Outdoor Program APPROVED!

Something SO exciting has happened, it is crazy to even think about it! A few weeks ago, the plan was for Jon to run ONE WEEK of a wilderness camp over on the new property next summer. Then all of a sudden, almost overnight! things started rolling in a totally new direction. The reason that Jon and I moved out to the coast was because we really felt the Lord calling us to work at this camp, and that there might be opportunity for Jon to carry out his dream and vision of developing a wilderness camp here. With this new ball rolling, Jon jumped on it, and presented his big ideas at a vision casting meeting that was held with both boards, the program committee, and camp staff. From there, his program outline was discussed at the next board meeting a few days later and it was APPROVED!!!!! Typically things in camp world move very slowly (so I am told), so this was shocking to us!! So instead of just Jon running one week of a wildnerness camp, we are now both together developing an entire 7 week program to run over there!!!!!! All of next summer, we will spend our time working on the new property with about 15 campers, teaching them wildnerness and camping skills. (Well clearly Jon will do the teaching - I will just be there for the entertainment value!). We will take the campers on a differen day trip each day, ranging from canoe trips, to hiking trips, to massive rappelling, to caving - all sorts of adventures!! This is SUCH a huge thing, and it is crazy crazy exciting!! I love watching all Jon's dreams so within reach - it is incredible how God has just totally provided for us, and has put this massive opportunity in front of Jon to grab hold of! It amazes me. Like actually AMAZES me. Life is gooooooood!

Trip to Medicine Hat

Yes yes yes I know - its been quite a while since I last wrote! Jon tells me that I just get bored of my hobbies... so I'm writing tonight to prove to him that he is WRONG! I dont get bored of my hobbies, I just get busy with other things! Anyways, since the last time I posted, I went home for a week and what a great break it was! I was getting so homesick and sad missing my family (that was the longest stretch I have ever gone without seeing them!) so I got a good fill :) I got a Neil to myself for a couple of hours, driving to calgary and back which is was so nice! And then I got to spend a few days with my mom, hanging out at her school, and finally seeing her new house! I even got to hang out with both of my aunt's and all my cousins, which I always love doing! I have such a great family, it makes me so happy! I even got to see Court and her NEW HOUSE!!! I cant believe I have good friends who are BUYING HOUSES! That seems insane! But I am so proud of her, and extremly happy for her, and the wonderful life she is building for herself!!!! But I have to be honest and say that the time I got to spend with my baby brother was my highlight! It seems like he is growing up SO fast, and so am I, I guess! Going home and not having him there was a bit hard for me - hanging out with my goofy younger brother is always what I look forward to! But I got to go to Olds, where he lives now, and go out for dinner with him, and spend time catching up. He is just so handsome and such a good kid that it just warms my heart! I CANNOT wait util Christmas when me, him and Jon all get to do fun things together!!! Here is a picture of my brother and I - he is growing his hair out for the WHOLE hockey season - something his entire team is doing! Oh dear.

I know, we look so alike right? It always takes me by suprise too! Ha ha ya right!

And then after seeing Brandon in Olds, I went to Calgary and spent a few days with my beautiful Jenny!!! This girl has been my friend since I was a crazy teenager, and she took me in as her "little sister". Jen and I have such a special bond - this girl is CRRRRAAAZY and so much fun, but surprisingly, she is the one who makes me feel calm about life. She has a way of bringing my back down to earth, and showing me the best in myself, and brings out my silly side! When I left her, my cheeks were hurting from all the laughing we did! I love that we have like 9 years of friendship behind us, and I can still call her one of my very best friends. She is someone I miss greatly, and I am just SOO happy that we got to spend some time together! She was able to help me find some perspective with life! Here is a picture of my beautiful friend:

Going home is always such a good thing - it eases that ache inside, and reminds me that I love my life here, in BC with Jon. From far away, it seems like life at home is changing so rapidly, and crazily, but in reality, it just stays the same. I mean, things change of course, but it's still home, and that doesn't change. I am looking forward to Christmas when I get to spend two weeks there (with Jon this time!) and get to actually see my Grandparents (they live in Saudi Arabia - crazy I know). YAY!

Date at Gold Stream :)

Jon and I had to drive to Victoria to return the crash mats we borrowed from PCS, and on the way Jon told me he had a surprise stop for me! He pulled over a Gold Stream and we spent an hour just walking around, taking pictures, and just laughing together. He knows that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall leaves, so he thought I would like this stop - what a sweetie he is! And he was very right! It was so pretty! And it was also a lot of fun!

Most giantess leaf I have ever seen - this island produces leaves unlike anything I have ever seen!

This is us these days - happy and smiley, and just loving each other deeper
I SAT inside this tree, thats how big the hole was! Crazy!

Then we found a BIGGER one! Jake and I hid in there (Jake didnt like it too much and just wanted to get out, but I made him get in with me haha)

Then Jon found one that was super weird - he went INSIDE the tree and was able to stand up. So funny!

Standing by the stream - it was too early for the salmon run. I cant wait to go back and see it then!

Pondering nature as usual. Even Jake is interested in whatever they are looking at - what cute boys they are! Jon's love for the outdoors, and his amazement for nature makes me love him so much! He gets excited about things like streams. How cute is that!

While they were studying the stream, I was sitting on the log just taking everything in.

It was a perfect afternoon that I will remember! The times we spend together, just hanging out and having fun are my favorite. This whole year I have loved being married, but it seems like lately we have reached a new level of happiness and contentness, and it makes me SO excited for our future. Once again, I am just such a lucky girl.

Fall Teen Retreat!

My oh my! What can I even say?! This weekend was AMAZING. It was full of fun, craziness, rad games, carnivals, lots of food, and awesome worship time! We broke the record for the LARGEST camp at at Imadene at 132 campers!!! Jon and I ran program together, and that was such a blast. It was so good to really work together, and be able to use our strengths, and show what a powerhouse couple we can be working together!! The nights were REALLY late, so we were exhausted afterwards, but oh boy was it ever worth it!!! Everyone from Katrina (who directed!) to the cabin leaders, to the kitchen staff, to our staff (Chris poured so much into this weekend as well!!!) just did such an amazing job. It was so good to have people around who care about camp, care about the campers, the ministry of camp, and the future of Imadene. It just reengerized Jon and I and reminded us once again why we love youth and why we love camp!! Here were some highlights:

Jon took this at lunchtime of the campers - look at how packed it was in our dining room!!! Everyone just had such a good time the whole time!!

Me and my beautiful friend Sharon at the carnival on Saturday night! (we both ate WAY to much candy, but enjoyed every minute of it!!)
I got my face painted by Malea - it was very cute and carnival-ie!

While I was doing that, Jon was doing what he does best - holding the mike and keeping the party going! Here he is organizing a pie eating contest

This is a picture of some of the booths at our carnival

These next few were stolen from the camp website, but I loved them! This is a shot from up high - you can see our swing in the background as well as all the lights!

Jon and I having fun in the photo booth that was set up for the night - this was our "WE ARE SO STOKED THE CARNIVAL IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!!" face.

This was one of my favorite moments of the weekend - after our fireside chapel with the campers, I asked the LIT's that we had up working for the weekend (Marika, Lisa, Jacob, Cam, Natasha, Ava, and Lucas) to gather in our living room. The band had just played the song "Hosanna" and the lyrics that stuck out to me were "I see a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith" and my mind immediately went to these guys. I spent a whole summer getting to know them, and loving them, and I seen first hand just how selfless their faith is. And I seen them step up as leaders on this weekend, and really be a generation who is rising up to take their place. I am just so proud of these guys, and love them so much, and want so many good things for them. I am honored that the Lord has allowed me to play some sort of role in their life. So this is us, talking and praying together. A really special moment!

This was taken on the last day of camp of all the campers and staff - see Jon and I at the front?! This weekend just left me and Jon with such a good feeling - we are doing good work, and the Lord REALLY cares about this place. He IS using us to carry out His work, and it just so exciting! There were a couple of times were I had that "WOW" feeling - the one that I always get the saturday night of Youth Quake because I had spent months and months preparing for this event, and God is so much bigger than I ever imagined and the kids are just opening worshipping and breaking down in front of each other. That feeling was there this weekend too - I worked hard, and Jon and and Chris worked even harder to make this happen - yet it is so not about any of us. It is about those youth who have camp as a safe place where they can come to know the Lord. It is about those kids worshiping the God we love, whether it is with their hands raised in the front row, or the ones quietly singing the back row. I love these kids, and I do not even know all of them. I just love camp and what it stands for, and I love that I have a husband who is even more passionate than I am. I pray that Lord allows us to be a part of more "WOW" moments. An incredible weekend it was indeed.

Thanksgiving Weekend

On sunday Jon and I got up early and started prepping our turkey and making stuffing to put in the oven and anxiously waiting for the Lampard's to get here. They arrived around lunchtime and we spent the day being silly, walking around camp, and just laughing and chatting. Then Jon and Lois headed up the cooking committee and got everything organized for dinner and dinner was DEEEEELICIOUS! Then we spent the night watching the amazing race (love that show!) and playing games. It was fun to have them all sleepover (except Aimee who had too much homework - hopefully next time!). Then today we got up and ate breakfast and we all played Buzz word - talk about crazy!!! But it was so much fun, and such a good weekend. The more family get togethers we have, the more I feel like part of the family, which is such a good feeling! I love holidays and thanksgiving has always been one of my favorites - third only to christmas and my birthday haha! I was very thankful this thanksgiving to be surrounded by a family who has taken me in and loves and accepts me :) I was also thankful that Jon and I are able to have them up at our house because of the incredible ways God has blessed us with this house, and all the room!! Very thankful thanksgiving :)

Me and my beautiful sis in law Care - the only two who choose to be Lampards - we are either really crazy, or just really lucky

Family shot! Took a while to get this, but it turned out well!
Luke and Care you make my heart swell - I am just so proud of you guys and how hard you work for your love! You inspire me constantly and I love you a LOT!

Favorite picture of the season so far! I am married to the most wonderful man in the entire world. Seriously.

What handsome boys!

Jon's favorite pasttime is playing with Makenna - he is such a good uncle! And she is the cutest thing in the whole world!

The beautiful Lampard ladies! I love you each dearly and am so glad that I can call you my family!!!

We took everyone to try out the maze we have been working on, and it was so funny to watch them all try to get out! Once Care did it once and figured it out, she took Makenna with her, and the girl LOVED it - she didnt want to get out!! This picture is completly and udderly adorable!

Aimee told us about this pushing/slapping game and it was funny to watch the boys battle it out!

She also got us all leg wrestling - we all wrestled, but this picture made me laugh the most - Aimee vs. Lois

As you can see, the weekend was truly wonderful. I know I have said it before, but we are just so incredibly blessed. The only thing missing was the piece of my heart that was in Alberta with my mom and brother. This was my very first thanksgiving without them and I definately missed them. It was hard knowing they were all together and I am so far away - I just feel like I have missed so much that I am barely a part of the family anymore - but I also know that as soon as I go there, I will feel right at home, because where they are will always be home! I love you mom and Brandon and we miss you terribly!! But we also love you Lampards and we are so glad we got to spend the holidays with you - my very first thanksgiving with the Lampards was a success!

Day of cleaning and re-arranging

On this very productive Saturday, Jon and I slept in (up at nine of course... Jon is incapable of sleeping later than that!) and got up and looked around our house. Because the Lampard clan is coming over tomorrow for thanksgiving dinner (and staying over night!) we knew we had lots of work to do with cleaning our house and making sure it was all in order for them. For a while now I have been wanting to start on making our duplex really our home. If we are here for a a while I want it to feel comfortable and like it is home! But the problem is that because no one has lived here in a quite a while, it has become almost a storage unit for all things that camp does not really want, and does not know what to do with! But full of ambition, I convinced Jon that today was a GREAT day to start with our renovations!!!

We started in our living room and re-arranged EVERYTHING! We got rid of a couch (who the heck needs THREE couches in their house of TWO people?!), and changed how we had everything. We even added the rocking chair that we got from Tim and Lois that I LOVE into our living room, and we hung up my Canuck jersey on the wall - I know lots of women would never let a jersey be hung in their living room, but it was a present to me from the Lampards and has my name on it, and its special! And I like that Jon cares so much about something - hes supportive of all my insane craziness, so this is the least I can do for him. The open way we have it set up now just makes it SO much more homey and cute, and I love it!!

Next was "room 4" - the little room with two single beds in it. Again, who needs a room with two single beds in it, when you have two other rooms with queen size beds in them, not including your own?!! So we got rid of one of the beds, and made the other bed all warm and cute (I used all my bedding from when I lived in the dorm - it made me smile!), and then we set up a desk that was just sitting in the other bedroom in two pieces. So now we have an "office" - we even moved our book shelf into that room, along with all our photoalbums and everything. Now we can set up our printer and I can have a space to put all my scrapbooking stuff!!! The room looks GREAT and I am really happy with it. I also want to get a rug for the floor (its gross laminate right now) and hang up our college degrees on the wall, and paint the one wall. But it is MUCH better.

Then we went into "room 2". This room is not that bad - its the best out of the three! But we added in a small table and a lamp and an alarm clock - little things to make it a bit warmer. This room has a really weird closet - its like make of plywood and just put up. So we tidied the things in the closet, but on our next day off we plan on cleaning out that closet (there is ANOTHER bed in the closet - its a small todder bed, but still! Seriously the bed situation in this house boggles me haha!) and taking down the plywood and not having a closet in there. If we are still here when we have a baby, I would like to spice the room up, and we would probably buy, or Jon would make a wardrobe to put in there. But for now, I just want it to look warm and homey, not shabby, so that when we have company they can be comfortable and feel good. So the makeshift closet has got to go soon.

The next room we went into was ours. We cleaned it all out and got rid of a lot of junk (it is AMAZING how fast junk piles up!!) and re-organized our closet, and our shoerack. We took out the antique bench we had in there (another piece we got from Tim and Lois that I love!) and put it in the living room, and put new shelves in where the bench was to hold my sweaters. We then re-arranged all the furniture in our room. It looks good, but I am not sure yet if I love it. But Jon does love it, so thats good!! Its a change, and that is what I was going for, so all is good.

After all the moving around, Jon made us dinner, and is now watching the first Canuck game of the year, while I am baking buns and making cookies for tomorrow!! It was a busy busy day, but lots of fun! I love the days that we get to spend together, and making our house more ours feels really good. We are now all set for company and to enjoy a wonderful thanksgiving!!!

A busy week with wonderful company!

This week we had a guest group in from Qualicum, a 120 grade 8's, so Marika and Lisa came up to help Jon and I run program for them. In between running climbing wall, challenge course, and (our favorite - not!) archery for them, we worked on our newest project - a cardboard maze! Jon has been working endlessly on this maze for our Teen Retreat - for a guy who has never made a carboard maze before, he sure is doing a stellar job on this one! Marika is great at making these mazes, so it was great having her brains up here to help, while Lisa and I added our rad personalities to the group haha.

My beautiful Marika sitting in the maze taping up the walls!

Lovely and oh so sweet Lisa working hard
I love that we work together!

Jon standing at the top of the cardboard slide, making sure it is all stable!

A shot of the right side of the maze - looks sweet eh! Makes me proud of my husband :)

I was working hard before this picture... haha!

This was not from this weekend, but I wanted to make sure I got a picture of this incredible girl in this blog! I love our chats, and I love her soft heart. Lisa I just love you A LOT!

Marika and I ended our few days together by going on a crazy self photo shoot. We learned how to set the self timer on my new camera!

This one is my favorite! But it took us about 27 tries before we got it! haha! But it was fun anyways!

I was being hardcore, she was being her normal smily self.

I love our craziness, our laughs, the way we can just be friends! You make my life so much more full of life, and I love you lots as well Miss Welle!!

New Property Dedication

Last Saturday Camp hosted a property dedication for our beautiful new property that camp now owns. This mountain here is now proudly owned by Camp Imadene, and we are so excited about the potential that this could hold for camp!

This is Jon talking at the dedication. He shared with the crowd how much he cares about camp, and how camp has already made use of the property. As he was talking, his heart just shined through. He has such a big heart, and such a huge vision and passion for this property, and it just makes me so proud of him. Listening to him talk even made me excited about the mountain and the future all over again.
A shot of the property where the dedication was held...this property is so gorgeous

And another shot... the beautiful lake!