VBS Week

Our church, Redemption Hill Church, hosted a 4-day VBS at a church in Des Moines (since we don't have our own building).  They invited households in the neighborhood around the church plus family and friends from our church.  A church in our denomination from Texas traveled up with 12 youth students and helped pull off the event, as they had done a similar VBS at their church in June.  

Ivy invited her preschool friend Scarlett to join. We picked up and dropped off Scarlett and Mordecai (a friend from church) every day for VBS.  It required some extra miles but I'm thankful they could join the VBS excitement.  

Greta was a crew leader and was pumped about being a part of the youth group (vs a participant).  

Each day there was a Bible Buddy who helped the kids remember the theme for the day.  

Wednesday was "Dress Like a Cow Day" at Chick-fil-a.  If you dressed like a cow you got a free entree.  After VBS we headed that way for a fun lunch.  6 cows = 6 free chicken sandwiches 

Not too mad about the silly costumes for free food.  

Eat More Chicken!  🐮

The themes for the week were...

Day 1 - God is our Creator

Day 2 - God Knows Everything

Day 3 - God is our Safe Place

Day 4 - God is Love 

Mr. Aaron was the main character in the skit (Dr. Flutterby) so the kids wanted to get a picture with him.  

On Thursday night we gathered with church friends for dinner, fellowship and outdoor praise and worship.  

A sweet moment captured between these two.  

The kids love the VBS songs!  Greta got to help lead the actions on the stage, a job she adored and took very seriously.  She is starting to make me think she may be a teacher, like her mama.    

The girls crew leader was from Texas.  

On Friday I packed a picnic lunch and we ate at the church while the students cleaned up all the decorations.  

Then we went out for ice cream to end a sweet week.  

Ice cream is always a good way to celebrate!   

 

July 4th

We headed back to Okoboji to celebrate the 4th of July weekend.  

The boys did some fishing...

Breakfast at the lake is often more like an early lunch.

Water time!  

God Bless the USA 

We started a 1000 piece LEGO Mini Figure puzzle.  I had so much fun with this one and could hardly leave it alone.

Hudson made a peach pie from scratch.  He never stops impressing me with his skills.  

Fireworks in Arnolds Park 

Trying to get this guy to come to his own lake house is not an easy task.  

Sunday night my parents + Ivy headed back to Sioux Center.  Roy had Monday off so the rest of us stayed one more night.  Sunday evening we went to Arnold's Park to enjoy the views and a nutty bar.  

Thinking this summer may be the first of many Okoboji summers.  

West Lake Okoboji has lovely sunsets.  

Proof!  

My sister's college friend Sara came down from Minnesota on Sunday to hang.  

Monday morning called for Spudnutz donuts for breakfast before heading for home.  

 

Al Fresco Dinner : Lavender Edition

Last fall my sister and I attended the Al Fresco dinner at Pepperharrow Flower Farm in Winterset.  

We loved it so much that we came back for the lavender summer edition in June and mom joined us.  

The food was another line up of creative flavors.  

The tables were scattered throughout the lavender field.  

A purple bike seems appropriate for a lavender party.  

 

Thankful for the rare times like this when we can get away for a relaxing evening.  

The honey bee hives interest me.  

Can you smell the lavender through your computer screen?  

The simplicity of this evening makes it enchanting.  

So thankful she "saw the light" and moved to Iowa. 💜

Checking out the other flowers in bloom around the farm...

Greta @ IRBC

The week of June 22nd Greta headed to IRBC (Iowa Regular Baptist Camp) at Clear Lake. This was her 2nd year attending with her sweet friend Karleigh. They spent 5 days + 5 nights having the "best time ever" which included lots of sugar, worship, sunshine, less sleep and constant giggling (I'm assuming).  

We dropped her off on Monday morning and they bussed the girls to camp (it's a 2 hour drive).  

Greta's counselor was a mom I know and she sent lots of pictures throughout the week, which was pretty sweet.  Karleigh and Greta playing "keepy uppy" in the water.  

They got the "best cabins" (aka the newest ones) and had fun decorating it.  

Heading to the pool...

 💙 my Greta Girl 

Rock climbing 

A boat ride 

Playing a card game

I didn't know kids even knew what a seesaw was?!  

Time for some carpet ball 

Another fun camp game

The girls dressed their counselor like a giraffe.  

A group pic by "The Rock."  

The theme for the week was "Anchored."  The chapel messages throughout the week were...

Anchored in Hope

Anchored to Jesus in Salvation

Anchored in God's Promises

Anchored in God's Care

Anchored to Christ with Eternal Hope