Summer Solstice

If you look closely in the background, you will see this cow's twins. 

Another week has come and gone....very quickly! I can't believe I've already been in Alaska for almost 4 months! Wow. 

This week was Faith Adventure camp for 4th-6th graders. These campers sure have a lot of energy. They were going all the time...breakfast, cabin cleaning, Morning Watch, TAG Time (Time Alone with God), Family Groups, group games, lunch, FOOFBOB (nap time){the counselors LOVE this part of the schedule}, swimming, Crafts, snack, more games or boating or swimming, supper, all camp game, Worship, snack, and finally bed time! Try saying all that in one breath! Even after all that these kids are still going 9-0. 

It was a lot of fun to see how excited this group was about God. They got pretty excited about TAG time and even more excited about the music at the nightly worship. We couldn't sing Happy Day enough! 

Music seems to be such a powerful tool to connect with God and learn some new things about His character. It is really amazing. I know that not all people connect with God through music, but for me it is very powerful. 

Quotes of the week: "What was that verse(Philippians 1:3-6) about?" "Well, it was about Paul Bunyan saying thank you. A lot." :)

"It's true. They only serve the best at Birchwood." This was while we were eating pizza for supper. I believe the night before Al, a volunteer aka Camp Grandpa, was telling the campers about the hot dogs we were about to cool over a camp fire. He said they only serve the best at Birchwood, and that's why they had kangaroo rat hot dogs from New Mexico, Gila Monster from down south, Rattle Snake from Texas, porcupine, and about 7 other varieties of hot dogs that the kids could choose from. He is an excellent story teller. 

A little off topic, but when I get home there are a few things I will be extra thankful for...fewer Mosquitos, a bathroom inside my house (the chance of running into a bear or moose in the middle of the night deter most people from making numerous mid-night bathroom trips...also I won't have to ward off the bugs on my way to brush my teeth), and being able to actually unpack my suitcase. The saying is true...it really is the little things that make all the difference.

Only One more week of camp left. MAD camp. That is because by this point in the summer all of the counselors have gone mad :) or it might be Music and Drama camp! The campers will be putting on a production of "Malice in the Palace" more commonly known as Esther. It will be a good way to end the summer!

  The new resident moose of Birchwood. He has been back several times this past week. 

Also, it was the summer solstice this weekend. We went to a Solstice festival in Anchorage for a bit and then to a Solstice  party. It was fun. Nothing too spectacular though. Now the days will only get shorter.