Law student retreat this weekend

I took a very small number of students away on an overnight retreat last weekend. It is so hard to pull students away from their studies.

On Friday night, we look at the livies of Mary and Martha - one was distracted by many things and one was focused on the one essential thing. And we talked about remaining focused. In fact we talked intil 12:30pm that night.

It was wonderful to share and talk about what is essential.

Law group on a retreat

Honduras Trip with Medical Students

We are meeting every Wednesday with our team of students going down to Honduras May 20 - 28. Pray for us as we prepare.

As well, pray for a VBS lady. We need someone to do VBS with all the kids that will be hanging around the clinic.

The Honduras Med Missions Team 

Medical students with Residents

I really enjoy working with Medical students. There are so many pressures on them and as I say - you will one day making some very important choices about people's lives.

Last night we got first and second year Med students today with a Medical resident and a practicing doc and we talked about residency. Silke, our 3rd year surgical resident was really encouraging and full of much helpful info for the students. She told me that she has a heart for this and to send more her way. I will be glad to oblidge.

Group of Medical students at Hillary's house. 

A visit to the Monastary

On Tuesday, our local University of Wisconsin religious group - URW went to the annual visit to the St. Benedict's monastry. It is dedicated to the spiritual growth of celebate women. They seek to reach out to campus and invite young women for retreats and reflection.

There seems to be an atmosphere of prayer and peace. It has such a different feel from campus. I plan on taking retreat days there - just to walk the fields and pray.

Saint Benedict Center - Monastary entrance 

Monastary lodging area.

Monastary - The chapel

What is happening at the Pharmacy School?

There is a good strong Christian group at the UW Pharmacy school. There is a small group Bible study per class as well as one for the 'boys.' Pharmacy is mostly a female profession.

Every month, there is a CPFI breakfast which is actually more of a brunch. This month, Dr. Mike Dow came and spoke. He is semi retired, but has recently committed his life to God in a very significant way. He told us of his volunteer work in neighboring Janesville with a Medical Clinic and how he has 'swung' at the opportunity to take over the Pharm part of this Clinic.

The students really enjoyed him.

Dr. Mike Dow sharing his tennis illustration. Life is coming your way, swing at it.  

Christian Pharmacist Dr. Mike Dow speaks with Pharmacy Students 

On Friday, a meeting with Ron Sider and local pastors.

Ron Sider is known to us baby boomers because of his book in 1977 - Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger in which he argued for a simpler life because of the great needs of the poor. It has a great effect on the Christian community. Some of those in attendance mentioned the impact the book has on their lives.

His newest book, The Scandel of the Evangelical Conscience - Why are Christians Living Just like the Rest of the World, takes a look at polling data to sadly see that when it comes to lifestyle issues and choices, Christians are not different than those we do not profess to believe.

We had a good discussion about these problems with local pastors. One of the things that was meaned was Cheap Grace. Pray and prayer to be saved and then live like you want. As well the breakdown of church discipline. If people are loving openly sinful lives, what do we do as a church.

Ron mentioned that as he was writing the book, his heart was drawn to Lamentations and a grieving for the state of American faith.

It was a good meeting and a chance to get local pastors down to campus.

I should mention that Ron spoke at 12pm to UW faculty at their monthly meeting as well as Friday evening to the whole school.

A closer up of Ron Sider sharing with pastors. 

Ron Sider talking with local pastors. 

Claire does a photo exposé of her school, Abundant Life

I gave Claire the camera last Friday and I said to take some photos of her school and we will post them. So here they are.

Claire's school by Claire Sicard

Another view of Abundant Life 

Claire and her piano teacher, Michael Beebee. He was a good sport. 

The Crossing Guard at Abundant Life. 

Dad in the car at school picking up Claire 

Hannah with a friend Mary that we car pool with. 

Abundant Life Christian School. 

Claire in the car at school. 

Hannah starts her first job.

It is so hard to believe. Hannah was just a little girl not too long ago. On December 29, she turned 16. She is learning to drive and now working.

She began her first day of work at Sentry Food store, 5 minutes away by car. She started on Saturday, which was a pre super bowl rush day.

We are proud of her.

Hannah starts her first job this Saturday. 

Invited to the Chinese Spring Festival

Chinese New Year was last Saturday. It is the year of the dog. I was born in the year of the horse. It was a great honor for us to be invited by the Chinese Scholars to join them in what they call their Spring Festival. They follow the Lunar Calendar. In talking with one scholar, he said that it is as important to them as Christmas is to us.

The main dish is Chinese dumplings which you see in the photo. They make a ton of them. Never seem to eat them all. Great evening.

Claire and I having fun at the Chinese Spring Festival. 

Claire learns to make Chinese dumplings.