There are 13 of us here at camp.
We went to Sunday services in neighboring Brandon, Minn., in the church where my dad grew up. There were many distant cousins, as it seems we’re related to all the Stroms in town. The drive to and from church passed the farm where my dad grew up.
I have memories of being here with my grandparents during the summers from 1971-73. It was an amazing time of running around the farm, making a tree house (sort of), playing in the hay mow, getting black mud layers on our shoes playing hide-and-seek in the corn fields, and where the corn seemed to be twice as tall as us. Then there was Mama Jo’s (grandma’s) sugar cookies and Koolaid, called by the color – red eye, green eye, etc. The farm was sold after they both died in 1974, but the wonderful memories haven’t.
At Mount Carmel family camp, we spent quite a bit of time playing games and doing puzzles, including playing games while doing puzzles.
Other events included Elenn cutting my hair and me cutting her hair.
A camp friend, Dean Swenson, and I put some time into studying Swedish.
His son and I were at Lutheran Bible Institute at the same time, so Dean is about my Dad’s age. Dean and I get along famously. I was able to hear some wonderful stories from his days working in Tanzania. So, while we were studying Swedish, I think he actually talked more Kiswahili. I understood the Kiswahili better than the Swedish, which isn’t encouraging!
Our cabin had thin curtains which let in too much light at this mid-summer time and 5:30 am sunrises. Anya and I kept our eye masks handy for a better night’s sleep.
Mark your calendars for July 1-7 and come to Mount Carmel and enjoying a good time with family. I’ll be there, as I was asked to be a Bible teacher. I’d love to see a whole bunch of LBI folks come. We’ll be doing some applied inductive Bible study methods together.
It was a good time and tough to say goodbye, but because I know we’ll be back soon, it was easier to go.
With blessings,
Beth
I’ve been thinking and praying about how to revive a Deeper Life type of gathering in the PNW. Maybe it won’t be in the PNW, but in the midwest instead!