News
Counseling for kids that were flood victims
We are offering counseling to kids that were flood victims at no cost. If you are interested, please call the office at 615-298-5353.
Groups are ON for Tuesday May 4
We are having groups today, Tuesday May 4. We look forward to being with you all!
May THANK YOU!
"They remained his chosen people, clogged hearts and all, and he remained their Lord—not only the Lord of the sea but also the Lord of the land and of the whole creation—who kept climbing into their boats to be with them over and over again from that day forth forevermore, with heart enough to spare, oh, with heart enough for us all..."
Barbara Brown Taylor
Our groups at Daystar are winding down for the summer this week. In the next few weeks, the halls will become a little quieter. Mary's phone will ring a little less. A few less baskets will be made in the basketball goal in the driveway and a few less cups of popcorn will be created in our popcorn machine.
Summer is coming. And, while we we're equipped with counselors who remain in our offices to meet with children and families throughout the summer, several of us change locations. Rather than counseling on chairs and sofas, we talk with teenagers on pontoon boats. We ride bikes beside 7th graders and cook pasta with 3rd graders.
Wherever our location in the next few months, we continue to have the great honor of living out the "one life touching another" that defines Daystar. We continue to be under the provision and care of a God who walks alongside us and climbs into our boats. And, with His grace, we will continue to offer his hope and heart to all of the children and families involved...in all of our locations.
Thank you for your support of our ministry. We ask for your prayers for God's hope and protection in the upcoming summer months. We're excited to see how God climbs in.
Groups Cancelled Monday May 3
GROUPS ARE CANCELLED TODAY, MONDAY MAY 3, DUE TO INCLIMATE WEATHER AND SCHOOL CLOSINGS.
May 6 is the last week of groups
Daystar groups will officially end for the summer the week of May 3- May 6.
March Thank You Letter
It has been two years today since my daughter was diagnosed with a debilitating illness. She is in a great, great place today. Her physical healing has come from her medication. But her heart healing has come from Daystar. Thank you for all you have done to support her. I thought I would share a poem she wrote with you.
With great love and greater respect,
A Daystar Mom
I Am
I am a girl who believes in angels because I've been through tough times.
I wonder how we can make our world a better place.
I hear angels laughing in the distance.
I see myself walking out on stage in my Broadway show.
I want all children to get an education.
I am a girl who believes in angels because I've been through tough times.
I pretend I am a famous actress.
I feel like I can do anything.
I touch my soft warm blanket at night.
I worry that I am not good enough for the world.
I cry at the sight of a hospital bed.
I am a girl who believes in angels because I've been through tough times.
I understand feeling frustrated.
I say, every thing is okay in the end if it's not okay, it's not the end.
I dream I am a famous actress
I try to reach out and help my community.
I hope other people can someday see me as the nice girl not just the sick girl.
I am a girl who believes in angels because I've been through tough times.
Thank you for all you have done to support this young girl, her mother and the 886 families that are currently involved in Daystar. We are humbled by their words and your gracious support.
Gratefully,
The Daystar Staff
Daystar's summer expenses
Click on the following link if you would like to see exactly how your summer contribution will be used at Camp Hopetown.
http://daystarcounseling.com/uploads/files/SummerFinances.xls
Get a stone on our Hopetown Pathway
Dear Hopetown Friends, Family, and Past and Present Staff,
For years, campers and parents alike have asked how their child can leave his or her mark on Camp Hopetown. That idea began to come to fruition last summer with a few rocks...rocks that had words such as "be", "rock", and "refuge". These are a personal reminder of the growth and commitments that campers made this summer. We have decided, however, that we'd also like to have a much more visible way for past, present and incoming campers and staff to leave their mark, or name, at Hopetown. We're continuing our summer camp theme by installing a permanent stone walkway down the steep hill toward the lake.
Many of you heard about this last fall in our mailer, but we wanted to give you another opportunity as we will be installing the path in March. We would like to give you a chance to donate $250 for a commemorative stone. Your child's name and time at Hopetown will, then, be engraved into a stone to be remembered by you and your family...as well as many other's who will walk their own path at Hopetown.
If you are interested, please reply by March 15th. Let us know how you would like your stone engraved: name, years at Hopetown, if you were an intern that can be placed on it, as well. Your camper will, in turn, receive a postcard telling them of your gift to remember their time at camp.
You are also welcome to donate any amount in honor of a staff member or intern from the summer and they will receive a card letting them know of your kind gift.
We are grateful for you and your part in making Hopetown all that it is!
The Daystar Staff
February Update/Thank You
As a part of the Daystar family, we would guess you know a lot about what we offer in terms of groups and individual counseling and summer programs. That information is in all of our brochures. We also know you know who we are as a staff, all of the way from Melissa to Blueberry, in light of last month's letter. But what we can imagine you might not know is exactly what goes on behind the doors of our counseling offices. People who have been involved with Daystar for years will sometimes stop and say, "Now what exactly is it that you all do?"
We can't tell you exactly because of confidentiality. But what we can do is give you a little glimpse into the lives and behind the doors of our counseling offices on a typical day at Daystar. Specifically, we're going to pick out one counselor's day—and the variety of families and kids whose lives he (and you) were able to touch in just that one day...
10:00am was when he arrived at the office. His first appointment was with a ten year-old whose dad has just relapsed for the third time. He hasn't heard from him in three months...over his birthday and Christmas. As you can imagine, this little boy is working through feelings of terrible loss and betrayal.
At 11:00, he met with a father of two teenage boys who had lost his wife to breast cancer several years before. The boys are fighting constantly, to the point that one is wanting to "move out" and the other stays in his room to avoid his brother. The house is either silent or conflictually chaotic, and this father wanted help.
His 12:00 appointment was a fifteen year-old who feels caught between his parents still after a divorce two years ago. He feels like "I'm the only adult in the situation." Both parents speak horribly about the other, and he is now dealing with an eating disorder as a way, he believes, to control an uncontrollable situation.
1:00 brought in a nine year-old who has extreme separation anxiety after his parents' divorce and vacillates between wanting to stay glued to his mom's side to explosive anger directed toward her.
At 2:00, he saw a young man who is terribly shy and feels that he has no friends. They worked on him taking risks at school by sitting with new kids at lunch and interacting on his basketball team.
3:00 was an eleven year-old who has been diagnosed with a debilitating disease and is desperate to feel like a "normal kid".
At 4:00, a seventeen year-old came in whose father has been discovered in his fourth affair. He is working through his parents' separation and the way his dad's choices have affected his own feelings not only toward his dad but toward girls', as well.
And, then, at 5:00, he had group and dinner with six high school boys who are working through similar issues, but who do a phenomenal job of speaking truth into each other's lives.
One day...one counselor, but indicative of so many of our days on staff at Daystar. We all have the tremendous privilege of offering hope to each boy, girl, teenager, and parent who sits in our offices. Thank you for your important part in that process.
Warmly,
The Daystar Staff
Nashville kind of night
http://daystarcounseling.com/system/application/assets/documents/Daystar-Nashville-Night.pdf
Thank You and Happy New Year
Happy New Year! God's grace continues to unfold to us at Daystar—in counseling, in groups, in parenting classes, just in the middle of our yellow house. We are thankful for His provision for us.
With a new year, we have some exciting new additions to our staff. We wanted to update you as to who is filling our halls and meeting with the families that are now a part of Daystar Counseling Ministries.
Our Counseling Staff:
Melissa Trevathan, M.R.E., Executive Director, continues to lead us with her wisdom, counseling, teaching parenting classes, teaching at Camp Hopetown and driving our ship with grace and efficiency.
Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling, leads girls' groups, counsels girls of all ages and families, teaches parenting classes, is the Director of Camp Hopetown and our staff writer.
David Thomas, M.S.S.W., Director of Men and Boys' Counseling, leads the men of Daystar with groups and individual counseling. He also teaches a variety of parenting classes.
Jeremy Shapiro, M.Ed., M.A.P.C. leads many of our boys' groups and works with boys of all ages and their families.
David Denton, M.A., LPC-MHSP, counsels boys and young men individually, works with families and leads groups.
Heather Flener, M.F.T., counsels girls and their families on a part-time basis.
Heather James, M.Ed., is also a part-time counselor with young women and girls.
Chris Roberts, M.A.C.P., is one of our newest counselors on staff, working with guys both individually and in group counseling. He will also be working at camp this summer.
Tracy Kouns, R.N., M.A.C.P., joined our staff this year leading many of our girls' groups, counseling girls and their families, and will be a part of Camp Hopetown, as well.
Chelsea Lesniewski is a graduate intern from Lipscomb University who is counseling girls and helping facilitate several groups.
Tamara Price is a graduate intern from Argosy University who is helping lead groups and counseling girls individually.
Our Office Staff:
Pace Verner is our Director of Development and works diligently to plan our various fundraising and other events, as well as to keep us afloat financially.
Kathleen Goff, Assistant Director of Development is a jill of all trades helping raise funds, plan events, run Camp Hopetown and facilitate groups.
Emma Williams is our new Development Intern whom we are happy to have on board.
Mary Berndt is our welcoming office manager who graciously greets many of you who walk through our doors and helps keep the office buzzing (quietly).
Lynne Fleet is a part-time office manager and administrative assistant who keeps the office running smoothly and house functioning soundly.
Pat McCurdy is our administrative assistant who we won't allow to retire so she can continue to help us all stay on track and add her artistic touch to all we do.
Jonah, the Black Lab, adds wisdom to our pet therapy staff with his years of experience.
Lucy, the Havanese, helps counsel girls and keeps all of the other dogs minding their P's and Q's in the office.
Lolly, the Wheaten Terrier, keeps things happy and bouncing at her end of the office.
Blueberry Pancake, the Old English Sheepdog, is the official herder of our offices and our newest canine therapist.
We are blessed to work inside this little yellow house, talking to kids and families. We are honored to be a part of His message of hope and grace. And we are humbled by your gracious support.
2 Corinthians 4, The Message
Warmly,
The Daystar Staff
A Daily New Years Journey
Happy New Year! Every year for Christmas, Melissa gives our staff some creative gift to make us laugh, or warm us--sometimes physically (like down vests) or sometimes emotionally. This year was one of the latter--and one we wanted to share with you, because we thought some of you might be interested. Melissa bought us each The Daily Message, the translation by Eugene Peterson that we use the most at Camp Hopetown, broken down into daily readings with questions and comments by Peterson. Our staff is really excited to be reading through it this year and wanted to invite any of you to share the journey with us...
December Thank You
"Come, thou Long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee;
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart."
Charles Wesley
Come, thou Long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;
From the pain of watching our children suffer and the struggles they bear, release us,
Let us all, but especially them, find their rest in thee.
You are my strength, my consolation, my hope...
Be their desire, infuse them with hope, and meet their pain with your great joy. Amen.
We are in a season of waiting...all of us. And Daystar exists to wait with those who walk through the doors of our little yellow house. We exist for the children who are struggling with anxiety, depression, the pain of loss, the loss of hope. We exist for the weary parent who wants so desperately for their children to know rest from that pain and find some semblance of joy in the midst of it.
Daystar Counseling Ministries is meant to be a light shining in a dark place...simply, because of nights like this...specifically, because of one Christmas night when Jesus did come. He came to set us all free. We, at Daystar, know that hope. We are profoundly privileged to walk alongside kids and families as they find it, and him. And we are grateful for your partnership with us.
Warmly,
The Daystar Staff
November Thank You Letter
"Although everyone goes through hard times, it is not what they go through, but how they look at it, and even more valuable how they respond to it, that determines the outcome. A situation that is stifling to one might become empowering to someone else.
For instance, Bruce Wayne, better known as Batman, was merely ten years old when both of his parents were killed in a mugging. Out of fear, he secluded himself from the outside world and only allowed Alfred, and later Robin, to truly befriend him. Bruce created a hero identity as Batman in order to keep his promise to himself and help keep evil at bay. He could be the hero, yet didn't have to be vulnerable in doing so. He had allies, not friends. Once Batman had done his good deed for the day, he returned to the Batcave and his distorted view of reality as Bruce Wayne. Losing the two most important people in his life made this view of reality legitimate. Bruce began fearing all relationships. He might lose what he loved if he allowed himself to get too close. This fear ended up handicapping him instead of being the protection he intended. Unwilling to be vulnerable, Bruce missed out on much of life and certainly missed out on love.
- Shrek had begun to not only live life, but he also chose to share himself with others.
Although these are fictional characters, I have found myself hiding in my own Batcave and not trusting the "Donkeys" in my own life. The end of Christmas break my kindergarten year, my mom, my sister, and I were in a car accident. My mom broke her neck, my sister was killed, and I cracked my skull and broke my collar bone. I lost my sister, my best friend. Instantaneously, my perfect little world fell into shambles. I was terrified. All of my security had disappeared at once. At this point I had two choices: I could live in a bubble the rest of my life, or I could allow myself to open up to people and continue to live. The thought of allowing myself to really love the people around me and be vulnerable was about the scariest thought a five-year old could have after losing their absolute favorite person. For many years I chose to live in a bubble. I kept everyone just far enough away that if something happened to them—whether it be that they moved, we just weren't friends anymore, or they died—it wouldn't hurt so badly; but close enough that I had some security. I lived like Batman for almost a decade.
The beginning of ninth grade I became extremely depressed and totally dysfunctional to the point that my parents pulled me out of school and began homeschooling me. The security and flexibility of homeschooling was a way for me to begin to emerge from my Batcave allowing the Donkeys around me to pour into my life. I needed time and space to feel. I began going to Daystar Counseling Ministries. Through many hours of questions, tears, and gentle nudges, my counselor became "Donkey." I didn't necessarily like counseling at the time; it was hard work. It was painful. Realizing that my counselor, Donkey, was going to stick with me until I took care of the past, I began tearing down the many barriers I had put up to keep people at arm's length. Even my family and friends had not been allowed to see my heart. With Donkey's help, not only has my heart emerged, but I have allowed others to be a real part of my world.
The years following, becoming increasingly involved in Daystar Ministries both in counseling for myself and helping with younger groups and summer camps, I have remained vulnerable and my healing has continued. The Daystar staff, Donkey, my peer group, and even the younger kids I mentor have been a huge blessing to me. They have all, in different ways, helped me realize who I am and who I can become. Using my own story as a spring board, I want to be able to connect with others on a deeper level. By persevering and being vulnerable with my own pain, I hope to inspire others to step out of their Batcave, realize the gifts they have, and how they can use those gifts to change not only their own life, but the lives of others around them."
These words made up an essay for a college application recently submitted by a senior at Daystar. As you can tell, she is a courageous, thoughtful, tender-hearted young woman, whom we are all very blessed to know. We are also blessed to have had her Donkey on staff with us these past years. Julia Groos Anderson and her husband, Brian, have both been a vital, compassionate, Donkey-ish force on the Daystar staff. They are moving to Texas this December and we will miss them terribly. But we are grateful for the many lives they have loved and touched, and for the way your life entertwines with those lives, as well.
Happy Thanksgiving and please know this holiday season that you are not only a blessing to us, but to many children and families at Daystar.
Warmly,
The Daystar Staff
The Bike Thing moved to Nov. 1 at 11:30am
Dear Bikers,
Due to a 70-80% chance of rain all day Saturday, the Bike Thing will now take place on Sunday, November 1st at 11:30am. We will meet at Garrison Creek rest stop. Garrison Creek is our last stop on our normal ride and is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 427.6. After we finish our ride, we'll share stories from the trace and enjoy a picnic and prizes at 3:30pm. Please respond to this email if you can or cannot come!
We are so sorry for the inconvenience, but feel that it is a better choice for the safety of the riders. And just remember, daylight savings on Sunday...so don't foget to change your clocks!!
We look forward to being with you all for a very fun and beautiful fall day!!! Thank you SO much for all of your support!!
Directions to Garrison Creek (three different ways):
1. In Franklin, from Hillsboro Rd/Hwy 96 intersection, travel 8.5 miles west on Hwy 96 to Natchez Trace entrance. Proceed onto the Natchez Trace Parkway and Garrison Creek will be 10 miles up on left.
2. From Hwy 100/Hwy 96 intersection, travel 3.5 miles east on Hwy 96 to the Trace entrance. Proceed onto the Natchez Trace Parkway and Garrison Creek will be 10 miles up on the left.
3. From Hillsboro Rd/Old Hickory Blvd intersection, travel 3.3 miles south to Old Hillsboro Rd. Turn right on Old Hillsboro, travel 5.7 miles to Hwy 96. Turn right on Hwy 96, travel 3.6 miles to the Trace entrance. Proceed on the the Natchez Trace Parkway and Garrison Creek will be 10 miles up on the left.
October Thank You Letter
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight and smooth."
Proverbs 3:5-6
"We have a memory verse every week at school. This is our verse of the week."
This from the lips of an 8 year-old little girl whose path is not so straight or smooth right now. Her parents are in the midst of a very heated divorce. She has witnessed her mother yell and scream at her dad on countless occasions. She has watched her mother hit him many times. She is 8 years old. She loves her mother, and is terribly sad...and terribly confused.
"My mommy is sad. She's not a bad mommy. She's just sad and doesn't know what to do."
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not unto your understanding. As she said these words, she sat up a little straighter and smiled. In spite of the heartache, she has truth to hang on to. And that is what Daystar is about...offering truth and hope in the mist of heartache.
We are thankful to have a place for this girl and so many girls and boys like her to come, talk, and be reminded of truth. And we are thankful for the hope and wisdom of Christ, in which we can all fully trust. It is an honor to share this truth with them...and with you.
Thank you for your gracious support.
The Daystar Staff
Health Policy
Daystar Counseling Ministries asks that if your children have had flu-like symptoms or a fever, please keep them home until they are fever free - without any medication - for at least 24 hours. Please call the 298-5353 if you have any questions or concerns.
Hopetown Path of Remembrance
Dear Hopetown Friends, Family, and Past and Present Staff,
For years, campers and parents alike have asked how their child can leave his or her mark on Camp Hopetown. That idea began to come to fruition this summer with a few rocks...rocks that had words such as "be", "rock", and "refuge". These are a personal reminder of the growth and commitments that campers made this summer. We have decided, however, that we'd also like to have a much more visible way for past and present campers and staff to leave their mark, or name, at Hopetown. We're continuing our summer camp theme by installing a permanent stone walkway down the steep hill toward the lake.
We have currently raised $103,000 toward our goal of $140,000 for this summer. If you would like to leave your child's or your own (if you are a previous camper or staff member) mark on Hopetown AND help us finish out our summer fundraising, you can donate $250 for a commemorative stone. Your child's name and time at Hopetown will, then, be engraved into a stone to be remembered by you and your family...as well as many other's who will walk their own path at Hopetown.
If you are interested, please reply by September 30th. Let us know how you would like your stone engraved: name, years at Hopetown, if you were an intern that can be placed on it, as well. Your camper will, in turn, receive a postcard telling them of your gift to remember their time at camp.
You are also welcome to donate any amount in honor of a staff member or intern from the summer and they will receive a card letting them know of your kind gift.
We are grateful for you and your part in making Hopetown all that it is!
September Thank You Letter
Dear Daystar Supporter,
For many years, Melissa has referred to the staff of Daystar as a "scraggly group." We come from different places...different family backgrounds...different denominations...and different training experiences as counselors. But, we have three primary things in common:
1)We all believe that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but the source of ultimate hope and healing for the children and families who come to Daystar.
2)We all feel called to this counseling ministry in a little yellow house.
3)We are all walking alongside kids and families on feet of clay. We fail. We fail often. And we are well aware of it. But we join with the families of Daystar in knowing that Jesus provides our hope and that he offers that hope in spite of and even, sometimes, because of our failure. We are honored to be a part of what he is doing inside the yellow house. And, even though our members change from time to time, we remain committed to the Daystar and the hope he does provide.
So, here's an update on the scraggly group at Daystar this fall:
Melissa Trevathan, M.R.E., Executive Director and Founder
Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling
David Thomas, M.S.S.W., Director of Men and Boys' Counseling
Jeremy Shapiro, M.A.P.C.
Julia Anderson, M.Ed.
David Denton, M.A., LPC-MHSP
Heather Flener, M.F.T.
Heather James, M.Ed.
Our Counseling Interns:
Brian Anderson
Chelsea Lesniewski
Tamara Price
Pace Verner, Director of Development
Kathleen Goff, Assistant Director of Development
Mary Berndt, Office Manager
Pat McCurdy, Administrative Assistant
Lynne Fleet, Assistant Office Manager and Administrative Assistant
Jonah, the Black Lab
Lucy, the Havanese
Blueberry, the Old English Sheepdog and the newest member of the Daystar Staff
We are grateful to be sharing this clay-footed journey with you. Thank you for sharing hope with us and the Daystar families.
The Daystar Staff
August Thank You Letter
Dear Daystar Supporter,
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.
Warmly (and a little tired-ly),
The Daystar Staff
A Hopetown Wrinkle in Time
What a Wrinkle in Time we have been blessed with this summer. To think that we have completed six camps and seen two-hundred kids experience the Hope that comes from the cross, we can't help but look back in wonder... in wonder that God has provided safety, movement in each child's heart, and carried out His plan in such magnificence.
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 fact that even an awkward, self-conscious pre-teen and her little brother can make a difference. We talked at camp about lots of different themes, but one was how we are called to have a sense of Wonder at the works of God.
Melissa taught one night on 1 Kings 19 and how Elijah stood on the mountain waiting for God to pass by and that first there was a mighty wind, then an earthquake, and a fire...but it was in the gentle breeze that He came. We talked about how so often we talk about this verse in terms of how God came in the gentle breeze, but this week we talked about the Wonder, Terror, and Amazement that Elijah must have experienced standing on that mountain feeling the mighty wind, Earthquake and watching the fire blaze around him.
After the morning that we talked about 1 Kings, we went on the lake and tube'd, played on our new double banana, fished, skied, and went to dinner on the lake. On our way back to Hopetown from dinner, I heard little voices of wonder all around me saying "look at that rainbow" "Have you ever seen a triple rainbow?" "Wow"...
That is my favorite part of Camp Hopetown. That it is not us who creates the experience or wonder for the kids, but God. He has consistently shown us His wonder this summer...through rainbows, safe-keeping, lightning shows, rocks, small and tall children, and so on.
Thank you all so much for being a part of showing us His wonder by praying, cleaning, building, and giving money, banana boats, boats, bikes, life jackets, and food... We are so grateful, to all of you and many others, that we have currently raised $94,740!!! We do still have $45,260 to get us through the summer months. You may ask how we still have this much to go... it, however, costs $35,000 monthly over and above counselor fees to run the office...along with clean-up and follow-up of camp costs.
Thank you all so much for your support this summer! We truly are in wonder of your willingness to give in so many ways!
Thank you,
Kathleen Goff & Brian Anderson
Haggai
Isaiah 4:5-6...2-4th Grade Hopetown Style!
With the 2nd-4th graders this year, we talked about Isaiah 4:5-6 and Jesus as our shade, shelter, refuge, and/or hiding place. We also included, as a picture of Christ's enjoyment and delight in us, Jesus as our swing. The basketball rope swing was a favorite gathering place of the 2nd-4th graders and a sweet picture of Jesus' desire to spend time with us. The swing could not be more appropriate for the 2nd-4th graders who swiftly swung right through their time at Camp Hopetown.
This week we have taked a lot about how when God came to the Israelites in the desert, He said that He was their fire by night and cloud by day. We have swiftly discussed what exactly it meant that Jesus was a cloud and fire. We believe that he meets us where we are, whether desert or swing, and comes to protect us by cloud during the day, and guide us by fire at night.
We are SO thankful for the many ways you all are a picture of the body of Christ to us by protecting and leading us through the summer. Whether it be praying for safety, helping problem solve when boats/vans/bananna's break down, cleaning, and/or giving financially, you each individually serve as our fire by night and cloud by day. Thank you!!
We are very hopeful to have raised $88,330 so far this summer! It is such an exciting thing to get to update ya'll weekly and watch together as our numbers increase!! We, however, do have another $51,670 to go this summer. We had a Daystar mom ask last summer what exactly this money will accomplish. Just for ya'll to know and be on board when people ask, this money will keep the doors open and people bustling at the Daystar House and Hopetown throughout the rest of July and August.
Thank you, again, so much for your being a part of God's provision for us as a shade, shelter, refuge, hiding place, swing, fire, and cloud!!!! You all have quite a bit of impact around here!!
Gratefully,
Kathleen Goff & Brian Anderson
"Then the Lord will create over all Mr. Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain." Isaiah 4:5-6
9-10th Grade Camp
Hopetown Ho Ho Ho's
For you all in Nashville, it may be a warm summer day...but here at Hopetown it's Christmas time.
All summer we have been talking about rocks, but this week we've specifically talked about boulders with our 9th-10th grade campers. Melissa talked this camp about a mountain biking trip that she, Sissy, and Pace went on a few years ago. She reminisced on how when she would see a big rock or boulder, she would try so hard not to hit it that she right into it and got all tripped up.
We talked about how the bible uses metaphors like the one above. We are called to follow the path, rather than focusing on the boulders, and consequently embark on the adventure of learning to trust the Lord and see the bigger picture. As friends, we are able help one another when they hit the boulders and remind each other to go to the rock that is higher than you and I (and our boulder).
We are so thankful for all of you who have embarked on this journey with us! As you all know, we often hit small and large boulders at Hopetown....but they are more in the form of boats and vans breaking down, bike tires going flat, more scholarship applications than ever before because of the economy, and so on. We are so thankful for all of you who help to remind us to focus on the path and that there is someone bigger than you and I.
You all have helped remind us of His greatness in many ways. One way, specifically, is that many of you have helped us raise $86,600!! We are so thankful for where we are, but must also look forward and know that we have another $53,400 to go in order to keep the doors open at Daystar and Hopetown throughout the summer. If any of you know anyone who may be interested in (1) underwriting the 4Winns boat to be fixed for $230, (2) scholarship-ing one of the four scholarship'd kids at this camp for $650, (3) donating bikes, or (4) underwriting the rental of our replacement rental van due to a microburst/wind damage to the first rental for $599... please feel free to respond to this email or call Kathleen's cell phone at 214-738-5996 if you have any questions.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and blessings upon these kids and this place. We are truly so grateful for all of you!
Gratefully,
Kathleen Goff & Brian Anderson
"From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
Psalm 61:2-3
Camp Hopetown 11-12th Grade
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Seek God and His plan will be revealed.
Encourage with the hope of what God can do.
The below letter was written by Laura Allen, an eleventh grade girl, who was told (with the rest of the group) that she was to write a note as if everyone else in the room was discouraged and she was the only one who had hope...
"Wherever you are, God can find you, and you can find God. If you need a sense of hope & security, know that there is none greater than the hope the Lord offers. Our spirits are made alive in Him. Our hearts are made full in Him. Our minds are opened in Him. His realness and the truth in His words are astounding. And I believe there is no greater adventure than the adventure of seeking the Realness of God. And I believe there is no greater treasure than that which is found in His truth. If you seek that, you may very well be a different person each day - as your spirit is made alive in Him. Let His face shine upon you. Let His words of wisdom and truth guide you and bring you home. Join with Him in an adventure of unimaginable excitement and sincere fulfillment and contentment."
We are so thankful for all of you for being a part of this adventure with us. We are SO grateful and encouraged at Hopetown because we have been very blessed in the last week and our summer contributions are now up to $74,910 out of $140,000. This week we have a young man who is a senior in high school and his Dad has lost his job and, therefore, is on a full scholarship for camp. If you all know of anyone interested in helping with this, please let us know. Also, if any of you have road or hybrid bikes that you would want to donate or know of someone who might, we have worn down a few of ours over the years and are needing some replacements.
Thank you all!!
Kathleen and Brian
First Camp of 2009
Camp Hopetown is officially in full swing!
Today is day three, and we've been blessed with a most laid back and enjoyable group to get us into the swing of things! ?We started camp with Star Trek. You might ask, why? The Star Trek in theaters is about how Captain Kirk and Spock came to be...what struggles they went through, what their families were like, how their environments shaped them, the paths they chose...in essence: their stories. Melissa then taught on Joshua 4:19-20, where God said to scoop stones up from the riverbed and put them on the bank of the Jordan in remembrance of His drying the waters to move them across it. Being a forgetful people, He encourages us also to remember our stories: the ones that make us who we are. We have therefore gone back to our younger days to see how we became Kylie, Carter, Lauren, and Taylor...and how God worked in our stories. One of the girls today talked about how it is not through the huge stones, but through the little ones that make up the pathway before her, that she has become who she is. She told a story from when she was little about how her mom would come into her room after she'd fallen asleep and invite her to climb in her bed and watch ice skating when her dad was out of town. Such sweet memories were for her, the stones she wanted to place in remembrance.
On a practical note...we wanted to catch ya'll up on our current state of affairs at Daystar (that make this amazing place possible): ?
*We have currently raised $62,290 out of our $140,000 summer goal! We are SO thankful for the many of you who have made this possible. We, however, have a little farther to go. If you all know of anyone we should send summer info to that might be interested in supporting us, please let us know. ?
Thank You,
Kathleen & Brian
"My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is yours...It is precisely through these stories in all their particularity, as I have long believed and often said, that God makes himself known to each of us most powerfully and personally. If this is true it means that to lose track of our stories is to be profoundly impoverished not only humanly but also spiritually."?
Frederick Buechner
Telling Secrets
Daystar's Dearest Lifeguard
Dear Daystar Friends,
If you've been to the Daystar house or Camp Hopetown in the past twelve years, you have been greeted, licked, and probably sat upon by a wonderful, warm, shaggy sheepdog named Molasses. On any given day, you could find Molasses sitting on the couch in the waiting room with her paw on someone's shoulder or jumping into the lake to save a stray child at camp. She spent twelve years as a lifeguard to us all, but especially to Melissa. It is with heavy hearts that we wanted to let you know that Molasses' sweet life came to a close yesterday. Her hips finally got the best of her and the pain was just more than her brave heart could bear. She was surrounded by Melissa and friends from the Daystar staff, and now has a beautiful little spot in the backyard of the Daystar house. We know, however, that Molasses is not there...that she is already in Heaven herding Noel, Patty and Puddy and reigning as the lifeguard supreme over all God's creatures. Thank you for your love for her and Melissa over the years.
We will be starting a memorial for Camp Hopetown kids in Molasses' honor. If you are interested in giving, please email or call Kathleen.
Gratefully,
The Daystar Staff
Summer Fundraising
We are so thankful for all of you who have helped us reach the almost halfway point of our summer fundraising goal!! We have currently raised $60,000 of the $140,000 we need to get us through the summer! If you are interested in helping with the rest, please call the Daystar office at 298-5353 or click on the donate button at the top of the page. Thank you, Thank you!!
Hopetown Crew
Thank you to all of you who helped make Daystar's First Annual Pancake Breakfast such a success!!
The Daystar House was overflowing the morning of Saturday May 2nd with pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, Daystar supporters, Daystar Campers/Leaders/Chef's, and sailboats.
We so enjoyed a morning of community with our Hopetown Crew. We shared in learning about the current needs of Daystar and how to reach our goal of $140,000 for Camp Hopetown to take place.
We are so grateful for all of your support and are excited as Camp Hopetown is just around the corner!!
Newest additions to our library of staff authors
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys
Growing Up Without Getting Lost: Discovering Your identity in Christ
For girls 15-19
Mirrors & Maps: A Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen
For girls 11-14
Camp Hopetown is Quickly Approaching
Whether we are playing on the lake, cooking together, or having worship, the time is always spent with a purpose. The hearts of the kids are softened through relationship. Their faith is strengthened during our wosrship time and Melissa’s teaching each morning and evening. And, the strengthening comes as each child, regardless of age, sees that he or she has the ability to make a profound difference in the lives of others.
As we share, laugh, play, and worship together we experience hope... the hope of what things can be now and will one day become as we all learn to love and live as God has called us to in the midst of the darkness.