A Very Special Gift

Driving out of San Diego always stirs our emotions. First off, we are physically exhausted after the late nights and early mornings of the summer project. But, more than that, we are both excited to see the students take greater ownership of the summer project during July and we are sad to say good-bye to people who have become so special to us.

Leaving San Diego this summer proved a different experience. Because Mackenzie will be transitioning from home school to public school as she begins her freshman year at Kirkwood High School this fall, we are completing an incredible 11-year run of directing the San Diego Summer Project.

We have so many memories from the years...conversations with staff and students who were processing important life decisions with us...family times on long, cross-country trip or at the beach...seeing God faithfully provide the funding for students year after year. We have been so blessed.

We bought a VW bus model as a way to remember our time in San Diego. Then, we received a very special gift. Here's how meaningful it was...While the painter was out painting during the day, Holly went and asked him about purchasing the painting. The painter told her that the picture was already sold. Then, Holly asked if she could take a picture of the painting. After she assured him that she wasn't going to sell the painting, he said "yes." Holly's plan was to reproduce the painting herself from the photo! So, we were both surprised and very excited to receive that painting as a gift this summer. The painting is essentially the view from our project housing for the last nine summers with Mackenzie and Grant even worked into the painting.

God has been so good to us!