Hello everyone. So the holiday season is upon us in all it's splendor. My house is being bombed with toy catalogs and I cringe when I think of the dollar bills escaping my kung-fu grip because of Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries etc. Alas, it is a fun time of year gathering with family and friends. Reflecting on the year gone by and the one that is ever creeping up reminding us that we are one year older, wiser and one step closer to Him. My boys really enjoyed Halloween this year. The chruch threw a great Harvest party and the boys went out with Misty and the neighbors while I was at class. As you can see Reese was a little frogman and Grant was a Ninja. Misty and I have decided to dress up next year. Any suggestions!?

Misty and I were able to attend the MBC&S bonfire recently. It was a chilly night so everyone made sure to stay close to the flames. It was a great time to see all the students rally around the college and the vison God has for thier lives as students preparing for God's leading. I'm anxiously awaiting my mid-term test score. I believe I did well but long to see the actual grade.

Things continue to go well for us here. We had some folks over the other night for a great time of fellowship. It was our first time opening our house to non-related "family" and we had so much fun. We can't wait to do it again really soon. What a blessing it is to be part of the body of Christ. I can't help but think of that song that says "Friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the Lord of them". We thank God for the relationships we are currently forging and the ones He has instore for in the future.

That's all for now. As always...we thank you for your continual prayers and are so encouraged by the comments that are left. See you soon...

Andrew, Misty, Grant and Reese

An awesome thing happend to us the other day. Where I work is very close to Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). Just down the road from my office is an observation area where you can watch the planes land and take off. I go there for lunch often to get out of the office and relax. It also has a playground for kids and bike trails for the bigger kids. About 2 weeks ago Misty brought the boys there so we could all have lunch together. Out of the blue a young guy, around 20-25, approached us and immediately started telling us about the evening he had and the various drinks he partook of. I interjected and told him about the "living water" I had the night before. No sooner was I done with my sentence did he walk away and find someone else to converse with. Just this past Monday, Misty and the boys came to have lunch with me again. Low and behold the same young man was there and approached us again. After exchanging names I brought up our past brief discussion and he remembered it. The seed had been planted. I asked him why he walked away and he said he didn't know. I proceeded to tell him what the "living water" was, that I had mentioned last time, and after sharing with him for about 20 minutes he accepted Christ into his life. Praise God! Hopefully God will cross our paths again so I can continue to share with him and see what God can do in his life. No seed is too small that God can't produce amazing fruit from it...Amen!?

Misty and I were able to attend the Marriage Getaway in Gettysburg, PA this past weekend. It was great to get away and fellowship with other married couples. There were many thought provoking sessions and a great question and answer time. One of the most memorable things was a skit that took place about "carnal weapons". It was very funny but was full of real life "weapons" that could be used in the midst of those conversations that we hope the neighbors don't hear. It really made one stop and think about how we converse with our spouse in and out of those times. The weekend for Misty and I, I can say, was really more about preventative medicine. Often times that is the most effective. I think we left there with a deeper appreciation for each other and really recognizing how blessed, by God, we are to have each other.

Well...I just took my Mid-term for my Biblical Psychology class. I think I did pretty well on it. I was fairly nervous. It was the first test I had taken in a few years. I can't wait to see the results of the test and what the rest of the semester has for me. I really feel like I'm back in the swing of things as a student and I have a great expectation of God for my time here at MBC&S.

Misty continues to be amazing. The women's seminar was a couple weeks ago and she had a great time being built up in the word and fellowshipping with friends. She out did herself again baking for the college students. She has been invited to help plan/coordinate some upcoming musical events here at the church. I know she'll do great and will enjoy taking on the task.

The boys are wonderful as always. Here are a few recent pictures of them. They are so amazing! Just having the opportunity to watch them grow and learning to interact is so cool. They are really neat little people. Reese, I think, is going to hold us true to the "If I had this one first...I wouldn't have had another" comment. No...he's not that bad but there is no mistaking the differences between the two of them. He will be 1 year old in November. How time flies! He loves his big brother. They get along very well. Grant does a great job "reading" to Reese and telling us all his infamous bear, snake, dinosaur and whatever else, stories.

Well...I guess that is all for now. Thank you for your continued prays and edifying comments. Oh yeah...hope you like the new format. That would be the woman's touch. I have to admit, it is a lot more appealing to the eye. We love you all!

Well...as of yesterday we have officially been in Maryland for 3 months. The transition period is probably over but that does not mean there aren't some adjustments still to be made. God continues to still be so faithful. We are learning that He is the author and director of both the big and little decisions. Letting Him orchestrate our move...fairly easy. Letting go of some everyday details and trusting Him...a little more diffcult yet very rewarding when it is all said and done. This season is surely stretching us beyond ourselves and is precisely the reason we made the move. To go beyond ourselves to gain a deeper relationship with Himself (immediate and extended). Extended being the body...

...I'd say we are finally to the point where we are prepared to let "non-related-family" come over to vist, if I can use that term. We plan to do that in the very near future. The family of Christ has been so incredible since we have arrived. Just this past Friday we were invited to dinner with a few couples. We were so excited! It was our second real opportunity to have intimate fellowship with body members outside the walls of the chapel. The time we had was amazing and the soup extraordinary. My oldest son is currently taken by a movie called "The Easter Story Keepers". It is about people who keep and tell the story of Christ...particularly the Easter story. In a way, we are all story keepers. Hearing and telling how God brought individuals to the ministry, brought people together as couples and what is currently happening in lives. It was a real joy to share, laugh, reflect and look forward together with new friends. This is "body life"!! I can't help but hear the song in my head..."I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God...". This move has been easier than expected due to, in part, the outpouring of the body and the welcoming we have received. It is a real testament to the teaching here and the life of Christ being lived out through the church. We are so blessed!

So, our family is doing well. Reese is into everything. He is really getting a handle on walking and I think his first word other than daddy is "uh-oh"! Kind of fitting if you ask me. He has also graduated from the mothers room and is now in nursery. Misty is overcome with joy from this recent development! Grant is getting so big. Sometimes I look at him and can't believe he will be four years old soon. He sometimes takes us by surprise with some of the things he says. His vocabulary is really expanding. He is never at a shortage of his own stories whether they be of bears, dinosaurs, and most recently teenage mutant ninja turtles. My favorite one of late has been about temptation which he learned from the latest Veggie Tales DVD. I was shocked when he rattled off the meaning of temptation. If only he could follow his own advice sometimes, like when it is nap time but the temptation to jump on the bed and throw the pillows is just too strong! Misty is really getting involved in the women's ministry. She just recently went crazy baking food for the MBC&S open house. I walked into a flour cloud. No, not really...but she totally out did herself. Two crock pots of pasta and 4 or 5 different desserts. She is amazing. It's only by God's grace I'm not 500 lbs. She is also going to help with registration for the upcoming seminar and continues to be faithful to the meetings. As for me, the one class I'm taking this semester is amazing! Pst. Schaller is a great teacher and the content is captivating. I'm already excited about classes next semester seeing as this one just started. That's right, I said classes. Pray that God would continue to lead and guide me as I begin my studies here at MBC&S and that I would be able to run this portion of the race to the end. Leading the early Sunday worship services is going well. There is a faithful team with me and I'm blessed see how God uses us to edify the body. I can't wait to take Grant to see some basketball games at the gym. The MBC&S and GGCA teams are gearing up for their seasons. It should be a great time for both of us. So...that's all for now. As always, thanks for your encouraging comments and continued prayers.
With Love in Maryland,
Andrew, Misty, Grant and Reese.

"And I thank God for the lighthouse, I owe my life to Him, For Jesus is the lighthouse, And from the rocks of sin, He has shone a light around me, That I could clearly see, If it wasn't for the lighthouse, Tell me where would this ship be" -The Lighthouse by Ronnie Hinson.

Hello again. We have just returned from our vacation on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. What an amazing time it was to spend with dear family and friends. The weather was fair but it did not put any real damper on the time we had there. There was one evening we were able to head out for a nice dinner with out the kids thanks to our awesome sitters. The food was great and the fellowship was sweet. We were the last customers to leave and upon our exit were able to have a precious time of sharing, laughing and prayer with the owner of the restaurant. It is amazing how God can orchestrate such divine appointments.

Some might think that a vacation is, maybe, leaving God behind and skipping out on the assembly for a season. I beg to differ. The church is not about the building, the stain glass windows, the steeple etc. but rather it is about the body of Christ gathering in His name. He promises that He is there in the midst in Matthew 18:20. We had amazing morning devotionals, Sundays services and Wednesday service. There was some great rap sessions and wonderful times of sharing. There was no doubt that where we were was holy ground and that the God of all creation, the same creation we took some time to enjoy, was there with us. We had two Bible College graduates, an Assistant Pastor, Worship leader, Special music singers and nursery workers. That's right...we had us some church right there in the living room. It was great!

The question now can be where do we go from here? Well, Reese is now taking some steps and will be going where ever he wants to soon. Grant might take on some pre-school type activities here at home. Misty will continue to be involved in the womens ministry, lunch raps and whatever else she feels led to get involved in. As for me...Bible College is priority. I will also, as God leads, become a little more involved in the music ministry. Where He leads us we will follow!

We thank you so much for you prayers and lovely comments. It is so encouraging to know that there are loved ones out there praying us through. If you would...pray that God would lead us to the right out reach now that we are in Baltimore. We want to be more consistant in our obedience to the great commission. Faithful is He who called us who also will do it! Until next time...Andrew, Misty, Grant and Reese.

Hello, as most of you know God has moved us from our comfort zone in PA to unfamiliar territory in Maryland all for the cause of Christ. We moved on July 1st, 2006 and I don't think the dust has truly settled yet. I (Andrew) have started Bible College, am leading some of the early worship services and doing some special music. Misty is getting rather involved in the womens ministry, going to lunch raps and just being available to serve as always. Grant loves "the church on fire" and is making friends in Sunday School. Reese is making little friends and is a menace in the mothers room as he is realizng that the things attached to the bottom of his legs are pretty cool. The transition wasn't with out it's minor bumps but the body has been welcoming, the Word is precise, the call is clear and God's grace is sufficent. I will post more as time permits. Thanks for your prayers!
In Christ,
Andrew, Misty, Grant and Reese.