Words from the Mrs.

I thought perhaps it was time for me to contribute to our quite neglected "Horncreek Chronicles". As our good friend from Little Rock (you know who you are...) observed, it has been quite awhile since we last wrote. No good excuses, we're just slackers.

I always wondered how my brother and his family survived winters in Minnesota. Thought they were crazy. I admit now that I secretly said to myself, "I would never live somewhere where the snow stays on the ground past Easter. " Ha. Here we are with still a few snow banks waiting to melt, but I swear, I think spring is on its way. And when you live in a place where snow is around from November on, this time of year takes on new meaning. It is good to be outside just enjoying warmth with out having to wear smart wools and the like.

As some of you know, we purchased a house just off camp property at the beginning of the year. It is just a 5 minute walk to Horncreek, yet gives us some seperation from camp that Jeff will appreciate the longer we are here. It was a house that was stuck in the early 1970's as far as decor, so we spent 2 months (2 long months I should say...) pitching the avacado green toilets and plastic brick kithcen walls and giving it some life. We are thankful to be done, settled and living a much more normal life again.

Jeff is getting ready to gear up for summer and all that it entails. There are some possible changes looming as far as his job description goes, but I will let him expand on that when and if it happens. One observation about this place: things are always changing! And for Jeff and his make up, that is probably a really good thing. His passion with work is the internship and time spent with the interns. That is just life giving to him. And what a diverse group we have with in that group...as the year goes on, the layers peel off and you really begin to get at the heart of these folks. That is when the "fun" begins. But it takes time, a reminder that trust is earned. Hopefully next year as Horncreek expands the internship, Jeff will have even more time to invest and teach the group. That is our prayer anyway.

A few weeks ago, Jeff came home from work totally spent and physically exhausted. But when I asked what he had done, I smiled with thankfulness. He had the opportunity to build a fire ring, benches, and a huge cross for groups to gather around this summer. He hauled and split the wood, gathered rocks, dug the pit, etc. --- and was loving every second.

I continue to enjoy small town living and the community here at camp. Just like any place though, large or small, the question still lingers: who around me can I love or serve to a greater degree? I am amazed at how many opportunites exist all around me, whether it is at our K-12 school, church or the staff here at camp. Outside of moms in touch, a weekly prayer time for our kids in school, I really just take at week at a time. When Syd starts kindergarten next fall, I hope to find some part time work, maybe substitute teaching at the school. We will see.

Emily still loves horses, riding her new mountain bike, hanging out with the intern girls and staff. She is really figuring a lot of things out about what is right, wrong, good, bad...and loves to talk about it all. I am thankful for her desire to communicate what is on her heart. Sydney is coming into her own as she is now tying her own shoes, loosing her first tooth and taking off with out training wheels. Major milestones when you are 5...

Enjoy the new pics...our time in Cali for easter visiting the Foxes, including the Golden Gate, Jeff and the girls after a Six Flags ride, and Em and Syd playing in our new back yard on the ATV...

Thanks for reading...

Leslie