Annual Christmas Gift Exchange

The lucky number 1!

Surprise, surprise! You throw a CSB Christmas Party, complete with food bank donations, gift exchange and of course a Christmas story from Captain Don and you get one of the biggest turnouts in a while. Who can blame them for not wanting to miss this annual extravaganza?

Best gift of the year: 12 Pack of Jones Soda

Most unexpected gift of the year: the silver sword of Mordor

But now, onto the Christmas story:
In the 1950's sailors from Norway would sometimes wrap up Bibles in waterproof packages and throw them into the ocean, hoping that they would end up on the shores somewhere in Russia, where it was illegal at the time to own a bible. The Russians knew this was happening and had soldiers who would scan the shores looking for these Bibles. Lots of times they found them and destroyed them, but one of the Bibles ended up in the hands of a Christian soldier who managed to tuck it into his coat unseen. The Bible made its way to the pastor of a local church where he gave it to a young 15 year old girl who treasured it deeply. She has kept this special gift that arrived from the Norwegians, through a Russian soldier and hands to her by her pastor to this day. Some gifts just have more significance than others.

The silver sword gift

May we all be as thankful for the gifts that God gives us.

This is the closest Captain Don has come to drinking pop in a long time.

Tower Power - November 30th, 2011

The final Wednesday of November and the second last night of the fall for the Battalion guys was an eventful one, filled with excitement and even a little bloodshed. 

We started the night of like normal with squad time; only this time we were given the task of constructing the tallest free-standing tower from nothing but newspaper and masking tape. Unfortunately the other squad’s towers did not stand up to Lance Corporal Nathan’s squad’s cleverly constructed and skilfully designed structure (thanks to project manager Mitchell). 

Josh, you can't win if you're still holding it.

After we moved on to the games portion of the evening; but this was no ordinary game. It was a new idea that maybe could use some work but was fun none the less. Mats were piled in the center of the gym with a basketball underneath, and the group was split into two sides of the gym and given a number each. A few numbers would be called out and the person who had been previously given that number was to run out and fight for the ball and bring it back to their side. Although it was more like a mad scramble/dog-pile that usually ended in no team’s possession; however Lance Corporal Nathan and Lance Corporal Josh thought otherwise. When their numbers were called (turns out they both had 11) they ran at each other, and not to put the blame on anyone but some would say Josh were to put his shoulder down and go head long into Nathan. Head long is right, because that is were exactly Josh’s shoulder ended up on Nathan, leaving him with a bloody mouth. Fortunately Nathan cleaned himself up and came back later in the game. The activity was a test of sorts, and luckily for some of us it wasn’t for marks. 

The winning tower!

Captain “Professor” Don had us write a battalion style test to survey our knowledge of various events and people in battalion as well as get some feed back of the fall. 

Lieutenant Matt came next to end the night off with a counsel ring about our theme of obedience. Guest-star MVP baseball player Josh Hamilton talked to us digitally and shared his testimony. Even wealthy baseball players with everything going for them have struggles in their life. 

You don't have to like tattoos to like what it says

We closed off with the Battalion watchword and just like that the night was over, but luckily many more nights are to come.

(Guest entry done by Corporal Justin)