We're still here!

Maybe we're not as exciting as we used to be. Maybe Mom the Blogger is busier than she once was. Maybe our family blog has become family blah! Whatever the case, we know we just don't post like we used to. But we're still here!

We're still busy homeschooling Nicole (a task Mitch primarily owns). Jane is still staying afloat while teaching two grades combined (and praising God, once again, for a full-time classroom aide who is extraordinarily great).

Ministry is still going on: Mitch is currently preaching through the book of Matthew. We recently finished a study through the book of Galatians on Wednesday nights. The ladies are two weeks into another Beth Moore Bible study on Friday mornings. And our first VBS planning meeting is Sunday.

We're still here!

Now, for the real news. . . we found an easy new recipe for microwave apple crisp. It's yummy and it's healthy because an apple (crisp) a day keeps the doctor away, right? Here's the recipe:

4 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/2 c. butter/margarine, melted

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

3/4 c. quick cooking oats

1/2 c. flour

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. allspice

Spread the apples evenly in an 8-inch square glass baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients and scatter evenly over the apples. Microwave for 10-12 minutes or until apples can easily be pierced with a knife. Enjoy!

Thanks for your continued prayers for us and for the ministry here! Let us know if you like the apple crisp.

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas day. Nicole opened a metal detector this morning--something she's wanted for a while. Afterwards a few church friends joined us for lunch. Later in the day Nicole tried out the metal detector and found a penny and a little metal toy. (Okay, so the treasures found so far have not exceeded the cost of the gift. . .we'll keep trying!) We ended the day with Nicole decorating a gingerbread house and watching "A Christmas Carol" and "Despicable Me."

We're looking forward to the new year and are anxious to see how God will lead and use us in His work. Thank you for praying for us.

Hamstrung!

Jane has severly injured her right hamstring and needs your prayers because she is in a lot of pain. The way it happened was silly. We were playing laser tag last weekend for Nicole's birthday. Jane tried to go down a ramp instead of up, lost her footing, did the splits, and pulled something (or several somethings) in this muscle group. She saw a doctor on Monday and he diagnosed the injury. He gave her an Ace bandage to wrap and support the muscle, and gave her some pain pills. (As an aside, the pills aren't helping a lot!) The level of pain and discomfort directly relates to how much she's on it. She's sitting as much as possible! Thank you for your prayers for us and for Jane's injury, particularly.

Happy 11th Nicole!

Friday was Nicole's 11th birthday. To celebrate, we opened presents and headed to St. George to enjoy some family fun and a birthday dinner. On Saturday Nicole celebrated with a friend at home.

Nicole opens a wall-sized horse for her room.

Opening a new video game

Laser Mania in St. George (laser tag, 3-D golf, and arcade games)

3-D glasses anyone?

Each hole in the 3-D golf was painted thematically.

Back at home, the horse looks great on Nicole's wall.

More horses. . .

Nicole's friend celebrates her birthday.

No slobbering on the birthday cookie!

Video gaming

It has been a wonderful birthday. These years just fly by! Thank you for your prayers for us and for the ministry here.

Halloween

Our church had its 3rd annual trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot tonight. We passed out lots of treats and a gospel tract to every family.

Pastor Dad as Moses

Coach Fiscus with a church friend



Mom as the Statue of Liberty

The weather was remarkably pleasant for the end of October--especially given that it was chilly and rainy earlier in the day. We had several church families participate. For more pictures of our night, go to our church blog (www.bereanbaptistpioche.blogspot.com).

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

Flooding!

It rained today. This is a big deal for us since we get so little rain annually. Mitch and Nicole were traveling home from a nearby town and captured these amazing photos of the flood-covered highway. Just shortly after these shots were taken, this highway (the only paved road home) was closed to through traffic. We thank the Lord for their safe travel home.

In other news:

• Jane is enjoying teaching her 1st/2nd combo class and has found a routine that is working well.
• A new ladies' Bible study is underway at church with nearly 30 women from our area attending.
• Mitch will marry a couple from the church this weekend.
• Nicole is enjoying home school and doing very well.
• The church is preparing for its annual trunk-or-treat ministry at the end of the month.

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

Three Prayer Requests

As the new school year is about to begin, we would request your prayers in three specific areas:

1. Please pray for our church that it would grow spiritually as well as numerically. Pray for Mitch, particularly, as he pastors.
2. Please pray for Jane as she teaches a combination class of 1st and 2nd grades. Pray for wisdom to know how to teach two grades together successfully and for the 13 children in her class and their families.
3. Please pray for Nicole. We have decided to homeschool her and we all seek your prayers in this undertaking. Mitch and Jane will share the role as Nicole's teacher throughout each week. Pray for us as we do so and pray that Nicole will not only grow academically but spritually, as well.

To God be the glory for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. Thank you for your prayers. We love you!

4-H Fair

Nicole ended her 4-H season by entering several exhibits in our county's 4-H fair. She entered a zucchini she had grown with knowledge from the 4-H gardening club and three pencil drawings created during the drawing club. Mom & Dad are quite proud of Nicole! She's already planning what to draw and grow for next year's fair!

Nicole's zucchini plant:

Her zucchini won 2nd place in the category:

Her drawing of boots won Judge's Choice in her division:

A second drawing, "Beautiful," won a 2nd place ribbon:

Her third entry, a building using perspective point, also won a 2nd place ribbon: