New Year's Resolutions

A New Year’s resolution is usually a commitment, a new habit, or a change that is considered an improvement in one’s life. New Year’s resolutions usually fit into one of the following categories:

1. Quit something (quit smoking, drinking, etc.)
2. Start something (start a diet, exercising, saving more money, etc.)
3. Get something (get a better job, more money, organized, out of debt, etc.)
4. Relationships (get along better with spouse, child, friends, etc.)
   

Does the Bible have anything to say about this?

• Deuteronomy 6:5 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
• Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it."
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
• Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
• John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
• John 15:12 – “This is my commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
• Galatians 5:16-17 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
  

While New Year’s resolutions can be good, the most meaningful resolution anyone can make is to love the Lord more. If we love the Lord more (love Him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might), the rest will take care of itself. It is our prayer that we will love the Lord more in 2008. Would you pray for us that we will do so? Would you resolve this as well?

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Every Christmas since Nicole came into our lives, we have taken a family photo. These photos have served as nice Christmas gifts and have allowed us to watch our family grow and change. You may have one or more of these photos. Take a stroll down memory lane with us. . .

Seminary graduation at last!

On Friday, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary held its 99th commencement. Mitch was among 231 students graduating and one of 60 to receive the Master of Divinity degree. His mom, dad, stepmom, and aunt & uncle joined us to celebrate this long-awaited event. It was incredible!

The Making of a Gas Well - Part 2

The rig is in place; the derrick has been raised. Drilling is about to begin. You know, the tower of Babel comes to mind (except that this one is going in both directions)!

Scenic view from our porch

The Making of a Gas Well

My dad used to say when passing by a feed lot with cattle, "Smells like money." Well, I can say, "I see money out our window." The seminary has leased its property adjacent to our street to a natural gas company who will drill for gas and pay the seminary royalties. We are SO excited about the truck traffic, loud unknown noises, and the generators that run nightly to power the lights. All of this is just to prep the site for the rig that will be placed there soon. And to make matters worse, Nicole's bedroom windows face all this!

I guess we shouldn't complain. Last Christmas, seminary employees received a generous bonus as a result of the first check received from the gas company. On the other hand, we wonder how long we will have to experience these "benefits." And, is there any danger in being so close?

Let's call this the "guard shack."

Preparing the site for the rig

Cleared for graduation, looking forward to ministry

Today was Mitch's final day of seminary. He took two finals (his final finals!) and took the necessary steps to be cleared for graduation. At lunch we went to the bookstore to pick up his regalia (a cap, gown, and hood). If you know Jane well, you will not be surprised to know that she was emotional just picking up the regalia. It was overwhelming to think about the culmination of seminary and the prospect of a pastoring a church. Can you imagine the emotions at the actual commencement on Friday?! Mitch's mom, dad & stepmother, and aunt & uncle are arriving this week. Besides celebrating the completion of the Master of Divinity degree, we are looking forward to enjoying time with family. Check the blog after Friday for pictures.

This past Sunday Mitch preached the morning and evening services in the church he had preached once before on November 4. The church is pastorless and has asked several possible candidates to preach a first time as they search for the man God would have as their pastor. As they narrow their search, the church has selected three men to preach a second time. Mitch is the first of three, with the last man preaching on December 30. Mitch visited with the deacons after a fellowship lunch, we were able to take a look at the church's parsonage, and there was a valuable question/answer period after the evening service. The Lord blessed and we felt very good about the day! We are excited to learn His will for us and for this church. Thank you for your prayers.

We'll keep you posted.

Nicole's 8th Birthday

Nicole turned eight on Monday. Our celebration was three-fold. We kicked off the celebration the Saturday before with church friends at Chuck E. Cheese's. Nicole enjoyed pink snowball cupcakes with school friends on Monday. And if you thought we'd had all the pizza, tokens, and cheap prizes for one birthday, you'd be wrong! On Monday evening, the three of us headed to Main Event for more pizza and games. The results: a lot of pizza, more cake than we needed, "Happy Birthday" sung in different keys and styles, wonderful gifts from friends and family, and a whole lot of fun.

We thank the Lord for these years with this beautiful girl! We think back to our first birthday celebration at home with her and wonder where the days have gone. May God grant us more of these precious days!

Give thanks!

The psalmist says, "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High" (Psalm 92:1 NASB). These are just some of the things for which we thank the Lord:

Mitch

• I am thankful for family and that Nicole's surgery went well.
• I am thankful for the close of a semester and my academic career.
• I am thankful for the possibility of a church.
• I am grateful for the opportunities God has given me of officiating my first wedding and for my formal ordination.
  

Jane

• I am thankful that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.
• I am thankful for my family.
• I am thankful for my job.
• I am thankful that Mitch is nearing the end of seminary and the beginning of vocational ministry.
• Where do I stop?

Nicole

• I am thankful for parents.
• I am thankful for God.
• I am thankful for a place to live.
• I am thankful for friends.
• I am thankful for animals.