How does time just get away from you... I should turn my site into a annual update!  This would be less painful if I was faithful in updating more often.  But I won't complain - life has been full, good, and hard.  Can all those be in the same sentence and be possible?  I last left you at our anniversary.  Here are some pics to do a fast catch you up of our spring, summer, and part of fall. 

We celebrated our anniversary in D.C. - love and miss that city.  It was fun to share it with my husband.  We did touristy things like the art museum, the spy museum, rode the Metro, and ate some mean Mongolian BBQ.  The best part - was just relaxing, no deadlines, enjoying each other, and dreaming of years to come together.

Spring brings many good things at camp like Camporee, celebrating Easter in a sunrise service (brrrr), flowers and all kinds of color, Staff Retreat, and Families' Day.  Kevin has been learning in leaps and bounds about supervision - it seems like there's always personal, spiritual, and skill growth happening.  It's exciting to watch him become more comfortable, stretch himself, and get excited.  We thank God for the privilege of being a part of the Kingdom in this small way.

In April we had a grand time because BOTH of our families visited us.  When they don't live close to you - times like these are so precious.  They do such a wonderful job encouraging us and filling our love tanks up when they visit.  I miss being able to have them around our table whenever - heaven will be sweet in that way!

In May we had a real treat!  Kevin spent 3 days on the PeeDee River with the Explorers to get them started on their trip.  I picked him up after his 3 days and we drove to the coast for a recharging weekend.  We camped at Myrtle Beach - it was a perfect spot and weekend.  The highlight was crabbing - first for both of us.  We weren't too successful, but we had fun getting muddy.  We bought fresh crabs at a stand and had a feast that night.  There is something so refreshing about the ocean, sun, and wind.  We caught up on some of our reading and it seems that times away like that lend itself to projection, dreaming, and wondering about the future.      

This summer we enjoyed 4th of July at the lake with camp.  We had a good time with Elisa when she came to visit.  Conference was a rejuvinating time for our staff and vision at camp.  We loved our time at the Bollinger (Kevin's mom's family) campout.  Lots of good food, learning to know cousins and uncles and aunts, lots of games, and good catch up time with his family.  Always too short. 

Kevin and I both enjoy "homesteading."  We've built a rock wall, refinished an old desk, Kevin put a lean-to on the side of the shed, we've learned tons about gardening, and I've enjoyed reading alot of books on sustainability, local foods, pasture raised, etc.  I surprise even myself at times.  We also have enjoyed hikes, swimming holes, picnics, Kevin has taken up kayaking, Shakespeare plays this summer in the park, biking, and exploring our charming city Greenville.

My siblings decided to whack us with two weddings in a year.  Tyrone in September and Racine in December.  It's meant 2 trips to D.C. for me to help Racine and for a bridal shower... a road trip for us to AR in September for Tyrone's wedding... and one more trip in December for Racine's!  WHEW!  The best part is hanging out as a family... I love what the inlaws add and that they can actually put up with us.  Special times ahead.

This year has been really good for developing friendships with our staff at camp.  It's neat and challenging to see how God puts such different people together, but gives us the grace to come together as a team to carry on His work.  God has taught us so much about body, community, loving each other, and the power of our brother and sisters' support!  Here are some pics of our co-workers, neighbors, the chiefs, our director, etc. 

Lest you read this post and think our life is glamour and smooth sailing, let me provide a disclaimer.  Xanga does not carry an option to post pics of trials, stuff going on inside our hearts, tears, and hard life lessons.  The good things I posted can only truly be enjoyed b/c we believe that the heart of the Father is good - even though He's not always safe (to borrow from Narnia).  It's the purging trials that truly define our lives.  It's blessing His name when He gives and takes away.  It's living in close community and learning to trust our team even though we're full of imperfections.  Pray for us that we would keep our eyes on Jesus, the goal of heaven, and the needs of souls around us.

(DISCLAIMER - Because I'm too cheap to pay for xanga, I maxxed my quota of photo uploads - hence why the pictures cease half way through this blog.  We'll try again later.)