Not so Blindsided

Not so Blindsided

In the Seattle School District, if you are an African or an African American high school student, compared to your White classmates, statistically you are:

• Twice as likely to dropout of high school (12.9/6.5%).
• 2.5 times more likely to be truant (21/8.2%).
• 14 times as likely to have limited English proficiency (13.9/.9%)
• 6 times as likely to qualify to receive a free or reduced price lunch (69.9/11.4%).
• More than twice as likely to be living with one parent (70.3/31.9%).
• More than ½ a grade point lower in your GPA (2.37/3.02).
• Half as likely to get an A (25.3/51.6%), even on getting a B (28.9/26.3%), twice as likely to get a C (28/14.9%) and more than twice as likely to get a D (17.8/7.2%).

I don’t share these to make anyone feel pity or to feel bad. What I’d like people to feel is what I feel: I’m mad. This is just one population of young people who are living in a world where the random chance of their race is a major factor in their opportunities in life. There are also Asian kids, American Indian kids and Latino kids that experience a school system that at best is not geared for them, and at worst is biased against them. They live in situations that, through no fault of their own, are less than many of their peers. What I feel is a mixture of sad and mad—I hope you might let these ideas slip into your heart that you too might taste the bitter bile of sadness and feel the adrenaline of your anger.

In the movie “Blindside”, Leanne Tuohy and her family take in a homeless African American boy, Big Mike. The story is one of hope, love and redemption—but not just for Big Mike. Without spoiling the story (if you haven’t seen it, make sure you do) I’d like to say that Leanne and her family are changed at least as much as Big Mike. They chose to risk, love and believe in him. What they gain in return is just as Jesus speaks in Matt.19:29, a hundred times as much.

What I know to be true is there are more kids out there than we can imagine, who need an adult friend like Leanne. Some of them are Big Mikes, some are little Mikes, some are named Michelle, Susie or Sophia. They won’t all grow up to be professional football players but they might sell you your next house, sew you up in the ER, wait on your table at a restaurant or fight the fire at your house. They may need more help than a flawed school system, in a broken world can offer them. They need an adult who loves them without condition.

That’s why I am so proud of our Young Life Leaders. They are out there loving kids. Because we live in a multicultural world, many of these friendships are across cultural lines. And even though we talk about numbers of kids in our clubs and going to our camps, it really is like Leanne and Mike. Like Charles and Nate. Like Ashley and Jianna. Like Matt and Paul. Like Alicia and Julia. It happens because these leaders risk themselves in extending in a relationship with a young person. It changes both of their lives—that is a promise.

The whole school system looks like a huge mountain in the way of an equitable world. But what if Jesus, when he said, “By faith you can move mountains,” he was meaning we could do it if we each picked up our shovel and moved it a shovelful at a time?

Keep shoveling. We may not transform the school system but we can level the playing field for a few. Who knows what they might do when they pitch in with their shovel?

Christmas Update 2008

Okay, we've been real slackers when it comes to Christmas letters for a few years. Here's our attempt to catch up on four years of silence:

Merry Christmas!

May this find you rejoicing and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Who would think that God would choose to visit this world being born of a very young, poor, unwed mother; to be born in a barn in a small town, in an obscure country; to become an immigrant alien, living in a foreign land; to live a life of a common laborer, going public for a mere three years, then to be killed as a criminal? Yet most of the world orients its time around this One who changed the world more than anyone ever has or will.

Think about this: If it is true that God became a human being and dwelt among us, what could be more astounding? At church on Christmas Eve I saw a smiling young mother-to-be and wondered at the miracle that Mary carried in her womb, the One who set the stars in the sky, created the intricacies of the eye and gave the freedom of choice to mankind. I laughed out loud in that moment, catching a glimpse of what sets us free to become lovers in a dangerous time kicking at the darkness till it bleeds daylight (thank you to Bruce Cockburn).

May we be like the One we celebrate.

Jim and Sara

In light of saving in multiple environments—time, resources and the poor postman, we’ve put our Christmas update on this blog site. If you'd like to catch up more with us, we’d love to hear from you as well at saracaldwell@earthlink.net or jwcaldwell@earthlink.net, (new address) 6521 11th Ave NW, Seattle 98117 or (206) 234-3445-Sara, (206) 423-1952-Jim.

This is from a Beyond Malibu trip this summer, on the way down after a week in the rain.

You probably know we sold our home in Puyallup in 2004 to move to Seattle.

We’ll try to catch you up with the past four years:

Home: Spring 2004, we put all our belongings into long-term storage—except some clothes we moved into suitcases—and our office equipment into plastic tubs. Sara and I officially became vagabonds in two vehicles. We had the blessing of staying in a condo in Edmonds, owned by a missionary couple who spends a lot of time in Kenya and Eastern Europe. When we sold the Puyallup house, we bought a small old house in Ballard two blocks from the high school and began the process of designing and building a house with Sara’s mom, Patty. During the building phase, Sara and I moved to an unfurnished rental house in Wallingford owned by a friend from church (because our missionary friends came home!). Friends helped us temporarily furnish the house at this point–with anything that was on its way to the Goodwill or short-stopped before it went to one of their family members. After 15 months of being vagabonds we moved into our very special home. Sara could qualify as a general contractor or at least a home designer–we never knew there would be so many decisions! Patty lives on the first floor and we live upstairs. The house is full of guests and many gatherings. One friend said more people eat here than in many small restaurants. We are blessed to be here.

House after the “big snow” this week that almost shut down Seattle!

Family:

Kaelyn graduated from the University of Massachusetts in May '08 after four years of rigorous academics while playing Division I soccer. She made Academic All-American in her last season and now works at Shoreline Community College developing a service learning program for the school (through Americorp). She lives in a house with a bunch of young ladies and a giant wolf-dog, Poet, that keeps them safe. It is REALLY nice to have her nearby again. She will be back in grad school but hasn't figured out in what–she has a zillion interests.

A great defender for UMass-Amherst

Luke is in his fourth year at the University of Washington studying Comparative History of Ideas and Philosophy. After spending three years after high school delivering sheetrock and making a good living using his muscles, Luke decided he was ready for school, believing that it might be more beneficial to make his way with his mind. His high school teachers would not recognize him (well, at least his work) as he constantly flirts with a 4.0 average. Luke is engaged to Elizabeth Parciany who is also at the UW—I think she makes him study hard! They don’t have any specific plans yet other than finishing school (at least the undergrad part as they are both headed for more).

Luke and Elizabeth (a very rare sighting of Luke in a tie!)

Seth got married to Meagan Manning in September 2007. Meagan is a Nurse Practioner in Tacoma where they bought a house. After several years of working at the UW, Seth left with the dream of going after his Physician’s Assistant degree. Currently, he is an EMT working for an ambulance company getting set to apply to some schools. Seth and Meagan have been able to make some wonderful trips in their first year of marriage—we joined them for one in Park City for some great skiing last winter. They have crazy schedules of 7 days on/7 days off (Meagan) and 24 hours shifts (Seth), but they do a great job of making it work.

The happy young couple!

Yes, this is more than a year old but I forget to take a picture when we are all together.

Jim: I am in my 32nd year with Young Life. It continues to be an adventure worth doing. We have 35 leaders this year working to impact the lives of adolescents in our area. The focus is far more about a leader and the few kids they are deeply investing in. Our area is urban and very diverse. (You can see more about our area at http://www.nwseattle.younglife.org/. If you are looking for a worthy place to invest your charitable giving, check it out.) The kids who have been most responsive to us are the most economically challenged. You’d think that after doing it this long I’d have it down—but that would be entirely wrong! I have been learning Young Life all over again. Sara has jumped into the Young Life world in the most natural way I’ve ever seen and has captained our auctions and banquets in a most remarkable way. It does get a bit crazy having both of our offices in the house—it is not unusual for one of us to exclaim that it is 8:30 PM and maybe we should stop and do dinner.

A favorite place -The Pike Place Market

We have been involved in a wonderful community church called Sanctuary that meets in a theater and runs a coffee house. It is 100-150 folks that live out faith in Jesus more like a church of 500. We have been blessed to know a widely diverse bunch of people who have enriched our lives, challenged us to love more deeply and to live into the mystery of God’s great love.

A couple years ago in a moment of amazing clarity (or delusion, I’m never quite sure which), I decided to begin work on my doctorate. Since then I’ve seen the city of Seattle in a whole new light (after a two week intensive here); Sara and I spent nearly three weeks in India studying; and I had another week of class in the urban neighborhoods of Chicago. The studies are pushing me to understand what it means to see transformation happen in a city. It is enriching, challenging, humbling and slow.

In the spring of 2007 some friends asked if I would do a Beyond Malibu mountaineering trip again. Having started as a guide in 1973 and logged some 46 weeks in the mountains around the Princess Louisa Inlet, I thought why not, but only if Sara would join me—always up for the challenge, of course she said, "yes". The part I had not bargained for was that while she said yes my body screamed, “no way”, and had to be pummeled into submission! My memory somehow let those very difficult times slip and we went again last summer—this time contending with the most rain I’ve ever seen in a week. In spite of the difficulty and the weather, there are rumors of another adult trip this summer!

I never understood how great it would be to have adult children! Having them all live close is something I cherish. We have had more lively discussions than I ever imagined (it probably goes without saying, but they are all very smart and very opinionated). I am very proud of them and thrilled to see them making a difference in the world.

Without a doubt the best part of life is being married to Sara. I am reminded by many friends that I “married up”—that has never been in question. She puts up with me and loves me in ways I never thought possible. She has engaged and loved the kids with a deep felt compassion for them. We partner in ways that always astound me and we know how to have fun together. She has taught me more about true generosity and has even helped me learn to travel some (though not nearly as much as she would like). Perhaps the best picture is this: Sara helped me learn how to dance – yes, really dance, but as much metaphorically as anything. It is not without stepping on toes occasionally, but it is life that is a swirl of wonder and fun like a pivoting waltz. God is making the music, we’re just trying to be in step and to see Him smile as He watches.

Dancing at Seth & Meagan’s wedding

Sara: Life continues to be an adventure with Jim—and all our family and friends, near and far. We are very blessed—and very thankful that God, in His wisdom and purpose, brought our lives together. We celebrated our 7th anniversary in late September. Hard to believe that time flies so fast! We look forward to many years ahead—the next “half” since we’re both over 50 now!

I have many passions and pursuits. And I “come along side" Jim in his many passions and pursuits, which makes life extra wild!

In between my work-life is a lot of life: Always planning ahead for the next event—whether it’s a holiday or family event (birthdays, graduations, engagements, etc.); Young Life event (auctions, banquets or monthly leadership meals for 35, monthly committee meetings, camp or Beyond trips); three weeks in D.C. to help organize the National Prayer Breakfast each year; multiple gatherings in our home through church and with friends—plus many house guests from afar! (We have a great guest room—come and visit!)

Sara on the way to Beyond Malibu

My work-life includes many facets: Writing and editing projects; marketing projects with my dad to share great nutritional products and a new skin care line by Mannatech; managing an old waterfront rental house (property is owned by my multiple family members for over 70 years); and when I have time—try to find a date for our “stud dog”, Harley, a lovable Shih Tzu. I wish I had more time for this, as he would be great cash-flow!

Turning 50 was a good excuse to have a "Housewarming/Birthday Party" in June. Jim threw a grand party and we had many friends gather that day for some fun at the house. I was very blessed with our combined gathering of friends from many walks of our lives.

This last year also included a very special reunion—6 friends who mountain biked over the Himalayas from Lhasa to Katmandu…20 years ago! We enjoyed a weekend retreat at the beach place. We’re all still a bit crazy and want to gather again at year-mark 25. (The Himalayan experience was like dozens of Beyond trips rolled up into ONE VERY TOUGH GRAND ADVENTURE—riding over 600 miles in 22 days in elevations over 17,500 feet. I would say we survived by the grace of God.)

20 years later and still friends!

Jim and I continue to ski hard whenever we get a chance. I have had two knee surgeries since we’ve been married, so I have had to recuperate and “get back out there”. Two Beyond trips in the last two summers fulfilled my dream to experience a part of life that is so meaningful to Jim. (He thinks I’ll continue to go on more Beyond trips until he fulfills his dream of 52 trips…but I don’t have that calling!)

We are very blessed with Seth & Meagan, Luke & Liz, and Kaelyn—all growing up and pursing their passions and pursuits. I love our relationships with Young Life leaders, the Beyond Malibu community, our Sanctuary community, many young people in our lives, and a net cast wide of family and friends. It is a tapestry I would not have imagined. Jesus is the source of my love, hope and strength.

P.S. Another good time to catch us is when we go to the beach place. Jim loves to fish and when the wind is blowing, you can fly a kite with him and pause on the winds of the world to ponder the important things in life.

Best beach fishing on all of Puget Sound!