Fam-Jam Reunion

I am a pretty family oriented person. So it would be no surprise that when the family reunion rolls around every June, that it is one of my favorite events of the year.

So today we headed up the hill on which the top lives my Oma and Opa (You could say that they live on a hilltop just like in fairy-tales).

At first you sit around awkwardly, not talking to anyone. Its been a whole year and you can't remember which one is Tante Sieka and which one is Tante Marti. Eventually someone breaks the ice. You start talking to someone you haven't talked to in a while.

A highlight of the day was definitely when my cousin came up to me and asked me to play with him. This is how the conversation went:

"Can you play with me"

"What about those two little boys over there?"

"I want to play with you"

"I'll tell you what, if you make friends with those little boys then I will play with you"

(Background information: all the kids there were from my grandparents, so the two little boys didn't have any cousins or kids they knew to play with)

So now this is the conversation with my cousin, the little boy, and me:

Cousin: "Do you want to be my friend?"

Boy: "Sure"

Cousin runs over to me: "He wants to be my friend"

Me: "Well do you know what his name is?"

Cousin runs over to little boy: "What's your name?"

Boy: "Caleb"

Cousin runs over to me: "His name is Caleb"

Me: "Well does he know what your name is?"

Cousin runs over to little boy: "My name is Logan"

Cousin runs over to me: "Now will you play with me?"

I ended up telling my cousin that he had to play with his new friend. I supervised a soccer game in my grandparents barn due to the fact that it was raining outside.

It was a good family reunion. I was so proud of my cousins for being accepting to the second cousins. We had some great times, good food, and awesome reunioning.

After a Few days...

It has been an An exciting week of staff training so far. Just home for a little bit of afternoon relaxation.

Spontaneous Worship moment this week.

This is my desire
This is my return
This is my desire to be used by you

This is my desire, to honour You,

Lord with all my heart,

I worship You,

All I have within me, I give You praise,

All that I adore, is in You,

Lord I give You my heart,

I give You my soul,

I live for You alone,

Every breath that I take,

Every moment I'm awake,

Lord have Your way in me.

There are so many amazing things to tell. Like how AWESOME the people I have been getting to know better. I cut my friend Seth's hair. I chatted it up with some old friends. Playing Dutch Bingo. Swimming.

O camp. Its like we never left...

I'm Off to Camp

Well my failure of a countdown clock says that I'm supposed to be leaving for camp right about now, but I'm not.

I'm headed out tomorrow morning.

Two weeks of staff training.

I'm So Excited.

Someone's Watching Over Me

Today at Church when the Children came up for the children's message, there stood Dave with his soccer coach uniform. He gets down to the children's level and tells them a story about when he used to play soccer.

It went something like this:

When he was younger, after one of his games, he was feeling a bit down because they lost. Dave's dad came to him. As a proud father he said, "No matter what is going on in the field, I always know where you are".

Its like God. God always knows where we are.

He watches us on the field. He sees our failures. He sees our victories.

He is always there.

Just like, from then on, Dave was encouraged and tried his best because he knew his Dad was watching, we can be encouraged to live our life in a way that is pleasing to our father in heaven. We can be encouraged to know that he is ALWAYS there.

I'm Thankful for my earthly father who is always there to joke around with me. He has taught me about working my hardest and always to give a 110%. He gives me discipline, but also can get in trouble with mom with me. Even though he always complains that he is stuck with all girls, deep down I know he loves it.

Happy Father's Day

I love you Dad.

And Heres a Letter From God this Father's Day:

Father's Love Letter

My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Tattling and Truth

People seem to like to tattle on me. I won't mention any names, but two of my cousins are constantly getting me in trouble with my parents because they tattle on me over non-relevant information (I did not do anything worthy of being tattled on). There is a difference between the need for an honesty and tattling on someone . A tattler may be telling the truth, but it is not necessary for that information to be revealed.

Yes, Quote: "Saying the truth out loud", is tattling

Corny Song

I know this corny song about friendship. Its got some pretty meaningful lyrics, but the song just cracks me up every time:

Packing up the dreams

God planted

In the fertile soil of you

I Can't believe the hopes He's granted

Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seem you've gone

Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever

If the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never

Cause the welcome will not end

Though it's hard to let you go

In the Father's hands we know

That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God's given

Springing from the hope we know

We will pray the joy you'll live in

Is the strength that now you show

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seem you've gone

Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

That a lifetime's not too long

To live as friends (to live as friends)

To live as friends

Soanyways.. Me and my friend were sitting on the bus taking turns choosing songs from my iPod.

We ended up listening to this song. She and I laughed a little as we both find a lot of joy in listening to this song. About halfway through the song she said, "You know what I just realized? This is our last bus ride together". She is moving to Jarvis next year (and if you don't know where Jarvis is, most people don't so its okay), so basically we won't ride the bus together anymore.

Its a bit of a saddening time of year. Everyone is going their separate ways for summer. Exciting that it is finally summer, but after graduation I won't see some of my Grade 12 friends for a long time. I get to spend the summer with 2 of my best friends, then both of them are going off to University and College.

Corny song has some truth I guess.

Summer

Summer is here. I am finished my exams.

Camp starts Monday (despite my failure of a countdown that says it starts in two days)

Words to Live By

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:

"It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord.

On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12

Words to live by.

Hannah VanDyk

There's this wonderful girl named Hannah Vandyk

Shes a teenager who is fantistic and writes

She decided to fire up a blog one day

She talked about life, about boys, about plays

She inspired me to write down some of my thoughts

And so I did started this wonderful blog

This blog was "A hit" some readers did say

But I refer to dear Hannah who kept blogging away

My dear readers the one who inspired it all

Her blog is a masterpiece so go take a look:

http://hannahvandyk.blogspot.com/

It is blog that you should choose to read

The best thing about blogs is that reading is free!

Hannah and I decided that we were going to advertise eachothers' blogs. As you read in the poem Hannah is the friend who inspired me to start my own blog. Now we are attempting to get each other followers.

P.S Hannah loves Ducks

This is not a Blog Post

I'm not going to blog tonight because I am too busy studying for a Chemistry exam and not studying for a World Religions exam.

ummm. This is not a Blog Post

New Look

I'm not one who generally likes changing things.

But once it is changed I grow to like it.

Prime example of this is when Emily wants to switch around our room (which seems like every other day), it is quite the hassle because I never want to. (Then If we do change we don't change again for a loooong while)

So switching around the blog was a change, and to tell you the truth I tried to switch it back to my old background to avoid the change...but I couldn't (slash don't know how to). But the new look will grow on me I think.

Like I said: Once its changed I generally grow to like things.

Welcome to the new look.

Bees and Spiders

I have a great fear of bees/wasps. In fact one summer I got stung 4 times in two weeks at camp. I was really hoping that I would never be stung again, but the next summer I got stung 3 times..IN THE POURING RAIN..."Who gets stung IN THE POURING RAIN?!?".

Frustrated.

Well I have not been stung by a bee/wasp since, but this past Sunday I was bitten 9 times on my arm by a spider that got under my sweater...NINE times IN A ROW. So unimpressed. I have large welts on my arm travelling up to my elbow.

Soanyways..

Camp is coming up.

I've given up on worrying about attracting insect bites.

Gah. Sigh.

The Case of the Cribbage Board

Last night there was a cribbage game in the residence of the Vos household. Two young ladies were playing when suddenly one of the red pegs broke in the 38th hole. Neither one of them would confess to it and both claimed the other was at fault.

I am personally not the one that broke the cribbage board, but if the culprit would like me to take upon myself that position, I will show a Christlike Attitude and take the blame even though I am innocent.

Case Dismissed

Sisters

On a daily basis I reminded of why I love my sisters. Today Kat made my lunch for me. On the bag she wrote encouragements that lifted my countenance all day (Fancy phrase that means-- It made me smile a lot today). With the stress of exams in three days..two sleeps and encouraging lunch bag was just what I needed.

I love my sisters.

P.S We can be pretty attractive too.

Blog Fever

So I've discovered that I love blogging.

I am almost at the 50 blog mark.

I have 7 followers which makes me extremely happy.

I'm going for 10+ followers.

Now...

2 of my sisters

Two of my cousins.

And one of my friends

All to started thier own blogs

Dumb Blog.

The Gift of Life

I have been pondering and cherishing life lately.

This past year, both my Opa and my Grandma were hospitalized because of heart problems. It was a difficult time, because we did not know what was going to happen. You Give and Take away, Lord. We weren't sure whether they would make it through. It taught me that Life is a Gift. God has granted me more time with my grandparents:both my Grandma and Opa pulled through. I realized to cherish every moment with them. Through these unsure times I learned that Life is an INCREDIBLE gift from God. Blessed Be Your name.

I also love to talk to the seniors who come through my work. Their perspective on life is amazing. They always have wise words to share and they love to talk to you. They have this glow and they tend to shine when they talk about the joys of their day, and the joys in their life.

God is a God of Promises. I LOVE this promise from the Book of Isaiah:

I have upheld since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Lately I have been seeing the Beauty and the gift of life through the elderly. I see so much beauty in them. So many times they are pushed aside in society, but they have so SO much value. I thank God for his Faithfulness. I thank God for the Gift of Life. I thank God for his Gifts.

I love You Oma and Opa.

I love you Grandma and Grandpa.

I treasure You.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be
Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Great is thy faithfulness

I have upheld since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

BBQ

I had a BBQ today (Word Format: Barbecue)

Not Your typical BBQ. In fact, we did not even eat anything off of any sort of Grilling device. We had taco salad and lemonade. It was a grandular time. We took pictures. We laughed at ourselves. We made Bookmarks...Yes...we made bookmarks. We pretended to be free falling while lying on our backs on the pavement. We played Masterpiece (and also another game which I don't even know the title of). We sat outside on the porch and just talked.

"To BBQ or not to BBQ, that is the question" - William Shakespeare

How to Treat People

"Can I have an Ice Capp please with a Vanilla Flavor Shot"

"Sure. Drive Thru and we'll have it ready for you at the window"

After I made it ready, I handed it to the lady and said, "Have a great night."

Lady honks her horn. "I ASKED FOR WHIPPED TOPPING!"

Of course the customer is always right even when they're wrong, "So Sorry. We'll get that fixed for you."

My friend says, "Sorry about that. We didn't charge you for that, but next time it is going to be a little bit extra."

Lady replies, "Excuse me?! That was the rudest thing I have ever heard. Are you really going to give a customer that additude? You are so rude. SO RUDE." She continued on putting my friend down, "SERIOUSLY?!? How old are you?! HOW OLD ARE YOU? I work at a Tim Hortons and I know that you never NEVER speak to a customer like that."

"I wasn't trying to be rude. I was just--"

Lady cuts off, "You never speak to a customer like that. That was the rudest thing that you could have said and my daughter is a witness"

The lady drove off, leaving my friend crying as she stirred the next coffee.

I stood in shock. There were a hundred things that I thought of to say like:

"Hi! I'm Brittany I'm 16 and a half. How old are YOU? When is your birthday?"

"So you work at Tim Horton's? REALLY? so you understand that we all make mistakes? Do ever get really mean customers at YOUR Tim Hortons?"

"Can I get you some sugar with that Ice Capp? You seem like you need some sweetening?"

LET ME CLARIFY: I DID NOT SAY ANY OF THESE THINGS TO THE CUSTOMER

Though tempting it was to say something, I didn't. When someone treats us like dirt, or someone we love like dirt, I think that our first instinct is to tear them down as well...give 'em what they deserve to hear and put them in their place...but does that make us any better than they are? Rather I think of the song by Brandon Heath "Give me Your Eyes":

"Give me your eyes for just one second. Give me your eyes so I can see. Everything that I keep missing, Give me Your love for Humanity. Give me Your Love for the Broken Hearted. The ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so I can see."

I don't know what was going on for this lady. Maybe she just got in a divorce with her husband, or maybe she is a single parent trying to get by. When your mouth wants to say, "Take a Chill Pill", in your heart say, "Jesus loves Her".

Hope she has a better day tommorow

SDCed (past tense form of SDC)

SDCed past tense form of SDC...

today I smiled despite circumstances

So I had to write a Chemistry test today

and it did not go as well as I had planned

and my calculator broke just before the test

so then I used someone else's calculator

and everyone knows how it goes: that you know your own calculator best

Then I did not finish it in time for my next class

Sat in my next class and fretted that I did not finish the last question

In which I knew the answer to

So I left that class to go back to Chemistry

To ask to finish the last class

So I sat in the middle of a Gr. 9 science class writing the answer to my test.

buutt....

I finished my test so that made me SDC

and above all I smiled when my rents brought me home a Rolo McFlurry from McD's as I was studyin it up. So I'm saving it for whenever I'm stressed in the next week about exams. SDC

Random Fact: I keep finding these random action pictures. I like them alot

His Cocoon

What happened to those days

Where you would come to me

You’re small delicate hands

Lost like a butterfly

You reached for mine

In my hands I held you

Trust

I did not break you though

You came to me broken

Like a piece of shattered pottery

You tried to fix it

You tried to put the pieces

Of your life back

Together

Yourself

Unsuccessful

Come to me broken

I love you

Whispering softly

Into your ear

I call you back

As if not to break

What’s left

Of what only I can fix

Not you, but I

Will you trust me once again?

-Brittany Vos

Accomplishment

Done all four Summative Projects!

Onward to Exam Studying!

Camp Shalom

I am going to be working at a summer camp this summer. Camp Shalom is a Christian camp in Cambridge, ON. Alot of people think that it is a Jewish camp, but 'Shalom' is a Hebrew greeting that means Peace. I have been going to camp every summer since I was going into grade 1. I just love camp so much and Camp has been an incredible part of my faith journey. Camp was where I accepted Jesus into my heart and I have learned more about Him every year that I go. I am super excited that I will be working with a bunch of my friends, but also that I will meet the new staff that I have never met before. I will be working in the Kitchen as an assistant cook. The Head cook is Mama Jo and the other assistant cook's name is Sara.

The theme verse is Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Here is the Biography I wrote for on Camp Shalom's website:

My name is Brittany Vos. I am going in to Grade 12 at Hamilton District Christian High school. This will be my 12th year at Camp Shalom, but my first time working there. When I have spare time, you can often find me playing any game (examples: Settlers of Catan and Cribbage). I play the violin and another random fact is that I am in a bell choir at my church. My favourite animal is a fish and I have one. His name is Nacho, named after one of my much-loved movies “Nacho Libre”. Sometimes I make up words just for fun, and then use them to see if eventually they will make it in the dictionary. I joined a book club so I guess I like reading. I love kids and I babysit whenever I get the chance. I am really excited to be working in the kitchen this summer and to meet all the amazing campers, volunteers and staff at Camp Shalom and to see how God works in their lives.

I'm SUPER excited for summer!!

Hand of Hope

As a veteran photojournalist in Nashville, Tennessee, I was hired by USA Today newspaper to photograph a spina bifida corrective surgical procedure. It was to be performed on a twenty-one week old fetus in utero at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At that time, in 1999, twenty-one weeks in utero was the earliest that the surgical team would consider for surgery. The worst possible outcome would be that the surgery would cause premature delivery, and no child born earlier than twenty-three weeks had survived.

The tension could be felt in the operating room as the surgery began. A typical C-section incision was made to access the uterus, which was then lifted out and laid at the junction of the mother's thighs. The entire procedure would take place within the uterus, and no part of the child was to breach the surgical opening. During the procedure, the position of the fetus was adjusted by gently manipulating the outside of the uterus. The entire surgical procedure on the child was completed in 1 hour and thirteen minutes. When it was over, the surgical team breathed a sigh of relief, as did I.

As a doctor asked me what speed of film I was using, out of the corner of my eye I saw the uterus shake, but no one's hands were near it. It was shaking from within. Suddenly, an entire arm thrust out of the opening, then pulled back until just a little hand was showing. The doctor reached over and lifted the hand, which reacted and squeezed the doctor's finger. As if testing for strength, the doctor shook the tiny fist. Samuel held firm. I took the picture! Wow! It happened so fast that the nurse standing next to me asked, "What happened?" "The child reached out," I said. "Oh. They do that all the time," she responded.

The surgical opening to the uterus was closed and the uterus was then put back into the mother and the C-section opening was closed.

It was ten days before I knew if the picture was even in focus. To ensure no digital manipulation of images before they see them, USA Today requires that film be submitted unprocessed. When the photo editor finally phoned me he said, "It's the most incredible picture I've ever seen."

- Michael Clancy

I came across this photo story. The little hand from the photo reminds me of how precious life is. It reminds me at why I believe in Pro-Life and not abortion. It reminds me of how powerful God is and how Beautiful he has created Life to be.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

We believe in a God

When everything in the world says its impossible

God says it is possible

God works miracles every day

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19: 26

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail

There's an anchor for my soul

I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I hear the cry of every longing heart,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

-"I will Rise"--Chris Tomlin

When you are in need of Strength, God is there

In our deepest moments of grief and sorrow, God is there to help us rise above.

Jesus has overcome.