Hello Friends! I'm sorry it's been a month since I posted anything, I don't really understand how time gets away from me. Okay thats not true, I know where all my time goes. Let's get right to some updates.
Blackfoot Christian Fellowship - things are going very well. We continue to have steady attendance around the mid 80's and it seems like there are always new people in attendance. I'd like to say we've settled into a sort of rhythm at church on Sundays that seems to be working pretty well.
Since my last post we've completed our Christmas series and are awaiting Christmas Eve with great anticipation. I'm not sure if I mentioned that there is a woman at church who is an incredible artist. I asked her to paint some pictures for our Christmas series and they came out incredible. I'll post some picture tomorrow b/c I'm at home tonight and I haven't taken pictures of them yet. There are a total of 8 canvases, 4 on each wall, like a mirror image. Each week unveiled two more canvases and by the end they show a beautiful midnight scene looking towards Bethlehem. They are incredible!
BIG NEWS - The Southern Baptist Church building sold to another local church! We were able to make them a screaming deal and to keep the building in Christian ministry. Next we nee dot unload the parsonage and we'll really be in business. Of course it's a little more complicated than that, but things are moving forward as we officially and legally bring these two congregations together. Part of the monies will help us to do a few more of the things that we believe are necessary to finish updating the building and the rest will help us to do ministry.
Answered Prayer - We have some people from the church who have taken over the music leading and now FBC Pocatello doesn't have to send musicians to us every week. It's a bittersweet situation because the people that they have sent to us have become good friends to the church and will be missed, but it's awesome to have people step up and lead in ministry.
On the Homefront - Kate and the kids have finished up the first semester of homeschooling and I'm happy to say that everyone not only survived, but they learned a lot too. Daniel is beginning to read really well on his own. Of course Claire goes through books like nobodies business, but whats new there. Jolee loves to color, paint, and annoy her brother and sister. She is a really good three year old, and when I say that I mean a two year old with a year of practice. If you don't get what I'm saying, she has definitely come into her own and lets her little opinion be known, man can she be stubborn, I think she gets that from her mothers side of the family : ). It's good thing she's cute.
We finished basketball last Saturday and for that I'm thankful. Now that it's over, I can say it was a good thing. Daniel made a couple of friends, I got to know some non-churched and Mormon families, and we'll keep in touch with some of them for sure. I may have mentioned this before, but Daniel is a natural athlete (I know I'm his dad and his coach and yes I am biased). He had so much fun and he's really good. Unfortunately we ended our season 2-3-1, blame it all on the coach.
BIG NEWS - Claire has asked to be baptized! Kate and I are really excited about this step for her because she hasn't wanted to be baptized because she doesn't want to be in front of everyone, but we've talked about it and she's ready. We're gonna wait until Kate's parents come in January so that they can be here for the big event. I can't wait to baptize my baby girl, who's getting so big and really doing so much on her own these days.
Answered Prayer - God gave us some Christian friends who are pretty new to the area, who homeschool, and whose kids are about the same ages as our kids. It's pretty uncanny the similarities that our families have. I can't tell you how huge this is for our family, specifically for Claire. Their daughter, Allister, is the same age as Claire and they are cut out of the same cloth. It's so good for her to have a friend her own age.
I'm sure there is so much more I could tell y'all but I'm running out of steam. I think my bed, Kate, and a Christmas movie are calling me. I promise to be better at posting updates. I will also try post some Christmas pics too.
Until next time, May you be filled with the HOPE of God in Jesus Christ, which gives you PEACE that passes understanding, JOY despite sorrows, and the ability to LOVE all people, even the Grinches.
Merry Christmas and as always we miss you all!
