which road?

Today I woke up early, well earlier than I normally do.  So I decided to chuck on my shorts and hoddie, grab my i-pod with only one ear-phone working and sunnies and set out for a morning stroll on the beach.  I got to the ramp and took a look for about 20 metres the beach was absolutely cover with sea-weed (which hadn’t really surprised me as the smell has been extremely potent of late on the coast).  But after the sea-weed there were just a few rocks and then the beach was absolutely flat and beautiful.  I had a choice, toughen up and treck through the sea-weed to get through to the lovely flat beach which would then make my walk much more pleasant or turn around and go home.  

I decided to go for it – I tried to find the little spots of sand so i didn’t have actually tred on the sea-weed but there was one point where I just had to go for it and treck through and hope that I didn’t slip or that it was swallow me.  I went and it was disgusting.  But i got through it – to the other end, to the glorious flat beach.

I love how God can speak to you through something so simple like this.  How it can be through day to day things that we learn life’s greatest lessons.  

In life we can come up against things like gross sea-weed and we’ve got a choice to go through it or just turn around go home and hide.  We can even try and dodge it a bit – but sometimes we’ve got to trudge straight through it so that we can get to the glorious beach.

We too often just want to take the easy road but where is the learning in that, where is the challenge and I think maybe where is the fun?

Yeah the tough road can suck and be incredibly hard and when we are in the middle of it we can even wonder how on earth we are going to get through it, or even if we ever will.  But it’s all a choice and you’ve got to choice to stand up and fight through it, and deal with it.  And it’s at the end when we get the chance to look back on all the stuff we’ve walked and fought through we get to reflect and see how much we have grown and probably wouldn’t take back all that hardship.

In the end it is worth it…..and it’s your choice whether you’ll take the easy or hard road.

it’s just a flicker

Last night I was walking back home from doing a spot of washing.  It was an incredibly muggy evening.  I looked out toward Ulverstone and faintly I could see this pink light standing tall.  It didn’t take my long to realise that it was the famous Ulverstone clock.

And although it was muggy and horrible and you could really see much in the distance I could still see the faint light of the clock.

I began picturing in my head this dark room, but there was this smallest flicker of light and I think in a dark room our eyes are always drawn to that small flicker.  Whether it’s straight away or after a period of time our eyes will become fixed on the light.

I think light represents many things – but for me at the moment it’s HOPE.

I love stepping out of a evening after a long day, after watching the news, after hearing of the devastation that is around us locally and globally, and being able to look up and see the moon.  That’s my reminder, that’s my flicker of light, of Hope.  That there is someone big out there, who created the moon and everything else surrounding it that is in control.

It’s pretty prominent that there are some pretty dark things going on in our world, but I think within those things and through those things can come flickers of light.

I like how the New Living Translation puts John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it”

Darkness can never overcome light, but light can always overcome darkness

it’s overrrrrrrrrrr

So it’s all over.  Well nearly.  Just Little Tackers to go, but that’s probably the easiest camp you can get – so no major stressing over that one.  Looking back on it now – those 3 weeks seem to have flown by, but being in the middle of one of those weeks it doesn’t feel like that at all.

Senior Mixed 2010 – what a camp.  It was harder than the two previous ones combined and it seemed to be the girls that were causing most of the trouble.  I choose to believe they weren’t extremely bad or naughty, I think they are just lost and searching and wanting someone to notice them, to tell them they are special.  I heard some heart breaking stories – of things that shouldn’t happen to anyone, let alone girls this young.  It’s a very eye opening experience, realising that a lot of junk does go down in little ol’ Tassie, I think just sometimes we choose not to see it.  We choose to be ignorant and blind to the needs and the hurts of people locally, but if everyone is doing that – then who is hearing their cries?
Throughout the week – God was extremely and so obviously present through so many different aspects.  Most obviously through devotions and one on one conversations with campers which resulted in over 11 people giving their hearts to God, many of these being people with hurt and broken pasts.  What an amazing thing for them to allow God to come in and start doing some healing within their lives.  The key is now for them to not leave what took place at camp. To hold on.  And to remember.

For me, personally – throughout the 3 weeks at camp I felt extremely disconnected and out of it, and I just had no idea why.  I was incredibly tired and exhausted and I don’t think it was from the lack of sleep.  It wasn’t until debrief of the last camp, just before I was about to speak that God hit me with the ‘why’.  I have been looking into the future too much I guess you could say.  I know I’m moving to Brisbane and I’m incredibly excited about it – that that’s all I’m looking forward to.  I took on the attitude of that I just need to survive these next few months and then I’ll be out of it.  But I was convicted and God said ‘that’s not good enough’.  I need to be here.  Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job and have loved it the last two years, like any other job it has it’s annoyances but on the whole it’s amazing – I love what Camp Clayton is and what it stands for and the people that are a part of it.  So that is my challenge for the next 6 months.  To be here.  To enjoy it and to love it.  To know that Brisbane is coming and I will get there.  But for now I just need to realise how lucky I am here and what I have.

two down

Two camps down and we’re halfway through a second one.  I think sometimes through the year I forget the importance and significance of what takes place at camp.  And how one week can be so completely different to the next.

Last week was Junior Girls.  Not normally a favourite of mine – there’s something about nearly 90 girls screaming in your face that isn’t that appealing.

But it was a great week – two of my very dear friends put together a fantastic program that the girls just loved.  We also had a bunch of amazing leaders and support staff.  These girls are the only reason that these camps are made possible – and (I know I say it a bit) sometimes I don’t think they even know what sort of impact they have.

I struggled a fair bit with patience last week – I had forgotten that so many of these girls at this age have probably never been away from home for more than 2 or 3 nights at a time.  Every night I had to stay up an hour or so past when all the other girls were asleep because I was waiting up in the lounge (with some of those amazing committed leaders) for a parent to come and collect their little girl because all she wanted to do was go home to mum and dad where they knew it was safe and familiar.

It was great to see these girls back in the morning ready to take on the day!

But all in all it was a week where love was shared, a lot of that was Jesus’, we got to know some women of the bible, and some amazing women of today.

It excites me knowing that we have such an amazing opportunity to sew into lives, and that those lives are our future….and that the future is definitely going to be greater than what has been in the past.

one down.

It’s hard to believe we’ve finished one week of camps and are already half through another one.

But anyway

Junior Boys.

What a week.

If you’ve ever been to Junior Boys, or actually even just been involved at Camp Clayton before will know that this camp is notorious for being the hardest camp.

But last week was something different – it’s hard to explain and telling anyone who wasn’t there would probably think you’ve gone crazy – because there is no way that there could be such thing as an easy week when it involves the two words ‘Junior Boys’.

But it was – yeah ok there was the not so minor outbreak of gastro.  Apart from that the week was amazing and I actually got a chance to sit down and chat to some of the ‘good’ kids, something that I have really missed doing.

And I also got to witness an amazing amount of change and be reminded again of what a safe haven Camp Clayton is for many people.

I have two highlights from that week

Number 1 : There has been this boy, that has been at a few camps over the couple of years I have been YWC and to be honest – I have a bit of a soft spot for him.  But in the past, he’s not what you would call the best behaved campers and before last week he had been sent home because of behaviour stuff.  But last week, something had shifted or changed with him. It was like he wasn’t the same kid anymore.  The leaders were blown away to see his improvement and so was I.  And last week I saw leadership potential in him, helping out where needed.  I loved that, and I like to think that Camp Clayton had a little bit of a part to play in that, that even though the kids only come for one week at a time, that week does something..it impacts, and God has the potential to change someone’s life within such a short space of time.

Number 2: The leaders, the CLS, the supervisors, camp Mum and Dad and Uncles.  They are a highlight in themselves. The way they continually stepped up and served.  I think this is something that will never cease to amaze me.  Teenage Boys (and yes this week girls) giving up a week of their school holidays to come and hang out and serve and do what God’s called them to.  Their work is more valuable than they will ever know, and will echo in eternity. So THANK YOU!

and now some photos.

And this is what we do to our leaders.

Matt’s Boo Boo

It’s war.

the fake bff’s

we’ve all got a choice.

Choice.

It’s something we’ve all got.

The power to choose.

We can choose to wake up grumpy or happy.

To serve or to be selfish

To give or to take away

To follow the crowd or to take the risk and be that little bit different.

To enter the narrow or wide gate

It’s our choice, that’s the amazing thing about free will, we aren’t forced, we get to choose.  And that’s what I think makes life more exciting.

So what’s your choice going to be?

where have you gone?

Passion.

It’s something that’s been on my mind for the last 2 or 3 weeks.

I like the fact that just one word can invoke so much thought.

In 2008 my word for the year was Hope.

I’m not sure if had one last year, but this year I think it’s going to be Passion.

Last night I was driving home, just chilling and chatting to God and I was thinking about this word.  My mind drifted back to a moment early 2008.  The few years previous God had been building something in me – a passion for our school.  To see Him move and do His thing and for us to actually DO something for Him, to not just let school be school.  But within 2 years of college I got lazy – I made excuses and left feeling that I hadn’t really contributed anything to school life, or had an impact.

In January 2008 I was leading at 9/10 Summer camp.  It’s one of those camps that I can honestly say I will truly never forget.  The last night of camp we had worship and Rodney Garland brought forth the word, and well let’s just say the spirit moved and did His thing and it was real.  And God reignited this passion in me for my school, and although I had finished year 12, I still called it my school and I knew even though I had left, that didn’t mean I couldn’t pass on this batton to those that were coming up underneath me.  

God said ‘get those kids together, and just pray’.  So I did.  I did a made run around the camp – gathered all the Leighland students I could find. I shared my heart and passion (well actually God’s heart) with them, I may have ranted and raved for ages but I needed these people to know that sitting back and doing nothing wasn’t enough.  And after this, we prayed.  We declared that school as His and that the devil would have no foothold.  It was a night that wouldn’t be forgotten (by me at least).

And thinking about this last night – God said ‘when was the last time you were THAT passionate, where has that fire gone?’

The truth is, this hit me and it hurt. Because really I don’t know where it’s gone.

But I think that maybe this year might be figuring out what passion really is, and what it means to me, and what I’m passionate about..what makes me tick..

And that excites me.

ohh what a year.

2009.

What a year.

I can’t believe it’s nearly over.

(i know it’s a cliche saying) but it just feels like yesterday that was seeing in 2009 with my best friend, sitting at her house, watching Grey’s Anatomy that we got so distracted we didn’t even realise when it turned 12:00am. (we also heard a really loud bang which turned out to be a car crash)

A whole 12 months has passed.

And a fair bit has gone down.

I commenced a second year in a job I lovegreatly and have learnt so much.

I have said goodbye to the family home we built.

Said hello to my parents new apartment (trying to get used to the fact it’s their home, not their holiday place, but really it’s both – being able to wake up next to the beach every morning – what a life)

I have found love

I have said goodbye to my church and youth group

I have also said goodbye to my first car – Norman…it was truly a sad day.

I have tried to function without my best friend by my side for another year – but realising it doesn’t get easier as times goes on.

Maybe also realisng that some friendships don’t change because of lack of distance and communication

But also realising that some do.

I have learnt that God’s grace is more than enough.

I have learnt that our relationship with God doesn’t just happen.  It takes work, just like any other relationship.

I have learnt that change is inevitable.

And i think this is only a snapshot to what my year was.

I hurt, loved, gained, lost, let-go, gave.

Looking on to next year – I’m excited, beyond measure….but at the same time I’m a little bit scared.

I’m moving on from this place I’ve called home for so long to somewhere bigger and (arguably) greater.

Brisbane is going to be the place I call home for the next 4-5 years.  It’s scared because it’s something I’ve talked about doing for the last 2 years and now it’s actually happening.

Not knowing what i’m going to do or where i’m going to live is a bit frightening, but there is something intriguing and appealing about the unknown…

I know it will definitely all be an adventure, I know that saying goodbye won’t be easy and saying hello probably won’t either. But i’ve got some pretty alright support around me that will get me through.

I look forward to be able to sit here in a years time and type some words about what took place in the year 2010..

Happy New Years!

ohh world..what have we done.

Christmas.

Somehow it’s here again.  It seems like only a few short months ago since we were rushing around frantically in the morning getting everything together to treck down to Smithton for some of the days festivities.  I’m not sure if the years really do go quicker or not, or each year we get busier and busier which makes the year seem to go faster.

Last year I was a bit of a party pooper on the Christmas spirit.  I hated carols.  I left all the presents to the last minute and didn’t seem to enjoy the lead up at all..of course I loved the day…presents for one…and the family thing is pretty alright too.

This year for Christmas has been very different to last year.

I got all my shopping done early.  Me and Elliot planned a Christmas party that I got so excited about – and was amazing..

But I still got caught up in the commercialism of it all.  And it makes me think.  What has this world made Christmas to be.

Last night we went to Romaines Christmas Eve service – and I loved it.  Casey White conducted the amazing orchestra – he made me very proud.  There is something amazing and very unique about watching someone do something they love and are incredibly passionate about.

And watching Him got me thinking – passion has a lot to do with Christmas.  It’s because of the passion of God that he decided to send his son to come and be born to a simple family. To live a fantastic and miraculous life, but then to eventually die, so that we may live.

What a gift!!!

I know this is something you hear every year – ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season’.

But really – He is.

Without him – we wouldn’t celebrate the day.

I think amongst the business of today, we need to stop and give thanks for what we’ve been given. and for the reason we have Christmas day.

fluffy

Today I have a very fluffy jumper.  I think I accidentally put it in with my towels.  Or maybe it was on purpose as I try to do as little loads of washing as possible – simply because I’m lazy and hate having to make multiple trips over to the laundry.  But this then results in my clothes being a big fluff ball.

I have spent a lot of today trying to get that fluff off, I’ve tried clawing it off with my nails, picking each individual pick, using a ruler to try and collect it all into one pile on my jumper and then pick it off.  All of these methods have failed me and my jumper still looks as fluffy as it did when I put it on this morning.

I realised I needed one of those de-fluffer brush things – that would have solved my problems and restored my jumper to it’s former glory.

Somehow God spoke to me through this event in my day..  It’s funny and sometimes rather strange how God can speak to you through the most simple and trivial things.  I’ve been reminded time and time again how God isn’t predictable in the ways he talks to you….and I guess if He was then He wouldn’t be God..