A Season of Growth, Trust, and God at Work

Michelle C.
2 days ago
3 min read

Merry Christmas to all our friends near and far!

The past season has been full in every sense of the word. Ministry has continued to grow, relationships have deepened, and God has been moving in powerful ways across multiple communities. It has been busy, stretching, and deeply encouraging.

In Deer Park, ministry has truly exploded. (Yes, I still oversee the area as Area Director and Administrator) Middle school WyldLife club is averaging around 65 students each week, filling the room with energy and curiosity. High school club recently welcomed over 30 students, many of whom are continuing to come back. One of the most encouraging moments came through WyldLife Campaigners, where 42 middle school students gathered for Bible study. (bonus - someone just donated 25 NIV Bibles, which the kids have been asking for!) Boys met together in one location and girls in another, opening scripture and leaning into meaningful conversation. Seeing that many students choose to engage at that level has been a powerful reminder that God is at work.

Here in the Chelan Valley, ministry continues to be steady and relational. We are averaging around 30 high school students at lunchtime clubs, meeting kids right in the middle of their school day. These consistent touchpoints are creating space for trust, deeper conversations, and a growing curiosity about faith. We are loving it!

Photos from Club at Chelan High School and "Friendsgiving" gathering....

Beyond local ministry, I also have the privilege of supervising two Area Directors in Montana (Kalispell & Billings). Supporting leaders and encouraging ministry in multiple communities has added to the fullness of this season and has been a joy to witness what God is doing in each place with the staff who feel called to kids!

As we look ahead, we are taking time to pray, listen, and seek wisdom for the road in front of us. We trust that the Lord is already at work preparing what is next, and we remain confident in His faithfulness.

Through it all, our hope remains the same. We trust what the Lord has for us and believe He will continue to reach kids, draw them to Himself, and change lives through consistent presence and loving relationships. Thank you for praying, supporting, and walking alongside us in this season.

A Personal Note From Our Family

Alongside all that God has been doing in ministry, this season has also brought a lot of change for our family.

Grace is finishing up her final year at Grand Canyon University and will graduate in April, which feels both exciting and surreal. At the same time, Hailey leaves in just two weeks to begin manicure school in Spokane. We are incredibly proud of her courage and creativity as she takes this next step. Watching them both step into a new journey is a gift!

After 24 years of having kids in the house, we are entering a brand new season as empty nesters. That will be true at least until Grace returns in May, but even that short window feels like a meaningful shift. We are learning to celebrate new rhythms God is inviting us into.

Photo of Hailey and me at Arches National Park, a stopover on our drive to Arizona for Thanksgiving to see Grace.

We are also still looking for the right home in Chelan. For now, continuing to rent while we wait for interest rates to improve actually does not sound too bad. We are grateful for where we are and trusting the timing.

That said, I might completely bust if we do not get a dog soon. Who knew that having a dog would get you outside, walking, and moving so much more. It turns out a leash might be the best motivation of all. (We miss our Malibu every day!)

As we approach the end of the year, we are deeply grateful for the way our community near and far has come alongside us both in Young Life. If you feel called to make an end-of-year gift, your generosity helps create a consistent presence and meaningful relationships with kids across the Chelan Valley and beyond. Every gift makes a difference, and we are thankful for your partnership.

As we celebrate Christmas, our prayer for you is peace, joy, and hope found in Jesus. May your homes be filled with light and your hearts reminded of God’s great love.

Use this link see my progress towards our end-of-year goal and how to donate:

CLICK HERE