2017 Trip to Big Horn Mountains
Daily Journal:
Each day begins with a “word for the day”. This proivdes a clear and memorable focus for that day and connects with the evening devotions. This focus will also lead in a natural progression to enter more deeply into the teachable power of a wilderness experience.
Each day begins with a “word for the day”. This proivdes a clear and memorable focus for that day and connects with the evening devotions. This focus will also lead in a natural progression to enter more deeply into the teachable power of a wilderness experience.
Our group:
9th graders parents/adults
Brynn Beaumier Brett & Jen Beaumier
Madelyn Carstenson Renee Loka
Serena Hanke Carey Heikkinen
Cade Lemmer Craig & Heidi Lemmer
Brady Tjugum Pat Tjugum
Margie Welke & Pastor Mark
9th graders parents/adults
Brynn Beaumier Brett & Jen Beaumier
Madelyn Carstenson Renee Loka
Serena Hanke Carey Heikkinen
Cade Lemmer Craig & Heidi Lemmer
Brady Tjugum Pat Tjugum
Margie Welke & Pastor Mark
Day 1 Tomahawk to Bad Lands (group campsite)
Acquaintance (getting to know one another & our procedure)
During the ride, get to know each other’s family, work, hobbies, passion and sharing our vulnerability, i.e. naming something we fear and hope for on this trip.
Devotions:
The Lord bless you and keep you on this trip and bind us more deeply to one another on this trip
During the ride, get to know each other’s family, work, hobbies, passion and sharing our vulnerability, i.e. naming something we fear and hope for on this trip.
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 3:7-4:11; Jesus’ identity & purpose – Baptism
- Quiet time: Since you are God’s child, how are you chosen, called & tempted?
- Sharing: What struck you during your quiet time?
- Activity: Fears, Hopes & Surprises – share your fears & hopes for this trip and what has already surprised you
The Lord bless you and keep you on this trip and bind us more deeply to one another on this trip
Day 2 into the backcountry
Amazement (sharpening our awareness of creation)
Devotions:
The Lord bless you and keep you on this trip, fill you with amazement, and lead you to enjoy ______ .” If time allows - parents tell the story of your child’s joining the family (wonder of it), and give thanks.
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 5-7, especially 6:24-34; Jesus’ first sermon in Matthew
- Quiet time: think about God creating this universe just for you to delight in; think about all you saw today; take in the beauty and uniqueness all around you
- Sharing: today’s most amazing thought or observation (may bring the item back)
- Activity: Wonder – share something you want to especially see or experience.
The Lord bless you and keep you on this trip, fill you with amazement, and lead you to enjoy ______ .” If time allows - parents tell the story of your child’s joining the family (wonder of it), and give thanks.
Day 3 in the backcountry
Adoration (how great is our God)
Devotions:
“The Lord bless you, open your heart and mind, and lead you to take in all the wonders of this experience.”
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 10, especially 10:5-31 Instructions live simply (trust)
- Quiet time: Find God - direct your mind to “adore” God in what you see: share what you saw (may bring the item) that most reminds you of God.
- Sharing: share how and/or that for which you praise (adore) God
- Activity: Praise – do the Lord’s Prayer backwards and with PZ’s calisthenics
“The Lord bless you, open your heart and mind, and lead you to take in all the wonders of this experience.”
Day 4 in the backcountry
Acceptance (willing to face and deal positively with things we do not like)
Devotions:
“The Lord bless you and keep you, lead you to face all life’s challenges in the confidence of God’s love and care, and bear much fruit in you.”
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 13, especially 13:3-23; Instructions in Listening (parables)
- Quiet time: Find Self - observe and think of what describes you, your gifts, strengths, longings, and fruit God is empowering in you (may bring back an object)
- Sharing: what great fruit is God seeking in you if you let it take root?
- Activity: Listen - share what gets in your way of noticing, trusting, and hearing God, e.g. mosquitos, fears, pains; share how you will grow your acceptance of God & life’s reality
“The Lord bless you and keep you, lead you to face all life’s challenges in the confidence of God’s love and care, and bear much fruit in you.”
Day 5 in the backcountry
Apology (admitting barriers we put up before others & how we hurt others)
Devotions:
“Your Creator says call Him Father – live boldly! Jesus died for you – live forgiven! The Holy Spirit is poured out on you – be God’s presence in the world!”
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 18, esp 18:21-35; Jesus’ fourth sermon in Matthew
- Quiet time: See Barriers - let your mind wander on what annoys, disappoints, and blocks you from God, others, life, and your own self
- Sharing: what has kept you from making the most of this wilderness experience?
- Activity: Confession of sins – each confess & ask forgiveness for how you have hurt the group or someone specific. Respond as a group, “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven
“Your Creator says call Him Father – live boldly! Jesus died for you – live forgiven! The Holy Spirit is poured out on you – be God’s presence in the world!”
Day 6 departing the backcountry (campground in Buffalo, WY)
Appreciation (willing to notice and bring out the best in others)
Devotions:
“God loves you; I love you; you are a great gift to me and always will be!”
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 23-25, especially 23:1-12, 25:31-40 on serving others
- Quiet time: let your mind wander and bring back a memory or object that describes your greatest joy
- Sharing: share something today that you especially appreciate
- Activity: Affirmations – people one at a time sit with their back to the others and the group talks about that person saying only positive things
“God loves you; I love you; you are a great gift to me and always will be!”
Day 7 touring South Dakota (overnight at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD)
Action (claiming your greatest High & Low and God’s love & call of you)
Devotions:
Parents: You now have seen and know / that I will move mountains for you! /
But I have seen and know that you are strong and able! / As a result of this trip
I have seen and know God’s guidance and keeping / and I hereby promise: /
you will always have my love / and you will always have my prayers; /
and above all, I entrust you into God’s guidance and keeping!
Youth: I now have seen and know / that you will move mountains for me! /
And I have seen and know that I am strong and able! / As a result of this trip /
I have seen and know God’s guidance and keeping / and I hereby promise: /
I will always receive your love / and I will always treasure your prayers; /
but above all, I seek God’s guidance and keeping!
Devotions:
- Bible Reading: Matthew 26, especially 26:5-30; what motivates us
- Quiet time: God’s call - let your mind wander on the sights and events of the day & week & where/how God is leading and working in your life; what describes your goals or dreams of what you want to be, do, or become (God’s call)
- Sharing: the greatest challenge or learning that you experienced this week
- Activity: Transformation – name 1) something you learned/gained on this trip, and 2) how you will apply that in your life
Parents: You now have seen and know / that I will move mountains for you! /
But I have seen and know that you are strong and able! / As a result of this trip
I have seen and know God’s guidance and keeping / and I hereby promise: /
you will always have my love / and you will always have my prayers; /
and above all, I entrust you into God’s guidance and keeping!
Youth: I now have seen and know / that you will move mountains for me! /
And I have seen and know that I am strong and able! / As a result of this trip /
I have seen and know God’s guidance and keeping / and I hereby promise: /
I will always receive your love / and I will always treasure your prayers; /
but above all, I seek God’s guidance and keeping!
Day 8 heading home
Accountability (naming how we will change our lives)
Devotions: read Scripture in the morning
2) the new action you will seek to incorporate into your life;
3) your desire for how the group can support & encourage you the next three years
4) in a circle prayer give thanks to God for the trip & petition God for your action
Ritual: bless each with the sign of the cross on each other’s forehead and declare:
“The Lord bless you & keep you always; the Lord be your confidence and assurance in all difficulties; the Lord strengthen you and guide you to _____ .”
Devotions: read Scripture in the morning
- Bible Reading: Matthew 28, especially 1-8, 16-20; Jesus sends us out
- During the ride, implant in your mind the greatest joys and learnings of the past week; contemplate specific ways that you will live your life differently as a result of this trip, and how you will think of yourself, connect with God, & relate with others.
- Sharing/Activity: share with others in your vehicle:
2) the new action you will seek to incorporate into your life;
3) your desire for how the group can support & encourage you the next three years
4) in a circle prayer give thanks to God for the trip & petition God for your action
Ritual: bless each with the sign of the cross on each other’s forehead and declare:
“The Lord bless you & keep you always; the Lord be your confidence and assurance in all difficulties; the Lord strengthen you and guide you to _____ .”