My friend is famous . . .

The Star Tribune published an article about my friend and her family – pulling up stakes is never easy.  It is well written.  They have done several articles about their family over the years.  For the most recent click here

Enjoy the article.

Reflections of a friend. . . .

When I first came to Bethlehem Baptist Church(BBC) 14 years ago, Char was one of those people who seemed to be everywhere, doing everything.  I wondered how one got so involved at such a large church.  At the time I came to BBC, the average attendance was between 700-800 on a Sunday morning and everyone fit comfortably in the sanctuary at the down town capus!   Char’s attitude was contagious and her smile welcomed everyone who saw it.  She seemed to be one of those “larger than life” people.  To a new comer, that was a bit intimidating – at least until I got to know her.

My first encounter was when I heard Char speak in a women’s Sunday Summer Sunday School class DT.  I was amazed to hear her say, “This coming weekend, I will be attending my 50th High School class reunion.”  Surely I heard her incorrectly.  There is no way she could be attending her 50th reunion.  I was so stunned by this statement that I don’t remember anything else she said.  After wards I asked some questions and found out it really was a true statement and I was totally amazed because she did not LOOK or ACT like she was old enough for a 50 year class reunion!  She intrigued me and I began to watch her more closely.

I really don’t remember when I first talked face to face with Char.  She is one of those people that just seems to always have been a part of my life.  Her passion and energy for the tasks that God has given her were and continues to be unstoppable and unshakeable.  Watching her prepare and travel to Africa to serve families by taking care of their children during a conference and going to the deep south to help out after Hurricane Katrina made me reconsider life.

Char has been a mentor to me, even though we have never been intentional about that. I have learned much from watching her live her life.  She can encourage me with a simple sentence like, “I am so excited about what you  are doing and can’t wait to see what God will do!”  She has a heart that serves God whole heartedly.  I think she has more energy than I do.  The only thing that has slowed her down is her hip – she recently went through a hip revision surgery.  A lengthy surgery to replace the stem of a prosthesis. The surgery is one thing, but the recovery will be long –  6-8 weeks of non weight-bearing!  Then rehab to regain strength and endurance.  This will be a lot to endure for one who has been so active.

Char has been a living testimony of the admonition from Titus 2:3-5;

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled,  pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands,  that the word of God may not be reviled.

Thanks for being such a great example to this “young” woman.

A New Adventure!

As a runner, I am always looking for ways to cross train.  One of the major reasons to cross train is injury prevention.  Cross training allows me to do something other than running and alleviate some of the injuries due to overuse.  Cross training also allows me to build other parts of my body, like my inner core, abs and upper body strength.  All of which are important in helping me to avoid hitting the wall during 26.2 mile runs!

Traditionally I have either used bike riding or skating for cross training with some weight lifting and/or Pilates for the upper body/inner core.  However here in the cold winter tundra of Minnesota – both are not great for winter training!   The snow and ice cause some issues!

This summer I started running with some women from my church.  It was great fun and mutually encouraging as we exchanged the challenges of life, prayed for situations and ran some races together.  One of these women always pushed me and was always up for a run.  I did most of my long runs with her and we got to know each other well.  One day I asked her what she liked most about running.  Her answer surprised me and opened up a new possibility.

Her answer to my question – “I run to stay in shape for skiing!  I don’t really like running all that much.”

When I found out she meant cross-country skiing not down hill, I took an interest in  what she does, how often, where, etc.  I had always been told that I should try it, but there were many reasons why I never did.  Now it seemed like God was providing a unique opportunity to learn a new skill and stay in shape all at the same time!

My first time out on the skis went really well.  I enjoyed it, only took one spill and that was really Geoffrey’s fault. He had fallen and I was trying to make sure that he was ok, couldn’t get stopped in time and skied right into his skis and down I went.  Julie was a good teacher and patient with  showing this very uncoördinated person different skills and ways to improve technique, etc.

She was also looking for some new skis for her and found some for me.  Tonight we went out to try new skis, books and poles.  Tonight was not as good as the first time out.  I felt much more uncoördinated and actually tumbled a couple times.  We are still trying to figure out why it felt so much different tonight, but I still love cross-country skiing and probably just need to get comfortable with the technique.  The skis that I used tonight can actually be used for both cross-country skiing and ski skating.  Julie wanted me to try ski skating tonight and I wasn’t quite up to it – at least not yet.  I think I need to work on one skill at a time.

I felt bad at times because of my inexperience and slowness in some of the things.  I didn’t want to slow her down, but she seemed ok with my beginning speed.  Endurance and lungs I have – coördination, well hopefully that will come!

Winter training has just gotten more fun and I really do get a good workout!  Marathon training began this week and I think I will do a lot of my training on skis – at least for now!

She’s Reading, but. . . .

For those of you who have followed Giovanna’s story and progress, there have been some significant gains.  She is reading!  At least she is reading simple words and when she was tested she tested at the first grade level.  However there are still some significant challenges.

I just completed her annual assessment/meeting with the teachers that work with her.  They are pleased with her accomplishments, but for me it was more of a realization of how big the gap is between her age/grade which is 9/4th and where she landed when she was tested.  She tests out at the first grade level for math, reading etc.  While this is an improvement over where she has been, the gap is significant.

This means that there are some decisions looming.  One thing that is certain is that none of us have figured out the key to unlocking her learning style.  We have tried various systems and teaching methods, but so far nothing seems to click with her.  The next step is to have a neruo psychology test which will help us  determine how she processes information.  Once we know that, it might be easier to decide how to teach so she can learn, retain and tell back the information.  As it stands currently, we are not sure we are getting accurate information from the tests due to limited English and physical limitations.

There is a bright side to all of this testing – she tested out in the physical assessment ahead of her age!  The PE instructor is also the coach of the Jr. High Physically Impaired (PI) softball team and is recruiting her to play on the team once she hits 7th grade!  Giovanna would also like to try soccer!

The other issue that is looming is that according to the current school system, she has only one more year in the elementary school before she would be in Middle School.  There is absolutely no way she will go into middle school.  So on option would be to hold her back a year and keep her at the elementary school with the same team for 2 more years.

There are many options/decisions out there.  The one thing that is clear is that I need to figure out how she processes and learns information.  Then we can move on.  The gap between where she is and where she should be needs closing.  Easier said than done.

There are some things that are more important than academics.  Things like – does she know and obey the Lord?  Does she know how to respond in socially appropriate ways?  Does she treat others with love and kindness?   The purpose of learning to read is to read God’s word so that she can grow in her relationship with Him.

So while there have been gain made, there are still challenges.  Pray for wisdom to unlock her learning style so that she can be taught in the best way for her to continue to learn and that God will be glorified in her life!

The Polar Dash

How did you bring in the new year?

I brought in the new year by running the Polar Dash 10K!  This event is held annually on January 1st by The Team Ortho Foundation.  As Caleb and I were waiting in the warming tent for the race to begin, it was a bit nippy(temperature was hovering around +1).  But what warmed my heart was the fact that by registering and running this race, I was helping a place that has become near and dear to my heart  - Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  The Team Ortho foundation uses their races (they have 4 each year) to help raise money for orthopedic hospitals like this one as well as research organizations.  Their mission -

“To improve and enhance the lives of orthopedic patients through our commitment to supporting research, education and  advancements in orthopedic technology; and to promote good muscular, skeletal and joint health by encouraging an active lifestyle, including training and participating in amateur athletic events.”

I did my first Team Ortho event in October 2009- the Monster Dash 10 Mile race.  I had heard of this particular race a year earlier when Giovanna had her last Ilizarov procedure at the Shrine Hospital.  They had a team that was running in the event and since I had just run the Chicago marathon, they asked me if I would be interested in running the race.  I toyed with the idea, but Giovanna’s hospital stays are rather exhausting and I didn’t run that one.  But I did compete in 2009, running with several other women from my church and had a blast.

I signed up for the Polar Dash along with Caleb to run the race.  I can’t say we ran together since he runs at least 2 minutes/mile faster than I do – but we both ran and completed the race on New Year’s Day.  There were about 1,000 runners for the races (there was a 5 and 10K race). The really neat thing that happened this time is that there was a special fund-raiser for the Shrine Hospital and they raised $2,300 from a face book fundraiser and $10,000 from the Polar Dash itself.  This is amazing given the state of the economy and since this hospital was almost closed a few years ago.

I really believe that the Shrine Hospital is one of the best kept secrets in the Twin Cities!  The medical care that Giovanna receives is great and we are treated like family there.  Of course it helps that Giovanna knows practically everyone in the hospital and everyone wants to see her when she is there!

Since running the Polar Dash, several of us have decided to do some more of the Team Ortho races.  The next one is the Minneapolis Marathon on 06 June.  Caleb and I are running the marathon; Gary and Geoffrey the 5K and Courtney and Giovanna the 5 K-9.  We are still trying to get Garrett to do something!

There is also a Duathlon in August and the Monster Dash in October.  If interested in participating in their races or knowing more about team ortho, click here. Besides you get some really cook stuff -

Look at this hat that I got from the Monster Dash!

Hope to see some of you at the races – either participating or just cheering us on!

Help in Reading Between the lines and lies

There are some interesting discrepancies between what President Obama said in his first State of the Union address and the realities of life.  President Obama is a very good orator and one could easily get lost in the “moment” while he is speaking,.  One needs to really listen closely and then do a lot of homework to check the facts against the rhetoric.

Here is link to a comparison between what President Obama said and the facts.  Here is an excerpt to get you started;

“OBAMA: He called for action by the White House and Congress “to do our work openly, and to give our people the government they deserve.”

THE FACTS: Obama skipped past a broken promise from his campaign — to have the negotiations for health care legislation broadcast on C-SPAN “so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies.” Instead, Democrats in the White House and Congress have conducted the usual private negotiations, making multibillion-dollar deals with hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders behind closed doors. Nor has Obama lived up consistently to his pledge to ensure that legislation is posted online for five days before it’s acted upon.”(taken from foxnews.com/politics)

A New Chapter

My friend Dorothy is beginning a new chapter of her life.  She is moving to Colorado with her husband and 11 children.  As I am writing this they are in the van beginning their drive to their new home.

I have known Dorothy since before I moved to Minnesota from California.  As we were preparing to fly to Minnesota to look for a place to live, I received a phone call from Dorothy.  She was introducing herself and offering to help in any way she could while we were in town house hunting.  I have to admit that it was a bit unnerving to have a complete stranger call and talk to me as if we had known each other forever!  Little did I know how important this woman and her family would become to me and my family over the years and it is so typical of who she is!

My family arrived in Minnesota right before Thanksgiving 1996.  We were not ready for Winter since we had spent 10 years in California with almost no winter!  Dorothy met me at Church and introduced me to all the thrift stores.  I was able to buy all the winter stuff I needed for about $20.  I was hooked and Dorothy has kept me up to date about the “latest”  great store!

Dorothy walked with me through the adoption of Giovanna.  She listened to me when I was frustrated, let me cry on her shoulder when all I wanted was to have her here  in my arms and it felt like China was taking forever with the paperwork.  She was the first person outside out family to see her pictures and to encourage me that while waiting was hard, God’s timing was perfect1

Dorothy had a way of challenging my thinking in ways that never seemed confrontational and almost always worked!  She would loan books or share links to articles that she had read – all meant to challenge my thinking and ultimately make changes in my life.  Sometimes if she wasn’t seeing the changes she thought were necessary, she would get a bit more forceful, but I always felt loved and knew that she was genuinely concerned about me becoming all that God wanted me to become.

Dorothy has a big heart and has always advocated for those that our society would leave behind.  The elderly, those that can’t understand our complicated governmental system and especially those precious little ones that have challenges that could make life difficut for them as they grow up.  She and her husband have been willing to adopt those children that suffer from things like FASD when other families are not.  They are willing to endure the stares when t heir children misbehave and need correction in public and patiently explain the “unseen” difficulties that their children struggle with.

Dorothy has been transparent in sharing her struggles through her blog and as a result, she has ministered to many, near and far.  She is not afraid to tackle the hard  issues, share her successes and struggles.  And as typical with Dorothy, in the thick of packing and getting ready to move, she is seeing God opening doors and asking for prayer.  I am so thankful for her life and ministry.

So Dorothy as you and your family leave Minnesota today and look to the next chapter, may God bless you as you travel and begin to explore the options that God has for you there.  I will miss you.  You are the one person that I have known since before I moved here.   While you always talked about God sending you out on a “church plant”, I never thought it would be so far away.  May God surround you with new friends who will  assist you in adjusting to your new home as you have done for so many here.  May God provide all that you need in the coming weeks and months as you grieve your losses from here and deal with the challenges and excitement of your new home and location.

Thank you for being a friend to a stranger, welcoming my family to the twin cities and for helping me to see the  inner city with new eyes, praying for me and my family. Thanks for living your life openly before others and shining the light of Christ into the dark places in your neighborhood.

I will miss you my friend.

Quiet Time

With a house full of 5 children, I long for quiet times.  TIme when I can be alone and commune with God.  But those times are not always “quiet”!  I tend to sing, talk out loud to God and at times cry as I pour out my heart to Him.  I have begun to think that “quiet time” is really not a good name for this time that I spend with God.  Then I ran across this great article written by David  Powlison.  In this article, he states that “95% of the Psalms portray or invite audible words directed to God.  You ‘hear’ what is written, because so much of it is out loud!”

Now I have a Biblical reference point to why my “quiet times” are not so quiet.  I look forward more to these times when I can go into my “closet” and “talk” out loud to the  Lord.  He is not looking for ritual, but for hearts, my heart, poured out to Him!

Welcome . . .

Welcome Banner

This is the banner that I will be using at the 4 summer conferences that fall under the umbrella of CLUB 4th.

So what is club 4th?

CLUB 4th is an organization developed around the unique needs of Third Culture kids (TCK’s) with the desire and purpose to help them connect with and grow in their understand and practical living of the 4th culture (God’s kingdom Culture). CLUB 4th is using the unique environment of Spiritual Life Conferences to provide solid biblical teaching, worship, games , activities and crafts for the kids in a safe, loving and child friendly place while their parents are  have the oportunity to connect with others in their region and to get spiritual input of their own.

A longer and more detailed explanation of the name and logo;

Club is what like-minded people are drawn to and into.  It is where they can be themselves.  It is where they are understood and where they don’t need to explain.

And a club can help all to attain higher things.

Club 4th is a bringing together of like-kids from the 4 corners of the world.  Thus Club, in logo application, is  C   L   U   B.  Each, individually, is not a club.  It is only when they come together that they are.

4th has to do with culture.  They are typically children, teenagers, that are described as 3rd culture kids – kids that are not of either their parent’s culture(s) or of the culture they live in.  Club 4th’s purpose is to help kids and teenagers find, grow in, and thrive in their identity with a 4th culture – Christ’s kingdom culture.

Central to this is the cross.  It is foundational.  It is found in the 4.

To thrive, one must have a thriving vertical relationship with Christ, with God.  Thus the bold vertical element.  One also needs to develop healthy relationships with others – both with other club members and also with others in general.   TH is in oTHers.

The dot -  the world.  It may seem big to us, but it is just a dot to God and to what his kingdom is like.  And his kingdom is over and far above the 1st 3 cultures.

And all our efforts and planning is naught if God does not touch it. Thus the pen, the art brush of God reaching down and creating as he so decides to create, completing the “4” – maybe not as we would, but as he chooses – just as every child is created as he so created him or her and has a unique plan and purpose for.

A brief history

I have done these types of conferences over the past 2 years.  After hearing from families who live and work overseas as well as some good friends, there is a definite need for this type of service, I was encouraged to start an organization to meet this special need.  The goal of putting these conferences under this organization will be to train up a team of people with a heart to serve Third Culture Kids and there families and go on more than one trip.

So as I recruit, I am really praying that God will ignite a passion in the hearts of others to serve longer term with this organization.

This summer will be the inaugural year for CLUB 4th and we will be serving at four conferences. At most of the conferences, we will have kids ranging in age from infants through High School.

During these conferences, each day has a rhythm to it.  We start off  the day with all the kids together for worship.  What a joy to hear kids of all ages singing praises to the Lord.  Then we break the kids up into age appropriate groups for teaching, crafts and small group discussion time.  We include a snack and end the day with some large group games.  It is always fun to see the older kids helping out the younger ones during this time.  We also try to bring crafts that they might not have access to in their country.  They love this time as well as interaction with other children.

CLUB 4th Needs:

With any new organization, there are needs.  We take EVERYTHING with us when we travel to a conference sight.  This means that with 4 teams going out this summer, we will need to pull together some supplies.  Things like – pencils, scissors, duplos, books, games, etc.  if you are interested in helping with this email me (ayers@usfamily.net) to get a complete list of supplies.

Some New “Favorite” Songs

Music is one of the ways that God uses to restore and refresh my soul.  Music is always in our house and having kids helps exposes me to some of the latest music that is out there.  There are some really cool songs coming out.  Well they could be old, but they are new to me.

May your souls be blessed by these songs!

This is the one that I have been enjoying the most;