12 Years!

This was on our first assignment at Frontier Ranch. 

Circa 2003. Two years married. 

We didn't have a blog back then, so I have no digital memories until we have two kids :)

Fast forward to 2007. 

Crooked Creek Ranch.

2008 at Windy Gap.

2009 at Crooked Creek.

Last time we were here at Frontier Ranch, 2010.

Another one, cause I love this picture on my anniversary. 

2011 when we went to France for our sabbatical instead of YL camp. 

Thank you very much. 

2012 at Crooked Creek Ranch. 

I am so blessed. We love our family and how Young Life helps us to reflect and celebrate our marriage, its growth, transformation and the depth of love that has occurred since we went from a me, to an us, to a Sloan family. 

I can't wait to see what pictures happen with our kids this month! 

Buncombe County YL

This year we are so glad to have brought with us some of our high school friends from Asheville to Frontier Ranch to do Work Crew! 

These high school students went through work crew training in January, applied for work crew and were accepted to come to Frontier Ranch. We have 12 other students that are going to YL camps nationwide but we are so lucky to see these friends work, play, love and grow in their faith this month. 

It is a huge honor to get to go on Work Crew and we are pumped to have them here. 

Pictured is (L-R) Luke Haynes, Camille Smargesse, me, Ellie Fuller and Alex Hudak. 

Luke and Alex attend Christ School and Camille and Ellie are rising seniors at TC Roberson. 

Luke is washing dishes (The Pits), Alex is in landscaping (ODC), Camille is in housekeeping (Tawashie) and Ellie is a laundry girl. 

Please pray for them! 

Focus

"God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible."

--Oswald Chambers//May 24 (My Utmost for His Highest)

Travel Day Update

We made it ALL THE WAY OUT HERE to Buena Vista, CO. We started at 4am and arrived at 4pm CST. 

Here are a few tasty pics from the day: 

Loved snack time

In flight entertainment rocked our faces off. 

Matt and Asher looked like rock stars in the Denver airport. Guitar and cowboy hat. Hilarious. 

The kids sitting on top of ALL OUR LUGGAGE. Five checked pieces. Plus two carryons for everyone. Geez. 

A three hour bus drive through the wilds of Colorado. 

Arrival at last! We just found out that a leader on our Young Life team at TC Roberson hung this sign in 1993. Isn't that so cool?! So many pictures are taken under this sign every year!

Fake it till you make it. Not looking as fresh as yesterday. But alive and with full hearts. AND NO PUKE. It's a miracle!

It Begins Again!

Here we go again! Young Life has graciously asked us to go to Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista, CO for Young Life camp. 

We left yesterday afternoon for Columbia, SC and right now (4:44am) we are on our way to the airport! Flying to Chicago, then Denver. We will meet our team, board our bus and travel to camp-two hours away. This will be a long day. 

But at the end of the day, we will be sitting in the middle of a 14'r-Mt. Princeton. I can not wait. 

Here is the address for camp in case a little mail wanted to be sent our way: Frontier Ranch

22150 County Rd 322

Buena Vista, CO 81211

To recap, here are some pictures from the last time we were there! 

http://ashevillesloan.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html?m=1

We love you and will miss you all!

Playing Catch Up

Not to bore you with a million details, but obviously things have been hectic around here this year.

Lucy in kindergarten.
Asher in second grade.


Gymnastics.
Basketball.

Young Life.
Work.

Running half-marathons.

It's a zoo.
But a fun zoo.

Lately, our family has been trying to slowing down to enjoy the ride a little bit more.
It is a challenge to dial back our lives to see each other and make time for living rather than just surviving.
I read this article on the Huffington Post that got me thinking that our family really needs a better morning routine.

We will install the alarm clock idea.
Also, if we are late to school-SO WHAT? No one will die if two elementary school kids are late by 2 minutes.

I think I need to relax on this idea that the world will end if we are not in the line at just the right time. Any other good ideas out there on how to settle down your personal world?

Sleep-Away College

"Mom, I'm just letting you know...I'm not going to any 'sleep-away' college."

"Asher, you know you get to eat breakfast there," says Lucy.

"Mom, is that true?"

"Yes."

"Like cereal?"

"yes."

"like...sugar cereal?!"

"mmmmhmmm."

"Even marshmallow cereal? And pebble cereal? And fruit loops?"

"Yes Asher. You get to eat pretty much whatever you like at college."

"Sold! I'm going mom! I'll see you in four years!"

"Well...it doesn't quite work like that..."

(he stops paying attention while he dreams of ALL the cereal he will eat while I pay for that right.)

Daily Dose of Truth

“Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands
and to discover that I am not what I own,
but what you want to give me.” 
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life

Welcome Back

Asher started the 2nd grade today.

He was so excited. He got the teacher he wanted. He has an awesome lunch box. All his school supplies. He was fired up.

Then as we approached his classroom he started yammering, "You know what? Summer was awesome. Let's do the summer over again. Let's leave. Let's get out of here and just keep on doing summer. Seriously mom. No to school. Let's just have more summer." 

Sorry bud. 

2nd grade is here to stay. 

Can't wait to see you at the end of the day!

Lucy starts school tomorrow. 

Stay tuned for this nut case: 

From the Grave

I just read this and I swear, my late grandmother Mimi could have written it:
Letters of Note: Regarding your dam complaint