Warm weather

Warm weather has come to the mountains (with temps in the 70s and 80s) and we've planted a small garden of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. We fenced the garden with chicken wire to keep away any of the deer and rabbits that Jake the dog doesn't bark away.

Warm weather has encouraged the red hot pokers (pictured below) to bloom in our front yard along with Indian paintbrush and other wildflowers in the countryside around us.

Warm weather also means summer vacation is here. Nicole's last day of 3rd grade was Thursday, May 28. Dad & Mom went to school for an awards assembly that day and watched with joy as Nicole received awards for 4th quarter honor roll, "Terrific Tiger" achievement, and passing all the ones through twelves multiplication facts.

Warm weather means our county's 4-H program is getting underway. Nicole will soon participate in a 4-H horsemanship camp (and can hardly wait). She will also participate in a 4-H cooking club for kids her age. Jane and two other ladies will sponsor a 4-H cooking club for 5th/6th graders.

Warm weather also means activities are "heating up" at church. VBS is around the corner (June 15-20), a new middle school/high school youth group called "TLC" (Teens Living for Christ) will begin next week, and plans are underway for Sunday afternoon fellowships this summer at area parks.

Thank you for your continued prayers for us and for the ministry here.

We're still here!

It's been a long time since the last post. Here's a summary of what has kept us so busy the last few weeks:

Church life - Since the last post, five have joined the church. Four of those were as a result of baptisms on Easter Sunday. On that Sunday we knew several guests would be present and we prayed that the Lord would do a mighty work. One of those guests came to Bible study that next Wednesday to begin "Experiencing God" with us. On Friday of that week the woman accepted Christ and then made a public profession of faith the following Sunday! She will be baptized on Mother's Day. We praise the Lord for His work and are blessed and encouraged as a result. The next big event for the church is vacation Bible school, June 15-20. Please pray that the Lord will draw children and their families to Himself during this week.

Subbing - Jane has subbed eight times since our last update. While we're thankful for the extra income, it has been challenging to be busy with subbing and still keep up with other tasks. Since this is the last month of the 2008-09 school year, there shouldn't be too many more sub jobs before summer vacation.

School - Nicole's school held its annual music/art/science fair last month. Nicole exhibited a robot she and a classmate made, kids sang, and art was proudly displayed.

Softball - Nicole has joined girls' softball. This has kept us on the go with games on Mondays and practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Would someone tell the photographer she can get closer and avoid the chain link look?)

Outdoor Work - The warmer weather has allowed us to reclaim the backyard from Jake the dog. We've reinstalled above ground irrigation pipes that he enjoyed playing with this winter. We'll soon reseed and fertilize. Jake is now assigned to the side yard, only to play in the backyard when we're outside with him. This will enable us to grow a small garden in the yard without the prying paws of a playful black lab.

We'll that's about it. We'll try not to wait so long before the next post. Thank you for your continued prayers. We love and miss you.

Mitch's Birthday

Today was Mitch's 40th birthday. Just after dinner, Nicole and Mom lured Dad over to the church where our church family surprised him with cake and birthday cards. It was quite a feat to pull off a surprise on this discerning man but it happened.

Parking on the other side of the church (away from the parsonage & the birthday boy's eyes)

This weekend is Easter. Mitch will be baptizing four on Sunday. We praise the Lord for the work He is doing in our midst. Thank you for your prayers for the ministry here.

Love,
Mitch, Jane, and Nicole

"Modest is Hottest" girls conference

Jane, eight middle school & high school girls, and one other adult represented our church at a girls' conference, "Modest is Hottest," in Las Vegas this weekend. We'll keep this post short and send you to our church blog to view pictures of this event.

New church cookbook

Our church has recently published a cookbook with the proceeds to benefit our women's ministries. Just over 150 recipes were collected from our great cooks. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, just send your name & address along with a check or money order for $10 per copy and $2 for shipping and handling per book to:

Berean Baptist Church

P.O. Box 325

Pioche, NV 89043

Thank you!

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.