January 2021 Thank You

“And the King says, ‘Look! God and his children are together again. No more running away. Or hiding. No more crying or being lonely or afraid. No more being sick or dying. Because all those things are gone. Yes, they’re gone forever. Everything sad has come untrue. And see—I have wiped away every tear from every eye!’ And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder in the sky says, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’”                            -The Jesus Storybook Bible

2020 has been a year full of so many of these things. Illness. Dying. Loneliness. Fear. Tears. Even hiding, in our various ways. It’s impacted all of us, but maybe especially kids. 2020 has been a difficult year.

But, in the midst of the pain and seeming hopelessness, we have a God who is making all things new. He is redeeming—right now. He’s redeeming the anxiety of the 1st and 2nd and 3rd graders who are living much of life these days with tummy aches. He’s redeeming the pain and hurt and loneliness of the teenagers who have lost so much of what we got to experience during our teenage years.

Still, we have a God of hope. It’s why we have a Daystar. It’s why we can sit with kids and families in the midst of the kind of fear and sorrow 2020 has brought with it. This is not the end. He is making all things new. We get to point children of all ages toward that great truth. Because of Him. Because of you and your gracious support of our ministry. 

One day, everything sad will become untrue. Even this. In the meantime,  we get to be a light in the darkness. We get to be reminders of hope. And you and your graciousness to Daystar are certainly a reminder of that hope with us.

Celebrating 2021 and new things with you—in gratitude.

The Daystar Staff

December 2020 Thank You

“It gets darker and darker until Jesus is born.” -Wendell Berry

In the 35 years Daystar Counseling Ministries has been in existence, there has possibly never been a darker time in the lives of kids. And, as a result, in the lives of families. But the mission of Daystar is to be a light in the darkness “until the day dawns and the Daystar rises in our hearts,” according to 2 Peter 1:19.

The season of Advent is all about waiting. And it also happens to be the season we find ourselves in globally. Waiting. In a whole lot of darkness. Anxiety. Loneliness. Depression. In the midst of that waiting…of that darkness, we have the privilege of being a light.

We get to be a light to the 8 year-old girl who can’t stop thinking about whether grandparents, her dad who is battling cancer or even she will get covid…and so she’s washing her hands incessantly. We get to be a light to the 17 year-old boy whose depression is only worsened by the isolation he’s feeling with the events he’s looked forward to disappearing one by one. We get to be a light to the parents who feel ill-equipped to parent a healthy child during a pandemic, as well as to the ones who feel disheartened and overwhelmed by the emotional toll this time is taking on their children. We get to be a light because of you.

Your support of Daystar this December of 2020 enables these children and these families to receive hope. Your support, through our counselors and staff, reminds each of these kids that they’re seen. Each of these teenagers that they aren’t alone. And each of these parents that they can get through this. There is always hope…it’s why the door of our little yellow house remains open—whether in person or virtually.

Thank you for joining us in being a light in the darkness and only helping to make our light brighter and stronger. Our light is only a dim reflection of His. And a reminder that we get to celebrate with deep gladness that He is born into our darkness. Even in 2020, thanks be to God.

With profound gratefulness and the Merriest of Christmas wishes,

The Daystar Staff

September 2020 Thank You

“You probably knew my son better than anyone and loved him right where he was. Turns out, THAT is what matters most in the end. I wish I could express how grateful I am for you and the Daystar Staff. “

That is what matters most in the end. These words were from a dear friend of ours whose son was a part of Daystar for most of his growing up years and whose life tragically ended just a few months ago. We did know him and certainly loved him. And we cherish these words from her.

Our fall at Daystar looks different—as does yours this year. Thankfully, we are counseling individuals and families in our offices and have been able to do so Covid-free for the entire summer. We also were able to have five of our seven sessions of Hopetown in person. And then, as the numbers spiked in Nashville in July, we felt like God was leading us to move the last two virtually. Two days later, the Kentucky Governor issued an ordinance saying no gatherings larger than 10. God has graciously kept Daystar going all summer—whether in Kentucky or in Tennessee.

We are so grateful to be in the business of knowing and loving kids right where they are. Especially in these days, with so much sadness and anxiety, so much hopelessness, so much that is just unknown—we are profoundly grateful to be able to offer hope to over 1700 children and families in the middle Tennessee community. And we are just as grateful for you and your support of our little yellow house. It’s in an honor to be in the knowing and loving and hoping business with you.

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff

July 2020 Thank You

“God, I anticipate that this day will leave me longing for more time. I’ll try to savor it and grasp this feeling of warmth for as long as I can, but there’s only enough. Please allow me and those around me to be filled with love enough and emotion enough to last for a lifetime. Thank you for this place. Thank you for letting me walk in here and be welcomed, fully. And for allowing me to feel you through those around me in worship, laughter and love.”

One of our high school girls wrote this journal entry as a prayer during her session at Hopetown. It feels like all of our prayer in these days…longing for more time, more community, more shared hope. More worship. Laughter. Love.

Thank you for helping us to provide this, even socially distanced for kids at Hopetown and in the Daystar house this summer. Our hope and prayer is that each child—each family that walks through our doors in Nashville or Kentucky will feel welcomed, fully. We certainly couldn’t do that without you. Thank you for praying. We’re sure praying for you, too. And grateful to be in community and shared hope with you.

The Daystar Staff

June Thank You 2020

On Monday, our Senior Staff gathered to officially start a summer at Hopetown. We gathered in the midst of a continuing, unpredictable pandemic. We gathered in the midst of a nation in conflict—in grieving and learning together, collectively, more about how the horrors of racism have been furthered in known and unknown ways. We’re learning with you. And planning. And praying. And hoping.

In one of our first mornings together, Melissa read these words: 

“Part of what can prevent us from carrying out compassionate action is not only the complexity of what needs to be done in our lives and our world, but the sheer amount of mess and even chaos within us and between us.”

-John Philip Newell, The Rebirthing of God 

We’ve also been choosing our new songs for Hopetown this summer. We have loved this one,

“I’m praying God can come and turn this thing around

God, turn it around; God, turn it around; God, turn it around. 

I’m calling on the name that changes everything, yes

God, turn it around; God, turn it around; God, turn it around.”

                                                            -Jon Reddick 

What an incredible opportunity we’ve been given at Hopetown this summer. At Daystar, in these next few months. We get to gather in stillness. The stillness of a retreat at the lake. The stillness of a counseling office with a safe and trusted voice. We get to be in these hallowed spaces and allow the chaos to settle. To make room for compassion. To make room for God’s voice. To make room for Him, the one who changes everything, who truly can turn all of these things around. 

We are grateful every single day to have the privilege of offering compassion to anyone who walks through our doors. And, even more importantly, to see Him—whether in Nashville or in New Concord, Kentucky—at this mighty act of redemption. Thank you for standing with us in gratitude and in hope. Thank you for joining our voices as we sing together in this time, “God, turn it around.”  We’d love your prayers this summer, for both places. For health, for compassion, and to see evidence of God’s redemption. 

The Daystar Staff