It's been a splendid summer so far! I love how nice and slow it's moving. We're not even through June and we've already had a great mix of relaxation, special time together, and big adventures!
Summer always kicks off with the celebration of Ella's birthday at the end of May. Since she is starting to take online college classes, we gifted her a laptop before her birthday and told her to expect a pretty low key day. A few silly science-y presents, a table full of her favorite desserts, and a house full of her favorite friends to watch her favorite movie proved to be a perfect 17th birthday. Pictured above-- Ella's new pet Henry, a Venus fly trap who is waaaay higher maintenance, but also way more delightful to Ella, than I could have imagined!
On her birthday, Ella also started her summer job which she has been LOVING. She's a camp counselor/climbing instructor for the summer day camp at her rock climbing gym. She trains, she encourages, she belays, she teaches crafts, she referees games, she awards prizes, and she helps kids conquer fears, achieve goals, and fall in love with climbing the way she has each day. It's the perfect summer job!
Delia found a fun way to make some money this summer too! She and a few friends were hired to serve at a big graduation party. Serving this Mexican family, the girls enjoyed a legit fiesta with the best tacos, a pig roast, fresh made churros, and fancy fruity drinks. She had a blast and made $100!
A large chunk of our summer has actually been Dave-less! He spent two weeks in the Midwest visiting family and attending Synod as a delegate for our Classis. We girls found one fun thing to do together each day that he was gone. Ivy's first pup cup, a shared sundae, a visit to the farmer's market, dress shopping for Delia, and a Tom Holland movie brightened our days.
Dave has not had any kind of break since last August, so we were thrilled to send him away for a good time to reconnect with loved ones! His time with family was wonderful! Besides getting to hang out with his siblings, nephews, and parents, he especially enjoyed all the fun Chicago food-- Buena Beef, Giordano's, and a fun date at the teppanyaki place where they light firecrackers at your table and fling broccoli into your mouth!
While Dave was in Chicago, our nephew Miles had a surgery to adjust the growth rods on his spine. Dave was so happy to be able to see him a few nights later when they had a sleepover at Karen's house together! On his last day in Chicago, his dad had an unfortunate fall at the golf course, doing a number to his leg and ankle that will require surgery next week. While not the most fun outing, Dave was glad to be there to take Dad to the ER too. He continues to minister to the sick and injured, even when far away from our church! :)
Synod was exhausting and challenging, but Dave really enjoyed most parts of it and says he would for sure go again. Wisdom, discernment, sound judgement, and good listening skills are some of his strengths, so he served well and voted on hard things prayerfully and fairly. The best part of Synod was reconnecting with old seminary and pastor friends! Above is Scott, one of Dave's best friends from seminary. Back in the day, their professors actually nicknamed them "The Dream Team". Fun to see them reunited-- with beards!
And, probably the summer's biggest highlight so far, the girls went to their first HiCamp! They've grown up visiting their dad there, so for them to finally experience it for themselves was something we were really excited about this summer! All their expectations were met and exceeded. HiCamp was full of all the cabin shenanigans, powerful worship, challenging speakers, wacky games, volleyball competition, beach and boardwalk days, and time to bond with friends as always! We've loved hearing the stories of how the girls laughed during all the crazy fun and grew closer to the Lord throughout this special week. Above, a picture of Ella's cabin after dominating their volleyball matches. And below, some fun game where they had to recreate famous paintings.
Ella's cabin and her whole class.
I got way more pictures and updates throughout the week from Delia! Haha! I love this about her. Her best days were beach day and boardwalk day.
Delia was a tad apprehensive about HiCamp, knowing how much volleyball, games, and competition there was going to be-- NOT her things. My favorite story, though, is that on Delia's last day she chose to take a big uphill hike (also NOT her thing) to the cross for her Time Alone with God (morning devotions) and listed this as one of the highlights of her week! The whole week I prayed that she'd be brave enough to do things outside of her comfort zone. She did and she had THE BEST week.
Delia's best friend and best teacher, who went up as a counselor-- Mrs. M. is now Karissa! :) And her cabin pictured below.
The HiCamp speaker for the week was our old high school Bible teacher! When we picked up the girls, we had a wonderful time reconnecting! Rev. (or as the girls call him "Jeff") is timeless! Here are 4 VMs who've now been impacted by his stories and sermons during formative high school years!
And what did I do all week while everyone was gone? I must admit there were times that stretched long with no meals to prepare and no one to expect coming home. A to-do list of weird projects to complete (Filing cabinet is now totally cleaned out! Curtains and valances washed! Car maintenanced!) and a few movies to watch and books to read helped. I also filled those long hours with one friend date each day. I had lunches, breakfasts, and coffee with some of my favorite people. My best day was one spent entirely at the lake with Doreen and Lisa at Lisa's parents' amazing lake house. The week went quick enough with several high points, but I sure do love having everyone home again-- even if they brought me 4 loads of laundry and an unending sink full of dishes! :)
