Melissa, David and I had the incredible privilege to go to New York and help a few days after 9/11.  We walked the streets talking to family members and loved ones of those who were lost.  We spent most of our time in firehouses, particularly Squad 288/Haz-Mat 1 in Queens, who lost a staggering 19 men.  This rough video has the photos from our trip, which will never capture the pain and incredible strength of every person we encountered.  We truly will never forget.

I'm really excited to share about this conference coming to Nashville in a few weeks!  Empowered to Connect is based on the book, The Connected Child, which is a fantastic resource for parents of adopted children.  If you're available and have or are considering adoption, I highly recommend it!Click here for more information!

.MOM

Melissa, David and I are so excited to be a part of a first-time Lifeway event this September, .MOM.  It's going to be a great time for Moms to gather together to laugh, learn and be encouraged on the journey.  We'd love for any of you to join us!  For more information, go to lifeway.com

2nd-4th Grade Hopetown Update

What is the password?

"Blessed are the people who know the password of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God" Psalm 89:15

Although 2nd-4th grade has come and gone, those of us who remain at Hopetown cannot stop thinking about their sweet voices of thanksgiving.  Melissa taught us to...

"Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him." Psalm 100:4

Not only did the kids take this to heart when getting off the tube or banana, or after eating a delicious meal, but they made known the reasons we are thankful to God...

1. We are His sheep and He our shepherd
2. He made us...we do not make ourselves
3. The Lord is good and His love endures forever

After worship and Melissa's teaching one night, they each raised their voices in prayer and thanksgiving to our Shepherd, Maker, and Father.  If I could take away only one thing from last week, it would be the sounds of each of their voices coming together to thank God for his goodness in their lives.  As all of our stories come together, we can remember that...

"When the world has gone gray and the rain's here to stay,
You are still Good
With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I am grateful again
And the storm may swell even then it is well
And you are Good"
You are Good by Nichole Nordeman
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We are so thankful for all of you who remind us daily how thankful we are for God's goodness through your all's many blessings on us.

At the end of 2nd-4th grade camp, due to heat, we were not able to have our normal parents gathering...and so we wanted to not only get to update you all on what an amazing camp we had...but also to share our Hopetown hope's with you...

*We are so thankful to have raised $116,000 of the $140,000 we must raise each summer to keep everything running at Hopetown and at the office...however, we obviously have $24,000 left to go...

*We continue to need help paying for the amazing bus we get to ride to Hopetown.  Because this was added after registration, it is something for which we need to raise funds...

*As 2nd-4th grade camp (mixed with 100 degree weather) can be a little tiring, it not only affected kids and counselors, but also our boats this year...last week our Mastercraft overheated, for which we are replacing it's water pipe, and yesterday our 4Winns fell to the same defeat...these are, of course, added expenses that we would love any help with...

*Lastly, we have an amazing stone pathway now that leads down to the firepit...that has names of the past and current campers names engraved on stones as a way to comemorate their time here...if any of you are interested in buying a stone for your child, they are $250 and will be in by next summer for your child to see!

Thank you all for your support and we are SO thankful to get to shout on this parade called Hopetown with you all!!     -Kathleen Goff

9th-10th Grade Thoughts...a little late!

“Then I looked, and, oh! - a door open into Heaven. The trumpet-voice, the first voice in my vision, called out, "Ascend and enter. I''ll show you what happens next." Revelation 4:1 (The Message).   With this verse in mind, thirty 9th and 10th graders walked down Camp Hopetown’s stone pathway towards the edge of the lake and, one by one, grabbed an intern and a spot under the starlit sky. As is typical, Melissa gave no instructions for what to do once they were settled except to imagine an open door amidst the millions of tiny stars illuminating the dark night.  It was a powerful scene to look around and see campers, interns, and staff admiring God’s creation and imagining the ways in which He has personally opened His door to each of us.
	Doors, windows, and rooms- all were a recurring theme throughout the week.  Melissa likened a house and all of the different rooms in it to each of us. She asked us all what rooms we let God into and which ones we keep padlocked for our own protection.  The answers were well thought out and varied.  In small group one morning, one girl said she is very open to letting God roam around her kitchen and living room and study but is hesitant to let Him into her bedroom because it is in this room where she is most herself.  When I asked her about this further, she said that it all boils down to trust.
Frederick Buechner said it best when he spoke of trusting one another.  "I not only have my secrets, I am my secrets. And you are yours. Our secrets are human secrets, and our trusting each other enough to share them with each other has much to do with the secret of what it means to be human."  It was an honor to share “secrets” with such an amazing group of kids and, in doing so, to be reminded of the redemptive nature of a God who never stops knocking.    -Michele Martin, Intern

Taste and See

During our second week at Hopetown, we talked a lot about how to "taste and see that God is good". Not only did we see God''s goodness in his word, but daily in the lives of 11-12th grade kids.  One camper's life was such an example of this as she came to see her own sin in her life and ask forgiveness from a very dear family member.  There is nothing more good than a kid seeing truth, realizing that they are a mess, and seeking change.

In Proverbs 19:24, God says 

"Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth"

We talked a lot about the different reasons that we don't bring the pie to our mouth...

"no one else around me is eating the pie", 

"i don't think it can meet my expectations, so i sabotage it",

"not trusting that it will be good",

"being lazy", etc...

After each kid talked about what keeps them from bringing the pie to their mouth, they turned around and said in what way they wanted to change to be able to taste and see God's goodness.  

We are SO thankful to get to watch God's goodness take hold of each kid that enters this place.  It looks different in each child, but always allows us to taste and see!

We continue to know that we could not experience this picture of God without those of you at home supporting us in SO many ways!! We are so grateful for your support and prayers!! In the last couple weeks, we have had pretty bad storms up here... Last week a huge storm hit our dock that, unfortunately, gashed a hole in one of our pontoon's and added damage to our already in need of help dock.  We just had the pontoon boat fixed and are looking at a large bill for our dock.  If you are interested, or know anyone that might be, in helping with costs...we would love to get to talk to you!

-Kathleen Goff

Let's Go

"Let's Go!" was the phrase that kicked off our week, because as Melissa said, we had somewhere to move, and each of us got to choose if we wanted to hop on board. We sat the first night under a starry sky and watched as Simon Burch modeled what it means to be willing to hop on board and trust God's plan for his life. So often we want to demand that life work. But it doesn't...not the way we think it should, at least. And in the midst, "the only person I can control is me" and "my attitude is a choice." What a freedom those truths brought Simon Burch! And as Acts 2:46-47 teaches, we will experience freedom most when we come together. So, "Let's go!"

"Let's go" led to a lot of fun things: to the lake, to the swings, to dancing in the rain and to riding bikes. And "let's go" led to some special times when we were gathered together to worship, share and learn. Using the Apple Maps application as a model, Melissa asked, "Okay, where do you want to go?" First, what is your destination? The high-school kids spent some time reflecting, and started to share their own personal destinations: "Forgiveness," "Understanding," "Peace," "Wisdom," "Freedom..."

Once you pick a destination, the Maps app asks you, "Do you want to use your current location?" We need to know where we are before we try and get where we are going. It's one of the first questions God asks Adam in the garden: Where are you? Even though He knows the answer, he still asks us where we are because He wants us to talk to Him about it! He wants us to be authentic! And talk about an authentic group of kids! We were blessed with a group of girls and guys who were ready and willing to talk aloud about where they were, to ask questions, and to respond and encourage one another in profound ways. One boy's eyes swelled with tears after several kids responded to what he shared, and when asked what he was thinking, he said, "I just feel so cared for."

Once the destination and current location are entered in, the final question is "How do you want to travel?" By bus, by car, by foot? Jesus used a similar phrase as "let's go" throughout the gospels: "Come," he said in John 7. "Are you thirsty? Come to me and drink!" Melissa said no matter how strong or ready we are, we won't be able to get to our destinations by ourselves. But Jesus didn't leave us alone: He left us the Holy Spirit. That's what we travel by - that's how we get where we want to go.

Indeed the Holy Spirit moved throughout the week. There were plenty of adventures, lots of laughter, lots of honest pain and shared stories, and finally, a group of really neat kids who were coming together to proclaim the one thing they knew was true: that God was good...and that they wanted to go wherever He was taking them. One camper said it best, when after sharing about tremendous loss in her life, she said, "I know God will use this to help me help other people. And I want my faith to be firm in that." In a collective voice they read aloud the words on a poster in the living room, "The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ - eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does!"  From The Message

   -Chelsea Keyser

A Little Hope from Hollywood

So, lately, I've been really wrestling with a few television shows.  Glee, in particular, has made me so sad.  The way they have addressed alcohol, sex, purity, and now Jesus in the past few months have honestly just made me really discouraged for the messages that are being aimed at kids.  And, to me, Glee seems even more discouraging than a show like Gossip Girl, where you know what you're in for.  I have so many girls--from grade school and up, who watch Glee.  It's just so sing-along-ish fun to watch these kids who stand up for themselves and each other in a way that makes every kid feel important--or at least it used to be.

But tonight, I saw Soul Surfer.  I honestly wasn't sure I was going to do it.    But I went for a lot of the same reason I read Twilight and The Hunger Games...to be able to have conversations with the girls who are seeing it.  And I was blown away.  I was teary through about 3/4 of the movie and was a complete surfer--or at least Bethany fan--by the end.  This is one movie I hope every girl will see.  It offers truth and hope wrapped up in a believable, endearing, one-heck-of-a courageous teenage girl.  That's something worth watching--and paying for.  Maybe Bethany could do a guest spot on Glee, to show them what it really looks like to stand up for yourself--with kindness and courage.

A Daystar Description

We are asked all of the time, "Just what exactly is Daystar ministries?"  It's a great question.  As a matter of fact, we're asked very often if we're related in any way to the television network of the same name.  We're not.  And we thought we'd include a little description of our Daystar from our newest book, Modern Parents, Vintage Values.  So, if you're ever wondered what in the world is that yellow house in Berry Hill, here's your answer...

 “We are part of a counseling ministry called Daystar.  Our office is housed in a little yellow house with a big front porch.  One seven year-old boy called it, “the little yellow house that helps people.”  Our dogs, Lucy, the Havanese and Blueberry, the Old English Sheepdog (plus Dottie the yorkie-poo and now Owen the yellow lab) help us counsel the kids and families who come to Daystar.  Our offices house eight counselors and see more than two hundred kids per week between individual and group counseling.  We offer summer camps and parenting classes both in the community and beyond.  We believe in offering hope to families in any situation, and we believe in vintage values in this modern world.

Actually, we just like the whole idea of vintage in general.  On most days we have spiced tea brewing in our lobby.  There is a checkers table in one of the waiting rooms with typically two or three kids gathered around it.  At our camps the kids play chess, learn to water-ski (not just wakeboard), and help cook the meals.  We sing old-timey hymns along with worship choruses and talk about the rich meaning behind the words.  We even have Christmas at camp and take the kids to a town made up of one row of antique stores.  They have three dollars to buy a gift for the person whose name they drew.  The gifts are symbolic, like a boy who gave a counselor an old walking stick because he said she helped people stand who were struggling.  We like vintage and believe it brings out good in the lives of kids.”

Girls' Ministry Form 2011

Girls who are delighted in feel more delightful.
That sentence is one of the guiding principles of our philosophy about girls.  And we are thrilled to get to talk more about girls and how to delight in them at the Lifeway Girls' Ministry Forum in just a few short weeks.
As those who work with and love girls, whether you're a youth minister or a parent, you have the ability to touch her life and speak to the truth of who God has created her to be in phenomenal ways.  As Dan Allender says, "You are the only you this world will ever know.  And something about you is meant to make something about God known in a way that no one else can."  The same is true for the way that you draw out the girls in your life.  You will speak truth and bring life and hope to her THROUGH CHRIST in a way that no one else can.  You are in her life for a purpose.  If she's a girl, she is doubting herself at times.  It's just a part of who we are.  But you have a special calling to help her see all that is waiting to spill out from inside her.  We're excited to talk with you more about how we can do that together.  And we're excited to join you on this wild journey of helping to grow girls into who God has created them to be!

Modern Parents, Vintage Values: Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff

Happy New Year! Any of your resolutions have to do with parenting in this crazy culture? Our publishers recently released this video on youtube about our newest book. Check out our website daystarcounseling.com if you're interested in hearing us speak on Modern Parents, Vintage Values. We'd love to see you in 2011!

On the Set of Raising Boys and Girls

It's finally over!  Last Thursday night, we finished the taping for Lifeway's curriculum of the Nurturing Boys/Raising Girls class.  We taped three nights in front of a live audience, an event we have all three anticipated (and dreaded) for months.  We even spent the weeks leading up to it on what we referred to as "The Lifeway Diet."  Anyway, we're thrilled to have it behind us and more than honored at the opportunity.  Next comes the writing part (which feels MUCH easier!)  The curriculum will be out next fall and will be called Raising Boys and Girls.  We are grateful for all of you who supported us, prayed for our nerves, and came to the tapings.  We're excited, as always, to be on the journey with you...

Grow!

For those of you who have asked us when our next Raising Girls or Nurturing Boys class is, the answer is soon!  On October 26th, 27th and 28th, we'll be hosting a new event that combines the two, along with some insight dedicated specifically to the parent.  Grow will help you raise your son, your daughter...and hopefully yourself along the way!  We're taping this event for a Lifeway curriculum, so the event is free to the community and your registration is your agreement to the video taping.  We'd love for any of you who are interested in learning more of what it looks like to GROW together, to join us in October!  Go to www.growinnashville.com for more information!

Memphis...in September

Hi to all of our friends in the Memphis area!  We wanted to let you know that we're heading your way...or at least Sissy and David Thomas are.  We'll be at 2nd Pres on Sunday, September 12th teaching a combined Raising Girls and Nurturing Boys Class from 2-5pm.  We'd love any of you to join us for a fun time to talk about the kids in our lives and how to love and lead them toward who God has created them uniquely to be!  For more information, go to http://www.2pc.org/event/2010-09-12-parenting-conference-hosted-by-childrens-ministry/.  Hope to see you there!

Lifeway Kids' Ministry Conference

If you're a children's minister or youth pastor, or work with the youth in your church, join me at the Lifeway Kids' Ministry Conference in Alabama October 11-13!  Just found out that those who register by August 15th could win a free ipad!  Go to  http://ow.ly/2gORO  for more information!