Tadmor Retreat

Last year, when we attended the college retreat at Camp Tadmor - we were literally "brand new". We only planned to stay about 18 hours, and we knew maybe two people before we arrived. So, this year was an entirely different story. Our level of comfort among these guys was in a vastly different playing field - and we were in it for the whole stay.

On a personal note, though - it was a retreat where I entered in with a lot of baggage. I was dealing with a personal pity party - one in which it was "all about me". All about my own annoyances, irritations, aggravations, and inconveniences. It wasn't until about halfway through the speaker's first talk that it hit me that I've seen this sort of pattern before. "Oh yeah, that's right - often the week prior to God wanting to "use me" in some sort of way, the Enemy will strike and work very hard to keep me eyes off the prize". And I had fallen right into that trap, let me tell you.

I can't say with any revelation that I was part of a massive moment by God in others' lives this weekend, but it was a special time. The kiddos had a blast, John forged some great relationships - as did I - and it is always good to just get away. There's a ton of pictures here, so feel free to scroll fast.....

P.S. - One picture you won't see is of my buddy, Julie, up front sharing her "story" of how God has really been revealing Himself in her life. This is something that she told me last year she would "never do" - and yet, she did! And, it was huge, profound, and perfect. I was very proud......

Breakfast time with some new buddies.....


Mikayla was behind on her piano practice, so during free time, she went in and played on the piano in the meeting room. Hunter, a buddy of all of ours, helped her out - it was so sweet.

Football time! With LOTS of rain and mud! The extra stuff on both of these guys' clothes is noodles from a messy game played earlier.....

John and Brayden both "really delivered" on the football field. I was very proud of my boys - both had touchdowns, receptions, runs - and yes, John caught the winning pass.......


While one team was on the sidelines (it was a three team rotation) - some folks killed the time by doing a little mud-sliding.

Mikayla spent her time on the sidelines by playing with Stacy. She would run and hop onto her back.....

And these three ladies - Kara, Shelby, and Julie - three gals that make me very happy - didn't even bother with the puddles. They went straight to the mud pit behind the pond to wallow.....

After cleaning up from the rain and mud, many folks hung out in the game room - including the kids and myself. These two guys were playing a game I enjoyed in which you rode a bike to maneuver a glider to pop balloons.... the game I'm playing in the pic below is skiing.......




More fun group pics - good times with good people......




Kaela and I did a lot of hanging out this weekend. She is such a neat gal! She is also responsible for the majority of these pictures and she spends much of the retreats tirelessly catching images. Thank you Kaela!!!!!

A sample of some of the great offerings at meal time. The progress I've made (so slowly) over the last 6 weeks in weight loss totally got thrown out the window this weekend.......

This is a pic of us on the first night. Mikayla does this everytime - falls asleep right after the music is over......


What a great weekend, but I have to admit, I'm so looking forward to this coming Saturday where nothing but football games on tv will be going on in our cozy home all day...... =)