There were three groups of young people in the Northwoods last week. Two groups of young ladies were in houses on the east and west side of the Wolf Lake. The young men stayed in the main lodge.
Holly told me an interesting story when she returned. On Friday night each of the groups built a fire on the shore and gathered around and sang. The groups could hear each other sing and see the fires from three points on the lake. …

Last Sunday night before our staff meeting at Headquarters the young ladies posed for a photo. They would leave on Monday morning for the Northwoods on a Journey to the heart. We wrote an article on the Journey to the Heart you can read on the IBLP web-site.
Here is more on the Journey to the Heart.

Holly is in the Northwoods leading a Journey to the Heart and living for the week on Duck Point. She called to tell me that she had heard the loons. From what she described she must have heard male and female loons.
“It is my fervent hope that a time will never come when storytellers will say, ‘Once upon a time there was a bird called a loon – ..’ but that grandparents will always be able to take their grandchildren to northern lakes and listen together to that …

Here is a treat I discovered on the ‘net. You will enjoy it. Click here and spend a half hour with the first guy I have ever known who had earned a Masters degree in Storytelling.
You might want to read about Tommy Oaks here.

I love my children deeply but there are times when I feel an emotional or spiritual distance like they are drifting a little out of reach. Sometimes one or both of us are distracted or busy. The distance may be the result of my own selfishness or irritability or hurt that steams from anger. Sometimes we will have a hurtful exchange or they may say, “You don’t understand,” or “You don’t listen.” I have been humbled often to realize that there were important things I just …

It is a beautiful morning. The air is fragrant with spring and this is the time of day when the birds sing in the huge white pines north of the house. I need an excuse to go out. Instead of brewing my own coffee, I jump in the car and drive the back way along Salt Creek to get a cup from McDonalds. One of the children has used my car. I try to keep it impeccably neat. It’s not at all new, but …

Wherever I go I keep an eye open for bookstores. Downtown Traverse City, Michigan has a unique book shop. The city is at the southern end of Grand Traverse Bay, at the south east base of the Leelanau Peninsula. One day in May a few years ago we were there for a few days on an outing with students. We had climbed the dunes and hiked the trials to enjoy breathtaking vistas of vast Lake Michigan. It was a perfect weekend, sunny and warm. …

Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday Morning
Today our Holly is 23 years old! The whole family is here for the Dad’s Conference so we were able to have our annual birthday breakfast together.

Indianapolis, Indiana
Friday Evening
Friday was set aside as a “Day of Delighting in the Lord.” Before dinner we had communion. The afternoon was filled with teaching, testimonies, confession, tears, and singing. After a day of fasting dinner was roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy – very, very good. (Hats of to Chef Grose and his staff).

Indianapolis Training Center
Friday Session:
Last night (Thursday) our family sang; “One Little Lost Lamb,” and Mr. Gothard interviewed myself and three of the children to encourage the dad’s who had assembled for the meeting. Mr. Gothard then spoke on things a father can do to bond with his sons and daughters. He gave all the men some books and a beautiful printed resource on how to write meaningful letters to each of your children.