Chicago Fire

Go Chicago Fire!

Our New Family Member

Our New Family Member, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

Just a quick post to put up a picture of our new puppy...Zoe. She is a black lab (if you didn't notice from the picture). She is very smart and likes to eat everything.

Chicago fog, Tasty food, Mary Poppins

Chicago fog, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

Emily and I had a great couple days last week as we had the opportunity to go to Chicago for the Taste of Chicago and to watch Mary Poppins on Broadway. It was a great relaxing time for the two of us. We stayed in the Swissotel, which was fantastic! The city was under a sweet fog the first day we were there. It was kind of creepy, but kind of cool at the same time.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

This post is for Mindy Bland who was complaining this past weekend that we hadn't updated our blog in a while. I guess she was probably correct...

Summer camp is going VERY well this year. We have a fantastic summer staff that has been so focused on loving God this summer! They have really given of themselves to make this a great summer for the kids and they are growing tremendously in their walk with Christ as well.

To start the summer off, we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes during staff training to allow everyone to focus on their relationship with God away from camp. We wanted to start with the right focus of personally getting right before the Lord.

This photo is from an early morning hike with the staff to the top of Empire Bluff! It was a beautiful morning and a beautiful view as we all worshiped God together.

Mufasa

Mufasa, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

This photo is from our Grand Rapids trip to the zoo last week. Last night Emily and I attended the Lion King on Broadway in Lansing. This photo made me remember a portion of the play in which Mufasa (the big dad lion) tells Simba (his son) that he needs to always remember who he is. Later in the movie, when Simba has run away from being king, he is reminded of these words. Simba had to return and be king, even though he didn't want to, because that was who he was. He was the king's son and that was his role. I was challenged as I sat watching the play as I realized that there are probably many times that I neglect my role as a child of the one true king. I must follow in my heavenly father's footsteps as Simba followed his father.

Getting away

2 stooges, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

We took Monday and Tuesday of this past week to get away from the craziness of our lives for a few days. We took the kids to a Holiday Inn in Grand Rapids that had a small indoor waterpark. I use the term "waterpark" loosely, but for 2 little kids, it was pretty nice. They enjoyed splashing around in the different environment.

We enjoyed McDonald's, a trip to the zoo, and great time together as a family! Our kids are definitely pretty mischievous though as shown by their faces in this picture!

My Daugher is SUPER athletic!!!

Chest Pass, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

I think I am that ridiculous father that sees everything my children do as a sign of significant athletic prowess. This perfect chest pass to me is a great example of this. Or when Brady loses his balance but manages to catch himself. Instinct and reflexes??? I think not...pure skills. Which they probably got from me!!! :)

Narnia...or is it Miracle Camp?

Narnia, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

Ice Camps have been going so great lately. This has been my favorite year for Ice Camp from the speakers, to the bands, to the staff who have volunteered, and of course...because of our AWESOME interns. God has really been doing some great works in the lives of students as more than 80 students have committed their lives to Christ and many more have made significant decisions to rededicate their lives to Christ. It has been so encouraging to watch God work.

I have also been doing a little photography throughout the weekends, mostly taking pictures of kids to post on the MC website, but occassionally I get lucky with a good shot of the camp. Here's one of them!