Holidays

Holidays are always the hardest time of year for retail even after not being in the stores for a while.  You still feel the stress of trying to keep up, of keeping more of the plates spinning in the air.  I had a good walk with a friend yesterday at work who said one of the most profound things I have heard in a while, a reminder.  As a Christian we believe we are the temple of God and He is living within us.  His presence is among us.  This is what Christmas is all about.  Emmanuel, God is with us.  How often in the midst of our daily lives, the walking out of our lives we forget about His presence is with us.  He is walking us through the valley, to the mountain top, every step of the way.

Trask Fall Induction

This is the 3rd Induction we have had this year with Ta Tanka Lodge.  We have had an Induction at each one of our Council Camps.  We had a good time this weekend with the work which was given to us.  We had 7 candidates turn out. Earlier in the week, the forecast was for 2-5" of rain for Camp Trask so to even hold the event was an accomplishment.  We laid a new cement block next to the dining hall, rebuilt a fence along the Nature Center, painted the hallway in the Admin building, worked in the warehouse and did brush abasement around our tent platforms in the upper reaches of camp.

We also had the opportunity to hold a Brotherhood ceremony last night.  It went very well.  2 of my sons are on the ceremony team.  They also helped with Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies.  My work this weekend was to help with the food.

With darkness falling early at this time of year, it tended to speed up everything else this evening. Everyone is having a great time with fellowship.  But of course they are also tired after a long day.

I have been coming up here and helping with Induction Weekends and Service Weekends since 2003 when my oldest son became inducted into the Order of the Arrow.  I enjoy coming up here and helping out.

Fall 2011

This is the first weekend off since the first "official" day of Fall back in September.  Fall has become my favorite season.  I love the fallen leaves on the ground, the turning colors of the leaves against the crisp blue sky, (although in January the most beautiful leaves turn gold along a road in San Marino, I will have to take pictures and post them).  You can really sense the turning of the seasons more and more every Fall.  We had our first rain fall this past week, next there will be temperatures over 100 in Southern California.  What is October in Southern California without temperatures over 100?  What made today great was, being able to work in the yard.  And finally, had the chance to attend our Lodge Banquet and listen to the Chief give a great speech.  And I am not just saying it just because he is my son, ask other people who were there last night and had the chance to hear the speech.  May you enjoy your Fall with your Pumpkin Spice Latte and a slice of pumpkin pie!  Enjoy!

Initiative

One of the hardest things in my life is taking initiative. Normally, I like to sit back and let life come to me. Well this past month, God has been speaking to me through 3 separate mediums about changing this in my life.

The first was through a church meeting at the church I attend. I believe He spoke to me about needing to take the first step forward in my life/role at church. I had been feeling very frustrated about the way things were happening. I believe he told me I need to change this by stepping out more there.

The second time was later in the week through a homeschool convention I attended in Pasadena. Rick Boyer gave a key note address about taking the land God is bringing us into. I believe this was a confirmation about the word He spoke to me earlier in the week.

The third time was through a book I purchased at the convention. It has been a really good book. The book is the Mark of a Man by Elisabeth Elliot. In this book, she writes that one of the traits of a man is taking the initiative.

If God is speaking to me through 3 different mediums then I think I should be paying attention. The hardest part is the change doesn't occur over night unless He does the healing within my life.