Kara's Impressions: 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009

Branson: Week 1

This past week we were in Branson at Big Cedar. It's a beautiful place, although I didn't get many pictures. We spent a lot of time down in their waterpark-thing and I didn't take my camera down there. But anyway, here are a couple I did take.

This was as close as I could get to a sunset. It was during the attempt to take this that we were followed by a skunk...that was exciting.

Madalyn, posing

Lol, Madalyn & Gabe jumping and in the background Luke is standing on Dad's shoulders

A view of another lodge

This is mostly what we did when we weren't at the pool

More tv

View from our balcony

Madalyn & Papa

Becca & Megan riding scooters at our Aunt & Uncle's house. It was here that we watched the Sheriff(s) arrest the guy across the street.

A flower 'cause no post is complete without one...;)

Turtle Races

Sunday the 19th, after church, we had turtle races to celebrate the end of VBS. Here are some pictures from the much attended event. ;)

The anticipation! ;)

The contestants...

Granton, a miracle.
Granton was diagnosed with SCID a year and a half ago, and here he is today.

Yes, that is a snapping turtle...luckily it was a baby...:S

Aww, Josh & Kayla (and Kandace)

Dad's Work Picnic

On July 18th, we also had Dad's work picnic. The weather was beautiful! The kids had a blast with all the slides and bouncy-twirly things. Our family was also babysitting 2 sweet little boys that day, Jake & Chapel. It was rather funny because some of the ladies thought Chapel was mine...lol thats not exactly the kind of talk that I want going around. But anyway, hopefully we got that cleared up. Here are some pictures from the day, enjoy!

Emily & Abby in their matching shirts

Chapel & Madalyn

Mason & Luke

Gabe...yep

Luke on the slide

Megan & Jake

Alyssa & Becca

Chapel & I

The Snake!

On July 18th, Emily was outside walking around and she came upon a snake hidden in a leaf pile. She knew that is was a copperhead (for you city-kids, that is a poisionous snake) and instantly went for help. Although "help" turned out to be Gabe running through the house with his bb gun (yeah right) which in turn freaked the rest of us out. Dad eventually smashed the snake's head, paralyzing it. I don't think it was all the way dead, because it was still breathing and opening its mouth. We all took turns touching it (yes including me), and then Dad disposed of it. Enjoy! ;)

Friday, July 17, 2009

VBS 2009: Crocodile Dock

Well we finally finished our week of Vacation Bible School! This year our theme was "Crocodile Dock" so it was all swamp and bayou. I believe we had close to 150 kids and over 100 workers helping. I was a Crew leader, which basically means I'm in charge of shepherding a group of 5 kids to all the different stations. I had 3 boys and 2 girls and they were a blast!

I did have a bit of a challenge with one of them, but I honestly think it was a good growing time for me to learn to show love to people when I don't feel anything. As I was thinking to myself "Man, this kid just doesn't even care! I keep trying to show love to them and they just ignore me and are totally rude!" Then I was reminded of the scene from the movie "Fireproof" (awesome movie!!!) when he realizes that what God did for us is showed us love when we were rude and arrogant and disobedient. So I thank God for both saving me and giving me the opportunity to show love to someone else.

So for our Bible stories we followed the Israelites out of slavery through the plagues and crossing the Red Sea. We also spent a day on the Crucifixion and the Last Supper and tied that in with the Passover. It was really great! I think my favorite thing this week was on Thursday in the closing. Each crew thought and confessed to God a sin they had committed while holding a black trashbag. We then took the trashbags and covered a cross lit with lights. The bags obviously covered the light, mirroring how sin covers God's light in our lives. But then as we were singing our actor portraying Jesus came and removed all of the trashbags from the cross and carried them away, revealing the lights on the cross. It touched me so much to see such a vivid display of His love and power. I might try to post a little video of it later. Beautiful...

So that's pretty much my week. Had a blast, lots of water, music, laughing, and learning. I'm so thankful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to have these types of events. Praise God and FEAR NOT!!! ;)

Some of the drama from the week. The second from the left is Abby aka "Daisy"

A view of the stage, it looked AMAZING! Some of the Bible Drama, here they are acting out the Last Supper. More Bible Drama, Gabe is portraying Pharaoh and Abby is the servant on the left Kiddos at snack time!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

My New Purse!

This is the bag I made today! I'm really happy with the way it turned out other than the straps are a little thin. If I use this pattern again I will probably increase the size of the straps.