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Pushing to Get the Exterior Done! - Ryan Corrigan UPDATE: The Privacy Fence Has Been Installed!!!! Now We Are Praying for the Sod! Check out the new page dedicated to the project. Megan has been absolutely stunned by the ongoing efforts by the community to do an extreme home makeover for the family. Their home has always needed a lot of work, and Charlie always dreamed about making it a great place to raise their growing family, but they never had the funds to make it a reality. But now, his dreams are coming true because of the community's generosity. After Charlie passed away, over 20 companies and many individuals rallied to make this possible! Many of these projects were made possible by donations from people like you. Thank you so much! Since our Last update, we wanted to let you know that the Privacy Fence has been installed, and we have received a donation to build an outdoor shed! However, the company that pledged to do the sod in the yard has backed out. The Kansas City area has been in a drought, which has strained the sod business. However, we just had a really encouraging conversation with a new landscape company that is very interested in taking on the project! Please pray for this sod to get laid so Megan doesn't have to deal with the dirt and mud anymore! So far, Megan has not had to use any of her own money for this project! Incredible! Let's keep that going! Next, we need about $700 for a secondary outdoor shed for Megan's trash can's (since we are finishing her garage into a living space). Here is an updated list of everything that has been done. A brand-new roof was installed (https://www.nationsroofingandsolar.com/) Her old driveway and two back patios, and two retaining walls were removed (https://www.trubluellc.com/) Old shake shingle siding was torn off by people from Grace Point Church (https://gpchurch.us/) A massive dumpster for demolition was donated (https://www.kcdumpster.com/), Garage doors were removed, and the exterior wall was finished with windows (to finish the garage into a living space) (https://www.bizapedia.com/mo/owb-carpentry-llc.html) Twenty-six windows and two sliding glass doors were donated and delivered within one week (normal lead time was 6-8 weeks) (https://www.coronetwindow.com) Windows and new sliding glass doors were installed (https://www.bizapedia.com/mo/owb-carpentry-llc.html) A lot of electrical work was done to add floodlights around the house (https://purelightelectric.com/), (https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/gj-electric-inc) A Ring doorbell system was donated and installed A porta-potty was donated for the construction workers Brand-new vinyl siding was installed (https://maverickexteriorskc.com/) Backyard lower patio with pave stones and a band new retaining wall was installed (https://hopkinshardscapes.com/), (https://www.keystonehardscapes.com/) A massive amount of overgrown shrubs and an old fence were torn out of the backyard. (https://www.trubluellc.com/) The front yard was graded and prepared for a new circle driveway (https://www.trubluellc.com/), (https://trifecta-contracting.com/) A massive concrete circle driveway was installed (https://trifecta-contracting.com/),(https://quicksilverrmx.com), A mini-split HVAC system was donated for the garage conversion into a living space. (https://www.lennox.com/,) A brand new furnace and AC unit for the home were donated and installed. (https://tmi-stl.com/) The bathrooms have been remodeled. (https://www.thinkbordner.com) (https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/56d6cb14f384a201005fd07c) There was a sewer line repair (and a scheduled replacement) (https://allens-electric-hvac.business.site/) A company donated a really high-quality concrete sealant for the new driveway (https://specchem.com/specshield-wb) Outdoor drains have been added around the house to mitigate standing water (https://hopkinshardscapes.com/) Massive truckloads of dirt were donated for grading. (https://www.facebook.com/people/Summit-Trucking/100057155001603) The backyard was professionally graded. (https://www.trubluellc.com/) A beautiful deck was built by Doug Fields, the deck guy (https://www.facebook.com/dougfields23?mibextid=ZbWKwL) Privacy Fence Materials were Donated - (https://www.oakiq.com/) Backyard concrete - a deck sidewalk, a shed pad, a pool pad, and a new lower patio pad. (https://www.bizapedia.com/ks/stay-down-concrete-llc.html) A sprinkler system was installed and paid for by donations from individuals - $7,500 The privacy fence was installed! (https://www.trubluellc.com/, (https://www.bizapedia.com/mo/owb-carpentry-llc.html) Money for the materials and labor has been donated to build a really nice 12x16 outdoor shed! Beyond this list, there have been permits pulled and paid for and hours and hours of planning and coordination. Here is an updated flyer with the remaining materials cost we are seeking to raise: Priorities are: Pray the sod will get done! $700 for a small secondary outdoor shed $12k for the garage to living space remodel New Flooring or refinishing the flooring Paint You can also make a tax-deductible donation here.

JC Van Deventer https://fox4kc.com/news/cyclist-to-ride-2500-laps-in-24-hours-in-honor-of-kansas-city-cyclist-killed/ A nationally ranked rider hit the pavement hard ahead of Jackson County CASA’s Bright Lights for Kids event in September. The inspiration came from a local cyclist (Charles Criniere) who was tragically killed while riding his bike last August. On June 2nd, Cyclists were hard at work in the heat of the day. JC Van Deventer started riding just after midnight. He said each lap means something important. Van Deventer shouted on his bike “1,217 laps to go!” He ended up tackling 2,328 laps. That number represents every child in the Kansas City area who received support last year from CASA volunteers — Court Appointed Special Advocates who help children experiencing abuse and neglect. “There are faces and names for each lap, and that matters,” Van Deventer said, “and it’s frustrating that it’s not more laps for every child in the area, but then it’s also frustrating that it’s not less laps and that we don’t kids in these situations.” Jackson County CASA said more than 1,900 children are abused every day. Van Deventer wants to help “brake the cycle”. Over the years, he’s opened up his home to 120 foster children. This year he’s doing something a little different — organizing the Bright Lights for Kids Bike Ride and 5K. Athletes are coming in from across the country to ride anywhere from 10 miles to 200 kilometers. The event is inspired by Charlie Criniere, a father of 10 who was killed last year while riding his bike. “This is exactly what was in Charlie’s heart,” Van Deventer said. Criniere’s widow, Megan, said he was in the court system growing up and was given a scholarship — that’s how he became a teacher, impacting so many kids’ lives for the better. “Any form of advocating for kids, that was his heart. So, he would have loved this,” Widow Megan Criniere said. “We reap the benefits of that of what was poured into him, and so did hundreds of kids.” Van Deventer said that’s who this is about — the kids. And any difficulty he faces on his 24-hour journey, he said it doesn’t compare to the adversity he believes these kids will overcome. “The challenge for me is nothing. The challenge that these kids go through is hard to quantify,” Van Deventer said. “So, you just do another lap.” The Bright Light for Kids event is Sept. 16 at Longview Lake. Van Deventer said 100% of the proceeds from the event go to Jackson County CASA. To get involved with CASA in your county, visit Bright Lights Ride. Bright Lights for Kids registration is now open! 2,328 laps for every child in foster care in the KC area who were fortunate enough to have the support of CASA and the CASA Volunteers. Unfortunately, so many in foster care in our area don't get the support 4 television news crews 26 amazing cycling friends several gallons of water over-heating issues midday stomach issues (apparently, my body decided it was a good to to cleanse) soaked from a thunderstorm slippery when wet bar traffic 2 nights in a row tight corner speed eating 4,656 times the forget riding 254 miles on the Katy in a day Saw temps as high as 103 degrees forget Everesting in under 24hrs with no prepare and a height to weight ratio not designed for such a thing, forget finishing Unbound, forget finishing MidSouth on my old Schwinn... this was the most challenging ride I've done! Thanks to everyone who supported. Sign-up at BrightLightsforkids.org!

One last push to get the exterior projects done - Ryan Corrigan Check out the new page dedicated to the project Megan has been absolutely stunned by the ongoing efforts by the community to do an extreme home makeover for the family. Their home has always needed a lot of work, and Charlie always dreamed about making their home a great place to raise their growing family, but they never had the funds to make it a reality. But now, his dreams are coming true because of the generosity of the community. Many of these projects were made possible because of donations from people like you. Thank you so much! Over twenty companies have contributed to the project! Currently, we are sprinting to finish the outdoor projects - all we need is $2,500 to install the privacy fence and $6,500 for a shed, and the outdoor transformation will be complete!!! So far, we don't have any companies or donors for this, but we are trusting that God will provide. So far, Megan has not had to use any of her own money to do any of this! Incredible - and let's keep that going! Here is an updated list of everything that has been done. A brand-new roof was installed (https://www.nationsroofingandsolar.com/) Her old driveway and two back patios, and two retaining walls were removed (https://www.trubluellc.com/) Old shake shingle siding was torn off by people from Grace Point Church (https://gpchurch.us/) A massive dumpster for demolition was donated (https://www.kcdumpster.com/), Garage doors were removed, and the exterior wall was finished with windows (to finish the garage into a living space) (https://www.bizapedia.com/mo/owb-carpentry-llc.html) Twenty-six windows and two sliding glass doors were donated and delivered within one week (normal lead time was 6-8 weeks) (https://www.coronetwindow.com) Windows and new sliding glass doors were installed (https://www.bizapedia.com/mo/owb-carpentry-llc.html) A lot of electrical work was done to add floodlights around the house (https://purelightelectric.com/), (https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/gj-electric-inc) A Ring doorbell system was donated and installed A porta-potty was donated for the construction workers Brand-new vinyl siding was installed (https://maverickexteriorskc.com/) Backyard lower patio with pave stones and a band new retaining wall was installed (https://hopkinshardscapes.com/), (https://www.keystonehardscapes.com/) A massive amount of overgrown shrubs and an old fence were torn out of the backyard. (https://www.trubluellc.com/) The front yard was graded and prepared for a new circle driveway (https://www.trubluellc.com/), (https://trifecta-contracting.com/) A massive concrete circle driveway was installed (https://trifecta-contracting.com/),(https://quicksilverrmx.com), A mini-split HVAC system was donated for the garage conversion into a living space. (https://www.lennox.com/,) A brand new furnace and AC unit for the home were donated and installed. (https://tmi-stl.com/) The bathrooms have been remodeled. (https://www.thinkbordner.com) (https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/56d6cb14f384a201005fd07c) There was a sewer line repair (and a scheduled replacement) (https://allens-electric-hvac.business.site/) A company donated a really high-quality concrete sealant for the new driveway (https://specchem.com/specshield-wb) Outdoor drains have been added around the house to mitigate standing water (https://hopkinshardscapes.com/) Massive truckloads of dirt were donated for grading. (https://www.facebook.com/people/Summit-Trucking/100057155001603) The backyard was professionally graded. (https://www.trubluellc.com/) A beautiful deck was built by Doug Fields, the deck guy (https://www.facebook.com/dougfields23?mibextid=ZbWKwL) Privacy Fence Materials were Donated - (https://www.oakiq.com/) Backyard concrete - a deck sidewalk, a shed pad, a pool pad, and a new lower patio pad. (https://www.bizapedia.com/ks/stay-down-concrete-llc.html) A sprinkler system was installed and paid for by donations from individuals - $7,500 All new sod has been donated for the entire yard. (https://zaubee.com/biz/siler-turf-farm-156eqxcw) Beyond this list, there have been permits pulled and paid for and hours and hours of planning and coordination. Here is an updated flyer with the remaining materials cost we are seeking to raise: Priorities are: $2500 for the privacy fence $6500 for an outdoor shed Video Playlist You can also make a tax-deductible donation here

by Eliya Criniere Over the past year, I have been contemplating my future after graduation, carefully crafting what I believed to be the perfect plan. However, I soon realized that my plans did not align with what God had in store for me. But as I surrendered my will to Him, the Lord led me in a different direction that I never could have imagined. Recently, I was accepted into the Onething Internship program at the International House of Prayer University, and I am convinced that this is where God wants me to be. I am choosing to put Him first in my life, even though it may be challenging. Having experienced God's faithfulness time and time again, I am confident that I can trust Him to lead me on this new path. The internship was named after this verse which is very fitting for me in this season. "One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." - Psalms 27:4 The acceptance into the Onething Internship program at IHOPU has been a significant milestone for me. It has reinforced my conviction that God has a specific calling for my life and has paved the way for me to pursue this path with confidence. Last year, I discussed the idea of applying for the internship with my parents, and they were very open to it. I asked my dad about it repeatedly, as I felt it was something I truly needed to do. We prayed together on numerous occasions, and it was encouraging to see my dad bring everything before God, no matter how big or small. Watching him devote himself to God made me reflect on my own life and evaluate how much of myself I was giving to God. While my dad believed that I did not need an internship to grow closer to God, I felt that it was what God was calling me to do. The Onething Internship is a six-month program designed for young adults to seek the Lord together within a like-minded community. The core element of this internship is the prayer room, where interns can spend time in prayer, worship, and meditation. Additionally, interns attend classes, serve in various roles around the missions base, participate in small groups, and receive discipleship. The internship is designed to help interns grow in their confidence in God's love for them as they delve deeper into His Word and prayer. In my opinion, it is crucial to have a deep life of prayer, as it is like a lifeline. Without it, we cannot survive. Prayer helps us to connect with God, seek His guidance, and grow in our relationship with Him. The Onething Internship provides a unique opportunity to devote myself entirely to God, to seek Him with all my heart, and to experience His love and grace in a way that is difficult to achieve in day-to-day life. I am excited about what God has in store for me during this program. I believe that the Onething Internship is going to be an exceptional opportunity for me to grow in my faith, deepen my prayer life, and gain a sense of purpose and belonging within a community of like-minded individuals. I am eager to experience His love and grace in new and profound ways. As I prepare to begin this journey, I am reminded of the words from scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 I trust that God will guide me through this season of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow closer to Him through the Onething Internship. I believe that the Onething Internship will be a transformative experience that will equip me to serve God in all aspects of my life. I am excited to see what God has in store for me during this program and look forward to growing in my faith, deepening my prayer life, and building lifelong relationships with my fellow interns. So far, I have saved half of the internship tuition - I still need to raise about $3,000. If you would like to help me pay the rest of my tuition, you can send money directly to my Paypal using the link below. Blessings.

By Eliya Criniere As finals approach, I’m reminded of where I was a few years ago - studying for a college algebra final at just 16 years old. Sounds stressful, right!?! But I had the best tutor in the world - my dad. He was a math teacher who would stop whatever he was doing and rush to my side whenever I needed him. He spent countless hours explaining the concepts to me until I finally got it. He valued family so much more than anything else. My dad wasn't just focused on helping me pass the exam; he wanted me to actually enjoy math too. He used different teaching methods and made sure I understood the concepts. Thanks to him, I developed critical thinking skills that have been super helpful in my academic journey. On one particular day, my dad was his usual goofy self, cleaning and cracking jokes while trying to help me. While I was annoyed that he kept getting distracted, watching him be so goofy was well worth it. He always made me laugh and relax, even when I was frustrated or nervous. Looking back, I realize that our study sessions were more than just about math - they were about creating memories that I’ll always cherish. As I gear up for this year’s finals, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have such a supportive family who always got my back and created memories that I’ll always cherish. They are my motivation and inspiration. And even though I’ll never get those times back, they will always stick with me. - Eliya

Connect with the Criniere's - Fun News | Fun Pictures It's hard to believe we're already nearing the end of April! Time really does seem to fly by. Despite that, we've been making the most of every moment, and it's been great to see our house projects progressing smoothly. (More to come on that soon!) One thing that's been really striking to me throughout all of this is how God has provided for our needs time and time again. It's been a real source of strength for our family. I'm so proud of my children and how well they've adapted to the changes we've had to make. It's not always easy to keep up with new routines and schedules, but they've been doing an amazing job. Having that sense of normalcy in the midst of everything has been a real comfort for all of us. Of course, there are still moments of sadness and loss, especially when we think about Charlie not being with us. It's hard to imagine life without him sometimes. But we're finding joy in the little things, and that's something that we're really celebrating. Those moments of joy make everything else worthwhile, and we're grateful for every single one of them. At the end of the day, we have so much to be grateful for. We're surrounded by love and support, and that's an incredible feeling. For now, we are just taking things one day at a time and finding joy wherever we can. ● Eliya is getting ready to graduate high school. She is looking forward to finishing up in May and starting the One Thing internship at IHOPKC in July. ● Mariah finished her gymnastics competition season. She just came back from Minnesota for her regionals meet, where she won 5th on the beam. ● Justice turns 15 today! He started his flag football season and won his first game, 47 to 14. He is also looking at getting his permit. ● Gloriana is working hard on her school assignments to finish her school year by the second week in May. ● Ava is in a season of friendship. She is all about fun, and in this season, she is surrounded by great friends to have fun with. ● David started his baseball season. He was able to pitch for the first time ever this past week and struck out three hitters. We had no idea he could even pitch! ● Hope has started going to an art session once a month at grace point church. She loves drawing and painting and spends a lot of her free time practicing her skills. ● Jubilee and Caleb, spend their days going from sibling to sibling, learning fun new things, playing games, and convincing anyone who walks through the kitchen that they need another snack. Needless to say they eat a lot of snacks!

By Megan Criniere I have been reading a devotional by a woman named Elisabeth Elliot. Her husband was killed in the jungles of Ecuador while ministering to a tribe, leaving her to care for their young daughter in a foreign country. She could have left the country and returned to America to resume a normal life. She could have hated the tribe that killed her husband and become offended at them and at God. Instead, she chose to stay, and God opened up opportunities for her to minister to the very tribe that killed her husband. Her insight into God's heart in the midst of suffering is profound and often a source of encouragement to me. Here's an excerpt from her writing: The Lamenting Heart of God: John 11:35 Jesus wept. When Christ stood outside the tomb of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, He was overcome with grief, and He wept. Even though Jesus knew that He was going to raise His friend from the dead, the realization of how sin had caused such misery and suffering, ending in death, ripped His heart apart. Jesus’ response to the death of Lazarus gives us insight into the heart of God: God’s heart is a lamenting heart. It feels our pain. When we experience the pangs of human suffering, God suffers with us. When we grieve at the loss of our loved ones, God understands our sadness. He feels it as well, and He stands ready to comfort us whenever we sincerely turn to Him. Are you sorrowing today? Know that God feels that sorrow too. Give that grief to the One who knows your pain. Then, in His own perfect time and in His own perfect way, He will heal your pain if you invite Him to rule over your heart, life, and soul.” I am grateful for the example of people who have gone before us down this road of grief, who have trusted God and emerged from the pain and loss more filled with His presence and more dependent on Him. I am longing to be transformed in the process and become more like Him. - Megan Criniere

by Eliya Criniere This past week my sister and I were reminiscing about our bible times with our dad. If you knew anything about my dad, you would know he loved the bible. His life's passion was getting in the word and sharing it with others. We tried to have nightly bible studies as a family. Maintaining a consistent routine for our Bible times was difficult, especially because of the daily demands of work, school, and other activities. But no matter what happened in the day, we always tried to get before the Lord. When our dad said, “Time for Bible,” we knew the drill. He would say fifteen minutes, and we would start our watches and timers. Forty-five minutes later, he would usually say something like, “Just getting started” or “Now, let's actually start.” At the time, these moments were dreaded, but now we are all so grateful that we got those opportunities. I am so grateful for my dad's passion for the Bible and commitment to studying it with us. Even though it was sometimes difficult to find the energy to participate in these nightly bible times, I now recognized the importance of spending time with the Lord. We are all now able to look back on those moments with gratitude. Our dad's dedication to spending time with the Lord and sharing it with us is a testament to his faith and his love for God. As we reminisced, my sister and I realized that those Bible times with our dad strengthened our faith and our family bond. We laughed, cried, and learned together; those memories will stay with us forever. Our dad's example of prioritizing God's word has influenced our lives, and we hope to pass it on to future generations. - Eliya

The Video Series on the Life of Charles Crineire In this episode, Eric Criniere recounted his childhood memories of growing up with his brother, Charlie Criniere, in Albany Park. Their early years were relatively normal until their mother's mental health began to deteriorate. Eric vividly remembers how he would wake up and their mother was not herself . Eventually, their parents divorced, and their mother relocated to New York while they were still very young. Left to be raised by their single father, who worked early in the morning and was often away when they woke up, Eric and Charlie had a lot of freedom to go wherever they pleased without supervision. Unfortunately, Charlie began to display increasingly aggressive behavior as time went on. Despite the challenges they faced at home, sports served as a healthy escape for the two brothers. Charlie, in particular, excelled in sports and was well-known in the neighborhood, providing him with unique opportunities. Despite the hardships of their childhood, Eric shares an inspiring story of how Jesus transformed Charlie's life, offering hope and redemption to a once troubled soul.

A Video Interview with Megan Criniere In this video interview, my mom highlights the significance of trusting God with your finances, especially in times of economic uncertainty. She shares her personal journey of reliance on the Lord's provision and how it has been crucial for her, especially in today's increasingly challenging world. She emphasizes the importance of exploring biblical promises and paying attention to how the Lord reveals Himself in everyday life, as it is essential for those beginning their journey of trusting God. My mom acknowledges that participating in a community that meditates on God's faithfulness can help strengthen one's faith. She also emphasizes that trusting God with your finances is a process that requires faith and surrender. As believers, we are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us since everything ultimately belongs to Him. This interview highlights the importance of trusting God with your finances and how it requires a strong faith and willingness to surrender control. It also emphasizes the significance of being a good steward of what God has given us and finding community support in our journey of faith.

A Story of Love and Redemption By Eliya Criniere I'm excited to share with you this amazing video interview of how my mom met my dad. Hearing my mom tell this story is so inspiring! Growing up, my mom was raised in a Christian family and had a powerful encounter with Jesus when she was 16 years old at a winter camp. However, she struggled with her identity and eventually left the faith in her late teens. By the time she was 19 years old, she had faced some tough times, became pregnant, and felt broken. Even though my mom faced the challenges of being a young single mother, she found love and support from her church family. Slowly but surely, she began to experience the grace and love of God in her life again, which included meeting my dad. It's incredible to see how my parents' love story began and how God wrote it from the very beginning. I've also included some fun pictures of them together when they were younger.

A Devotional by Eliya Criniere Hi my name is Eliya Criniere. I'm the oldest daughter of The Criniere Kids. I wanted to share a story that my mom relayed to me. I felt like it captures the heart she and my dad shared to love God with all they have. "I was talking to a friend the other night who has been in a season of major transition. In a short few years, he and his wife have switched from owning their own business into a season of selling their business and launching into full-time ministry. The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity for them, opportunities to travel, new relationships being formed, and wide-open doors to step into the next thing God has for them. Then just as quickly as it all began, a stillness crept in, and suddenly everything seemed back to normal. He said this phrase to me "I can feel it, that pull to just settle; it's so comfortable." And then he added, "No, no, no, no, I'm not doing it!" His statement of defiance against "settling" struck a chord in me. Over the next few days, I kept mulling over his words; there was such an intensity on his face when he said it. I knew He meant exactly what he said." Thinking about that statement, I was reminded of a story I heard about a young man named William Borden. William Borden was born an heir to his family's fortune. When he graduated high school, His parents sent him on a trip to travel the world. "As he traveled, he felt a growing burden for the world's hurting people." He then writes to his family about his "desire to be a missionary." A friend thought his desire was a waste and said that Bill was "throwing himself away as a missionary." "In response, he wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No reserves." Upon graduation from Yale, Borden turned down some high-paying job offers. Then wrote two more words in his Bible: "No retreats." William Borden went on to do graduate work at Princeton Seminary in New Jersey. When he finished his studies at Princeton, he sailed for China. Because he hoped to work with Chinese Muslims, he first stopped in Egypt to study Arabic. While there, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25-year-old William Borden was dead. As the story has it, prior to his death, Borden had written two more words in the back of his Bible. Underneath the words "No reserves" and "No retreats," he is reported to have written: "No regrets." "No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets" As I consider the things that my family and I have prayed for, year after year, and the dreams that we believe God has planted in our hearts, the temptation to settle quickly diminishes. God's work in our lives is ongoing, and there is still so much to achieve, so much to live for, and so many promises to be fulfilled for our generation and those to come. My parents taught me that giving up now would be a mistake. We must continue to press on, refusing to accept mediocrity and pursuing God's perfect plan for our lives. Like William Borden, we should not be satisfied with mere comfort but instead strive for the very best, with no reservations, no turning back, and no regrets. Eliya Criniere Eldest daughter of Charles Criniere