Primary Camp-Last Week-A Wonderful Surprise!!;)

 (Sorry for the delay on this post-I had a lot of trouble with loading the pictures. Future note: Anchorage Aiport has excellent wifi while waiting for one's flight!!;)

The Last week of camp was not anywhere near as busy as the other three and it was much shorter! The campers arrived Monday afternoon and left Thursday morning.:) We were actually overstaffed for the first time, which was pretty funny!:) Ryan counseled, Daniel was a stretcher again and I was part of "program prep."

Mrs. Craven and Ashley talking a few hours before the last campers arrive.....

Mrs. Craven gave me the job to direct and organize the puppet shows for the week. This was an easier job than I had expected and it gave me the opportunity to have a lot more free time...;)

Janice and Zoey working hard in the kitchen....

The bus brought our wonderful and exciting surprise!!!! Mommy and Evie!!! It was a well-kept secret that I and several others had been keeping from the boys for well over a month-a very hard thing to do!! They were VERY surprised and happy!:D

Orientation with the primary campers.....

Playing Cat-In -The -Hat.....

I had counted down the days till my best friend would be joining us-it was so very wonderful to have Momma there!!:D It was really nice to have so much time to spend with her and Evie.

Evie quickly made friends with Tarri G.......

Singing during chapel.....

One of the 8 skits we did with puppets.....

Daniel was asked to do his magician skit for the last evening of camp-the kids loved it. He also did a good job finishing his last week of being a stretcher!

The best puppet skit we pulled off, involved three people crammed behind a small stage with two others for prop help, scripts, chairs and LOTS of flour! I found out flour and sweat do not make a good combination.:P

Breakfast on Thursday morning-last day of camp for the summer.:)

 Tarri G. was a very helpful companion to Mommy and I and she was always happy to take Evie out to play or watch her.:)

Evie really enjoyed her freedom-when she was allowed it.;)

Saying goodbyes....

After final clean-up on Thursday morning we had free time until staff appreciation dinner, later that evening. Lydia Brown very kindly drove us into town in her jeep and we had a lot of fun!

I was really glad to see how well Mommy got along with Lydia and Susie as both of them were special friends to me during the summer. We all enjoyed spending time together.:)

Evie in Lydia's jeep strapped in and ready to go....

The Alaskan way for cars....

Beautiful fireweed growing along the way to town!:)

The plan was to meet up at the Moose Is Loose Bakery so Momma could meet Erica.....

It was too crowded there so we picked up our lovely native friend, grabbed a drink at the coffee shop and headed for the river.:)

Nathaniel drove Momma, Susie and Ryan in his car...

Erica was so sweet with Evie.:)

 Evie enjoyed a smoothie....

We decided on going to the Kenai river front-here mommy and Erica were trying to figure out how to open the trash can to throw something away.:)

The river....

The stairs beside the deck lead down into the water for people who want to fish with waders....not a normal sight in CA.;)

Momma and Erica visiting-they really enjoyed meeting one another.:)

Ryan and Lydia discussing something..:P This picture shows how the stairs literally go into the water....

I really enjoyed spending time with Lydia when we could.:)

Evie going for Ryan's coffee....

Erica, Susie, Lydia and I enjoyed talking and using the stairs to put our feet in the water.;) Works well! One of the things I love about Alaska-the adventure and freedom to enjoy the outdoors!

It was really pretty, not something you can capture well on camera...:(

Erica-the true native! It was a lot harder to get onto the rock that it looks!

We got to see lots of airplanes flying overhead during this trip!:)

Momma and Nathaniel-she's always so good a drawing out people!:)  Until she came, I had rarely seen him smile a lot!:)

Fireweed.:)

A cute shot of Erica-she had climbed up on the railing to watch the river scenery, boats, fishermen, planes and seagulls!:)

Three special ladies...:)

Susie really enjoyed meeting and spending time with Erica! Once shortly after Erica had left the area, Susie suggested going to do something in town and she said, "Oh and we can invite Erica, Ashley! That would be fun!"

A group shot of all us girls.:) We had a very good time of fellowship!:)

Good natured, fun-loving Susie-we all loved her!:)

A family shot before we left.;) We missed the rest of the family, you guys would love it out there!:)

The two "E" ladies-very cute together!

I don't think I need to say that Evie was a favorite with most people....

We played Musical cars...:P

Saying good bye to Erica for good-for now.;) I'm missing my native friend a lot already!  I am so thankful the Lord brought her into my life. She has been such an encouragement to me, especially this past summer!:)

A group picture minus Lydia and Erica (who had already left) at the local FredMeyer.....;)

That evening we enjoyed the staff appreciation dinner. See the slideshow going in the back..:P

After dinner people were allowed to share testimonies of what the Lord had taught them during their summer at camp.

Whew! It was nice to have camp over with and we are grateful for the experience, but we are eager to get back home and see the family. It's sad to be leaving as we have really grown fond of Alaska.  Our flight leaves in less than an hour so I'll have to cut this post short. The last two weeks of this trip really flew by. It is 4:12 am and I need to pack up this laptop for the flight. Hopefully, once we are home I can finish up posting about the last part of our trip!:)

As we've been up all night sitting in the airport I couldn't think of a verse in particular so I looked in my Bible and came across this one to close with. It's a good reminder of what the Lord has really been teaching us all this summer-here or in CA-to trust Him and not be afraid.:)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
                                                                                               Isaiah 41:10