Continuing the Search

Some of you have been keeping up with us as Mitch has been seeking a church to pastor. Recently, he was being considered as pastor for a small church south of us. The church voted this morning. Though the deacon body was unanimous in their support and there was a majority who wished to call Mitch as pastor, there was not a large enough majority for the church to feel like it should extend the call. Therefore, the pursuit for this particular church is over. We are certainly disappointed in the results but we are confident that this is God's will and we will continue the search for a church. Keep praying for us and we'll keep you posted.

The Empty Boot

Nicole went to the doctor this week to have a new x-ray taken of her leg and learn whether she would be able to stop wearing the boot/brace she has been wearing since the surgery on September 25. We are delighted to report that the doctor gave her the green light to walk without it! The doctor did say that Nicole should slowly transition into running and P.E. and sports. Nonetheless, we are elated that her leg is healing properly and that it does not need the extra brace. Nicole would have walked out of the doctor's office wearing two shoes (albeit the right shoe a lot less worn-looking than the left) BUT her mother forgot to bring the right shoe to the appointment. I guess that boot has been such a normal part of life that Mom just forgot that there was such a thing as a right shoe. So, Nicole walked out one more time with the boot on until we could get home and pick up the other shoe.

Now all that remains is one empty boot and a happy girl (and parents). This old empty boot could be the subject of a country western song (complete with an intentional grammatical error for effect). You'll have to supply the tune (and add the twang):

There it sits

On the floor

She don't need it anymore

The old empty boot

(You can add verse two in your comment, if you like.)

Thanks for your prayers for our baby girl during this ordeal. She's raring to kick up her heels now with her new-found freedom. (Here's hoping we can keep up with her!)

We'll keep you posted.

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.