Camp Cherith Day three

July 22, 2020 | Stacy

We made it through breakfast without rain.

And then in CAME with a vengeance.

I momentarily considered calling it a day and heading home, but we decided to just wait it out, and I’m so glad we did.

Amidst just a drizzle, we did our nature activity. Our leader for this was the director of the camp.

She was such a delight to talk with. We had a number of friends in common.

We examined some pond water, and Katriel found a tadpole! Someone found a snail!

Our last activity was hiking. First we found some quotes and scriptures about being in nature.

We had our last meal – a lovely lunch.

And then we went to the Tuck Shop and purchased some souvenirs and ice cream for our trip home.

IT WAS SO AWESOME!

Camp Cherith day two

July 21, 2020 | Stacy

We woke by 7 to a glorious morning and headed off to breakfast by 8AM. We came back to our cabin to do our devotions, and then we went to our first activity, which was swimming. I didn’t take my camera. I sincerely enjoyed, to the core of my being, my conversations with the two women who are swim instructors/life guards. One was from FL and one from IL. I was so soothing to talk with them and find they felt the same way I do about this “pandemic” and the lockdowns. They also were so encouraging to my reluctant swimmer and they played with Katriel and their cool toys. Our family had the WHOLE POOL to ourselves.

We headed back to the cabin to prepare for our next activity.

ARCHERY!

Our wonderful archery instructor does this FOR FREE every summer as a ministry. God bless these leaders. I am just in awe.

My girls are naturals!

Tab shoots left.

I even took a turn.

WE WERE HUNGRY!

Then we went outside for our post-lunch devotional activity.

This one focus on how we need people in our lives to support and encourage us.

We had cabin quiet time. Here she is reading her Bible storybook to me.

Finally we had a craft period.

Again, we had a lovely adult leader who met my girls where they each were at for crafting. Different than at home, where mom is all about calculating the mess, our leader was all about helping them see their vision come to be.

We hurried back to the cabin for swim suits and we were at the Tuck Shop the moment it opened for our daily ice cream.

Tab used free time to read while we hit the pool again.

Dinner was delicious.

We played on the lawn a bit.

Then a game before campfire games.

Our family was the only group to finish the map relay race on time. Tab is an expert mapper. (It runs in the family.)

Devotions and treats.

And SLEEP!

Camp Cherith

July 21, 2020 | Stacy

NY has a lot of Christ-centered camps that operate year round, with a special emphasis on youth camps in the summer.

Covid stole that from most of them.

Camp Cherith, in Western NY decided to offer family camp for units traveling together. Each group got their own cabin and their own dedicated bathroom facilities and dining table. We also got to rotate between activities over six times slots on three days. They also provided us with post-breakfast personal devotion material, post-lunch family devotional material, and after dinner songs and campfires with testimonies and games.

We left our house around 8:30AM to be at Cherith by 10AM.

We unpacked, played a game, and then decided to drive by Houghton before lunch so that the girls could see where Stewart goes to college.

There were some yard games set up.

There were also bees.
Katriel got bitten, or stung, or something.

People responded with help, and after some ice and a topical medication, she felt a little better.

After lunch we did an activity to demonstrate what happens when we “poke” people with our words.

We signed up for our activities for the next three days. Today we would have time to go out in the canoes.

Afterwards, some of us used freetime to swim, and Tab set up her reading station in the back of the van.

Dinner was at 6PM. We took a different route.

A few mores games.

Then at 7PM we went to the pavilion and each group rotated through the four games they had set up for us.

Then we had songs. Smores. A testimony.

Bed! We were the good kind of whooped!

This isn’t a normal Butler vacation, but this is not a normal year.

Sibling Splash

July 6, 2020 | Stacy

Stewart and Johanna, living their best pool lives.

Johanna is 10

May 29, 2020 | Stacy

Hard to believe Scooter is 10!

That day 10 years ago when she broke the 2 and 2 tie.

We woke her with a morning song

And the chocolatey oatmeal back she’d requested.

After breakfast she was stunned to hear the doorbell ring and she flew down the stairs because she thought it looked like Libby’s car.

IT WAS! The video shows the best hug! SURPRISE!

Libby gave her LEGOs, “See these girls look like you and me.”

Then Evie and Hallie popped by with balloons and cards and treats!

And it was warm enough for a sprinkler and kiddie pool.

Marie stayed up last night and made cupcakes so she’d have treats after lunch. (Nan brought Pizza!)

We took Libby home around 4PM and Mama made sloppy joes for dinner. Nan and Nene joined us (Ba and Poppy are still social distancing).

Katriel made her a “Forky” and a bucket with candy in it.

And along with an abundance of gifts, she received a lot of mail from people who love her. The cards were so encouraging and affirming. I’ve advised her to keep them somewhere safe so she can read them on the days when Satan is working to steal her joy.

Mrs. Hyman and Megan also stopped by with a balloon and beautiful card. And as they were leaving we were blessed with this magnificent rainbow.

It seems fitting. This little girl bubbles over with joyfulness so much of the time. And her depth of understanding on God’s Word is remarkable for her age.

Her candle skills are another matter.

But the lemon cake was superb!

Another Butler Production

April 9, 2020 | Stacy

These pictures don’t do it justice, but the girls adapted another movie to the “stage.”

They produced an excellent translation of Mulan for our viewing pleasure.

They delivered exceptional attention to detail.

Except for the final, surprise ending.

A Little Bit of Spring

April 2, 2020 | Stacy

With all of our activities cancelled we are moving right along with school. There are no people, places, or things taking time out of the day, so our school subjects are wrapping up early.
Thankfully, the weather has been mild, and the sun has been shining here and there.
Amidst the chaos stirring in our world there are some nice parts to this extra time together.

Art for a Quarantine

March 19, 2020 | Stacy

These are some of the art projects we’ve done this week from artprojectsforkids.org website. I’ve used it on and off for years.
See Yoda, Statue of Liberty, bunnies and the Grinch. Oh and dinosaurs!
Katriel did Yoda and Grinch.