Entry 5: Picture(s) that makes you Laugh

 Unable to choose only 1 picture to share that makes me laugh, I decided to narrow it down to 1 location that holds a plethera of funny memories for me: CAMP! Having spent 5 summers on a wilderness island in Northwestern Ontario, first as a staff/cabin leader, and then as a full-time director, I have anthologies worth of pictures and stories of the things we got into. Though I was not usually the instigator of the funny events, I was definitely around to laugh to the point of losing my voice. Here is a tiny sampling of some of the pictures that make me remember and laugh over and over again.

 

One of this past summer's highlights was filming and photographing the "Espresso Bomb" documentary. This picture was during a warm afternoon of "espresso competitions," that included playgrounds, large boats, Russian accents and our "sunday  best" outfits.

August 2007. The first summer starting as a Director at camp, I got to work with an incredible female leadership team to run the "Cash Island Girls Camps." Before this opportunity, I did not really know any of these women but a remote wilderness island, with only girls, makes people go a little crazy and really show their true selves. This was our "Directors Picture" at the end of the camp session.

After spending a couple of weeks directing the "Cash Island Camps," in 2007 where we began to know each other, I learned that Caitlin really liked hip-waders. Perhaps because they are so stinkin' cute and fashionable, but she was always the very first person to volunteer for any job, no matter how disgusting, as long as hip-waders were involved. This is one of the qualities that made me want to be best friends with her. We are never without adventure or a reason to laugh.

I am not at liberty to say what we were up to, what the situation was that we were by the lagoon, or why Caitlin needed to be in giant hip-waders, but it was definitely necessary, and definitely memorable.

 

Here is another set of pictures that are difficult to find words to describe; I just shake my head now and laugh. There was lots of cardboard, epic music, warriors and spectators. This was also one of the first things that helped Graeme and I become friends, as he was the inventor of both of our costumes/armor, which he proceeded to destroy in the course of the battle, almost taking my arm off with "Bang-ga-lore." I came out of it with all my limbs, thankfully, but a giant bruise that eventually took over most of my arm.

 

Besides the obvious enthusiasm in this picture, this captures one of the many times throughout the past three summers that Caitlin and I retreated to my office on time off to release some stress and over-tired energy by making crazy videos. Again, I am not at liberty to say what all happened, but these moments usually ended with me straining my vocal chords from laughing so much. 

The Joy of Baby-sitting

A great evening was spent baby-sitting Zoe, the little girl of the family I live with, and we decided to make some videos to show mom and dad when they got home.

Chocolate Pudding vs. ABC's from Janelle Stevens on Vimeo.

Dental Hygiene Theme Song from Janelle Stevens on Vimeo.

Exciting Luke18 Spring Update Newsletter!!

Hello Everyone!


Here is the link to the latest update about Luke18 Project in Winnipeg. There is much going on and to give God glory for! As God continues to move on college campuses, we will continue to meet through the end of the semester in April, and then excitedly look forward to training opportunities in the summer and the potential of planting more prayer furnaces in the fall. Please read and prayerfully consider prayer and financial support. There is great need for support in all areas for the continence of this ministry as we partner with God in this way on university campuses.

Blessings, and enjoy
(There are a lot of pictures!)

Spring 2011 Newsletter

Great Joy in Weakness - Sermon

 There have been many opportunities in the past months to teach and preach, mostly at the Elmwood MB Church in Winnipeg where I grew up. Here is a link to the most recent sermon from the series of "The Joy of the Lord." It is on the joy found in weakness, and the gift of fasting to our lives.

Great Joy in Weakness

I will be preaching again this Sunday at Elmwood and look forward to sharing from the passage of John 15. Maybe I will post that sermon on here as well. 

Just a Word

It has been silent on the writing front, not because of lack of desire to put expression and words together, but because something is going on deep inside my soul where God is taking time to write on my heart. What is He writing? Is it a novel? A commentary? A poem? No, it is just a word.

"Humility says, "Lord, I am empty without Your fullness; I am broken without Your wholeness; I am helpless without Your strength; I am clueless without Your wisdom. Apart from You I am nothing. I need You! I need You so desperately that I am pouring myself out to You here in the secret place...

God dignifies us - with sonship, glory, acceptance, royalty, purpose, significance, wealth, honor, salvation, wisdom, revelation, understanding, status, character, holiness, victories - sot that we might enjoy the highest privilege of casting it all at His feet."

(Bob Sorge, Secrets of the Secret Place)

Entry 4: A pic of your most treasured item

 A picture of your most treasured item

My most treasured item is the Word of God. Yes, this is a shot of the Bible I am using right now, however, it is not the physical book that is the treasure, but the living, inspired words that fill it and that are being written on my heart and mind.

Sermon Tattoos

This quick blog post is to ask for prayer. I am sharing this morning in the worship service at Elmwood MB Church, and I will probably be talking about my tattoos.  Many people don't know that I have them let alone expect me to talk of them from the stage on a Sunday morning in a Mennonite church!!

I have been asked to share on the lifestyle choices I have made over the last couple of years; why I choose to live the way I do. Part of that has been the decision get three tattoos in the last two and a half years. They are deeply significant and have been a part of God's redemptive work in my life.

Please pray for grace to speak words clearly and accurately that bring glory to Jesus, and for me to have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Please also lift up this congregation, many of whom are very against tattoos, that they would also have ears to hear and eyes to see the Holy Spirit beyond the surface.