june update

Hey Everybody,
By the time many of you read this, I will be in NC. I making a quick visit home for the weekend (Thursday-Monday) and I’m looking forward to seeing my family and some friends and hopefully making a trip to the beach. The unfortunate thing is that I won’t be able to see everybody I’d like to see. The next time I will be in NC is September…I think. I wanted to write and give everyone a brief update of what’s going on in my life here in Chicago.

I’m fast approaching the one year date since moving to Chicago and the last year has went by fast and I’ve had lots of fun and challenging opportunities and experiencing a lot of personal growth. I will write more reflecting on the last year in my next update and since this is a brief update…here’s what’s going on.

Last time I wrote to you from Bethel Seminary, where I was for intensives, and the spring quarter is winding up this week. I get a two week break before the summer quarter starts up. High schools here are finished for the year and we have ended house groups for the summer (some of you will remember me talking about our house groups/small groups for high school students) and now our focus is on summer serving trips, summer camp, and getting ready for another year of house groups once school starts back in August. Track season has also ended so I’ve gained back 15-20 hours a week of my time that is quickly being consumed by planning and preparing for the Mississippi trip I’m co-leading and summer camp.

Speaking of Mississippi, I leave next Thursday, June 15th for Mississippi and will return June 24th. I’m going down two days ahead of a team of 25 to visit the sites where we will be working and getting a plan together for the work we want to accomplish. My primary responsibility on this trip is project coordination as the majority of the work we will be doing is clean-up (yep, they’re still cleaning up things down there) and reconstruction. We have a team of 19 students and 6 leaders going down for this trip and appreciate your prayers for safe travels, unity, and that we would truly be a blessing to those we serve whose needs are greater than our own right now. I will definitely report on our experience and hopefully send pictures of this trip in my next update.

That’s the snapshot of what’s happening these days. I have been able to relax and get some rest in the midst of the busy-ness. I spent Memorial Day weekend in South Haven, MI, most of the time on the water…it was beautiful (80+ degrees) but the water was only 60 degrees…for those of you who don’t know, that’s quite cold and makes for only brief swims. All that to say I’m able to balance the work with some fun and play.

I truly hope everyone who reads this is doing well and I love to hear what’s going on in your lives as well. It’s been an honor and a privilege to pray for you as you’ve requested and in closing here are a few things I would love you to pray for if you feel prompted:
-safe travel home and a good visit
-all aspects of the Mississippi serving trip (June 15-24)
-financial support raising for the upcoming year (contact me for details if you’re interested)
-1 year down…2 to go!

My biggest ‘praise’ is the completion of my first year here and the growth I’ve experienced and the opportunities I’ve had to lead and the contributions I’ve been able to make as well!

Thank you all for reading and for any support, prayer or financial, you have offered…YOU are making a difference!!!