Well, the summer has ended and I have started school. This will be my last post on this blog. Thanks for reading it friends.
I learned a lot about myself and Jesus this summer even though there was not my growth being facilitated through people, or so I thought. I saw a side of Jesus that I don't think I had seen before. I saw and experienced the peace and openess of Jesus. A lot of grace, perahps a bit less truth than I am used to in the ol' grace plus truth equation, but it was a really good summer.
LCBC thanks for the memories, the laughs and certainly the facilitation of my re-evaluation of my overall outlook on Christ.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Hello whoever reads this. It's me, Phil. Yeah, the other person who updates this thing we call a blog. Computer access was very limited to me this summer, and when I did get a chance to use the internet, it was not my first priority to recap the weeks for you all. Dean seems to have done a fabulous job at that. So here I go, giving you a summer recap from Luther Crest Bible Camp: Summer 2007!
Staff Training: I was nervous entering in because I had grown to love all the staff from last summer and I just knew it wouldn't be the same this summer because only a handful of us came back this summer. We got there late. It was my fault. I thought we were supposed to get there at 4, but we were supposed to get there between 2 and 4. I got there and saw the family I would be spending the next 11 weeks with, and I began to get excited! They seemed like a great group of crazy people, so I knew it was going to be a great summer. The canoe trip was fantastic! My favorite part of training. one of the best ways to really bond is to spend three days on a river together and then not talk to each other the last day! Yeah it actually works. I remember training was a lot more stressful last year. This year it was a breeze. the musical practices, the mandated reporting session, getting peed on by a dog at West, surprise party, Alphas and Omegas, freezing cold camp out, life group times... the list goes on and on. Staff training will always be in my heart.
Week 1-Fishing Camp: We moved fishing camp from Luther Crest West to main site in Alex, and it couldn't have worked out better! It was a group of 4th-6th graders and we fished 6 hours a day! Let me tell you, we pulled in ::drum roll please:: OVER 150 FISH!! The record for the past two years was 1. One fish total in the past two years at fishing camp combined. The kids had a great time and I was glad I was put into a cabin the very first week at camp!
--> Spiritual Growth: I felt comfortable for the first time at camp leading Bible Talks. I connected with the kids and felt a gentle reassurance that this is exactly where God has called me to and I fell in love with scripture and worship!
Well, I feel this post is sufficient for the reason that my hands are cramping. Stay tuned for the next installment of: PHIL'S EXPERIENCE AT LUTHER CREST BIBLE CAMP! (lame I know)
God's Peace "HUG STYLE"
<+>< PH
Philippians 1:2-6
Staff Training: I was nervous entering in because I had grown to love all the staff from last summer and I just knew it wouldn't be the same this summer because only a handful of us came back this summer. We got there late. It was my fault. I thought we were supposed to get there at 4, but we were supposed to get there between 2 and 4. I got there and saw the family I would be spending the next 11 weeks with, and I began to get excited! They seemed like a great group of crazy people, so I knew it was going to be a great summer. The canoe trip was fantastic! My favorite part of training. one of the best ways to really bond is to spend three days on a river together and then not talk to each other the last day! Yeah it actually works. I remember training was a lot more stressful last year. This year it was a breeze. the musical practices, the mandated reporting session, getting peed on by a dog at West, surprise party, Alphas and Omegas, freezing cold camp out, life group times... the list goes on and on. Staff training will always be in my heart.
Week 1-Fishing Camp: We moved fishing camp from Luther Crest West to main site in Alex, and it couldn't have worked out better! It was a group of 4th-6th graders and we fished 6 hours a day! Let me tell you, we pulled in ::drum roll please:: OVER 150 FISH!! The record for the past two years was 1. One fish total in the past two years at fishing camp combined. The kids had a great time and I was glad I was put into a cabin the very first week at camp!
--> Spiritual Growth: I felt comfortable for the first time at camp leading Bible Talks. I connected with the kids and felt a gentle reassurance that this is exactly where God has called me to and I fell in love with scripture and worship!
Well, I feel this post is sufficient for the reason that my hands are cramping. Stay tuned for the next installment of: PHIL'S EXPERIENCE AT LUTHER CREST BIBLE CAMP! (lame I know)
God's Peace "HUG STYLE"
<+>< PH
Philippians 1:2-6
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Swoosh!
Not too much to say. I just had the greatest week yet I think though. I was a counselor for the 4-6 basketball camp. But the catch here is that I have never played basketball except with friends.
I put in 15 hours of practice with these kids and it was amazing, I learned so much and they loved being able to teach me things. My cabin was amazing, I loved it so much. I guess my campers liked me a lot too, but they were just so much fun and had a lot of really good questions. Obviously some parts were harder than others but boys will be boys.
This week I will be doing ANOTHER day camp. This one is in Chanhassen. I have been told by many that this is the best day camp we do because the kids are so wonderful and the host families practically live in mansions I am excited that I get to work with the age group that I have been with all summer, it is probably my favorite.
There is only two weeks of the summer left and it feels like it. I am getting antsy about going home and then going out to UWEC. I am very excited but at the same time a bit bummed that the summer is ending so soon. I have made a lot of friends that I will keep in contact with for a while I hope.
Well, Im going to get going. Please keep my family in your prayers, Grandma is in the hospital. It doesn't seem to be serious but you know how it goes.
Finally, since im on a day camp I can get phone calls past like 4pm so feel free to call anytime after that.
Bye!
-Dean
I put in 15 hours of practice with these kids and it was amazing, I learned so much and they loved being able to teach me things. My cabin was amazing, I loved it so much. I guess my campers liked me a lot too, but they were just so much fun and had a lot of really good questions. Obviously some parts were harder than others but boys will be boys.
This week I will be doing ANOTHER day camp. This one is in Chanhassen. I have been told by many that this is the best day camp we do because the kids are so wonderful and the host families practically live in mansions I am excited that I get to work with the age group that I have been with all summer, it is probably my favorite.
There is only two weeks of the summer left and it feels like it. I am getting antsy about going home and then going out to UWEC. I am very excited but at the same time a bit bummed that the summer is ending so soon. I have made a lot of friends that I will keep in contact with for a while I hope.
Well, Im going to get going. Please keep my family in your prayers, Grandma is in the hospital. It doesn't seem to be serious but you know how it goes.
Finally, since im on a day camp I can get phone calls past like 4pm so feel free to call anytime after that.
Bye!
-Dean
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Another One Bites The Dust
The weeks just seem to be rolling by here at camp and I love it. I am having a blast and now that I am actually reading my bible on a regular basis I am exeriencing a lot of growth. This summer has been awesome, challenging and fun, but it still is not over.
This week I am on another day camp. I love these little kids, they are so much fun and so intelligent. The day camp is actually at the camp, so the kids come everyday and are on-site with us from 9am to 3pm. Some of the kids are a bit difficult at times but in the end they are really a lot of fun and they are teaching me more than I probably am teaching them, amazing how that works eh?
The conflict that I was experiencing at the start of the summer is nearly gone, it just doesn't bother me any more. There is one counselor who calls me a wacko Christian because I went to sonshine and other such things(Sonshine was amazing BTW). Basically I am a bit evangelical and this counselor disaproves, but its cool.
I am at Caribou right now. That is another decent thing about daycamps; we get the rest of the day to re-engergize after abouty 4pm, after some debriefing and planning for the next day we headed off into town last night and tonight. Tomorrow we will be hanging around and then Thurs. will be the banquet.
If anybody wants to call me this wee, you can, after 4pm I should answer and if not then I will shortly return your phone call. I am excited for all the things that God is doing in my life right now and all the things I know He will do. Keep me in your prayers and know that I am praying for all of you back home and miss you all a lot.
-Dean
This week I am on another day camp. I love these little kids, they are so much fun and so intelligent. The day camp is actually at the camp, so the kids come everyday and are on-site with us from 9am to 3pm. Some of the kids are a bit difficult at times but in the end they are really a lot of fun and they are teaching me more than I probably am teaching them, amazing how that works eh?
The conflict that I was experiencing at the start of the summer is nearly gone, it just doesn't bother me any more. There is one counselor who calls me a wacko Christian because I went to sonshine and other such things(Sonshine was amazing BTW). Basically I am a bit evangelical and this counselor disaproves, but its cool.
I am at Caribou right now. That is another decent thing about daycamps; we get the rest of the day to re-engergize after abouty 4pm, after some debriefing and planning for the next day we headed off into town last night and tonight. Tomorrow we will be hanging around and then Thurs. will be the banquet.
If anybody wants to call me this wee, you can, after 4pm I should answer and if not then I will shortly return your phone call. I am excited for all the things that God is doing in my life right now and all the things I know He will do. Keep me in your prayers and know that I am praying for all of you back home and miss you all a lot.
-Dean
Weds, July 11th
Written on Wednesday, July 11th
This week has really been hard for me. Kitchen crew was more difficult then I had thought it would be. I have really been going at ends with some of the people here, I am happy that this week is nearly over. God has really been challenging me this week through the trials of manual labor and trying to get along with others. I have probably complained a bit too much this week but also I feel there was a general lack of willingness to help at the start of the week. People have been trickling in to help us more the past few days. I am happy that I leave for sonshine tomorrow. It will be a welcome break.
I have been reading the bible at least a little bit this week and it really helping. It is hard to have time to think about what I have read but I will be taking some time at sonshine for myself I hope. I do a lot of hoping now and less concrete planning for my life, the only things that are concrete are the things that they plan for me here at camp, my life is clay in their hands sometimes and it is annoying at times, but it is just another thing in the challenge of the summer. I had a heart to heart with God tonight which was much needed. I had some authentic tears of humility and submission to my Creator, it has been a while. Thank you Father.
Well friends, I must go and pack for sonshine. Night
-Dean
This week has really been hard for me. Kitchen crew was more difficult then I had thought it would be. I have really been going at ends with some of the people here, I am happy that this week is nearly over. God has really been challenging me this week through the trials of manual labor and trying to get along with others. I have probably complained a bit too much this week but also I feel there was a general lack of willingness to help at the start of the week. People have been trickling in to help us more the past few days. I am happy that I leave for sonshine tomorrow. It will be a welcome break.
I have been reading the bible at least a little bit this week and it really helping. It is hard to have time to think about what I have read but I will be taking some time at sonshine for myself I hope. I do a lot of hoping now and less concrete planning for my life, the only things that are concrete are the things that they plan for me here at camp, my life is clay in their hands sometimes and it is annoying at times, but it is just another thing in the challenge of the summer. I had a heart to heart with God tonight which was much needed. I had some authentic tears of humility and submission to my Creator, it has been a while. Thank you Father.
Well friends, I must go and pack for sonshine. Night
-Dean
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Live Every Moment and Leave Nothing to Chance
Quick update then I'm off to bed...
I am doing much better about the disagreements and such that I had because of the passage in Romans 14 and such. Also, I am spending more time in the word(in theory).
I say in theory because I have been home since the 4th and am going back tomorrow. It was nice because I got to see Krystal this week, she was surpirsed to see me because she did not know I was coming home. It was a last minute choice for me to come home also, rather spur of the moment.
I traded off kitchen crew again last week because they needed another guy counselor for they had 8 more kids sign up for intro to camp. It was an amazing 3 days I had with those kids, I had a blast. Also, according to evals, they loved me. I really do enjoy working with little kids, it is an odd thing considering at the start of the summer it was the last thing I wanted to do. I think that it really shows how God has been working in my life.
I head back tomorrow morning and will be on kitchen crew for the week until Thurs. It is going to be a crazy week because there is something like 100 campers coming, so this week will be a lot of dishes I think. Oh well, I leave early this week because I am going to sonshine! I am so excited for sonshine. I get to see all my friends for 3 days straight and listen to some good non-camp music.
I am getting more meat though. I am going through Galatians on my own in the Message and NIV. I am just going to read through it a couple times these few weeks. I like the Message for this because it is an easy read and it is not too hard to sit down for 5 mins and just read a chapter. I am doing this at the advice of Greg M. It is working wonderfully so far, but since I have been home I have stopped.
Well, I just seem to want to go on and on so this seems like a good place to end it.
Overall, things are going good for me. Money is a bit tight, I am not going to be able to save as much money this summer as I had planned, but if things go as planned now I should still have some money to live off of at UWEC, I'll just need to find a job perhaps a bit faster. I am very excited to experience all God is doing in my life right now and I just ask for all of your continued prayer support.
Bye Friends
-Dean
I am doing much better about the disagreements and such that I had because of the passage in Romans 14 and such. Also, I am spending more time in the word(in theory).
I say in theory because I have been home since the 4th and am going back tomorrow. It was nice because I got to see Krystal this week, she was surpirsed to see me because she did not know I was coming home. It was a last minute choice for me to come home also, rather spur of the moment.
I traded off kitchen crew again last week because they needed another guy counselor for they had 8 more kids sign up for intro to camp. It was an amazing 3 days I had with those kids, I had a blast. Also, according to evals, they loved me. I really do enjoy working with little kids, it is an odd thing considering at the start of the summer it was the last thing I wanted to do. I think that it really shows how God has been working in my life.
I head back tomorrow morning and will be on kitchen crew for the week until Thurs. It is going to be a crazy week because there is something like 100 campers coming, so this week will be a lot of dishes I think. Oh well, I leave early this week because I am going to sonshine! I am so excited for sonshine. I get to see all my friends for 3 days straight and listen to some good non-camp music.
I am getting more meat though. I am going through Galatians on my own in the Message and NIV. I am just going to read through it a couple times these few weeks. I like the Message for this because it is an easy read and it is not too hard to sit down for 5 mins and just read a chapter. I am doing this at the advice of Greg M. It is working wonderfully so far, but since I have been home I have stopped.
Well, I just seem to want to go on and on so this seems like a good place to end it.
Overall, things are going good for me. Money is a bit tight, I am not going to be able to save as much money this summer as I had planned, but if things go as planned now I should still have some money to live off of at UWEC, I'll just need to find a job perhaps a bit faster. I am very excited to experience all God is doing in my life right now and I just ask for all of your continued prayer support.
Bye Friends
-Dean
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Faded Memories Against an Empty Canvas
I just finished a very awesome but tiring week doing another day camp. This one was in Forest Lake. It was a blast.
It started out on Saturday though. I am very happy that I made the trade that I did. We slept in the youth room of the church, all 6 of us. It was a blast, we played Life, Scene It, Guitar Hero, and Singstar Pop. Those games were all amazing. Oddly, that singing game was my favorite and when I go to Eau Claire I will be buying it for me and Krystal to play.
I am actually at home right now, sorry for those of you who did not know and such. It has been a good weekend home, many fun times and many times when I just wanted to stay home and not go back to camp. But I know that I need to go back because that is my place right now. The challenges that I am facing at camp I need in my life, they are causing me to grow in ways that I have never grown. I got to go to that new arcade off of 65 with my family on Thurs night and then again with Mike and Chase last night. I have spent too much money this weekend, ohh well. This break from camp has been nice but I want to go back too.
I am going to be on kitchen crew this next week which will not be nearly as bad as it would have been last week.
So, in Forest Lake, my group was 4-6th graders just like in Fergus Falls. This group was amazing! I had some boys that had a large amount of energy which made it difficult to get them to sit still long enough for even a 30 minute Bible Talk, but that was okay. I had these two girls that were from a foster home and had histories of drugs and prison in their families, they were willing to share this with me. Because of this I was able to relate to them very well and share some of my stories, I think God used me in a large way in their lives through my ability to relate to them. Thank you God for that.
After a talk with a mentorish person yesterday, I feel more at ease about the differences I have in the views between me and most of the other counselors. We are all called to have views on specifics within Christianity but not to let them be stumbling blocks for others. Basically, don't let them get in the way of the bigger picture, which now that I think about it, has existed since the early Christian church. I recall now in Galatians the almost argument that is happening between Paul's teaching and Peter's. Peter is teaching much about the law still while Paul is talking more about grace. Interesting to think about, the challenges I am going through now were faced also by two of the biggest founders of the early church. Humbling...really.
I have one more day at home and it seems that I am going to be doing a lot of things with a lot of people. I must get going.
Bye Friends!
-Dean
It started out on Saturday though. I am very happy that I made the trade that I did. We slept in the youth room of the church, all 6 of us. It was a blast, we played Life, Scene It, Guitar Hero, and Singstar Pop. Those games were all amazing. Oddly, that singing game was my favorite and when I go to Eau Claire I will be buying it for me and Krystal to play.
I am actually at home right now, sorry for those of you who did not know and such. It has been a good weekend home, many fun times and many times when I just wanted to stay home and not go back to camp. But I know that I need to go back because that is my place right now. The challenges that I am facing at camp I need in my life, they are causing me to grow in ways that I have never grown. I got to go to that new arcade off of 65 with my family on Thurs night and then again with Mike and Chase last night. I have spent too much money this weekend, ohh well. This break from camp has been nice but I want to go back too.
I am going to be on kitchen crew this next week which will not be nearly as bad as it would have been last week.
So, in Forest Lake, my group was 4-6th graders just like in Fergus Falls. This group was amazing! I had some boys that had a large amount of energy which made it difficult to get them to sit still long enough for even a 30 minute Bible Talk, but that was okay. I had these two girls that were from a foster home and had histories of drugs and prison in their families, they were willing to share this with me. Because of this I was able to relate to them very well and share some of my stories, I think God used me in a large way in their lives through my ability to relate to them. Thank you God for that.
After a talk with a mentorish person yesterday, I feel more at ease about the differences I have in the views between me and most of the other counselors. We are all called to have views on specifics within Christianity but not to let them be stumbling blocks for others. Basically, don't let them get in the way of the bigger picture, which now that I think about it, has existed since the early Christian church. I recall now in Galatians the almost argument that is happening between Paul's teaching and Peter's. Peter is teaching much about the law still while Paul is talking more about grace. Interesting to think about, the challenges I am going through now were faced also by two of the biggest founders of the early church. Humbling...really.
I have one more day at home and it seems that I am going to be doing a lot of things with a lot of people. I must get going.
Bye Friends!
-Dean
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Calm After The Storm
Things are doing a little better now. The debates are getting less and less because we are getting more busy with campers.
I just spent the last week working with my first cabin. They were 7-9th grade boys, conformation. It was a very hard week and I am glad it is over. I learned a lot though. It was a really good experience and I am very happy that I had it.
I forgot to blog last week because I was just really busy. I am rather busy for a little while more today so this post will be shorter. I had a blast in Fergus Falls at the day camp. It was basically like doing VBS which I have never done. I realized that I actually do not hate kids, infact I prefer them to the older campers I guess. Talk about odd.
At our staff meeting yesterday there was somebody who needed to trade for next week, which is womens week. I traded kitchen crew for a day camp in Forest Lake. I'll probably be coming home from Forest Lake that weekend because I have whole Friday and Saturday off, I am excited to come home.
Overall, the experience I am having here is very challenging and it would be very easy for me to just pack my bags and head home but I think that would be the easy way out. I need this growth, I think that Joa was right when she said that this summer would make a very large mark on my life. I have a lot of reform theology and I am in the minority. I am challenged to think about what I believe and defend it to others and myself on a regular basis which is very exciting. I find myself desiring more time in scripture which is really good.
I just got my financial aid information from UWEC. It appears that I will be getting more financial aid then my tuition again. A larger part of it is loans but if things go as planned I will be able to finish school with little debt. My personal goal was under 10k which I think I might be able to do. If not, I will be very close.
Thank you for your prayers guys. I have gotten to talk to most of you at least once since I have been here and it really helps t know that you guys are praying for me. With out those prayers I doubt I would have the strength to go on. Please keep posting encouraging comments, they really help. I have gone a month without seeing Krystal and now we can only talk once a week. I will not see her until August 11th probably which is hard but possible.
Please send me snail mail too guys, I can recieve it and it would be awesome, I'll write back too.
Also, for the next week I CAN take phone calls after about 5 or 6pm so PLEASE call me and if I don't answer then I will probably call you back in a little bit, we have a couple dinners with families of the church that we will be working at.
God Bless all of you!
-Dean
I just spent the last week working with my first cabin. They were 7-9th grade boys, conformation. It was a very hard week and I am glad it is over. I learned a lot though. It was a really good experience and I am very happy that I had it.
I forgot to blog last week because I was just really busy. I am rather busy for a little while more today so this post will be shorter. I had a blast in Fergus Falls at the day camp. It was basically like doing VBS which I have never done. I realized that I actually do not hate kids, infact I prefer them to the older campers I guess. Talk about odd.
At our staff meeting yesterday there was somebody who needed to trade for next week, which is womens week. I traded kitchen crew for a day camp in Forest Lake. I'll probably be coming home from Forest Lake that weekend because I have whole Friday and Saturday off, I am excited to come home.
Overall, the experience I am having here is very challenging and it would be very easy for me to just pack my bags and head home but I think that would be the easy way out. I need this growth, I think that Joa was right when she said that this summer would make a very large mark on my life. I have a lot of reform theology and I am in the minority. I am challenged to think about what I believe and defend it to others and myself on a regular basis which is very exciting. I find myself desiring more time in scripture which is really good.
I just got my financial aid information from UWEC. It appears that I will be getting more financial aid then my tuition again. A larger part of it is loans but if things go as planned I will be able to finish school with little debt. My personal goal was under 10k which I think I might be able to do. If not, I will be very close.
Thank you for your prayers guys. I have gotten to talk to most of you at least once since I have been here and it really helps t know that you guys are praying for me. With out those prayers I doubt I would have the strength to go on. Please keep posting encouraging comments, they really help. I have gone a month without seeing Krystal and now we can only talk once a week. I will not see her until August 11th probably which is hard but possible.
Please send me snail mail too guys, I can recieve it and it would be awesome, I'll write back too.
Also, for the next week I CAN take phone calls after about 5 or 6pm so PLEASE call me and if I don't answer then I will probably call you back in a little bit, we have a couple dinners with families of the church that we will be working at.
God Bless all of you!
-Dean
Sunday, June 10, 2007
I'm in Fergus having a blast
Worked with the kids on day camp today a bit. We had a pot-luck of sorts(I guess these Lutheran's are famous for them. We got to play some games and some music for some of the 70 kids we will have tomorrow. Right now I am at a Pastors house sleeping in his basement with another counselor. This will be my home for next couple of days. I spent the last 4 hours fixing some computer stuff for him then just jamming with him.
I PLAYED A MANDOLIN! It was awesome.
I am really excited to see what happens tomorrow when we have 70+ kids. It will really be a feat of God for me to walk away from tomorrow with any shred of sanity at all. I feel much better about being here now. Thank you for praying for me everyone at home. Please keep it up I need it. God is testing me in a couple ways out here and I really hope that I can keep it up. Lutherans are a bit different for me and that is something I will just need to get used to. They focus a lot more on Grace than I am used to. I think this experience with a 'foreign' denomination will be very good for me though. I got to talk theology with this pastor tonight a bit, that was really good.
I am going to start reading the book that Crusade gave me called; Don't Waste Your Life. By: John Piper . I think that I am so surrounded with ELCAness that I need some foundational intense strong stuff to chew on and meander over in my head when I am alone to my thoughts.
In talking with Christa now, I have discovered that I am a bit homesick. This is a new feeling for me I think. I love it here and the people are so wonderful, I just miss Krystal and Pedro. Oh, I guess the rest of my family too :-P They came up on Sat and that was really fun. I enjoyed spending the day with them.
All in all, I am doing much better in my walk and am relearning some foundational things that are good to know as a Christian. I just need some more meat to chew on while I am feeding all these campers milk. I think I will find this in some books and of course the Bible. If any of you want to talk to me on the weekends, please call me! I need the deep theologicial conversations, they keep me going!
Good night all and God Bless.
-Dean
I PLAYED A MANDOLIN! It was awesome.
I am really excited to see what happens tomorrow when we have 70+ kids. It will really be a feat of God for me to walk away from tomorrow with any shred of sanity at all. I feel much better about being here now. Thank you for praying for me everyone at home. Please keep it up I need it. God is testing me in a couple ways out here and I really hope that I can keep it up. Lutherans are a bit different for me and that is something I will just need to get used to. They focus a lot more on Grace than I am used to. I think this experience with a 'foreign' denomination will be very good for me though. I got to talk theology with this pastor tonight a bit, that was really good.
I am going to start reading the book that Crusade gave me called; Don't Waste Your Life. By: John Piper . I think that I am so surrounded with ELCAness that I need some foundational intense strong stuff to chew on and meander over in my head when I am alone to my thoughts.
In talking with Christa now, I have discovered that I am a bit homesick. This is a new feeling for me I think. I love it here and the people are so wonderful, I just miss Krystal and Pedro. Oh, I guess the rest of my family too :-P They came up on Sat and that was really fun. I enjoyed spending the day with them.
All in all, I am doing much better in my walk and am relearning some foundational things that are good to know as a Christian. I just need some more meat to chew on while I am feeding all these campers milk. I think I will find this in some books and of course the Bible. If any of you want to talk to me on the weekends, please call me! I need the deep theologicial conversations, they keep me going!
Good night all and God Bless.
-Dean
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Trials and Tribulations
Things have gotten much harder for me this week. Many theological differences here that are getting really hard to deal with. I don't have the time to go too into depth here right now, I need to call ARCC and UWEC about some transcript stuff in 15. I just need to let you all know that I need as much prayer as possible. Please pray for me, not just a kind and easy and quick prayer though please, I need some powerful prayer. If things do not get better I might want to go home.
-Dean
-Dean
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
"I feel taller"
Wow so much to say but no time to say it...
I just had some of the most amazing times of my life! We spend the last two days canoeing a total of 20ish miles and camping out. It rained alot, we went 12 hours without talking, etc. No shower for two days on the river was also an interesting thing. I now have no doub that this is where I was supposed to be this summer. I have had so much fun and met so many awesome people. Never has a group learned my name and befriended me so quickly. Other that a few akward theological disagreements these people are certainly going to be like family this summer, woofreakkinhooo.
I have learned a lot about myself and just how other people express their faith. The dorky hand motions and such with the songs are really a lot of fun. I am having so much fun and these first two weeks are just staff TRAINING!! wow! I hope that I don't have many sad times this summer because being so far from home will make them seem worse I think.
I am excited to relearn and teach the basics of Christianity to campers when they come. I think I have decided that I will put high school students as my preference to work with though because I have discovered that I am a bit more intense then many of the counselors here. I want to continue to go very very deep into the scriptures we learn and talk about them on a super serious and intense level which is really good but hard to do with little guys. All in all, this summer is setting off to be one of the best ever.
Thank you God for all you have provided for me already. I can't believe that I am getting paid to serve you in this way. I pray that all goes well for you all at home and feel free to e-mail me or leave me a voice mail. Also, you can sent me snailmail!
Dean Alley
Luther Crest Bible Camp
8231 Co Rd 11 NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
-Dean
I just had some of the most amazing times of my life! We spend the last two days canoeing a total of 20ish miles and camping out. It rained alot, we went 12 hours without talking, etc. No shower for two days on the river was also an interesting thing. I now have no doub that this is where I was supposed to be this summer. I have had so much fun and met so many awesome people. Never has a group learned my name and befriended me so quickly. Other that a few akward theological disagreements these people are certainly going to be like family this summer, woofreakkinhooo.
I have learned a lot about myself and just how other people express their faith. The dorky hand motions and such with the songs are really a lot of fun. I am having so much fun and these first two weeks are just staff TRAINING!! wow! I hope that I don't have many sad times this summer because being so far from home will make them seem worse I think.
I am excited to relearn and teach the basics of Christianity to campers when they come. I think I have decided that I will put high school students as my preference to work with though because I have discovered that I am a bit more intense then many of the counselors here. I want to continue to go very very deep into the scriptures we learn and talk about them on a super serious and intense level which is really good but hard to do with little guys. All in all, this summer is setting off to be one of the best ever.
Thank you God for all you have provided for me already. I can't believe that I am getting paid to serve you in this way. I pray that all goes well for you all at home and feel free to e-mail me or leave me a voice mail. Also, you can sent me snailmail!
Dean Alley
Luther Crest Bible Camp
8231 Co Rd 11 NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
-Dean
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The day is upon us
It is a couple minutes until we leave. I have said my final goodbyes. We need to be there at 4pm. There appears to be something in our way on 94 though that we have to go around, I suck at directions as it is!
Anyways, I am getting excited for this summer. During my drive from home to Phil's last night I realized that no matter how distant I feel from God lately that there is always something bigger than me in place. This summer would have been awesome to spend aside Krystal but that did not turn out. If I had my choice that would have happened but instead I recultently went along with this plan instead, just sort of lethargically dragging my feet along. But I have not backed out because I have realized that God wants this for me. I have re-realized that there is something bigger out there, something that has more control over my life than me, and it is Him. God has control of my life, this step is certainly not something I want all on my own, instead I want what God has planned for me and I know that this is what He wants for me.
Time to eat and then hit the road. Wish us safe travels. Much Love!
-Dean
Anyways, I am getting excited for this summer. During my drive from home to Phil's last night I realized that no matter how distant I feel from God lately that there is always something bigger than me in place. This summer would have been awesome to spend aside Krystal but that did not turn out. If I had my choice that would have happened but instead I recultently went along with this plan instead, just sort of lethargically dragging my feet along. But I have not backed out because I have realized that God wants this for me. I have re-realized that there is something bigger out there, something that has more control over my life than me, and it is Him. God has control of my life, this step is certainly not something I want all on my own, instead I want what God has planned for me and I know that this is what He wants for me.
Time to eat and then hit the road. Wish us safe travels. Much Love!
-Dean
Friday, May 25, 2007
LCBC Summer
This blog will be a medium of contact and updates for Dean Alley and Phil Lashinksi. We might get some other counselors up on here too. We will try to update this every week. We have no access to computers on weekdays but have internet access for most weekends. Friends and family can check up here on how we are doing at camp. Thanks for checking it out!
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