We came from all over the diocese: Cody, Torrington, Cheyenne, and Casper - plus a cousin from Texas. There were just four families there - but what a crowd.
There were the Caucutts from Cody - three of them. There were the Smiths from Torrington - four of them. There were Catherine and Kevin and friends from Cheyenne - four of them. And the Osborn tribe was there - Osborns, Burketts, Flores, and Conner Rae from Texas - thirteen of us. We range in age from mid-70s down to 22 months.
Carole Buckingham and I served as spiritual directors for Family Camp.
We met on Friday, July 3. We ate dinner in the dining hall. After a boundary walk, we met at St. Tim's for our first gathering. I told the Parable of the Mustard Seed since the theme of camp this year is the Mustard Seed. We wondered together about the story.
After that it was time for a campfire and marshmallows!
A peaceful night was had by all, and we awoke to another beautiful day at Wyoming Wilderness Camp. Families decided which activities to pursue.
Some chose horseback riding, while others enjoyed the ropes course.
Finally - it was time for lunch. Many of us chose naps in the sweet mountain air, but those who still had energy were encouraged to try something new. I joined my three grandchildren for a nap, so I don't know what all happened that afternoon.
After dinner -another telling of the Parable of the Mustard Seed. This time the tree was MUCH bigger, and the birds were drawn by all the campers. We wondered together about our day and about the mustard seed. We talked about day using questions from our diocese's Evangelism Project.
On Sunday, we ate breakfast, and tidied our cabins, and worshiped together. The Rev. Carole Buckingham and I led worship. Our gospel story, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, included a huge tree designed by staffer Kelly McDonald. One camper gasped, "The tree just has to grow bigger and bigger." Carole thanked God for God's work in creation and for God's revelation to us, and praised God for the salvation of the world through Jesus, using words she chose just for this occasion. We shared Eucharist in the outdoors, under the trees, in God's beautiful creation.
We said good-bye to our new friends and made plans for next year.
Do YOU want to join us next year? We plan to hold Family Camp the weekend after July 4 during 2010, and all are welcome. Like 4 year old Nigel says, "I love that place."
God's peace,
Kay Flores
Spiritual Director
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