handsful

Earlier this month, we made our yearly trip back to Jacksonville, Florida. The big kids were welcomed back at our old church to participate in their week-long, backyard version of VBS called “Power Up Clubs”. This is their 3rd year since we moved back to NC, and we are so thankful for the time they get to spend with their beloved friends.

Last year, we rented a condo on the beach in St. Augustine, while the big kids roughed it staying at the church with the rest of the PUC teams. This year was different. With Randy’s new job, and his sales territory expanded to include most of the southeast, he combined a lot of working with a little bit of downtime. So, it was mostly me and the littles hanging out in Florida, while Randy traveled back to NC, GA, and FL.

To clarify what Power Up Clubs are…the kids are divided up into teams of about 7 (aged 12-18) with an adult leader. The teams visit 3 houses (hosted by church members) per day and put on 1 1/2hr clubs for the neighborhood kids that have been invited by the host’s. So, for the whole week, the kids do this 15 times, in the Florida heat (and accompanying thunder storms which ALWAYS come in the afternoons…). Plus, they stay at the church, church members provide three meals and snacks, and they end each night with awesome teaching and worship.

We always take Lainey and Dylan to visit each of their siblings clubs….

Payton was part of the daily skits. A pirate, as you can see.

Tagged!

He was also the Surginator…the guy who, under the strange influence of the lightning bolt, runs around screaming about how fun Power Surge (the end of the week carnival at the church) will be!

Lainey and Dylan loved the games…

Arghh

The day we visited Marley’s club, there was a HUGE storm coming. So, we ended up in the garage, which worked just fine.

She does NOT like to talk in front of others, so this was perfect for her. The boy read the script and she acted it out.

Freeze dance :)

Abbey’s club, next…

Abbey was full-out in pretty much all the skits. And, did a great job.

A game called “steal with bacon”…Puuullll, Lainey!

I don’t think it even occurred to him that the other guys were bigger than him…

This shot cracks me up. All the kids, being kids and not afraid to ask the hard questions, were asking him about his leg. He matter-of-factly explained that he jumped off the stairs and broke his leg. ?? Yes, he DID do that soon after we brought him home, but it’s not why he wears his “jingwa”. We had a talk about it later, so he’ll be better prepared when the questions come again.

The kids are loving the clubs!

Ethan’s turn. He was also in the skits…

Gave Dylan a much-needed ride during the games.

And, wore the lightning bolt :)

Drip, Drip, Drop is always a favorite “get wet” game at PUC.

I love being able to “spy on” the big kids, by taking the little kids to see them at their clubs!

Next post, hanging out in Jax, and visiting friends in Orlando!