Training Camp

One cool thing about living in Westminster is that the Baltimore Ravens have their training camp here each summer on the McDaniel College Campus (about 2 miles from my neighborhood). We spent a morning out at the camp while my Mom was here last week.

Back from Barnabas

Lance returned home today from 9 days at Camp Barnabas. He is tired, and sick. We are glad he's home. We missed him tons!

Adventures with Gigi

The past week has been busy with my Mom here visiting us. We love to go, go, go and we always find plenty to do. We enjoyed having her here so much. I shed some tears on the way home from the airport today. I just wasn't ready for Mom to leave. We only get to see her twice a year, so we make the most of our time together. Here are a few photos of our adventures.

Reality Week Pics

Where Has the Week Gone?

I returned home from camp a week ago, exhausted but excited about what I had experienced. It was great to be at camp with middle school and high school students again. These kids are amazing, all of them. It was a privilege to get to know some of them better and to hear their stories.

Of course, I can't describe all that went on this year at camp, but I'll hit some highlights.

First, I've never seen a large group of students love each other like these kids do. From the oldest to the youngest, each one was taken in and made to feel a part of the family that is Underground Student Movement. We had several kids who are new to LifePoint on the trip and a few who have never attended a service or been to the Underground. These students were taken in by the group before the buses arrived at Millersville. It was also incredible to watch older students befriend and mentor younger ones.

Another highlight was having some of our good friends from Texas here for the week. Clay Walker spoke to the students Sunday morning at Elevate and Uprising, then each evening during the week. From hilarious stories to great truths and challenges, Clay was phenomenal.

Todd Wright and band played for our morning and evening services. I have known Todd and his family for years, and love to worship with him. He is an amazing song writer and musician. Please do yourself a favor and check out his new CD, All The Freed. Great stuff.

Forrest Layton, one of our former students, flew in from Nashville to play guitar with the band. I first met Forrest when he was in middle school. Throughout his high school years, Forrest played for our student ministry on Sunday mornings. This guy is super talented and fun to listen to.

One last highlight of the week had to be cornhole. We set up four cornhole games in a large commons room in the dorm and each night everyone gathered there. It was fun to stand on the balcony that stretched across the room and look down on everyone throwing some corn bags and interacting. It was also fun to stay up late and play after sending the kids to bed at midnight each night.

So, that was camp from my perspective this year. I'll post some photos later when I have time.

Reality Week 2008

I'm headed to camp this week with the student ministry. Camp was once a part of my summer each year. Then Chloe came along and when she was an infant we moved across the country and away from our family. I haven't been to camp in 5 years now. Thanks to good friends Julie and Jodie who will be taking care of Rachel and Chloe, I'm going this year! I'm excited to be rooming with Rachel, it will be like old times.

Fun 4th

We had a great time at the Blauwkamp/Oskam 4th of July party Friday. The rain didn't ruin the fun, and it stopped in time for us to enjoy the fireworks that night.

Life in Carroll County

As the girls and I walked out to our car after doing some shopping, we heard someone yelling. It turns out it was just this guy, who was parked beside us.