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Valiant for Truth By Trish Edwards-Konic All my life I have asked a lot of questions. Where are we going? Why do things work the way they do? Why does God allow painful times in our lives? Why? Why? Why? I like to think I have an inquisitive mind (and it was certainly nurtured by both my parents). Or is it the investigative reporter mode I learned traveling with my Dad on stories? Once we even went to a remote accident where a helicopter was sent in (not a common occurrence in those days!) I was taught to ask questions, think and seek the answers. But sometimes we get all tangled up in the questions, either seeking for more information or demanding an answer we expect. We overlook the simple answers from God, like "because I love you" or chaff at the unanswered. We can begin to despair and lose hope. Henri Nouwen writes in Turn My Mourning into Dancing: Finding Hope in Hard Times: "Hope is willing to leave unanswered questions unanswered and unknown futures unknown. Hope makes you see God's guiding hand not only in the gentle and pleasant moments but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness." May it be so for you. Reader Response Wanted Beginning this month, Quaker Life is beginning to implement some new design and content features. We are hopeful the full process will be shared in the January 2004 issue. More family friendly features will be added as well as places for readers' responses. For the December issue, we are asking readers to write their answer to this question: How do you and your family keep Christ in the Christmas season? You can respond by mail to Quaker Life, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, IN 47374 or email at quakerlife@fum.org. Responses must be submitted by October 1, 2003.

COVER STORIES 10 The Healing Power of Finding One's Voice By Bill Robbins with Bonnie Stephens A writing program at White's Institute provides an outlet for the youth to express themselves. Included are samples of their writing. 12 Renaissance House: A Ministry of Renovation By Krystin Schmidt and Ehren Nagel Renaissance House Friends, an intentional community in Richmond, Indiana, balances work, ministry and restoration. 14 Summer of Faith: A Christian Ministry in the National Parks 16 A Typical Sunday By Katie Lee Terrell Working at a National Park and serving in ministry to visitors was a challenge for the author, but a challenge that enabled her to grow in faith and love. 17 My Life in Kenya By Emma Nugent Rehard This 11-year-old author shares what is like to leave the United States to live in Kenya.   FEATURES 4 News from Friends United Meeting 6 News 9 Soul Food Excuses, Excuses Jan Hoffman 18 Salt and Light A Seed or a Remnant? Jack Kirk 19 Ideas That Work Annual Conference Offers Healing and Grace Bradley Spaulding 20 Peace Notes 21 Viewpoints 22 Reviews 25 Booknotes 26 Passages 28 Classifieds 29 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings 30 Meeting Directory   ON THE COVER "The Innocents" painted by Diane-Ellen McCarron during the war against Iraq. Diane-Ellen is an attender at Pough-keepsie Friends Meeting, New York.

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