On Friday, we met as a staff at 8:30 am to discuss some of the highlights from the week prior and then to talk about the new week ahead. We spent a lot of time praying...there's been quite a bit of the 12 hour flu bug here amongst the teams and the staff...and we also prayed for the Merrill's and Cooper's who are soon to have some teens from children's homes come live with them in the houses on the new property. After that, I (Jen) met with the nannies to plan out the VBS for the staff kids. We are using Group's Lava Lava Island - Where Jesus' Love Overflows...it will be fun...
After that meeting, John Guckenberger (staff member here) made egg sandwiches (AWESOME!) for us and the Halls (from NSV) for lunch. Immediately after that, Courtney (Todd and Beth's nanny - the directors) was baptized in the pool! Beth read some words from Courtney that she wrote out prior to the baptism, sharing that she's ready for the adventure to begin...she's ready to be a fully devoted, passionate follower of Jesus...it's all or nothing...and she wanted to be baptized by her Uncle Todd and her dad to tell the world that she wants to lay her life down and pursue all that God has for her. I love this girl...it was really fun to be with her for that moment...
We took a picture of the girls in red..it was funny that we all walked out for the morning in red tshirts and black shorts...oh the things that girls get excited about and love to take note of! :) Courtney is on the right... I've had a lot of time to connect with the high school/college aged intern and nanny girls here...I've always been drawn to this age...their fiery spirits and excitement for life are contagious...it's been so fun hearing their stories of how God brought them down here and their journey with Him over the years...I've loved every second of it! That age just feels like home to me...they have so much promise ahead of them...so much potential...so much that they are expectant of God to do...it's contagious...
Afterwards, I went with Corrie (John's wife, in the yellow) - are you confused yet??! - to go shopping for the VBS stuff that I couldn't fit in my suitcase or that were too big to bring down. That was a fun 3 hour shopping trip with Corrie and her oldest daughter Sarah. She has wisdom beyond her little 8 years and it was fun to be near her. Chad and I are in love with that family!
Friday night Beth and Todd had us over for kabobs, grilled potatoes, salad, and brownies! Todd is such a great grillmaster. It was a feast!! Their hospitality has been amazing. We are incredibly blessed to count them as friends. 
Afterwards, once our stomachs settled, we all went to see the movie Die Hard 4. I am not a fan of action packed, gun shooting, Bruce Willis movies...but I have to say that it was really good! Totally unrealistic and unbelievable of course...but really good! I also appreciated the 10 second love story at the end... :)
Saturday went by in the blink of an eye. I spent the day sorting VBS supplies into stations for each day and typing up notes for parents, schedules, signs, etc. and worked with Courtney on making posters. Kristine Hall painted this beautiful mountain with lava oozing out of it for the kids on a shower curtain for the entrance into our area. She is amazing! It's been a joy having a familiar face here from our home church. She is a deep thinker and I love that...Chad spent the day with John getting him ready for his big date out with Corrie...I thought girls went shopping together...these two are inseparable...but's it fun to have a couple we BOTH connect with...it's been a huge gift...
I guess that's it for now! We are all caught up! I'm looking forward to visiting Del Norte this week and holding my (ok, their) sweet little girl! I have many onezies to dress her in! We are also looking forward to going back to the Casa Hogars and building more for them as well as loving on some more kids... As tiring as it gets, you just can't stop here...it's an atmosphere where you can feel the Lord on the move and you just want to keep up with Him...you just want to stay in step with Him. Our constant prayer is "Lord, help me to see what you have for me today and dive in...help me not to miss it!"
Today (Sunday), Chad and I have the day off...Chad led worship this morning...he's helping me fine tune some VBS stuff for tomorrow, and then we are off to spend the day near the mall and have an Italian dinner! Yum! We're excited to rest, relax, and read and just hang out together...
Hasta luego! Thanks to all of you who are keeping up on the blog and posting comments! It's so encouraging to know that you are with us and for us miles and miles away!
Love to all of you!
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