2011-10-10

Cook's Short Order Update

Genesis 1:11 "Then God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them'; and it was so."

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." R.W.Emerson. Isn't God amazing?!

Prayer:
1. Upcoming retreats this month - that we will be a blessing to our guests

2. Creation Conference at Whispering Winds Bible Camp - Oct. 21-22 - that God will give Dr. Mitchell clear communication

3. Faithfulness in home, church, ministry

Praise:
1. Souls being saved in our church

2. Spiritual growth in our family

3. Our kids being excited about serving

4. Nate's school bill is taken care of through September

Our current regular monthly support is about 50%. Thank you for being faithful partners with us!

Bruce
for Michelle (gorgeous to the end), Bryan (21), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (12), Seth (9)

Outdoor Education Director
Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO 65449

2011-10-03

Cook's Short Order Update

Genesis 1:10 "God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good."

"Men, like rivers become crooked by following the line of least resistance." Edvard Raasted. "God, help me and my family always be brave." Bruce

Prayer:
1. Upcoming Creation Conference, Oct. 21-22. Dr. Tommy Mitchell of AiG is our speaker.
2. Faithfulness in whatever God asks of us.
3. For continued faithful prayer and financial support. For those who support us now, "Thank you!", from our hearts.
4. For each of us (Bruce, Michelle, Bryan, Nate, Caleb, Kaitie, Seth) to look more like Jesus each day.

Praise:
1. God's Holy Spirit!
2. Good very first LOG Cabin School classes the last two weeks.
3. For our kids who are blessing us with their lives! God has been so good to us!

Bruce
for Michelle (gorgeous to the end), Bryan (21), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (12), Seth (9)

Outdoor Education Director
Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO 65449

2011-09-13

Cook's Short Order Update

Genesis 1:9 "Then God said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." Astronomer Robert Jastrow.

A trip to West Virginia a couple weekends ago included dropping Nate off at Appalachian Bible College ("thank you God, for such a fine place to leave our son!"), a couple hours with Bryan, a visit with our sending church, Mount Tabor Baptist Church, and several very short visits with others in the area. It was very tough leaving Nate, both for us and for him, but God gives us these precious gifts only for a time. Thank you God!

Prayer:
1. Trip to a new church in Indiana this weekend.
2. Need for General Director and Camp Program Director for Bible Impact Ministries.
3. Our home school has picked up again.

Praise:
1. Nate is safely at ABC
2. Breath in our lungs
3. Some awesome family times
4. Seth is excited to be learning in his science class about the universe God created.
5. Michelle and I got to take off for a couple days for our 25th anniversary (Thank you!).

Bruce
for Michelle (gorgeous to the end), Bryan (21), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (12), Seth (9)

Outdoor Education Director
Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO 65449

2011-08-23

Cook's Short Order Update

"The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more." (Ralph Waldo Emerson). I don't know Mr. Emerson's stand before God, but regardless, even the tree should make us stand in wonder at the God Who created them.

We have learned that some of you may be getting notified several times for each update we send out. We apologize for this. We just began using Facebook Group so you may be getting our update through email, our Facebook Page (Cooks at Whispering Winds Bible Camp), and our Facebook Group (Friends of the Cooks). Who knows, you may also be getting notified by our blog and twitter and the neighbor's dog.

If you would like to be dropped from our list in any way let us know.

Prayer:
1. Very busy schedule ahead
2. Drop off Nate at ABC
3. Visit our sending church in West Virginia this week (Mount Tabor Baptist Church) and potential supporting church in Indiana in September.
4. Need for General Director for Bible Impact Ministries.
5. Labor Day Celebration and Scholarship Benefit Auction.
6. Our home school starts after Labor Day.

Praise:
1. Nate going to ABC
2. Breath in our lungs
3. Some awesome family times
4. Time for Dad and Nate backpacking

Bruce
for Michelle (gorgeous to the end), Bryan (20), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (12), Seth (9)

Outdoor Education Director
Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO 65449

2011-08-08

Cook's Short Order Update
Genesis 1:7 - "God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so."

"If you could hear the voices in the wind, what secrets might you hear from distant lands?"

This summer was one of stretching, growth, and waiting on the Lord. Your prayers have been invaluable to us. Thank you! Summer Camp is done but we are already busy with plans for our Labor Day Celebration, a Creation Conference scheduled for late October, retreats, rentals, and travel. Man, I'm tired already just thinking about it.

If you receive the BIM Newsletter (quarterly) you will read about our new outdoor education program. It has a name: Whispering Winds LOG Cabin School. You will continue to hear about this in the coming months. As we speak we are also working on web pages and other avenues to use this tool to serve you.

Nate is making plans to be at Appalachian Bible College by the end of this month. We are so excited about what God has ahead for him. Caleb will be the new man of the house whenever Mom and Dad are out. We are proud of how God is growing these young men. Kaitie and Seth are growing in their walks with God and we love to watch them progress toward Jesus Christ.

Current support level - approx. 50%

God has been gracious to us. We praise Him for His care for us this summer.

Bruce
for Michelle, Bryan (20), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (12), Seth (9)

Outdoor Education Director
Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO 65449

2011-06-10

"Then God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." Genesis 1:6

"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." - Frank Lloyd Wright. The problem is too many people would agree with Mr. Wright. How very very sad.

Camp has started. Last week was Summer Staff training. We started with a small fire on Sunday as Camp Crew arrived, a mix up on cabin assignments on Monday, late additions to the camper attendance, a fight midweek. I have been filling the role of Program Director so most of this fell to me to deal with. God was gracious and helped us through.

We had a great time training, teaching, learning to love our staff. They are wonderful people and are making this ministry run smoothly. This week is our first Junior Resident and Teen Wilderness camps. Almost done and getting ready for next week: Junior Wilderness and Teen Resident.

The days are long now and Michelle and I are both working long hours. Nate and Caleb are working hard as Counselor and Camp Crew. Please pray for Kaitie and Seth as we are separated much. It is becoming hard on them.

Good news!!:
So far 5 have accepted Christ as their Savior this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Current Support level: approx 50%.

Thank you for sticking with us,

Bruce, Michelle (brains and beauty of the outfit), Bryan (20), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (12), Seth (8)

Outdoor Education Director
Summer Staff Supervisor

Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO
573-265-7445

2011-05-24

Cook's Short Order Update

"God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day." Genesis 1:5

"Rivers and rocks and trees have always been talking to us, but we've forgotten how to listen." - Michael Roads

Nate is now gradumatated! Last Saturday Nate gave his first formal speech and sang a song he wrote while playing the guitar. By God's grace he did awesomely on both accounts! Bruce gave the charge to the graduates (forgot his reading glasses so there was a panic moment when he got to the platform).

About a week ago Bruce completed his Open Water Rescue Lifeguard training and is working on his CDL this week. He and Jake (Wilderness Program Director) are working hard to get the Climbing Wall ready and the schedule ready Staff Orientation Week.

Bruce just learned today that he has been appointed to the New Harmony Christian Academy School Board. Pray for wisdom as he serves.

Caleb, Kaitie and Seth are very excited... another school year is done, so this means endless hours outside exploring God's wonderful Creation.

Speaking of summer, Michelle's responsibilities will increase a bunch this summer as we are short-staffed. Bruce will be acting as Program Director most weeks so Michelle will be the Camp Crew Supervisor. Pray for stamina and wisdom. Pray for Kaitie and Seth as this means they will need to share Mom a little more this summer. Please pray that as this summer unfolds God will help Michelle and Bruce be great parents.

Thank you for sticking with us,

Bruce (can poor concrete), Michelle (brains and beauty of the outfit), Bryan (20), Nate (19), Caleb (15), Kaitie (11), Seth (8)

Outdoor Education Director
Summer Staff Supervisor

Whispering Winds Bible Camp
St. James, MO
573-265-7445