Sweet Mary....

Last Saturday we picked the girls up from "Pine Hills Girls' Camp."  I can't say enough about these camps for middle school boys and girls.  My kids have come back thoroughly renewed and built up in their faith, while also having had loads of fun.  They are administered by the Word of God Community in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  If you would like to be on the mailing list for these camps you can contact the Word of God office.

Well, at the closing ceremony of camp there are always a number of awards, many of them for different groups.  But there are three individual awards, one for a seventh grader, one for an eighth grader, and one for a ninth grader.

Guess who got the ninth grade Leadership Award.....Our Mary!!!!  (The actual award is a much cherished pillowcase decorated with fabric paint.  She is holding it in the above picture.)

We are so proud of her.  Mary is a young woman of faith whose kindness to others and personal responsibility have always pleased her teachers.  She does her homework, keeps track of her things, including her schedule, does her chores at home.  She's the child who sometimes just empties the dishwasher because she sees it needs to be done.  You know, she has it together.  She is a quiet leader, demonstrating by example.  I was so happy that the camp staff saw these qualities in Mary and recognized her for them.  She is our gem!!!

We're so proud of you, Mary, not only for this award but for all the ways you serve God, your family, and others!!!!  You rock!