Day 2 part 1

So Tuesday started abnormally early this morning. Seriously did somebody remove 3-5 am cause I really feel like we missed those hours when we should have been sleeping. Time at camp does weird things. There were some sleepy faces at breakfast, but they pepped up quick and are in full, crazy cheering, and color wearing form. Today is our first full day of camp and the action was immediate. Right after breakfast was first rotations. The sweet little first and second graders got to sit in and listen to world class storyteller and man of God, Uncle Buddy. I snuck in and got some pictures of just a few pieces of his rather large artifact collection. Every artifact has a story and every story points to the glory and merciful love of our Heavenly Creator. I feel absolutely honored to have had the privilege of meeting him and let me tell you, when he talks, these kids listen. God spoke to the Hebrews in Leviticus 19:32 and told them, "You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord." Your children honor this man with their quiet respect and attention while he is talking and their inquisitive nature through their many questions and interest in his artifacts. I think we could all spend the day in a room (preferably air-conditioned) just listening to him and nobody would move. Scott Phillips warned me months ago how much kids love him and how captivating he is and he was absolutely right. 

p.s. the stool in the upper left hand corner that looks like an elephant

foot is an elephant foot. 

The third and fourth graders spent the first rotation with Tony Wolf singing some silly songs and talking about the importance of and how to communicate with God. He spoke about reading and studying your Bible and the power of leading a prayerful life. He challenged them to take their watch and take time to really sit and talk to the Father. 

Kirk was with us in the booth again today. He may look like he is reading activate curriculum 

but really he is communicating with the international space station. 

The fifth and sixth graders spent their morning doing some bonding through cabin team building time. This is a great time for the kids to learn to work together and spend some quality time with their councilors. 

At about 10am, the older kids finally got to experience the awesomeness that is Activate! They heard the lesson on having a great attitude that the first through third graders heard yesterday and I was highly impressed by the dance moves of our older campers. I know baptists aren't traditionally known for our smooth dance moves but some of these songs have some rather grace and coordination needing motions and they rocked it! And there are a lot of fifth and sixth graders in this group that I remember having in Elevate when they were first graders on up and I love seeing them participate. Sometimes when we are back home, they have to watch and gauge the coolness factor of a particular activity but here at camp it is just all about the fun, nobody looking around, just jumping up and down.

Our amazing activate team!!! I love these guys so much! And they

love your kids!!!!

We had our first worship rally this morning with Rachel the intern. For those of you who don't know, Rachel is from Alabama and she has taught us many of her native alabamian survival skilz. For instance, Rachel, or RaRa GaGa as she is known to the campers, lost her hair brush ten days ago. If one were from Texas, one might purchase a new hair brush. Alabamians are made of sterner stuff however. Ten days without brushing her hair? Oh yes. Thankfully Tonya Haver brought extra toiletries in case a camper forgot something and Rachel is able to tame her tresses once again. I am not sure what accounts for the blue hair however the eyes are just a crazy camp side effect . 

You guys, it is 2am and I need to get some sleep before the campers start waking up but there is still so much I want to tell you about! I promise I will finish in the morning but let me leave you with a few more pictures. 

Randy Haver, Tonya's husband, led paintball with the older children and from the time I spent out there with them I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Randy is all about safety. I was impressed with his professionalism and the eyes he had both on the side of his head and behind his head. Honestly there had to have been ten to fifteen guys out there with loaded paintball guns and he noticed every move they made. And I kept my mask on like a good girl, I promise!

The aqua men decided to try out the zip line today. We already knew they were brave since they have been tasked with keeping 150ish kids fully hydrated in 105 degree weather. 

Oh and we played everyone's favorite game today! More on that later but as a sneak peak teaser, here is Barrett watering Rachel the inner tube flower. 

 You guys I have got to get some sleep or I will never survive tomorrow but let me say that I wish you could all be out here at camp. There are no smiles like summer camp smiles. They are a hundred percent brighter. 

peace out 

Jamie 

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