Grateful for our time with the kids
I had a couple of boards sitting out on the lawn. They were left out after a couple days of rain. By the time a few boys and I got around to picking them up, some of the grass underneath had wilted and died. This provided a grand opportunity for some teaching. The verse that came to mind was Hebrews 1: 3, The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Just as the grass wilts and dies without exposure to the sun, we, too, “wilt and die” when we lose connection to the Son. We lose joy and productivity when His Kingdom dies. I’m grateful for simple lessons that are presented while working with the kids.
We are in the middle of summer. We currently have our last summer work group here. We are all looking forward to break, but at the same time grateful for all folks who came and worked in the heat and humidity and accomplished so much. It was a joy seeing again many who have come over the years, and decades. Many new faces showed as well. We hope they return next year to help us out again. There’s always something to do around here.
The Kolars’ house is still in the thick of life here at Shiloh. Misty and I, this coming February, will turn 10 years as house parents here. Crazy how fast time flies! When we came here nearly 10 years ago, we only had Titus, Makenna, and Asher. Titus has just recently completed a one-year residency at Shelbina Christian Church. After the residency, he was hired full time as the Associate Minister there. Makenna is currently working as a peer coordinator at a doctor’s office in Macon, MO. She likes the work she’s doing there, but she likes her fiancé even more. They will be married this coming October. (That hasn’t really set in for me, Todd, quite yet). She will be very happy. Asher is home from the University of Central Missouri for the summer. He is currently working a summer job at Taco Bell. Crazy how fast time flies!!
Bella will be a junior this coming school year. She’s lived with us since she was a 6th grader. This has been a busy summer for her. She has summer softball and summer basketball. She also works a lot of hours at a camp near Shiloh as a lifeguard. The good thing is that she now has a driver’s license and drives herself around to all this busyness. Misty and I love that!! She’s a great athlete and does great in school. Pray for her teenage attitude though.
Brooklynn is another junior we have in our house for the last two years. She tried out for the basketball cheerleading team last year and loved it. This year she will be cheerleading on the football cheer team. She’s greatly looking forward to it. She also enjoys a weekly bible study she has with a few other girls her age. She’s goofy and has fun just about any she goes. She does well in school. You can pray for her teenage attitude as well.
Ethan will be a sophomore this year. He’s lived with us for just over 2 years. Ethan loves football and fishing. If you asked him which one he likes the most, he probably wouldn’t be able to decide. He doesn’t always say a lot, but he makes up for it with a good mood that rarely changes. He likes to lift weights, works hard, and eats everything in sight. South Shelby had an undefeated football season last year. He’s pumped for this year.
Kendall came to us around Christmas time in 2022. He’ll be a 6th grader this school year. Kendall is all boy. He’s fascinated by anything outside: bugs, frogs, fish, snakes, storms…anything. He loves to ride his bike and build forts. If it’s raining outside, he’ll spend his time building Lego creations. He’s very creative and loves taking things apart. He struggles in school, but he’s spent some time with Alice, our tutor, this summer. Pray for Kendall.
Devin will be a 7th grader this year. He has been with us since he was 3. Like Ethan, he also loves to fish and play football. Devin, for many years, has been a bit of a “in the background” kind of kid—not always saying much and never demanded a lot of attention. In the last few months, he’s really come out of his shell. It’s great to see him blossoming socially. He is getting taller and bulkier as well. He a great worker and does well in school. He’s right in the thick of the middle school years, so pray for him…and us too.
Larry, our 5th grader this year, will continue at Tri County Christian School in Macon. We’ve had Larry since he was 2 years old. Larry is our little comedian. We often have to laugh and roll our eyes. Some things he does and says are hilarious, and then some things are just…well you just got to know Larry. He’s very smart and does well in school. He struggles a bit socially, but we have a good God. Pray for Larry.
Lastly, we have our buzzing socialite Julianna. She has lived with us since she was 1 year old. She will now be a 4th grader. Workgroup season is the time of her life. So many people to talk to, so many new friends to meet, and so much going on. School, church, anywhere with a lot of people is what she lives for. We adore her. She loves animals and bugs and jumping on the trampoline. This year she planted for herself a small garden plot. It’s growing very well. Pray for Julianna as she grows.
Thank you so much from all of us here at the Kolars’ house. Misty and I are so grateful for all the support, generosity, and prayers we have received over the years. God bless you all.
Todd and Misty Kolars