Natalie
Natalie is 13 years old.  Natalie’s birthday is March 24th.  Natalie is sweet and sensitive and can be very shy, especially in new situations.  Natalie loves to draw and read.

47 Comments

  1. Gretchen Burk

    Hey there Natalie…..my name is Gretchen & I am so happy and blessed that I get to be one of your prayer partners! In just a few days you will be headed to camp and I am so totally excited & thrilled for you. Camp is one of my most favorite things on planet earth! I’m serious. I have been going to camp since I was in 3rd grade! It really is one of the highlights of my life, so far. Camp memories are some of the BEST memories! Camp friends are some of my very best friends…even to this day! Camp songs are some of the BEST songs…and campfires are really the best kind of fires! I wish I could go back and do it all again…for real. God works in mighty ways at camp and I cannot wait to see Him move and works in your life! Do you think I can fit in your backpack? LOL.
    Oh yes…I forgot…I am a 1st grade teacher in Allendale and am married to a football coach/math teacher and we have 2 kids, Owen & Emma.
    Looking forward to connecting with you & praying for you, Natalie!
    Can’t wait,
    Gretchen

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Thanks. I will be thinking about you a lot at camp!

      Reply
  2. Gretchen

    Praying for you today as you prepare and pack for camp, Natalie! Packing up and heading away for the week can make us feel a little nervous and anxious….but I’m also praying for excitement and anticipation. You got this! Deep breaths! So much fun is coming your way! Can’t wait to hear all about it!

    Reply
  3. Gretchen

    IT’S TIME! woo hooo….enjoy this week of adventure, friends, fun and Jesus!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      I will, thank you!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  4. Sara VanderVeen

    Hey Nat we hope you are having a wonderful first day at camp. We are so proud of you and can’t wait to hear all about it!

    Love,

    Mom, Dad & Landon ♥

    Reply
  5. Natalie

    I had a very amazing day! I climbed the rock wall!!

    Reply
    • Steve

      We actually got a chance to see a little bit of you climbing the wall on Facebook live AMAZING 🙂 Keep up the good work. We love you!

      Reply
      • Natalie

        Thank you, I love you too!

        Reply
  6. Sara

    Hi Natalie hope your day went well. It looks like you got to ride a horse today! How did it go? We love and miss you so much hope you are having fun 😁

    Love,
    Mom, Dad & Landon

    Reply
    • Natalie

      I was really scared, but I managed to do it!

      Reply
      • Sara

        So glad you took the risk and tried it. What’s your horses name?

        Reply
        • Natalie

          I got Beau. He is literally the tallest horse at the entire ranch!!

          Reply
  7. Gretchen Burk

    Hey Natalie! Looks like you had a great two first days of camp! I see you climbed the rock wall! I’d be nervous if that was me… I’m not sure how high I’d be able to go 😬😂. I see you started to work with horses today that looks awesome! How are you feeling about that? I hope you’re making connections with the other girls and enjoying Gods great big outdoors! Keep it up girl! Always praying for you!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      I was really scared to climb the rock wall, but I somehow got higher than I thought!

      Reply
    • Natalie

      I was really scared to climb the rock wall at first. But I made it higher than I thought I would!

      Reply
  8. Arica

    Hi Natalie!
    I am so excited to hear all about your adventures at the ranch this week! It looks like you were assigned your horses today! What is your horses name?

    Reply
    • Natalie

      My horse is named Beau. He’s the tallest horse at the whole ranch!

      Reply
      • Arica

        Oh my word! Beau is the best

        Reply
  9. Scott A Yerrick

    Hi Sweetcakes! We sent a message to you the day you climbed the wall, but we were on the wrong blog page. Sorry about that. Looks like you climbed the wall and also have been on a horse. We’re glad that you’re having fun and trying new things. Have a great time. Papa and Grandma

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Yeah, I got the tallest horse at the entire ranch! His name is Beau, he’s super sweet.

      Reply
  10. sharon

    Hi Natalie!! Wow, you climbed the rock wall!! Can’t wait to hear about it!! Way to go! I saw the video of you today trying our the archery range. That looked really fun too! So proud of you for trying all of these new things! Praying for God to continue to give you the strength and courage to try all the new adventures this week. You are doing great!! Have fun!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Thank you. I was able to ride a trotting horse!

      Reply
  11. Sara

    Sounds like you are having a great time 🙂 Wow, the tallest horse in the entire ranch? You are really stepping out of your comfort zone way to go!! What has been your favorite thing at camp so far? How’s the food? Love you!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Da food is bussin. El denté. I got to shoot guns today! And I got to shoot arrows at my friends!

      Reply
  12. Scott A Yerrick

    Hi Nat. Wow, horse riding, archery, paddleboards! It all looks like fun. Hope you are having a great time exploring new things. We are so proud of you.

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Yeah, I get to shoot guns and I shot my friends with arrows lol. The food is el denté. Bussin.

      Reply
  13. Blaha

    Hi Natalie!!!!
    I have been thinking about you a lot this week! Every time I get a chance to log into the Facebook Lives – I see you are rocking it! I am so proud of you and glad you are experiencing so much! So excited to see all the growth you are making!!! That’s my girl! Woot! Woot!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      I got Beau, the tallest horse here! I miss you, I hope your having an amazing summer!

      Reply
  14. Gretchen Burk

    Hey there Natalie! You are a couple days into this great BIG adventure …climbing BIG walls…riding BIG horses! Hopefully making some BIG memories! Looks like you are having fun. And I’m so glad it’s not hot out. I do not like hot. 🥵Been praying for you daily…trusting you’ll lean on the BIG God who holds all of this and you close.
    What’s been your favorite part of camp so far?
    Gretchen

    Reply
    • Natalie

      My favorite part is riding Beau!

      Reply
  15. Bonnie VanderVeen

    Hi Natalie,

    Grandpa and I are so proud of you. Looks like you are having a blast. Can’t wait to see you in 2 weekends and hear all about it. We love you ❤ Have a great rest of the week.

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Love you too!

      Reply
  16. Marissa pray partner

    Hello you don’t know me but you doing Amazing thing and it will get hard but you will break through

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Thamk yous Owo

      Reply
  17. sara

    Hey girl,

    How was your ride with Beau tonight? We can’t believe tonight is your last night at Cran Hill before you start the hike tomorrow. It will be challenging but dad and I know you can do it! We hope you have made lots of new friends and are enjoying yourself on this adventure. When you’re on the trail stay strong and keep your head up we LOVE you!! We can’t wait to hear all about it when you get home. (P.S. Landon says he misses you)

    Love,
    Mom & Dad

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Does Landon actually miss me?

      Reply
      • sara

        Yes, he most definitely does. He is looking forward to you coming home for sure. He has also been watching all the fun activities you are doing and is a little jealous. He was really into the arrows today on Facebook Live. He loves you very much.

        Reply
  18. Gretchen

    TOMORROW IS TRAIL TIME! Woo hoo! This week has prepared you for the next few days on the trail! Lean into Him and let all the good from this week guide you & help you along the way. You are surrounded by some pretty amazing new friends who will be right there with you! Don’t forget to stop and look around at His awesome wilderness! And have a blast! I believe in you and believe you are up for this wonderful challenge! Can’t wait to read more posts and see what happens on the trail!
    YOU GOT THIS!

    Reply
    • Natalie

      Thamk you for praying for me

      Reply
  19. Gretchen

    TOMORROW IS TRAIL TIME! Woo hoo! This week has prepared you for the next few days on the trail! Lean into Him and let all the good from this week guide you & help you along the way. You are surrounded by some pretty amazing new friends who will be right there with you! Don’t forget to stop and look around at His awesome wilderness! And have a blast! I believe in you and believe you are up for this wonderful challenge! Can’t wait to read more posts and see what happens on the trail!
    YOU GOT THIS!
    Gretchen

    Reply
  20. Blaha

    Today is trail day for you! I hope it goes well and you find the adventure fun and exciting! Should be a lot of nature for you to enjoy! I will be traveling home the next two days and will look forward to checking in on your progress when I get home. It makes my heart happy that you love the horses and all the activities! You are going to be a force of strength and confidence when you finish the trail! I am rooting for you! Air hugs! Blaha

    Reply
  21. Steve

    Hope you had a good day on the trail and that the weather wasn’t too bad for you girls. You are so strong and we are proud of you for taking on this adventure. Did you see any snakes or other cool animals on your hike?

    Reply
  22. Scott A Yerrick

    Hi Natalie. Not sure when you will see this note because you are on your trail adventure. Can’t wait to talk with you and learn how it went. I would guess that the rain made it more challenging. We love you and are proud of your achievements!

    Reply
  23. Gretchen

    Praying for you and the other girls as you trod on in the rain! Praying you still find joy in the rain!

    Reply

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