It's been quite a while since I've been on here writing anything. I've always enjoyed and benefited from writing out my thoughts. So I'd like to get back into the habit of blogging.
I just finished my first day back to real life after a week-long vacation with friends from camp helping prepare for a wedding and spending wonderful time together. During my time there I was able to have many deep conversations about life, God, issues of the day and stuff like that. I also had a lot of time for reading. I was able to finish reading my Christmas present, a book called "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore?". It was all about learning to live your life out of a trusting relationship with God. Through reading about this relationship, talking with friends and seeing that relationship being lived out by those friends made me really hunger for that kind of relationship, one that I've never had.
Coming back to real life I do not want to go back to my "real life" schedule of working during the day and just sitting around during the after work hours. So last night and tonight I went to the pool with my Bible.
I've always had trouble understanding what I read, and that's really made me question my salvation at times. Last week I took some time to meditate on scripture. I didn't really come up with a conclusion to what I was thinking about, but I felt like I grew a little just from doing it and wrestling with an issue.
Tonight I was looking through Ephesians and 1 Corinthians thinking about marriage and how two become one flesh and relating that to honoring your bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit, and then I ran across something I had underlined. 1 Corinthians 1: 26-29 "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
The boasting part caught my attention and started me thinking. Honestly I have a lot of pride in my life. I've been told a lot that I'm a great kid, and now I think I believe it. All my life I've been in the above-average range. I got good grades all through school, I memorized every verse my AWANA book gave me and earned my Timothy award, I played sports and wasn't unathletic (I always thought I was pretty good, but I know now that I'm not the best athlete). I've always been able to be good at whatever I did. But never in my spiritual life did I experience that some success. Sure, I knew all the church answers, and I even tried living out the principles I read in the Bible. But I never really felt growth, I always just felt stuck. So now looking back at that and seeing how God is changing my heart and helping me understand things I'm seeing how he is doing his work to me instead of letting me succeed on my own efforts. I don't know if I'd ever recover from the pride of cultivating a relationship with Jesus on my own, but since it is being given to me I can't take credit for it or boast about myself, just about the God who is working his plan in me, and I'm grateful for it!
There's a lot more than just that running through my head about this evening, but I can't put them all into a coherent thought and then put that thought into words, so I'll just say, "That's all for now, and also thank you to Brad, Dee, Ali, and Josh Roth, David and Lauren Glett, Lindsey Bartels, Aunica Buseman, Grace Stephenson and all the other wonderful people who don't hide their relationships with God and who share His love!"
Monday, January 7, 2013
Thursday, April 26, 2012
YMCA camp
Yesterday we visited the YMCA camp near Boone, IA, and we were all very impressed. We were shown around most of their 370 acre camp by executive director Dave Sherry. They have wonderful facilities, nice new buildings, an open playing field, and a swimming pool.
I think that the thing that impressed me most about the camp is the ingenuity and creativity of the director and how that was put to good use. Everything has a thought through purpose and strategy. They are putting up benches and pavilions wherever they can so that people have a place close by to sit down and talk to encourage relationship building.
They had a waiting list, so they built a couple tree houses connected by walkways, but they built them to look like kids made them, with haphazard boards for railing. They also have the oldest campers stay in them, so when the younger kids walk by and see the older kids staying in the cool tree houses, they'll want to come back year after year, so they can eventually stay there. It'll work, I promise. I want to stay in them!
They go through 1 bus about every 5 years, and the director was getting tired of having to wash it so much because they're on a gravel road. So when they got their newest bus, he took his car out and drove around the gravel. When he was done, he scraped the dust off his car with a note card and took that to the paint store. They matched the color and now the Ycamp doesn't have to wash their bus very often.
He has a philosophy behind everything, and it all makes sense.
One thing I'd like to see implemented here at camp is the "boys will be boys" camp they run. The philosophy is that boys are boys and want to do boyishly stupid things, but they aren't allowed to in today's culture. So for one week these boys are allowed to just simply be boys. They burn things, climb things, run up and down things, blow things up, play in the mud, and they don't have to shower or change clothes if they don't want to. They get to be boys! I don't know if we should have an entire camp, but maybe just let kids go a little more crazy!
I think that the thing that impressed me most about the camp is the ingenuity and creativity of the director and how that was put to good use. Everything has a thought through purpose and strategy. They are putting up benches and pavilions wherever they can so that people have a place close by to sit down and talk to encourage relationship building.
They had a waiting list, so they built a couple tree houses connected by walkways, but they built them to look like kids made them, with haphazard boards for railing. They also have the oldest campers stay in them, so when the younger kids walk by and see the older kids staying in the cool tree houses, they'll want to come back year after year, so they can eventually stay there. It'll work, I promise. I want to stay in them!
They go through 1 bus about every 5 years, and the director was getting tired of having to wash it so much because they're on a gravel road. So when they got their newest bus, he took his car out and drove around the gravel. When he was done, he scraped the dust off his car with a note card and took that to the paint store. They matched the color and now the Ycamp doesn't have to wash their bus very often.
He has a philosophy behind everything, and it all makes sense.
One thing I'd like to see implemented here at camp is the "boys will be boys" camp they run. The philosophy is that boys are boys and want to do boyishly stupid things, but they aren't allowed to in today's culture. So for one week these boys are allowed to just simply be boys. They burn things, climb things, run up and down things, blow things up, play in the mud, and they don't have to shower or change clothes if they don't want to. They get to be boys! I don't know if we should have an entire camp, but maybe just let kids go a little more crazy!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Taking Risks
We talked about taking risks today in class (hence the title). And now for our assignment we must detail two experiences where we took a risk and didn't take a risk and what the outcome was of each.
I took a risk one day last summer while I was working. Myself and two other guys were washing awnings at a mall because our boss owns the property. We were using a forklift with a platform on it to get up to the awnings so we could scrub them. After scrubbing the had to be rinsed off, but for one of the awnings rinsing it from the platform didn't work all that well. So I wanted to get on the roof and rinse it from above. I had one of the other guys raise the platform to a good level and then leaped from the platform onto the top of the building. It wasn't a long jump, however if for some reason I had missed I would have fallen the 15 or 20 feet to the pavement below and might have hurt myself, possibly badly. However none of this crossed my mind. I just wanted to get onto the rooftop, so that's what I did. I jumped, and I made it (the proof is that I'm here telling you about it). I landed in a puddle on the roof, made from us spraying off the awning, which had combined with the dirt already on the roof to make a quite slippery landing pad. My feet went flying out from under me, and I landed on my back with my right arm twisted underneath myself. I didn't hurt anything however, and was able to spray off the awnings to the complete satisfaction of my OCDness.
Now I can't really remember a time that I was faced with a choice of taking a risk or not and not taking it, but not because I always take risks. No, I don't really ever put myself in situations that are risky or where I might have take a risk, and thus far, my life has been pretty boring.
So, what happens when you take risks? You might fall to your death, hurt yourself, or you just might be able to accomplish everything you've ever wanted to do. And what happens when you don't take risks? You'll never know what would have happened if you had taken a chance.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Perseverance: Keep on Keeping on
Today in class we talked about perseverance. And our assignment is to write a report about someone exemplifying this character trait. So I am going to tell you the story of Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer.
Dakota Meyer was born in 1988 Columbia, Kentucky where he grew up and graduated from high school. After graduating he enlisted in the Marines in 2006. He was sent over to Iraq in 2007 and served in Fallujah.
His Medal of Honor was earned in action on September 8, 2009 in Kunar Province near the village of Ganjgal. Meyer, then a Corporal, and Staff Sgt.Juan Rodriguez-Chavez heard over their radios that a patrol of Afghan soldiers and their American trainers were being ambushed by about 50 Taliban fighters dug in on the slopes above the village. Meyer and the Staff Sergeant repeatedly radioed for permission to move forward to rescue their comrades, but the were denied permission every time. Finally they decided to disobey their superiors and advance into the valley under a hail of gunfire to rescue their trapped comrades and allies. With Staff Sgt. Rodriguez-Chavez driving the humvee, Corporal Meyer manned the gun turret, exposing himself to the enemy's fire. Twice they drove into the heart of the ambush and rescued pinned down and injured Afghan soldiers. After their second trip they had to switch humvees because the first one was too damaged by bullets and shrapnel. A third and fourth time they went in, sometimes fighting the Taliban ambushers right next to the humvee. Each time they came upon trapped or injured soldiers they would expose themselves further to gunfire in order to reach the trapped soldiers and get them back to the vehicle.
Five times they went into the ambushed area, each time with great risk to themselves. Corporal Meyer was injured in the arm by a piece of shrapnel on the third or fourth run through the valley. On the fifth trip Meyer searched the village house to house trying to find four US service men that had been trapped for the entirety of the 6 hour battle. Meyer and Rodriguez-Chavez found all four of the men, dead, and carried their bodies back to safety.
Throughout the whole battle Meyer exemplified perseverance by running through enemy gunfire to save his friends and comrades. Meyer said that the gunfire was so thick and heavy, "I didn't think I was going to die, I knew it." He knew he would die, but he kept going, kept pushing forward to rescue as many as possible. I think many of us as Christians could learn from his example, not only of perseverance, but also of courage and selflessness.
Dakota Meyer was born in 1988 Columbia, Kentucky where he grew up and graduated from high school. After graduating he enlisted in the Marines in 2006. He was sent over to Iraq in 2007 and served in Fallujah.
His Medal of Honor was earned in action on September 8, 2009 in Kunar Province near the village of Ganjgal. Meyer, then a Corporal, and Staff Sgt.Juan Rodriguez-Chavez heard over their radios that a patrol of Afghan soldiers and their American trainers were being ambushed by about 50 Taliban fighters dug in on the slopes above the village. Meyer and the Staff Sergeant repeatedly radioed for permission to move forward to rescue their comrades, but the were denied permission every time. Finally they decided to disobey their superiors and advance into the valley under a hail of gunfire to rescue their trapped comrades and allies. With Staff Sgt. Rodriguez-Chavez driving the humvee, Corporal Meyer manned the gun turret, exposing himself to the enemy's fire. Twice they drove into the heart of the ambush and rescued pinned down and injured Afghan soldiers. After their second trip they had to switch humvees because the first one was too damaged by bullets and shrapnel. A third and fourth time they went in, sometimes fighting the Taliban ambushers right next to the humvee. Each time they came upon trapped or injured soldiers they would expose themselves further to gunfire in order to reach the trapped soldiers and get them back to the vehicle.
Five times they went into the ambushed area, each time with great risk to themselves. Corporal Meyer was injured in the arm by a piece of shrapnel on the third or fourth run through the valley. On the fifth trip Meyer searched the village house to house trying to find four US service men that had been trapped for the entirety of the 6 hour battle. Meyer and Rodriguez-Chavez found all four of the men, dead, and carried their bodies back to safety.
Throughout the whole battle Meyer exemplified perseverance by running through enemy gunfire to save his friends and comrades. Meyer said that the gunfire was so thick and heavy, "I didn't think I was going to die, I knew it." He knew he would die, but he kept going, kept pushing forward to rescue as many as possible. I think many of us as Christians could learn from his example, not only of perseverance, but also of courage and selflessness.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Courage Epitomized: Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
We talked about courage today, and now our assignment is to write an essay on an event either in our own lives or someone else's life that illustrates courageous leadership.
I cannot come up with an example of courageous leadership in my life, but we just watched a movie clip from "Gettysburg" about one of my favorite historical figures, Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the 20th Maine Regiment.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, born Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain, was a college professor in Maine who left the comfort of his home, family, and career to serve in the Union army during the American Civil War. He joined the 20th Maine Regiment in August of 1862 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was promoted to Colonel in June of 1863. In July the forces of the North and South met at a small Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg to fight what turned into the bloodiest battle of the war.
The 20th Maine was stationed at the far left of the army on a little hill aptly named, Little Round Top. Now not only was the regiment on the far left of the army at Gettysburg, but they were the end of the entire Union army. If they were pushed back, the Confederates could flank the entire Union army and march into Washington. Holding Little Round Top was critical to the survival of the Union, and Col. Chamberlain understood that. However, he had only so many men at his disposal, and his men only had so many supplies and so much ammunition.
On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg the Confederacy attacked the hill. The first wave was turned back by the 20th Maine as was the second, and the third, but Colonel Chamberlain saw that his men could only hold out for so long and soon they would start to run out of ammunition. However he also knew that the Union could not, no matter the cost, lose Little Round Top. Since he knew that his regiment could stay and hold off another attack by the Confederates, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain ordered his regiment to fix bayonets and charge the Confederates even while the confederates were charging at them up the hill.
The charge was successful, and the Union retained control of Little Round Top. The 20th Maine captured 101 of the Confederate soldiers, and some of the Union troops didn't even have any bullets to keep their prisoners from running away......but apparently the prisoners didn't know that!
Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain showed true courage and great leadership in the defense of Little Round Top, but his courageous acts didn't start there. He had to have courage to volunteer for the army and learn how to lead his men. But the battle of Little Round Top was what made his courage famous. The Col. had to have been afraid during the battle, afraid of personal injury (a bullet hit his sword scabbard and bruised his thigh) afraid of failing to hold the position and also afraid of losing friends and family in the battle because his brother was an officer in the regiment with him. Despite all that fear he kept his head about him and saw the situation in reality, not as he wished it to be. He knew that they could not retreat and they could stay and defend their position, so he took the only option left, a daring, risky, dangerous charge into enemy fire, and that decision saved the Union and allowed them to win the Battle of Gettysburg.
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is my favorite historical figure not only for his courageous leadership at Gettysburg, but also because as General Gordon of the Confederacy said he was "one of the knightliest soldiers in the Federal army." In the movie Gettysburg, after the charge down Little Round Top the Colonel's brother, Tom, introduces him to a Confederate he's holding prisoner. The Confederate man looks just as tired and war weary as the Col. The man asks quietly for some water to which Joshua replies, "Yes, of course. We'll find some water for you." He had no personal enemies among the Confederates. He saw them for what they were, men fighting for a cause just like he was. He was not an enemy of the people of the South, just what they were fighting for. Another (actual non fictional) example of his "knightliness" is when the Confederates were surrendering, Colonel Chamberlain was selected to preside over the parade of the confederate infantry as they came forward and laid down their weapons. When the confederates started marching past Chamberlain ordered his men to come to attention and "carry arms" in a show of respect for the men surrendering. Again, he had no enemies among the men of the Confederate army. He understood that they were simply men just like him fighting for a cause.
Writing all this makes me want to name one of my children Joshua Lawrence! One of my boys, not a girl :)
Oh yeah, just another little tid bit about Col. Chamberlain. On June 18, 1864 he was shot through the right hip and groin. In stead of leaving the battle for help, he pulled his sword and supported himself on it until he passed out from blood loss, so he could encourage his men to stand their ground once again. The surgeon deemed his injury was fatal, and his death was reported to the Maine newspapers. However, through surprising will and courage (maybe not so surprising in the courage department) and with his brother, Tom's, support, Chamberlain pulled through and returned to duty. Apparently on his death bed, he was promoted to Brigadier General, a rank he retained until the end of the war.
I cannot come up with an example of courageous leadership in my life, but we just watched a movie clip from "Gettysburg" about one of my favorite historical figures, Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the 20th Maine Regiment.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, born Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain, was a college professor in Maine who left the comfort of his home, family, and career to serve in the Union army during the American Civil War. He joined the 20th Maine Regiment in August of 1862 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was promoted to Colonel in June of 1863. In July the forces of the North and South met at a small Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg to fight what turned into the bloodiest battle of the war.
The 20th Maine was stationed at the far left of the army on a little hill aptly named, Little Round Top. Now not only was the regiment on the far left of the army at Gettysburg, but they were the end of the entire Union army. If they were pushed back, the Confederates could flank the entire Union army and march into Washington. Holding Little Round Top was critical to the survival of the Union, and Col. Chamberlain understood that. However, he had only so many men at his disposal, and his men only had so many supplies and so much ammunition.
On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg the Confederacy attacked the hill. The first wave was turned back by the 20th Maine as was the second, and the third, but Colonel Chamberlain saw that his men could only hold out for so long and soon they would start to run out of ammunition. However he also knew that the Union could not, no matter the cost, lose Little Round Top. Since he knew that his regiment could stay and hold off another attack by the Confederates, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain ordered his regiment to fix bayonets and charge the Confederates even while the confederates were charging at them up the hill.
The charge was successful, and the Union retained control of Little Round Top. The 20th Maine captured 101 of the Confederate soldiers, and some of the Union troops didn't even have any bullets to keep their prisoners from running away......but apparently the prisoners didn't know that!
Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain showed true courage and great leadership in the defense of Little Round Top, but his courageous acts didn't start there. He had to have courage to volunteer for the army and learn how to lead his men. But the battle of Little Round Top was what made his courage famous. The Col. had to have been afraid during the battle, afraid of personal injury (a bullet hit his sword scabbard and bruised his thigh) afraid of failing to hold the position and also afraid of losing friends and family in the battle because his brother was an officer in the regiment with him. Despite all that fear he kept his head about him and saw the situation in reality, not as he wished it to be. He knew that they could not retreat and they could stay and defend their position, so he took the only option left, a daring, risky, dangerous charge into enemy fire, and that decision saved the Union and allowed them to win the Battle of Gettysburg.
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is my favorite historical figure not only for his courageous leadership at Gettysburg, but also because as General Gordon of the Confederacy said he was "one of the knightliest soldiers in the Federal army." In the movie Gettysburg, after the charge down Little Round Top the Colonel's brother, Tom, introduces him to a Confederate he's holding prisoner. The Confederate man looks just as tired and war weary as the Col. The man asks quietly for some water to which Joshua replies, "Yes, of course. We'll find some water for you." He had no personal enemies among the Confederates. He saw them for what they were, men fighting for a cause just like he was. He was not an enemy of the people of the South, just what they were fighting for. Another (actual non fictional) example of his "knightliness" is when the Confederates were surrendering, Colonel Chamberlain was selected to preside over the parade of the confederate infantry as they came forward and laid down their weapons. When the confederates started marching past Chamberlain ordered his men to come to attention and "carry arms" in a show of respect for the men surrendering. Again, he had no enemies among the men of the Confederate army. He understood that they were simply men just like him fighting for a cause.
Writing all this makes me want to name one of my children Joshua Lawrence! One of my boys, not a girl :)
Oh yeah, just another little tid bit about Col. Chamberlain. On June 18, 1864 he was shot through the right hip and groin. In stead of leaving the battle for help, he pulled his sword and supported himself on it until he passed out from blood loss, so he could encourage his men to stand their ground once again. The surgeon deemed his injury was fatal, and his death was reported to the Maine newspapers. However, through surprising will and courage (maybe not so surprising in the courage department) and with his brother, Tom's, support, Chamberlain pulled through and returned to duty. Apparently on his death bed, he was promoted to Brigadier General, a rank he retained until the end of the war.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Obedience and Truthfulness
Last week in class we talked about obedience in regards to leadership. Our assignment was to tell of a couple times when we had to choose between telling the truth and facing the consequences or lying and trying to cover up our guilt and what the consequences or benefits were to being honest or lying. So I started to try to come up with some thoughts about times in my life, but I was having a hard time coming up with a good example of a time I've been caught in a lie. So being the brave gutsy man that I am, I decided to just skip this assignment (kind of ironic, skipping the assignment on obedience). So I went home for the weekend and had a good time with my family and friends and came back Monday night. And then today in class we talked about core values. We took an assessment that helped us find our values, and then for an assignment we had to take those 3-5 core values and from them come up with a life principle and an application.
My last core value that I came up with is dependability or trustworthiness in me as a person, employee, and I suppose as a student too. So I said the life principle from dependability would be "I will strive to complete any task assigned to me to it's full completion and to do it excellently as working for the Lord." So I'm writing this principle, and I get to thinking, "Hmmmm, what about last week's assignment?" So I decided as an easy application to put down, "Turn in all assignments". So this is me telling the truth about last week's assignment, and I really don't know what any of the consequences or benefits are going to be from telling this story and putting it on facebook.
So I already told you a truth story, but I have another good one, so I'll tell you it too.
Last fall I was driving along one of camp's wonderfully kept straight wide pathed roads when all of a sudden I hit a tree with one of camp's wonderfully taken care of trucks (I won't go into why I hit the tree or where the tree is because frankly it's not pertinent to the story and you don't need to know!). So, adrenaline pumping through my system, I slowly backed up from the tree and drove the truck to the FLC. I am feeling quite sick at the moment (literally almost nauseous), but I knew that I had to tell somebody. So I went into the FLC to talk to my good friend, Jonathon Faust. I told him what happened, and he told me that I should probably talk to somebody higher up the totem pole than him. So I started to leave, but before I got too far I saw my boss, Brett Wiuff (that's pronounced wiff everybody!) coming over. So I started to tell him what happened, and he said that I should pull up to the maintenance shed and tell Jordan (the head maintenance dude) what had happened. So I drove up to the shed, but I couldn't find Jordan. So I called Brett, and he said to just make sure I told Jordan what happened before lunch. Well lunch rolls around and I still haven't found Jordan, so I head to the lodge because that's where Jordan is everyday that he's working, right at noon, for lunch. He's one thing you can depend on at camp (just like our trucks!). So I told him what had happened and why I had hit the tree (no, you still don't get to know) and everybody laughed at me (because the why is a really stupid why). Anyway, nothing really ever came of it. The front of the truck is still smashed in, but Jordan made a new bumper for it. A few months after this all happened though, Brett one day made a little comment that made me sit back and think for a little bit. He said, "You know, if you had tried to lie about the truck in stead of owning up to it like you did, you probably would have been fired." That made me really glad that I took responsibility for me mistake!
I'm sure that there are plenty of examples of me lying to keep from getting trouble, but I can only think of one at the moment. It wasn't a lie about anything huge. I was just trying to save face when in fact it turned out that I really didn't have to.
My father is huge into running, and I mean HUGE! So he likes it when his children share in his hobby of running, and one day my dad told me to run to the high school and back. It's only a mile there and a mile back, but I was only 10 or 12 at the time, and not in very good shape. So I was running along and getting tired, but I wasn't to the high school yet. However I was really tired, so I decided to turn around earlier than I thought I had been told to. So I ran home, and my dad comes over and asks, "Did you make it all the way?" And me not wanting to get in trouble for not running the whole distance and having to face Dad upset for not following his instructions said, "Yup, all the way around the high school and back." And then Dad said, "The high school? You only have to run to the middle school to go 2 miles. Wow, you did good, Chipper!" And me, enjoying Daddy's praise and not wanting to explain anything didn't say a thing to correct him, but it turned out that since I had turned around at the middle school I really had run the full 2 miles. I don't think I ever corrected this lie, maybe it came up in passing one time, but I'm sure Dad doesn't remember the incident. So, Mom, since you're reading this would you be willing to get Dad and show him this? I'm sorry that I lied to you Dad. I should have had more faith in your love for me and realized that it extends farther than the distance I run! You will be proud of me to know that I actually did go running tonight!!!!
My last core value that I came up with is dependability or trustworthiness in me as a person, employee, and I suppose as a student too. So I said the life principle from dependability would be "I will strive to complete any task assigned to me to it's full completion and to do it excellently as working for the Lord." So I'm writing this principle, and I get to thinking, "Hmmmm, what about last week's assignment?" So I decided as an easy application to put down, "Turn in all assignments". So this is me telling the truth about last week's assignment, and I really don't know what any of the consequences or benefits are going to be from telling this story and putting it on facebook.
So I already told you a truth story, but I have another good one, so I'll tell you it too.
Last fall I was driving along one of camp's wonderfully kept straight wide pathed roads when all of a sudden I hit a tree with one of camp's wonderfully taken care of trucks (I won't go into why I hit the tree or where the tree is because frankly it's not pertinent to the story and you don't need to know!). So, adrenaline pumping through my system, I slowly backed up from the tree and drove the truck to the FLC. I am feeling quite sick at the moment (literally almost nauseous), but I knew that I had to tell somebody. So I went into the FLC to talk to my good friend, Jonathon Faust. I told him what happened, and he told me that I should probably talk to somebody higher up the totem pole than him. So I started to leave, but before I got too far I saw my boss, Brett Wiuff (that's pronounced wiff everybody!) coming over. So I started to tell him what happened, and he said that I should pull up to the maintenance shed and tell Jordan (the head maintenance dude) what had happened. So I drove up to the shed, but I couldn't find Jordan. So I called Brett, and he said to just make sure I told Jordan what happened before lunch. Well lunch rolls around and I still haven't found Jordan, so I head to the lodge because that's where Jordan is everyday that he's working, right at noon, for lunch. He's one thing you can depend on at camp (just like our trucks!). So I told him what had happened and why I had hit the tree (no, you still don't get to know) and everybody laughed at me (because the why is a really stupid why). Anyway, nothing really ever came of it. The front of the truck is still smashed in, but Jordan made a new bumper for it. A few months after this all happened though, Brett one day made a little comment that made me sit back and think for a little bit. He said, "You know, if you had tried to lie about the truck in stead of owning up to it like you did, you probably would have been fired." That made me really glad that I took responsibility for me mistake!
I'm sure that there are plenty of examples of me lying to keep from getting trouble, but I can only think of one at the moment. It wasn't a lie about anything huge. I was just trying to save face when in fact it turned out that I really didn't have to.
My father is huge into running, and I mean HUGE! So he likes it when his children share in his hobby of running, and one day my dad told me to run to the high school and back. It's only a mile there and a mile back, but I was only 10 or 12 at the time, and not in very good shape. So I was running along and getting tired, but I wasn't to the high school yet. However I was really tired, so I decided to turn around earlier than I thought I had been told to. So I ran home, and my dad comes over and asks, "Did you make it all the way?" And me not wanting to get in trouble for not running the whole distance and having to face Dad upset for not following his instructions said, "Yup, all the way around the high school and back." And then Dad said, "The high school? You only have to run to the middle school to go 2 miles. Wow, you did good, Chipper!" And me, enjoying Daddy's praise and not wanting to explain anything didn't say a thing to correct him, but it turned out that since I had turned around at the middle school I really had run the full 2 miles. I don't think I ever corrected this lie, maybe it came up in passing one time, but I'm sure Dad doesn't remember the incident. So, Mom, since you're reading this would you be willing to get Dad and show him this? I'm sorry that I lied to you Dad. I should have had more faith in your love for me and realized that it extends farther than the distance I run! You will be proud of me to know that I actually did go running tonight!!!!
Family Faith SomewordthatstartswithFandmeansinterview Pt. 2
So what does this mean for my faith?
Well I have had, at the very least; two people hoping, praying and working to have my faith grow. I have been surrounded for the most part by an environment of faith in Christ, and yet somehow I failed to understand the basic concept of grace. I don’t want to point fingers, and I don’t even know where I could point a finger for this. I’m coming to realize that I never had a faith of my own until this year. I was always living off someone else’s faith whether it was my family’s, my camp friend’s or my youth group’s. All the prayers are finally starting to pay off!
I think that through my parent’s example I have come to hold daily Bible reading, prayer and other spiritual disciplines. I have also been raised to hold Joseph, Mary’s husband, in high regard and to strive to be an upstanding man such as him.
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