We are always grateful to read your thoughts on Echoes and the work of the H. E. Butt Foundation. Below is some recent feedback from readers.
Tim Blonkvist: David, I love your little video. Standing in the middle between too conservative and too liberal. Wow! I wish we could all find common ground and move forward together. I appreciate all you are doing and love your magazine, Echoes.
Marie Krebs: Thank you for a brilliant and timely article. I so appreciate the work of the Foundation and the genuine care you have for our community.
@frittsfamily: Yay Kayla! So proud of you and how God is continuing to use your story and leadership to empower others.
geremylandin: This sounds fun. Camille’s voice belongs on a national radio station.
Heather Johnston: This is so cool! Will I be able to listen on Spotify? I have a nice little commute and I’m always looking for new podcasts!
Editor’s Note: Yes! Search for “the echoes podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts—and be sure to click subscribe.
Teri Speece: Best post I’ve seen so far in 2025 … thank you for sharing this! Hope all is well with the Foundation and its wonderful team!
Elaine Olson: Love this. He truly lived and walked the walk. He will be missed in this upside-down world we live in.
Laity Lodge Youth Camp and Family Camp are receiving applications for summer staff until January 10, 2025. They are looking for exceptional young men and women who want to use their gifts and talents to contribute to a life-changing camp experience for youth and young adults. College and high school staff can work the full summer, half summer, and sometimes shorter work periods.
LLYC and Family Camp work hard to create an environment where relationships grow deep, where people can be themselves, where we laugh a lot, and where everyone encounters God and grows in faith. You will build lifelong friendships, make sweet memories, be stretched in new ways, and be part of something so much bigger than yourself.
Summer in the Frio Canyon is an atmosphere like no other. Our camps are located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, near the headwaters of the Frio River, where our 1,900-acre playground clearly displays God’s handiwork. From a late-night Rodeo Dance to deep conversation. From jumping off a cliff into the Frio River to jumping up on stage and acting ridiculous at Roundup. From sitting and taking in stunning views of the canyon walls to sitting with a camper or a family and getting to know who they really are. Every job at camp offers an opportunity to help create an environment for campers where God’s love is on full display in the context of relational ministry. Working at camp is undoubtedly a life-changing way to spend your summer and great opportunity to grow as a leader!
| Work at Family Camp | Work at LLYC |
Murray Watts: I have had a rule for The Wayfarer Trust and visitors to Freswick Castle in Scotland for some years: no phones at the meal table or beside the fires. Eating together, conversation, true connection are all sacrosanct. People are asked to keep their phone activity to their bedrooms or to one internet connected room in the Castle or to private walks in the gardens.
Many people struggle with this to begin with (and some of the worst offenders are “Silver Surfers” who are addicted to their phones in old age!!), but everyone appreciates the discipline and conversation, and spiritual development thrives as a result.
REMEMBERING HOWARD HOVDE
VICKI VICE BERRY: Both Howard Hovde and his wife were grace filled— and poured out that grace on everyone they came in contact with.
JANE MACK: Howard was such a deep and rich man who shared his wisdom and riches with everyone he met.
MYRA FISHER BOLIN HAMMOND: Such a special time in my life … working at Laity with this man.
@divness Beautiful Lady. Still love all the quotes scattered about the property.
@gardopiagardens What a legacy that has been created!
@deborahrogers We love Olga, her poetry, and this beautiful piece!!
@returningtojoypodcast This is beautiful!!!!!!
@intermezzogallery I love Olga and her poetry so very much! To hear her read again! Thank you thank you for this. And going back and forth with the Bishop’s speech from 1978 is a beautiful tapestry woven with the photos … this is exceptional.
@chand777 Thank you for sharing Olga—you are such a beautiful soul!
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@madremccall3 Thank LLYC for creating safe and healthy places for everyone! Proud of Anna!
@magnificent_hil Love this!
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@mama.razzi.24 Amen! And may this be a season of repair and restoration for our communities and our country.
@nacho.leigh.gray Psalm 19 The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork Happy Easter.
Diana Osborne I wanted to take a moment to share with you how excited I am to learn about your new nonprofit [The Congregational Collective]. When I started reading about the mission, my first thought was, “yes! this is so needed!” I feel that it is a brilliant idea and cannot imagine a better group of people to start pushing this forward. Congratulations. I can’t wait to hear more about the project.
Andres Garza. Wowwwwww, David. As a pastor of more than 25 years in ministry, I can celebrate this initiative [The Congregational Collective] because there is a big need. Thank you very much for doing that, and I really hope we could have this impact in Monterrey, Mexico. God bless you and congratulations for this great idea.