Xanga

   Everything I need comes from him…He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul.

Psalm 62:1-2 (The Message)

Garrett Accepts His Dad’s Challenge

Part 6

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center, Muskegon, MI

Wednesday Morning, May 19

It was a beautiful morning on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, near Muskegon.

My footprint in the sand.

Sometimes I think it would be fun to live so close to a beach.

Toward the end of our time at the beach, Garrett’s dad, Chaplain Tim, came to fulfill a promise to Garrett that he would take a dip in the cold lake water.

He did it! When he came to shore, he said his legs hurt from the cold.

Garrett tried to be brave and go in the deep water.

“Come on Garrett, you can do it.”

C

After coming to shore to get warm, they tried again.

This time Garrett went under.

I am freezing!

Meanwhile, back on the warm sand Christianna filled a water bottle with sand.

Then it was time to put Christianna’s shoes on and head back to the lodge.

On the way back Christianna showed Isabel (Garrett’s sister) the little church.

~~~

Tomorrow night: Our last evening at Maranatha.

~~~

Garrett Accepts His Dad’s Challenge

Part 6

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center, Muskegon, MI

Wednesday Morning, May 19

It was a beautiful morning on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, near Muskegon.

My footprint in the sand.

Sometimes I think it would be fun to live so close to a beach.

Toward the end of our time at the beach, Garrett’s dad, Chaplain Tim, came to fulfill a promise to Garrett that he would take a dip in the cold lake water.

He did it! When he came to shore, he said his legs hurt from the cold.

Garrett tried to be brave and go in the deep water.

“Come on Garrett, you can do it.”

C

After coming to shore to get warm, they tried again.

This time Garrett went under.

I am freezing!

Meanwhile, back on the warm sand Christianna filled a water bottle with sand.

Then it was time to put Christianna’s shoes on and head back to the lodge.

On the way back Christianna showed Isabel (Garrett’s sister) the little church.

~~~

Tomorrow night: Our last evening at Maranatha.

~~~

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.

Psalm 23:6 (The Message)

At The Beach With Christianna & Garrett

Part 5

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center, Muskegon, MI

Wednesday Morning, May 19

It was a beautiful day at the beach, and the sand felt wonderful to bare feet.

Christianna loved the sliding board.

Garrett and Christianna walking on wet sand.

Someone enjoying a day of boating.

Covering Garrett’s feet

Empty Swings

The sand under the deck was a bit cooler.

Christianna pretending to be a beach worm

Sitting on a bench in the campfire area.

Doug Kraus and Cerwin discussing chapel development and placement.

Chaplain Rallyn & Carolyn Van Beek asked Cerwin to take a picture of them. I got one as well.

Seagulls looked pretty against the blue sky.

Volunteer Chaplain Chad walking toward us on the beach.

A pair of mallards

Christianna wasn’t sure about getting her feet wet.

Ohhh, that’s cold!

Maybe I’ll try again.

She stayed in the water longer this time.

~~~

Tomorrow night – Final beach scenes

~~~

At The Beach With Christianna & Garrett

Part 5

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center, Muskegon, MI

Wednesday Morning, May 19

It was a beautiful day at the beach, and the sand felt wonderful to bare feet.

Christianna loved the sliding board.

Garrett and Christianna walking on wet sand.

Someone enjoying a day of boating.

Covering Garrett’s feet

Empty Swings

The sand under the deck was a bit cooler.

Christianna pretending to be a beach worm

Sitting on a bench in the campfire area.

Doug Kraus and Cerwin discussing chapel development and placement.

Chaplain Rallyn & Carolyn Van Beek asked Cerwin to take a picture of them. I got one as well.

Seagulls looked pretty against the blue sky.

Volunteer Chaplain Chad walking toward us on the beach.

A pair of mallards

Christianna wasn’t sure about getting her feet wet.

Ohhh, that’s cold!

Maybe I’ll try again.

She stayed in the water longer this time.

~~~

Tomorrow night – Final beach scenes

~~~

God has no use for the prayers of the people who won’t listen to him.

Proverbs 28:9 (The Message)

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center

Muskegon, Michigan

Wednesday Morning, May 19

Part 4

Wednesday Morning Breakfast

The kitchen staff was called to the dining room for an applause of appreciation. Rosa (left) has been there since we began going to Maranatha many years ago. She and her husband, Carl (second from right), have become special friends to our group.

These two pretended to hide near the soda and juice machines.

Our devotional speaker for Wednesday was Doug Kraus, Director of Location Development.

“Beware that doing good things doesn’t become an enemy of doing the best things.”

“Doing good things is okay if those things don’t take away from the time you spend with God.”

After breakfast we fulfilled our silent auction bid to babysit Christianna (daughter of Chaplain Jason and Shannon Nussbaum) for two hours.

We outbid Garrett (son of Chaplain Tim and Charlene Sackett) for this privilege, so invited him to go along. I think he liked this arrangement. He got to help babysit, and we paid the bill.

The walk to Lake Michigan takes about five minutes – unless you have two young people along.

Christianna was interested in walking through this small, child-sized church.

The morning dew glittered on many flowers.

Christianna stopped to touch and smell a few flowers.

Garrett was good at asking Christianna to tell him what color each flower or bush was.

I told him that he would be a good teacher. He said he learned that when his mom had a daycare center.

See the lake in the distance? I’ll show you lake pictures tomorrow night.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)