amongst the chaos

Well we are starting another series here at the battalion blog for music lovers. i dont know how many of you check out the ratings of cds when they first come out at jesusfreakhideout.com but they never seem to be huge fans of all the best bands (yes i said it). so Lance figured we should just start our own! im working on a name and what ill be basing my ratings on if you have any ideas post em on! ive been working on getting the new family force five and the new underoath alas the world has seem to run dry of both but you can expect in the next week once i have them and listened to them that the ratings will be out on both! anyway keep it real and i salute those who are hard at work in GF for our locker room! peace

-bent ;)

LOCKER ROOM IDEAS

 

Joe sent me this picture of the Montreal Canadiens dressing room, The saying written around the top of the room is sweet. Not so sure about the faces. I'm thinking parts of 2Timothy 2:1-3 around the top of the room would be awesome. Anymore ideas just let us now.

THE CAPTAIN

Another Locker Room Update

 

The room is going to be amazing! Thanks to Dan, Aaron, Owen, Steve and Jeremy for all their time and effort this weekend!
We got a lot done this weekend. The benches are all framed, the lights and the rest of the wiring are done and we took five truck loads of garbage to the dump. If you go in there you can see what it is going to look like. Ted and Abe also spent some time this weekend helping out. There is still quite a bit do, so if you have some spare time and would like to help out just let us know! I can't wait until it is done!

THE CAPTAIN

LOCKER ROOM UPDATE

 

So we knocked down a couple walls and wripped up the carpet and it doesn't look like much yet, but give us a little time it's going to be awesome! That picture of Jason with his head through the wall is hilarious! If only we had it on video! Anyways gotta go back to the church.

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN LOCKER ROOM!

 

 

 

 

Remember these pictures? Well it is time to turn our dreams into reality! Dan is going to be making a trip from Kelowna to help us turn these two rooms into a locker room for Btln!(kinda like the Canucks dressing room) I can't wait to get started! If you can give us a hand we will be at the church on Saturday night(after Justin's party) and Sunday afternoon. Let me know if you have any ideas!

THE CAPTAIN

I'm Back

I got back from holidays and my computer was fried, so this is coming to you from a new computer. I can't believe how much I missed the blog. Anyways the new year is about to begin and that means a lot of things are going on behind the scenes. We are working on this years shirts, the Btln Bus and and we will be working on the Btln Locker Room as soon as Jeremy is back from his holiday's. Pray that we would get everything done before the beginning of the year and more importantly pray for the guys that will be coming to Battalion this year.

THE CAPTAIN

LIONS FOOTBALL TRIP

I am in Abbotsford right now, and thought I would let you know that I am booking the room for the football trip. Just got off the phone with Howard Pike and confirmed the date it is October 25 mark it on your calender! The Lions are playing the Argos, nothing like a Vancouver - Toronto rivalry.

THE CAPTAIN

TOBYMAC - BOOMIN'

Another artist that was at Creation 08, check him out!

THE CAPTAIN

CHEESE ROLLING

The first time I watched cheese rolling I wanted to try it, it just looks like a Battalion event. I know that we will probably never do it, but it would be fun to try. Anyways take a look, it is good for a laugh.

THE CAPTAIN

MEET THE NATION - NATHAN KLASSEN

 

Welcome to Meet the Btln Nation. Time again to catch up with one of our Alumni. Nathan was a Corporal for the 97/98 and 98/99 seasons, he also helped out as a leader after his grad in 1999. Nathan now lives in Ottawa with his wife Tina.

RANDOM QUESTIONS
(1)Who is your favourite band?
(A)Dogwood
(2)What is your favourite song?
(A)Absolution
(3)What is your favourite style of music?
(A)Punk/classical
(4)Do you shave with an electric razor or a blade?
(A)Electric, but I would rather not shave at all.
(5)What would you rather grow? A beard or a moustache?
(A)Beard
(6)What would you rather drive? A big truck or a fast car?
(A)A dual-use motorbike. BMW R 1200 Adventure or KTM 990 Adventure.
(7)Ford, Chevy or Dodge?
(A)KTM, but if I had to choose, I would select Ford because they have better 4x4's.
(8)What is more important before you go to bed? Brushing your teeth or watching the sports highlights?
(A)Brushing my teeth while watching the sports highlights.
(9)What would you rather wear? A ball cap or a toque?
(A)Ball cap
(10)What is your favourite G.F. summer activity? Bridge jumping or tubing down the river?
(A)Tubing down the river after bridge jumping.
(11)What was your favourite class in school? Shop or P.E.?
(A)Shop
(12)What would you rather watch live? Your favourite band or your favourite sports team?
(A)Sports team
(13)If you could be a superhero for a day who would you want to be?
(A)Superman
(14)What is your dream job?
(A)Sitting on a hammock on a beach, running a development foundation.
(15)If I had a million dollars ....
(A)I'd invest it, buy property, and fund a development foundation.
(16)Do you have any nicknames?
(A)Nate, The Klaw and Nato.

BATTALION QUESTIONS
(17)What is your M.M.M. from Battalion?
(A)Late night Wednesday "vigorous discussions" with Lance et al.
(18)What is your favourite Battalion event?
(A)Bulldog/Ping Pong
(19)What is your favourite Battalion shirt?
(A)Superman/Train tracks
(20)What do you like better? Mike or Bulldog?
(A)Bulldog
(21)What do you miss most about Battalion?
(A)Bulldog
(22)You get to the boat launch on the way out to the May long when you realize the boat doesn't have enough room for both your tarp and your food. What do you leave behind your tarp or your food?
(A)My tarp, I get grumpy without food.
(23)How long have you been apart of the Btln Nation?
(A)11 years
(24)How do you spend most of your time at the May long?
(A)Risk, Rook and Poker.
(25)How many Battalion Majors did you win?
(A)Ping Pong Champion for the 1998-99 season.

FOOD QUESTIONS
(26)What is your favourite restaurant?
(A)Ozeki Japanese Restaurant
(27)Menu item?
(A)Ebi-ebi rolls
(28)How do you like your steak?
(A)Well done
(29)What is your favourite vegetable? Beans or potatoes?
(A)Potatoes
(30)What do you like better? Burgers or pizza?
(A)Burgers
(31)What is your favourite flavour of chips?
(A)Salt and vinegar
(32)What do you like better? Coke or Pepsi?
(A)Rootbeer

G.S.F. QUESTIONS
(33)Was there ever a time in high school that you would have rather climbed into a cage with a hungry bear than call the girl that you liked?
(A)Not really
(34)What would you have rather done on a first date? Dinner and a movie or 4x4ing up Moto?
(A)4x4ing up Moto.

SERIOUS QUESTIONS
(35)What is your favourite Bible verse?
(A)Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
(36)What is your favourite book of the Bible?
(A)Ecclesiastes/John
(37)Who is your favourite Bible character?
(A)David
(38)Where are you working?
(A)Economist with Finance Canada, working on development policy.
(39)What are your plans for the future?
(A)I want to keep trying to make a positive difference for those living on less than one dollar a day.

Thanks to Nathan for taking the time to answer all these questions. I also miss those "discussions" that we used to have. Nathan always had me thinking.

THE CAPTAIN

BATTALION BUS?

 

So we are thinking about buying a fifteen passenger van, wouldn't it be sweet to go on the football trip all in one vehicle? The van would be great for Creation as well. I think once we had it we would find all kinds of uses for it.

THE CAPTAIN

THE NEXT FORTY?

 

These are some pictures that didn't make the Top Fifty, but maybe they should have.

Meet the Btln Nation with Nathan Klassen coming soon.

THE CAPTAIN

TOP FIFTY PICS REVIEW

 

I'll try this again, apparently guys had trouble seeing the pictures the first time. Top Fifty, did we get them right?

THE CAPTAIN

TOP FIFTY PICS 48-50

 

 

 

Well this is it, the last three pictures from the Btln top fifty. Even at the end I had troubles deciding which pictures would make the top fifty. Enjoy the last three.

(1)Calvin won 4 Ping Pong Tournaments in a row, that should get you into the top fifty.
(2)This picture was from Aaron's wedding. Besides the first alumni night this was probably the biggest gathering of Alumni that we have ever had.
(3)11 girls wearing the "I love Battalion boys" shirts, enough said.

Top fifty pics review coming soon.

THE CAPTAIN

P-DUB

 

I was listening to Leeland on the way home from Spokane, and there was one line in the lyrics that really stuck out. In the song "Thief in the night", Leeland writes "Speak, Lord, I am listening". This got me thinking about the time that God came to Samuel in the middle of the night and spoke to him. God called Samuel's name but Samuel did not realize that it was God that was speaking to him. Three times Samuel went to Eli the High Priest asking him why he had called him before Eli realized that it was God that had been calling Samuel. After Eli knew that it was God that was calling Samuel, he told him to say to God "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1Samuel 3:10) How often do we do all the talking, not letting God get a word in? We should say with Samuel "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Psalm 46:10a - "Be still, and know that I am God"

There are times that we should just be still before God. I think God came to Samuel at night because it was quiet, there were not any distractions. When we study our Bible or pray it would be best if we could find a quiet place. Although it was listening to Leeland that started me thinking about these verses, music at times can be a real distraction.(Along with every other kind of media.) Most times the Bible studies that I do at Btln have come to me when it is quiet. God wants to reveal something to us after we have read his word. He is just waiting for us to be still and listening. We will not hear God audibly like Samuel did, but he speaks to us through his word(The Bible)and will guide our thoughts as we read his word. Here are a couple more passages.

Habakkuk 2:20 - But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Zechariah 2:13a - Be still before the Lord, all mankind.

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN BIRTHDAYS - AUGUST

 

I really like this feature it gives us a chance to put the spotlight on a few different guys each month. Everyone likes to be remembered. Again this month let's take the time to remember these guys in prayer. Happy birthday!

OWEN KNOPP - AUGUST 1
TANNER SCOTT - AUGUST 10
STEVEN FEENSTRA - AUGUST 13
MIKE BAKER - AUGUST 20
MIKE HUGHES - AUGUST 25

THE CAPTAIN

TOP FIFTY PICS, 44-47

 

 

 

 

We have almost finished the top fifty pics from Btln. These are some more firsts.
Picture 1 is from Last Night of 04/05, it was the first time that our motto was revealed. Jiffy marker anyone?
Picture 2 is from the first Lions trip, we did all the driving in one day(G.F.-Van. and Van.-G.F.),not very smart.
Picture 3 is from the first Creation trip, Band pose.
Picture 4 is from the first Royal Rumble(Wrestling), rarely does an event live up to the hype, that first Royal Rumble exceeded our expectations.

THE CAPTAIN

SKILLET / CREATION 08

This is one of the bands that you missed out on if you didn't make it to Creation 08. I had never heard them before I went to Creation, but I am now a fan. Check them out.

THE CAPTAIN

3739 on Youtube!

well i finally did it! 3739 is now on youtube ha ha! check us out get the view number up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pixsjUltT0 or just watch it here! thanks again for the trip Lance! this is my gift to you!



-bent ;)

CREATION 08!

 

It's hard to believe that it has been five years, one thing for sure Creation never disappoints. Leroy is giving me a hard time about getting this post done, so Leroy this is for you.
Tuesday night the guys showed up at my house to help me pack. We started talking and it became clear that we were probably going to leave Tuesday night instead of leaving Wednesday morning. We decided to make Nathan Klassen the voice of reason, he was coming over to get a new Btln medallion. We told Nathan our conundrum,(big word, pretty smart eh?)obviously leaving at 10:00 p.m. is never a good idea, but Nathan told us what we wanted to hear, so we left that night. The border guard was a little skeptical when we arrived there around 10:30 p.m. but after a few questions he relented,(he let us go, another big word, I'm on a roll) we arrived at Wal-Mart in Colville around 11:30 p.m. We bought our supplies and left for Spokane. Somewhere between 1:00-2:00 a.m. we ate at Jack in the box, and let me tell you Jack is no friend of mine. After Jack we headed for the I-90, traffic was not a problem. About this time energy drinks became necessary, and the next thing we knew the sun was up.(It was a sweet sunrise, although it was kinda depressing) At 5:00 a.m. we arrived at Creation, we drove right in and set up right away. For the rest of the day we rested and didn't do very much.(obviously we were wiped) That night we went to Leeland, Hawk Nelson and Kutless, our first 24 hours were awesome!

 

Thursday we slept in. (as much as is possible in the heat, the new tent made a difference) In the afternoon we went to watch Pillar and after that we made one of our many trips to the merch. and c.d. tents. The whole week we had a crib tourney going on, we played a lot of crib. That night we went to Jeremy Camp and Switchfoot. No matter what you think of Switchfoot's music they are very entertaining, they are great live. Like years past it was so hot in the mosh pit that every night one of the highlights was drinking either Pepsi or Hawaiian Punch in a cup filled with ice. Menno was the snack of choice before bed. We started keeping track of all the things D-Pod hasn't done,(you haven't lived until you have .....)(e.g. eating at Red Robin) We also started keeping track of all the people that Charlie hates.(The list is pretty long, if you are reading this you are not on the list.)

 

Friday we went to see KJ-52, we were late for the concert but were able to meet him. We gave KJ a Btln Medallion, he was cool about it. That night we went to the Youth leaders only tent and listened to Tobymac give his testimony.(Among other things) It was sweet! Toby was saved at a summer camp.(Pines anyone?) After the talkback we walked outside and were able to meet Shonlock, one of Toby's singers/dancer/rapper, we gave him a Medallion. Later that night we watched Skillet and Tobymac. It was my first time watching Skillet, they were pretty good, I will probably buy their c.d., they were very entertaining. Next was Toby, and his show is always second to none. Always lot's happening on the stage. That night before the concert I was complaining to Ben that we never catch anything when the sponsors and the bands throw things into the crowd. You guessed it, that night Toby's drummer threw drum sticks into the crowd and I was able to grab one of them, needless to say it now resides in the Ark.

 

By Saturday we were ready for a break from the sun so we decided to go swimming. But because we didn't get Red Robin on the way down we decided to drive to Wenatchee.(Tuesday night we had gone to Red Robin's web sight.) Scratch one thing off of D-Pods list. After Red Robin we went to the river.(near Wenatchee) We became the entertainment for all those at the beach, apparently these people have not seen suicide frisbee before. I think Charlie came out on top. After we got back to Creation it was time to go see T.F.K., we have seen them many times, but this was the best concert I have seen them perform. If you have ever been to Creation you have seen the free hug t-shirts, and I am baffled every time I see one, why would you spend your money on this shirt? I'm not sure who's idea it was but we decided to buy one of these shirts. We decided that the loser of the crib tournament would have to wear the shirt to the Newsboys concert and not be able to turn down any hugs. Charlie lost and was forced to wear the shirt, it was hilarious, there were a lot of people smiling and laughing, Charlie was a good sport. That night we saw David Crowder and Newsboys, both Crowder and Newsboys were pretty good although I have come to expect more from the Newsboys. (Their light show is usually awesome)The Newsboys did the battle of the drummers and guess who caught one of Peters drum sticks?(I will never complain about not catching anything ever again) We were able to get set lists from the bands that played last each night, the streak is alive, it is now three years and counting. Sunday morning we packed up and started driving home, we stopped in Spokane for Boston Pizza and did a little shopping. Another Creation is in the books, it was awesome, can't wait until next year! If you have anything to add guys, leave your thoughts in the comments.

I haven't forgot about the top fifty pics, the P-DUB or the Meet The Nation with Nathan Klassen, they are all coming soon.

THE CAPTAIN