Blessings CDO 2011

Dear CDO Staff of 2011

During the course of this summer, lots of people will tell you that it is not by accident that you made it there this summer. It was something that I was always skeptical about but what I do know for sure is that no matter where you are in life, whether that is in your home town or whether it's at the amazing, picturesque Camp Del Oro, God will use every part of you if you allow him to. He'll renew and transform you in ways you never thought possible.

Every child you come in contact with will be for a specific purpose. You might not see that purpose over the duration of this camp in the summer of 2011 but your purpose will be fulfilled at some point throughout that childs life as they grow from a small child into an independant man or woman whose choices and decisions they make in life may very well be a direct impact of the part you've chosen to undertake at camp this summer!

In true Aussie spirit, and for the lack of my attendance, I have taken it upon myself to send you all this small Boomerang.

There are many reasons for a Boomerang, most commonly it is known for it's return. But there are three reasons I hope you will all remember this summer.

1. When thrown correctly, a Boomerang will return.

It is my prayer that every kid that comes to camp this year, either renews their relationship with Christ or begins a lifelong journey with him. If you give yourself wholly to Christ and continue to do what the Lord asks of you this summer, these kids, just like a boomerang, will come back to Jesus at some point in their lives. It might not be during that week, but later in life, something will remind them of their time with you and just might lead them to an eternity with Christ!

2. The Boomerang was an Aboriginal (Australian natives) weapon.

There are two sides to every good story. One of good and one of evil. You as a staff this summer have the opportunity to be mighty warriors and if you are united, you will be a force to be reckoned with, a weapon of mass destruction! The enemy will try every which way possible to bring you down, he will pull apart every thread that holds you together and unfortunately, if you are not united in Christ, he will succeed. You each have a role to play, not one role is more significant than another. Remember that you are the body of Christ. So stand strong alongside each other. Support each other. Remember you all have the same goal

3. God's blessings will be returned to you.

Film Emtions

I haven't done this in a while and I guess i only really sit down and do this when I'm bored and deep within thought.

Yesterday I watched 'Wild' at the movies and for the most part it was not really raw and really, it was pretty Hollywood i thought.  There wasn't much depth to it, unlike 'Into the Wild'.  Perhaps because the main character didn't end up dead, I don't know.

But these types of movies always make me want to explore myself deeper and to push myself into situations that I'd normally find difficult or out of my comfort zone and, absolutely, for about 2 or 3 years now, I've wanted to rip myself out of society and do something with my life that not only will change my life but also the lives of those around me.  It's a burning desire in the depths of my soul to experience something out of the ordinary, something that's life-changing, something that I can look back on and marvel over, something to be proud of myself for.

Being in society here and going through the motions seems ordinary, dull, it's too familiar for me.  Experiencing something new here, doesn't seem like it could ever be possible.  I don't know why, maybe it's because nothing in my life seems to progress or change, maybe it's because i have no ties or nothing to aspire or look forward to.  Or maybe it's because every time i find something that's good, i end up having to compete for it.  I just want to find something I'm good at and not have other people popping up around me wanting to prove themselves better than me.  Because, lets face it, that's not much of a feat anyways.  I just wanna do what i love and excel in what i do - without the distraction of others trying to push me down.