We Need a Home for Christmas!

Two weeks ago, Kathleen found these precious kittens living under the hood of a car. After four days of us trying to catch them, they spent the first week getting healthy at the vet, and then a sweet family took them home, only to find that their son was too allergic. The family loved them and is really sad not to be able to keep them. And so we are trying to find them a new home!! If we don't, they'll have to go to a shelter, many of whom are not accepting cats because of overcrowding. They have sweet, cuddly temperaments and are just so grateful not to be living in the cold. If you could provide a home for these guys (both boys), please email us back immediately. They are ready to meet you and make a playful, endearing addition to your family!!
With much Christmas hope (and love),
Sissy and Kathleen

Count Your Blessings

It was in 1863, during a period of great civil war, that Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Thanksgiving Proclamation, ushering in this day of celebration: "It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union."

These eloquent words could just as easily be spoken today...in the midst of war, of strife...where so many are becoming widows, orphans, mourners and sufferers for so many reasons. It is into those times that these words continue to have great power. And, as Melissa said on Tuesday night at Soup Night, "Gifts come with people attached." She reminded us to count our blessings, and to remember that those blessings come ultimately, from the Giver of All Good Gifts. Happy Thanksgiving.

New Moon Madness

When I have asked girls this week the thing they are most looking forward to, 95% have had the same answer. Not turkey and dressing, not even time off from school...it's all about Edward--or Jacob. I have had more conversations in my office this week about New Moon than almost any other subject.

Last night, David, Melissa and I were teaching a parenting class at an elementary/middle school in town. A parent asked what we thought of these movies and what age girls should see them. Ages are always hard...because I typically think it depends more on the child than on the number. So, our advice would be simply to know your material. In 17 years of counseling girls, I have never seen any phenomenon grab hold of their hearts like these books and movies. Your daughter will be hearing about it in the upcoming weeks, and will very likely want to see or read them. They are highly compelling books, and, I would say, pretty sensual. One parent last night said, "They don't have sex until the last book but you almost just want them to go ahead and get it over with."

Judy Blume educated a whole generation of children about sex in forever. Girls need to hear a parent's voice first...not a vampire's. So, that being said...it might be wise to read or see the books first, if you have younger girls. If you have older girls who are already into it, see it with them--I feel pretty confident they wouldn't mind seeing it again. It can be a great conversation springboard.

A parent came up at the break in the seminar to say, "You only talked about the romantic/sexual part of twilight. You didn't even mention the evil." And, honestly, that's because the girls don't mention it. I would go as far as to say they don't really notice it. They are swept up in the relational aspects of the book...as usual. But, the book is about vampires and werewolves...so that is important to keep in mind, too, as the "PLEASE CAN I GO TO NEW MOON" conversation comes up.

At a class Melissa and I took years ago, Eugene Peterson talked about how rarely Jesus mentions spiritual warfare and even the devil in his teaching. He remarked that our attention almost gives evil more power.

As you (or your child) walks into this new moon madness this weekend, be aware...be cautious, be wise, be educated on all things Edward and Jacob. And be ready to either have a strong and steady no, if you feel the movie is not appropriate for your child, or to have a conversation around what the madness is all about. That's our two cents...which costs a little less than the movie ticket!

A Daystar Rescue

Last weekend, Kathleen was washing her car at my house, when she noticed a little tail hanging off of a car parked in the driveway. As she walked closer, she noticed two tails--belonging to two kittens sitting on the tire. No momma cat in sight and two baby kittens. To make a long story short, four days later, we finally caught the kittens and took them to the vet. They were six weeks old and had been surviving under the hood of a car for all of that time. We did (almost) everything we could to find them a home but there was no room for them in any of the kitty adopting inns. So, we voted (kind of) in our last staff meeting and now have Daystar kittens to add to our pet therapy staff! No worries if you have allergies, though...Day and Star will be living outside. As soon as they've gotten all of their shots and have a clean bill of health (they both had upper respiratory infections), they'll be waiting to meet you on the Daystar porch!

The Direction of Anger

I recently talked to a high school girl who was angry. She was angry that she had been wrestling with some issues and praying that those very same issues would change for a LONG time. We talked for a long time about how she felt about those issues and the face that nothing had changed. The feeling she kept coming to was anger. We talked about her anger at the people who were creating the issues and the anger she felt toward herself in the midst of things. And let me interrupt myself and say that this was a very mature 16 year-old with a deep sense of faith. I asked her if she was angry at God. Her profound answer was "I'm not angry at God, I'm angry with him." I never thought about the difference. Angry at God speaks of a distance, standing across the room and flinging anger toward Him about issues we don't understand. Angry with God sounds more like we are allowing ourselves to stay close and express our anger and hurt at the very same time. The with sounds more like David from the Psalms, who always expressed his anger, or whatever he emotion he felt, but also knew of God's love and faithfulness at the same time. Maybe it wasn't so much that He stayed close to God in his anger, as He allowed God to stay close to him. As did this wise high school girl who has much to teach me, and maybe all of us.

The Great Pumpkin (and Lucy)

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."
Dr. Seuss

Kappa Dreams

Last weekend, I had the immense pleasure of going to a reunion for my sorority. We had five different pledge classes and probably eighty women (who felt much more like girls) gathered together for two nights of wonderful conversations, great memories, and lots of fun. My time with them was a sweet reminder of a place and time filled with laughter, vanilla cokes, MC Hammer, and dear, dear friends who, as cheesy as it sounds, did become like sisters. I wrote this several years ago and submitted it to our sorority magazine, but thought I'd share it here...as a tribute to those girls. I hope we're still gathering 50 years from now eating mexican food and dancing to MC Hammer. Love and loyally, Sissy

My friends and family know the signs.
Without fail, I'll be on a trip with friends or home visiting my family, and wake up to that universal question, "How did you sleep?" Anytime my answer happens to be, "Well, I dreamed about the Kappa house," the people I love scatter. Or, they simply groan and say, "What did we do now?"
As a counselor with kids and families, I know very well that dreams often reflect what is happening to us emotionally. We keep our anxieties at bay enough to make it through the day, and then have vivid nightmares about taking exams naked or being chased by a pursuer we can't quite see. Or, maybe we dream about the lying on the beach with the ocean gently lapping our toes and no children asking for rides to soccer practice or the mall.
I dream about the Kappa house. Whenever I am really sad, or stressed, or upset, my sleeping mind will take me back to 800 West Maple—with one hundred girls living together inside a white columned, beautiful home. Usually, I am transformed into a college girl again, and I am getting dressed to go to a function, or running up the senior stairs after class, or even sitting in the dining room with friends having chicken fingers on a Friday.
More recently, however, my two worlds have started coming together in those dreams. Several months ago, I was hiding my dog, Noel, from the Kappa house mom, and all of the girls were joyfully in on the conspiracy. Just last week, I woke up just as I was trying to fit my antique furniture up the stairwell.
I'm not sure what all of it means. My friends and family believe that, for me to dream about the Kappa house, most likely means they have done something wrong and are in trouble. I believe, however, that I'm just not entirely ready to let go. That, even in the midst of my life now—filled with good things that I care deeply about, that there is still a part of me that remains in that big white house on Maple Street. And that, every once in a while, when things get hard in my world, I reserve that one as a place to return. To go back to the laughter of ten girls in the bathroom discussing the drama of the night before, or running for "coke breaks" when we were supposed to be studying, or candlelights, or practicing for rush skits, or any given day surrounded by the warmth and innocence of that place, makes me feel sweetly refreshed.
I hope I always dream about the Kappa house. I want those memories, and that innocent, free, spontaneous part of me to be a part of my world always.

Shake Off the Dust

Yesterday, I ran across a verse that Melissa taught on several years ago at camp. Matthew 10:14. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town." I don't know about you, but I hold on to my dust...the dust of grievances, anger, frustration, hurt, sadness. But Jesus tells us (actually 3 different times in the Gospels) to let go of that dust. It seems that the dust on our feet does much more to make us dirty than the ones we are actually holding on to it for.

Wednesday Word (a little late)

In our staff meeting, Melissa typically shares some type of thought of a devotional nature with us. This week, she said something that I loved...and wanted to share with you all.
It is not about us focusing on God, it is us receiving His focus on us.
What a great, refreshing word in the midst of the pressure and hectic-ness that surrounds our days!

Analog Parents

A mom recently told us, "I'm an analog mom living in a digital world." We have just this weekend started working on a new book with Broadman & Holman publishers with this in mind. The first chapter is about the digital world...internet, cell phones, gaming, etc. If any of you have a minute, we'd love for you to share your thoughts with us.
1)What are your three biggest fears about technology and your children?
2)If you could have any questions answered about technology and your children, what would they be?
Thanks so much for your time and thoughts. We appreciate you!
Sissy and Melissa

Vote for Daystar!

We are trying to finish raising funds to cover the summer for camp--and Christie Cookies is having an awesome giveaway! We'd love for any of you who can to follow the link and vote. If you don't know about Daystar, we'll include that link, too--so you can read about all of the things we're so blessed that God is doing in our little yellow house!
http://www.ilovechristiecookies.com/contest/

Molasses' Little Sister

We wanted to introduce you to the newest addition to the Daystar Family, Blueberry Pancake Trevathan...otherwise known as Blueberry. Blueberry's got big shoes to fill in the hearts of many kids and families, her mom included. But she's quickly winning us all over and will be ready to herd you into the daystar office come september when she officially joins the daystar staff.

August Blues?

August is here. No more piles of tennis shoes and flip flops filling the cubbies at Hopetown. No more children swinging on the rope swing. No laughter floating down from the upstairs girls’ sleeping porch. No strains of “How Great Thou Art” ringing through the house. It is quiet. Except for the whispers of words that have been spoken. Encouragement that has been given. Stories that have been told. And hope that has been shared. We wanted to share just one more story of that hope with you, from a mom of a first year camper at the 2nd-4th grade camp.

“When I first got to camp, my daughter grabbed me and started taking me down the walkway to the basketball swing. On her way she grabbed my hand and started telling me about writing her sins on rocks. She was talking a mile a minute...as if she had been holding this information inside and it was erupting out!! She tells me that afterwards they came down to the dock and threw their rocks into the lake. She then asks me if I knew that Jesus has the power to forgive and then FORGET.... as far as from the east is to the west. I say "yes" and was about to remind her that I have taught her this truth before, however, she quickly interrupts me with more of her story.... never really hearing me at all! She then tells me about how amazing it was and then stops on the path and looks at me. I realize that this is when I should speak...and I ask,"How did that make you feel?" She looks at me and says with the biggest grin I've ever seen...."Mom, it made me feel like a BRAND NEW GIRL!! I don't have to hold all those sins ANYMORE!!"

We had a lot of brand new girls…and boys…and counselors this summer. Thanks to nineteen staff members who gave up their summer to love on 178 2nd through 12th graders. Thanks to board members who prayed and sent notes and packages to a weary staff. Thanks to you, for supporting and covering us in prayers for safety and for God’s gracious movement in the lives of kids. And, ultimately, thanks to Him…who is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever ask. We are more than grateful.

Mighty

The first night of 7th-8th grade camp we watched the made-for-TV movie, A Wrinkle in Time. For those of you who haven't read it, it is a story of good and evil and the power even an awkward, self-conscious pre-teen and her little brother can have to make a difference. Meg, the main character, has three friends who spur her on in this journey, aptly called Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who. They each give her some truth to arm herself with. One of the Mrs. W's asks her if she has the courage to go back and rescue her little brother from the evil that has ensnared him. Her answer is "No, but it's something I'm going to do." Mrs. Who goes on to say that only the foolish don't feel fear. Melissa, our own Mrs. Who, went on to say that "We can be too strong for God to use, but never too weak. Love is stronger than fear. You can be a confident, weak person. You are called in spite of your fear to make a difference." Recently, her 6 year-old nephew came to visit. He wanted to get a rock to put on the rock pile that we've been building at camp all summer. These rocks have had a variety of words painted on them that have reflected something we have learned this summer...be, refuge, rock, to name a few. He wanted his own rock to write on, as the older kids had been doing. When Melissa asked him what he wanted to write he said, "Ben. 6 years old. And God is good.....and mighty." He is and it is his love that not only allows us to be weak, but works through our weakness with even more might. I'm thankful to be in the midst of a very sweet group of 7th-8th graders, who already have had the courage so many kids their age don't. They have stood up and prayed in front of each other, shared powerful words of truth, offered a coveted spot on our new banana boat, and a variety of big and simple things. In short, they have used their voices to have courage and offer who God has made them each to be. And the week is just beginning....

5th-6th Grade Camp

I didn't have much time to blog during 5th-6th grade camp. Maybe it's because we were building a temple...or planning a festival...or having our spirits stirred...basically all "getting to work" in ways that the book of Haggai points to. Melissa taught all week on this book. As she studied it, she said there were three main things that were repeated (which works well for 5th-6th graders). 1)Take a look at your life. 2)Get to work. and 3)I am with you. Through the course of the week, we took good looks at our lives, at how each of us can be like Zerubbabel and be the one whom God uses to stir the spirits of others. Then, it was "get to work." One child, after camp, told his mom that he was inspired to go out and serve God. That is exactly what the campers did during the week as they loved each other...and were living reminders of how much God truly is with us. At one point during the week, Melissa said that the origin of the word "blessed" comes from the same word that means to kneel. Being blessed, she said, is God's attitude toward us. He wants us to be blessed and then to go out and be a blessing to others...which is exactly what this week was for us all!