All back together!

We picked up Connor and Carter from K-Kountry! Friday afternoon was Parent's Night. We had the chance to be with the boys during klinic shows and awards, but then the boys spent one more night before we officially picked them up on Saturday morning. We are so happy to have the whole family together once again. Here are some pictures from our time at K-Kountry.

Collins was testing her muscles. She did this over and over again pulling her little legs up under her.

Reunited with her brothers. I love this picture of Carter, Collins and Connor.

A sweet picture with all my kiddos! Sorry Todd, I should have taken your picture with the kids.

Klinic shows - Connor did basketball.

Carter chose football. He is on the front row, pictured here with the rest of the football boys.

Now it was time for cabin awards. Carter's counselors had some great things to say about our boy.

Connor with his counselors and junior counselor.

What a goofy group. By the way, Connor loved having his cousin Dalton in his cabin. Dalton is right next to Connor, in the purple shirt.

This was super special! One of the awards they give out at K-Kountry is the Four Square Life Award. Dalton and Connor are celebrating because Dalton was chosen as the runner-up and Connor won the award for their division.

Special congratulations from Rachel Sparks.

Connor and some of the other K-Kountry award winners.

Such a sweet picture of Connor. Man, I missed both of the boys while they were at K-Kountry! Thankful that they love Kamp so much and got to be kampers this summer.

Follow up from Kamp Out!

Both Hunter and Colton had a great time at Kanakuk Kamp Out! last week. I only got pictures from Hunter's tent awards, but both of the boys got special awards. Hunter won a Bumblebee for the last day of kamp, and Colton won Total Release for his division.

Here are Hayden and Hunter listening to character qualities.

Hunter with his counselor Drew. Funny coincidence, but Drew was one of Hunter's counselors when he was a kamper earlier this summer at K-1.

Kids

Just a couple of recent pictures to share with the blog.

Our sleepy three month old!

Colton the big brother!

Collins loves black olives!

From an Inside Source

I've been getting a few updates and pictures from some K-Kountry inside sources. It seems the Rapps boys are doing great and having fun. Carter seems to be making the most of every moment!

Carter and Connor at the track meet.

Yes, I would like ketchup with my eggs!

The sign says it all!

And this picture...I don't even know what to think. Apparently Carter painted his whole body with ashes from a campfire before running in one of his track meet races. My guess is that he will still be wearing some of that blackness when we pick him up!

KampOut! and Free Ice Cream

Two boys at K-Kountry and our other two get to be part of KampOut! in Branson. What a fun summer! Hayden Engram joined Colton and Hunter for a funny picture.

Fun at KampOut!

After KampOut! we headed to the Keeter Center to take advantage of the "I Pledge" program. On select dates kids who recite the Pledge of Allegiance receive free ice cream. Yum!

Collins was a bit disappointed that she didn't get ice cream.

Both Hunter and Colton said the Pledge and then enjoyed their ice cream.

What a great way to reward kids and promote patriotism!

Boys at K-Kountry

Carter and Connor are now at K-Kountry...and they were so excited when we dropped them off! Carter asked continually that morning how long until it was time to go to Kamp. We are very thankful that our boys get to experience Kamp again this summer.

Carter was really animated as they introduced him. He is in Barn 1 again this year.

Connor is in Barn 5 this year.

An Update on the Rapp Family

Dear Friends,
My heart feels intertwined with yours, having experienced the love that you've expressed towards us through Holden's miraculous birth and development. Because of our friendship, we wanted to give you an update on Holden and what's going on with the Rapps in terms of "what's next."

Holden had another EEG a few days ago. It was the first one he has had in 3 months. We felt confident that the EEG would be clean and Holden would not be required to take his seizure preventative medicine called Phenobarbital any longer. Unfortunately, the neurosurgeon reported that the EEG came back as "abnormal" in the left temporal lobe, and therefore Holden is more susceptible to having a seizure(s). Also, Holden has some head lag that the neurosurgeon and occupational therapist have noticed. We have been given some exercises to help him in that area. The doctor said that is caused by his oxygen deprivation prior to his birth. 

Each day you and I live is a gift. For us, each passing day with Holden is extraordinary. Each passing day we are more endeared to him. His life reminds me of Psalm 66:3, which says, "Your lovingkindness is better than life" because as much as we cherish the life of Holden, it's the lovingkindness of the Lord shown in His blessings that blow us away.

Today, I am still looking for where God would have me in terms of a job. I have done some landscaping part-time with a friend, which has been a blessing in many ways. I have resumes in several places currently, but the process is slow. I am talking to people all the time about potential jobs, but unsure of the Lord's leading. Should I work in a church? A business? A school? A ministry? I'm not sure. Two of the "jobs" sound a little crazy, and marvelous. One is in Haiti, serving as a pastor/youth pastor for orphaned kids. It's called "Hands and Feet Project" in Jacmel, Haiti. Haiti is officially the poorest nation in the world and has terrible infrastructure. Another job possibility is serving as a camp director near Nairobi, Kenya. The camp serves kids and families from all over the globe. The handful of other job possibilities are in a few Texas towns, and Nashville... at this point. We are trying to sell, or possibly lease our house as we have not found a job in Branson.

If God wants us to go to Haiti or Kenya, we will go. If America, we will serve wherever. We will be so excited to have confirmation! Until then, we are learning to trust, to wait on the Lord, and have faith. Some days, doubt and fear creep in. It is tough for me, knowing that I have a family of 8 to provide for, but God knows my family's needs! He tells me not to worry and His best will be accomplished in our lives. Either God is faithful to His words, or He is not. I KNOW Him to be completely faithful, don't you? We have to hold on to the TRUTH when times are tough.

I know that the chances that you are going through something difficult are very great. You may be walking down a similar road of "trust and obey" as we are. It would please Bronwyn and me greatly to know how we can pray for you, and what we can do for you. I used to subconsciously pride myself in not being "needy"--- blind to the fact that I was only missing out on the peace and joy of leaning on others. The health of the body of Christ depends on each other being mutually genuine/honest/real/vulnerable. YOUR compassionate love toward the Rapps has certainly opened my eyes toward my prior ignorant/selfish reluctance towards reaching out to others. That realization is just one of the blessings God has provided me during this season of life. Thank you for your prayers and your love.

Most appreciatively,
Todd, Bronwyn, Hunter, Connor, Carter, Colton, Collins, and Holden