The sad part

Saying Good by was really hard. There is so much time to cover since last posting that I need to break it into parts. The first part is Wisconsin and the next will be...you'll see! Well, the first picture is of me and some of my kids at the St.Croix Cty Fairgrounds to see the tractor pull. I really enjoyed myself with all this farm culture!! What fun! It was a sweet time with these special people. Then the next one was a flight I was invited to join with my best friends in Wisconsin, Steve and Brenda Allingham and their little boy John Kenneth, for John's first small plane ride with "Daddy". It was our last real time together, and boy was that fun. Steve even let me fly for awhile.
Next is the packing stuff. Mom was a huge help, having flown out to WI early to help me pack. I don't know what I would have done without her! The Sunday before I left was a sad one for me saying goodbye to my church family in Boyceville. We all fit into one picture! See?
The Penske truck was almost NOT big enough to fit all my stuff, but this "motly" crew managed it with the supervision and expert handling of my Dad.
The next day after the apartment was checked we headed out of town. Not knowing when I'll be back made it harder to leave. We have created some great memories and I am grateful that God sent me to Wisconsin, if only for a season.

Packing and Praying

Wow, this week is so different! Mom arrived Tuesday and we have gotten started with the major packing. I said goodbye to Gordy and Bear yesterday while dropping them off at the Minneapolis airport for their trip to Congo. They won't be back until after I leave. That was a really hard part of my moving out experience so far. Wow. It really hit me that Youth Builders is over. So then the rest of my day was rough. It was all better though when I spent the evening with my kids from Faith EFC and others in a volleyball tournament. God knew just what would cheer me up. Being with the kids was it! The picture is of some of them. I have been putting off saying goodbye to them. This is getting really hard. I am only able to do it, because I remember that this move is God's will for me. That His hand has been in it every step of the way. I am really excited about this new job with Wycliffe, and yet I am trying to make sure that I have good closure here. The hardest part is leaving my "kids". Please pray for these girls and guys as they find their way in this world, that they would hold really tight to Jesus and trust Him!
So packing, packing and more packing. Going to see one of our kids compete in a tractor pull Friday! We're getting all the Wisconsin culture we can in before I leave!
Thanks for checking in!

Girls Movie Day on Saturday

Girly stuff

Another week has gone by. Thanks for coming back!
Last Thursday I had a sleepover with a group of girls from church. We had a really good time. I had hoped for a good fun time as well as hoped for some significant conversation. I believe that did happen.
As you can see we had some good "girl" time, but we also played "hide and seek"!!! Can you believe it? High schoolers playing "hide and seek"!
I am now in the swing of moving. My office was the first to get boxed up. A coworker (Gordy) is coming to take this huge desk to our church for our church office. I have alot more to do, but it will all get done.
My Grandmother Char is here to visit, and although we'll see a bunch of the countryside, she'll be helping me to pack. Nice to have company for that!
The moving truck is hired!!! Finally! Mom and Dad have their tickets and the process of getting to California is on it's way. Prayer requests would be that I would have confirmation from my partners of their support so that my organization is confident of my being at 100%. Also that I can get all the paperwork for my health insurance complete in time for the transition from EFCA to my new organization.
Before I sign off, I must tell you I'm still learning about Wisconsin culture! I learned that Bear season is all summer and that it is broken into two parts. The first season is "running" season, where they "run" the dogs after the bears, chasing them all over the countryside for practice. The second is the actual kill season. Huh! who would've guessed! I also had an interesting experience feeding my girls for my sleepover. Did you know that some kids here in Wisconsin don't eat "store bought" meat? Yeah! They get the fresh "stuff" so readily that they don't buy it! That was a whole new idea to me! Never heard that one before. Have you?
I still can't believe that I love Wisconsin ( and the Midwest in general) so much. I am so grateful that God brought me here, if only for a year.
Seize the Day!
Dagney

Enjoying Wisconsin as much as possible

What a sky, eh?!! The last few days have been hot. They've also brought some major storms. I can not believe how beautiful the sky can be here in the Midwest.
The last week has been full of preparations to move. Every day I get a few more things done. I still have to decide what moving service I am going to use. The problem is that some have good service, some are cheaper with much less service and some aren't returning my calls and emails. So, the drumbeat continues.
In the meantime, I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity with "my girls". I finished up my last etiquette class on Wednesday. The plan is to celebrate/practice with a dinner out. Tonight I am holding a sleepover at my house. I am expecting about 8 girls. I know that the girls enjoy being here, and I am praying for this time to be not only fun, but refreshing and peaceful for them and maybe even a chance to talk about some meaningful stuff.
I was able to get a commitment from a couple to buy my washer and dryer, not for the price I'd hoped but at least I don't have to move it. I can leave it right here and they will come and get it! yeah!
So, prayer requests would be that the moving service would be decided on and would be reliable. Also that the Lord would provide the money to pay for this moving service/truck and other random moving expenses. Selling the washer/dryer is a start and I've had a wonderful gift from partners towards that goal! He will provide, that is for sure!
Thank you for your interest! This next month will be full of change, change, change! At least life isn't dull!
Seize the day!
Dagney

Tea and talking

Well, my Ladies Dessert Tea went really well. Bear Grover and I hosted a tea for the ladies of our church, Faith EFC last Friday. It was a time for us to treat these hard working ladies at a place away from their homes and away from their everyday responsibilities. I had a great time and I know the ladies did too, as a few of them stayed right on into the night, chatting.
The next thing I did this week was to visit with a new colleague of mine in my organization. We camped in the U.P. or Upper Peninsula of Michigan and spent time talking about our future ministry. We will both be focusing on youth ministry and developing programs to encourage missions and the work of our organization in those youth ministries. I have a much better idea of what I should do to begin with when I get settled in California.
As for my coming move, this week I will be deciding on a process of moving (ie. drive it yourself vs have it driven for you) and will be collecting my boxes. My grandmother from Georgia will be visiting just in time to help me do some packing! yeah!
I have been having a great time working with "my girls" in our youth ministry by teaching them basic home etiquette. It's been a good challenge for me as I put together a plan for what to teach and how, and it's been a rewarding experience to watch the girls learn. It's sticking!
I have set dates to have another (and probably last) girls sleepover the end of the month and also a girls movie day the beginning of next. Trying so hard to work in some good time with the girls before I have to leave.
Prayer request number one is that I can get an appointment with a doctor to complete the necessary paperwork for my medical insurance with my new mission. Once that paperwork is complete, then I can officially move my financial situation. I would prefer a female doctor, as long as your praying! :-) One that I was recommended to call was not able to take new clients, so I am back to square one.
Thanks for the visit! Thanks for your interest.
Seize the Day! Romans 12:11
Dagney

Hospitality as ministry

Thank you for checking in again! This week I have been impressed with Gods using me in the area of hospitality. I have always believed, since moving here to this apartment, that it is a blessing. I have wanted to use it for His glory and for ministry. Now that I will be home for all of June and July, basically until I move to California, I am taking every opportunity to use my home for ministry. The picture that you see here, is one of my girls and her brother and his wife. They asked to use my office and printer for a task they needed to complete; and I was so thrilled that they felt comfortable to ask! :-) Loved it! For this month I am teaching a class on "etiquette" and "manners". Did you know that there's a difference? :-) Yup! according to me, etiquette is a list of rules according to a society and manners is causing others to be comfortable in your presence and honored above yourself. My class is all girls and is being held the Wednesdays in June. It didn't occur to me to take a picture of this week's class, but I will do my best to get one next week!
God also gave me the idea to have the ladies of my local church over for something at my house. So it was decided to host a Ladies Dessert Tea, which will be this Friday. Bear Grover and I are hosting it, here at my house! :-) Yeah! It is such fun to run with an idea that God gives, because you just know that He is in it and that it's gonna bring Him glory! It is even better when the idea is something that is fun and fits with your abilities and passions! So if you are so inclined, please pray that the ladies will be comfortable as they are served and feel honored and not embarrassed. I am praying that they will feel peaceful, and feel His presence among us. I hope it will be a refreshing time for these very hard working ladies. I want it to be FUN too, of course!
Next week I am driving to Michigan to meet a colleague of mine in my organization. We plan on having some time talking over ideas for our ministry and getting on the same page. Once I move to California, it will be much harder to make arrangements like this. So we're taking advantage of the somewhat close proximity.
So, thank you for your partnership with me. I know that God brought me here to Menomonie and to Faith EFC for His own reasons, and you with me. I also trust Him as I take a step at a time towards my future ministry. Moving plans are coming, but each day I try to remember to enjoy Wisconsin and seize every opportunity for ministry here where I am right now. As Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are be all there"
Dagney

Connecticut Again!

I've been in CT for the last 13 days. I have been so blessed by the many conversations and meetings that I have had with church members, partners, other friends and family.
The reason for going to CT was to attend 2 weddings, both of former youth from the youth group I worked in for years. It was such a pleasure and kinda weird to be attending their weddings when I can hardly believe that so much time has passed.
The picture that you see is of one of my girls, Lauren, whom I had a chance to visit with and catch up on her life. She was one of many of my girls that I was so glad to have time to talk with and share what is going on in their lives and mine.
I was able to attend the Memorial Day picnic that my Senior pastor Dave McIntyre and family held at their home. What a super day of talking and being encouraged. I actually had trouble with my voice following that full day of talking! Mr.Hunt if you are reading this, thank you for your words of encouragement and exhortation! God used you to speak to me, and I listened! Thankyou for being used by God to speak into my life! I am so very encouraged.
I was able to also spend a significant amount of time with my little niece Aurora while her parents were overseas. God used her to confirm some new life lessons in my heart and she and I were able to reconnect. I love that kid!
I am on the road to moving to California now! I am planning my moving truck and finding boxes as well as making plans to spend as much time with my youth group kids as I can. I want to ring out of these last days, as much face time as possible. Turns out we will be having youth group throughout the summer, so I will be able to see these kids right up until I leave! This leaving is actually really hard for me! There is still so much to do in Boyceville with my kids.
I held my first "manners" class this Wednesday. It went fine, but I realized that I didn't "pray Up" as i should have and relied to heavily on my own strength. Believe me, I will be better prepared and prayed up next week. I also think I will have double the number of "students" as school will be out finally!
Prayer requests..that I would be able to work out the last details of my assignment to California (finalizing my financial situation, confirming with existing partners, deciding on a move out/in date, get my medical paperwork and appointments completed in time). Also that I would be able to leave "well". I want to make sure I say good good-byes.
I will be in Wisconsin for the whole month of June and probably most of July! Amazing!
Thank you for stopping in to read up, and thank you to those of you who partner with me, I am so so grateful for you.
Dagney

New Office and goings on

Hello! I missed last week, because I was traveling back to Connecticut to attend a few weddings and catch up with family in the mean time.
The picture is of "my" cubicle in Temecula offices of my new organization. They already have a space picked out for me! All the decor is native dress of South America.
I've been so blessed to be home in CT, visiting with so many of you who read this blog, as well as some of my girls that I need to keep in better touch with. God has encouraged me through some surprising conversations with friends and partners. Some have been used by God to speak directly to me, regarding particular prayer requests I have had and I am amazed by how gracious God is to me. He goes beyond the necessary in order to counsel me. Wow.
I attended the wedding of Matt Toms and Olivia Paris who were "kids" in my youth group and have since become fellow youth workers and friends. This weekend I will attend the wedding of Laura Plouffe, who is also one of my former "kids" and has actually been a good friend although are ages are quite apart. How special to have two important weddings a week apart, with Memorial Day in between!
I miss my kids in Wisconsin. I have missed another youth group meeting, and it may have even been the last "official" youth meeting for this school year! *sad I will be starting an etiquette class next Wednesday though, as long as some of the kids actually RSVP! Prayer requests would be that I can think of a good goodby gift for each of my girls, that will be a reminder of God and an encouragement. Also, that the "right" kids would attend my little class. I look forward more to the time I'll spend with them teaching, than really what they'll learn! Is that selfish? :-) A neat praise, beyond the tremendous encouragment that God has completely showered on me through my partners this week, is that Dan Getz Jr. has blessed me with some unused Northwest miles and I am now able to get to CT from San Diego for the missions conference in October! :-) Yup, if you know me, it just fits that I'm already planning travel 5 months in advance! *hehe.
Thanks for reading! I am nothing without God's hand in my life and nothing without the you my friends and partners!! Don't forget, we are in this TOGETHER!
Dagney

A note from California

Hi my friends and partners! I am visiting the place where I am going to live in California. The office in Temecula is very nice. They even claimed a cubicle for me and posted some pictures of me at Pine Summit camp. It felt so welcoming! Everyone here seems eager to have me join them. What an honor that is.
Mom and I drove the 30+ minutes to Hemet from the Temecula office, where the house I am offered to live in exists. The country around here is so drastically different from Wisconsin, especially this time of year! But as with all moves, there are some things you miss from "home" and some new surprises where you are headed. Right? So my emotions waver, but my faith is not. I know that God is the same God out here as He is in the place I have fallen in love with Wisconsin and Minnesota. He will help me to fall in love with this area and it's uniqueness as well.
Prayer requests are budding constantly now. A few I'll share with you. 1) that I will know how I am to arrange to move out here. There are many options and there is a need for me to be out here the middle of July (right in the middle of my moving time). Don't know if I should try to move before that camp or just come out and go back after the camp and move. 2) That God would direct me to the church that I should attend and hook me up with some good friends and kids in a youth group that needs me.
Actually it is all a bit scary. I must trust Him to supply all my needs and to use me in His plan.
Thanks! I'll get pictures on when I return!
Dagney

Turkeys and Teens

I got another glimpse of Wisconsin culture yesterday! Co-worker Gordy got a Tom Turkey for the season and invited me over to see it. I learned that Spring is the time for hunting Tom's and Fall is for hens. Learned a bit about "shot" and how they guys set up the area with decoy hens. Very interesting! I had to get my picture with this beautiful bird! :-)
Youth group met last night and I've included some pictures of that too. It's starting to really sink in that I'm not going to be with them much longer. I am sad that I can't invest more in their lives, I feel like I'm just getting started. They are God's kids though, not mine. I advertised a class to be held at my house on "home etiquette". The idea seemed to interest the group. I hope that a little snafu on the first date won't keep them from coming. School isn't actually out when I thought it was out, but I hope that won't stop 'em. It will be held for the four Wednesdays in June, and I'll be teaching how to set a table, serve and act at the table, how to act in different restaurants, how to formally introduce people and some other various topics that I can fit in. Oh well, it's something I can teach and something they may not get otherwise. Always good to know! and I get to spend more time with some of them! :-)
The news on the new job transition is that I'll be moving in July. I don't yet know when in July. Mom and I are going out to California to see the office in Temecula and the living situation. I've been talking to the office staff and there is a youth retreat, held in mid-July that I've been asked to be a part of. Don't yet know if I will be able to get out there in time for that or not. I've already had to turn down a Get Global trip to Peru for June. Just can't do it all! Next year though maybe!
I will also be trying to meet with an associate of mine in Next Gen, Tracy before I leave for the West coast. She lives in Michigan and we have lots of brainstorming to do!
prayer items: that kids who could benefit from the Etiquette class would be free to attend.
That the timing of my moving would work out best for both the new office and the kids in my youth group her in WI. Moving details and thoughts of that are creeping into my mind and becoming more of a reality! yikes! move again! OH, and also that the financial set up for my transition would be decided and settled and sufficient. A free place to live in California is definately a blessing! Thank you Tori!
Thanks for checking in! Have a lovely week!

A final report on Training Camp

I had to share these pictures with you, which I just received. We were priviledged, while at training camp, to attend a Bible Dedication ceremony. These New Testaments were already presented in their villages, but were being celebrated by the USA staff. The first translation, you can see was a candle!! This is a secret language group in a secret country! Wow. The other NT were begun in the '70's and have just been completed. It was an amazing worship service. I was so encouraged and so thrilled to be joining the team. God is doing wonderful things through this organziation and I get to be a part of it! I got to hear some great stories about the process of translating the NT into the Folopa language. The Folopa NT work began in 1973 and was published in 2005!
I have also included a picture of me speaking at training camp. We were asked to tell the story of how God brought us to this organization. It was amazing to hear of all the various and creative ways that God brought each individual to where they are now. I was honored to be amongst that group of believers.
For a bit of really recent news. We held our Bible Quiz at youth group last night. The leadership team plus one girl and one boy voluteer! The girls did super. The boys really needed that volunteer! It took us about 45 minutes to complete the quiz. It was the first time that this group has experienced a quiz, with quiz pads etc. They thought at first, that they were going to be "zapped" if they got the question wrong!!! :-) No! Gordy and Bear were the facilitators and the kids did admirably for their first time! I hope that this will spur on some future Bible quizzes. It did get them to memorize those verses! Well, at least the girls!
I've been invited to the Boyceville HS play next week! I love stuff like that! Maybe this time I'll remember my camera!
Thanks for reading! Thanks for partnering with me!!!
Dagney

Loving Training Camp!

This organization is a great ministry! We are nearing the end of the 2 week training camp and I can hardly believe it!
I have learned alot more about Partnership Development. I have come away with a lot of ideas about how to connect better with my "partners" (new name for supporters, and I like it better!). I have been stretched in my speaking skills and have made some new friends.
You should see the campus here in Orlando! This organization is very wise about using resources. They do all things with excellence also. I am feeling very at home here in this ministry. There is also lots of room to grow! Who knows?
I am more and more passionate about Bible Translation. It really is a key component to peoples around the world knowing God more intimately, and at time at all!!! I've heard story after story about how having the scripture in their own language has helped people to actually know God, when before they only heard "about" Him. And yet! Even those who have some of the Bible, the New Testament for example; don't yet have Psalms or Proverbs or Kings or etc. etc. I don't know how I would exist without the Psalms?! So, there is much more work to do!
I leave for home this weekend. There is more to do with youth ministry there and catching up with friends.
I will most likely be moving to California. It looks like that is the most strategic place for me to work. Pray that all the financial details will be worked out. I know God will do that. Also, pray that we will fire up the organization, to see youth involved in a much more significant way to further Bible Translation! They are our next generation! We need to get their attention now!!! :-)
I'll be seeing a bunch of you in CT the end of May! Looking forward to doing some more connecting and informing you of all the changes in our ministry together!!! I hope your excited with me!
Dagney

Training Camp

Here I am in Florida. I am here to learn the in's and out's of my new job. The best part so far, apart from meeting the missionaries in this group; was the Scripture Celebration. The whole community here gathered to celebrate the completion of 4 New Testaments. One secret translation which was represented by a candle and 3 others from across the globe. It was an amazing gathering! Wow. Talk about thrilling. One of these translator couples began their work in 1975!!! They just finished last year!
I will be here for another week. We are putting in long days and have homework at night. As the days progress I am more and more impressed with the organization and the level of excellence in which they serve God.
Did you know that the people who will be the translators to finish the Vision 2025 are today, only 12-14 years old? That's why I'm here! To get the youth of America (and elsewhere) involved in missions and the task of Bible Translation! Thank you God!

Just a quick hello!

I know it's been way too long in my posting! I've been away from the internet. I am currently in Florida at Training Camp! We just started yesterday. I was able to come a few days early and visit my elderly grandfather just South of here.
This picture here is of the girls movie day I held just last Saturday. A bunch of my youth group girls came over all day Saturday and we watched Jayne Austen movies! I prayed that it would not only be a fun day, but that the girls would feel safe at my house, that they would feel peaceful and that it would be a blessing to them. i asked God to use it in their hearts and lives. I believe He did. I saw and heard evidence throughout the day that the girls enjoyed themselves and that they were blessed. I am so grateful. In fact, i must make time to do it again as a few of the girls told me that they wished we would. So! We will! Here in this picture are Left to Right, Rosie, Alex and Sabrina. Also I had Tiffany, Kayleen and Joanie. It truly was a "girls" day! We even had scones and tea at "tea time"! :-) A few of them stayed overnight and we went to Easter Sunday service together. THAT was a blessing to me! Having company in the morning and on the ride to church! :-)
I have already been blessed today at Training Camp, here in Orlando FL as we listened to stories of other training camp members that led them to this organization and how God has worked in their lives. I look forward to getting to know Wycliffe staff and I am sure that God has something in the plans to work on me as well. I'll be here until April 28! I should know by the end of this trip where I will be moving! *finally* :-)
Dagney

Home for a week and off again!

Hello friends! I've got no good pictures this week! Yah, weird. I have been in CT for the missions conference and then in Wisconsin for 2 days and then off to Atlanta, Georgia where I met up with some supporters and attended a missions meeting. Both trips were great to catch up with family and friends as well as add to my missions knowledge. It was such a pleasure to be in Atlanta during their Spring peak! I thought CT was the only place where the Spring pollen was so visible. Atlanta equals it!
I am home now until next Tuesday, when I will go to Florida to attend training camp. I'll be there for a few weeks. I hope to get alot of questions answered, as well as finalize the decision on where to live!
I'm not gonna move until July. My landlord gave me an extension! That was an answer to prayer. Now I'll have time to decide where and time to see my girls a bit longer. I've got some ideas in the works for stuff to do with youth group, so I hope I'll have time. Mom and a few friends are making plans to visit as well as possibly help me move. This summer will be another one of great changes.
I'm hoping that God finally brings that "special someone" into my life this year too! Who knows what a year will bring! :-)
A prayer request for my kids, is that God bring someone to replace me at youth group. I'm really gonna miss these kids. There is so much that could be done here. I'm glad that I've had the priviledge of being a part of the ministry here, even if for just a year.
Have a wonderful Resurrection Day!
He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!
dagney

Little bits and pieces

Happy Saturday! :-) oops, yah a little late. I am in CT this weekend, for our Missions Emphasis Weekend. I'm excited to be speaking to my home church about all the changes and what I'll be doing this next year. Last year at this time I was just beginning to worry about the last 20+ % support that I needed and wondering if I was ever gonna finish. At that time, who would have thought I'd be back in a year from Wisconsin talking about a move to a new organization. So much can happen in a year!
The picture here is of my small group Bible Study. It is not a true representation of most of my friends, but it is almost all of us. We meet every other Tuesday now. It's nice to be with a group of people my age. A number of them have become good friends.
I will be missing a youth leadership meeting this Sunday. I pray that the teen that I put in charge will do what's asked of him. I know he can, but will he? Youth group was cancelled this week because of fog! Yah, fog! So weird! So I haven't seen the kids this week. I will miss them next week too because of travel. I am to go to Atlanta to visit some supporters and attend a mission meeting about some new up and coming mission projects that my friends want me to hear about. Hmmmm
This Sunday I'll be speaking at a Sunday school, so I am looking forward to using some of my new presentations! :-) Fun, Fun!
Thanks for checking in!
Dagney

Spring IS coming, but ministry is happening now!

It's Thursday again, and there's lots to tell you, but no specific pictures of it.
First, I had a really great time with some Mormons that came to visit last Friday night. Many of my prayer partners know about this and were involved in praying for it. I was so nervous until people started praying, and then I was filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The Holy Spirit filled my home and I was provided a great website for building my knowledge. The website is called www.exmormonsforjesus.com Check it out, it is a really well written and gracious presentation of truth. With that sword of truth and with the Holy Spirit, we were able to share the truth graciously.
Secondly, we've had some really good conversations at youth group. We have been watching a video presentation called the Gospel Journey. The kids are really listening to it and we've had two weeks of significant conversations in small group following the video. I have been talking to a group of girls that have really important questions and who have been struggling with Christianity because of what they've seen people do, who call themselves Christians. The Gospel is marred by the activity of sinful people. Big surprise! We are all sinful, but we've been talking through those arguments that they have and have been able to see Jesus for who He really is. It's been so fulfilling and rewarding to talk with them about such important things. I've seen them open up more to the Truth of the Bible. Please pray that they continue to receive the truth and that they eventually ask Jesus to be their Saviour!
I will be going home for the Calvary Missions Conference. So I'll be seeing some of you, this time next week. I am so excited to be able to talk about my new job! There's so much to tell!
I wish you a happy St. Patricks Day! I'm gonna celebrate here with a few friends.
Dagney

Back in snowy Wisconsin and planning more trips!

The camps went really well! That's me next to three missionaries during the last weekend of Pine Summit camps. Joyce, a fellow missionary in the USA, Tracy (in orange) will be my co-worker in NextGen and tall Linda Hughes, who is a recruiter in the Southwest region.
For a few of you, who are confused as to what this trip was about and where I've been, a little explanation.
I attended this camping program in Big Bear lake California. This organization was asked to provide the program for the camps winter retreats. This organization does not own or run the camp, we were simply asked to provide the program. So lots of staff came from all over the country to help provide teaching and games and "stuff" for this super camp called Pine Summit. Youth groups from all over southern california attended, both Jr. and Sr. High. We ran a program of introduction to missions and Bible translation. I do not live in Cali. yet. I am still residing in Wisconsin, but simply went to CA to help run two weekends of the 6 weeks of camp.
We saw a number of students respond to the call to missions, many counselors and youth leaders show interest in pursuing missions and many students deal with forgiveness and some accept Christ as their savior! It was a powerful pilot program and a super start to our being able to spread the word about Vision 2025 in Southern California. We have already been asked by a number of the attending churches to come speak to their congregations and youth groups further about missions.
I learned a bunch of new ideas that I can use to share the need that exists in missions today. I plan to use a number of these ideas at Calvary (my home church) for our missions conference.
I am now back in Wisconsin. I am trying to finish all the paperwork that is required in order to attend the training program that is required in order to finally be a member of this organization. I still don't know where I will be moving. It will be either Dallas, TX or Southern CA. We'll see. There is lots of follow-up to do in Southern CA and now it looks like I've got a place to live for much less that it would cost for me to find housing of my own. Is this God's provision? Dallas is also full of potential. Somehow I'm going to have to make a decision by May1.
We had a really intense youth group last night. The gospel was clearly shared, and I believe that it was the first time that I noticed a few of my very hurt girls really consider Jesus. None of them publicaly responded to accept Him, but 4 of the 5 were sooooo close! Pray for them to make the decision to follow him. God was pleased to allow me to share very very clearly his salvation message as a result of a really good video we watched during youth group. This was the first time for such a clear opportunity! It was so intense and so exciting. I just wish they had made the decision!!!! Pray!
So, in the next few months there will be some big decisions and some big changes. I'm excited to take you along with me in this adventure. Thanks for volunteering to travel with me!

California Camping

Yes, California has snow! I'm up in the mountains of Big Bear Lake. If you've been following the
story, you'll know I am working to help staff a winter camp program for a camp here in Big Bear called Pine Summit! Well I hung out at the camp facility this week with a few other members, and now we've begun the next Winter camp weekend. Tonight was our first meeting and Tribal time. All day tomorrow we've got meals with the kids, meetings, worship services, Tribal times, tribal games and all sorts of fun camp stuff. I am supposed to speak at Saturday nights rally. Please pray for me to have passion that the campers can catch, that God speaks through me and that I will be clear and focused! I am to give the final HooRah speach. I am nervous, because I don't want myself to get in the way of what God would have me say. I want Him to speak to these kids through me. He did it last week, mightily. I pray that He will honor me again and use me.
I did get to ski on Thursday, thanks Mom! What great snow and they called it "packed powder"! They have no idea what "packed" powder is unless they've seen New England "packed powder"! The mountains here are so beautiful! The big Ponderosa pines still amaze me. We had a few snow storms this week as well.
I had some really nice slow days, that I could do lots of quiet time and had a particularly special prayer time with a gal who stayed this week too. We went hiking on Monday and that's the first picture of me and the "bear"! Can you see the ski resort in the background?
There has been some talk about me possibly moving to California instead of Texas. We've got some figuring out to do. The cost of living in CA is much higher, but the interest among youth ministries is greatly increasing, due to this camp program the last 6 weeks. You could pray for me that I would know Gods best in this situation and that He would also guide my boss Mike, to help make the decision about where I should go first.
Lots of exciting stuff happening in missions. I am more and more excited about the priviledge to serve with this organization! Wow! What a commission God has placed on the back of them. I can see how God has led me here and what a good fit I'll be here.