Thursday, January 29, 2009

To Multi-task or Not To Multi-task?

It's been a minute since I've last updated my blog . . . Christmas was great! I was able to spend 3 weeks in Idaho seeing family, friends, and connecting with supporters. It was encouraging to see everyone and talk with people about the ministry of Beechpoint. I cried leaving, but after one day of being back in Chicago I remembered that I like it here! We had our first Winter Blast for this season last weekend and are preparing for our second winter camp in Feb. Pray for the kids who will attend - that their hearts will be open. Kids come Friday night - Sunday lunch and participate in outdoor and team building activities and attend 4 Bible lessons.

These girls are MaKaylah and MaKylah. They are super cute, affectionate, and competative!!!
These twins are Devin and Damien. (Okay, to tell the truth I am still not sure which is which.) They attend my church in Michigan - Christian Life Center - and so I get to see them once a month during the year and also throughout the summer. These boys are so affectionate to me and always innitiate hugging me and saying hi when they see me. They are great! They are 14 and are transitioning into the camp's teen leadership program. Hopefully they'll be a part of camp forever!

We do a big race through the woods called the Klondike Derby where kids pull a dog sled through a trail and do team building activities along the way. Apparently the kids aren't real familiar with dog sleds - cuz they'd having something to say about being used as dogs for the sled if they knew! Anyway... we give them hot chocolate after to try to pacify them about being so cold. I told these boys to "look over there and pose like you are in a magazine". Hahahahahaha!

Me and my friend Javier. And yes, that is me in the purple/pink/black get up. It was too cold to be worried about lookin' cute! I spent most of the weekend loving the littlest boys. The theme for the weekend was "Marks of a Hero" with lessons from the lives of Ruth, Caleb and Joshua, Daniel, and Esther. I love love love teaching Bible lessons! This weekend 3 campers accepted Christ and their Savior! 3 more campers made decisions to follow Christ more closely. Praise God with us for these young lives!

Late night sledding! If you live in the city there aren't really places to do this. The hill is a beast to climb up - but the kids LOVE sledding! Okay, maybe not the girl in the middle! :-)
Alejandra and me. Jala is in camp's Partners in Discipleship program. She completes a Bible study and memorizes a couple verses during the week and then meets weekly with a mentor to discuss what she is learning. Jala is EAGER to learn and loves Jesus and others. She receives opposition from her older sister for being nice to people and talking about God. Praise God for her faith and sweet spirit!

To multi-task or not to multi-task? Apparently that IS the question! This picture is HILARIOUS to me! I'm sure the first problem is that our friend here was tryin to wear his snow pants half way down in the first place. But really, this is a little much in the name of "style". I kept my camera ready in case he tried to walk and fell over. No such luck.

My new friend Thaddeus.

Tatyanna - Jala - JaKaila
* I've also updated my playlist with a couple of new songs like I am loving.
"Be Blessed" - my favorite line is "I see you in the future....and you look better!" and another praise and worship song called "Rescue". You can click on the playlist at the bottom of the page to pick songs...

6 comments:

  1. love the faces on the kids in the sled. lol.
    AND i almost got to go to a chris tomlin/israel new breed concert today. major bummed i can't go.
    see you again in a couple weeks! love you

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  2. Hi, Great to hear from you. Have been wondering how you were faring in the winter there. Ours is no better but we need the moisture. God is good.
    Keep smiling
    Godd Bless you
    Grandma Jan

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  3. Hello Megan, Nice photos brought back memerios of when I was at winter camp. I cried too when you left but we each need to do what God has called us to do. I love you, DAD

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  4. Hi Megan,

    I just got back from the Post Office, where I sent you some snail mail, and mentioned how much I love your blog, but wondered where is she posting on it ? ? ? ? And then I come to my computer and find your email.
    Looks like a blast to me. Thanks for taking the time necessary to keep us in the loop.

    I about hooted too, when I saw the guy with the pants at the knees.

    Linda

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  5. Megan,
    You are so gifted with love for the kids. I wish I could get a bunch of guys to listen to me like they listen to you ("pose for me")!
    Recently there have been many opportunities for me to share memories from and my heart for camp. Among (MANY) other things, I tell people about staff who burn-out or whatever. From the local(s) who go to a mid-week Dr. appointment and never come back, to those who "accidentally" miss the Sunday bus from Chicago back to camp - there are plenty of reasons to give up. And then there's you. Be encouraged that our Father has oodles of gifts waiting for you, and these are some of the few things you CAN'T send through the mail!
    Love,
    Charles
    p.s. you have a Grandma Jan too?? crazy...mine has like 20-yr-old brisket in the freezer. Wait. That's not "the one thing" I want you to remember my Grandma Jan for! She's actually my grandma's sister, but married my grandpa after her sister (my real grandma) died. Is that a better story? What a long comment.

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  6. Hey there Megan,
    So neat to catch up with you via your blog! I was laughing when you mentioned trying to pacify the kids after being out in the cold for so long. Many fun memories of when we did the winter camp together. So glad you encouraged me to go and step out of my comfort zone. It was amazing to see the ways God worked in the lives of the kids, and it gives me insight as to what your ministry is all about.I love you!
    Love, Sheila

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