Big Success!

2nd Annual Compass Wilderness Climb-a-thon a Big Success!

A huge thank you to all of those who were a part of the event this year, making it tons bigger and better than last. Fourteen climbers braved the cold and joined us, each climbing their heart out. As a total, we climbed exactly 20, 000feet, as a point of reference, we almost climbed the elevation of Denali, at 20,320 feet it is the highest point in North America! In one hour! We were tired.

We were able to raise over $5,000 thanks to our climbers who diligently sought supporters like you. Thank You!

A few pats on the back, and thank you’s:

Andy Chasteen and Shane Seaton led the pack, climbing an amazing 2,800 feet! They were closely followed by Jason Pawley who climbed 2,750 feet. Nice job guys!

Shane Seaton led the way with fundraising this year, raising over $1,500.

We also had a few corporate sponsorships that deserve some mention, Summit Graphics and American Glass Company.

Approach Creative provides a professional and creative appearance to all kinds of projects, including our flyers and posters for the climb-a-thon. They did a great job on it, then wouldn’t let me pay for it. To top it off, they raised support and participated in the climb-a-thon. Thanks Jason Pawley!

American Glass Company is an Oklahoma City mobile glass company that has specialized in glass installation for cars and trucks since 1973. I can honestly say that I know of no other secular company that takes more pride in their work, and takes every opportunity to care for those they come in contact with. They are a true example of taking their faith into the workplace with grace and love.

Thanks to everyone involved, I am already looking forward to this event next year!

Last of all, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin our busy Spring season. We have hundreds of young people joining us on trips, we fully intend on it being a life changing experience for them!

Steven

2nd Annual Climb-a-thon This Week!

Hello everyone, it is time for the second annual Compass Wilderness Climb-a-thon! Many of you have already heard about the event, and are even participating, but to make sure we cover our bases, here’s a quick rundown of the event:

Friday evening at 6:00, several climbers will converge at Rocktown Climbing Gym in Oklahoma City. Each person has gained pledges from supporters who either are contributing per vertical foot climbed, or at a predetermined rate. Each climber will climb for one hour straight (very tiring!!!) just as much as they can. Then, next week, they will collect the pledges from their supporters.

It is a really fun event to be a part of, and I would love it if any of you who aren’t climbing could come out and encourage the climbers. I also encourage you to show your support by pledging to one of the climbers participating!

Here’s a list of this years climbers:

Michael Foster
Vanessa Sherk
Shane Seaton
Erich Schwinn
Steven Charles
Andy Chasteen
Shannon Chasteen
Jason Pawley
Lisa Gerber
Kyle Cooper
John Oxford
Chris Cochran
Brett Olson
Dustin Ragland

If you want to contribute to one of these climbers, you can contact me through email, or by phone and I will get you hooked up with the climber you would like to support!

My email is: steven@compasswilderness.com

Phone number is – 405-487-7795

Thanks for your support, here’s to a great event!

Steven

Happy Valentines Day!

Well here we are on the loveliest day of the year. Everyone who is a part of a couple is making plans to compete with the crowded restaurants or buying a gift that says I love you. Guys, remember, nothing says I love you like $72 roses that die in two days. I’ve talked with several people who are trying to do something original and creative and some who have developed some traditions in their relationships that they will celebrate together. All good stuff, all showing the love.

I listened to a couple last night who was in their 70s who were on a panel, answering questions to a group of expectant parents. This little old man was passionate about his wife. I mean seriously in love with her. He talked about things they did to protect the honor of their marriage and things they did to keep communication open. But his wife mentioned one thing that I have a feeling was the biggest of all for them. She told of how she still, after 41 years of marriage will find little notes from him around the house, in her purse, or wherever she would be sure to find them, that told her in little snippets that he loved her. Answering a question about why love gets better over time, he said, “Let each other know how much you love the other, and do it often. It is vital to our relationships. Communication, to be sure is the proving ground for love, but showing our love on a regular basis is vital to the health of our relationships.” Another man on the panel said that their relationship took a turn for the better when he learned to speak “womanese.” He said she came in the kitchen one day as he was putting away dishes and gave him a slap on the rear and said, “you’re never sexier than when you’re doing the dishes.” He found out what she loved….he did a lot more dishes from there on out.

As you are doing Valentine’s Day stuff, is it awkward to anyone else that you aren’t romantic or particularly thoughtful more often? This could be an issue I’m alone on, but somehow I doubt it. I have this self-critical feeling that it’s great to show Kinsey this one day how special she is, but not so good that it is in such contrast to the normal days. That after all is what she fell in love with, me being totally in love with her and spending my time and energy showing her. That after all, is what she deserves.

Let’s take Valentine’s Day this year as a New Years of sorts for our love. We make resolutions at the New Year to do this or that, lose weight, go back to school, pay off the car, whatever. Let’s use Valentine’s Day, instead of just a day to show our love for one another, as a renewal of our love, a spark, a setting of a new direction.

I keep coming back to this passage where the Pharisees were asking Jesus what the most important commandment was, and he says to love your God and love your neighbor as yourself, on these hang all of the law. It’s such an awesome insight, everything we are commanded to do is based out of love for each other and love for God. It is such a beautiful picture of how we are to relate to one another and the importance of it. Love each other today and always.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Steven