Christmas Party

I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away! It seems to get here faster and faster every year. On Friday night we had our annual Wesley Woods Christmas party. It was a great night of fun and fellowship! Even though the weather was not very good and kept a few people from coming, we had a very large group. We had many summer staff, full time staff, volunteers, and neighbors. We started the night off with a great meal and then sang some Christmas songs and read the Christmas story. Late in the evening, summer staff had their classic time of worship together, followed by games and conversation late into the next morning. I love reunion weekends because it's family coming home--we have such a large, amazing Wesley Woods family. Things seem pretty empty here in the off season, especially during winter, so it was great to have this place filled with people again!

During this time of year, I think it is so easy to become caught up in all the busyness of the holiday with shopping, cleaning, traveling, and so many other things, that I forget to stop and really think about what Christmas means. I've grown up knowing the Christmas story and acting it out in Sunday school programs year after year, but I always fail to think about just how miraculous this event really was. I am just in awe when I really think about it, or try to place myself in the shoes of any one of those individuals who were there on the first Christmas. God sending His son to dwell among us--how awesome is that! Can you imagine being there firsthand to experience it? Just the thought of God sending Jesus to us is amazing in itself, but then to think about what His life really meant and how we were saved through Him is even more mind boggling!

I encourage you this week, as you go through all the hustle and bustle of the holiday, to take some time to just be still and really ponder what Christmas means. Don't just be satisfied with knowing the facts of Christmas, but really let yourself be in awe of what it means. Let yourself be filled with wonder and amazement and pour your heart out in thanksgiving to God for His miraculous work.

May God bless you and fill you with His spirit so that it is overflowing to everyone around you!


Theresa Holzhauser, Program Assistant

Been absent a few weeks

The snow fell for a lot of hours today and we have probably 3.5 to 4.5 inches. The roads aren't too bad, slick in some places. This Friday is the staff reunion and I am very excited to see all the summer staff and touch base again. They always bring so much life to the site. The next best thing to having them here is Jr. Staff reunions. There was one last Friday and they had tons of fun. The night included supper and ice skating.

Tomorrow is the last day for Kevin Gowdy the conference staff who relates to camping. I will miss working with him. He lead us through a number of tough decisions as a ministry. I wish him the best as he transitions to working with the United Methodist Foundation.

If you haven't called to say you are coming to the Christmas party know that all are welcome and we would love to have you join us.

Have a great night!

Deke- Site Director

What does it mean to witness?

Do you ever have days where you don't really want to see anyone and would like to hibernate in a warm room and read or veg? Cold winter days make considering this even more likely, for me. It was very cold at camp today and the wind whistled across the grounds. Even on days like this God calls us to bring the warmth of his love to those around us. He expects us to celebrate the beauty of his creation and appreciate every moment we have in worship.

I don't think his call means we have to be happy all the time. Even bad days are a witness to those around you if you are living the bad days for the Lord. Christians shouldn't pretend to be perfect because we will only be seen as hypocritical. We have to be real with the world. Being real and living or lives in dependence on the Lord, admitting mistakes, asking forgiveness, and trying to always be like Jesus is what it means to witness.

So tomorrow try to be a true witness for the Lord by living your life in a real way. Encourage those around you to admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Show how life's experiences help you to become a stronger disciple.

Deke- Site Director

Hard decisions and Bright Days

The Board of Camps has issued a statement regarding the future of Golden Valley and Aldersgate. In October they decided to not hold summer programs at those sites. In November they decided to not hold retreat ministries at the sites either. Both sites will be locked up and winterized with a caretaker to watch over the properties. There are a lot of emotions around the closing of two sites. Many persons within the annual conference first met Jesus or had significant personal spiritual growth at one of those two sites. The Board of Camps has not made decisions regarding the physical sites.

Even with the closing of two sites I am very optimistic about the future of Wesley Woods and in particular the approaching summer. We have made very specific moves to improve the program schedule, give campers to create their own experiences, and improve the food/facilities. We are also experiencing an enormous amount of requests for summer staff applications. I am personally feeling God's presence around the site and the staff and for the first time in many months I truly believe we are tuned into God's will for the ministry and working to bring it to fruition. We would love to have you praying for our full time staff and their ministry. Please pray for the coming summer and for all those who have been hurt by the closing of two campsites.

Blessings & Thanks,

Deke - Site Director

WINTER IS HERE

Wow what a day! We left for church at 6:00am and there was some snow. After snowing all day it looks like we might have 2 1/2 or 3 inches. Definitely headed out to blade snow as soon as Su gets back from closing down the outpost and horses. I hope John put the blade on the truck, if not I will be using the tractor and that is always refreshing and cool. I was starting to wonder if winter would ever come.

We are decorating the lodge tomorrow with Christmas tree and lights. It should be a lot of fun. We always finish with a hotdog roast and s'mores. Last year was the first year Joanne had enjoyed a s'more in a long time, if not forever. Other than that it has been pretty quiet. Chris & Heidi had family in for Thanksgiving and Su's parents and grandma were here. My dad came out for a few hours and then went back to town. Hope your day has been blessed and you were able to recognize God's blessings in your life. Whatever they might be....

-Deke (Site Director)

Happy Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. So many things to be thankful for this year at Wesley Woods. Our Christmas mailing has already brought in more than it did last year and years previous. We are launching a new outreach program called Operation Summer Joy. It is a partnership with local congregations to add gift certificates to Christmas programs for needy families. Any child being served by these local congregations is offered a free camp experience. We have capped the total number at 325. Hopefully churches not doing Christmas programs will consider donating towards supporting the program.

I am very thankful for all the great staff, wonderful campers and fabulous retreat guests who have been a part of the ministry this year. I am thankful for a loving wife and beautiful daughter. Have a great rest of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Blessings & thanks,

Deke- Site Director

Wesley Woods on the Go

Things are getting busy fast and summer will be here before we know it. I am very excited about all the improvements we have made for the summer. I can't wait for the Blob and iceberg to be put on Broken Arrow they are going to be awesome. If you search youtube for Blob you can find some awesome videos. We are hoping to have one up on the web or at least a link at some point.

We are in the process of launching an all new summer schedule, webpage and promotion videos. I think this is going to be one of the most exciting summers ever. Camp book should be out in February, the web page should be up for registration in January. I can't think of anything else real exciting that's going on right now.

-Deke Site Director