Experiences to Smile - Kaleo Ministry: December 2008

HOME!

Hey everyone,

I made it home! Yes, after a day of uncertain travels on Sunday, I arrived to Toronto in the wee hours of Monday morning. It is very nice to be home for a few weeks before heading out west again. Although I really miss everyone from Kaleo, visiting with the family will be great. Last night Josh and I geared up and headed outside for a few hours working on our ice rink. It is lovely to just be HOME.

Here are a few pictures from the days before leaving Kaleo...

Room 312 at the Christmas banquet

The whole crew

Erin and I...we went on the King Swing! So much fun:)

Thanks for all the prayers. This past semester would not have been the same without them!

Love

Kylie

Kaleo Ministry #12

Only five more days...five days till my first semester at college is complete. As of today, I have been away from home for 92 days! Now that is hard to believe. These past months have stretched, challenged, encouraged and taught me in many ways. Looking back, I cannot believe how much I have grown spiritually and intellectually. I really look forward to a few weeks with the family just relaxing and visiting. But come January, I am really excited to see what next semester holds. This whole year has been and continues to be an adventure, slowly building in excitement and possibilities. Who knows where it will take me!

This year for the St. John’s Youth Group, we are focusing on how to love others from the outpouring of God’s love for us. A few years ago, some youth started a once monthly drop-in center for families at the church. After those youth graduated, the program slowly started to fall apart. One of the youth’s plans for this year is to restart this program; the Solid Rock Cafe will run every second Friday of the month. This past Friday night we started advertising via pamphlets and telephone poles. While on this escapade we also prayed for each poster and house. It was a really cool experience to pray with these youth over matters other than personal situations. Although I will not be able to help with the first night, hopefully it will continue into the new year where we can help serve. I look forward to seeing where God takes this and what He teaches the youth through this experience.

Since everyone is at their own homes for Christmas, Kaleo is having a Christmas together before we all head our separate ways. Below are some pictures from our tree hunting adventure. I’ve never “shopped” for a tree before! That was a new experience. Although we had some great laughs, I think I prefer our family tradition: hiking through the forest in knee-high snow and getting lost - it makes the experience all that more interesting.

Thanks again for all the prayers. I look forward to seeing and visiting with many of you over this Christmas break.

Much love,
Kylie