How Helpful is This?

Do you see the cute little ice scraper in the picture above that we were given as a freebie at the county fair? The woman at the booth told us it would be helpful. It begs several questions:

1. Is this all the ice scraper we'll need living here in Tennessee? It's pictured here next to a cell phone so you can see just how small this little ice scraper is. Is this someone's idea of getting off the little bit of ice we'll experience here?
2. Is the woman nuts? Was this a joke? Maybe you've seen the Wendy's commercials where a guy is eating a burger the size of a button and drinking from a straw and cup the size of a thimble and he proudly tells you it's $2.99. This ice scraper makes you think, "$2.99."
3. Did the woman mean this ice scraper would be great for scraping ice off my side view mirror (or from a Barbie car or a Matchbox car for that matter)? If so, it could be helpful.
4. Will this little scraper be helpful in finding my keys in my purse?
5. Have we died and gone to weather heaven? (I guess this is related to #1 above.) After living in the mountainous, snowy west and shoveling snow and scraping windshields, maybe moving to Tennessee is God's weather gift to us.

Seriously, as the weather changes, we'll soon find out how this cute little ice scraper will be "helpful" and we'll let you know! For now, we're having fun with the possibilities.

County Fair

It's county fair time! Nicole actually had the day off from school just for the fair so we took advantage of the time and enjoyed the evening. Nicole especially enjoyed riding rides with a church friend she ran into. This picture is of the "Sizzler." I think she & her friend Bethany rode this three times in a row!

First Day of 6th Grade

Today is Nicole's first day of 6th grade at Lakewood Middle School. She is excited to meet new friends and change classes like a middle schooler. She is especially excited to be in Chorus this year. Mom & Dad are excited for her, too, and nervous about her first day. Thanks for your prayers for our baby girl as she goes back to school.

God's Grace in the Storm

We had a thunderstorm last night. As we prayed before bed midst the flicker of our lights, we asked God to keep the power on so we would have air conditioning through the night. It was muggy and over 100 degrees yesterday with nearly 110 degree heat index. No air conditioning could have made for a long, restless night. At 2:45 a.m. we lost power but it was back on again within an hour. God's grace was sufficient for our needs.

This morning, as we surveyed the yard, we saw what the wind had done. A very large limb had broken and fallen across the steel cable and power line coming into the house. It's miraculous that we have power at all!

Roof damage from the stress of the limb:

In other news, Jake wants everyone to know that he hates thunderstorms! They're loud and cause him to seek shelter in his dogloo kennel. He also wants ya'll to know that he loves to find frogs in his water trough. He has the best time chasing them all over the trough. Then when he eventually captures one, he carries it to the yard where he plays with it. Some of you are probably feeling sorry for the poor little frogs. But Jake wants to remind you that these "poor little frogs" make the decision to hop into his water trough. They are taking their chances. We are wondering when we'll discover a snake in his water trough. Won't be so funny then!

Anxious Thoughts

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,

Thy consolations delight my soul."

Psalm 94:19

There are plenty of things for the Fiscus family to be anxious about lately and we share them with you so you can pray about these things along with us.

• Home search - We are currently renting but are praying about buying a home. Should we buy with the current state of our economy and no job, at present, for Jane? If so, how far in debt should we go? We've looked at several homes with a realtor, from the windows of our vehicle, and online. At this point, nothing has been a perfect match with our budget, our desired home condition, home size, fence for Jake, and location. Should we be content to rent for a while or forever? Anxious thoughts!
• School - Nicole met her 6th grade teachers tonight at Lakewood Middle School. She's so excited to begin school. Of course, we have concerns about her being new to the school, new again to public school after a year of homeschool, and just being a preteenager. By the way, school starts early around here--August 8. Anxious thoughts!
• Job for Jane - Tennessee has required Jane to either renew her very expired Indiana teaching license or take three teacher competency tests before they'll grant her certification. She's already learned that Indiana will easily renew her license and she is pursuing this immediately. (Why take teacher tests and add more anxious thoughts to one's life?) With school beginning around the corner, most teachers have already been hired. It looks as if God may intend for Jane to substitute or work outside of the teaching field--at least for the immediate future. Anything can open up. Twice in her teaching career, she's landed teaching positions in September so we know anything is possible. We'll see what happens. Anxious thoughts!
• Pastoring a new church - Pray for Mitch in this new pastorate. As with any new job, there are new routines, new relationships, and new projects. Anxious thoughts!

Thank you for praying for us during these times of anxious thoughts. As we let them multiply (exponentially) within us, we pray that God brings to mind the many, many consolations that bring delight to our souls!

Is this any way to treat your pastor?

We've been pounded! I believe the term comes from an old southern tradition when church people would bring a pound of flour, a pound of sugar, canned goods, paper goods, etc. to share with a new family. Well, the good people of Jones Chapel Baptist Church have pounded their new pastor and his family. The first picture below shows the tables at the church with the gifts in presentation form. The second picture shows everything received on our kitchen table.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude at the generosity and love expressed in these gifts. Want to come over for dinner? We've got plenty of food!

Thank you for your prayers for our family and the ministry here.

More from VBS

Here are more pictures from the second night of VBS:

Derek, Nick, and Doug getting ready for tonight's games

The Tribe of Asher singing

Mary's house

Enjoying a snack at the food market

VBS at Jones Chapel

Tonight was the first night of VBS at our new church. The theme is Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus was a Kid. As they registered, kids joined the Tribe of Judah, Benjamin, Asher, or Dan according to their ages. Tribes gathered in Hometown Huddles to hear the Bible story. Then they had opportunities throughout the evening to sing, play games, go to Mary's house, and visit shopkeepers at the Marketplace to spend their shekels.

Jane was a huddle leader for the Tribe of Dan (the 5th & 6th graders). You'll see this group in the pictures below wearing the yellow Tribe of Dan headband. Jane also was a shopkeeper in the Dye Shop. In this shop kids began coloring a backpack as part of the mission project called "Operation Kid-to-Kid." A Spanish New Testament will be purchased by this program for each backpack and sent to needy kids in Latin America.

Pastor Mitch took pictures until our camera battery gave out early. He also had opportunity to meet new families and get better acquainted with our church family. It was a great first night and we're continuing to pray for a good week and for hearts ready for the gospel when it is shared on Thursday night. Thanks for your prayers for this week.

"Celebration" in the sanctuary

(Amanda and Secret are the leaders here)

The Tribe of Dan in Hometown Huddle

Mrs. Jessie as shopkeeper in the Bead Bazaar

Shopkeeper Sean in the Carpentry Shop

A young carpenter working on a picture frame

The Dye Shop

The Tribe of Dan at the Food Market

(Mrs. Mary Jane and Mrs. Kay helped in this shop)

Shopkeeper Karen at the Olive Oil Shop

Tara also helped in this shop

Are you going to make some olive oil lotion, Bro. Mitch?

The Tribe of Judah (PreK-K kids)

Farmer Kelly helping a young planter at the Farmer's Field

Mrs. Robin as huddle leader from the Tribe of Benjamin

Anthony (left) was a big help with the Tribe of Dan

Kelly and our fearless director Dora (also "Mary")

"Eunice" (a.k.a. Mrs. Nancy)