News from Pioche

We've enjoyed seeing the Lord at work in our church recently. Today a teenage girl made a profession of faith in Christ, three others will be baptized on Easter, we've begun to plan for this summer's vacation Bible school, and the ladies are about to wrap up another daytime Bible study. Pray for the visitor we mentioned in the last post. What we thought was a geniune interest in the Truth turned out to be just the opposite. This was discouraging but we find hope in knowing that some plant, others water, but God causes the growth (1 Cor. 3:6-8). It is our prayer that the seed sown initially in this one's life will some day grow into faith.

Last week was reading week at Nicole's school. The kids were encouraged to dress up in theme each day and read at home for stars. The class with the most stars won the chance to give the principal, Mr. Allen, a makeover. Nicole was excited that her class won. She helped her class earn stars by reading while wearing Dad's shoes, reading to a pet, reading in the car, and reading while wearing a hat. She went to school as a cowgirl one day and in a robe & slippers the next. On one day she left the house as a glamour girl and on another she went with crazy hair. (Surely you can tell which picture is which below.)

Jake the dog has had his own fun recently with a jar of finished peanut butter. After spending several minutes licking the peanut butter he could reach inside the jar, Jane cut the jar in two so that he could enjoy the rest. He loved it and we're happy to do our part to be green. Is this an example of reduce, reuse, or recycle?

Jake has also enjoyed more time indoors. Callie the cat has tolerated this fairly well, though she's careful to let him know his boundaries when necessary. It helps when Jake ignores her, lays on the floor, and chews up a rawhide bone.

That's all for now. We appreciate your continued prayers for us here.

Basketball, eagles, and painting

What do basketball, eagles, and painting have in common? Nothing but us.

Basketball: Nicole has participated in 3rd/4th grade girls basketball at her school. Her team has played other area schools and won all their games. Nicole has enjoyed being a part of this team and we've enjoyed watching her play. Enjoy these highlights.

Eagles: As we travel to one of the larger cities in our area, we nearly always see a bald eagle or two perched in one particular cluster of trees on the way. During a recent trip, when we finally remembered to bring a camera, we saw one in its usual spot and pulled over to take some pictures. As we stopped, the eagle left its perch and flew away but not before we were able to get this awesome picture.

Painting: The inside of the church is being painted. It has been years since the last paint job so it's well needed. The church has a part-time buildings & grounds employee (our friend David) who has begun the project.

Thank you for your prayers for the ministry here. People are making renewed committments to Christ and a visitor from a very different background will soon begun a study of the Truth with Mitch. Continue to pray for the work God is doing here.

We love and miss you.

Grandma Freda

Jane's Grandma Freda passed away last week. She was 91. Grandma Freda and Grandpa Charley (who passed away in November) greatly influenced our lives. They gave us wise biblical counsel time and time again, were faithful prayer warriors, and glorified Christ in their lives. You could say they were larger than life. They will both be deeply missed.

Our comfort in grief comes in knowing that both had a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-9). Scripture also teaches that when we die we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). But, praise God, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Grandpa's and Grandma's passing gives us opportunity to ask if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. They were always faithful to ask others this same question. Knowing Christ is beyond knowing of Him. You know who the President of the United States is but it is doubtful you can say you truly know the President. Do you truly know Christ? Are you living a life that pleases Him? The Bible says that if you know Him, you will keep His commandments (1 John 2:3). We all will one day stand before Him in judgment. Will you stand condemned or will the blood of Jesus Christ cover your sins? Please settle this today. Call or write us if we can help you with this.

What's up?

It's been nearly a month since our last post which leaves some of you asking, "What's up?" Well, we'll tell you. . .

What's up with Mitch?

Church life always keeps Pastor Mitch busy. There's the big stuff like preaching through the book of John, teaching a key doctrines class on Wednesday nights, and a myriad of pastoral concerns. But recently he and two men from the church had quite a project in getting a motor home that was donated to the church running, insured, and licensed so that it could be moved from a nearby community to Rachel Baptist Church (a mission of our church) in Rachel, NV. The motor home will serve as a make-shift parsonage while the Rachel pastor is in town.

Mitch also recently endured sinus surgery. He had his deviated septum repaired, a sinus cyst removed, and his sinuses scraped. As he recovers he has to wear a "mustache" bandage, sleep sitting up, and try not to sneeze for a week or so. It's not been fun (in fact, it's been quite painful) but he's looking forward to a future without terrible sinus headaches. To cheer him up, some of our members gave him a little dancing dog that sings "Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News."

What's up with Jane?
Jane continues to sub at Pioche Elementary as she's called. This month she subbed once in 3rd (Nicole's class), twice in Kindergarten, and twice in 6th. Jane is also busy with church things like a new daytime ladies' Bible study on Tuesday mornings, exercise classes twice at week, a new kids' Bible study on Wednesday nights, finishing the church cookbook project, and learning how to make perfect theater popcorn for the church's Sunday Cinema two weeks ago.

What's up with Nicole?
Nicole's sledding days are on hold with the recent melting of our snow. She's enjoyed playing outside with Jake the dog. She's also begun collecting and playing with one of the latest kid crazes, Littlest Pet Shop critters. She made the 2nd quarter honor roll and got her name in the county paper. Her class will soon make little robots and she and a friend are preparing to enter the school's talent show in March.

What's up with Jake?

We know that some of our faithful blog followers can't wait to hear what Jake the dog is up to? He's rediscovered the yard since the snow has melted. In particular, he's learned how much he enjoys mud. He also enjoys playing with the kids after church whenever he can. He's a good dog. His puppy antics are getting fewer and farther between as he's grown. Either that or maybe his owners have finally wised up when it comes to leaving things in the yard for him to destroy!

What's up with Callie?
Callie the cat's routine has remained the same. She sleeps, eats, sleeps some more, goes outside if the temperature is not too cold, then comes in to eat and sleep again. It's a really difficult life for her but she's managing just fine.

We're all managing just fine here and grateful to see how the Lord is at work in the big and small things in our lives and church. Thanks for your continued prayers for us. Now, what's up with you?

Nicole's "flying" saucer

The Fiscus Buzz 2008

Since 2004 our family has put together a Christmas newsletter, "The Fiscus Buzz," and included it with Christmas cards sent. This year we thought we'd also post it. Below is a summary of the Fiscus family's most memorable events of 2008. If you have followed our blog over the past year, many of these events will sound familiar.

January

• We learn that a church in Texas who had been considering Mitch as pastor moves in another direction. Two days after, we get an initial call from Berean Baptist Church in Pioche, Nevada.

February

• Berean Baptist Church flies us to Pioche for seven days. Mitch preaches in view of a call and the church unanimously calls him as their pastor.

March

• We sell our mobile home at the seminary and prepare to move to Nevada.
• Nicole completes her last day at Seminary Hills Park Elementary in Fort Worth and Jane completes her last day at work at the seminary.
• Our seminary and church friends send us off for Pioche.
• Mitch preaches as Pastor of Berean Baptist Church on Easter Sunday.
• Nicole becomes a 2nd grader at Pioche Elementary and begins softball.

April

• Nicole is baptized by Pastor Dad on Sunday, April 6.
• Mom goes on a field trip with Nicole’s class to Zion National Park in Utah.

May

• Jane’s parents arrive in Pioche with their 5th wheel and stay the month. They get to see Nicole’s first hit on her baseball team.
• Jane subs for the first time at Pioche Elementary.

June

• Berean has a great VBS that ends with the kids water-ballooning Pastor Mitch on Family Night. More importantly, several kids accept Christ as their Savior.
• Nicole begins 4-H cooking club and swim lessons.

July

• Mitch’s dad and step-mother arrive in Pioche and bring with them an adorable three-month-old black lab pup for Nicole. We name Nicole’s first dog Jake.
• Jane’s parents return to Pioche—this time for a two-month visit.
• Mitch baptizes four and we have a high attendance of 81.

August

• Nicole starts 3rd grade at Pioche Elementary.
• Nicole wins 1st place for her banana bread at the county’s 4-H fair.

September

• We attend Pioche’s Labor Day celebration (“the” big deal for Pioche) and wear Berean t-shirts with service times to advertise the church.

October

• Mitch’s Grandpa Dierks passes away in Wyoming. Mitch drives to Wyoming to attend the funeral.
• We get our first snow of the season on October 11.

November

• Jane’s Grandpa Charley passes away in Indiana. Nicole and Jane fly to Indiana to be with him before he dies.

December

• Nicole turns 9.

This year has been an incredible year with profound life changes for us all! However, the most profound life change one can ever experience is knowing Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Savior. Our prayer for all our friends and family is that you would know Jesus as your Lord and Savior as well. If Jesus isn’t your Lord and Savior, He certainly can be. To find out how, click here.

Thanks for your prayers for us. We love and miss you!

Dancing Fools

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Nicole's 9th birthday

We celebrated Nicole's 9th birthday this week. On Wednesday (her actual birthday) she enjoyed cupcakes with her classmates on the school lawn. That evening we enjoyed an Olive Garden meal (made-at-home fettuccine alfredo, salad, and breadsticks) and opened presents. She was excited to open a Wii. We all enjoyed playing with it afterwards. Dad especially enjoyed beating Nicole and Mom in Wii bowling. On Saturday seven of Nicole's friends came to the house to celebrate. It's been a good week to celebrate our precious daughter and thank the Lord for the way He brought her into our lives. "For this child I prayed. . ." (1 Sam. 1:27).

Thank you for your prayers for us.