The Life and Times of the Sicards: November 2005

Thanksgiving

It seems as though our Thanksgiving are events in and of themselves. Last year, we were caught in a snow storm as we traveled south to Evansville, IN. And God provided us a place to stay.

This year, we went to Mary Alice's Mom's in Chicago, IL. It was good to see the family. One of the highlights was Grandma's new puppy - Muggsley. (Yes, a wierd name.) Their dog of 15 years passed on. Claire in particular loved him and could not get enough of him.

And then I got sick - flu I think - really slowed me down. Mary Alice and the kids went and visited her godmother and aunt. Vera is over 100 years old but fading. It was a great visit.

And then to visit Mary Alice's friend in prison in Peoria, IL on Friday. All went well, but they changed the visiting times. So we stayed overnight.

The next day, we visited in the prison. It seemed like a sur real visit. So many young girls in Federal prison. Mostly drug related. So sad to see young mothers playing with their kids. All because of very foolish decisions. Dee is a friend of Mary Alice's. She has been making some great advances spiritually. There are a lot of good things that God is doing behind bars. Dee has 2.5 years to go. What a toll it takes on the whole family!!!

Just a reminder for us and the good to make good, godly decisions.

Claire with Grandma's new puppy.

Med Group Thanksgiving

It has become a tradition for our group to have a Thanksgiving get together to celebrate and to enjoy one another's company. And it seems more often than not that we are at the home of Dr. Jeanie Everson. She has loved the group and been a part of us for as long as I have been around. She is wonderful and a great inspiration for the students. A great evening.

Med group Thanksgiving.

Operation Christmas Child boxes

Well, our pro school outreach is over. We invited our fellow students to join with us in sending a shoe box to Developing World kids. We had a great response. We did it in the Vet school, Nursing school, Law school and Pharmacy school. We collected almost 100 boxes. We set up a table at each school. It gave us a time to chat with other students and give out a Radio Bible class tract : 10 Reasons Why I am A Christian.

And then I got inspired and we did it at our church as well. We collected almost 500 boxes between churches and pro schools. We are thanksful to be able to contribute this way.

Rich loading Operation Christmas Child boxes

Medical Missions Conference last Thursday - Saturday

Wow, what a conference. It is so inspiring to hear of the many stories of how God has used Medical Missionaries even today. One of my highlights, was listening to one Doctor talk of how God used him to reach a very difficult Muslim tribe in Nigeria - the Fulani. It is the story of unexplainable healings. Today, he is one of the kings of the Fulani nation. Wow.

The students were really touched. Many have been interested in missions, but made some real connections.

Dr. Woodson (we work together with Medical students) and I met with Global Health Missions a part of the Christian Medical Association and talked over student trip options.

Thanks for praying. It was wonderful.

A few other students at the conference. Adam left is a 2nd year Med student and Jeff is in public health.

Nursing students talking with Missionary Judy Parker at the Medical Missions Conference in Louisville, KY last weekend.

Our little girl is growing up

Last Saturday was home coming at Abundant Life Christian School. I have posted some photos of Hannah at the event. She will soon be 16 and driving. Yikes, where has the time gone. Where is my little girl? She is delightful and turning into a wonderful young lady.

Our little girl - Hannah on left - growing up.

Hannah is growing up. Can you pick her out?

Operation Christmas Child

This is the week when OCC begins in at least four professional schools on campus: Law, Nursing, Pharmacy and Vet schools. Our goal is to extend the opportunity for students to think about others in a concrete way by buying some things for a needy child. We hope to give a religious tract when a student signs up. We want our Christian presence on campus to be considered as good and as something that contributes to the whole school (s).

Law School: Operation Christmas Child begins in the Professional Schools.

What a priviledge.

Last week, our regional team had our 24 hour meeting in Chicago. It is so good to see everyone and hear what is going on in their schools. Some great ideas and ways to advance the kingdom in the heart of intelligencia.

During our time in Chicago, we helped a bit in a conference that was going on. The name of the conference was The Redemption of Reason. Some of the main speakers were Dallas Willard, Neil Plantinga and others. The purpose was to look at intellectualism particularly reason and see where it has gone astray in the University and our world and find ways to redeem it and get back to what God desires. For example, reason has given way to an appeal to research - who has not heard that abused appeal to being right with the statement - "research indicates." He mentioned as well that reason is subject to the forces of human constrain and manipulation in any context.

What a priviledge I have to listen to such folks and be influenced. If I could list those whom I have heard in my life, wow. Many of God's best.

If you would like to hear any of the talks or get more info, check out : http://www.redeemingreason.org/Resources/conference.html

Our IV Regional Team

Dallas Willard speaking at the Redemption of Reason Conference in Chicago

Rich at the University of Chicago

Halloween

We all had a fun night last night.

Claire and a neighbor, Emily were Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Cat in the Hat. They had a little skit worked out. It was fun.

And then I took Olivia to a church for a Harvest party. Olivia did well and won some things. Hannah was there as well helping out, but mostly eating candy and having fun.

Our neighborhood had a bonfire @ 7:30pm that we went to.

Then we invited Emily's parents for a little cheese (French of course) to cap off the evening.

All in all a great evening.