Day Four – our final day of Camp de Vida. We were multi-tasking again today with therapies, so it was a pretty short “camp” day.
Morning Devotional
We had our last devotional on trust. We studied another oldie by Elder L. Tom Perry. His message titled “Trust in the Lord” was given in April of 1978. And let me tell you, if you have a chance to listen to it – WOW – our leaders today don’t talk to us the same. I am not saying one way is better than the other, but he definitely had our attention!
He spoke of the change in our countenance that happens when we trust in the Lord. He said:
“When one follow the course marked by the road signs of the gospel of Jesus Christ and places his trust in the Lord, its influence is such that it is manifest not only in action and deed but by a marked and visible change in his very being. There is a special light and a spirit which radiates from his eternal soul.”
Directions from Sun and Stars
We then had a discussion about how to use the sun and stars to find your way.
Principles of Good Nutrition
Then we talked about what it means to have a “nutritious” diet.
Family History Timeline
Our big activity of the day was our family history timeline. This was a lot of fun to put together but also a little bit more work. Luckily, FamilySearch definitely helped me a lot. I created a large timeline out of poster board and then printed off several small papers with pictures of all of the ancestors from the kids through the fifth generation and when they were born. I also sprinkled in some major events that happened which would have definitely impacted their lives. I told the kiddos the event and they had to guess where it went on the timeline.
It was so fascinating to see everything spread out together like that!
Good Passenger Manners
We had a great discussion on what it means to be a good passenger in the car. And we talked about how this is an important thing because “when people are doing you a favor (like giving you a ride), being kind shows gratitude and respect.”
Personal Hygiene
Then we wrapped things up with a review about what it means to have personal hygiene and WHY it is important.
Achievements
Later that night after dinner, we gathered together to finish off Camp de Vida. We roasted marshmallows and made s’mores (and tried putting the roasted marshmallow in a croissant with strawberries and it was amazing). We talked about our favorite activities and what we were taking with us from camp.
And then we passed out the kids “achievements”. Last year, when we started Camp de Vida, we had boxes made for each of the kids and their “special things”. It has been really sweet to see them add to them this year and how important they feel to them. Goodness, I love my kids. I feel so very blessed.
Last year, they got a heart badge to remind them of charity. This year, I found these badges which couldn’t have been more perfect.
Trusting in the Lord has been a lifelong lesson for me. Just like everyone, I feel like He has given me lots of opportunities to strengthen my trust with Him. Sometimes I feel that pull and do my best to embrace it, and other times I have fought it. I am grateful that I do feel like I question Him less and our relationship has become stronger because of that. I hope my kids can develop that trust now in their lives, so when the harder times inevitably come, they will know and trust in their very loving Heavenly Father to walk with them. Because I know that He does this always. These kids were truly meant for these days and are such an incredible example to me.
