First UniShow of the Year!

The first UniShow of the year occurred on January 4th in Tacoma Washington for K-6th graders at Frederickson Elementary.

We have a special place in our hearts for students in Christian Schools since we both attended them growing up. Dustin challenged students to use what God has given them to share His love near and far.

Our new Frederickson friends sent us on our way with encouraging feedback as well as gifts with the school mascot on them because, as they say, "Once a cougar always a cougar."

 

Always fun to see the students faces as they watch the UniShow!

 

Spring Splatter UniShow Style

Alderwood Community Church's 2nd-5th graders gathered at Cedar Springs Camp in Lake Stevens Washington for their annual retreat on May 6-7, 2016.  Back in 2009 we presented the UniShow for this elementary camp and it was exciting to be back.  This time Dustin not only performed the UniShow but was the main camp speaker.

He had the opportunity to share some "Pedal Power" with the 90 students throughout the weekend.   Sharing how David from the Bible surely had lots of time to develop his sling shot skills while watching over the sheep, Dustin challenged students to work hard and persevere to develop the gifts and talents God has given them.  Who knows, maybe someday God will call on them to sling stones with accurate precision at a giant to save a nation.  He also presented the Gospel and gave students the opportunity to surrender their lives completely to Jesus.  To wrap things up he challenged them to let their lights shine brightly in this dark world and share the Hope and Love of Jesus with those who have never heard of Him before, both near and far.

We are thankful for the opportunity to invest in these impressionable students and point them to Jesus who will help keep them on the narrow path that leads to life.  Leaders told us afterward that students will be greatly impacted for years to come through this event.

Grace Academy in Washington

On May 2, 2016 we were welcomed into Grace Academy in Marysville Washington to present a special assembly for the entire school. The leadership told us it was a rare treat for all 275 students from grades K-12 to gather in the same place at the same time. The students displayed a perfect blend of respect and enthusiasm throughout the UniShow. Afterward, it was a treat for us to meet a high school student who recently moved to WA from our home state of MN and is not only proficient with the yo-yo but also desires to use his talent to share Jesus. We hope to see him out there someday creatively drawing crowds and sharing God's love.

We received some great feedback from teachers following the assembly. Quotes submitted from our post-show evaluation form included:

"Students talked about it for days! They were so excited and understood at different levels the importance of finding their nitch and using it to bring glory to God."

"Best assembly /chapel of the year!!!! Really liked when he jumped the principal."

"Dustin has been given a true gift to share the message of Christ with youth in a way that truly speaks to their hearts. Impressing teenage boys is difficult, but he had them captivated!"

"You need to see this couple that have a unique outreach ministry. Highly entertaining, captivating, engaging with a gospel message."

"Dustin did an excellent job of keeping the attention of the students for K-12 grade. That is an almost impossible thing to do. But, he was able keep them focused on the message using his talents and skills."

Performing in the Shadow of a Fortress

We were honored to present the UniShow for Ocosta Elementary’s only assembly of the school year on January 20, 2016. It’s been 6 years since we were at Ocosta and it was great to return. They have a very active unicycle club at the school, so we were among many fellow unicycling friends. A few students from the club helped us set up and tear down.

Ocosta’s theme for January is “Think Win-Win” so Dustin took the opportunity to challenge students to persevere through life’s challenges, never giving up so they can use their abilities to help others. This is the way that everyone wins!  Click here to watch a little video of some of the fun during the UniShow assembly.

The school is under construction and will soon double as the first tsunami vertical evacuation safe haven building in North America.  By spring break, students will have classes in a fortress.  This history-making elementary school will boast a vertical evacuation structure on its roof that can hold the district’s 700 students, staff, and a few area residents.  With anchors going 50 feet deep, this school is built for the ages and isn't going anywhere!

Island Times

We had the privilege of spending Sunday, January 17th with the lovely people of Island Baptist Church in Camano Island, Washington. During their morning church service, we shared a recap of our 2015 adventures, which they have helped pray us through. Dustin included a challenge for people to use the “foolish things” God has given them (such as unicycling) to impact the world (I Corinthians 1:27). Then the kids were dismissed to Sunday School. We were amazed to hear later that the kid’s lesson was about the very same thing Dustin had shared, using their gifts to glorify God and help others!

That evening, we helped kick-off their “Sunday Night Live” outreach program for 2016. Typically, Sunday Night Live is a gathering for children while parents attend parenting classes. This particular evening, however, the whole gang gathered to enjoy the UniShow. Since many in attendance have not grown up attending church, Dustin shared a clear and powerful Gospel message which was very well received.

The UniShow at Cathcart Unicycle Club

The Cathcart Unicycle Club is a great group of current and former students from Cathcart Elementary in Snohomish Washington who meet every Friday for practice.  They have been going strong for the past 20 years!

It was a privilege to join their practice February 20th and present the UniShow as well as ride and interact with the students.  Many students watched with wide eyes as Dustin skillfully performed, expanding their knowledge of what can be done on and with various unicycles.  More importantly, he challenged them to always discover how they can use unicycling or any other ability to make a difference in others lives.  Because the club is a private organization, Dustin was able to share openly about his faith.  He told students that he thought becoming a world champion would make him happy and fulfilled, yet after he received his gold medal he still felt empty until he began a life-filling relationship with Jesus.  Now he rides for God's glory, not for his own and uses his gifts to help others.  

These students know what it is like to fall down and pick themselves up again.  What a joy to be able to encourage and inspire them in this brave and challenging character-shaping endeavor of learning the sport of unicycling.  

Delta Baptist, Everett WA

On Sunday the 25th of January, we joined Delta Community Baptist Church in Everett Washington for their morning service.  This was the first Sunday church service they have had in their new, unfinished building.  It was exciting to be part of such a big step for this church and help them taste what is to come when their building project is complete.

We did a youth event at this church about a year ago and heard recently that the youth group has grown as a result of that UniShow outreach event.

   

Impact Day at Nelsen Middle School

On January 23rd, we joined over 40 presenters at Nelsen Middle School in Renton Washington for their Impact (Career) Day. Dustin shared with students in 4 different sessions about his journey to a "career" of "unicycling", challenging them to use their gifts, talents and pursuits in life to make a difference in someone else's life.

Inspired by the wise words of Abraham Lincoln found recently on a tea bag, Dustin summed up each session with: "Whatever you are, be a good one."

  

A few different reactions to the instructions, "Lie down on your back."

Snow, Sub Zero Temps and Zero Wheel Bearings Won't Stop Us.

After digging our van out of 10* inches of snow for 45 minutes in our Minneapolis driveway, we found the only freeway ramps in town that were open and finally headed west; out of the blizzard in Minnesota and into the -10 to -20f temps of North Dakota.  A trailer wheel bearing issue in Billings Montana caused us to lose a day of planned travel and forced an all-nighter of driving. 

But praise the Lord, we made it to the first event on our West Coast tour in Tacoma Washington with Coyote One Wheelers unicycle club.  Dustin did a demo and shared a message with riders and parents after their club practice.  Students were inspired by the variety and level of Dustin’s skills and were challenged with broadened horizons of what can be done on a unicycle.  We enjoyed connecting with this encouraging community.

Our next and lengthier stop was in the little fishing town of Westport WA.  Here we did an outreach for a local youth group where at least 3 students gave their lives to Christ!  We did a school assembly for 350 enthusiastic elementary students and an evening community event where hundreds of dollars and much caned food were collected for needy people.  Dustin also joined the 50 riders in the school unicycle club, signing helmets, unicycles, shirts and shoes and giving students riding tips and a helping hand as they practiced.  It was a privilege to partner with caring leaders in this town who desire to share hope and love with the students, many of whom face challenging circumstances.

* the storm dumped 20 inches of snow by the time it was over.

Volunteers to show us how to ride unicycles.

This is my Big Wheel.

Ocosta Elementary School Assembly.

Some ramp riding on the X-Deck Platforms.

Dustin's unicycle has a fan.