Camp News
The first month of the year has already flown past! We hit the ground running after Christmas with a mission team from South Carolina. They gutted and started rebuilding three lodge rooms for us (and we're still putting the final touches and not-so-final touches on some parts of those three rooms). They were an unbelievable help, doing in a day or so what would probably have taken us weeks or months.  We continued those projects (and then some) during the volunteer family work week, then quickly headed into Senior High Retreat (which brings us up to the present). Life has been hectic at times. Mike directed the Senior High Retreat (which meant full days and late nights for several days), then traveled to Shasta for a recruiting trip. And of course there was all the usual business--deacons' meetings, camp trips, life-with-babies stuff, etc.  

God has been extremely good to camp since the start of the year.  We had a special setup of paintball material donated by a friend. In addition, we came in great favor with the guy who works to sell fixtures at a nearby closing Kmart and have been able to acquire much for camp that will be very useful in the upcoming days, from flat carts to an entire 200' conveyor system to about 50' of shelving, and then some! Some of it was given for free while the majority of it was sold at very reasonable prices.

Personal News
On a personal level, we've been struggling off-and-on with minor health issues. Mike's ankle still periodically reminds him of the injury back before Thanksgiving. It doesn't stop him from moving freely, or even running, but it still pangs periodically. Deb has a chiropractic appointment to help with a pulled muscle or two in her neck and shoulder blade and to get her back into proper alignment again. And Drake is working through yet another cold. The congestion from this cold is the worst he's had so far. Thankfully, Jed hasn't gotten the latest cold...yet. With all that in mind, we'd appreciate prayer for us all to get back to good health very quickly and for Jed to avoid the latest bouts of cold being passed around.

In other news, Mike picked up his first class for the master's degree in Apologetics that he just started working towards. It's keeping him rather busy. Pray God gives wisdom on whether a degree is His will or not. Mike, of course, is tremendously interested as Apologetics has been of keen interest to him for a while now. However, because of the expense, he's beginning to wonder whether a degree is necessary or even a good use of resources.

Speaking of resources, please pray that the AC fix on our van will be a simple, inexpensive fix. Yep, our car AC is no longer working properly--a minor issue for February but a much bigger issue once the warm weather rolls around.

Our Boys
Drake is almost twenty-one months old. His vocabulary is increasing steadily, as his is ability to walk, run, and climb. For a little guy who started walking at seventeen months old, he's already able to climb up into our loft (a feat that he is most proud of but that Mommy and Daddy don't let him practice very often!) He  still enjoys cars and puppies but has added mud puddles and rain boots and Jedidiah to his list of "likes." When we're in public, he can be very somber, stoic even; but at home or at places or with people he is comfortable with, he smiles and laughs freely. He likes to draw, but he has a distinct preference for pens instead of crayons or pencil crayons.

Jed is almost five months old. He is in the 87th percentile for height and the 50th percentile for weight. He is a very tactile baby who likes to touch or grab whatever comes near him. He's also very drooly and prone to chew on things (though no teeth are visible yet), has discovered that he can spit/blow raspberries and does it constantly as his new "noise," and smiles--a lot. He gives the biggest and best grins so easily. He also likes to watch Drake, probably eager to join his big brother on adventures. He interacts well with people, seemingly responding with his own noises to whatever it is that people are telling him.

Overall, we are doing well and thank all the churches and family members who have supported us through prayer and financial and encouragement support. We love you.

Mike, Debbie, Drake, and Jedidiah