Disconnected

A lot of things have been happening at the church in the last couple weeks.  One of these was a retreat for the youth.  I heard that was really good, but yes, only heard.  I have been out of town a lot recently running all around, visiting colleges, seeing friends, etc.  So I have felt really disconnected from the church.  However, the good news is that the church is doing well.

Our youth group is also doing well and the students are getting closer and closer to each other.  We actually recently started a youth group band.  We played for the first time this past Sunday. This didn't go so well, but figuring we had a half an hour practice it actually turned out really well (if that makes sense).  We are really excited what is going to happen there.

So anyway, I just wanted to let you know our church is going well and we are a year old as of February 18!  We are having our first all church meeting this Sunday so that will be exciting.  However, I have a lot of work to do before then.  I am actually sitting in a hotel room right now (traveling still) and am excited to get back home and back to Northwest!

WhiteOut '08 Pix

Hey Guys,

  Here are some pictures from our ski trip, WhiteOut '08.  Enjoy!

Ski Trip :: Whiteout '08

After thrashing down the side of mountain weaving in and out of fallen snow boarders and skiers strewn about, all I can manage to say is that, I am a little sore.  Well, this being my first time skiing, I'd say I did ok.  Now whether or not I did well is not the point.  I had a ton of fun on the trip.  I was able to get to know people better, learn how to ski, and have an overall great time.  I don't have any pictures yet because I was afraid of ruining my camera, but they will be coming soon.  A movie will also be coming.

Now, here is a little bit of my first ski trip.  The first hill I went on was probably 100 yards long.  I had never put skis on my feet before.  So, will this interesting experiment I was guided down the hill.  By the time I mad it to the bottom of this football field sized slope, I had wasted nearly half of an hour.  Well, after doing this several times wiping out every 20 feet, I was pressured into going up the mountain.  I struggled making my way into the line for the ski lift.  I got up to the top and started my decent.  It wasn't terrible, in fact, I managed to stay up much longer than I did on the short hill.  After mastering this side of the mountain (with much help from a professional) I went to the top.  There I sat rising 3,600 feet up in the ski lift only to see what my fate would be.  Well, I jumped off and began the 1.25 mile run.  It didn't seem nearly that long and I actually made it down the whole way with out taking a spill.  In fact, I had to wait for the others to catch up at one point.  Unfortunately that was do to the fact I hadn't mastered the art of slowing down or stopping for that matter when it came to the steeper hills.

I had so much support from the people that I was with.  For being an amateur (if I even qualified for that) skier, they sure encouraged me the whole way down and made me feel like a pro (although I am far, far, far from that).  The trip was great overall.  Relationships were strengthened and new friends were made.  New obstacles hurtled and new skills learned.  It was great and I can't wait to go again next year.  We had one 8th grader break his arm severely and one girl sprain her wrist pretty good.  Other than that, the Lord kept us very safe!

Thanks for those of you who prayed for us while we were on the trip!