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For the last three years, every June, our family has attended a music camp in Florida with our choir. We meet with 1,000+ other individuals to practice and record a music cd. This year, all the songs were arrangements of the songs written by the music group Casting Crowns. The group from our choir also organizes and teaches a day camp for children at a housing project. The day camp is always the best part of the week! :)
This year, on our "free" day, we went to the Holy Land Experience! I would highly recommended it to anyone who will be in the Orlando area -
The shows are so awesome! The Women at the Well, Forgiven, and The Passion were my absolute favorites. Tears were running down my face during many of them (either from laughter or overwhelming unworthiness.) As I watched the representation of what my Savior underwent for ME, I was overwhelmed with his love. The actors had so much talent. The same actors performed over and over throughout the day during the many different shows. We saw one of the actors running by at the end of the day and so a member of our group asked them, "How do you have the energy to do all these shows everyday?" They smiled and said, "God."
The spirit of Jesus is so alive there.
{me & my sweet sister at the children's section of the Holy Land. :D} 
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At the day camp we organized this year, there was an adorable little girl who was deaf. After being in Jamaica, I had learned alittle bit of Sign Language. It was so neat ~ she was such a sweetheart.
Since she could not hear the music, she placed her hand on the instruments we played. She loved to "feel" the music.
Everyday at the day camp, we tell a different story, have a time of music, games, snacks and crafts! On the 3rd day, they made a "fishing game." :)
Such beautiful girls ~
We were in Florida for 8 days...It was a time of making memories, of blessing and being blessed and of being inspired by speakers. Each night, one of our group members would lead devotions & we would have a group discussion on topics like witnessing, worshiping God, fleeing sin, and seeking holiness.
I was very challenged by many things during this week.
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We flew home from Florida on Saturday morning & about 4 hours later, we piled into the van and headed to a family-get-together about a 12 hour drive from our home. Dad's three brothers and their families, along with my grandparents all stayed in 3 comfy cabins in the woods.
The cabins had so many cute little elements ~ they were so neat!
One day, we went to a nearby lake & all the cousins enjoyed swimming. There was a rope swing & other fun things. It was so fun to be with all our precious little cousins! 
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Our theme was the Good Samaritan and especially focusing on, "Who is my neighbor?" I learned so much about compassion....
Saturday evening, after a thunder and rain storm, there was a beautiful double rainbow!
There was many sweet friendships renewed and made!
The cabins had so many cute little elements ~ they were so neat!
One day, we went to a nearby lake & all the cousins enjoyed swimming. There was a rope swing & other fun things. It was so fun to be with all our precious little cousins! ---
From there, we drove up to a nearby large city where Daddy had a work project. We used to live there (way back - 15 years ago) and had some time to kill while Daddy was working, so we decided to visit our old house!
When we knocked on the door, our last name was still on the doorknocker! The dear old lady who lived there was quite excited to finally meet us. :) Never in my life have I seen someone who talked as much as this lady did...she kept track of everything she had replaced, the number of times she had mowed her lawn for the past few years, and told us all about who had or had not moved in the neighborhood.
It was quite humorous. :)
The tree (below) is one Dad and Mom planted when Ricky was born! We were surprised at how big it was....
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Our church family is very spread apart through the state, so instead of having a week-long vbs for the children, we have a family weekend! We go to a retreat center, invite a speaker, and spend 3 days doing all sorts of activities together!
Our theme was the Good Samaritan and especially focusing on, "Who is my neighbor?" I learned so much about compassion....Saturday evening, after a thunder and rain storm, there was a beautiful double rainbow!There was many sweet friendships renewed and made!---
2 comments:
wow nikki! That trip sounds amazing! Great pictures!
Nikki-sounds like you've been having a great summer!
Is there some way I could get a copy of the CD? I absolutely love love love Casting Crowns...they are tied for first (with Switchfoot) for my favorite artist. :)
I love you.
I miss you.
-Mazing =)
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