Time has passed so quick, and we feel that it's time for another update. God is so good and faithful, and we want you to be able to see His work over the past couple of months!
School:
My last semester of school finished quite smoothly. It was a busy semester, but it flew by at warp speed! And now, I have officially graduated with a Master of Arts in Christian Education, and I am still in major disbelief that I am finished. Attending seminary has been a very enriching, challenging, and rewarding experience. I know that God will use my time at seminary as I continue to serve Him in ministry.
Now, Lindsey is preparing to go back to school, and she is very excited. As mentioned before, she is working on a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (Licensed Counseling). She is very excited about her upcoming studies, and she is also excited about her future internships and practicums that are coming. Now, in her 2nd year of school, she will be able to have more "hands-on" opportunities, which is great. We are so excited to see how God is going to use her as she continues her studies.
Work:
Lindsey is still enjoying her work as an administrative assistant, and her work variety has been increasing, becoming more involved in HR, and event planning etc. God has opened a great door for Lindsey to build a friendship with a lady who started to work with Lindsey several months ago. This lady is not a Christ follower, but God is continually opening doors for her and Lindsey to have some important spiritual conversations. In spite of the fact that Lindsey is enjoying her work, she is ready for this season to pass as she takes steps to go to school full time.
God has made great provisions for Lindsey and I as I have begun to search for a place to work post-graduation. Over the past year, I have sensed God leading me to pursue a job teaching in elementary school during this season that Lindsey is
attending school. In the past couple of weeks, God has brought this into fruition, and in August, I will begin to serve as a teacher at Copper Mill Elementary in Zachary, LA (which is close to Baton Rouge). It is an excellent school, and I am VERY excited to begin to serve others and serve as a missionary in this area. God is so good! Here is a picture of the school!
Working for the Years Ahead:
God has been doing great things with our planning for the Arts Center. We are still looking to plant the arts center in the Williamson County area. In the past couple of months, God has opened some doors for me to have some conversations with people who are doing similar work in different areas of the country.
One of the great things about the "public school" job is that I will not have work during the summer, which will provide a great amount of time to continue with preparation. Right now, Lindsey and I are working on the "business plan" development which is a long and challenging task, but we are excited to take this step.
In addition, we are still in the works to coordinate a one week community arts camp in Baton Rouge, for the summer of 2008. We are currently talking with the ministers at our church about the possibility of partnering this camp as a ministry of the church, and we are very excited about this possibility.
Married Life:
Lindsey and I are having a great time being married! We cannot believe th
at we have been married a year. At the end of May, we spent a week in Orlando for our anniversary, which was awesome! God is continually growing us closer, and he is uniting our hearts in ministry. This past semester, God has opened many doors for Lindsey and I to reach out to people in the community. For starters, this past semester we were involved in the LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry International Coffee House, and we were able to connect with several people there. We also had some chances to go downtown and feed some people who were without homes, and we had some good conversations. Also, we have been able to have several people over for dinner, and God is continually fostering relationships with people here in Baton Rouge.
It is evident that God is doing a great work, and we are so blessed to be a part what He's doing
Here are some things you can be praying for:
1. Pray for God to continue to grow the relationship between Lindsey and her co-worker friend, pray that God's truth will permeate their conversations. We would love to see her come to Christ!
2. Pray for Lindsey as she starts school in the fall. Pray for God to continue to mold her and prepare her for her next phase in ministry.
3. Pray for us as I begin to work at Copper Mill Elementary School. Pray for the students, and families, and teachers, that I will work with, that God will open doors and bring opportunities to bring Christ to this area!
4. Pray for us as we continue to make preparations for the arts center. Pray that God will continue to open doors for us to make connections with other people who can serve as guides and mentors throughout this process. Also pray as we seek to find people to partner with in the Williamson county area, as we make plans to plant this ministry.
5. Pray for God to continue to unite our hearts in marriage. Pray that God will daily remind us to spend time in prayer together so that we can unite with Christ as we join together at His feet in prayer!
WE MISS ALL OF YOU VERY MUCH! PLEASE, drop us a note to let us know how you are doing and how we can pray for you!
God is doing so many great things, and it is so exciting to know that it will get even better!
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Jonathan and Lindsey
