Saturday, December 18, 2010

Celebrate with Cinnamon Rolls


I love sharing meals. It's a unique opportunity to fellowship, to bring people together, to share in life, to experience the gift of community. Meals at Beyond are no exception. They are gifts, times when we all come together, regardless of our jobs, to share a meal. We enjoy being filled, not only with food, but also with fellowship. The dishes spread across the table are as diverse as those eating off of them, but all are united in their purpose: celebrating Christ.

As the cook this summer I had the joy of seeing this gift come together around the meals I made three times a day. It was powerful to witness the community of Acts 2:42-47 come to life in the faces gathered around the long table under the trees.

The Fellowship of the Believers
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Around the table at Beyond people brought coffee, blueberries, Tony's, chocolate, fruit, smiles, and stories to share. But most importantly, they brought themselves. Each person from a different place. Some having sat at the table longer than others, some there for the first time, some returning after many years. Yet for that meal we are all reminded that we are united in Christ, even when we are apart.

So, with joy I share with you a recipe from this summer. Each week on Saturday morning, there is a meal that is special because it is a celebration of another week of God's work in our lives and in our ministry, from basecamp to the mountains to the water. For this one meal each week we are all- every guide, every base camp staffer, every guest- together. It is a grander version of what every meal is. Its a feast, we sing, we share stories, and we rejoice together. Each week delicious cinnamon rolls made their way to the table early on Saturday morning, baked with love. I pray that you enjoy them as much as we did. While you devour the sweet cinnamon and lick the frosting from your fingertips, remember God's faithfulness. Celebrate it!
Celebration Breakfast Cinnamon Rolls (from Uprisings: Today's Classic
Baking Book)
1 1/3 cups Warm Water
2TBSP Yeast
1/4 cup Honey
4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup dry milk
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
Sprinkle yeast on water and stir in 1/4 cup honey. Allow to bubble up. While waiting, measure and stir together dry ingredients. Crack the eggs and beat them well in a separate bowl. Stir in the flour, dry milk and salt into the sponge, until it begins to look evenly balled-up. Add eggs. Mix or knead until it looks even then add oil in a steady trickle. Keep mixing to get oil evenly distributed-doughwill be tacky. (Keep total mixing time around 5 min to prevent dough from getting tough) Turn dough into an oiled bowl. Shape quickly into a compact ball. Cover and allow to rise 30min or so. Meanwhile melt butter and whip with honey. When dough is puffy, don't punch it down. Roll out on a table, shaping it into an even log withyour hands, until close to desired length. Then roll out 20-22'' wide with a rolling pin or other cylinder (like a bottle). Dough should be about 1/3'' thick. Pour a small amount of whipped butter and honey over the length of the dough and spread it until it is a thin film, set the rest aside for thetopping.Sprinkle with cinnamon and raisins. Roll dough up into a log again, trying to wind it upfirmly and evenly. Cut log into 3/4" wide slices and place in oiled pans. Let rise in a warm, moistplace until they begin to fill the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes til they are golden. Take out and pour leftover honey butter over the top. Enjoy with friends and family!

Elisa served for two years as a guide for our Sea Kayaking program, where she also provided excellent meals for the whole crew in Egmont. She had so much fun she came back
for another summer to try her hand at feeding the hungry mob up the inlet. We are so thankful she did. We left every
meal with our stomachs full and our taste buds satisfied. Her
cinnamon rolls are truly legendary.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Trips, Trips, Trips!


Thanksgiving may be just around the corner but now is the time to start planning your next Beyond trip. We are currently taking reservations for Summer 2011. Both our sea kayaking and mountain programs are filling up quickly so book today to guarantee the week that works best for you. Check out our schedule below and then click here to get started.



Hiking Dates


Week #

Dates

Status

1

June 25- July 2

1 Spot Available

2

July 2- July 9

3 Spots Available

3

July 9- July 16

Wait List Only

4

July 16- July 23

2 Spots Available

5

July 23- July 30

1 Spot Available

6

July 30- August 6

1 Spot Available

7

August 6- August 13

2 Spots Available

8

August 13- August 20

5 Spots Available

9

August 20- August 27

tentatively scheduled



Sea Kayaking Dates


Week #

Dates

Status

1

June 27- July 3

Open

2

June 29- July 6

Waitlist Only

3

July 4- July 10

Open

4

July 6- July 13

Open

5

July 11- July 17

Open

6

July 13- July 20

Open

7

July 18- July 24

Waitlist Only

8

July 20- July 27

Waitlist Only

9

July 25- July 31

Open

10

July 27- August 3

Waitlist Only

11

August 1- August 7

Open

12

August 3- August 6

Waitlist Only

13

August 8- August 14

Open

14

August 10- August 17

Waitlist Only

15

August 15- August 21

Open

16

August 17- August 24

Open

17

August 22- August 28

Open

Monday, November 15, 2010

Staff Profiles!

We have a new feature on our blog, staff profiles! Just click on the tab labeled "Meet our Staff" for bios of Beyonders past and present. Get a glimpse of what brought them to Beyond and gain some insight into a summer in base camp, on the water, and in the mountains. We'll keep a rotating line up of different people from different positions and different years so keep coming back. Enjoy.

 We’re hiring for next summer. If you like what you see and want to join us click here for more information and an application.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Oh the Things We Learn



A big THANK YOU to all who participated in Beyond this past summer! Last week, Jenny (Head cook, 2008 and Guide, 2009-2010) went through all of your participant evaluations to see what you had to say about your week long adventure. It is truly amazing the impact that God has made in each one of you. One of the questions that you were asked was, “What did you learn from your trip that you can use in situations back home?”

Here is what you said:
  • “I learned about perseverance. And that God rewards those who faithfully persevere. There were so many times I wanted just to go home but I knew I had to keep going and it was so worth it in the end.”
  • “God has provided people in my life that will help me even when I won’t help myself.”
  • “So much – I can’t write it all down. But I am going to reach out, pray about and follow God in my community of women.”
  • “I learned to take initiative while serving others. And I really learned how to love others sacrificially.”
  • “God will never leave or forsake me, ever! And because of that, I can take on whatever comes my way with God.”
  • “Life can be lived wonderfully and simply.”
  • “It’s okay to ask questions and still be a believer.” 
  • “I feel better in knowing a group of teenage Christian girls because normally I feel very alone.
  • “I learned to pursue people the way God wants to pursue me. I want to allow people to see more of me, and open up.”
  • “I learned what is actually important in life. I learned tolet go of things, including pent up emotions and insecurities. I learned to seek answers, to learn peoples’ stories before judging them, to forgive…and so much more.”
  • “The entire climb paralleled life for me and all its challenges. So I will always use the strength I learned here in life.”
  • “God is faithful and it takes me deciding that I am just going to keep walking through the crap till I get in the clear and see God.”
  • “The trip had me reflect on what I believe, question God’s existence and love, learn why I want to be a Christian, and learn about Christ-centered relationships.” 
  • “There is so much beauty in the scars because they are an integral/joyful part of the journey.” 
  • “Nothing will be as challenging back home as climbing mountains.”
Thanks for sharing with us, and thank you for everything you taught us this summer!

Monday, October 18, 2010

BEYOND'S ARTISTS: Featuring Steven Gnam

Steven Gnam started taking photographs as an eight year old. In high school photography grew into a media that allowed him to share God’s Spirit revealed to him through creation while exploring the woods and mountains of his native Western Montana. Steven served as a mountain guide from 2005-2007, where he also met his wife Aly.  Meeting Aly, broadened the scope of Steven’s lens to Seattle and then to Guatemala where he worked with Agros International photographing the day to day life of the families in various Agros sponsored villages. Back in Montana, Steven works with conservation magazines and other organizations. His current focus is working on a book sharing conservation issues in the Northern Rockies, telling the interrelated stories of Grizzly bears, the Whitebark Pine and other species. To see more of his work please visit, http://www.stevengnamphotography.com/.


Here is some of his shots from his years at Beyond:
Mountains above the Jervis.
Mt. Pearkes from Beyond Heaven.
Hiking to Kingdom Come.

 A few of Steven's photographs from his time in Montana. 
Cottonwood leaves and dew drops.

Aly Dimmit-Gnam in the Mission Mountains Wilderness.

Grizzly sow and cub standing up for a better view.

Yellow-Headed Blackbird singing at sunset.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM


Forty years ago Beyond Malibu was born out of the idea of going beyond the resort camp setting into the rugged outdoors where more situations exist that afford the opportunity to go beyond one’s self physically, mentally and spiritually.

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to take 9 teenage guys from Birmingham on the Beyond Malibu backpacking expedition into the rugged Western Canadian Coast Mountains surrounding the Princess Louisa Inlet in British Colombia. The trip was by far one of the most relationally enriching experiences I have ever encountered in my time pursuing kids with the extravagant love of Jesus Christ.

At the end of our trip, I huddled the guys together and asked, "Can you imagine trying to do what we did without our guides to lead us through the mountains?" They emphatically responded, "No way, we would never have made it!" I then replied, "Fellas, life itself is a rugged wilderness and Jesus Christ says, 'Follow me.'"

May we follow Him together in this grand adventure, pressing on, full of hope and abundant love. Thank you for supporting this mission and allowing trips like this to exist.

Much Love,
Jason Zinn

Birmingham Young Life
Alabama

"That you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever." Psalm 48:13-14

Friday, September 24, 2010

BEYOND'S ARTISTS: Featuring Brandon Sawaya

It is no secret that Beyond is a beautiful place. After sifting through thousands of photographs taken throughout the last four decades, we have found it takes considerable talent to capture the essence of Beyond in a photograph. In the next few weeks we're going to highlight a few artists that have spent some time at Beyond in the mountains or on the water. Take a look at Beyond (and more) through their lenses.
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Brandon Sawaya is a professional photographer with a BA in Photography. He specializes in (but is not limited to) outdoor lifestyles and lives actively by rafting and swimming in scenic rivers, trekking trails and guiding at Beyond Malibu. Brandon lives in Redmond, WA with his wife Alaina (also a Beyond guide) and spends most of his time snapping shots and honing his skills in the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.  Brandon will be back at Beyond for his second summer of guiding in 2011.  Here are a few of his shots:

A beyond trip climbs the JJ Glacier Moraine.


Rope Teams on the JJ Glacier.
Jeff gets his summit ridge stoke!
Sea Kayaking in the Princess Louisa Inlet.
A Beyond group and the sunrise over the Princess Louisa.

A light ride!
Check out his website to see more of his work.

Website: http://www.sawayaphotography.com
Blog: http://sawayaphotography.com/blog/