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The Gowan Three

The Gowan Three

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Camp Don Lee

Last Saturday, I went to Camp Don Lee with the AWANA Trekkies (middle schoolers) from our church. It was such a fun day, but I was extremely exhausted by the end of the night! We met at the church at 7:30am and returned around 10pm. My friend Lucy and her husband Robby were kind enough to watch Angel for the day and luckily, Angel behaved very well for them (I am one proud mama!). Here's a picture she sent me on her phone of her: 

 


Camp was a day spent canoeing, kayaking, swimming in a pond with turtles and minnows, jumping off the high dive, team challenge games, archery, sailing, lots of great food, a campfire with s'mores, worship led by the kids, and a great message by our co-lead Josh. Camp Don Lee was awesome, so I just want to share the awesomeness that took place that day with ya'll: 

On our way to Don Lee, bright and early! 

Two of the Trek leaders, Eric and Judd. 

Jen and me, setting  up the drinks and snack area.

I don't have any pictures of us canoeing, but here is a picture of the pond with the rope and high dive. I want to proudly say that I also jumped off the high dive! The kids really encouraged me to do it, so I faced my fears and took the plunge. (I don't have any pictures of my jump, but my friend Jen did take pictures on her camera, so I'll have to get it from her!)


Tori swinging off the rope! 

Holden and Luke practicing their Frisbee skills. 



Coming back from the swim in the pond, Josh and some of the kids.



The best time to eat is after a swim!  

Kelly and Helen, trying to find some shade in the 95 degree weather! 

Game time! 

During free time, I decided to try sailing! 

Quite relaxing. We even saw the Blue Angels flying overhead since the air show was that day as well. What a great afternoon, huh? 




Calling in all the swimmers left in the pond as we're about to head to dinner. 

Great couple. 

Me and Holden during dinner. 

Josh took my camera and started snapping pictures of everyone! Here's me, telling him NOT to take a picture of me. Didn't work! 

Nicole was another victim of his! 

I retaliated! 

Sweet Michala and me. 

Some of the girls. <3 

Team building challenge #3. We had to have everyone on the deck without letting any of the sides touch the ground. Communication and teamwork is the key to success! 

Archery was A LOT of fun!!! I never knew how hard it was to shoot a bow and arrow. The girls were ecstatic to try it out because of the Hunger Games and kept on telling each other to "bring out their inner Katniss!" haha! 

I have to say that God has been filling me up so much with peace, comfort, and happiness. It's amazing how much He can provide for my every need. Thank you all for your wonderful and thoughtful messages and prayers. It definitely means a lot to me to know that I have such wonderful friends and family who are supporting and praying for both Caleb and I throughout the deployment. 



Last Sunday was teacher appreciation night at AWANA. I was planning on not going since I was BEAT tired from the camping trip plus I had to play piano the next morning for church, but somehow, God really put it on my heart to go. Plus, they needed me to lead worship for AWANA that night as well as the worship leader wasn't able to make it. What a lovely night it turned out to be. The kids pitched in and bought a cake for all the teachers and I had lots of my kiddos give me the best presents I could ever ask for. 


I just want to end by sharing one of the letters I got from one of our kids. He wrote: 

"Dear Mrs. Nancy and Caleb,
Thanks for being my Trek leaders. I appreciate you so much. You've both helped me become a better Christian. I look forward to having you as Trek leaders again next year. I am praying for Caleb's safety in Afghanistan. Thanks again." 

Feeling so very blessed and happy that I have a God who loves me and shows His love to me in so many ways. 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. I miss you all and love you! 




2 comments:

  1. I would have given my left arm to have someone like YOU and CALEB around to have an influence on me when I was in middle school! Thanks for your service to those young ones! It's a GREAT thing you're doing (and it looks like you're havin' a lil' fun too *wink*)

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  2. thanks Katy! Yes, it has been SO fun for us to be co-leads. The kids have blessed US so deeply!!!

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