A Sweet Summer

Our July was filled with many of the simple, ordinary moments that make up summer, but scattered among them were some especially beautiful reminders of God’s goodness and faithfulness. In early July, Family Missions Company hosted their annual Faith Camp for high school teens—a special week set apart for young people to encounter the Lord, grow deeper in their faith, and encourage one another in their walk with Him. I had the opportunity to spend a few days serving behind the scenes, helping prepare meals in the kitchen, while my husband Zach volunteered for DOP duty (Dads On Patrol, aka the camp’s nighttime security).

Although it seemed like simple work, we were grateful for the opportunity to serve and to be a small part of what God was doing throughout the week. There is such JOY in knowing that even the seemingly ordinary tasks can become an offering to the Lord when done with love. And then came an especially sweet gift. During Faith Camp week, we were overjoyed to be reunited with our dear friend Fabricio from Costa Rica! Through a generous donation, Fabricio was able to make the trip to Faith Camp and experience the week himself as a staff member. What a beautiful answer to prayer and reminder of God’s provision for this faithful teenager! We were so happy to see and hug him again. Seeing him there was a reminder to us that God is always at work—providing, connecting, and faithfully bringing people together in His perfect timing. Our hearts are so grateful. God is indeed SO good!

Another wonderful opportunity we had in July was spending a day at CLI. This is a summer camp that our home diocese puts on each year, and it is a place where I attended and staffed for nearly a decade. CLI was also where I first truly discovered God’s love for me and claimed our beautiful Catholic faith as my own. It was such a gift to be back there this summer with my family! We were able to set up a table with SERVE magazines and brochures about Family Missions Company, and we had many wonderful conversations with teenagers about foreign missions, family life, and what it looks like to live out our Catholic faith in today’s world.

Zach and I have also been praying about different ways we can continue to integrate our family while we are here in the U.S. for the next year. We will both be starting the Encounter School of Ministry online next month. We are looking at opportunities to serve in our local community and hoping to get involved in parish ministry in some capacity. We are also excited for another homeschool year, with our daughter Eleanor starting first grade! In addition to homeschooling, we have decided to register her for dance class this year. We are so excited to see all the ways the Lord will allow her to grow, learn, and flourish!

Last but not least, we are SO thankful that we were able to spend my birthday weekend visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Texas. We had such a special time together—talking, swimming, cooking, playing at the park, playing games, and simply enjoying quality time together. We also celebrated my birthday with a delicious meal at a restaurant, which was such a fun way to end the weekend. We are so grateful for the gift of family and for the beautiful memories we were able to make together! Thanks be to God!

Please pray for us! Pray for opportunities for us to serve while we are in the U.S., that the Lord would open the right doors for us to serve our local parish and community, and give us eyes to recognize the little ways He is inviting our family to love and serve others each day.