Weblog
Saturday, June 21, 2008
-
And the Marathon begins on Monday!
Dear Friends and Family,
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, care packages, e-mails and little notes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
A LOT has happened in the last three weeks. After our week of "camp o' fun", and the the week in the wilderness, we had two weeks of classes. I took Christian Thought in the mornings from 8:30 to noon. After lunch we had canoing and orienteering class and then also water safety testing. Those two weeks were very very challenging. I am thankful to God for supplying the strength to make it through eighteen hour days. Christian Thought was very challenging and really wonderful. We had to write two papers, write a Northwoods Creed and take a final. I learned a lot. If anyone is interested... I am going to paste the creed below.
This last week was a week of tapering off as on Monday our Marathon begins. The campers get here! This last week, we spent time further developing our skills in the various activity areas. I focused on swimming, water skiing and the craft shop. We also had class time and discussed lots and lots of different aspects of camp. I cannot believe how much training HoneyRock provides!
Every week has definitely been challenging and God is growing me in lots of ways. It's hard but it's good!
I am really thankful for the counselor I was paired with. Jamie and I are going to have a week of fourth to fifth graders and our cabin name is "the Crown Gems" for short. I am not quite sure what age we will have for the next two week session. I would really appreciate your prayers. This is going to be an intense next seven weeks. Please pray for strength and patience for us.
I hope that these pictures offer a little more of a taste of HoneyRock! I hope you are all doing really well!
In Christ,
Laura
My Creed of the Northwoods
We, the church – not a building but the Body of Christ, a fellowship of believers – believe in the one true God, the Trinity. He is triune: three persons but of one essence.
God by His grace created heaven and earth. He is the artist of the morning and evening sky splendor. He has complete authority over fire, wind, lightning, thunder and rain.
God rejoices in the His creation: the forests, lakes, rivers and animals. He is the Creator of loons on the lake that call and the deer who gracefully prance across the meadows. But most of all, He rejoices over the crown of His creation, man and woman. He has loved us from the beginning. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. We are created in His image.
God reveals Himself to us in Scripture, the Holy Bible, unveiling the greatest story ever told.
God created a perfect world, but sin entered the world with Adam and Eve’s disobedience;
a chasm arose between God and us. Shame entered the world.
We believe that God, the Father, has fulfilled His promise, though. He loved us enough that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ who has always existed in communion with the Father and Spirit, but Who in the fullness of time, humbled Himself and became flesh. The Trinity knew before earth’s creation that its existence would mean that the Son would have to take on human form to redeem the world. And yet, God loved us enough to do so. For that which the Son has not assumed, He cannot redeem. And so, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in whose womb God’s divinity and humanity became one; He is fully God and fully man. He was sent as a second Adam; He reveals the identity of both God and humankind. He lived the human life, suffering and loving us enough to willingly undergo torture and the excruciatingly painful death on the cross. When Christ drew His final breath, the temple curtain tore, symbolizing the direct way from us to God that was made by His death. Jesus endured human separation from God the Father and the Holy Spirit while He lay in the grave for three days. Satan could not conquer Him in the grave. Our Sin is forgiven through His ultimate sacrifice.
On the third day Jesus rose again.
He appeared to His followers. He walked, talked and ate with them.
He instructed His followers to go into all the nations, to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all peoples. He rose into Heaven on a majestic white cloud and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, now dwells within His people. All who have faith must be sorry for their sins, be baptized by the Spirit, live a Spirit-filled life, and share Christ with all.
.
Jesus is alive. He will return. We await this day with anticipation. At this time, all creation will be reconciled to God and fully transformed into who we were first created to be. All creation will cease its groaning. We will live in peace with the loons, deer and bears. The beauty of the Northwoods is a tiny manifestation of the splendor of Heaven, where there will be no pain or suffering. We will feast at His table, laden with bountiful gifts, fellowshipping with God and all who know and love Jesus Christ.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
-
Back from the Wilderness
Dear Friends and Family,
I am back from the wilderness!!! Week two at HoneyRock has just flown by.... I can hardly believe how quickly it has gone. Let me give you a semi-quick recap of the trip and the last few days.
We spent most of Monday morning packing our packs to take on the trip. It is amazing how little clothing and personal items you need for such a trip... but how much other gear you need to remember to bring. Taking food for nine people for four days is a lot of food... especially when you calculate all of the extra calories burned in a day. Then, you need to remember all of the camping gear such as tarps and tents, matches, pots and pans, billy cans, spatulas, sierra cups and spoons, a five gallon water jug for the legs of the trip we canoed... and of course, every unit had to take Doug. Doug is a shovel. In case you are still mystified as to the purpose of Doug... you go on dates with him in the woods. We were told very clearly, though, that under all circumstances Doug was to remain clean. (i.e. you dig the hole and do your business and you merely use the shovel to cover up the hole.
All you need for the camping trip are the pants you are wearing and one other pair if you want an extra in case the other gets wet... basically you wear the same clothes every day. You need your hiking boots and a pair of waterproof shoes, your toothbrush, bug spray, journal and pen, Bible, headlamp, sleeping bag, hat, gloves, two nalgene bottles, a bandana and your knife/tool. Mom, it was a good thing that we bought that before coming here. It was quite an adventure going into the knife store a couple weeks ago and us looking at all of these very spiffy knives. Basically my thoughts were... what do I need a knife or tools for? I am not planning on screwing screws while I am in the woods and I can definitely life a week without using a toothpick. If I ever need to cut anything... I can just use my teeth or a sharp rock or something. So, what do I need a knife for? Well, the guy in the knife shop said that it would be pretty essential to have a set of pliers on the tool in case I needed to pull anything out of somebody.
Well, you can imagine my reaction... I wasn't too keen about that idea!!! It turns out, though, that it really was wise to bring that tool. Thankfully I didn't have to use my Leatherman to pull any fragments out of someone's flesh, but I did use them to remove a billycan of boiling water from the our selfmade cooking spit. I was able to use the knife to cut the buckbread, chop the onions, and cut the birch bark to start our fires... that was definitely a better alternative to using my teeth. We were also to leave our watches behind... only Laura, our unit leader, had hers on her.
Anyways, after packing all morning for our excursion and divvying up the materials and weight among the packs, we headed out after lunch. Our destination was a five mile hike from camp... not too bad - that is if it all went according to plan. Each day, two people from our unit were appointed to be the leaders of the day. We received a map and a compass and the destination for the day. I was appointed leader along with Laurie, a much experienced wilderness adventurer as she had done "Passage". (Passage = the incoming freshman two week wilderness adventure. Let me tell you... they are hard core about it!!) It was quite the adventure getting to our campsite. It ended up being more of a seven or eight mile hike to the lake. We had many adventures on that day... getting lost several times. The signs were not very explicit and so we ended up having to backtrack quite frequently. We finally got into camp around 6:45 that night which is quite late to be starting to set up camp for the night. We were tired, hungry, exhausted and getting quite cold. My unit leader gave instructions for a couple people to set up the tents while the others gathered firewood for the night... that means as much firewood as is the size of a small car. That is a lot of fire wood! They cannot be big logs either as smaller branches burn the hottest and are best for cooking. That night we cooked a hobo dinner, which consists of potatoes, sausage, and vegetables cooked in aluminum foil... but it comes with a twist. Our leader told us that we needed to chew up all of the raw potato and then spit it back into the foil. Next you chew and spit out the sausage and the vegetables.The only thing you don't chew and spit out is the onion... it was too late for Liz, though, she already had the onion in her mouth by the time Laura said that.
She just looked Laura straight in the eye and kept chewing. Apparently, the saliva helps it to cook the food faster. Otherwise, it would take a very very very long time for our food to be ready. That night, not only did we eat a hobo dinner, but we also looked like hobos as we prepared the meal. it had gotten so cold that a lot of us had all of the clothes on that we had brought along and a couple of girls were wearing woolen socks on their hands as a glove substitute. It was quite hilarious besides it being so cold.
That night, it got down to 25 degrees and it actually snowed. That was a very cold night!!! ... but we all lived through it without getting hypothermia. The next morning, we made chocolate chip pancakes over the fire... they turned out to be a little more scrambled, though. We all decided that they are better that way, though, since they are more moist. After camp was all packed up we hiked a couple of miles to a dam where we were to meet our brother unit who had the canoes. We ate lunch with them and then took the canoes and canoed to our next campsite. It was on a little hill right off of the lake and hidden in the woods. The pine needles made for a much softer sleeping experience and it was not quite as cold as the last night had been... but I would definitely not call it warm. The next day, we canoed in the morning and afternoon to our last campsite and set up. That evening was marked by an amazing time of the last of the life stories that were told, followed by an intense time of worship and prayer. It is amazing to see the plethora of stars visible in the night sky and to stand there under Heaven's tent stretched out above.
The next day, we canoed back to camp, unpacked and made a straight line for the showers in the BIF (bathroom in the forest) which is where we counselors keep all of our things. Getting back to camp was such a luxury. Camp is definitely nothing close to living in a home but it is a lot more than living in a forest. Here, there are actually bathrooms, showers, dishes to eat off of, vegetables and fruit, semi-beds, chairs, running water, and blankets. There is so much to be thankful for.
Don't get me wrong... the woods were great and stretching. There is something wonderful about learning to survive in the great outdoors and face nature's obstacle and challenges - but I am glad that I don't live out there all the time. I have no doubt that it will be challenging to take my campers out there when they come. I have the feeling I will be holding onto God with all of my might. That is a scary as well as a wonderful prospect.
Ok, well there is so much more to tell, but I think that I had better come to a close. Thanks for all of you who read all of this. Thank you for your thoughts, patience and prayers. I really appreciate the care packages and notes I have gotten from several of you! They mean so much. Thank you for your love and encouragement!
Blessings!
Laura
Saturday, April 26, 2008
-
I am just thankful - that's all!
I am sitting here on my couch in my room alone and yet - I just can't stop smiling. It is as if I am just about to burst and bubble over!!!
I can hardly believe that there are only two more weeks left and then my sophomore/junior year are over! The last several weeks - well basically since spring break - have been absolutely crazy!!! I have never written and read so much in my life! It has been a good growing experience.
Looking back on this year, I have to smile. God has grown me in so many ways. Yes, there have been a lot of tough spots, but He has carried me through and I know that I am at a better place because of that. It is interesting to see how my attitude has changed. A lot of the circumstances this year that caused me much distress and agony have not changed, but my attitude and perspective has, which makes all of the difference in the world!
One of my professors has been telling us all semester about a gratitude journal that he keeps. He told us that he struggles with his attitude sometimes and that the spiritual discipline of keeping such a journal and writing in it every morning or evening (at least ten things that he is thankful for) makes a gigantic difference. This week I tried it. It really helped me get through this week where there were a lot of negative things that I could have allowed myself to dwell on. But instead, I found myself recounting and remembering all of the big and little things that I had to be thankful for!!! God is so good and it is so easy to forget the immense ways in which he chooses to bless His children! If you struggle with a bad attitude or are going through some hard things, I challenge you to try it. The gratitude list does not mean that you should disregard and devalue those hard things, but it simply helps to put things in perspective and allow one to be grateful even in the hard times.
Here is my gratitude list for today:- The beautiful spring weather outside.
- getting a note from my sister this week
- Time with my suite
- Tim's surgery went well and he is recovering
- being able to go to AZ to be with my grandparents, Mom and Tim in two weeks
- The faculty and people in my major ... people with beautiful hearts and so much encouragement
- God's strength
- God's unconditional love
- Time with Mark this week
- good meals with friends
- Support from family, Andrew and friends
- This year: challenge to grow and mature more intellectually, personally, relationally, emotionally and spiritually
I also want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to B'linda Irby, one of my closest friends in the world! I hope you are having an amazing day and feel really celebrated!!!
I love you so inexplicably much B!!!
I hope you are all doing well!
Lots of love,
Laura
- The beautiful spring weather outside.
Friday, April 18, 2008
-
Prayer Request
It's Friday! - I am so excited!
Here are just a couple of Prayer requests:- Please pray for my younger brother, Tim, who is having surgery on his shoulder. Pray that the doctor's hands would be steady, that the medical staff would make wise decision, and for a quick recovery.
- I have an interview today. I would appreciate prayer requests for wisdom in what to say and for good communication.
- Also, for this weekend: I need to write four papers by Friday, work on a speech, do the assigned readings and present a project.
- My suitemate Emily got into HNGR. That means she will be preparing all next year and then going for six months to a Third World country the first semester of her senior year. (most likely in Latin America)
- Great professors, friends and family.
- Spring is finally here! It is in the sixties again today.
Laura - Please pray for my younger brother, Tim, who is having surgery on his shoulder. Pray that the doctor's hands would be steady, that the medical staff would make wise decision, and for a quick recovery.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
-
It is finally spring... at least I hope so
Dear Friends and Family,
Well, it looks like it is finally spring. Today it got up into the sixties and tomorrow it is even supposed to reach seventy. The weather on the whole has been getting warmer and warmer (minus this Saturday when it snowed - again!)
These last few weeks have been quite intense. I decided today to count the number of papers and projects that I will have completed by the end of the semester for this semester and it tallied up around thirty. I could hardly believe it! Well, actually, I can believe it quite well. It seems like it is just this never ending stream of writing and presenting and writing and presenting. Well, at least I am getting my money's worth, right? Counting this week there are only three more weeks left before finals and I know that they are going to just continue to fly by.
On Friday, I was persuaded to go to class films with my suitemates. It is like the Academy Awards for Wheaton. Each class produces a film that is about twenty to thirty minutes long. Although I was definitely ready for them to be over when we got to the end, I must say that I am glad that I went and that they were better than last year's. The seniors ended up winning, but the sophomores did pretty well.
I enjoyed talking to my parents and sister Kristin who came to visit them in Fuessen to see Tim's hockey tournament. Andrew had his weekend off as well and so he took the six hour train ride to Fuessen to cheer Tim on. Unfortunately, Tim tore a ligament in his shoulder on Friday and was out for the rest of the tournament.
Here is a picture of Andrew, Tim and Kristin on a hike/walk:
This week will hopefully be a little bit more low key... I only have one more paper for this week, which is nice. I have my speech tutorial tomorrow. Our public speaking prof canceled two weeks of class to work with us one-on-one and improve the persuasive speeches we gave last week. We then give them again the last week of class. For some reason, it seems more intimidating meeting with Dr. Giuliano one-on-one than giving the speech in front of my entire class. :0) I am sure that it will be beneficial, though.
Here are also a couple of pictures of my sisters and my dad who got to go to Mannheim to see our long time family friend Katie sing. Katie and her friend Jill have been singing a lot with Kelly Clarkson and so part of my family got to go see her when there was a concert in Mannheim. So special to see Katie again! I wish I could have been there!
My mom also sent me pictures of Tim and his ballroom dance banquet. How I remember those days... :0)
I could hardly believe the this dashing young man he has turned into!!
Here are some pictures from this weekend. My roommate, Christine, had two of her friends come to visit. On Sunday night, we went to Red Robin to visit her brother who was waitering that night.
That would be us! :0) Our lovely suite! Sometimes you just got to let up all of that pent up energy out! :0)
I hope you are all doing well! Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Love,
Laura
FluffyMuffin1223
-
- Name: Laura
- Country: Germany
- Birthday: 12/23/1987
- Gender: Female
- Member Since: 7/3/2005
Connect
Weblog Archives
Don't worry - your calendar is here… to see it in action just click "Save"
above and refresh the page.
About Me
-
I was born and grew up in Germany, a BFA alum and consider myself very fortunate and blessed to have spent two years there. I am now tremendously enjoying college! I love to laugh and am more of a one-on-one or small group kind of person. I love hospitality and giving to others in any way I can.
Chatboard (0)