The New Year

Jacob and I have been extremely busy this New Year with work and church events. Jacob and I immensely enjoyed our first new years as a married couple relaxing with friends then at home. We have spent time getting to know those in our church better, a new book study and kids events. It has been extremely hard for us to not get our "kid time" in on Sunday's, since we are now in the adult class. Although we haven't had our "kid time" during Sunday School we had the pleasure of 18 kids from Providence (and 7 adults) spending an evening at our home watching "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." This was so much fun!!! I was worried at first that we wouldn't be able to fit that many kids in our living room (if you have seen our apartment you should understand why) but it worked out great!!! It was one of the busiest nights we've had but it was also the best. Not only did Providence children attend but my little boys (those I watch) also attended. It was a great time of fellowship and fun for the youg'ns of the church.

Other then spending time with the children of Providence, we have had the opportunity to get to know a new young couple from our church that is engaged. We had such a great time with them and see becoming fast friends. It has been a great thing to get to know the other young couples in our church.

Starting this year Jacob and I are sending out a monthly/bimonthly newsletter to update people about our lives, mostly internship, prayers and seminary information. If anyone would like to be on the list that is not already please email us and let us know. We are sending this newsletter to get prayer support for our lives as a newly married couple and those in the ministry.

NFL Playoffs

AFC

Wild Card

Jets V Bengals Jets Jets

Patriots V Ravens Pats Pats

Division

Jets V Colts Colts Colts

Patriots V Chargers Pats Pats

Conference
Colts V Patriots Colts Colts

(Believe it or not, we both picked the exact same things in the AFC without looking at each others picks!!!)

NFC
Wild Card

Cowboys V Eagles Eagles Eagles

Packers V Cardinals Cardinals Packers

Amy's Division picks

Eagles V Saints Saints

Cardinals V Vikings Vikings

Jacob's

Eagles V Saints Eagles

Packers V Vikings Packers

Conference

Amy's

Saints V Vikings Saints

Jacob's

Eagles V Packers Packers

Amy's Super Bowl

Colts V Saints
SAINTS WIN!

Jacob's Super Bowl

Colts V Packers
PACKERS WIN!

College Bowl Update

And the Winner is..... Jacob!!! Jacob predicted 19 of the college bowl games correctly while Amy only predicted 18 correct. Such a close race!

The Decision has been made

Through much prayer and deliberation, discussions and counsel, We have seen clearly what the Lord is calling us to do for the next year. The choices and debates about going to seminary, staying for another year of internship, and deciding on the right school, have all been weighty and difficult. Yet through God's refining fire we are becoming more and more vessels of God's love. Our call to minister to others is continually in the forefront of or hearts and minds. We have thought for a very long time that by going to seminary as soon as possible would be in accordance with God's Will for our lives. Our reasoning was: the quicker we get in and out of seminary, the quicker we will be able to serve God's Kingdom. We have lost sight of God's immediate desire for our service and efforts.
Amy and Jacob may be called to serve the Kingdom in a church post-seminary/post-ordination, yet we are also called to serve the Kingdom in a church pre-seminary/pre-ordination.
The internship work that Jacob and Amy have been doing has been affirming and challenging. Affirming in God's calling, and challenging for our souls. The testing of gifts these past few months has done nothing but convict with pure clarity God's claim on Jacob and Amy's lives.
We are called to do both, learn and be trained in a structured academic manner in seminary, and learn and be trained in an everyday, hands on manner. It is with these convictions that Jacob and Amy have been struggling to determine where God desires us to serve.
We have prayerfully decided to attend Covenant Theological Seminary in the fall of 2010 via Online-distance learning with the purpose of moving to St Louis in the late spring/Early summer of 2011. Perhaps Hannah Montana could claim we are seeking "the best of both worlds" by our decision, we have prayed that we are seeking to live according to God's Holy, Loving Will.

Romans 11:36:
"For from Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: To whom be glory for ever Amen"