Ooh Ahh White Pass

After 6 hours in a plane on last Friday morning I arrived in Portland, Oregon and was greeted at the airport by sign waving youth from the retreat I spoke at this past weekend. Two great gals named Aubrey and Samantha spent some arts and crafts time making me two sweet welcome signs, and I must say it's the first time I've been met with actual signs at an airport.

I felt pretty special! Those signs will soon adorn the wall of my office.

I jumped in a car with Aubrey, Samantha, and youth guy Paul Covey and headed to the great white (not so white but unseasonally warm unfortunately) north of White Pass, Washington, but not before a quick pitstop at Burgerville where I tried the pepper bacon burger and a pumpkin shake. How's the diet? Going well, thanks!

Then it was off to the retreat in one of the most beautiful locations I've ever gotten the chance to speak in. I took some pics with my new camera phone, but I'm really hoping that new friend and youth leader Andrea Covey will send me some of hers that she took with an actual camera, because my puny phone did not do it justice.

Where to begin . . . the folks at the retreat were just great people. We had a lot of fun in games, free time, and worship. The band was a youth band led by a great guy named Cal who had a little country flavor mixed in with his stuff and the guys in the band rocked it out pretty hard.

There were 50 or so of us there, and I always think that's about the perfect number for a retreat like that. I got to know a lot of the kids by name (Nathan, Josh, Ashley, Aubrey, Samantha, Val, Justin, Donny, Connor, Matt, MJ, and lots of others that I'm forgetting (about 40) as I'm sitting here at the computer, but I'm sure they'll email to remind me and I can drop them in.

Lots of great leaders too who all gave up their Thanksgiving Weekend to hang out with the kids which I thought was pretty cool. They really put on a fantastic retreat and I have to give a big thanks to Andrea who played host for the weekend. She and Paul are expecting their first little one in January after a long, and patient wait and I can't imagine two more loving parents.

I also got a chance to do a little song and dance with some of the guys. During the Saturday night talent show, Donny, Nathan, Josh, Tony, Paul, Connor, and I all did one of my favorite old camp skits which is hard to describe on a blog, but there was much choreography and choral directing involved. It was a blast and I'm very thankful that no video camera was around - or Troy and Dawn for that matter.

What else, what else . . . the food was fantastic. I had the first lemon bars of my life that I actualy liked - check that - LOVED. This great gal named Lynn cooked in the kitchen for us with her daughter (Sarah and I think) and Tony (her nephew I think) and the food was so good. I've always loved hot sauce, and this week I got turned on to Sweet Chile Sauce. Who knew of such things??? I'm buying my first bottle today, though.

I learned a great new dice game too. I can't wait to play it with my own kids. And just in case anyone asks, always roll for the big points! Don't ever stop. Turning the corner almost always comes around! I can say with confidence as I finished in a respectable 5th place after starting late and a little slow . . .

The jet lag was rough. With the two hour time difference, I was going to bed at midnight or 1am Washington time which was like 2am or 3am our time. The only problem was that I was still waking up between 6am and 7am Iowa time which was around 4am Washington time. Ugh. I felt like molasses when I got home last night after another 6 hours on a plane.

It was great to see Andrea and Carson though. In just the last few days it seems like Carson's speaking more clearly as he says things like, "I love you, daddy," and "Uncle Chris," and maybe even the clearest now is, "Cousin Isaac."

I'm sure other memories from the weekend will pop up and I'll make sure to add them. I had great conversations with people like Brandon, Henry, Dave, JJ, Bud, Tim, David, Valerie, Sarah, Jamie, Stephen, and lots of others who's names are foggy now. Why do I try to name drop when I know I'm going to forget people? I should take polaroid pictures and then write their names on the bottom.

If I missed anyone, I'm sorry.

Did I mention the scenery was amazing? The camp was nestled between moutains on three sides and a lake on the fourth.

I always get so nervous traveling without the rest of the Happy crew, but this group this weekend really took care of me well and made me feel like family.

You are known!

Till next time,
Jason