Adam's Summer

Summer is a great time to do things that are a little out of the norm, a little educational, and a lot of FUN!!

There were several camps this summer that Adam went to that taught him a great deal and he had a great time doing them.

The last week of June Adam went to our local Technical Center and had a week of learning about Carpentry.  He made several small projects like a tic-tac-toe, and a pusher (so fingers did not get cut off in the saw).  Then they did a bigger project.  They framed a small house.

I do not know anything about framing, but I think it looks great!

Earlier in July, Adam went to Highland Retreat for a week.  He always has a good time there.  He went with a good friend from school.  However, in his cabin he met another boy, who goes to his school.  So far, he and this new friend have not had classes together.  But it could  be that they could see each other at lunch, even if they don't have classes together next year.  It's always great to have more friends!

This past week, Adam went to an enrichment week that is put on by our local school system.  You get to choose a fun class that  you would like to explore further.  Adam chose a class called "Flip, Morph, Distort."  He got to take his picture and ....

put it through several different filters. Then he took the same picture and did an over lay of his name.

Then he took a picture and did some photo shop to it.  

I'm not exactly sure how he did this, but I think it looks great.

I am so pleased that our local area provides these opportunities to explore different interests.

I kind of wish that programs like these were offered when I was growing up.

Baptism

Shortly after Easter, there was an announcement in our church bulletin that they were planning a baptism class.  On the way home from church that day, I asked the boys if either of them were interested in being baptized.  Adam right away spoke up and said he was!

When I got home I sent a message to Pastor Deb.  He was added to the list.  

Adam went to the class in May.  

Usually our church does baptisms at the church camp out in June.  We had some conflicts that weekend and we were not going to be able to make it.  Another factor, that I thought was very sweet, Adam really wanted my Dad to be at his baptism.  My Dad cannot be in large crowds, so the church baptism was out.  We decided it would work well to have a private ceremony.

We planned to have the ceremony at Riven Rock on June 28th at 6:30.  

This  has to be one of my favorite pictures.  

 

The weather was perfect!  I was worried since we had been having a lot of rain, but it worked out perfectly!

We invited all 4 pastors from our church, my parents, Carol, Lana (Grace and Glen), Mike's Parents were able to make it, and we invited Trey Loker who is Adam's church mentor (He also brought his 2 youngest girls). It was small but meaningful.

Pastor Deb had a beautiful bowl that she used to pour the water into Pastor Duane's hands.  After the baptism she handed the bowl to Adam.  Apparently, the day that they met for their class, the kids got to each pick out a bowl to use for their own baptism.  Then they got to keep the bowl.

 

How meaningful and special to have this bowl that was used for his baptism.

When I got baptized we planted a tree to symbolize us taking root in Christ and growing and flourishing in him.  I think about that when I see trees being planted.  I wanted Adam to have something like that, but not a tree (I don't do plants).  I talked to Adam and we decided to have Ice Cream sundaes, and I would link the Sundaes to his baptism.

This is how it was linked:

We are having ice cream sundaes after Adam's baptism.  Yes, it is a good to thing celebrate, but it can also correlate to his life with Christ.

Ice cream is cool and creamy.  It is soothing and refreshing.  There are so many times when you will need to rely on God, and it my not always feel cool and creamy at first, but in the end you know He was there taking care of you.  And THAT is very soothing and refreshing.

Fruit is naturally sweet and healthy.  It is good for your body and yummy to eat.  Your walk with Christ is also good for your body.  It allows you to hand your stresses in life over to Him, which makes it so much easier on your body.

Chocolate Syrup is NOT a natural thing.  However it is, again, very sweet and yummy.  It is an added bonus.  Choosing a life with Christ is also an added bonus.  It is a choice, but  you will find your life is sweeter and more full of "flavor" with Christ in  your life.

Nuts are optional on your sundae.  However, they are not optional in life.  Sometimes your life just gets plain nutty!  Trust in God and He will truly help you through these crazy times.

Whipped Cream is a creamy extra that goes on top.  In good times, God is the whipped cream.  Sometimes it is hard to see in the bad times, but in those times He is also the whipped cream.
 Mike and I got Adam a study Bible.  This will be something that he will probably use more as he gets older, but it will be there for him when he is ready.  Trey got him an adventure Bible.  This Bible is written in comic book style.  Adam started reading this Bible immediately.  Carol got him a bracelet that said something like "stand strong". 

It was not a traditional baptism, but it was meaningful and special. 

Hard Working Man

Several months ago, Austin was talking to his friend Jacob about his summer plans.  Jacob said he was going to be working for his grandparents.  Austin was wishing he could get a job.  But he is not able to drive, and a lot of places won't hire kids who are not 16.  Last Saturday Jacob was at our place, and he asked if Austin could start working with him.  Austin was so excited!  

Jacob's grandparents have a wooded area that they want cleared.  The boys are moving rocks and sticks.  They end up burning the sticks.  (I really don't know what they are doing with the rocks).  It is very physical labor.

Austin already had a morning program that he was doing, but he worked it out to go to work right after the program.  He was able to get an idea of what he needed to do, and he got a few hours in ;)

I think even just working a few hours really took a toll on Austin.

There were several afternoons that I found Austin like this.  Then I was taking him to work on Friday and he showed me that he had a poison ivy rash all over his arms.

I am very proud of him for being willing to work and earn some money this summer.