"The Arkansas Travelers"

Hit play and enjoy this song titled "Arkansas Traveler" while you read this post. The setting and the music of the video fits well not only with where we were in the Ozark Mountains, but even more so with the towns we passed through as we drove the two-lane highways up the mountain to the camp.

Because we saved a significant amount of money, we flew into Memphis, TN instead of Little Rock Arkansas for our training conference this past weekend (April 12-15). Another couple that we met down in Orlando during new staff training flew in from Williamsburg, VA and made the 4 hour drive with us from Memphis to Shepherd of the Ozarks in Harriet, Arkansas. I love road trips, and I even think Tiffany enjoyed this one because we had great company!

Don and I at the only historical marker
we passed along the way

At the entrance to Ozark National Forest in Arkansas

Entering the camp at Shepherd of the Ozarks

It was a long, steep, gravel road from the highway to the camp. I was a little uneasy driving the Chevy Impala we had rented, but it did just fine. However, I would not attempt it in the rain!

The walk from the main hall to our cabins across the river

Bob Mac Leod teaching the financial stewardship training session.

Bob Mac Leod is on Cru's financial stewardship team. These leaders provide wisdom and guidance to thousands of staff members throughout the year. This is one of the teams I have been asked to join and I am really excited about working with them. To learn and grow in my own personal stewardship as a family and to take my passion and enthusiasm to encourage and assist other staff members towards good financial stewardship.

Having fun at the main center

 The views and weather were amazing. Here are a few pictures from around the camp.

There was plenty of wildlife just hanging around the camp...

We took a fun hike around the camp on  Sunday afternoon with a few friends.

Don and I made the swim across the river to the rock ledge.
The water was probably in the 50's... Don grew up in Michigan
so I think I had a slight disadvantage... 

The car ride back to the airport in Memphis on Monday

We passed this awesome trailer while in Arkansas on the way back to Memphis on Monday.
It was being pulled by a pick up truck. We weren't sure if it was a traveling exhibit or if
the fish were being transported.

Some of our room mates in our cabin for the weekend.

Overall the weekend was great! We had awesome fellowship the whole weekend with close friends (the same group was with us in Orlando for new staff training last September). We had top notch training and encouragement from Cru staff members (most of which this time were Family Life staff members). And it was an awesome spring board back into full time support raising after I worked part time this tax season.

Thank you all for your prayers and interest in our ministry with Cru. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I will try to add some as I get the rest that were taken during the weekend from other people.