Christian country singer Rory Feek and his daughter Indiana recently spent a few happy days in Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa, making new friends and doing tons of exciting activities.
Camp Courageous is built for kids and adults with special needs. Many of Feek's friends have been raving about it for years. This year, he and Indy—who has Down's syndrome—decided to go.
Feek wrote on his blog that being there helped him see life at a different angle. The widower recently lost his wife and singing partner Joey to breast cancer, and her death really took its toll on him. However, the weekend spent at camp provided him with "magic goggles" and he was able to develop a healthier perspective about life.
"I found myself realising that no matter how hard life seems sometimes, or how much pain and hurt we feel like we're carrying around with us... God gives us 'new eyes' each day, and the opportunity to see the good in the life – to experience all the joy that He is trying to show us," wrote Feek. "I want to have the faith of a child and feel that kind of joy."
Everyone else in camp has his or her own personal ordeals and hardships, said Feek, but all of them are still able to laugh and smile and enjoy a simple sunset. Even though God dealt them a difficult hand, they still have the ability to take every opportunity with a smile and "turn it into something beautiful," Feek said.
"My favourite part of the weekend was getting to meet some of the other parents and kids and hearing their stories," shared Feek. "Some stories were heartbreaking and left a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes... but they were all inspiring and had a way of putting Indy and my life in a little better perspective."
