Work
- We've been serving at Birchwood Camp since April 2010 in a variety of roles: hosting groups, coordinating reservations (Liz), facilitating challenge courses, giving tours, camp orientations, cleaning bathrooms, mentoring college interns, assisting with work teams, chasing off bears (Brent), assisting with summer camp programming, assisting with worship (Brent playing bass and Liz leading hand motions and setting up worship stations) and many other aspects.
- In addition to the camp we also sub in the Anchorage School District. We both love working with English Language Learners (ELL). In addition, Liz really enjoys working in elementary school libraries. We really enjoy working with kids, the variety of roles and flexibility with our schedule. Where else can you work and be a librarian one day, an art teacher the next day and an ELL teacher the following day? In addition to subbing, we also assist with migrant education literacy nights.
- We also enjoy doing project based work: census, standardized school testing, surveys, pet sitting, construction, we've been extras in a movie and commercial, etc. We value flexibility and travel, so temporary work is very desirable.
Church
- We feel blessed to be part of ACF (Alliance Christian Fellowship). It's one of the most authentic communities that we've been part of. Brent serves as an elder, peaches periodically, and plays bass guitar on the worship team.
- For about a year and a half, Liz coordinated First Impressions coffee and greeting ministry. She oversaw roughly sixty volunteers.
- We facilitated a Financial Peace University class. This 9 week class helped about 10 couples pay off tens of thousands of dollars of debt, save thousands of dollars, and helped many of the couples strengthen their marriages.
- We led a Life Group for about a year, and are currently involved in a life group. This group meets once a week and gives us an opportunity to discuss practical applications of the sermon, talk about things that are happening in our lives, and pray together.
- In the spring of 2013, we went on a short term missions trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. We assisted with an English camp that occurred around Easter. We helped with a clothing giveaway for Central Asians. We visited an orphanage. And we connected with many international workers in St Petersburg.
Friends
- When you live far away from family it's important to have a strong support network. We are thankful for all of our friends who are like family. We enjoy extending hospitality and having friends over to the camp year round.
- We enjoyed having our friends Bella and Holt come and stay at the camp with us for a weekend. We went boating and hiking around the lake together.
Family
- Just prior to Thanksgiving, we were able to surprise Brent's side of the family. One of Brent's cousins, Christopher, along with his wife, Maureen, were in on the surprise. They picked us up at the airport and proceeded to drive us from place to place surprising different relatives. What a fun day that was! Then on Thanksgiving day, we were able to surprise those who had gathered for that event.
- In December, we went to Oregon and spent Christmas with Liz's side of the family. This was special, as we haven't spent many Christmases with Liz's family.
Fun Highlights
- Last April to July, we took care of an adorable black lab named Marley. Marley brought us a lot of joy with his crazy antics: digging, rolling in the snow, swimming in the lake (and in the process drinking half of it) and thoroughly enjoying everything he did. Aside from the porcupine incident (rest in peace, Mr. Porcupine), we had a great time with Marley. Marley was also a great asset with our summer camps. In addition to making a great camp mascot, wearing a Birchwood Camp t-shirt and carrying a pom pom, he also was very helpful with cheering up homesick campers.
- Last year for Liz's birthday, we decided to do something different. Instead of a traditional birthday party, we hosted a birthday square dance party for Liz and our friend Brian who's birthday is close to Liz's. We had a blast square dancing with the 30 or so guests. The highlight of the day for Liz had to be square dancing to the 80's hit song Safety Dance.
- This past summer we participated in the Dog Jog, a 5K fun run/walk. We borrowed Brig, our friend's dog and had a blast.
- Last August a rabbit showed up at the camp. Over time he has grown more comfortable around people. On a regular basis we feed him carrots, lettuce, oranges, peppers, etc. He even puts his front paws on our legs and allows us to pet him while he's eating!
- We've also enjoyed hiking. We finally had a chance to climb Mount Baldy!
- Another highlight from the past couple of years was ziplining through the forest of Talkeetna, Alaska.
- Over the past few years we've been exploring film possibilities. We're particularly interested in film crew (behind the scenes) opportunities. While we've had some experience in front of the camera as background extras (see the post from February 2012 and click on the following link): http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=519769254701194. Finding crew positions has proven to be an elusive process. There have been many films delayed due to weather, financial or legal issues. We would love to have a film experience, but after postponing travel plans and decisions on more than one occasion, we're learning not to put our life on hold for a film that may never happen. We are trusting that if God wants us to be involved in film in the future he will open up an opportunity at the right time. In the mean time we continue to enjoy watching films, especially ones with a well written storyline, amazing cinematography and a redemptive theme.
- In 2013 we went on a Prague ministry exploration trip (see blog posts from 2013 and 2014). We had an amazing trip and came away with a sense that God wanted us to continue exploring possible ministries we could be involved with in the Czech Republic. We are now back in the Czech Republic for about 3 weeks visiting with international workers and exploring different ministry opportunities. We'll see what God shows us over the next few weeks.
wow, this is awesome! i'm inspired by the ways you life fully and give the phrase "hoffman explorers" meaning!
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