Christmas Star

My first full day at home in over a month! Christmas started to come out of the boxes and the delicate wooden star went back to the front window. Christmas has begun.

Frozen Pond

Geese situate themselves around the only remaining open water on the pond. There is a bit of surprise as I rediscover that cold weather running feels better than it should. Tomorrow will be the one-year maker for this blog.

to Bemidji to home

Bemidji, MN, the NW Minnesota Synod’s Jr. High Youth Gathering. Over a thousand kids and I get to play speaker. For me, as an educator, the irony of Picking up a microphone to speak I know has the least retention rate for the listeners. Add a hot band, lots of fancy lights, a smoke machine, a bishop, happy high school leaders, and it’s not so bad. I’m really a small group process person. Some how I have learned to intertwine the same techniques that seem to work in the small group to the use of a microphone. Give me a thousand Jr. High kids and we’ll have fun.

Monday morning, dishes in the dishwasher, clothes in the washer, drinking coffee by the fire with two happy cats. I’m home. It’s time to get ready for a run.

Cert School: Day 12 & 13

Dr. Nate takes a break from teaching theology to help load wood.
Such a great expereince, with a great new family.

One person described the expereince as an atmosphere where everything that is taught is also lived and modeled.Goodbye to the Mountains.

Cert School: Day 11

Everyday has its highlights. Dave Jarvis, camp director of Rainbow Trail, worked with us in the morning on outdoor ministry possibilities. The afternoon challenge is called the Dangling Duo. Each rung is a half-foot higher than the last. You can use each other to climb on but cannot touch the cable or the ropes. I made it, but it was Joan who pulled me up. I really didn’t expect to make it, but somehow found myself at the top. In the evening we gave a house blessing to Greg, Audrey and Micah. (We suspect we will hear of an added member of the their family today as they were headed to the hospital last night.) We feel a part of their family after being with them for three weeks.

Colorado Weekend

Andrea and I got to play tourist for a couple of days, Royal Gorge, Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods and a number of artist shops sprinkled with a little snow made for a nice weekend before returning.

Cert School: Day 9 & 10

My personal favorite instructor, Andrea, passionate and enthusiastically works through family systems, sexuality, and hands-on practical family ministry.

Cert School: Day 8

Linda and gifts based ministry
Food and more food, certainly topping most camp cuisine.
High ropes challenges... but I will be making the airport runs down to Colorado Springs, still half sick I did take in Little Miss Sunshine.

Cert School: Day 7

More with Linda! Adventures in the woods! I'm way behind with a cold that just won't go away.

Oh... #$%^&*(#!

Cert School: Day 6

After a short day and half break we are back at it. Linda Staats joining us to share the foundations of youth and family ministry. Since the moon rises and sunrises seem to be so amazing we got a chance to take a look through the telescope.

Hunters Moon

Treated to yet another sky blessing.

Sunrise From the Deck!

Morning Blessings!

Cert School: Day 4

We finished the crash course of walking through the Bible in about 15 hours of class of time. Frank and Joyce were delightful. I was even honored with a little game that allowed for no smiles and no showing of teeth.

Inukshuk along the Rainbow Trail

Inukshuks

"Silent Messengers of the Arctic"

When you see one it means...
'I've been here before; you're on the right path'

Cert School: Day 3

Another great day.
starting with lectio divina

Peer MinistryWonderful family style meals

Biblical Introduction with Professor Frank

a bit of the raising moon over the mountains

late afternoon run

Cert School: Day 2

games, group building, peer ministry, fires
feels like camp!