Since moving here to Green St. we have been way more "green".... basically meaning walking/biking rather than driving.  I am not quite sure why that is.. maybe because we live in a very central location, maybe because we are trying to get some exercise, there could be a whole lot of reasons, but my best guess is because it is SO FLAT HERE!!!! After living in Eau Claire for many years, it is very odd to not see a hill anywhere!!!! I guess when I am on my bike, you won't find me complaining that it's flat :)

We leave for Spring Hill tomorrow.  Spring Hill is a 3 week summer training program in the Illinois/Indiana region (modeled after Group North for all you UWEC students).  We are going for a few days (not the whole 3 weeks) to help out, meet a lot of students from around the region and reconnect with the other staff for some staff training.  Although I am panicking about packing for it.  I find this rather odd... after living for months out of a suitcase, you think this would be no big deal... but I guess I have gotten used to being HOME (which is definitely a good thing!) I am sure we will enjoy it once we get there!

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend!

We are Illinois residents! Yesterday we got our new driver's licenses.  I expected to be a little sad but getting rid of my WI license was actually kind of exciting.  Maybe it was the fact that my picture on my WI license was awful, or the fact that it said I had gray eyes or maybe I didn't like that according to my signature, my name was Katie Itaas. Either way, I have a new license with correct information!

In case you need proof that we don't feel like total IL residents yet...I will inform you that Noah wore his TWINS shirt yesterday for his driver's license picture... oh boy! We really are confused (MN? WI? IL?)

It has been a crazy week.... We feel like we were just getting into a routine, and now with the end of the semester everything has changed again.  Such is life:)

-The semester ended really well, we feel like we have made some important connections with students in the 6 short weeks we have been here.

-We had a great end of the semester social at our house last week. We are so thankful to be able to open up our home to students!

-Summer Bible Study starts this coming Thursday at our house :)

-One of my best friends, Colleen, came to visit this past week.  To say we had a great time is an understatement!

-Our landlord decided to put a half bath in the basement (we are really grateful for this!!).  The plumber that came to start working on it last week was a very friendly christian guy.  He found out about our  ministry with the Navs and decided to install a new shower head in our current shower for free (to replace one from the 70's). He and his wife ended up having us over for dinner on Saturday!!

-When we moved, we realized the a/c in our "new car" didn't work.  This is really frustrating as a/c is the  reason we traded in our  car to begin with (I guess test driving a car in Eau Claire when it is 28* doesn't tell you whether or not the a/c works!) We finally took the car in this week to get the a/c recharged. Unfortunately there is more damage.... Long story short.... a few weeks ago we drove over the curb when getting out of our driveway....it turns out this minor accident caused a lot of damage that needs to be fixed before the a/c can be fixed.  We know that expensive car repairs are just a part of life, but this is the first time we have had to experience them.

-Noah has been saving up for quite some time now and was finally able to buy a guitar this weekend! He is thrilled to start learning how to play and hopefully be able to play for Navs in the near future...

-Tomorrow is the day-- we are trading in our WI plates and drivers licenses for IL ones... oh boy!

   Amidst all that is going on and all we are trusting the Lord for, I found great comfort this morning in Isaiah 42 and 43

(42:6) I will take hold of your hand
(42:16) I will lead the blind by ways they have not known.
(43:1) I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
(43:2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you, when you walk through the fire you will not be burned.
(43:4) Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you. (Isn't that awesome??!!)
(43:5) Do not be afraid for I am with you.

We love you all... Thanks for caring about our lives and ministry!!

On Saturday I left Champaign for the FIRST time since driving in with the moving truck! It was a totally strange experience for two reasons:
1) Never in my life (that I know of) have I stayed in the SAME city for 5.5 weeks in a row (Without venturing onto a highway at any point..)
2) We got on the highway and there were two options- North to Chicago or South to Memphis.

I was taken aback and realized, wow we aren't in Eau Claire anymore!!!  Although Champaign is feeling a bit more like home every day, we miss Eau Claire and our dear friends and family a bit more all the time...

God has really been good during this transition.  He promises He will never leave us or forsake us (Isaiah 41:10) but it always incredible when you experience this truth in your own life.

It hasn't been the easiest six weeks, but it really hasn't been the hardest either.  We are so thankful we moved here when we did.  God has already opened up SO many doors here on campus.  We have been able to meet LOTS of students. We have spent time with them in their dorms, their cafeterias, walking around campus, etc.  We have been able to get to know them, share our hearts with them, challenge them, be in the Word with them and pray with them and for them!

We can't say it enough-- THANK YOU for your prayers and support during this transition. 

P.S.  In case you are wondering-- on Saturday we went North and visited CHICAGO!! Noah had never been there before.. and we had a really great day! We saw some of my relatives and toured Moody Bible Institute (Where my brother will be going to college in the fall!)

Several of you have asked how the debate was.  Thanks for your prayers and interest.

Several hundred turned out in the audience.  Estimates were anywhere from 400-700 people (wide range I know)!

Overall, the debate had a good tone.  The debaters were respectful.  James White (the Christian debater) was obviously more prepared for the debate and it showed.  James won the debate, though it wasn't a complete landslide.  Both sides made some good arguments.  I don't think either debater won too many (if any) converts over to his side.  For some of us who were hoping for a total landslide, we were a bit disappointed.  But realistically, the topic, The Triune God of Scripture Exists isn't a topic easily covered in two hours.

Probably the best result of the debate was the relationships that were forged with students of opposing viewpoints.  I (and some other students and staff) attended an after-party hosted by the atheist-agnostic organization.  I know that by showing up, we broke some stereotypes they had about Christians.  We got into some very spirited (but mostly respectful) conversations.  We're excited to hopefully continue some dialog with these students, and to pray that God opens some doors for the Gospel.

Thanks for your prayers.  If you're interested in seeing some clips from the debate, you can check out James White's website: http://www.aomin.org.