Things seem to be moving along at light-speed right now. We are quickly
heading to the September 15 closing date on the land. We need $14,000
by then to cover all the closing costs. If you are on our SAM mailing list
then you know that someone has given us a $5,000 matching fund challenge.
They will give us a dollar for every dollar you give, up to $5,000. So please
consider giving if you can.

Now to our “Wish List.” Someone suggested that we publish a list of some of
the larger items we could use here as we begin plans to remodel the current
building on the land so that we can have people here even before
Mickey’s Lodge is completed. This list contains some higher price-tag items.
But we have realized that sometimes people have these things just kind of
sitting around, not being used. So, if you’ve got an item on this list, and it’s
just collecting dust or rust, we’d love to have it. Remember, your donations are
tax deductible for an amount equal to the fair market value of that item.

WISH LIST!
* Wood chipper - so we can chip branches of trees that have fallen down.
Chips can then be used to cover the ground on the trail system we are
developing for guests to walk on. This really is one of our top wish list items.
* ATV - so we can travel around trail system and make sure they are clear
of fallen trees, etc. It will also enable us to get around the 15 acres more
easily. If you have an ATV with a trailer attached that would be great too.
* Old truck and snow-plow. We have a long driveway leading into our land, and so
with winter coming we realize we’ll need something to plow snow. We’re looking
for a truck that we will be using only on the land here, so it doesn’t have to be
the newest model truck. But it does need to be in good running shape and capable
of handling a plow on the front. Great tires would also be a plus.
* Small fishing boat with a small motor. This will enable guests to enjoy our lake
and the fishing it provides.
    * Naturally, we can use fishing poles and tackle. These need to be in good shape
       so that our youngest visitors can enjoy their time on the lake.
* Life vests - 6 adult vests and 4 children’s vests.
* Pontoon with small motor. We realize that some guests will be a bit uncomfortable
fishing from a boat or the canoe we already have - so a pontoon will give them
the stability and comfort they are looking for. Moms and dads with smaller children
find a pontoon much easier to use.

That’s it for now. If you would like to donate any of the items listed above please
contact Pat by calling 320-310-8877. If you don’t have any of the items listed above,
but you’d like to help us get them, you can send a tax deductible donation to SAM and
designate it to be used toward purchasing items on our wish list. Also, don’t be afraid to
approach a business person or friend to see if they’d like to donate to SAM too.

Everyday we hear of someone who has lost a child. Just yesterday an acquaintance of ours
lost her son. Your donations and support enable us to help these hurting moms and dads. 

Judy and I want to extend a special thank you to Jenn and Carrie Rutstein for
hosting a Dessert Get Together! We appreciate so much your efforts in helping us raise
funds so that hurting people can find hope and peace within their pain.

Well, we’ve got to run for now. We love you guys. Pat & Judy

Judy and I are so excited! We met with the land owner last Monday night and have come to a verbal agreement that will allow us to purchase the land on a contract for deed format! This is a HUGE step forward for SAM.

As part of our agreement, the land owner is asking for an additional $14,000 for the down-payment, making our total down-payment $65,000. And, they would like us to close on the land on Sept. 15. Sooooo, we are excited about this new option. All we need is $14,000 now to close the deal.

Once we close on the land we will be able to begin remodeling the current building until we can raise enough money to build Mickey’s Lodge. I’ve included a couple of pictures of the exterior of our current building below.

The half of the building that you can see right above is basically empty. Our plans include to put a floor in the second half of the building as soon as we have funds to do so. Once we do that we plan to remodel this half so that we could begin to have two families at one time. Initial plans would call for us making the upper floor into a suite that could house a family with children. The lower level would be designed for a couple who may not have other children, or who may not wish to bring their children with them to our retreat.

We are making a “Wish List” for things we’ll need. As soon as the list is done we’ll upload it so everyone can see what our needs are.

These are exciting days for SAM. Please pray that God will open people’s hearts to meet our immediate need of $14,000. Pray too that we’ll be able to raise additional funds so we can remodel the current building. We haven’t come up with a figure for remodeling yet. There are so many variables (material costs, labor costs, appliances, etc). But we’re working on that information now as well.

Well, for now, that’s the latest up north. We appreciate your visiting our site. Please be sure to tell others you know about SAM. We love you guys - Pat & Judy