Wrapping it up

Well, wouldn’t you know I managed to do it again…except this time I waited an entire 2 months+ to post.  I will not label this a new year’s resolution, but I will say that I’m more committed to regularly posting on our blog again!  Here’s a few shots of the things that have been going down in the past several weeks.

Dinner Theater
The majority of Sam’s fall consisted of lots of energy and time invested in camp’s annual Dinner Theater, which reached its culmination in the 6-performance stretch at the beginning of December.  The first act took place in “so-called” Santa’s workshop and was riddled with as much goof as possible. The second act was set in a toy shop, and brought a balanced mood and tone to the point of the show.  Overall it was a hilarious, yet heart-moving concoction of gut-wrenching laughter (Sam played a singing/dancing elf!), and a twist on the world’s tainted perspective on Christmas, leaving the audience with a sobering picture of what is real, what is not, and the One who gives us peace in this painful, unpredictable life.  Though it’s hard to imagine a serious message from these pictures…trust me… it was pulled off well, thanks to writer/director Matt Hoffland.

Sam played such a convinging elf…who knew?

I was thankful for the challenge and opportunity to help make costumes for the show.

A nightly ritual of getting elf ears and chops applied

The full cast

Travel
The Dinner Theater was actually sandwiched between two rounds of traveling for us.  We are grateful for the time allowed to visit family both at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  What a great time it was!  The kids were champs for the most - and the portable DVD player was the hero of the trip I might add.  We made it back home to the good ole’ northwoods on Christmas Eve in time to unload and celebrate together as a family on Christmas day. Pictures are pretty much non existent….because I’m in picture-taking apathy like that.  Except for a few taken by family and friends, these would be the dark ages…sad, I know.  I’ll get right on that.

Cheesing it up with some good friends

Three’s a crowd
I think I’m being forced to eat some words I wrote in my last post when I swore to you I was, indeed, not pregnant. I really thought those words were true.  Little did I know I was!  Yes, it’s true, the little bugger is about the size of a plum and supposedly will make its appearance around July , (I’m 12 weeks along).  Needless to say I’ve been queasy 24/7 but am hoping that wanes soon as it did with the others.  We’re excited and are probably going to wait to find out the gender until the baby is born, (Sam’s request not mine….but I am ever so humbly submitting to that:) And yes, as has been pointed out by some dear friends…we know we’re moving from man-to-man, to zone.

Wintertainment
This past week has been camp’s annual Wintertainment camp for high school youth.  Sam hit the ground running with lots on his maintenance plate including shoveling snow off roofs (to prevent ice dams), and problem-solving heating issues.  He’s also been running the tows almost every night for the ski hill. We’re grateful that once again the youth from our home church made the trek up to be encouraged and spurred on in their faith this week.  Pictures to come!

That should be it for a few days.  Really, I’ll be better.  We’ve got some great stuff on the horizon….Sam turns 29 in just a few days…I’m eyeing a vintage chair on craigslist that I’d love to reupholster…..seed catalogs have arrived (only exciting for Sam right now), food will actually start tasting good again soon, and by golly….we’re hitting 2011 soon!  Wow…..do you ever think about that Y2K “scare”?  That was….interesting.  Anyway…I’m off for now!  Thanks for reading! 

happenings

There’s something a little cunning about fall. You know. It invites you into all of its warmth and coziness leading you to think there’s time to sit, sip, and catch your breath after that whirlwind of a summer (though fantastic whirlwind it was, [and okay, so maybe there’s beeen a little bit of that sitting and sipping but only because you have to make yourself sit down and remember that you are ultimately a soul and not just a body you’re pushing around to and fro]). 

But our story is not unique and like you, I’m sure, our fall has swept in with lots of good things, pieces of stress pushing us to our max, plenty of joy and more than enough grace.  But still, I’m wondering where in the world are the weeks running off to?  I’ll end this little rant with a condensed (you’ll thank me later), version of some random and not so random highlights.

Basement
Sam is faithfully plugging away at the incredibly complex project that is the finishing of our basement.  He is working so hard and some days are honestly just so discouraging for him in this process.  It would be awesome if you prayed.  Other days are full of gusto, clearly seen accomplishment and plenty of DCtalk music blaring from down the stairs.  The whole project is a puzzle that is quite intimidating and time-consuming but we do see God’s hand of providence along the way and we are trusting and placing our hope in the fact that He knows our needs. 

Addictions
Coffee and Sewing.  This is the longest stretch of time where I’ve not been nursing or pregnant, (that’s right…in case you’ve all been wondering about the latter!). So I’m drinking deeply of the caffeine well and as you might expect am reaping the self-inflicted consquences (read: acne and afternoon slumps), but it in turn is helping aid my second addition.  I’m suddenly the night owl in the house feverishly hovered behind my little Singer as together we make lots of fascintaing things….at least we think so…but we are kind of getting a bit geeky about it lately. 

Birthday
Truman turned 3 and what a turn it has been!  We celebrated by taking him out to a local pizza/ice-cream place and you would have thought it was his life-long dream…..at his age, perhaps it was.  Drums, guitars, music, shoulder rides, Bob & Larry, hummus, M&Ms, watching football/eating peanuts with dad - these are just a few of his favorite things.  We love him so much and daily are seeking God’s wisdom in how to create fertile ground for his tender heart to grow towards our Savior.  I have to be honest, a lot of the tears I shed these days (and they are many if you’ve talked to me lately), are because of him, but it just means my heart is tender too in wanting to be the mom that God wants me to be, and to be a reflection of Him to Truman.  What an indescribable feat, save for Christ working through me.

Garden
Ah, the garden.  Let’s just say the honeymoon phase is over.  I mean, don’t get me wrong…we love to garden….we love the produce, we even love working in the garden…like in June & July.  But man it is a lot of work.  Hard work. Some years are “on-years”, some are “off”...with all of the rain (though awesome as rain is), we got this year, our garden just felt water-logged and sluggish, and thus our overall produce was a reflection of that.  So I guess this was an off year. If you’re considering a garden don’t let that scare you off, but let it just be a reality check.  Anything good is usually hard work, and things that are hard work are worth doing.  All that to say, we’ll be gardening next year for sure, but boy I’m already thinking of things to help us simplify and be more efficient.  The garden needs to work for you in the end really!  ....and maybe right now I have a bitter taste in my mouth because the other day while checking on our pumpkins I turned THREE hollow pumpkins over. Do you know what this means people?  It means for every day I was patiently waiting for the pumpkins to ripen just a bit more…..the deer were eaglerly anticipating their feast as well.  Ugghh.  So, on that note I’ll move on from gardening.

Books
I’m really not a reader.  I have tried to be but have really accepted it’s not my thing.  Last January, however, I was all of a sudden on this “I’ve got to be more well-read” kick and went out and practically snatched up the first book that looked remotely interesting to me.  It was The Road.  Have you read it?  Can we say downer of all downers?  Yes, I know there were some philosophical themes there and the writing was amazing, but it clearly was a poor choice for this non-reader. Anyway, what I’m trying to tell you is that I’ve, for some reason, picked up two books lately that have kind of fallen in my lap.  The first is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kinslover which I’ve read a few pages of and am excited to dig into more, just haven’t carved out the time for it. This is the self-description, “This is the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew”  - an incredible thought really, (and one I’m no where near ready to entirely emulate!).  The second is Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman.  If you know the tragic story of the Chapmans losing their 5 yr old daughter a few years ago then you know it is a heart-wrenching book.  However Mary Beth actually writes the majority of the book more about her past, her journey as a women in the midst of struggles with depression and life in ministry, and how she eventually could not resist submitting to the hand of God in her life and all that would call her to.  This one has gripped me and I quickly well up with tears each time I open its pages. 

Camp
It’s Retreat and Outdoor Ed season at camp and that means there are lots of middle schoolers around weekly!  Can you remember your days of Outdoor Ed?  I can….the nature walks, the solar system studies, the crispness in the air, the challenge course, the night games!  I didn’t have the chance to attend CFS for Outdoor Ed - ours was through a secular location, so I’m thrilled to see these kids come and know that they are encountering not only creation, but the MAKER of it all as they open their eyes and hearts to it all around them.  What an awesome privilege to be a part of these student’s experience.  Sam is in the midst of winterizing our buildings and also, along with the rest of the maintenance team, is working steadily on the construction of a much-needed building for storing large maintenance vehicles and equipment.  What a gorgeous fall it’s been for this critical outdoor project! 

I think I said this was a condensed verison.  Well…I guess maybe it was.  I hardly said a thing about the kids/hubs,  or anything about my new Bible study, my hair-cutting craziness, the new side of myself as seen in my ‘relaxed’ house, the crazy amounts of pine needles to rake (that apparently leaf rakes were not meant to efficiently rake up), the neighbors I’m hoping to get to know, the little squirts we’re loving on Wednesday nights, and the sweet, dear, faithful friends in our lives.  But, I suppose, like I said, my life is not unique, and you have all of these things filling your lives too.  So, here’s to hoping it doesn’t take me another month to post!  Thanks for reading….now off to my book…or off to rake those needles?!

Ladies’ Day

Hebrews 4:13 that says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

This month I had the opportunity to coordinate camp’s annual Ladies’ Day.  Karen Petkau, our Excecutive Director’s wife was the speaker for the day and we had several workshop options during the day for the ladies to participate in as well.  Karen spoke to the ladies based out of Genesis 16 (Abraham and Sarah’s story), and helped the ladies answer the question that every woman (and man!) longs to know, “God do you see me?”. 


This was my first time leading a women’s events committee at Camp Forest Springs, but it was a really good experience.  I learned some valuable lessons and had a fantastic committee to work with. 

Both Lisa (left) and Tarah (right) are seasoned staff ladies and were a great support and encouragment throughout the process.

I was mainly in the role of overseer and ‘MC’ of the day.  I actually enjoyed getting up and greeting the ladies before each session!

There were moments during the day where we had to fight the flesh’s desire to be disappointed or thrown off focus with little things here or there, but wow, to look at the big picture and know that God used our meager attempts to foster an environment of spiritual growth and worship is very humbling and I am thankful!  Based on evaluations and conversations with ladies we know that they were blessed, encouraged and drawn closer to the Lord through the opportunities of the day.  As a committee, that was our heart’s desire from the beginning of the planning process, and so we praise God for the work that He accomplished. 

Content no more

The little lady’s one year birthday has come and gone (many of you saw pictures on facebook….I didn’t take the time to blog…I know).  She has been just a little delight to our lives and is continuing to make us smile daily at the little personality we see coming through.  For months and months…and months she was the most contented little observer of her surroundings…feeling no need to move toward anything or anyone.  I’ve got to admit, as much as you tell yourself (and hear from others)...“they’re fine….they’ll move when they’re ready…every child goes at their own speed”...you also begin to wonder if your child really is okay…I mean…you know, just a little.  Then finally, slowly but surely, this past week she decided enough was enough and she began to move….crawling…walking along furniture….and is now anything but content to sit in one spot.  I’m so thankful for a healthy girl and that she is branching out of her little one-spot world. 

In the picture she’s pursing her little lips together…and I love, love, love it.  She does this quite often..like it’s her camera face or something.  Just love that little Tava.  She is quite thrilled with her Dada these days and lights up when he walks in the room.  She’s pretty amazed with Truman too even though he still roughs her up once in a while. She’s watching him carefully and he’s still the only one that can make her laugh in just a certain way.

Meanwhile I find myself praying more and more for wisdom in how to point these little ones to our great Savior, so that they too would truly love Him one day.  Honestly, that’s the bottom line.  All of what I do needs to support that goal in some way.  I’m asking God for the ability to weed through the junk that’s just distracting me from the heart of that goal, and give me eyes to see my kids and my responsibility to care for and train them, like He does. 

James 1:5 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

Summer Ministry!

We need to catch you up a bit with the summer happenings at Camp Forest Springs!

Five weeks of Youth Camps began in late June and ended in late July!  Hundreds of youth were served and ministered to from age eight through Senior High.  What a whirlwind it was, especially for our frontline staff such as the counselors - but the work was not in vain! 

A cabin group participating in the high ropes course together - this is not only an incredible team building process, but one that brings out endless spiritual parallels and lessons.

I had the opportunity to attend the end-of-youth-camp staff sharing time.  It was incredible for me to hear story after story how God moved in the hearts of campers and staff.  It’s easy for me to feel removed from the happenings at camp these days simply because my focus and priority is at home.  However, it was so good for me to be reminded that God is always at work, regardless of whether or not I’m aware of it (or a direct part of it for that matter!).  One counselor that night shared of an experience of leading a camper to the Lord and said, “When we really let go and let God use us - that’s where true joy is”.  Another staff member said of his experience serving at CFS, “It’s incredible to come and experience the community here….I feel like God led me into a huge family here.”  All praise to the mighty God we serve!

We are now half way into our Family Camp season which is busy and fantastic in a lot of different ways.  What an incredible blessing to play a part in providing an environment and opportunities for families to reconnect with one another and to meet with their creator away from the busy-ness of everyday life. 

A one-day canoe trip is offered during the family camp weeks.

Mother and daughter enjoying making crafts

Truman has even gotten in on some of the camp fun!  Here he’s enjoying a ride in the “CFS Express” - he really was thrilled.

Just a few more weeks of Family Camps and we pray that hearts would continue to be softened toward him!  We already know of a father who came with his family and trusted Christ for the first time while here at camp - God is moving!  I don’t have any pictures of our Adventure Trips but hopefully will be able to do a post later on those when I do get some….they are an equally critical and life-changing ministry that God uses here at CFS. 

Thanks for taking the time to read a bit about what is happening in our neck of the woods!