Larry and Laura Hoffert

graduation

2012-04-30T19:04:29+00:00

Each year camp welcomes new interns to camp. The internship lasts 11 months and is designed to give students a complete understanding of the entirety of camp and all the facets within. They take classes during the week and work aongside our staff on the weekends as we serve our guests. They are learning how to take a philosophy of ministry and put it into action. Each intern writes a “Dream Camp” paper, in which they design their own philosophy and their own programs. Some interns actually leave camp and put their camp papers into action. This year there were 6 interns and this past weekend we had a graduation ceremony and a celebration of theri year here. We wish them all well as they leave camp and enter new ministries.

Adam, Clark, Alex, Matt & Courtney, Cassie, and Maki…thank you for a great year!!! You all will be missed.

Parts of Speech Challenge….

2012-04-25T02:16:28+00:00

So, tonight at Fine Arts Night at school, I was excited to offer the PARTS OF SPEECH CHALLENGE as my sixth grade students completed the parts of speech unit. Also displayed were the great projects they had worked on! However, in my haste, I thought I could easily abbreviate one of the little signs on the table. All it said was, “Take the P.O.S challenge.” Ohhhhhh…. Won’t do that again. It became a little lesson in acronyms.

Sweet Stuff & Mothers and Daughters

2012-04-25T01:56:30+00:00

Who doesn’t like frosting pilled on a little cuped cake?!?

At Mother Daughter Weekend this weekend Tawyna and I led a cupcake workshop. I prefaced it with this statement: “We are normal people. We are not bakers.” Seriously, I am not a fancy baker. We had fun looking at different examples to see what we could realistically teach others…..and what mothers and daughters could realistically learn in an hour. A little candy, frosting, and creativity resulted in four types of flower cupcakes.

It was a messy, sweet, blast to host 100 people at our ‘lil workshop in transforming cupcakes into sweet-treat flowers. Take a look….

Other HUGE highlights of the weekend?!?!?! SARA GROVES was at CFS for a concert! Such honest, encouraging lyrics…...a privledge that she was playing at camp!

Oh…...and Larry & Clark hosted game shows on Saturday night…. Check it out….

Refresh

2012-04-24T00:39:34+00:00

Refresh…....no, not a new line of deodorant or a shower necessarily——it is what we call our CFS Women’s Retreat! It seems like there are so many of us who need a bit of refreshment…..to come away. To be challenged and encouraged. To stop and reflect. To laugh. To simply be together—or alone. I was a part of the committee to plan and organize this year’s event, and it was cool to see how the weekend transpired after praying and planning. God is good…...women were encouraged and challenged…..laughed and cried.

So, last weekend it was a privilege to host Jill Briscoe—-a gentle, yet strong example of a woman who knows and loves God and lives it out. I have so much to learn from women like this. As I sat humbly sharing a meal with this woman who has published many books and spoken to crowds of thousands, I found myself appreciating her down-to-earth perspective, honest heart, and deep love for people—-that was clearly not something she conjured up, but was from the Lord. She pointed me, not to herself, but to the God of the universe.

Now, that’s refreshing. I want to be like this someday when I am 76.

(Larry and I setting up for the banquet…...I was on “thool overload”.....yikes!)

(Karen and Jill Briscoe)

Aunt and Uncle

2012-04-18T04:26:53+00:00

That text at 3:30 am shook me from sleep as I read my sister’s words: “You guys come up with any good boy names yet? Cause we’re gonna need one real soon…” What?!?!? She wasn’t “due” till May 1st!

We are thrilled to share that Axel Jay was born on April 13th! (A healthy little guy born at 4:50 in the afternoon and cashing in at 20 inches, 6 pounds 9 ounces—for any who like the stats!) We have previously been official aunt and uncle on Larry’s side, but this is a first for my sister and brother in law!

We are excited about this precious little life…and can’t wait to share much ahead together! Love you three!!!

Sisters…

2012-04-13T03:29:49+00:00

For thoes who like a good ‘ol belly pic…. (Really? We just feel kinda large…..) Enjoy this pic of my sister and me—both pregnant together! Lisa is due with a little boy just two months before we are. We walk this journey of partenting little boys together! I am so thankful for my sissy-poo….so much ahead of us!

um…...please know that we DID NOT plan to wear the same sweaters that day….honest!

Happy Spring….Happy New Growth…..

2012-04-13T01:39:31+00:00

It sounds simple, but it made this prego girl cry of course. Yesterday CFS staff women got together for our spring brunch…..it was a time to simply be together, conclude our study together, and reflect on the year. One of the coolest aspects was that our husbands wrote each of us letters encouraging and affirmng the various ways we are involved at camp. So often I don’t feel like I fit as “wife in ministry”.....that’s just wierd….I never asked for that title, I simply happen to be married to my husband—-who happens to be the program director—-and we happen to be serving at camp together. We bumble our way through so much….decisions, people stuff, and questions that don’t always have clear answers. There are days where we may feel distant from each other or from Jesus, and we have to be intentional to point each other to truth—-God’s Truth. I am so thankful for grace…from thoes I share life with, from my husband, and from the Lord. So, it may seem sappy, the the plant with the letter reminds me that I have so much to grow into…oh, growing pains here….yet greatful…. Happy spring. Happy new growth.

Camp Building Projects Too!!

2012-04-13T01:27:30+00:00

Construction has continued througout the winter and spring on the Neale Lodge Addition! The progress on the new addition has been incredible. Through amazing gifting, fantastic weather, and a great work force headed up by one of our own CFS staff, the first phase of the construction project is nearly completed. It has been cool to know that this has been a dream and a prayer of many for over ten years….and now it is really happening. It will open up accomidations for more people, and allow us be able to host large groups that we have had to previously turn away.

(Staff praying through the process….and that this bulding would be used for HIS purposes.)

Demolition and Remodeling also began in the old guest house to make more room for summer staff housing, thus, creating more cabin space for campers. Check out this fine crew….all smiles—-but so tired at the end of the day! Thanks guys!

Transformation

2012-03-30T21:12:33+00:00

The basement project is nearing the final stages. We are so excited about the progress and wanted to show some before…during…and after photos so that you can be excited with us. We can’t wait to host many frieands and family in our new guestroom and to hangout with friends in the new family room. Let us know what you think and if you want to come for a visit. Enjoy the photos…

Half-Spiral Staircase

2012-03-30T21:01:11+00:00

This is probably my favorite part of the project. I love this staircase and am very pleased with how they turned out. Moving things up and down them will prove to be tough, but this was the best we could do with such a small space for stairs.