Announcing the birth of Macy Jane Anderson!!!
Date of birth: May 14, 2008
Location: Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Laramie, Wyoming
Weight: 7 pounds 2.5 ounces
Length: 19 3/4 inches
Parents: Eric and Gentry Anderson, my dear friends
New Big Sister: Jada Rachel (Blue Eyes, Stinky Feet) Anderson
the first train came through Laramie City, Wyoming (now known as Laramie). For historic photos of Laramie, go to this site.
Exactly one year later, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads were joined at Promontory Summit, Utah. It became the Transcontinental Railroad.
*Random sidenote: On the Wikipedia site about Laramie, I saw my friend Jesseca Cross's name on a list of prominent natives or residents. She and I competed on the Powell High School track team. Fun to see her there.
My friend Claire, who loves Burma and her people, sent the following by e-mail concerning the cyclone that has hit that nation:
It is devastating to hear of the cyclone that has hit Burma. What is our response when this kind of thing happens?
For such an impoverished country with all its internal strife to face such devastation is heart chilling...
Without wanting to overwhelm you here are some websites with information to keep us informed so we can pray...
BBC
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Voice of America
Doctors Without Borders
Burma Campaign
Free Burma Coalition
If you'd like to donate to World Vision, please go here.
I wonder if this kind of thing is what it takes for the illegitimately ruling junta in Burma to open its borders and ask for help - and as devastating and painful as this is, it is the only way forward for the country.... I hate to say such things knowing of the suffering of millions of people... but maybe this is Burma's time for change.
We needn't feel helpless - we can join in solidarity in prayer and find ways to give also... as we are led to.
Several people have asked me about it so I wanted to put together an email with resources for my friends who I know care.
Best regards to you as you pray and consider your response,
Claire
*I am wiped out after a long day and have some full days ahead before I leave Vancouver for a few months, so I do not have time yet to comment fully on the following. This space is reserved for when I do have time (hopefully next Wednesday or Thursday).*
Katie and Mom brought to my attention today's front-page article on Russia in the New York Times.
There is also a video on the NYT website.
Initial thoughts, upon which I will expound at greater length later:
* Keep in mind that the video highlights ONE region of Russia, and Russia is the largest nation in the world.
* The article is exceptionally harsh on the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). While large pockets of the ROC within Russia do speak against Protestants (some of which I have experienced first-hand), not all within the church can be painted with such a broad brush.
* The article seems to blame Putin for this, as if he's telling regional leaders to persecute Protestants. I do not think you can make a direct link. The headline "Putin picks a church" is misleading--as if it's a new thing.
* That being said, there IS a very real problem in Russia regarding the typical Russian's perception of Protestants. I have many, many Protestant Russian friends, who have a vibrant faith that they talk about openly. As my friends live out their faith in everyday life, it allows others to see that their initial perceptions--fueled often by televised inflammatory sermons by ROC priests since the early '90s--have been incorrect.
* Reading this makes me very sad, to tell the truth. My heart breaks at the complete and utter lack of respect from either direction--ROC to Protestant or Protestant to ROC. This has been brought on by miscommunications, lack of sensitivity, pride, and dogmatic 'fundamentalist' stances on both sides. Would that the believers in Russia could come together by the glue of their professed love for Christ.
* Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, sinners.
Jen Boyd sent the following text messages to her parents yesterday and today:
Tuesday: "Diseases are being treated but more powerful is the excitement and overall joy pervading the village as many, many people have accepted Christ! Thank you all for your prayers."
Wednesday: "Cow pooped in pharmacy tent last night so that was 1st project of the day:-). Jennifer was invited to visit the chairman's hut. A team mate almost fell into the latrine. We are doing Great!"
These make me smile.
My friend, Jen Boyd, is serving on a medical mission team in Kenya this week. Please pray for her and her team, and for the many Internally Displaced People after the recent violence in Kenya. Below is a story she was able to send from there today.
During the recent violence thousands of people fled their homes after watching friends and family die and homes and crops burn. One such refugee is an elderly woman who was adopted by a family in Kirasha. I tested her for reading glasses Thursday. By the time she got to the 3.0x trength I think she was getting discouraged, but suddenly she could see the bottom line of the eye chart clearly! Her face lit up and she grinned from ear to ear - showing her missing teeth. The next morning a young man who speaks English came up to me and asked me to come see what she was doing. She was sitting in her cooking hut reading her Kikuya bible. What a precious moment. She insisted I take 3 fresh eggs as a thank you - so I rather guiltily accepted them. That day I got busy in the pharmacy and didn't go to lunch until 2:30. By the time I got there all the cooks had eaten and there wasn't a scrap of food left. So my Kenyan friends cooked up my eggs for me. God's provision is really beautiful sometimes.
I would like you all to have the honor of meeting three men who have influenced me spiritually:
1) Dave Medders, my former boss while I worked in Wyoming as women's ministry director for a university ministry. He has had a blog for a few months and has much insight to share.
2) Mike Coughlin, my former pastor at Snowy Range Evangelical Free church in Laramie, Wyoming. He just started his blog today!
3) Nathan McLellan, my good friend and fellow student at Regent College. He and his wife, Bronwyn, have a lovely blog.
Enjoy meeting them through their words.
that a white cherry blossom tree at certain times smells like a field of cherry Jolly Ranchers?
that the sight of two double-V formations of geese flying northward can set the heart at ease after finishing a poorly-designed exam?
that the beauty of a full magnolia bloom can take one's breath away?
It's all true!
This Newsweek article tells the story of the Class of '82 from a high school in California. My parents divorced in 1982, when I was seven years old. I found it interesting to read this article and see how divorce has made an impact on the lives of these children of divorce.
In honor of my mother on her special day, I thought I'd revive this post. Feel free to go there and see how amazing she is. I love you, Mom!
Jon and Tanya Coody had a baby girl, Anna (Anya) Elizabeth on Saturday, April 5. More details and a picture to follow!
AND
Pyotr (Petya) and Angela Eding had a baby boy:
Konstantin (Kostya) Petrovich Eding
Born in Oklahoma City on
the 7th of April 2008, at 8:19 am
8 pounds 4 ounces/3.8 kg
21 inches/53cm
PS: Mom feels good and well-taken care of. Dad is happy.
I'm rejoicing with my friends at the births of their babies! These are my dear friends from my time in Russia. The Coodys are studying at Covenant Seminary in Saint Louis. The Edings are serving in Saint Petersburg, but are in the States to have their baby. They are going to be fantastic parents, and I can't wait to meet their little ones. . . if only I could meet them right now. :(
Go here to listen to or read Obama's speech on the issue of race in America. I listened to it tonight, and I believe he did an incredible job of capturing the paradoxical realities of our nation with regard to this issue.
UPDATE on March 22:
The New York Times has an interesting article concerning the fact that many pastors have been re-shaping their Easter sermons after Obama's speech. I'd be interested to hear from you all, after you've been to church, to know whether your pastor says anything from the pulpit concerning the speech.
I was encouraged to know that many American pastors would be speaking on the topic on Easter Sunday. After all, what better time to talk about reconciliation and our call as ministers of reconciliation than the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has reconciled us to God in conquering death? Then I got to the end of the article, and I saw that several evangelical pastors are probably not going to mention it, because Easter is more important. That makes me sad, because such issues--the guts of life here on earth--must be intersected with Jesus' Life, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb in order for us to understand how best to imitate Christ to each other (read: LOVE).
That's all I have time to write, but I do look forward to hearing from you, if you have the time Sunday or Monday.
Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed!
I thought some of you would be interested in reading a recent commentary by Jim Wallis on the fifth anniversary of a costly war in Iraq.
Check out the 'Cost of War' section of the God's Politics blog for commentary from others. I found this article especially disturbing to read (here's the blog of the man who wrote the article).
Last week, I watched a documentary entitled Why We Fight, which shook me to the core. I challenge you to watch it.
I know that this documentary and these articles are written by people who have a particular view of the world that may go against the view of some of you reading my blog, but we have got to listen to their side of the story and really CONSIDER what they are saying. Is it time to perhaps change our stance on this tragic war? On war in general? Could it be that Jesus really meant what he said when he lived and taught the value of being a peacemaker?
We in the American church must re-think, review Jesus' teaching, and repent of the sinful ways we have been living, believing, and assuming.
Today after class, I went for a long walk in the Pacific Spirit Regional Park with two friends, Josh and Karissa. We had almost made it to the overlook to see English Bay when we came across a beautiful sight. A pileated woodpecker was quickly and powerfully creating a hole in a dead tree for a nest. We stood there, 20 to 30 feet away, watching her chip and peck and throw wood chips over her head as she fastidiously did her job. I think we probably were there watching her for at least 15 minutes. Fascinating. In addition to being great exercise, the walk provided a much-needed study break and some fun fellowship.
Jeremy, a Menno mate, just came up to me and said:
"April, d'ya know what we have in common?"
"What's that, Jer?"
"I was born in your first name, and I speak your last name."
Hi, blog-reading friends and family;
Well, it's crunch time again in this semester, with three papers due in the next 2.5 weeks. I'm excited about my papers, but am feeling the stress of the deadlines. Could you please pray that I would trust the Lord in the journey of each paper?
Paper in Christian Thought and Culture on the Pauline metaphor of the Body of Christ as a critique of the Women in Ministry debate, due Thursday, March 13.
Paper in Church History on an essay written by Sergei Bulgakov in 1909 critiquing the Russian Intelligentsia for their rejection of Christ, due Tuesday, March 25.
Paper in History of the Christian Spirit on the Russian spiritual classic The Way of a Pilgrim, due Wednesday, March 26.
I am also praying through some beautiful and challenging personal issues, and although I cannot freely write about them, I ask you to join me in praying for wisdom, sensitivity to the Spirit, and risk-taking faith as I seek to understand what God is doing in my life and relationships.
I thank God for His provision of good friends here, who love me and are helping me to be myself more fully. And I thank God for all of you, friends and family, who love me and care about my well-being. I apologize that I've not been in very good contact, but I want you to know I love you and thank God for you.
Time to go write my first paper!
Writing with gratitude in my heart,
April
In Russia today, the women are being celebrated. International Women's Day is a HUGE holiday there. So today I'm really missing Russia! :)
Дорогие русские сестры!
Я поздравляю вас с 8 марта! Пусть Бог благославляет вас сегодня. Я молюсь, чтобы вы знали настолько вы драгоцены в сердце Бога. Он вас очень любит!
С огромной любовью,
Эйприл (Апрелечка)
Since it's so rare that Wyoming makes national news, I thought I'd show you how my little state is getting some attention today, during its Democratic caucuses. At the link, there is a video that shows rallies held by Clinton and Obama in Laramie, Casper, and Cheyenne (3 of the largest cities in Wyoming; the largest--Cheyenne--has just over 50,000). According to the article, Democrats are outnumbered by Republicans 2 to 1 in Wyoming, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's by even more than that.
In case you need to brush up on your geography, let this 23-month-old tutor you!
I've been busy with various things, but I hope to blog sometime in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, February 5 was a big day. Not only was it my dad's birthday (!) and Shrove Tuesday, but it was Super Tuesday, where 22 states were holding primaries or caucuses to determine which candidates would get the opportunity to run for the presidency. Here is a site that has sifted through stats so far and gives a run-down of the numbers.
For those of you from nations other than America who feel that our system is strange and complicated, check this site out to demystify your brain!
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