By In early August, a group of 19 Lydia’s House guests, staff and family members journeyed north to London, OH to attend Procter Center’s family camp for the second summer in a row. Procter Camp is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio and offers a place for kids and families to grow in faith, learn, and play together. For many, it was a first “camping” experience and offered a chance to try new things, escape the city and enjoy peaceful farmland scenery. We started each day with music and a daily story led by the Chaplain and
A Lydia’s House Christmas Party
Survey the scene: grown-ups, children, Chipotle, presents, desserts of all shapes and sizes. It’s a joyful occasion, when former guests, current guests, volunteers, and staff come together to celebrate. Behold the joyful melee! Baby’s first Christmas! Delight! We ate our fill, played games, and gratefully received gifts. This child was screaming with happiness about the shoes she received, but we couldn’t get a picture of it. Use your imagination! This Starbucks giftcard will be put to good use by this coffee lover (the adult, not the toddler!). A sassy play-mat for a juicy baby! Stayin’
Waiting with Joy: Advent Crafts!
December evenings may be chilly and dark, but Lydia’s House is glowing with holiday cheer. I’ve never heard so many spontaneous outbreaks of caroling! We have been observing the season of advent by praying together, lighting candles, and making holiday crafts. ORNAMENTS I bought some pom-poms, raided the craft closet, and opened up many pinterest tabs on my phone. It was ornament-making day! But once the kids got hold of the colored paper and tacky-glue, all plans were abandoned. And, of course, their creations were delightful! They made little books, abstract sculptures, and yarn puffballs. The children at work.
Our Version of All Saints’
First, we must acknowledge the very happy occasion of a birth and a birthday: Baby S was born On Friday, October 13. And Kid J celebrated his 2nd birthday on the 20th! His badge is a teeny tiny flip-phone with a text message that reads: “HELLO NANNY” (his favorite words). Many former guests and neighborhood friends joined us in celebrating All Saints’ on Sunday, October 29. The house felt full and lively. Each room in Lydia’s House is dedicated to a different (sometimes unconventional) saint. At this worship service,
Family Camp at Procter Center
We’d been talking about it for weeks. When Anne first suggested it at dinner back in June, every hand shot up: Yes! We want to go to camp! We filled out health forms. We pored over the packing list (yet still forgot a couple things). And then, last week, the day finally arrived. The minivan was fully loaded with duffel bags and campers. We took off! But first, we had to stop for lunch. For weeks, S had had a powerful pregnancy-craving for Chic-Fil-A. So that’s where we stopped. Gosh those fries are good. At the green and spacious Procter Center,
