We've Got Talent

One of the fun evening events at camp is the talent show.  Each of the cabins perform a skit, they dress up in whatever they already have in their luggage.  Abigail's cabin did a series of Christian pick up lines.  Some of the girls dressed as boys then one of the girls would deliver one of the lines. 

I can hear the grandparents now, 'Christian Pick Up Lines?'  Here are a few:  'Is your name Ruth? Because you can glean in my field any time!'  Or 'Last night I was reading Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and realized I didn't have your Number!' 

Abigail was one of the 'guys' which cracks me up, because Abigail, Abby and Tate are not girls that have ever needed to pursue any guy! I'm wishing I had video tape of their skit! 

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  I Timothy 4:12 

A Time to Celebrate

This is what Camp Blue Haven is all about, the spiritual growth of these young lives! Three of our McDermott kids were baptized today, Holly, Mallory and Sam. Like the examples we are given in Acts of the eunuch, Lydia and others;  they heard the message and immediately were baptized. Like all of us, they will continue daily to add to their faith and knowledge of the Lord. 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:5-8

Take a Hike

During the day the youth take several hikes in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico.  Some hikes are longer than others.  Abigail, Abby and Tate also took on some extra trails to earn additional badges for their cabin. The cabin earning the most badges earn a special award.  

The badges can be for Bible Memory Work, Encouraging Others, Hiking, Sports, etc.  There are categories that each youth can excel in.  

The top picture are all the McDermott girls that attended session one of Camp Blue Haven.  In addition to hiking the campers zip-line through the mountains, jump off a telephone pole in a trust fall, go rock climbing and other adventurous activities that would make their Grandmothers nervous! 

Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,

    and the hills, in righteousness!  Psalm 72:3

Happy Campers

When you ask our children what their favorite part about Camp Blue Haven they quickly respond "the mountains," "the worship & Bible classes," but quickly it comes down to the people.  Abigail and most of the girls in her cabin have been together for the last five years.  They are all from different congregations including McDermott, Brown Trail and Brownwood Churches of Christ. 

The girls were blessed to have Jacelyn as their counselor again this year.  All of the camp counselors are college student from Christian Universities like Lubbock, who spend the entire summer at Camp Blue Haven.  It is a huge blessing to have older Godly young people who have been trained to mentor and guide these young lives.  

The girls have kept up a group text and they have emailed prayer requests, concerns and celebrations throughout the school year. This year they also began another messaging group with their brother cabin.  Once a week they have a group Bible study together.  

I love that they have found a positive way to use social media to encourage and spur each other on to good works. But I would expect nothing less of this great group of kids! 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24-25

Senior Celebrtion

What an emotional filled event, the thought that these kids are old enough to graduate doesn't seem possible. Several of these sweet young people we've know for over a decade! These kids and their parents made the commitment to home school and today they get to see the fruit of that labor. 

I know Abigail really missed being out of state for tonight's PEACH graduation but it was to have Caleb home from college because he's the one who has spent so much time with these great young people.  

Tonight Ethan, Hannah, Lilly, Maya and Isabel all completed their high school education.  We have so many great memories together from fields trips, science classes, prom, English Country Dancing, drama, and so many others.  We'll miss having them at our PEACH events but are excited that many of them are staying in the area for college. It's been such a blessing know my kids were growing up alongside such a Godly group of kids and having the support of Godly moms along the way.   

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

James 5:12

Mountain Top Experience

This morning Abigail and a group of kids took off from the Brown Trail Church of Christ for Camp Blue Haven.  The camp is located in the beautiful mountains of Nevada, New Mexico.  

This will be Abigail's fifth year as a camper at Blue Haven.  The kids have a ten plus hour drive ahead of them but fortunately on the chartered bus it will be a fairly comfortable trip.  It's amazing, the kids have WiFi; they can watch movies on drop down screens every few rows; plenty of snacks; and a bathroom on the bus.  

They will stay the night at a hotel tonight and then pull into camp in the morning in time for morning worship services at the camp.  On Sunday night Abigail and some of the other fifth year campers will get to light the opening bon fire. 

I know she will have a great time and I'm looking forward to pictures and hearing the great stories of her week. 

God who formed the mountains by your power,

    having armed yourself with strength, Psalm 65:6

Fuzzy's and Friends

Our friends the Baileys have been vacationing in Southern California, hanging out at great spots like Disneyland and Warner Brothers Studios.  They have just returned and Abigail takes off tomorrow for a week in New Mexico.  So we got together for a three hour lunch today at Fuzzy's Taco Shop to catch up! 

I've got to say, I'm a little jealous of the tour of the Gilmore Girls set at Warner Brothers studios!  It was fun to see the character photos the Disney princesses and I understand Robin was really excited to meet Kylo Ren from Star Wars! 

I'm sure when these two are back together Abigail will have stories of mountain climbing, rappelling, and zip-lines! 

How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

Psalm 119:103

Feed Just One

On our food pick up today we found out that the coolers at Metro Relief were down.  That means there was no way to keep meats, cream desserts and cheese dishes cold.  

We pulled out the breads and cookies and non-refrigerated items and loaded the shelves at Metro.  Then we called our friend R.J. at Minnie's Food Pantry and asked if he had room for food.  R.J. is the son of Cheryl Jackson the founder of Minnie's.  Minnie's is named after R.J.'s grandmother and serves as a tribute to a single mom who struggled to provide food for her family. 

We loaded up one of his coolers with Tom Thumb & Starbucks pastries and Papa John's pizza. The food will go out to Minnie's guests on Monday.  Minnie's is the food pantry in Plano where the kids and I volunteered for several years.  It was a bit of drive as the kids got older and had more school work, and we were fortunate to fine Metro Relief in our own neighborhood.  It was good to see our friend and to check out all the improvements they've made to their operation.  

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,

    but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Proverbs 14:21

Seedtime and Harvest

I don’t have a green thumb; in fact if I did it would clash with my “I’m not a Waitress” OPI red polish! 

Every year we stick plants in the ground and hope for the best! All the rain we’ve had along with the raised beds and cages that Jon and Caleb built have led to a photo worthy post! The peach and fig trees are loaded with fruit! Every one of the tomato plants has half a dozen fruit, and we have handfuls of banana and jalapeno peppers every morning!

Jon may have found the right combinations of water, shade and bunny/squirrel prevention!  We also have a pretty impressive herb garden going that includes cilantro, dill, basil, and mint. 

Does he who plows for sowing plow continually?

    Does he continually open and harrow his ground?

25 

When he has leveled its surface,

    does he not scatter dill, sow cumin,

and put in wheat in rows

    and barley in its proper place,

    and emmer as the border?

Isaiah 28:24-25

Blessing Bags

Some of our great homeschooling friends, the Baileys, worked with their church home to create and assemble blessing bags for the homeless.  The bags have great items like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, Kleenex, and snacks that the homeless can use.  

Most shelters offer shower facilities but if you are living on the streets there are a few facilities that will allow the homeless to come in and shower.  

The snacks are not things that slip into a backpack and won't be affected by the Texas heat.  We delivered the bags to our friends at Metro Relief and they went out with the bus ministry the same day.  

On Thursdays the Metro Relief bus serves the homeless in south Dallas, on Fridays they head out to Fort Worth and on Saturdays they hit another portion of south Dallas.  When the bus goes out to an outreach they serve lunch, offer hair cuts, play basketball and pray with the homeless.  

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40