After posting last night I worked a bit on whittling down my to-do list and eventually got it squished into mostly things that I have to wait for others to do a step before I can do more on... which you'd think would feel good right? nope... it gnaws at you as you wait for things that will cause you more work... when you need to have the work done yesterday. (or a month ago) I don't do well in this space... but I'm also trying really hard to practice what I preached this last week... and not doing so hot thus far.
Last night after I'd stressed beyond the point of being even remotely useful to anyone, for anything... I began to get really annoyed with the noise level in and around my normal sleeping area so I grabbed my hammock, sleeping bag, pillow, and a good book and setup my nest out by the zip line platform... I had just gotten settled in, grumbled a bit about young whipper snappers... and then it started to rain... so I packed everything up and meandered back inside.
I quickly fell asleep despite the steady noise level (which i'm told continued well past 2 am) and arose this morning, got horses in and fed, and worked out my residual frustration by scooping horse poop and dumping it on the manure pile.
It was great to be reunited with the team here at haven and a few of us spent a while making omelettes for the others. It's really nice to be able to cook for people again.. I love it, but I don't often get the opportunity.
I'm still waiting on people for things... but I've got another good book to read to keep me busy in the interim... and I can do things like write on here! (also I"m listening to others watching Tron Legacy right now.. and that's pretty nice too)
Nick
p.s. eventually I'll get back to an accurate count and get two posts up in one day... is today that day? we'll see...
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Y2, Day 13. The one where goodbyes happen and home is redefined.
The afternoon up at beartrap was a blast! I got to help a host of small kids shoot BB guns and just overall had a blast working beside a few folks that haven't been able to get out to camp in the last few years.
Last night went very well (or so I've been told). I felt more rambling and off-topic than I had all week and I just felt like I was just making noise in front of a crowd (like a resounding gong perhaps?) and I got a lot of positive feedback. I can only assume two possibilities... that folks are very encouraging at camp, or that I might have stumbled onto something decent.
We pulled up roots this morning and rolled home to haven this afternoon... a flat tire and a few hours later we arrived home and I dug into my to-do list for directing.
To that end I'll update again later
Last night went very well (or so I've been told). I felt more rambling and off-topic than I had all week and I just felt like I was just making noise in front of a crowd (like a resounding gong perhaps?) and I got a lot of positive feedback. I can only assume two possibilities... that folks are very encouraging at camp, or that I might have stumbled onto something decent.
We pulled up roots this morning and rolled home to haven this afternoon... a flat tire and a few hours later we arrived home and I dug into my to-do list for directing.
To that end I'll update again later
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Y2, Day 12. The Twelfth night and no routine in sight.
It is strange to me that at this time in the summer we'd have nearly 2 weeks of camp under our belt. I remember things more orderly and that I had more energy than I do this year... but in re-reading my own posts and remembering more accurately I don't think that was true.
yesterday went well, the kiddos got to see a large variety of farm animals and really seemed to enjoy their time there. I got the unique privilege of walking around all day and just bearing witness to the cool stuff that was happening, I saw counselors lovingly put up with carrying kids around, pose for silly pictures (possibly hundreds of them) and how even when the staff was exhausted they dug in and played hard all day long. When minor injuries happened I saw band-aids applied with endless sympathy and compassion and the tiny lie detectors that are children accept the comfort and move on to more important things... like baby goats!
The afternoon wound down a bit faster than the previous afternoon and we once again made our trek up the mountain one person lighter... and she set out for home in the bus to rejoin the team at Haven. I've since learned that she had a bit of excitement on the drive... but I shan't tell that story as it's not mine to tell (and she might get embarrassed or something) But she did make it safely back late last night.
While that was happening I managed to accidentally catch a nap before we ate a slightly later supper (it seems to be creeping later and later each day) of spaghetti and meatballs. then we pressed on and despite our worship leader hurting his hand during the day we sang a few songs acapella and it was very powerful... A perfect example of how God is powerful in our weakness (which we talked about earlier this week)
Last night however, I spoke about the Gospel. I outlined the basics of what it is, how we're all fallen and broken people (Romans 3:23), how it is appointed for man to die and face judgement (Heb 9:27), and how Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to meet the penalty for our sin (John 3:16-17). I then presented the challenge that we never take that for granted or allow the gospel and the grace of God to become boring (something my father would have approved of I think). We then read Matthew 18:21-35 and talked about how as the forgiven we have a huge responsibility to not just let that be a dot on the timeline, but instead need to press in to Jesus and continue to grow in forgiveness and grace...
The evening wound down at campfire and I had the privilege of talking a bit more with our worship leader for the week, and it was very encouraging to share a bit of our stories with each other.
Today we take the kids up the mountain and do a round of activities on the meadow, and tonight is our last chapel together before we go zipping off to our various things. Some of us will return to haven immediately, others will join us again later in the summer... still others will have re-entry to 'normal' life and we will be left the poorer for their absence. I can't wait to be truly home and not have to deal with the constant farewells we're stuck with right now...
-Nick
p.s. if you're reading this leave a comment!
yesterday went well, the kiddos got to see a large variety of farm animals and really seemed to enjoy their time there. I got the unique privilege of walking around all day and just bearing witness to the cool stuff that was happening, I saw counselors lovingly put up with carrying kids around, pose for silly pictures (possibly hundreds of them) and how even when the staff was exhausted they dug in and played hard all day long. When minor injuries happened I saw band-aids applied with endless sympathy and compassion and the tiny lie detectors that are children accept the comfort and move on to more important things... like baby goats!
The afternoon wound down a bit faster than the previous afternoon and we once again made our trek up the mountain one person lighter... and she set out for home in the bus to rejoin the team at Haven. I've since learned that she had a bit of excitement on the drive... but I shan't tell that story as it's not mine to tell (and she might get embarrassed or something) But she did make it safely back late last night.
While that was happening I managed to accidentally catch a nap before we ate a slightly later supper (it seems to be creeping later and later each day) of spaghetti and meatballs. then we pressed on and despite our worship leader hurting his hand during the day we sang a few songs acapella and it was very powerful... A perfect example of how God is powerful in our weakness (which we talked about earlier this week)
Last night however, I spoke about the Gospel. I outlined the basics of what it is, how we're all fallen and broken people (Romans 3:23), how it is appointed for man to die and face judgement (Heb 9:27), and how Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to meet the penalty for our sin (John 3:16-17). I then presented the challenge that we never take that for granted or allow the gospel and the grace of God to become boring (something my father would have approved of I think). We then read Matthew 18:21-35 and talked about how as the forgiven we have a huge responsibility to not just let that be a dot on the timeline, but instead need to press in to Jesus and continue to grow in forgiveness and grace...
The evening wound down at campfire and I had the privilege of talking a bit more with our worship leader for the week, and it was very encouraging to share a bit of our stories with each other.
Today we take the kids up the mountain and do a round of activities on the meadow, and tonight is our last chapel together before we go zipping off to our various things. Some of us will return to haven immediately, others will join us again later in the summer... still others will have re-entry to 'normal' life and we will be left the poorer for their absence. I can't wait to be truly home and not have to deal with the constant farewells we're stuck with right now...
-Nick
p.s. if you're reading this leave a comment!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Y2, Day 11. A whale (or large fish), tons of tiny fish, separation anxiety, and slow morning starts.
The snowball continues to roll downhill... as we get incrementally more tired the days and moments are more zany, but sweep by more quickly. In fact the very reason I started this process last year was to combat that tendency in myself. I committed to those back home that I would record here my daily stories because at the end of the summer I usually only can say "it was awesome, and I'm exhausted" and by then I've lost so many of the details where the grace of God is so evident.
Yesterday at the 'Lake' we had a great time. I accomplished my mission and walked away with only minor skin irritation but nothing even resembling a sunburn! Against the eventual day that I'm not on the ball I also recently acquired a bottle of that delightful green goop that makes you not want to curl up and die after a sunburn. If there is one thing I can bank on it's that I'm going to be absentminded or distracted enough to forget at some point.
Michael Card – Be Thou My Vision has been the song of the morning. I love the lyrics and how the feel of the old text just speaks to me in a way that modern praise choruses (or even the same song with updated lyrics) fail to do.
Before I run off on a rabbit trail I guess I better talk about last evening... During the day it was a bit of a blur, I don't have a group assigned to me so I spent a while helping carry around one of the super little tykes and generally trying to figure out what I should be speaking on in the evening. I think I wrote about 4 different things fairly completely before I eventually landed where I decided to stay for the night...
We started by reviewing the last few nights and spoke briefly on faith and weakness and once again how the familiar and potentially boring topics are the things we really need to lean into and make exciting and meaningful again. That the fundamentals are sources of growth time and time again.
This evening we read the old (mostly familiar) story about Jonah. But instead of focusing on the typical "you can't hide from God" theme that most sermons will cover we instead spent most of our time focusing on chapter 4. In chapter 4 we hear about how Jonah was so self-centered and petty that he had the same response to losing a little plant as to when God saved 120,000 people instead of destroying them (as Jonah wanted). We then very briefly talked about the story of Job and the option he was given over and over to choose a self-centered answer and "curse God and die" but he instead took the road of faithfulness.
I then challenged those there (and you reading if you're not the same people) to look at our own lives... strip away all the complications we put on things and look very honestly at how you respond to God when it comes in conflict with your ideal world. Do you respond selfishly and fight the plan, whatever it is? or do you make a conscious choice to take the next step in faithfulness even if it's hard... I know I often choose selfishness, but It's something I'm working hard on.
I thought it went well and that God's word and truth were presented in a way that my thoughts will fade and His truth remain... which is the goal after all. If you've been praying for me and the group here, I greatly appreciate it. I am not talented enough, nor proficient enough to be even a little good at this without God's intervention and aid.
I also must confess that this morning I'm feeling a bit old... As mentioned a few days ago I've been told I'm a bit more introverted at times, and this morning I heard that I've got a super-excited and crazy camp voice that comes out sometimes... but that It's less frequent this year. My perspective seems wider... but that makes the put-your-head-down and bull through style less helpful because I can see the mess that makes sometimes. I can't help but wonder that when I did so in the last few years that I've done those around me a great disservice... and If any of you readers are among that number, I'm very sorry.
I also miss the fellowship of the rest of the team... Haven is so far away at times, and I look at the staff this week and can't help but think that this crew would make those at haven stronger and vice-versa.
Before I end up writing a novel here... I'll sign off for the day. We're headed to a local farm with the kiddos and then it's back up the mountain for supper, chapel, and whatnot. Tonight and tomorrow are all we have left... and I can't wait for some recuperation rather than maintenance rest.
-Nick
Yesterday at the 'Lake' we had a great time. I accomplished my mission and walked away with only minor skin irritation but nothing even resembling a sunburn! Against the eventual day that I'm not on the ball I also recently acquired a bottle of that delightful green goop that makes you not want to curl up and die after a sunburn. If there is one thing I can bank on it's that I'm going to be absentminded or distracted enough to forget at some point.
Michael Card – Be Thou My Vision has been the song of the morning. I love the lyrics and how the feel of the old text just speaks to me in a way that modern praise choruses (or even the same song with updated lyrics) fail to do.
Before I run off on a rabbit trail I guess I better talk about last evening... During the day it was a bit of a blur, I don't have a group assigned to me so I spent a while helping carry around one of the super little tykes and generally trying to figure out what I should be speaking on in the evening. I think I wrote about 4 different things fairly completely before I eventually landed where I decided to stay for the night...
We started by reviewing the last few nights and spoke briefly on faith and weakness and once again how the familiar and potentially boring topics are the things we really need to lean into and make exciting and meaningful again. That the fundamentals are sources of growth time and time again.
This evening we read the old (mostly familiar) story about Jonah. But instead of focusing on the typical "you can't hide from God" theme that most sermons will cover we instead spent most of our time focusing on chapter 4. In chapter 4 we hear about how Jonah was so self-centered and petty that he had the same response to losing a little plant as to when God saved 120,000 people instead of destroying them (as Jonah wanted). We then very briefly talked about the story of Job and the option he was given over and over to choose a self-centered answer and "curse God and die" but he instead took the road of faithfulness.
I then challenged those there (and you reading if you're not the same people) to look at our own lives... strip away all the complications we put on things and look very honestly at how you respond to God when it comes in conflict with your ideal world. Do you respond selfishly and fight the plan, whatever it is? or do you make a conscious choice to take the next step in faithfulness even if it's hard... I know I often choose selfishness, but It's something I'm working hard on.
I thought it went well and that God's word and truth were presented in a way that my thoughts will fade and His truth remain... which is the goal after all. If you've been praying for me and the group here, I greatly appreciate it. I am not talented enough, nor proficient enough to be even a little good at this without God's intervention and aid.
I also must confess that this morning I'm feeling a bit old... As mentioned a few days ago I've been told I'm a bit more introverted at times, and this morning I heard that I've got a super-excited and crazy camp voice that comes out sometimes... but that It's less frequent this year. My perspective seems wider... but that makes the put-your-head-down and bull through style less helpful because I can see the mess that makes sometimes. I can't help but wonder that when I did so in the last few years that I've done those around me a great disservice... and If any of you readers are among that number, I'm very sorry.
I also miss the fellowship of the rest of the team... Haven is so far away at times, and I look at the staff this week and can't help but think that this crew would make those at haven stronger and vice-versa.
Before I end up writing a novel here... I'll sign off for the day. We're headed to a local farm with the kiddos and then it's back up the mountain for supper, chapel, and whatnot. Tonight and tomorrow are all we have left... and I can't wait for some recuperation rather than maintenance rest.
-Nick
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Y2, Day 10. On inspiration and weakness...
Day 10 already?! the first few days seemed to be so long... but now they seem so far away.
On the one hand I dearly miss the team that is working hard back home at haven. On the other hand... God is very real here this week as well... I know I'm where I should be, but I feel the pull of duty and the distance between here and dear friends there.
After the last writing we spent the afternoon at a local church (The Anglican church of the resurrection) and the wee kiddos rotated through activity stations and seemed to really enjoy everything offered them. They got to make crafts, play drums, do a scavenger hunt, make root beer from scratch (and then make root beer floats out of some that had been premade), play a game, hear the bible story for the day, and dress up in costumes to get their pictures taken. As I have very little official responsibility during the day It was a pleasure to bounce from group to group and try to absorb as much of that youthful energy as possible.
After the kiddos returned to the link (a youth for Christ facility we're using as a staging area, also the same one we used during this camp last year) the parents swooped in and took the exhausted tots home. we then made the ascent up the mountain and returned to our evening home.
We ate supper and then swapped a few stories about the day, after which we took a bit of a break and moved on to our evening chapel. worship started out a bit rocky because we were learning a few new songs and everyone was starting to feel the drag of the day, but we pressed on and worshiped together despite the frequent yawns and comfortable seating. After we sang a few songs we moved on to the most stressful part of the week for me (and at the same time one of the most rewarding) It was my turn to speak again...
This week has been a weird experience for me in that I don't get the opportunity to speak/preach very often, and I've never had to do it with so little time for formal preparation. However I have noticed this week that the prep that I've been able to put in usually gets diverted a short time before speaking (last night changed around suppertime) and God lays something a little different on my heart, In an attempt to be obedient to that leading I have thus far scrambled to do what prep I can on that topic (it usually starts out as a minor point to my original plan) and then try to be as honest and challenging about that topic as I can.
Last night we were in 2 Cor. 11 and we went through the list of Paul's suffering as an apostle. and then went on to talk about the strange idea that our weaknesses are not something to be hidden away but instead we can boast in our weakness as Paul did and not to 'win' a competition of who's pitiful but instead to boast as those who are servants of a sufficient God who is strong when we are weak.
God seems to have honored the time and I got a lot of very meaningful feedback from those listening... please keep praying for the remainder of evenings... Speaking is one of those things that I have to fight my weaknesses to do, and God always seems to honor. But in the moment it can be incredibly difficult for me.
Today we are headed to the lake! It should be a great time, and my mission is to not get sunburned today. (I have aquired a hat and a few new bottles of sunscreen to aid me in my mission.
-Nick
p.s. I've added 2 links to great blogs on the right, one is my little sister who is WAY more talented than I am, and the second is a dear friend who works here at Haven, she's taken on the challenge of writing each weekday this summer and that is always easier when people visit your site.
On the one hand I dearly miss the team that is working hard back home at haven. On the other hand... God is very real here this week as well... I know I'm where I should be, but I feel the pull of duty and the distance between here and dear friends there.
After the last writing we spent the afternoon at a local church (The Anglican church of the resurrection) and the wee kiddos rotated through activity stations and seemed to really enjoy everything offered them. They got to make crafts, play drums, do a scavenger hunt, make root beer from scratch (and then make root beer floats out of some that had been premade), play a game, hear the bible story for the day, and dress up in costumes to get their pictures taken. As I have very little official responsibility during the day It was a pleasure to bounce from group to group and try to absorb as much of that youthful energy as possible.
After the kiddos returned to the link (a youth for Christ facility we're using as a staging area, also the same one we used during this camp last year) the parents swooped in and took the exhausted tots home. we then made the ascent up the mountain and returned to our evening home.
We ate supper and then swapped a few stories about the day, after which we took a bit of a break and moved on to our evening chapel. worship started out a bit rocky because we were learning a few new songs and everyone was starting to feel the drag of the day, but we pressed on and worshiped together despite the frequent yawns and comfortable seating. After we sang a few songs we moved on to the most stressful part of the week for me (and at the same time one of the most rewarding) It was my turn to speak again...
This week has been a weird experience for me in that I don't get the opportunity to speak/preach very often, and I've never had to do it with so little time for formal preparation. However I have noticed this week that the prep that I've been able to put in usually gets diverted a short time before speaking (last night changed around suppertime) and God lays something a little different on my heart, In an attempt to be obedient to that leading I have thus far scrambled to do what prep I can on that topic (it usually starts out as a minor point to my original plan) and then try to be as honest and challenging about that topic as I can.
Last night we were in 2 Cor. 11 and we went through the list of Paul's suffering as an apostle. and then went on to talk about the strange idea that our weaknesses are not something to be hidden away but instead we can boast in our weakness as Paul did and not to 'win' a competition of who's pitiful but instead to boast as those who are servants of a sufficient God who is strong when we are weak.
God seems to have honored the time and I got a lot of very meaningful feedback from those listening... please keep praying for the remainder of evenings... Speaking is one of those things that I have to fight my weaknesses to do, and God always seems to honor. But in the moment it can be incredibly difficult for me.
Today we are headed to the lake! It should be a great time, and my mission is to not get sunburned today. (I have aquired a hat and a few new bottles of sunscreen to aid me in my mission.
-Nick
p.s. I've added 2 links to great blogs on the right, one is my little sister who is WAY more talented than I am, and the second is a dear friend who works here at Haven, she's taken on the challenge of writing each weekday this summer and that is always easier when people visit your site.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Y2, Day 9. On the road again!
Today started out simple... pack a bag, load up Chad-Moe (our 15 passenger van) with aforementioned bag, add a few miscellaneous camp supplies for the week, and then roll out to the nearby church. I also spent a bit of time in prayer and doing some last minute prep (most of it has been last-minute unfortunately) for speaking in the evening.
The next few hours were the dull roar and more-than-mild amazement at trying to keep up with the bus as it sped merrily on its way to casper. It should be noted that the lack of 'exciting' details in this part of the story is a HUGE blessing.
We arrived in casper no less than 37 minutes late... and after a brief introduction to the team and some joyful reunions with old friends and comrades from camps gone by we loaded up the van and a host of other vehicles and started up the mountain. (Once again it was a wonderful blessing to arrive at the top without having to stop or without having any of the coolant remaining in the vehicle)
After assigning yurts (that's right, we're living in yurts this week. you have my permission to be envious) we gathered up and began the weekly training. Even after a week of summer-staff training it was relatively painless and helped with introductions and getting to know everyone (and I remember most of the names, so I'm doing fairly well for the first day).
Supper rolled around heralded the arrival of Father Tom and his wife who made some delightful pulled-pork sandwiches, potatoes, mixed veggies, and so on. Very satisfying under normal circumstances but downright delightful as a component of camp.
After supper is where my stress returned... we had a quick break and then launched into our staff chapel time. Our duo of worship leaders led us in a few songs and it was encouraging to see how the group is very willing to worship. I was particularly struck by one of the counselors who was asked to play drums, but right before the first song started his young daughter walked over asked to sit on his lap. To compound the cuteness when He started to play the drum she looked up at him and said "I can do that daddy!" and started to play (with remarkable competency) in the center of the drum. He continued to play on the edges gently creating a wonderful sound that was also a wonderful picture of the Fathers love for us.
I spoke briefly on Hebrews 11, and challenged the group to place themselves in that list.. By faith I... came to camp? went on a missions trip? chose to live for christ even when it's incredibly difficult?
I also challenged them to share those times with each other so we can look at those moments in each other and be encouraged. By faith my friend did this... and God blessed them.
It went fairly well and God seems to have blessed it, but I've got 4 more nights, and I'm still very nervous... please keep me in your prayers, that my words are few and his leading is overpowering. That I am a faithful steward to teach his truth.
We then finished out the night with a rousing game of sardines and anchovies and a campfire. After campfire Father Tom treated us to some ice cream and we turned in for the night.
(I didn't have great inet up on the mountain so I decided to post this morning instead)
This morning I popped out of bed at the 6:30 wake-up call and after verifying the rest of the yurt had awakened I stumbled my way down to the morning coffee (did I mention father Tom was here?) and to put some food in my face hole.
Also the soundtrack for the day today is this song:
We drove down the mountain and arrived at the link, after spreading a few things around the kids began to arrive and I snuck off to write this... (I know i'm such a terrible example)
Alrighty, here is a short bullet list of things that are on my radar this week:
-pray for the ministry here. it's up to God what impact we have on little flighty kids... but it can be powerful
-pray for me as I speak in the evenings, (it's worth mentioning a second time in one post)
-pray for the team that remains at Haven this week... they'll be hosting a VBS and working alongside a 4h group at the end of the week. Even though I know this is where I should be and I know that they're all very capable and competent, It is difficult to be apart because I want to help share the load if and when I can... but when we are apart I can only hope that God will do that without me (which I know is true... but I don't always feel it)
God Bless you friends!
-Nick
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Year 2 day 8. On rest and duty, of eager terror and the days to come.
I realized that I hadn't posted last night at about 6 am this morning... I'd apologize but I don't regret prioritizing other things.
Yesterday was great, slept in a little bit and went to fetch horses for their morning feeding shortly after breakfast. I also was able to say hi to our newest addition to the farm, a large pot belly pig named hamlet.
The afternoon considered of a smlur of studying and trying to prepare for this week... I have been asked to speak to the staff of primary camp in the evenings. I'm very excited about it and God had laid several things on my heart to talk about but I'm also nervous that my prep time was so short and whatnot.
The other stretching opportunity is that camp is in casper so I'll be away from haven until Friday, well see how that goes :)
I might post against to fill in a few gaps over the last few days... But maybe not too.
-Nick
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