update

Hey guys - for those of you praying for Timberline and our staff etc. - Dan and Sarah Thomas (our director and his wife) had a healthy baby-boy - Judah Daniel Thomas Saturday at midnight in Estes Park - he was 4 weeks early and still weighed 4lbs and 6 oz. I know the Thomas' family is greatly relieved. Please continue praying for our students - half of them return from Mexico today and the other half leaves for their Mexico trip next week. It's been awfully quiet at the Lodge this past week!!

IT WORKED

Ok, here are a few more - the kids on the slope with Rachel. Did I mention that we neglected to bring sunscreen....and we all look like it too!

That's it! :)

Alright I don't know what's wrong with blogger but it won't let me load any more pictures so I'll try to load the rest on facebook for today. All that to say - we're so thankful for this gift from God. Learning so much in the process of how He provides even just things to enjoy - but was reminded again through Pastor Doug a few Sundays ago that God gives us these blessings to be a blessing to others so we look forward to seeing how God wants to use these skills in the children's lives for His glory and spreading the Gospel.

We are well and once again enjoyed our Sunday at Winter Park Christian yesterday. Please be in prayer for the students this week as they head to Mexico for their missions trip and also for our director and his wife - Dan and Sarah Thomas, as it looks like little Judah will be delivered this coming week-end either in Denver or Estes Park.

Let us hear from you guys! We would love to pray for you!

Mary Jane/Galloping Goose

Well, blogger is messing up on me again, so this won't be very attractive and come in bits and pieces but I'll give it a try. God gave us an amazing gift this weekend - cheap or free equipement, free lift and a beautiful day with our friend and ski instructor Rachel Black (Rachel is the wife of Zane Black - both are on staff here at Timberline and Zane is one of the keynote speakers at the Dare2Share youth conferences). Such a sweet new friend and what a blessing to have her with us. Here a few pictures of the kids at Mary Jane (I thought about posting my facebook status as "Mary Jane is really amazing" - but thought the better of it - that's best read in context! :) Mary Jane is a part of Winter park resort - just to clarify! :) We do live in Colorado but some things remain off limits! :)

So here are a few pictures of the kids getting on the lift and coming down. Ian amazed us - just taking off on his own. We have no idea how many times he went up and down - and this was only his 2nd time on a snowboard.

I don't know who that dude in the forground is - but that's Ian coming down the hill - the little dot in center! :)

Reid and Julie-Joy going up

Reid and Julie-Joy coming down....

And Julie-Joy coming down on her own! :)

And Ian going up on his own! :) He really enjoyed some MAJOR freedom and independence on Saturday! :)

Change

I had to do something...but it doesn't have Reid approval yet! :) So this may be very temporary!

Thankfulness

Jen: I am so thankful for:
1. My husband who remains my valentine now that we've celebrated 13 Valentine's Days together
2. The kids who make me smile regularly - I love their take on life, their comments, their thoughts and I'm thankful for how God is growing me up as I get to be their mother.
3. Family and friends and memories that warm my heart on cold winter days
3a. :) Letters and phone calls from the above that remind me of deep roots in this season of new beginnings
4. A wonderful ministry to be a part of, new friends that show me God's grace and His power.
5. For this season in life - to live so close to where we also serve in ministry.
6. Snow and mountains and all the new things we are learning as a family
7. A job that I can do from the warmth of my own home and for a very gracious, kind, patient and encouraging boss and friend
8. The internet that lets me stay in contact with loved ones and even talk with them "face-to-face" - remembering my parents who would get to speak with their family members every few months via the telephone - if they could get through from Germany
9. The truth of God's Word that cuts through bone and marrow and divides soul and spirit - that both confronts and comforts and did both again today afresh.
10. Music that reminds me of the above.

February in Fraser

Jenna's cute little haircut :)

And Julie-Joy's cute little haircut...lookin' a LOT like her Nannie! :) And when she puts on her Dale Earnhart sunglasses they could be twins! :)

Ian getting snowboarding lessons outside...and some father-son bonding time! :)

Hi all - it's been quiet for a little while and high time for an update. We've enjoyed slowly becoming more involved and that means busy as well. We're attending some classes at church on Sundays to learn more about the background/history/theology of Winter Park Christian Church and that's been a great way to get to know some of the members.

In addition we try to eat at least one or two meals a week with the students and staff at Timberline, attend all-community worship on Tuesdays (where we get to hear staff and students take turns sharing their Faith stories), and I'm enjoying one-on-one tea-time with the students and ladies on staff as well. Tomorrow evening (Sunday) we're having movie night here at the house and are looking forward to having a good group here to watch Bella. These are all great opportunities to build relationships and just let the students know that we're here and we're available. As is the case each year, a couple of the students have been struggling and the staff could really use your prayers for wisdom in decision making and in the words to say. In addition this is the time that guest groups come in on the weekends and the students help coordinate program activities and lead worship as a part of their learning at Timberline. It's a great way for them to pass on to others what they are learning in the classroom and in their own personal relationship with Jesus.

The kids are doing great. Ian participated in jumproap for heart day at school and is memorizing lines for the 5th grade school play coming up. Two elementary schools (including Fraser) will be closing it looks like and all elementary school students will be going to Granby. We're not sure how we feel about the middleschool yet and are praying about what next year needs to look like for Ian and the kids. There are many families now also considering homeschooling so this might be a great opportunity to start a more formal homeschool group involving a co-op or even Classical conversations. It could also be a great opportunity to build relationships with families in the area. Some moms are considering putting together an informational meeting on homeschooling at the library. The girls are both doing great in school and it's been helpful to me (Jen) to be able to focus on their needs this semester.

We're looking forward to having my (Jen's) parents here in a few weeks as well as possibly some friends and are excited to share our home, Timberline and the mountains with them. We're told that mudseason starts in April and runs through the end of May. Apparently the local Subway even closes for this time of year as it just can get kind of nasty.

For those of you who have been praying for our housing situation - our landlord told us not too long ago that we will most likely be able to stay in the house for a few more months. We're thankful for the good relationship we have with Diane and pray that our staying here would be a blessing to her and her family. She is a sweet lady. Our home in Columbia is now for sale with a realtor and listed online. Let us know if you know of anyone who would be interested!

Please be in prayer for our director and his wife, Dan and Sarah Thomas. It seems that little Judah who is due in 6 weeks, is having some trouble growing. Sarah's baby shower was today and she looks great but I know in the midst of a busy ministry schedule this semester, the health and safety of this little one is foremost on hers and Dan's mind.

Well, I'm going to sign off for now - let us hear from you all and how we can be praying for you.