We Are Alive

We know.  We have seriously been delinquent with this updating our blog thing.  We have no real excuses.  Just that time really flies and before you know it you have a bunch of stuff that you really should update people on but just haven’t.  So, from our hearts, we offer an apology.  But we think you probably understand where we’re coming from.

We’ll try to update in little bits and pieces so you don’t get a headache from reading lengthy entries. 

Many of you know we were able to spend time in Omaha for the Easter holiday.  It was such a blessing to be able to see family again, to visit with as many friends as possible (sorry for those we didn’t get to see!), and to see many of our CBC family members at church.  Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much stinkin’ good food we ate….and ate….and ate:) Thanks moms!!

This weekend is Ladies’ Retreat at camp and I have been thoroughly enjoying my involvment with it.  I have been able to help with leading worship through song for the sessions.  It has been so fun to sing again with Matt, our main worship leader here, and to be able to minister and encourage through music.  I also had the opportunity to help ladies in Handcrafts this morning.  Well, it was more like a lot of chatting with them while they worked on their projects….but it’s all helpful isn’t it? 

I sat by a dear woman named Phil tonight at the ladies’ banquet.  She could’ve been my grandmother and every word that came out of her mouth was laced with wisdom that I suppose only a life well lived and full of the grace of God could produce.  I only interacted with her for about an hour, but I felt so deeply energized by her afterwards.  In fifty years I only hope my life might be characterized in a similar way. 

Small Group

We have yet to share with you all how much we are loving the small group that we are part of through our church, First Baptist.  We meet Sunday nights and have been alternating meeting in a home in Medford and Westboro each week.  There are four couples in our group and all of us are on the younger side and happen to be married….I guess we’re “young marrieds” as they say. Two of us couples work at camp, and two do not, so it’s a great mix and we are really enjoying broadening our fellowship with these friends. 

Matt & Julie, our neighbors and fellow camp staff, are in our group, as well as Luke & Mikaela, the youth pastor and his wife from FBC, and Brent & Jen, another young couple from the Medford area. 

We are reading through and discussing the book “The Jesus Creed” by Scot McKnight.  It has proved to provide good conversation full of critical thinking and personal sharing.  Matt & Julie, and Sam & I have especially been urged and challenged by our times together, to open our eyes to the relationships that we could be building in our little community of Westboro.  It’s easy to feel like it is a dead little town with no life or potential for meaningful interaction, but we’re seeing that it’s all about our own initiative as the Spirit leads us each day, whether that is with the postmaster, our landlord, or even the family that owns the bar next door.  Overall, our small group has been such a good thing as we share our thoughts and process this journey of faith that we are all on together. 

Jen & Brent and Luke & Mikaela

Julie & Matt and Sam & Tawnya (...and gumby)

CCCA Conference

This last Sunday through Wednesday Camp Forest Springs has had the privelege of hosting the annual Christian Camp and Conference Association Convention for the Wisconsin/Iowa region.  Camp was maxed out with new and familiar faces from different camps and conference centers around Wisconsin and Iowa, all of them serving Christ in their area of ministry.  It was a great time to learn, share, encourage, and worship with Christian brothers and sisters who share similar experiences and challenges.  And what a blessing it was to see different ways that God is using camp ministry to draw people closer to Him throughout the region, the country, and the whole world! 

Enjoying a late game of Settlers after the Monday evening session

In other less important news, we have seen the grass in Wisconsin for the first time since December!  The snow has been melting rapidly and creating a sloppy mess with the last few days of temps in the 40’s and 50’s.  I’m getting fired up to get out again and do some geocaching, and while I haven’t stopped using the grill (because there is no off season), I will soon get the propane tank refilled to gear up for the many burgers and brats that will graze the grate this Spring in order to receive the sizzling kiss of the flame.

Winter Staff Social

This past weekend was officially the last Winter retreat weekend at camp, and we hosted our last Community Day on Sunday.  So to celebrate the end and for another reason to get together and socialize, the skiing/tubing hills were opened up for all of the staff to enjoy, we ate a little pizza, and we even got a game of Broomball in.  I, in particular did not go downhill skiing, but totally enjoyed my time spent cross-county skiing.  The trails were in great shape, the sun was shining, and it was just so good to be outside and enjoy, yes enjoy, the winter!

Here’s a few pictures of the evening…

These are our friends and neighbors - Matt, Julie & Simon Huffman (left), and April & Jesse Schutt (center)

The Missionary Staff winning Broomball team

We didn’t play…but sure cheered a lot!

Sam & Jesse taking a breather

Even though the winter retreat season is over, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any guests in at camp, or that there isn’t anyting going on!  Things are just shifting a little.  For instance, next week CFS gets to host the regional section of the Christian Camp & Conference Association Convention.  There will be people from other camps coming from all over Wisconsin and Iowa to share ideas, be encouraged and network together with other Christian camp ministries.  We’re looking forward to the week!

CBC Missions Festival

It’s already been two full days since we returned from our four day visit to Omaha for Community Bible Church’s Missions Festival.  Wow was it a packed weekend, but we enjoyed the time spent with the church family.  We were asked by the missions committee to come and share an update with the church family on how our ministry at CFS is going.  We were also given the opportunity to teach two different children’s sessions, as well as share with the Junior and Senior High Youth on Sunday night.  This trip allowed us to give undivided and meaningful attention to our sending church family.  We shared our hearts and told how God is working at Camp Forest Springs.

Also in attendance at the Missions Festival were Herb and Marlis Klaassen who serve with HCJB Global in Colorado Springs.  It was a privelege to get to know them a little bit.  The featured speaker for the weekend was Don Richardson, but he was unable to make it due to the flu.  So Herb stepped up to the plate on short notice and delivered the Word of God on Sunday morning.  What a willing servant of Christ!

Saturday night we were involved in a progressive dinner involving CBC family members and a unique twist.  Instead of everyone at each household moving together, the two missionary couples were the only ones moving around.  We were told we had exactly 55 minutes at each of the three houses to eat the meal course, visit with the people there and answer any questions they might have.  It was a lot of fun and we got to spend time with people that normally we wouldn’t see as much, even if we were pressed for time.

Sam and Paula posing at Larry & Sue’s place with some appetizers in hand

Tawnya chatting with Dean and Pat - By the way, Pat makes a mean Chocolate Yule Log….it was pretty much amazing!

Hanging with a lively crowd at Dave and Ruth’s place!