Biking Success!

Biking.  He did it.  It was his first time.  I'm proud.

For the most part, our vacation was fine, more than fine, actually.  But for this part, it was awesome! Rex biked the whole way, he and Hoffbeast biking almost 90 miles in three days.  I am so proud of him!!!  (I realize I said that already.)

Summer Fun!

Beautiful, gorgeous, lovely! The weather at the lake was awesome today...thankful for time with my dear friend, Andrea, and her sweet kiddos!

(We won't mention the fact that I went to the wrong park first, and it took us an extra hour to catch up with our friends.  Oh well!)

Porch Swing!

Ten years I have waited for a porch swing. Today, this is happening...why did we wait so long?!!?! ‪#‎thankfulheart‬

The needy

Rex says that I'm often too reflective on my blog posts.

Maybe.

But it's late.  And the only sounds are the fan in my computer, and the fan blowing the summer air around the room.  And my typing.  And my thoughts.

Are thoughts sounds?  Sure sounds like they are...in my head, anyway.

He is here, lying on our couch, having heard the Gospel yet again.  In years to come, when I read this blog entry again, what will have happened with his life.  Will he still be clamoring for first place in his own life, or will he have learned to say "I am second" like Tyrone Flowers and others?

He heard Tyrone's story tonight...I'm so thankful for Tyrone's story.  The story of the One True Him, who came down to rescue sinners.

He's a sinner, and so am I.

Angry, vengeful, believing the worst.

I can relate.

Yes, I can.

And that's why we are here.  Why we stay.  Why we keep going day after day, week after week, month after month.......because God loves the needy, of whom I am the most.  God loves sinners, of whom I am the worst.

Oh, Jesus...thank you for your mercy, your compassion, your ability to change.  For your never-stopping, never-ending love poured out on me.

And him.

We want him to see You....but not nearly as much as You do.  So as we wait, we pray and trust Your pursuing heart which reaches to him.

And me.

Thank you, Lord.

SITC 2014

From Jessica's FB page:  "This summer I was blessed to have met a great group of 28 individuals who were not only a great joy to be around but also inspiring people of God! It was an awesome summer spent in Milwaukee! Even more so, I am blessed to have 5 of those members who will be close enough so that we can all grab coffee together this coming school year or grab some Asian cuisine (in Ryan's case Chipotle will do xD) as for the rest every day without seeing your face is just another day closer to when we met again! Love you all!"

This is how she feels.  And how they all feel about each other.  God did amazing things in every one of these lives this summer.  It was a great group of students, and I will miss them dearly...praying that God brings many of them back to serve in our city again!

Artist in Residence

SITC student, Mandi, posted this photo on her FB page:  "Job was so excited to learn how to draw stars! He told me he is now an artist!"  

We are sooooo grateful that our kids get to be exposed to and loved on by wonderful college students like Mandi and others who were in our city this summer!

Good TImes

Our dear friend, Roberta, sent us these pictures that she took while she was in our city for summer project.  Hanging out at the Hoffhouse means good times with baby...