We hesitantly signed David up for Church Preteen camp this year. He has never done any overnight camps...only stayed with a cousin overnight one time without us. I wasn't sure what to expect--especially since he hasn't loved the day camps he has done in the past.
This was a really good experience for both of us though, in multiple ways.
God orchestrated it so that some good friends, who had moved back to the states 4 days before camp started, were also sending their 9 year old son to the same camp session as David. We asked at the informational meeting if Bennett had a roommate yet. No. So it was decided they would room together. I think this made all the difference for David. He (in usual David fashion) did not really remember Bennett much from last time he had seen him, but the two quickly became best buds. David and he are two peas in a pod!
We dropped them off at the buses on Wednesday.
The girls and I had some sweet girl time and meanwhile David...
...worshiped, ate, played putt putt, did a ropes course (which I was amazed to hear he was daring enough to complete), took nature hikes, played lots of games, dressed up, swam and splashed, and studied the Bible. David's counselor was our NK kid pastor's husband, Mr Kyle.
I was really worried about how well David would pay attention. I felt nervous to hear the report back when he got home, but Mr Kyle had tears in his eyes when he told me David had gotten the Compassion Award for his kindness to others, specifically a new little boy named AJ. Makes a mother's heart so proud!
And while he was gone, I felt very sobered and realized the brevity of my time with my precious son....especially as he is a son and will have to "leave and cleave" at some point. When he got home, I squeezed him all the more tightly. And it wasn't just my imagination. He reciprocated. Camp reminded him how much he loved us too. I gained an older and sweeter child upon his return home.



























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