Church Hunt & Valetines Day

This past week Nick got a lead on a church position that really interested him. The church was seeking a couple to lead youth group and childrens church. It would have paid well and given him good experience working within the local church (plus, it would have been fun to work together). He's been strongly desiring to get a position in a church to gain experience. Nick had an interview with the pastor and we visited the church this past Sunday. It was obvious that it wasn't going to be a good fit for either of us (the church or us) with some theological issues. Nick's continuing to look around. It's been more of a pro than con that we have not found a home church yet, because it makes us a lot more mobile when he finds a job! In the meantime, trying to find a home church has been daunting.... there are so many churches within the Joplin area, that we could visit a new church each week for a year! We would love your prayers, that God would direct us where he wants us and that Nick could gain some experience within a local church.

I'm beginning to get on a bit of orchestra overload! My violin lessons are now focused all on orchestral music (since I'm the principle second, to confirm I can lead the parts), I'm now taking on a two-hour sectional on Sunday afternoons, and still doing two-hour rehearsals on Mondays. It's a lot of playing on the weekends!

Our Valentines Day worked out really well despite our crazy schedules. We both were so hit-and-miss that week that we didn't make plans. When we finally were together that evening, we attempted to get in to a sit-down restaurant, but each place was flooded with couples (to be expected!). We improvised, used a gift card to Panera, and had a wonderful time. Since most all of the community had it in mind to go out to a "nicer" restaurant, we got almost all of Panera to ourselves! With the light jazz music and the warm ambiance, it didn't seem to matter that we didn't have a waiter! We finished the evening with small gifts (Michael Buble CD & Shall We Dance DVD).

We hope your Valentines Day was great. Take care!