LLFC Blog

Dan King interviewed author Margaret Feinberg recently, and I loved what she had to say about igniting your passion for God. Check it out!

How’s your alignment? Check out this video from Dr. Tony Evans.

Alignment from Dr. Tony Evans on Vimeo.

You should’ve received our first newsletter of the year in your inbox (if not, please sign up here and don’t miss another one!), and you know in it we were discussing reflection, resolution and renewal.

Check out these posts below for more resources.

Reflecting – We have a great round up of family-related posts on our sister site, The High Calling. http://www.thehighcalling.org/family/best-2011-family

Resolving – Michelle DeRusha talks about resolutions, the future, and her word for the year. http://www.michellederusha.com/2012/01/one-word-better-late-than-never.html

Renewal – Brock Henning discusses relocating and starting over. http://brockhenning.blogspot.com/2012/01/better-end.html

Here’s a great video from our sister site, The High Calling, about instilling character in your children.

Our October newsletter hit your inbox a couple weeks ago, and in it we talked a lot about laughter.

Our friend Dena Dyer recently talked about laughing with us.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.
My husband Carey and I have been married for 16 years. He is the Director of Marketing at a Chick Fil-A here in Amarillo and also is a very talented entertainer. He’s very funny, sings like a dream, and can write and arrange music very skillfully. I am a Director of Communications and Development at a local non-profit, where I get to share my passion with ministering to the “least of these” with volunteers and donors in our community. And my other passion, besides my family, is writing. It’s also my therapy!

We have two rambunctious and sweet boys, Jordan (13) and Jackson (8). It’s a busy season in our lives, so we’re juggling a lot…but we feel grateful that we have a family who loves being together—and laughter is a BIG part of that.

Why do you think laughter is an essential part of a family’s relationship?
Life is so serious most of the time, and with the world the way it is, humor is wonderful medicine. It’s a stress reliever and something that can bond us together tightly in our family unit. I wouldn’t want to live without it! Usually, the boys (including my hubby) are the ones who start joking around, and I love it. Sometimes they laugh at me and not just with me, but I can take it.

Can you tell me a funny story about your family?
I have so many…but one of my favorites: One day, when Jordy was ten and Jackson was about four, we were driving home after eating in a restaurant. The boys were getting gross with their words–really hamming it up about bodily functions, etc. My hubby, knowing that I don’t like potty talk, said, “Okay, guys…that’s enough. There’s a lady in the van.” And Jackson said, “Who is it?” We all laughed a long time about that one.

What are 1-2 ways that a family can incorporate more laughter and fun into their interactions?
It depends on your family’s personality, but there are all sorts of clean comedy videos you can rent or buy to watch as a family. We also like singing silly songs and telling jokes. If you’re outdoorsy, get outside and blow bubbles or have a crazy camp-out where you find ways to make each other laugh as you set up, cook, and spend time together. If you’re more of an indoor person, you could create weird sculptures with Legos or Playdough or make up songs and videos, complete with crazy costumes. You might want to invest in some joke books and games that you can play with family and friends–Apples to Apples or Mad Gab are two of our favorites–or make up you own!  (BTW, I think it’s important to take a “laugh” break now and then as a mom, because we have a lot on our plates. Girls’ night outs with dinner and conversation–and chocolate!–have given me some of my favorite funny moments, and helped me be a better mom in the long run!)

The new site is SO EXCITING to see – the vision of providing a resource and haven for family renewal is literally emerging from the ground. Here’s a quick glimpse at the construction progress.

As always, be sure to check out our Flickr page for more construction pictures, as well as the original renderings for the Family Camp site. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook – we’d love to connect with you!

T-L: Bird’s eye view from Circle Bluff. T-R: Steps leading up to a casita. M-R: Rock masonry under Dining Hall B-L: Rock masonry on welcome house. B-R: Wiring in the Activity Barn

Every once in a while, we’d like to take a moment to spotlight some of our staff and volunteers (past and present) who help make Family Camp happen, giving you a deeper glimpse into the people who are loving on your and your family while you’re with us.

Tell me a little bit about yourself: your interests, what you’re currently up to, where you’re headed next.
My name is Derek Durst. I attended Angelo State University, where I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and received my teaching certificate in Early Childhood to 4th grade. I am in my third year as a teacher at Blackshear Head Start in San Angelo, TX.

Why do you enjoy working at Family Camp and how long have you been working there?
The Canyon is my home away from home, and I enjoy helping families get the most out of their experience there. I have heard stories of families being reunited, refreshed, and growing closer. Those stories make me smile and show me just how much of an impact family camp can have. I also thoroughly enjoy working with and hanging out with the awesome staff. I worked with family camps for three years and as a youth camp counselor for Singing Hills for 4 summers. I was unable to make it back out to camp this past summer but interned with House of Faith in San Angelo. House of Faith’s mission is to bring Jesus to San Angelo’s children, youth, and families. I miss camp but received a similar camp-like experience working with House of Faith.

What have you personally taken away from working at Family Camp?
I have learned God has the power to work through everybody and that all things are possible with God. He has shown me how when we put our faith and trust in Him, he can and will do amazing things!

What’s one of your favorite family camp memories?
It’s hard to narrow them down. During the week long family camp in 2009, I got to help be a leader of my team, the Green Monkeys. The rodeo was awesome, and then we won the team challenge. I really got to know the families on my team, and we hung out after hours, fishing and swapping stories. The Labor Day family camp of the same year was also amazing. Or when we had a slip in slide in one of the October family camps, and all the kids wanted me to slide with them. It was awesome to be a part of that experience, too. I will say that each camp had its own unique experiences, and I enjoyed working each and every one of them. God is doing amazing things, and I know that every family takes something home with them. The canyon is a place where the spirit of God is present and continues to bless the lives of everybody who passes through it.

We’d love for you to come out to camp and meet people like Derek yourself! Check out the upcoming dates, and we’ll see you then!

Wow! Can you believe how the site is coming along? We’ve done a water test on the toddler pools and slide and the buildings are looking awesome. As always, be sure to check out our Flickr page for more construction pictures, as well as the original renderings for the Family Camp site. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook – we’d love to connect with you!

Top: A view of the toddler pools. M-L: Current construction of the Welcome House. M-R: Inside of a casita. B-L: External view of a casita. B-R: View from the top of the slide.

Our second September newsletter recently went out with an important question posed by Laura Lee Groves: Balcony or Basement? If you’re thinking, “hey, I didn’t get that newsletter”. . . sign up here and don’t miss another one!

One of the keys to gracious words is their source — our hearts. Consider memorizing one of the following verses as a family (we’ve listed some additional suggestions in the newsletter).

• Psalm 19:14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
• Proverbs 15:4 – The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
• Colossians 4:6 – Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

You can share your favorites over on our Facebook page.

If you’d like to read more about using our words wisely, check out these bloggers from The High Calling:

We are Called to Work with Words – Marcus Goodyear discusses the weight of words, and then shares some poetry to express how we can love with words.

Breath for Bones – Laura Boggess shares how being brave with words can awaken us to beauty.