There is a lot in my life that isn’t pretty…..it is bitter, harsh, selfish, worry-filled, proud…you get the picture.  As much as I can try to pretend it is not there, it is….darn stinkin’ sin plagues me.  Have you ever noticed that it grows too?!?  Oh…yes…it can grow and be fed…it really isn’t useful or worth much. 

In fact, it is kinda like rhubarb in my opinion. 

Starts out small…..I don’t really notice it in the corner of our yard….it can just kind of take of and before you know it there are stalks of it growing strong.  More than anything….it is bitter.  Who really eats that stuff anyways?!?  In my opinion, pretty useless.  Yet, there are many around who go gagga over rhubarb.  In fact, these people have a way of transforming rhubarb into something sweet believe it or not. 

As the rhubarb emerged in the corner of my yard….I was reminded of the not-so-useful-bitter-purposeless-not-pretty-or-sweet-aspects in my life.  As I attempted to make a pie and crisp, I am giving up the “bitter-uglies” of my life and asking Him to transform me into a sweetness only He can cultivate. 

Even better than pie. 
With each bite, I find myself grateful for GOD’S SWEET GRACE.

Let me introduce you some fun, humble, hard working, committed, authentic individuals….meet this year’s leadership staff.  We are privileged to be able to work with and invest in this bunch of staff counselors and senior counselors.  This crew is committed to caring for, supporting, challenging, and coming along side our high school and college age summer staff and counselors.  They do so humbly, (investing much behind the scenes).  Pray for wisdom as they seek to sensitively invest and care for others in practical ways always seeking to point summer staff to Christ. 

Alex, Lydia, Megan, Shane, Jamie
Ummm…did I also mention that this crew is a ton of fun too?!?!    They are. 

(Soooooo….this pic was taken in JUNE….on the leadership campout—a sweet time to prepare for the summer.  Because I am a late blogger…now is the thick-of-camp happenings….activities here are in full swing…much to be done these days!  Good stuff…really!)

During Mother/Daughter retreat Laura led a workshop on decorating cup-cakes.  Here is the final product.  They look so nice…almost too nice.  I (Larry) would have a hard time decorating all of them only to eat them in about 3 seconds once I was done decorating.  I would just like to eat and not decorate, but that is why I wasn’t leading the workshop and Laura was.  There were many more designs that the girls came up with, but here is an example.  I am told that it is very simple if you have the patience to decorate and not eat.

Just for the record….on April 16, 2011….THIS is what was happening outside.  Nothing like a COZY spring day INSIDE in sweatpants trying to remember what 70 degrees and sandals felt like.  In time…...in time…..I guess.  Perhaps it will make us appreciate REAL spring even more! 

Larry officially surpassed 30 and is on to year 31 of his life.  We celebrated with a trip to Menard’s (our hot date of choice)...and thankful for the Applebee’s gift card.   On his actual birthday (April 11th) we celebrated with one of our grilled favorites: grilled tuna, quinoia and veggies!  So thankful for an incredible friend and husband!  I love that man!  Looking forward to another year filled with all sorts of antics and adventures…in proving that we are not old—-just a bit oldER.

Spring is filled with Women’s Retreat, Crafting Weekend, Mother Daughter Retreat…..(Lots of estrogen around camp—-it’s great!) 
Here are a few pics….

Women’s Retreat Sessions


My MOM was even a first time camper at crafting retreat!

(Larry was overwhelmed by the crafting supplies!)

Tawnya and I working on 2050 cupcakes for our cupcake seminar for Mother Daughter Retreat…(more pics of the outcome to come…)

(Needless to say…it got a little late that night….)