Love springs from God...

I have a journal given to me by my very special friend, Joni. Her challenge to me what that I find time to be alone with Christ despite my crazy schedule this summer. I started looking through the journal prior to leaving home in May and today I was able to revisit an entry I'd read before....

"I'm convinced that to love well requires a persevering love that goes beyond our human capabilities. We cannot love well unless we have a growing relationship with Christ. If we are growing in Christ, we are growing in love because 'love springs from God.' We have no higher calling than to love. God measures maturity by how we love."--Beth Moore

Richard pretending to be doctor. Most the time he is out of control! A hospital in St. Louis donated medical supplies including scrubs. The scrubs were donated to our programs teams to use as costumes. Richard was so excited and decided to play doctor on one of our campers.

Hooray for HOLLYWOOD.....

Every night the campers have an evening program. Tonight's theme "Hollywood."
The staff dress up like movie stars and they throw a party. Jocie is posing as an Oscar. She holds that pose during the duration of the party. How in the world she does it...I don't know.

Mr. President

Gregg Bettis is the president of Kids Across America. He's posing here with his wife, Jonelle and their dog, Palin. Yes, Palin!

Wet n Wild!

Slip and slide is one of the classes campers can sign up for during their week session at KAA.

....a lesson learned today

I am not defined by my circumstances. My identity is in Christ Jesus!!!

Slaves to Righteousness......

Earlier today we completed our second session of camp. It's been fun but tiring which is to be expected. When you give 100% of yourself day in and day out it wears on your body, your spirit and your mind. However, I find encouragement knowing that all those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not get weary they shall walk and not faint. --Isaiah 40:31

This is not the easiest verse to remember especially when you look at it in the literal sense. But there's such an assurance knowing God is able to work through us in our most vulnerable moments. It's in our weakness that He's able to teach us the most valuable lessons.

Does she look as though she needs a nap?

Jocie!

Minor surgery

.......removing a metal scrap piece from her thumb

Today Sam took me out on the boat for a refresher course. He's the lead boat driver also known as the "Dock Daddy" at KAA 2. He's a DePauw alumni.

Hey good lookin'...what you got cookin'

Introducing the one and only "Virginia." She is such an amazing cook ask Lina! Today she served up cat fish, hush puppies, sauteed chicken with vegetables and salad. MMMMmmmmm! And Katie who we affectionately call Bauler (behind Virginia) is the lady who keeps the other kitchen staff in order. These ladies take good care of us during camp.

KAA 1 Health Center Staff Session 2

Candace, Emily and Elissa (Amy took the photo)

Once you were in darkness, but now you are light!

Already this has been an amazing time of stretching and growing. God challenges me daily to trust Him w/o leaning on my own understanding. In this life, we listen to so many voices around us and we often miss the most important voice of all....Christ. It's our nature. However, wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if we walked humbly with our God. Be imitators of Him. Open your eyes, cast your vision and go forth in Christ.

Pins and Needles

Destiny was a camper during second session. She and I bonded on a road trip back from the hospital. She's an amazing kid with a bright future ahead of her. Once she gets back home, she'll have to see an orthopod b/c she stepped on a pin and it's still in her foot according to her x-ray.

The Cross & Tennis Shoes

The cross represents the love of Christ and his sacrifice for us. The tennis shoes around the cross represent the finished work of Christ. He ran His race and "hung His shoes on the locker" saying, "I'll be back again." The shoes on the cross are the icon of the Christian athlete who finishes the race with all his heart!

.....let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross....Romans 12:1-2

God created the heavens and the earth! What does it take for us to embrace this truth?

Take a glimpse at the view from the Uncle Deek's ---the physicians cabin area.

Cheese!!

Thanks to Lindy the Parr's decided to return to camp for another exciting summer. Of course he was all about it! The catch of the day........

...you've got the cutest little baby face!

Ben-jammin (otherwise known as Ben) is the youngest of the Parr crew. He charmed all the ladies.....!

Sammie (the Parr's middle son) wasn't so thrilled with the fact that I kept taking his picture so he decided to make faces!!