I am witnessing God stretching, growing, and challenging your students. It's awesome.
Today they continued serving in their work groups! They are having a blast in these groups and it's so fun to see them forming new friendships....one group even has a team cheer! Their attitude and work ethic truly stands out. I had two different adults approach me today to tell me how much they love working with your kids!
In the afternoon we headed out to the financial district of Chicago. Students had the opportunity to engage in conversation and share a meal with someone from the homeless community. Ask them about this when they get home! Afterwards, we got to share stories as a whole group of who they met during the meal share. Students were sharing about how their compassion was stretched, how their perspective was changing, how they stepped out to pray over people and how the people they met encouraged them in their faith. God is at work!
Tonight our group dug deep into conversation about race and injustice. They are wrestling, they are thinking, they are being stretched. I am so proud of them for their willingness to go deeper, to learn more, to be open. Be praying for the work God is doing in each of us!
Keep the comments coming...reading them is a highlight at breakfast time!
All is well.
Lauren
Hey All, so proud of all of you!! What an amazing life experience for you guys. Ty boy am I missing my Dishwasher ,oh and your handsome face. Miss you tons and can't wait for you to get home. Continued prayers for all of you. Ty,,,, Love you longtime...
ReplyDeleteGood morning to everyone, especially Olivia! You are missed at here at home, especially by Charlie. I'm not quite sure if her GI issues the past few days have been due to her dietary indiscretion or your absence, but they are thankfully getting better. The rest of us are able to process our feelings in a healthier way, I think. I am praying for you all - that you are aware of God's presence and love and that you are willing to be used by him in whatever way he chooses. Also I will pray for courage to have meaningful interactions others while on the L. (Not sure if that's today, but I'll pray for it anyway.) Be good. Be kind. Be a blessing and a fragrance.
ReplyDeleteHi goose. How are things going for you in Chicago? I hope you are feeling challenged and excited about everything God has in store for you, for the team, and for the Chicago community this week. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures. Kayla is enjoying DC. She is sending pictures and short texts about everything she is seeing and doing. We are praying for you. Pray for us! Love, Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteHello Josie! It sounds like you are having a great trip so far! It is quiet at home without you. I think your brother even misses you! I am sending positive thoughts your way as you continue through the week. Have fun and stretch yourself!!! All my love, Mom
ReplyDeleteHi Beau, love and miss you!!! love your pic, you all look so tough. How is it going there, can you send me a message through this blog? Praying for you that the Lord will draw you and the people you are serving closer to him. I have a hair cut today and everyone else is working. Syd and Alex will pick you up on Sat. Hope that is ok, but call me the minute you are in the car Love mom
ReplyDeleteI forgot part of the "benediction ". After "be kind" it should say "make me proud". Olivia probably caught that omission. I used to say it to her everyday as she left for school.
ReplyDeleteGood morning from Minnesota, WOW you all have been so busy. It sounds like everyone is having a great time and really settling in. It is fun hearing about how God is using each of you in a BIG way. You are each so special and important in His plan. Thank you for keeping an open heart and making a big difference in the world. Mr. Miles, I hope you are having fun and enjoying all that Chicago has to offer. We are a bit jealous that you had “authentic” Chicago pizza!!! We love you soooo much and are soooo proud of you. Keep being the shining light you are to others. We will keep praying for you until you get back home. Then it’s back to frozen Jack’s pizza!!!
ReplyDeleteXOXOOXOX,
Mom & Dad Johnny and Wrigs say Hi too!!!
Hi KJ, it's Marit, We had Tons of fun in VBS this week! We ate Coral and Fish for a snack! (Veggie straws and gummie whales) :) Yesterday in swimming lessons we learned the Monkey, Airplane, Soilder!! (It's a fun way that you can swim on your back!! I'm really good at floating! What do you eat while in Chicago?
ReplyDeleteI love you and miss you soooooo much!
Love Marit! P.S. Buddy misses you!!
Hola Shnookerdoodle! Good to hear from you yesterday - glad you are having a powerful time on the South side. So blessed to have a best friend and wife who has a heart for kids and a heart full of God's love and grace. Please don't lose any of the kids on the train, though (red line, not purple). Also, how do you do laundry again? Is it 3 or 4 packets of the blue detergent stuff? And there was some chicken in the fridge that smelled a bit off - should be ok if I just cook it longer, right? Not sure where the other kids are - hoping they check in before you get home on Sat. Love and miss you sweetums! My hard workin' Proverbs 31 wifey.
ReplyDeleteHi Benny!! It sounds like you're having a busy week full of serving and doing Gods work! We are praying that the rest of the week will be fulfilling, may God use all of you to make a difference and spread Gods love in Chicago!❤️ Love you and miss you lots, Mom & David
ReplyDeleteHi Camryn! The week seems to be flying by...and soon you'll be home! Carly has Backyard Chaos tonight, and then Sawyere is coming over for that long-awaited sleepover! :) She has also been having fun at showchoir camp...it will be fun for you to watch the video of Friday's show! Keep doing what you do best: having a cheerful and helpful attitude! Love you! Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteLove to see the combination of tired smiles ... looks like all are doing some great work.
ReplyDeletePeter Butter, you need to know that Winnie is acting like a new puppy. She's been talking to me for the past half hour ... telling me that dinner time is approaching. Truly amazing!
Har det bra daggen!
Hey Whitey, you are doing a great impression of a DOT worker leaning on that shovel! It's been fun to hear all that has been going on with your group. We are praying that God will do a mighty work in your life through this experience. Keep serving with class and caring for the people you interact with. Mom and the girls are all on summer break now hanging on the deck eating DQ and reading People magazine all day - I am in Toronto schlepping poles to the Canadians, I did take a detour yesterday to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls- Amazing amount of water flowing, we miss you and look forward to your return and the stories. Keep strong and put your back into those holes man!
ReplyDeleteLove
Whitey Sr.
Hi Kristian, I see you are in the school group. What a perfect match for your kind heart. I know you have been preparing and looking forward to this trip for a long time. The house is so quiet here! Your brother is working hard and comes home filthy every day! We keep watching the blogs for pictures. Brings us a little cloer to you! Can't wait to talk to you about your experiences and faith journey.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Mom
Chicago Team, you are halfway through this experience. I wonder, what has God revealed to you thus far? And...how will you respond to that beautiful revelation? I am praying you all take full advantage of this blessing and that you are forever changed to be more like Christ through this experience. I pray your eyes are opened and your mind and desires are drawn closer to Him. He was, is, and is to come, and He has each of you there for specific and eternal purposes. Dig in. Seek His face. Be strengthened and encouraged by His Word and His unchanging and extravagant love for you. What a privilege it is to know and serve our God! You are all capable of loving well and of living selflessly for the benefit of the people you serve, AND the people you serve WITH--I am excited to hear of your growth. I pray our God, who created us for community, binds you together in new and beautiful ways as a class. Stay strong and know you are lifted in prayer. Elizabeth--I miss you tons and can't wait to have you home. Continue to radiate joy and Jesus. I love you!
ReplyDeleteSheri/Mom
Hi KJ! It's Hally now!!!
ReplyDeleteMe and Marit made up a joke that we want to tell you!!! Ready?!!?!???
Okay but first you need to pretend like you have already died and live in Heaven!!! Okay?
What do you say to GOD when he sneezes?!?!
(remember you live in heaven!)
GOD BLESS YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isn't that a good one!?!?!
I love you and miss you KJ!!!! We are praying for you in Cicago and Britta in Colorado!!!
Love Hally !
Hi Soraya!
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud of your outreach to others in need. What a wonderful and totally amazing experience you are ALL having!
We do miss you lots, but we are sure you wouldn't like the rainy, windy and very cold temps here on the North Shore!
We will continue to pray for your safety, comfort and for your heart and mind to continue to stretch to where God wants it to be. We are so proud of, and thankful for, your missionary work!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Parker D,
ReplyDeleteRoses are red;
Violets are blue;
Rhyming is hard....
Coffee!
Missing you! Guess who?
Hey Maddie! Love all the pics and hope you all are having great time. We miss but also are praying that you are living this trip to the fullest. Thought a lot about on your birthday and hope you had a great day. Was it fun seeing the places in Chicago you've been too? Did you get another hotdog at Wrigley Field? Take and we'll see you soon. Love you Mom, Dad, Collin, Kaitlin, and Smudge!
ReplyDeleteHi Jacob-
ReplyDeleteWow- what an amazing week you're having. We can't wait to hear all about it (Mom wants to know every detail, just like she was there!)
Hank started his golf lessons this week and he thinks his swing is pretty awesome. You have to hurry home and show him how it's done.
Keep an open mind and heart for "WHATEVER" God's plan is for you.
Love you lots-
Mom, Dad and Hankey
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello Mission Chicago! - It is super fun seeing your smiling faces in all of those great photos! Keep em' coming!! We are praying for all of you in your work in Chicago; especially that you are being used for some amazing witness to Gods goodness and glory! Hi Caroline!! We have missed you so much Spunk - arrived in Chi town today and can't wait to connect with you Friday around noon - so sorry to take you away from this amazing experience a bit early!! We can't wait to hear all about your incredible week!! Love you so much! Mom
ReplyDeleteGeorgia belle,
ReplyDeleteCan't sleep (it's 1:30am) so I'm laying here praying for you. Wish I could think of something inspirational to say but all that comes to mind is "no mas pantalones".
Ok. Maybe I am tired.
LOVE YOU!!!!
XO
Mommmmmmmmmmmmzzzzzzzzzzzz
Hey E & E, we miss you both! Goose wanders around looking for a lap to snuggle into and there are two less to choose from now. Pictures are great but Erin you need to get into some more! Work hard for the Lord and pray for Gran & Papa. We'll see you Sat. morn bright & early! Love, Mom & Dad & Anders & Lucy
ReplyDeleteErik:
ReplyDeleteYou'll be thrilled to hear nobody's been messing with your hammock, and that Tore now has one! Whatever. Speaking of which, I pray that you all are having a 'whatever' kind of week being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Loving you in your mission of love, Dad and Mom.
Camryn
ReplyDeleteGuess what? Buying a new refrigerator today. We had to throw everything. Praying that God will use your hands, feet, and voice as you serve Jesus. "Whatsoever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Love you Grandpa and Grandma J.
Hi Lydia! It sounds like you're having an amazing time. I can't believe all that you've packed into a few days! I remember you telling me that you would be approaching a homeless person & sharing a meal so I look forward to hearing how that went. Everyone misses you so much (except Claire and especially Rocky)! Ok, maybe Claire just a little :) We're praying for you and your group to come home safely. Love you! Mom
ReplyDelete