Preparation for Summer Time

I am very excited that Summer 2010 is almost arrived at Highland Lakes Camp. I have enjoyed six straight summers here and am looking forward to my seventh.

Camp holds many, many, many opportunities for ministry. From the 50 college students who sacrifice 12 weeks of their summer to serve in the hot sun on the Recreation staff to the Public Relations staff who lose sleep editing video; the approximately 10,000 guests who come through the gates of HLCCC and the program guests I get to work with seven weeks out of the summer. It is such a honor and blessing to serve at Highland Lakes.

I would ask that you begin praying for our Summer Missions Team (those 50 college students I mentioned), the students attending camp and the HLCCC staff. Please pray for a boldness to share the Gospel daily, strength, and perseverance. We praise and thank the Lord for Summer 2010 and look forward to all the many exciting works You are going to do.

God Bless.

Thanks for Signing Up for Friends of Highland Lakes

In my post on January 12, 2010, I shared with you a bit of my testimony and some facts about the camp and a few of you decided to support the camp.

I wanted to say a big THANK YOU for those of you who signed up for Friends of Highland Lakes Camp. The work here for the kingdom continues day to day and I am excited to share last weekend at Hot Hearts there were 13 decisions to follow Christ. The Lord is moving and we ask for the continued prayers and support for Highland Lakes Camp.

Have a great weekend.

Hellums Family News Update

Kari, Landon and I went to the doctor on February 3rd and learned she is 12 weeks along (as previously posted). The heart rate was averaging about 160 and from the picture everything seems to be doing fine.

Kari is experiencing the same type of sickness she had with Landon. This includes: vomiting several times a day, nausea and sometimes a headache. She didn't try during the last pregency, but she is taking Zofran, which is used to prevent nausea and vomiting. It works every other day, but she is very thankful for the good days.

In addition to moving very fast on all fours, Landon is now pulling up on anything he can get his hands on. His favorite "toy" now is an empty diaper box. He will pull himself up to his feet and than push his entire body on top of the box and lay there like a seal. He does fall off on occasion, but Kari or myself is usually there to catch him.

I am continuing to love where God has allowed me to serve. I enjoy everyday at Highland Lakes Camp. Ira, Brandon and I are always working hard, but laughing almost all day long. We are currently pulling a daily prank on Mr. Clyde and Mr. Bill; everytime they go on break at the dining hall they leave the windows down on the truck. We roll up and lock the doors to the truck; easy to get back into, but their reactions are priceless (shhh, they don't know we are doing this).

This month we are hosting the annual Highland Lakes Women's Conference. Called to A New Day will be February 26-27 and it looks to be a wonderful event. On March 12-13, Highland Lakes is hosting the Texas Hill Country Hot Hearts Student Conference. The featured guest are: Afshin Ziafat, Aaron Ivey, and Remedy Drive. You can register online this year, so sign up today.

I hope everyone is doing well. God Bless and have a great week.

Playing Catch Up & It's The First Day of Camp

Catch Up: Kari and I were blessed by the Highland Lakes Camp staff and several close friends who joined us at a baby shower several Sunday's ago. It was awesome to visit, catch up and take a moment at camp before summer to relax and celebrate the upcoming birth of our son. We want to thank each of you (most have already received "thank you" notes thanks to Kari) for the wonderful gifts, the time you spent and your friendship.

Kari and I went to the doctor on Wednesday of last week. Baby Hellums is getting bigger and continues to kick all night long. It is pretty cool to just watch the movements and even more amazing to feel him kicking or moving around inside his Mommy.

Last week was Summer Missionary Team (SMT) training. About 50 college students come out to camp and serve for 12 weeks doing jobs that include (but is not limited to): cleaning toilets, life guarding, doing dishes, making camp videos, selling stuff, etc. This is a short list, but not only do I get to oversee the production on campus, I have an opportunity to direct the Public Relations (PR) staff along side our director, Danny. At this point we are doing great on our calendar; one video completed and one scheduled to be completed by weeks end (the famous "rules video"). It is such an awesome experience to meet and work along side students who have a passion serving Christ.

Camp: As I mentioned, this was the first day of camp. Meaning we have our first big group of students out here. Summer is here. I have only been on staff two months and I have to say, "my job is awesome!" For those of you who don't know, I like to work hard. I said it today, "If I didn't have to have a day off, I wouldn't," not because I don't want to spend time with my wife or my family (because I enjoy that as well), I just really enjoy my job. Everyday is something exciting and new; which is very refreshing for me. An added bonus, it just so happens, that I get to eat almost all meals with my wife and sometimes she gets to help me out with my job. God is awesome!

One story (for Alan):

"I ruined one pink work shirt with blood on it, tore a hole in it, and lost a staff member to an injury."

Today we moved a carport. I don't know to many people who can say they moved a carport till today. It is similar to the one pictured minus the siding. Basically it is large enough to park a RV underneath. Myself and seven other guys were charged to move one of these by lifting it and moving it about 30 feet. Things were going well, besides the large amount of weight until some decided to yell, "drop it!" I am not sure who said it, but there was no "1, 2, 3," hence, there was an injury. The production specialist, Brandon, had the carport slide down his ankle. Thankfully his foot was not caught underneath, but rather he pulled it out before that could happen. Enough damage had been done that he got a trip to the ER and learned it was only a major bruise. However it did swell to the size of a tennis ball. A man short, we eventually got the carport moved into place. Now I can say, "I moved a carport; with my bare hands."

I hope everyone is doing well. Cassie, thanks for the wonderful words. We miss you guys and look forward to another visit to Texas. God bless. Until next time...(hopefully sooner than last time).