Camp Crew Update on... BRIO!

We all agree that our 2021 Camp Crew were an awesome bunch of dedicated Beaconites, who worked super hard and gave every day of the summer their 110% energy, effort, passion, and dedication. We are SO thankful for them, and for all the good memories that we have with them! We thought it would be special to check in with them and see how they are doing, so today we are going to interview Brio and see what is going on in her life. Enjoy!

Emma - I mean, Brio - what are you up to these days?

These days I seem to always be at my university doing something related to my degree. I’m a full time university student in a music education program and my main instrument is the tuba, but we’ve been learning how to play a ton of other instruments this year which has been very fun. I’ve got a really busy school schedule right now, but I’ve somehow been finding time to play some hockey which has been super fun to get some exercise after doing online school for about a month. One thing new that I started back in the fall is that I’ve been playing drums for my church’s worship team! It’s been great picking up my sticks again and playing the drum kit - after all, I do love music! And some other things that have been keeping me busy: walking my dog Jasper, hand knitting a blanket (that is STILL not done) and sending audio messages with my camp friends. Audio messages are my favourite way to keep in touch.

What’s the best thing about your job/school right now?

The best thing about school right now is playing in my large ensemble band. I play in the symphonic band and it has been so nice making music again with so many people, and every time we get back to playing I realize how much I’ve missed it. Along with band, seeing all my school friends everyday is great as well! It’s been weird meeting people as I started my first year during the pandemic, and now in second year there’s been a lot more genuine friendships being made which I am very thankful for.

What is the last great book you've read and why?

I haven’t really been reading books much (unless you count the endless readings for lectures lol) but I always love reading the Harry Potter series. The one book I have been reading is the Bible, and I’m trying to read through the entire Bible this year.

What is your favourite meal these days?

Honestly, anything pasta related has been a hit with me lately. Fettuccine alfredo or chicken parmesan are my go to restaurant orders. My favourite snack of all time though, which many people from home and camp can attest to, is popcorn. Very specifically, popcorn with dill pickle seasoning and salt and vinegar chips on top. Definitely not healthy at all, but it is SO GOOD.

What is a good piece of advice you've received lately, and from whom?

I’ve got two answers. One piece of advice from my parents that I’ve heard my entire life has been very useful as of late is always trying your best and giving it your all. It’s been a good reminder with school lately as I can be a bit of a perfectionist, and very in my head about getting good grades, but it only matters if I tried my best and learned something. The other piece of advice I heard was from a camp friend, Emily “Heaps” Shields. I mentioned earlier about reading the Bible this year, and I’ve always been hesitant to because of fear of not understanding it without devotionals and what not. Emily told me to read the Bible like a story from start to finish, and that it’s always good to go back every few years and read through the Bible that way, like a story.

What is your favourite memory from Summer 2021 at Beacon last year?

Now this is a very unfair question, because there are way too many awesome memories. I have to admit I was pretty nostalgic while scrolling through the photos from the summer just now trying to decide on a memory. I do have to say that one of my favourite things throughout the summer was that we had the coolest Camp Crew Handshake ever. We created this handshake where we added a part to it pretty much everyday for two weeks. We kept up doing the handshake the whole summer and I just love how the whole team learned it, including the staff’s kids! It was very special. Another very special memory I have was when a few of us made dinner on our day off because we couldn’t leave camp and I remember decorating a table for 22 of us for a little fancy dinner. It was a very fun night where we dressed up, we all took photos and just spent time all together, which is honestly where most of my favourite memories come from because we were all together as a crew.

Thanks so much for sharing, Brio! We are so thankful for how you joined us last summer during a very strange season! Your joy and energy and love for Jesus and others was a blessing to all!

Note: If you are interested in joining us as Summer Staff this summer, let us know! Applications are now open, and can be found right here

Into the Woods with Curio: Hand-Taming Chickadees

Every winter I try to hand-tame the chickadees that are visiting the bird feeders in our backyard. This involves using shelled peanuts and shelled sunflowers as treats, and offering them on my bare hand when I go out to fill the feeders. I wait with my hand outstretched to see if any of the chickadees, (or any other bird species) are hungry enough to overcome their fear and land on my hand to take some seeds or a peanut.

I have had mixed results over the years. Some winters the birds don’t hesitate to come to me for some food. One winter I had a red-breasted nuthatch come to me right away when I went outside. I believe it must have been hand-tamed by someone else to be so bold.

This winter I have a few chickadees coming to my had every day, though they are a little cautious, and not all of their family group is willing. But it is rewarding to hear the sound of their wings close-up as they move from branch to branch, calling back and forth. Then they hop onto my finger or thumb, (they don’t seem to weigh anything) grab a seed, or sometimes two or three, and dart away to enjoy it.

Last winter I met with very limited success, despite numerous efforts. Whenever I was attempting to lure one of the resident chickadees to my hand one of those in the group would sound a scolding call, and all of the others would then refuse to come to my hand. It didn’t matter how long I stayed there, trying to keep perfectly still. It was very frustrating, but I had to give up, as it wasn’t changing. It may be this particular bird was overly cautious, or maybe it previously had a bad experience with another person.

It’s all a matter of trust, and the analogy is obvious. I have learned, and am still learning to trust God for His loving care. I have no reason not to, as His love is amazing – giving His Son to die for my sins so I could be forgiven and have everlasting life! Yet I still hesitate every day to continue to trust Him for all my needs, despite His everlasting faithfulness.

If He takes care of the birds He will surely take care of my needs…

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrew 13:8

Hand feeding wild birds at your bird feeder is a fun activity to try with your family this winter.

You’ll need a bird feeder located outside in your yard, and filled with wild bird seed. Black sunflower seeds work well. If the feeder is new to your yard, it may take a few days for the neighbourhood birds to find it and get used to it

The secret of success with hand feeding wild birds is to have the birds come to you for food rather than the feeder. Empty the feeder the night before of all but a few seeds. Then watch in the morning for feathered visitors coming for breakfast.

Dress warmly when you go outside to try hand-feeding them, and have some shelled sunflower seeds or shelled peanuts as treats. Only one or two people should try this at any one time.

Stand close to the feeder, hand outstretched and full of tempting treats. Be patient. Soon the birds, overcome with hunger, will give in. A soft rustling sound of wings, the light grip on your fingers – success! You will have fed a wild bird.

Try to keep still and quiet, letting the birds come for a few more seeds before going in to let others try, or, once finished, filling the feeder with food.

Monk's Musings: The Promised Rock

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” ISAIAH 28:16

A few weeks ago, I got to see one of my grandchildren be the first to test the Snow Tube Run, bravely speeding down the bumpy hill, where 3 fallen trees had recently been cleared by “Mr. Tok”. Then the rest of us followed the path that had been tested before us. Different things may cause panic to different people, and we all have hidden fears that strike panic to our hearts. God promised his prophet that He would send a Firm Cornerstone, the Rock of Ages, the Immovable Foundation. This became a reality when Jesus was born seven centuries later. And we are also promised that if we place our trust in Him, our life will stand firm, so that even our greatest fears need not dismay or cause us to panic.

Perhaps you don’t fear skiing and sledding, maybe your fears are quite different. The truth is we are all weak, puny human beings, and we need Jesus as our Sure Foundation. For this life and for eternity. May we each have faith in Him. May we always trust His Word and obey Him with all our hearts, and so be counted among those who Jesus counts as “wise men” and “wise women”, “building our house on the Rock”.

Thank God for this beautiful Campsite that He has allowed us to enjoy in the past, and we are all invited to return to this year, to marvel at the beauty of His Creation, and to have our hearts warmed to loving Him

With all our love and best wishes,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn