As most of you know I went on tour with Homewood. Irwin(general director) and I went to various Universities and colleges in Alberta and Saskatchewan trying to recruit staff for this coming summer. It was a learning experience for me. Learned a lot about the other camps in Canada. Irwin and I learned a lot about each other as well, which was very good if I am going to be staying at Homewood for a few years.
I am in charge of getting paintball into Homewood and it is pretty fun. i have been doing research and getting info from other camps that do paintball. I am pretty excited for the prospect of it all.
I have been influencing my room mates as of late and it is awesome. I have had a sweet change of heart about life in the past little while and I like to think it is showing.
I am reading the book Crazy Love right now, it is sooo good.
I don't have much of an update for you.
I bought an iPod Touch today... I am very blessed... and excited. :D
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Skippers Training.
So I got asked 3 days before the start date, if I wanted to go on a week long Skippers Sailing training excursion. Obviously I said yes.
Kyle Schuurman, Sam Norman, Ben Louter, and myself hopped in a Homewood van and headed down to Nanaimo. Ben Hendricks, our sailing instructor/salty seadog extraordinare was there to meet us.
The first night we slept on the boat in the Nanaimo marina. The next morning it all began.
So we cast off our lines and headed out to the open seas on a 34 foot, 1998 Hunter Sailboat. All of us with the aspiration to one day become a salty seadog aswell, we listened to Captain Hendricks every word.
Day 1
Nanaimo Harbour - Dodd Narrows - Pirate Cove (docking practice) - Telegraph harbour(Thetus Island)
This day was a get to know your boat day. We all took turns sailing, docking, motoring, checking the engines, reading Current/Tide tables, understanding charts, and covering are heads from the snow.
Stopped in at a Pub and had chili and stew and a nice cup a joe.
Day 2
Telegraph Harbour - Houston Chanel - Ganges Harbour (Saltspring)
This day was more charting and tide tables. Rules of the Ocean are hard to remember, traffic signs aswell.
Got to Ganges marina. Went to Moby's pub and had a well needed greasey burger and fries and watched the Canucks game!
Day 3
Ganges(Saltspring) - Montague - Conover cove.
This was a full day. Started out with hours of COB(Crew OverBoard) procedures. This is where we are just practicing our sailing... and then our instructor will throw a COB practice flag overboard when no one is looking and wont tell us. This is stressful, but we all carried out the procedures well and in timely fashion.
After COB drills.... we went to Montague Bay and practiced our anchoring and mooring.
Made our way up to Conover Cove where we stayed for the night. This was the only non marina we stayed at. This meant we had to cook our own supper. Definitely the funnest night of the trip. The Racoons. :D
Having supper... look out the companionway and there is a friend looking down into the cabin wanting some yummy tortelini alfredo . We chased it out and off the dock. Soon this little critter was joined by two more trying to get into our boat. Kicking time. We set up a trail of noodles... and hid. I was ready... stretched my legs out.could barely contain my laughter. Racoon comes into view... I lunge. the racoon saw me. I was a little too late. I wanted a mid body hit so it would go into the ocean... but I ended up getting a full on bum punt. Needless to say the Racoon did a few spins and hit the edge of the dock. They didn't come back onto our boat. :D
Day 4
Conover Cove - Trincomale Chanel - Silva Bay(Gabriola)
Test day. Did some sailing. did a 2 hour test down below the below. yuck.
Needless to say we all passed our test all of us above 80%. A side note... our instructor Ben is also a PCOC instructor so i did that test aswell and am offically aloud to drive Motor Boats. Even though we passed our skippers test... Ben didn't think that Sam, Ben, and I were experienced or confident enough to take noob sailors out. So he gave us our Competant Crew member ticket. which just means we are AWESOME 1st mates. :D I am not upset. I had so much fun and learned lots. I will take it again for sure in a year or so.
Day 5
Silva bay - Nanaimo
This was our best day for wind and the best sailing by far. 15-25 knots of wind and 5 foot swells. We got our boat speed up to 8.8 knots. Which is the fastest I have been on a sailboat. Our boats at homewood are only really capable of 5-7.5 soo that was exciting!
Got to Nanaimo a little disappointed but in good spirits.
Got home on Friday night... and began working an hour after getting back. Left for Comox saturday evening. Went to Sam's nana's house for sam's mothers birthday. Huge dinner, white wine, mmmm. Got on a plane the next morning at 7. Met irwin in Calgary. flew to Edmonton... waited... flew to Grand Prairie. Drove to Sexsmith in the worst driving conditions I have ever been in. Here we are at PRBI Camp days trying to recruit students older than me to come to camp. hahah oh joys.
Last night all the camp reps had to get up in front of the whole school and tell them about our camps and why they are so unique. Well... I volunteered myself to do this... just about threw up hahah... so proud of myself. I think I got the right points across. --->
I
This is going to be a fun 2 weeks. See my new schedule --------- up, over there. I will try and keep it updated as best as I can.
Love you guys!!!
-Josh
Kyle Schuurman, Sam Norman, Ben Louter, and myself hopped in a Homewood van and headed down to Nanaimo. Ben Hendricks, our sailing instructor/salty seadog extraordinare was there to meet us.
The first night we slept on the boat in the Nanaimo marina. The next morning it all began.
So we cast off our lines and headed out to the open seas on a 34 foot, 1998 Hunter Sailboat. All of us with the aspiration to one day become a salty seadog aswell, we listened to Captain Hendricks every word.
Day 1
Nanaimo Harbour - Dodd Narrows - Pirate Cove (docking practice) - Telegraph harbour(Thetus Island)
This day was a get to know your boat day. We all took turns sailing, docking, motoring, checking the engines, reading Current/Tide tables, understanding charts, and covering are heads from the snow.
Stopped in at a Pub and had chili and stew and a nice cup a joe.
Day 2
Telegraph Harbour - Houston Chanel - Ganges Harbour (Saltspring)
This day was more charting and tide tables. Rules of the Ocean are hard to remember, traffic signs aswell.
Got to Ganges marina. Went to Moby's pub and had a well needed greasey burger and fries and watched the Canucks game!
Day 3
Ganges(Saltspring) - Montague - Conover cove.
This was a full day. Started out with hours of COB(Crew OverBoard) procedures. This is where we are just practicing our sailing... and then our instructor will throw a COB practice flag overboard when no one is looking and wont tell us. This is stressful, but we all carried out the procedures well and in timely fashion.
After COB drills.... we went to Montague Bay and practiced our anchoring and mooring.
Made our way up to Conover Cove where we stayed for the night. This was the only non marina we stayed at. This meant we had to cook our own supper. Definitely the funnest night of the trip. The Racoons. :D
Having supper... look out the companionway and there is a friend looking down into the cabin wanting some yummy tortelini alfredo . We chased it out and off the dock. Soon this little critter was joined by two more trying to get into our boat. Kicking time. We set up a trail of noodles... and hid. I was ready... stretched my legs out.could barely contain my laughter. Racoon comes into view... I lunge. the racoon saw me. I was a little too late. I wanted a mid body hit so it would go into the ocean... but I ended up getting a full on bum punt. Needless to say the Racoon did a few spins and hit the edge of the dock. They didn't come back onto our boat. :D
Day 4
Conover Cove - Trincomale Chanel - Silva Bay(Gabriola)
Test day. Did some sailing. did a 2 hour test down below the below. yuck.
Needless to say we all passed our test all of us above 80%. A side note... our instructor Ben is also a PCOC instructor so i did that test aswell and am offically aloud to drive Motor Boats. Even though we passed our skippers test... Ben didn't think that Sam, Ben, and I were experienced or confident enough to take noob sailors out. So he gave us our Competant Crew member ticket. which just means we are AWESOME 1st mates. :D I am not upset. I had so much fun and learned lots. I will take it again for sure in a year or so.
Day 5
Silva bay - Nanaimo
This was our best day for wind and the best sailing by far. 15-25 knots of wind and 5 foot swells. We got our boat speed up to 8.8 knots. Which is the fastest I have been on a sailboat. Our boats at homewood are only really capable of 5-7.5 soo that was exciting!
Got to Nanaimo a little disappointed but in good spirits.
Got home on Friday night... and began working an hour after getting back. Left for Comox saturday evening. Went to Sam's nana's house for sam's mothers birthday. Huge dinner, white wine, mmmm. Got on a plane the next morning at 7. Met irwin in Calgary. flew to Edmonton... waited... flew to Grand Prairie. Drove to Sexsmith in the worst driving conditions I have ever been in. Here we are at PRBI Camp days trying to recruit students older than me to come to camp. hahah oh joys.
Last night all the camp reps had to get up in front of the whole school and tell them about our camps and why they are so unique. Well... I volunteered myself to do this... just about threw up hahah... so proud of myself. I think I got the right points across. --->
I
This is going to be a fun 2 weeks. See my new schedule --------- up, over there. I will try and keep it updated as best as I can.
Love you guys!!!
-Josh
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
This may be the busiest, most exciting month of my life. Starting monday I am going on a 5 day Skipper training course. Pretty sweet. Then two days after that I am going on tour with Irwin to colleges and universities to promote Camp Homewood. January after that is packed with camps. So excited.
God is good.
I did my first stool sample today and took it in. I have no idea when the results will come back but I still have upset stomachs so. Taking the second one in tomorrow, then I am going to go to Wal-Mart and buy a large bag of frozen fruit and make myself a large smoothie in my new blender.
Today, I spent alot of money. The right amount. Lots of groceries... a new clothing rack... a real clothing rack. A blender. Tupperware. new toques.
God is good.
Unless something drastic happens in the next two months.. I will not be going on the Nicaragua trip I was planning on going on in march. Just not a wise choice... money wise... time wise. I really want to. But there is this gut feeling saying no. The guys are buying tickets this month. in order to get it cheaper. Hopefully Andrew and I can get something together and head down... maybe to mexico... all inclusive? I like to think God gives us weird feelings to stop us from doing things so.
God is good.
I don't know if I have ever told you about my dreams. Sometimes I have prophecies. I have had 5 of them so far in my life. Example... today in the hospital. About a year ago I had this dream that I was in a hospital waiting room with a paper bag on a bench beside me...I look down at my line number... 78.. and 79... weird I must have taken two numbers... guess I get two turns. Everybody was staring at me. creepers. and then the dream ended.
Well.. the same thing happened today... picked two numbers. 78 and 79. waited in the hospital. felt like everyone was staring at me because I had poop in a bag. It was the exact same hospital... I had never seen the hospital before my dream or my visit today. Someday I hope to have a prophecy that actually has some sort of importance... but for now i will settle for crappy dreams. :)
God is good.
I did my first stool sample today and took it in. I have no idea when the results will come back but I still have upset stomachs so. Taking the second one in tomorrow, then I am going to go to Wal-Mart and buy a large bag of frozen fruit and make myself a large smoothie in my new blender.
Today, I spent alot of money. The right amount. Lots of groceries... a new clothing rack... a real clothing rack. A blender. Tupperware. new toques.
God is good.
Unless something drastic happens in the next two months.. I will not be going on the Nicaragua trip I was planning on going on in march. Just not a wise choice... money wise... time wise. I really want to. But there is this gut feeling saying no. The guys are buying tickets this month. in order to get it cheaper. Hopefully Andrew and I can get something together and head down... maybe to mexico... all inclusive? I like to think God gives us weird feelings to stop us from doing things so.
God is good.
I don't know if I have ever told you about my dreams. Sometimes I have prophecies. I have had 5 of them so far in my life. Example... today in the hospital. About a year ago I had this dream that I was in a hospital waiting room with a paper bag on a bench beside me...I look down at my line number... 78.. and 79... weird I must have taken two numbers... guess I get two turns. Everybody was staring at me. creepers. and then the dream ended.
Well.. the same thing happened today... picked two numbers. 78 and 79. waited in the hospital. felt like everyone was staring at me because I had poop in a bag. It was the exact same hospital... I had never seen the hospital before my dream or my visit today. Someday I hope to have a prophecy that actually has some sort of importance... but for now i will settle for crappy dreams. :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2011 and beyond.
My news years resolutions.
1. Not eat fast food for a year. (Timmy's and subway not included)
2. Limit my Coffee intake.
3. Drink more water
4. No alcohol
5. Clean up my entertainment watching habits.
These are pretty realistic.
But it's highly unlikely that I will end up accomplishing them.
Resolution: A solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.
I have already heard of atleast 5 people who have broken their new years resolutions... good gracious people. Even the pastor this morning was trying to give up coffee for a year. Boom two days in... but lets be honest... a pastor that doesn't drink coffee? pff.
I love how enthusiastic people get about changing their lives in January. It takes the year end for people to realize their sins and everything else wrong with themselves. Then they make promises to themselves that they probly wont keep. So I have thought up two things i will think of instead of a "New Years Resolution".
1. A declaration of what I need to change, do better, and/or pursue.
Declaration:1. The act of declaring; announcement
2. A positive, explicit, or formal statement; proclamation.
3. Something that is announced, avowed, or proclaimed.
2. To persevere through whatever it takes to keep those declarations happening and true.
Perseverance: Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Both of these things involve God.
So. I solemnly Declare to...
... Pursue God in an open, friendly, loving, caring, relationship. And stop pretending he is just a guy upstairs.
... Read his word more. Not just read... analyze...break down... and apply.
... Love better.
...Put others first
...get rid of all my gossipy and bitter ways
... Take care of myself spiritually and physically.
... Stop letting my mind wander.
It's a tall order I know... which comes to point 2.
Persevering through it all with help from Christ and you.
The only way I can do any of those things is by being in God's word daily.
Accountability. Something I have come to appreciate this past year. being close ...very close..with 3 guys who are also pursuing an awesome relationship with God. When you try and accomplish anything on your own... you will fail.
James 4:4 NIV
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Being God's enemy is probly something you don't want to be. This verse has really struck me this month.
So I encourage you... don't make a new years resolution you CAN'T keep. Make a declaration to God that you CAN keep
1. Not eat fast food for a year. (Timmy's and subway not included)
2. Limit my Coffee intake.
3. Drink more water
4. No alcohol
5. Clean up my entertainment watching habits.
These are pretty realistic.
But it's highly unlikely that I will end up accomplishing them.
Resolution: A solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.
I have already heard of atleast 5 people who have broken their new years resolutions... good gracious people. Even the pastor this morning was trying to give up coffee for a year. Boom two days in... but lets be honest... a pastor that doesn't drink coffee? pff.
I love how enthusiastic people get about changing their lives in January. It takes the year end for people to realize their sins and everything else wrong with themselves. Then they make promises to themselves that they probly wont keep. So I have thought up two things i will think of instead of a "New Years Resolution".
1. A declaration of what I need to change, do better, and/or pursue.
Declaration:1. The act of declaring; announcement
2. A positive, explicit, or formal statement; proclamation.
3. Something that is announced, avowed, or proclaimed.
2. To persevere through whatever it takes to keep those declarations happening and true.
Perseverance: Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Both of these things involve God.
So. I solemnly Declare to...
... Pursue God in an open, friendly, loving, caring, relationship. And stop pretending he is just a guy upstairs.
... Read his word more. Not just read... analyze...break down... and apply.
... Love better.
...Put others first
...get rid of all my gossipy and bitter ways
... Take care of myself spiritually and physically.
... Stop letting my mind wander.
It's a tall order I know... which comes to point 2.
Persevering through it all with help from Christ and you.
The only way I can do any of those things is by being in God's word daily.
Accountability. Something I have come to appreciate this past year. being close ...very close..with 3 guys who are also pursuing an awesome relationship with God. When you try and accomplish anything on your own... you will fail.
James 4:4 NIV
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Being God's enemy is probly something you don't want to be. This verse has really struck me this month.
So I encourage you... don't make a new years resolution you CAN'T keep. Make a declaration to God that you CAN keep
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)