The Update

Northwood Student Life proudly sponsors a child through Compassion International. Her name is Melanie, and she lives near the Pacific coast in Ecuador. Each month we have a “Bring Your Buck” Sunday where students are encouraged to bring at least 1 dollar toward her monthly adoption of $32. The proceeds all go to help Melanie get an education, receive food and healthcare, and learn about how much she is loved by Jesus! Pretty good for less than a cost of a soda, huh? So please bring a dollar this Sunday and get to either Jason Dyer (Senior High leader) or Luke Trouten (the bearded fury). It’s not that hard to change a life.

Leslee Sherk (Northwood’s Children’s Pastor) is looking for some help watching kids after church on February 24^th while the adults are at the Northwood Annual Meeting. If you can help out please e-mail me as soon as possible (luke.trouten@northwoodcc.org) or Leslee (leslee.sherk@northwoodcc.org) and let us know. Thanks!

The first survey from the NSL Homepage has come to a close. The question was, "What is your favorite Winter Activity. The results are in:

Sledding - 44%
Hot Chocolate - 33%
Ski/Snowboard - 12%
Build Snowmen - 11%
Hockey - 0% (Sorry Shane!)

The first promo video for the Becker Retreat has arrived! Check it out in all it's premiere-like goodness. This year's theme is "Go Deeper." (you'll want to pause the audio if you're listening online)

For more information or to sign up, head on over to: http://www.northwoodcc.org/292754.ihtml

Those hoping to hit the slopes this weekend will have to wait. With temps below zero and a wind chill of -30 degrees our U.P excursion has been called off. (By the way, if you added up the wind speed, plus how fast you go when you ski, it would be about -68 by the time you got to the bottom of the hill... you'd be a Popsicle... and maybe dead.)

We're hoping to plan another chance to ski in the next month or two, something like day trip to Afton Alps. When we've got the details all hammered out you'll be able to hear all about it on The Update.

Kudos to our very own Jess Anderson, Brian Hanson, Joe Kraemer, Bob Fiebranz, and Jason Dyer Snowflake for their loverly gesture to some kids in need of play. The 5 of them went to Mary's Place, a shelter in north Minneapolis and spent time playing with the kids. Unless you've tried it, it's hard to really understand the amazing amount of energy it takes to keep up, put up, and defend yourself with this crazy bunch of kids. So a tip o' the hat to you for making the Big Guy proud and living out what NSL is all about!

Welcome to 2008. Last year was a great one for us and a big fat thanks to each of you for your part in all the amazing success of what God is doing in and through Northwood Student Life. I'm really excited about what's ahead. 2008 promises to bring us:

• Our first all-youth mission trips
• Our first ski trip
  
• Even more growth in both age groups and the addition of even more amazing leaders
  
• The start of traditions, with second times at Spring Blitz, the Becker Retreat, and 30 Hour Famine, etc.
  
• And plenty of stuff we don't even know about yet