He's famous in an inner circle . . .

Okay, our kids love going to camp in the summer, and we have been fortunate enough that our home congregation felt that it was important to help any child attend one of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio (LOMO) camps- and they paid they way of many, those who wanted to go. We thank them for their previous support and hope and pray they reconsider their decision for the future as they have forgotten the importance of "family" and helping those close to home that have needs, big and small.

Enough of that, sorry . . . Well, last night Jay was opening some of the mail from the congregations that he serves as the senior seminarian vicar, and there were packets for the LOMO 2009 summer camps. Even though we won't be here this summer, as we are anticipating a move west after Jay graduates, our kids still wanted to look through the booklet to see what camps are offered.

All of the sudden Cassie yells, "It's Zack!!"

I (mom) of course respond, "Our Zack?"

Cassie preceded to show us that Zack is in a picture and has made it on one of the promotional flyers. We started laughing and then the kids flipped through the big booklet to see if there are any other photos of the kids (only Cassie and Zack went in 2008). Well, as it turns out, the publication for the LOMO summer 2009 camps, that will be mailed out state wide, has four pictures on the front, one of which is the one below of Zack and one of his cabin mates (it is cropped and you just see the boys running). Of course, I will be saving the booklet . . . I may even have him autograph it. LOL

Of course, after we saw the photo, we went to LOMO's website to see what other photos they had from the 2008 summer. We found these other pictures from the kids' summer adventure . .

Zack attended an astro camp that was themed around rockets and space. So they ate food like they would in space; they tied food from strings and hung them from the ceiling/rafters and they kids tried to eat it without using their hands. Then they built rockets and got to launch them.

Are we having fun, yet?

Cassie loves going to the homestead . . . this is about 3/4 mile from the main camp and she lived without running water, electricity, and indoor facilities. They cooked everything over an open fire and took care of some animals. At the end of the week, we (the parents) attended a closing program where the kids and counselors talked about what they did during the week and then they sang songs.

We hope where ever we end up, the kids will be able to enjoy such an opportunity as camp. These camps give kids an opportunity to meet other kids, make new friends, experience life without parents, encourage them, teach them, and share God's love.