Youth

Only a few days to go and we're off to Benton Harbor, MI. Benton Harbor is known to be a rough city in MI and is rated very low in comparison to other cities in Michigan and statewide when it comes to having people with well paying jobs, crime, and violence. Needless to say, like many other cities around us, Benton Harbor is a great place for ministry opportunities. Next week we (Kent City Baptist Rhiza Student Ministries Team) will be taking 25 Jr. Highers on their first ever mission trip! This is a very exciting new step for our ministry. We are really excited to take this big step with the kids and to help them get excited about ministry and their own personal growth as well. Doing inner city missions is not an easy thing at times and I know that more than one of our kids are scared to do this trip but I also know that our God will never leave us or forsake us and that we can trust him for all our needs. If you are willing we would greatly appriciate your prayers as we prepare and go on this trip. I'll update you all how everything goes when we get back. Hopefully I'll have pictures to go with it!

Sleep Well, God Bless!

CW

SuMmEr StUfF

Life goes on at an alarming rate some days but this week I got a chance to slow down and smell the flowers...

My family went on our yearly trip to Mesick, MI about 20 min south of Traverse City. My family has been going to this place since before I was born and it has been a tradition that I look forward to every year. This year was no exception to the beauty that keeps us coming back for more every year. The weather was amazing all week long with beautiful sunsets over the Manistee river, bon fires every night with S'mores and popcorn, fireworks on the 4th and good friends and family in between. I am so grateful to have had the whole time up there without any interuptions. 10 days of relaxing with a good book, great friends, and God's beautiful creation. On our last night there Jared and I went fishing and I caught a huge Catfish! It was a lot of fun reeling that thing in. I don't really know if I like Catfish but we'll try it. I can't lie, I was hoping it was a walleye but beggers can't be choosers right!? One particular day up there I spent in the sun reading and enjoying God's creation. It reminded me that life isn't really so crazy it's how we make it that matters the most. If everyday I took the time to enjoy God and what he's doing right in front of me then perhaps I wouldn't have days where I feel like life is running away from me. Hmm... there's a novel idea! :D

I have started swimming again with Chaille. I can't tell you how good I feel when I've spent time in the water. I must be half fish! I'm by no means a talented swimmer but I do enjoy the exercise and the fellowship it gives me with Chaille and I hope to continue making time for both of those things!

Here's what I'm reading right now:

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility

I am only on chapter 4 so I can't say much about this one yet but if its anything like Austen's other works I am sure I will love it just as much. I am a sucker for classics so most of what I read is a classic.

Here's another classic I'm reading right now: Laura Ingalls Wilder's Farmer Boy:

it's the story of her husband Almonzo Wilder's growing up years. Very fun and interesting. I like how Laura keeps the authenticity of pioneer life alive in her accounts. I know this is a children's book but I don't think you're ever too old to read kids books; besides, these books have so much history to them and I can't say enough good things.