pictures

Here are some pictures from College Metro 2008 and Steve's wedding

Broyhill Hall at SEBTS where College Metro was held

Linda Osbourne- FSU BSU director of mine

2 of the nicest guys @ SEBTS- they took me around as a looked for a box of stuff from NAMB

I don't know why I look so freaked out by the Oriole Bird- I wasn't but I guess the picture was taken before I could hug the bird back

with Stefany at Steve's wedding

yup, the mustard made it to the wedding as well

1 James 3:1-9

Last week I attended College Metro 2008 at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. I had big plans to catch up on email, write on the blog, etc. during the evenings. However, when I arrived I discovered that my laptop cord had been left in the office. I had never done that before but knew exactly what had happened. On Monday (the day before I left for NC), after work, I attended the FCA Banquet. Well, I needed to leave the office aroudn 4:30pm to pick up Michael before heading over to the Banquet. It wasn't easy to finish up by that time so I was racing to get out of there in which I packed my computer but not the cord. So after using what battery power I had for work emails, I was dead in the water. My attempt to buy another cord was successful until it didn't work with my laptop so it actually turned out to be unsuccessful. Oh well...it was a great week nonetheless.
College Metro is a group of collegiate ministers (both from campuses and churches) that meet together once a year to share ideas and encourage each other. I was there to represent NAMB and Embrace Baltimore in talking about mission opportunities for college students. In the meantime I was able to sit in on their breakout sessions- some taught by the seminary professors- and really get a lot out of it personally. The weather was beautiful, the campus was beautiful, and I was extremely happy sitting outside taking it all in.
I got back Friday night and then on Saturday (April 19) I went to Lansdowne at 8:30am(!) for their 100 year celebration. There was a parade and small section of booths and the FBC Lansdowne youth were selling water and soda as a fundraiser. Michael was supposed to be going but had to attend Upward Sport Camp training the same day so he didn't make it until the afternoon. We raised $235 largely in part to the water, soda, and ice all being donated.
Work this week was productive. We were able to make our MayMester assignments so that's one big thing checked off my list. Now if only we could get these college kids to finish the application process as they are scheduled to be here in a week!
Tonight I write this sitting in the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel. I flew down Friday evening to attend my good friend Steve's wedding. It was my first Catholic wedding, which was neat to see, but the interesting story comes from the New Testament reading. Steve had called me a week ago and asked if I would do a reading in their wedding. I said of course and asked what passage they wanted. He couldn't remember what they selected but said he'd let me know. No problem. Forward to Friday, the day before the wedding, and still no passage. Steve mentions I should be at the rehersal dinner but due to work I won't be there. He says Janet (now his wife) knows it and she should have gotten it to me. Forward to Saturday- day of the wedding. I ride over to the wedding with Stefany and Jason- still with no passage but with a Bible just in case. We get the church and look in the program. It says New Testament Reading by Jamie LaFave, 1 James 3:1-9. For those of you who don't know, there is no 1 James! I turned to James and chapter 3 is about taming your tongue. While that could be applicable to marriage I somehow didn't think that was right. The best man then approaches and says that the bridesmaids have the reading, he'll get it when they come in and give it to me. Stefany, Jason, and I take a seat and before you know it, the wedding started and I still had no idea what I was supposed to read! When the priest announced the NT reading I walked up there with the Bible I had brought having no clue what I was supposed to do. I had marked 1 Corinthians 13 just in case because you can always go with that. Fortunately, when I turned around to the microphone the Priest suddenly came up to my left, handed me his book and pointed at the page to read. Turns out it was 1 Peter. I read the passage, handed the book back to the priest, and went back to my seat with hopefully only a few people really knowing what really happened.
That's enough typing for tonight...pictures to come.

The Sun Will Come Out...Today!!!

First Baptist Church Lansdowne

The youth room in it's current state

another view of the youth room

Pastor Bill and Coach Mike

Hopefully you now have a glimpse into our new church and Michael's new job. One of the first things to be addressed is the state of the youth room. We'll be doing new paint, floor, light fixtures, etc. After we helped re-do the youth room at FBC Pinellas Park I didn't want to see another paintbrush, but it's going to look so good after it has been done.
Today in Baltimore the sun is shining and it should be around 70 degrees. It's beautiful! I have never understood what role the weather can play in your life but after spending my first winter up north (and it was a mild one) I can definitely understand why people go south for a break. The cold and overcast days just don't make for fun times. I know as a Christian our joy is not dependant upon our outward circumstances but the sunny days sure are nice!

Great news!

On Sunday Michael was officially voted in as the Associate Pastor of Youth at First Baptist Church Lansdowne. Woo-hoo! FBCL was one of the first churches I went to when I moved to Baltimore and Pastor Bill's enthusiasm is contagious! I have been taking the camera with us to church but have not yet remembered when we got there to actually take pictures. This is a full time position and the first time this church has had a youth pastor. The youth program at this point in time consists of youth Sunday School so it's basically going to be starting from scratch. Michael started today and was in meetings practically all day (and if you know Mike you know he hates meetings!). But one good thing is that the afternoon meeting was held at the Embrace Baltimore office so we were able to see each other.
I'm gearing up to go back to Hannibal-LaGrange college this weekend for our final meeting with our MayMester students. Next week I'm heading down to North Carolina for College Metro 2008. I get back from that on a Friday night and overheard Michael today volunteering me to run the youth booth at the Lansdowne 100 year Community Celebration on Saturday while he is trained in Upward Camp. My schedule was quite hectic enough with just the job and now here comes the youth ministry in addition. It's all good and I love it but I had to drag out my big planner the other day and put it back to use. The weekend after that I'll be heading down to Ft. Lauderdale for a wedding. Michael was supposed to come with me but church staff do not get Sunday's off, at least not this soon, so I'll be sitting at the singles table. And that pretty much will bring us right into the month of May.
As for the family: my Mom is really enjoying her trip to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. I believe they are heading tomorrow to Jerusalem. Kathryn is staying with relatives and baby Benjamin is doing great. He's just like his Aunt Jaimee and doesn't like to be cold. Michael's brother Jon left last night for his 24 hour flight to Iraq for active duty. I think he's going to be over there for 12 months but before he left he got engaged to his girlfriend Molly.
That's the news for now. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Try it...you'll like it

My favorite mission magazine (and not just because it is by the North American Mission Board) is now FREE. Sign up for your free subscription to On Mission magazine at www.onmission.com. On the left of the screen will be a place for you to subscribe to their email newsletter or the magazine itself.

the mustard

I guess I should explain about the mustard. There is an SNL skit where they are talking about what you can and cannot take on a plane. One of the items mentioned was "mustard, but nobody would take more than 3 oz. of mustard on a plane." And Maya Rudolph's character replied, "They would if they liked mustard." Just her tone of voice and facial expression made me laugh so my sister found this jar of mustard that is less than 3 oz. so I can travel with it. Hence, some of the travel is documented with the mustard.

(And I don't even like mustard)

a few pictures

Bejamin James Nichols

at Criswell College

Charm City Cakes

Washington DC

stupid bird

Well March just completely got away from me and was a little too crazy. Here are some highlights:

• 5 mission teams came to Baltimore giving us a taste of what this summer is going to be like
• A bird either flew into or fell from the sky onto my windshield as i was driving down the interstate. Fortunatley, nothing was broke but my nerves.
• Went to Dallas for Great Commisson week at Criswell College
• Michael moved to Baltimore
• my sister had a baby boy on Good Friday- Benjamin James Nichols
• went to Washington DC for my first time

At work I'm gearing up for the summer and all of the mission teams that are coming to serve in Baltimore. We also have collegiate students coming to serve in May and during the summer in our local churches so we're preparing for that.

We just about have the house in order with Michael moving to Baltimore. He has been talking with one of the churches here about becoming their youth pastor. Last Friday they voted on the position and budget so the hardest part, I believe, is over. This Sunday they will vote on Michael to be the person to fill the position. If that vote is postive he will be a full-time youth pastor having to pretty much start the youth program from scratch. More details to come providing the vote goes our way. It's so exciting how quickly it all has happened.