this moment

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama and others. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Geneva Part 1

Part of Cory's job is being a part Youth for Christ Camp (YFCamp). Chloe and I got the privilege to come along to one of the camps and serve as the camp photographer. I would never call myself a professional photographer, but I do enjoy taking photos. I wish we had a super duper nice camera that I could operate in full manual mode, but I don't. BUT, for camp my awesome parents let me borrow their camera. Thanks bunches Mom and Dad.

We were able to go to Camp Geneva in Holland, Michigan. The camp was located on the shore of Lake Michigan. It was so beautiful. This was the farthest east I have been in the United States, before that it was Colorado. Sad, I know.

Here are some photos I took for YFCamp at Geneva.

Worship in the club room

I would have loved to go down this slide.

Cory with Adam doing a skit of some sorts...

This is Crud Wars. If you have never experienced it, you're missing out. The basic concept is an organized food fight/battle. It starts out with water balloons and often ends with oatmeal, chocolate syrup, ketchup, flour bombs and who knows what else. It's fun, really messy and fun, lots of fun.

Cory in the middle of Crud Wars. I think he wants his shorts shorter. I wouldn't object.

Chloe with "Pops", Dan the President of YFC USA.

On the last night of camp, the kids have "solo" time. It's pretty short, about 20 minutes or so. It's an opportunity for the kids to sit quietly, reflect on their week and listen to God. It's such an awesome time to watch and be a part of. At the end of the time, worship music played and the kids had the opportunity to respond, by shouting "YES!" They were responding by making first time decisions, rededicating their lives, or just taking one step closer toward a relationship with Jesus. 

The day before, the camp speaker, Don, gave all the campers a rock to hold on to. This rock represented something they had been carrying with them-- for some it represented family problems, addictions, distractions or something else they were holding onto. Along with the chance to shout "YES!", the kids could also throw their rock into Lake Michigan and be free of whatever was weighing them down. 

It really touched my heart to hear these kids shout "YES!" and to see them throw their rocks into the lake. A lot of them come to camp with so many problems and pressures in their lives. For some of them, to leave home and come to camp is their only chance to be free and for them to just be kids. Then to see them stand up, where everyone could see them, be vulnerable, walk to the water and throw their rock, was something I will never forget. The courage they have to take a step toward Jesus is why I feel so privileged to be a part of YFCamp.

If you would like to view more photos from Geneva you can go to the YFC USA Flickr.

I will be back later with another post about Chloe at camp.

Bellview Park

A long, long time ago, in July...

Chloe and I went to Belleview Park with some friends. The park was lots of fun for the kids. It has a stream where the kids could play, dig and catch the occasional water creature. I had fun too, but the heat is a real downer for me. God did not create me to enjoy extreme heat, and by extreme, I mean warm for most people. Once it hits 80 degrees, it's hot. If it goes above 85, I will be hiding inside the air conditioning.

Chloe loved playing in the sand. I didn't love cleaning it up for days.

The park also had a petting zoo and a small train ride. Petting zoo and a really hot day doesn't mix well, so we went with the train ride. Of course Chloe loved it. I think it was her first train ride.

Chloe has discovered how to make her silly face, a.k.a. akward pictures. Oh well, this is a good remember of her and what she thinks is funny at this time in her life.

Speaking of "this moment in time", this is another phase Chloe is in...her cheese face. I think it's cute, but not cute enough to be in all pictures.

If you are wondering where Cory is, he wasn't around too much this summer because of his work travel schedule. I felt a bit like a single mom at times, but am glad I'm not. When Cory was home, we just wanted to chill as a family and didn't take many pictures of us lounging around in our dark apartment, wearing pajamas, and trying to avoid the heat.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Earlier this summer we took a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, in Colorado Springs, with some friends. This was Chloe's first zoo experience. Unfortunately, Cory was out of town at a camp so he missed out. The night before we went, I told Chloe we were going to the zoo and she was like, what in the world are you talking about crazy lady, what's a zoo? Once we arrived the next day, it took about 30 seconds for her to understand what the zoo was.

Chloe pretending to be a spider in her web, or me trying to get her to pretend.

Chloe with her best Colorado friends, Maddie and Taylor. I can't remember what kind of eggs they were, maybe turtle eggs?

Eww... BIG. NASTY. FISH. I hate fish, they are disgusting, but some are tasty.

So, that was part of our trip to the zoo. For some reason I didn't get any pictures of myself or any other adults or animals. Hmmm... I'll work on that.

Whoa!

I have underestimated the work it takes to update this blog regularly. Dang! But, I am determined to stick with it. I promise to all my readers, Cory and myself, to stick with it. Now for a cute picture of Chloe on the shore of Lake Michigan.

And yes, I do love the Hipstamatic app for the iphone...I'm from Oregon, there is a little hipster in me... little.

Mountain Climbing

Chloe loves Dora and always remembers an episode where Dora climbs up a mountain. I'm so proud of my little baby climbing the mountains at the playground.