Since our last post…

Since our last blog post, we have:

• taken two trips to Indiana
• connected with many family and friends from the Midwest
• visited several colleges to recruit summer staff
• celebrated Joey’s first birthday
• hosted and programmed The Oaks’ annual Winter Camp with 330 teens
• had two snowstorms at The Oaks (not including the one we’re having as I write this!)
• celebrated Jared’s 30th birthday
• hosted the Leaders In Training retreat
• hosted the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches southwest focus retreat, including several friends and pastors we know from the Midwest and Southern California.
• potty trained Micah  (Okay, we’re still working on that one.  Hopefully we’ll have finished that up by our next post!)

And this is only a partial list!  Phew.  As you can see, things here just do not slow down in the winter.  In spite of the busy-ness, we are SO THANKFUL to call this place our home and to be surrounded by such adventure and beauty.  Seeing God at work in the lives of so many campers is such a privilege. 

Here are some photos from the last couple of months.

Winter Camp:

And here are the Grace Brethren leaders playing human foosball:

One of our snowstorms (view taken from behind our apartment):

View from our drive “down the mountain:”

The boys in the wagon they got for Christmas:

Joey’s first birthday party (celebrated in Indiana with lots of family!)

The boys enjoyed LOTS of snow on our February Indiana trip!

Here are some ways you can be praying for us. 

• The Oaks’ Full-Time Staff Needs.  The Oaks is in need of two major full-time staff positions: Youth Ministries Director and Adventure Director.  Both of these positions we need to fill as soon as possible in order to most effectively carry out the programs we have planned for the next several months and for the summer.  Spread the word and let us know if you have any contacts for us!  And please be praying for our current staff to be able to juggle all these responsibilities as we wait for God to reveal his will in his perfect timing.
  We also are looking for local individuals to help us in many ways through hourly positions (outdoor education, food service, landscaping).
  
• Our Financial Support Needs.  Right now our support level is at 71%, and we are hoping to raise it to 100% by the end of the year. Thank you to so many of you who give so faithfully and generously!  We are humbled by God’s provision through you.  If you have not given to our ministry and would like more information on how you can start giving, contact us or click here.
  
• Strength and health for the busy months ahead.  Outdoor Ed camps (which Jared leads the programming for) begin the end of March and run through the end of May.  We have three new camps coming this year, which is a huge blessing!  But we also have less staff than usual to help out.  Pray for provision and strength during those busy weeks.