kids in their elements and get to capture their joy on camera. I love this!!

I have to say that I am really missing our girls. I haven’t been away from them this long before, but I know that they are very well cared for with their Nana (my mom) and they are having a ball. It’ll be a sweet homecoming on Friday, but in the meantime I am just blessed beyond words to have this opportunity to serve here at camp. I am so thankful for this camp and this time!

Kelly

Camp Blog – Post One

I haven’t updated in awhile again. Sorry about that. It’s just been a very busy summer. We had Macey’s birthday, the 4th of July and then VBS. Whew! I actually didn’t think that I’d be able to blog this week, but…here I am. Mickey and I are spending the week at a camp for children whose parent(s) is incarcerated. This is an opportunity we found out about through our church several years ago. Mickey came last year and was excited for me to join him this year. So, here I am! His job at camp this week is doing “I.T.” and “tech” stuff while my job is photography. I will have the opportunity to walk around camp all week and take pictures of the wonderful events taking place. I’m so excited to see where God leads and how He reveals Himself through every person here this week. I will do my best to check in daily here as I am able.

This morning, I got up and had quiet time while my roommate was getting ready. I didn’t have any particular devotion book to read or passage in mind when I sat down. The one thing I had was a sheet I had gotten from my summer Bible study that listed passages that correspond with various topics. I found myself drawn to Psalm 27 today and once I started reading, I knew that it was just what God had for me today. This week at camp, the theme is talking to the campers about weathering the storms of life through faith. These children have trials in their lives that most of us cannot even start to imagine and for them to have this week at camp and the affirmation of Christ is just crucial. When I read Psalm 27 (NIV) this morning, these are the passages that stood out the most to me:

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

I just feel so in awe that God lead me to that passage this morning. Those verses, in particular, blessed my heart and really reaffirmed to me exactly why we are here this week. As we all do, these precious campers need Christ. They need His salvation, protection and HOPE. It’s all about the hope. And, I can’t wait to see how God reveals Himself this week. Already He has shown me how His word prevails forever across all of time and every circumstance. I know He has such big things this week and I feel blessed to be a very small part of an amazing event!

Stay tuned and please keep camp in your prayers. Thanks!!

Six Years…

Six years ago today, a lifelong dream of mine came true. I became a mommy. All my life I had dreamed about becoming a mommy. I prayed to be a mom and always knew it was the calling of my heart. On July 1, 2003 that prayer was fulfilled when Macey was born.

I’ll never forget seeing that precious baby girl for the first time. I noticed that she had a head full of hair which I suspected all throughout my pregnancy. (Hello, heartburn!) I noticed that she had round full cheeks. And, in those few short seconds I waited to hear her cry so I’d know she was strong and healthy. She cried and my heart sang.  Seeing the love and emotion that washed over Mickey as he took in the sight of his new daughter was incredibly amazing too. I got to hold Macey skin-to-skin once she was cleaned up and that was just awesome. To hold our daughter, to cradle her to me and to just be with her was beautiful. I was a mommy, at last, and we were a family of three. We could not have been more grateful and we continue to give thanks for our girls every day.

The first few days and weeks were admittedly tiring and trying, but we made it. Looking back now, it seems like the blink of an eye. Who would have thought that six years could pass so quickly? Macey has gone from a beautiful, helpless, chubby, happy and charming baby to a lean, beautiful, sweet, imaginative and caring little girl. She is officially a “first grader” although school won’t resume until August. She can read, write, add, subtract and begin to tell time. She loves to draw, create and cook. She is a big fan of music and always has fun singing and dancing. She is a joy. A delight.  She’s our sunshine.

Having these two girls has blessed our lives immeasurably. There are times, sure, when things are less than perfect, but the sum of our life as a family could not be more perfect. And, to think, this all started with Macey’s birth six short years ago. How blessed we are! I have heard it said before that with parenting the days are long, but the years are short. I could not agree more. I am thankful for every moment with our precious family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MACEY!! We love you more than words could ever express and we always will!!