The Life and Times of the Sicards

Med school - Operation Love your Neighbor

2008-04-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

Once or twice a semester, we do a free Coffee and Bagel give away at the Med school. It is so much fun to do. We probably give away about 150 cups of coffee. Panera Bread gave us a ton of bagels and bread. Med students live on coffee!!! It is great to hear the comments:

Is it free? What, really, thank you very much.
Yes, and we love you too. Thank you.
Are you Christians? So am I.
Are you sure I can't pay for it.

I love to say - the most important things in life don't have a price tag on them.

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Med students in the background. Panera Bread gave us day old to give away.

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Free Coffee and Bagels!!!

Speaking to IV undergrads

2008-04-14T14:58:00.001-07:00

Every now and again I am asked to speak to the other Christian groups on campus. It seems like once a year I talk to the InterVarsity Undergrad group - about 50 strong. It was a fun night. We talked about Romans 15:1-13 as they have been in Romans all semester. The response was great. A very fun group. Only one problem, some of these students seemed like they were very young - like 15 years old. So who is getting old!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking to IV undergrads

2008-04-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Every now and again I am asked to speak the other Christian groups on campus. It seems like once a year I talk to the InterVarsity Undergrad group - about 50 strong. It was a fun night. We talked about Romans 15:1-13 as they have been in Romans all semester. The response was great. A very fun group. Only one problem, some of these students seemed like they were very young - like 15 years old. So who is getting old!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

Speaking to IV undergrads

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Fun speaking to the InterVarsity Undergrad group

Book Discussion and Claire at the Science Fair

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Thanks so much for all of you who were praying.

On Monday night, March 10 several of the religious workers on campus were invited to a discussion of the book, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. This was at one of the student dorms - Chadwick Hall. Mr. Dawkins was going to speak the following day and evening campus wide.

It was a great evening with some lively discussion. Some of the professors were a bit edgey and had some remarks. Everyone was asked to rate themselves on the Knowing God - Agnosticism scale. 0 is knowing for sure that God exists and 7 is pure agnoticism. I was really surprized by the number of students who indicated a 4 - 6 range. At the end, a few of the students came up to me and asked when the next InterVarsity meeting was which was really cool in my thinking. The experience had left a good taste in their mouth in the area of faith.

Pictures also of Claire and the science fair. She is now in 5th grade.

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Students and professors at the book discussion.

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Claire and her school science fair project: Dolphins. She did a great job.

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Claire and her buddy Merissa at the science fair.

2007-12-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas with Chinese scholars enjoying some cookies and an evening of American Christmas celebration.

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Chinese scholars enjoy a Christmas gathering at our house.

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Business Students over to a Christmas gathering.

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Goodbye to faithful law student Brenda Thomas who graduates.

Pharmacy group Christmas Party

2007-12-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

The Christmas party of one of the highlights of the year for students. Every year, we have been hosted by Dr. Paul Hutson and his lovely wife. A wonderful community is forming.

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The whole group of Pharmacy students and family as we enjoyed the party.

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Dr. Paul Hutson and his lovely wife as they hosted the party. Paul is the faculty advisor to the Pharmacy group.

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2nd year students enjoying themselves in this 2nd year group photo.

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Students enjoying.

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Pharmacy students enjoying Christmas dinner.

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Pharmacy students reach out : Free bagels and coffee to brighten up the day of a busy Pharmacy student.

End of the year activities with the Professional school groups

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Enjoy the photos of some of the events of the end of the year.

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Med students get out and ring the bell. Note Sarah, a 2nd year Med student is hiding behind the pot. How did she do that?

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Dr. Wiley, University of Wisconsin speaks to the University Religious Workers. He comes every year to our group.

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Dr. Steve Oakes speaks to the Pharmacy group. His talk with enjoyed by students.

Another trip to Lena

2007-12-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

In Mid November, Claire and I took a group of Chinese scholars to Lena. It was really cold, but we enjoyed ourselves none the less. We visited a sheep farm as a highlight.

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A Lena group picture.

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This time we went on a Hay ride.

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Claire came this time to Lena. She had fun.

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Another trip to Lena. Chinese friends and family

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Chinese scholars visit Lena EFCA church.

Last weekend, Rich took a group of 18 Chinese scholars for a weekend visit to Lena. We all had a great time. We were able to visit a very modern farm that milks 675 cows and is the greenest farm I have ever seen. In the afternoon, we visited a wild life sanctuary and got to ride horses.

On Sunday, we all attended church with our hosts. For some, this was the first time that they have ever attended a church. The scholars were able to share about Chinese in various Sunday school classes.

It was a wonderful weekend.

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All of the scholars and hosts at Lena EFC.

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Yun gets an explanation on a very modern farm.

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A courageous scholar (egged on by Pam, the owner of the farm.)

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Fun in the saddle

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A confused calf with a Chinese scholar

Chinese Scholars pick strawberries

2007-06-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

It was fun day bringing Chinese scholars to pick Strawberries. A father and son were just in the Madison for about a week when they came. We were able to eat them in the field as well. They loved it. One scholar commented that she thought the stawberries were in trees.

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A sure sign of Summer - the Lemonade stand

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Here is Claire and a friend busy at selling lemonade. She went door to door to let people know. The accounts are a bit in the negative as she undersold her lemonade. But is was great fun.

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Claire needs some pointers from a friend at her Lemonade stand.

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Claire and a neighbor at work at the Lemonade stand.

Christian Medical Oath

2007-05-22T07:06:00.001-07:00

Last Friday the 4th year Medical students put a Dr. in front of their name thus graduating. To end the year and start off their Medical career with faith, we do a Christian Oath ceremony in which the students pledge to practice Medicine for the glory of God.

We had a good group this year : 14. It is exciting to see the faith potential.

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End of the year

2007-05-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

It is the end of finals and the end of the school year. I say goodbye to lots of students who I know and love. It is actually a hard time of year for me. I don't like staying goodbye. I usually stay in email contact with many of the graduates.

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Pharmacy students - a last get together with students. We had a theological reading group. It was fun

2007-05-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Final Nursing student get together. Last year's leader and the three new student leaders.

Nicaragua trip - some highlights

2007-05-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings all,

The 1st of my two Nicaragua trips are behind me. It was such an amazing trip. I will be going again May 26 - June 3. This time bringing 10 with me from the Madison area including 5 students.

Here is one of my emails to Mary Alice during the trip.

Hi Sweetie,I am on early in the the morning. There is wireless here at the hotel so as I have brought my computer, it is working well.Yesterday was our first day on the job. We are working with over 18 pastors and their churches.We have several docs and residents including an OB GYN doc and peds doc. And two dentists. I am the man to clean teeth and I am training another team member to do it so that I can work some in the eye clinic. In the eye clinic, we are just giving reading glasses or sun glasses if their eyes are irritated. It is great fun working here.There are seveal logistical problems to attend to. Working with the crowds. I need a consistant translator as I want to pray with each patient. I coudn't yesterday as I had off and on three different translators.I keep being reminded of not to drink the water. I am sleeping like a rock at night.Hope all is well at home. I have gotten three internet contacts about the shed and working with them.I will be preaching this Wednesday evening as well as doing Bible study with the translators. So fun stuff.I love you and miss you. Say 'hi' to the kids.Me

2007-05-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

The kids are always cute and silly.

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Every morning the Nics were lined up waiting to be seen.

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Dr. Frank having fun with a child.

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Rich cleaning teeth. That was my job the last trip. It is amazing what you learn when you need to.

2007-05-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

Preparing the Meds for the patients to come.

Law students to Luke House last night

2007-04-20T18:57:00.001-07:00

Last night 8 of us went to the Luke house to be with those who need a meal. Our 'service' was just to eat with them and be with them. It was a great, eye opening experience which revealed how far we are removed from these wonderful people.

2007-04-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Law students go to Luke house to hear about working with the those in need.

Connecting up students and professionals

2007-04-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I enjoy doing is to connect up professional and student so that they can hear about how to connect up faith and profession.

Enjoy the photos.

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Dr. MacKinney and his wife share with Medical students.

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Eric, former CLS member new practicing attorney shares with Law students.

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Dr. Kevin Kelly, a dean at the Law school shares about his faith and law.

2007-04-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Pharmacy Group has Dr. Steve Oakes talk about the limitations of science

Olivia's birthday

2007-02-21T18:45:00.000-08:00

Our little Olivia is now 15 years old. She certainly has come a long way in her battle with autism. And one of the most important things to us is that she is happy. Enjoy the photos.

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Med School Valentine's Day

2007-02-16T07:32:00.000-08:00

On Valentine's Day, we did an outreach to the Medical school. When the other students came to their 8AM class in - 10 degree weather, we offered them a Happy Valentine's Day cup of coffee and a bagel. It was really appreciated. Several told me that it made their day.

So wonderful to show the love of Christ by offering a cup of coffee.

Hope you had a good V day and it reminded you of the great love that God has for you.

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Business Fellowship

2007-02-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night, we had Lon Foree come and share with us some of God's principles of finance. It was a great evening and the students enjoyed it a lot.

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Christian Principles of finance - with Lon Foree of Crown Financial Ministries

Urbana 06 in St. Louis

2007-01-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

Urbana 06 is now over. It is an every three year missions conference that happens for students in the US and around the world. This year for the first time, we were in St. Louis. We moved from the long time venue of Champaign-Urbana - Univeristy of Illinois in Urbana, IL. We just out grew it.

It was such a great conference. Over 23,000 were in attendance. It happened between Christmas and New Year's. I have attached just a few photos.

I was one of the many Bible study leaders for the Book of Ephesians. I lead a group Bible study every day of 180 participants. It was fun.

To see more of Urbana check out www.urbana.org. You see video of all of the talks and activities.
I really enjoyed Oscar Muriu from Nirobi Chapel and his talk(Dec 28 evening) about the new direction of world missions. The two nights later with Rick Warren of Saddleback church (Dec 30 evening) Both are really worth watching.

Thanks for your prayers.

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Visit to Brother Dan's house in Minneapolis

2007-01-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Enjoy the photos of my youngest brother, wife : BK and two kids Sarah 21 and Sam 10.

Joy,

Rich

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Christmas at the Sicards 2006

2006-12-23T19:46:00.001-08:00

We are celebrating a bit early - Dec 23 - as a family. Christmas is waiting for us in Chicago. Thought that you would enjoy the photos. I was behind the camera so no shots of me (Rich).

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Claire loves her Karaoke machine. She is a star waiting to be born.

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Hannah was 'crazy' about her gifts.

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Olivia is a Barbie lover and probably always will be. Look who is wearing a crown that she found in her stocking.

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Olivia and Claire enjoy Christmas with Mom.

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Hannah is still a bit tired for Christmas.

Urbana Missions Conference Dec 27 - 31

2006-12-23T19:26:00.000-08:00

It is time once again for Urbana, the giant missions conference that InterVarsity sponsors every three years. This year is a whole, new venue : St. Louis, MO. There are 23000 signed up to attend.

Much prayers are needed.

Finally I am blogging after an absence.

2006-12-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

I have been absent from blogging. The website I use decided to join google which caused me no end of problems. What was an easy process, suddenly became very hard and I had to wait for them to fix the numerous bugs. But all is well now and I am back on line.

International Student Christmas Party.

2006-12-23T19:22:00.001-08:00

This Thursday, December 21, Claire and I were part of the International Student Christmas Party on campus. About 200+ internationals attended. There was a great program and the food was good. Each student has a chance to recieve a free copy of the Jesus video. Many took videos.

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Claire was part of the entertainment. She sang Happy Birthday to Jesus in French which was a highlight for me.

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International students enjoy the Christmas Party. There were about 200 international students present. They had a wonderful chance to hear the gospel.

Christmas Concerts

2006-12-23T19:18:00.001-08:00

Both the High schoolers and grader schoolers did separate concerts for Christmas. It was so much fun.