Candidating Weekend Summary

We had a wonderful candidating weekend at Calvary Baptist Church, Walnut IA. The Saturday Night "Q & A" Time went about 45 minutes, and I thought went very well. Following the questions we went to the fellowship hall for an Ice Cream Sundae Fellowship.

We stayed at the local Super 8 Motel Saturday and Sunday nights. Sunday School went smoothly as well, as I taught about "Special Blessings within the Local Church." I did some song leading in the Sunday AM Service and Mindy played the piano. She also sang "Be an Example" as a solo before my sermon on Philippians 3:12-16.

Sunday night we sang some songs, heard several testimonies of rejoicing, Mindy played the piano again, I sang "Bow the Knee" as a solo and preached from Romans 13 on why Christians should obey and submit to the government.

I thought the weekend went even better than I had envisioned, and Mindy had a good sense about it as well. Please pray with us that God's will will be accomplished. Next Sunday (April 1) they will hold a church business meeting and vote on extending a call for Senior Pastor.

Parsonage Dining & Living Rooms

Back of Church

Parsonage Kitchen

Front of Church

This church was built in 1951, and designed by the first pastor who was an architect. It has a modern 1950's look to it. It's been added onto on the back side. The inside of the church is updated and well-kept.

Church Auditorium

This picture is taken in the back of the room behind the auditorium. There is a sound-proof nursery in the back with windows looking into the auditorium.

Parsonage

The front of the parsonage. It's about 1 block from the church.

Walnut Town Sign

"A Town That Measures In Yesterday's Treasures"

Walnut is the Antique Capitol of Iowa.

Wal-Mart Bank?

According the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.), Wal-Mart applied to gain approval as a bank. The purpose would have been for Wal-Mart to be able to process credit card and other payments. Due to a number of issues they withdrew their application.

Wal-Mart will not be a bank, but it will still pursue being able to offer mortgages, consumer loans, home equity loans, investment and insurance products...and probably other things as well.

Wal-Mart is already the world's largest retailer, and they have been blocked from becoming a federally insured bank.

Look out for Wal-Mart!

Article

Bowling

Early this morning (between 2 and 5 am) we were bowling. We were youth sponsors at our church's all-night bowling rally.

I'm not a very good bowler but I bowled 3 games:

Game 1: 90
Game 2: 109
Game 3: 197

Breakdown:
5 /... 6 /...X...X...X...X...7 1...X...7 2...9 / X...197 !

I've never bowled a game that impressive, and surely never will again. By the way, the way I know those breakdowns is because I requested a printout after the game.

Aaron

OFFICIALLY A CANDIDATE

Today I spoke with the head deacon of the Walnut Church, and the vote was an "overwhelming yes" from the congregation to invite us to candidate for the position of Sr. Pastor.

Our candidating weekend will be 3 weeks from now (March 25). We are going to have a Sat. night Q & A session with the congregation followed by a brief devotional from me. Sunday I will teach the adult SS class and preach both sermons. We will probably do special music, Mindy will play the piano and I will probably do some songleading.

When will we know the results? After their vote the following Sunday. That's right, we'll find out on April Fool's Day.

Please pray for us and that God's Will will be accomplished.

Aaron

Audrey's Pigtails

Her hair didn't grow much until after her birthday, but now it's long enough for pigtails.

Audrey turns 18 months on Friday, March 9th.

Where's Waldo...

Can you find Audrey and Mindy in this picture????

... And More Snow

Audrey thinks we made this little path just for her. It's actually the sidewalk.

Snow, Snow, Snow

We're ready for the snow to stop falling now. I think we've had enough!!!

Ministry Search Update #4

Yesterday (Thursday) I talked with the interim Pastor at Walnut and learned that they put a bulletin insert in on Sunday with a Questionaire about me. It had a place for comments and whether or not they wanted me to candidate. The weather was very poor so there was only about 1/2 attendance...they are going to do it again this Sunday. If the thinking is favorable, we will be contacted next week about when we would like to candidate. The interim Pastor said he looked at the ballots and said there was no negative feedback, and all looked positive so far.

We'll see what happens.

Aaron