STAFF --- for the first time :-)

This year's camp with the theme, “BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE” was very challenging. I was a camper for about three (3) times (year 2004, 2005 & 2007). I find it simple and lots of fun. But now, I’m already one of the staff. All I can say, ‘what a hard and difficult role’... waking up early in the morning, sleeping very late at night, washed dishes under the rain... it was an extreme experience... ‘One day’ feels like ‘one week’ for me...

I can now compare being a camper and being a staff... Being a staff was not really easy; you've got a great task. But, I enjoyed and learned many things on how to be the best I can be, for the reason that being a staff was my decision.

I love to serve, which was my first priority in life, to serve others and most especially to serve God. I cannot stop thinking about all the things that I've been through this year's camp. Learned our everyday lessons on how to be the best we can be. (Physically, Emotionally, Mentally, Socially, Occupationally and Spiritually)... This was very challenging yet very pleasurable. Meeting new people, serving new people, carve up a smile with new people; building new friendships... the greetings of every dorm when they passed by me makes my day bright… the smiles I received every day from campers & staff. It made me smile every time I learn by heart all those memories and wanted my tears roll down my cheeks. Kisses and hugs from friends, their corny jokes, the laughter, the aura… haaaaay! Okay! I will miss the temperature, cold water when taking a bath… hmmm… FREEZE!!! :D

It was marvelous to know that God works in you. He uses people to inspire you and encourage you in everything you do... Even though, you know that you’re very tired and can’t make things easily, but just a smile of anyone (campers & staff), all the pains and tiredness of what you feel will disappear. You can feel the love and care that they have for you, although they are busy and also tired, but still can afford to beam like there’s no tomorrow. I can also feel the pain that they’ve been through (cramps during their activities) because I’ve been there. YES! You cannot appreciate happiness if you’re not been through the pains... Just like life, LIFE is boring if you have no trials to overcome. That’s true!

One thing that it made me cry, was that even though you’re JUST A STAFF (not the highlight of the camp), but still they’re proud of you, remember you and thanking you for the help you offer, the effort to be a part of the successful camp. And the most important thing, the lessons that I’ve learned… and the people behind it… it’s the people (campers & staff – with God) who made the camp … ♥

So, with that, from now on, I will be joyful to serve God and His people... and make every effort to be the BEST I CAN BE! :)

I would say... The HARDEST, BEST and EXTREME CAMP EVER!

I will never ever, ever FORGET!!! :)

Angels in your Life

by Alex

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

FOR A REASON

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to help you to overcome adversity, to provide you with guidance and support, and to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. In times like this, they may seem like an Angel to you.

They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person may say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled and their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

FOR A SEASON

Some people come into your life for a SEASON because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They teach you something you have never done.
They give you an unbelievable amount of joy and cherished memories.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.



FOR A LIFETIME

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons and things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank them, cherish them, love them, for being part of your life, whether they were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Believe that, angels do exist, only they haven’t got wings. We call them friends.

Do you have angels in your life? And what’s their impact in you?

If You Forget Me by Pablo Neruda

I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.

Sometime by May Riley Smith

Sometime, when all life’s lessons have been learned,
And sun and stars forevermore have set,
The things which our weak judgements here have spurned,
The things so’er which we grieved with lashes wet,
Will flash before us out of life’s dark night,
As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;
And we shall see how all God’s plans are right,
And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,
God’s plans go on as best for you and me;
How, when we called, He heeded not our cry,
Because His wisdom to the end could see.
And e’en as prudent parents disallow,
Too much of sweet to craving babyhood,
So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now
Life’s sweetest things, because it seemeth good.

And if, sometimes, commingled with life’s wine,
We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink,
Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine,
Pours out the potion for our lips to drink;
And if some friend you love is lying low,
Where human kisses cannot reach his face,
Oh, do not blame the loving Father so,
But wear your sorrow with obedient grace!

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath
Is not the sweetest gift God sends His friends,
And that, sometimes, the sable pull of death
Conceals the fairest boon His love can send;
If we could push ajar the gates of life,
And stand within, and all God’s workings see,
We could interpret all this doubt and strife,
And for each mystery could find a key.

But not today. Then be content, poor heart;
God’s plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold;
We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart,—
Time will reveal the chalices of gold.
And if, through patient toil, we reach the land
Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest,
When we shall clearly see and understand,
I think we will say, God knew the best.”

-May Riley Smith-

Friendship Quiz

Friends are a great blessing and a major part of life. Friendships are not only fun, they help give us the support and companionship God made us to need.
But they can also be a pain and give us some of the biggest challenges of life.
What kind of friend are you? What can you do to be a better friend and to help build better friendships? This quiz can help you gauge your current FQ (friendship quotient) and reinforce some of the keys to better friendships.

The Quiz

1. This quiz is going to solve all your friendship problems and make you the most popular person in your school or perhaps the universe.


a) Yes, what else would I expect from such an excellent publication?
b) Sounds like a little bit much to ask of small quiz. I think it's just for fun.
c) This is stupid, but I'll look at one more question to give it another chance.




2. A friend tells you that he or she has two tickets to a great game or concert, but you promised another friend you'd help with a litter cleanup drive that day.


a) You accept the great offer and start trying to figure out what to tell your other friend. Surely he or she will understand?
b) Decline the offer since you already promised your other friend.
c) Ask if you can get back to him or her later after you check with your other friend about possibly rescheduling.




3. Someone in your group of friends starts talking behind your back—saying mean things about you.


a) Forget about that “friend” (with friends like that, who needs enemies?), but be doubly sure you don't let your true friends down.
b) See if you can talk to the person in private to find out if you did anything to offend him or her.
c) Warn your other friends about what the person is doing and encourage them to avoid the person, but avoid the temptation to spread bad things you know about him or her.




4. You move to a new school and you don't know anyone!


a) If someone acts friendly, take it as a sign you've just met your new best friend.
b) Be friendly to everybody—you never know who your new best friends will be.
c) Try to make as many friends as possible, and don't be in too much of a rush to make a best friend. 
Sometimes it's good to really get to know people before choosing who to spend the most time with.




5. When your friends are trying to decide what activity to do, you:


a) Quickly throw in your idea and explain the advantages.
b) Wait to hear everyone else's ideas before seconding one or suggesting a compromise.
c) Worry that they'll suggest something your parents don't want you to do.
d) Remind everyone it's your turn to pick (even if not everyone likes your idea).




6. One of your friends seems to be upset and talks about doing something wrong.


a) You tell him or her to stop talking crazy and come do something fun.
b) Don't say anything and wait till it blows over.
c) Let the person know you're there to talk about it if he or she wants to.
d) If it is a serious matter, talk to your parents or another adult about it.




7. It is most important that a friend:

a) Be loyal.
b) Be giving.
c) Be encouraging/supportive.
d) Be patient.
e) Not be rude.
f) Be humorous.
g) Be understanding.
h) Have similar values and interests.
i) All of the above.
j) Other _________________________.



Friendship



Scoring

Don't you hate those artificial quizzes that only have one obvious right answer? Since we don't know you or your friends, more than one answer could work on some of these, depending on the personalities and interactions of your group of friends. And you could probably come up with better answers! But here are a couple things to think about:


1.
a) Thanks for the compliment, but you're scaring us!
b) We hope it's fun.
c) We appreciate your honesty and giving us another chance.


2.
a) Are you sure he or she will understand?
b) Your loyalty is to be commended.
c) It could be worth a try.


3.
a) Seems like there's a mystery here—it might be good to know why before giving up on your friend.
b) Check out Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15.
c) The temptation will be great!


4.
a) Might be, but life's not always that simple.
b) Good point.
c) Though rarely practiced, there's something to be said for choosing your closest friends (see Proverbs 12:26 and 13:20).


5.
a) Take me to your leader.
b) Peacemaker, anyone?
c) Sometimes the worry is justified—but is there some way you can head it off? See a and b.
d) Fairness takes some finesse to ensure everyone has fun.


6.
a) Depending on the person's personality and the type of problem, this could help snap them out of it.
b) Some problems do get better with a good night's sleep.
c) We all need good friends like you!
d) Getting help to keep your friend safe is more important than possibly making him or her upset at you.


7. We like all of them!