Work Crew Bosses

 

Here we are…

Lauren, Jason, Tim, Turner, Carol Lee, Darren, and Me.

-ao

Windy Gap – shifting on the fly

It’s day 4 of week 2 for our assigned team here at Windy Gap.

We have sent three work crew girls home for illness (flu) and are in the process of bringing in other folks to dive in with our community and continue to serve the Lord and serve campers so they might have the greatest week of their lives….that they might come to know Jesus Christ and inherit God’s kingdom.

Olivia and the boys surprised me yesterday – they came back several hours before I expected their return – I was in a meeting w/our work crew bosses and I saw this little boy walk up to the glass window behind where we were meeting – it was Wyatt!  So cool to have them back in camp and get to be with them again.

I felt a bit funky this a.m. – I felt nauseous and a bit out of it. After our “chalk talk” (the planning of the day – every morning) I came back to our room and went to sleep for a couple hours. It helped tremendously.

So, here we are….waiting for new work crew….hoping more do not get sick and praying campers do not get sick, either. It has been a joy to watch our work crew mesh. It has been a privilege to be placed in the middle of 40+ high schoolers who “get it”…the ones who are ready to dive in deep in their faith in Christ. At home…there may be a few whom are in this category; but, the ones on Work Crew are the ones who are truly ready and willing to take their faith a step deeper…to walk with Jesus on a daily basis, to read their bibles, to dive into scripture and allow God’s Spirit to infiltrate their hearts and lives….they are the ones who are ready to serve Christ at no matter the cost.  I love being in the mix of them…it’s great to have the honor to be a part of watching folks be ushered into His presence.

Thanks for your prayers…let’s pray for the campers this week.  Let’s pray for our work crew. Our summer staff folks. The Assigned Team. Spouses. Children.  Thank you for lifting up session 3 at Windy Gap 2009.

His Peace.

-ao

July 18th 2009 - 12 months - HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOONE!

 

 

One year ago today we were getting ready to meet our baby boy and wrap our arms around our him.

And at 4:34pm we welcomed William "Boone" Ogle into this world.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are not home to celebrate your special day but instead on the journey to Windy Gap where will live for the next few weeks. I even forgot to take your picture before we left with the chalkboard we've used all year. {sniff sniffles} So we had to settle with a piece of paper. Don't worry, when we get back home I'm gonna take that special picture.
We have been stuck in a hotel most of the day but tonight we were at camp where over a hundred people sang "happy birthday to you"...even your new friend Campbell brought you some balloons!!!! You have had many sweet birthday wishes from family and friends leaving voicemails, to text messages, to facebook messages, to many new friends wishing you a happy birthday. You are dearly loved.

Boone, you are a gift from God. Words can not express how much I love you, your Daddy loves you, and your big brother loves you. We are so blessed to have you in our family and so thankful God chose us to be your parents.
Your spunky personality and confidence shine through and you easily melt our hearts.
You are our little man, our munchkin, our Boone Boone, our buddy.
Happy 1st Birthday sweet boy!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
Psalm 34:8

 

Andy Ogle (from Olivia’s blog)

 

 

Words – how much time?

Last week, we had people from all different backgrounds and some with special needs as well. YL has a ministry to those with special needs and disabilities called Capernaum Ministry.

We were blessed with several folks from Greenville, SC to be here at Windy Gap….for many of us, our lives will be forever changed.

When I think of the friends carrying their pal to the feet of Jesus…and so many were gathered to hear Jesus speak that these guys had to go on the roof to rip off a hole and lower their buddy down to be in front of Christ with the hope that Jesus would heal him and the rumors would be true – of the healing powers of Christ….the man from Nazareth…the One who claims to be the Son of God!  Then Jesus, tells the guy his sins are forgiven….meanwhile the guy is probably thinking, “sssppppttt, it’s my legs….”  And Jesus does this to show His identity, authority, and connection with the Father in Heaven – and for the man to be healed of his paralysis. The man walks out in full view of all around him. I think of these guys when I look at some of the photos from this week. Here are a few…just know that what we get to do is such a privilege…to allow teenagers to be themselves….to live and play and laugh and love and listen – because they know they are with friends, at a moment in life where they begin to let down the mask….well, words can not fully express…it would take much time and many words….

Enjoy:

 

   

A friend….lifted up the hill; Boone being lifted in the arms of his Daddy.

Wow!

Quick shot after the BBQ dinner.

Work Crew and Summer Staff girls just before “Tableau”

Our Cowboy.

More photos to come…..

‘Tis a joy to live in community and be about Jesus and to proclaim Him to so many…as He continues to impact us, too.

Thanks be to God.

Blessings,

-ao

A Way to Him

My family.  They are usually a means of pushing me to Jesus – in an any-day capacity under “normal” circumstances. This might come with the disagreement between Olivia and me…or it could be that Wyatt and Boone have made me upset…or I could be so excited over my love for Olivia or the boys and their smiles at seeing “Daggy” when I come home or talk to them on the phone or hug and kiss them that all this simply brings me to the hope of that which He (Jesus Christ) has called me to – Himself. They must be this way because of Him…my reminders of Him and thinking of Christ in me comes from Him and so often through Olivia, Wyatt, and Boone.

Well, we are at Windy Gap on assignment with Young Life. We are here working for three weeks. The H1N1 Flu has made its way here several times this summer. I saw on the news where it’s predicted that 40% of the US will acquire this disease. Sickness has spread and last week we saw kids and leaders with masks on their faces, multiple trips to the ER for being tested to have the Flu or not….and then…it hit in our room:  Olivia began feeling ill. Boone already had been through and is still recovering from an ear infection. Then Olivia continued to complain of illness and aches and pains…and again and again – She had a fever of over 103!! Not sure it’s H1N1, but it is nasty and Olivia is not one to get sick..maybe twice in like 7 years. Next up – Wyatt begins to complain. Same story.  I have no other choice but to point to Jesus – because these things must be a reminder of His love –it is forever and unchanging. This is a distraction while we are here and I am convinced that anything that gets in the way of Christ in me (or you!) is not from Him and does not belong on the same plane as eternity with Jesus! 

Olivia and the boys are on their way home….to go to our doctor…and to rest where they are not held up in a room for 3-4 days as they have been here. It was a difficult decision, but one that we believe is good and right from the Lord.  We trust in their getting well and healing at home…..and then, thank heavens…I will get them back here…and yet again – be pointed to Jesus. 

We are here…as I am typing there are 350 high schoolers crowded in a room called the County Seat (Club Room) to hear David Haskins open up the can that says God is love and He designed all things and we were included….that we are made in His image and this week at Windy Gap is (we believe so!) going to be the greatest week of your life….now, hang on and listen in to all that is about to happen – one week of full adventure and energy and clarity on the gospel of Christ.

Thanks for your prayers.

His Peace.

-ao

The Bees

Wyatt riding rides. He's so cool.

Loving it!

-ao

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Today

Today has been a good day…yesterday was a good day…I am busy.  I am full.  My plate is spinning – all my plates are spinning…I have a full plate.  My work load is always on. It seems I believe more and more that “the busiest people have the most time”. It must be true. 

I spend time with Jesus. I spend time with my family.  I spend time with my high school friends.  I blog.  I journal.  I read and I listen.  I even tell folks about Genesis Pure Products and that has been another portion of the fun I’m having.  I am enrolled in school – finishing what I started.  I’m a full-time college student in the midst of being in full-time ministry as a full-time husband and daddy.  You know, I love my life.  I love feeling the embrace of God in the midst of all I do.  I have sensed the presence of Jesus in a great and powerful and subtle way over the past few days that has been something special and exciting.  I just had to say it.  I don’t know what’s happening but I know my time with Him has been sweet – my time with Him has been rooted in my calling….in Christ-in-me. 

I am listening to Him say to me, “Son of Man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you.  Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them.  Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says, '’ whether they listen or fail to listen.”

                                                                      -Ezekiel 2:10-11 NIV

I hear the voice of the Lord whisper in my heart that this is my calling…to take His scroll…His Word, and eat…and be satisfied – to take His words to those exiled and to tell of His love; whether they listen or not.  So, I do.  In three days I will head off to Sharp Top Cove, a Young Life camp in Jasper, GA where my high school friends will be having the “greatest week of their lives” and they will get to hear about Jesus in a manner that perhaps will pierce their hearts like never before.  And then…maybe, just maybe…they will be ‘seized by the power of a great affection’ in Christ.  That’s my hope.  That is my calling. 

Today – it’s a good day.  He is always good. His love for me is unchanging and will be always. Always.  His.

Peace of the Lord.

-ao