Mission accomplished!

For those who know me, I am a people person. Hanging out with people is energizing for me. I don't need a lot of down time alone. Feeding people in another thing that also is my pleasure. I often find it easier to cook for 10 people than 4. Trevor always jokes we need to invite people down so he can get fed. Trust me it isn't that bad around here, but there is some truth to it. I also have been learning that my house doesn't need to be in perfect shape to have people down...still working on that one  a little bit.

My kids are very social as well. You know you'll always get a full smile from our ray of sunshine if you walk through our door. She gets upset at me if someone isn't coming down after church for lunch on sunday.  Our dude is the same way.

So living in the same town as Bethany, the bible college I went to and met Trevor, has been awesome. As soon as we moved back to my home town(8 years ago) we both said, "wouldn't it be great to get involved with the school again!".  And I will admit now I had ulterior motives. When we moved back here my kids were ages 3 and 4. Already showing the signs of being the social creatures they are today. Trevor was asked to be on the board of the school and he gladly accepted. And it has been a privilege to serve the school that way. But it has also been one of the hardest things he has done. Announcing the school was going to close at the end of the 2014/15 school year broke our hearts. We both shed many tears.

Back to my ulterior motives...I used the students at Bethany. Yup I did. And I'm not ashamed of it either. You see Trevor and I have been deeply impacted by Bethany. We met there, made friends for life there and learned a lot about our faith and who were are as people. We started to understand where our gifts lie. And we wanted this for our kids. So we started inviting the students over to our house. We wanted our place to be a safe place they could get away from  for a break, to have smaller gatherings. One of the major components at Bethany is Units. All students are divided up into groups of about 6-8 people within the dorms. Each Unit has a leader called an RA ( resident Assistant). We told the school that that units could gladly use our house, at that time our basement, as a meeting place. In the time we have lived here we have built a new house and purposefully designed it with a meeting place for Units in mind. It is now called the Off Campus Lounge. It is a also known as a bonus room. Above our garage. With 4 concrete walls. There is a basketball game, air hockey and shuffle board. A large tv and a popcorn maker. Hearing the laughter that has come from that space has been a gift to me. The singing that has come from there has lifted my spirits. The students that have been to our place have been an amazing influence on our kids. That was my ulterior motive.  I figured who better to be role models for our kids and help them see what a bible college can do for you, is the students them selves.

Mission accomplished! Both my kids have said I want to go to Bethany! As I said earlier, yes it is closing. But they still want that experience. They want to go to a place like Bethany. And I have you students to thank. You maybe didn't realize it but you guys were/are role models for my kids and many many others. When you say hi to my kids, they feel important and confidence grows. When you go downstairs and play horses with my little girl (ahem Derek), you just showed a little girl how important they are.  When out of desperation I have called and needed someone to look after my kids( Tanaya and friends) and I can pay you in Pizza and laundry facilities, you again were being role models.

2 Units having Lego Competitions.

Helping Trevor celebrate his Birthday

And then there are the times on campus that you make my kids and others people's kids feel special. Helping me keep my sanity by tutoring our ray of sunshine ( Lisa you rock!). Fist bumping my kids who are helping out in the kitchen or bathrooms.

Thanks to those who attended the brunches put on by our church...even though Trevor and I realized just how old we really are. (Sheesh you all really weren't alive when the Blue Jays won the world series back to back?)

I can't say THANK YOU enough. You have truly touched our lives. You have helped us grow in our gifts. Yes, by letting me feed you, that has been one of the most fulfilling things in my life. Trevor may not remember all your names and I sometimes need to go through yearbooks to remember some. But everyone of you holds a place in our hearts.

While I am saying thank you. I need to say a huge thanks as well to the Kitchen staff, especially Martha, for allowing our little girl to come into your space and show her the workings of the kitchen. She has grown in confidence and found a passion that will continue to grow.

So as you all finish your time at Bethany, you become part of an amazing group...Bethany Alumni. When you look back at your time there, remember that you touched the lives of cute little kids.