Staff Conference becomes Labor Camp becomes Training Camp

Just got back from spending 14 days at our Training Camp in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. (Pronounced 'Party-Ville', which is appropriate) We went there for multiple reasons, First, Conference. We talked about how 2011 was, laughed, told stories, and talked about things we need to change or do better as a ministry in the future. Overall, 2011 was a great summer for Royal Servants. These meetings took place in the evenings in what became known as "the clean room", otherwise known as the part of the uninsulated building blocked off with plastic containing two space heaters and a bunch of couches. It was COLD there. we got down in the 40's every night and a few nights as low as 32, in a building with no insulation, heat and covered with windows, needless to say it was a cold sleep.

Our Second reason was to build Training Camp. Our team of 16 Royal Servants staff became construction workers. We did everything from building our Cooking Cabanas and the Food shack, to raking and laying grass seed. We organized the Barn and moved everything from our former location in Lewistown, IL up. It was a huge feat and i must say that the day i realized that we were not only hard core but a little crazy was day 13 when we only had two days left and plenty of work, IN THE RAIN the women went out and put the cedar siding on all the Cabanas. Then when it got dark...still raining... we got our headlamps out so we could finish the job. I had more layers on than normal, but overall stayed pretty dry (pictured right).

Our Third and final reason for the two week sprint, was for time together. Our staff is tight. We all love one another dearly and LOVE to spend time together. We really do see each other as family and when we come in from around the country laughter and joy are in no short supply! We spent time in the Word together and in times of prayer. We had long conversations over work about life, ministry, support raising, and just about ever other topic possible. I walk away amazingly blessed to be working with such an amazing team of people.

I'm now mostly recovered physically, but I have HUGE arm muscles right now and don't know what to do with them! :)