Sliding into Summer with Purpose

As summer approaches, I have been reflecting on what a full and fruitful year it has been for our family and with Young Life. We have faced our share of challenges in Chelan, but through it all, we are grateful for a loving Father who guides, provides for us, and helps us navigate each step. To kick off the season, I wanted to share a short video that wraps up our giving campaign for camp. It does not dive into specific stories or highlight every incredible kid we have met, but it gives a glimpse into the life-changing work happening in Chelan and Manson schools this year. (Warning - it's nothing fancy, just me in a school parking lot!)

Recent Ministry Photos:

High School Club in Chelan, WyldLife Club in a Bubble, Shawn and I at CHS, and a Giant WyldLife Club in Deer Park with 53 kids!

Plus, Shawn and I attended Chelan High Schools graduation last night. It was nearly impossible to track down some of the kids we know after, but I snapped a couple photos with some favs. (on the right is Flor, she did work crew last summer at Canyon!)

GEARING UP FOR SUMMER CAMPING

God is amazing us in so many ways, and we have so much to be thankful for! As we gear up for summer camp, will you join me in praying as we head to camp this year? Here are a few specific ways you can lift them, and our teams up:

• Pray for our leaders in Chelan and Deer Park. Taking kids to camp is a big commitment. It is time away from families, work, and personal responsibilities. It’s a sacrifice, and it matters deeply. Please pray for strength, energy, and encouragement for each one and the families they leave behind for a week.

• CHELAN VALLEY Middle School (all Boys) at Creekside, June 18–22: Pray for smooth travel, as transportation often presents unexpected challenges. More importantly, pray that God prepares their hearts now and moves powerfully during the week at camp!

• CHELAN VALLEY High School (also All Boys), July 18-23: Shawn is taking 11 boys and needs a second leader to meet the ideal 7:1 ratio. We're specifically hoping for a Spanish-speaking male leader, as this group is mostly Hispanic kids. Pray for the right person to say yes. Also, pray for discipleship opportunities to grow from this experience as we are already planning for fall and asking God to deepen their faith beginning at camp. Also, for travel logistics in July!

• DEER PARK Middle School June 23-27: A bus full of students is heading to camp and I handle all the administration, logistics, and training from afar. God has shown up in huge ways financially for these kids, and the leaders are really excited!

• Girls to Camp: Personally, I (Michelle) would love to take some girls, but every door has closed so far. Still, I’m hopeful. Pray with me for a breakthrough and that the girls I’ve connected with this year would have a chance to experience camp too. There is also some talk of potentially a teen mom I would take to camp. God may have been orchestrating something the whole time.

Looking Ahead...

As I shared in our recent prayer request, we are already dreaming and planning for the upcoming school year. We’re holding these plans with open hands, trusting that God may shape them in ways we can’t yet see, but here’s what’s currently unfolding:

• After meeting with our host teacher, Mr. Smith, at Chelan High School, we’re excited to continue lunchtime clubs on campus this fall. There may be some hurdles to clear again, but we’re confident that Young Life at CHS will be back in action.

• In a series of circumstances that only God could orchestrate, it looks like we’ll also be launching lunch clubs at Manson High School this fall. It’s not finalized yet, but doors are opening, and we’re ready to walk through them.

• In addition to lunch clubs, we’re hopeful to begin once-a-month discipleship dinners for high school students, a space for deeper connection, growth, and shared meals.

• Shawn will also be starting a weekly Campaigners group (Bible study) after camp, continuing the momentum from summer into the school year.

• Deer Park wants to start high school ministry ASAP. As the ministry grows, it is clear they need an administrator locally to make it all work. Raising funds for Deer Park will be a big priority in the fall!

• I continue to oversee Okanogan Young Life which continues to remain on my radar for development. There are still folks who deeply care about kids and there are very few opportunities for youth there. Pray that people rise up and join hands in reaching kids!

  
  

We’ll need locations, volunteers, and funding to bring these plans to life, but we are fully confident that God will provide every step of the way!

Personal Family Update

Grace wrapped up her semester at GCU and returned home at the end of April. She jumped right back into work at Vogue, so if you are hoping to see her this summer, chances are you will catch her behind the counter. She has one more year left at GCU, and we are so excited to celebrate her graduation next April.

Hailey recently started working at Willow, a charming boutique in downtown Chelan. On weekends, she splits her time between there and The Secret Lair, a game shop in Manson. She is also diving into the world of nail art, and we have begun researching what it takes for her to get licensed. Who knows, by this time next year, she might be doing your next mani pedi.

Hailey and her friend Kaibella (like 3rd daughter to us) enjoying the view with fancy drinks!

Shawn tore his ACL during a birthday ski trip in February. Thankfully, it happened at the end of the day, but he just had surgery last week and recovery has been slow. Right now, we are focused on managing pain and helping him heal well. The doctor says no skiing next season, but if you know Shawn, you know he is determined to prove that wrong. In the meantime, we are praying he will be strong enough to head to Canyon for camp, with the help of a scooter and some serious prayer for quick healing.

I (Michelle) will be heading to Creekside/Canyon June 18 - 22 to serve as an adult guest host, hopefully with Shawn if he is mobile enough by then. If you have ever wanted to experience the magic of Washington Family Ranch, we would love to have you join us as an adult guest. There is still room in the very fancy adult guest lodge, so let us know if you are interested in spending a few days with us at camp.

Last summer, right after our move in May, we hit the ground running, getting settled, meeting new people, and diving into ministry. This year, we are hoping for a little more space to soak up all that Chelan has to offer alongside the wonderful community we have come to know. For now, Shawn has a full time personal waitress, nurse, and ice pack deliverer, a role I would not mind retiring from soon. Ha!

Other Dates and Things to be Praying for:

• August 9th we have rented Lady of the Lake for a fundraiser! Pray we can grab a few more corporate sponsors and that people buy tickets when it opens!

Want a good laugh? Check out our PROMO VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTSvEQLe_ds

• October 19th is our banquet fundraiser at Sorento's in Tsillan Cellars. We will be celebrating over 50 years of Young Life in Chelan!! (can you believe that - I didn't until I met the folks who started it then, amazing!)

  
  

As we continue to trust God to provide for both the financial and logistical needs ahead, we are deeply grateful for you, our faithful supporters, who help move us one step closer to our mission of helping kids know and become like Jesus.

We do not yet know what the future holds, whether with our housing, the kids we will serve, or the specific paths God will lead us down, but we are filled with hope and expectation for the year ahead in ministry.

Summer updates may be a bit quieter as we spend time serving at camp, but please know you are always welcome to reach out for an update or to check in. We will return to regular updates in the fall.