Father Abraham Had Many Sons...

First, I would like to state that for dinner tonight I consumed one Kingburger, one Fatburger, an order of Fat Fries and a drink and a halfish. Mmmmm, fullness (and not from camp food!).

Review of this week:
Freedom toast eating contest (I won with 10, had an 11th for a victory piece), as well as a cantaloupe eating contest (which I also won). That same day, I continued to a breastick eating contest at lunch (tied for victory at 10, but only because we ate all they had :D).
I am so much more tired this week, which is Quite unfortunate, because I have little room for rest this weekend (tonight at home, errands in the morning, doc appt at noon fifteen tomorrow, followed by going straight to LR to work the dock, followed by going to Dustin's for friends and food, then going back to camp again for the night). Hopefully some of my prayers will be answered, and I will lose all will to be tired and shall rise above the nations like a phoenix taking flight, and enjoy my pants off (but I'll really keep them on). I finished reading Life of Pi, good ending. Next up is War of the Worlds, so that we can go see it in the theater when it releases (Rob, Liz and I are all reading buffs, so we've been reading during down-time this past week, and we're all going to read War and watch the movie).
I miss my friends e'er so much. I was so disappointed I couldn't make the work day. I was totally psyched about it last weekend when I heard of it, but as this weekend approached, I decided to let life get the better of me (which is likely a step in the right direction, as I won't Always be able to play when I want to and I'll just have to suck it up). But I do want you all to know I dearly miss you and eagerly await seeing all y'all.
As for blogging, the M's did good :). Plus I got an email back from L, which I was hoping for but not expecting (yay!). Boy/girl, let me tell you, life makes you appreciate what you've got. From my experience, camp in particular. I'm now beginning to realize what my hopes of full-time camping ministry may turn into, but I'm willing to take that and get'er done.

For now friends, I bid you adieu (oh yeah, Liz the lifguard at camp knows fluent French!), and hope for more from everyone next week (my hopes were somewhat dashed with what limitedness I saw - no offense. I just really need to see happyness on my breaks when I get back from camp each week. You have No idea).

HEART!

Ah yes, PS- Thank you for prayers (whoever may do so). They were somewhat answered this week. My mind was getting more into full blown camp mode, and less of homesick mode. I do still fight bouts of 'wants' and 'wish-I-weres', but I have realized what I'm here for, and must press on with all the strength I can muster (and then some, because I'll need it).
Pray friends. I will. Oh yeah, and pray for our ministry at camp (I suggest daily ;), we need all the defense we can against Satan, and all the offense we can for getting our work done. Love.

"Black Hole in the Sun." Edited for intended content (there was a little bit on the bottom I couldn't see on my phone that I took off). 

Bad Is Bad - Good Is Good!

Quote from Thumb Wars.
Amazing what (little) difference a week makes! I was hoping to come home to emails, blog posts, wild stories from Timbuktu. Instead, I come to three new posts, an email from Hotmail Staff and not-a-one story yet (though I did just get here). I need to bathe, then get spiffed up for my sister's dance recital tonight.
Rob is coming to camp tomorrow! Hallelujah! Anybody know the origin of Hallelujah? It's particular definition? Thanks.)
On the upside, I did get to talk to a few people during breaks at camp (though I forgot my charger, so I had to be frugal with my phone). It was good hearing a mom laugh last night, too (better than talking to Moi...? : O ).
So, here's to more posts, more emails, and snail mail to boot!

Bruce McLeod
c/o Lake Retreat
27850 Retreat-Kanaskat Rd. SE
Ravensdale, WA 98051

Write STAFF in the bottom left corner of whatever it may be to expediate the delivery process once it gets to camp :). I'll do my best to reply to return addresses as I see them (since I don't have everbody's).

Everyone enjoy life, be encouraging and go camping!

Post Script - Thanks for prayers. Camp helped distract me from myself (as I thought it would) most of the time, but I still could not forget that which I think. I ask for continued prayer and I will be praying for all of you!

To Bee, Or Not To Be A Bee? What A Silly Question.

Hello friends.
Tonight I post, for I may not for a small while. Tomorrow, as of 3pm, I will officially be at camp! This is going to be some kinda summer for me, but I know that I am working for God, He has a plan for me and that it will be worked out. In other, very mixed news: Rob Steinkamp didn't raise enough money to go to Italy, which is totally lame, because that would have been awesome. However, on the very opposite upside of things, that means we're back together for the summer! Havoc shall ensue! I SO look forward to seeing him again, and seeing what work the Lord has for us (a cord of three strands is not easily broken...).
In other news, I sincerely ask for prayer for me. It's something very hard in my life right now, and I've already spilled too many beans about it (somewhat regretfully, but very comfortingly), so I leave it at this quote:
"Never explain--your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway."
- Elbert Hubbard
So I say to you, I shall not explain myself, but trust that you (you? yoo-hoo? har har) will know what to do.
"Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD."
- Proverbs 19:14

From Chipotle on The Ave. I liked it. 

My most recent phone photo (or foto). This was taken live at Ikea in Renton. They have these lamps there. Their brand is called NOT. It's funny. 

Tribute

Because it needs to be done, a tribute to Luke and Luke (not necessarily in that order).
I must confess, I will be most gloomed to see these two fellows no longer a part of RUF. My experience (though somewhat limited) there was because of their welcoming spirits and serving hearts. Without their openness and willingness to welcome new students (UW or no), they helped make RUF what I knew it to be. If there were someway to express my appreciation of these two, I may try to convey it over what limited means I am allowed on my blog. However, I'm not sure what said means would be, and all I can say is - as they do every week - "go in peace."
Lukes: live long and prosper. I will be praying for you. Hopefully some time I can come down south to visit ;), but that's just being hopeful optimistic (as I tend to be).
Brodie: I'll keep practicing, and I hope that someday (besides any we may have between now and soon) we can jam like those that jam like there will be no tomorrow.
Mortie...?: Thank you for welcoming me to RUF, without you I may not have gotten to know much of anyone there (present company discluded - which just happens to be me, myself and I at the moment).

Second late comether: Don! Please take careful note of the awkward lighting, appearing to make him look Completely bald on the right side of his head. This is not so. Yay, now everyone got a spot! Right...? Except Adam! I don't have a picture of him, so I'm off the hook. But thanks, and keep the bald alive! 

Oh man! So, last minute addition. It was just brought to my realization that one sir Jacob was not included in my few pictures (and I thought I had everyone. now that I think of it, Don needs a spot too!). Here cometh the late comethers! 

Wewt

Best.
Day.
Ever.
Yesterday was an official Hitchman House workday (currently 1 of - I hope - many)! It was gret (not a typo). A good day of hard labor is always wonderful, especially when enjoyed with such a flock of friends (and family...ish). Basically, it felt like a mission trip, but it was in the back yard! Enjoy a small selection of photos taken (more can be seen on Forgetful's blog).

This is the one and only E, L&M's Mom! Don't let the nonchalance fool you, the picture was taken during a union break. She's totally freakin cool (we made shishkabobs for dinner!), and I wouldn't give a hoot if she didn't lay a hand in helping, as her delectable delights were more than enough of an offering for us with the young backs :). But, she did put her hand in helping (duh, it's her house!). Thanks for being awesome! 

The third of the three A-S's on our team (see the below post, since you should be reading this from bottom to top anyway). She was one of the tarsistants. She did good. 

Two of the three "hardest working Anglo-Saxon girls this side of the Mississippi." As you can see, some work harder than others...(heart!) 

Chris and I working on tarring the garage (followed by the rest of the house). This is just when we started, but we totally did the whole thing (with a little help from a couple other people). Go tarboys! 

This one comes on last in the order, just because it's already on Lyd's blog (but I still get to post it because it's awesome). This was right after Chris and I put on our ninja headbands made from a ripped up white T. Go ninjas! 

Let's Go Exorcising!

Well, nobody is updating as of late (I see a recurring theme), so I figure I'd break the ice with a completely random picture, courtesy of RUF! This is the day the three boys wore our Trogdor shirts (the picture of the three of us is already on here somewhere). I just decided to do some random happy/victorious-type pose right as Brodie started taking the picture, so this is what came out. Enjoy!

PS- I forgot to note that a one E, L&M's Mom none other than sent me TWO - not just one, but TWO - replacement Belfair Hose pens! Life is good again!

I Know How Much Is In There! I Want That Back After The Show!

Concerning those to whom this concerns:
Yesterday was another one of those days. I went outside and there was a good amount of sun, with the lightest sprinkling of rain (solid, not a mist) for a very refreshing coolness. So, as is the commonplace, I shaved my head :).
On the very much other end of the spectrum, my hose pen is gone! GRR! This was my bestest favoritest pen ever, and I always keep in the exact same spot. However, no matter my constant reminders to my mom and sister not to use it, they always do. And now, lo and behold, neither of them knows to where it has gone! Growlbacks I say! Growlbacks!

PS- Since nobody knows why I'm saying that, I shall inform you all that it is my new exclamation, usually used in frustration (grr into grrowlbacks, or just growlbacks). Thank you.

PPS- L: I was right, my postcard is that same building. Go team!

My first artsy-fartsy picture (they are that because it's black and white). This was on the ferry (Puyallup) from Edmonds to Kingston. I just liked the way this hose station looked, so I decided to take a B&W of it, and here it be. More to come. 

My mom and I were in Claire's Pantry in Edmonds today, and you walk in, and there are two steps taking you down from the entry to the restaurant level. I found this sign somewhat silly. 

Voluntas.

So from the way things are sounding like they are shaping up to be for Memorial Day, some things I wasn't expecting I would be able to do, may be doable. This is mostly two big things, 1) visit Rob Steinkamp before he leaves for Italy and 2) volunteer at this year's UPA College finals (last year they were up near Burlington, so that was easy to do). Now, El Rob-o is in Ptown, OR and the finals are in Corvalis, OR, these are only an hour apart. The trick was, we types around here were thinking about going camping that weekend. However, several things deterred that (availability of camp grounds, work schedules, etc).
So now it seems, I may get to big wants all in one weekend (woot). The trick is the details. Where to stay, how to get down yonder, all that jazz. But, I consider those mere hindrances to a greater plan.

In the wise words of me, who just came up with this:
Diligo lingua.