August Highlight: Our 4th Year at Family Retreat!

Once again, the Lord blessed us with a WONDERFUL time at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat!  We previously went in '08, '09, & '11.  However, I was not planning to go this year.  The plan was for me to keep the youngest 2 at home and Kempton would take the oldest 2 to the retreat since he was the Retreat Pastor & Speaker again this year.  I thought that only a crazy woman would take a 2 month old to camp.  But after our sweet month together, I desired to go.  I wasn't sure if the retreat facilitators could accommodate our desire for having a 2 room suite-like lodging in order to keep the baby separate from the other 3 kids.  I didn't want him to disturb them with his middle of the night feedings.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Well, we received much more than we asked for!!!  Our room was the perfect set up for our family of 6. God was sooo gracious to us in so many ways those 5 days.  I'm so glad that I decided to be the crazy woman & bring the youngest camper.  I would have missed out on so many blessings & precious memories with my family. Here are some highlights -

We walked in and found lots of goodies on each of the beds.

Here is the adults' room & of course Baby Caleb.

The kids each had a twin bed in the adjacent room.  

Kempton taught through Ephesians 2:1-10 during the 3 sessions which were all focused on the Gospel.  One of the key points was, "We don't grow up out of the Gospel, we grow into it!"    

Sister Lovin'

Christian's helper, Jonathan, serves us on a regular basis in our home as Christian's Personal Care Attendant (PCA) & gladly served again this year at the retreat.  We praise God for His love toward our Christian.  

Caryn with our friend, Joe, who we met last year.  Sadly, Joe's father died of cancer a couple of months before the retreat.  We were so happy to see Joe, his mother, & brother there.  

My little Kalia loves to swing.  You can often hear her chanting,
"Really high, really high!"  

Sweet Daddy-Son Dance

The girls posing with their new shirts from Grandpa & Grandma G.  

Christian's other favorite PCA, Luke, Jonathan's brother.  

Carysse's 1st time on a kayak with "Uncle" Bob & "Aunt" Mary.

Our Date Night photo before our delicious steak dinner.

Joe on Kempton's back.  He enjoys Kempton so much.  

He wanted to be around him the entire time.  

S'more makin' time!

S'more eatin' time!

Remember Christian's favorite friend, Elisa, from 3 years ago?
Well, she's still his favorite! 

We did flying/sky lanterns one evening on the beach.

Those things were cool!!!
They were so beautiful as they lit up the sky.

Kempton wrapping up the final morning session.

Precious Daddy-Son Moment

The youngest camper was a cute little trooper the whole time!