Raccoon Raucous

Hello my friends who might end up reading this oft neglected blog :) It is my intent to write here about my adventures this summer to keep people informed who might be interested. If that's you...welcome.

I arrived at CanAdventure Education just outside of Sayward, BC on Vancouver Island 4 days ago. Coming to a new place with all new faces is always a bit nerve wracking and involves some psychcing up of my people skills! It's always funny talking to those new faces later becuase everyone is always in the same boat with that! The ferry crossing to the island was kind of symbolic in a way because it really felt like I was crossing to a new place physically but also emotionally and was a time to get ready for this new chapter.

This place is great so far! It is very accepting and a place where unique individuals are free to be themselves and develop themselves. These first two weeks have been staff training and involve a few people who wont be staff but wanted to learn about doing experiential learning with youth at risk. We've been participating in and leading different activities that are involving us with nature and leadership and looking inward. Lots of reflecting and speaking about what's going on inside as far as learning.

The people around me are fantastic unique individuals and a few have the same passions of the outdoors and counseling so it is awesome to network and share dreams and visions about what we are thinking. The life experience is amazing! ok, the food has been amazing as well!

I want to put some pictures up soon too...but one quick story. So we all have a place that we've picked that we can go to, to sit and think that is sort of our spot. We went our separate ways one day to find something in nature that represents us. I was looking around and heard a low growl...instantly i think cougar...so i freeze and listen really carefully and hear it again. Then i hear a scrambling up a tree and a huge raccoon is climbing the tree right next to where I'm standing! It climbs really high when i see a second one already in the tree. they then have this huge brawl in the tree falling from branch to branch and screaming. Haha! it was kind of neat to see and i decided that it represented the fighter in me sometimes :) What represents you in nature? I'm interested....

YYOooouuuu & MMmmmeeeee

I am not self-made. I love this statement becuase it reflects how much we NEED each other! I used to think I could live by myself on the side of a mountain and be completely happy. In the past 10 years however that has reversed dramatically...well not the living on the mountain part, but the by myself part :) I need people!! and if you are reading this, I probably need YOU! thanks for being a part of my life.

The great I AM

The Lord gives and takes away...

Why is this so hard to understand sometimes and so hard to accept?

Some people focus on the give, and when they sing this or think about it they are filled with thankfulness or prayerful desire, where as some focus on the take and try really hard to still bless the name of God in their pain...maybe most have been in all of these places at different times or together at the same time.

I have thought on this statement mostly in terms of the giving and trying to understand why God sometimes gives and sometimes does not give (different than take away). I mean why doesn't He give in the first place? Then one day I realized He chooses to give or not give(according to His plan) and He chooses to take away or not take away (according to His plan). It's not one or the other, its give / not give AND take away / not take away in his timing...Oh, ok then.

This still leaves questions however, like "But why God would you give or not give, take away or not take away?" becuase "I want that" or "I had that and want it back" or "please take this from me"

(This Job series in church is really making me think)

As I was singing these words today, "you give and take away" I was struck with a new thought or God whispered something new (probably the latter),

It went something like this:

"LET ME GIVE AND TAKE AWAY ALREADY!!!!"

It ceased striving to be: "ok Lord I will accept that you are choosing to give this to me now or not give this to me now...i guess...

And it was more of a whisper than a yell.

Let ME....He said. Accept my giving, Accept my taking, Accept Me for Me, because I AM.

The end of a great old poem says:

So would I love thee dearest Lord
And in thy prasie will sing
Soley because Thou art my God 
And my most gracious King

Adventures of 2010 at a Glance

Some highlights of the past year in the life of Renae:

1. Graduating from Thompson Rivers University with a diploma in Adventure Management/Guiding
2. Sea Kayaking around Quadra Island and becoming a certified guide
3. Sailing in the Gulf Islands
4. Sea Kayaking in the Broken Group Islands 
5. Traveling to Spain and France 
6. Hiking in the beautiful Canadian Rockies
7. Solo camping in Hecla Island Provincial Park with beach time, reading and "hiking"
8. Plett family camping reunion in Okotokes
9. Rock climbing and rafting in Squamish, B.C.
10. Being a bridesmaid in the wedding of two wonderful friends
11. A fantastic Christmas filled with family, love, friends, rest, and snowshoeing


When I read this list I am reminded of how adventurous a year I have had!! I love it!! There are more adventures to come for me and may your days hold many as well! Happy New Year!

purpose

“A ship in a harbour is safe – but that is not what ships are made for”

                                                                ~ John A. Shedd

If life is just a bunch of controlled experiences to enjoy….we have missed the point.

                                  ~ Me

Inner Workings

“Only he who gives thanks for the little things receives the big things.

We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measures of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good.

Then we deplore the fact that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experiences that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious.

We pray for the big things, and forget to give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty;

if, on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ.”

                                        ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer , “Life Together”

Two thoughts from psychology:

1. anger and frustration most often comes from unfulfilled expectations

2. happiness is usually subject to comparisons of present to past and ourselves with others.

Thoughts on those thoughts:

If only God knows the future and we put our trust in Him, the expectations of life should be secure in His hands and not subject to frustrations.

If happiness is dependent on subjective comparisons only…how is anyone ever happy? In God’s kingdom the last shall be first..this is foolishness to the world (and psychology). Can we be happy in humility, in poverty, in disgrace? Can we be happy if we are demoted? Or in a lower socioeconomic position than the people around us? I think the answer is a resounding YES! So if I bring this closer to home…can I be happy if my life in comparison to the past and others around me, isn’t where I expected or wanted it to be right now? again a resounding YES, if I listen to Bonhoeffer and simply give thanks for the experience i have had, am having, and for the Christian community in which I have been placed and which God wants to grow. No matter where or when we are in life…God has plans for a future!

Re______.(fill in the blank)

Sometimes life requires a hot bath, candles, and great wine.