It's been awhile...

The past few months have been full. Moving Hailey, YL clubs, Good Way course, a visit to Young Life in Montana, a wedding in Dallas, and so much more. I have started to write this probably 10 times. So here it is, finally, a Carnes family update!

Note: I write monthly newsletters directly from Chelan Valley YL and Deer Park YL with specific information on the areas. This blog is an overview that goes to my closest friends and supporters near and far. But feel free to let me know if you want specific content like club fliers, camp links, etc., for areas, and I can add you to those lists!

As we move into Springtime, I look back on almost 2 years living in Eastern WA after making our giant move. Even though it's been full of giant wins and some disappointments too, we stand firm in where, how, and when God has called us. From when we sold our house to how we have been provided with a rental in Chelan. As we look ahead, we still haven't found the perfect home to buy, but God keeps taking care of us! I am grateful to continue doing what we (Shawn and I) do with kids.

QUICK YOUNG LIFE UPDATE

• Recent Changes in My Role:

  Recently, I felt the tug to make some changes. As Chelan Valley and Deer Park continue to grow and the demands of time have increased, as of February 1st, I have restructured my work with the region. Now, I have a clearer mind and the time to think BIG for areas and kids! Here are some ministry updates.

• Deer Park has between 45-70 kids at club, and they are also running some really great campaigners. Recently, 2 girls, post club, gave their lives to Christ with a leader. I am not going to lie, oftentimes working with middle school can feel like seed planting for connections they will make later, but Deer Park has seen middle school lean in big ways. They recently requested a need for Bibles for kids, that's rare for this age.

Also - Deer Park will be having its first Banquet on April 17th! If you know anyone who would like to join us for a free western night BBQ dinner, CLICK HERE!

• Chelan Valley (Chelan & Manson) continues to bring wins and struggles. The wide open doors of Chelan High & Middle School, with a very supportive Superintendent, make a dream scenario for contact work. We still feel called to have club during lunch. For one, it doesn't take many leaders, plus any kids who come would most likely not come outside of school hours for a host of reasons. Manson schools always feel like a struggle to get any replies to emails... but we will keep trying. Grateful for some new parents leaders in Manson connecting with kids!

A year ago God gave us this idea of a TRUST-raiser. We couldn't pull it off last year, but May feels like the right time. Our hope is that we can gain some trust with a community that feels hard to reach!

• Camp season is upon us, but I am floored continually by God's abundant blessings!

  • Deer Park registration is overflowing! Now we are seeking $5k to get a bus.

  • Chelan Valley was given funds to purchase T-shirts to use as a camp fundraiser. (see more info below to get yours!)

  • Both areas have a regional match of up to $1,000 for new camp donors until April 30th.

  • Manson Middle School has a small group of girls going to Creekside, which is a longtime answer to prayer!

  • Malibu - I am so excited to be taking a small group of girls to Malibu at the end of July-Aug. So many logistics to get kids to the middle of nowhere Canada!

• Adult Guest Hosts: Shawn and I will be adult guest hosts at Creekside June 23-27. If you would like to join us at the Adult Guest Lodge at Washington Family Ranch for a day or a week, we'd love to have you. It's a $135 per room/couple/per night, and it's "all-inclusive," so please let us know. We'd love to be your camp tour guides for Creekside and Canyon.

• Fundraising: Did someone say T-Shirts?

With every $100 donation or more to Chelan Valley Young Life, I will send YOU or someone you love a Chelan Valley Young Life T-Shirt of your choice! You can give to the main page (I will get the funds to where it's needed most) or pick a student to help: CLICK HERE

THE HOME FRONT

Shawn continues to grow his company in Chelan. A recent commercial project at Slidewaters waterpark in Chelan has him putting in overtime. If you visit Slidewaters this summer, make sure to appreciate the new bathrooms near the beach volleyball court! As people want updates in their homes outside of summer, that fits perfectly with taking kids to summer camp!

Hailey is LOVING Spokane. She began Manicure School in Spokane Valley and is thriving. Don't we LOVE seeing our kids thrive? It's been the perfect balance of the art she loves, and working closely with people. She prays with or for every customer she has. And when you are a school, you get a BIG variety of customers from elderly to eccentric! She found a church she loves called Valley Real Life and part of a young adult group there. I have LOVED how people we know seem to find her and tell me. She is renting a basement from a sweet lady named Robin, who has become a friend. Robin recently got to stay with his in Chelan. Hailey has 2 spare bedrooms, and I love to visit her. I especially love my NAILS! :)

Grace graduated on April 22nd from Grand Canyon University. Sigh.... how did that go by so fast? Doing a year of running start will do that, I guess. We now pack up her apartment as she (and cat Kiki) returns to Chelan for the summer. She has several directions she is contemplating, looking ahead to the fall. She has always been someone who makes things happen, so we look forward to what her next year will bring.

As for me (Michelle), as I have been reprioritizing so many things, I am holding to what I know is true, right, and how God has called us. More time dedicated to direct ministry, to personal health, and time with Shawn. Our seasons keep changing, which is what they are meant to do, but we are so grateful for all God has done and continues to do.

Please be praying for all the above. Going into a camp season is HARD for anyone in Young Life. A lot to arrange, a lot of funds to raise, and gearing up to take kids to camp, and to work at camp - it's busy! Pray for the Deer Parks banquet on May 17th and our TRUST-raiser in Chelan on May 30th. May we bring glory to God for his purposes!

God Bless,

Michelle Carnes