Hannah's First Time Out

Bow Hunting 

Snow on the Ground

Our Date at Memorial Stadium

Madison and I 

Final Score 16-14 Illinois over Penn.St. 

Thursday, November 13th

10 Pointer with half the tines broken - He was a fighter!

Taken with a bow in the bottoms

Project Yucatan for Christ

It's amazing to see how God's people respond when prompted by the Holy Spirit and presented with a need! In one night, more than $1,500 was raised for Project Yucatan for Christ, a ministry of Global Faith Mission Agency.

Project Yucatan distributes Bible literature to the people of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. For a donation of $30, an entire case of 300 copies of The Gospel of John can be put in the hands of people who need to read of the saving love of Jesus Christ in their own language.

Roy Seals

Roy Seals, director of Global Faith Mission Agency, serves as coordinator for Project Yucatan. Roy and his wife, Edi, have been involved with international mission work almost all their lives. They both grew up on the mission field. Roy and Edi began their missionary career in 1979, and served overseas for many years. Roy has been the Director of Global Faith since it was established in 2004.

If you would like more information about Project Yucatan, visit the GFMA website, globalfaithmission.org, and choose Project Yucatan for Christ under "Global Faith Projects."

Preview Service

Take a minute to look at these pictures and then thank the Lord for the successful preview service at Cieneguilla, Peru. You can also visit www.heart4peru.com for more information.

Train Up !

Photos by Stephen Cullo

It appears that now as we are at the tail end of raising our children, people are starting to ask us parenting questions. (Parents like to see how your kids turned out before they seek your advice.) Lisa and I have had an amazing experience as parents and have loved each and every stage of our four children's development.... no lie. We have been blessed to raise four children that love each other very much. I am blessed to watch them consistently express love toward one another with words, time, and affection.

We recently had a parent-child dedication at Columbus Road. This was a time for our church to remember the vital role parents and churches play in the development of our children. The parents covenant to provide a home in which Christ is the center and the church family covenants to support the family unit through prayer and Godly living. Our church family is so dialed in to the intentional discipleship of our youth that these moments of covenant are the gateway into that process.

I was recently asked by a parent how I would handle a situation with his child if I were him. I carefully and slowly responded. Parenting requires wisdom from God...and looking at each situation from a broader perspective. Each child is different and there are no cookie-cutter answers. Training is key to parenting. Oftentimes conversation is what is needed more than anything. So, I expressed to the parent that his child was much like him and suggested that he look at the situation through the eyes of his own childhood. Behaviors and responses often modeled by the parent unknowingly. This proved to be the gateway into resolution to the situation. The Bible states in Proverbs 22 :6,

"Train up a child in the way he should go, 

Even when he is old he will not depart from it."

I want to thank Stephen Cullo for supplying the pictures for this event, as well as the majority of blog posts I have written over the past couple years. You are the best!!!

Not When You are Leaving or Dead!

Humbling 

This last Sunday was a very special day for me and my family. Our church family provided a ten-year anniversary celebration for our time in Quincy. We were blessed with kind words, gifts, food, and an all-expense paid vacation. We were so encouraged as a family, and to share the day with the people at Columbus Road made it all the better.

It is very humbling to be given a tribute for years of service. We had so many people come up to us and say, "I have never been a part of something like this. Usually we wait to honor a person until he is dead or is leaving." It is a valuable lesson for us all. We should always say what needs to be said without waiting until it is too late.

My Ladies

Our time at Columbus Road has been amazing! It has been a total team effort to grow this church into health. The lay leaders did a fantastic job leading this special service. Each one of their speeches was insightful and biblical. It proves to me that spending time in God's Word and with other fellow believers adds so much value to our time on the planet.

Amazing!

Do not take for granted the good things in life. It is important to be content with who you are and with where God has placed you. Too many people spend their lives wishing to be someplace else or with someone else. I am very thankful to be serving alongside THESE people in THIS place!

Catfish !!

Check out the cool shirt

Fellowship Equals Partnering

Columbus Road is a special place with special people. It is not a perfect place with perfect people,  of that we are well aware. These special people took advantage of a sunny summer day to eat a meal and fellowship with one another. It was a great time together.

The Food is Always good!

We were reminded earlier that day, from Acts 2:42-47, that followers of Christ have a common bond. We are placed in the body of Christ to partner together for the gospel. Our stories, experiences, gifts, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses are placed together for the glory of God. No person can do this life alone. God strategically places us together to grow closer to others and to Himself.

Young

People from every walk of life can experience fellowship. It requires a bigger vision than one's self. Common vision produces results that individuals can never achieve on their own. We partner together to impact the lost and encourage our brothers and sisters not to give up on the journey of life. People benefit greatly when they share themselves, offering to others what God has given them.

Leaders in Training

We invest in the lives of others to insure that the message goes out into the world today and in the future. Ministry is a privilege and an honor, not to mention rewarding. What better thing could someone do than to leave a footprint for Christ in their community! No amount of money, success, or status matches our calling.

Be Thankful !

Be thankful for what you have. Columbus Road has so many gifted people who are willing to use their gifts and abilities for the Lord. Thank you, Shane and Jenni Wingerter, for the wonderful sandwiches. Thanks to all who brought dishes to pass, and thank you, Stephen Cullo, for capturing the day with these wonderful pictures. These are the good ol' days!

An Amazing Week !

Zoo Day!

A Selfie

Yes, you can take your teen to the zoo! We had a blast as a family, without any distractions. Logging time and memories together is priceless. Highlights of the day included Dippin' Dots, a large elephant, a frustrated male zebra, swimming sea lions, and a five-hour-old double-humped camel being nursed by its mother.

My girls last went to the zoo on their fifth grade class trip. I enjoyed being able to go back with them again.

I told them yesterday that they had to write a paper about their trip to the zoo. They said "okay," without complaining, pouting, or grumbling. That took all the fun out of trying to get a rise out of them. They are growing up, and asking them to write a paper is like asking them to put their dirty glasses in the sink. It's not a deal anymore.

For all you younger parents: There is light at the end of the tunnel....there are many blessings ahead for you!

If you are not aware of this fact already, the St. Louis zoo is absolutely free. You don't even have to pay for parking if you're not picky. Our trip to St. Louis provided ample time for a short nap and a McDonald's breakfast. The trip back included a quick stop at Eddie Bauer, as well as some planning for our next family adventure.

A Selfie of a Selfie

Still Having Fun Together!