SEASONS OF LIFE

It's been a few months since our last blog update. We celebrated ONE YEAR as Operation Managers @ The Springs on March 5. We've seen all 4 seasons and yes we made it through our first winter in the 'woods'. Lucky for us, it was a relatively mild winter. Each season has been more beautiful than the previous. 

Our ministry work here remained busy even through less active outside work. Jim spent the winter proactively doing maintenance on all the equipment - having more time to research (you-tube) the how to's on some of the machines he wasn't as familiar with. The slower pace was nice. The snowy hikes were amazing. You can follow us individually or The Springs on Facebook to see all of the amazing pictures. Cabin occupancy didn't slow down one bit. We started off  the very first week of January with a large group of men from all over the country gathering for their yearly retreat. The Springs is a place to come no matter the season outside - a place to find rest, quiet and solitude with God around every corner. 

Cabin occupancy continues to amaze us.  We currently book 8 months out and find ourselves with very few cabins open primarily on weekends until December of this year. Weekends book faster than weekdays, as we still have some opening during the week. Men and women come alone, married couples, men's and women's ministry groups, missionaries home for furlough, Pastor's on sabbatical, Church Elders, or lay leaders in the church or area ministries, come and find rest here. 

The Springs now has an on-site generator for when we lose power. As one of our 3 core values being guest centered, we want to honor our guests with one less distraction. Jim and another on-site team member Chris, worked hard on this project and now it's here and done. We are thankful. 

Spring is here again and mowing season has begun. Daffodils, hyacinth and crocus flowers are sprouting up all over as we not so patiently await warmer temps. Stepping outside our door to sprouting flowers is such a breath of fresh air. I bent over just this morning and stuck my nose in a hyacinth flower and breathed it in, such a beautiful scent. The scent of spring and all things new, again!  

We have found a new church family. It took most of our first year in Indiana visiting several churches. We will always be a part of Faith Fellowship Church in Cincinnati, but need a local family too.  We are now attending Church on Fire, Batesville. We have become good friends with Pastor Terry Allen and his wife Rhea along with many others there. Jim spoke there a few months ago promoting the new Celebrate Recovery meeting which launched in January. Many became involved and friendships grew. The community of Batesville is amazing, as all churches came together to support Celebrate Recovery. They have a community board of Pastors that meet to unite the community for Jesus. That's amazing!  We are thankful for the contagious spirit that Church on Fire has for the lost, the hurting, our community and each other. We look forward to getting involved and building new relationships. This campus of Church of Fire will be becoming it's own stand alone church this year and it's new name will be Ignite Church. They continue to have a great relationship with Church on Fire-Harrison, but they have both decided being stand alone churches is where God is leading. Here's a link to COF/Batesville's Facebook page. FB Church on Fire Batesville

2023 started hard as Mom (Karen's) started to decline more rapidly, suffering another or more strokes. She became more unresponsive as we got into February and passed away so peacefully on March 3, 2023.  We have found this 'season' of life so hard watching our precious parents suffer their last months and even years. It's been 3 years since we began this journey with them. Dad continues to decline as well. The hardest part of all of this is dad's unawareness of all that has happened in the last month. It breaks our heart but at the same time, he isn't grieving the loss of his wife. Dementia is the most horrific disease I've ever known. 

So many of our friends have lost their parents in this last year - it's a hard season. 

BUT....we have hope!  Real true hope in a secure future with Jesus for all those who believe. There is so much going on in this world, that I cannot fathom life with the Hope of Jesus. If you have any questions about this hope, please reach out!  We would love to talk with you and share the hope we have. 

Every season of life has a purpose by Pastor Rick Warren

This is a good article I found while searching for our blogs theme. "Life is a combination of contrasting seasons. All sunshine and no rain make a desert. If you’re following God’s will, seeking to live your life according to the way God wants you to live, then you’ll eventually see that these experiences can have purpose and value in your life.

A daily prayer for your seasons of life, to acknowledge the purpose of this season and to hold onto hope that this is only a season.

Prayer for Your Seasons of Life

https://www.prayerandpossibilities.com/daily-prayer-for-your-seasons-of-life/

Lord, remind me this is only a season. For every time there is a purpose and I will not be in this storm forever. This storm will pass and the sun will shine again. For there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to be silent and a time to speak. Though this may be a time of difficulty, a time of peace and joy may be around the corner. I will trust in your time and your plans. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace. 

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, friendship and visits. 

We continue to raise support for our personal needs as we live on-site here in Oldenburg, IN. If you would like information on how you can donate to us we would love to talk with you. We would love you to take the nice country drive to visit us and let us show you around here at The Springs.

Visit our website: The Springs