She loved it!

We were all very excited to go pick up Gracie on Saturday.  We got to get an early glimpse of her during their send-off campfire time.  She was right in the middle of her cabin, sitting with her counselor, totally absorbed in the moment.

Then all the parents descended and took pictures of their kids with their counselors.  This is Lani...

...and this is Holly  and Lani.  Grace absolutely ADORED them.  We decided that we'd start a new tradition of stopping for lunch at the Ram on the way home to hear all of the camp details.  Gracie didn't disappoint us.  We heard about the busy camper schedule, her Betsy bracelets, which nights were hard to get to sleep, the week's theme of experiencing God with all of your senses, the names of all the girls in her cabin, and how the camp mascot (Cap't Salty) had a twin brother.  She wouldn't stop talking and smiling.

We got home and had some quiet time.  In the middle of this, I heard Gracie crying.  I was shocked!  When I asked her what was wrong, she wouldn't tell me.  Was Joshy being mean?  No.  Was she not feeling well?  She was fine.  Did something sad happen at camp?  No.  Finally..."It's just that I really miss camp!!!"  Sobbing tears followed.  It was so sweet.  We talked about how hard it is to transition from camp to everyday life--that dreaded fall from the Camp High.  Later that day she showed me her journal entry that started her tears during her rest time.  I love that she's holding her counselors' hands.  So precious!  Jeff and I have both said that we'd send our kids to Spalding every year just to have college students pour into our kids' lives...how sweet for us to see how God impacted her little heart--through her counselors' hearts--during this week!