World Christian Week

This week was CIU's annual missions conference week, "World Christian Week." Classes were cancelled, we had special chapel services with a pretty incredible keynote speaker. Reverend Musekura spoke on reconciliation. A native Rwanda, Hutu, his wife is a Tutsi. He lived in Rwanda during the genocide and lost most of his immediate and extended family in it. Talk about reconciliation. His talks humbled me as an American, all the insignificant (in comparison) things I worry about reconciling. No one has killed MY family.

He preached his series on reconciliation from Nehemiah. I thought I'd share some of the highlights from his talks for those who are interested.

Session #1: Broken Communities (Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya)
Scripture: Nehmiah 1-2

3 Characteristics of Community Builders
* A Caring Man - we have become a prideful and self-centered people, we sit in the same pews go to the same churches but we don't truly CARE for each other, missions is dying because people have become apathetic

* Becoming Prayerful Builders - we need to ADMIT our sin, we will not begin to heal or see reconciliation until we confess our sin

* A Visionary Man or Woman - God needs us NOW, your "community" may be as close to home as your own family, reconcile relationships WHEREVER they are broken, God will give us vision after we are reconciled with people


Session #2: Preparation of a Community Builder
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

God Prepares Us in 3 Ways
* By making us emotionally and spiritually restless - just as Nehemiah was broken over the state of the Israelites our pain for lost nations will overwhelm us, always prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, spiritually so when God says "GO" you're ready

* Pray - acknowledge the hand of God in your life, prayer = preparation

* Team - walk in UNITY, not independently, we have become "tribal missionaries" all working separately in our own groups or denominations


Session #3: Rebuilding the Walls
Scripture: Nehemiah 3-5

3 Important Principles
* Principle of Coordination and Cooperation - work TOGETHER, we die (emotionally, spiritually, burn out) because we we work alone

* Principle of Social Justice - be models of social justice, share your wealth, share the gospel but meet people's physical needs too

* Principle Learn to Deal with Confidence - build with confidence

answer to prayer...

Just wanted to give ya'll a quick update on our Chinese ministry. Since my last update another girl, Debbie, accepted Christ as her Savior. She comes from a very broken family life and struggles with self-esteem. Praise the Lord for her understanding and new found life in Christ! Pray for her to grow in her faith as she begins discipleship with one of our small groups.

Also I was able to meet 1:1 with all three of my students to start up our Bible study for this semester. All four of us are meeting tomorrow morning to do our next study. Also our Bible study at the Chinese Church this past Sunday went really well...discussion on relationships and purity. They were attentive and gave a lot of good feedback. One of the girls I mentioned before, Alice thanked me afterward for talking about various issues. She also asked me to be her accountability person. Praise the Lord for the work HE is doing in these students' lives! Thank you for praying!

China Ministry

I wanted to post an update on our ministry here with the Chinese high school students at Ben Lippen (the private international school on CIU's campus). We've met 2x this semester to do large group activities and catch up with everyone after the break. It's been challenging for me to make contact being off campus now. Please pray that I will be dillegent in pursuing times to meet with my students.

Some awesome highlights already: Cherry, one of our girls accepted Christ last week. The even cooler thing? She shared the gospel with two new Chinese students 2 days later! She couldn't help herself!

Another one of our guys from last sememster EG, approached one of our guy leaders about having accountability with some things he is struggling with. He has shown HUGE maturity in wanting to change and also is growing in his faith. Stone, the leader that is mentoring him said he read through most of Matthew on his own over a period of a couple of weeks. EG is making it a point to immerse himself in God's Word, praise the Lord!

Stone is going to be starting a leadership development training in mid April for those students that are believers that really want to do more. We want to train leaders to multiply and train more leaders...whether that be here or back in China. We are preparing students for this over the coming weeks through our discipleship groups.

Pray requests: We have two new guys and as of a couple days ago, another new girl student all from China that will be a part of our ministry this semester. None of them are believers. In fact the two guys are pretty closed off to the whole idea. Please be praying for them!

Pray for our discipleship groups. I have not started mine up again this semester b/c of scheduling conflicts. Pray that I will be able to meet with my students this week.

Pray for leaders to raise up and have a passion to do a more intense training in April so they will have a solid foundation to continue ministry when they move. Several students graduate and go to U.S. universities. Some move back immediately to China.

Pray for our next 2 large group meetings. This Sunday we are doing a lesson on dating and how to have healthy relationships. Next week we are doing an Easter lesson gospel presenation b/c it is the last large group meeting we will have before Easter. Please pray for clarity in our presentation of both lessons and for open hearts and minds.

God is doing truly amazing things in our students! We are blown away as a group. I would LOVE to share pictures with you but can't for confidentiality purposes (private school students). They are awesome!

Myrtle Beach Half Marathon

"Smile Anita!"....mile 11


Getting warmed up!


Joanna pinning on my back bib (never had a back bib before)


Putting my chip on my shoe...it's SO early!!

Woohoo!! I competed and completed my first half marathon race this past Saturday! A couple of friends drove up to Myrtle Beach with me to cheer me on for the event.

I was a little anxious to see how my knee was going to hold up for the race, but it felt really good! About the 9th mile it started cramping up a little but then subsided and I finished the last 3 miles at a 8:30 pace. My overall time was 1:56:27. My goal was to finish in under 2 hours so I was happy with my time. My uncle Dean won the Eller wager on times guessing 1:56:39. Sorry Dale and dad!

Thanks to those who were praying for my leg! I was soar after from racing hard, but there was NO sharp pain at all and NO limping afterward, YAY!! I'd love to do one again in the future but am going to take it easy for a little while. As far as races go, this was a VERY FLAT course. Five miles of it were right on the beach (on the road but right next to the ocean). It was really nice. I recommend it to any interested parties.

After the race...and a shower at our hotel, Joanna, Anita and I went back to the beach to study in the sun for a few hours before driving back to Columbia. It was a very refreshing weekend!

Open House

a crowd in our kitchen


our living room

This past Saturday night Kristin and I had an open house at our new apartment. We're finally settled and invited all our CIU friends over to see the new place. I also invited our neighbors...only 2 were home and one came, but it was good to start making connections with the people we live near. All in all it was a great night! We had about 30 people stop by...it was a crowded little place, but a blast to have people fellowship in our new home!

Fun thing? We are located about 2 blocks from USC international student housing so we can walk or they can WALK to our house! Woohoo! Some came over Saturday night. We are hoping to start a bible study here at some point. Right now I am focusing on getting to know my neighbors and building relationships with them. Crazy how we, as Americans, don't INTERACT with our NEIGHBORS! Why is that?!? Kristin and I LOVE our new location and the ministry opportunities that there are here.

race time!!

I've been traing for the BI-LOW Myrtle Beach Half Marathon since December and it is finally here!! I run this Saturday at yes, 6:30 a.m. I think it's the earliest race time I have had yet! Not sure why they start so early seeing as it's February and the heat isn't a factor, but I'll be done by breakfast time...maybe it's so people can eat breakfast twice?? For my non-runner friends a half marathon is 13.1 miles. A good long run, but short enough that you can feel human at the end.

I've been nursing an IT (illiotibial sp?) band injury the past week and a half so that may affect my results, but this is my first half marathon so I have no PR to beat! The Eller men have all taken wagers on my finishing time. By "Eller men" I mean my dad and his two brothers...all runners. They've all picked a fast pace and slow pace time that they think I'll finish in. What do they get if they win? Bragging rites! My family is a little competative...in a good way. :)

I'm driving up with my roommate and two other girlfriends Friday afternoon. Lookin' forward to a great race! I'll post my results when I get back! Thanks for the encouragement Ellers! AND thanks Dr. Doner for the injury advice!

spring semester's in full swing!

So I had high hopes of being on top of my blog this semester now that I have internet access at my new apartment, but that doesn't seem to be the case. After finishing my winterim class in Atlanta life took off...getting settled in our new apartment downtown, working on projects for my winterim class, starting spring classes and finding a job. It's been a bit busy to say the least, but life seems to be in more of a groove now.

A little update on things for those who have been asking and praying...I have a JOB!! Woohoo! I start tomorrow and will be working with 3 families in the area as PCA...no for those seminarians who have asked that does not stand for Presbyterian Conference it stands for "Personal Care Attendant." I'll be working in homes with children with special needs...something I am very familiar with having working 5 years as a speech pathologist in elementary schools. The pay is low key, but the job is also low key. I debated doing speech therapy this semester, but the material prep, paperwork, plan time is VERY time consuming OUTSIDE of work and right now my purpose and focus is SEMINARY. After praying and considering several options, this job was presented to me and it really fits what I want and need right now. I am thankful for this answer to prayer! Thanks for praying about it!

Classes you ask?? I am taking 4 this semester, Perspectives, Hermeneutics (how to interpret the Bible), Prophets, and Mobilizing Christians for Personal Evangelism. The Evangelism class is a great follow up from my winterim class. Right now we are practicing and learning the "One Verse Method" on how to share the gospel in a quick but complete way. If only I had had this when I did my "evangelism training" study with my youth girls years ago!! I am excited for all that I am learning and that I don't have to make all my own stuff from scratch anymore! Hermeneutics is probably one of my favorites, I love ALL my classes this semester, but Herm. is SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! For all my youth now college girls and any other interested parties reading, if you EVER get a chance to take a Hermeneutics class DO IT!! I will do my best to share snip its of what I am learning as the semester progresses. It is FASCINATING TO ME!!!

On the whole, I am thankful to be back studying and feel afirmation from God (even more so now than last semester) that this is where I am supposed to be and seminary trainging is what I am supposed to be focused on. The end outcome??? No idea. But that, I am learning, is the beauty of how God works. He'll let me know my next step when I need to know it. For now my job is to soak up this training and be available and obedient to go when and where He says in HIS TIME.

SNOW in Atlanta!!

Snowmen we made today in a friend's back yard



Joanna and me Wednesday night

Crazy of all crazy things, it snowed here on Wednesday and again today. Today they got abot 2" a first in 3 years. I was pretty amused by the reaction. ALL the news all morning and afternoon was "storm" coverage...the temps are dropping, rising, dropping, we have sleet, snow, ice building etc.

Sally and I went to Wallmart to get some things and it was a mad house! People were out stocking up like Armagedon had come. The big thing to do, or I guess that just happens here when it snows is that everybody goes out and buys milk, bread and eggs in case they can't get out to the store for an extended period of time (1-2 days). The funny thing? The roads were clear by dinner time. The snow will be gone completely by Monday if it warms up. I walked around Walmart and just smiled to myself as I watched people load their carts up. The hat and glove section was empty. To their credit the melt/freeze temp change does make icy roads and they are not used to driving on ice. It's been a cultural experience this week!

Tonya

Thursday night Tonya Currin (Cribb) and I met up for dinner. We had a great time catching up. Since her move back south she's moved to the Atlanta area to work at a museum AND she got married this past June! I added a picture of a picture of her and Eddie. He lives in Charlotte, NC where his job is. They are hoping to live together in the same state soon. Right now they are making the most of their weekends together.

down south again!

The past five days have been a little crazy. I flew in to Charlotte Thursday night and spent the night with my aunt and uncle before driving down to Columbia Friday morning. Friday a friend helped me move my stuff into my new apartment downtown. He was generous enough to share his time and truck all afternoon AND let me raid his storage place for random amenities…a microwave, chair, and a bookshelf. Slowly but surely our little apartment is becoming a home.

My roommate Kristin drove down early Saturday morning and we got to go to lunch and catch up before I took off for Atlanta. I am spending this week in Stone Mountain with our good family friends the Slatons while I take a one week intensive winterim class, “Evangelism and Church Planting.”

For all family reading this, I went to Avondale First Baptist this past Sunday and saw some of grammie’s old friends…Montine, Joanne Henson and Joanne Thompson. It was a little strange to be back there without grammie. Sally and I went to lunch afterward and she took me by the location of my class. Crazy thing?? My class location is off the Covington Hwy. about 1.5 miles from grammie’s old house! The old Target down the road is now a huge church! Go figure!

We had our first class today 8-5 p.m. I love the content of the stuff we are covering. We read 3 books prior to class that were all really interesting, Seven Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Breaking the Missional Code by Stetzer and Putman, and About My Father’s Business by Regi Campbell. If you’re interested in church planting, outreach/evangelism, or how to have a more effective ministry I highly recommend these books. They are all a fast read and I don’t read that fast! The majority of our discussion and study time today was reviewing the “historical” aspect of the New Testament Church by reviewing the gospels and Jesus’ training and preparation time with his disciples leading up to his ascension.

For family that has been asking, I DID take a picture of Gene, Sally and Stephanie but didn’t bring my camera cable so I’ll add a picture later. Stephanie is 22 now, just finished college and is heading to Costa Rica in February to do missions work for 5 months. We’ve had some fun conversations. Oh, and dad, she and I went running Sunday morning around the base of Stone Mountain, a 5 mile loop…BEAUTIFUL! Wish you could have been here for it!

time back home...

Caiti made the baby shower cake...it was AMAZING GOOD!! She does cakes for weddings too!



All the girls showing off our pregnant bellies!


I was back home for 3 ½ weeks and loved having that time with family and friends. One of my highlights was a night at a hotel with one of my long time best friends Sarah Brown. The night out was a gift from my parents to me. Mom watched Charlotte and Liam during the day while Ashley worked so Sarah could have free time out with me.

Funny thing…we had a huge suite all to ourselves, hot tub, the works and we ended up sitting on the couch talking the ENTIRE night! Go figure, we’re girls. We did stop at one point to go eat dinner. It was SO good to catch up and pray together again. Thanks for giving me your time Sarah! I wish you guys still lived in NC!! Who knows, maybe I’ll end up back in AK when this is all said and done.

Another highlight was a reunion youth girl night out at Amanda Bacon’s house. All my “youth” (no longer) girls were back from their first semesters of college so we had an overnighter to catch up AND have a surprise baby shower for Amanda who is expecting her 4th next month! We all showed up to her house with pillows in our shirts to sympathize, in a very artificial way, with Amanda. Our babies didn’t kick and turn in crazy and uncomfortable ways. Blessings on the rest of your pregnancy Amanda! I hope the midwifery is a GREAT experience! I am excited for you guys to be having another GRIL!

Ruben

Helping wash Aimy's feet




Ruben is the newest Eller family member. Dave and Aimy got him this past fall from a student at the high school. He is a pure bread Blue Great Dane and is BEAUTIFUL! He’s a BIG puppy and is going to be HUGE full grown. His parents were 130 and 150 lbs! If live in Wasilla and want to make dog food donations, I’m sure they won’t object. When I left he was 5 months and already 50 lbs! The funny thing is he acts like a puppy and wants to sit in your lap but he doesn’t fit, as you can tell from the pictures.

He gave us a little scare the week before I left when he (unknowingly to Dave and Aimy) got in the garbage and ate a 2 foot piece of rope that blocked up his intestines. Dave took him to the vet because he wasn’t eating and was throwing everything up and they did emergency surgery. The vet said if they had waited through the weekend to bring him in he would have died! So he is recovering now from surgery but seems to be his perky self again and is able to eat small amounts of food. Dave and Aimy just have to watch him closely to be sure that all goes well with eating and that he doesn’t mess with the staples on his stomach. The joys of “parenthood!”

fireworks!

It is good to be home again for the holidays and have time with family and friends. The temps dropped significantly from the 75-80 degree range I left last week...the high today was 15 degrees! Not horribly cold, but definitely not SC winter. As soon as I got off the plane I felt like I had entered a different country...my own country. Alaska is SO different from the deep south. There are pros and cons to both, but AK definitely is home to me.

The past couple days I have been working at the fireworks stand in Houston to earn a little extra money on my break. A good friend of mine does the scheduling for New Years and the 4th and they needed extra help this season so I eagerly said, "yes" to some hours. I am learning a lot about explosives and pyrotechnics. The greatest perk you ask, aside from standing outside in 15 degree weather for 8 hours? We get to view different firework displays each night so we can vouch for what we sell. Some are pretty incredible. I am amazed at how much people are willing to pay for something that lasts 5-20 minutes (depending on how much they buy). Guess I'm lucky to be selling so I can see the display for free.

end of a semester...

“But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job 23:8-10

This first semester at seminary has been good, but different than I expected. God has been refining me and stripping me of things that I have held on to for years. He has shown me my need to be open and vulnerable with my weaknesses and fears. He has taken my plans and ideas and set them aside for now reminding me that HE is in control, not me. He’s also given me the gracious news flash that he is not confined to the box I put him in…he wants to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:21). I don’t know that refining is ever a FUN process, but it is GOOD and necessary. I also don’t completely comprehend what “exceedingly abundant” blessings look like, but I am learning to trust him for those things.

Columbia, SC was not my first choice of places to move to, but God made it abundantly clear that this was the place to go and I can say, after this semester, that it is no mistake that I am here. I’ve learned a tremendous amount in my classes, but honestly, I’d have to say I’ve learned even more relationally. Through roommates, professors and friends, God has shown me in tangible ways what grace is all about. Being with like-minded people has been a HUGE blessing, but also challenging. I realize how lax and apathetic I have become in spiritual disciplines, Scripture memory, prayer, daily time in the Word.

Right now I will be moving back to South Carolina mid January to a place in the heart of downtown Columbia, Lord willing. One of my current roommates, Kristin, and I have a desire to be intentional and strategic in where we live and found a place next to the USC campus. We are excited to see what doors the Lord will open there. I am also not going to be going to China this summer. That door was closed and I have a peace about it. Long-term future plans are on hold as I pray and seek the Lord for my next steps. As a planner, the unknown can be frustrating at times but exciting to see what he DOES have in mind as HIS plan unfolds!

Currently…I’ve got one final done, two final exams and a paper/presentation to go and I’ll be on my way back to Alaska. True confession…I have not missed the cold at all, but I AM looking forward to seeing you all SOON!!!! There is something to be said for having a WHITE Christmas!

Thanksgiving...

the girls! My aunt and uncle took us all out to the symphony Saturday.


A possible family Christmas card pose? John, Tammie, Brittany and Alex


the cousins...Allison, me, Alex, Brittany and Beth...out for a little Chickfilet!


Hitting the malls for the sales...shopping started at 12 a.m. Thanksgiving night! Shoppers are more anxious than ever to get on with Christmas these days! We started at midnight and were done by 4:00 a.m. and headed home for an early breakfast of bisq. and gravy with a round of the bean game!


Beth being creative with the table centerpiece


Allison and Brittany

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I spent Thanksgiving this year in Charlotte, NC at John and Tammi's house (aunt and uncle) and 4 of my cousins. Allison and Beth drove down from DC so it ended up being a mini Burdine reunion. We have had a BLAST together! I am thankful for this year of changes and new adventures and have enjoyed every minute with my family this break.

break in the action...

This past week my college roommate, Kari, from Minneapolis flew down to visit me. We had fun catching up and traveling around SC. Our day in Charleston was a highlight...on the coast, wading in the ocean in 80 degree weather! Thank you Jesus for extended summer temps! I have to admit, I don't miss the AK cold!

We were reminiscing about the times we've been able to visit across the miles and how timely those visits are. This past couple of weeks have been good but challenging for me and having her here this week was a tremendous blessing! Thanks for spending your vacation time with me!

China update

I don't have internet at my house (on campus go figure), so my blog updates are pretty sporadic. I thought I'd take advantage of the moment and update on several things.

I mentioned a while back about possibly going to China this summer on an internship. This trip has been in limbo over the past couple of months. We, as a team, have been praying about the right organization to go with and may have found one that will partner with us. We've also been praying about a team to take, a mix of native Chinese with some Americans. Currently I am not positve that this is the time and place that God wants me to go overseas. I am praying about it and would love your prayer in regard to this as well.

The picture posted is of my China team from my Cultures and Worldviews class. We are continuing to work with the same group of high school Chinese International students. This past month we've started discipleship groups with groups of 3-4 students. We also continue to meet twice a month for larger group fellowship and Chinese Church (the sermon is in Mandarin). Please pray for these students, for those who have not made a decision to follow Christ and those who are building a foundataion through Bible study on spiritual disciplines and growth.

ducks in a row??

For those who know me, you know that I thrive off being organized, planning ahead and having my "ducks in a row." That seems to be one of the areas that God has been challenging me in personally lately. I knew leaving my job, ministy, and way of life in Alaska was going to be a change of pace and stretch me in my faith...I am feeling it particularly right now.

I know without a doubt that this is the time and Columbia, SC is the place that God wants me to be. A time of training and preparation for what comes next...but I honestly have no idea what that "next" thing is. Sometimes I think it is foolish to purse foriegn missions, to learn another language, culture and worldview when I could just as easily do ministry here in the states. But I am reminded also that while I was in Alaska my spirit was dying. God has given me a burden for other nations and places and I believe I will be overseas serving at some point. I don't know how or where exactly, but that, I am learning, is the beauty of TRUSTING Him.

Right now my ducks are not in a row, in fact I feel like my ducks are completely lost. My roommate reminded me the other day that this is a time of training and waiting, being still and listening so that when He DOES say GO, I will be thoroughly equipped for every good work and READY to go. I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg in taking steps of faith and trusting God to provide and direct as he unfolds his next steps for me.

school update...

I've been back at school for a week now and things are busy as usual. Midterms are over, yay! But the semester is coming to a rapid end. I can't believe how fast it's gone. I'd have to say at this point that my favorite class is my Gospels class. My prof for that class is Dr. Hulbert. His son-in-law was one of the first pastors at Lazy Mt. Bible Church in Palmer, AK! How small world, aye? He asked about my church, WBC and said that his son-in-law and Larry were (maybe still are) good friends and prepared sermons together in their beginning days, Cam Arensen. Ring a bell Larry?

Currently, aside from school, I am getting resumes together to apply for speech pathology jobs and I am also looking for places to move off campus. It is MUCH cheaper to live off campus and now that I have connections and know the area better, I am in the midst of sorting through that as well. Please be in prayer for both things...that we could find a good place to live near campus for the next couple of years and that a job would open that I could maybe do through the summers. There are A LOT of job options here in the SLP realm...hospitals, in patient, out patient, schools, in home visits, pediatric clinics, the list goes on. I am hoping for somethig in the ped. department as that has been the main area of my work thus far.

I hope all is well for those of you back in the great land of AK. I hear you've got snow now? Today is the first day I have not worn sandels and I wore shorts yesterday! It feels like a nice AK summer down here!

Fall Break!

Tuesday night blue grass music with Marie in NC...a cultural experience to say the least! I was offered to be adopted, offered to have an arranged marriage, told that I wasn't ugly and there was no reason I should NOT be married...the list goes on!



Deep south blue grass the way blue grass was meant to be...this was post potluck where I sampled a variety of INCREDIBLE southern home cooked food! As far as music goes, some groups were excellent, others...I had to try and dicypher the lyrics between 4 beats going on simultaneously with southern twang and slurred singing all mixed together.


My apologies for being so hit and miss with blog entries. I do have a couple of decent excuses, but I will just cut to the chase and let you see and read about the latest happenings in my life.

A couple weeks ago we had our "fall break" kind of like spring break but in the fall. I've never had one before in all my school and college days, but I have to admit, it was great. I needed the break, the time alone and way from campus. I decided to take a road trip for it and spending the first two days in Charlotte with my aunt, uncle and cousins. The next two I spent up in D.C. with a couple of my cousins. Beth lives on the Maryland side of the city and Allison lives on the Virginia side. The last two days I got to spend with my southern AK connection, Marie VanWingerden. Every part of the trip was a blessing! I loved having time at each place. Driving for hours aloud for some much needed solitude...singing my heart out as loud as I wanted, listening to books on CD and just being STILL (driving but mentally still).



Me and my cousins, Beth and Allison...out to eat after a low key day in D.C.



Lincoln Memorial







Washington Monument



Capital Building



"Gentlemen, start your engines" will never be the same to me now. Talk about LOUD!!!
This was taken during the two warm up "slow" laps...after that the pilot car exits stage right and it's just down right FAST! They go 160-190 mph...I do that sometimes too. :)



#48 Jimmy Johnson (not shown above, got the wrong pic in place but you get the idea) the racer I pulled for...a random pick out of the newspaper that morning. He did really well actually, the top 3 for most of the race then wiped out and ended up 16th overall. Oh well!



NASCAR line up



Alex's fan club...he's a senior this year, CRAZY!!


Brittany showing off her Appalachan State victory shirt!
(they beat Michigan State in football earlier this fall)