Memorial Day Weekend

Well it has been a long week, and yes I have to say I am glad that the week is over to start a new one. Chad had his intensive week this past week. He finished out strong and is officially done for the summer! He is thrilled to have a break from school, he says that now but I know he will be ready to go back to school in a month. 
Camp starts tomorrow and I can not believe how fast summer has came. I can not believe that this time next year we'll be starting a new chapter of our lives in new environments! We have no new updates on the move, but will keep you posted. We should know in the next month, we ask you to keep praying as we are seeking direction and doors to be open in job fields for both of us. 

This past week we have had more graduation celebrations! Congratulations go out to all the Jefferson St kids at Hartsburg, LJHS, CEL, Zion, and W.L.B. We are so proud of you. Unfortunately we could not make it to all of them but we were able to go to LJHS. 
We also helped good friends David and Meg move this weekend into their new house before the baby is born! We had a great time packing and moving them and being able to fellowship for them. We're excited to meet their little boy in a month or so!! Makes me think about having a baby lol...but we're going to wait! 


It has been an extremely busy week and I hope this summer though we are packed I hope to enjoy every min! I can not believe that our 1 year anniversary is coming up. We have professional pictures lined up for our anniversary! I am sooo SOOO THRILLED! I can not tell you how excited I am. Chad wants to loose some more weight, and I want to tone up...were going to look amazing!! :) 


That's it from the Koke house hold!


 

Graduation Spotlight

This past week has been full of emotions. I never thought seeing kids graduate, after I've already been through it so emotional. I think its the idea of that I am getting older. This is our second 8th graduation with the kids at Jefferson St. We have quite a few 8th graders that are graduating. Most of them have graduated this past weekend which we unfortunately missed, but will be watching the rest of the kids walk across the stage this Thursday. It's amazing to see the changes in the past two years with our 8th grade kids. They come in as little 7th graders and come out ready for highschool, and most of them you see so many changes. I'm tearing up just thinking about how much they have grown. If I am this bad now how bad am I going to be with my own kids. 

Stout Kids- Aaron's Graduation 

My Cousin Aaron also graduated this weekend from Illini Central High School. I was able to go out Sunday and celebrate with the family on his accomplishments. My uncle Kev and Aunt Deb made some amazing food. I had a wonderful time seeing my family! Congratulations to my cousin Aaron, and Good luck in College

 

Joseph Mangano - High School Grad Rapha House

Another Senior Graduating spotlight goes out to one of Chads old small group guys, Joseph Mangano. Chad has known Joe since he was in jr high, and now he works with Chad at Guzzardos. He graduated this past week and is going to attend Lincoln Christian University and has one amazing goal. His goal in a lifetime is to raise I believe a million dollars for a non-profit organization called Rapha House ....you can google it for more info. Basically it is a relief/healing home for those who have been affected by human trafficking. He gave an entire presentation in front of his church about how much he is passionate about this organization and his goals!! We are so proud of what he is doing and the goals he is setting forth. If you want to help him with his goal you can look him up on Facebook or contact Chad or I and we can get you his info. Wait-a-GO Joe, we are extremely proud of you and can't wait to see all the different things God has in store for your life.

There are many more this week that are graduating and I am sure I'll post more about graduation. I am so proud of our graduates and am excited to see what God has in store for each and every one of them. Keep up the good work...it will be worth it! 

Other than that this week we have been busily working on preparing for camp. I've been getting all our summer schedules put together and everything else. We had camp training down at the Decatur Y which was interesting, and this weekend we will be back at training. I can honestly say I'm ready for May to be over with and just to get the ball rolling with the summer. The weather is amazing I just wish I had an area to sit out in the sun and study and read. 
Well that's it for Tuesday I'm sure there will be more to come, we still have a very busy rest of the week/end. 
From the Koke house ....have a great week

April Showers bring MAY flowers!

I can't believe that it is already May! Time sure does fly! We'll it has been a few weeks since I've blogged so hear it goes. April 30th Chad and I went on the bike ride for PE class. We were suppose to go 25 miles, but since the wind picked up so bad they had us stop by 13.5 miles! I have to say it was a fantastic ride besides the wind. We loved it so much that we've decided to set up another goal. We want to ride 1000miles by the end of the summer and go on a 50mile bike ride. Wish us luck, but were excited! 

7am getting packed up for the ride

Thinking about this summer Chad and I have decided to make some summer goals. Our summer is extremely booked, but we want to read all the Narnia books, yes I have been on a Narnia kick! We want to ride 1000 miles in the summer.  

This summer is going to be crazy, we've worked so hard preparing for Y camp and we're excited to get the ball rolling. Today we spent the day at local schools talking to them about how awesome Y camp is! We are also watching my 3 favorite boys this summer. I started watching these guys when I was 16 and we are going to be watching them again. Chad has already began preparing our apartment for them to hang out here. We've got games toys and their own corner set up! Haha needless to say we're excited to spend the summer with them. 


Chad is wrapping up his last week of classes. His finals are this week and next he has a intensive week! I'm so proud of him for finishing out another semester strong. He's almost done and we've got a busy school year preparing for internship. We're praying for job openings and a place to live, so we ask that you continue to pray with us during our decision making process. 


That's all from the Koke house....until later!