Long and Challenging week complete

Well I am exhausted. It is amazing how training can wear you out, I am as tired as I was last week when I did physical labor every day. We trained Word of Life Ranch and Island staff to use the challenge courses and climbing towers safely.
One cool thing that happened this week was meeting the Challenge course supervisor on the Island. His name is Joseph Kim, and he was a camper of mine for two years in a row in the Adirondack Wilderness Adventure program on the Island about 6 years ago! Since then he has studied abround for two years in France and Italy and speaks English, Korean, French and Italian! He has taken an outward bound instructor course and worked at the Word of Life Quebec's camp being in charge of discipline(in french). So I felt comfortable leaving the staff in his very capable hands. What an encouragement to hear his comments on how the AWA program impacted his life! Glory to God!
This coming week we will build them a new high challenge course on the Island. Pray for good weather and safety. I will try and take some pictures.

Happy Fathers day dad!

Thanks for being my dad. Love, Todd

FlickR added to my blog!

Thanks to my sister-in-law Crystal I now have a flickr picture thing in my links section on the right ----> I will try and keep it somewhat current. Enjoy. ---thanks Crystal!!!

Jehova on lead

The hardest part of a climb is usually leading. The lead climber is the one heading out into unknown territory and placing protection for safety. We sang a song in church tonight that reminded me that Christ is available to lead every pitch in the climb of my life if I am willing to tie in with Him.

Lead On, O King Eternal

Lead on, O King eternal, The day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home. Thro' days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong; And now, O King Eternal, We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King Eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper The sweet amen of peace; For not with swords' loud clashing, Nor roll of stirring drums, With deeds of love and mercy The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King Eternal, We follow, not with fears; for gladness breaks like morning where-e'er thy face appears. Thy cross is lifted o'er us; We journey in its light. The crown awaits the conquest; Lead on, O God of might.

Belay on! Climb when ready!

You might be a logger if.......

I had a funny thought yesterday as I put $70 worth of the cheapest gas in our van and then put 2.5 gal of premium in a can for my chainsaw, "You might be a logger if you buy better gas for your saws then for your vehicles". OK maybe its not THAT funny but I had to laugh to keep from crying about paying $70 to fill-up the van. Gas prices are hurting us financially. Pray that the salary for us from Climbing for Christ will come through. We could use it right now. Alot of unexpected expenses added to the anticipated ones.

I donated a day of work yesterday to Word of Life Island. They got hit hard by a severe storm that went through Schroon Lake last week. Well over 100 large trees are down on the Island. Their advanced high challenge course was wiped out but was all still hanging by the cables. I went and cut all the cables (carefully). I can salvage their basic course by eliminating one element and shortening another and have it ready in time for training.

Jennifer won a free week at camp and a college scholarship! for getting gold level for six years in a row in her Olympian club.

The turtles (tommy and timmy or tammy) are still alive and enjoying their big tank that was donated by a neighbor.