We have just returned from a wonderful trip to the homeland. As always, it was a fantastic, refreshing, life-giving trip for the three of us. Also, without fail, we were very busy and had some major events happening during our stay. Andrew was, by far, the busiest and had several speaking engagements. He also didn't get to stay as long as Evie and I, but luckily, we will be returning in just a few short weeks :) I will try to be as concise as possible, but there is a lot to report!
We left on Friday, July 9 - my little sister, Caitlyn's birthday! I can't believe that she is already 22 years old, married, working a real job, and growing into a beautiful woman - I love you, Cait!
We were supposed to arrive in Minneapolis around 8:30 that evening, however, Delta had other plans for us and we ended up spending 2 extra hours in the Salt Lake City airport. This didn't turn out all that bad...Andrew was able to get some work done, we were give some meal vouchers, and Evie had a great time stretching out and playing. She is just a champ flyer. Most people were not even aware of her presence on the flight! She slept for much of our flights!
Hanging out in the airport!
We spent our first few days at the Wright household. We went to the Gold Nugget with Sara to watch the 3rd place game of the World Cup, had a delicious BBQ meal on the deck, went to Dairy Queen (ahh, delicious), and Lake Minnetonka.
Evie's first feel of Lake Minnetonka occurred with a naked butt and served more as a bath than a swim! Being a terrible mother, I left her diaper bag at home and she had an explosive poop, of course. The water was so nice, though, and Evie didn't mind at all! It was a beautiful evening.
The beautiful Lake Minnetonka
Next up was a week at camp - Village Creek Bible Camp - in Lansing, Iowa. Andrew was the speak for Young Teen Camp (5th-9th graders), along with my brother and the youth pastor from my parent's home church. I grew up at this camp. Every summer, on the last day of school, my mom and siblings and I would drive our trailer down and set up camp for the summer. Mom was the cook and we had free run of the country! It was the perfect place to grow up. I asked my mom, on this trip, if she ever worried about us...she said she didn't! We would check in at meals, but other than that, we were all over the place...swimming at the lake, blazing trails in the woods, berry picking, and just enjoying the beautiful country summer. As I aged, I worked my way up the staff ladder - starting as the dishwasher, moving to a lifeguard, and eventually a counselor. So much of my identity is wrapped up in this place and so much of who I am was formed there. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have "lived" in such a place. Because of my experiences here, it was very special for me to have Andrew speak at camp, too, and to be apart of it. We almost had a reversal of roles - he had obligations and things to do, where as I just got to hang out! My mom came for part of the week and her and I and Evie just got to enjoy some relaxation! It was so nice. Andrew and the other speakers did a great job, too. The campers loved them and learned a lot through the guys speaking. I was so proud :) I meant to take pictures of Andrew speaking, but every time I brought my camera to a chapel session, I became to engrossed in what he was saying and forget to take pictures!
Here are a few pics of the scenery, though - ahh, midwest at it's finest!
VCBC is in the Mississippi River Valley - this is Lansing, the nearest town to camp.
The lake is up that road, past the dining center.
We left camp on Friday morning and drove back up towards the Twin Cities. This weekend was the bike trip - an annual ride from Minneapolis back down to VCBC that raises money for the camp. For the past few years, my mom has been enlisted to cook for this event. Of course she then recruits my grandma, aunts and uncle and sister, too, to help. Andrew and my dad rode the 200 miles and Evie and I helped mom with the food. It is quite the production - cooking for 100 people out of a trailer and with limited electricity, facilities, etc.! Andrew and I slept in our tent while Evie had a sleepover in the trailer with my parents. A big storm came through on Saturday night, leaving us (at least me) very scared in our tent - we just aren't used to thunder and lightening anymore! The trip was a huge success - raising almost $45,000 and without any major injuries. My dad and Andrew are trying to convince me to ride next year...
After the bike trip, Andrew had just a day or so in Minneapolis before heading back to Pasadena. We were able to celebrate his sister's birthday, too, before he left...we love you, Sara!
After Andrew left, Evie and I headed up good-ol 494 and stayed with my parents for the rest of the week. My mom is working this summer, but doesn't have to be in until noon everyday - so Evie and I enjoyed coffee with her in the morning :) Cait came over to hang out with us and we went over to her and Andy's apartment one day, too. We also go to visit with dear Molly Joy. It was great to have some relaxing days - sitting on the patio, grilling with my parents, drinking Caribou coffee, and not worrying about getting anything done. These are MN summer days at their finest...
The final event of the trip was the Frederick reunion in Hanska - a very small town in southern MN. This was the reunion for Sue's relatives and descendants who immigrated from Norway in 1876. It was a wonderful weekend of catching up with relatives, meeting new ones, and walking through corn fields!
We went to a serene country church on Sunday
and spent the afternoon on one of the relatives farms, as well.
It was medicine for the soul, to be in the country like that. So beautiful and so quiet...we had a great time.
Oh, sweet Minnesota, we will return to you in a few weeks!
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