OE Camp - Recap

Outdoor Education Camp 2008 - Been There, Done That, Got the T-Shirt (literally!). Camp was fun this year. It had its moments of excitement, drama, and of course laughter. During the second week I was extremely blessed. It was evident that God is working in the life of so many people and I was grateful to have had been blessed to be a small part in the lives of these college students. I even met and made a new best friend. See our video below!! Enjoy!

OE Camp Week 2 - Day 3

Shooting at clay targets is so much more enjoyable than shooting a pelet gun at paper. It was exciting to see how the students who had never shot before were super happy when they succeeded. It was a great day on the range with many of good laughs. I am continually amazed at the students. Just when you think they will not ever grasp a concept, BOOM!, they get it and the light from the light bulb is amazing.

On a funnier note, we (camp staff) played a practical joke on our graduate students and interns. It was AWESOME!!! We staged a fake arrow through the leg, complete with blood curtling screaming from the young lady, tears and hysteria. Everyone did a fabulous job with the mock incident. People were helping from without any hesitation. I was particularly impressed with a couple of the football guys who did far beyond the call of duty. They were extremely upset when they found out it was a joke. In essence, this camp is about developing leaders, and this drill is a way to see how people will react. Everyone, and I do mean, everyone showed tremendous character and stedfastness to help. Two and half more days!!!

OE Camp - Week 2 - Day 2

What a hot and humid day! Who says that it is an easy chore teaching riflery. "You're in the shade". Yea, well the shade is a tin roof and the sun still beats down on parts of the deck both in the morning and afternoon.



The shooters today were great! It must be the excellent instruction they are gaining!!! Tomorrow, it is the clay pigeons, everyone's favorite! I can't wait to spend all day shoot the shot guns.



I miss my beautiful wife so much that it is so difficult to fall asleep at night. I can't wait to see her this weekend!!! Just two more weeks till our vacation to St. Louis!!! WHOOP!

OE Camp - Week 2 - Day 1

Back in B-Wood for the final installment of OE Camp 2008. Last week was a great time and it was awesome to see how God really worked in my heart and the hearts of so many students. Even though this is an activity based camp, I try (as often as I can), to relate the daily devotionals to actual life experiences and to encourage these young men and women to live for Christ's glory and honor.

Today was a great day. It was hot and humid (well too humid for my liking). This week I am teaching riflery and sporting clays. It was a blast going through each session with the students and I have completely changed the way the course is taught to be more challenging and fun for them. We will only spend two days with the air rifles and then we will spend three full days shooting clay pigeons. It will most definately be a good time. I look forward to continue to grow daily as I prepare the devotions. It really is amazing how is working in my life right now. The only sad things that I feel in my heart is that I am away from my beautiful wife for another week. I have difficulty sleeping at night without her and I miss her dearly. I can't wait to see her again on Saturday! More to come tomorrow!!

OE Camp - Day 5

"It's Finally Friday!!!" One of the great George Jones songs. It started my day in the dorm, and then it was playing over the Ipod most of the afternoon. What a beautiful day! It was so wonderful outside and we had a great last day of camp. The last day brings with it the camp races in the afternoon. The race itself consists of kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. It is a relay that all teams participate. Sailing is always the most interesting. Today, one boat caused all four boats to crash and two flipped. It was AWESOME!! Good times!! The afternoon heat was unbearable and well, after a quick boat ride on the lake, I jumped into the pool, clothes and all!!! What a great way to finish off the day. The best part of today, happens tomorrow. T-minus 17 hours till I get to see my beautiful wife!!! :) I can't wait to be home for a couple of days!!!

OE Camp - Day 4

Thursday - Week 1: A day at the Cliffs.

Each Thursday of camp the rock climbing and kayaking class bus down to the Lake Brownwood Dam and spend their respective times going through the gamete of fun and excitement. I spend my time at the cliffs watching and belaying for climbers. It is a time that I enjoy and look most forward to each year. This year was no different, the only exception was that I didn't have to belay but twice. That was awesome! It was great because I didn't have to wear my harness all day long and be uncomfortable (if you know what I mean!). It was pretty uneventful and it was hot and windy. At least we had the wind!

Tonight is Koosh-Volley. Basically volleyball played with a Koosh ball and Koosh padle. It is a bunch of fun, but it doesn't start until 9:00 and there are like 20 teams. The finals usually happen around mid-night. Now I am a competitor and really hate loosing. However; if my team looses the first game in Koosh-Volley, well I am all the happier. It really is a fun game and fun times, but it is the end of the week, after a long, hot day, and everyone is dead tired. So, I just want a little bit of rest. I guess I am no spring chicken anymore. If we win our first game... I AM THERE FOR THE LONG HALL AND WILL BE UPSET IF WE DON'T WIN IT ALL!! :)

OE Camp - Day 3

Back at camp after a wonderful day in Abilene. The best part of yesterday was getting to spend a few hours with my beautiful wife. She cooked spaghetti and it was AMAZING! I loved every single minute with her and miss her dearly. Can't wait for the weekend!! :)

Today was the half way point for week one. This week in the devotionals I have been sharing with the campers the importance of relying on Christ daily. It has been incredibly refreshing for me personally as I prepare the 10 minuete devotions. The Lord is moving in my heart in ways I have never felt before. Please continue to pray for us this week.

Wednesday at camp is a great day. I spend all day at the climbing wall taking pictures of the campers as they scale the 30 foot wall. As I lay over the edge trying to get the best picture of each person I can, the backs of my leg are FRYING! I have done this every year for the past six and this year it had to be the hottest at the top! Yes, sweetie I did have sun screen on. Everyone did great on the wall. It is amazing to see these young adults face and conquere their fears. I was particularly amazed at the ladies this year. They did great.

The best thing I learned today was a new knot. Being an Eagle Scout myself, I love tying knots. I love learning new knots and how they can work for you in a camping situation. Today I learned the Apline Butterfly Knot. It was used back in the old days for a team of climbers to tie into one rope. It can be used today in a variety of ways, most notibly for hanging items in in a camp. I can't wait to utilize this knot in just about anything I can. It is my new favorite!!

OE Camp - Day 2

Day 1 was hot... Day 2 Hot... But, I am in Abilene today interviewing a candidate for our new Graduate Assistant position. What exciting times. The real jewel of the day is having dinner with my beautiful wife! This is the real reason I came home for a day!!! :)

Day 1 of camp was good. The only exciting thing to happen was I was apart of camp fun. We actually got 8 people in a canoe before it started to sink. It was a blast! The opening skits last night were very humorous. I am looking forward to tomorrow...all day on the climbing wall!!!

Outdoor Ed. Camp - Day 1

OE camp started today (actually yesterday), and it is already getting warm outside!! This is my 9-10th year to work this camp and I look forward to these two weeks each year. It is great to be here at the Texas 4-H Center at Lake Brownwood. I love the food, folks, and fun. This year I will get to teach Riflery during the second session. I have taught Rappelling before, but this will be my first adventure with teaching the guns!! This week is looking to be warm and dry. We all are excited to have great weather. I will keep you posted daily with the activities of the day!

Times of Remembrance

My beautiful bride is now a blogger and she is doing a great job with this new found hobby. I really get to see a brilliant side to her that is so refreshing to our marriage. I find that I love her more and more everyday.

Today she wrote of her mother. What a neat and wonderful woman she was. I really wish that we could have uploaded her digital story to show you all how wonderful she was and the impact that she had on so many people. We do miss her. It is these times of remembrance that we relish the good times.


Earlier one of my assistants called me to let me know they were putting her father into hospice care. He too suffers from kidney failure and other medical issues very similar to Andi's mom. Walking with my assistant during this time is like looking in a mirror from October and November of 2007. Andi and I know to well what this season of life is like. Our heart breaks for Dot and her family at this time. We must not lose sight of the Father during this time and minister to their needs, sharing Christ's eternal love and grace.

Champions

Who says winning a Texas State Team Championship has to be done by a team? What an amazing story! Rochelle High School Wins Class 1A Girls State Track Championship

Spring Cleaning....

So here it is, the last day of the 2007-2008 academic year. This day has been a long time coming!!! WHOOP!! My staff and I are way ahead of schedule from where we typically are this time of year. We have spent the day completely cleaning, organizing and inventorying the entire athletic training department. It is with great anticipation and excitement that we welcome this day, because if all goes well... we will have everything in its new home by next weekend and then all we have to do is order the new stuff and get that put away in June. Which means... July will be relaxing!!! Can I get a WHOOP!?!?

Gililland's Island

Well... it has happened... my Beautiful Wife is now a blogger... WOW!! You can check her out at Gililland's Island. Enjoy!!

The Man Card

OK, let's talk about the ever popular "Man Card". You know the one... the card that men of all ages get to punch when they do something manly. Manly things come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, voltages, watts, and of course power (most of the time dealing with explosions of some sort). Well I have been told on more than one occasion that I need have my "Man Card" taken away. The first of which was when a well respected man said it should be revoked because I didn't have the right tools to fix a water leak, the second was when my brother told me I didn't know how do something or other (can't really remember). And I am sure there have been others who have thought that I should never have my card reinstated. Nevertheless, lets talk about the "Man Card".

Recently there has been some discussion on men going to the theater, the ballet, or the symphony with their wives. It was not that they wanted to, it was that they were dragged into it one way or another. I find that funny. I guess (in my opinion), I have the GREATEST WIFE in the world. Just yesterday we went to the movies and saw a manly movie, her idea. She loved it!

I say all this because, Saturday I had to actually tell a well respected man to, be a man and go to the symphony with his wife. After much prodding from me and convincing him that it would be a good time and we could double date, he reluctantly agreed. Well, let me tell you this... he LOVED the experience and even spoke of wanting to do it again. Some men would say he needs to have his "Man Card" revoked. I say... PUNCH ANOTHER HOLE IN THE STINKING THING!!! IN FACT PUNCH TWO!!!!

It takes a real man to sacrifice and do things with his wife. It takes a real man to say I Love You to his wife everyday (multiple times a day). It takes a real man to say I Love You to his children every day (again multiple times a day). It takes a real man to say I Love You to his brothers in Christ. I could go on and on. I am so fortunate to be in the company of so many Godly men. They all exemplify to me what a real man is. In my opinion a real man is one who is well rounded. A man who is able to be a strong unmovable mountain with the guys, yet as calm as a clear stream of steadily flowing water with his wife and kids. A man who can listen to the call of the Lord and serve his wife's and children's needs, at the same time providing them with leadership, direction and protection.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,"
Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

So the next time you have a Brother tell you he went to the theater, ballet, symphony, antiquing, or if he did something that made his wife happy, instead of telling him to turn in his man card, give him the "Man's Service Star" to pin on his chest, and punch a hole in the "REAL MAN CARD".

Out on the Porch Playing Washers....

Growing up in Texas was the greatest adventure. I will be the first to admit, I am extremely biased to what I refer to as the "Homeland". Welling with Pride for the Lone-Star State is an understatement for me. To say I love Texas... well that too is an understatement.

After I graduated from HSU in 98 (10 years ago...really?!?), I moved to Missouri to pursue my career as an athletic trainer. During the four years I lived in Missouri I was amazed at how the people of Missouri didn't swell with Missourian pride. The "Show-Me-State" was just that... skeptical to everything. Literally everyone would say..."show-me". They are a, "see it to believe it" kind of people. Nevertheless I really enjoyed living in Missouri and relish the opportunity to visit as often as I can.

So back to TEXAS! I am a sucker for Texas Country Music. I love the sounds of Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Pat Green, Corey Morrow, Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, Casey Donahew Band, Randy Rogers Band (his little brother plays FB for us), Gary P. Nunn, Lyle Lovett, Aaron Watson (Amarillo/Abilene Boy!), and a whole host of others. The Ipod is always playing at the Gililland house. One of my favorite songs by Pat green is "I Like Texas". In the live version of the song, there is an additional verse and story about him and his roommates out on the front porch playing washers. Every time I here the word "washers", I think of Pat Green saying..."We were out on the porch playing washers." He talks about stop and go burritos from Allsups (growing up in White Deer that was a breakfast, lunch, dinner specialty for all the high school kids).

And I finally get to my point. I LOVE GRILLING OUT, LISTENING TO TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC AND PLAYING WASHERS!!!! So last night... my beautiful wife and I made Bison Burgers (we're trying to keep it healthy), listened to Texas Country Music and played washers. We had so much fun, just the two of us. It was relaxing, we talked, laughed and competed! Great memories! I love spending time with my wife. I hope this becomes a weekly occurrence throughout the summer; grilling, music, washers, and precious time with my wife!

Shake It Like An Egg Shaker

Last night my beautiful wife and I met some friends of ours from church at a local coffee shop. We love to go to this place. It is a very nice, warm, inviting shop that has music every so often. So after dinner (and mowing the grass), we went to Tuscany's for desert and music. Our worship pastor plays there every other Tuesday night, so being a big fan of our worship pastor, we had to partake! It was great times... some sing-a-longs, laughs, and of course great conversation. My favorite part was being apart of the band for one brief moment in time... Shaking the Egg Shaker!! I think I will stick with my day job!

"The Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought the most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world, that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in, aim at earth and you will get neither."
- C.S. Lewis

What a profound statement. This was atop the agenda for this morning's athletic department staff meeting. What a refreshing thought...to think of Heaven and all that we should be working towards for the Glory of His Name! For me this was very appropriate for my desire of leadership and the example that should be set by us all. I desire more than ever to be a leader that is focused more on the eternal implications rather than the bottom line of the daily grind. My attitude and demeanor will always set the stage for the way persons see the Jesus in my life.

I recently heard this story from one my assistants. Prior to their employment with us, this person's perception of me was very negative. "I would see you at a convention or a conference and think to myself, why would I ever want to work with that guy?!" This was confessed to me after this person's first year. Their impression of me was determined from an incident over 10 years ago, when we both were students at rival schools. Evidently, my actions dealing with student-athletes at a basketball tournament did not set very well. I have no recollection at all of the incident 10 years ago. But the only impression this person ever had for me was from this one incident. What hurts more than ever is that this person actually saw me as a person who did not bring Glory to the Kingdom.

After I learned this preconceived notion of myself from this assistant, we discussed in great detail how it was just a perception of who I was, and not who I really am. How many others have this perception of me? Sure this is a story of victory in the fact that we were able to discuss this incident and to work things out to where we actually laugh about the incident now.

Still it makes me think. I know that I fail to fully be joyful daily, but should I not always strive for the Joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Even on the days that I am not joyful. From this conversation I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1-2
"1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (ESV)

We are surrounded daily by a great cloud of witnesses. We have the opportunity everyday to be light unto the darkness or to allow the darkness to overcome our light. Heaven...this is our desire, not Earth. Won't you dream of Heaven with me? Will you live for Christ daily? Will you play a pivotal role in reaching others to know Christ? Just some thoughts for the day...O What A Day!!!

Looking for Service Ideas?!

Two weeks ago, our church promoted a service message. This had a lasting impact on my life.

I'm Back!

I'm back... so to speak. The year of athletics as I know comes to an end today. This is the last day of off-season and it feels like forever since I stopped to take a long deserved breath. Little did I know when I we started nine months ago that this would have been the year that it had been.

School is out in two weeks, then it is a week of rest before I head to Outdoor Education camp, which will encompass the last two weeks of May. I am looking forward to OEC this year. I never know what exactly my responsibilities will be for OEC. Typically I am the man everyone loves to hate in the mornings, as I bring the "Rise and Shine" to the campers every morning in a very unique way! I then get to share the daily devotional and set the stage for the spiritual aspect of OEC. The rest of my days are spent taking pictures, helping with the different areas and healing the sick and injured. It is always a time for great fun!

I am hoping with the end of this crazy year, that my post will become more frequent. To all my loyal readers - I'm Back...so to speak!