This past weekend I went rock hounding with some friends who were quite experienced. We drove to the town of Quadeville, about 50 km east of Bancroft, pulled up to Kauffeldt’s corner store and paid our Trespassing Fee of $6.00 each. With that permit we could go to the open pit mine, hunt rocks to our heart’s content and then take what we could in one trip out of the mine (no wheelbarrows, no cart or dollies). Despite there being tons of rocks, the sign read, "Don’t be greedy, Leave material for others to enjoy.”

It was a wonderful experience, finding feldspar, amazonite, mica and quartz of various colours. Most of what I was looking at I didn’t recognize without a field guide.

Seeing several kinds of silicate rocks all in one place makes you wonder how they were created. The rocks in this part of the country are igneous, meaning they have been formed and shaped by extreme heat. It appears that the difference between one type of rock and another is sometimes a difference of heat or pressure under which the rock was shaped. The difference in colouring is caused by impurities that get mixed into the rock creating some rich colouring. The rate of cooling also affects the final rock type and formation.

The richness of these rare earth rocks and semi-precious stones is evident from their rich colouring and interesting shapes and patterns.

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him. 1Peter 2:4

This passage compares Christ to the living corner stone – the key stone in holding up a building. We as Christians are stones, precious to God.

As students attend Immanuel Christian School. Each comes in with their own character. Each is formed by experiences, trials, and pressures to form who they are and are becoming. Each student responds differently to what might appear to be the same teaching and support. Yet each is molded and developed to be a unique child of God.

That’s why we say, "Each child is a gift,” a gift from God, a gift to be appreciated.

May each experience a wonderful summer, filled with excitement and good times.