update

So the last week has been an interesting one. This weekend I helped out at a junior retreat ( ages 9-11) in the dishes area of the kitchen. This of course interfered with my original plans to go on the retreat with our St. Johns youth group, but it turned out alright. I finished alot of my work that was due, and got a bit of a breather before hermeneutics started yesterday. I think this class is going to be a bit harder, and I am having a hard time focusing. Hermeneutics is basically the theory of interpreting the Bible, digging deep and studying texts in depth and we are studying alot of passages in way more depth than I ever thought was possible or have done before. We still have work to do, and I am still going to have to work a bit harder to finish everything. We are split into groups studying a few different books of the Bible. Our group is studying 1st John, and so I have been reading it over and over, and getting quite a bit out of it. Prayer for focus during class would be great, as it is not the most entertaining class I have ever had. I have said it before, but I have made it so anyone can comment, I would love to hear from you guys. Thanks for the comments that have already been posted, they are a real encouragement.

Ryan

mondays...

So its another Monday. Things are busy around here, as I am sure you read earlier. Anyways, it has also been a good time of connecting. Recently we had our guys night out, in which all the guys went to Jim Badke, our Kaleo leaders house. We barbeque'd steaks and made potatoes and such, it was really good. Really a great night of connecting with the guys. Our youth group for St. Johns is going for a retreat this coming weekend at a cottage. I am really hoping for a good time of connecting with the kids, and that it would be a good escape for them as well as fun. The retreat is going to be at Hornby Island, about 4 hours away from here. I have been focusing alot lately, and had a good reading session today, so that was good. A bit down, alot to go. Fun. We are going on wednesday to split up into 2 groups. 1 group will help out the sailing crew we went with to winterize their ships while the others are caving, then we will switch. I am struggling with what to write, there hasn't been anything else really going on(at least that I can think of now) and I apologize if it seems like I am not writing much.

help!

some trees in the forest here at camp

Recently has not been super great for me. We got a bunch of assignments all in a short amount of time, and its wearing on me. I feel like I have so much to do I don't even want to start, but the reality is I do have to do it. I couldn't find my sheets and books I need and that say what I am supposed to do. This does not help the situation, and I just felt so sunk. I kind of ignored all this work for a bit(not the best idea I've ever had), but recently found all my things, so I have to really get going. Maybe if you guys wouldn't mind you could pray that I have focus, get everything done on time, that I would do everything well that would be great. I appreciate all your prayers, thank you so much!

more again...sailing

The view of the coast from the ship

The bow of the ship! The Pacific Grace

more photos

Mount Albert-Edward, getting closer..


The final climb, the summit is up there

Heyo

Mount Albert Edward from the parking lot where we started. peak right above the bunch of snow.





The view from the top of Mount Albert-Edward



Hey, so it's thanksgiving monday, and its been a pretty good week. Our surf trip went really well, and was a ton of fun. I have a newfound respect for surfers and their sport, it really is a lot of fun, and not as easy as I expected either! We have gotten a lot of assignments recently, as Jim's class has started up and we have things to finish for Marv's spiritual formation class as well as prepare for our next class. Many of the students have gone back home for the weekend, so it's been a bit different around here. Tonight we are having a big thanksgiving dinner for all the students and staff here at camp and I am definately looking forward to that. It is very different not being home for this holiday, and I miss all you guys back home. I hope you all have a great thanksgiving.

Busy

This week has been a busy one for me. We had some assignments and readings to do, so I really had to focus and get work done. Youth group was pretty cool this week. We did a photo scavenger hunt, and one of the photos you had to take was of your group helping to carry groceries. This one took us the longest to do... nobody wanted any help, and we got a few rude rejections as well. People are so suspicious! Anyways, it was still fun, and it gave us the chance to get to know the kids better. Our church had a farewell to their old pastor this sunday, and it was neat to see how different he was than the one that is in place now. They are in the midst of a search for another pastor to lead the congregation, and it would be great if you could pray for that. The church is St. Johns in Duncan. We are going surfing in Tofino, which is about 3 hours away, so that should be fun and also pretty interesting. My camera cord is on the way here as i write this, so I will have some photos up soon. My blog is looking pretty bland/boring right now, so that will be great. I'll be back on Thursday.