Well, if you haven't already heard there have been great changes in the Diggins household. No, not a new baby...Lord willing (and He would definitely have to will it), we are done with that. Actually, we are embarking on a new adventure in ministry.
When we moved from camp back to Haines this fall it was a permanent move. Bill takes over the pastorate of our church here on January 1. Yep, it was a big change but we are certain God has directed every bit of it.
Right now we cycle through all the emotions looking back to the past at camp and forward to the future at the church. Mostly, we stay in the present though. There are so many items, meetings, persons, etc. that demand our attention that staying in the present is not very hard at all!
So there you have it...an end of the year update.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
The sharpest sword.
Last night was the mission impossible game for Maverick camp. This is a game that started at 10:43pm and went until after 1am. It is kind of a glorified treasure hunt. I played as a guard for the game which means my partner and I guarded a point where the cabin groups were to get the next clue. If we caught them in the range of our flashlights we could set them back a little. It was pretty fun.
Bill manned the laser room. They (the program staff) converted the third floor of the gym. It is totally cleared out, a couple of extra walls built with a tunnel where you have to crawl to get through. Everything is black and every possible crack where light could get in is blocked. There are a number of black lights and flourescent rope strung around the room is the lasers. The goal is to get through the room without touching a "laser"... pretty tough to do. I plan to take pictures of it. Anyway, when the cabin groups got to him, Bill took their swords (plastic toys they had picked up earlier in the game) and gave them something sharper than any two-edged sword --you guessed it, a Bible. At the very end everyone gathered at the castle where there was a fire and rice crispy treats to eat. Nick (part of programming staff) talked to the group about how the Bible is our weapon against Satan's attacks and how even if they can't find spiritual support at home, etc., then they can find it in the Scriptures.
Bill manned the laser room. They (the program staff) converted the third floor of the gym. It is totally cleared out, a couple of extra walls built with a tunnel where you have to crawl to get through. Everything is black and every possible crack where light could get in is blocked. There are a number of black lights and flourescent rope strung around the room is the lasers. The goal is to get through the room without touching a "laser"... pretty tough to do. I plan to take pictures of it. Anyway, when the cabin groups got to him, Bill took their swords (plastic toys they had picked up earlier in the game) and gave them something sharper than any two-edged sword --you guessed it, a Bible. At the very end everyone gathered at the castle where there was a fire and rice crispy treats to eat. Nick (part of programming staff) talked to the group about how the Bible is our weapon against Satan's attacks and how even if they can't find spiritual support at home, etc., then they can find it in the Scriptures.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
2007 counselor story #3
"So during one of my [individual conversations with campers], two girls mentioned they didn't have a church they go to so I asked if they had ever trusted Jesus as their savior. Both said they did last year here at camp and that camp is all the spiritual "food"/support they get back home. that broke my heart!"
Yes, God cares for these two girls and even though they don't have much spiritual support from other people we do know that His eye is on them. II Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord travel to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His."
Yes, God cares for these two girls and even though they don't have much spiritual support from other people we do know that His eye is on them. II Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord travel to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His."
Back in the saddle again
We have been back home for...a while...so it is time for an update.
Winter has been snowy again this year. Although we don't have record snowfalls we have had weather combinations that have ruined our furnace chimney pipe and frozen our heating pipes. We did not get to make the skating rink in the back yard again...there is always hope for next year. I just can't keep up with the snow on the ice if it comes in large volumes all at once. Anyway, we did get to go sledding a couple times and play in the yard making snow forts/caves in the piles of snow. Oooo - how could I almost forget?! There was a building down the street that used to be a grocery store but it has been empty for a number of years. The weather finally got to it so that a wall bulged out and the roof caved in. We sat on our neighbor's porch and watched as the rest of the building was torn down. What fun!!
Now that spring should be coming around the corner very soon we are turning our attention to the move to camp. Bill has made plans for us to ride the ferry to Juneau on April 13 where we will drive off the ferry and right out to camp. It is always nice when the tide works out that way.
In other news, we are waiting for the church family here in Haines to make a decision regarding us. The pastor here is retiring at the end of the year and he along with the deacons asked Bill to consider taking his place as pastor. Our family has received the news with mixed emotions but we are all looking to do what and go where God leads. Bill preached today (very well, I might add) and will again next week. Then the church members will vote on the 30th of this month. Please keep us all in your prayers, especially the children who just want to be done with waiting for the answer!
Winter has been snowy again this year. Although we don't have record snowfalls we have had weather combinations that have ruined our furnace chimney pipe and frozen our heating pipes. We did not get to make the skating rink in the back yard again...there is always hope for next year. I just can't keep up with the snow on the ice if it comes in large volumes all at once. Anyway, we did get to go sledding a couple times and play in the yard making snow forts/caves in the piles of snow. Oooo - how could I almost forget?! There was a building down the street that used to be a grocery store but it has been empty for a number of years. The weather finally got to it so that a wall bulged out and the roof caved in. We sat on our neighbor's porch and watched as the rest of the building was torn down. What fun!!
Now that spring should be coming around the corner very soon we are turning our attention to the move to camp. Bill has made plans for us to ride the ferry to Juneau on April 13 where we will drive off the ferry and right out to camp. It is always nice when the tide works out that way.
In other news, we are waiting for the church family here in Haines to make a decision regarding us. The pastor here is retiring at the end of the year and he along with the deacons asked Bill to consider taking his place as pastor. Our family has received the news with mixed emotions but we are all looking to do what and go where God leads. Bill preached today (very well, I might add) and will again next week. Then the church members will vote on the 30th of this month. Please keep us all in your prayers, especially the children who just want to be done with waiting for the answer!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
2007 Counselor Story #2
A counselor had this to say:
"On Friday I was struggling with a bad attitude and during one of my one on one discussions with a camper he said he was not saved. When I asked if he would like me to help him become saved he said yes. So regardless of my bad attitude I helped him receive the Lord."
God will claim His children in spite of us sometimes. Praise be to His name.
This counselor went on to say that he also learned that week that his attitude was very important. God can work through us no matter how we kick and scream along the way but it sure is better when we have a good attitude, isn't it?
That is one tough lesson to learn. May I (and you?) learn it with God's help!
"On Friday I was struggling with a bad attitude and during one of my one on one discussions with a camper he said he was not saved. When I asked if he would like me to help him become saved he said yes. So regardless of my bad attitude I helped him receive the Lord."
God will claim His children in spite of us sometimes. Praise be to His name.
This counselor went on to say that he also learned that week that his attitude was very important. God can work through us no matter how we kick and scream along the way but it sure is better when we have a good attitude, isn't it?
That is one tough lesson to learn. May I (and you?) learn it with God's help!
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