So I decided to take a random picture while I was chillin out at the Gorge during Creation (Lyd and Mel were working, so I was "chillin with my bad self" as some put it). I like how it looks like I have somebody's arm stuck under me. Captured! But lo and behold, I come home and check blogs, and none other than the Russtafarian himself has also put a B&W pic of himself upon the intarnet. So yeah, we're cool. 

Victory In Jesus!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me that I may be able to fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
- Ephesians 6:10-20

There you have my memory section of the bible for the summer. Took about two and a half weeks :). I was actually surprised because I never thought I would be good at memorizing things, but I just went to it and now you see the fruits of my labor. I'm pretty sure I may have a couple parts off a notch, and I don't know where the line breaks are. But hey, that's ok.
Got memory?

Oh snap! L- Maybe that's what happened, I was just remembering the better things :D.

Zing! Look forward to seeing you all soon. I'm not "working" next week, just Creation Wed-Sat, but I may be here at camp for staff activities Monday and/or Tuesday (about time we got some of those). Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Hitchmans, give me a call when you need help taping your house.
Oh yeah! This just in: I may be able to train here at camp to be a lifeguard, and to "pay" for it, I would be able to stay out here and work a couple more weeks! God provides.
Thanks friends. Zort!

Phil the CiT. He was the first one asleep (I soon followed). He and I were the first two up this morning (8am), so we had brefast and hung out with Ingy. Go team! 

Mike, with quite the look on his face. I think he's got kind of an old-man look (is he trying too hard?). 

That's me! Boys will be boys (hope this makes at least one person laugh). 

Rob (with Aaron in the window!), pondering lifes mysteries and...other stuff. 

John, the middlest Crozier. He has been working at LR since the beginning of el summer. Good man, glad he's there. "I wonder what's going down in Fallujah..." 

Scotty, the littlest Crozier. He worked at camp this last week (and boy did he have a rough cabin). Go Scotty, go! 

The Boys Are Back In Town.

Yay for the end of the camp week. This is the first time it's felt like I'm actually going to have a real weekend. Usually Friday disappears, then Saturday comes and goes and before I know it I'm back there. But this time, Friday took it's time and I enjoyed it.
Last night, 12 of us came back to John's from camp (Rob, John, Scott, Marlae, Mike, Erica, Terri, Bronwyn, Phil, Aaron, Jessica and myself) for dinner, hanging out, then Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy at the Crest followed by sleep! Girls went to Erica's place, guys are at John's. We boys had some fun with photos last night, but I have to wait to get to my own computer to post those on here. Oh yeah, I got a raise at camp! That's cool. God provides, you know.
Oh, and I added vs. 16 and 17 to memory.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Ephesians 6:16-17

So yeah, fun times. And Ingy says it's time to eat. Bye!

PS- Where are all your posts? I even posted at camp, and still squid from the rest of ya... Oh, and thanks for the letters, they're gret!

Sneaky Man!

So I'm at camp on the boss's computer (I'm working on getting the design done for our summer staff shirts), and I checked my email (that's legit though, because I'm waiting for a response from Mcduck about said staff shirts) and decided to be extra sneaky and check my blog comments. Then I figured while I was at it, why not post :O.
All I'm going to say is that Sunday I got to church a few minutes early, so I memorized Ephesians 6:13, then yesterday (and sorta Sunday too) I memorized 14 and 15 so now I have:

Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace.
- Ephesians 6:10-15

Only five more verses to go (until 20), then I think I may just try the whole book of Ephesians! I'm excited!

Thanks for your prayers. I do still pray for you all. Oh yeah, and I got letters yesterday from a couple of sisters (and John from Wiebe). M- As a matter of fact, the Only picture I did bring to camp is that very one :D. But, A for Affort.
Remember kids, I write back when I get mail ; ). [wink, wink, nudge, nudge]

Wicked Cool.

Ok, so I figured I would post about camp before I went to bed, church and back to it. Wednesday night camp fire is the chapel camp fire; serious skits, big devo, all that. It just so happens that this past Wed. at camp fire was totally Captain Insano for the junior high camp. By the end of camp fire, every camper was out of their seat and down by the fire, singing, praying, whatnot. After camp fire, the kids went back to their cabins. When I arrived back at their cabins however long later, they were all still outside, all standing in one big circle, holding hands. So we moved the party into the chapel and played Holy is the Lord (gret song) and Blessed Be Your Name (because those were the two sheets of music on the stand on stage). Then we prayed more. At the time, one of the campers had symptoms of pnemonia and was getting cold. We prayed for him specifically (he was in the nurses station at the time). As we were exiting the chapel and Actually going to our cabins (now 11pm, quite past lights out), someone came up and said that the camper who we were praying for said he was feeling something inside him and feeling better (and approximately the time we were praying). Crazy beans!
All that to say that I put camp on a prayer request card two weeks ago at church (I figured "hey, why not?"). Last week at church, I was surprised to see my name in the prayer list, with my request beside it. Coincidence? Me thinkest not! I'm not saying Esperance is praying Lake Retreat to glory by itself, I'm just saying God is good (all the time. all the time, God is good), and life is worth the living.

And if that isn't already encouragement enough for y'all, I'll just be blunt and say it: keep praying for us!

Holy is the Lord God almighty...

The Armor of God.

After reading Mr. Tedrow's blog, I remembered something I could post. My co- at camp, a one Bronwyn Miller (I won't give her full name, so that no certain persons can scare her off if they meet her...) is going on a mission to Mexico in mid-August. For said trip, she has to memorize Ephesians 6:10-20. In an effort to assist her (as well as grow myself), I have begun doing the same. On Wed-Thur this week, I memorized 10-12 (she's got 10-11 so far, 12 is a bit longer than the prior), and it's quite fun. I never thought I would be much of a memorizer, but apparently I'm not so bad.

Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
- Ephesians 6:10-12

More to come.

Humble

hum·ble adj
1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.
2. Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.
3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.

It is very hard to see that the things you want so badly, God does not give you to take. Perhaps now is not the time or perhaps there will never be a time. Anyways, I'm old, tired and it's late; I think I've quite run out of things to say.

Pray. Thank you.

Samsung.

Amazing what difference a week makes. This past week was the first that we had campers, so it was good to finally put into action what was before only theory. This was both good and bad. The upside is that Bronwyn and I are basically the ones 'running' camp and getting things done. The downside is that Bronwyn and I are basically the ones 'running' camp and getting things done. Neither B or I get much free time at camp, what with our responsibilities and whatnot, but I did find a minute or two for a payphone call once during the week (did you know it's stinkin $1 for a four minute "long distance" call [aka from LR to here]!) which was most good. My job at camp is basically to run all over the place all day (8am-11:30pm), checking on activities, rounding up cabins, sending groups to their activities, making announcements and the such. It's quite tiring. However, it is satisfying because when a predicament arises, I can fix it - as opposed to being a counselor, in which case I would just sit idly with my cabin and wait for it to get fixed.
My bed is too small for me, so I have to sleep crooked-like (not very comfortable) and on top of that, my 'matress' is so thin, I can basically feel the springs underneath me that I'm sleeping on. So as it stands, my back isn't top-notch, my neck and shoulders are quite sore, and I only get one night a week to sleep at home (two max). But, that is neither here nor there.
The second note to be brought to attention is home. I miss it dearly whilst at camp. This week I got my first letter (from the littlest one. PS- M, same day I got yours, John got a letter with a par avion sticker on it, and I was like 'what the I know where that's from'), so that was quite nice. The rest of you feel free to follow suit (anyone who reads this blog, really). Oh yeah M, I took what you said to heart and have been asking myself each day at camp "why shouldn't I be crazy," because I'm always tired and I I'm not terribly in the mood for doing so without provocation, but I'm like "yeah, why not?" and I do. So there.
Prayers have once again been answered (well, what I was praying for, and what I'm hoping to be prayed for) and my mind is getting more focused on camp and less on...other things (don't worry, it's not sketch) as each week at camp progresses.
Thank you friends, family, friend's family and family friends.

I believe a wise old man once said "don't fray the fish too far, or you'll be too 'fraid and have no fish to fry."

In conclusion: heart.

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.