Summer = BEACH VACA

We went to the beach earlier this month down to Perdido Key in Florida. This was our first time to the gulf and it was so pretty.  A big difference from the Tybee Island and Hilton Head that I am used to visiting when I was growing up.  The kids had a blast and the beach was not crowded at all. I loved the privacy and that it was not overrun by people like US! I of course had to try and take pixs of the kiddos on the beach and that was a disaster!! I am still trying to see if we had anything decent from that. So, here are some shots taken on the iPhone.  I played around with some of the pixs using one of my editing apps...these apps are amazing!

 The kids with Mimi

Summer = CAMP!

One of the things I love the most about my job is seeing The Salvation Army's programs and services at work.  I had the fun opportunity to visit our Camp Grandview two times last month and go on tours with our board members and donors.  Camp Grandview is our overnight camp up in the mountains of Jasper, GA.  The stories you will hear of kids who come here and don't want to go home will just break your heart.  When I was a kid, I didn't want to go home from camp because I was having so much fun with my friends.  Some of these kids don't want to go home because of their environments at home.  The theme this year is Super Heroes and that we all can have Super Powers with the Holy Spirit.  Here is a small glimpse of my time at camp.   

Seeing this, took me back to when I was a teen and a camp counselor.

 The teens with the summer Conservatory program performing for us 

They stay and study the various arts for 4 weeks

 A teen from Cartersville sharing how much coming to camp changed her life!

 Captain Sturdivant oversees the camp and he shares stories of boys and girls who have come to camp.

  Sharptop Mountain by the lake - beautiful!

The Parker Family Farewell Session

I have worked with this couple for almost 2 years as they served The Salvation Army of Athens as the commanding Corps Officers.  They are now serving in Oklahoma and I wanted to give them a little bit of Athens to take with them by taking some family pictures in the Classic City.  We started downtown and were going to take some on North Campus but Miss. R. was not feeling it! :)  Plus, it did not help that the landscapers were making North Campus beautiful that morning... lawn mowers, blowers, etc...lots of noise!! So, on to plan B! We hit a dear family friend's house to take some shots in her beautiful garden!   

 

This was taken later at their farewell/birthday luncheon and I thought it was too cute!