Kristy's acceptance speech

Kristy's Apple Nomination

A Summer of Firsts

Where to start? So much has happened in the past 4 months and I have been so busy having fun and experiencing things for the first time that I haven't taken the time to stay on top of the journaling. These are just a few of the highlights.


This summer was the FIRST time I ever...

1. worked in an all male environment
Nate, Andy, Lee and Mike
we were suppose to be climbing but winter came back in Late May

2. heard so much talk of burping, farting, and pooping (mostly around the dinner table)

3. Tent camped in the snowy wilderness with 7 men and no women.

4. Carried 35 -40 lbs on my back while hiking.

5. Saw snow at the end of May.

6. Cooked dinner in the blowing snow.

7. Bought 3 jackets in 1 summer and used everyone of them in June (rain, softshell, and fleece)

8. Mountain Biked on a single track.

9. Fell head over heels in love with a sport (rock climbing).

Climbing at Split Rock

10. Hiked in the Dark ( we were on the trail by 4 am and passed a group that started four hours earlier than us. :p

11. Slept in a tent for 75 days straight.

12. Spent more than $50 on a pair of shoes (hiking boots=$160) Gulp!!!

13. Lived so freely or so happily with so little.

14. Worked so hard while playing and
Played so hard while working.

15. Laughed so much at myself and been made fun of so often.

16. Been compared to THE HULK ( I know I am Incredible but apparently I turn gree and veins start popping when the salsa runs out before the chips do)

17. Been so happy being single.

18. Been a sister-in-law (my brother got married in July to Angelica)

Josh and Angelica Henderson

19. Sprained my ankle so badly I had to go to the ER to make sure it wasn't broken.

the day after my unfortunate climb

20. And last but not least...

This is the first time I have ever felt guily for having so much fun while working.

You Caught me!

I love this job

I can not believe that I am getting paid to do all these fun things. These are things that I have wanted to do or try for years and now in my mid thirties I am finally doing them. No...this is not a mid-life crisis, because you have to be old to have a mid life crisis and I am NOT old.

This summer I am working with Andy Lathrop (current outdoor program leader), Mike McKean(Andy's replacement), Nate Sayre, Lee Fenzel, and MG Speise. Caitlyn Riley will be joining us later in June. The end of May was devoted to training before the students started arriving the 2nd of June. The training was a bit spotty as the weather was very uncooperative.

Lee, Andy, and Nate in various stages of FROZEN

We went on a trek up Mt Antero May 28th and were suppose to peak on May 30th, returning to Spring Canyon on the 31st. We got only as far as high base camp on the 29th and encountered snow and wind gusts that made for very cold conditions. We woke up the morning of the 30th and decided against trying to peak. So we turned around and came back a day early. Very sad but still a good time.

Mike tries to keep warm

MG finds the perfect backdrop for his posing

Vacation without Pictures

This was probably the most disappointing aspect of my vacation.

On the 1st of April I headed out of Colorado, my bags packed with mostly summer clothes. I was on my way to Phoenix via New Mexico. My camera has become an absolute necessity when packing however I forgot to charge the battery before I left, I also forgot the charger. Sooooo....the only picture I was able to take before it wouldn't turn on no more is of this little beauty.

Tiffanie Russell and brand new baby Megan Russell.

I was in Phoenix visiting my friend Jessica Caughey and her husband Matt. While I was there I got to spend an afternoon with another really good friend Tiffanie Russell. Tiffanie just delivered Megan 3 weeks ago. She is absolutely gorgeous, just like her big sister Molly and her big brother David. I am so glad that I got to spend some time with them.

Jessica and I had some really good conversations. It was good to be able to get caught up and have some face to face time with her. Phone calling is not my favorite form of communication as many of you know.

I flew back to Albuquerque and came "home" to Carrie and Tim King's house. I stayed with them for 4 days and got to be Aunt Karen again. The hardest part of moving away from Albuquerque is that I am so far away from Carrie and the kids. Tim, this is for you...I miss you too!

This was a week that was sorely needed for me. I am so thankful that God has put so many people into my life that I can spend months apart from and then just pick up where we left off. I really value these deep friendships that dive right into the heart of things.

On a funny final note...
On April 1st(April Fool's Day) I stopped at the Buena Vista 7-11 to get a SLURPEE (SLURPEEs make me HAPPEE!) on my way to Albuquerque and I found out that Anna Nichole died! No Way! The amazing thing is that she has been dead for like 6 weeks and I had no idea. I really am isolated out here in the BV boonies. I have since made MSN my homepage so that just in case Jesus comes back I don't miss it.

The Telescope of God's Word

A question posed by a friend has caused me to sit and ponder. The question…”Can God’s character by revealed through any other method better than through His word?”

For the one who has accepted Christ as their Savior the Word of God is the best source for revelation of God’s character. I mean really, it IS the Word of I AM. The Bible is His declaration of who He is. But for the unbeliever, we believers are most often the best reflection of God’s character.

God’s word is like a telescope that brings the magnitude of God’s character into focus for those of us who are willing to bend (our wills) over and look through the lens. After we have looked we are changed, our eyes are opened to the greatness of Someone bigger than ourselves. We should naturally want to share these discoveries with those around us. Those stiff-necked people who are unwilling to look up (look at creation) or bend over to look through the telescope (the Bible) may only hear or see God revealed through us who have been given and accepted the gift of the telescope.

So there may not be a better way for God’s character to be revealed than through His word, but…there is certainly creation that shouts of His glory and proclaims His character to those who are willing to look. And we too are His creation – God’s character is revealed through us to the world around us when we respond in the new nature that has been given to us on the day we accepted Christ. “We may be the only Jesus(God) that they see”.

Rocky Mountain High

Spring is coming to the Colorado Mountains. Woohoo! The snow is melting and the mud is getting deeper and deeper. Signs of the changing season are popping out all over the place. The aspens are budding, butterflies are floating around, prairie dogs are running across the road, and yesterday a ladybug was sunning herself on my windshield. She brought a smile to my face.

I wake up each morning amazed that God has placed me in this awesome place. I feel like my eyes are slowly being brought into focus. My appreciation of all God has created is growing moment by moment here in these Colorado Rockies. I seem to always be pulling out my camera trying to capture a glimmer of the beauty surrounding me. Winter, in my opinion was the ugliest of all seasons but my thinking was revised this year as I found wonder in this winterland.
Summer is rapidly approaching. Oh boy, Oh boy am I looking forward to this summer. Last summer was a dream come true. I loved serving up here at Spring Canyon as the Young Women's Staff Leader, there were so many challenges but twice as many rewards. This year I will pass the baton on and allow someone else to experience the joy and suffering. Instead, I will be working with Spring Canyon's outdoor ministry, Rocky Mountain High. http://www.springcanyon.org/rmh/rmh.htm

Rocky Mountain High (RMH) is an outdoor adventure program that is specifically designed for cadets, midshipman and junior officers from all military services, but is open to anyone desiring to learn more about Biblical leadership. RMH focuses on Biblical principles and the character of Jesus as prime examples for leadership. RMH is a unique program designed to impart to future officers the desire and ability to exalt Jesus Christ within the military community.

It is a great program and I am excited that I will be a part of it this summer. I will be serving in Logistics, something that I believe will suit me well. I can operate in the background and make sure everything runs smoothly, exactly what I love doing. This is also going to be a key summer for our RMH program as our current Outdoor Program Director, Andy Lathrop, will be leaving after the summer is over. We may also be welcoming in his replacement (whom is yet to be determined). What that means is that this summer will be extremely busy. I love busy!






Things to pray for:

Andy and Kristy Lathrop - that God will go before them lining up jobs, a house, a church, and friends.

The new Outdoor Program Director - that he and his family will fit into our Spring Canyon family, that the move out here will be smooth and that the transition will almost seamless.

Volunteers and Staff - That God will be putting together a team that will bring glory to Him. That their hearts will be prepared to serve selflessly, each other and the guests that will be coming.

Guests coming to Spring Canyon - that they will come, feel at home, and be able to relax from the strains of serving in the armed forces. That God will use the time up here to rejuvenate them and prepare them for the work He has set before them.