i just thought i would share this wounderful picture with all of you

well 3 pictures...Joel .. these make me miss you so much! lol

Romans 8:28

Hey my fam! I miss you guys so much! I know we've all been saying it, but I honestly miss you guys! I am asking you guys for prayer. My sister has been sick all year, the last few days of Kaleo we spent at Mt. Washington she spent in the hospital. She had surgery Thursday and has passed out twice since then and we're not sure why. Please pray for her! It gives me comfort to know "All things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
It's still good to be home, I have one more month at the greenhouse and then camp which I'm really looking forward to! Love you guys and praying tons for you!

just a couple of pics...

The second one from the top one isn't mine... there ya go matthias!

Bonjour de Matt Le Brun

On the way home from work today, listening to the CBC radio, 100.5 in London, 106.9 in Huntsville, (the classical show is in the morning. That's the one I like to listen to at 7 am on the way to work everday), I heard the name of one of the talk show hosts, Catherin Duncan. It made me think of you guys... and of course, Cathy. I must admit, I have been so busy here in London that I haven't really thought about Kaleo five that much. And because I haven't really been thinking about it, I haven't really been missing it. But every now and again something will trig some memory from this past year and man, does it ever make me miss you guys. It's funny, usually when one leaves something that they have grown very attached to, like Kaleo, their heart aches for a time immediately after leaving that which they love and then gradually, although it would be unfair to say the person stops missing, their heart simply hurts less. This should have been the case for me I would have thought, but because I did not spend anytime dwelling on it after Kaleo, everytime I do spend time missing you, it comes on stronger than I would expect given the number of weeks it has been since we left Qwanoes. But maybe that is just because you guys are so sweet that I will never stop missing you this much.
I have been working for a landscaper for the past few weeks putting in 58 hour weeks, which is pretty crazy, but great for paying back the bank for this previous year. It is a good job. There is a lot of variety of things to do every day which leaves no room for boredom. Oh, Michelle, I have to thank you again for teaching me a little bit of standard in your car. I have had to learn how to drive an all terrain dump truck for work (amongst many other machines) and your teaching helped.
Everything has been going well with me in London. I attend Kings University College in the fall. Oh, before I sign out I also have to say hey to the India team. I miss India and I miss you guys. If anyone from this team wants to phone me up or something to have an India prayer meeting or something, that would be sweet. I have been wondering how things are going back in India with Nathan and Cathy and maybe some of you know stuff that I might like to.
I have been slowly rediscovering different pieces of the India trip and Kaleo as I slowly root through my stuff. Yeah, another interesting piece of news; I still haven't unpacked from the plane ride yet. As a matter of fact my room is in such a disasterous state of disorder that I haven't slept in my own bed yet since getting home. Not once! There is actually still stuff in there that I haven't got in order from when I moved back from my grandparents place last year. haha. Anyway, it is not just the India team that I would like to hear from via phone (I don't have facebook if you remember) if anyone fells like talking, give me a ring. Oh one more thing before I go. I don't have any pics from grad. If anyone feels like posting some on the blog or emailing me some or anything, that would be cool. Love you all.

Preservation M.B.

Hello my wonderful Kaleo family!! I am just writing to give you a quick update of what I have been up to lately. Things here at camp have been pretty straightforward. I have been busy with child care and when I am not babysitting, I am working on maintenance or helping in the kitchen. It has been really cool being here and having more and more people show up everyday. It is really exciting to see all the people that God is bringing here to be a part of this team and I cannot wait until we have a full staff team. God is moving here and it is exciting to see it all unfolding.

Lately I have been learning lots! I have really been focussing on the Word and my relationship with God. I have come to a point where all I want to do is read my Bible and spend time with God. I recently read Romans 12 and it blew my mind! I suggest that all of you read it because it turned my world upside down! It was very eye-opening and made me realize why I am here and what my role is supposed to be while I am here. It was really exciting.

But more recently, I have been very sick. I had a really bad cold at the beginning of advanced crew, and it gradually went away. Up until a couple of days ago I felt fine. But I started to get a bit of a cough again and my chest was really heavy. I didn’t think much of it until I talked to my dad about it and he said that he wanted me to get it checked out right away. He was thinking that I may be getting pneumonia and that scared me a little bit, so I told him on my next day off I would go to the hospital and get it checked out. Well, I didn’t have to wait until my next day off because last night, my chest got unbearably heavy and Sheri drove me to the hospital because I was unable to breathe normally. We left around 10:30 and we didn’t get home until 2:00. It was a ridiculously long wait, and I couldn’t breathe the whole time. Other people in the waiting room were getting angry at the lack of attention that I was getting. There was one lady who was yelling for doctors to put me on oxygen while I waited for someone to look at me. Despite the tears, the hyperventilating, the dizziness and the light-headedness I managed to smile and utter a giggle quite often. I tried my darndest to keep things as joyful as possible, but it was very difficult at times. My breathing would speed up and my whole body would tingle. It was an awful feeling not being able to breathe and having everything tingle. It was a miracle that I didn’t pass out. It was the strangest sensation when my face would tingle. Although being in the hospital sucked, it was a great time to be able to refocus. Sheri and I prayed a lot to keep me from passing out and we prayed for the other people. We were praying the whole time and I would try in between my breaths, but it was very difficult. To keep this short, the doctor told me that there was nothing wrong with me and because he didn’t know what it was he was going to treat it like bronchitis. So, he gave me a puffer to help me regulate my breathing when I panic and can’t breathe and he put me on antibiotics. But the thing is, the antibiotics are going to make me feel sick to my stomach all the time, drain me of all my energy and I can’t eat anything with dairy in it or with iron in it. So for the next little while I will be so drained of energy I won’t be able to move. It is an awful feeling and I am constantly light-headed from the lack of oxygen going into my system. So please pray for me during this time and pray for Johann as well. He fell down the stairs and hurt his ankle really badly. The doctors say that it is not broken, but he is in tears from the pain of just lying there. A part of me feels like we are all under attack because of the good things that God is doing here. A lot of people are sick and hurting. Pray for all the staff, pray for strength and perseverance.

Anyways, I love you all! I think of you when I am not focussing completely on my breathing! You may joke about people having to think about breathing, but it is way harder than you think it is! Haha….I love you and I miss you!!

Trusting Jess.

The Truth

K my family, here's the truth, I was holding off wording it here because when it began, something didn't feel right. Me and Jenna (the girl) just talked about it and decided that it wasn't the best thing going into the summer and splitting our focus three ways (Being God, The campers and each other) So we're holding off till the end of the summer so we can focus 100% on why we are here and decide where to take it from there...

Yeah, theres the truth.

a call for truth...

josh rintoul, i feel like you're holding something back from us. i REALLY don't know why this news hasn't made it here yet......ok so i'll tell everyone

JOSH RINTOUL IS IN A RELATIONSHIP!!!!!! hoooooooow cool is that! and this sweet girl is gonna be at camp this summer! hahahaha LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORD RINT!
love ya dude. maybe you could post with more details? perhaps the name...i already forget lol

love you guys!

Hey everyone! Holy cow I miss you people! Reading your posts reminded me how incredible and unique you all are....what an amazing group God created. This summer or spring-ish type thing has being flying by...it's crazy that Dan and I will be in Nova Scotia in 8 days! I am so thrilled...as amazing as the skies are here (wow...did I ever miss those skies...) I am thrilled to be back in such a beautiful province out East. I am both nervous and excited to meet Dan's dad and sister...it should be good though. I would love some prayer for energy in our travels...we are returning from Nova Scotia on June 17th, and we leave for camp on the 19th. It's gonna be crazy and worth it. These past few weeks have been consumed in painting the window frames of my house...inside and out....a bigger job than we thought! Being outside a lot has been super though. Also....random...Dan and I have bee really getting into tennis! We play almost every day! (I know what you're all thinking....Katie + tennis = disaster.) But it's super fun and our games are usually really close. Ha.
So..now that I've blabbed for awhile...I love and miss each and every one of you...I love reading about the amazing work God is doing in your lives, and I am positive will continue to do. These days, I have to repeatedly remind myself that the God that was with us and in us and around all year at Kaleo is the same God that is here with me every day. How amazing. It is definitely a reminder that forces me to ask myself some huge questions; "Katie, are you truly surrendering today? Are you living for the God you claim to know and love? Who are you serving with your life and your heart?" It's been overwhelming, but He knows what He is doing.
I am thrilled to see some of you soon back at our 'home' at the end of June. You are all in my heart and my prayers....I love you and miss you crazy people!!!!!!
-Striving Katie.
(...and a pic of Ms. Al and I when she came down to visit. We were playing pool at Merissa's.)

A quick update...

For those of you that don't know, I am at my camp, and have been working here for the past couple weeks. Late last week my Grandpa was admitted to the hospital and put in acute care, because of several different failures in his body systems, combined with a long lasting battle with cancer. I was fortunate enough to go home on the weekend and spend that time at the hospital with my grandpa and my family. Anyway, early this morning my Grandpa passed away. So I will be heading home again in a couple days for the funeral. Please be in prayer for my family, and for safe travels for family that will be traveling to come for Melfort for the funeral. It is kind of a bitter sweet thing, because he was really ready to go home and totally knew that it was his time.

On a different note... things here at my camp are going really well, so far we have been preparing all the facilities and stuff for the summer, as well as building our new climbing wall. Next week we will be begin to have school and rental groups coming for day activities and then starting our regular camp sessions in July. If you think of it, keep our camp in your prayers and just pray that God will prepare the hearts of the campers. Thank you, I miss you all tons!


Hopeful Andrew

Grad Slideshow

Hey all,

Just thought I'd post up the slideshow from your graduation, you remember the one, it was shown on the wall during the banquet. Well this time it has some music that you'll all enjoy! :)



A special gift from your K5 Yearbook team!

yooo, my family
a little more then a month since it all ended and it is still super hard to think about qwanoes and you guys, and reflect, cause man i really miss you guys and ya its really weird, but cool. and ya like jordan said, its wicked being so close and seeing him weekly and sometimes more, but yo craazy story..well kind of...
the other day had a chance to play soccer with a bunch of friends from home and this guy that used to go to my church walked by and asked if i wanted to play for some men's christian team ( they need a goalie and he saw me with goalie gloves on) um so i was like ya. well i leave for camp mid june but i'l play uup until then..so the team is an alliance team..andd the crraazy part is..june 9th, we're playign at bradford baptist field..alliance..vs..bradford baptist...forward for bradford baptist team..mr.wilcox...its going to be crazy, depressing for him, but it should be a really cool time.

but ya other then that exciting news, being home has been so crazy, um probably the hardest month of my life with making some pretty big decisions and just trying to walk in GOd's good, perfect and pleasing will. um and one of those big decisions was school next yaer and really felt God was saying that briercrest is where he wanted me, um so rooming with jord, reppin 212 will be wicked and then kev and rob will be next door, but ya God has been so faithful in giving me joy and peace throughout this time of having to make some decisions that were difficult, and it was so cool to have God speak to me through so many verses over these last few weeks, and after reading constantly about how God is faithful, i was reading recently about peter and when he walks on the water and then God ends off the conversation with peter asking him "Why did you doubt." ANd I feel God asking me the same thing right now, in the midst of having to make some really difficult decisions, I know that God is good and faithful and his ways are indeed higher then my ways and so , "why do I doubt". so ya home is good , and reading these posts, I am so encouraged and reminded of the incredible ways God is working, i really do long to be with alll of you anddd in some way or another, its going to go down, not too sure when or where..but it will..andd its gooing to be a goood time.
word
jon

Role Call

Aimmmers! Where you at girl??? How are you??

Surf Bum Beached For Now

I can't express how much I love hearing from you - in person, by phone, by email, by blog - and how happy I am to hear of your continuing faith and love for Jesus! Like most of you, I check this thing every day, even though I don't post very often and only occasionally comment. Please keep it coming!

So, after wrapping up many things, moving out of my office and saying farewell to many wonderful people, Sarah and I packed up the Civic, strapped my board on top and headed to Ucluelet. I was kinda happy that for the first few days the waves were a bit too big for me, so I had every excuse to lie on some secluded beach and snooze, or curl up on the couch and snooze, or just stop whatever I was doing and snooze. On the weekend, our boys came up and we surfed a couple days, and I kept surfing a couple days before and after that. So it was a good relax. Then we (somewhat reluctantly) came home, and I caught up on neglected yard work - like 8 inch high grass, lotsa weeds and more firewood for next winter. Plus I kept up the snooze regimen pretty well. So now I am at least relaxed, maybe not fully recovered, but heading that way.

Now I'm back to it, in my dining-room-table-office. I went to Boston Pizza last night with the local K5-ers, which was so good. I'm afraid we were rather loud, but we kept up up tradition of big tips. I was so excited by Jordan's decision about staying on for another year as Intern Plus, and of course you all know the "secret" that the other Kaleo Intern is Jen Lee, who was one of the leaders on your first outtrip in the fall. We are still working on the very big shoes Amanda left us to fill (no Amanda, I am NOT saying you have fat feet - just big shoes!), and we may have news on that very soon. We have 26 Kaleo students registered, and will likely take two more girls to make it 12 guys, 16 girls.

Just a quick thing to mention to you: we are very close to achieving our financial goals for the Ministry Trips, so if you are still short of your commitment, hold off on adding to it until you hear from me. God is so faithful! Seeing the changes in your lives, it was a nearly $60K gift from God, well spent.

Sarah and I want to remind you that we would LOVE to have you come and visit! You always have a place to stay here, even if we have to put you in the bathtub. We hope to have a barbeque later in the summer for any of you (plus past Kaleo's) who are around, and we will send you more details this summer.

"Therefore, stand firm! Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

One more thing...

Sorry for doing the double post, but I felt I needed to share one more thing with you all.

This afternoon, after many many weeks of mental and emotional turmoil, I joyfully agreed to stay on for another year as male Kaleo intern.

This was not an easy decision to make, considering my heart is still longing to be with and around all of you. But combined with that feeling, I also remember the joy that I have in my heart from knowing and growing with you all. Seeing God working through, transforming and teaching you all, has placed a burning desire on my heart to engage once again into Kaleo.

So for the next 16 months...you know where to find me!

God bless all!

life as I know it.

Hey guys

I know it hasn't been forever since I posted, but things are moving and shaking, and you're my family and I love you, so I want to keep you updated.

I'm going to Briercrest. It was basically the only place I knew I wouldn't go. It's pretty much the one thing that was firm: I would not be going to the middle of nowhere to pursue higher education. However, while in TO, I got to re-focus a bit and I realized how me-centered my plans were...so I've been working hard on surrendering everything about my future, my plans and goals, much like Jordan me-thinks. Anyway, after I decided in my heart to turn all that over, I asked God to just tell me out-right where to go, and to tell me either through a dream or through somebody close to me. The first conversation with my mother after this prayer started with "Rob, I've been praying a lot, and as crazy as it sounds, I think God is calling you to Briercrest." As much as I dislike it, I think I had better just be obedient and find out what exactly God has for me there. I think I'm starting to come to peace with the decision...I picked my classes yesterday.

Right now I'm at camp doing renovations on the nurse's quarters/infirmary, and really, really enjoying my time away from home. God is so good. I'm living and learning, and it's a crazy adventure and I love it. I'm remembering to be joyful, and I think it's growing into a deeper appreciation of God and creation and people and relationships. I like, DESIRE scripture, it screws me up when i miss my time in it. Exciting, no?

I love you guys and I miss you, and pray like ALL THE TIME for you guys.

-Joyful Rob

I'm not a big fan of titles

Hey hey everyone, so I guess this is my first time on this thing which is kind of crazy, seeing as it was probably about a year ago when Jim sent me the first of many invitations to join. Anyways, Scotty I appreciate your urging to get me on this thing because I have been wanting to post for a while but have been so short of time. Home has been crazy, after spending a few days in BC with my parents, which was cool but also difficult, I flew home and immediately had to get my wisdom teeth removed. Following my recovery, I had to start work almost immediately. Work had been interesting, the days are long and I find that I come home, eat and pretty much go to bed, which makes it difficult to communicate with you guys which sucks and I apologise for that. I came home from kaleo super pumped to get out in the world, and was excited to put what I’ve learned into practice in “the real world” ha. I guess work was somewhat of a rude awakening to just that. I have never before been around so many people with such twisted values. Right now I’m super confused as to how I am supposed to interact with these people, and am constantly wondering if my attempts to show God’s love are going unnoticed. Its super frustrating to be around people who couldn’t care less about that which I’ve devoted my life to following. However, I take comfort in knowing that if change were to come about, it wouldn’t be my doing. I’ve come to the same conclusion that I came to in India. The only thing I can do is pray. People are so lost, all I can do is pray that God would open their eyes and continue to be an example, all the while remembering that with the exception of God’s grace, I am no different.
I've also been learning to trust God with the decision I made to continue on at Briercrest. It sucks to see peoples reactions when I tell them whatsup, and know that they think im crazy for pursuing something like that. Anyways, I began to doubt my decision, just because of lack of trust and what not, ha. anyways the next sunday in church we were singing "In Christ Alone" ha and I almost broke down crying which is crazy, anyways, im learning to trust in God with my future and to toss every aspect of that his way. Its cool to feel the security of not being in control, if that makes sense.
Aside from that things have been pretty rad, its been sweet to be close to lefave and hangout often, as well, having Rob come for the weekend was solid. I should get to bed. Hope all of you are doing well.

I miss you guys all tonnes and pray for you often.

Jordan Faith

Happy Birthday Alex!

A bit late, but Happy Birthday! May the Lord bless you and continue to mold you into the beautiful woman of God we all got to know and love this year!

Philippians, seems to be a lot of our favorite "looking back @ Kaleo" verse

Kaleo, you are all missed greatly! But it’s so cool to see some of you slowly come back to camp and others getting settled in in your camp/ministry/jobs! As advanced crew we are going thru the Book of Philippians for our Bible Study. There is one part that has really stuck out to me and has been on my heart for all of you;
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
I find my heart welling up with thankfulness to God for all of you. As I tell new staff members stories from the past year, I begin to realize how powerful of a year it was, and how blessed I was to see this “Good work” in Action! I know when you guys left, we were all a little anxious for you. Would of way rather you been close by, where we can encourage you in person, help you when you struggle ect ect ect, but that feeling didn’t last long. It was out of a lack of trust. The Lord begun a good work in you, He drew you all to Kaleo and He sent you all from it, and he will continue to work and lead you until you are in perfection with Christ! So carry on to work out your salvation with fear and tremebling, for it’s the Lord’s work!

That being said Advanced Crew has been very challenging and oh so so so good! We just had family camp retreat, I loved it. Playing with small children, telling them about their loving father in heaven, seeing families lives actually tangibly touched with Christ’s love. Wow, it reminds me oh how sweet our salvation really is! I finally got to fully step into my role and plan the kids program and babysitting and even some skits (one of which Josh was one of the main characters and incredibly funny, never knew he had such a talent for the stage!).

This (Head Counseling) is a job Amanda did incredibly well for many years and wile I don’t need to be her, there still is a very sharp learning curve and everything at camp is very different for me. Even my relationships with other staff, just so different. So your prayers for me and for the staff team as a whole would be greatly appreciated! Ohh how I need the Lord’s words, the spirit’s discernment, the Fathers love and God’s power.
Praying for all of you with pure joy and thankfulness in my heart!
Dotto in Pursuit ……(of Christ)

What's happening!

Well, hello everyone!

Can you believe it that it has been over a month since you all departed from this place? So much has happened in each one of our lives since that time!

For myself, it has been a slow transition into working as the photographer once again. I honestly didn't know if I was totally ready to do this once again. There is a lot of live up to and a lot to do! I was tremendously stressed out for the first week. From combined meetings with a lot of different people about what should and could happen with the position felt like a giant weight on my shoulders. How could I possibly do all this?!?

It wasn't till part way through a sleepless night that I heard God's voice say to me that I had to not worry about these issues. He would provide everything that I need, from resources to energy. The feeling was like that of learning to swim. You thrash against the water only to realize that all you have to do is stay still to float.

This past weekend was Family Retreat as many before have stated. In all honesty, I don't enjoy family camps that much. I think it's because a lot of parents are very demanding and stressful. But this particular camp really left me in a state of humility. There was a particular event that happened this weekend that really changed my heart towards the families.

There was a Dad who came with his two daughters. He and his wife are going through a divorce and it has been affecting the little girls a lot. Even the Dad had the clear evidence of exhaustion in his eyes. The smallest girl, maybe 2 years old, had really been affected by all the stresses from home. Before the camp she had barely slept for 2 days. It wasn't till the second day of camp that she completely passed out on her Dad's shoulder and was sleeping peacefully. I took a shot of her sleeping on her Dads shoulder (which is in the slideshow of images below) and that image hasn't stopped haunting me. It reminded me of why this ministry exists. Many of you are going to be working in camps all across Canada and I hope that you too will remember the broken states that your campers will be coming in with. Letting someone have the space to take a breathe of fresh air is sometimes revolutionary and not to be overlooked.



I am continuing to pray for you all as you are on your new adventures. Keep close to God, love others around you, and he will provide everything you need!

God bless!
Dreamy Jordan

As Promised....

Hello my wonderful family! It is my day off and as promised, I am writing a post. I would like to start with telling you all how excited I am for what God is doing in my life right now. I am surrounded by wonderful people here at camp and the community is pretty incredible, I'm not gonna lie. I have been hanging out with Derek (K2) and Tyler (K4) a lot! It is has been so good to hear stories from other Kaleos and the connection that we automatically have is incredible. We just finished family retreat and God was moving. God was very present this weekend and there was a lot of opportunity for the staff to share the gospel not only the kids, but with the non-believing parents. After this weekend, I am so stoked to see what God is going to be doing this summer in the lives of not only the kids, but the staff team. This past weekend, I also got a taste of what my summer with the Bayley's is gonna be like. I think that I am going to need a lot of prayer and the only way that I will make it through this summer is on Christ's strength. Those three children are very exhausting and very different so it is very difficult to keep them all happy and not fighting. I am confident that I was placed here for a reason though and I am trusting God in this. Even though it may seem impossible for me to make it through sometimes, God has a bigger plan and he knows what he is doing. I am holding onto that truth very tightly.
Something that has been going on in my heart lately is my heart. I won't get into too much detail but, I am very worried about the state of my heart right now. I want to keep it. I don't want to give it to anyone, I feel like I am the only one who can keep it safe. But I know that I can't do it. I know that the safest place for my heart is in God's hands. But to give it fully to God, I need to let myself give it up. I know that to protect my heart, God needs all of it and that scares me to let it go. So if you could pray for my heart and the protection of my heart, that would be great.
That's where I am at right now, excited and scared all at the same time.
Oh, one more thing...I know that I never really talked about my older sister, but she has placed herself in AA and detox things...I don't really know...but this isn't the first time that she has done something like this. She does this sometimes twice a year and then falls right back into her old way of life. Please keep Rebecca in your prayers when you pray for me. She breaks my heart and she is so lost...I can't pick up her pieces anymore and it's very hard for both of us to realize that I can't fix everything anymore and that I never really could. We both have been learning some hard truths and there are a lot of hard feelings between us because I can't provide for her the way that she needs. She relies on me and I can't do it....I am not strong enough to continue to carry her through this...I'm gonna break. Please please just pray for both of us.
I love you all and I miss you oh so much. I pray for you all often and think of you as well.

Trusting Jess

hey beautiful people

hey my family... i also felt convicted by scotty's post... so here is what is going on in my life...

i arrived at camp last monday and began working right away, getting ready for the big family retreat that happened this past weekend. it has been such a good, good thing for me to be here at camp again, getting comfortable with club coco stuff and just getting to know these amazing people who make up advance crew thus far. As many of you know, Lew got the position as CIT Counsellor, which was so exciting and such a cool answer to prayer... but (and i'm not really sure how to say this) we soon felt that God confirmed in both of our hearts that it is best for us to take a break from our relationship. It was a mutual thing... and i think we have been feeling it for a while but just weren't sure how to deal with it... So we are waiting on the Lord, for confirmation... the right timing... preparedness of heart... we have left this in the hands of Jesus. I've written in a few previous posts that God has been moving in my heart and stirring up such a desire for purity of heart and healing and satisfaction in Christ alone... a longing to come close to Christ and learn about my identity in Him rather than expecting unhealthy things from a relationship. This summer is going to be really difficult, especially when we will be seeing each other often, but i really do feel like we have both been called here and i know that Jesus is going to show us soooo many incredible things. Lewis is a good, good man... but we have just realized that the timing is not right. I know this comes as kind of a shock to you guys... it did to us too... and it hurts so much... but Jesus has already been so faithful in surrounding me with amazing girls who have prayed with me and let me cry on their shoulder... this is really the perfect place for me to be now. And i know that God will continue what he has begun in us, whether that means being together or whether we are called to different things. Please pray for us... for peace, joy.... that God would put it on our hearts to pray for and lift each other up.... that our hearts would be guarded and healed... for direction in where each of us is supposed to go next. I think i wanna get away somehwere after the summer... practice my bravery a little bit... anyone got extra room in their house? got any ideas?...I love you guys soooo much, really really.

"It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desire which He creates." -Amy Carmichael

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." -Matthew 6:somethin
-Ellie bellie

Surfing in Saskatch!

I definitely haven't been surfing at home, but the title seems really right (for no real reason except that it has flow :D ). I was talking to Al the other day saying I wish we could all be together for even one night and to sit around together, worship and then to hear what God has been teaching you each of you, what you each have been struggling with or overcoming would be so incredible, but then I realized this blog is as close to that as we have for a while, so I will be bold here and take the first step and share what God has been doing in my life. Leaving Kaleo was really hard for me, but as soon as I got home there was a definite peace in being home. I think it was the next week I was reading over my prayer journal from the year and I had been praying since early March God would prepare my heart to go home, and that prayer was really answered. Prayer has been a big part of what I'm learning, how to pray, to pray with faith, to pray with perserverence. Since being home I have seen so many of my prayers answered, even in some of your lives which has been so encouraging. Working at the greenhouse I have tons of opportunity to pray, and I pray for each of you! I had found at the end of Kaleo I had become really umm dare I say skeptical when entering new churches, I found myself asking through each part of a service if I agreed with what was happening or if it was biblical; lately I've been praying that God would fill me with faith, bold, passionate faith.
It has been good to be home, to hang out with my fam, with my sis, it's been really good. This past long weekend has been a really hard one for my family, a cousin of mine committed suicide and I ask for prayer for his family, he was only 18 years old. His parents are both Christians and in the middle of an awful divorce... Yes please life up his family in prayer.
I was just thinking today the next time I go to share my testimony again you all will be a huge part of it! Love you all very much!

so its been a month hey?

alright, so, i too have been wanting to post for a while, but the reprimand from scotty sure helps.

so much has been happening. first off, me and joels trip was awesome, and it was so sweet to see so many ppl at their homes! i got back 2 weeks and 2 days ago. week one was just moving and getting little things done, and i hung out with joel and kels for an evening. for the past week and a half i have been planning my camps staff training weekend with my buddy james. that was this weekend, and im now at home relaxing after it all.
I really cant even begin to explain the passion and excitment i feel about my role this summer, and how Godly the team of ppl is for camp this summer. really all i can say is that God's timing has been unreal, he's brought all the right ppl to wbc this year and its an insane enviroment. james an i planned stuff like betting on piglet races, carrying around a card board version of one of our programmers because she is treeplanting, and we also have a guys staff sleepover last night and made self-propelled cars and watched hoodwinked.
I am just so happy about everything that has been happening in reguards to camp, and wish i could tell you all about it in person, cuz i would tell it like a rant, but this one would be about something im happy about!

as for the fall...i know what im doing!! yeah, crazy hey!

um, im gona be heading up a brand new kids program in winkler, and its basicly like what metro ministries is doing. so saturday morning, and buses and churches in charge of them, as many kids as we can get, weekly visitations etc!!! so yeah, im of course so pumped for that, i dont really konw much about what will happen, cuz like i said its totaly new. so i get to make it up as i go. im technically working for my camp because this is another branch of what they are doing, so i get to work with my director and other camp staff all year, which im super pumped about!

but yeah, thats pretty much my life. i saw joel today cuz he came to pick up his bro from staff training. it was sweet. its strange cuz i dont know how i feel about kaleo being over...but i konw it does not matter how i feel now, cuz as soon as im around any of you, it will be kinda like we've never been apart, so thats all Cool!

im seeing more and more of what i've learned while being with you all, so thank you for all those lessons and such!!

i love you all, and hope to see you as the Lord leads!!!

My Dear Family...

hey everyone!
So today is exactly one month from our graduation from Kaleo, and this makes my heart very sad. I'm sorry that it has taken me so very long to post anything, and at long last this was prompted by Scotty's post, so here you go. Even though it has been a month since we all left each other, I have only actually been home for one week. For the week after Kaleo my family and I stayed out west to go up to Tofino and then over to Vancouver. It was a really good time but it was also quite strange going to Kaleo places like Coombs and Tofino with my family instead of my Kaleo famiy but it was also neat to be able to show them the things that we had done. After that I was home for a week and then headed down to Florida with my family, just arriving back home this afternoon. The very first day I was back home I went to my best friend's graduation from Bible College. It made me laugh to see how formal theirs was compared to ours. Although I could see deep friendships had been made their and that they were going miss each other, I didn't witness the family that we had in Kaleo and it made me cherish it so much the more.
Our trip to florida is an annual thing and we always take a couple of days to drive down and then my aunt flies down to meet us there. It was really good family time, just hanging out with them and enjoying time of relaxation and fun with them. It was a greatly needed break for my dad, he was getting pretty worn out from the pressures of being in ministry. We also spent a couple of days at the beach and I just marvel at God's glorious creation and how good he is to us, just letting us enjoy it. Because of all this I have yet to go to my home church. The one Sunday when I was home I went to the church that my dad is currently the interm pastor (who fills in until the can get another full time pastor) at, and then the past three weeks I have been away. So I'm really looking forward to going to my home church. I now have a month before I head back to camp and I need to find a job of some sort for that period of time, in order to earn at least some money for next fall, so if you guys could pray for that, it would be great and also on wednesday evening I have an interview for the residence that I want to get into next fall for university, which I'm somewhat nervous about. I'm actually starting to get excited about that, and I know that God has great things in store if I trust him. I was struck especially today when I got home by how terribly much I miss you all and wish that I could be with all of you. Despite that desire I know that each of us are exactly where God wants us to be and is using us there, whether at home, camp, or wherever else. I love you all dearly and I am greatly looking forward to seeing some of you in a month at Qwanoes. You are all in my prayers.
God Bless,
Saint Catherine

sorry about the hole no posting... here you go ... i love you and miss you all!

So thing here at camp have been kinda crazy, we have guest groups in every day until the summer starts.. school groups and what not. This week is family retreat so i'm busy helping Stevey G out doing games and all that jazz. I'm getting a feel for what my job is going to be like in the summer and it will be sweet! i'm excited! I went to value village and got a bring pink one peace suet for my super hero outfit! ITS SOOO SWEET!!!
Being so busy all the time is kinda hard because its hard to find time when i can just hang out with me and God .. but i know i just need to make time.

some things to pray for
Jaylene... my best friend from home she came up and chilled with us close to the end. Well her step dad just had heart surgery... and is not doing so good He has a pace make and all that kind stuff. i don't really know all the deets but if you could keep that family in prayer. She has 3 younger brothers who are quit young and it is hard form them to deal with this at such a young age. Pray for strength for Jaylene and her mom and that her brothers would have peace about this. And that Her step dad would be healed... this is effecting him his job, he is a welder and now he cant weld because he is not aloud to be around that much voltage because of his pace maker. Pray for strength for him also.

My youth girl Tara from lake cow is probably in more trouble then she has ever been. She cant seem to get away from this one guy who is not good for her at all... Pray for her heart, that she would be open to the word and listen to God, Pray for wisdom and words to say when she talks to me ... I don't feel I'm really helping at all. I want to be able to see her but i cant get away, and on my next days off i have to go home to the dentist. Pray that i don't get frustrated pray that my heart would just love her. Keep her family in prayer, she has an older brother who just doesn't care that much and smokes pot all the time and her parents don't seem to care what happens to her. pray that they would be ok with her going to church and youth group, pray that god will show her mercy and give her strength.

I miss you all so much and i'm looking forward to the day when i see you again. Just to see you beautiful smiling faces would make me smile for days!

I hope you all doing good, I pray that well your at home you set apart time to spend with God and dig deep in to his word.

Your in my prayers for ever!

LOTS AND LOTS OF HUGS!
heart
michelle

All right scotty

So thing here at camp have been kinda crazy, we have guest groups in every day until the summer starts.. school groups and what not. This week is family retreat so i'm busy helping Stevey G out doing games and all that jazz. I'm getting a feel for what my job is going to be like in the summer and it will be sweet! i'm excited! I went to value village and got a bring pink one peace suet for my super hero outfit! ITS SOOO SWEET!!!
Being so busy all the time is kinda hard because its hard to find time when i can just hang out with me and God .. but i know i just need to make time.

some things to pray for
Jaylene... my best friend from home she came up and chilled with us close to the end. Well her step dad just had heart surgery... and is not doing so good He has a pace make and all that kind stuff. i dont really know all the deets but if you could keep that family in prayer. She has 3 younger brothers who are quit young and it is hard form them to deal with this at such a young age. Pray for strength for Jaylene and her mom and that her brothers would have peace about this. And that Her step dad would be healed... this is effecting him his job, he is a welder and now he cant weld because he is not aloud to be around that much voltage because of his pace maker. Pray for strength for him also.

My youth girl Tara from lake cow is probably in more trouble then she has ever been. She cant seem to get away from this one guy who is not good for her at all... Pray for her heart, that she would be open to the word and listen to God, Pray for wisdom and words to say when she talks to me ... I don't feel I'm really helping at all. I want to be able to see her but i cant get away, and on my next days off i have to go home to the dentist. Pray that i don't get frustrated pray that my heart would just love her. Keep her family in prayer, she has an older brother who just doesn't care that much and smokes pot all the time and her parents don't seem to care what happens to her.

LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME

well, seeing as there has been an extreme lack of communication amongst us, i feel that something needs to be done...i mean, for those of us who come home after work and check the blog daily, only to find out that there is still 222 posts, and nothings changed. COMEON PEOPLE. i had plans to put a video up of how truly mad i am...but i wouldn't be able to do it without smiling.
ok soooo life around here is good, hanging out with friends a lot, working a lot, and it is HOT outside. i'm currently burnt to a crisp, and stifling hot. definitely a slurpee night, as if i need an excuse for that. other exciting news: natasha bedingfield's song 'unwritten' is on YET ANOTHER commercial, ahh yes that's my girl. my toenail is healing up quite well, there's even a little bit of growth back!! that's exciting....
ok for the rest of you. matt brown are you still alive? and wilcox, i know you're busy in your job, but let us know how that's going. dunkeroos! where the heck are you?!?! and freaking joel and klassen...yeah i saw you guys here, but since then - POOF. disappeared. are you ok? back home? decided to make a detour to europe? mexico? sheesh. katie and dan, ahh yes, katie you go easy on those lil chill shots alright? hahah and the satchel of temptation came wehn a guy from work offered me cigarettes and i withstood the test!!! hahaha oh mercy. NEXT i have a bone to pick with those from camp...i'll be there in a bit, but let me know how it's going!!!!! i wanna know what you're up to, what's goin on there, what the deal is. alright?

i hope this was inspiring. good to get it off my chest. i just mentioned a few, but it applies to everyone lol.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oga Boga!

So here is my life! The ACC thing didn't work out for me, because they received more apps. and because I wasn't technically even old enough, I got bumped, it is still a possibility for the future, however I am not sure what's gunna go down with that. Umm... I am tentatively making plans to go to Photography school in Winnipeg in September, for one year, so pray that that will work out; if it doesn't there is a chance I might move to Caronport and work in Mosee Jaw for a year. These are all possibilities, and such so I could use prayer that God would reveal something to me so that I can make a decision. I miss you all so much!!

~Frew

ALL Right!

so tomorrow... / today for most of you guys because its late. I'm talking to my church about India! ... and i would love it if you get this on time to keep me in your prayers. i would be soo helpfull!

well now that is said I LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU SOOO STINKING MUCH!!!! thank you for putting up wonderful videos... i think they should keep coming!... so if you have any old one ... oR you could be cool and make a new one!!!!

Well.. tell your mothers i say happy mothers day!!! and give them a big hug for me! because if it was not for them ... well i wouldn't have had you beautiful people in my life!

i am in prayer for you all!!!!
i love you and miss you deeply!
your sister in Christ
Michelle

What are you learning about love?

Hmmmm for those of you who had the pleasure of hearing my ingenious answer to our essay question in Christian World View " WHat are you learning to love?" would find it quite fitting when a lady from my church phoned and asked me to talk on mothers day for 8 minutes about what i have learned or am learning about love. NOT! holy taledo you guys! so that is what i am doing tomorrow and at the moment i feel like a blabbering fool! and i'm not sure if i'll ever be completly confident in what i plan to say becuase i am just so afraid of being wrong! sigh... so in particular i am speaking about how this year i have learned and seen the strength of love as a witness. so if that sounds dumb let me know so it doen't turn into my Christian World View Final! and i'd love some prayers my way for this tomorrow too!
Love you all!
Jenny

ok ok ok

the video you all really wanted to see! I can't believe I'm doing this!

to keep with the theme of movies...

Dance Party Anyone?

In case you miss seeing these guys dance, here's a video for you to enjoy! Side note: Nothing illegal happened after I stopped filming, Ohhhh Ja-nay-nay! Hope your all getting opportunity to have new dance parties with new friends! I know we had one in the parking lot of 7-11 last week with advanced crew (thanks to Jordan's new Dance Mix CD) Keep on posting! Be Massively Blessed!

i speak the truth

Love you guys.

I r teh gamer!

Before we begin, bear with the scattered thoughts and randomness, it was written over an extended period of time.... Now onto the main event!
After reading everyones post I thought I should report in to say to everyone that I'm still alive and kicking but like Jordan I put it off trying to think of what I should write on.
I do miss everyone, with the exception of those select few who are here at advance crew, so I guess the pain of separation hasn't quite hit yet like it has for some, but there are those that I miss profusely (score, spelled it write on my first try) that I know that there is a very slim chance that I'll see again this side of heaven (mainly Rob and most of 210 and 212) and then I rejoice in knowing that there will be a good percentage of people going to be here this summer and that there are a few that only live a short drive, or a ferry ride away.
Now for the report. It was really a blessing having 1/3 of kaleo over at my house for the one night, and I know my parents enjoyed putting up with us. But even though it was a sweet time the separation was imminent and once again tears fell and we had to part ways. There was a part of me that wanted to hop into Steve's car and go to Michelle's house with them. I really did! But I had things that needed to get done. The rest of my time at home was spent sleeping, eating and catching up with old friends, oh and there were video games, lots of video games.
Also during my time at home I got to have lunch with the new youth pastor at my church and tell him about my year and ask him if I could be a youth leader next year Also it was a chance for me to learn about him and where he's coming from in terms of how he's going to run things for the youth. It went really well and I will be helping with youth next year.
One of the downsides of being at home is I was home alone a lot, and with being alone came a whole load of temptations that I was not prepared for. Ah, so frustrating and all together so easy to give in! Thanks to those who were praying for me. I know a lot of you probably struggled with the same thing being at home and not having room mates that will keep you in check
Well enough of the past, time for the present. I am now at camp with Jess, Sheri, Michelle, Aimee, Lewis (some of the time) and soon to be joining the troop Ellie! Mostly I've been doing maintanece type things, like shoveling rocks and raking the forest and hanging out, So far it's been sweet, oh and Brenden's been trying to keep the soccer tradition alive and well, and it has succeeded so far.
Man, I am both so stoked for the summer though and yet so terrified. Stoke for the fact that I will finally be a senior counselor but at the same time so terrified at what that holds for me. I loved the lack of responsibility of being a junior counselor and just learning from the senior, but now I will be the one teaching what I know and I will be the primary role model for the campers AND I will have to lead devotionals which is what terrifies me the most. ARG!!!! So not ready for the summer yet! Good thing its two months away.... K, thats a lie, I'm not as unready as I like to think I am.
Well ladies and Gentlemen, I miss you all, I wish you all a great future and you shall always be in my prayers as I know I am in yours

Sir Joshua David Rintoul the Creative signing off

K5 Mug Inserts

Hey All,

I've had a few people ask me if they could get the file of the mug insert, well I can do one better. I will let you get it yourself :)

CLICK ME FOR YOUR PERSONAL MUG INSERT.

They should be in alphabetical order, so just take that into account when searching for your name.

Take care!

Jordan

Scoop bah dee bap BOP!

Hey, looks like the sermon I was supposed to be doing on the 22nd of JUNE is now on the 25th of MAY. God is revealing/ reminding me of old things of the past and teaching me new things as I prepare for this day. My church is Peace Mennonite on Daniels road (by No.5 road) in Richmond... if any Kaleo peeps want to come I would LOVE love LOVE that.

I love you guys in a way that surprises me... I find myself asking God for Kaleo back. Don't worry, I don't need reminding that "we weren't meant for that" or "we'll make new Kaleos in other places"... I just really love you.

I let God make me his pawn today... I went for a walk (I took my lead after team India), talking and praying wherever I felt led. I encourage you to do the same.

Discontent and anxious and loving people,
Kev

prayer!!

hey friends,
a thought just popped into my head... I have a bunch of cousins who I would love to see come to camp this summer... it would be an incredible place for them to hear about Jesus!!! Please be praying for financial stuff, especially two of my cousins (who are actually foster kids) who are first nations... pray that the aboriginal society they are tied to (i don't really know how to word that haha) would help with financial support. Pray also for schedules (say it like Ken Bayley haha) to work out and all that jazz... Thanks guys! Love you and miss you all!
-bellie

Hellooooo!

Heyheyhey!

I figured I'd fill ya'll in on recent happenings with me.

Last weekend I got to go visit some Ontario folks, which was way cool. Stopped in Peterborough for some coffee with Ms. Catherine Duncan, and then on to Newmarket and wherever the heck it is that Jordan lives. It was a HUGE blessing to get out of NB and be refreshed by some sweet fellowship and good old fashioned Christian relaxation, a la LIFE: Sponge Bob Square Pants Edition (board game). All in all, a sweet time that I needed.

It hasn't been easy being home, but it is getting better, and I can see God moving and hear him speaking, and I'm trying hard to remember all of the amazing stuff he showed me and taught me this year. Initially it was really frustrating to fail so obviously and struggle with things I had hoped were long past. I can see that my mistake was in the assumption that grace had removed the sinful nature as well as the sin. I'm still Rob...but now I'm Rob filled up with the Holy Spirit so full that it's over flowing. I just gotta keep deciding daily to devote myself to serving and being used by that Holy Spirit, cuz the minute I decide that it's Rob who has living the good life down pat, I fall flat on my face in a big ol' mud puddle called sin.

I miss you all, and I'm really really grateful for the things that God used you to teach me, and I'm pumped to keep growing with you guys. I've come to the realization, after being with Jon and Jordan and seeing them serve their churches, that I'm totally cool with being far apart from you. You guys are my family, my brothers and sisters, all spread out across the continent, and all serving God with those huge hearts and living out the plan that he has for you...and I love thinking that we're going about the Father's business together. That said, you all NEED to come to NB so I can show you how to party (in the most wholesome sense of the word) Maritime style.

A change in plans...

Hey y'all! Sooo, the other day, when I was still feelin bummed because Kaleo was over, Steve and Joel came to my house! It was so good to see them again and it felt so normal to have them around. It definitely brightened up my mood. At dinner, my mom said jokingly, "Hey, why don't you go back to MB with them?" and all 3 of us replied, "YEAH!" Long story short, what was a joke turned into me going with Joel and Steve back to MB! WOOOO! haha, so yes I convinced my parents to let me go (despite the fact that I have no $$$). So far it has been an incredible experience that I think God wanted me to have. We visited with Dan & Katie, Jahnaya, and Bertram which was tonnes of fun and helped to make me un-sad :D We got to hang out with the Klassen's too, which was also a lot of fun because they are crazy amazing people. Joel and I came to Steinbach on Saturday and I've been staying at his house since then. Even though almost all my relatives live here, this is my first time in Steinbach since 2000, so it has been great to see them all again and catch up on life. Since Kaleo ended, and especially here, God has been so faithful in reminding me every day to spend time with Him and to pray about absolutely everything (I love it!). I find myself writing in my prayer journal about conversations that I'm going to have or even just visiting with relatives... He's changing my focus more and more to Him which is SO exciting! You guys have all been in my prayers too :) I'm finding it easier to pray for you all now that I've grieved over Kaleo and I realize that the best way that I can show how much I love you all is by praying for you. I have until the 12th here in Steinbach, MB, so if you could pray that God would be in everything that I do and that He would guide the rest of my time here I would appreciate that (and that I could find a job when I get home!!!). Also if you could pray that God would be preparing me for camp this summer, with lots of energy and wisdom! I love you all and miss you tonnes! chau for now :)

Save Now!

Hey my family… I have been thinking about posting ever since the end of Kaleo and I guess that I just don’t know what to write, so I am just going to bight the bullet and write, so please bare with me, I am sorry if it does not make sence!
So after Kaleo ended I was home for a few days, The Sunday I got home I spoke at my church about Colombia and it was really sweet! The support of my church family was amazing; I think that they finally see me as an adult and not as an “awkward scrawny little girl” as Jim Bad would put it! The rest of those days were full of chillin with Tasha and my family and shopping, and pretty much anything else I could possibly do to prevent crashing. The next Sunday I had the sweet opportunity to help my dad lead worship at church, which was sweet. I actually played my guitar, it was sweet to see one small way that I had changed this year.
The next couple days were full of once again shopping with my mom (oh stink also discovered that I gained a whole whack of patients this year!!!), calling 911 because my dad fainted (lol kinda funny story, don’t worry I am not heartless he is fine!, discovering my bro was laid off (please pray for him!), and chilling with Jesspures!
All in all my 10 days off were good but not at all what they could have been and needed to be. I honestly kept incredibly busy and surrounded by people so that I could not think about Kaleo being over, unfortunately I think that in doing that I did myself more harm than good. Not only did I get super- duper sick once I got back to camp but I feel numb to the whole thing.
Being at camp I am realizing that everyone is not going to be at breakfast, Joel Jess and Kev aren’t in the library, my 210 boys will not poke their heads up through the windows when I stomp, and there will not once again be the nagging of you soccer people to come play soccer (yes I do miss that!). I feel like K5 has suddenly and regretfully become a distant memory that I want so badly to embrace. My home has become completely different and I feel like I don’t really belong anywhere. All of this said I do miss you all so much but in some weird contradictive way I am at peace with what God is doing here at camp in my life and in all of K5’s lives. I am at peace about this huge change in my life.
I want to leave you with Philippians 1:3-6, this is my K5 verse and I think of you all when I read it! “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I love you so much my family! Peace for now!

from the GROVE

well hello boys and girls, scotty T comin atchya from out here in aldergrove. mm i can picture every one of your smiling faces right now. what a great thought. umm so just a little update on what i've been up to and what's been happening. First off, I'd just like to say that Nielsen, you told me you'd be praying that i'd get a chance to look back and reflect on the year, and I jokingly said I hope I get injured cuz that's the only way i'll get off of work. Welllll I did have an injury...I am without my big left toenail, which, as strange as it sounds, is quite painful and looks disgusting. don't even ask me to explain it...i fell, it ripped off somehow. i suppose God granted me my request to get injured, but did so with an injury that I can still work with. so the past couple weeks have been spent working up a storm, getting my car ready to roll, softball, hanging out with friends annddddd yeah being blessed by you guys in so many ways.
There are definitely still things that you can be praying for me...I have the New York application form pretty much all filled out, it's just the last minor details that need to be checked off and then that's out in the mail, so just that God's will be done with that, pray for old habits that are coming up again, pray for peace abotu this summer (and new york for that matter) and just like TONS of energy for the summer too, it's gonna be a challenge.
anyways, it's been a blast chatting, i need to go wrap my toe up in a ziplock bag with an elastic around it, all covered by a plastic bag with a hair band around my ankle to keep that on, just to go shower!! stupid toe...

Kurt's Alive

Hey everyone, I arrived in Prince George last night after driving out to Manitoba only to turn around and come right back to BC again, Arlan is here and he has kept himself out of trouble thus far, we are going to camp tonight and starting work tommarow. Love you all and miss you tonnes

anonymous explosions

Hey everyone, im not sure how is featured in this video. I dont know any names or places, and i really dont even know how i cam about to have this footage, but i hope you enjoy. and i hope no one gets in trouble due to the implications.

In The Spirit of Joy

Over the past week I have been trying to type out that perfect post, and have realized, that is just not going to happen. I have deleted over 5 rough drafts. This post is out of the bottom of my heart, I hope you all can appreciate that.

Over the past week I have been doing a lot of reflecting, praying, reading, being alone. And one thing that I have realized is that I am beginning to see Gods hand at work in your lives and in my own life. I have reflected back to the beginning of our journey together and where we all are now.

I have read about your journeys home, and have prayed for all those things that you’ve asked. What I have been blown away by is how God’s hand has moved in each one of your lives through our prayers for each other. It has simply, blown me away!

Right now as I am writing this, I am in a spirit of complete joy for what He is doing in your lives. To most of you, you may not understand, but at the beginning of the year up until after our Mount. Washington trip I could not understand why I could not rejoice with you. I sat for hours in in the lodge wondering why I could not, it frustrated me so much! It was not until after the missions trip that I began to realize why I could not. My heart was not breaking for you. How could my heart rejoice if it does not break for you?

I apologize that this happened so late. I wish that I could go back in time and understand how much this would have changed how much I loved you all. But I cannot, and I trust God for what has He has made happened.

But I sit here, now separated by thousands of kilometers from some of you, and am rejoicing with you! Rejoicing because God is so good! I hope to talk with each of you about your journeys as they are happening now. I want to pray with you, break with you and rejoice with you.

I believe this is what I was supposed to say. I hope it makes sense and you will take me up on what I have said. I hope to continue to hear about your journeys, the ups the downs and the in-betweens.

God Bless!

Isaiah 55

Hey everyone! I hardly believe two weeks ago we were together on Vancouver Island, wow. I look back and know that I have been so blessed to have spent that time with each of you, learning from you and growing with you. My first Sunday at my home church my pastor has asked me to share a presentation with the congregation about my missions trip to New York which I'm really excited to do. Also, my camp director has asked me to share a slide show with our sr teen campers about my year and time in New York and what God has done in my life and I'm so excited to be able to share with our teen campers all God has done in my life! Lastly, today my Aunty (who is a non Christian) was talking with me in the grocery store and asked me to share with her entire family about my missions trip which is just really exciting! I guess I've come to realize in every conversation people ask me about my year that it is an awesome opportunity to share Jesus. I also was able to give my book "The Life You've Always Wanted" to another non Christian Aunty. I've just had some awesome opportunities to share my faith and what I've learned. Love each of you so very much! Your sister in Christ,
Jay