By: David O'Bar, Cabin D

The Whip: A Cowboy's Tool

Tools, today, are collected like matchbox cars and piled in people's garages, sheds and any empty spaces never to be seen again, but in the days of cowboys and settlers tools could mean the difference between life and death. For this reason, if I were a tool, I would be a whip. A very long powerful whip made of strong leather strands braided together into a snakelike rope. I would be a whip with a purpose. I would be very tough and my most important job would be to lead the flock to the safety of the corral with leadership and courage. I wouldn't lead out of fear, fear of being hit or pain, but through the sound I would make when I was cracked or popped. My sound would trigger the flock to move faster, slower or in another direction. I would pop a lot. I would always protect those weaker and guide the stronger with my protective lash. As a whip, I could protect the flock from outside dangers and evils; such as coyotes, wolves or wild cats. In the end, I would gather all the flock together, united in the end. My purpose would be finished.

I would do my all to be the best strongest whip God has put on this earth!

By John West, Cabin C

If I were a tool in a toolbox, I would be a level, because levels make things straight. In life, I would teach and guide people so they could be straightened out into the right position so they could live good and holy lives and be better off.

Levels are not loud about what they do like saws and power drills. They do not demand attention. They are peaceful and get the job done right every time. I would like to be as peaceful, efficient, and reliable as levels are.

Levels are not forceful like hammers. They just tell you if something is crooked or out of line. Hammers force nails into wood. You should not force good things like hammers. You should offer them and let the person choose to accept them. I would like to be like levels so I could teach people and let them freely choose right from wrong.

By: Brian McAughan, Cabin D

IF I WERE A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX WHAT WOULD I BE AND WHY?

If I were a tool in the toolbox, I would be a pair of pliers. This is because I know I can do some damage if I am not thinking or if I am angry, but if used correctly I can do some good. I will give an example for each. First, the damage. One day, I woke up in a very bad mood. My brother had very, very bad congestion and a bad cough. I could not sleep because he made so much noise. Snooooooooooooort! Cough! Cough! Cough! And these were the LOUD kinds of coughs. I woke up and checked my clock. 1:30 AM. I couldn't go back to sleep. So I decided to put a pillowcase on my brother's head. Than, I put a pillowcase on MY head. And I finally got to sleep. But than my brother woke up. He kind of freaked out and screamed his head off. That's when my mom came in. I got in so much trouble. Now for the good.I was at school. My two best friends got in a fight. They were arguing on who was smarter. But, I have a large vocabulary. I wrote a quiz for each of them containing words like hippopotomonstrosisaliaphobia (The fear of large words), antidisestablishmentarianism (The breaking, shattering, or exploding of any solid matter), and Floxynoxynihilliphication (The act of thinking that you are better than everyone else). They both failed proving that they both have the same knowledge level.

That is why I would be a pair of pliers.

By Luke Pelletier, Cabin E

If I were a tool in a toolbox, I would be a screwdriver because it is always at the service of the person holding it and it makes whatever they are doing easier. A screwdriver helps put things in place and get things done. For example, when you put a doorknob on a door, you use the screwdriver to put in the screws that hold the doorknob in place.

Without the screwdriver, the doorknob would be loose and you would have a hard time opening the door. You can also use a screwdriver to pry things open. For example, to pry open a can of paint which allows a painter to paint. Another way you can use a screwdriver is to help dig things out or push things through an opening. For example, if there is something stuck in the ground or in a hole, you can use a screwdriver to get it out. And of course, a screwdriver can be useful in taking things apart. If you cannot take certain things apart then you cannot fix them. For example, if you could not unscrew the cover on a broken computer, you could not fix it. The computer would be useless.

Therefore, if I were a tool in a toolbox, I would be a screwdriver so I could be of service to others.

By Connor Fitzgerald, Cabin G

If I were a tool in a toolbox, I would be a monkey wrench. The reason why I would be a monkey wrench is because a monkey wrench tightens bolts that hold a structure together. To do this, you first take the monkey wrench and grasp the bolt. Then, you twist the wrench until it tightens the bolt completely. If you do not tighten the bold all the way, the structure will slowly fall apart. A monkey wrench symbolizes that we need to tighten our relationship with our family, friends, and most importantly God. We should try to tighten our relationship with our family because they always love and support you, and are always there for you. Your friends are the same, but if you have no one to talk to you, your friends will give you support and advice to whatever problems you have until you feel comfortable going to your family. Friends also give you someone to play or hang out with. As a friend or family member, you must always watch over your friends and family members to keep them safe and out of trouble. A monkey wrench also symbolizes our relationship with God. No matter where we are, we should always keep God tight in our hearts as He is our strength and guidance. Once our relationships become untightened, as a monkey wrench could, we could grow anger or hatred for our friends, family members or even God.

However, if we follow the examples of the monkey wrench, we could live our lives happier and healthier because we need a tight relationship with God, family and friends - in that order - in order to obtain a secure structure of our being

By Thomas Andrews, Cabin I

Duct Tape

If I were a tool in a toolbox I would definitely be a full roll of duct tape. Duct tape is extremely useful, easy to use, and you can find it in almost any well-equipped toolbox. Even though a lot of people don't think of it as a tool they all agree it is very useful. Duct tape is the strongest of tapes, and is best for building.

While it was originally designed to be used to seal and connect air ducts, it has become famous for all the different little repair jobs, both to seal and hold all kinds of things together. There is an old joke about duct tape "holding the world together". I have heard of duct tape being used to seal leaky pipes, repair household appliances, and even used by the Air Force to quickly repair airplanes. The tape that they use is rated in "miles per hour"! I have seen duct tape used to repair broken toys (making a toddler stop crying). My brother even has a lunch box covered in duct tape (it was a pretty "girly" lunch box, but it now looks very manly). People have gotten creative and used duct tape to make wallets, rain ponchos, and even a prom dress (weird!).

I think that one reason duct tape is awesome is that it is so convenient to use. There is no need for hammer and nails, screws or screwdriver. The roll of tape is all you need: just rip off a big piece (being careful not to let sticky side touch sticky side!) and make your repair. Finally, I think that while duct tape is the absolutely best tool, it remains humble. It's not that pretty, doesn't cost a whole lot, and simply does a good job. It is the "unexpected hero" of the tool box!

By Daniel Van Sciver, Cabin J

Tool Time

If I were any tool in a toolbox, I would be a chisel. I am like a chisel in the work that I do. The ones who use me guide my work. God is also important in the way that I am a chisel.

Chisels are small wedges that are used to create masterpieces of wood, rock, Ice, or other materials. A chisel cannot be used, however, if it is not paired with a hammer. With a hammer, though, a chisel is a very great tool and is one of the most useful instruments of art. A chisel assists others by raising their eyes to God with detailed works of the majesty He has created. Famous artists, sculptors, and even simple carpenters used chisels for much of their artwork.

I resemble a chisel in three main ways. The first and most important way I am similar to this tool, is that my life is pointless without God. God is like my hammer. He aids me in creating masterpieces. Second, my masterpieces are God's Word that I spread or sculpt, with God, who as my hammer, helps me. The complete work raises people's hearts to God, just as the majestic sculptures do. The last reason I am like a chisel is, just as famous artists and others use chisels to complete their work, saints, by God's command, guide me in doing His work. Chisels need a hammer to be used, are used to make sculptures and other artwork, lift souls up to God, and are used by artists, sculptors, and carpenters. I am like a chisel in a toolbox in these ways: One, I need God as my hammer. Two, I am used to spread God's word and convert souls to God. Last, the saints are the artists that guide me.

"Sine me, nihil!"-"Without me, nothing"

By John Jones, Cabin K

Keeping It Even

Out of all the tools in a toolbox I would be the one who keeps things from getting unbalanced and unorganized. The level not only is precise but also helps in some of the most important things. From building a doghouse to building a skyscraper to hanging a picture on the wall it is extremely helpful. It is the key to making buildings and the key to having them not fall down after you finish building them. If there is a building without a level foundation it soon turns to rubble. Every building has to have a trustworthy and level base. The level is the way you can be sure the building is safe and sturdy. How many times have houses protected people from terrible storms and the people in their hoses while a storm is raging outside should be able to trust that their house won't be blown down by the wind? The level is one of the great tools that can guarantee them safety in their nice homes.

The level helps us beautifully decorate our homes with splendid pictures without having them be lopsided. Levels also help many people have fun throughout the world. So many sports need at least one level object for example; in soccer the crossbar of the goal should be level. In football the goalpost behind the end zone should be level. In basketball the rim should be level. And in many other sports things should be level and the level is there to help them be as they should be.

Furniture also should be nice and level. I'm pretty sure nobody likes to sleep on a slanted bed at least I don't, and again the level is there to help you be comfortable. Very few of the tools that might be found in a toolbox are as brilliant as the level.

By Conor Hogan, Cabin L

If I Were a Tool in a Tool Box

My choice as a tool is a wrench so that I could put things together. In this way, I could help people put things together and take things apart if they needed. When we put things together, anyone could do whatever they wanted to do, and I could be used to make other people's lives easier. If I were a wrench, then I would be easy to use, so that even small children could use me.

Even more, by helping people make things and keeping items together, that would be helpful for the Lord to use me to create, to keep going in making the world better. God could use me and put me in His hands whenever he needed to use me to invent a new item for humanity. I don't know what he would make, but I would like for Him to decide and then use me no matter what he wanted to build. He could always use me. I would be very useful as a tool, and I could be like a servant for Him, and He could use me in the way he needed to have wrenches. I don't really know why God would need me to be a wrench, but if he wanted me to be one, I would try to be the best wrench I could be, so that He would be happy with me. No matter what God calls on me to do I would do it with a smile on my face and try to find the best in it.

My friends could use me too. They could use me as a wrench, and I could help them put their lives back into place, in the same way that I would put a nut into a bicycle. If I became a wrench, I would be useful to them as a tool, if I thought it could help them to make things better. Whenever God calls on me to do something, or when my friends really need me, I would do the best that I can, and do it happily. That would be my best use as a wrench.