August 22, 2005

Dear Grandparents,

Well, we are home now from Horn Creek. We had a good time at camp, but it is nice to be home. Sophie was even asking to go home on the last night! The boys, on the other hand, would've like to have stayed a lot longer.

We stayed in the mini-lodge next door to Andy and Susan and family. I enjoyed having some time here and there to talk with Susan especially. I also took their baby, Amanda for a long walk in her stroller one afternoon. I called her "serious baby" all week, but during the walk she cooed and gurgled and "sang" happily. A different afternoon, I took Alida and Joel along with Sophie to see the horses and led them around on the pony. Alida and Joel were very excited, because it was their first time on a horse.

Andy's preaching on the book of James was excellent, of course. I will have to review my sermon notes soon.

The boys were both in a class taught by Bob and Cheryl who made it very fun. Bob and Cheryl gave them a special item every night to bring to class the next day to create some anticipation. The favorite item was a battery powered plastic boat for the lesson about the power of the tongue (Jms 3:4). They also gave each child a little notebook in which the kids copied a verse to memorize each day. The kids had to say the verse to as many people as possible, collecting signatures. I think it was a contest to see which child could say the verse the most often and collect the most signatures. I thought that was a great idea!

Eric M______ helped the boys build a fort in the woods. There was a circle of scrub oak which formed the walls. It was big enough for Michael to drive his wheelchair inside. Eric put up a ceiling with boards over the front section of it. They tied some ropes to hang down from the front board, making a doorway. They just had to part the ropes and walk through. Eric also fixed a board across the crooks of two oaks, making a small bench. They found a stump to use as a table. They even made some ink out of soot and water and wrote "The Fort" over the entrance. The boys preferred playing in the fort over swimming or any other activity.

Michael M_______ is scheduled to have surgery on his feet to straighten them out tomorrow. He wants our kids to visit him at Children's Hospital after the surgery. Michael has muscular dystrophy.

The official plan for next year is that the Midwest Presbytery conference will be at Covenant Heights instead of at Horn Creek. H.C. just couldn't give us early enough dates for the camp and many people couldn't attend due to school starting.

When we left H.C. on Saturday, we went on a short hike with Andy and Susan's family. The kids might have a different opinion as to the length of the hike, but I think it was enjoyable.

We stopped in Westcliffe on the way home and had lunch together. Andy and Susan stayed in Colorado Springs, because Andy was scheduled to preach there on the Lord's Day.

Today, I'm unpacking and doing laundry. The kids are being very helpful. I'm slowed down somewhat by the cold that got passed around at camp.

Grandpa and Grandma H, I heard that Laurel visited you recently. Did you enjoy the visit? Oh! And John and Lindy visited you too!

I'm not starting school with the kids until after Labor Day this year. They are involved in a church soccer program this week and continuing through mid-September. I also intend to enroll them in homeschool swim lessons beginning in September. Piano lessons are ongoing, of course.

Well, that's all for now folks. I hope you all are doing well.