New Stats

Here is a picture of our little man from Easter. We went to the doctor today and here are the stats...

Weight: 14.4 (50%)

Head Circumference: (50%)

Height: 90%! ( I love this because my Dad was really tall.)

It's the little things

It's the little things. This was what made my day yesterday. Just a smile and a long laugh from Jake. The t-shirt didn't hurt anything either :)

I miss my Dad. Here is my favorite picture of us. He was an amazing man and I miss him every day, but for some unknown reason especially today.

It finally happened...

This has been a challenging week in the Peddle house. Erik was sick for a couple days and now I have it. It never seems fair that Erik can recover so quickly and I seem to take at least a week no matter what. Well, needless to say my energy level has plummited. 

Last night we were watching our new favorite show NCIS. Jake was sitting on my lap and we were just watching him. I was feeling particularly exhausted. And then it happened... He smiled. Our little guy looked up at us, opened his mouth and smiled. It didn't last very long, but it didn't matter. It was so special that both Erik and I were there to see it. This may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but to us it meant the world. 

After some very long days and nights we needed a little something to raise our spirits. I just have to wonder if God sent this little angel to us to give us a real picture of how He loves and sustains us. At the very moment when we're tired and not feeling like we can go on, maybe He whispered to little Jake that now was the time to give us this precious gift. 

 My first "mom moment" was when Jake came into the world and I heard his first cry. I couldn't see anything because I had a C-section, but just knowing that he was breathing was enough for me. I teared up a bit. It was such a relief that he was alive and healthy. This was my second "mom moment." I know that there are so many more to come. The only way I can describe it is gut wrenching joy. All of a sudden the earth stands still and you think that you must be the luckiest person on earth to have had a moment like that. 

Jake - 6 weeks

Here is our little man at 6 weeks. What an incredible ride it has been. I (we) have never experienced such a range of emotions in such a short period of time. We are loving being Jake's parents. I will admit that it is a lot more fun in the daytime. (Just being honest.) He's been a great baby. He's sleeping 4 hours at a time at night and Erik is a huge help taking the 4am feeding. It's official, I have the best husband ever.

Jacob's feet

My sons feet are beautiful.

open my eyes

Freedom is not in options or unlimited resources, true freedom is born out of an eternal perspective which holds the power to cast light on every situation.  The endless pursuit of self fades as the overpowering shine of wisdom and love opens the eyes of your soul to see as God sees, to rest as God rests, to love as God loves.

I hear the knock at my door, the call to come and die, and in the hope of an awakening I see that the frustration of my son crying all night, the endless weight of providing, the colossal pursuit of self is meant to be something else.  All the things of life, all the difficult and easy is meant to open my eyes.  What God sees is offered to us in His Son.  

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  Galatians 5:1

Proud mother- this was her favorite moment so far
We came a couple and left a family
I took my son camping
hiding from the nurses

our wonderful midwife Diane Tandy



Jacob is amazingly beautiful!

He arrived into our crazy world Tuesday December 9th at 6:49 pm.

After 30 hours of non-progressive labor, our wonderful midwife Diane ordered us to the OR where Liz had a C-section and 30 minutes later, our son was born!

He weighed 6 lbs 12 oz at birth, 21.5 inches long and healthy.  

We are still in the hospital, enjoying the time off to get to know this blessing.  Nursing (every 2-3 hours) is going well and we are getting some sleep, we have no complaints, only praise for a God who creates such amazing miracles and allows us to be apart of His life.

We will be at Northside Women's center for another day or two (room 688).  We would love to take visitors, please just give us a call ahead of time.  

Thank you all for you prayers!

Jacob

 Liz is feeling very tired.  

She is being induced with an IV.

She is contracting every 3-4 min.

The nurse thinks she will deliver tonight.

I am really excited about this whole baby idea.

Thank you.

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.

__________________________________________________________________

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

From Thanksgiving to mid January we will be working on building projects at camp and finding more partners to support us financially.  We want to find 120 more people to support us with  $10 a month.   Or 60 people to give $20/month.  Etc.

We are in need of more partners.  Please send us contact info for anyone you believe would be interested in partnering with us.

erik@camphighland.com

elizabeth@camphighland.com 

We are 1 month away from Caden's arrival.  Please pray for us and him.

We are having our partner party Nov. 11th from 6-9 pm, please come by for desert and coffee.

We have one event left this year at camp.  Father-Son Retreat Nov. 7-9.

Here are some encouraging remarks from our summer campers and their parents.

I think the fact that our son did not want to leave is a testament to the great job that all of you are doing.

Claire came home with so many stories. Everyday was her favorite day, but I believe her MOST favorite day was the one she rock climbed. She didn't realize how tiring real rock climbing is. She also loved the new slide. I will tell you this, when I asked her what her favorite part of each day was, she told me it was the cabin time, devotional time. What else could a parent wish for?

Parker grew so much, not only in his maturity but he truly feels that he is closer to God and is beginning to understand how vast that love is. I am truly grateful for this experience, Parker's first away from home. The counselors were absolutely wonderful and he has not stopped talking about his time this summer. Thank you.

Megan enjoyed the fellowship and support of her peers and counselors. She came home feeling adventurous and proud of tackling many of the outdoor challenges.

Patrick absolutely loves this camp. He wants to be a counselor when he is older so that he can spend the whole summer with you.

Lily and her group got lost in the caves. She later told me that she learned that 'even if you're lost, God still knows where you are.' What a deep lesson, and a vital one.

Cole's best friend Oliver accepted Jesus while at camp - Cole will always remember that. Also, all they talked about was the awesome tubing on the lake!!

I thought the fact that he stayed up until 2:00 a.m. talking about Christ was awesome. More awesome still was that the counselor (Bunker) stayed up too.

Jordan had such an incredible time that she asked me if she could go a second week. That was amazing considering she did NOT want to go to camp this year. This was her first year at Camp Highland and she says she will go every summer. You guys did an outstanding job!!!

We're Pregnant!!

Its a boy!!

We are having a man.   Sweet Jesus.

So what are we doing now since summer camp is over?

We are preparing for the rest of the year and are mentoring Camp's 2 year round interns, Chris and Heather.

We just finished another wonderful Father-Daughter Retreat.  

Check out our schedule of events for the rest of the year.  Please, let us know if there are any events you would like to attend, volunteer for, or just come and check out camp.  We would be overjoyed to show you around and serve you alongside our wonderful staff!

August:

• 25th-28th:  Atlanta Youth Academy. 89 kids, 15 adults. 
  
• 28th-29th:  Christian Heritage.  45 kids, 15 adults.

September:

• 2nd-4th:  Bridgeway School.  44 kids, ?? adults.
• 4th-5th:  East Side.  40 kids, 4 adults.
• 8th-9th:  Whitfield Academy
• 17th- 19th:  Intown School
• 27th-29th:  Hebron School

October:

• 3rd-5th:  Briarlake Church
• 3rd-5th:  Grace Comminuty
• 10th:  Camp Highland Golf Classic (fundraiser)
• 17th-19th:  Nicolson Baptist
• 24th-26th:  Father/Daughter 

November

• 7th-9th:  Father/Son 3

Please pray for:

• Our continuing need for more partners to provide financial support.  (We are at 60% of our goal).
  
• God to use us as we mentor our year round interns, Chris and Heather.
  
• For God to mold us into the best parents He has every created.
• All of the upcoming events and the people involved.
  

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

 

Summer is over

Summer camp is over and fall events are under way.  It was a adventures summer, full and overflowing with hard work, good food, spiritual growth, and lots of laughs.  It is good to be home and able to sit down for a few minutes.  Fall events have already begun.  We just had our Father son weekend with 25 pairs.  On Sunday all of the dads, one by one gave their sons a blessing in front of the whole group.  It was awesome to see 25 dads express their joy and pride for their sons.  I can not wait to be a dad!  Our next father daughter weekend is coming up in 2 weeks.  

We took the staff to a Braves game last week.  And I spoke during the evening sessions during the last week of camp.  I loved it and some people said they were blessed by what God taught us. 

Rachael Day has served at camp for over a year now as our cook, friend, mentor, and go to girl for everything.  We really appreciate all she has done for us and camp and will miss her dearly as she heads off to WI for college and other adventures.  Please pray for her as she makes this transition.

Chris will be joining us this year as one of our 2 interns.  He is a great guy with a servants heart and teeth like a gorilla.  Please pray for him this year, for his growth in Christ and the transition he is making to raising support.  

caving

We love to cave.  So does Moses.

Climbing Day is rated #1 among Highland campers.

Worship is always exciting.

We went caving with our 2 week group.  It was sweet.

I talked about prayer one sunday morning.  I think they started "praying" before I finished my speech.

Artsy pic from the cave

PICTURES

Another great week of camp just flew by.  Enjoy the pics.

The best part

The best part of camp is the closing day ceremony when the campers have a chance to share what they have learned during the week.

So many of the campers come up saying they have seen for the first time how important the bible is, or how they see the wisdom in choosing good friends. Others share that they want to know Christ more or even make a decision to follow Him.

There is nothing more fulfilling than hearing how my small role at camp helped create an opportunity for a child to know God more. Real lasting motivation comes in a lifestyle called service to others. What a blessing it is to be given all this grace and have a conduit through which I may give it to others.

PICTURES

Fun = laughter
laughter = openness
openness= chance to shine


so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Philippians 2:15

Storms at camp are amazing.

And wife is beautiful.

Lastly, Taco loves swimming.

It's been crazy!

I eat a lot at camp. Especially after riding the tractor for 3 hours, cutting grass and looking like a dirt ball. And there I am teaching a boy how to place climbing gear. I love my job!!

Some of the girl counselors have decided that we are their parents for the summer. Here is Liz with one of our "daughters." And here is me trying to show Liz I care about her during all of life's circumstances.

Hello all! We have been having an awesome time at camp! God has blessed us in so many ways. We can not express enough thanks to you as our supporters for giving us this opportunity.

We are on break right now for a week. We will return to camp for 3 more weeks and then have another break.

Our summer staff have been amazing. They all came to camp as strangers and are now a team of believers who are serving hard and inspiring Liz and I in our faith. We are learning many things as well. God has really showed us how important it is to have a daily relationship with Him. Camp is a 7am-11pm job which means that we can not make it through the day without the Holy Spirit's help. We have had a great time working together. I love my bride more now, seeing her work so very hard despite the challenges of growing a child inside her belly. That's right, we are pregnant. Thank you Jesus. (Please pray for me to be the best father God has ever crafted).

More pics soon. His peace be with you all! (I will update this more often for the 2 of you who read it.)

These are some of the horses Highland

 campers will learn to ride.

Working on water slide deck.  Soon, little people will be here.