Tuesday, November 4, 2008

First Weekend!

Looks like someone likes Camp AuSable. I want you to notice this adorable suit that her Auntie NayNay and Uncle Adam bought for her. It says "Harley Davidson" from Las Vegas. Some of Sarah's school friends were up north and they pegged it that Adam had gotten the outfit for her.
This is our room in the Deer Lodge. Nice with it's own bath and one double and a set of bunk beds. Our little girl loves the computer and came to help her grammy. I made Sarah sleep on the top bunk.
I brought 25 of these pumpkins in our room to decorate. They are glittered and then I added a floral arrangement on the top. Couldn't keep them away from Leah. I wonder if she thinks this is a wierd shaped bottle?
One of our song services. We were in charge of them all, 9. Sarah did such a great job planning them and doing the power point. They were all based on Bible texts. We also taught a new hymn every day and told the story behind it. Remember, this program was for 7th and 8th graders, and believe it or not, they loved the songs and really sang along. She received many compliments and requests for the introductions we gave. Couldn't quite get a good picture of us cause the kids we asked always sat in the front row and shot us up close and from down below. I warned them about no shots with a double chin of me, so this is the best I could come up with that both of us had our eyes open on.
Lunch in the dining room sure was different then the way we do them at the women's retreats. Ours is always so fancy. Not so here. Plus, we always have some ladies who get to come free if they do all the dishes, so need for us to wear the aprons and hairnets.
These are our Oakwood girls taking their turn at the dishroom.Every day the students chose three breakout sessions to go to. This is the SDA artist Nathan Greene teaching art at his breakout. It was so much fun to watch him draw. What a wonderful man with a wonderful talent.
He was on one end of the auditorium teaching and Sarah was on the other end. Her breakout was "Bible Labs Outreach Card Ministries". We had them all make the same Get Well card and then had at least 15 samples for them to make another card using their own creativity. Their hand out showed how to make all the cards, opportunities for their use, bible verse and quotes to use on them, etc.
Here are a few of the cards. The get well card had a kleenex, cough drop, and tea bag in the pocket. They were all so cute.Aunt Stella made this and you will see you can take the bookmark off the right side and use it.After making the cards, we went to a nursing home the next day to deliver them and sing and share with the residents. We went three times that day. Looks like this trip was when Leah was ready for a nap. The folks at the home really enjoyed Leah and singing "Jesus Loves Me" with her. This trip went a little better.
Sarah introducing the first group. Second group passing out the cards.

Third group sharing with the folks. These kids were great even though some were uncomfortable. Each group had at least on guitar player and that helped so much.
Here's the girls with the lake in the background. See the colors a little in the background.And of course, the required deer picture. It was a wonderful time and you just had to marvel at how well these 250 kids behaved and acted. They are at a quirky age and so much fun. Hope to do it again sometime.
And last but not least, a future Oakwood Academy student who will hopefully attend LIFT when she is in the 7th grade if the Lord doesn't come first.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Remember Way Back When . . . .

Remember way back when I told you we were heading north to Grayling for a week. Well, here are some shots of the trip. These are from the Mother/Daughter Retreat that we worked on. Leah is taking her first ride in a wagon that Renee and Kevin provided for our decorations. Here is the front of the auditorium after we decorated. Doesn't it look like a fall festival? It was the beginning of October and out the windows were the most beautiful colored leaves on the trees surrounding the lake.

My daughter-in-law made me this beautiful banner for our backdrop. Wow, did the ladies love it. I had several offers to purchase it but I said no.
Sarah led all the song services and did the power points. I played piano and Lisa Glenn and Staci Osterman are singing with her. Katie Purvis was playing guitar with me. Then Lisa and Katie also played violin on some songs. They play so beautifully.
Following the evening program the teens met with Sarah and Lisa and had an afterglow candlelight time to sing and share.Looks like someone is not too tired. We spent this second weekend in the hotel and boy was it nice. Didn't have to worry about Leah keeping up the ladies at night. She had the worst diaper rash she ever had and Sarah also had a UTI. Several trips were made to CVS.
Our offering was unique this year. Kim, on the right, our WM leader in MI, is going on a mission trip with her daughter Katie, on left, at Christmas. They need many stuffed animals to put invitations to VBS on and hand out to the Mexican children and every year they run out. So we asked all the moms and girls to bring stuffed animals for their offering. It turned out great and they received bag after bag full.
These are a few of the girls bringing their gifts to the front.
Sarah and Lisa again.
Another group activity.
Sarah and Leah at their SS in the Deer Lodge. Looks like they both are having a good time learning about Jesus.
Saturday night brought the Fall Festival. We were in charge of the donut on a string game. First one to eat the complete donut off the string without using their hands is the winner. We were so busy hanging donuts that I hardly got any pictures. It was a great night and everyone had a good time. Lots of balloon, games, caramel apples, donuts, cider, popcorn, etc.
Face painting by Renee and Lisa was a huge hit. God blessed us with close to 200 women and their daughters ages 1-17 from all around the state. Weather was actually perfect, in the 70's. Sunday was a day of activities for mom and daughter such as canoeing, horseback riding, hayrides, go karts. If you have never come before, try to put it on your schedule for next October. It is always the second weekend and I can help with any info you may need.