half a canoe!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Here are some pictures from chainsaw class!
Preliminary instruction
Wood splitting class was thrown in for free.
Tyler trying his hand
The ladies were impressive (according to David)
The week has been full, with financial training daily. Tomorrow will be the "Strong's Interest Inventory" results session. The students will learn about their test results, and what their interests mean in regard to future career choices. We are all looking forward to hearing what the tests show for each of our diverse students.
Look for the canoe to take some MAJOR leaps forward in the near future. I will be excited to post new pictures shortly after the students return from break! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Is failure at trailhead.... failure?
To rephrase the question: when I walked into the trailhead kitchen this evening to find three young men huddled around a pot of half-crunchy, half-burnt rice, trying to figure out what went wrong... Was it a bad thing?
Failure is what Trailhead is all about... sort of. The lessons that come from trying and failing are lessons that really get learned. Trying new things takes courage. It's easy to never attempt anything you aren't comfortable with. For some, its performing an oil change, and for others its hiking for two days in the snow. For three guys, its rice.
Each of these experiences represents a practical skill of course, but beyond that, the courage to learn from failure is a lifelong skill. I suppose we can say that failure at trailhead isn't failure unless we don't learn from it. Which means we still need to figure out what happened with that rice...
Last week we hit the road for a quick snow hike. We entered the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness on Thursday about lunch time and returned to the van about the same time the next day. Two back-country log cabins provided housing and a place to have time with "just the guys." I had been meaning to chat about "man stuff" for awhile, and what better place than a wilderness log cabin with a roaring wood stove and everyone's wet socks hanging around? We're still not sure what the girls did.
A couple pictures:
So now its back to business. We began Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace for College Students" today. Should be fun!
To rephrase the question: when I walked into the trailhead kitchen this evening to find three young men huddled around a pot of half-crunchy, half-burnt rice, trying to figure out what went wrong... Was it a bad thing?
Failure is what Trailhead is all about... sort of. The lessons that come from trying and failing are lessons that really get learned. Trying new things takes courage. It's easy to never attempt anything you aren't comfortable with. For some, its performing an oil change, and for others its hiking for two days in the snow. For three guys, its rice.
Each of these experiences represents a practical skill of course, but beyond that, the courage to learn from failure is a lifelong skill. I suppose we can say that failure at trailhead isn't failure unless we don't learn from it. Which means we still need to figure out what happened with that rice...
Last week we hit the road for a quick snow hike. We entered the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness on Thursday about lunch time and returned to the van about the same time the next day. Two back-country log cabins provided housing and a place to have time with "just the guys." I had been meaning to chat about "man stuff" for awhile, and what better place than a wilderness log cabin with a roaring wood stove and everyone's wet socks hanging around? We're still not sure what the girls did.
A couple pictures:
So now its back to business. We began Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace for College Students" today. Should be fun!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The students have been in class solid for almost a month. Most of them are doing great and actually like the class load. I think all of them are okay with a break, however. So Friday we had our first "Basic Practical Skills" class. We grabbed a couple of vehicles and taught (or reminded) the students how to perform a basic oil change, tire change, and brake pad installation.
As part of "Taking a break from class" week, We decided to go backpacking! So we plan to leave in the morning for a short, two-day camp-out in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness in Michigan, you know... before it gets too cold out to do this kind of thing :)
Should be fun. Pictures will be posted I'm sure.
Whats next?
Sunday through Tuesday is our annual pastors' retreat and the speaker is JOE STOWELL! The students will help out with keeping the place operating, but should have opportunity to sit in on some great teaching as well.
Wednesday we begin "Financial Peace University for College Students." This course by Dave Ramsey will be a good overview of financial planning, saving, budgets, debt, mortgages etc. I am excited to watch the students tackle the material. Dave is an exceptional teacher, and this is VERY important stuff.
Keep praying for improved unity in the group and wisdom on my part as I begin to provide more encouragement and exhortation regarding challenges and opportunities for growth for in the students' lives.
Jalene and Ashley changing oil!
I think everyone had a good time, and this will begin to be a normal Friday AM thing. Whats next?
Chainsaws anyone?
The canoe has slowly crept forward. The men are getting distracted I'm afraid and I need to figure out how I can motivate them to keep at it. This is such a special project and the reward in the Spring will be so great if we can get it done!
As part of "Taking a break from class" week, We decided to go backpacking! So we plan to leave in the morning for a short, two-day camp-out in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness in Michigan, you know... before it gets too cold out to do this kind of thing :)
Should be fun. Pictures will be posted I'm sure.
Whats next?
Sunday through Tuesday is our annual pastors' retreat and the speaker is JOE STOWELL! The students will help out with keeping the place operating, but should have opportunity to sit in on some great teaching as well.
Joseph Stowell is the President of Cornerstone University and author of over 20 books
Wednesday we begin "Financial Peace University for College Students." This course by Dave Ramsey will be a good overview of financial planning, saving, budgets, debt, mortgages etc. I am excited to watch the students tackle the material. Dave is an exceptional teacher, and this is VERY important stuff.
Keep praying for improved unity in the group and wisdom on my part as I begin to provide more encouragement and exhortation regarding challenges and opportunities for growth for in the students' lives.
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