We’d have been lost without Diane over the past year – she’s been a true blessing to both her position and to the culture and dynamic of Habitat for Hope. She really stretches her time – even though her primary job is to communicate/disciple/schedule our volunteer team, she also manages to connected deeply with at least one HFH Family at a time. Most recently, she’s fallen in love with Luke Long and his precious family - you can read one of her posts about their family.

In honor of Diane’s birthday, she’s asked if you would consider donating just $45 to HFH, as she continues her work to support families by offering them the relationship and care of our precious volunteers. If you have been touched by our work in some way, connected with a family, or been served by HFH, would you consider honoring Diane with a donation? We thank you, Diane thanks you, and most importantly, OUR FAMILIES thank you!

Recently, Allison and George Tannehill, Lonnie Varnell, and Cameron Varnell were back in Memphis for Cameron’s 2nd bone marrow transplant. Thankfully, Cameron is doing great and they are headed back home! Before departing, they left us 5 lbs of pecans in the shell – I believe Allison’s family has pecan trees.

I’m not a native southerner, so today I learned some things about pecans.

1.) They are difficult to shell, and take quite some time to peel. The very best way seems to be gently tapping with a hammer and pulling the shells off with your fingernail.

2.) This is great fun for little boys.

3.) Pecan shells taste AWFUL. (it was an accident!)

4.) Fresh pecans taste AMAZING.

Samuel had a blast working on this with his grandfather this morning!

Thanks friends, for the gift. We love them.

Additionally, Andy Gross has been offered a really great position by a cause that is dear to his heart – he will be camp director at East Iowa Bible Camp. EIBC is very special to Andy since he attended camp there as a youngster and then worked on summer staff during his college years. His experiences at camp deeply impacted his spiritual walk and has often imagined the opportunity to work there again. He will remain with HFH and in Memphis until June, after which he, Ginny, AJ, Henry and Buttons will begin the transition to Iowa. You can read more about the camp at East Iowa Bible Camp.
He and Ginny have faithfully served HFH since 2007, and our families will always be connected through shared experience. Please remember them in your prayers as they continue in ministry with youth in Iowa!

Additions and Moves…

And although I can’t share complete details with you yet (more soon, I promise!) we’ve recently filled our open Family Care Coordinator role within HFH. You will love the new family that is partnering with us!

Mylissa Horrocks is also evaluating a new position and added responsibility within HFH – more on that soon as well!

Diane Smith has done a fantastic job growing and molding our volunteer department, and soon her role will move to full-time. We are so grateful to have her, as her experience in Human Resources and in volunteer management has come in very handy. She is integral to our work, and it is her position that enables us to connect families to you! Know that you always have an open door to speak and brainstorm with her, and of course with us as well.

Many of you have met Heather Trotter – for those of you that are not aware, Heather has helped not only with LUVMUD over the past year, but also with some administrative tasks for HFH. Her job will expand into an administrative support role over the next 6 months – she is incredibly talented in this area!

And to complete our season of change – April 1st has brought us two new board members to support our work in the Midsouth and help care for our staff. They will be formally inducted during our late April meetings – expect another email soon introducing you to them.

We are so thankful for you! We continue to covet your prayers as we strive to serve Christ by loving families enduring the serious illness of their child.

As as fundraiser, Andy has built another amazing table – very similar to the one in the main HFH House. Here’s the idea: you get to purchase a chance to win the table, and your donation helps HFH in the process. The drawing is just a week away – so we’d love you to take part! Click the following link to hear from Andy and get your chance to own this beautiful table and chairs.

Donate here to HFH and win the table!

Thank you Sophorn for your dedication to HFH and to these families!

Download (PDF, 134.58KB)

Group leader Aya said, “Its so nice to be outside in the TN heat! Its been so cold at home. We are really enjoying the physical labor.” One of the students had lost a 16 year old sister to a pontine glioma. She approached me and said that she had really wished an organization like Habitat for Hope had existed for her family while they were facing brain cancer 8 years ago. She felt that their journey would have been loads lighter if we had been present to walk with them.

The lovely ECS varsity softball team was on hand to serve lunch! Another sweet group of kids so willing to serve. And Grace Church in Millington provided housing for the two nights the UMinn group was in Memphis. We are always glad to provide an opportunity for students from out of the area to interact with local friends that are so dear to us. Thanks so much Coach Maxwell and Pastor Mahoney for serving these students!

Andy Gross sharing HFH 101

ECS Lady Eagles serve lunch