Purpose & Ice

Lately, I've been trying to read more books. Through a combination of audio books, & traditional paper books, I've had the pleasure of reading more than a book a month since November. I don't post this as a flex; I just wanted to share a quote that I really enjoyed.

I read a book called "Ego is the Enemy" by Ryan Holliday. While not about faith or written by a Christian, this was still a compelling read on the natural human tendency towards ambitious narcissism. He catalogues many stories from history of people who wrestled with their pride. It's filled with many thought provoking quotes from thinkers and leaders; one of my favorites was from Ryan himself.

"Purpose deemphasizes the 'I.' Purpose is about pursuing something outside yourself as opposed to pleasuring yourself."

I think this is a really insightful & useful thought from Ryan. In ministry, I can let my pride run away with me when I focus on all the great things I'm doing. In fact, doing great things for Jesus can be pleasurable. It's enjoyable. If that's why I'm doing it, then I start pursuing myself and become another clanging gong. I will say "Alex has done this, I have done that, I, I, I." Where is my Lord in all the things "I" do?

I must humble myself before my Lord & Master and see myself for what I have been - a sinner. When I ask for mercy, I receive it - as in, I am allowed to know and relate to Jesus. This makes me one of the saved. In looking to him, I look outside myself and forget about that otherwise all consuming "I." In this knowing myself better by thinking of myself less, I understand my purpose and live in God's mission for my life - to be a servant to him by loving others.

The call of God is not a call to any particular service; my interpretation of it may be because contact with the nature of God has made me realize what I would like to do for him. The call of God is essentially expressive of his nature; service is the outcome of what is fitted to my nature... Service is the natural part of my life.
- Oswald Chambers on The Vocation of the Natural Life

Ministry Update

In February & March, we had some groups in, and programmed ice & ski rotations for the Explore program who live here during the school year.

One of the groups I enjoyed most was a men's retreat from Rocky Mountain House. We had a lot of good conversation around how Christ gives us freedom through the restriction of our choices; by holding to him alone, we gain something supernatural we wouldn't be able to claim otherwise. Christianity is truly opposed to the culture in this, which would lie & claim that freedom is found in whatever you want to choose. It was cool to see a group of faithful men, some younger, some older, all pursuing Jesus together.

We had an outdoor education class come from a Christian school - two sets of students over two weeks. They are going on a backpacking trip in the spring with their class, and were building community and preparing food & skills like firestarting they will need on the trail. We took them rappelling & ice climbing. It was fun!

I also had the opportunity to lead a creek ice adventure for the Prairie Business program on their winter retreat. I only have a beautiful shot of Mount Michener from that day, but it was a really cool experience, as I know a lot of people in that program. God's lesson for us that day was to live in the present moment and praise him by celebrating the blessings we have now in life, without rushing ahead of where he wants us to be.

I've been out on ice a lot recently. I shot some video during the Explore program's ice rotation, which is turning out beautifully for some content for Frontier, and for the promotional documentary I'm building.

I've also had several training days out to advance my ice skills, which will come in handy next year for ice programming. I feel a lot more confident in my climbing and systems, and hope I can get out on the ice on my personal time a few more times before it all melts.

We also had another dual credit group come and we instructed them in basic outdoor leadership. This was an awesome course with really dedicated students. I hope we'll see some of them back for summer camps like SALT - or even in the Explore program for a year!

We used this dual credit group as a practicum opportunity for the Explore students, who served as activity leaders and field leaders with the students for a day. They did a great job - I was just a safety stopgap, I barely had to do any work!

Physical Health

I've talked with the surgeon and we've agreed it's not worth getting surgery. While my foot is still somewhat unstable, I feel I'm able to do everything I need and want without pain or thinking about it. The surgery would fix the instability but would actually give me early arthritis, so for now we'll hold off. This is a huge answer to prayer! Thank you Jesus!

I've also had bloodwork done to investigate my stomach issues. Some things were flagged and they weren't allowed to share the details over the phone, so I'm going in next Friday to find out what's going on. I've completed my elimination diet, which revealed that dairy, gluten, canola oil, & vinegar/strong acids seem to give me grief. So I will have to eliminate them permanently, which means I have to be intentional about my diet.

The good news is that I am overall feeling better than I did at the end of last year, and I look it too. I've lost close to 30lbs since Christmas, and my weight and energy have stabilized. With the healing foot and diet completed, I feel able to add more physical fitness to get my body back into shape for the busy summer season.

Support Raising

I have a couple new donors this month on my support team - thank you so much for your financial and prayer support. I couldn't do this without you. I'm still working towards full financial support - please pray that God would provide by opening people's hearts to giving, and that I would continue to ask and seek.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 
Matthew 7:7-8

Trip Home: April 24-May 4

I'm coming home soon! Right now I am booking time with people while I am home, so if you want to get connected, be sure to reach out soon! I am also offering two adventure days you can sign up for:

Christian Leadership & Rock Climbing: Saturday April 26

Age: 17+
Group Size: 12
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Ralph Stover State Park
A day of adventure at High Rocks climbing area in Ralph Stover State Park. This day is for aspiring, growing, & mature leaders who are interested in seeing the power of adventure and want to go deeper in their understanding of leadership. This day will include a short hike, experiential leadership curriculum, 4 hours of rock climbing guided by Doylestown Rock Gym, and an opportunity to connect with and learn from other local leaders. The current cost for this day is $40/person; this exclusively pays for the rock climbing guide service, I'm currently not taking anything towards my own travel or work expenses. If you would be willing to donate for someone else we can bring the per-person cost down to $20.

If you are interested, sign up using this form.

Hiking Adventure: Experiencing God: Sunday April 27

Age: 17+
Group Size: 12
Time: 1-6pm
Location: Mt. Minsi
An afternoon of hiking Mt. Minsi by the Delaware Water Gap will serve as medium for discussion about experiencing God's life, presence, & power more consistently in everyday life. This hike loop will be about 5 miles long, with multiple points of interest. We will talk about how important God's presence is to those who follow Him, why we experience times that he feels invisible, and how to become more attuned to his constancy in the middle of the mundane. The suggested donation for this day is $5, to cover the expenses of my preparation and travel to and from this event.

If you are interested, sign up using this form.

I have also added one more adventure day for families with children 6 and up. It will be held May 3; time TBD depending on how many people are interested. If you have kids and want to connect about this, I'll send you more information!

Blessing

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this update! I hope you are well and God is blessing you by the outpouring of his Spirit. Open yourself, and he will fill you full up every day!

Grace and peace be with you,
Alex