Today was -8 degrees when I left for work this morning. And we saw 5 moose on the way in. Friday we got to leave work early so we went sledding and snowboarding after lunch. We were suppose to have a group in over the weekend but they cancelled because of the snow. It snowed for 4 days straight. I have been scrubbing lots of floors and ceiling tiles lately. My body is sore from shoveling and scrubbing. But I do love it here!

Thanksgiving was wonderful. I spent 5 days in Earlville, IL where my mom's family is. It was hard not seeing my parents but I will see them soon! On Tuesday I went snowboarding. It was fun but really hard. My body is still recovering. Wednesday we shoveled snow twice! And I think we will have to shovel again tomorrow. Thursday we decorated the Christmas tree in the dining hall. The tree is huge, and very pretty. We also decorated stockings and hung them by the fire place. I will take pictures soon. I am tired and still very sore. Hope everyone is doing well. Love.

PICS!

I posted all of my pictures from last weekend on snapfish. But here are a few:

The whole gang after paint war.

Katie, Sarah & I before the chaos of paint.

Maddy has a broken back, so her and I got to hang out quite a bit. She is such an allstar.

The gang from Church of Eternal Hills before club.

It sure has been a while, and I apologize but I have been super busy! My best friend Katie came to visit for a week and we had a great time. It was my first weekend in my new rotation, Retail, and it was crazy. Katie saved my life by running snack bar for me Saturday! Pam (retail manager) and I were swamped in the store for 3 hours straight. It was a great and soul refreshing visit. I know this sounds crazy, but she knows me better than any other person, so it was great to have her here!

I love my new rotation. I work in the store and snack bar. Now that we have YoungLife groups here, business has picked up. This past weekend I did something pretty out of my element. I took 5 of my 8th grade girls to WyldLife camp (middle school version of YoungLife). They kept me very busy but I loved every minute of it. We had a paint war Saturday afternoon and it was AMAZING! I will put up pictures soon.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful here. High in the upper 40s. Today we had a little snow but nothing to stick. The mountain (Winter Park ski resort) opens on Wednesday. They have been blowing snow on and off for about 3 weeks. They haven't been able to blow snow for about 4 nights because it hasn't gotten cold enough. I know the resort it feeling a little nervous. They will only open 2 runs. Speaking of skiing and what not.... I bought a snowboard! I am fully ready for season now. Except for one problem, I don't know how to snowboard yet! I am going to look into lessons, or at least having on of the interns take me out a few times before the slopes get too crowded.

Just a few prayer requests:
1. For my restlessness of being at camp.
2. Parker Underwood. There is a long great story behind this child go to parkeru.org for more info. (His dad is on YoungLife staff)
3. The youth group at Church of Eternal Hills. We took 10 kids to camp this weekend. May that be a jumping point for us. A man on our staff took the boys to camp, he is wonderful. But he can't do it full-time because of his other commitments. So pray that a man in the church would step-up to care for these young men. They are asking for bible study. They want to be loved on. I just pray that the church would recognize this amazing opportunity to do kingdom work!

Julie!

Namaste

For those of you who had a question about my salutation here is a short explanation

Namasté: A Sanskrit word meaning The Light of God in Me recognizes and honors The Light of God in You and in that recognition is our Oneness. Visit namaste.org for more info!

NAMASTE!

GO ROCKIES!

I've never been too big of a baseball fan but I have been caught up in the World Series. At the end of summer all the interns went to a Rockies game, and they lost bad. But that was there last loss (pre-world series). I've watched most of the games so far.

This weekend is another busy weekend. Over 500 high school kids will be here from a church in Colorado Springs. Last weekend was incredible. My cousin Megan visited. She winterized me as best she could. We bought things for my car and for my bed to try to keep me warm and safe this winter. On Thursday, when she got here we drove to the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Elk have been bugling and crashing, herding the females. While we were there we heard some bugling and saw big herds coming down the mountains to get out of the cold & snow. Friday we had a staff event. Everyone who works at camp went bowling. When we got there they made us put on ties and eye wear. It was very entertaining. We bowled 2 rounds. The first round was regular bowling (my team won!) The second round we had a list of ways to bowl including blind folded, sitting down, hopping on one foot, and turning in circles. VERY FUN! On Saturday we spent the day in Breckenridge (which might be my new favorite place!) It was so great to have her out here.

This week has been low key. Just preparing for this weekend. I am going to try to post some pictures... hope it works.

Blessings!

This is my cousin, Megan, and I.

This is a picture of all the staff bowling:

These are some of the 8th graders who have stolen my heart:
The moose family that live at camp. They were talking to each other.

Well, that was easier than I thought.... more pictures to come!

SNOW!!!!!!!!

Well, today has been a crazy and cold day. I started off by shovel dirt in the snow. It snowed ALL day. After a while, the maintenance guys decided to let us get out of the cold. After lunch we scrubbed and power washed the bladder to the blob and the indoor gym. It was much needed. After work we had the Lost and Found auction. All of the items that had been lost and not claimed over the year were auctioned off to all the staff. It was a fun time.... potluck dinner! All of the money raised went to a couple on our staff. They have been trying to have a kid, but after many options they were told it just wasn't possible. They have started the process for adoption. They will be amazingly incredible parents. Please be praying for them (Melanie and Tyson) and the financial process and everything else that goes along with adoption. While we were having the auction it probably snowed 2 inches. One of the interns (who is a local) thinks we probably got about 7 inches of snowfall today. It stopped snowing and melted a few times. But it has been snowing for about 6 hours now with no stop! My cousin Megan gets here tomorrow. I think we are going to go visit Breckenridge! Well, it is late and I need sleep. Namaste! Julie

Busy weekend

This weekend we had 700 people on camp. Our capacity is around 550! It was busy to say the least. But I would rather have it busy than be bored. Saturday night and all day Sunday is snowed. We had a great blanket on the ground. This upcoming weekend there is no one on camp, which is great because my cousin Megan is coming from Chicago. I can't be more excited! It is hard being out here. I just want to have someone out here who really knows me. Three of the interns can go home anytime they want. And all but me and another girl have either gone to visit family or have had family come. Its been tough.... I hate hearing about them going home, I've been here longer. It is way past my turn to see someone who loves me for me. I know I am complaining, but that is where my heart is lately. I love it here, I just want someone who loves me to be here. Like I said, I can't wait for this weekend.

Tomorrow we are pulling the blob and slides out of the lake. Please pray that goes well, it is very cold in the lake!

Namaste,
Julie

Schedule

So here is a little taste of a normal week at camp:
Monday - All 10 interns are in houskeeping. We clean cabins and take lots of coffee breaks!
Tuesday - DAY OFF!
Wednesday - DAY OFF!
Thursday - We normal do random projects. Like today I moved rocks back into a ditch. We had to place them nicely so that were pretty. And I raked dirt out of the grass by a hole the maintenance guys dug.
Friday - We prepare camp for the group coming in that night. Lots of cleaning and stocking game room, coffee bar and weight room.
Saturday -Hosting the group that is here. That usually consists of moving things and fetching things.
Sunday - More hosting and picking up all trash in camp. We also lock all the doors.... NO MORE BEARS!

That is a pretty abbreviated version of my schedule. But hopefully I will update this more so you will get a better understanding. I am exhausted from moving rocks. And the buys are cooking us a fish dinner. Be well my friends.
Julie

It has been a while since I started this thing. So far we have had 3 mornings of snow and a bear break into the kitchen 3 times. Its been quite the adventure. I have been working in guest services and enjoying it a lot. I will update later tonight with more about my life here at the Ranch.

First Time

I plan on using this to update everyone on my happenings in Colorado. Please stop by frequently to pray for me and get a glimpse into my life in CO. Oh, and feel free to leave me comments so I know people actually read this thing!

Thanks and love!