Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Psalm 119:105
We just had our Commission on Camping meeting this past Saturday and decided the theme for this year is Journey. It ties to the National ABC as well as the Region themes this year. We all liked this theme since it has many different ways of looking at it. Everyone is on a journey of some sort.
There is your faith journey, your life journey, Jesus' journey to the cross, and so on....
I am excited to see what direction the Directors of each camp take this for the different age groups.
Speaking of journey, we are well on our way in the Lenten journey this year. I wasn't able to go to church for Ash Wednesday so Emma and I had our own service and I let her put ashes on my forehead as we repeated "from dust you came and to dust you shall return".
We also talked about what we wanted to take up for the season to prepare our hearts for Easter. I am going to take up better care of the temple God gave me with better nutrition and exercise. I was slacking big time in those areas. Emma decided to take up being more creative and watching less TV. She got out her crochet kit to start a project as well as making a corn husk doll. This in itself is going to be an interesting journey.
What journey are you on right now? Is it the journey or the destination in your view that is important?
P.S. I have 10 followers now on the blog - woohoo double digits :-)
P.P.S. The photo is of Bunny and I at the empty tomb - the last stop of a journey through Israel.
Camp logo
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Almost 40 days til Easter
John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
This time I am spending in the office each week preparing for the camping season reminds me a little of the time that starts this week as we prepare for Easter.
Prior to learning more about the Director job, I went to camp, enjoyed my time and always walked away with a heart full of love and a spirit that was renewed in Christ and all God has done for me. Now I understand what goes in to getting ready for the camping season - finding staff, volunteers, supplies, state certificates, financial stuff and so on. I have a better appreciation for what is to come and how it will need to managed.
Prior to learning more about the Lent season, I always thought it was something Catholics did. There seemed to be a lot of ritual and going through the motions. Now I see this as a different experience. Someone once explained to me that you "don't give up" something for Lent. The idea is to take up your own cross and be mindful of what God did for us while you struggle to deal with your choice. Lent is 40 days to prepare your mind and spirit to accept the miracle and sacrifice that Jesus took for us. I have done this for a few years now and my celebration of the Easter service has changed. I have a much better appreciation and understanding after preparing my heart those 40 days.
This isn't to say that this is the only time I do these things, but with the craziness of life, it does give me a focused time to spend in prayer and preparation. I had been going to a Lutheran Church for several years and I have to admit, I do like some of the rituals they observed.
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Do you observe Lenten practices? What meaning do they hold for you?
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
This time I am spending in the office each week preparing for the camping season reminds me a little of the time that starts this week as we prepare for Easter.
Prior to learning more about the Director job, I went to camp, enjoyed my time and always walked away with a heart full of love and a spirit that was renewed in Christ and all God has done for me. Now I understand what goes in to getting ready for the camping season - finding staff, volunteers, supplies, state certificates, financial stuff and so on. I have a better appreciation for what is to come and how it will need to managed.
Prior to learning more about the Lent season, I always thought it was something Catholics did. There seemed to be a lot of ritual and going through the motions. Now I see this as a different experience. Someone once explained to me that you "don't give up" something for Lent. The idea is to take up your own cross and be mindful of what God did for us while you struggle to deal with your choice. Lent is 40 days to prepare your mind and spirit to accept the miracle and sacrifice that Jesus took for us. I have done this for a few years now and my celebration of the Easter service has changed. I have a much better appreciation and understanding after preparing my heart those 40 days.
This isn't to say that this is the only time I do these things, but with the craziness of life, it does give me a focused time to spend in prayer and preparation. I had been going to a Lutheran Church for several years and I have to admit, I do like some of the rituals they observed.
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Do you observe Lenten practices? What meaning do they hold for you?
Monday, February 6, 2012
F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
I am not used to people helping me. There, I said it. I don't want to offend anyone that has helped me in the past, but I am not one that usually asks for help or at least I try not to ask for help. I am the one who tries to help others or figures out a way to get things done.Lately, I have had some wonderful people that have helped me. Some of it, I had to ask for and some of it was unsolicited. I'll be honest that at first it was a little weird to ask for help. For some reason in my brain I needed to take care of everything and do it all. Well, as am I sure all of you know - I can't do it all! (Neither can you!)
I had a wonderful boss that used to tell me that I can do anything, I just couldn't do everything as I volunteered for more projects and more work. Boy was she right and I have to remind myself of that from time to time as I add more to my plate.
The problem with feeling that you can do everything is sometimes you start to rely on yourself vs God. If I only do this and this and this it will work out vs trusting that God knows what He is doing and will take care of us. Part of relying on God is also relying on His agents to help you whether you know you need the help or not. Sometimes the agents and the method He uses isn't quite what you had in mind.
This new role with Camp Tamarack means that I will be relying on God and His agents to be Directors, Leaders, Health Officers and such. I can't do it all. So far He has brought amazing people in to my life to support Winter Youth Retreat and volunteers/staff for this summer.
Where is God pushing you to trust Him and to be grateful for the support you have gotten?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Whew!
John 14: 1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; also believe in me.
My plan for this blog post was to recap everything that happened and what we learned at the Winter Youth Retreat this past weekend. Well things didn't go exactly as I had planned.
Last week, I was at a conference for seminarians in Florida. It was a great event and I was able to connect with others in school as well as those having the same concerns and questions I have as we move forward. I enjoyed the worship, variety of songs and messages. Dr. Alan Roxburgh gave me a lot to think about as he talked about what God is up to. One thought that really stuck with me is that the spirit isn't found in peace, it is found in the disruption.
Disruption, there seems to be a lot of that lately. In all sorts of places. What is God up to?
OK, back to the conference. Everything wrapped up Thursday evening and my flight home was at 6:40 am. That meant my shuttle would pick me up at 3:15 am, that is right 3:15 am. So I was up at 2:45, after a layover in Chicago, landed in Madison at 11:45 am. That meant all I had to do was go home, repack, grocery shop and head up to Camp. Well, I made it!
The sessions were led by some fabulous students From UW Stevens Point that are a part of Crew there. They really had a great message tied to "Grow, Serve, Connect" along with worship songs that I know touched several people since I have seen posts today on FaceBook of videos of those songs.
In the midst of all this, there was disruption. One of mine was just plain tiredness.Someone else shared a disruption that happened to them just that week. It was a pretty big deal, but I could see how the experience at Camp was allowing them to smile just a little. I had my own disruption that I see the Lord using to call out to me about my own convictions. Because of some of these disruptions, I wasn't able to attend all the sessions and that is why I can't give a complete wrap up. What I can tell you is that it was a success and I heard a lot of young adults tell me they would see me this summer!
Thanks God for the disruptions and what you do with that time to shape us and teach us! Even though it isn't always easy!
What disruption has God used in your life?
My plan for this blog post was to recap everything that happened and what we learned at the Winter Youth Retreat this past weekend. Well things didn't go exactly as I had planned.
Last week, I was at a conference for seminarians in Florida. It was a great event and I was able to connect with others in school as well as those having the same concerns and questions I have as we move forward. I enjoyed the worship, variety of songs and messages. Dr. Alan Roxburgh gave me a lot to think about as he talked about what God is up to. One thought that really stuck with me is that the spirit isn't found in peace, it is found in the disruption.
Disruption, there seems to be a lot of that lately. In all sorts of places. What is God up to?
OK, back to the conference. Everything wrapped up Thursday evening and my flight home was at 6:40 am. That meant my shuttle would pick me up at 3:15 am, that is right 3:15 am. So I was up at 2:45, after a layover in Chicago, landed in Madison at 11:45 am. That meant all I had to do was go home, repack, grocery shop and head up to Camp. Well, I made it!
The sessions were led by some fabulous students From UW Stevens Point that are a part of Crew there. They really had a great message tied to "Grow, Serve, Connect" along with worship songs that I know touched several people since I have seen posts today on FaceBook of videos of those songs.
In the midst of all this, there was disruption. One of mine was just plain tiredness.Someone else shared a disruption that happened to them just that week. It was a pretty big deal, but I could see how the experience at Camp was allowing them to smile just a little. I had my own disruption that I see the Lord using to call out to me about my own convictions. Because of some of these disruptions, I wasn't able to attend all the sessions and that is why I can't give a complete wrap up. What I can tell you is that it was a success and I heard a lot of young adults tell me they would see me this summer!
Thanks God for the disruptions and what you do with that time to shape us and teach us! Even though it isn't always easy!
What disruption has God used in your life?
Monday, January 16, 2012
Be still?? I don't know how!
There was no end to his toil” (Ecclesiastes 4:8)
That's how I am feeling today. In the past 3 days, I have been in my car driving places ~ 7 hours in order to "do things". Some of them are important things and all of them are due to choices I have made. I have school, which I love. I have church, which I am really enjoying. I have family responsibilities - grocery shopping, taking Emma to the orthodontist - which I wouldn't trade for anything. I have work, which I am energized about. It is my choice to live on a farm out in the middle of nowhere so I have to drive everywhere. Even as I write this, I realize how much I like to stay busy and "do things". I am not even sure I know how to take a break.
One of my favorite tweets is by @realrobbell -Sabbath reminds us that we are human beings not human doings. I take this one out every once in awhile and reflect on it. Doing isn't all of God's will, I have to remember the being part. There are a few places I am able to "be" - cabin on Two Sister's Lake, out in the barn with all my critters and at Camp. Notice all of these places are outside. That is where I am able to "be" with God at my best. Well, it is January and I am not going to be outside much so I need to actively work on my being. I have a few opportunities in the next couple weeks and I hope to make the best of them!
Where are you able to "be" best?
Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
That's how I am feeling today. In the past 3 days, I have been in my car driving places ~ 7 hours in order to "do things". Some of them are important things and all of them are due to choices I have made. I have school, which I love. I have church, which I am really enjoying. I have family responsibilities - grocery shopping, taking Emma to the orthodontist - which I wouldn't trade for anything. I have work, which I am energized about. It is my choice to live on a farm out in the middle of nowhere so I have to drive everywhere. Even as I write this, I realize how much I like to stay busy and "do things". I am not even sure I know how to take a break.
One of my favorite tweets is by @realrobbell -Sabbath reminds us that we are human beings not human doings. I take this one out every once in awhile and reflect on it. Doing isn't all of God's will, I have to remember the being part. There are a few places I am able to "be" - cabin on Two Sister's Lake, out in the barn with all my critters and at Camp. Notice all of these places are outside. That is where I am able to "be" with God at my best. Well, it is January and I am not going to be outside much so I need to actively work on my being. I have a few opportunities in the next couple weeks and I hope to make the best of them!
Where are you able to "be" best?
Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friends
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend
There is a song by Michael W. Smith called Friends and part of the lyrics state that "friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them". (Yes, I am a total 80's girl!)
I have been thinking a lot about that song this week and my friends as I start preparing for the Winter Youth Retreat the end of this month. This is a chance for campers to see friends that they haven't seen since this summer.
Now, things are a little different for campers as many can connect by telephone/texting on FaceBook, via e-mail, Skype, Twitter and probably new venues that I don't even know about. I had snail mail and the occasional telephone call. I do remember once meeting at Green Lake for a retreat. Plus there were the friends you went to school with.
That leads me back to the song by Michael W. Smith. As I was thinking about my friends this week, most of my close friends are my friends because the Lord is the Lord of them. It is amazing everything you go through - boys, colleges, moving, poor decisions (usually on my part and sometimes because of boys), jobs, and now husbands, kids and families - and are still friends. By friends, I mean true friends that you can talk to and pick up where you left off whether it was yesterday or 10 years ago. I just had lunch with a friend like that yesterday. Lori and I met in Jr. High because our last names began with S so our lockers were next to each other, went to camp together and graduated High School. We have since gone to the same college briefly, lived near each other in the Fox Valley, gotten married, had our daughters at about the same time and dealt with some of those poor decisions (again, usually on my part and sometimes because of boys). At lunch yesterday it took us all of 30 seconds to get in to that in depth conversation where you know you are safe and can speak without feeling like you are being judged. How great is that!
I have so many friends that help to sharpen me and keep me where I need to be! You know who you are and if you are wondering if you are one and are reading this - chances are good that you are!
I am excited to see friends reconnecting later this month and to see new friendships being formed in Christ.
Shalom ~ Carolyn
P.S. Michael W. Smith is on tour this winter - March 4th he is in Rockford, Ill. (http://www.michaelwsmith.com/tour.html)
Here is the Camp Tamarack webpage: http://www.camptamarack.org/index.shtm
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend
There is a song by Michael W. Smith called Friends and part of the lyrics state that "friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them". (Yes, I am a total 80's girl!)
I have been thinking a lot about that song this week and my friends as I start preparing for the Winter Youth Retreat the end of this month. This is a chance for campers to see friends that they haven't seen since this summer.
Now, things are a little different for campers as many can connect by telephone/texting on FaceBook, via e-mail, Skype, Twitter and probably new venues that I don't even know about. I had snail mail and the occasional telephone call. I do remember once meeting at Green Lake for a retreat. Plus there were the friends you went to school with.
That leads me back to the song by Michael W. Smith. As I was thinking about my friends this week, most of my close friends are my friends because the Lord is the Lord of them. It is amazing everything you go through - boys, colleges, moving, poor decisions (usually on my part and sometimes because of boys), jobs, and now husbands, kids and families - and are still friends. By friends, I mean true friends that you can talk to and pick up where you left off whether it was yesterday or 10 years ago. I just had lunch with a friend like that yesterday. Lori and I met in Jr. High because our last names began with S so our lockers were next to each other, went to camp together and graduated High School. We have since gone to the same college briefly, lived near each other in the Fox Valley, gotten married, had our daughters at about the same time and dealt with some of those poor decisions (again, usually on my part and sometimes because of boys). At lunch yesterday it took us all of 30 seconds to get in to that in depth conversation where you know you are safe and can speak without feeling like you are being judged. How great is that!
I have so many friends that help to sharpen me and keep me where I need to be! You know who you are and if you are wondering if you are one and are reading this - chances are good that you are!
I am excited to see friends reconnecting later this month and to see new friendships being formed in Christ.
Shalom ~ Carolyn
P.S. Michael W. Smith is on tour this winter - March 4th he is in Rockford, Ill. (http://www.michaelwsmith.com/tour.html)
Here is the Camp Tamarack webpage: http://www.camptamarack.org/index.shtm
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Job - New Year
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
This blog is something I have been thinking about since I accepted the position of Director of Camping Ministries for Camp Tamarack back in June. Some people call me a tech geek, which I think is funny, but I guess I am with my various electronic devices and always wanting to stay connected. I am on Facebook and Twitter (@Crankolyn) if you want to connect that way too.
That is what this blog will hopefully be about - staying connected.
When I was a camper (many years ago), that was one thing I missed, staying connected to Camp when I wasn't there.
Now that I will be there a lot more, I am hoping to share the experience with others.
Today is my first day in the office of American Baptist Churches and I am a little overwhelmed with the history and responsibility that God has placed in my hands. My family has a long history of Camp with my Grandpa being a part of the group that helped to purchase the land for Camp and various family members attending, counseling and directing camp over the years, plus my daughter has started going and bringing friends. With that history just in my family, I realized everyone sees Camp through their own experiences and memories.
It will be an honor to be a part of the memories that have yet to be made.
I pray that God gives me the guidance and strength to help keep Camp Tamarack the special place it is for so many people.
Please share your special memories with me as I begin my journey :-)
Link to Camp Tamarack's website: http://www.camptamarack.org/index.shtm
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
This blog is something I have been thinking about since I accepted the position of Director of Camping Ministries for Camp Tamarack back in June. Some people call me a tech geek, which I think is funny, but I guess I am with my various electronic devices and always wanting to stay connected. I am on Facebook and Twitter (@Crankolyn) if you want to connect that way too.
That is what this blog will hopefully be about - staying connected.
When I was a camper (many years ago), that was one thing I missed, staying connected to Camp when I wasn't there.
Now that I will be there a lot more, I am hoping to share the experience with others.
Today is my first day in the office of American Baptist Churches and I am a little overwhelmed with the history and responsibility that God has placed in my hands. My family has a long history of Camp with my Grandpa being a part of the group that helped to purchase the land for Camp and various family members attending, counseling and directing camp over the years, plus my daughter has started going and bringing friends. With that history just in my family, I realized everyone sees Camp through their own experiences and memories.
It will be an honor to be a part of the memories that have yet to be made.
I pray that God gives me the guidance and strength to help keep Camp Tamarack the special place it is for so many people.
Please share your special memories with me as I begin my journey :-)
Link to Camp Tamarack's website: http://www.camptamarack.org/index.shtm
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