A Shifting of Gears

Grady samples one of our greenhouse cucumbers and declares it good! This picture was supposed to appear lower down but after accidentally deleting it, my ineptitude for all things technology only allowed me to stick it back up at the top. Computer 1, me 0. :)

Summer camp season has concluded and we are shifting into conference season here at Victory. It seems like the summer has passed by at lightning speed but I guess time flies when you're having fun! We had family visit a couple of times over the summer...here are Norah and Max playing pirate ship in the yard!

Grady checks my potato plants for me. I have tried my hand at greenhouse gardening for the first time and the outcome has been...um...not spectacular. I have realized that this is an in-depth science/art, and also realized that I don't have the time at the moment to devote to the plants if I want to have a great crop. But we have had a few veggies pop out and it's been fun experimenting!

We are fortunate to be in a house with an enormous front yard that's big enough for all the summer staff to play flag football in! Most of the staff have gone home now, with just a few sticking around to help with the guest groups for the month of August and a few planning to return for a year of Victory's internship program. I was so blessed to be included in a prayer group this year and to get to talk with several precious summer staff girls about their weeks of camp and what God has done in the lives of the campers they've had. It was awesome seeing the "Unsinkable" board, to go along with our theme, and the tiny paper sailboats that kids had the opportunity to use to write what God had done in their life during their week of camp, and stick them on the board. I saw many "salvation" ones, many "rededicated my life to God" ones, and countless notes about answered prayer. It is so refreshing to see this, as it reminds me why we live and work where we do! The power of God is amazing!

This boy LOVES his watermelon! He is fast approaching his 1st birthday. His birthday present will likely be a frisbee, since he spent the summer trying to run off with every frisbee he could find that may have been left unattended. He's working on his throw.

We got to watch my sister Jessie in the rodeo that completed her week of Ranch Camp. My sister Annie was her counselor and spent the summer counseling at Ranch. It has been neat to see some of the thoughts that the staff have shared about their summer after reflecting on their time here. I wanted to share a couple from two of the girls in my prayer group:"Boarding my plane home and feeling overwhelmed in how much God blessed me this summer; letting me play a small part in His plan for these campers' lives, and spending two months serving, surrounded by His beautiful creation every single day."

"What a blessed summer. A third year of Victory still just as full of memories, lessons, surprises, blessings, joy, and the humbling honor of being a part of forwarding God's Kingdom in the lives of our future. If i've learned anything, it's this: 

"As for God, His way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection." ~Psalm 18:30"

We got a few hot days in July! Perfect for squeezing into the wading pool together!

Couldn't resist including the naked baby picture. Is it obvious that this boy doesn't miss a single meal?

We got the joy of being around Justin's cousin Megan for the summer as she was here being a SALT counselor. She was my baby whisperer, always appearing to take Grady off my hands at just the right time, and returning with him sound asleep! It was fabulous!

We spent some days at the waterfront digging in the sand. All's well until somebody small with red hair tries to sprint out into the water and drown himself....giving mommy and child a scare. :)

The girls play outside in a rain shower. It is so wonderful to see them and the things they come up with to play. They are best friends and depend on each other. I love listening in on their conversations too, so many of them book-worthy!

When Daddy is in charge of bath time, little girls get bubble beards. 

One of Grady's latest tricks, along with headbutting me when I'm not expecting it, and stabbing me with silverware, is tearing all my dishtowels off the rack in the kitchen and playing peek-a-boo with them.

Berry picking on a sunny Alaskan summer day...does it get any better than that?!

Grady charges around looking for blueberries...and trouble.

90% of the berries end up in their mouth, and 10% end up on the ground. They have returned to the car with empty containers every time we go out to pick...but they love it! My favorite quote from Norah: "Mom, can you put some of your berries in my bowl? I ate all mine."

Here Norah shows off what we DID return home with. 



We hope your summer has been wonderful! Ours has not been without struggles but God has been teaching me through the tough moments. It's sometimes hard to surrender time with my husband even when I know his job is so demanding and busy in the summer. My best way to support him is to be understanding of that! As we shift into conference season, we look forward to seeing more of Justin at home and for a change of pace in the hustle and bustle of camp.


Here are some ways you can be praying right now:
-Our Guest Services director has moved on to what God has next for him in his career. We are excited for him but sad to lose a beloved camp family. Also this leaves a big gap as we kick off our guest services season! The staff are pulling together and splitting up the responsibilities collectively, but it is a challenge! Pray that communication is good and permanent staff are patient with each other and work for the common goal of showing Jesus to the folks who come here for retreats and conferences.

-The work on water lines around camp continues. We are privileged to have some work teams here to help. Pray that the job goes smoothly and that it is done well so that we have less issues with freezing and bursting pipes in winter time.

-Pray that the work that God did in the hearts of campers and staff here this summer would continue after they go home! Many children will go home to unthinkably tough family lives, in a spiritual desert with no connection for anyone to mentor or encourage them in their faith. Some kids are brand-new believers in God who need to be able to stay strong in the hope that comes from Him...pray for these children! Pray that their faith will spread to their families and friends and not sputter and die. Pray that they can keep contact with their counselors to stay encouraged, and to find a church home where they can learn more.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We hope you know that by praying and giving you are a part of this ministry too!