Camp in the Community

Sharing romantic secrets with your spouse. Roads that rise up to greet you. The closing of the deal.  Waterfalls glistening in the sun.  Courteous truckers. Deliverance from cocaine addiction.  Sunken treasure chests brought to the surface.  Longevity.  Bible colleges. Foods that are good for you and taste good too! Bonuses. Places where you don't need to take a number.  Overnight delivery service. Uncut rain forests. The word that brings comfort. Rapid transit systems that are. The grace to yield. Hearty handshakes. Fellow christian followers in Morrocco. Extra large t-shirts.

Father God,

Help us in our work each day. Give us concentration so that we may listen, understanding that we may learn, and peaceful minds so that we may remember.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

(taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson)

Butchers who cut your meat just the way you like it. Sufficient firewood for the winter. Hesitation that doesn't result in a loss. Naked toddlers playing in a sprinkler.  Those who do not belittle what they cannot achieve. Misty morning in the English countryside. Acres of bean plants six inches high.  A personal haven of rest.  Someone to show you the ropes. God's current count of the number of hairs on your head. Congregational singing accompanied by hand clapping. Those who send compliments to the chef. Fellow followers of the way in the Falkland Islands.

O God,

Give me in my life the fruit of peace.

Help me to take things calmly.

Help me not to get into a panic when things go wrong.

Help me not to worry but to take things as they come, a day at a time.

Help me not to be nervous but to keep cool when I have something important to do.

Help me never to lose my temper, no matter how annoying things or people may be!

Keep me calm and steady, so that I will never collapse, and so that others may be able to rely on me when they are up against it.

This I ask for Jesus' sake,

Amen.

Well, well, well, look at this: summer has started! This means that I start my job as program coordinator at Camp in the Community! What a great job to help me grow as a professional teacher! I feel so amped up and excited for this job because my spring practicum of 2012 has really prepared me. I could remember feeling so excited for my 5 week long practicum- months before! You see, I am in the Bachelor of Education Program at VIU. I just finished my fourth year and will be heading into fifth (and final) year next fall.

I had a lot of trouble starting this post, the leading reason being that I am not that familiar with the blogosphere. So I read up a little on how to go about blogging. Apparently it has to do with being authentic and helping others get to know you. Some talk about it as a creative outlet. Others try to make a profit. But I must admit that I need neither of these and that my entrance into the blogging world makes me wonder a little about how much time many of us spend on the Internet.

An empty chair. Fire safety programs in schools. A child's curiosity. Strong fingernails. Those who are delivered from oppression. Knowing who your parents are. Discovering your stocks are increasing in value.  Tricycles. Fellow christian believers in Washington, DC. Soaking tubs. Soaking rains. Recipe card files. Hearing the ocean in conch shells. Old opera houses with perfect acoustics. Swan dives into deep pools. Thermos jars. Vermont and New Hampshire in the fall. Brightly coloured tropical fish. Fresh pineapples. An apple a day.

Lord,

Thank you for giving us music and for the great composers and musicians. 

Thank you for giving us the technology to hear the music at any time from radios and stereos!

Thank you for sad music, happy music and funny music.

Amen

(Sarah Fudge, aged 10)

Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1-axKPmSM

The one who can give explicit directions. The ability to smell. The ability to feel. The ability to swallow. Boulevards lined with flowering trees. Sufficient oil and flour to make one more meal. God's gentle wooing. God's absolute directives.Tiny lace trim on pastel. Baby dresses. Penecillin. Unclogged sewer systems. Courage to fight the battle. A long shelf life. Rejection-coping skills. Enjoying your first year of college more than you ever thought possible. Colourful foreign stamps. The fragrance of mesquite wood burning. Having a favorite program rerun on television. Welcome mats.

Dear Lord,

You made a beautiful world for us to live in.

Forgive us when we harm the things you created for us to enjoy - the fresh streams and rivers, the trees and green fields.

Help us to preserve and protect everything you made and to stop those who selfishly destroy it.

Amen.

(taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson)