What's Lori Adams Been Up To?

We have a year-end update from Lori Adams to share. There is also a link to her newsletter below. Thank God for Lori and the faithful ways she follows him!

Teammates, Friends, Family, and Framily,

It snowed! That means God loves us, you know. Yes, I’ve been skiing every day! Remember, in It's A Wonderful Life...it was snowing in Bedford Falls!  Merry Christmas, Ames, Iowa (and wherever you're from!) 

Thank you for praying for me. God sent another housemate to the House of SKA (South Kellogg Avenue)! Valerie has been my 46^th housemate since August of 2000. We're back to a full house of three, including me. I'm grateful I've heard both Abigail and Valerie say, "This is a place of peace for me." That's the Holy Spirit, not me.  It was a real bonus to have Valerie say on day #2 here, "I'd like to make supper for you." That's my love language! 

I live by faith in my finances and this home is one of the greatest ways I have grown through the years in my faith as I trust God to bring housemates with whom I will share costs as well as community. Each housemate comes with a story and I’m so glad that God has proven over and over again that He will help bring community, no matter who is living here.

My theme for this newsletter is belonging. I listen to podcasts that put things into words that are often vague ideas floating around in my head. Curt Thompson's "Being Known" and Michael John Cusick's "Restoring the Soul" share their expertise so well!  Listening to a Christian neuroscientist/Christian therapist makes me grateful for the resources we have in 2025. There's so much to learn!  But one little nugget that really hit me this year was that belonging is one of the components of the good news of Jesus.  We belong to God and each other (see Romans 12:5.) I've seen that desire to "belong" in athletes, educators, and all sorts of people, including myself this year. My new friends from Australia and New Zealand showed me instant belonging when we met in Albania. I experienced the Lord's generosity of relationship through them that I, too, want to show to others. 

My home church, Harvest Vineyard, went through a series this year called, "Practicing the Way" by John  Mark Comer. One of the videos said that 54% of Americans say "No one knows them well." They then stated that the #1 health problem in the US is loneliness. Belonging to Jesus Christ and His body on the earth is one of the most life-giving realities we can communicate and live out as college students as well as adults. So, we put our cell phones in our pockets and gather around tables, large and small, or take walks and xc ski. We want to help people be known and restore their souls. 

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes at ISU is alive with new leaders (thanks for praying!) who are grateful they found us in time for Fields of Faith October 8th. It has been a beautiful semester of belonging and connection in backyards, patios, living rooms, volleyball and pickleball courts, Stark Performance Center, on the farm, and even Iowa State's Central Campus for an outreach one beautiful Sunday evening in October. Follow us on Instagram at ISUFCA if you would like more info or pictures. Here’s our 2025 Fields of Faith Huxley, Iowa highlight video created and donated by  B & G Productions-videographers for Cyclone football who also love Jesus.

I'm in my 30th year of campus ministry and it hasn't gotten old. Meeting with students with our Bibles open and pointing to the One who knows them best, will always be a joy. But, I do go to bed earlier than I used to! And I'm bumping up against my limits. 

I am so grateful to belong with Christian Educators as a national leadership team member at this time in our organization's history as well as at this time in my life. Praying together is a weekly priority. Everyone is interested in each other’s lives. Everyone is so honest, yet full of faith. Leadership is shared widely through relationships built on seeking God together. 

We have a monthly Zoom gathering called Leaders in Community  where all those who lead through Christian Educators initiatives all over the US (239 educators invited each month) meet to share about how God is at work in their schools. We celebrate those who take risks to pray for people and situations.  We share about situations in our lives that need prayer and we take time to meaningfully pray. 

We are sending teams throughout the world to facilitate the AWAKE (Ambassadors Working As Kingdom Educators) Experience. Whenever a team of educators go on an AWAKE mission, we in the US have a 30 minute prayer time (Zoom) each day the international team is gone. This has become a very important part of how we send people. We have sent teams to Albania, Czech Republic, Portugal, and Zambia. Ukraine has held AWAKE in the war zone and had a powerful time of encouragement. We are receiving invitations from places all over the world! I'm looking forward to, God willing, going to New Zealand/Australia next semester! Want a refresher as to what AWAKE is? AWAKE

My favorite place is Iowa. It's my hope our community of Ambassadors in Iowa grows deeply with each other and widely to cover our whole state with belonging in this movement. 

A year ago I was thanking God because I had the opportunity to feel like George Bailey  in It's A Wonderful Life (with overwhelming support.) I continue to feel good physically. My checkups are clear. I still feel rich, like George Bailey, because of the belonging I have experienced this year. Here are just a few of my delightful moments and you will see more in my attached newsletter.

1.     At the State Fair with the Beebouts, Brandts, Velascos, Herreras, Bobiers, and Adamses

2.     Baptizing Alexis in Lake Okoboji with her family all there

3.     Being with my Hillygus family in Missouri

4.     Another contemplative retreat at Rock River Retreat center with 17 others.

5.     Recording a brain break session with Jennifer at Ames Christian School and Elizabeth in California to be a workshop for our CE on-line conference Rise-Up With Joy.

6.     Working as a team with my siblings for Dad’s 90^th birthday parties. It was great to see him and Uncle Don celebrated! 

7.     Helping Rachel and Matt move with a team of family

8.     Exercising with fellow old people, now friends, at the ISU Exercise Clinic

9.     Waking up to family (and coffee) in the lodge at Pilgrim Heights over Labor Day

10.  Lingering over the Prescott’s table listening to my friends share about life

There will not be a quiz over this newsletter! If you didn't read it, please don't shirk away from me in public! :)  I just like to reflect on life and call it a newsletter. Thanks for making it this far!  

With Joy to the World, 

Lori 

You can see her newsletter here.