Midweek Check In

Where has the first half of the week gone??? We have truly had a fantastic and fun week here at Lighthouse. Tonight, the parents went out on a date night while the family partners brought the children for an ice cream party and outdoor movie. Here are a few pictures from the day!

Limbo Limbo Limbo!

Blowfish -- hoorah!

Party bike!!

Enjoying some ice cream

Retreat 7 - we're in Heaven!

We are back in Gulf Place for Retreat 7! There are 12 amazing families, a cross country team (Lighthouse calls them a track team), and many fantastic volunteers! Right now, we are preparing for our surpise dinner tonight! Here are some photos!

Sad to see retreat 6 come to an end :(

Retreat 6 was incredible! We had so many great enthusiastic leaders, selfless volunteers, and greatful retreat families. Pretty much everything was PERFECT. The storms we prayed away all week finally rolled in last night and caused a crazy uproar at our pool/dance party! We all swam back to our condos, and waited to watch the slideshow this morning. Our "see ya laters" this morning were the most tearful I've ever seen. Everyone was teary-eyed and in awe of how God used the ministry this week to help deserving families. We are sad to see it come to an end.  However, RETREAT 7 IS ABOUT TO START!!! God has provided several retreat  families at the last minute! Several of our volunteers this week have been here many times, but they will be surpised to see all the new creative touches this week! We will keep you updated! In the meantime, here are a few personal pictures from a precious retreat mom!

Lighthouse's First SAND CASTLE competition!

This morning we all woke up to thunder storms. Luckily, it cleared up just in time for breakfast!  We had "Morning Watch" on the beach followed by our first sand castle competition! Our teams worked hard and diligently to construct very creative sand masterpieces! Here are some of the pictures and awards!

Thursday!

Today is Thursday and it is a GREAT day at Lighthouse in Gulf Place! This morning the retreat moms and dads split into seperate groups to talk during common grounds while their children were preparing for the TALENT SHOW! I was able to take a sneak peek at the schedule for the show, and the audience is in for many great surprises! Believe me when I tell you that these kids can DANCE! Also, we had mom's pampering this afternoon, followed by a show from a professional sand builder! We are getting ready for a sand castle contest during flip flop tomorrow! Can't wait to see what else will happen.

Today at Lighthouse.....

Ok, everyone. This week is going soooo amazingly great! We have had so much fun...and we are only halfway done!!!! The weather has still tried to disturb the week...from threatening with rain to a heat above 100! Right now, the volunteers are picking up their family's dinners to take to their house so the parents can enjoy a date night while the kids eat ice cream and watch Despicable Me under the stars! Knowing these kids, though, it will probably turn in to a big dance party! The volunteers brought more enthusiasm to our "surprise dinner" than ever before! Retreat 6 is definitely fulfilling Lighthouse's mission to make families *laugh*

Lighthouse LOVES Chick Fil A!!!! We are thankful for all they do for us!!!

Some of our Leadership for this week after our surprise dinner!

Carly coming down the runway after having her nails done!

"Cool-leen" showing the girls how to model!

Retreat 6--Back to Gulf Place!

All of our volunteers and retreat families have arrived in Gulf Place for week 6!!!  We are thankful to GULF PLACE for hosting us the next four weeks in a row!!!! The weather has tried to threaten our trip a few times so far, but we are off to a great start.  Several people have already showed some of their amazing dance moves.  Also, this week is special because we have all of our summer staff!!!! We cannot wait to see the many ways that God will work this week. Please pray for us, and we will keep you updated!!!