Church is Exhausting.

What do you mean, you can't find your pants???

Pants-less child is the same one I yelled at, for the third time, to get out of bed....

Now he was standing in the middle of every article of clothing, he owns, his search required him to empty his dresser and closet...still NO pants.

Wear whatever!?!?! You are still going to church....

I walk away from the battle. We just need to get there today.

Dallyn goes to Church in jeans, shirt and tie...

Church is a struggle sometimes.

Superman often struggles to get there...sometimes its medication, sometimes its fear of having to interact with people he doesn't feel understand him, sometimes its heart ache....

"Did anyone ask where I was today???" Many Sundays I don't have an answer for him....

It had been 5 Sundays since Superman had found the courage to come with us and this morning we were both determined to get there, together.

The biggest battle is just getting there, sometimes. We won that battle today.

As we sat in the pew, exhausted....I wondered how many others around me felt exhausted too...

It can be a great act of courage to come to church....and that isn't just true for my family...

My heart struggled to focus today... I wish I felt safer at Church... I wish more understood our struggles and specific needs.... I wish people were kinder to each other, like actually thought "is this kind? Is this helpful?" BEFORE speaking and acting....

I wish Dallyn could find his pants.


Please don't report me ;) My testimony is still strong...I'm just exhausted today :)

Camp: That Was Ummm....Awesome!

So when you get the feeling: I should bring my good camera to camp....Yeah you shouldn't ignore that. But that's what I did. :(

 

So I got what I could with my piddly cell phone....

 

Camp was an amazing spiritual feast, but the girls had a BLAST too...

 

Just a few of the activities I actually got pics of (there was more than a dozen to choose from, crafts, music, dance, water stuff, amazing race, hiking, sports etc.)

 

My girls aren't the crafty types...and the one craft they did do, they managed to ___________ {bad Madison}

 

There was a colour run....with the colour stuff and everything.....

 

 

Hatch Launch....this rope thing where the girls where flung, like 30 feet in the air...

 

And Madison actually did it, here's proof....(yes I realize it says lunch not launch, y'all know I can't spell :)

The UGLY shorts contest...

I came down a day early, to help with set up and I am now proficient in the amazing skill of military tent lacing...

It was amazing to see all the work that went into making this camp happen...from tents, to food, to programs, to performances, to people....everyone gave there all and you could tell...our youth are worth it.

This is what 500 girls looks like....




Closing Ceremonies...Well worth the watch!!!! (6:35 especially ;) )




BC Provincial YW Encampment was a gift of an experience. I know who I am and whose I am. It is a great blessing to be the mother of daughters. I have nothing but a heart full of gratitude to have shared this last week with my girls <3 p="">

Sister Kramer: Things are good now. :)

So I have to resort to stealing pics off facebook...But it looks like Bailey is still drawing and smiling, so this Momma is happy. :)

i am glad to hear that camp went so well not going to lie i am a little jealous that you had kenneth cope come to camp! what are some of the things you guys did at camp?

how is Dad doing?

things here are getting better it was alittle stressful trying to work out all the kinks with having three missionaries but things are good now.

the Branch here is amazing the are a great support to us a missionaries :)

i dont think i need anything at the moment but maybe if you come across some motab music you could send it my way :)

i will send pictures soon love you so much :)

 

 

Bailey also was "screeched in" this week....(became an honorary Newfie)  

 

 

Broken Things

Heavenly Father knew my heart needed healing and hope so he let me go to girls camp as a camp mom....

For five nights,  I climbed into my sleeping bag on a defective air mattress (the SS Deflating Row Boat) , and every night, I poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father, thanking Him for every minute of this last week.

It was the experience of a lifetime. as Alex, Madison and I attended the BC Young Women Provincial Encampment, with nearly 500 LDS YW from all over BC.

 

I knew the girls would have a blast and build their testimonies...but was unprepared for the healing that would come to my weary heart...I guess Camp isn't just for the girls. Words just don't do this week justice...but here are just a few of my spiritual highlights...

 

We ended every day with a fireside/concert....

 

{the scout camp amphitheatre had been turned into a true concert venue, the sound and lighting was amazing, allowing the talent and spirit of each performers to simply shine} 

 

First was our Area Seventy Elder Christensen, probably the most fun General Authority I have ever met.

 

Then Calee Reed, a singer/songwriter from Utah and had an instant connection with the girls....

 

 My favourite song....

 

 

Then came Kenneth Cope.  KENNETH COPE came to YW camp!

 

{I have a special place in my heart for this man. I was a fifteen year old, struggling to know I was loved. I attended an EFY fireside where Kenneth Cope walked on stage with his scriptures and guitar and taught of the love our Heavenly Father and brother Jesus Christ  has for each of us...And for the first time I believed in that love...}

 

 

Brother Cope did not disappoint....His testimony and spirit are timeless.

 

A private prayer was answered when he said:

 

It is best, through the broken, that the broken are administered too...

 

I have often wondered why Grant has continued to serve in leadership roles, even though his deep struggles continue  ...I don't wonder any more...  Grant's story and struggle give hope to many. God loves the broken...

Tears flowed freely as I more deeply understood the purpose in our family's heartache. 

 

Again Brother Cope delivered a message my wondering heart needed and I was reminded along with the girls of the love of our heavenly father. I am not alone.

The final night Sister Elaine S Dalton (former general YW president) came.

{The camp YW leaders had a special sunrise devotional with her..."The Lord takes us out of our comfort zone, so he can teach us of our eternal significance"...simply awesome }

She shared her love for them and it was a beautiful end to our wonderful week.

My girls were so excited to meet her and she took genuine interest in each one.

If I had just one sentence to express what I wanted for my children...it would be, for them to know how much they are LOVED, not just by me, but by their heavenly father. They came away from camp this week with a deeper understanding of that love. And I am simply grateful.

Hearts healed. Friends made. Testimonies strengthened.

Thank you to all who made BC YW Encampment possible.

Sister Kramer: Tri

Another short email :)

 

And she only answered one of my avalanche of questions :) This girl sure knows how to keep me guessing...

 

If you are too lazy to read the half dozen sentences...

MP called, 2nd companion and area, doesn't drive, mom, you'll survive camp. :)

 

Gees, I LOVE her and MISS her!!!!!

**********

there have been so many changes happening in the last week and a half. We just had transfers so my companion and i were told that we were both staying in st. johns so we thought we were in the clear. but then we get a phone call from president leavitt and he never calls so we were a bit worried. he tells us that a few of the new missionaries were not coming anymore and so that the mission now had an odd number of sisters so now i have two companions and we are covering two areas now!.....

 

i dont drive yet once you become the senior companion then you drive.

 

i know that you will do amazing at girls camp! they love you (Alex says that she is happy that you are going)!

Sister Kramer: Livin' in Light.

Bailey sent home a thank you note to our ward today....About a month ago they sent around a card for Bailey at church. Everybody had a chance to say hi and wish her well.....

Her reply....

Here's just a part of what she wrote:

In D&C 50:24 it reads:

 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Brothers and Sisters continue to live in the light of our Heavenly Father and be that example to many, in helping the missionaries, as they bring many in to the fold of God. Welcome them with open arms.

Love, 

Sister Kramer

Who is this kid? Seriously... :)

Those ain't my genes ;)

The spiritual growth in her, humbles me. Missions change lives. And that's not just the lives of those they serve. 

Keep it up Sister Kramer, your Momma's learning some really awesome things :)

Dallyn: Marrige Counselor

The Superman and I were in the middle of a heated discussion last week....

{Yes... we fight, shocking, I know}

Dallyn saunters through the room and flicks on the tv, seemingly unaware of our bickering ...

Then with out even looking up from the tv, and after a long, audible sigh, Dallyn chimes...

(in a voice somewhere between, Elmer Fudd and Disney princess)

Ladies.. Ladies...
There's no need to fight here....
You're BOTH pretty!!!!



"Dallyn!!! Get out!" We say...laughing.

I think we have a budding marriage counselor/ comedian in our midst.

So if you're in need of counselling services we have a rather annoying child, who would love to hone his craft. :)