Camp Fun!

The kids each created their own video montage using their favorite camp photos. I was amazed at their ability to create the video, choose the background music (or in Caleb's case, create it), and have everything turn out, well, amazing!

So, without further ado, here's 22 days of camp all rolled-up into a few short minutes. What fun!

Camp Tapawingo 2010




Deerfoot Lodge 2010



God Bless Camp Tapawingo and Deerfoot Lodge. We love you and thank God for your ministries!

Mama's Got the Magic!

A lot of people have asked about the white pillow case that was sent to camp with Caleb (his choice, not mine!). Remember this post? Well, I took a few pictures of him holding the pillow after he got back home, but for some reason, the dirt didn't show-up. The pillowcase actually looked clean! Here's a picture I took with a little hankie I tucked inside his sleeping bag as a surprise. Even though he had an extra pillowcase to use, he chose not to. I guess that's what happens when you sleep in a tipi filled with Indians!



Because I'm one of those mothers, I spritzed my perfume on this little hankie (you know, to remind him of home), put it in a baggie with a love note, then hid it in the bottom of his sleeping bag. I know. I know. Probably a bad idea...I don't think he'll ever forget it though. He said he kept thinking there was a tag inside the sleeping bag that kept sticking to his leg. It annoyed him so much he finally reached down inside and found the baggie with my note and the hankie. It must have been OK for him to find my little surprise. He tucked the hankie inside his pillowcase where it stayed the entire time he was at camp. Unlike the coffee container, I don't think he shared this with his friends.



These are Rachel's favorite PJ bottoms. She wore these when the girls slept on the beach one night. They had to go around the island looking for firewood. The color of the soil is quite lovely. Rich black dirt. Not such a good thing to get ground into the hems of baby pink polyester fluff.

But NEVER FEAR...



Mama's got the magic!



And this is the collection of filthy socks. No, they weren't walking around outside without shoes on (mostly). Remember, Caleb's tipi had a dirt floor. He said he tried to balance himself while putting his shoes on so his clean socks wouldn't touch the ground, but it didn't always work out that way. Then the inside of his shoes got dirty which just ground the dirt in the bottom of the socks all the more. Even though Rachel was inside a cabin with wooden floors, the girls would bring dirt in on the bottoms of their shoes and, of course, the dirt found its way onto the bottom of their socks too. Rachel was known as Cinderella. It was her job to sweep the floor of the cabin every day.

But NEVER FEAR...



Mama's got the magic!

Somehow I didn't take a picture of the pristine white pillowcase after it had been laundered, but trust me, it turned out sparkling white.

Recipe for Mama's Got the Magic

What you will need:

Washing machine filled with very hot water and:

1 cap full of Liquid Cheer
1 scoop of Biz
1 cup of Clorox Bleach

For extra dirty white clothes (like the socks above), I reset the agitator on the washing machine to run through three times. The water was brown just before it went to the rinse cycle. As you can see, even the dirtiest socks came out clean. I have washed grass green socks this way and even they come out clean.

For Rachel's PJ bottoms, I sprayed them with Shout! then sprinkled Biz directly on the hems. I then sprinkled the Biz with a little bit of water, then let the PJs sit in the sink for an hour or so. I scrubbed them by hand and then rinsed them out. Then I just washed them with Liquid Cheer and Biz (no Clorox) with similar clothes. Even I was surprised by how clean they came out. And Rachel was very, very happy!

And just for the record, no, I don't usually take pictures of our dirty laundry. I knew this would make for a great blog post and a valuable recipe for someone out there stuck with dirty white socks!

Yours Truly,

Serenity

Caleb at Long Lake


The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Psalm 24:1

Something I'm thinking about today,

Moose Munch Madness

The kids are home from camp! I won't bombard everyone with daily camp stories, but I do intend on sprinkling them throughout my blog posts in the coming weeks. I probably have enough to keep me writing for a year!

While I'm waiting to get all of the pictures uploaded from both kids' cameras, I thought I'd share a funny story Caleb shared with us while he was unpacking.

See that container? I pulled that out of my cupboard and gave it to Caleb to store the digital camera he was taking to camp. I figured it was the only way I could be sure the camera stayed dry if everything else got soaked by rain or a flip of a canoe.

This is one of several containers I have used to store coffee in for a number of years. This one in particular had the least amount of coffee in it, that's why it was chosen. The coffee was Moose Munch by Harry and David. Moose Munch happens to be the biggest seller at Harry and David's. And for a good reason...dark and nutty, with notes of caramel and chocolate.

Plastic has this way of holding smells, don't you think? That can be good and bad. In this case, it was good. Before packing the container in his duffel bag, I had Caleb put his nose in it. He sniffed and immediately agreed the smell was fabulous.

After arriving at camp, Caleb pulls out this container to get to the camera. After taking the camera out, he sniffs the container and tells his tribe they have to smell it too. The first guy steps up, puts his nose in and takes a big sniff followed by a very loud "Ahhhhggg!" This reaction prompts the other guys to get in line and put their noses in the container. If that isn't funny enough, Caleb said every single time he got the container out, one of the guys would ask, "Can I take a sniff?" Then everyone would line up and take their turn!

I don't know what it was about the smell of that container that evoked such a reaction in these guys. Was it the caramel? Was it the chocolate? Was it the reminder of their mother at home making a pot of coffee? I don't know. It was something though. Maybe it was nothing more than having an opportunity to smell something that didn't smell like sweat or dirt or the Waldorf!

After hearing Caleb's story, we all sniffed the container and agreed it didn't smell much like Moose Munch anymore. There was just a faint reminder that it once held coffee of some sort. I think all of the yummy smelly particles had been sniffed away!

Who knew a plastic container would have such a hold on a tipi full of Indians! And I can't help but wonder if any of them will retell the story of the container that smelled a little like home. I hope so!

No nose knows better than Yours Truly!

A Girl and the Island of Joy

This past weekend we delivered our little girl to her Island of Joy. That's what the Indian translation means. I like that. This all girls Christian camp is located on an absolutely gorgeous island in the middle of a huge lake surrounded by mountains. And so Rachel is officially at camp for the next week. Did you notice I didn't say we "dumped" her?


Rachel created this as a surprise she meant for us to find when we returned home to an empty house. But it got the best of her and she decided to present it to us instead. How do you like the new hair? I think it's just adorable!


We arrived at camp after driving for almost ten hours. It was raining and about 62 degrees. Notice the smile never disappears from her face.


This is the ferry coming to pick us up at the beach. The island is in the background. Yes, it is pouring rain!


This is home for the next week. Did you notice there are walls? And there's a real floor too. This made Mama very happy. So far, no tears. And yes, there was a love letter tucked inside the pocket of the quilt I made for her. See the beach towel? That's because she's headed out to the lake to take her swimming test...in the rain and cool 62 degree weather. Actually, we found out it's the first significant rain they've had all summer. So the lake water was very pleasant for swimming. This week's forecast is sunny and 80. Perfect for sailing and wake-boarding and water skiing and hiking and rock climbing and sleeping on the beach under the stars for one night.


This is the goodbye shot I took after I hugged her and told her I loved her three times. How do I know? Because with a huge smile on her face she said, "Mama, you've hugged me and told me that you love me three times already!" I guess that was my queue to go. So far, no tears. See her face? She's still happy!


This is the picture I took while standing on the dock waiting for the ferry to come and pick us up. I forgot to mention that when we arrived at the island, a crowd of girls had gathered at the shore and welcomed us with the island's theme song!


This picture was taken while standing on the dock, looking out over the lake to the closest shore where beautiful private homes are built. I can certainly understand why someone would want to live here. It's peaceful and beautiful and certainly fills hearts with joy.

Though a little soggy, we made it back to our hotel (the one without any amenities) and I was so proud of myself. I didn't shed a single tear! I was so happy because I knew she was happy and very comfortable. And because her cabin had walls and a floor. I have come to realize this is a huge factor for me.

The next day we drove all the way back home to find Jesse puppy anxiously awaiting our return. I was just fine until about 10 o'clock last night when I took a walk outside. Everything was quiet except the gentle hum of a thousand crickets. Then I looked up at the crystal clear sky and saw all our familiar stars. I can always find them in the very same spot. They never move. They are the same ones we watched a few nights ago as we lay on the driveway at 3 o'clock in the morning during the Perseid meteor shower. Rachel saw her very first shooting stars. It was a thrill for me to hear her excitement as she watched them shoot across the sky. As I stood there looking at my friend, the Big Dipper, it was then I realized both of my children were almost 600 miles away from home. And the tears came.

It's hard letting go. But it's necessary and it's good.



P.S. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Today is a Great Day!

Let me introduce you to the Waldorf

It's important to have a good sense of humor, don't you think? Yes, this is the Waldorf. The Waldorf is the latrine used by all the campers. Instead of being scented with the classic Blenheim Bouquet fragrance (a subtle, gender-free melange of citrus, musk and pine...taken right from the Waldorf Astoria's website), I suppose its fragrance was more reminiscent of, well, a great big outhouse. What exactly would you expect in the middle of the nowhere?

I guess I was expecting a little bit more.

Because of the very long drive, we made reservations to stay over one night in the area. I quickly discovered that most places were filled with guests. I did find a nearby establishment and when I called to make reservations they told me their facilities were just like a hotel. "Oh, I can handle that," said I. I didn't need anything fancy, but I really had no desire to sleep in a tent nor a tipi for that matter. Imagine our surprise to walk into our hotel room and discover the following amenities missing:

- air conditioning
- television
- radio
- telephone
- coffee machine
- shampoo and blow dryer
- ice bucket

Mr. Wonderful walked down to the lobby to inquire about the air conditioning. The older gentleman working behind the counter half-smiled and snickered at the same time and said, "Sir, you're in the middle of the mountains. There's no air conditioning here." Oh. Thank the Lord, our room did have a bathroom. We did not have to use a latrine! Or should I say, the Waldorf!

Insert drastic subject change here...

Rachel and I went to the post office this morning before heading out to have the kids' school portfolios reviewed. When Rachel walked out smiling and waving an envelope, I knew what she had in her hand. It was a letter from Caleb! We were not expecting to receive anything until at least tomorrow, maybe Friday. What a wonderful surprise! I promised Mr. Wonderful that when the time came and the first letter arrived, I would call him so we could read Caleb's letter together. And so that's exactly what I did.

I'm going to share it here because the letter contained more than two words!

On the front of the card he wrote:

Hi! Boss

Flipping it open, this is what he wrote:

Hi, M and D and R

I'm having a lot of fun, taking pics, and making friends, 5 of um. I'm sleeping well, and the food is amazing. Oh, and Boss at camp means awesome, beak means lame, etc.

Love u guys,
Caleb

And there you have it. Receiving this letter made my day...maybe even my week! Those three words "fun" and "sleeping well" did this mother's heart much good. Mr. Wonderful's heart was filled too.

Then, this afternoon, I received an e-mail from the camp director (all the camper families receive this). Here's part of what it said:

This session we are studying King David. David is 'da man', but not only for what he did (slaying giants and enemies), but more for who he was. We'll emphasize the importance of being God's man as a pre-requisite to doing God's work. We're memorizing Psalm 119:9-20 for 3000-12. Pray for hearts of campers and staff that they might know Jesus more fully and follow Him without reserve.

I looked up the Bible verses and here's what they're memorizing:

Psalm 119:9-20 (ESV)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Our prayers for our son have been that Caleb:

• Grow in wisdom (with God and men)
• Strength of character
• Protection (physically and spiritually)
• Develop lifelong friendships
• God’s calling upon his life
• Patient and attentive spirit
• Portrays honor, honesty and humility
• Leadership and courage

Once again, I have freshly discovered that the Lord goes before us and prepares the way of our journey long before we even take that very first step. He sets everything in motion at that perfect moment in time.

Today is a great day and I am so very thankful!

P.S. I think the reference to 3000-12 means 3000 push-ups while memorizing 12 verses!

Two Words -- Having Fun!

Come on now. You didn't really think I'd just drop the whole camp thing, did you? I just had to post some of the pictures I took shortly after we arrived.


Dedicated to camp founders , Dad and Mom Kunz. This Christian camp for boys was established in 1930. "Building godly young men in a Christ-centered community through wilderness camping."



This is the view as you turn the corner from the big woods. Everything about this place was simply beautiful.



Caleb had to pass a swimming test minutes after arriving...after sitting in a car for 10 straight hours.



That didn't slow him down. Caleb was bookin' it both ways--the lifeguards were cheering him on. He said the water was great!



Sailing is one of the things Caleb will learn to do while he's away at camp.


I'm hoping another thing he learns to do while he's away at camp is lick envelopes. I prepared a nice little package for him that contained self-addressed, stamped envelopes with a piece of paper tucked inside each one. I presented it to him followed by a very short lecture. I told him all he had to do was write two words across the paper. You know, like, "Having fun!" or "I'm OK!" or "Doing great!" I don't expect a book or even a page filled with sentences, I just want to know that he's OK. He said he would write every day. I think he'll be having too much fun to write every day, but I do expect to have something in my hands by Thursday (if he mailed it on Monday). I had better have something in my hands by Friday. He don't even want to mess with Mama.

As you can tell, I'm feeling much better!

Mountain of the Dumped Son

Caleb at the Mohawk tipi with Chief Dave



Located on an island on a stunning lake surrounded by mountains



This is home for the next two weeks


We dumped Caleb off in the middle of the mountains a few days ago. That's exactly what it felt like to me. Dumping. We just dumped him off.

Yes, I knew I would cry, but I just didn't know how long I would cry like that. You know, uncontrollable crying. Well, I haven't cried today. Not yet, anyway.

I guess this is one of those things someone forgot to tell me about somewhere between having a baby boy and then 14 years later leaving him in the middle of the mountains with complete strangers. Someone forgot to tell me how hard it would be to walk away.

We drove and drove and drove to get Caleb to the point where we could dump him. We were all excited and filled with anticipation.

Let me clarify here. I didn't know at this point in time that we would be dumping him. I still thought we were arriving to register and check-in.

We pulled into the driveway that leads to the camp and drove for what seemed like miles deep into the forest until we finally found the parking lot. Oh, it's not really a parking lot. It's an area where there are no trees. But, I'm still excited at this point. This is big woods country! Amazing things happen here.

Boys walk in.
Men walk out.

Mothers walk in smiling.
Mothers walk out sobbing.

At least this mother did.

There just came this point in time where we knew we had to leave. He knew we had to leave. We hugged and kissed and said the "I love yous" and hugged and kissed again. Then I felt the tears come. I didn't want to embarrass him and I certainly didn't want to put him in an awkward position. I didn't know what else to do. So I just turned and walked away. I quickly turned back around and smiled through my tears and told him, "I'll be praying for you every day!" Then I just kept walking. I never looked back. I think it was the worst moment in my life.

And so I dumped my son. I just left him. I left him standing there all alone. For hours that image of him standing there haunted me. I just couldn't get it out of my head. I kept thinking I should have turned back, grabbed his hand, and said, "It's OK. Let's go get your stuff and go home." But I didn't. I just kept walking.

I know I'm not the first mother to experience the pain of separation. I just had no clue it would be so hard.

I know for certain Caleb is on an amazing adventure of a lifetime. He's having an absolute blast sailing and canoeing and fishing and shooting and hiking and flying from trees and sleeping in a tipi.

Me? I'll be OK. The Lord is gracious and kind.

Just ask the millions of mothers who have done the same thing and lived!