Summer of Walls

Brad built a lot of walls this summer. He

• finished the fence in our backyard (okay, not a wall, but still),
• built a wall in the Long Hall to add more privacy to the dining area,
• built a sight wall behind the Homestead to hide the containers and storage area,
• built a sight wall between Ike’s Roost and the Broken I Ranch area,
• and he has been busy knocking down and putting walls back up at the new staff home!

Of course, he had help with all of that! His summer crew (plus his honorary crew of the lifeguards, plus many of the summer staff who were assigned to work crews), a volunteer who has been coming to help for several summers now, and even our toddler all had a hand in building these walls in some way.

Of course, more was built this summer than just walls. We had many campers come and make decisions, many summer staff and Leadership Livers who grew in their walks with Jesus and just in life skills and work ethic, many pygmies growing in service and in stature. Forty-three (that we know of) young people chose to trust in Jesus as their Savior. Praise the Lord!

God also provided the opportunity to purchase a lot across the road where Faith Baptist Church of Cherokee Road, Nehemiah Corps, and Ironwood Christian Academy will end up. That allows for more visibility for the church and school as well as a more permanent home base for Nehemiah Corps while they travel helping other ministries.

Speaking of provision, God provided a job for me this summer that allowed me to stay home! I love getting to stay home with my boys, and I was able to watch another baby during the week as part of Pygmy Post. It was a sweet time of being able to do more with my own children and home and invest in another child at the same time. What a kindness from the Lord Who knows the desires of my heart and cares deeply for me!

Otherwise, our family is just gearing back up for the “off season” (haha) after enjoying a break. We went to the Reagan Library to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and then went up to the mountains in Sequoia National Forest for a night. We came back, had a couple days at home, and worked a quiet week. Then we traveled to Bullhead to help my home church as my home pastor recovers from a heart attack. It was a quick visit and we didn’t spend much time with my family, but it was sweet nonetheless.

KIDS CORNER

We think our kids are part of our mission while they’re here in our home. Here’s what they wanted to tell you!

Toddler says, “Hi, Phillip!” and “Hey, Trevor!” and “I got a watch that I like to have it off and on and Hank’s ice cream fell off (that’s in his new book from Grandma and Grandpa)” Oh, and also “Hey, Michael!” He’s very concerned about whether y’all heard him. Baby is currently sleeping on my lap, so he’s unavailable for comment.