Walking By Sight, Not By Faith
Isn’t it interesting how easy it is to encourage someone else to have eyes of faith when they are going through a difficult circumstance, but when it happens to you things totally change. Of all my senses, I like sight. Maybe it’s because I love to see where I’m going so I can anticipate the challenges ahead. Maybe it’s because I hate surprises and wish that I had everything figured out already. In any case, the last thing I like to do is rely on my faith.
Now, this may not sound very godly. I’m a Pastor for goodness sake, I should be used to walking in faith. Truth be known, I struggle with my faith. Not the confidence that I have a relationship with almighty God, just the confidence to trust my God with my life. Hebrews 11 says that faith is the confidant assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things we cannot see. Not see? Wait a minute, God, I want to see. I want the faith that includes sight. I want the easier instant faith that doesn’t have to get pressed or endure hard times. I want easy faith, with a nice added bonus of prosperity. Yes, that’s the faith for me!
Honestly, I have that kind of faith. That’s why it’s so hard to NOT trust in sight. I train myself to walk by sight so when the hard times come, there I go eyes wide open, stumbling into the darkness, trying to find my way. It just won’t happen. Walking by faith takes practice. It’s the little things we do by faith that prepare us for the big ones. So when I do faith by sight all the time, I forget how to truly be a person of faith.
Little or big, Holy Spirit, help me walk by YOUR sight and live the gift of life by YOUR gift of faith. May I never forget and fall back into that same failed lifestyle.
You are awesome, Holy Spirit!
Love, Mark
Pool Party Extravaganza
Last night we had an awesome time at BBQ Pool Party. Over 100 students gathered at the Holland’s house who graciously opened up their home for us to come and spend the evening at. Here are some pictures from the event that we thought we would share with everyone!
Come One, Come All…
This Sunday we are having a Rewind service at 11am in the Back Room, where the normal Junior High service is located. This service is a way to remember and praise God for the amazing ways He worked this year at camp. We are inviting our parents to come and hear about the different stories that happened, witness the extended recap video for the whole week, worship with our Peak worship band and hear a challenge by yours truly! I hope you will come and spread the word that God did a great work at the Peak and we want to share it with you and all the parents!
See you on Sunday,
Pastor Mark
Home, Sweet, Home
Well I’m home and just had a HOT shower to work out all the soreness from one tubing experience and a whole lot of loading and unloading luggage, band equipment, stage equipment and even furniture! I love the feeling of home. I can’t tell you how much having normal food is a good thing. It doesn’t take more than an hour for home to settle in and camp starts becoming a more and more distant memory.
However, this makes me sad on so many levels. The theme of looking at David’s life has been so good for me. Watching your kids fall in love with God’s word and the new direction of our ministry(and our church for that matter!) was a thrill a minute. Did you know that more than half the kids at the camp made a decision to ask someone to be discipled by them? I can’t truly explain how outside the box this truly is. 11 year old students heard God call them to ask a friend if they can help them imitate Christ as they have learned to imitate Christ(1 Corithians 11:1) and the askee accepted! Do you realize how transformed our ministry will be as these students disciple one another and it spreads to their schools and sports teams and neighborhoods and beyond? This is nothing but a huge God movement in which the Holy Spirit is organically using the little children, metaphorically speaking, to confound the wise and learned(like us adults!).
As you watch your kids come home and drift into normalcy, why not ask them and see if they decided to disciple or be discipled. If they answer in the affirmative, encourage them and empower them to succeed. They need our support and coaching to keep this movement alive. It’s why we are here as parents, to develop a love for God that lasts for life.
We also want to help our kids keep discipling after camp too. As a result, we will no longer be doing a Roots Bible discussion on Sundays in August, but in its place we will be doing discipleship coaching for our students and staff at 6-7pm on the next 4 Sundays in August at the Student Ministry Offices at the Swamp in the NE corner of the church property. We will be allowing our students to debrief their efforts at discipling and give tips and pointers that will help them to move forward in this vital mission.
Thanks for letting your kids come to camp! They blessed my socks off!
Pastor Mark
ryan christian rosas
here at camp i have learned that G
od did die on the cross for our sins and it does not matter what other people think of you just what god thinks some people think that you can go to heaven just for doing good deeds but to go to heaven you must believe that God did die for our sins
My Tubing Experience
I love camp! Even though I sit in pain as I write this, I love camp!
I grew up with a ski boat so I have hit the water in more intensity then yesterday, and I have done more dangerous things on the water. But, yesterday was different. I think that as my body flew off the 3 person tube, the age of my body made the outcome a little different:) When I landed in the water and came up for air, all I heard were the girls saying, “that was great!” And all I could get out of my mouth was, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” And even though it was fun, I knew that something was not right. So after a painful walk up to my room, I was off to see the doctor in Yelm.
So after an excruciatingly painful wait in the lobby I was seen by a doctor. She proceeded to look my back over. To my relief she told me nothing was broken or cracked. She told me I had a major muscle spasm. She then told me what I need to do is rest, rest rest. Me? At camp? As the director? As the person who longs for this week all year? What?
However, I am grateful that I am okay and that all I need to do is take muscle relaxers. As the day has passed, my pain has decreased. Now don’t get me wrong, I hurt, but I literally feel God healing me at camp.
So camp may not have turned out the way I planned, but I rest in the fact that God is in control like he always is!
I just want you to know that we have had fun with your students, we have laughed, we have worshiped, we have learned, we have tubed, and we have been changed. God is good, all the time God is good.
It is a priviledge to be a part of God working! See you tomorrow.
Jen Gulbrandson
PS: Mom, I am really okay. D and Miss M I love you and can’t wait to see you.
Laura’s Great Experience
Hey everyone,
I can’t wait to see you. But at the same time I really want to stay and learn more about God. I’m also sad that I have a 3 hour ride back. Also Olivia and I are having so much fun in my thinking. Mom, Dad, and Mckenna I’ll call you before we leave and pray that I have a good nights sleep so I’m not cranky. We only get 7 hours of sleep not including the part that we talk before we go to bed.
love you guys
Laura Grace
camp
we have had lots of fun we have been on all of the water toys!
we have gone off site boating, rock climbing and horseback riding but i could not reach where you put your feet on the saddle so i did not want to go because i was falling off of the horse!
hope you all are having fun at home cant wait to see you on friday!
brittney whitlock
The Peak’s got talent
photos from Talent show by Deanette
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It’s Thursday at Camp
Over the years, Jen has coined the phrase “Thursday at camp” as a way of showing how much life relaxes for those of us behind the scenes on our final full day at camp. By this time in the week, we’ve gotten so set in the routine of the daily buzz that we can relax and enjoy camp for what it is- a chance to get to know your awesome students.
It’s been a joy for me to learn all about your students as we make friendship bracelets, play night games and just hang out during free time. I’ve loved watching them respond to Mark’s messages and open up to each other and their leaders over the course of the week. There are a lot of things I love about camp- somehow oatmeal here tastes so much better than at home- but what brings me back each year is the experience of seeing God move in my own life while simultaneously moving in these junior highers. While I may come home physically and emotionally exhaused, spiritually, I am renewed and inspired. You have some pretty amazing students.
There have now been ten “Thursdays at camp” and this one feels just like the first one did. Even though I was only a 7th grader then, I still remember the genuine community and hilariousity that occurs on Thursdays. Not only does life get a bit easier on the logistics side of things, but Thursday showcases camp at it’s best. Everything is funnier, crazier and more ridiculous- not only due to lack of sleep, but also because everyone realizes that tomorrow we head back to the real world, and while a part of us looks forward to seeing those we’ve missed, a part of us is left here in Yelm.
I’m headed out onto the tubes this afternoon and am hoping that my 21-year old body can handle it a little better than these old folks I work with 🙂 Jen and Kate are back in action- although taking things slowly. Just another example of how committed these Godly women are to loving on your students.
Now it’s time to go enjoy the rest of Thursday.
-Vickie Chambers, Summer Staff
The Face Of Fear
Control is a funny thing. When you have it, it takes a lot of worry away. When you don’t have it, your confidence can be shaken to the point of panic. Another thought I had is that being in control can make dependence much more difficult. A lesson I learned yesterday in a whole new way.
Yesterday I rode a triple tube for the first time ever here at camp. Although I have driven numerous kids and family members to feats of wild crashing and high speed corners, I didn’t truly empathize with my many passengers. However, when I got on that tube, all my bravery melted away. I was full of fear. I wish I wasn’t, but I was afraid and not in control of the boat. I wasn’t in control of the waves. I wasn’t in control of the other tube. I was just out there, in the hands of God and the driver. And believe me, the 10 minutes I was riding were the longest 10 minutes of my life. A couple of times the tube launched into the air and I quickly thought that might be the time I get tossed off and thrown all over the other students. But that didn’t happen. I went sliding quickly over the side of the wake on a high speed corner and fully expected to go so fast that the tube roll, but it didn’t. Finally it ended and I was truly finished with riding. I was one and done with regard to tubing, but I did have a good time.
All my fears may have been realized if I would have had a major crash(I can now sympathize with what happened to Jen and Kate), but I didn’t. I wasn’t in control and I made it. The next day and no one remembers my ride, but I do. It will stick in my memory for the rest of my life. It gave me an understanding of the relationship between control and dependence in a whole new way. God is so great in how he teaches us these lessons in the various events and ordinariness of real life. I love the God of the impossible because he is also the God of the little things too!
Pastor Mark
Wow
How can I be alive still? Parents, it probably seems like you just dropped off your wee ones just yesterday, but over here time runs differently. It’s been about a month of fun and non-stop action. I had stated earlier that we were getting used to walking with flies attached to our skin. I must have been sleep-typing. I am so done with the fly family. Last night was an amazing worship with the band and group time under Mark’s teaching. The students are really bonding and sharing their lives together. The biggest injuries during free time were with the staff, but we are still kicking. Skits? So funny. Gunnar can burp the whole alphabet in one “gulp.” We are positive because he did an encore. The medalian that the staff hid at the beginning of the week was found this morning by a group of unsuspecting 6th grade girls. Yes, one is related to Jen, but there is no clause that states she is disqualified, so it’s legit. Well, gotta go digest these tofu-like eggs I ate for breakfast!
Until later, Wendy
Friends and Fun at Camp
Hi from Kaela and Cedra!
I am so very thankful that God has given us friendships that are growing stronger. The messages here are so powerful! We are having so much fun and do not want to leave!!!
Wow, God, Wow!
I’m amazed every time the Holy Spirit floods the room and does the unexpected. During the worship following the message I invited the kids to come and confess together with someone they trust. I truly didn’t expect how many kids would come up. The cross was literally flooded with students who were convicted by the hidden sin in their lives. They came and did real business with God. Do you know what they found? They found healing and forgiveness. Praise God for he never gives up on any of us. I’m loving this holy time with these precious kids and amazing staff! This is truly HOLY ground, I wish you all could be here.
Pastor Mark
Laura’s Great Experience
Mom, Dad, and Mckenna,
I’m having a blast. I made a huge decision to be a mighty follower of God. I feel so great and I can’t wait to see you guys! I love you and hope you are doing as well as I’m. I miss you guys so much and I can’t wait to sleep outside with everyone. The hot tub sounds like so much fun. It was such a cool day we had some girls getting baptized and Mark the preacher is so amazing he has truly moved me. My cabin mates and counselors are so kind and selfless. We all mostly get along. We are having our own little America’s Got Talent. I’m in it with a girl who wanted to do cartwheels. Jen the main leader hurt her back and so she’s in bed relaxing. I met an 8th grader who I just clicked with. We get along so well. I love her to death. I thinking about asking her to be my penpal since she lives in Sherwood :{ I can’t wait to sleep with Fern and Phoebe. I miss you guys.
Laura Grace
At The Peek
The peek is so much fun. I did the Paintball activity and I got hit a lot, but no bruises. Also it was cool. The blob was awesome.
Brayden Hirt
this week
oh my gosh im having so much fun here! on sunday night we played a super fun night game and on monday i went rock climbing, so scary! on tuesday i played paint ball. and today i did nothing. ive loved the worship time and is great. im so sad im going home on friday. the peak rocks!!!!!!!
dustin hannifan
Awesome Week at The Peak
This has been an awesome week. Iwent paintballing for the first time tuesday. It was AWESOME!!!!!! I gave full control to God tonight. I gave everything to him!
Collin Matthias
The Peak
this has been one the best weeks of the summer, there was lots of fun stuff to do, like the blob, tubeing, looking for the medallion which hasn’t been found, and paint balling. THE PEAK ROCKS!!!!
Gunnar Maples
tubeing
it was the best time i was every tubeing ever! iwas scared at first but then then i was comfortable. i when on the sting ray tube and at the last part me and spencer fliped! that gave me energy for worship and the rest of the time.
Micki Seigneur
Great Friends = Great Ministry
Today was one of those days that I was constantly reminded of how blessed I am to not only work with my close friends Mark and Jen, but how I am also blessed with godly friendships with me who love Jesus. Today we had some fellow RHCC staff and former interns visit camp to see how things were going. Taylor Straton, Chris Nye, and John Finnerty have all served in the Jr. High as an intern at some point over the past 3 years. And each of those years have served faithfully here at camp. Not only did they come up and hang out with us today, but they partook in the worship with the rest of the band with no instruments other than their heart and zeal for worship. It was so contagious and the students responded in a way that only can be accredited to the Holy Spirit. The worship this morning was not only a great time of worship, but also a great time celebrating what God was doing and preparing us to go and watch many of our students be baptized this morning.
We are praising God for what he has done today in the baptisms and also for His hedge of protection over Jen Gulbrandson and my wife Kate as they were involved in a tubing accident on the lake today. They have returned from the urgent care with some muscle spasms and a very minor concussion. We were fearful of broken ribs and a more serious concussion, but the Lord protected them and with the help of some muscle relaxers, they are feeling much better 🙂
Tonight we have our traditional talent show “The Peak’s Got Talent”. It’s always fun to see the students gather and showcase their talents. It’s always a great time as a camp to come together and laugh, encourage, and love on each other in this capacity. I can’t believe that tomorrow is our last full day! Time truly flies when you are having fun!
I couldn’t have imagined a better group of students for this week of camp, more godly small group leaders, and a more committed and loving staff as the team that I am blessed to be a part of.
Pastor Tyler
The Healing Power Of Confession
James 5:16 says that we should confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so we can be healed. How revolutionary would that be to take James’ words seriously and regularly do this in our services and ministries and even personally in life? Tonight we are focusing our attention on David’s mega sin with Bathsheba from 2 Samuel 11. Hidden sins are a challenge for everyone. When David tried to hide his sin, he kept it hidden, but paid a huge personal cost. My desire tonight is to see students coming forward to the cross, bringing a friend with them that they trust, praying together to find healing for the hidden sins in their life. Taking this truth to heart, I believe our group of students and staff will be bonded together and full of life after this experience. Taking God’s word at face value is always the best possible way to live. Count on it!
Pastor Mark
My Soul Cries Out
The other night while we were worshiping, the band did a guitar solo. I thought I heard people singing and talking but no one had their mouths open. It was people worshiping, but not physical worshiping. It was something beyond that, in a realm that no one can really understand while we are in this earth. Even though I couldn’t understand it, it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. I am so grateful that God allowed me to hear it, if even for one second. The Holy Spirit is real, and He is here.
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora
Bring on the “Mighty Men”
Had an awesome experience today taking some kids out to play paint-ball. GREAT time. When we were walking over there were those that hadn’t done it before that you could tell were pretty nervous, like scared little kids. When we got done it was like they all grew up, laughing about how they got hit, who they shot, etc. PLEASE GOD! Give us more opportunities to make these young men into men … real men … that will run headlong into danger to save someone, then feel secure enough in themselves to weep over loss … men that will take on tough problems, yet be gentle & caring parents. We’re missing the mark when we think that Christian Men need to be timid & studious. He made us to “… lead with firmness, then submit with humility. They can challenge with a cutting edge, then encourage with enthusiasm. They can fight agressively for just causes, then moments later weep over suffering.” (quoting Bill Hybels)
For myself, growing up it was a very hard to deal with things going on in the world, at school, and at home/church. They seemed so in conflict with each other, when they’re really not. Let’s encourage our young men to grow up into real men. I have 4 daughters, and that’s what I want for them … real men that love Jesus with all their hearts and have the courage to stand as a beacon of light, the courage to stand up when the circumstances are difficult, the courage to stand & lead as Jesus asks us to … and are the ‘servant leaders’ of their families, that love their wives & children more than themselves. Thank you Lord for the learning opportunities going on here at The Peak!!!
Cascades Camp Newz 4 Kidz!!!!
Hey every body! I’m writing to you from the beautiful Yelm Washington forest at Cascades Camp for RHCC! I’m having tons of fun going on: the Blob, sliding down the Iceberg, going tubing in the lake rapids and horseback riding at Sun Rise Ranch. I have the best counslers in the whole world and I love hanging out with my cabin people, too.
Lauren
More Picture from Camp via Deanette’s camera
Here are so<table cellspacing=”0″ cellpadding=”0″ border=”0″ bgcolor=”#ffffff”><tr><td><a href=”http://smilebox.com/play/4d5441334d6a51324d544d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link” target=”_blank”><img width=”420″ height=”330″ alt=”Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: ” src=”http://smilebox.com/snap/4d5441334d6a51324d544d3d0d0a.jpg” style=”border: medium none ;”/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=”http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot” target=”_blank”><img width=”420″ height=”46″ alt=”Create your own slideshow – Powered by Smilebox” src=”http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif” style=”border: medium none ;”/></a></td></tr><tr><td align=”center”><a href=”http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows” target=”_blank”>Make a Smilebox slideshow</a></td></tr></table>me shots during games and baptism time.
Baptism
I baptized my daughter, Calli, this morning! So happy for her to make that decision to follow Christ on her own! I’m ignoring the fact that she is chasing a counselor right now with a water bottle full of toilet water. I know her heart is right 🙂 We are cloudy today and praying for sun. Please send sun!
Wendy
Maddie Maier’s Camp experience
The Peak has been a great experience! The services at the quad are touching, and will surely change and deepen your relationship with God. I’ve also had a blast here! So far I’ve been boating, horseback riding, played lots of games and have just hung out with my friends. The Peak is the best camp EVER!!!
God is Good!!!
Wow God has really used me this week and i am having a blast! Before i came to camp i had prayed about God using me in a great way and he has………. we adopted a guys cabin that was having a hard time and we having been working with them and they have changed a lot!!! Praise God!!!! ………………..Other than God using me in a great way i am having a great time making new friends and building a stronger relationship with God!!!
Baptism Morning
This morning we are going down to the waterfront and a group of students will be going public with their faith and getting baptized. The life we live by faith is full of many small steps. I’m really proud of the girls who are getting baptized today. They each have a heart to follow Jesus with their whole life. Before we go down, we will be worshipping together, having a special presentation by Patrick and Lance’s cabin and then I will be sharing about how David was a man after God’s own heart. He is the only person in the Bible who is called by that designation. As these girls take this step of obedience to the way of Jesus, they are showing that they have a heart that is learning to follow in every way.
Here are the girls who are getting baptized: Calli L, Chloe F, Tabitha C, Avery L, Mikaela B, Courtney H, Ellie J, Elora P, Alyssa N, Madi C and Kate W.
Every time we have a baptism I love how the testimony of life-change and commitment comes to the forefront of the whole camp. Whether many or few, baptism is a time to remember about commitments made long ago that still matter today. Pray for us as we practice this sacred activity today at 11am.
Pastor Mark
God Moves In His Time
Last night God did a wonderful work during our Quad Time. I loved sharing about a powerful part of David’s story and how God wants these kids to be a new generation of mighty men and women. To watch close to half the camp go and pray with their leader was thrilling to say the least. As their leaders are helping them to stay with this commitment, the proof of the impact will be on how long it lasts. Junior High kids are notorious for being highly sensitive to responding to God, but poor on follow-through. In fact, last night one of my leaders got the privilege of praying with a girl and no sooner than the walk back to their lodge the girl was right back to her old ways. Be praying that this is not typical, but the exception to the rule.
Pastor Mark
The Worship Team This Year…
One of the highlights of camp for me personally is not just our time of worship that we have with the students, but my friends who serve with me on the worship team each day.
Zach King – This is Zach’s first year serving at camp since he was here as a student. Zach is playing the keyboard and organ and it’s been fun having him here. Zach is going to be a sophomore in the fall down at Biola. Zach is not only talents in the areas of music, but he’s got a gift for video and video editing. Him and David have been putting together a series of their own videos each day for the campers. We will have these up soon for your viewing pleasure.
David Zaganiacz – David returns this year on the electric guitar. David is an awesome guy who love Jesus and is constantly studying the word and desiring to know more about theology. He brings so much wisdom to team and has a great sense of humor to back it up.
Emilee Beachy – This is her first year here at camp in this capacity. Not only is she ridiculously talented, but she knows how to bring the funk on the bass guitar. She has served in the Jr. High weekend services and sunday nights programs for the past three years and it’s such a blessing to have her on the team this year.
Jacob Taylor – Mr. Taylor, a junior at Tualatin High School, is assuming the role of lead guitarist and violinists as well. Jacob is talented at everything he touches and has such a humble heart in the way he serves. Sometimes I think he has more creativity and energy then he knows what to do with. Needless to say, there is never a dull or quiet moment when he is around! I’m really pumped that he’s a part of the team this year.
Garrett Strudler – The man that is the glue that brings all of us together is him. Garrett is drumming for us and couldn’t think of a better guy to have on the team. Not only does he play drums, but he plays bass, video production, and sound mixing. This is his 8th or 9th year at the Peak. He is the veteran of our volunteer team.
Kate Eaton – Besides being biased about her being the best and most attractive singer ever, Kate has also served in some sort of capacity here at Jr. High camp over the past 9 years in either a leader, singer, builder, or assistant leader here at camp. This year Kate (my wife) is not only singing on the team but she is also a builder for half of our girl leaders. She does such an amazing job listening and building into these women. She never ceases to amaze me.
Chris Chong – Chong is one of a kind. He is our sound guy for the week and he’s doing an incredible job not only mixing our sound, but mixing with the students. He aims for perfection and so I know that our program times are in good hands. I always enjoying serving with Chris. He also has been around for several years both here at camp and our jr. high weekend programs.
and last but not least…
Lexie Began – Lexie has been my life saver this week. She has stepped in to oversee all of our media needs. She has been the one who has been putting together all of our recap videos for the week and running our media during worship. She is such a hard worker and loves to serve behind the scenes. Camp has been as smooth as it has because of her.
We have completed 5 of our 9 sessions and the Lord has moved mightily through each and every one.
Please continue to be praying for us as we lead these students each night and morning in worship. Pray that the Lord continues to unite as a team and that the we approach each session with the heart and motives that God desires from us.
It’s such an honor to be used by God in this role. Thank you so much for allowing your students to be a part of this very special week. Amazing things are taking place and we’re only half way there!
Pastor Tyler
P.S. It’s nearly 11 and i’ve been up since the wee hours. So please pardon my typing and grammar. It never was one of my strengths! 🙂
Night Games!!
One of my main jobs this summer has been planning the activities for camp- which includes the night games. 160 students, 45 leaders, trees, buildings and the pure darkness makes for an interesting combination and a lot of potential injuries. No worries though, the medics tell me we’ve sucessfully survived the week without any major injuries- something I’ve been praying for a lot over the last few weeks. One of my favorite things is to watch the students and leaders get more and more excited and energized to participate in these games as the week goes on. Each year we try to come up with different themes to help encourage participation and this year was no different. Since our theme was X and X marks the spot of the treasure chest, I decided to go with a pirate theme! Each one of the night games has a theme following one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and tonight the crew of the Flying Dutchman (the boys) faced off against the Black Pearl (the girls) in an intense game of capture the flag… and I’m proud to announce that the girls dominated 🙂 After ten years, I’ve finally convinced Jen to participate in the night games, and while her interpretation of “pirate” might be a little off, hey, at least she’s trying.
Tomorrow night I’m sure you’ll find Mark’s play by play of the Peak’s Got Talent (formerly known as the Ocho Showcho) and I can’t wait to see what your students have to offer. I’m never disappointed.
Signing off for the night-
Vickie Chambers, Summer Staff
Cool counselor #2
Yep. Still alive. Covered with bites. In annoying areas. Like pinky toes and the back of knees. So fun! Tonight we had quite the worship time with amazing changes in the students. They are getting it-worship is coming into God’s presence. Right now kids are running around with glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces outlining the sprinkler heads. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, we want minimal injuries. Our game has to do with the Flying Dutchman and the Black Pearl (our version of capture the flag, boys vs. girls). The last night game. Good for staff, unfortunate for kiddos. Hence, I’m blogging. Has anyone mentioned the flies? They are like vultures. I feel like we are in Africa, as we are now accustomed to them landing on us (I think my usual number I give a ride to is 3 or 4 at a time). Great day with crazy kids ruling the place, the sun burning our old burns from yesterday, and some naps were even had. The sun finally came through after breakfast, so prayers for a beautiful day are appreciated for tomorrow. My daughter, Calli, is getting baptized in the morning!!! So cool! Until next time, I’m off to join the chaos. I mean pandamonium. If you are wondering what song will be running through my head as we drift off to sleep in a few hours, it will be, “Yo Ho Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me.”
Wendy
misc. pictures from camp (taken by Deanette)
Hey, click on this link to see a slideshow of pictures from camp so far…mostly of my 6th grade girls group…Maddie, Alyssa, Sophia, Avery, Marisa, Taylor, Madison, Julia and co leader. Mary…hope this works, if not check facebook…Deanette Marvin
<table cellspacing=”0″ cellpadding=”0″ border=”0″ bgcolor=”#ffffff”><tr><td><a href=”http://smilebox.com/play/4d5441334d5441784d6a493d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link” target=”_blank”><img width=”420″ height=”330″ alt=”Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: ” src=”http://smilebox.com/snap/4d5441334d5441784d6a493d0d0a.jpg” style=”border: medium none ;”/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=”http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot” target=”_blank”><img width=”420″ height=”46″ alt=”Create your own slideshow – Powered by Smilebox” src=”http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif” style=”border: medium none ;”/></a></td></tr><tr><td align=”center”><a href=”http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows” target=”_blank”>Make a Smilebox slideshow</a></td></tr></table>
Camp for Laura and Olivia
I love camp! It has been so fun and great laughs! Yesterday we went on a inner tube banana on the lake and fell in twice! Our group is the best and I got everyone I wanted! I love my new counslers they are the best counslers here this week! Today was a low key day for us both! And I have learned alot! Camp is great!
~Olivia
I am so happy I came. I can’t wait to come home and see everyone{Fern.} Flies are everywhere and I got stung on my toosh by a bee cause I sat on it. hahaha! I love my counslers they rock and are so easy going and easy to talk to. i have learned alot and wanted to cry it was such a great sermin. I cant wait to come back. PLEASE!
I love you guys can’t wait to see you!
-LAURA
Hello Oregon…
Hey its Spencer Kupish
Life is great. Mark’s speeches are amazing, touching my life. sweet had to share!! woohooo don’t wanta come home.
To Be Mighty…
Tonight’s message is about the mighty men of David, who followed him when he was running from King Saul for his life. They came to him as social rejects, but became his most trusted, amazing warriors. Can you imagine the transformation of an indebted reject who leaves the history he created with all the baggage of discouragement and aimlessness and follows a person who is embodying the very thing he was leaving behind?
What made this David, before he became king, worth following? Was it the heroic defeat of Goliath? Maybe it was the outstanding songs that he wrote that must have been used to express the feelings of those around him. Or, maybe it was the way God’s spirit drew certain guys who God saw potential in. Potential to change. Potential to make a difference. Potential to be world impacters.
That is what tonight is all about. Calling these students to become then next generation of the Mighty men and women for this time in history is what makes a night like tonight exceedingly special. Last year we saw a couple of students make commitments that lasted all year during school. But that was then and this is now. Who is God calling out? Who will say “Yes” to the challenge to step out and stick out of the crowd? Pray for us tonight and believe in faith that the Spirit will call some unusual and unexpected choices boys and girls to be Mighty…
Pastor Mark
Lexy’s Story
Hi,
My name is Lexy. I’m going into 7th grade and this year camp has been a lot of fun. We’ve made lots of bracelets and played Poker with candy. Today I got sick and it wasn’t fun. But, now I feel amazing. Today we are going offsite boating at two thirty. It was cold this morning but now it is warmer. Yesterday I bought a Freezer. The Quad is very big. That is where we do worship and listen to Mark speak. Nisqually is where we eat, it is very big too. In my cabin is me, Stephanie, Toni, Chantel, Justine, Emily, Haily, and Taylor. I have learned about David and Goliath and how we shouldn’t compromise like David dare a bunk with Chantel and I am on the bottom. I id when he ran to the Philistines. We have a sixth grade buddy cabin. There are nine of them. Yesterda we did their hair and makeup. I did McKenna‘s hair and it was awesome. I made like a web of braids and I as proud of myself. Everynight for the night games we put two black lines under our eyes and dres in all black. Last night I got points and collected paperclips from a person who was glowing. I got sent to jail twice. The first time I had to do star jumps and yell, “I’m a star!” The second time I had to yell, “I love my counslors!” Ten times. When I took the swim test I got shark which is the best one. It means I can swim wherever I want.
I LOVE PEAK!!!!
Hi people!
I have never blogged before, so I don’t know what to say. I am going to try. Peak is awesome so far. We have adopted a six grade cabin. So far we have done hair, nails, and make up, but we are going boating later today. They are amazing! I probably gained twenty pounds from all the candy I have eaten, but I lose it from just walking up to our cabin.
P.S. HI MOM!!!! I MISS YOU GUYS!!!
,Stephie Stamnes
Half-way through Peak
Camp Peak has ben a lot of fun. I have been blobbing, which is a big air bag on top of the lake that we swim in and we jump onto the blob and the person at the end of the blob goes flying off the end into the water. I hurt my ankle when i jumped onto the blob so i could not run down to get a counselor when my mom called my friends mom because she was worried about me because i could never get ahold of her when calling. (i always got the answering machine) but just last night i finally got to talk to her because she answered the phone (she said she has been sitting by the phone for 6 hours) and now i am not so home-sick. I have had a lot of fun here at camp peak so far, except for the long stressing time with the phone and running up and down the hill.
-Marisa Bischel
The bus ride over here was tragic it took 3 and a half hours to just get here but after that it was pretty awesome!
Awkward Transitions with Jen
So I am finally sitting down to write. Camp is off and running and it has been amazing so far.
First, I got the great privilege of riding the bus in very warm conditions that cause you to stick to the seats:) But, we all arrived safe and sound. In fact it was so smooth that at one point I was worried we may arrive at camp too early.
Yesterday was also great. I got to see students engage with morning worship, hear all about great morning small groups from the leaders, and send off campers to a variety of free time activities. There is so much to do that we will send each student home very tired.
One of my roles at camp is to give announcements. And after a very powerful time of worship, Mark’s real and hard hitting message, and more worship, I got to get up and say insignificant things…we call this time “Awkward Transitions with Jen.” How do you transition to instructions on games without awkwardness? In fact, the students seem to get a kick out of it. As they see me approach the stage they yell out, “awkward transitions with Jen!” It helps ease the moment of tension I feel.
So last night before I gave my announcements about sign ups and med call, I said, “God is good.” And they said, “All the time!” God is good and He is all the time. He is doing great things and it is such a joy to be a part of it all.
Filling the void with akwardness,
Jen
PS: D and Miss M, I miss you and love you very much!
Monday in Review…
What a great first full day at camp! So many memories and activities took place. It’s exciting to listen to the stories of the students and leaders and hear how God is stretching and using people this week. Keep the prayers coming and we’ll keep the updates flowing!
A day in the life of Shannon…at The Peak
Hello readers. Today was the first “offical” day of camp. I am having a BLAST. My role here at camp is to lug large tubs of tie dye around to various places, and take orders from Vickie Chambers. Its a pretty awesome job. I spent 4 hours down at the waterfront in the sun and proceded to get burned. Oh well. It will be tan tomorrow…or that’s what I am telling myself. I was in charge of sending 11 students out to have an amazing time on the lake tubing. Everyone had so much fun! I also got to go check out the climbing wall. It is awesome. Then, I helped fold tie dyed t-shirts…there are 160 of them. There is nothing I love more than serving the Lord by serving behind the scenes. The night games are the best. I get to keep score and tell kids to find paperclips. CAMP ROCKS! All your kiddos are in good hands. Til later. Shannon Waritz
Fun in the Sun
The day started with a beautiful cool breeze as we wok up early for leaders Bible Study and then breakfast with the girls. My cabin is awesome ; a group of 7th grade girls who Love the Lord and have been at Rolling Hills for quite sometime. They have such close friendships and great stories to share and know each other well. They all have a servant’s heart and quickly adopted a 6th grade girls group that they met up with at the rest area for a game of red rover. Today we did makeovers with the younger girls who are so thankful and showed their appreciation by praying over us at meal time. My girls are Taylor, Lexi, Haley, Emily, Chantel, Stephanie, Antonia, and Justine and i am so privileged to spend the week with them.
In Christ’s love,
Joni
From a cool counselor
So. Do I mind being bitten through my pants? Not at all. The 2 matching welts on my buns and the offsetting one on my thigh aren’t big enough to send me home. Yet. What about the girls who haven’t cleaned our room? It’s kinda cute how they can change clothes (and trade) 12x/day. Did you know that mildew can form in the first 8 hrs? I love to learn new things like that… Wow. It’s super hot, too. It’s better than rain, huh? I’m writing this as the kids are running as fast as they can in the dark through gravel outside while trying to accomplish an unending impossible task that none of us know either. So. About camp. The leader stash is a life-saver. Please send more donations. Oh ya. Camp. Kelsey and I have a mixed cabin of 7/8 grade girls. 9 of them. Yes, we counted because it seems like 15 sometimes 🙂 Just kidding. Kids went rock climbing, boating, blobbing, ice-berg jumping, random sports, friendship bracelets, paintballing, and screaming through the camp. We are burned, tired, and hydrated. So excited that the campers will fall fast asleep ~3 hrs. sooner than our previous record. Thanks for sending these precious students to camp this year. I can’t speak for all the leaders, but Kelsey and I will continue our bikini covering, hydrating, and laugh making experience all week long. Oh. And we are having a blast 🙂
Wendy Luikart
Message from the Medics….
*To the tune of “12 days of christmas”
– 5 hornet stings
-4 bloody knees
-3 headaches
-2 pulled muscles
-and ooonnneee BIG sliverrrrr
All is well, your kids are healthy and God is awesome, what more do we need!?
Lots of love from the Medics
-Darla and Sarah 🙂
God Worked In A Cool Way
Just wanted to interject a quick report from tonight’s Quad Time. We had some great adjustments from the students while we were worshipping and they really seemed to do better at focusing on God instead of their own rowdiness. I was impressed at how fast the Holy Spirit changed kids from the way things had been to being different.
During the response to the message, I saw close to 30 kids go and pray with their leader about a huge problem in their life. I heard about one kid who shared that he decided to follow Christ for the first time tonight. What joy in heaven is happening right now! Praise God that he uses ordinary people like us to change lives and be used to make an eternal difference!
God is rocking in an amazing way!
Pastor Mark
Night #2
By the way, did I say yet how much I totally appreciate the prayer support you as parents and family and friends have given us while we are here at camp. God is working and your prayers are vital to us seeing lives transformed even hour by hour. Please keep it up!
Just to give you a head’s up. We just finished our leader’s meeting and a big topic of conversation was how the students are worshipping. It’s really hard when we see an enthusiasm that seems more about being hyper than about being excited in a genuine way about the Lord. How we handle it and how God’s Spirit changes the hearts and lives of the students and leaders remains to be seen, but please pray for us to have wisdom. We don’t want to do anything that will diminish the enthusiasm. But, we want to show these kids how to focus worship on the Lord who made us to be worshippers!
Tonight’s message will be on Goliath and David and how to slay the monster problems in your life. I’m trusting that these kids will see how David had faith on how to deal with small problems long before he ever had the opportunity to confront Goliath. Kids will get the opportunity to pray with their leader and share with them a fear or problem that they are struggling with. Pray that they will have the honesty to get real with God and share openly with their leader and allow their leader to intercede for their need.
Well, it’s time for worship and I’m pumped about what God is going to do tonight…
Pastor Mark
True Oregonians
Hey all- Vickie here.
This morning’s activity was TIE DYE!! Each camper got to dye their camp shirt and after an afternoon of rinsing them all out, I’m proud to say they look great! The logistics of it all were a little intense but miraculously, all of the dye made it onto the shirts, and none of the students… which was something I was concerned about. I think they really enjoyed bonding as a cabin during the process, and it’s fun to have a camp shirt that is different from everyone else’s. Even though I rinsed each shirt and your students are likely to wear them this week, I DO suggest washing them by themselves the first time around, just to be safe.
Otherwise we’re just enjoying this gorgeous weather and getting ready for dinner before Quad Time and our second night game.
Living the life here at camp,
Vickie Chambers
Summer Staff
The Banana Ride – Zech Maniar
If you ever need to conquer the fear of speed, drowning, not breathing, flipping, and everything in between, then go on the banana ride! It is so much fun and you will never want to leave. It’s a giant banana inflatible raft that they pull behind a motor boat on the lake. You can get 6 kids on it and it whips you around all over the place.
Recap Video From Sunday
Here is the recap video from our first day of camp. We had a great first day and today has been incredible as well. The first full day of camp was full of swimming, horseback riding, tie-dying our camp shirts, paintballing, etc. Check back later this evening for Monday’s video.
You can also download Mark’s messages from camp on our iTunes podcast channel. Search “678live” in the podcast section iTunes to get in on the action taking place here at camp.
Taking The Lead…
This morning I heard that our 8th grade cabins spent some extra time after the night game to make a commitment to be leaders at this year’s camp. They made it an optional time so not every 8th grader came. As I was going to breakfast I saw the scene in the above picture. The kids decided to pray every morning at the flag pole at the camp. I also heard that a couple of the girl’s cabins decided to clean someone else’s cabin, but before they did, they introduced themselves and got to know the other cabin so their helping was very personal in nature. I just heard about another cabin who decided to adopt another cabin who they heard was struggling. What a neat picture of those students listening to the Spirit and following the lead and ministering to others who need encouragement!
I also want to say that our adult leaders and High School apprentices are doing a GREAT job of empowering our kids and helping guide them into deeper impact. And, by the way, your prayers are really working the soil of the student’s hearts. I can’t wait to see the harvest to come.
Pastor Mark
Sunday night games
We have had a full day, are all set up in our rooms and getting to know each other.
We are about to play our game…keep us all in your prayers. Have a great night!
A Great Beginning…
Tonight we had a great time during our Quad Time. From the enthusiasm in the worship to the powerful times of prayer, it was neat to see another chance for the Holy Spirit to start a new, fresh work. From afar, it seems like camp is a formulaic experience. In other words, if we do certain things then the impact will just happen, no matter what. Some may feel that way, but I certainly don’t. I never want to put God into a box of expecting him to do what I want to see him do. He is God. He is the one who has the power to change every life in a real way. Not me. Not the worship. Not the great leaders. Him.
That’s why tonight is another start to something special. I don’t know where it will head from here, but I do know if God is in it it will be unique and in His timing.
Another neat thing I wanted to share happened at our Leader Meeting. This year I didn’t sense that we should do an 8th grade challenge like we have done the last couple of years. I strongly encouraged the leaders to challenge their kids and see what God would do. During the meeting the 8th grade leaders expressed that their students mentioned that they felt like it wasn’t fair that they didn’t get a planned challenge experience like last year. Although a very valid concern, I wanted to have the leaders put it back on the students. If God is prompting them to do a challenge, have them form it and execute it. I wanted the leaders to help guide those special kids to rise up in leadership, which is what their concern came from. That being said, I don’t know what they are going to do, but tonight those leaders are going to be doing something special with their cabins so please pray about what comes from it. I will report later about what they end up doing.
Pastor Mark
The Peak Is Now
It’s hot, kids are running amok, taking swim tests and having an absolute blast already! Everyone has arrived safely at camp. There are no issues thus far with the heat. In fact, each year we come here the number of air conditioners increases so that is quite nice. There seems to be a great spirit of anticipation already.
Right now we are spending a short couple hours in free time before dinner. After that, we have a leader’s meeting and then our first night session called Quad Time. At Quad Time tonight we will be starting with some fun games like trying to win iTunes gift cards for making the Impossible Shot. Then, we will be led into worship by Pastor Tyler and the band. I’ll be speaking tonight and introducing our theme of X.
Although a cool letter, it actually has a dual meaning. First off, X is for ten as in our tenth year coming to the Peak at Cascades Camp. Secondly, X also stands for X marks the spot. In any treasure map, X marks the spot of where the treasure is hidden and thus the end of the journey. David’s life was a true journey, with ups and downs that reflected a life well-lived for God. This week my hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit will form these students into followers of Jesus who join the journey. As they get further into the week, they will be challenged by topics like bitterness, compromise, and the challenge to take what they learn back home to live it out.
This week we will be inviting students to blog periodically about their experiences. That way you can get an insight into what’s going on in the different kids. You will hear from our other staff and the leaders who are counseling your kids. Let the different posts help you pray more intelligently and specifically for us. We would treasure your prayer support all week long.
Thanks for letting us enjoy and impact your kids this week!
Pastor Mark
Pre-Peak Anticipation
Right now I’m sitting in my office, 63 minutes before the big load up begins and I’m totally in the moment. Soon parents and students will arrive in a flood of anticipation, checking in and getting overwhelmed by the fun that is just about to begin tomorrow.
As of now, we have 159 students going to camp and about 53 leaders, band, media, medics and support staff. Please pray for us. Pray for safety in every aspect of camp. Pray for the heat, that no one has to go to the hospital because of an heat related illness. Pray for quality relationships to be built. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be working in each person’s life. Pray that we will worship in the power of God. Pray that God will speak and use my messages and the insightful words of each leader to influence change in each student and staff.
If any of your students are coming to camp with concerns or fears, encourage them to pray and pray with them, modeling that Jesus is who we depend on. Help them work through the fear by stepping out in faith and using this camp to get to know someone new. Fear and worry are always hard, but victory in this area will make unsure students have a divine aha moment with God.
Finally, journey with these students, even though you are here at home. Rejoice in their growth, no matter how small it may seem. To a young person, small growth is the path to big impact. Follow this blog throughout the week. I and others like me will be posting multiple times during the day. Sometimes we will report what’s happening. Other times we will be asking for specific prayer. You may find video posted and pictures too. Keep coming back and spread the word to other people too so that what is happening just north of here will inspire your faith here at home.
Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.” This week we will be depending on the great Shepherd that David wrote about to be our everything. He wants to be all that we need. He wants to protect who we are and form us into so much more than we imagine we can ever be. That is what camp can be as an experience. A time of distraction-free connection with the God of creation, who will change us forever during this short week.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
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