WVBS on the inside....

Well, while I was on break this week, I decided to drop by and visit Andrea at her new job with World Video Bible School. She is really enjoying working there and especially being able to work with fellow Christians. Everyday she gets to spread the Gospel in some fashion or another. This picture was taken back in the editing room with chief editor, Matt Cain. WVBS is the organization that produced and distributes the "Searching for Truth" DVD. Matt is the one who shot the video and then edited it. WVBS also have many other great study aids and Bible related materials. Check them out at: http://wvbs.org/

Happy Birthday, Andrea!

Andrea had a birthday this past Saturday! We were thinking about how we could celebrate, when we realized that there was a seminar being held at church this weekend. Dripping Springs church of Christ was hosting a segment of the "Pillars of Faith" series being hosted by Kyle Butt and Eric Lyons, both from Apologetics Press. It is a series of seminars held at different congregations about Christian evidences and how they can build ones faith. World Video Bible School was there to film the event for an upcoming DVD release. Apologetics Press is a Christian organization that is dedicated to Biblical defense against its skeptics and atheistic criticisms.
It was an excellent seminar and we really had a great time getting to know Kyle and Eric. They are really great guys! So, the rumor is: Andrea got a seminar for her birthday. The good news: she loved it! Happy birthday, Andrea!

Steppin' back in time....

I snapped this picture on the way to church in Dripping Springs last night. This is in Driftwood, TX. There are lots of little old western towns dotting the Texas countryside, but this one grabbed my attention because the old truck parked out front made me feel as if I were looking back in time!

Mission Sunday 2008!

Andrea and I would like to say "thank you" to Palm Beach Lakes for their continued support of us while we attend Southwest. Thank you for including us in the upcoming Mission Sunday pyramid.
Here is a little video clip expressing our gratitude:

More Quotes of the Day

Many Christians are suffering from EDD: Evangelism Deficit Disorder. - Tim Ayers

Why do these preachers come in and preach a sermonette, to a bunch of Christianettes so they can all hurry up and go out to smoke their cigarettes? - Foy Wallace

We have a paper due today? - Chacko Pullyampalill

Sometimes you need tack and sometimes you need some contact. - Johnny Ramsey

Is that true, or are you just pulling my wing? - an angel

Three brothers

Today was a special day at SWSBS! My classmate Chance Blackmer delivered the devotional at chapel this morning, and his two brothers, Josh and Shea, came and visited during the service. Josh graduated from SWSBS in 2001 and will be giving the devotional for us at chapel tomorrow morning. It's great to see them together, so we wanted to get this picture of them while the opportunity presented itself! Josh, Cara, Andrea, and I are continuing to move forward with our plans to go into the mission field together.

A Change for the Better

As many of you already know, Andrea has been working for the American Lung Association here in Austin since October. Unfortunately, the experience has not been a positive one for her. There are vast differences between the organization here and her previous position in Florida, not to mention, her commute is over an hour long one-way! Quite simply, it wasn't working as she had hoped it would. So, she regrettably gave her two week notice. However, the Lord has provided once again by making an opportunity available for her. On January 7th, Andrea will join the World Video Bible School staff! (Pictured below) We are SO excited about it! This is the same company that produced and publishes the "Searching for Truth" DVD's. Working at WVBS will be a great experience for her and it will allow her to attend some classes at SWSBS! Brethren, God is so good!

From a Floridian in Texas

Hello Everyone!

Having grown up in Florida my entire life, I have never experienced the joy of watching the seasons change. Over the past few weeks, Troy and I have really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful Fall colors. And Austin has plenty of evergreens too, so we will not have to experience a brown winter.
Things are really starting to come together for us in our house as we are finally seeing the end to all the boxes. I have really enjoyed decorating our new place and I am sure we have the most tropical home in Texas! We started putting up all our holiday décor this week, including hanging our stockings over the fireplace. Can’t say I ever did that in Florida!!!
Thank you all for the prayers you continually send up on our behalf. Have a happy and safe holiday season. We love you, miss you, and pray for you!

May God bless
you all!!!

- ANDREA

The walls came tumbling down!

What a great idea! These missionaries, who were down in El Salvador, are making a little "Jericho" for the children to march around seven times, blow their trumpets, and then see the walls fall down! They took paper bags and made "bricks" out of them. This will make a great impression upon their minds that will last them a lifetime!

More Great Quotes

Here are some more of the quotes we hear in class. Some of them may be an old saying or a cliché, but I have attributed them to the person whom I heard say them, (or I read). Hope you enjoy them!

What on earth are you doing for heaven’s sake?! - Johnny Ramsey

Husbands and wives should never yell at each other unless there is a fire. - Tim Ayers

He that is convinced against his will is of the same mind still. - Carl Garner

If you don’t do much teaching in your sermon, you ain’t doing much preaching! - Roy Deaver

A scholar is a person who has been educated beyond his intelligence. - Al Macias

Before and After

Today is the official "Open House" for the Dripping Springs church of Christ. There should be a whole lot of people there from all around the area. Many of the Christian's in the Lord's church from this area have relatives and many friends in different congregations in and around Austin. I know they are all excited for a chance to come see the new building and fellowship with their brethren.
Tomorrow there will be a "pot luck" dinner on the grounds to "commemorate" the building, if you will. We are praying this will be an opportunity to introduce the church to our neighbors in the area, as well.
It's hard to believe the building looked like this (picture below) just a few weeks ago! But, thanks to the help of many of the members of the congregation, the work was completed within a very short time. The general contractor, who's company built the facility, is also a member at Dripping Springs. The old church building was purchased by the city to be used as city offices. They were anxious for us to get out and the time was running out on the agreement. Thanks be to the Lord that all was completed in time!

For God's Glory

That's what the new building at Dripping Springs is going to be used for!
After several months of construction at an almost "frantic" pace, the new facility is complete. It is truly a beautiful place! It has a very comfortable and inviting feel too it, which I think is very important.
I had the opportunity to design the sound system for the auditorium and I am happy to report that everything worked out great! I will be posting more photos later.

Future Preacher

Sorry I haven't "blogged" lately, but I've been "bogged" down with homework! I appreciate that you keep checking in though!
The young man in the photo is Joseph Sheeran. It was taken at the Midtown church of Christ, in Victoria, TX where he and his parents attend. We were there on a door knocking campaign and conducting Bible studies. Joseph was so impressed with the SWSBS students being dressed for worship all the time that he told his mom he wanted to start wearing his tie to church. We told him that he was now qualified to sit with the students, but only if he takes notes! We think he would be a fine candidate for SWSBS someday!

More Quotes

When someone said, “I don’t believe in God because there are too many wicked people in the world,” Billy Bland replied, “Well, I guess I don’t believe in soap because there are just too many dirty people in the world.”

Drink one drink and you’re one drink drunk. - Carl Garner

It is possible to lie while singing hymns to God. - Burt Jones

One transgression unrepented of will keep us out of heaven and send us to hell. - Don Walker

A greedy preacher is about as useful as a square circle. - Tim Ayers

Little Blessings

God has blessed us in so many ways! We are always very thankful for what He has done for us. One of the little blessings that we have received while being here is Andrea being closer to her niece and nephew, Chelsi and Dillon. They live just north of Austin with their mother. Instead of seeing them only once or twice a year, now she gets to see them almost every month. This picture was taken last year during the holidays when her brother, Andrew, was home from Iraq and brought his children to Florida.
They sure have a lot of fun together! She takes them shopping and swimming, they play games and watch movies together, and they usually call Andrew on the internet over seas together to say, "Hello!"