Our very own Holly Roso walked in graduation ceremonies this past weekend to mark the achievement of her Doctorate of Psycology.  This is a huge accomplishment and we are all very proud of her.  Feel free to call her Dr. Roso until she is tired of hearing it, and don’t forget to post your kudos on the blog. DC 

1.  This past week I was honored to attend the national Association of Gospel Rescue Missions conference in Dallas, Texas.  The AGRM states its objectives as the following:  Rescue, Redemption, and Rehabilitate.  The AGRM is going through a reorganization to better serve its Mission clients and provide better training and certification services.  2.  Each month we have a Spiritual Luncheon whereby staff of the Mission get together to share prayer requests and encouragement over a good lunch.  Yesterday we met at New Life Square and had a great time.  I encourage everyone to make a point of coming when possible.  3.  This saturday we are hosting a breakfast at Chambers Bay Golf Course to kickoff our recruitment of golfer for The Rescue Mission Open Golf Tournament.  From 8-9 we will be talking about great ways you can involve others in supporting the Mission.  Any info can be gotten through Anna Eastabrooks.  dc 

Many people know that there are many homeless vets who are served at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.  Over the past three years I have been in several meetings with the Veterans Admin. here in Pierce County to make sure that our homeless vets get special care.  They sacrificed a part of their life, some make the ultimate sacrifice, for our county and we need to make sure that no one falls between the cracks.  This weekend lets all make a special effort to remember the price that was paid to make sure that we live in freedom.  Thanks to all of our supporters and staff who served in the armed forces.  We appreciate your sacrifice.  God Bless.  DC 

Wow! A great story in Tuesday’s News Tribune about Adams Square. We can be so proud of what we are doing to help change lives of children and their parents in Pierce County. Check it out and pass it on.  http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/364806.html

Our annual budget planning sessions are Wed. and Thurs. of this week.  Each director presents his/her plan for the coming year and we discuss it in great detail.  It is often dreaded by program directors but I absolutely love it.  That is because it gives us a chance to strategize in detail how we plan to raise the money necessary to do our ministry, and how we will spend it.  It takes the guess work out of the question:  ”Can I buy a new _____?”  or the question, ” Can I go to the homeless coalition meeting in Hawaii this year?”  FYI, the answer to the second question is always “Not this year”.  :)   dc

It’s been a busy, busy week here at the Mission.  It’s only Tuesday, but it’s still been a busy week.  Here are just a few things that are happening or will be happening in the next little bit:  1) This past Thursday I met with the editorial board of the News Tribune to tout our Adams Sq. Family Center and fill them in on the Mission and how things are going.  They are always interested in how we run our programs and to what we can attribute our success.  My impression was that it was a good exchange and that they are supportive of all the great things we do at the Mission.  2)  I met yesterday with a reporter from the News Tribune to discuss a potential article on the Family Center.  The news and editorial parts of the paper are separate and so I needed to touch base with them two separate times.  Not sure if they think we are at the “news worthy” stage yet but we’ll just wait and see.  3)  Most of you have probably heard that the MLK shelter is threatening to close its doors.  Clearly that would have a major affect on the Mission and our clients.  I have met on a couple of occasions with Felix Flannigan at MLK and with the City of Tacoma, trying to broker some kind of solution, but at this point its hard to know what is going to happen.  I know that if it does close we will have to do everything we can to make sure that those 117 people are not out on the street.  Some of us are planning to see what could be done to make sure that doesn’t happen.  As I learn more I’ll let you know.DC 

In this month’s letter to our supporters I included a letter from a dear lady who was reminising about her mother and the sacrifices she made for her children.  It has prompted some nice feedback from other donors, including the following letter:  “I am so thankful I had the wonderful parents I was blessed to have raise me.  My mother, Mary, went through a lot in her life, but she kept moving forward with kindness and good cheer.  I learned to be responsible, make informed decisions, be accountable for my actions and good manners and respect for others.  She also taught me how to stand up for myself without being mean or disrespectful of others.  She never realized how wonderful and talented she was.  She was a wonderful artist, musician and cook.  I was able to give her an exhibit of some of her paintings at the museum here in Tacoma.  She would never have believed that her talent was something others would appreciate.  This was a tribute to her that I could do for love.I miss her sense of humour and my very best cheerleader, but I think of her everyday and use the good Bible based principles that she taught me through my life.

Thank God for mothers.  They are more important and have more influence on their families than most children realize. When we grow-up and mature, we can really appreciate all of our Mothers’ sacrifices, love and selflessness on behalf of their children.  The children who really “get it” are so lucky to realize how much we need parents – especially Mothers.  Yours in Jesus Christ,   Tracie Fields Churchill

Let me know how much your mother meant to you…I would appreciate your feedback.  DC

James, a resident at Jefferson Sq. and longtime friend of the Mission, had a heart attack Tuesday and is under doctor’s care at Tacoma General.  They are determining today whether or not He will need a bypass or some other procedures.  Please keep James in your prayers for a safe and speedy recovery.dc 

We had a great staff party to celebrate being named a Best Place to Work by the Business Examiner, thanks to all who attended and celebrated with us.  The Business Examiner also has a TV show and they have posted their interview with me on their website.  I am providing a link so that you can watch it (9min).  Thanks again for helping to make TRM the best place to work.  Here is the link: http://www.businessexaminer.com/index.php?id=88 

Our Mission Youth Program has had its own site and blog for sometime now and it is a great and fun resource for the youth we serve.  Katy Lafferty has posted an interview with one of our students about what its like to be homeless.  Give it a watch and you’ll see why we need a new, better Family Center. http://trmyouth.blogspot.com/2008/04/interviews.html