Tuesday, October 30, 2007

God Provides!!!

Just wanted to post a quick update on how we're doing financially. We know so many of you are praying for us as we seek to stay at VCS longer by increasing our monthly support level. God has definitely begun answering our prayers! We not only have a new donor but some have also increased their giving. Please join with us in thanking our Father for watching over us and for giving us what we need! We are pumped and look forward to Thomas' time in MS as he fellowships with friends and family. I know it will be the encouragement we need!

Friday, October 26, 2007

T-Rex Attack


T-Rex attack is without a doubt the best title for what's happening lately in the world of Thad. Apparently the interests of children are genetic as my son appears to have the same fascination with dinosaurs that I had when I was a little boy. The interesting thing is finding materials that can help feed his interests without introducing world-view elements that we personally disagree with. Mollie has been looking on the Answers in Genesis website for some good dino videos for Thad. Maybe we are raising the future pioneer in the field of biblical paleontology. Until then we'll just have to deal with our little T-Rex ambushing us and eating us whenever he feels the need.

Funny Story: Thad "roars" when he does his T-Rex. Most people find this hilarious that a little boy comes up to them and growls and does his T-Rex hands. The kids at school all play along and run away from him, providing him with prey to chase. The unfortunate side effect of this has been that the T-Rex is now Thad's defense mechanism when he is embarrassed.

The other day I took Thad to Merkur (our local grocery store) to buy some things for Mollie. While we were in line checking out, a girl probably around my age or a bit younger got in line behind us. She of course noticed how cute That was (he is my son after all) and began to speak to him auf Deutsch (in German). As he didn't really understand her, he became embarrassed and T-Rex made his first "public" appearance. I guess I, forgetting she was Austrian, half expected her to be amused like everyone else is. I guess that T-Rex gets lost in translation some where because she seemed way more offended than amused. So we are now working on when and where T-Rex is ok and where he needs to stay locked inside our little boy's head. It may seem silly, but we want Thad to be himself but not offend people so please remember to pray for us as parents with this little guy.

Also, Mollie is having some real knee troubles. It has even gotten to the point that we are going to go to see a doctor. Please pray that this will not be serious and no surgery will be required. As you can imagine there is a real temptation to be anxious about this, especially with me leaving Mollie with the boys for 12 days.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Video Adventures

We're now even further into the 21st Century, thanks to my friends Matt Klein, Matt Richards, and John Housholder. That's right, we're digital now baby. Watch out technology world.

This is our first video of many that we hope will give you an idea of what life is like around here in Vienna. This one is just kind of a site seeing tour that we did a few weeks ago. Others will be random things that strike our fancy or other ideas that we come up with. Send us whatever feedback you have, just don't be too upset about the camera work. We're still learning after all.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Dear Friends and Family....



We can say with confidence that God has always been faithful to us. Time and time again we can see His beautiful and good hand in all things. Whatever trial or triumph we've had to face, He has been our strength. We can say, "You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore, You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for..." He is truly a Wonderful, Merciful Savior.



We need your prayers as we need to make an important decision about our future here at VCS. It is our heart's desire to stay and minister and yet we lack the funds to stay.....we are really lacking the funds to stay here. God has been so good to let us be here for one year and to stay through this school year as well. Everyday we have the beautiful privilege of sharing our Wonderful, Merciful Savior with the students at VCS. AND............



Another student in our 10th grade class choose to believe Christ died for Her this past Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


WOW, what a privilege to be here and see her face glow. That's two more kids in God's family in just a month's time. Hallelujah!!!!! Please pray for her as she begins to grow in Christ.


We want to stay and be a part of these miraculous moments when understanding comes into the hearts of these students. Pray with us as we seek the Lord's good will for our lives. Pray specifically for our financial situation.


Thomas is coming home to Jackson, MS to spend some time making contacts to raise more support for the ministry here in Vienna. Please pray that God would open doors for him and give him leads to find more supporters. If he could find 50 more people to give 25 dollars a month, we could have a substantial amount of our monthly support covered.


Sometimes, people feel uncomfortable asking for money..... it's a hard thing to do...especially when we all need it. We are simply telling you all this because this is the way God has chosen to further His gospel.

He has chosen PEOPLE....

To go

to send

to give


We look forward to seeing all that God will do.....


"Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great." Rev. 19:5

Monday, October 15, 2007

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Soccer & Spiritual Emphasis

The High School Boys with the Staff and some 8th GradersIan with one of the high school girls

While my good friend Aaron might argue that those things could never possibly fit together, somehow in God's sovereignty he made it happen. This past week was Spiritual Emphasis Week at VCS. A team from Texas came to spend the week sharing with the kids during our Chapel meetings and it was great.
of the guys, Joel Myer, played soccer all his life in Texas (so we were instantly friends). The Lord worked it out that one of our teams we were scheduled to play cancelled on us and so we worked in a game against Staff/Alumni/Friends. It was rather humiliating for us old guys. We dominated early on but soon youth took over and carried the day. The boys managed to beat us 4-0 but the game was much closer than the score.
We all had a great time and it was really awesome for the S.E.W. team to spend some quality time with the kids outside of the normal "school" setting. I really believe that God used this week to encourage many of our kids in their walk with Him. Please pray that the staff will have wisdom and discernment from the Lord about following up with our kids who responded to the S.E.W. team.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

2V Emotion

This video is for Emotion Water (flavored carbonated water). Kind of odd I know.

These videos are the creation of the Seniors that are in my friend Matt Klein's Video Editing class. The kids are super creative and hilarious as well. Occasionally they hunt me down to be in a video or give them some ideas.

I get to make a guest appearence in this one.

Mountain Dew VCS

The VCS Senior Store. Very excited about selling Mountain Dew which they import since it is not available in Austria.

With a guest appearance from Mr. Gardner.