Ah, summer … yes, it’s definitely here in the Four Corners. Temperatures reached over 90 degrees for the first time this year a few days ago. Barbecue grills are fired up, swimming pools are filled with kids, and people are enjoying the great outdoors after a somewhat long winter. Yes, it actually snowed a few inches at the end of April in Farmington!
Here at The Four Corners Home for Children, summer is always a special time. As I write this Connections article today, our boys’ home is at the Farmington Aquatic Center swimming, the girls’ home is on a family trip in southern New Mexico and the few kids in the House of Hope are playing outside on our campus. Just last Thursday, we all had a great time at a staff cookout. Thanks to cook Courtney McCabe for the great burgers, hot dogs and sausage links. And, thanks to all who brought wonderful dishes to share.
It was terrific to see the staff and children all having such a good time. Plenty of laughs, smiles and full stomachs! This was a good opportunity to get together at the start of the busy summer months here at The Four Corners Home for Children.
Beginning Wednesday we will have volunteer friends on grounds. Fred and Cindy Schutz from Florida will be here through Saturday morning. Fred and Cindy stayed with us two years ago and are looking forward to helping with a work project or two and seeing some of the kids they help support. Then, on Thursday evening, Mary Beth Falvey, a high school student who lives in Massachusetts, will arrive with her mom Deb. Mary Beth will volunteer at the Four Corners Home for Children through the end of the month. And, for the past week or so, former houseparents Galen and Shannon Carter have been staying with us.
This weekend marks the beginning of our Vacation Bible School teams. Grace Community Church from Hilton Head, South Carolina, arrives for a week of VBS adventures. All of our VBS teams stay in the Bunkhouse, doing a work project here and then a four-day VBS at a church in the Navajo Nation. A list of all of the VBS teams coming this summer is on the back of this page. It’s always so uplifting to partner with other Christians throughout the country to help spread the love of Jesus.
Many of our children will also be headed to Cross Bar X Youth Ranch near Durango again this summer for a time of growth in their faith, along with meeting other youngsters from around the region in God’s beautiful Colorado mountains. It’s our privilege to be able to send most of our kids to this amazing youth camp.
While the children have lots of summer-time activities planned before schools starts up again in August, staff members and their families will be taking some summer trips. Some will travel across the country, while others may just venture to the mountains to the north. No matter the journey, we pray for safety and more great memories along the way.
So, whatever you’re doing this summer, have fun with it! And, remember, God is with you each step of the way. His blessings sustain us and point us in the right direction. And, remember the sun screen!
McSupport Night at Farmington McDonald’s
The Farmington area McDonald’s will again help the Four Corners Home for Children with a McSupport Night on Tuesday, June 13, at the mid-Main McDonald’s from 4-7 p.m. A percentage of the sales during those three hours will go to the children’s homes, along with all cookie sales.
Some of our older children and staff members will work the shifts during that time. This is the third straight year that we’ve been involved with a McDonald’s give-back event. It’s always a lot of fun and a great team-building experience. So, come on out on June 13 and have fun. If you’re not working, bring your appetite and have dinner at McDonald’s. A big thanks to Randle Archibeque for setting these up each year.
In addition, McDonald’s provides a free meal each month for our children. Now, that’s what I call a wonderful community partner!
Farmington Frackers Games on Vertical Radio
The Farmington Frackers are a new Collegiate Baseball League team playing 35 games at Ricketts Park against other teams from the West and Southwest from June 8 through July 16. Vertical Radio, FM 88.9, will broadcast the Thursday evening (7 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon games (1 p.m.) during this first season. These games will be a great lead-in to the Connie Mack World Series, which starts in late July. Yes, right in tune with the summer theme, it’s time to play baseball!
God Bless,
Eric Fisher