Turi Turned Twelve!

There are so many things that come with 12. You can sit in the front seat of the car. You can legally babysit. You're considered an adolescent. The endless possibilities.
Turism recently commented how she wished she was young again. Yes, it's true. She has noticed she is more and more tired when she wakes up in the morning and has told Bitsuanit and Tihitina that they need to enjoy being young and full of energy when they wake. I guess she is over the hill :).
She had a wonderful b-day full of fun things: a trip to a natural water park with her sisters and best friend, out to ice cream with mom and dad and her favorite dinner that Grandma made for her before she left and we froze (hey, I don't make good meatballs!). It was a fun day. 12! Should I feel old?
The pics are: the girls spent one afternoon painting, Zoya in a dress I wore as an infant, Zoya eating her first piece of bread (!) and Carmen!

Campus Crusade for Christ's New Name

You may have heard that our board of directors has approved a new name for Campus Crusade for Christ to be adopted for general use starting in 2012. While most of the national reaction has been positive to neutral, there have been some who are characterizing the change as a bowing to the pressures of political correctness.

Some in the media say that because we are taking Christ out of our name, we have ironically chosen to hide the fact that we are His ambassadors when approaching the lost to tell them about Jesus. Some in the Christian media suggest that we have lost our vision and our focus and this represents a change in our mission of Winning the lost, Building them in Christ-likeness, and Sending them out as laborers into the harvest. To this we say IN NO WAY(!) have we changed who we are, what we stand for, our goals, or our message.

In short, our organization’s founder Bill Bright began this process longer than 20 years ago for the reasons that “Campus” no longer fit our scope, and “Crusade” was probably a poor choice from the start. He acknowledged this and we're saddened that he didn’t live to see the change happen on his watch.

The truth is that we now more strongly represent our vision than ever. This can be seen in the new Cru logo where the Cross is clearly present, shaped by the four corners of the earth as it can be said they all meet and find their being at the cross of Christ. Also, the ends of the Cross are left open, suggesting that ALL who hear his voice may come.

While a quick glance at the facts and reason for the change answer all the questions, we want to encourage you to go visit www.ccci.org/cru and see for yourself what went into this decision from the standpoint of our leadership. There you can check out the FAQs and the VIDEOS section and learn a whole lot more.

Sadness

It is always so sad when my parents leave. My mom flew in about 2 weeks ago to help with Curt gone. I can't believe 2 weeks went by that fast. My dad flew in a week ago to join her. It was a delight to have them.
Not only did my windows, doors, walls, ceilings and blinds get washed but my carpet got steam cleaned and we re-arranged the house :). We went through kids' clothes and got out things that actually fit them (would you believe Carmen is working his way into a 3T? He isn't even 2 yet!). We baked and my mom cooked (2 weeks with no cooking!!). AND to top it all off, we got to have fun. My dad took the kids out to the arboretum, where they got to learn about different plants and animals. They spent an afternoon at a park where all the girls got to run their energy off and make new friends. There was lots of times of talking while making food or around the table. And we did a few other things too. It was such a treat to have Grandma and Grandpa around for so long and we will dearly miss them.
It is back to "real life" for us. I have to plan the menus and do the shopping. We all have to work together to get dinner on the table, everything cleaned up and the kids down for bed. Less adult talk and more silliness :). And then a very LONG drive to CO to meet Curt for our bi-annual summer conference with CCC that all staff are required to attend. Yes, I am making the drive by myself. Someone pray for me :).