Camp Brackenhurst

So much has happened since our last post, and among the happenings, we were able to attend Brackenhurst's 10-year reunion last weekend at Berry. There is so much to be said about this that really cannot be captured in words... so many emotions surround our time in Kenya. We were able to look on camp representatives from each of the 10 years since its launch. I know Pete and the initial team were not even thinking that one day a 10-year reunion would take place. Both Pete and Kim said many times this weekend that they "didn't know what they were doing"! Wow, God really is and does bigger things than we could ever imagine.

The pic above is the 2001 camp team minus quite a few important folk! (Thank you Amanda for the pic)! It was wonderful to relive hilarious memories and even some we wonder how we are still alive! Brackenhurst of course stemmed from our roots at WinShape. We share so much history with all of these friends. It just simply cannot be replaced.

Though, we look forward to the history that is in the making now through a faith community developing here in Asheville. Who knows, maybe in 10 years we will look back on beautiful people with changed lives as we did this weekend.

Camp Brackenhurst is now referred to as Camp Blue Sky, and is operated by a remarkable staff. You can find more information about the work they do here:
www.campbluesky.org

the farm

These were taken on my grandparents' farm in Bedford, Indiana. (Thank you Mom for the pic. of me and Pete.) Thank you Pete for the shot of the field. Let me tell you, this is one of my favorite places on earth. All kinds of memories seem to flood my mind whenever we arrive. Actually, whenever the drive turns familiar again. It is just 8 hours in driving distance, yet it just seems like a world away. I so easily think of life based on what I have on my to-do list for the day. So much so, it is even difficult to comprehend that the townspeople of Bedford, IN have to-do lists that day as well. In fact, they run errands, have meaningful relationships, tackle hardships, farm land, gather in church buildings and meet for coffee. Isn't it so easy to live life with such blinders on, or is it just me?

Anyways, I'm thinking of our Gran and Papaw tonight. I pray they are resting well together on their farm in Indiana.

snow

A few images from the big snow in December. It keeps coming, which has been a pleasant surprise. It makes us enjoy this part of the world even more!

finals

Hey folks,

Just a quick note... Pete has finals this week and we'd really appreciate your prayers and encouragement. He'll be done Friday. In the meantime, there's a lot of coffee intake, flash cards, reading, praying, coffee... you get the point.

Hope you're all having a great week and are looking forward to Christmas!

Kassie

the search

Hi folks,

Amidst the ads around this time of year to buy, buy and buy more, we are inundated with pressure to find and receive the "perfect" gift. Sometimes it's a good idea to silence those voices by surrounding yourself in a time you will remember in the beauty of God's creation.
Richard Foster in "Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth", suggests that getting closer to creation, and enjoying things we don’t possess or control, such as natural areas, are two important ways to pursue simplicity.

I just stumbled across this really amazing link provided by the National Wildlife Federation called Nature Find: "Get Outdoors Wherever You Are."

http://www.nwf.org/naturefind/

Just type in your zip code, specify a radius of "x" miles, and it takes you to all the nearby natural areas appearing on a clickable map. (You may have to zoom in a fair bit on the map to space them out). From national parks, to state parks, to tiny 2 acre local non-profit preserves, you can find someplace to get outdoors near you that you may never have heard of.

Here's to getting outside!

Thanks

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." -Hebrews 12:28
The plates were stacked, the silverware rolled and the tables prepared for the feast. Early afternoon, a few friends crossed our threshold, bearing food contributions for us all to enjoy... together.
Friends and Family, our hearts are filled with gratitude for you being present in our lives. It is amazing to consider how so many of us are a part of the same spiritual family, and that our fellowship will continue throughout the ages awakening more and more to the fullness of the glorious and great God. His kindness and magnitude are such mysteries. It doesn't seem like enough, but for Him we are grateful most of all.

spirit the dog

"Spirit"
(No, I am not making a statement with this name. It is simply her name. And I did not give it to her. :)

Look at this little joker. One blue eye, crazy huge ears. She is part german shepherd, part husky. No, she is not a part of our family, but she almost was! We spotted this beauty on the Brother Wolf Canine Rescue website. (brotherwolfcaninerescue.org) Thankfully, she found a forever home last Sunday.

If you haven't figured it out, we love dogs. They are incredible in so many ways- they are intricate, beautiful creatures. This is not be a post about how wonderful dogs are. And if you're wondering if this is to pull at your heartstrings, get you in touch with your inner dog-lover, or even to encourage you to rescue a dog... well, maybe. If you think you can provide a loving home for a creature that is in need, go for it. If not, please don't. Instead, encourage those you know who can provide that. I am thinking about this because of an unfortunate experience this week.

I heard a speaker, whom I greatly admire, specifically discourage the endeavor to help our canine neighbors. His argument, in short, was that children are so much more important. We should focus our energy, our money, our overall efforts towards rescuing kids. While I wholeheartedly agree with the fight for the orphan and unborn children of the world- it is, in my opinion, the greatest issue of justice of our time. However, when did helping children in need automatically rule out helping the creatures of the earth? Unfortunately, I have heard this argument often. I will try not to ramble, but let me just say the word "Genesis". I will not begin to argue that creatures are more important than humans. I do NOT believe that. Though I do not think the LEVEL of importance is really the issue. I will, however, remind us of the Creation story and that creatures of the land, sky and sea are mentioned and their existence is certainly very important. Genesis 1:24, "And God said, "let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."

I must admit, I fought the urge to capitalize the entire word "good". The text goes on to say that He created "male and female". To paraphrase, God blessed them, told them to increase in number and to rule over the earth and all that is in it. Yes, it says "rule". It does not say, however, to be apathetic towards, to discourage the care of, or to condone the abuse of or to neglect. As a bonus, I think the same could be said of the land, water and sky themselves, but I will spare you the whole of my soap box. Not to mention the incredible, praise-provoking balance and dependence of earth elements and creatures that make up eco-systems that help support life, including that of humans, including kids in need. (Or maybe I will mention it. :) Plants, creatures and humans were all created on the same "day"... all forms of life. This is incredible and hardly coincidental. I don't think anything about God's Creation process was coincidental.

Genesis 2:19-20, "Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man (Adam) to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name." My thoughts: why should they have names? does this mean they are important enough to have names? is this the first account of humanity's creative expression, connecting with this aspect of the character of God? why should Adam name them?

Regardless, I think this may be suggesting that there is something important between humankind and creatures of the earth. From the beginning, there was an established relationship between them, and it was initiated by God.