"Spring"

 

 

Greetings Friends!

 

Its the second of April and as I glance out my window, it seems clear that winter is going to hang on to us for some time yet. Two stubborn feet of snow still bury the Northwoods and the weather app on my phone is calling for another 5-9 inches tonight. It would be easy, when surveying this wintery landscape, to forget that Spring is approaching quickly, and with it will come many tasks, events, and continued conversations - all opportunities to proclaim the glory of God and to remind ourselves of the good things he has done.

In October we welcomed Eleanor Jo (Nora) into our family. I am still getting used to the idea that she is a girl, but so far she has been fine. She has never yet referred to herself as a "princess" and shows no fear of being seen with me in public. I think we must be on the right track. Five months in and so far, so good.  Charlie and Mason are every bit as noisy and energetic as you would expect a 4 year-old and 3 year-old to be.  The house is never quiet these days and I am sure we will miss that when they are bigger but my goodness...
 
The trailhead class of 2017/2018 has been great. There will always be difficulties, but for the most part the students have been glad to learn, and one student even made his first-time decision for Christ during the year.  Over the next month or so they will be finishing up classes, enjoying a couple trips together, and processing all they have learned during the year.  The last month of Trailhead is a blessed time, as differences are set aside and the group begins to realize and reflect on what a great year it has been. 

And with the ending of Trailhead comes the beginning of the summer  adventure program, when we will take to the woods, rivers and trails to teach the gospel the way Jesus often did- outside, surrounded by the glory of God in His creation, and amidst the challenges that come from living "under the sky."  We will serve thousands of young people at camp in the next few months, and all of our programs are designed to help each one understand the reality of God and His love. Please pray that they will hear and understand!

Laura and I passed the ten-year mark this year, and we continue to be grateful to our Lord for helping us find each other. She is a blessing to me every day and a prayerful, committed and FUN mom for the kids.  Being a mom has kept her away from too much direct work with students this year, but she still helps with details on the computer from home WAY too early in the morning when she should be sleeping.  She is a blessing. 

 

We give thanks for all of you,

Dan, Laura, Charlie, Mason & Nora

Annual Trailhead pig classes (this is sausage)

 

 

 

 

(family photos done by James Stokes Photography)