WORK DAY 2009!

We want to say "thank you" to everyone who came up and helped at this year's work day. Work day was well attended and we got a lot done. Thanks guys!

WHAT A PERFECT MORNING!

Sometimes I feel so privileged to live where I do. It seems such a shame to me that more people can't be here at the camp right now to enjoy this beautiful morning. As I left my house to head down to the office it was just cool enough that a long sleeved shirt felt good, but warm enough that if I had started to exert myself I would have been comfortable in a T-shirt. The ragged green mountains looked superimposed against the blue sky like they had been cut from a magazine and placed on a sheet of blue paper. Nowhere on the horizon was there a single cloud to mar the perfect blue horizon. The sun was glancing through the trees, causing the dew to sparkle on the grass. Bunnies and robins were hopping around and everything seemed springtime fresh and perfect. The air was flavored with that heady mixture of wood smoke, breakfast preparations, and the all-pervasive scent of pine. It put a spring in my step as I headed out for a day of service and directed my thoughts to the wonderfully creative God who I am privileged to serve through the ministry here at camp.

Have a blessed day, Josh Tate

DEER IN THE CENTER GRASS

During the week, when the camp is empty it can get pretty quiet here at Maranatha. This morning as I was walking across the grounds I was surprised to find these three deer grazing on our center grass. When I first saw them they were in front of the dining hall, almost as far as the fountain, but by the time I fetched a camera they had mosied back over by the gazebo.

I wanted to get a really nice picture of them right in the center of camp, but, for some reason, they didn't want me to get too close to them. My camera, and my abilities as a photographer were not equal to the task so you will have to be satisfied with these fuzzy, too-distant photos.

My efforts to get in closer for a better shot caused them to move out of the grassy area and closer to the woods.

Eventually the deer were so annoyed by me that they trotted off on those springy slender legs of theirs into the woods behind the Oak Lodge.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND AT CAMP MARANATHA

Yesterday the day dawned clear and bright. The storm had moved on and the sun shined uninterrupted on a shimmering world where every branch and twig was etched in white and the camp sat quietly under a heavy blanket of snow. It was absolutely beautiful, and camera in hand I set out for a walk. In places the snow came up to my knees.

Bobcat track!

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

As my fingers dance over the keyboard it is snowing to beat the band outside. Every branch and twig is etched in white and theheavy silence that always accompanies a snow storm has settled over the campground and the surrounding woods.

Keith has been busy plowing for much of the morning. The Dodge does a great job pushing around the snow, and all of us who live here at the camp are grateful for the great job Keith does plowing.

You can just barely see the truck over the berm at the end of the parking lot.

What a beautiful day!

FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON- 12/15/2008

IT'S A RAINY DAY HERE AT CAMP

It's not raining hard though- just a nice steady drizzle. On the walk down to the office this morning I was reminded of how much I enjoy walking in the rain. The only thing better is walking in the snow. I'm sure that will be coming soon enough as well.

"As the rain and snow

come down from heaven,

And do not return to it

Without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower

and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

And achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:10-11