Things are Never Dull at Camp

Last weekend was our Shepherds Spring Retreat! We had a great time with our friends who come to camp in the summer and live close enough to attend our weekend retreat. Despite an extreme delay in receiving the registration forms, [we thought we were going to have to cancel the retreat] we had 30 campers with us over the weekend. We also had a lot of staff serving throughout the weekend too. With service staff in the kitchen, counselors, program staff, co-counselors, and volunteers - we had a total of about 25 staff. Wow, what a weekend!

Two of our campers playing bumper pool during some free time. Another one of our campers proudly displaying his Arrowhead visor.


Snow?
Let's not forget the snow. Just a week ago there was still white stuff on the ground up here. It took some time, but the snow has finally melted away. Working outside has been a blast with all the warm weather...as I'm sure you would all agree.

Family Update:
Things are hopping on the home front as well. Did you catch that subtle Easter pun/joke...Your welcome. Natalie is showing great improvement in her speech and motor skills. She's also trying more and more to act and sound just like Kelly and I. One of her newest activities is to grab a book, head down the hallway to a little stool she has. This usually occurs when Kelly is on the phone or cooking dinner. Natalie sits down on her stool, opens up her book, and begins to read. It's mainly incoherent rambling...but man is it adorable. Natalie also loves to pray. Our normal evening routine is: read a book, drink milk, brush teeth, get pajamas on, pray as a family, and then go to bed. Holding Natalie I sit down in the rocking chair in her room. We all fold our hands, after Natalie motions for Mommy to come closer and kneel down. We spend time praising God, thanking Him for the day we had, and praying for our family by name. Well, the other day Kelly was in the kitchen and she heard Natalie talking from her room. Kelly peeked her head in the room and saw Natalie sitting on the rocking chair with her hands folded praying. And get this...she was saying our names, "Daddy, Mama, Natalie, and baby. Oh man! If that doesn't make you tear up a little...there's something wrong with you. Side note: it's okay for guys to cry on two occasions only. First, if you get shot more than once. Second, when your children are obedient and follow God.

Welcome to Spring

Welcome to spring everyone!

With that last snow storm we got somewhere around 16". I was already starting to go into "warm weather" mode. What a crazy way to end the winter season. Not to worry though, this weekend is suppose to bring temperatures in the high 50's. We'll see what happens.

Our Shepherds Spring Retreat is coming up this weekend. Please keep us in prayer as we "love and serve" our friends from the local area.

Kids

The Baby Report
Well folks...we've got a very healthy baby girl on the way! Kelly had a doctor's appointment last week which included an ultrasound. It was no less astonishing than the first ultrasound I saw two years ago. I remembered a lot of details and signs to look for, but I was still blown away by all the things the doctor could see just from a little black and white fuzzy screen that never stayed still. Praise God for the report of a very healthy baby girl.
[Side note: check out baby name books. Many of them advertise on the front cover how great they are because of the vast number of names within. Sadly enough I've come to realize that quite a large number of the names in these books...are girly-guy names (or vise versa). Girly-guy names are boy's names with an "a" thrown onto the end. This creates two problems in my mind. The first is that I'm now forced to read these names which adds a lot time to my search for the perfect name for my daughter. The second is the realization that some parents are choosing girly-guy names because deep down they really wanted a boy but had a girl instead. Now, don't get me wrong. There are plenty of good and acceptable girl's names which just happen to end in an "a", and that's fine. I'm talking about names like - Berta, Stevea, Grega, Tonya, or Andya. Then there is my personal favorite, Sylvestra...the girly-guy name for Sylvester (It really is in the book).]

Natalie's World
Someone has been growing like a weed. Natalie is starting to open doors, walk up stairs without using her hands, and have conversations with people. Well, the conversations are a little mumbled, but she talks to you for about 20 seconds straight and then looks directly at you for a response.
Her vocabulary is getting bigger and better every day. I'm also amazed at her memory skills. She seems to remember how to do everything after the first time. She also remembers where things are located even if she hasn't been in a certain room or house in weeks.
Here's what makes being a Dad great. In the morning when I put my coat on she nods her head and says, "Work." Then I ask her where Daddy works and she responds with a smile, "Camp." She also runs to give me a hug when I get home from work. Nothing beats the hug. Natalie also enjoys praying. Each night before bed Natalie, Mommy, and I sit in her room talking about our day and then we pray before she goes to sleep. I love the simple joy it is to hold her in my arms as she folds her hands together and looks at me to begin our time of prayer.

Burrrr.....

Welcome to the north pole. With temperatures this cold...I don't think the snow will melt until next spring. No matter how cold it gets though, Natalie still likes going outside. Her new favorite saying is, "Burrrrr." Every time we step outside she squeezes her fists tight, shakes her arms, and chatters, "Burrrrr."
I hope you are enjoying winter as much as Natalie and I do.

The Arrowhead Recipe Book

Check out the right side of the page...

There's a link to the Arrowhead Recipe Book. That's right, now all of your favorite recipes (well, at least my favorite recipes) are now available in one comprehensive collection. The link will give you the option of downloading the recipe book - which is in a PDF format. Each recipe is on a 3x5 card. So, you can save the recipe book on your computer...or you can print out each recipe and they will fit into your recipe box.

New recipes will make their first appearance posted directly on the blog. Every few months the recipe book will be updated and you can download the current version.

Enjoy,
-Ben

Winter Retreats Are Here!

Well, we finally have snow...and freezing temperatures. It's officially winter! I was starting to think that we were going to have to look at grass for the next three months. Our first few groups came to Arrowhead for a "winter retreat" instead of "snow camp". Anticipating a splendid view of brownish-green grass, we set out to make a worthy addition to our outdoor activities. In about a week and a half, just before our first youth retreat...we built our very own football field.
From the pictures below you can see that it's no ordinary field. There's no need to use your coat as an end zone marker. There's no questioning whether your opponent was out of bounds. And, for those amazing - sprint down the side line - dive in for the touchdown - while being tackled in mid air plays...we have orange pylons to let everyone know that the ball crossed the goal line before you hit the ground.
The Uprights are 11' across and 21' high, with a comfortable blue post pad to keep you and your friends from getting a concussion. We thought about going crazy with lining the field. I would have liked to have had a big arrowhead at the 50 yard line and hash marks up the middle. But, my graffiti skills are a little wanting.
What a great activity for groups who come to camp with no snow. An added bonus is that the field is just as awesome in the snow.



Know Anybody from Cornell?
Our past two groups have been from Cornell University. Both are Chinese ministries on campus. They come to Arrowhead to kick off the spring semester. We are always blessed to have them here, as they are very focused and faithful students.
February brings us a handful of youth groups from a variety of places in Pennsylvania.

GoodSearch Update:
So Far This Month - $19.91
Overall Total - $31.60
Keep searching for Arrowhead. Don't forget to tell your friends.

Stay Tuned: more posts are on the way.

A Warm Winter Wonderland

Winter Retreat Kick Off
I know, I know...there's no snow for snow camp, but notice I used the words "winter retreat." Many of you can relate to the lovely spring time weather we've been experiencing...with temperatures in the 50's and 60's. If I had known it was going to be like this in JANUARY I would have scheduled a week of summer camp. This is crazy! I guess this is the reality to the old quip, "Christmas in July".

Here We Go
None the less, it is winter and we've have kicked off our retreat season. This past week we served an overflow group from our friends down at Montrose Bible Conference. We hosted over 80 men and women who were part of the conference whole of 600+ people. That's right, I said over six hundred. I bet some of you youth pastors who are reading this just felt your heart skip a beat or two. I suppose there are two sides to a retreat like that. One is the shear volume...what a challenge. But the other side is the IMPACT. As I have come to understand, this group came to Montrose Bible Conference 20 years ago with approximately 70 people. That group started to grow, many of attendees went into full time ministry - and they now attend the conference with their "new" group. I like that side of the coin...it looks alot like the book of Acts and the account of the early church.

Looking Ahead
We thoroughly enjoyed serving this group and are blessed to be a part of what God is doing in their lives. Next weekend we are very excited to be serving and ministering with David's Church from Millersburg. Kelly and I have had the privilege of getting to know the youth pastor and his family (as well as many of the leaders from the church). It will be a sweet reunion and a great weekend of ministry.

Christmas in Sauquoit
This past weekend Kelly, Natalie, and I were able to make a day trip up to the Utica Area to visit Kelly's family on her dad's side. It was the annual collage of Christmas, New Year's, and The Big Family get-together. We had a wonderful time with Kelly's grandparents, aunts, uncles, moms and dads, cousins, and little Owen (the newest member of the family).
We don't get to see everyone up there very often. I tell you what though, every time we go, it's as if you live next door...and for me - as if I've been a part of the family my whole life. What a blessing.


Prayer Requests:
> Montrose Bible Conference - the men and women who spent four intense days worshipping God and being challenged to a new life revolution.
> David's Church - is coming to Arrowhead this weekend. The leaders are excited and anticipate a great weekend of ministry with a small group emphasis.
> The Shepherds Spring Retreat - we are excited for another retreat and are anticipating a great turnout.
> Youth Staff - over the next few months they will be devoting their time to school, work, church, camp and family. That's a big and important list. Pray that they will continue to seek God's direction and priorities in their lives.
> Leadership Staff - we are praying and searching for young men and women to fill our summer leadership positions for Shepherds Camp and Day Camp.

Ben's Favorite Recipes: Deli Monte Cristos
"This is one of those sandwiches that sets off every sensor in your mouth"

4 slices of rye bread
4 thin slices of deli ham
4 thin slices of deli turkey
2 Tablespoons of coleslaw
2 Tablespoons of Thousand Island salad dressing
2 slices of swiss cheese
2 eggs

On two slices of bread, layer a slice of ham and turkey, coleslaw, salad dressing and cheese. Top with remaining ham and bread. In a bowl, whisk the eggs. Brush the egg (onto the bread) on one side of each sandwich.
Coat a pan with non-stick spray. Place both sandwiches in the pan - with the egg-brushed side down. Brush the other slice of bread on both sandwiches with the egg. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, flipping the sandwhiches to cook both sides.
Note: you may want to increase or decrease the amount of coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing according to your liking.

The Baby Report:
Here we go again...and gladly I will add. The baby report is back in action. Kelly has a doctor's appointment coming up soon, which I'm sure will produce some great details...like due date and whatnot. So far so good though. Kelly has been feeling slightly ill the past few weeks. That may not seem like much to some of you moms, but compared to the ease of being pregnant with Natalie, this is kind of a new ball game. Kelly is doing great. Not only is she a mother with an 18 month old (on Thursday the 11th) but she's pregnant too. Kelly has been doing an amazing job of cleaning, cooking, household necessities, shopping, hosting friends, and caring for Natalie...AND being pregnant. Wow, what a woman.

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GoodSearch update:
Total - as of January 6th, 2007 - $17.68

GoodSearch for Arrowhead
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It's about the NUMBER of PEOPLE searching.
Email everyone you know and ask them to join you...and GoodSearch for Arrowhead.