So here’s what we know about what happened when Ben wrecked last Tuesday…

Basically, he was riding his mountain bike here at the Ranch & fell, probably losing consciousness for a little bit. He had a pretty good concussion and doesn’t remember much about going for a ride, and definitely doesn’t remember the wreck or how he got home. He walked home w/ his bike & I was at home when he got there (praise the LORD!) We watched him for about an hour, but he was still having some pretty strong amnesia, so after talking to our doctor, we decided to take him to the ER for a CT scan. Everything came back fine (no bleeding, etc.) so they released him. We followed up with our doctor the next morning and basically just need to keep watching for any neurological differences from the concussion (even months from now), but other than that, he’s just bruised up and really sore. We’re guessing from what we can gather that he went over the handlebars and hit his head/neck/shoulder pretty hard. Praise God he was wearing his helmet!! (which has a decent-sized crack in it now).

There are lots of things I’m praising God for in this situation….the helmet, that he walked himself home, that I was home when he came in (I had just gotten back home from being at class), that we have close friends and family to help us out (and sit w/ me at the hospital!)

Unfortunately we don’t really know what happened (or even exactly where it was)…and we may never find out…which is kind of strange. But we are also marveling at the human body and it’s ability to protect itself and heal. (and walk itself home, even when it doesn’t know what’s going on.)

This is a picture of my brain, and it is all healthy. I got to have this nice picture of my brain taken because the nice doctor at the emergency room wanted to make sure that my brain was not broken in half. (well…thats sort of how i imagine it at least). A few days ago i was riding my mountain bike and crashed, then walked home, then beth took me to the emergency room. I don’t remember any of this, which is really strange….overall there is a 3 or 4 hour chunk of time that i don’t remember. I’m fine now, i just have some big bruises and sore muscles, and a broken bike helmet (which is better then a broken brain). Thank you all who have been praying and checking up on me! I appreciate it!

one last picture…see no broken bones!

Yesterday when I mentioned “torrential downpours”…I meant it. Our quiet little picturesque creek turned into mighty floodwaters yesterday. It started raining on Monday night & didn’t stop until early Wednesday morning. Here are the results…

This is looking from the Dining Hall over the swimming area. The sidewalk along the creek is where that utility pole is.

This is a shot looking over to the island where the Ropes Course is. You can see the barge floating in the middle of the creek over on the left. The grove of trees is where the island starts. If your eyes are good, you can see the climbing wall right in the middle of the trees.

For some reason I signed up for another e-mail account today.  I have plenty already.  The total is 6.  Why?  Why did I do that?  Why do I feel the need to have so many?  I don’t even use them all!!

In other news, our good friend Kelly got married yesterday.  It was a nice ceremony…short & sweet & fun.  Ben was a very handsome best man.  And we celebrated our 5 year engagement anniversary yesterday.  We’re not big on celebrating little anniversaries usually, but since our engagement happened to be on St. Patty’s Day, it’s easy to remember.    We usually celebrate with fondue and a hike (which is what we did the day we got engaged.)  This year we’re postponing the celebratory hike/fondue until Saturday when we’re not under torrential downpours.

He wouldn’t necessarily tell you this, but Ben designed the logo for our 50th anniversary celebration.  Didn’t he do a great job? 

New Life Ranch is celebrating our 50th year…its amazing to think that this place has existed for that long, and to see the legacy that has developed.

We are going to have a big celebration on August 2, and you are all invited. The event is free, but we do want to know how many people will be coming. There is an online registration form at www.newliferanch.com. It will only take a minute or two to sign up. If you are in contact with people (or just run into somebody) who has been to NLR in the past please let them know about the August 2 celebration!

It has been really cool looking at a bit of the history of NLR over the last several months. I ran across a quote by Willard Heck, the founder of NLR. He wrote this just as he was starting the camp:

“I try to realize the scope of this undertaking and a momentary fear sweeps over me. The promise of God to accomplish what He begins encourages me. He is leading; we must follow. At no time have we urged Kellems to our terms. He has made all offers.

There must be many places ahead when we will feel that we should turn back from so great a responsibility. We must walk in the light of this day knowing that our tomorrows will produce their own light. Our God will lighten the way even as he has done in all of our yesterdays. God grant that my faith will not waiver and that we shall be more then conquerors though Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It is amazing how he had a huge vision for this place, of what it could become, and at the same time he trusted God every day for what that day had. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing legacy!