I'm sitting here finishing off a chocolate orange with Claire. Unfortuanately, I just started eating this chocolate orange with Claire, so we're pretty hopped up on sugar & chocolate caffeine. Good thing I neglected to make a New Year resolution list this year.
The Fam
A lot has happened since I last wrote you. Here's our life in brief. Kate is growing. 7lbs 2oz now (and no, she hasn't been eating my chocolate orange.) Claire, Kate & Lincoln were excited to surprise 'Mimi & Papa' by showing up at their house a couple days after Christmas. The weather was so awesome that Courtney and I decided last minute to make the 4 hour trip north. It was really nice. We celebrated Christmas up there and the kids were very happy to tear through all of their stocking stuffers. We're packing boxes and preparing to move north (about a half mile north - see earlier post). We recently sold our boat dock at Lake Miola & our piano and will be using the money to sustain our family while we raise funds for our ongoing ministry.
Young Life
On the 16th of December I got a call from Pete Fritsch, small town coordinator for Young Life letting me know that Young Life is excited about inviting me to join them on staff to launch a Young Life ministry right here in Paola. Being on staff means that now I can freely plan, promote, and fundraise for Young Life. Young Life has set up a bank account for our area, and given us an official area number so that people can begin donating immediately here. If you'd like to make a donation, at this time please make a one-time gift to our area. This will especially help immediately with cost of mailings, YL materials, and office expenses. Our area number is KS65 (the address that you will see is currently the address of the regional office in Missouri).
In January, we're going to host a few casual Chips & Salsa meetings to get people together and give everyone a little taste of what is in store for our area. We are still determining the dates, but I'll post them as they are confirmed.
Anyone who is interested in leadership in Young Life is invited to the Teachers Summit at Windemere Conference Center, January 23-25. Cost is $40 for anyone who wants to go from our area. Let me know if you'd like join us this weekend, or please pass this info on to any teachers that you know who love Jesus, have a passion for kids, and who are interested about the ministry of Young Life.
April 5 is the tentative date of the Young Life Banquet Fund-raiser. We're anticipating a great turnout and a really fun gathering where we will introduce Young Life to our area.
Also, we have been given 15 high school spots for the upcomong Young Life Frontier Ranch Camp, May 30 - June 7! Cost is $625 person. I'm really excited that they've held these spots, because the 15 students who attend camp will get to experience what Young Life is all about, AND this group will be our core who will launch YL in September 2009.
I will be talking to the mission board of my parent's church in Chariton, Iowa in the next couple of weeks to ask for their financial support for our ministry here in Paola.
Happy New Year
Hope everyone had a great New-Year. It was a fun time over at the Coles. As the clock struck midnight, Greg Cole wrestled everyone to the floor showing no mercy - although Nancy Gagnebin put up a pretty good fight under Darrin's coaching. Lisa Collier 'dominated' Rock Band left handed. Tammy Cole showed off her awesome pink speckled ski pants. Courtney DeBok scored a sweet, and somewhat disturbing, white elephant gift. Dave Nash passed up a sweet phone, but Jenny rebounded. And Troy Collier lost his screwdriver but got it back by the end of the exchange. And I stuffed my mouth with a handfull of food every time I passed the buffet table. What a great end to 2008.
Has anyone ever had the "New Years Elf" visit to fill your shoes with candy?
-Ryan
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