Nav Leadership Retreat

We had a busy weekend - helping with the Nav leadership retreat and canoe-a-thon, held in Jay Cooke State Park. We had about 5 students who have hearts for leading and discipling other college students join us for camping and an 8 mile canoe on the St. Louis River. I, Katie, stayed back, taking care of Maddie and preparing meals. The guys enjoyed, and worked rather hard, canoeing! Sounds like it was quite the adventure! :) You'll have to ask Brandon about it sometime. But we ended up having gorgeous weather and really felt God's presence among us at the campground - as we planned, prayed, and prepared for the semester ahead.

I am getting excited for students to move in this weekend! I have a handful of freshmen girls who have shown an interest. I also continue to meet with my dear Chinese friends! We are still looking for furniture for them for their apartment. I went to visit them yesterday - they have nothing! So if you have any unneeded items....like furniture, dishes, pots/pans, pretty much anything - let me know! They would be so grateful to you for whatever you provide. Thank you! Jingrui Li went to the Art in Me community outreach event our church held in Chester Bowl, yesterday. I can tell she is very impressed by the people's hearts and kindness they have been showing not only to her, but to the community. She is alreay wanting to be involved and asking me about coming to church with us next week! I am so excited about the things God is doing in her heart! Please continue to pray for Jingrui Li - along with the 3 other girls. Pray that we would be a blessing to them and that they would see the light of Jesus as the reason as to why we want to be serving them!

One other exciting thing! There is a contact thru church who has met Jingrui Li (Claire) and the others - major God story! I am really seeing the hand of God!! Also - another woman from church talked to me yesterday - she has been helping another student from China find housing....and she will be at church next Sunday as well! Another Chinese student at Anchor Point....another friend for Jinrui Li!! Wow - I am so thrilled at the things God is doing around us!

God is so Faithful in Answering Prayer!!

It has been such a wonderful weekend! God has blessed me with so much - and so many opportunities to minister. I am finally feeling my "place" here in Duluth. Yesterday, I met four very sweet Chinese women. To make a long story short, through random connections - being involved with the Navs, a man called Brandon from Arizona last weekend. He is discipling a Chinese man there, who recently became a Christian. This Chinese man's girlfriend was heading to the States to study....and of all places, guess where she was coming??? Duluth! So, we have been in touch - only this last week (everything has moved so quickly!) and I went to meet her yesterday, on UMD's campus. I told her I would help her find some housing. When I got there, there were three other Chinese grad students with her. They all were looking for housing together. Just typing all of this gets me so excited again! (We are having trouble finding them housing, with it getting so close to the school year starting....so please, if you think of it, remember them in prayer!) Anyways - we looked at a couple places yesterday, with not a whole lot of luck, but they ended up at our house for quite a few hours, making us Chinese food! It was wonderful! The best part was, Jingrui Li, asked if she could come to church with us on Sunday!! What more could I ask for?!?!?! What an answer to prayer!!! Jingrui Li is really seeking God - she has many questions. Please keep her in your prayers! Already she is becoming a very dear friend to me. I look forward to getting to know her and the other three friends of hers, better. Thank you God for such wonderful ministry opportunities.

I also just got home from a church potluck and meeting. I feel so blessed to be a part of Anchor Point's community. I have never felt so connected and a part of a body of Christ - striving together for on purpose. Icannot stop praising God for where He has placed Brandon and I at this time in our lives!!! As you can tell....I am on cloud nine!!! Posted is a picture of Jingrui Li (Claire), Hong Bo Lin (Lydia), Jiyiug Li (Jean), and Chen Fang (Amy). They just loved Maddie!

Oh my...

I just wrote a huge update on all of the things we've been up to this summer and I guess i didn't save it and lost it all!!! That really stinks and makes me really sad. I don't have time to write it all over again...so I guess I'll have to write more later. :( Wow, I'm disappointed!

For now, I'll just post a few more pictures. Madeline is almost nine months already! She is a joy - busy scooting around (not crawling) and walking around, holding onto the furniture. She's taken a few steps on her own....very exciting! She is understanding some words - like mommy, daddy, clock, eat, kisses, and puppy. She continues to be the most smiley baby I've ever seen. She is a joy and I continue to praise God for allowing me to be at home with her every day, seeing these huge milestones! I love it!