The fall Scrapbooking Getaway has come and gone!

The weekend of the 15th to the 18th there were 36 women doing crafts of all kinds, happily working away, each at their own table, in our gymnasium that had been turned into one huge craft room. Harmony's scrapbooking store, The Ribbon Basket, was set up on our stage, for their shopping pleasure. As much as we can, at our little place, we made every effort to spoil these women who enjoyed some much-needed time away from home, jobs, kids, family, and the regular stresses of a woman's life. The menu was amazing, the weather was absolutely perfect, the company was God-chosen, and the creative juices were definitely flowing. We host a scrapbooking weekend each fall and each spring.

Be sure to join us in May!

Grandma Duke is smiling today!

The lady who dreamed up the original "cousin camp" that eventually became Jonah Ministries is smiling today. She had six of her granddaughters here at the scrapbooking weekend (two of whom are pregnant), she's hugged three of her great-granddaughters, and (most days) she's happy that her son and daughter-in-law are carrying on her dream of doing camp here in an old school in Trout Lake. Have you thought about the heritage you're leaving to your children and grandchildren?

Christian Camp and Conference Association

In the midst of our busy lives, we strive to carve out time to spend with those at other camps in the northwest. In the past weeks Beki was able to attend a NW Section planning meeting and Sammi and Ellie went to a Program Advance to spend time with 40 people in the programming area of camps. We always come back inspired, rejuvenated, and ready to keep the home fires burning. We're glad to be a part of CCCA and pleased at the support, prayers, information, training, and ideas that are passed on to us from this membership.

2 Months to Great Winter Camps!

Youth leaders, you should be receiving your Winter Camp packets! In the envelope you'll find a poster, postcards to hand out to your students, and lots of general information. Great plans are being made, following the theme "An Astronomical Event!" All you have to do is get your kids here, and we'll do the rest of the program-great food, creative games, entertaining skits, inspiring worship, challenging speaker, awesome Big Party, and so much more! Please call us for more information or to get signed up. Time is a-wastin', so don't delay!

Click here to see or print the 2010-2011 Winter Camps poster!

High School Winter Camp: December 26-28, 2010, $91 each

Jr. High Winter Camp: January 7-9, 2011, $87 each

Wacky Wednesdays

Camp Jonah is the place to be on Wednesday nights during the school year! Mt. Adams Baptist Church, just down the street from us, puts on a great AWANA program using our great facility for over 50 kids, and all the teen and adult leaders it takes to make it happen. Laura Pearson, Grandma Duke's daughter, also feeds the whole crew (kids, parents, youth, strays) a full meal, including many organic, farm-fresh foods. Also held on Wednesday night is "The Well" in our chapel-a sermon on DVD for the parents, and Jr. High Youth Group is here too! It's fun to see this all happening inside our doors each week!

Caving, Caving, and more Caving!

Every other year we host two large groups of teens and leaders, called Pathfinders (SDA) who converge on our place for a muddy weekend of caving, caving and more caving. This month we hosted a total of 67 Jr. High and 71 High School students who spent every waking moment (or so it seems) caving, with short stops three times a day for meals. It's a great program for the teens and we've enjoyed hosting them for many years!

Quiet Time Reflections

I just love the book of James. The verses and chapters became very dear to me several years ago when I memorized the whole book. This week I spent time in James 4:7-10. Here's a summary: Submit to God. Resist the devil. Come near to God. Wash your hands. Purify your hearts. Humble yourself before the Lord, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP! He knows my thoughts, my heart, my actions, and all He asks is that I submit all of me in order to have all of Him!

PRAISES:

1. Thank you to Adam, Justin, Steve and the Bell families, along with some staffies who have spent many hours spreading some tar on our leaky gym roof (the last section that needs to be replaced). We appreciate you!
2. Thank you to the local ladies who helped stuff, seal and mail the Fall Newsletter you recently received. We appreciate you!
3. Thanks to: Ray for the eggs! Glenn & Nancy for the recliner! Judy for all your craft items! Donna for updating the library! Cheri, Jana, & Sherri for making espresso drinks at 9 PM both Friday and Saturday for the Scrapbooking Getaway!
4. Thank you, Bell Design Company and Pioneer Engineering, for all the amazing engineering work you have done for us in the past few weeks! All of our buildings are now officially out of the flood plain zone! And we have an amazing site plan, among other things. This is a huge job and a huge blessing!
5. Thank you, Steve, for all the work setting up for the Scrapbooking Getaway and Harmony for all the work directing it!
6. Thank you to the staffies who kept very spoiling the scrapbooking women and doing extra projects in the office and around the campus: Flutterby, Ish, Turbo, Ladybug, Tigger, Sparrow, Qwerty, and Dr. Seuss.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. October is the most beautiful month of the year in Trout Lake, and it's sometimes a very stressful month, too. Retreat numbers drop so income drops, and then there are many added fees due during this time frame. Please just send your thanks and requests to our Provider who knows our needs and how they will be met.
2. You would think that our day-to-day load would be lighter in the fall, but it just seems to ramp up. So much to do, so little time. Pray for efficiency, creativity, wisdom, insight, God's direction.
3. Please pray for continued spiritual growth.
4. Pray for Jeff and me as we lead this crazy camp!
5. Pray for winter camp plans, summer camp directors and plans. It's never ending... the need for people and planning!
6. Pray for our Bus Barn Project. We would like to increase the space of the remodel, which means raising money in addition to the grant. Needed: wisdom and funding!