Sibs

As we begin processing some of our thoughts and experiences on this blog, I think it wise that we point you on to several of our siblings' blogs. They are both living cross-culturally and seeking to serve the Lord day in and day out. We learn much from them and so many of our thoughts and musings are sparked from the things they are experiencing.

Kory and Ali on Lantz family Christmas tree hunt

Kory and Ali are living and working in South Bend. Most of their time is focused on teenagers in Keller Park neighborhood, but if you spend a few minutes with them, you'll realize they've become a part of their community and anyone might walk through their door at any time!

You can check out their blog here: KPTransformation

Kalyn and Kyle in Colorado, December 2010

Kalyn is a quarter of the way into her study abroad experience in Uganda. She is learning a ton as she views her faith through the lens of a very different culture. Kalyn has a wisdom about her that is rare for her age and I learn from her daily.

You can read her blog here: Kalyn in Uganda

Irish Church Culture

G.K. Chesterton said, "When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing - they believe in anything."

In chapel yesterday the students were able to hear from a panel of four Church leaders from the Greystones area. A few things stuck out to me as they shared from their experiences in this country.

*Churched Irish people tend to be very welcoming and laid back. While this is nice, it can lead to a passive nature when dealing with conflict (or a complete avoidance of conflict all together).

*There is a sense of "tribal loyalty" which is most evident in that the Republic is culturally Catholic.

I wondered to myself, "Is the 'culture of connection' to the church a detriment? Has it allowed people (especially Gen-Y) to be physically present in the church but not understand the Gospel?"

The church leaders agreed that one of the major issues they are dealing with is secularization. While we can trace the cultural shifts and decline of moral integrity in America's history over many decades, Ireland's move to an individualistic relativism has been rapid. In Ireland's very recent history, it was illegal to get divorced. It is still frowned upon to have an abortion but co-habitation, homosexuality, and having children out of wedlock is becoming increasingly less taboo. The unfulfilling pursuit of wealth and the detachment from the community of faith have both shaped this generation. Ireland's youth suicide rate is the fifth highest in Europe, and many believe this is due, in part, to the difficult economic times the country is facing right now. The problem is that the Church (specifically the Catholic Church) has disappointed and hurt people so deeply that it is the last place people will turn in times of struggle and need. A trust must be regained so that the Truth of relationships - with Christ and with one another - will triumph over the institution of religion that has reigned in Ireland for so many years.

Marriage

Let yourself be challenged and encouraged by this today.

http://www.todaysletters.com/2010/05/10-things-that-have-made-all-difference.html

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." MLK

Planned Parenthood's Participation in the Sex Trafficking Industry

Sex + Money Documentary - Watch the trailer

This time of life...

...is new and challenging and exciting. We were married on December 30, 2010 in the middle of a mini Colorado blizzard. We were blessed to have so many friends and family members join in our marriage celebration! Thank you to each person who made that day so memorable. After a wonderful honeymoon on Sanibel Island in Florida, we spent a week in Indiana where we enjoyed a reception hosted by Kyle's folks. We enjoyed seeing (or for me, meeting) people who have invested in Kyle over the years. We moved to Greystones, Ireland in late January where Kyle works for Taylor University as an on site director for their Irish Studies Program. We have enjoyed getting to know the 16 gals and 4 guys from Taylor, IWU, and Westmont - they are a great bunch! Kyle is reading AMAZING GRACE by Eric Metaxas and I am (finally!) finishing A SEVERE MERCY by Sheldon Vanauken - both incredible books that I'm sure we will blog about soon. Kyle and I both plan on writing here so between the two of us, hopefully we can keep you posted on the adventure of life!