October 13, 2012

Life Together

Coming from Florida, I will say this. It has been getting just a tad cold for my warm blooded self. Nonetheless, I have been enjoying it, especially seeing the colorful change in season here in the mountains for the first time. I have to constantly remind myself to look up because the ground in Colorado isn’t flat… 

Well, if you were a fly on the wall in Snow Wolf Lodge right now, you would witness what most of the 10PM free night look like. Richard Keller and mentor Josh Beeman are having, from what I hear, a deep theological conversation on Scripture interpretation without contradicting science. Scattered on other meal tables are Michael Jester and his guitar, Leah Moser, and Briana Donley selecting and rehearsing hymns for a second Friday worship evening; Josh Pontier, Michael Hayes, and Lydia Bard playing cards; Jonathan Fienemann reading the thick New Dictionary of Bible Theology in preparation for Eric Smith’s classes this week. Down stairs a number of others are playing a ping pong tournament and pool. This is how we unwind.

Until 4PM, Monday was an unusually quiet day, since all but nine of us students had gone out to camp overnight in the freezing weather after church. So from what I have been told, those who camped had a good time but I can only attest to the fantastic party we studious ones had here at the lodge. For one, we got to sleep in! I would say some wasted most of this precious day by sleeping in till midmorning, but it was much needed. A number of us spent our time reading—a lot. Ryan Hartwell went out for a bike ride around noon and didn’t return until our family style dinner at 5PM. Some of us didn’t even realize he was gone for so long. Apparently, he made it to New Mexico!

The kitchen was confiscated by country music listening students who wanted to bake marble cake and cinnamon rolls before our movie night at 8PM. Most of the students who weren’t super tired from camping, comfortably gathered on the floor or on the couches with popcorn in Echo Canyon to watch and later discuss the movie titled The Fall, which according to Daniel Cody was a “trippy” film. I would definitely agree; it was weird.

Our solitude time this week was Tuesday morning. After breakfast and dishpit duty was over, we all scattered to our secret spots for an hour and a half to spend time with the Lord in prayer, worship, silence, and reading of Scriptures. I love hiking up to my stump overlooking the beautiful valley around the lodge. Lately, I have been contemplating over my summer months and Semester asking God why he has brought certain people from different states into my life, or better yet, why have I been put into their lives.

The hour before our lunch, Dustin had us scheduled for our weekly family meeting detailing some plans for the week and upcoming speakers. Additionally, he led our theological study on Hebrews chapter 2. In the evening, Gunnar Nederberg read to the group from The Napoleon of Nottinghill.

As per our routine since the first week, Tuesdays are one of our two days a week, 3 hour work crew days. BUT, David Beisner and Tony were so nice, and decided last minute to announce that we have been doing SO amazing in our previous work crews that we would do something different and hike up to Opal Lake instead of excessive cheap labor. This would be our second time hiking there; so what once took us an hour and a half one way, now took only thirty-five minutes! I feel like that is a huge accomplishment. All the other hikes we took in between sure paid off.

Eric Smith returned for a second week of Bible classes on the Old Testament Covenant History, picking back up where he left off and moving on to Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Today is Wednesday, filled with s’more classes, exercise, and free time to study. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to watch the Presidential debates tonight; even though some of us were badly itching to see it at 7PM MNT… Like me! However, Dustin was super kind enough to record the broadcast, so we plan to watch it tomorrow evening. A day late, yes, but I guess it doesn’t really matter since we’re pretty much isolated here in Pagosa…. We gathered in our small groups in the evening as scheduled and had by far the best discussion to date, which was on the topic of “community.” It was based on chapter one of Bonhoeffer’s book “Life Together.”

That’s it! I need to stop writing now. Long story short, we are having a blast here, “getting” an education as Dr. Bauman says, and becoming great philosophers. Tchau! (Chow)

Brittney Deoliveira, 20

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Brittney came to faith due to the teachings of her Sunday school teacher over the Gospels. The narrative of Jesus Christ became a real story, and the weight brought Brittney into His loving arms. Since then she has been active serving her church, in many ways. Brittney is an accomplished speaker, having spoken at several conventions and competitions. She has a love of biology and is attending Florida State University, but is also considering a career in politics. Brittney will be pursuing internships in Washington DC in order to bring God glory.

• Posted at 07:53 am by Dustin Jizmejian
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