We always get to "sleep in" in the mornings for about two weeks after school lets out for the summer (which means we try to sleep in but the kids still get up and wake us up at the regular time ;o)... and then Camp begins, Monday through Thursday, lasting until about two weeks before school starts again. This is Joel's third summer riding the bus to day camp for kids with disabilities. He gets to swim twice a week and goes on field trips every Wednesday. He loves it!
But here's the neatest thing about Camp this year! Our daughter Mikelle ("Kelly") is a counselor there! We're really happy about that. Although she says she won't get to be Joel's counselor this year, she's there and can give the others some tips if they need help with him. And Joel thinks it's great that he gets to see his sister there at camp. He's missed her since she grew up and moved away.
We went to the Open House for the families last night and Joel was pleased to show off for us and get hugged by his camp counselors. We brought Timmy and Ella with us to meet the camp staff. Tim and Ella enjoyed running around in the gym and playing outside chasing bubbles. Ella hardly slowed down in the gym and each time she nearly caught up with a ball her foot would kick it and it'd scoot on ahead of her again. Too funny! She kept going for a long time until finally she laid down on her belly to rest, with her arms and legs stretched out and we knew it was time to go home.
And speaking of Camp, our daughter Robin is at
Girl's Camp this week as a counselor for the younger girls. This is an overnight church camp, complete with singing around the campfire and all of the typical fun of camping out! I hope Robin's having lots of fun and not getting too many mosquito bites! Camp always has some great memories and friendships that last and last.
We're taking a little trip this weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary! I hope our grown-up kids will take good care of their little siblings and that the ward will be fine for several days without the bishop . ;o) Our anniversary is the same day as my dad's birthday, so Happy Birthday Dad! We'll eat some ice cream on the bay to celebrate you!
Our nephew Sam, age 19, has received his misson call! He will serve for two years in the Mesa, Arizona Spanish Speaking Mission! This is exciting news for the whole family and we are looking forward to hearing about his experiences. Sam will leave for the Mission Training Center on a certain date and after being immersed in the language for several weeks he will then fly to Arizona. This is a huge commitment for a young person and requires that he not go home or date for two years. He will not be paid money for this volunteer missionary service and will devote all of his time to giving service and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who are ready to listen. He will have another missionary as his companion at all times, changing companions and areas every several months. This is a maturing experience for young people and helps build testimonies in relying on the Lord. If you'd like to see a movie about one of our young missionaries that served in the Tongan Islands in the 1960's, watch "The Other Side of Heaven". You'll love it!
We had a lovely Father's Day here. Mike didn't have early meetings and Sacrament meeting was wonderful, with talks about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and our earthly fathers.
We've been anxiously waiting to hear, and finally got an email this morning. Lora was surprised by many of her old classmates who met her at 1:00 am at the train station! They talked until 4 am and then had to be at school by 8. She is tired but excited to be there. Lora says that some of the kids that didn't know her as well said, "You look just like an exchange student that was here a year ago!" and some of the teachers asked her, "Where have you been?" ;o)
