money pit=vehicles



Vehicles are money pits. This probably doesn't come as news to most of you out there in the blogging world. Chances are, if you own a vehicle of any kind, you've had to dish out hefty sums of money at one time or another to fix what was broken or leaking.

Well, this month has been our money pit month. Both the mini-van and the Jeep needed extensive maintenance/repairs done. Thankfully, this is also the month we are receiving our tax return, so guess where that money is going in our budget?! Shaun has done as much of the work as he can, and the rest we are trusting to an experiences mechanic.

Today is the day we are getting our muffler replaced on the van. When we were given the van we knew it would need a new muffler so this isn't a surprise expense. We're looking forward to driving around in a vehicle that doesn't sound like a race car!

I have already begun to pray that God will enable both vehicles to last a long time without needing any more repairs. I know that this is one way that He provides for us each day and we know that we've been blessed by vehicles in the past that have run well for many miles.

Eagle Lake Update



Things around here have been picking up over the past month and a half! Here is an update on all things Eagle Lake:

Staff Housing project:
-We need your prayers as it is going to take a miracle in order for the staff housing project to be complete by the time we all need to move up to camp in May. If the building is not complete, all of the camp wives/kids will be required to stay down in Colorado Springs indefinitely until it is completed because we just don't have the housing available for all of the families. If the wives are forced to stay down that could make for some very unhappy men, so please pray with us!

Summer staff hiring:
-This year, Shaun needs to hire 7 new summer staff. All but 2 of those positions have been filled and it's only the 2nd week of February so it's going very smoothly! The other programs (Rez, Crew, Horse, and Day Camp) are all still needing to fill many more spots, but the applications are coming in very steadily. It's exciting to see all of the pictures go up on our "Summer 2011" board. We look forward to meeting all of these great people in a few months!
-Larae had the privilege of interviewing and hiring all 3 of the medical staff for the summer. She is excited about who God has brought to serve in that capacity this summer.

Camper registrations and all things office:
-Larae is keeping very busy now that camper registrations are coming in. We are praying for 2400 total campers this summer and so far we have about 600 signed up! She enjoys the office work and is able to help parents everyday try to manage their online accounts and answer any questions they may have.
-Shaun is in the midst of working out some details for our forest service permits. It seems like there is more red tape each year that we have to cut through but he is diligently doing all that is possible in the pursuit of a 10 year permit for the Excursions programs.
-Development of a new Excursions Bible Study is also something Shaun has been working on. We hope to provide a means for kids of all ages to experience God in creation by drawing from the Word while at the same time sharing the gospel with them and helping them learn how to grow in their faith.

We are eagerly anticipating May 20th, when all of our staff arrive and the real fun begins!

Encouragement from our LORD



Life is full of stress and challenges. They come in many forms but if you are reading this, I'm guessing that there is something in your life that is difficult from a human perspective. Over the past year there have been certain scripture passages that have been encouragement to my soul. The Bible is the best place to turn when you are feeling down and I just want to leave you with a few of my favorite passages. Take comfort in God's promises! If you have any favorite verses of comfort, please leave them in the comment section.

Psalm 4:7-8  You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Hebrews 5: 8  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

Matthew 11: 28-30  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.