So a Few More May Know

In the past few weeks volunteers have put heart in hand

to cut and tie 102 fleece blankets for area

 Royal Family Kids Camps.

We tried to give you a taste of the incredible joy and excitement encountered while delivering blankets.

 

The morning after giving the children blankets,

groups of kids stumbled out of their cabin wrapped in their fleece treasures.

One nine year old boy asked his counselor if she had seen and read the card we attach to each blanket, without prompting the little guy proceeded to read the card to her.

‘This blanket is an expression of God’s love for you. Know that while we may not know each one of you by name and face, our God does. Many folks met and tied each knot of love just for YOU. We pray that it will bring you much comfort. When life gets tough, wrap yourself in this blanket and remember – You Are Loved!

In all the world, there is only one you.

You have a laugh, a smile, a heart that no one else can duplicate or replace.

That’s because you are a Special Creation of God!

He formed you with His hands and loves you with all His heart.

You are a blessing to those around you

and these are very good reasons to Thank God.

We join all the host of heaven in celebrating your birth

Love,

The Shepherds and Sheep of

Fleece for the Flock”

“God not only loves you very much but also has put His hand on you for something special”

1 Thessalonians 1:4

Because you cared enough to send more fleece, tie many knots of love and bow in prayer, a few more lambs may more fully know how precious they truly are in God eyes.

Thank Ewe all!!



**Special thanks to Gretchen,
official camp photographer for the great photo's of awesome memories. **

Time Is Short

Good afternoon friends,


We pray this message finds you well and preferably cool :)

Well, with last minute fabric donations and many willing helpers we were able to complete and deliver a car load of colorful fleece blankets to the 51 foster care children (ages 6- 12) attending the FBCW Royal Family Kids Camp.

Last Tuesday, my granddaughter and I set off to deliver the furry wraps and then go home but instead, we stayed all day fellowshipping with the campers by way of attending a girls grand tea, (which included a full out dress up, makeup, hairstyling and fashion show event all rolled into one!)

While the girls indulged in fruit, a chocolate fountain, delicate finger sandwiches, and baby pink punch, the boys did the same (well...not so much pink punch and make up) but all the rest while being outfitted in white Karate gear and garnering life training Mr. Miyagi would be proud of. Oh what a joy to see the delight these activities brought to each campers life.

After the tea it was more swimming, fishing, canoeing and cool down, before a spaghetti dinner, more games and evening service by way of Shine ministry. By 8pm we were calling each child by name to pick up their blanket.

On a side note: As my grandma use to say, it was 'hot as blazes', sweaty flesh in every direction, yet by all the fuss you would have thought we were giving away ice cream cones and water slide rides, not hot and heavy fleece blankets.

We shared with the group how each blanket was hand made, prayed over and surrounded with knots of love by loving folks made especially for each one them. We also made it clear while each of us did not know them personally by name and face, God surely did and that any time they might need a God hug, a big ol reminder of how crazy He was about them to wrap their selves in their blanket.

As we called each camper one by one you would have thought a rock stars were in the house, this is no exaggeration. With each name called applause broke out and we were met with thousand watt smiles that simply melted our hearts and humbled our spirits. God is so incredibly good y'all!

Looking back into the patiently waiting (and sweltering) crowd we spied smiling boys and girls bundled up in colorful fleece relishing Gods tender embrace that very night! Would that each one of you could have shared this presentation with us. Life changing, kingdom building moments y'all.

You all I know how I love a good photo or two (three or three dozen :) to share with a post, but sadly we are unable to take photos on our own as there are actually children attending these camps who have been abused by photography - so trust me when I say my words are so inadequate in describing the delight and joy expressed by these young ones.

Over the weekend Mary and I were contacted (again) by the director of the RFKC of Athens, Georgia. The Athens director was at the blanket distributions Tuesday and is very prayerfully asking that our group might provide blankets for their 50 foster kids. This group hails from Fulton, Delkalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Athens-Clarke, Greene and other Georgia counties.

We have explained the lack of funds and material currently on hand, and asked them to pray that resources be provided to meet this need.

We ask that each of you prayerfully consider sending blankets or funds for us to purchase fleece so we may be a blessing to yet another tender group of young ones needing physical reminders of their Heavenly Fathers love for them.

Time is very short and we apologize for the extremely short notice. Please give in some way yourself and be sure to share this with those in your own circle of influence so they may take part in this kingdom building blessing.

Much love and many blessings,

Tammy and Mary



"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5: 2-3

More God Hugs - We need Ewe!

”Music blared from the speakers in the chapel. The excitement was electric. It was the night of the variety show.

Samantha stood in front of the audience, a huge grin spread across her face. She would open the show.

“Go, Samantha,” someone squealed. The music changed to the “Na na na na” song the campers loved. Samantha raised her hands and moved her feet. The audience followed along.

My voice caught. Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t stop thinking about the transformation in the little girl in front of me.

Samantha’s family frequented the restaurant where I waited tables in college. “Here come the 'inbreds',” was a comment that pierced my heart. No one wanted to serve them.

My silence convicted me. I said nothing—not even a prayer on Samantha’s behalf.

Despite my failings, God didn’t forget Samantha. This was her fourth year at Royal Family Kids’ Camp. Bright eyes beamed from once dull pupils; clean clothes replaced filthy rags; blond hair shined where matted strands had been infested with lice. She stood on the stage, belting out her favorite song with confidence.

Familiar words from one of my favorite camp songs whispered through my heart. “I will change your name. You shall no longer be called wounded, outcast, lonely, or afraid. Your new name shall be confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one, faithfulness, friend of God, one who seeks my face.”

God changed Samantha’s name.”

One of the hundreds of moving camp stories retold on the Royal Family Kids Camp website. Feel free to head over there and read more if you dare.

Once again we have been asked to share some “God Hugs” in the form of fleece blankets with campers attending all three of the Georgia RFKC's. Based on our latest count, that looks to be some 180 children/blankets in all.

As of today we have fabric for a few more than 20 blankets, and will need enough material for another 160 covers for boys and girls between the ages of 7 to 11.

We have set Thursday June 8th as our deadline. The sooner we receive your donations the better as we need any additional time before camp begins to personalize each child’s blanket prior to delivering them.

We need all of Ewe!!

Fabric requirements and directions can be found here.  If preferred, you may donate funds or fabric and allow other flock members to assemble, go here for details.

If you are a flock member living out of state, we welcome any contribution you might send to us directly. However, we also encourage you to adopt a camp in your state so that you, your friends, Sunday school or church might gather together and lead the children with cords of human kindness and ties of love for the children in your area. 

For locals, we will be meeting every Thursday and Tuesday from 12:30pm – 2:30pm so long as there is fleece to knot. Please email us directly if you plan on joining us (3rd floor music department hall of First Baptist Church Woodstock)

No matter where you call home, please gather together with some of your own 'peeps'

and be the hope for boys and girls across the country this summer.

much love,
tammy and mary

“What I'm interested in seeing you do is:

sharing your food with the hungry,

inviting the homeless poor into your homes,

putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,

being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on,

and your lives will turn around at once.

Your righteousness will pave your way.

The God of glory will secure your passage.

Then when you pray, God will answer.

You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'”

Isaiah 58:7-9

100 Children and An Amazing Experience

Last summer we were blessed to take a number of fleece blankets to the children attending the Royal Family Kids Camp in Woodstock, Georgia. RFKC is for children between the ages of 7 and 12.

These kids are part of the local Foster Care program and come from some pretty tough situations. The purpose of camp is to create positive memories for our littlest lambs. You can read more about our experiences with RFKC by clicking over here.

Of the more than thirty campers attending last year, one 9 year old girl returned to RFKC for the second time in two years. During this time, she and her younger brother had been living with a foster couple who announced they were pursuing adoption of both children. The kids and counselors were ecstatic that these precious children would finally have a forever family.

The celebration was short lived.

In December of last year, our RFKC church held a Christmas party for all the 2009 RFKC campers. Christmas reunion parties go a long way in keeping hope alive for the RFKC kids. Through these reunion events the children come to realize someone still cares about them and desires to bring joy into their young lives beyond their week long camping experience.

At the party, the campers were given all sorts of presents including lovely new coats. Our counselors were puzzled when they tried and failed to persuade our 9 year old girl to try on her new coat. The child’s new foster mom explained that ever since the couple had decided against adopting the pair, the child refused all coats or jackets; all she wanted wrapped around her, was the fleece tie blanket we had given her last summer.

Please join us as we continue to pray for this child and her fellow RFKC campers. We believe they will be drawn to their heavenly Father, accept His gift of salvation and experience true peace and joy as He loves each one beyond anything we can ever imagine.

This summer, three Georgia RFKC’s will provide more than 100 children with an amazing, almost magical camp experience. Fleece for the Flock has committed to a providing personalized fleece tie blankets for each of these campers.

If you live in Georgia and want to assist in meeting these needs, please email us at fleecefortheflock@yahoo.com for more details as to the best way you might help.

If you are a flock supporter living outside of Georgia, please consider contacting The Royal Family Kids Camp in your state. A list of camps and contact information can be found by going here. Mary and I encourage you and yours to adopt an area camp, make your own fleece tie blankets, sharing hope and God’s love to the precious children in your home state.

much love,
mary and tammy

“Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” I Peter 5:2-3

Love Letters from God

On June 24th Mary and I were privileged to be attend a surprise birthday celebration for the children attending Royal Family Kids Camp 2009.

We planned on sharing photos from this outing, but due to security concerns and more disturbing, issues some of the children have with being photographed there was only one designated photographer and videographer allowed at the party. These necessary restrictions limited the images we might have shared with you otherwise.

In lieu of the photos I will do my best to describe the afternoon’s festivities.

As we pulled into the beautiful wooded camp grounds we could sense the tranquility and love covering the place. A number of workers and volunteers were scurrying to finish preparation for the afternoons blow out Birthday bash. The party area was edged by cover decorated tents where tables of snacks, drinks and party games sat in anticipation of the merriment to come.

Adjacent to the play area was a petting zoo with an interesting assortment of mammals, birds and reptiles that included an Australian Bearded Dragon, a pair of darling hedge hogs and the biggest floppy eared bunny I have ever seen.

Did I mention the Wombat?

Before long the campers arrived and immediately dove in with both feet. Donning Hawaiian lei's and grass skirts the shindig was in full swing in no time at all.

One little Flock member got to help celebrate with the campers and help deliver blankets.

There was face painting, balloon sculpture, hula hooping, limbo, whirly bird twirls, watermelon eating contests, a funky line dance routine and some kind of wild and woolly game that involved wrapping some partners or opposing player (I'm not sure) in toilet paper - they kind of got that game going before I was aware of all the particular instructions, but by the looks of things everyone had a great time!

After 2 hours of intense revelry the party goers were moved indoors - to the Main Event a surprise birthday party for every camper.

The main building on site had it's windows blackened and was locked during the pre-party in an attempt to maintain some element of surprise for the campers.

It worked....beautifully!

Some 40 kids were led into a darkened room to have the lights turned on and reveal five adorable hand puppets leading the rest of us in a chorus of Birthday singing. The kids were beside themselves with joy! The room was filled with brightly decorated round tables with stars and crowns everywhere and each place setting sporting a shoebox sized birthday gift box, party crown, streamers and horns.

Oh the horns!

You have never heard such a chorus of noise uh...music that 40 birthday horns can produce. This symphony went on for several minutes until the camp director gave instructions for everyone to cut loose once more for during a 20 second count after which they would need to put them away until they were outside where they were welcome to continue their concert.

After opening their personal treasure packed gift boxes, they were presented with the most darling Birthday cake. The sheet cake icing was sectioned off into little squares, with little detailed caricature portraits of each camper filling each box. Lest anyone get confused, each child's name was written underneath each picture.

We watched as one little guy repeatedly told his big camper buddy (counselor)

"But it's not my birthday."

To which it was explained that this was not a celebration of the day he was born, but rather the celebration of his very birth!

There was so much going on that we nearly forgot to present the blankets - really!

Once we told them of the special knot blankets made and prayed over by members of our Fleece for the Flock family we were surrounded as each child wanted to know which one would be theirs. We felt a bit like a Rock Star or the Ice Cream man.

The oohs and aah's and sheer delight as boys hoped for camo or sport prints, while girls wondered if their blanket would be made in their favorite color.

Without exception, each child was ecstatic over their gift.

As you read this LONG post, think on what may have been accomplished with this project. We are not talking about the events that encompassed these few hours yesterday, but the unknown impact these simple kindness's may have had on these precious lives. The ramification which may not be known this side of heaven. We can only continue to pray it is so.



Right now, we do know that with your help 41 abused and neglected children received a glimpse of God’s unconditional love and formed many new and wonderful memories. Because of simple, beautiful blankets - knotted in love and covered in prayer you helped send these little ones a love letter from God.


Thank you for using your heart, talent and resources in completing this project. Without your generosity, this would not be possible.

We can hardly wait to do it again!


much love,
mary and tammy