The Cornerstone of Our Joy

Hello friends and family!

Well, we won’t have a white Christmas this year (unless you count the noonday sun glaring off the sand dunes) but we’re still excited to celebrate God’s goodness over the holiday season. He’s given us so much to be thankful for! Here’s a peek into a few of our blessings…

Camp News

The weather has cooled off, but the schedule has not. November saw several custom camps on property, including women’s retreats, men’s retreats, and family camps. Ironwood also sponsored a marriage retreat and a camp for young people who are interested in a life of ministry.

  During the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the staff gathered for our annual planning meetings. Sequoia Meadows was a big topic this year. Besides all of the planning and logistics that come with new property, it can be challenging to share resources and be enthusiastic about new opportunities when the new camp zone is so far away. Our staff is determined to be intentional about taking ownership of Sequoia Meadows.

The Barn project has begun with demolition of the interior, making way for new walls and floors to go in. There was another concrete pour for staff housing in our little ‘neighborhood’ by the shop area. The Longevity crew has been busy putting in the septic systems for these homes as well. It’s exciting to see the progress! (Although, having the skid-steer and dump truck drive past Rosie’s room every thirty minutes can make naptime challenging.)

Palkki News

Gabe’s work area remains a hornet’s nest of broken vehicles, shop upkeep, and camp prep conundrums. He helped Dylan replace the stand for the bulk diesel fuel tank as the old one had a few concerning dents in the framework. Two CV axles on different trucks went out during the same week, so he and his assistant got lots of practice with that particular repair. Gabe also helped with the second concrete pour and was scheduled for many program activities while campers were here.

I’ve been busy trying to keep Rosie fed, clean, and well-rested (with varying degrees of success.) My energy is returning to a normal level, and we’ve started to establish a routine at home. I was even able to have a couple of the ministry crew girls over for a movie night! Please pray that I will continue to have opportunities to build relationships in my new role as stay-at-home wife and mom!

Rosie is growing fast! She gained two inches over six weeks and has started pushing herself up when she’s on her tummy. Her happy place is being propped up on her daddy’s shoulder where she can see whatever is happening around her.  She sleeps through the night like a pro and loves to talk when she’s awake. We’re so thankful for our sweet, easy baby girl!

A few days ago, I was reading about Solomon’s dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7. Verse 3 shows the people’s reaction to God answering the king’s prayer. “When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshipped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, ‘For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”

The next day’s reading assignment was from the book of Ezra. Solomon’s temple had been destroyed as part of God’s punishment on the rebellious children of Israel. Now the few exiles who had returned to Jerusalem were laying the foundation for a new temple. “And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, ‘For He is good, for His steadfast love endure forever toward Israel.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and the Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout and the sound was heard far away.” (Ezra 3:11-13)

These two scenes represent the highest highs and the lowest lows in Israel’s history. In one, the people are celebrating God’s blessing on a temple that would be known as a wonder of the ancient world. In the other, their joy for a mere foundation is indistinguishable from their grief for everything they’ve lost.

Yet there is a striking common denominator in these two moments: For the LORD is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. The people realized that God’s goodness and His covenant love are the cornerstone of His character, no matter what their circumstances looked like.

During this holiday season, I’m challenged to remember Who God really is. In both the ecstasy of the incarnation and the anguish of the crucifixion, He is good and faithfully loving. I will praise Him for all the wonderful blessings He’s given our family and for all the hard times He’s brought us through- for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.

Love in Christ,

Gabe and Cheyenne (and Rosemary) Palkki

PS: Don't forget to check out the Gallery! I did try to restrain myself from posting too many baby pictures. Also, stop by the Pray page and get some fresh insight as you uphold our family and Ironwood in prayer!