A much needed update

Greetings,

I do realize that I haven’t written on here in a really long time and I apologize. The lack of free time is incomprehensible. Advance crew has come to an end and the population of camp has exploded. Staff training started on Friday and has been going strong since. We have sessions everyday on many different topics of camp. We have activity clinics about team sports, crafts, skateboarding, lifeguarding, etc. It’s really cool to learn about all the options that the kids have and to learn how to lead each event. We received the schedule for next week’s junior high camp as well. I am so excited. I am pumped to put all of what I have learned into action and to show them God’s love.

I had my UVIC convocation last week and my parents came up for it. It was so great to see them again and just hang out and talk. The grad was super formal with everyone dressed up in Harry Potter like outfits and traditional garb. We were tapped on the head by the chancellor’s poofy hat and received our diploma in epic proportions. It is good to have closure on that chapter of my life and to realize that I have a B.Sc. and official letters behind my name.

Today was just awesome. I have been doing a lot of complaining lately and I have realized how contagious negativity is to others. So today I consciously made an effort to not say anything negative and not complain about my situation, the food, activities, work or the weather. It was so super hard which made it that much more satisfying when I would go to say something negative but then had second thoughts and didn’t say it. I just knew that the Holy Spirit was leading that because I couldn’t stop that on my own. By making myself be cheerful about my day and circumstances I really did have a better day with more smiling, joy and laughter. It’s amazing how much our thoughts really do direct our heart. Paul says in Philippians 4: 11 that he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances. And really we have no reason to not be content. If we are looking forward with the vision of eternity and the place that God has planned for us, we should constantly be full of joy. Having hope in Jesus, our Saviour, is cause for a joyful heart.
I like what David says in Psalms too that “a cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good new gives health to the bones” (15:30) and that “a happy heart makes the face cheerful” (15:13). Happiness affects our whole body and being and ultimately affects others. The reason we complain is to either gain acceptance from others by having them also complain, to get attention, or because we are unhappy with the circumstances because they don’t suit our needs. How selfish is that?

And I don’t think that we have to be fake about it and we shouldn’t be. Kids and people can sense an unauthentic spirit and will latch onto that not taking us seriously. We can respond to a situation by not complaining or discouraging others yet not be super outgoing and bubbly about it if that’s not how we truly feel. There is a middle ground, the trick is to find it.

Anyhow, that’s just a few thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head the past little while. It’s amazing to see God’s work in my life and just how he has moulded me already to be this shepherd of His flock this summer and to be an example to everyone around me.

I continue to ask prayer for boldness and self confidence as I take on a leadership role in 4 days already. I pray for an attentive heart to the Holy Spirit’s moving. I pray for the words and wisdom to direct kids to know God and deal with every situation that I may encounter. I ask prayer also for physical healing. My knee has been acting up and the other day I bruised my ribs when Alycia, a close friend, tackled me full bore. As a camp we ask prayer for the people putting campers in cabins , that they will be directed by God to assign certain campers to cabins where they will feel loved and accepted. Lastly for the final preparations of camp, such as the bathroom that is still unfinished, staining, game planning, and other projects. Thank you so much for reading this blog and praying for us. I hope that you were blessed today. Later days!

Squirrel!

Well, the new UP Disney movie was amazing. On Sunday I went to see it in 3D in Nanaimo with a huge group of people. I have the roof off my jeep so we try to drive it any chance that we get. So we played mini golf first, then went to Montana's for steak, then to the movie. It was so much fun. Then I saw Up again last night and laughed just as hard. I love it. On Monday I had another day off so I went golfing in Ladysmith with a bunch of people. I sucked it up but it was so fun. This week I have been lifeguarding everyday and my skin color has gotten 3 shades darker. The weather has been incredibly nice and hot. Today it got windy, but only in the evening.

This weekend is family work weekend where families come to work on Saturday to help us get everything done. I am working in the kitchen which will be challenging and busy, but really fun. I have a couple days off next week, some random duties for the rest of the week, then Open House on Saturday. Then my parents come on the following Monday and my grad is on the Thursday and staff training starts on the Friday.

I am getting so stoked for the summer. I have a lot of planning and brainstorming to do before then but it will get done. The last couple weeks have gone by so fast, it's crazy. I have had a blast and don't want it to end.

Some prayer requests: If you could pray for safety in everything that we do. We haven't had any injuries but everyone is getting fatigued so we really need God's protection. Also just for the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives to outwardly display Jesus to those around us.

Later days!

Snaggle of Pictures