…Summer is ramping down, summer missions are coming to a close, craft stores are stocking fall and Christmas decor, schools are ramping up. Are your summer plans closing down? Do you still have vacation ahead of you? Andy and I recently returned from a week in Colorado, the first true vacation we’ve taken in quite a while. We had a great visit with friends and got to spend three days in the mountains, in a cabin. It was glorious, Andy did his favorite hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and I spent three hours+ in Estes Park. I was chilly for the first time since February. Now we are back in Orlando thanking Jesus for fans and air conditioning.
I want to share a quick reminder of how much we appreciate each of you and the part you have chosen in the ministry God has called us to. You make all the difference. We can’t thank you enough!
I returned to work and two large projects: One is for our Allocation Team, the people within the campus ministry who decide where to place new staff. They are reworking their processes and I got to proof all of their communications with the national leaders of our ministry. Most of the people who join our staff come from the campus ministry. It is vital that they are treated well and distributed wisely. Like reading a computer manual, the first read through was rough as I knew it was English, but had to strain to understand the context and ideas. I am now on my second and third read through and it has gone really well.
The other project is for City, our ministry to those in our nation’s hubs! They have a podcast, “Created For,” which “explores ideas around calling, purpose, and making an impact.” I will be listening to the podcasts and checking the transcriptions for accuracy. This is not an easy job — trying to follow the written copy while listening to the audio, making sure that they match. Our high school ministry is ramping back up and I am helping with their monthly communication, The Homeroom.
Andy was supposed to be in the office two days a week then working at home the other three days BUT, the Delta variant and office reorganizations have given Andy and his teams a six month “stay at home” order. Andy does not mind that at all. Rachel will return from Towson and her summer with Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Women’s Lacrosse mission. I can not wait for her to “download” all of her stories to me. (Can you tell I am married to an IT guy?)
Since I began this letter, at the end of July, WOW! The world has turned upside down again. Here in Central Florida COVID-19 has come back strong. “To mask or not to mask?” And then the earthquake in Haiti, followed by Tropical Storm Grace. The hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of the wounded. And then the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. Christians there are truly in fear for their lives. In all of this, as we pray for those around the world and in our own neighborhoods, I wanted to remind you of some truths to help soothe your soul, calm your spirit, and help you focus on The God of the Universe.
Isaiah 41:13 “For I hold you by your right hand — I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you’.” God is with us all the time, He is not surprised by what is happening, and is willing to walk it with us.
I Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace,…” We can have peace in the midst of disorder, God can give us peace no matter the circumstances. Reach out to Him.”
Psalms 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Again, thank you for your prayers for us and our family, and we thank you for your participation in God’s ministry.
The Kelloggs 