Our Natalee showed a great interest in attending a week of Girls' Bible Camp this summer. The camp was about 30 minutes away from us (not too far!) and she was certain she was brave enough and responsible enough to manage it. After a lot of discussion, Mike and I decided to grant her permission to go. Grandma Num treated her to a shopping afternoon to get some fresh clothes and shoes and other necessities and I neurotically packed her up and we took her to camp. Such a hard step for mom!
A couple pictures before we left...she was annoyed at me. Ha.
Hometown girls!
A helper at the camp loaded a few pictures throughout the week, which helped my mom heart. We had planned to visit Tuesday but by everyone's accounts Natalee was doing great so we held off.
Natalee's flock with her counselor...
Class!
When we went to pick Natalee up Friday she was glowing! He had gotten to swim twice a day, she had taken good care of herself with her counselor's help, and she'd had an overall blast. We're grateful to the friends who responded to our texts and messages, reassuring us she was fine, and to our LCC family that were volunteering for the week who checked in on her during the week just because they love us.
We were so proud of our girl and so glad to have her back! As I suspected, she didn't run and embrace us like the other girls did their parents. She did greet us. :) Someone got a snuggly hug, though...
Our other children missed her so much! Xavier cried several times throughout the week because he missed his sister so badly.
The campers put on a program for the families before lunch. I cried. I was so happy for our Natalee, that she'd done this big girl thing, and she was bursting at joy for herself.
We stayed for lunch and Natalee had me take some pictures for her before loading up and heading home.
Her counselor, Lindsay.
A sweet friend, Kalyn.
The camp dean and LCC member (and one of the reasons we were brave enough to let Natalee go!), Janice.
Natalee was exhausted after her big week, but still talks about "at girls' camp..." She's ready to go back next year!
Thank you to the counselors who volunteer their time to make this week so over the top wonderful for the girls!
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