Lions & Ice Cream & Juggling, Oh My!

As January fades into February each year, we join with fellow pastors from all corners of the state to enjoy a retreat.  It's definitely my favorite event for our family.  Partly because it's held at Kalahari, the nation's largest indoor water park - enough said!  Even better is that we have the chance to relax and hang out with old and new friends.

The African theme lends to some larger than life bronze statues of the native wildlife.  Blake loved this lion in particular.

 Thankfully, the retreat fell at the end of a two week break from chemo.  This break allows Blake's body to recover from the assault the medicines take on his system.  By the time we packed up to head to the resort, he was full of energy and excitement.

Is that ice cream causing a smile or brain freeze?!

I was looking forward to the chance to see my friends, but also for Blake to have fun with other kids his age.  During all of the services for adults, the kids attend a "PK Reatreat."  He was very nervous about going each night.

Preschool PKs.  Blake is playing with an airplane.
 

Because I stuck with him in his classes this year (to help him avoid kids who were feeling sick) I watched firsthand as he slowly warmed up.  He is going through so much, but he's still a kid.  Despite the grumpiness that comes with getting twice daily shots and drinking yucky medicine, the allure of playing with friends won him over.  He even went on stage with all of the kiddos wearing his "iamapk" shirt.  He didn't sing, BUT he did give us a couple of huge smiles.

Spot the little bald head in the second row.

Standing behind his friend Bryson, and smiling at Mom

Steve coordinates the details of this event.  He also decided to enter the evening talent show with his good friend, and college roommate, Jesse Cook.  They attempted several "feats of strength"/circus tricks.  It was pretty funny, but the moment that made me laugh the hardest occurred when they met to practice their tricks earlier in the day.  I'm still not sure what was supposed to happen, but what did happen was that Steve landed face first on the carpet with Jesse on top of him.  He has an impressive rug burn on his face, along with a possible concussion.  But the show must go on!

The Amazing Acrobats of CBC

This week was a definite bright spot for our month of January.  We had FUN!  That is a pretty big deal these days.  The overriding theme of the Holy Spirit's message to me this far has been "Choose faith, not fear."  Currently, I am sensing God's leading to allow joy to overtake each day.  That's a tall order sometimes, but I'm learning more about what that really means.  This is one area where my son is leading the way for me.  The huge smiles he gives me are a beautiful reminder that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes with the morning.