Snow Mountain Ranch 2009-07-04T19:18:29+00:00 ExpressionEngine Copyright (c) 2009, Matthew Sytsma Week 2, 3, and 4 of Calvin LCI summer at SMR tag:calvin.edu,2009:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.5439 2009-07-04T18:50:00+00:00 2009-07-04T19:18:29+00:00 The past few weeks have been packed with excitement and growth for all of us students.  Week two started out with Snow Mountain Ranch’s very own Chaplain Steve.  First Steve had us split up into four groups.  We read over a packet about what it meant to lead and were then told to pick an administrator.  The administrators were then told that we were going to play a game that depended on delegation from the administrator’s perspective and listening and leadership skills from others.  We were to look at a lego object and pass along what we saw in various ways of interaction.  It was a struggle, taking all of our patience, speaking, artistic, and even more skills.  In the end, each of the groups had accomplished some semblance of the original object.  Next, Steve had us take a test to see what kind of leaders we were.  None of our results were exactly the same.  We each found that we have different skill sets that help us to lead.  Each of us has our own style and way of leading.  There were four different categories to help us gain a larger scope of just what kind of leadership style fit us.  Thanks to Steve, we have a better idea not only of what kind of leader we are, but what kind of person we are as well.  Later that week, the group of us went to Hot Sulfer Springs with Steve.  Steve got to know each of us individually a little better as we all soaked in the healthy, though very smelly, liquid.  By the end of the night we all felt extremely refreshed and relaxed enough to go back to work the next day. Our week 3 speaker was Bob Eames.  Bob’s first night was unique in that we met at the cookout shelter and grilled up steaks and burgers.  In other words, the food was as good as it gets at a time of extreme need of it.  Bob started us with some bouncing balls in a circle.  Whenever the ball was thrown our way we would have to say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word.  Some of us may have made a mistake once in a while under the pressure, but in general, once every started catching the ball, the game went smoothly and broke the ice for us.  Bob talked to us about the importance of listening to each other and being ready for what came next.  After that game, we all new exactly what he meant.  Bob then talked shortly to us about different kinds of leaders, very similar to the test that Steve had us take.  It worked well having them go in succession of each other because we all had a good idea of what Bob was getting at and where we fit in individually.  In week 4’s meeting Bob took what he had done in his previous week and expanded upon it.  We did improvisational drills most of the evening.  Bob wanted us to learn to listen, to react, and, most importantly, to trust the rest of our group.  It was encouraging to see that everyone was able to focus on the task and trust one another.  Bob gave us some real experience in leadership and following, in encouraging and supporting, in listening and coaching, and in trusting and being trustworthy.  We all took something away from Bob’s time among us.  During Bob’s stay we had a group outing at Hernandoes.  If any of you have ever had pizza in Chicago, you may have some idea of what good pizza is.  Now, take that, up it a notch, put a little honey on the crust (though a lot of it works much better), and you might have some idea of how good Hernandoes pizza is.  Everyone got there fill of their own favorite Hernandoes specialty and went home content and, well, disappointed because no one can ever really get over the feeling that they may never have pizza that good ever again.  Bob’s family joined us for the meal.  Each table made it’s own stories and memories.  Some may or may not have marked on of the dollars now hanging on the walls of the joint.  Today is the 4th of July.  We will be going out to Grand Lake for some of our favorite ice cream and some highly anticipated fire works.  It should be a night to remember.  Check in soon to hear how well the the night lives up to it’s hype. 2009-07-04T18:50:00+00:00 Matthew Sytsma mss6@students.calvin.edu The past few weeks have been packed with excitement and growth for all of us students.  Week two started out with Snow Mountain Ranch’s very own Chaplain Steve.  First Steve had us split up into four groups.  We read over a packet about what it meant to lead and were then told to pick an administrator.  The administrators were then told that we were going to play a game that depended on delegation from the administrator’s perspective and listening and leadership skills from others.  We were to look at a lego object and pass along what we saw in various ways of interaction.  It was a struggle, taking all of our patience, speaking, artistic, and even more skills.  In the end, each of the groups had accomplished some semblance of the original object.  Next, Steve had us take a test to see what kind of leaders we were.  None of our results were exactly the same.  We each found that we have different skill sets that help us to lead.  Each of us has our own style and way of leading.  There were four different categories to help us gain a larger scope of just what kind of leadership style fit us.  Thanks to Steve, we have a better idea not only of what kind of leader we are, but what kind of person we are as well. 
Later that week, the group of us went to Hot Sulfer Springs with Steve.  Steve got to know each of us individually a little better as we all soaked in the healthy, though very smelly, liquid.  By the end of the night we all felt extremely refreshed and relaxed enough to go back to work the next day.
Our week 3 speaker was Bob Eames.  Bob’s first night was unique in that we met at the cookout shelter and grilled up steaks and burgers.  In other words, the food was as good as it gets at a time of extreme need of it.  Bob started us with some bouncing balls in a circle.  Whenever the ball was thrown our way we would have to say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word.  Some of us may have made a mistake once in a while under the pressure, but in general, once every started catching the ball, the game went smoothly and broke the ice for us.  Bob talked to us about the importance of listening to each other and being ready for what came next.  After that game, we all new exactly what he meant.  Bob then talked shortly to us about different kinds of leaders, very similar to the test that Steve had us take.  It worked well having them go in succession of each other because we all had a good idea of what Bob was getting at and where we fit in individually. 
In week 4’s meeting Bob took what he had done in his previous week and expanded upon it.  We did improvisational drills most of the evening.  Bob wanted us to learn to listen, to react, and, most importantly, to trust the rest of our group.  It was encouraging to see that everyone was able to focus on the task and trust one another.  Bob gave us some real experience in leadership and following, in encouraging and supporting, in listening and coaching, and in trusting and being trustworthy.  We all took something away from Bob’s time among us. 
During Bob’s stay we had a group outing at Hernandoes.  If any of you have ever had pizza in Chicago, you may have some idea of what good pizza is.  Now, take that, up it a notch, put a little honey on the crust (though a lot of it works much better), and you might have some idea of how good Hernandoes pizza is.  Everyone got there fill of their own favorite Hernandoes specialty and went home content and, well, disappointed because no one can ever really get over the feeling that they may never have pizza that good ever again.  Bob’s family joined us for the meal.  Each table made it’s own stories and memories.  Some may or may not have marked on of the dollars now hanging on the walls of the joint. 
Today is the 4th of July.  We will be going out to Grand Lake for some of our favorite ice cream and some highly anticipated fire works.  It should be a night to remember.  Check in soon to hear how well the the night lives up to it’s hype.

]]> SMR kickoff 2009-Mary Hulst, Adams Falls and Ice Cream tag:calvin.edu,2009:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.5331 2009-06-14T20:51:00+00:00 2009-06-14T21:47:44+00:00 The Calvin LCI program began with a bang this past week.  Reverend Mary Hulst, director of the program, opened up the year giving a speech about being intentional this summer.  Intentional about what we do, what we say, and what we think.  It is easy for us, once we get out in the Rockies, to get caught up in the flow and drift through the summer.  Mary told us that we need to be intentional about how we are spending our time and effort.  To help us be intentional, she had us come up with personal goals, spiritual goals, and professional goals that we will spend the summer trying to live up to.  The personal goals ranged anywhere from how many fourteeners can be done this summer to simply setting aside time to be alone.  Spiritual goals often placed emphasis on prayer and devotion with God.  Many of us struggled more with making a professional goal.  One goal was to meet every patron with a warm smile, while another simply doesn’t want anyone to drown.  We will actively work on our individual goals and do what we can to support each other in fulfilling them.  Whatever the case, making these goals is one giant leap in living an intentional summer. After the large group meeting we seperated into our small groups for the first time.  Each small group picked a location that fit them best.  Groups met anywhere from a deck to around a fire.  All of the groups bonded well and had some quality conversations.  It is already easy to see the close bonds forming as the small groups knit tighter together. On Wednesday, we all went out to Adams falls just outside Grand Lake.  The hike was short and pleasant.  Once we arrived at the falls everyone had a good time taking pictures and doing some minor explorations downstream.  After about an hour, we were ready to go back to Grand Lake, where Mary took us all out for ice cream.  ButterFinger Explosion, Mocha Almond Fudge, and the classic Mint Chocolate Chip seem to have been the favorites.  It was a perfect start to a promising summer.  Everyone is eager to learn from the speakers and grow together spiritually and personally through the small groups.  And of course, everyone has one eye open seeking out adventure wherever it may be found in the mountains… everywhere! 2009-06-14T20:51:00+00:00 Justin Eames jre5@students.calvin.edu The Calvin LCI program began with a bang this past week.  Reverend Mary Hulst, director of the program, opened up the year giving a speech about being intentional this summer.  Intentional about what we do, what we say, and what we think.  It is easy for us, once we get out in the Rockies, to get caught up in the flow and drift through the summer.  Mary told us that we need to be intentional about how we are spending our time and effort.  To help us be intentional, she had us come up with personal goals, spiritual goals, and professional goals that we will spend the summer trying to live up to.  The personal goals ranged anywhere from how many fourteeners can be done this summer to simply setting aside time to be alone.  Spiritual goals often placed emphasis on prayer and devotion with God.  Many of us struggled more with making a professional goal.  One goal was to meet every patron with a warm smile, while another simply doesn’t want anyone to drown.  We will actively work on our individual goals and do what we can to support each other in fulfilling them.  Whatever the case, making these goals is one giant leap in living an intentional summer.
After the large group meeting we seperated into our small groups for the first time.  Each small group picked a location that fit them best.  Groups met anywhere from a deck to around a fire.  All of the groups bonded well and had some quality conversations.  It is already easy to see the close bonds forming as the small groups knit tighter together.
On Wednesday, we all went out to Adams falls just outside Grand Lake.  The hike was short and pleasant.  Once we arrived at the falls everyone had a good time taking pictures and doing some minor explorations downstream.  After about an hour, we were ready to go back to Grand Lake, where Mary took us all out for ice cream.  ButterFinger Explosion, Mocha Almond Fudge, and the classic Mint Chocolate Chip seem to have been the favorites. 

It was a perfect start to a promising summer.  Everyone is eager to learn from the speakers and grow together spiritually and personally through the small groups.  And of course, everyone has one eye open seeking out adventure wherever it may be found in the mountains… everywhere!

]]> Romantic Radar with Ron Nydam tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4441 2008-08-13T15:41:00+00:00 2008-08-13T15:48:13+00:00 We apologize for the delay in blog entries. The internet has been down for several days in Blue Ridge Lodge making it difficult to do our weekly posts. Last Monday Ron Nydam from Calvin Seminary visited with us for our large group meeting. The focus of the talk was how to make relationships work. In his stories, Ron Nydam encouraged the Calvin group to consider past experiences, accounts and pains that may affect our relationships today. It was a very good lesson on self-reflection and self-improvement. On Wednesday, a large portion of the Calvin group drove to Grand Lake for some bowling. Because the alley was full when we arrived, we had to make a short little detour to Grand Lake Chocolates for some ice cream (not a bad time-passer). When we got into the alley, we had a great time figuring out the self-scoring system and just goofing around for a few hours. Everyone had a great time for our last weekly group activity. Next comes the end-of-summer banquet on the 14th! 2008-08-13T15:41:00+00:00 David Hartwell dbh3@calvin.edu

We apologize for the delay in blog entries. The internet has been down for several days in Blue Ridge Lodge making it difficult to do our weekly posts.

Last Monday Ron Nydam from Calvin Seminary visited with us for our large group meeting. The focus of the talk was how to make relationships work. In his stories, Ron Nydam encouraged the Calvin group to consider past experiences, accounts and pains that may affect our relationships today. It was a very good lesson on self-reflection and self-improvement.

On Wednesday, a large portion of the Calvin group drove to Grand Lake for some bowling. Because the alley was full when we arrived, we had to make a short little detour to Grand Lake Chocolates for some ice cream (not a bad time-passer). When we got into the alley, we had a great time figuring out the self-scoring system and just goofing around for a few hours. Everyone had a great time for our last weekly group activity. Next comes the end-of-summer banquet on the 14th!

]]> A Full Week with Ron and Debra Rienstra tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4376 2008-08-04T17:03:00+00:00 2008-08-04T17:30:09+00:00 This past week Monday we had a great talk from Ron and Debra Rienstra.  They first had us think about and talk amongst ourselves about how our parents had divided up work, family time, housework, etc., and if, in our opinion, this was done well or if it could have been done differently.  Then they had us think about what it will be like when we are adults, with jobs, possibly families, and other responsibilities.  They had us draw a pie chart of how our time will be divided up between all of our activities per week.  Ron and Deb then talked about how we will need to think about our priorities and what we will devote our time to in the future.  They also talked about how if there are other people in our lives, such as a spouse and children, sacrifices will need to be made and what we may have seen as our “vocation” may be different.  It was great for all of us to talk and think about these things, in thinking about our futures.  It was good to hear from Debra and Ron’s personal experiences in figuring these things out. Besides cramming in as many fun activities as possible for their family, the Rienstras had a full week because of the one-on-ones they had with many of the LCI students. For the Wednesday activity, almost 20 of the LCI-ers and the Rienstra family went to Water World in Denver.  We spent the day there, swimming in the wave pool, sliding down the water slides, floating down the lazy river, and just enjoying the warm sunshine.  Most of the group, after Water World, went to 16th Street in downtown Denver for dinner, shopping, etc.  Others went and saw “The Dark Knight”, the new Batman movie in Imax.  It was a great day! Only a couple more weeks… hard to believe!  2008-08-04T17:03:00+00:00 Melissa Stek mls35@calvin.edu This past week Monday we had a great talk from Ron and Debra Rienstra.  They first had us think about and talk amongst ourselves about how our parents had divided up work, family time, housework, etc., and if, in our opinion, this was done well or if it could have been done differently.  Then they had us think about what it will be like when we are adults, with jobs, possibly families, and other responsibilities.  They had us draw a pie chart of how our time will be divided up between all of our activities per week.  Ron and Deb then talked about how we will need to think about our priorities and what we will devote our time to in the future.  They also talked about how if there are other people in our lives, such as a spouse and children, sacrifices will need to be made and what we may have seen as our “vocation” may be different. 

It was great for all of us to talk and think about these things, in thinking about our futures.  It was good to hear from Debra and Ron’s personal experiences in figuring these things out.

Besides cramming in as many fun activities as possible for their family, the Rienstras had a full week because of the one-on-ones they had with many of the LCI students.

For the Wednesday activity, almost 20 of the LCI-ers and the Rienstra family went to Water World in Denver.  We spent the day there, swimming in the wave pool, sliding down the water slides, floating down the lazy river, and just enjoying the warm sunshine.  Most of the group, after Water World, went to 16th Street in downtown Denver for dinner, shopping, etc.  Others went and saw “The Dark Knight”, the new Batman movie in Imax.  It was a great day!

Only a couple more weeks… hard to believe! 

]]> Jonathon Bascom: Extruding Leadership tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4302 2008-07-24T15:58:00+00:00 2008-07-24T18:50:29+00:00 Week Eight of the Calvin program brought along with it Professor Bascom’s talk on humbling yourself as a leader by being in a “desert.” Similar to Moses in the desert, said Bascom, God extrudes his leaders in a manner that we may not fully understand. On Tuesday evening the Calvin group drove up to Meadow Creek Reservoir for its annual retreat. We were excited to have professor Bascom join us as we went canoeing, swimming and exploring. At five in the evening the guys and girls separated for dinner, reflection and sleeping. It rained nearly the whole night, but only enough to dampen our tents- not our spirits. In the morning we reconvened for some much needed breakfast by the reservoir. Overall, the retreat was a huge success. -Dave and Melissa Read on for a few Pictures, and also check the picasa site for extra retreat pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowmountainranch/CalvinLCIRetreat 2008-07-24T15:58:00+00:00 David Hartwell dbh3@calvin.edu

Week Eight of the Calvin program brought along with it Professor Bascom’s talk on humbling yourself as a leader by being in a “desert.” Similar to Moses in the desert, said Bascom, God extrudes his leaders in a manner that we may not fully understand.

On Tuesday evening the Calvin group drove up to Meadow Creek Reservoir for its annual retreat. We were excited to have professor Bascom join us as we went canoeing, swimming and exploring. At five in the evening the guys and girls separated for dinner, reflection and sleeping. It rained nearly the whole night, but only enough to dampen our tents- not our spirits. In the morning we reconvened for some much needed breakfast by the reservoir. Overall, the retreat was a huge success.

-Dave and Melissa

Read on for a few Pictures, and also check the picasa site for extra retreat pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowmountainranch/CalvinLCIRetreat

]]> Bob Eames: Leading and Kayaking with Style tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4286 2008-07-17T16:02:00+00:00 2008-07-17T16:15:11+00:00 Bob Eames was back for another exciting week at Snow Mountain Ranch. On Monday evening Bob followed up his previous lecture by delivering a more in-depth analysis of leadership styles. We were encouraged to think more about our personal leadership styles and their interaction with other styles of leadership. On Wednesday morning a group of the Calvin Staff drove to Grand Lake for some kayaking. We spent about two and a half hours exploring the waters, chasing ducks, jumping in the cold lake and just having a good time with each other and Bob Eames. Enjoy some of the pictures from the kayaking adventures. 2008-07-17T16:02:00+00:00 David Hartwell dbh3@calvin.edu

Bob Eames was back for another exciting week at Snow Mountain Ranch. On Monday evening Bob followed up his previous lecture by delivering a more in-depth analysis of leadership styles. We were encouraged to think more about our personal leadership styles and their interaction with other styles of leadership.

On Wednesday morning a group of the Calvin Staff drove to Grand Lake for some kayaking. We spent about two and a half hours exploring the waters, chasing ducks, jumping in the cold lake and just having a good time with each other and Bob Eames.

Enjoy some of the pictures from the kayaking adventures.

]]> Bob Eames: steak and leadership styles tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4278 2008-07-11T17:54:00+00:00 2008-07-12T22:46:41+00:00 This past Monday night we enjoyed a good talk and some great food with Bob Eames.  We were told to come a half hour early to our meeting to the cookout shelter with a knife and a fork.  This was good news.  As we hungrily waited to eat, Bob had us take a quiz about what our leadership style is and what role we prefer to be in with a group setting.  The results of the quizzes showed that each student was either a Structural/Acheivement leader, a Cultural/Affiliation leader, or an Informal/Influential leader.  Then we discussed in our small groups if the quiz proved to be correct about each other, and we also had to discuss which type of leader would take on which role in grilling food with a group of people (which only added to our hunger!).  After this, we ate to our hearts’ content: steak, barbeque chicken, grilled vegetables and potatos, sweet corn, rolls with butter, and pie!  Thank you Eames for the break from Commons food! On Wednesday for our Calvin activity, we enjoyed some more amazing food by going to Hernando’s in Winter Park for pizza with the Eames.  We have quickly learned this summer that you can never get enough of their pizza.  Following that, we had a campfire at SMR with s’mores.  It was a great evening! The weeks just fly by here at SMR.  We are having a hard time believing that most of us only have one month left!  Between work, hiking, camping, biking, climbing, Calvin activities, worship services, small groups, one-on-ones, just hanging out, getting to know people, and other things, the time just flies by.  We are having a great time! Don’t forget to check out extra photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/snowmountainranch.  There are now two albums. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support as we work and play here at SMR, and please continue to pray for and think of us!  2008-07-11T17:54:00+00:00 Melissa Stek mls35@calvin.edu

This past Monday night we enjoyed a good talk and some great food with Bob Eames.  We were told to come a half hour early to our meeting to the cookout shelter with a knife and a fork.  This was good news.  As we hungrily waited to eat, Bob had us take a quiz about what our leadership style is and what role we prefer to be in with a group setting.  The results of the quizzes showed that each student was either a Structural/Acheivement leader, a Cultural/Affiliation leader, or an Informal/Influential leader.  Then we discussed in our small groups if the quiz proved to be correct about each other, and we also had to discuss which type of leader would take on which role in grilling food with a group of people (which only added to our hunger!).  After this, we ate to our hearts’ content: steak, barbeque chicken, grilled vegetables and potatos, sweet corn, rolls with butter, and pie!  Thank you Eames for the break from Commons food!

On Wednesday for our Calvin activity, we enjoyed some more amazing food by going to Hernando’s in Winter Park for pizza with the Eames.  We have quickly learned this summer that you can never get enough of their pizza.  Following that, we had a campfire at SMR with s’mores.  It was a great evening!

The weeks just fly by here at SMR.  We are having a hard time believing that most of us only have one month left!  Between work, hiking, camping, biking, climbing, Calvin activities, worship services, small groups, one-on-ones, just hanging out, getting to know people, and other things, the time just flies by.  We are having a great time!

Don’t forget to check out extra photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/snowmountainranch.  There are now two albums.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support as we work and play here at SMR, and please continue to pray for and think of us! 

]]> Finding Your “Sweet Spot” with Henry DeVries tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4272 2008-07-06T19:37:00+00:00 2008-07-06T20:03:02+00:00 This past Monday we had Henry DeVries come out to deliver the latest of our leadership talks. In his talk, Henry got us to not only consider how we operate as leaders, but also helped break our traditional views of leadership. Typically, we find leadership to be an administrative and organizational (from the front) kind of role. However, leaders can emerge in friendship, encouragement, team building, and working alongside others (from the middle and the back). What is important, said Henry, is finding your “sweet-spot” and incorporating that role into the various facets of your life. This sweet spot is where you’re happiest, most effective, called to be, and where you most often find yourself. We were also encouraged to look at the perfect model of leadership- Jesus Christ as a servant leader. In all, it was a good combination of the past weeks with some new insight. On Friday, we had an impromptu cookout outside of Blue Ridge Lodge. Afterwards, we loaded our cars and drove to Grand Lake for fireworks. It’s hard to top fireworks over a still lake on a clear night. Also, we’ve been asked to put up more pictures from this summer online. For space reasons, we’ve made a picasa page through Google. Here’s the link to those: LCI- PicturesWe will update these as often as we can. You can still read more for a few pictures. -Dave and Melissa 2008-07-06T19:37:00+00:00 David Hartwell dbh3@calvin.edu

This past Monday we had Henry DeVries come out to deliver the latest of our leadership talks. In his talk, Henry got us to not only consider how we operate as leaders, but also helped break our traditional views of leadership. Typically, we find leadership to be an administrative and organizational (from the front) kind of role. However, leaders can emerge in friendship, encouragement, team building, and working alongside others (from the middle and the back).

What is important, said Henry, is finding your “sweet-spot” and incorporating that role into the various facets of your life. This sweet spot is where you’re happiest, most effective, called to be, and where you most often find yourself. We were also encouraged to look at the perfect model of leadership- Jesus Christ as a servant leader. In all, it was a good combination of the past weeks with some new insight.

On Friday, we had an impromptu cookout outside of Blue Ridge Lodge. Afterwards, we loaded our cars and drove to Grand Lake for fireworks. It’s hard to top fireworks over a still lake on a clear night.

Also, we’ve been asked to put up more pictures from this summer online. For space reasons, we’ve made a picasa page through Google. Here’s the link to those: LCI- PicturesWe will update these as often as we can. You can still read more for a few pictures.

-Dave and Melissa

]]> Deb and Randy Buursma Take 2: Emptying Ourselves tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4239 2008-06-26T19:33:00+00:00 2008-06-26T19:45:31+00:00 Week four of the Calvin LCI was concluded with a second helping of Deb and Randy Buursma’s wisdom. In the typical Buursma fashion of interactive and energetic learning, the Calvin Staff at Snow Mountain Ranch was encouraged to think about our listening skills as well as the effort involved in emptying ourselves before God. We were encouraged to think again about Jesus in Philippians 2:6-7. We were urged, using this model of servant-leadership, to empty ourselves before God and humble ourselves as leaders. To empty ourselves, we learned, comes not as a spiritual discipline, but with a broken heart in need of healing. On Saturday a large majority of the Calvin group, along with the Buursmas, spent most of the day in Denver. We went to the Denver zoo, walked around downtown and saw the Rockies smoke the Mets in a 7-1 victory. On Wednesday, we went to Winter Park to take advantage of their Alpine Slide and other activities. Overall, we had a fantastic two-week period. Almost everyone was able to take advantage of hikes, fires, meals and one-on-ones with the Buursmas. Read on for a few pictures from the week. 2008-06-26T19:33:00+00:00 David Hartwell dbh3@calvin.edu

Week four of the Calvin LCI was concluded with a second helping of Deb and Randy Buursma’s wisdom. In the typical Buursma fashion of interactive and energetic learning, the Calvin Staff at Snow Mountain Ranch was encouraged to think about our listening skills as well as the effort involved in emptying ourselves before God. We were encouraged to think again about Jesus in Philippians 2:6-7.

We were urged, using this model of servant-leadership, to empty ourselves before God and humble ourselves as leaders. To empty ourselves, we learned, comes not as a spiritual discipline, but with a broken heart in need of healing.

On Saturday a large majority of the Calvin group, along with the Buursmas, spent most of the day in Denver. We went to the Denver zoo, walked around downtown and saw the Rockies smoke the Mets in a 7-1 victory. On Wednesday, we went to Winter Park to take advantage of their Alpine Slide and other activities. Overall, we had a fantastic two-week period. Almost everyone was able to take advantage of hikes, fires, meals and one-on-ones with the Buursmas.

Read on for a few pictures from the week.

]]> Something Different with Deb and Randy Buursma tag:calvin.edu,2008:weblogs/snowmountainranch/30.4222 2008-06-20T16:20:00+00:00 2008-06-20T16:24:59+00:00 For our third Monday night meeting Deb and Randy Buursma were our speakers.  It was a very interactive meeting!  First, we sat in a large circle and they had each of us run into the middle of the circle and tell about a time in our lives that we had been a leader.  If that wasn’t enough to warm us up, then they had us separate into groups to discuss what it means to be an arrogant leader and what it means to be a humble leader, and then we had to do skits based on both type of leader.  At the end, they reminded us that being a good leader includes being a good listener, knowing your limitations, and emptying yourself to fill yourself with God.  They challenged us to remember these three things in the week to come.  They definitely gave us plenty of enthusiasm and plenty to think about.  Before we had our small group meetings following the presentation, we were left with these words: “In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:5-7). 2008-06-20T16:20:00+00:00 Melissa Stek mls35@calvin.edu For our third Monday night meeting Deb and Randy Buursma were our speakers.  It was a very interactive meeting!  First, we sat in a large circle and they had each of us run into the middle of the circle and tell about a time in our lives that we had been a leader.  If that wasn’t enough to warm us up, then they had us separate into groups to discuss what it means to be an arrogant leader and what it means to be a humble leader, and then we had to do skits based on both type of leader.  At the end, they reminded us that being a good leader includes being a good listener, knowing your limitations, and emptying yourself to fill yourself with God.  They challenged us to remember these three things in the week to come.  They definitely gave us plenty of enthusiasm and plenty to think about. 

Before we had our small group meetings following the presentation, we were left with these words:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:5-7).

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