A Weekend in Reno

The Fiscus family traveled this weekend to Reno for a class Jane needed to take at the University of Nevada at Reno to remove a provision on her Nevada teacher certification. Along the way we traveled on Nevada state highway 50--what has been called "the loneliest highway in America." While parts of this highway lived up to its name, we agreed that there are stretches of other highways we're familiar with (especially between Pioche and Ely, NV or from Panaca, NV to Cedar City, UT) that might certainly tie for the title. In any case, it was a beautiful drive and we soon discovered why Nevada claims to have the most mountain ranges in the U.S.

Now that this class is done, we can focus on our church's vacation Bible school which is right around the corner (June 21-25). Thanks for your prayers for our VBS and for us.

Science Fair and other things

Nicole displayed her science project at the school's annual science fair. "Nails for Breakfast, Anyone?" showed how the iron in Total cereal is attracted to a magnet when the cereal is soaked in warm water for a bit. Fascinating!

As the end of school approaches (May 27), Nicole is gearing up for another summer of 4-H. She's signed up to participate in the gardening and drawing clubs.

Outdoor gardening in Pioche will have to wait another month. Even though it's a beautiful, sunny day in Pioche today (about 68 degrees), we had snow this past week with more chilly weather in the forecast by next weekend. (Don't tell Jane's parents! They're heading this way in the next couple weeks with their home in tow.)

In other news, it looks like Jane will be teaching again next year (barring any further layoffs by her district). The teacher Jane was hired to replace for this year has chosen not to return to district employment which leaves an opening for Jane. The principal has asked Jane to teach a 1st/2nd combination next year. She's never taught a combo class and knows of its challenges; however, God knows how to do this and she is asking for His wisdom as she prepares for this task this summer. We thank the Lord for this job for another year.

We are seeing the Lord work in the life of our church. A couple recently told us they've begun to read their Bible daily after the sermon series on the importance of discipleship. We've also welcomed some new faces in our midst. The ladies' Bible study on the book of Daniel is about to conclude but is leaving participants hungry for the next one to begin in the fall.

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

Busy, Busy, Busy!

A few weeks ago we celebrated the day when we first came to Pioche and the church called Mitch as Pastor. That was two years ago and a lot has happened since then. We'll spare you the rehashing of events summarized in our last two Christmas newsletters. Suffice it to say we've been busy over these last two years!

It's no different today. We find ourselves coming and going, burning the candle at both ends. All the while, we continue to see God's grace and mercy and His strength and faithfulness to do what He's called us to do.

Mitch recently gave the church a State of the Church address, if you will, and is now leading the body through a series of discipleship messages in order to further equip us for ministry. He's finishing a Wednesday night series on the truthfulness of Scripture and prayerfully seeking the Lord's will about beginning an AWANA program for kids on Wednesday nights in the fall.

Jane is partway through a ladies' Bible study on the book of Daniel. She and the ladies are finding the prophecy portion of this study challenging but invigorating. She has also begun thinking about this summer's VBS after a kickoff potluck/planning meeting last Sunday.

Teaching school is still consuming much of Jane's time and energy but she's beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel (summer vacation) in a little over nine weeks away. Her school district is experiencing budget cuts and it remains to be seen by the human eye whether she will have opportunity to teach next year. (We know our sovereign Lord has His plans well-laid out, though!)

Nicole was recently in the annual talent show at Pioche Elementary. She demonstrated sport stacking (a fun craze she learned while in school in Texas) and played a basic piece on the piano. Dad and Mom were as proud of her as ever.

Nicole calls on an audience volunteer to try it:

Jake the dog is as energetic as usual. He has had the pleasure (his feelings, not this author's) to discover and chase two cats out of his yard. One of the traumatized cats was barely able to get away from him by squeezing in a tight spot between our fence and shed. Mitch rescued the poor thing and sent it off to tell its friends how dangerous this yard can be. Jake loved every minute of it!

Callie the cat is as lazy as ever. It's her goal to lounge in as many places as possible (even if it seems a little inconvenient to others). Jane discovered this during a recent Bible study. Callie loved every minute of it!

That just about explains our busy lives lately. We are excited about Spring Break just around the corner (March 29 - April 2)!

We thank you for your continued prayers for us and the ministry here.

There's "snow" place like Pioche!

Jake the snow dog:

and his igloo kennel:

Travis & Linda visit Pioche

Last weekend we were blessed to host our friends Travis & Linda from Fort Worth. We enjoyed having them in our home, showing them around the area, introducing them to our church family, and worshiping them. They were a tremendous encouragement to us and it was just a wonderful weekend. Wouldn't you like to see beautiful Pioche and worship with us at our church? We are always blessed to host friends and family.

Thank you for your continued prayers for us and for the ministry here. Jane has just begun a new ladies' Bible study (Beth Moore's Daniel) with 25 ladies participating. Mitch will start a new preaching series on eschatology.

Nicole would like you to know that she had a great Christmas. She got Dance Praise (a computer game with dance mat), a snow cone machine, and other wonderful things. She invites you to come over and eat a snow cone and try beating her score at Dance Praise.

Thanks, again, for your prayers.

Fiscus Family Christmas Hip Hop

Click here to see the Fiscus family do a little hip hop. Then click the back button to return to our blog and leave us a comment. (Note: This dance will not be available after 1/15/10. So hurry!)

The Fiscus Buzz 2009

At Christmastime we publish a summary of memorable family events for the year. Here's our 2009 newsletter:

January

• Jane continues to sub at Pioche Elementary.
• Mitch has sinus surgery to bring some relief from severe and frequent sinus infections and headaches.

February

• Jane’s Grandma Freda passes away in Indiana.
• Nicole plays intramural basketball at school.

March

• We celebrate our one-year anniversary at Berean Baptist Church.
• Our church publishes a cookbook with proceeds benefiting its ladies’ ministry.
• The church interior is painted.
• Mitch baptizes three this month.

April

• Mitch celebrates the big 4-0! Our church family surprises him with a party.
• Jake, our black lab, turns 1 year old.
• Mitch baptizes one this month.

May

• Our school district plans to go to a four-day school week in the fall to reduce costs (which would reduce the number of subs needed). We pray about the economic change this will mean for us.
• We plant our first Pioche garden (lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and onions). Mitch builds a deer-proof fence for it so we don’t have to share our garden with the deer.
• Nicole joins the girl’s softball team.
• Mitch baptizes one this month.

June

• Nicole participates in a 4-H horsemanship camp.
• Our church celebrates a great week of VBS with an Australian theme. Several kids trust Christ as their Savior. We end the week with an Outback carnival, complete with an inflatable bounce house/rock wall/slide. Four summer missionaries help us during the week.
• Mitch finds a discarded basketball goal at our landfill and puts it to good use in the church’s parking lot.
• Jane is one of three leaders for a 5th/6th grade 4-H cooking club in Pioche.
• Jane begins a certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program at our county hospital and hopes to work at the hospital to offset the lack of substitute jobs in the upcoming school year. Interestingly, at the same time a one-year teaching position is advertised at Pioche Elementary. Jane prayerfully applies and we wonder which of the two might be God’s will.

July

• Jane is hired to teach 2nd grade at Pioche Elementary.
• Jane completes her CNA training and wonders how God may use this in our future.

August

• We take a much-needed family vacation in Las Vegas.
• Nicole starts 4th grade and Jane begins teaching at Pioche Elementary.
• The church’s exterior is painted.

September

• Berean has a church yard sale in the morning then sets up a ministry booth in the afternoon to give out free water and gospel tracts at the park during the town’s big Labor Day celebration.
• We buy a go-cart and Nicole learns to drive!

November

• Mitch’s mom and Jane’s parents spend Thanksgiving with us in Pioche.

December

• Nicole turns 10.
• Mitch baptizes one this month.

We have seen God at work in profound and sovereign ways throughout this past year! Thank you for your prayers for us and for the ministry here.

Love,

Mitch, Jane, and Nicole

Nicole's 10th Birthday

Nicole has enjoyed celebrating her 10th birthday over the last several days. It began the day before Thanksgiving when she received a package from Wyoming and ended today, a day after her actual birthday, with a party with friends. Nicole is certainly excited to have reached the double-digit milestone. Jane and Mitch are just amazed how quickly time flies.