An ordination, no more wheels, and a trunk of treats

Since our last post, we have experienced Mitch's ordination, a follow-up doctor's appointment for Nicole, and a community Halloween-alternative event at church.

Ordination - On Sunday afternoon, Mitch, and another candidate from our church, went before an ordination council of about ten men (including our pastor). After giving their testimonies, they answered questions about doctrines ranging from heaven to hell, from sin to God's grace, and from the purpose of the church to the ordinances of the church. They were quizzed on "-tions" like resurrection, conviction, confession, regeneration, and sanctification. Afterwards, the council met to decide whether to continue with ordination or send the candidates back to Bible school kindergarten. In the end, the council recommended and the church voted to ordain both men. They were each given a certificate of ordination. Mitch's certificate read ". . .upon recommendation and request of [our church]. . .which had full sufficient opportunity for judging the God-given gifts, and after satisfactory examination by us in regard to the Christian experience, call to the ministry, and views of Bible doctrine, hereby certify that Mitch Fiscus was solemnly and publicly set apart and ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. . ." The two men kneeled at the front of the church (with each man's wife seated behind him) and ordained men of the church laid hands on and prayed for them. It was an overwhelmingly emotional experience! However, the glory goes solely to God. We were extremely humbled by the whole event. Philippians 3:7-8 summarizes our thoughts. ". . .whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. . ."

No more wheels - Nicole had a follow-up appointment this afternoon and a new x-ray was taken. It has been five weeks since her surgery. It's been five LONG weeks of lugging a wheelchair in and out of the van and up and down steps, and generally watching her like a hawk to prevent her from putting any pressure on her right leg. Today the doctor gave her permission to walk on the leg! Nicole rolled into the doctor's office and walked out with us pushing an empty wheelchair beside her! In ten weeks another x-ray will be taken and we will be given further instructions. Thank you for your prayers for her recovery. There will surely be pain here and there as the leg begins to bear more and more weight but we are encouraged that Nicole is moving forward in the process.

Trunk-R-Treat - Our church planned a Halloween alternative event in its parking lot and gym. About 60-70 church families, with their vehicle trunks opened and decorated, gave out candy to costumed church and community kids. The gym bustled with carnival-like games and people eating hot dogs. It was great fun and a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the mostly unchurched in the community surrounding the church. At one point, we ran out of candy and started giving kids the balloon decorations used to decorate our van! Nicole went as "Smarty Pants" with taped Smarties candies all over her pants. (Get it? Smarty Pants?) We realized just shortly after we began sticking these candies on her that the tape was not going to hold as good as it needed to hold. As she walked around, she would leave a trail of Smarties here and there.

Well, that's the news for now. What's going on in your life? Post a comment and let us know.

Ordination Date Correction

Mitch's ordination date is Sunday, October 28, rather than what was posted earlier. In the afternoon, he will be interviewed by the ordination committee. During the evening worship service, the committee will give its recommendation and, prayerfully, he will be ordained. Thanks for your prayers for him. We will post more about this after the event.

Mitch's First Wedding

Mitch was asked to perform the wedding of two of our friends from church. He was honored to have been asked and excited to do his first wedding. Travis & Linda got married in the lovely parlor of our church.

For those of you wondering, though Mitch is not yet formally ordained, he was able to officiate the wedding because he was licensed to the ministry in 2002.

ALS Walk for Dr. Mathis

Some of you know that we participated in the Walk to D'Feet ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in honor of seminary professor Dr. Bob Mathis. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness and money for a cure for ALS. Together the team, "Bob's Mob," raised over $2,900.00! Most importantly, it was an opportunity to show our love and support for the Mathis family. We had a great time and have the pictures and t-shirts to show for it.

"Bob's Mob" team picture

Dr. and Mrs. Mathis with Nicole

Karen (our fearless team leader) before the walk

Some of the team before the walk

Nicole & Maggie (her friend from the seminary's preschool)

Walking & rolling for ALS

Much ado about Mitch

Mitch is in his final semester of seminary and preparing for graduation. As a result, about a month ago we began prayerfully pursuing full-time ministry by submitting resumes to pastorless churches in our area. One resume was also sent to a correctional institution out of state for an advertised chaplain position. Who knows where the Lord will lead. One thing is for sure--this is a time to exercise faith and trust that the Lord will provide according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:19) and that His provision will come in His perfect timing. And because the enemy intends to bring discouragement and doubt to us at this time it is also a time to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). You can pray for us to this end. Also pray that we will discern God's will regarding the direction we are to go.

Besides a December graduation and spending time with family who will come to celebrate with us, we are looking forward to Mitch's ordination service at our church on October 25. This will be a time when our pastor, senior staff members, and the deacon body will be grilling Mitch on theological issues. You can pray for Mitch as he prepares his mind for this.

Thank you for your prayers! We'll keep you posted.

Life in and out of a wheelchair (by Nicole)

I want to tell you about me in my wheelchair. At school I am doing very well. My friends are not making fun of me and I've been praying about that. It isn't hard to roll around. . .well, maybe a tiny bit. There is enough room for people who have crutches and wheelchairs to get around at my school. People move out of the way for me.

It's been a little bit exciting and a little bit boring. One of my teachers gets to push me fast and that's what's really exciting to me. It is a little boring because I can't do P.E. In Art, I can do all the things because it's just sitting down. Around the house it isn't so boring because I can be outside and roll around the cul-de-sac where we live.

Pray for me that my leg will get better and that my stitches will be gone in just a few days. Thank you for praying for me.

Love,
Nicole