hey, xanga friends... thought i might post my praye e-mail update...and have you all rejoice... and pray for me too, if you would.  love you all.... joe

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS...
        becky franke stopped by the campus house yesterday... and when i told her we were doing a freshman week event at our house ... she said.. "i know, i have my little sheet of the events and have been praying daily for you all."   can't tell you what those words meant to me.  to  know that she... and all of you were interceding for us here.  it really has been a pretty amazing week. 
        God has given us pretty amazing weather..(in the 80's)... and even the rain forecasted for yesterday, just disappeared. 
        He has given us open doors with lots of freshmen (don't have an exact number .. but with the night activities.. and our regularly scheduled ones... i think we have seen around 200 new faces. 
        last night there were 25 new international students that heard about the 'bash at the barn' and came out.
        many of those came back repeatedly all week... and commented on how they can't wait for the small groups to begin. 
 
        our upperclassmen are exhausted... from cooking/praying/cleaning/hosting/calling in the dorms/... please pray for a special blessing upon them for alll they have done this week.  wow, there is no way we could have done it without them.  wow. 
 
        some of you have prayed specific things for us...and sent e-mails... i think all of them have been answered exactly as you prayed.  wow. 
 
        tonight from 8-midnight, we are having a retreat with our leaders... (ministry heads.. and small group leaders alike)... then tomorrow have our first sunday morning service on campus.  please pray that God helps us in these first weeks to connect students with others who can help them grow in their faith. 
        i have heard that the first 3 weeks of a students' time at college are crucial... those clubs they join...the relationships they form are ones they will probably have for their entire 4 years.  we pray that the Lord might be paramount in those decisions...and need you to pray with us that students all across this country (not just at truman state) will connect with God's kids wherever they might be. 
        staff:  could you pray for our rest from this first week... and for godly wisdom as we discern what to put in our schedules and what to leave out.  keevin and stephanie have had several open doors with international students... pray for more...
        derrick and tab are expecting their first child in january... and are adjusting to pregnancy/work/ministry... pray for their protection.
        sarah ( mark's wife) began a teaching job with the putnam county school district an hour from kirksville... pray for their adjustment to life/marriage/teaching/ministry..
        kim is working to adjust from us not being able to hire another female staff... pray that God raises up all that she needs... please...
 
        family... homeschool is going better.  thanks for your prayers.  we are transitioning to a new year... please continue to lift up jennie in all she is balancing with homeschool, discipling, being an amazing wife to me...
 
        funny story:  in the obstacle course last night, we had one of the 12 stations be..."Catch a chicken".. (since we were given 25 chickens last spring)... one of the girls from France wanted to get in the pen and catch a chicken... though communication was a little rough... she did it.  a new experience for her... pretty funny.  imagine a girl from france, not dressed for the farm... chasing a chicken around in a little pen... she laughed, we laughed.  all good. 
        sorry this is so long... just wanted to update you...and say.. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS..... in His grip,  joe