Our Week at Camp in Seven Quick Takes

1. We have been back almost a week and I seem to be rapidly losing track of time. So, finally I have come to write about our time at Nazareth Family Camp. I think that I have been avoiding a summary of our time at Camp because sometimes it's just too hard to write about experiences that cut to the heart and indelibly mark themselves in the life of a family. Or maybe I'm just tired.
There were no big experiences on my part; no massive conversions; just the gentle moving of the Spirit in that Nazareth sort of way. Dave and I came away renewed in our marriage with a clearer vision for our family and children. Our children were provided with great memories and an experience of authentic Christian community. We also had a great time.

2. Before I get lost in philosophising, I will move onto the nitty gritty of camp life. Each day began with a wake up song which our children (as well as many others) eagerly anticipated and christened The Wake-up Parade. By the grace of God, Dave and I were already up when the guitars arrived and our children departed. We then trooped over to the main hall for breakfast followed by mass at 9am celebrated by a Madonna House priest. Some of the very talented teenagers and young people provided the fabulous music. In fact, mass was very reminiscent of our NET days and at times we felt as if we were back in training for NET life except that we were now married - strange juxtaposition. After mass, the kids were sorted into age groups for catechesis, arts and crafts, and games. Joseph was deposited howling into the arms of a very gracious young woman who worked her magic on our youngest lad and reassured me with a "Don't worry - he stops quite soon after you leave." Ben's lower lip quivered as he was separated from first his parents and then his older siblings. The separation from JacobHannah proved his undoing and he was given special permission to tag along with the older age group and, among other things, participate in their arts and crafts - you should see his rendition of St. Faustina. Actually, you should see all their renditions of the Polish saint: Hannah's is beautifully accurate as she paid close attention to that of her teacher; Jacob's saint has glowing red eyes that seem to follow me around the kitchen; and Ben's saint is barely visible under the black crayon scribbled over her likeness.

3. Anyway ... while the kids proceeded with their morning, the parents were shuttled off to a lakeside cabin where we watched brief clips of original Nazareth talks followed by sharings by some of the leadership couples. These times were quite powerful as we listened to the wisdom of couples who have been forging this path a lot longer than we and generously imparted what they have learned. We then headed back for an already prepared lunch (one of the biggest blessings of the day) followed by free time for the remainder of the day. Needless to say, most of our free time was spent at the lake and, by the grace of God, the rain usually held off for the afternoon so that we could truly enjoy the beach. Although the rain stayed away, the wind didn't as demonstrated by Joseph's hair.
He apparently has an affinity for pink flotation devices.
Hannah, whose smile can light up any grey day.
4. Ben had an interesting week. By the end of our session we quickly realised that little Benjo is an introvert - that is, he is quickly wearied by too many people. Thus, as we began to drive away from camp last Friday, Ben began to talk - the further we got away from the multitudes, the faster the words came until we had to ask him to stem the flow of vocabulary. Now fully spent, he promptly fell asleep for two hours.
5. Jacob loved the water.

Who doesn't love the water?

In motion.

Our three oldest eating someone else's snack ... oops. (This was a theme throughout the week.)

Jacob being Jacob. As one father remarked: "My grandfather's definition of a boy is a loud noise with dirt on it." Indeed.

6. And, of course, there was a bonfire on one of the last nights. For some reason (my guess is the abundance of cute teenage girls who really liked him), Ben came alive at the campfire and showed off his dance moves. Might I add that one of the greatest blessings for me on the week was the number of teenagers there. There were at least 30 kids under the age of twelve but there seemed to be as many teenagers and young adults who were there with their families and by themselves in order to help serve the visiting families. These teenagers were absolutely beautiful. They took joy in holding the babies, in playing with the little kids, and in talking with the parents. Each time I looked at them I couldn't help thinking of the quote that the glory of God is man fully alive. I actually found myself looking forward to my own children as teenagers instead of fearing the years that I have been taught to dread. A heartfelt thank you to these teenagers and young adults who were simultaneously 'with it' and yet remained relatively untainted by the prevailing culture. Great hope.

Hannah experiencing a vision.

7. And, I guess that's the end of the pictures. I had more but didn't feel right about posting pictures of other people's kids (try to ignore the children on either side of our daughter in the above shot.) Overall, our week was wonderful. We began the week as we do all such ventures - wondering why we had left the comfort of our home to sleep on camp mattresses and shower above a dining hall. However, as we have learned, there is always fruit with the Cross. The camp mattresses were well worth it as we reestablished old friendships, made new ones, enriched existing ones and opened ourselves up to what the Lord wants to do in each of us and in our family. Our kids came away with (in Jacob's words) a little piece of Nazareth in their hearts, some pictures of St. Faustina and an affinity for the brown scapular. We left with a vision of the holiness of family life, the fear of the teenage years softened, a greater desire to place God at the centre of our family life, an increased understanding and openness to life, and a renewal of all things good. Thank you.