Research Week

We are entering research week here at S.I.B.I.. We are given a week off of classes to work on research papers and projects. We are already at mid-term and I can't believe all that I've learned already. I can't wait to tell you all about it. Also, I was elected to be Assistant Class Chairman. Give us a call this week when we have a little more time.


-Jeff

Good News

I'm growing and learning everyday. I'm being stretched, inspired, transformed. I'm sharing my confidence of salvation through Jesus with others. (If you need to be encouraged, call me). I'm just not getting much sleep yet. :) I'm told if I don't find a way to get sleep during school, then I'll just keep up the same schedule in my ministry/mission work later. So pray that I can find more time/manage my time better in the near future.

I just can't say enough about the people here. What a great group of Christians!

I thank God and Praise Him for this school.

Ready or not :)

We are so excited to be here! Orientation is over and we start classes in the morning. S.I.B.I. has impressed me from the beginning. Even me, who is very skeptical by nature. I can already see God in this place through the love shown by the people here. The students all want to be here to get closer to God and to gain tools to share God's message of salvation and hope more effectively. It is obvious that the teachers all have a passion for God and for the lost. Each has served on the mission field. They are concerned not only with the knowledge that we gain here, but their aim is to guide us in our Spiritual transformations as we become more like Christ through scriptural study, prayer, meditation, self-examination, and service. They value healthy relationships and families and strive to create the best situation for each individual and family so that our relationships are strengthened and not strained by the rigorous coursework. This is going to be the hardest thing I've done in my life, but I believe the most rewarding. How can this not be God's will for me? I will be studying His word, applying it to my life, and strengthening my relationship with Him and with others. I will be doing all of this while learning knowledge and tools to help bring others to Him.

I wish I could convey my excitement, hope, joy, peace, and gratefulness through this text. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped get us this far. Please continue to pray for our family. Pray for protections from evil. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Pray for discipline and self-control. Pray for Christ-like transformations. Pray for closer relationships to our God. Pray that we will reflect His light in the world to everyone we know and meet.

Here are some things you might like to see if you've got the time:

School Calendar-http://www.sibi.cc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=167

Course Syllabi's- http://sibi.cc/student
(I am taking level 1 classes right now)
also...not listed is an optional class that I'll be taking from 7:30-8:30am everyday-Hebrew

Sink or Swim

There's a message that I heard at an LST training last year that has meant a lot to me these last few weeks, and I thought that it was worth sharing. It was about the story in Matthew where Jesus walks on water:

“But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"; and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; be not afraid." And Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” Matt 14:24-32 NKJV

There are a lot of people who would give Peter a hard time because he was afraid and started to sink; but more importantly, he was the only one that got out of the boat. I'm sure that there were 11 other guys in the boat telling him how ridiculous it was to jump out of a perfectly good boat and that the safest thing to do was to stay put. It would have been ridiculous even if the skies were sunny and the seas were calm, but it was the middle of the night and they were in a storm in the middle of the sea. Jesus didn't say “Wait Peter, let me calm the waves and stop the wind before you step out”. He just said “Come.” And even though Peter took his eyes off the Lord, just a minute before he started to sink he did walk on water - a story I'm sure he told for the rest of his life.

It is really hard to jump out of a perfectly good boat- a good job, a nice house, family close by. And there are people who are quick to point out just how ridiculous it seems to them. They are afraid for people who step out of the safe zone. When the Lord says “Come” it is not always when the seas are calm or when you finally have all of your ducks in a row; but you jump out into the water anyway because, as Peter would say, that's where Jesus is.

Please pray that our family will be able to ignore the guys in the boat, and that we will not be distracted by wind and waves, but keep our eyes on the Lord. -K-

"Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life." Mark 10:29-30

The countdown begins

This is what Juliana looks like most of the time when she's awake now. She has decided that her fingers taste better than her thumb, and she has just about decided that her right hand is better than her left.














Noah has enjoyed the parks here in Lubbock. We went out to an event this week for national night out where the church was handing out free hot dogs to the neighborhood. Noah had a good time throwing the football with another boy his age. You can see that he's ready for Juliana to take an interest in football soon as well. She just smiles at him mostly.
















Both of our kids love books. They are both very content to sit and read for long periods. Here is a picture of the first time I read to them both at the same time. And speaking of books, we bought mine today for the first term. Looks like I'm going to be very busy. My class list looks very exciting. This term I'll be attending chapel every morning and taking Historical Christian Evidences, Old Testament History, Spiritual Disciplines, Life and Teachings of Jesus, Intro. to Ministry Studies, and Confident Preaching. Classes start on Monday.














Kristina made a cake for my birthday. It was delicious. :) I'm officially 28 now, but I don't really feel any older yet. I guess I'm waiting to turn 30 for that. We're just counting down the days until class starts. I can't believe I'm going to be a student again. I've got that nervous excited feeling all over again.

until next time,

Jeff

Sold!

We closed on our house on Monday morning in Longview, and it's nice to have it completely over with finally. We had a great trip because we weren't in a hurry. We got to spend some time with Kristina's grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins and my parents, grandma, aunt, uncle, my brother and his family, and many of our friends along the way.

And as for our kids...Juliana is laughing in response to people now, and Noah loves playing in the dirt and all sports.

Here are a few pictures now that I found the camera again.
1.-Our happy baby
2.-Juliana with Kathie (my mom)
3.-Noah with Jaden and Jaron (his cousins)
4. Outside an Astros game