Until Then, Most Evenings You Can Find Us At The Pond Soaking Up Summer
What a summer we have had! Thanks to you, our generous donors.
As soon as school was out –like literally the next morning– we loaded up and headed out for family vacation. I (Dennae) love traveling, and family vacation is one of my favorite weeks of the year. I love how we have a chance to get away, leave all our daily responsibilities behind, and just be together. It is amazing what making shared memories does to solidify the group of kids we have at the time. Family trips always help to bond us.
This year we were blessed to go to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We were able to go to Mount Rushmore on Memorial Day, which was very neat. We saw Crazy Horse from below. Drove through Custer several times, and had two wonderful afternoons hiking, rock scrambling, and wading at Sylvan Lake. The kids took bikes and found an old railroad line trail that they loved to bike down. We saw bison, prairie dogs, deer, and black bears. The kids decided one of the bison looked like Mr. Cohn with its long beard.
After vacation we came home to…..life. Kirk got busy trying to make up for the late start on the bedroom additions to C3 and C4 due to late spring rains. Heaven, Grace, and Hunter worked by day, and participated in the community theater production of “Into the Woods” at night. Ezra got baptized this summer. We are so proud of the young man he is growing into. He also worked at Tri-County in the summer daycare. Luke basked in his final summer of not having to always go out with the work groups. Mirlanda helped me cook and did her share of dishes. Izzy began conditioning for cross country this fall. We are very proud of her for sticking with it all summer despite being the newest with the least experience. The “triplets” as we call them Elisha, Ezmae (twins) and Petunia, have been busy playing, swimming, and arguing.
Our graduated kids have been busy too. Ezra and I rode the train to Chicago to see Mercy. She has been there a year now, and it was great to finally see where she lives. Titus has been at Wildwood Christian Church near St. Louis this summer doing an internship. He has had great experiences there, and we are thankful for their support. Abigail spent her summer traveling around Missouri with Totus Tuus. Ashley has struggled some this summer but has enlisted in the U.S. Navy and will begin basic training in September. We pray this will be a good fit for her life.
Work groups got so much done this summer. From putting stone under the solar panels to mulching to metal siding to painting to wiring to roofing it is amazing what gets done in four weeks. Total this summer we had 8 groups over 4 weeks with a rough estimate of 224 people. It is amazing to see what is built in those four weeks physically, spiritually, and relationally. We are so grateful for all the ways people donate to our ministry. But those who come and put their literal sweat, and maybe some tears, into this place have a special place in our hearts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you got done and continue to do. As I write, summer is wrapping up. Soon the college kids will leave, sports will begin, and school will start. Until then, most evenings you can find us at the pond soaking up summer.
Thanks for all you do to bless our ministry!
Blessings, The Moore’s
