Rustic Cabin Feeling

The walls are up in the bear trap and I can almost picture sitting in there on a cold winter’s day with a fire going in the background.  Okay, so there’s no fireplace in there and during the summer it doesn’t get all that cold, comparatively speaking.  However, the walls that are in there just give you that cozy cabin feeling.  Mark my words, this building is going to be a major hang out spot for this summer and many summers to come!  The bottom floor walls are finished (what you see below in the pictures) and the top floor should be done very soon.  

As for the cabins themselves, much, much more has been done since the last post.  It’s hard for us in the office to keep up with the construction crews!  The water pipes and electrical wiring have been added in most of the cabins.  There’s even an emergency sprinkler system now…which we hope to never need to use!  The showers are installed and the tile flooring is in.  The framework around the shower and toilet is almost done….see for yourself.

In the last picture, you can see the granite sinks that will soon be installed.  Also waiting to be installed is the wood you see on the floor which will soon be on the walls.  There’s nothing like the smell of fresh wood to give you that rustic cabin feeling!

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Ready and Waiting

Read This Passage: John 14:1-6

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. —John 14:2

MOVING DAY! Those are two words that bring a rush of mixed emotions to just about anyone. If you haven’t personally experienced the adventure and trauma of moving, then maybe you have had the experience of waving good-bye as a friend moved away.  Anyone who moves usually has a sense of loss over what is being left behind. Many times, though, this sense of loss is off-set by the anticipation of what new opportunities may lay ahead.  Usually in moving, though, the greatest loss one experiences is that of leaving friends. Because each relationship is unique, when a friend leaves, you experience a deep loss. Friends are irreplaceable. But what if you knew that in the future you were moving to the same town as your friend? It would be so much easier to be apart if you knew that it was only for a short time. There would also be an added sense of eagerness about the future.

Is this how you feel about heaven? Many people look forward to heaven so they may once again see a friend or family member who died. While this can be a very valid hope, it should not be our primary reason to want to go to heaven.

Today’s key verse tells us Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us: heaven. We have a lot of ideas about heaven, gold streets included. The most important thing you need to know about heaven is that you’ll be with God. You’ll meet Jesus face-to-face. You’ll live in the presence of perfect holiness. Since Jesus has already gone before us, “Moving Day” should take on an entirely new meaning—a meaning of hope. Are you ready?

Real Choices
How are you preparing for your eternal move? Are you putting a lot of things in earthly storage, rather than gaining treasures that will transfer to heaven? Take an inventory of your possessions and decide if they serve an eternal purpose or are weighing you down on this earth.

Digging Deeper
A lot of people claim there are many roads to God. Read John 14:6 again. How many ways are there to heaven?

Pray
Thank You, God, for the promise of heaven. Thank You for preparing a place for me. I can’t wait to be in Your presence!

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More Funny Videos

Yep, it’s that time again to sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s picks for the funniest videos!

This first clip is country western night session 2b.  Our resident clown for the night was having lots of fun acting the part of the clown…at least we think she was acting!  The second clip is during mud pit time at starter camp.  One particular staff member needed a little coaxing from others to get good and muddy.  And some of our other staff being the kind, generous, accommodating girls they are had no problem helping with the task at hand!

Watch the clips below to enjoy more summer memories.

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Live Like It

Read This Passage: 2 Peter 3:10-13
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness. —2 Peter 3:11

When you were little, you probably blew bubbles. Remember how they floated around for a few seconds and then disappeared? Compared to eternity, our lives are like bubbles. We are here for a moment, and then we’re gone. Our earth has been around for a long time, but one day it will be gone. It will be replaced with a new earth and a new heaven where things will be as God had always planned. Scripture says that -righteousness will dwell there.

In today’s Scripture passage, Peter gave us a clear picture of how this earth will end. The point is clear: this world and the things in it will not last. So the things we value the most probably shouldn’t be things that are fading away. Instead of putting our hopes in things of the world, we should be motivated to live for Christ. When it comes to spiritual things, we should definitely think long-term. We shouldn’t take any spiritual detours.

When it comes to prophecy, some Christians get confused. Some want to rush and get on with their lives before the end comes. Others shrug and think, “Why bother? The world is going to end and nothing will matter then anyway.” But God hasn’t called us to adopt these attitudes. Instead, He clearly tells us in today’s key verse that our lives are supposed to be characterized by “holy conduct and godliness.”

Keep your life focused on Christ and the things that matter to Him. Let the way you handle the everyday frustrations of your life testify to God. Live like someone who has hope, because you do. This world may fade, but you were made for eternity.

Real Choices
A thousand years from now, what will last from your life? Things of this world don’t last; only God will last for all eternity. Does that make any difference in the way you live your daily life?

Digging Deeper
Read the conclusion of today’s Scripture passage in 2 Peter 3:14-18. What do these verses teach you about how you should live?

Pray
Tell God why you look forward to the time when all things will be new. Ask Him to help you live your life in ways that bring glory to Him.

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We Have Returned!

If you haven’t noticed, it has been a couple weeks since our last construction update.  Well, we are back from vacation and ready to bring you an update of all that’s going on!  Here’s a list of what they have done on the Bear Trap since our last update:  plumbing, electrical work, insulation, the metal roof, most of the drywall inside and the siding outside, and put the plywood up above the porches.

It’s crazy how much they got done within the week that we were gone!  They should be putting in the hardwood floors soon!

The other construction team is still going strong on the cabins.  They are working on the bathroom area and even painting the outside of a cabin.  The plumbing and electrical work is just about finished.  Here are pictures of each new cabin.

Notice there is going to be tile outside of the showers!

As mentioned in a previous blog, Marty is renovating the old Cheyenne bath house into a staff cabin.  He has a little more help now that Stewart, the Ridgecrest intern, is here.

Now last, but certainly not least, the Dining Hall.  They are now patching up the floor from where the walls were taken out.  They are about finished with the new deck and it looks great!  Check out the pictures below.

There you have it!  It’s still so exciting to go over to Crestridge and see what all is happening.  It’s hard to believe that we are this far along.  I like to look back at the first picture taken and compare it the ones taken today.  God is good!

We hope everyone has had a smooth transition back into school and work after the holidays.  Check back soon for more updates!

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Crestridge’s Funniest Videos: Installment #3

The new year has arrived and I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas season!  I headed up north for a couple weeks where I was met with snow and ice while Sharon headed south to warmer weather and swam with manatees.  But now it’s the new year and that means some of you will be heading back to school while others will be getting back into the routine of things at work.  And the new year also brings…new video clips!!

The first clip below shows how important the weeks leading up to camp are.  Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning is needed, and done, before camp is ready for all you staff and campers.  The staff are never quite sure what they’ll find in the cabins when first arriving!  

The second video is a short clip from one of the Choctaw activities…slippery twister is just like it sounds…slippery.

 Keep checking back for more fun video footage!

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Hand Off

Read This Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. —1 Corinthians 15:24

I was never good at relay races. Whether I was -handing the baton to the guy ahead of me or reaching for it, the team lost time if I was involved in the hand-off. But that mental picture of a relay race hand-off is important. It’s a very real picture of one person giving another person complete control over something.
That’s what today’s key verse is talking about. When Jesus returns, He’ll claim His people and hand His conquest over to God the Father.

According to Paul, there are some basic laws of Christianity. In other words, it all adds up. Once Adam sinned, death entered the human race. Christ conquered death, so we can conquer death and spend eternity with God. In the end, Christ will gain control of everything. When that happens, all will be as it should be.
Since Christ was resurrected, we know that the grave is not the end. Death is not the final word. Because of Christ’s resurrection, Christians have hope. Christianity is more than a do-good religion; it is the answer to life and death. It has eternal implications.

When Jesus returns, there won’t be any miscues. He’ll win the war; He’ll hand the kingdom over to His Father. Rest assured that God has everything under control, even the future. Don’t live in fear of the end of the world. You have hope.

Real Choices
Today’s devotion stressed that God has everything under control, even the future. Does that give you a sense of confidence and peace? Why or why not?

Digging Deeper
Read Hebrews 9:26-28. What do these verses teach you about Jesus’ return? How do these verses show you that God has everything under control?

Pray
Heavenly Father, I pray that I will be ready for the resurrection, and I look forward to the day everything is placed at Your feet.

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Taking a Stand

Read This Passage: Ephesians 6:10-17
This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. —Ephesians 6:13

I’ve gone to London a few times. Every time I go, I visit the Tower of London. It’s a fascinating place full of history and stories. It houses the crown -jewels and is known for the “beefeaters” who guard it every day of the year.

The Tower also houses an incredible armor display that dates back over a thousand years. The museum is full of armor for horses and warriors. I am always fascinated that those warriors (and horses!) were even able to walk around wearing that much armor, much less fight on the battlefield.

Wearing that armor must have been constraining, but those warriors knew the armor was designed to protect them from their enemies. Failure to wear every piece could leave them vulnerable to attack. The armor gave the warrior confidence to stand strong against his enemy.

All this armor talk has a purpose; today’s key verse commands believers to put on the full armor of God. Paul wasn’t talking about the kind of armor that’s on display at the Tower of London. He was talking about spiritual armor, designed specifically for us to wear every day as we walk into the battles life throws at us. It is an armor that God Himself designed so that we could stand strong against the Devil.

The point is God has given us the tools to deal with the persecution and hard times that come our way. But like those warriors of old, we have to choose to put on each piece. Take a stand for Christ today, but dress yourself with the armor He’s already supplied. Don’t go it alone!

Real Choices
How is fighting the battle going for you? God has given you resources to face persecution and rough times. Are you choosing to use those resources? Why or why not?

Digging Deeper
Look in a concordance for the word armor and battle. Read through Scripture to see just how important the armor is and what battles people faced. How did their armor protect them each time? How could God’s armor protect you in similar situations?

Pray
Ask God to give you the ability to wear His armor every day and to be able to stand strong against the attacks of the Devil.

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Bear Trap Update

It’s been just over a week since we last posted pictures of the Bear Trap…well, brace yourself for what’s coming next!  Everyday something new has been added.  As it stands now, there are not only walls, but also doors and windows; the rooms have been defined (giving us lots of space I might add!!!); the steps for both levels are done and the railings have been added.  Take a look below to see the progress that’s been made so far.

As you can tell from the pictures, there will be several access points to the bottom floor.  There is a ramp and set of stairs on the chipp/chick side and stair access all around in the front.  The second floor is only accessed from the stairs on the right.  The left side door offers entrance to the staff lounge and the right side gives entrance to the village director’s office. 

None of us here at camp can believe how fast it was constructed and how good it looks!  Personally, I’m looking forward to May when it is completely finished and I can sit on the wrap around porch in a new rocking chair.  Hopefully many of you reading this will be able to fulfill that dream right alongside me.

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Crestridge’s Funniest Videos: Part Deux

All right, as promised here is the second installment of video clips.  Some of the sockwar skit did make it onto the session video, but this is a short raw and uncut director’s version, as I like to call it.  The staff never know what we’ll have them do during the skit so it’s always funny to see how it all plays out.  And needless to say, they didn’t disappoint during this session!  As for the other clip, there was a long line waiting to begin play at Shadowbrook so I asked various cabins to sing a little something something for me and this was one result.  Tune is next week for more clips…enjoy!!

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