A New Race!

It is camp season once again and we are working hard "training" for this year's race, a month long summer assignment at Young Life's favorite, Malibu.

Getting ready for camp has been challenging. First of all, we are leaving weeks earlier than our trip last time. Both of us have been busy in the ministries arranging camp trips for the groups we coordinate (Teen moms in Snohomish County, and kids from Mukilteo, Mill Creek and Everett!) This leaves little time to prepare!

But one thing is for sure, there is less of an unknown factor with this trip. We know that Jeff can speak to large groups of teenagers. We know that we must pray. We know how to entertain our kids and pack for a month. We know that we have a fantastic time relationally with each other. We are EXCITED.

So what have we been doing to prepare? We've been spending time with family. We went to see my Dad in Kennewick, WA. Jeff and I went on a marriage retreat to Las Vegas.

I've made the huge trip to the dollar store (to buy hours and hours of independent play time), communicated with other staff spouses about our new staff housing, and am doing my best to use EVERY summer time toy we own during the last days of a Northwest summer. Tomorrow night is "date night." Sound romantic? It is more like "the last supper" alone, with just the two of us. At Malibu we will always dine with our children and 300 of our closest friends! For our date, we are hoping to get in a pedicure, dinner and a movie.

Jeff is doing a fantastic job preparing. The teacher in me is proud of the way he is laying out his "curriculum" before he begins making sure that there is a clear purpose to each illustration and speaking point. He is doing some different things that have been done at Young Life properties in the mid west. We are excited, but cautious to use this. I'll tell you how it goes.

Fears, anxieties? They may exist. But they are hidden far below my to do list!

I spent time this spring worrying that Dietrich would run off the boardwalk into the white water of the inlet! But now, he really enjoys being a "good listener" and it is more likely that his sister would push him overboard than he'd go over by himself.

Spiritually, we are feeling pretty strong. I'm working on Beth Moore's "Believing God" with some friends from my small group. I am ready to exercise faith and believe that God will do anything, even miracles at camp this month. (Looking at the state of my house, I'd like him to start right here and now! :)).

I better get packing! Please begin praying for us NOW as we prepare to leave our lives for a month. We leave in exactly 4 days!

Photos:

1. Yankee Doodle Dash 7/4/09.

2. Janna, Deek and Ruben Rodriquez 7/5/09

3. Jeff and Tanya in Las Vegas, Late June.