2012

What a year 2011 was. We never imagined that in January of 2012 we would be living in a new state, in a different home, serving in a new ministry, with a new "beginning" in our married life.  We are so thankful for God's goodness, faithfulness, providence and grace to us since our move north in September.  

This year holds a lot of excitement for us, as well as things to celebrate. We just spent this past week down at Liberty University while Kristin completed her final graduate class! Now all she has left is student teaching this spring so that she will, by God's grace, graduate in May with her Masters in Arts and Teaching.  We are grateful to God for getting us through this season and I'm so proud of my wife in the ways she has worked so hard to accomplish this, all the while being such a wonderful, loving wife to me.

The next few months will be very busy with Emergence hosting a conference end of January, performing my sisters wedding January 25th,  preaching 2 more times at Emergence in February,  traveling to Pennsylvania to speak at a youth retreat near Scranton PA for a few days, while we continue our mission and work towards planting a church, serving faithfully in the residency, and growing in greater holiness.

In regards to greater holiness, a verse that has been on my mind ever since we entered the new year is 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 

I'm praying for greater, deeper holiness this year.  To take an honest look at whether we are allowing God's Word to disciple our lives and our thinking, or the world. I need Him to sanctify my heart in many more ways, I need more love for Jesus and less love of the world, I need my heart to grow big for God and small for the lusts of the flesh. Let's take this very seriously this year, for His glory and His fame. 

Excited for 2012. Look forward to all God will do not only in our mission field up north, but in yours as well.