Week 2

Week 2 is almost over.  We are on day 6 of our 7 day camp today.

Jeff and I went kayaking on a special date to Helena Falls while Lori and Mark kept an eye on our kids.  When we returned, we took a trip to the pool with our kids. This was the perfect day capped off with a delicious outdoor dinner of steak and salmon with 380 of our closest friends! 

Tomorrow the largest camp in Malibu history will come in on boats. We can’t fit everyone on the Malibu Princess, so we are boating the over flow campers and leaders in on water taxis.  We will begin this process at 11:30AM!  429 campers and leaders will literally bust the seams of Malibu!  Our property staff have literally counted mattresses, sheets, plates and forks to make sure we can hold and serve everyone.  Bleachers are being built for the deck of our club room so that campers can fill the usual adult guest corner.  Ride schedules have been adjusted.  Fridge space has been made to store the additional food.  No bed will be empty at Malibu this week. Every kid who wanted to come to camp will come this week. They will not be leaving any kid at home.

We are also preparing for the Head Leader spouses to help out with Head Leader tasks of supporting leaders, getting campers to events and our favorite—'purple patrol'.  It’s fun for Jeff and I to work on the same team, and I know Lori and Mark enjoy it too.  We have a ‘Manny’ coming to help take care of the kids.   Can’t wait to share how this works out.

The kids are getting along great and all of the families at Malibu are fantastic.  I have had many conversations with staff wives from Wyoming and Arizona.. swapping stories and sharing ideas. 

Jeff has been blessed to spend time with some of the gems of Young Life.  Ash, Mike Ashburn, has been on staff for 36 years!  The Rhodes and Griffins have been on staff for 20+ years also. They have been so encouraging to Jeff and me this month. I have been writing some of the ideas, encouragements and stories they have shared in my journal!  But really, I love the unexpected bonus of being REALLY encouraged about the work we do back home while we are here.  I expected that we would serve others and NOT be blessed.  I like the way it's working out better than my original plan.  Isn't that typical?  God is exceeding our expectations once again!