Back from camp

Family camp was fun! And, of course, I forgot to take pictures. Sorry.

The location was beautiful. It's only about 10 minutes from the town we lived in the first time, Levin. We arrived at night, so we didn't catch the beauty the first night. We did meet up with some old friends from Levin, though, who work at the camp. It was fortuitous timing, as they were packing their vehicle to leave for the weekend, just as we pulled in. Their little girl is only a couple weeks older than Ethan and they were some of the first people we met 4 years ago. It was nice to catch up, if only for 15 minutes or so.

We settled into our room in the "Round House" Lodge. It is literally a round building, with the rooms in a circle, getting wider the further you go into the rooms. It was unique. Our room had 3 bunkbeds and a single bed and our own bathroom WITH a shower! It was fantastic! And warm. Oh, so warm. I do not know how those buildings stay so warm, but I was ready to live there. I do think the two hot water cylinders in a cabinet in our bathroom may have helped.

Saturday brought clear, sunny skies and was so warm! Summer does not appear to be ending in New Zealand. The lake that the camp sits on was crystal clear, with the trees and sky reflecting like a mirror in it. It really is a shame our camera just sat in my bag.

Colin and I enjoyed sitting back and visiting with people from our church that we don't normally get a chance to visit with on a hectic Sunday morning. I went into a town called Otaki, which is newly famous for its myriad of outlet stores, to do a little shopping. I don't do "girl" stuff with other women very often at all, so it was nice, even though many of us took off on our own, as our shopping interests varied. I wanted to find some tops for myself (I desperately need tops!), but ended up buying some stuff for the boys, and some vitamins. Ugh. So, I'll be healthy with well-dressed children, but please, don't look at my clothes.

Ethan became fast friends with a little girl named Joella. He's seen her at church, but they really connected this weekend. He was completely devastated at one point when he couldn't find her, thinking he'd never see her again (he's a wee bit dramatic), and he couldn't be convinced to play with anyone else at all! They were really quite sweet together. I basically didn't see him all day Saturday. However, we learned the hard way, that a whole day spent with a young friend, being overly-stimulated with playing, leads to one big, giant, horrible meltdown at bedtime. Now, we know Ethan is spirited, and transitions are tricky at the best of times, but this was rather insane. He was literally throwing his body all over the room and slamming himself down on the floor. It took some very tight "hugging" and soothing words (by Colin, as I was too exhausted to have any patience) to help him calm down enough to get into bed.

Colin and I traded off running after Silas and staying in the room with him while he napped. I got some more "girl" talk in with some other ladies, while Ethan was off playing. I really have forgotten what it's like to sit and visit with other women, and not be distracted by my children. It was nice. And refreshing.

This morning, in church, one of the elders (we don't actually have a pastor) talked about the story of the firstborn being killed in Egypt and how those who put the blood of an animal on their doors were spared. And how this directly relates to how Jesus' blood covered us and saved us. Two people got up and shared their faith stories. And then a young girl, 14 years old, got up and sang a beautiful song, and I can't even remember the name of it, but basically about how we need "only Jesus". And I sat there, Ethan on my lap, surprisingly calm and non-fidgety during such a long service, and I felt tears in my eyes. I felt a sadness in my spirit over the things we've been through in the past year. I felt the sadness, and I felt the gratefulness that I had Jesus through it. I had his strength. My grieving over the life we lost is not over. I have many days where I don't feel it as intensely, but then it all comes crashing in sometimes. But today, I was reminded, again, how Jesus has carried my family through this storm and continues to do so. He keeps giving and giving and giving to us. We really are so blessed by this church. I feel I made new friends this weekend. I feel we are slowly being known by these people. I shared things with people that I don't normally share. I was surprised by my own vulnerability. And that is all Jesus. He knew we needed to come to this place. He guided us here. I'm so thankful. Those words sound too simple. But maybe simple is good. I'm thankful.

Thank you, Jesus.