The Antidote for Attitude

Since I returned to Canada in May, life has been FULL ON.

We started with staff training, reviewing our policies, procedures, mission, & vision. We have nearly doubled in staff size for the Spring/Summer season. The new/returning staff are such a blessing and have added so much life to our team.

Then we had upskilling, growing the staff in our adventure guiding skills. I was able to get signed off as a Climbing Activity Leader, which means I can lead climbing program days. This is huge step forward for my dream of being an outdoor climbing guide. It has been wonderful to grow as a Climbing AL over the last month & instruct people in climbing & all the skills associated with this sport!

I was ill off and on for the last month, which affected my ability to grow my rafting skills and enjoy my days off. I haven't had the best attitude about this. From my perspective, it was the worst possible timing to get sick & while I was sick I really didn't handle it the best way. I have been praying to God for him to change my rebellious and self-serving heart, so even as I write this letter, I want to find a new perspective.

Struggling to Maintain Focus

I've been wrestling with obedience, I've been wrestling with my place at Frontier, and I've been wrestling with my relationship to God. One night, I woke up in the middle of the night and all these thoughts started swirling uncontrollably. When this happens, I can't fall back to sleep. Sometimes, I react to this badly and worsen the situation with frustration.

"Why can't I just sleep?"

"Why does this always happen to me?"

"I deserve to sleep! I deserve better than this!"

I prayed & God reminded me to give thanks. I started giving thanks for things within the situations I was struggling with. I started listing all the staff & giving thanks for their gifts & characters. I gave thanks for the environment in which I live. It became like counting sheep, and all the gratitude that God gave me filled me with peace.

Praise Jesus for his grace & mercy! On the cross, for all prior sin, & in anticipation of our future weakness, he took it on himself & bore responsibility for our shame. He is the source of all good things. He is our life! Pride doesn't have to control my life. I can give thanks for every blessing God has given, and even in the middle of a hard situation.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Snapshot from a retreat

I was reminded of how deep his grace runs this week during a retreat we hosted for a Catholic group from the USA.

It was so sweet to see this group of young adults excited about growing in their faith & stepping up to the challenges in the adventures we led. 3 Dominican sisters and a priest led up the trip & even participated in the adventures, rock climbing, rafting, and doing the Tyrolean traverse! The group had Holy Mass (a liturgical worship service) on several of our adventures.

Sister Catherine organized the retreat & was like a mother to all the retreatants (and even to us staff). She is so full of the love of God, constantly praising Jesus for the ways he worked on their trip & for the graces we all received together in community. She set the tone for their group, who turned out to be one of the best groups I've ever had. Their last evening, the group had a reflection session on the trip to share the ways in which God had worked in their lives & give praise & thanks. Sister Catherine talked about how God spoke to her through the challenges in rock climbing.

The rock wall looked impossible, with nowhere to put my hands. But as I reached up, I realized there were little cracks & crevices, exactly where I needed them to be, even if I had trouble seeing them at first. And when I had no idea where to go, people on the ground pointed out the next hold I had to take. I think this is how God is working in our lives. Maybe we can't see the way through at first, but at every step he provides exactly what we need. He surrounds us with people when we feel it is impossible ourselves, who advise us, encourage us, & show the way. [paraphrase]

After such a delightful week programming & adventuring, it was sad to see this group go. They left us with a sweet note on the back of a ramen box, summing up why this retreat was so special. I'm so thankful that I get to be part of God giving our guests such important and formative experiences.

It is tempting to take too much credit. I'm tempted to rest on the victories I see happen here. I'm tempted to think more of myself than I ought, and less of others. But God wants a humble heart & willing spirit. This is why I pray:

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Lord, deliver us from prideful attitudes. Have mercy on us, God of mercy. Give us hearts full of thanks, and remind us to give thanks & praise you only.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for me, that I would live in submission to God & act in humility.
• Pray for the repairs to the Lodge deck, that we would work safely & effectively to repair it.
• Pray for our guests, that when they come they would experience the love & saving power of Jesus!

Thanks for reading, friends.

Grace & peace be with you,
Alex