The Rest of the 4th of July Story...

Before I describe the rest of our weekend activities, I want to give a shout out to a fellow blogger, Dymphna, who asked for prayers for me and Susan in her post on July 2nd. I love her "random thoughts" posts. In fact, I love everything about her blog and go to it almost every day to see if she's posted anything new. She finds some of the most beautiful religious art I've ever seen. 

The internet can be a serious source of evil, but when I think of the people I never would have "met" or learned from without it, I am so grateful! God bless you, Dymphna! And thanks for your concern for me and Susan.

And now to "the rest of the story" about our activities on July 4th.

Everyone was up bright and early on the 4th and ready to run in what our son-in-law, Chris, described as "the Inaugural 4th of July Camp Kreitzer 5K and Fun Run" which we hope will become an annual event. He marked the course with chalk and gave safety instructions. Then the patriarch of our family, Larry, led us all in prayer. We all faced the American flag that flies in our yard, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and sang The Star Spangled Banner. We have some beautiful voices in our family choir! After that, every one lined up at the starting line and Larry set off all the runners (and the dam walkers). We need a starter's pistol for next year.

The 5K ended with an optional 100 yard dash. Love your socks, Chris!

I brought up the rear with two little grandsons and a son-in-law with a dog on a leash. We were the only ones who didn't do the entire 5K. We did the shorter version to the dam and back which is about a mile and half. 

The first runner to finish the course, son-in-law and former Marine, Chris, came in at 22:33; the second, son David, at 23:10. I came in with the boys and their dad at 44:44, but we took our time and stopped a lot to take pictures at the dam and give high fives to the runners passing by. 

Returning runners eagerly picked up water and watermelon and got ready for the optional 100 yard dash. About a dozen joined for the final run before breakfast. 

Swimming and a euchre tournament followed and two families set up fairy gardens. One had the theme of "plants vs. zombies." Our son tells me it's a video game. Anyway, all the zombies were made on  his 3-D printer and then painted. Clearly, the plants won. In fact one zombie was knocked flat and lost his arm. They disassembled their garden later, because 7-year-old Charlie wants to play with the figures at home. That made me laugh. 

The other garden had a Candyland theme. Both were incredibly creative and the candy house reminds me of our candy house decorating at Christmas time. Even the grown ups enjoy that! 

Plants vs. Zombies

We now have two permanent fairy gardens at Camp Kreitzer since I did one with two granddaughters about a month ago. Whenever I go to a thrift store I look for more items that could go into another fairy garden. 

One of the highlights of the weekend for me was praying the patriotic rosary as a family. Each decade is preceded by a quote from a historic American hero beginning with George Washington. Each of the 50 Hail Marys is offered for "every soul" in a particular state with these words: 

We plead the Blood of Jesus over [state named] and every soul in that state.

By the time we finished the rosary we had prayed for every single person who lives in America. Every Glory Be was prayed "for the conversion of our country." Every Our Father was prayed for a different branch of government from the federal level down to counties, towns and municipalities. What a wonderful thing to do on holidays like Independence Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc. or any day for that matter. It will certainly become an annual event on 4th of July at Camp Kreitzer. 

Candyland fairy garden

The day ended, of course, with fireworks. Woodstock really knows how to do a bang-up fireworks display and the fairgrounds starts filling up about an hour before they begin. Our youngest daughter brought light up necklaces and bracelets for everyone which added to the fun!

Our festivities ended on Monday with breakfast, house cleanup, and lunch. By 2:00 p.m. Camp Kreitzer was back in "ordinary time" with quiet and order restored and only piles of sheets and towels in the laundry room to tell the story of our fun weekend. 

Praise God for the blessing of family! 

St. Joseph, patron of families, pray for us.