"I feel like we never left." CILT Reunion 2017

The CILT Reunion has been one of my very favorite December traditions for the past 10 years. This weekend I got to live the "best 25 hours of the year" one more time. I love reuniting with kids like Sara who were main characters of my summer and continue to be so important to me. 

All of the CILT counselors were back and Grace was in charge of creating CILT signs to put all over Lake Village-- she makes things so fun. 

There were camp games, jump-roping, song creating and scavenger hunting...

 We had our "Would You Be My Friend If I Wore This?" theme dinner. We sang and danced through the dining room while simultaneously devouring camp nachos.

 We love dressing up silly in the summer, but the outfits kids come up with for this night are always some of my favorites.

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

The counselors

The reunion is crazy-- 25 hours with 100 people and tons of energy and excitement. Because we know that building friendships and having intentional conversations are two of people's favorite things about camp, we try to make sure that's part of the weekend too. We split into families-- one counselor with about 16 CILTs from combined sessions. We met together four different times and talked through different questions each time. I'm so thankful for this group of rock stars and that I got to have this bonus time with them.

One of the highlights of the night: Just Dance Competition between sessions.

We played some crazy games, watched a video recap of the CILT life, did the ever-popular Newlywed Game and ate ice-cream sundaes.

Hopi cabin summer 2017

Abanaki cabin summer 2017

Choctaw cabin summer 2017 (we're only missing two girls!)

The Kiva summer 2017

Grace's campers (cause she spent time in Hopi and Choctaw)

My favorite moments of the CILT reunion are often when I'm just hanging out with these girls, laughing about silly things, catching up, reminiscing and sharing stories. I really, really love them and am so proud to call them my friends.

Chapel on Sunday morning is extra special at the reunion. We still sing songs like normal, but then a CILT from each session shares their story of how God has been at work in their life this year.

I admire the courage and heart it takes for them to stand up and share about their faith in-front of all of their peers. This year we heard from Sarah Nelson...

Ethan Krone...

and Emily Weibel.

I love when campers can take something tangible home with them to remind them of Tecumseh and the encouragement and support and friendships in this place. That's why we always carve out time to do love tanks together. All 3 sessions, guys and girls, counselors and campers-- everybody's in.

We met with our families for the fourth and final time on Sunday morning.

Sean's family

Sav and Kate's family

Grace's family

Mike's family

Katie's family

Sarah's family

We ate one more meal together and then it was time to start saying good-bye. When I first started doing reunions years ago I was always so tearful at the end. I don't cry much anymore, but it's not because I love the kids any less. I've learned through the years that friendships last, that distance doesn't have to keep you apart and that it's such a gift to walk away filled up with encouragement and love.

I'm thankful for all of you-- how you've impacted my life and that I've gotten to be part of your story.  Love you CILTies.

"All I know is the CILT reunion is this weekend so everything else is irrelevant."

Cadet Teacher Cassidy came to school all day today! For one day only, cadet teachers spend the entire school day at their placement school. Today Cass got to do the letter board, go to the library, make a video for cadet teaching, buy school lunch and eat in my room and meet all of my classes instead of just the last two. 

Today was also the grand unveiling of our new FBC shirts. Girls like Kendall and Ellie were so excited about the new shirts and I definitely was too. I'm thankful for this gang of girls who are each so fun, silly, creative, relational and positive. Huge fans of the FBC over here. 

We took our picture for the yearbook...

This one is a bit more accurate about what our time together really looks like.

 God bless the FBC.

"Can God talk to us through animals? Like through my dog?"

Reasons why I loved WL Campaigners tonight:

1. Washie's mom brought us a fiesta for dinner

2. Meric brought dozens of extra cupcakes from GiGi's for free

3. We got excited about WL All-City Club at A+ Gymnastics on Saturday night

4. Mallory and Elyse led us in Good, Good Father and Mistletoe
5. We sang down in the gym for the first time and it worked so much better because we could all see and hear each other
6. We talked about Michindoh 2018 and got excited about all of our friends who are coming

7. Wash, Cass, Meric and I hung out with the Fall Creek 7th grade girls and talked all about Jesus and God and Christmas and why it matters that Jesus came in the flesh to live with us here on Earth

"Man, I thought you guys were in Puerto Rico or something."

Tonight was a whole night of surprises and adventures with Justin. 

New Adventure: Patties of Jamaica

Think of a hot pocket with ground beef inside, slightly sweet

Classic Adventure: Taco & Burrito Place
I was thrilled to get my chorizo taco, chips and quac and a TACO AND BURRITO PLACE STICKER!!!

New Adventure: Indiana Chinese Lantern Festival at the State Fairgrounds

Justin saw the lights from the air when he was flying into Indy last week and had to figure out what was going on. The lights alone were really cool, but there was a performance of dancers, jugglers and a contortionist too.  

Classic Adventure: On the way home we drove through the Reynolds Christmas Lights display that is set up in Fishers every year. They've had to rearrange the display a bit, but all of the favorite lights are still there.

"You're good at making yourself available and being in people's lives and doing things. Keep up the good work."

Highs of the Day:

Finished Love Tanks for the CILT Reunion which means it's really, really close

Got the latest registration and we've officially reached 100 CILTs who will be back at Tecumseh

The FBC SHIRTS ARRIVED!!!! and I spent the afternoon sorting and delivering these stacks

Spent Young Life with so many of my favorite pals
Had the greatest reunion hug with Johnna
Our Wyld Life Camp Sign Up is at 82 kids and I'm so excited about who joined the list today
Got a letter in the mail from Erin Dickett
Got my 2018 Page-A-Day Calendars in the mail which is the best because they're the gift that just keeps on giving

"And now I'm making tiny stockings for my cats."

WELCOME TO QUILT CAMP! Maddie and I headed North when we got out of school Friday. This is her 3rd year at Tecumseh's Quilt Camp and it's my Christmas tradition with Bethie. We were ready for sewing and snacking and laughing and ironing and all the Quilt Camp things. 

We made an early Saturday morning trip to Kinser's Bakery in Monticello to do some donut research for the wedding reception... It's still the best donut shop in the world. 

We took a break Saturday afternoon to walk across camp to River Village and to check out the Green Cathedral.

And by Sunday morning we had finished Maddie's first t-shirt quilt. We're so excited about the way it turned out and can't wait to get it quilted. This is the Halkyard's 4th quilt and it's going to be such a treasure for Maddie.

I'm thankful for hugs from the Hot Chocolate Club girls, time with women from camp, lots of talks with Bethie, team sewing, laughing with Maddie, watching camp sign-ups on the edge of our seats, so much good food, being at Tecumseh and living in the midst of so much of creativity and fellowship for the weekend.