The Beard Bank

Hey there, Beard lovers!

DJ and I just updated The Beard Bank and wanted to give you an update on where we are at with our adoption funds. To date we have raised $13,211! Guys, the Lord has brought this money in in just 60 days. We are praising His name for His faithful provision and have full confidence that He will bring in the rest. Here are where things stand as of today:

• Total anticipated cost (including travel): $41,691.89
• Total spent thus far: $9,826.89
• Total Hofmann funds remaining: $7,621.40
• Total anticipated funds through A Beard For A Baby (including pledges): $13,211.87
• Total amount still needed: $11,031.73

Thank you all so much for your contribution to baby Hofmann. Whether you are growing a beard, sponsoring a beard, or giving one time donations, you are playing a huge part in our adoption journey and helping to give a child a home. We are forever grateful for you and could not do it without your help.

Please be praying alongside us for the Lord to bring in the remaining funds!

Grateful for your growing and giving,
the hofmanns

Beard Of The Week | Luke Baublet

Hey folks! It's that time again and this week's BOTW guy is Luke Baublet!

DJ and I have known Luke and Amanda Baublet for nearly six years. I first met them because they served in Kids' Village when I came on staff at The Village and oh, what faithful volunteers they were. They have since transferred over to the Missions ministry and are enrolled in our church's Sending Program as they prepare to go and serve Jesus by planting churches and making disciples in Berlin. Luke and Amanda love Christ and His bride and are humble, mission-minded people. The Lord has taught us so much through them.... that though they are in the throws of raising their own funds to go do missions, they would also become involved in our fundraiser and ask people to give to our cause too. Through them we learned what it looks like to be open handed with your money; when you trust that the Lord is going to provide for you, you are freed up to be open handed with the money He has given you. #convicting. We are thankful for the ways the Lord has both encouraged and challenged us through the Baublets.

Luke loves beards. He wrote about His involvement in our fundraiser here and his heart for beards, babies, and adoption shines through. It's well worth your read. Additionally, you can learn more about the Baublets heart for Berlin here. To be a part of what God is doing in Berlin, you can partner with Luke and Amanda through prayer and giving. Go, go, go!

And just for the record, Amanda loves beards too. She even makes bread beards for crying out loud. Bread. Beards. Babies. Life is good.

Stay bearded,
The Hofmanns

Beard Of The Week | Jesse McKee

Happy Wednesday! It's Beard of The Week day and this week's Beard is Jesse McKee!

DJ and I have been friends with Jesse for several years. We first met on staff at The Village because Jesse is the Video Producer for our church. He lives here in Lewisville, has been married to his pretty wife, Stephanie, for 3 years, and they just welcomed their first (precious) child, Henry Spencer, into the world back in April. Jesse and Stephanie became our close friends in 2010 when we were all in Home Group together. Our group experienced mountains and valleys together and through that season we all became like family. What stands out most from that season is that they walked with us through our miscarriages, listened to our cries, and brought us root beer floats to cheer us up like true members of the body of Christ do. We are truly grateful for the McKees and the role they have played in our life.

Jesse is creative and has a dry, witty sense of humor that leaves you both shocked and dying of laughter. He once cat-sat for us and his imitations of Marmalade that followed were pretty hysterical. But above all that, he really loves people so well. He sees their heart and is mindful of them in ways that most people generally overlook. We always joke that one day he should be a Care Pastor because he is more pastoral in nature than he gives himself credit for. He likes (and is really good at) woodworking, photography, videographing, cornhole, and climbing things. He enjoys a bit of facial scruff and was eager for the opportunity to grow his beard alongside all the other men in this crazy, awesome, ridiculous fundraiser. Overall, he's pretty great. We love him and you should too!

You can check out Jesse's awesomeness here. And, he still needs more sponsors! So show him some love by sponsoring him here. His beard won't disappoint you, guys. I promise.

Stay bearded,
Courtney