"When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, bless the Lord!" Judges 5:2

So the picture above is of the crazy bunch of interns I get to supervise this year at WFR.  They are an amazing group of people for Christ and I am honored to get to lead, work and live among them.  There are 12 interns (6 women, 6 men, 8 singles, 2 marrieds) all out here for various reasons for a year.  All desiring to grow in the Lord and truth in God's foundation before living in the "real world."  I have had a lot of laughs with them while partaking in various activities (shooting, climbing, running, practicing guitar, Bible study, games, carpentry, etc).  I've also faced some difficulties with them  being their supervisor during work.  One of the reasons I choose to move out here and take this position was because of the ministry I'd have to pour into other believers.  It has been so wonderful to be able to talk about Christ at work and I have had so many opportunities for great conversations while working alongside them, but being a leader still is difficult as being viewed differently or critiqued and with higher expectations or comparisons to other supervisors.  I chose this verse from Judges that is from a song of Deborah, a prophetess during the time of the judges of Israel when there were no male leaders taking the lead, and Barak, commander of Israel's army who looked to Deborah for strength than trusting God.  I'm not saying I'm like Deborah and there's no male leaders out here because I do co-lead with a Godly man, but I'm learning this mindset and attitude of "willingly offering myself" even when I don't have direction necessarily for how to lead each person for what they need in leadership, trusting the Lord that He will be glorified.  I desire to find the balance of friend and supervisor while at work, which is not easy and becomes frustrating at times desiring their respect while also respecting them.  It's good to get constructive criticism but not always easy to take, I guess it's like melting the dross from silver to purify it. I've been a supervisor in other jobs before and know that there is no cookie cutter right way to lead everyone, but it is so great that I know that Christ is the focus as why we're all here and to not look to our own interest but the interest of others.  I thought it was cool in Ephesians 1:9 that God is the only one who can be "selfish" when Paul writes about "His will according to His good pleasure."  If we did according to our good pleasure, it'd probably be selfish and hurt others, but God is perfect and what He does benefits all.  So I need to have faith to what God has intrusted to us today in being faithful, not successful. 

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Psalm 133:1

So yesterday I went in to town (Madras) to meet up with two different families from the Hispanic church I've attended a few times in the past couple months.  Another girl that lives out at camp with me came along so I got to practice my translating.  I was just so amazed by the end of the night how easy it was to fellowship with other believers that I barely even knew.  Lunch was at a woman's home who has 3 kids in college, but her husband came home from work for lunch.  She was so open to sharing about her family and how she came to know the Lord and her reliance on Him and how she's raised her family with Christ as the center.  She cooked us an amanzing authentic Mexican cuisine of tostadas, bien rico!  Later we went to dinner at another family's home.  The wife was the first woman to introduce herself to me at church back in November and we conected right away talking about our favorite christian music artist, Marcela Gandara.  Well her family was a joy.  Dinner was spent talking about where we're from, how we came to know the Lord, and what's going on in each persons life.  Their two teenage sons came home and hung out with us and ended up playing the guitar and piano for us all of Spanish worship songs.  They even got be to play a little and to sing at the top of my lungs.  It was like we were all long time friends just goofing around and praising the Lord, not planned  or scheduled worship time but what we enjoy doing while we hang out.  I cant wait to hang out with them again, it's a bummer that I live 1 1/2 hrs away.  I was reflecting on the drive home how amazing it is to fellowship with other believers who truly have Christ in the center of their lives and thought of this verse of how good and pleasant it is for brothers to be in unity!  I can't say I have that with everyone that professes to be a believer or not, but desire that type of bond.

Jan. 31, 2012
"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine." Exodus 19:4-5

Besides the ability for an eagle to climb to 10,000 feet within minutes, the parent eagle also assists its young in flight.  As it flies alongside the eaglet, whirlpools of air formed by its primary feathers provide the eaglet with additional lift (Character Sketches, Vol III, p171-174).   How amazing is seeing this magnificent creation of the eagle and the simile the Lord uses of Himself to His people.  I always thought that I'd break an eagles wing if I tried to sit or be carried by it but makes so much more sense when we actually see how the eagle cares for its young. If we walk following after God, He will help us and be special in His sight!

Well thought it'd be time for a little update of my life for anyone interested.  It's been three months now that I've been living Oregon.  Still loving it and learning a ton!  I dont even know where to start and what all to share in a short message to keep your interest.  Life on the ranch community is typical I'm sure to most of you: elk crossings, cougar sightings, rifle practicing, dodgeball tournaments, bonfires, 1 min 30 seconds drive to work, to name a few things.  I'm still getting to know all that there is to do out here and each day there's something new.  I went to the shooting range on camp's property last week and shot a rifle and a pistol.  Had a blast and hope to practice so that I can possibly go hunting the following year (I'll of course take a gun safety class soon).  I also went snowboarding for the first time in four year on a mountain; I'm used to the "big hills" of Minnesota, so it was nothing in comparison. I've been consistent meeting with a few women one-on-one out hear each week going for walks to the John Day River, practicing guitar, watching football games, going for runs around the property and just sitting on the porch talking while playing with the many dogs.  It's nice to finally start having deeper relationships and a desire to share lives with one another (still not easy and not with everyone).  I also have been able to attend an Hispanic church when I have Sunday's off and appreciate it very much and have been challenged by the sermons.  Last Sunday the pastor did a sermon on the fig tree out of season from Mark 11 which is one of my favorite passag9es and brought some new ideas to me.  It's also been nice to continue practicing my Spanish and in a glorifying way.  Well while everyone in the community was in Florida except for a handful of us newbies) I got to take care of 40 chickens, 2 cats, and a dog.  Wow was it a blast and have been making a ton of egg dishes.  My roommate just got engaged too while she was in Florida so not sure how soon it will be till I'm either living by myself or find a new roommate (perhaps a dog)... 

As far as the actual work at WFR, I'm enjoying it continually and am greatful for past job experiences of learning to manage people as well as the actual tasks.  It's hard sometimes when people see you as a supervisor all the time both in and out of work and kind of stand backish from real friendships or how to earn respect from those that know more about the camp then me, but I'm learning the balance for how to handle it.  It's such a unique community here that everyone realizes the adjustment and uniqueness here than any other work/living environment.  I still cant complain ever about how amazing it is that I get to talk about Christ at work!  I've been enjoying starting to see the interns realize this and begin more to use that time to be edifying for themselves, to each other and to the Lord.  This group of interns keeps me laughing a lot throughout the whole day, something that I feel has been missing in my life for a while so I'm thankful for that joy that believers reflect on others.   I also got to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with a mechanic that came out when a laundry machine broke down while everyone was in Florida.  It was such a rush getting the opportunity to share the Lord with him and give him a Bible.  I forget sometimes how amazing it is to share salvation with a non-believer.  That being said, as many of you might know I'm going with a small group to Nicaragua in April on a missions trip to the Young Life camp I worked at in 2005.  I'm super excited to go and serve there and help share the wonderful news of Jesus and also reconnect with the Nicaraguan leaders.  So please keep that in your prayers. 

Well that's all for now.  Hope you enjoyed the update.  Maybe I'll send out some pics later.  I love all of you and pray that you call on the Father to bare you on His wings!

Dec. 9, 2011
Just wanted to share a quick laugh with you ladies this morning:

So a bunch of us girls were hanging out the other day and some of the girls started talking about how gorgeous certain actors and musicians are so I decided to chime in and I said, "How gorgeous and attractive looking do you all think King David or King Solomon were b/c of all the wives and concubines they had or even better Adam who was the first created man made perfect?!"  Of course immediately following that statement there was an ackward silence and then everyone kind of looking around at others' reactions and then back to their other topic.  I had a good laugh inside and later talked to a couple of other girls about what they thought of those kings having so many wives and concubines. 

Well hope this puts a smile on your face and a challenge to "make every thought obedient to Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5

In HIS grace,

Nov. 11, 2011
Hello,
Thought I'd send a little bit of an update if you're wondering how life is at Washington Family Ranch in Oregon...

I'm loving it out here at the Young LIfe camp in the middle of nowhere.  It'll be three weeks on Sunday.  I've been meeting a ton of people and just learning the job and way of life.  There are about 100 people total out here (kids included), there's a handful of single 20 yr olds, a handful of young married couples, a bunch of families with tons of kids from new borns to college age kids.  They actually have a one room school house out here.  I'm learning a ton of all the intricate details of housekeeping and realizing how big a task it is especially now that the camp has two camps on it's property.  I enjoy the active work and time to share in relationships with those working along side you or listening to praise music while changing over the laundry.  I was taught how to drive a stick shift Japanese car the other day.  Not only have I never really drove a stick shift car before but you drive on the right side of the vehicle and shift with the left hand.  I absolutely loved it and cant wait to take it out again!  As a new single gal out here I get invited over for dinner a lot to meet people and get to know each other on a deeper level.  It's been exciting that way of seeing how different each family is out here and from all different walks of life.  Tonight I was at a family's house who hunt wild bore and made a egg caserole from the eggs from their chicken coup and cut up pieces of bore in it, yum!  They're also young earth believers so we shared some creation stories together.
 I havent really connected to one particular person yet but see potential in many and continue to pray for close relationships.  I think what I fear is the surface Christian relationships of people not wanting to be real or broken or those that want to continue in complacency or not want to grow or think they dont even need to.  Not that I'm thinking that of anyone in particular but it's a sad truth of the Christian world today it seems like.  I really am liking it out here.  It's absolutely gorgeous living in a canyon and surrounded by God's creation without distractions of city life stuff.  It's also great just to be able to talk about Christ in the work place and whenever and it be aloud, there are those times people are still uncomfortable if scripture is brought up in certain situations or if they feel rebuked but that's why I think a lot of people like it out here is b/c they are challenged in ways they dont expect and helps them grow.  I want the same for me and dont want to have expectations but have accountability and encouragement so that it doesnt go the other way. 
Well I'm excited to sleep in tomorrow b/c we have off for Veterans Day.  I also just want to sit on my porch and look out at the mountain across the way searching for cayotes and cougers while I soak up some scripture.  Thank you for your prayers.  Hope you enjoyed this short updated email.  Love to hear from you too!

In His love and grace,
Nicole