Merry Christmas

Christmas is just about here I hope today's blog finds you with holiday cheer! Having a 5 year old in our home certainly brings a childlike perspective on the Christmas season for Jena and I. We received our first snowfall of the year about 10 days ago and Kaiden woke up the next morning thinking it was Christmas Day. He was slightly disappointed to learn it was a false alarm but he quickly recovered. Hopefully in snows again on Christmas Day so as not to disappoint?

Shelterwood Christmas break begins this Wednesday and there is lots of movement this time of year. Last Friday the December Leadtime graduation ceremony took place in the Guys Lodge. One big brother and 6 big sisters completed a Doulos year. This afternoon, two boys graduated from the Shelterwood program. In fact, both families transitioned in August from Branson to Kansas City to see the process through to completion. A new big brother joined our team a few weeks ago and two more big brothers will arrive in January.

Jena and I will be in KC for the holidays. I am actually relieved to not travel this year. We left on Christmas day last year for a drive to Georgia in a foot of snow and returned a week later to 8 degree weather. I trust all of you have a wonderful Christmas with your families. Thank you for your faithful support of our work with Doulos Ministries.

How Time Fly's

It's hard to believe my son Kaiden is 5 years old. 3 short months after I started working for Doulos, along came Kaiden. Now here we are. Oh how time fly's by. We celebrated with a few families and some of Kaiden's friends.

Today at Shelterwood we received a new teen boy from Nashville and also a new Big Brother on the same day. Another Intake is scheduled for later this week and two more Big Brothers are coming by year's end. A few boys are on the calendar to graduate just before Christmas Break and two of our current Big Brothers will graduate Leadtime too. Par for the season. As of now, we have 27 boys. Last week a new direct care staff was hired to join our team. A local guy with much needed experience and maturity. The plan has always been to fill up the Guys Lodge which holds 36 residents and so the hiring and Intake decisions will take us in that direction. The Doulos Christmas Party is later this week. I only mention it because some of you reading this have attended past parties and know exactly what to expect. Tis the Season!

Looking ahead...Shelterwood will be taking a mission trip to Haiti in April 2011. 12 kids and 8 staff. It's not likely that I will attend but it should be an amazing experience for those who do. Our Big Brothers and Sisters will be making the annual Mexico missions trip during Spring Break 2011. With all the uncertainty in Mexico, we actually to go El Paso but with a similar purpose.