The Grand Finale~~!

I wanted to include one last picture for the year and this camper has a special place in my heart so he gets to be upfront! Wow---what a summer it has been! Last week was the last week with campers in the village. God blessed us that week with 10 first time decisions and 15 recommitments! What an awesome ending! We saw somewhere in the neighborhood of 115 first time decisions for Jesus this year! What a blessing this is to our hearts, and your prayers made all the difference! This summer was minimal for injuries, and ilnesses, as well as staff issues. Thank you! Praise God for this. It goes on record as one of the best summers ever!

This week the staff will still be here for clean up week and then off they go. Camp seems so dull and quiet to me when their smiling faces and crazy antics are gone. I do miss them the rest of the year. I wish you could know some of these kids, they are so amazing!

Guy and I are already looking forward to next year and all that God will do. Of course we have much camp to get through before then. We are never dead here, we just have slower times. We will see some rest in November, but until then it is still a full load. God uses this place for ministry all year long. I have been blessed this year in that I have had two personal friends volunteer to help out! That was truly fun and so encouraging!

Something to think about----maybe next year you would like to contribute to our scholarship fund! Every summer we get requests for scholarships to help families send campers here. We never turn folks away. God always provides, always. Our policy is to scholarship 1/3. Hopefully the church they are affiliated with can do the other 1/3 leaving 1/3 for the family. If you feel led, it is easy to contribute to the scholarship fund specifically. The office personell can help with that.

If you think of us anytime during the rest of the year, you can continue to lift us up in prayer. We count on God's direction in hiring our summer staff. Throughout the year there are many issues we face with guests groups as well as our own program camps. We always want to reflect God's love in everything we do. Because we are all human, this is easier some days than others. Pray for us there.

I believe that this sumemr was a huge success, and I believe that it has a lot to do with so many of you praying for us as God led. I know it meant a lot to our staff to get the cards in the mail. It challenged them to be better, and encouraged them in the just the right moments. Thank you!

So for now, I end this blog. Should a need arise I will email you throughout the year with good news, prayers requests and such. But summer is when I count on you. I trust that you were blessed as well by taking part in our minisrty here. If you have specific news to share, please email me, I would love to hear about it.

Until then, thank you. For your faithfullness, for your prayers and for your hearts. Thank you for allowing me to enlist you even when you didn't ask to be included. May God bless you richly!

In Christ~~~
Shelli

Late Summer Show~~

Thought you might enjoy some new pic's to look at!

Black Maverick

This is my son-in-love, Chris! He and my daughter travel to see us several times a year, and Chris especially loves it when he can shoot his guns off and blow stuff up (like the bank in FV on Wednesday nights!) He is a big guy and the counselors love it when he is around!

Kissing Kate Barlow

KKB has an older sister who worked here, and we loved her! We love this one just as much! She spends time at my house on weekends occasionally and has become an extra little part of our family! This is her second summer working 1/2 the summer for us!

Calamity Jane~~

This girl is a treasure! Also new to us this summer, and I hope she returns! She can hold her own and does a super job!

Jack-A-Lope James

This kid is a kick! New to us this summer, he is doing a great job and fit right in here! I have personally known him for years, and I am so glad he came to be part of our staff!

Penny~~

This is Penny! What a delightful girl! She has such a great and fun personality. She was an instant click for me. A very inquisative, happy girl who makes time with her fun and interesting to say the least!

Beufford Found!

Well here he is! This fun guy was painted by my dad and serves as the Frontier Village mascott! There is even a song about him~~~he is a gun slinger for sure!

Coyote Jack~~~

This is my Dad! He and my mom live in San Diego, but he drives out once each summer and plays Coyote Jack for a week in Frontier Village. He loves the whole cowboy thing, and if he had lived back then probably would have been the
doesn't-say-much-but-look-out-kind of sherrif! He has fun with the staff kids, and all the returning ones remember him and enjoy his company! He brings the biggest and loudest guns and looks most forward to the big gun fight Thursday night! Last year I was in the gunfight Thursday night with him....now that was fun! This year he is a good guy! (it varries). Thanks for letting me share my dad with you!

Happy Campers!

Here's a snap shot of some adorable campers you may know! These girls told me themselves that they are having a great time!

Well, it is half way through summer now and this is the part where we all start to really feel the wear. Pray for some staff issues that we are currently working through. Also, pray endurance for the staff especially some that have had health challenges this summer. Satan loves to distract with personal problems and petty stuff----pray he doesn't have the opportunity to get the upper-hand. I try to remind the staff that "we wrestle not with flesh and blood".....this needs to be a conscious effort! Your encouragement means so much---thank you all!

Daisy Mae

This is Daisy Mae! A seasoned counselor and lead person here at camp. This girl is one of the sweetest and funniest girls you'll know! I just love her! Heather is studying at NAU and will enter her second year there in the fall. She is studying the theater and does a fantastic job of it! You should know she is paying her own way to college and God showed her in a very special way that NAU was the school for her. She also hopes to direct children's theater one day! She will be an RA in the fall which will help her out financially as well as continue the fantastic leadership training she is getting now. She is learning to have tough skin and a soft heart, a difficult ballance to be certain. There is a book of quotes (made by staff) that goes around every year and is added to. You would find many additions by Heather if you were allowed to peek inside (which you aren't by the way! Top secret stuff in there!) Pray for Heather as she makes tough descisions about life and God's plan for her!

Chuck Wagon Charlie

This is Chuck Wagon, or Robb goofing off! He is a lively guy who knows how to prep them vittles! He works hard for our FV kids to make yummy food! He has been here at our camp for about 5 years and has a super sense of humor! He carries a meat cleaver around the first day just for fun! He has a giant black mustache made of wood that fits ont he front of his golf cart.....one time I chalked it grey so it was more life like! That started a short lived but entertaining "war" between us! He's a kick! Pray for Robb as he deals with extended family and the many hours he puts in in the Village (as we call it)! (I will work on getting a photo of him in costume for you to replace this one)

Town Time Slideshow

Leadership Slideshow!

I am still missing one photo!! Tomorrow!!

Clint Eastwood

This is Clint Eastwood and a repeat camper from last summer! This boy was adorable....he made me take his picture last year too!

Dance the night away!

When campers come to "town" each evening, there is music playing....
very much like Disneyland! When Cotton Eyed Joe comes on, we turn it up and usually teach the campers a line dance! It is super fun!

Doc Holliday

This is Doc, or Allen 10 months a year! Allen grew up in Glendale/Peoria AZ. He is a fantastic guy with a keen sense of humor. This is his fourth summer with us at camp. I have personally known Allen since he was 8 years old. His family and ours have been friends and gone to church together for many years. Allen graduated in 2007 from high school and just finished his first year at Oklahoma Baptist College, where he is studying (get this) Camping Ministries! He is actaully an intern with us this summer as he furthers his education. He is totally computer knowledgeable, loves Star Wars, DBacks, and his mom's cooking! He is incredibly organized and self confident, and a real servant! We have watched him grow and become so independant as he has spent time here at camp. He will celebrate his 20th birthday this summer! (Away from home like every summer for the past 4 years!) This is a kid worth knowing!

Summer Staff 2008

Here's a photo from Primary Camp

These girls are wearing hats from the General store, shirts they received upon registration, and are sipping on milkshakes from One Eyed jacks! Some of you may recognize one of those cute little campers!

Poncho Villa

Poncho Villa is better known as Danny when camp is not in session! This kid is brilliant and amazing! He can quote Shakespear, do Algebra in his head, and sing! He is on a full ride scholarship to U of A and doing beautifully! Danny lives in Tuscon the rest of the year and works at Toy's R Us as well as school full time (last time I checked). He has a terrific heart for the Lord and is a true servant! He is the oldest of three kids and makes his parents proud at every turn. This is Danny's fourth summer working at camp and we have grown very accustomed to having him around. He loves the kids and enjoys his time with them. He has served as a counselor in the past, and this year, is on our leadership team as Lead Counselor. His job is to lead and direct the male counselors! If you ever meet Danny, ask him about The Three Tenors Plus One! He will laugh! (We like to say he looks like Orlando Bloom in Pirates, don't you think?!!)

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett is better known in the off months as Ryan Shoemaker. He was married last fall to the love of his life, Sarah. They both live here at camp and are super fun people! Ryan is the easy breeze of enthusiasm in Frontier Village. He serves as Program Director here at camp which means, he does all the planning and hiring of staff for summer as well as a miriad of other responsibilities throughout the year. Ryan literally grew up here at camp. He has spent 6 years in Frontier Village! He began here as a counselor and grew into a greater role as Head Counselor. After graduationg with honors for Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ryan was hired to do what he already knew and loved....camp! Pray for Ryan's endurance this summer as well as his new bride as they adjust to what living and working in FV all summer really means....as newly weds! As a not-so-newly wed myslef, I can tell you that at times the pace is maddening....pray for them as they embark on a new adventure together!

Ray's Hair Do!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Just in case you wanna know...

The first official day of camp in Friday the 30th. This is the weekend the teenies come in! The teenies (as only I call them) are the little ones going into 2nd and 3rd grade. They stay for just two nights (longer is to much). They come in Friday afternoon and leave Sunday early afternoon. The the first week long camp begins Sunday afternoon with registration at 3 ish. Normally campers leave Firday morning and the counselors have off from Friday afternoon after clean up til Sunday 1 O'Clock meeting. This first week is different and fun!
As you know, the leadership has been here all week already. The rest of the staffers arrive Saturday afternoon the 24th....just a few days now! There is a meet and greet steak BBQ (yummy) Saturday night! Then Sunday after church FBC Prescott is having another BBQ for our kids. I am super excited about the support we are getting from the church this year!! So.....if you wanted to send cards to any leadership staff, they are all here now! Next week sometime the rest of the staffers will be choosing their camp names and then I will post them so you can pray! The prayer request for right now is unity. Unity in the staff and in the spirit. One goal, one purpose.....will you join me?

Side note----in case I didn't explain enough, this blog is top secret. The staff do not know about it. I did this because I do not want any credit for me. I just want the kids supported in prayer and encouragement. Some of you may know some of them.....if so, please don't mention this blog k? Thanks friends.....you're the best!

It starts!

We have had the fun of having a few of our leadership staff over for dinner the last couple nights---the craziness never ends! Tonight I got to use a straightening iron on Ray's hair and then add some color! This guy is a kick----he let me do this!

This is Ray a.k.a. Silas Rainwater! He is an incredible dancer and singer! He is a huge spark in our program! All the campers last year loved him to death and he had a blast with them. His home is....well, I'm not sure exactly! But he loves the Lord and loves being at camp. He will begin working for Walt Disney World in the performing arts area in 2009, so this will be our last summer with Ray! Until you have sat near Ray in church, you haven't heard singing! Love him!

More fun to come I'm sure----just wanted to give you a peek!