A "JOYE"FUL LIFE: "Family Camp"

Last week, our family had the privilege of attending "Joni and Friends Disability Camp" on a beautiful lake about an hour from our home. Jay was the camp Pastor this year, so we decided the kids were old enough now for the entire family to go with him and enjoy ministering and being ministered to together.

I can truly say that we were ministered to far more than any ministering we could have hoped to have done. We walked away far more blessed than we imagined. We spent the week being awe-struck and humbled as we watched new friends who for some, spend every waking moment in a wheelchair, fly through the air on a zip line, ride on a tube behind a boat, scale a wall, slide down a water slide, swim in a pool, participate in a talent show, enjoy the splash pad, and smile more than they ever have. Our new friends came with a wide variety of disabilities including minor to severe Autism, Seizure Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Stroke, Paralyzation from automobile/motorcycle accidents, Down Syndrome, and many others. As I quietly observed from the sidelines, I began to notice that their abilities far outweighed their disabilities. I was truly humbled by the spirits of these precious new friends. Some came to camp quite discouraged, but left with a new "zest for life". It was especially wonderful for me to get to spend some time with the mother's of the campers and try to encourage them alittle bit. While I felt very unqualified to encourage them at all, seeing that I do not live with a child who has a profound disability and have no idea what the pressures and stresses of daily life is like for them, I do know what it is like to suffer daily from a broken heart, broken dreams, shattered expectations of what life would look like....., but to try to live through my suffering in light of the hope I have in Christ. I was able to share alittle bit about this with some of the women and was once again humbled that God could bind our hearts together through suffering.

Our children amazed us with their intuitive compassion for the brokenness of this world. Elijah was put in a group of children with various needs and he became a "buddy" to them, helping them along the way from activity to activity, accepting them just the way they are, and just being their friend. Ellison brought many smiles to many people during the week, and even sang the camp "theme song" as a solo in the talent show the last night! Out of the mouth of a 2 year old babe came, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

It was a remarkable week, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to have been a part of this life-changing week for many people. May we never forget the lessons learned this week. May we never be the same - Lord help us not to be the same.

Day 1 for this little camper!

Singing during opening assembly

Ready for her 1st activity, which probably included picking up a bug or some other type of "unlovely" creature, to which she has decided is quite fascinating.

Ready for his 1st activity - which was tubing on the lake!

Ellison, Katie, James, and Elijah B (Katie and James go to our church and were helpers during the week)

Waiting patiently for S'mores!

Maylon (who also goes to our church and was helping during the week), getting her daily dose of "Ellison love" - otherwise known as keeping her from getting into the bonfire or jumping in the lake!