Last work day

Today was our last work day. We started the day off with an informal service. The theme was Ephesians 4:32.  About forgiveness - not only forgiveness of our sins, but forgiving others.  There was a piano, bongo and tamourine available - so we had music at our service also!  We worked like crazy again - today we spread mulch down paths, then cleared more dead trees to run through the chipper to make more mulch - then we used that up too! We finished building shelves in the craft room. The lodge received a little sprucing up with scraping and painting the window and door trim. We were cut short of a couple windows and doors by a big downpour. Happily the weather held off until after we were about done. We weren't able to go swimming or play laser tag today because of the rain. All the girls had their hair french braided - and a couple of the guys! We had a great evening devotion and talked lots about prayer - for ourselves when times are so tough - but also prayer for others.  The main point was Hebrews 13:5b. "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you." And Psalm 23.  This was Michaela's last Youth Mission trip as a Youth. (I fully expect she will take other mission trips and may someday be a chaperone on a Youth Mission trip.  We all prayed for great experiences for her in college and we send her with our love and support.  It's really hard for Priscilla and I when our babies leave the nest - so tears have been shed. Tomorrow we come home. The trip was quick, but productive. Thanks for supporting us on our mission, we really appreciate all the support from our wonderful volunteer chaperones, parents and everyon who helped financially to send us on the mission. Without all of you - none of this is possible.

First day

We reached Camp Fontanelle and promptly started to work.  We had a list of projects for a week and we have seriously knocked out a large chunk of that work already.  Our kids are amazing!!!  We have built shelves, weeded and mulched flower beds, built bunny fencing, set posts in cement, pulled old fence posts and chipped a huge wood pile.  Today we have more shelves to build, painting and yardwork to do.  We're hoping the rain holds off!  Last night we had a campfire and completely polished off the s'more supplies!  Our devotions last night were about how God loves us, no matter what and he forgives us when we mess up. Psalm 139.  We'll post again soon - we're getting ready for church.  Miss you all - wish you were here!

almost, almost, almost!

Sheesh!  It's almost time to go on the Mission Trip!  I'm still frantically trying to get everything ready.  Wow is there still a lot to do!!  Permission packets went out in an e-mail today and some of the kids took them home also.  Be sure and look for them.  I need them by Saturday morning when we take off.

I also sent out packing lists.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the list, what to pack, what's going on, where in the world we're going, etc. etc.  Please be sure and bring a bible.  I am putting together devotions and I'll be giving you scripture to look up.  If you don't have a bible - don't sweat it, we can always find one for you.

We have had some really lovely donations for snacks.  I'll be putting Maddy to work baking some cookies too.  So at least we won't go hungry!

Mission Trip Meeting

Well, we were supposed to have a Mission Trip Meeting today - but we were Graduation Partied out aka too many people are out of town and busy with Graduation Parties.  Darn.  But Congratulations on all who graduated this year!  What a fantastic accomplishment!  (Michaela and Nate - I'm really proud of you two!)

I'll be rescheduling that Mission Meeting.  It was probably a blessing in disguise because I'll be getting more information this week.

So far we have: Michaela, Jacob, Connor, McKenzie, Matt, Maddy, Tyler, Paige, Joslyn, Chandler, Spencer, Dustin, Katie and Charlotte going.  I'm sure there's more Youth wanting to go that I either haven't written down or they just haven't had a chance to let me know for sure yet.

We still really, really need chaperones - in particular men who can spend the night and keep those boys out of mischief. 

We'll be out there over a weekend, so if anyone would like to come out and work with us - we'd love to have you!  There is a special invitation to all the kids getting ready to enter 7th grade in the fall.  You are welcome and encouraged to come out and spend even part of a day with us or even come in the evening to share devotions with us.  We're really excited to have you join our group and this is a really good way for everyone to get to know each other.  Just give Kristin a call to work something out.

check out the Camp Fontanelle website:  http://www.campfontanelle.com/
I can't say enough good things about the fabulous, dedicated staff there.  You'll be seeing more about them towards the end of the month.