Where the Peddle's are:

• We expect a baby really soon, a son, named Jake and Jacob, He will be beautiful.
  
• We are living in Marietta, and will not be moving to camp, but will temporarily move there during the coming summer.
• We are well blessed by you all, having 68 partners who have joined us and supported us faithfully.  Thank You!
• We are nearing our personal support goal- currently at 70%.  Thank You!!
• We are praying for you all and have been blessed by your prayers.
• During the winter, we work on marketing, recruiting, building projects, summer preparations, and a myriad of other tasks.  
• We work full time, year round with camp, and programs will start again in February.

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In an effort to be transparent, free from the burden of social propriety and share with you all what the abundant life is like for the Peddle family, there is here below a recent blessing bestowed on us through the prayers of you all.  



As it has been for the past few weeks, that God confirms what he told me a day or two before in the books I am reading the following day. A way of reminding me to be humble and believe He cares deeply for my whole being.

Abba's Child- (brennan manning)

That contemplative prayer at its best is done with an empty chair next to you, at a coffee shop or for me in my office with Jesus in my chair and me on the couch. And a child's faith and joy that I get to speak with God in such a simple, non-religious form, in a completely unorthodox manner. Just talking to Him, half looking down, in temporary fear that I might be crazy, then coming to realize in my deepest self that this is good.

Much different than the contrast of almost every previous attempt to have a simple and pure talk with God.

For as long as I can remember I have looked at empty chairs, in the dark corners of homes, of a room, of my house, and seen death, seen demons, seen my greatest fears talking with me, reminding me to be afraid and angry with God. I have been haunted by this for years, never understanding what God is teaching me by allowing me to see horror on such a consistent basis.

But this morning I went out, in the early dark of sunrise and watching Sophie I looked over at a pair of empty lawn chairs in my yard, remembering the fear that gripped me even last night when the the demons were talking again of my demise, then suddenly, I saw Jesus in that chair, and every chair from my past, and all was free, I remembered His power, I saw Him cast out the lies that I clung to for a false security.

I prayed a simple prayer this morning, that I would see Him, I prayed for you all, that the eyes of your hearts would be open, half doubting that prayer has an effect at all.

But half doubting prayers are heard by God, and demons flee in His presence, I am so glad I see things differently. Please know your prayers are not in vain, that God hears us clearly and without judgment and thank you.

-erik
Matt. 7:7-8