Snow World

 This weekend was kind of busy for us.  Saturday we filled with errands, chores and just generally getting stuff done.

That left our Sunday wide open for a trip to the Netherlands or if you prefer French - Pays Bas.  Part of the country dips down between Belgium and Germany.  You can see it if you click here.   It is about a two hour drive from our house.

Our first stop were the Christmas Caves.  They will be another blog (perhaps tomorrow).

Then we ventured on to Snow World.  The men's group of the church sent an email out to organize this trip.  Not many came but we were glad we did.

Snow World is an indoor ski place.  There were a couple gentle slopes, an intermediate run, a snowboarding area and an "advanced run."  If you love skiing mountains, do not come here.  If you want to ski without wind and in a setting that is now overwhelming, Snow World is great.

Kyra had never skied before.  Now she has.  The bunny slope was perfect for her and it had a conveyor belt to move beginner skiers to the top which meant that she did not have to try to learn to use a rope tow or t-bar.

This is Allen (in the middle of the photo)

Kyle had been once before (14 years ago or more) and could not manage to stay vertical or make it up to the top of the bunny hill.  Now he has done so.

Not surprisingly, Allen is a natural skier.  He just loved having the opportunity to go fast.

I spent most of my time on the bunny hill with Kyle and Kyra (no lessons were available) but also worked in a couple of runs on the intermediate run.

I was pleased to discover that even though I haven't really skied in over 20 years (with the exception of one run down an intermediate slope 14 years ago), it all came back pretty quickly.

All in all not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Club Beyond

Allen and Kyra have been enjoying the student ministries of Club Beyond these past few months.  In some ways, Club Beyond is similar to many other fine student ministries offered in the US.  The kids are invited to come play some games and hear a biblically themed talk.  Later in the week they have an opportunity to gather for small group Bible study.

These gatherings involve food and silliness - a great draw for teens.  They also involve Jesus, Bible and time for prayer - also a draw for the teens of Club Beyond.

So the difference - well, we are in Europe.  Most of the Club Beyond kids are American, but not exclusively so.  There's an international flavor to the gatherings.  The ski trip to a ski resort within a day's drive, well it's in Austria.  The mission trip that will be in Romania.  Same ministry different setting.