Adoption camp

We returned to Camp Hebron again this year for a week of reconnecting to each other and old friends in uplifting and intimate ways. At adoption camp, it’s the sort of community where you instantly have so much in common with the people around you that you’re able to dive right into vulnerability and learn and share more than you ever would in most other circumstances.  While we're doing much "better" by all measurable standards than we were this time last year, it was still a wonderful reboot for our entire family.  

This year the pastor was a psychologist and social worker from Bethany Christian services, Elaine.  She's also an ordained minister, adoptive mother of four and former Tanzanian missionary, so she brought a vast background to the table.  She presented a study on the early chapters of the book of Daniel, and I'll give a quick summary of my notes here to help us all remember: 

In Chapter 1, Daniel resolves to not be tempted by the kings direction and stays committed to his God and is found to be stronger than everyone else in the king's court as a result.  He lived a life of integrity and a life built on purpose.  In Chapter 2, God allows him to interpret the king's dream and he gives God all the glory, thus allowing even the king to worship God briefly.  With this we were reminded that our child is not a mystery to God Almighty.  We can rest in the knowledge that He's got the answers and we just need to trust Him to answer in his perfect way.  And, in Chapter 3, when Daniel is thrown into the furnace for refusing the worship the statue, he comes out, "royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them."  We talked about how we can be like Daniel, resolved in our discipleship raising kids from hard places.  She asked us to think about how we're not fitting into the popular culture and that this is good.  We talked about pride and how humbling raising adopted kids can be, and reflected on how this is the work that God is doing on us sometimes... stripping away that pride.  She reminded us that now is not forever and that we're parenting towards eternity.  And we talked for almost one whole session about what it means to walk out of the furnace not even smelling like smoke.  We agreed, that this means we'll be wise and graceful, not bitter, resentful or prideful.  Finally, we were reminded that Satan often likes to roll a stone and close a door, like the King did to Daniel in that furnace.  But that Jesus and God are in the habit of rolling stones away, making what looked to be dead and done new, strong and very much alive.  This is where our hope lies.  

Throughout the week, we also enjoyed the natural landscape that surrounds Camp Hebron.  We got to enjoy many camp activities from a last year and a few new ones, like the shaving cream battle, archery, swimming, kayaking, wall climbing, rocket building, carpetball, yard games, hiking, campfires and more.  

The whole group! 

The Bethany Christian Services Counselors with Elaine in the center/back

The Hebron staff team, most notably Joe on far left who's got a little bro from Korea who's adopted and he's applying to medical school so we mentored him a bit, and Becca on far right who did a year of mission in Honduras between her freshman and sophomore years of college - we knew her from last year and she was the director this year.  What incredible young people. Not pictured, AJ, our worship leader who was also adopted.  

Last year this boy Luke was Nick's "best friend" from camp, and this year Lukas and Giana also really connected, so we will definitely have to get together with the Botsdorf's this coming year.  

Here's a smattering of our best photos: 

We camped again this year, right down by the creek in a beautiful spot and within moments of unpacking, the Pfeiffer boys were in the water finding crayfish. 

In the Shaving cream battle, Nick went for messiest, Lukas went for cleanest.  I think they both may have accomplished their goals.  Of note, Jacob opted out but sat with us and enjoyed watching all the silliness.    

(not pictured, me falling in TWICE!!) 

the bug whisperer

"THE TREE HOUSE" 

Mom went horse-back riding all by herself.  The Bethany team did a lecture on self-care, so we're going to call it that ;)  Let's just say the little guys were jealous/not happy - but they're not old enough and I didn't feel bad!!  

HIGH ROPES / AKA HIGH CHALLENGE COURSE 

You have to be 11 to participate so this was a first and Lukas thought it was awesome!  

Michael 

Luke

STOMP ROCKETS!!  Jacob and Jayden participated this year and their rockets went really far.  It was exciting and fun. 

WORSHIP TIMES - one of the things I love most about this place is the unwavering faith of the staff.  And how our week normalizes a demonstrative form of worship that we don't get to see everyday in our "regular" lives.  The kids enjoy it, whether they participate or not.  And it's beautiful to watch / be inspired by others worshipping God in this way.  I can only imagine the impacts this will have on our kids in the future.  

This crew of teenagers is really something special. 

Manny, Jesse, Jacob and Nick 

This year the camp song was a not-so-well-known one but the lyrics were powerful and related to the Camp Hebron summer theme (Hebrews 10:23) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Unbreakable by Selah 

....But the very best part

Is Your love's unbreakable, unmovable

You'll never turn Your back on us

Your heart's unchangeable, unshakable

Living water that will never dry up

Oh Your love, oh Your love

Oh, Your love is unbreakable

We've been rescued by peace

And promised every need

When it's harder than it seems

I will trust and believe...

Oh, Your love, oh Your love

Oh, Your love is unbreakable

From the beginning to the end

One thing remains, one thing remains

Your love is greater than anything

No height, no depth can separate

Unbreakable, unchangeable, unmovable

Unbreakable, unmovable

In conclusion, we're thankful for a powerful week and praying the lessons stay with us in the days and weeks to come, so we can be resolved, steadfast, and faithful like Daniel.