Exploring New Horizons!

After taking a year off from doing any sort of overnight summer camp last year, the kids were ready to get back to getting away for a week and going to a camp. We decided that they would attend Horizons this year; a "camp" on the campus of Freed Hardeman University in Tennessee for teens aged 13-18. My brother, Jeremy, has helped with Horizons for over 20 years, and the kids have several friends that attend.

Horizons was the first week of July, so on Saturday, July 5th, we headed to Arkansas to meet up with Shawna and Kaylee in Conway for lunch. Then, they took Bri and Bren back to Tennessee with them to prepare for camp which began the next day. 

Bren and Brianna heading to Tennessee

When Bri sent me the above photo, I sent her this one of us driving home :-).

It was hard having the big kids so far away from us for the week, but I received lots of updates about them. Jeremy was on campus every day and would usually send me photos when he would see the kids. Mallory was also serving as a counselor at camp and was even in the same dorm as Brianna (although not the same floor). Shawna helped get them checked in and moved in on Sunday after church and sent me the photos below. 

Brenson stayed in Benson Hall. He had planned to room with Isaac, but things got mixed up. He had a roommate he didn't know who left after the first day. I don't think Bren was sad to have a room to himself for most of the week!

Brianna was in Porter-Terry and roomed with her friend, JoAnna. She and JoAnna have known each other for several years, and they had a great time together. 

Even though they didn't room together, Bren and Isaac were able to spend a lot of time together. 

Like I said above, Jeremy sent me photos of him and the kids just about every day. It was nice to receive so many updates because I wasn't getting much from my kids. That's okay though, they weren't there to text me all day!

Jeremy and Bren

Jeremy, JoAnna, and Bri

Sadie, Brianna, and Macy

Brianna made a point to visit Jeremy at his office pretty much every day. I think her uncle enjoyed having her pop in and say hi.

She even brought friends with her when she visited!

Sadie, Matthew, and Bri in Jeremy's office

Brianna's favorite thing about Horizons was the singing and learning new songs. The theme of the week was "The Goodness of God", and she learned a great new song (that she has now taught us) that fit with the theme. She also loved all the socializing!

Bri, JoAnna, and Sadie

Sadie, Charlotte, Jo, and Bri

Ally, Sadie, Matthew, and Brianna

After receiving some of these photos, Chris and I decided our eldest daughter was having WAY too much fun on a college campus. Eeeep. NOT READY.

Brianna and Sadie

Brianna's favorite class of the week was "Show Your Faith" on the book of James. 

Bri, Maegan, Cyan, and JoAnna

Jeremy, Brianna, Charlotte, JoAnna, and Sadie

After not hearing from Bren for a few days, I sent Brianna on a mission to find him. She was successful, but he did not want to let her take a photo for me. She did manage to get these two, though.

Bren wasn't in touch with us much, but he was having a good time. His favorite class was on lesson prep, but he also really enjoyed his leadership class. 

Bren and Isaac

Along with getting to know Isaac better, Bren also became friends with Micah and Gibson. 

Jeremy sent me this photo, and I said, "Oh look! It's James, Mitch, and Chris!" 😂

I was very happy that Bren had no trouble finding guys to pal around with. He's not always the most social human, but he did great at Horizons! 

Jude, Bren, Gippy, Isaac, Elijah, and Shaz

Brenson did not make a point to seek out his uncle daily like Brianna did, but one day Bren did try to go by Jeremy's office. Sadly he wasn't there, so Bren called him and Jeremy met up with him. 

Bren was needing some ducks, so he knew to go straight to the source!

Camp finished up on Friday morning (after a late night Thursday). Jeremy sent me the photo below to let me know he had successfully retrieved my child. I had to laugh when I saw how alert and perky Bren was, haha!

Jude, Bren, and Gippy at check-out

After checking out of camp, Shawna took Brianna and Mallory for pedicures while Jeremy and Bren went disc golfing. It was nice for them to have some time to spend with family while they were in Tennessee.

The same Friday that camp ended, Chris and I drove down to Arkansas with Brooke and Brecklyn to spend intentional time with them and let them swim at the hotel. 

Brecklyn and Brooke

It was nice to break up the driving instead of going to Arkansas and back all in one day. The girls really enjoyed swimming!

On Saturday, JT, Mallory, Brianna, and Brenson met us Maumelle, Arkansas (where we had stayed the night) for lunch. That morning, I received this photo from Mallory:

Then, a couple hours later I received this photo:

THEN, Brianna and Brenson both slept for several hours that afternoon while we were driving home from Arkansas . . . a sure sign of a great week!

The kids really enjoyed Horizons and are already talking about next year. We are thankful for the connections they are making with other great kids, and for the opportunities they have to grow in their faith!