God's best

When Jeff and I were talking about what you've read about, I don't think you've heard about this kid.

A few camps ago, Jeff met a kid named Mike.

Jeff writes...

Mike, a 5 foot 2 inch tall 7th grader, asked if he could talk to me. He immediately told me that he is not allowed to see his mom anymore and how hard that is to know that he is going to have to grow up without a mom. During his 10 minute 'all camp quiet' time, He asked God "Why can't I see my mom anymore?" Amazingly, for a 7th grader, he heard God say to him, "you can't see your mom because I want what's best for you." I asked him why he thought God would say that. He told me through many tears that he has an abusive step-dad that his mom is now married to. We talked about how God knew if not seeing his mom and avoiding all the hurts and potential abuse he would experience, maybe it would be better for him to not see her at all. A hard truth. I told him that it's okay to be honest with your anger and hurt feelings to God. I asked him if I can pray with him. I prayed that if God said it's best, then He could trust and not doubt God. I thanked God that he wanted what was best for Mike, and that Mike was given the chance to understand how God wants what's best for his life. Shortly after that, Mike gave me a hug and told me "this was so meaningful for me!" and then got on his bus and headed back to Yelm. (pictured, boys from Yelm)

On night 4 Jeff talk is about God's best. He tells the campers that God wants the best for them, to live a live in relationship with God. It is amazing that this message is bringing healing to Mike's life. I'm sure he has a long road ahead of him. But, what a great start!

In order to give these kids his best, Jeff is NOT emailing and communicating with home. He is focusing on this group of campers and praying for our Everett area. (Yes, this is the same Jeff Huber that left Everett on July 25th!) If you notice Jeff isn't updating his facebook or responding to emails, that's why. He really wants to give this last group all he can by being "present".

I am trying to get the most out of the remaining days relationally with the cool staff wives I've met. They are an amazing group of ladies! We have had a great time getting to know each other and sharing life together. I even found one who is 1/2 Mexican!! Wow!

Thanks for reading and sticking with us. It's been fun for sure to hear from you!

Oh Dear!

Did I tell you that Wildhorse Canyon is a wildlife animal park (not really, but it could be!)

There are tons of deer, rabbits, salamanders, frogs, dragonflies, bats, coyotes. The coyotes don't come into camp, but there are deer who frequently travel through the little orchard around our staff lodge and climb up the fruit trees. We get pretty close to them, but they stay away at a safe distance of about 10-15 feet.

Yesterday, on our way 'home' from dinner, there were several deer on and near the path. I was pushing Janna in the stroller and Deek was walking behind. I was encouraging him to stay with us, but he saw one deer across the path from us, away from the rest of the herd. Dietrich kept walking towards the deer thinking of what it would be like to pet or even ride the Deer. The Deer had it's eyes locked on Deek with a laser like focus, crouched down in the ready position as if to charge... Deek said "hi Deer, Hi Deer!" from 15 feet.... 12 feet...10 feet, as I snatched him up to safety, thankful that I didn't have to tackle the deer to retrieve my son from the ferrocious herbivore. I guess a 28 lb kid isn't very intimidating to a deer!

A new camp arrived yesterday to the welcome of a gentle and warm rain. It seems the summer is ending and fall is rolling in. Jeff welcomes the new campers from a sound truck where he interacts with them before they go on their camp tour. (see pick of Jeff and kids on truck between the arrival of groups of campers)

Done with camp #5

We have 1 camp left to go! Can you believe it? We've made it!

Going to Younglives camp was really refreshing! (hard to believe) But, I'm better prepared to give energy and TLC to Jeff and the kids.

Today I made fresh guacamole for Jeff and the other 3 families living in the Orchard Inn. It is a favorite in the Casa Huber. It was fun. The other wives made up stuff and we had quite the lunch buffet going on.

As we walk around and stroll through the boys and girls housing areas (the Quads) we pray for the campers and leaders. Janna has really caught on and last night she wanted to pray for the boys. It sounded a little like this...

"God, I thank you that the boys didn't die in the water today."

(there was lightening again)

"And for blessings for club and that kids would know you. Amen"

What a great prayer! I was so proud of her!

We are looking forward to another day off!

Pray that Jeff is able to stay the course for the very last camp.

For the love of...

My week at camp with teen moms and their babies was ... everything. I cried, I laughed, I was frustrated, lacked sleep, watched love in action, had compassion, was disappointed, was surprised, showed tough love, jumped in the lake with my clothes on! You named it, it happened this week. The most repetitive thing that I did was loved. I loved. I loved taking 4 teen moms from Everett to camp where they are shown that they are treasured, treated like princesses and celebrated.
I loved partnering with the other two mentors from Everett, Kim E. and Lynn S. We prayed, conferred, celebrated and really lead (the teens) together.
I loved watching the childcare workers or Nannies (8 from Central Snohomish County) come and serve and pour out tender kindness onto the babies and their moms. On our departure day, a dry eye was hard to find as the nannies kissed their babies goodbye.
I loved watching as the teens began to understand how God loves them in their brokenness, in their empty attempts to feel loved. The speaker did a fantastic job. She used examples of their own recent motherhood to help them understand how God loves them.
I loved asking questions of the teens as they opened their mouths to release floods of stories about their dreams, experiences, frustrations and hurts. We had colorful and conversations as I boldly asked questions about their choices in boyfriends, sex, weekend activities, pornography and future career plans.
I loved cabin time. Every cabin time the girls jumped right in answering discussion questions and asking some of their own.
All of the teens moved along in their spiritual journey. B, who made a commitment last year has decided to step it up in her relationship with God. She still had some questions that were answered, she also seems to have some hope in her own life. I focused my conversations with B about God's best. I wanted her to know that God still has a best for her, if she is willing and faithful in walking in his plan. During the last 15 minute quiet time, she felt like God told her to go to school. (to pursue nursing) She's been dragging her feet about it but now feels like she should do that for herself and her baby.
J and S stood up at "say so" for making a first time commitment. S seemed to understand the least but was like, "whatever this is, it's better than the way I'm living! I'll do it."
J has been closer lately (to starting a relationship with God) and still has questions, but feels like it's time for her to set her priorities which will be knowing God better, school and baby. She recognized that she looks to others to love her and fill the void from her emotionally distant family. She also recognized that in her attempts to find love in boyfriends, she has been disappointed and empty.
K grew up in church, but is still counting the cost. I think she feels cheated maybe out of the perfect life. Kim feels lead to walk with her now. I think that is awesome. Kim will be following up with her as we go home. They go to the same church!
The drive home gave me time to reflect. I feel blessed to be part of this ministry that shows love and compassion to the shunned and broken teens who get 'caught' in their attempts to find love and value.
So, yes, at times the girls were grumpy. They did whine a little when they gave up their cell phones, and on the day it was hot. Getting them to dance at the dance party was like getting a Vegan to give up tofu. One night one of their babies cried loudly every 20 minutes leaving us, in a musty cabin, sleepless. Being away from Janna and Deek was tough. Leaving Jeff to speak to 600+ kids made me incredibly anxious. I missed my family so much!
But, it was very worth it. It was worth it for the love!

Look who's baaaaack!

Tanya just returned from YLVS camp today! Yay. Our super'manny' did great (6 out of 6 naps!) but we're happy to have Tanya back! See the picture above, showing our favorite family activity...swimming at the pool! I (Jeff) get to kill 4 birds with one stone when I go to the pool. 1. Family Time! 2. Meet some of the kids at camp. 3. Cool off & relax! 4. Pee without having to flush. Yay, so much fun. Seriously, though, it was 105 degrees today. Hot! This week, over 620 campers are here. Funny thing, this has been our smallest group out of the last 5 camps. Crazy.
Anyways, tomorrows posting will be from Tanya about YLVS (teen mom) camp.
Thanks for listening/reading/praying./caring. --Jeff--

Decisions, decisions

In the past 2 weeks, over 270 kids have made first time decisions to start a relationship with God, and follow Jesus. It has been an incredible past two weeks. Of all the kids that started their new relationships with God this week, over half of them began that during the 2nd 10 minute 'all camp quiet' time.

One girl from Auburn wrote this during her 10 minute quiet time on Day 4 (yesterday).

Guide my life, help me choose my own fate.
Take away with you my worries,
Open your heavenly golden gate.
Our relationship begins here,
I can feel you all around.
In every grateful breeze.
In every peaceful sound
Forgive me of my sins.
And open my heart
I want a relationship with you God,
I want US to start. -Katelynn from Auburn-

-There will be more pictures to come tonight or tomorrow.

Dietrich Clearwater Revival

Deek took a nosedive into the pool today. I was sitting next to him and he was reaching for a toy, and fell in. Within less than a second, Tyler reached down to bottom of the pool and lifted him out. Deek's eyes were huge with fear, but he didn't even cry. I asked, "Are you okay Dietrich?" Deek said, "Ya." 2 minutes later he was back in the pool playing. Sheesh!

Speaking of Tyler, he is 4 for 4 for getting the kids down for naps.

This week, numerous leaders, both young and veteran, have pulled me aside to tell me that my messages have been the clearest they'd ever heard. Apparently, kids have really been tracking each week. I was so nervous about being able to speak to a middle schoolers' level this month, but over and over folks have told me that it has been crystal clear. Tomorrow (today) I'll let y'all know how this week wraps up. It feels like God has moved in these kids lives BIG time. Leaders from Seattle (Rett) and Auburn and Tacoma and Saratoga, CA have expressed the incredible movement in the hearts of their kids. It's such a pleasure to be included in God's work here. -Jeff- More tomorrow!

Friends,

It's half way thru week four. I'm survivin' without Tanya this week as she's a leader at the YoungLives camp near Gig Harbor this week. Our 'super-manny' Tyler Marcus has been stellar. He has been 3 for 3 in successfully getting the kids to nap. Tanya and I were batting below the Mendoza line for the past two weeks, so way to go Tyler. Kids are doing great!

This week, groups from Auburn, Puyallup and Seattle have had kids getting sick. 6 work crew kids are sick too, which means they can't work for 3 days from their last vomit (not sure the proper/medical way to say that).

My highlight so far this week is a junior leader from Auburn named 'Nikolete.' She was a camper last year at Breakaway when I was speaker there at a 'freshman only' camp.

Nikolete opened up: “I knew that I could have a relationship with God, but I thought I was already as close as I could get. I didn’t realize that I could get so much closer than I was.” I didn’t think that I could change." She shared next that Jesus is leading her to “learn not to hate so much cuz for many years I've been full of rage toward Jesus for all of the pain in her life and I need to learn how to love him now. Even when I have bad break ups and pain, he has the most love, more than any other human being, the road to hate will not get me anywhere. Also, I need to be strong willed and not give my body away to boys and go to parties. I need to start good habits, stop taking things & shoplifting, but start to bring money to the mall when I go, and respect my body's purity instead of giving it out since I know now that it’s God’s temple.”

Just over one year later....she is HERE as a leader of junior high kids. Our God is a God of redemoption and transformation! It is a joy to see her as a leader with younger girls who need a mentor who has been through hard times and made it out. God is good.

Week 3, a few highlights

Wow. What a week. Even with the crazy weather, the week was incredible. This week our Everett/Mill Creek group came. See attached picture. God showed up in their lives.

Also, our adult guests from Everett/Mill Creek came too. We enjoyed spending time with the Coverts, Janners, Yocums, Jeannie Sell from Mill Creek and the Vanns.

Another adult guest who was here from Lake Oswego, OR was Neil Lomax, former NFL QB from the 80's and early 90's on the Cardinals. He was very encouraging to me all week, we had a blast.

This week, there were 190 new decisions for starting a relationship with God. Another group of kids that we give a chance to 'respond' was kids who made a 're-commitment' to God. Meaning...at some point, they wandered off or gave up on their relationship with God. Almost 2/3 of the entire camp stood up. It was unbelievable.

Thanks for caring, praying, and thinking of us. -Jeff-

Sunday goodbye and hello!

Today, I (Tanya) packed my bags to return to Everett. I have the awesome privilege of taking teen moms to camp with Young lives (young life ministry to teenage mothers).

So, I made it home safely in just under 6 hours and am buzzing around the house packing to prepare for a week of mentoring/leading teen moms while snagging random things I think I'll need back at Wildhorse. When I'm finished with my week at camp, I'll drive straight to Wildhorse for the remaining days (around 9) of camp.

I know you might be wondering, "who is taking care of Jeff while Tanya is away?" Well, I left behind Janna (she's a huge help with her questions and reminders) and Deek who will help Jeff to enjoy life (Deek always stops to smell the roses, grass, bushes, rocks, statues and fence posts while walking in camp.) Actually, Jeff is doing a great job taking care of himself. As much as we are a team, he is fantastic by himself too. But to help Jeff take care of the kids is our good friend, Tyler Marcus. Tyler is fluent in Young Life and Children, so I'm confident he'll care for the 3 them very well while I'm gone.

We are taking 6 girls from the Everett Area to Young Lives camp.

They bring their babies, and at the camp are volunteers who care for their babies while the girls enjoy camp.

Please pray for our girls: J, Br, Sa, E, M and K.

2 of them have known God before and the rest of them could be close to deciding to follow Christ.

Pray that I have patience and compassion for the girls as well as boldness to ask them the questions that need to be asked. Last year, I went and took J. She wasn't sure that she believed what she was hearing to be true. I think this year, she is a little more trusting of Christians. And, she sees a little more need in her own life. Woooo who! That excites me. I hope I sleep tonight! (attached is a picture).

Another girl has parents who are involved in a local church, but she needs God to be her own. I think she could be a valuable asset to our younglives club, should she fully jump on board. Pray for her too, K.

M and E might not go according to our Young lives coordinator. (I just talked to her on the phone) They NEED to go. Please pray that they do!!

I'll keep you posted as I can!

Super Soaked

Last night, after talk #3, Jeff was asked to sit in on a cabin time for a group who had a young leader (11th grader) because he struggled to keep the 7th grade boys in his cabin on task for discussion (cabin time).

Jeff grabbed the sound guy out of the sound booth and said, "you are coming with me to help them with their cabin time." The sound guy is on Summer Staff. Each summer staff was given a different cabin to pray for each week. The sound guy was shocked as they entered the very cabin he had been praying for! He was randomly assigned this cabin to pray for, and now he has the opportunity to participate in their cabin time.

Jeff always wondered exactly how the kids were tracking with his messages and if they understood and could apply what he said to their lives. As Jeff and Gero (hero), the sound guy, listened to these 7th grade boys talk about their lives they were shocked.

One boy named Levi (another Levi!) talked about how his father died 4 months ago. He didn't get to say goodbye and he felt like the relationship remained broken as he didn't have any closure. He also responded to a later question about Jesus being concerned with the paralytic's sin more than his legs (Mark 2), that it doesn't make sense. And that often, that is the way God works, in ways that don't make sense to us and that we have to trust that he is working for our best.

Jeff was relieved. What a great opportunity to interact with these 7th grade campers.

Gero will be working with their cabin for cabin time for the rest of the week.

It will be neat to see how their week ends.

Weather wise, we woke up to a very normal tank top day. Sun was shinning, pool was open, kids were zipping! We used free time to have a family swim. We got out of the pool to get some lunch as it started to thunder. Lightening flashed across the sky and they emptied the pool again. Just then, it started to rain. I gathered our things and the children and we waited for Jeff to return with lunch under a shaded area by the pool. It wasn't waterproof, but I thought it would be a quick one. It poured. Jeff returned with our hot dogs and brownies and they were soon soaked. We saw campers running in the field dancing and doing cartwheels and realized it was our very own Everett leader, Brittany Franke and her girls making the most of the bad weather. It make us think about Brittany's life. She has really danced through some rough storms. What a valuable lesson to share with them. Their glee turned into shrieks as the drops turned to dime sized balls of hail. We were wet under the net, but were protected from the hail. Our kids were good sports. Deek ate his brownie dripping from the rain while his sweatshirt hood filled with water. Janna was protected under an umbrella Jeff fashioned with an extra pair of shorts on top of a water floaty. It stopped and we made it back to our cabin super soaked!

The rain must have been good for something, stopping fires, fun and excitement, or just slowing kids down. By the time we got back to our cabin, the lightening had stopped and all of the rides were open again for the campers to enjoy.

What a crazy day!

'

The Storm Pics

Jeff and kids in pool on day off.






No nap= crash at dinner

The Storm!

We woke up this morning to thunder and lightening storms! What an amazing sight! We had to keep the kids and campers indoors and and away from high places like the zip line and Communication Hill.

Also, during the Pool Olympics, lightening flashed again and we had to get all 600 kids out of the pool and onto other activities. The power was out for several hours!

No Family pool time for us! (I have a picture from last week).

There is also a fire a little over a mile away from camp. (see pic)

It's up on the hill above the quads. A bunch of trained property staff are up fighting it. It really doesn't effect us other than the nice camp fire smell!

Also, the kids didn't take a nap. I've found that this means that the kids will literally fall asleep during dinner. (see Janna sleeping) Last camp Deek was actually stuffing pizza in his face while dozing off.

Jeff and I had a fun time today listening to last weeks talk and revising it. Night 3 talk is one of his favorites. It's message is that we all have a broken relationship with God. Getting campers to see this is always difficult as some kids think they don't need anything.

What a nutty day! What will happen next? Pray that God will move and things will happen in the lives of kids.

San Francisco Giants Win after a tough Week!

Day 5, week 2: This morning, Jeff invited all kids who made a first time commitment to follow Jesus to meet him at the blob tower at 7:3o for the New Believers walk. He was overwhelmed at the 135 kids waiting there, ready to hear more of God's word, throw a rock in the water to symbolize their old life and put a rock in the pile as a monument of their new life.

What an honor to be with these kids and leaders as they begin a new journey with God.

Some highlights:

Seeing the San Francisco kids there--7 boys and their leader. 1/2 of the boys recieved Bibles in English and 1/2 in Spanish! They really liked Jeff and connected to him. Jeff lived life with these guys and I could tell that the leaders and the boys really appreciated it after all they went through this week. (see picture of Jeff and boys)

The Mukilteo crew had some life changing stories. We sat by the pool with Bruce K, their leader and he told us about getting some of these kids to camp. They really have some tough lives, stories that would just tare your heart out. Absent parents who still live in the home, drug use to escape it all, poverty, dysfunctional parents, no phones in the family, no cars, wow! (Not your typical Mukilteo story). Many of the Mukilteo kids came to decisions to start relationships with Jesus Christ too. (see photo of kids circled up praying)

The kids and adults have really been impressed with Jeff's ability to be real about his own life as well as sharing what life with Jesus is like. It's a miracle really, that he's able to capture their attention (544 middle school kids + about 100 (high school/adult leaders) for 20+ or - minutes!

It must be God using him! Thanks for your prayers.

Tomorrow, Aug 5th, our kids & Leaders from Everett/Mill Creek come! As a bonus, we have some Adult Guest coming as part of the Adult Guest program.

We enjoyed our 'inbetween camp time' with some free babysitting from Summer Staff girls and a lonnnnnnnnnng walk for Jeff and I!

'Hilltop' experience of the week...

Jeff says:
Update on the S.F. kid whose mom called the camp to tell him that his brother just got stabbed to death. ...the group, all poor, urban hispanic kids were devastated. The brother was supposed to come here to camp this week. They all skipped club last night to just be together, talk, mourn, cry, and their leader pleaded with them it's time to stop violence, quit their involvement in gangs, and begin to follow Jesus.

This morning, they asked me to lead them on a hike to the top of the giant hill here at wildhorse at 6:30am and gave my 'talk' to them that they missed the night before. I customized it to them and the situation they are in. The leader translated it into Spanish. We finished by all circling up and praying together. it was unbelievable and I felt honored to be able to share this moment with all the guys, especially Enrique, who flew out a few hours later to re-join his mother during the tragedy. Pray for these guys! (Pictured above Enrique and his leader, Jay; Jeff and the group from SF on top of the hill.)

(Tanya speaking now) The talk that Jeff was gave them on the hill was the one about Levi and how he was an unlikey type of person Jesus would invite to follow him. I wonder how many of the boys feel like that? Maybe it's something they've done, or something they've thought, or maybe just that they come from a long line of poverty. What an honor to be part of these kids lives and to help give answers at a time when they have so many questions!

Thanks for praying for these kids.

Working on a fresh routine

Well, we've been here for a calendar week. We have 1.5 camps beneath our belt! We can predict every meal and know exactly where the umbrella stroller gets stuck in the gravel walkway. Now we just need to work on keeping it fresh.
Jeff works on keeping it fresh by listening to the recordings of his talks and adjusting them to make them more effective.
The kids find new treasures in the dollar store bin of toys. We go to the pool almost everyday, we watch the campers,hang out with other families. We play a lot. Today we played hide and seek in the dining area and bathroom of the Sarspirilla (icecream/snack shack). It took this adorable picture while Janna and Deek were hiding in the shower.
Tanya is noticing that her clothes are fitting a little tigher than they were a week ago. YIKES. Time to make sure I get the exercise I need, and not the extra calories!
What happened to her goal of staying spiritually and physically fit? Better freshen those up too.
The different groups of kids keep it very fresh. This week we have kids from Sitka, Alaska, Othello/Basin City, Connell, Gig Harbor, Pullman, Edmonds/Meadowdale, Mukilteo, North Whatcom County, Bellingham,Centralia in WA and Corvallis and Willamette Areas in Oregon as well as Paradise and San Francisco-greater Mission district, CA.
Quite a mix of kids. Some kids come from Mukilteo, while others have migrant farm workers for parents, while another kid from the Mission district found out that his brother (who was supposed to come to camp too) was just stabbed (and died). My stereotypical guess would be that it's gang related by looking at the close knit group of Latino boys who are here in his cabin. Please pray for the rest of his cabin. The brother who was here at camp is going home while his friends stay behind. His leaders need your prayers to know what to say to these young boys. I am so very glad they are here in this safe place. God can do something amazing in their lives and change them forever!
The amount of time we spend with Jeff could be better. We were able to walk to breakfast with him and he walked us back to the cabin one time. We were hoping to hang out with him during free time, but he was dealing with the tragedy from California and preparing for his talks. We won't pull him away from that! Maybe tomorrow we'll get some QT! It's hard to share your Dad/husband with 600+ kids/leaders/assignment team.

One down, 5 more to go!

Well, week 1 is done and it had a very sweet ending.

Jeff says:

I just finished the first week of speaking at Wildhorse Canyon to 650 campers. It was an incredible challenge, I was on my knees a lot, and I was even brought to tears a few times as the Holy Spirit moved in me during times of preparation and prayer...wow. I wasn't expecting that! My toughest message to give was explaining how our relationship with God is broken to this age group. My favorite message was night four, explaining what the relationship looks like that God offers to us (includes the resurrection and the 2nd half of the Prodigal Son story).
What a rush to serve in this capacity as camp speaker! 160 or so kids came to the "new believers walk" this morning at 7:30am. All these kids showed up to the lake because they had made a decision to start a relationship with God. Wow.
I gotta tell a story about the first kid I met this week, Levi, a 8th grader from Kirkland. I met him the first day when he walked into the "Round Up" (meeting room.) He asked "what kind of music are we going to play...hopefully not 'God-music.' " I told him we play stuff from the radio most of the week, songs he will know, and towards the end of the week, maybe a song or two about God. He said, "good, I'm not into that stuff." He wore all black, had spiked bracelets, black painted fingernails, a pentagram necklace, and was actually a pretty approachable kid. I ttalked to him throughout the week here and there and he updated me on his thoughts... "I'm just checkin' things out, not sure what I think about this God stuff." Well, as the busses were leaving this morning, Levi and his leader pulled me aside and asked if I would pray with them. He said that he wanted to start a relationship with God now...right before the busses left. So we prayed. Levi thanked God for offering him a second chance and apologized to God for all the stuff he has done to Him. It was a very simple, yet heartfelt prayer. He gave me a hug and got on his bus. As he left, I noticed that the necklace he was wearing wasn't the pentagram anymore, but a new cross necklace. It was fun to see a kid progress from being 'not interested' to 'checking this God thing out' to 'starting a relationship with God.' Jesus is alive! I am seeing him move mightily this week in me and in others!

Our first week camp left at noon. Our next camp will come at 3pm tomorrow. During our gap of time we evaluate the last camp, connect as a group and clean up and prepare to do it all again. We had a great evening as a family playing frisbee golf and teaching the kids how to hit a whiffle ball on the whiffle ball field!

Can't wait to see what will happen with this next camp!

(Pictured above: bottom- Deek, Janna and Jeff enjoying a late night play time hanging out with campers while Tanya worked in the ice cream shop. middle- Janna pushing Deek, wearing her cool Dora sunglasses. top -Kids playing (horses, what else?) with new friends H and C)

Day 3--Fun in the sun!

Jeff's talk on day 2 went well again. We decided not to use Janna. Hmmm maybe tonight. One of Jeff's values is short talks. He's wanting to get them under 20 minutes. The mind can only take in what the butt can endure! But, he really has their attention and their favor. Let's pray that this continues as he talks about sin!!


Today the campers had Water Olympics. Jeff stood on the blob tower as the campers tried to launch water balloons with a sling shot to try and hit him. They got him a few times. He works hard to make a good target! (see above)


As Jeff was up there we found a place in the shade to hang out and watch. (above)

Then, we went in the pool as a family, where we spent time meeting and talking to campers. That was fun! 30 of public family time! But hey, it's better than nothing, good for the first week while everything is new and everyone is busy.


Kids are sleeping better, and I'm really enjoying the other families here. I would however, like to get in a good work out! I think I'll have to get up early to do it. It's sooooo HOT in the afternoon here, you either have to do it very late or very early. I did a work out DVD in my room on day 1 in the evening while the kids were asleep. It's hard to get good cardio going without lifting your feet off the ground and making a lot of noise!


I saw Levi (the kid I mentioned earlier) today. He was smiling and he was glowing. That was good to see. I can't wait to hear what happens in his life!

Also, I talked to Scott from Lake Stevens/Snohomish! He said the kids are doing very well and bonding within their groups and having a fantastic time. He has given a lot of positive feedback to Jeff as a speaker. Also, he says his kids are moving along in their spiritual journeys. He too was beaming! He did ask that we pray for B***** (not his son). So, let's all pray for B****** from Snohomish/Lake Stevens to continue his spiritual journey to start a relationship with Jesus Christ!

Thanks for praying and for your emails and comments!

Day 2, first week off and running!

Whew!

Yesterday and today, the internet wasn't working in our Orchard Inn, so I packed up the kids and walked to the Hotel Lobby. They are watching a movie on Jeff's computer beside me!

I'm able to keep teaching my online classes for summer school, so we HAD to come over for a bit.

The campers arrived yesterday at 3pm. They were tired, but ready for fun. These campers actually run everywhere! After dinner yesterday, (see pic of Jeff greeting the campers for their first meal) the campers exited the dinning hall and ran to the field BEFORE I could get the kids in the stroller and out to the field. When I arrived, all 600 campers were in a circle participating in their first mixer!

Jeff lead songs for the 1st club because the camp musician wasn't here yet. It was AMAZING. All of the kids were singing and having a wonderful time. It was really magnificent in the clubroom to see so many middle school kids letting their guard down, singing, swaying and smiling. When the camp musician actually comes to lead songs, he'll have a tough act to follow!

Then, Jeff gave the first talk! He felt like he was "walking on clouds" so uplifted in prayer! It was clear, smooth, animated and it was only 22 minutes long. The camp manager said he wouldn't change a thing, but Jeff wants to tighten it up a little. Jeff felt pretty good afterward!

The kids are doing better. I no longer want to sell them! They are being better listeners and Deek only got out of bed 1 time last night.

We zoom around camp in the stroller, Janna sits in the seat and Deek rides on the back on a platform I bought online last week, it's called "the buggy board."

The kids are having fun sharing their plastic horses with other kids and catching bugs.

Jeff really wants to use Janna in his club talk tonight. Yesterday we were practicing, and she said, "Dad, I don't want to help you."

Luckily, she had a change of heart before bed. Please pray that she will do it. All she has to do tonight is run to Jeff and talk to him. Kids are so unpredictable. We have a back up plan, but we would really like for the campers to see a loving relationship of father and daughter, to show them what their heavenly Father desires with them, a relationship.

We don't see Jeff much, mostly at meals. He sits and eats with us and then is onto the next thing. So far today, we've ONLY seen him at meals. I estimate we'll get to see him for 20 minutes today (for practice with Janna). He has an important job! We can live with that.

One last thing, Jeff is using the story of Levi in his talk today. He will explain that God calls everyone (even unlikely people) to have relationship with him. Yesterday, we met a kid from Kirkland, named Levi. We kept running into him, at the pool, on the path, he wandered into the club room while we were practicing with Janna, etc... He is an "unlikely" kid to follow Christ. He's beefy with long hair, wears dark black shirts and cammo shorts, with a hat. He was hanging with his friend named Jameison (who was so tired he realized he put his shorts on backwards while we were talking! Anyway, Levi told us that he (Levi) was "one of those kids who isn't ready to make a decision to become a Christian." I hope he hears God calling his name tonight!

Are we there yet?

"Are we there yet?" Dietrich started saying this on a recent trip to Wenatchee. It was very appropriate on our 6+ hour journey to camp. (It's usually 6 hours with no toddlers!)

But we are here!!

Right away Jeff was whisked off to a meeting. But, he was committed to unloading the car for me. As the meeting was going, Jeff was lugging our large suitcases to our room. (Apparently he doesn't mind being late!:)) Finally I was successful in getting him off to his meeting and we settled in our room.

Our room is in the Orchard Inn. It's a double room with 2 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms( a queen bed in a room and a room with twin beds for the kids). I loved everything about it till bedtime. Getting to kids to sleep in the same room is TOUGH! We'll be starting a sticker chart tomorrow for going to sleep successfully!

We are doing well but TIRED. Jeff is especially drained. Right before we left, Jeff had some difficult family issues to help with involving his brother. Although he loves to be helpful, it couldn't have happened at a worse time. Between his demanding job of area director, leaving for an extended period of time and his family it left him stretched.

Pray for Jeff! He needs energy, peace and he's working on a video for day 2. (Yes, you can pray for computers!) Campers come tomorrow at 3pm. We are expecting somewhere around 600!

Hey... I don't hear anything from the kids room. I'm going to bed!
More to come... Pictures tomorrow.

Today and Tomorrow and that's it!

All I think about is our trip and what it's going to take to get us all there with the necessary comforts of home--- fitting in a Ford Escape.

Jeff is editing his messages and meeting with a mentor/friend, Rich, for input and proofreading the messages he has written out. Jeff is such a talented speaker. He's been doing it forever. Usually his preparation consists of prayer and study, then writing an outline, then transposing it to his palm (yes, his hand). Almost always he goes over it with another person like me, his intern Kyle, or another experienced leader. People in Young Life picked him to speak at these large camps because he is good at it! He knows the stakes are very high and he is taking his job very seriously. He has increased the detail and intensity of his preparation to writing every word that will be delivered. I feel like he is well prepared to speak to 3,000 middle schoolers! I pray for him everyday! I pray that his messages will be clear, that kids will "see" God's love in Jeff as he speaks, that kids will relate to the illustrations used, and that they will move along in their journey to starting a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please join me in praying for this!

Another thing I'm consumed with is thinking of how I will coexist with other families. There are 2 major issues of concern. First of all, how will it be living in a "fish bowl" as we will be "on" most of the time? We will be living in view of campers, high school work crew kids and college summer staff kids, and the other staff wives and families. I have great kids who are usually well behaved. But, everyone, kid or parent, has their moments! How will we do? I guess we will just live! I'll tell you what, I'll be very understanding of the struggles of other mothers around me. It could easily be me dragging a kicking and screaming 2 yr. old out of the dining room!

Another reality facing me is that there are 2 kids and 1 mom in my family! I do have 2 eyes, but luckily they track together. I can see myself stopping to talk to a work crew kid and "losing" Dietrich or even Janna as they wonder off into the pond. I've decided I'm going to let the other mother's know that I'll need their help in making sure my kids are safe, respectful and using manners. You know what they say, "it takes a village to raise a child!"

I'm beginning to prepare Janna for this way of living with 8 or more "mommies." I told her they would be very nice, and that she will need to listen and obey other mommies if they tell her something.

She thought about it and said with enthusiasm, "I'll be the best listener ever!"
I wish she could write her name. I'd have her put this statement in writing

3 days and counting...

3 more days and we leave for our summer assignment at Wildhorse Canyon!

We are busy getting things together, visits to the dollar store to buy bug catchers, plastic horses, cars, puzzles, glow sticks, coloring books....the list goes on and on!

Downloading Diego and Mickey Mouse Club from Tivo to Jeff's computer, shopping for sleeveless shirts, books to read, sunscreen.....

And the hardest part, saying good bye to our friends and family for a long time.

Janna is excited. She wants to know the names of the kids who will be there. There will actually be about 20 children of assigned staff families. (other YL staff from around the state who are doing what we are doing) The kids range in age from newborn to 10 yrs. old.

Janna said, "I think I'm going to like these kids!"

I'm sure she will!

If you are wondering about the property where we'll be staying, visit http://wildhorsecanyon.org/

It's a cool site with videos to download and even weather updates!!