The Difference

On Friday we celebrated the graduation of our big brothers and big sisters from the August 2011 class.  You may have seen this very picture from the Shelterwood Facebook page but it is worth repeating.  Simply put: our "bigs" make the difference!  Year after year I have watched young men and women dedicate their lives to the service of Shelterwood and pour out heart and soul into the hurting families and teenagers that pass through our program.  True measures of success pass the test of time and the relationships built between our bigs and the residents have done just that.   Life goes on after Shelterwood and so does the bond between bigs and littles.  Families come to Doulos broken and hurting and they leave their children with complete strangers.  It is during this time that our big brothers/sisters step into the gap and become Christ when mom and dad cannot.  They listen, love, laugh and discipline despite the resistance and lack of appreciation from the teens.   They are true servants. The proudest moments I feel at Shelterwood come during the graduation ceremonies of our bigs.  

Well done Adam, Kerry, Ryan, Cody, Brian, Tammy, Amanda, Ashley, Courtney and Kiley!  

Summer Heat

Summer time continues to pass through Kansas City in blazing hot fashion.  It has mostly been in the 100's and you get accustomed to the survival techniques for staying cool.  Even the swimming pools and lakes warm up and offer minimal relief.  Oh, the dog days of summer!

It has been great to have my kids in town this week.  Justin and Sumer will be returning to college in the fall.  Justin is working as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Boulder and will be transferring to Metro College in downtown Denver in late August.  Sumer is working at a local restaurant and will return to Colorado State in Fort Collins for the fall semester.  My daughter Savannah will be a senior in high school this year and she, too, has a summer job.   My youngest daughter Samantha works during the school year as a gymnast instructor freeing up her the entire summer to spend with dad in KC.

Shelterwood is back in session for the second summer school term.  It is nice to have the sumer schedule back on track.  The house trips were a success for both the guys and the girls.  Both lodges spent a week at Point 11 camp in addition to some camping adventures.  

There are some areas on campus where I would certainly appreciate your prayers:

1. Our August big brothers and sisters are graduating soon and transitioning to the next chapter in life.  Please pray for guidance and wisdom as they consider the next move.

2. This week is the state accreditation visit from Missouri.  Our Director has been preparing and planning but it is always a stressful time when state comes on campus.

3. August has become a month of transition and change.  We typically receive an influx of residents as well as a new class of big brothers and sisters.  In addition to staff and headcount changes, we have seen major change and restructure over the past several August months.  Although I don't know of any change coming yet, pray for the ministry as we prepare for the August rush and refocus.

Celebrate Freedom

I trust you enjoyed the 4th of July holiday with your family and friends!  Jena and I spent the day with good Shelterwood friends grilling and enjoying the crazy noise that comes out of Jackson county every year to celebrate Independence.  It has been blazing hot in Missouri but fortunately for us the humidity has prevented the fires that have ravaged Colorado and allowed us to still enjoy fireworks.  For that we are thankful.  At the risk of sounding cheesy, I feel blessed to enjoy freedom and fellowship with with friends and family.

Speaking of freedom, during the Shelterwood mock trial a week ago, I filled the role of defendant.  I spent the previous 3 years as a juror but this year was different.  I was the "Big Bad Wolf" and on trial for the murder of Leon and Wilbur pig.  I faced the additional charge of mugging Red Riding Hood.  Many characters were involved and each had a story to tell.  Only the judge (Ms. Numerick) knew the whole truth.  It was a tense trial but my lawyers did an excellent job getting me acquitted of all charges.  I rewarded them both with a trip to the QT.  (In case you're wondering...I was actually innocent of the murders and guilty of the robbery).

Campus has been empty all week except for a few staff here and there.  The kids are off on annual summer trips.  The girls are in St. Louis and the boys are down at Point 11 Kanakuk camp.  The travels will conclude Friday and Saturday and residents will be on campus over the weekend before leaving for the second phase of travels next week.  Next week the boys will be traveling back to Branson and Rockin Z Ranch in Arkansas while the girls take their turn at Point 11.