The dust had barely settled on “Papa-Gigi Camp” when the date for Family Camp at The King’s Chapel (TKC) was upon us. Originally to be a Thursday–Saturday night camp at a local property, the lack of facilities prompted a switch to an “in-house camp” at TKC’s property in Chantilly on Friday night and all day Saturday, August 2–3.

It was our first introduction to a TKC event outside of church (where we attend, in tandem with Immanuel Bible Church) and we were blown away by the well thought out and executed weekend conference. Diana White and her sidekick Maria put so much in to making sure this was done with excellence and that people would leave having had a great experience, and they succeeded.

Friday night was a marriage building “Date Night” run concurrently with an energetic children’s program. Date night started with a very special steak dinner, followed by a laughter-producing game show before we spoke on marriage. With questions provided by us, the couples gathered around dessert in small groups after our teaching and responded to the message.

It was a great, well-attended evening.

*“Date Night” featured a delicious, in-house prepared steak dinner . . .*

*. . . and worship prior to our speaking.*

We reconvened early Saturday (8 am) for breakfast and then all-family worship and devotions. It was a special joy for us to have our two local grandchildren in the audience and Paul nepotistically selected our grandson Nathan as one of his helpers for devotions. Nathan was all too happy to oblige. The families continued Paul-designed devotions in their own units and then encouraged one another through a time of sharing. It was a great start to the day.

*The well-designed schedule for the day.*

*Nathan was very happy to volunteer to help Papa with devotions.*

*The families worked in table groups to complete the written part of the family devotions.*

We taught on parenting, part 1, after the children were dismissed to their program, and after a delicious lunch, everyone had fun doing water games on the church lawn. The hot day made participation effortless.

*Many fun water games kept everyone engaged and cool.*

The family conference concluded with the after-dinner program of our second parenting teaching, but not until after a loosely-defined family “talent” show (somewhat) entertained the audience and a time of worship refocused our minds and hearts.

We were so thankful for the weekend with The King’s Chapel. We enjoyed getting to know the congregation a bit more and especially appreciated their commitment to the Biblical authority over family and marriage. It’s truly a blessing for us to be part of this very gospel-centered church here in northern Virginia.

Less than 12 hours after the conclusion of the family conference, I was on a plane to meet up with our daughter Lisa in Denver, CO, for a very unusual experience. We said “yes” to the invitation of dear friends, Lorita and Jen Granger, to attend the Maverick City concert at Red Rocks on Monday night, August 5, and so the adventure began. Lisa picked me up at the airport, having flown in two days earlier, and we drove straight to Chapel Hill Church of Brighton to attend church with our lifelong friend, Elsa Stanley Blanchard, and her husband Nate, who serves as lead pastor. It was such a joy to be with the Blanchards, worshiping together, and afterwards spending time enjoying Elsa’s well-honed gift of hospitality. How good to catch up with someone so dear to us.

*We loved reconnecting with Nate and Elsa Blanchard at their church, Chapel Hills Church of Brighton.*

After spending Monday morning with Jen and Lorita, hiking around the Columbine Memorial and having brunch, we eagerly anticipated the concert and were so thankful for an “all clear” weather report.

Except that the weather changed its mind. Shortly after arriving at the Red Rocks parking lot over 2 hours ahead of the start time, our best laid plans to picnic under blue skies and enter the venue as soon as the gates opened were thwarted by rain. And lots of it. As we huddled in two cars (we were joined by another mother-daughter duo who are close friends of the Grangers), we prayed that the concert wouldn’t be a wash out—and at 7:03, the rain stopped and in we went.

We were very, very thankful.

And we were rewarded with this beautiful rainbow:

*The rain cleared the air and its parting gift was this brilliant rainbow.*

We had a wonderfully worshipful evening at the concert and were so very thankful it all worked out. Maverick City was great, and hearing them in that majestic and unique venue was other-worldly. What a gift!!

An added bonus to the evening was hearing Thrive Worship from Bayside Church of Granite Bay perform the opening set. What an honor for them and a delight for us to see our friend (and former family camp staffer) Christian Hushaw on the Megatron as we walked in!

*Our friend Christian Hushaw and Thrive Worship opened for Maverick City which was very cool.*

*Tony, Lorita, Jen, Christina, Lisa, and I had a wonderful time at the concert.*

We took advantage of being in Denver to connect with as many friends as we could, which was definitely fewer than we would’ve liked, but there is only so much time. We had a wonderful time over lunch with Barbara and Evelyne Becker, longtime New England-transplanted-to-Denver friends. Evelyne was adopted from Haiti by the Beckers 12 years ago and it was so encouraging to see her thriving as she pursues a nursing degree.

*Lunch with Barbara and Evelyne Becker was such a treat.*

We were also so happy to spend an evening with the Oertlis, and especially delighted to meet grandson #1, little West Wann, son of Grace and Tommy. We loved every minute with them and three and a half hours seemed to evaporate as we reconnected over dinner, conversation, and lots of laughter. We love them so much.

*Our time with the Oertlis was so special as we got to meet (and hold) their 1st grandson.*

We spent our last night in Denver with our dear friends, Dave and Kathleen Sherman, and were especially happy to have their daughters and their families join us for lunch on Wednesday before we headed to the airport. Kathleen’s family (Clayton and Sandy Brookes with children Kathleen, Christi, and Clayton JR) were family campers back in the late 70’s, when Paul began directing camp so we’ve been in each other’s lives for almost 50 years now. The Brookes kids all grew up and brought their kids to family camp, who grew up and served on staff before getting married and having kids. What a gift to be a part of their faithful family’s legacy for almost a half a century now and especially to witness their faithful to Him and His to them.

*What fun to have lunch with Jeff and Whitnee (Sherman) Armstrong and their children Dom and Jovey . . .*

*. . . and with Kaylee (Sherman) Gosselin (husband Jake was working) and their four: twins Gal and Amos, and Levi and Phoebe.*

*Dave and Kathleen were the consummate hosts for our less-than-24-hour stay.*

Lisa and I parted ways at the Denver airport Wednesday, August 7, late afternoon after a most excellent adventure, with hearts full and overflowing.

During these fleeting days of summer, we’ve had many fun pool days with our grandkids and several visits with dear friends. One of the highest lights was hearing Nate Solder, one of our retired NFL players who came to Christ through the couples study and has been pursuing his MDiv since retiring, preach his first sermon at New City Church of Vienna, VA. Our hearts were exploding with joy to have seen him come to faith as a young adult from a very pagan background about 12 years ago and to watch him relentlessly pursue an authentic relationship with Jesus which has lead him (and his wife Lexi) to say “yes” to this ministry call. All praise is His!!

*Dave and Monique Cloutier stopped by on their way home to New England after dropping their son off at Liberty University.*

*After he did a great job preaching his first sermon, we grabbed this photo with Nate and Lexi Solder and their precious children.*

Summer fades into a new school year, and on both coasts, our grandchildren are back at it. We’re so thankful that all five are off to a great start and pray that they will be salt and light in this very dark world.

*Brandon, Ana, and Micah on the first day of school.*

We’re now wrapping up summer in Ogunquit, ME, with our dear chosen family friends, John and Marilyn. Walks on the beach, lobster dinners, and lots of great conversations are marking these sweet days and refilling our tanks for a busy fall ahead. Though we hate to see summer end, in many ways, we’re very excited about the opportunities this fall presents to continue doing what we love doing.

*John and Paul celebrate their August birthdays with a lobster fest.*

Isn’t it wonderful to know that when the sun sets on one season, it will rise on the next.