March so far for us: Michael moved, Bethany came home for most of a week, Anne Marie begin preparing for three training opportunities and I assigned 19 stories to writers and edited several others. It’s been a busy month, and it’s only half over.
On March 1, Bethany’s book, One Dress, One Year, came out. Our church in Orlando hosted a book signing when she came home for Spring break. During the break, she travelled to Toronto for an interview about the book for a Canadian television show. Now she’s back in Nashville with a semester and a half left until graduation.
Michael started training for his new job with the medical software company that sought him out. He’s preparing to be a technical problem solver, working with the tech support people who are helping those who use the company’s software.
Anne Marie is preparing to train writers who are part of the Evangelical Press Association in Lancaster, Penna., in early April. I will help at that event, too. In late April, she will join Judy Douglass to teach about online communications for leaders from a wide variety of Christian ministries. Then in May, the two of us plan to train a group of Cru staff members in writing and other communications skills.
In the Worldwide Challenge office, 
we continue to combine our magazine and the website, Cru.org, more effectively. I’m learning how to edit stories for online reading, which is a bit different from editing for a magazine. (In this photo,which photographer Guy Gerrard took as he walked by, I’m in my office.) Some stories will appear both places. Here’s a summary of one I edited last week:
Kenyan Wilson Kipsang won the New York and London Marathons in 2014 and hopes to compete in the 2016 Olympics. He sees God at work as he runs. This is his story:
“You can’t go to church to win a race or ask God for prize money. God’s main purpose for me is to worship and glorify His name.
“I really want to give back to the community. I own a hotel and I employ 25 people, and champion athletes come and train here because of the altitude.
“I don’t distance myself from people who don’t go to church. We celebrate together. I don’t want division between the community and the church.”
As you think of us this month, please pray:
- That I will continue to learn the new editing skills for my changing job.
- For wise planning for Anne Marie in light of the different training opportunities.
- That Bethany’s health and strength will grow as she is treated for Lyme disease.
- For Michael to settle in Madison and find a great housing and roommate situation. Specifically, we are praying that he will find a Christian roommate.