Last weekend, Katie and I were planning to go camping to "get away from it all" for a night.

The weather had been beautiful for the previous few weeks.  The day came, but sadly with it came the rain!  We decided we didn't like the idea of 24 hours in the rain.

So we decided to throw aside our disappointment and make the best of things:  pudgy pies over a campfire in the backyard, and a game of Ticket to Ride by lantern light!

We had a great campfire last night.  Only a handful of students showed up at our designated meeting spot for rides for campus, but then somehow 30 people were here!

As the title said- we enjoyed some delicious teddy bears (biscuit dough wrapped on a stick, dipped in butter and rolled in cinnamon and sugar), s'mores and lots of hot drinks. But most of all we enjoyed getting to talk with some students one-on-one and really see how they are doing.

They have been on campus for a month already and a campfire is a place that encourages deeper conversation.

We're again thankful for the house and yard that God has provided for us and the chance to use it for hosting students!

It’s amazing how time works. We have anticipated this fall kick-off for so long! (Ever since last summer when we found out we would be moving here.)  We have planned diligently for it and now the “kick-off” period is about over and the school year is in full swing. We will have our 4th bible study and 4th Nav Night next week! We definitely are starting to get into a routine and are discerning what our typical weekly schedule will look like. 

Tomorrow night we are hosting a campfire at our house. We look forward to having students over (and getting some of these kids from the big city outside!) We are hoping for lots of students to bring their friends whom we haven’t met yet.  The weather forecast looks great and we look forward to a great night.

Thanks for your partnership with us!

A great thing about our job is its flexibility.
A terrible thing about our job is its flexibility.

It seems like we are always thinking about work- round the clock- every day of the week. Don't get me wrong we get breaks, and we are intentional to take time off and we do our best to take a day of rest. BUT it is definitely not 9-5.  Every semester requires a long time of adjusting.  And it seems that as we adjust this semester every day and every week is different. The past few weeks have really gone fast and God has totally blessed them- but in a way it all seems like a blur!

We are so thankful for the many students that God has brought our way!!! Praise the Lord for all of them!!  We have many students who have decided to follow Christ and many others who are exploring who Jesus is. We are so thankful for all of these students that the Lord has brought to us!

Highlights of this week : 
-Noah and I both had our 2nd bible studies on Monday which were encouraging. It was good to see students coming back again and more students checking it out for the first time!
-Noah is speaking at Nav Night tonight (pray for him if you get this!) He is speaking on obedience to Christ from the end of Luke 6.
-We get to attend our first U of I football game on Saturday. The Navs are also having a tailgate before the game.
-We have both had many encouraging one-on-one meetings with different students!
-We get a day of rest on Sunday and we'll actually get to see the Packer game!! :)

Hey friends,

Katie and I both had our first Bible Studies last night, and the turnout exceeded our expectations.  We're thankful God's brought people into our lives who want to seek Him and make Him known to others.

Thanks to you who were praying!  Your prayers are being answered.