Ice skating

When we took our youth ice skating last year, it went so well that we decided to go again this year. My roommate Angela suggested that we take them downtown to an outdoor rink. I'm so glad we did, it was a great experience! The atmosphere was fun, the kids loved iceskating, and I was amazed that no one complained about the cold. Even our kids who never skated before had fun. We had some trying spins, skating backwards and creative falling techniques. Many kids in the city never go iceskating (though they are pros on rollerskates!), so it was a good opportunity for them to try something new.

Last Saturday, I had the priviledge of going over to one of our families for dinner. It was a late birthday/early Christmas celebration. This family has come to mean so much to me. The grandma and her kids and grandkids are all actively involved in our program. Some sweet memories were created as we talked, laughed, sang Christmas karaoke & had pizza. I feel honored to be welcomed so warmly into this family. And it was an example of how God uses the people we minister to to bless us.

I am now on vacation until mid-Janaury. I'm thankful for this opportunity to take a break and get away for a bit. I'll be able to visit family in New Hampshire, go to Maryland to visit a friend and then down to North Carolina to see another friend. It's been awhile since I was able to get away for this long of time and have a vacation (as oppose to traveling for conferences etc). Even though I'm excited, there is still a part of me that is going to miss Highland Park and our families. If you think of it, please pray for me that it will be spiritually and physically relaxing (and renewing!) and that I will have a peace about being gone.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!!

What a joyful season

It's been a good week for me here. It all started on Monday when we got to be a part of a great outreach here in Detroit. For the past 3 years, the Bible study group of the Detroit Lions have donated in order to provide for families in the city to Christmas shop for their families. For the past 3 years, this has been a highlight for me...

This year, we were able to chose five families to go to Meijer and receive the gift cards. The Lions players were there and it was such an incredible evening. For me, I was blessed by the families who came. They were so grateful to receive this gift, that it made them want to give back. I shopped with one of our grandmas who insisted on buying me a pair of boots (which I actually really needed, and am wearing right now!). Below is a picture of one of our families with Lion's kicker, Jason Hanson (p.s...the only reason I know who he is and what he does is because of this event! I'm not too up on football...) I enjoyed talking with his wife. They are such a sweet couple and God is really using them to bless people.

The next day, I received a phone call from one of the families who went. The dad was so grateful and wanted me to stop by so he could give me something. What he gave me literally left me speechless. Even though they have a house full of kids and could really have used every cent on the gift cards, he wanted to give back the money they didn't use! It was a significant amount. Even though I tried to give them back, he wouldn't take them and said they had received all that they needed. I told him I would use them to bless other families and he said "That's what we want". I walked away amazed. What a beautiful picture of receiving in order to give. I honestly was trying to think of creative ways to give back to them the money!

Sometimes...there can be too much negative news coming out of the city. Experiences like this remind me of what a blessing it is to be here. Our families are incredible. Sometimes I wish people outside the city could experience what I get to by being around the people here. I've felt loved poured out on me so many times...