Well... it's official

We officially became residents of Illinois today...but are still buckeyes at heart! I'd have to say, Illinois DMV has it down pat. We had taken the written test, got our new licenses, titles, and license plates all in under an hour. I feel like in Ohio that would have taken like 3 hours - or maybe that has just been my experiences. I tell you what, Illinois is expensive though. Golly jee, we thought that we would get away cheap because our licenses were only $10 a piece...but not so fast, we walked away spending almost $300!ISU students at the "Every Student Sent" conference

In other news, we have been pretty busy lately. In mid-February, we were gone for a week to attend two different conferences. One conference was for all new staff with Campus Crusade for Christ that had reported to their ministry assignment within the last year. It was a great time learning new things and getting to meet new people. We feel like we got a lot of tools for our ministry toolbox. At the end of the week, we went to Indianapolis for the "Every Student Sent"conference with CCC for juniors and seniors. The speakers were amazing and challenged students to live their lives and futures for Christ and not what the world portrays as success. It was awesome hanging out with students and even reflect on our own relationships with Christ.

We have been loving the random heat waves, so one Saturday we soaked it up by going to a park close to town. It was quite muddy, but enjoyable as we saw nearly 25 deer.

It was awesome to be able to go hiking and it was so peaceful. We saw about 8 deer attempting to cross the road. I think they saw us and retreated, so I made Joe hide behind some pine trees with me. They then came back out and since it was so quiet, you could hear the pitter-patter of their hooves on the pavement.

My (Andrea) parents came to visit this weekend! It was great to see them and to spend time together as a whole family. My sister only lives about 45 min. from us, so we all stayed with her. My niece had gone to a cheer session and then got to perform at the boy's varsity basketball game on Friday night with the rest of the kindergartners. It was pretty hilarious as we asked her before the performance to rehearse her cheers. She told us "Bingi, Lilo, go, go!". She wasn't sure who Bingi and Lilo were - we thought maybe the mascots or something. So, when she did perform we realized the cheer was supposed to be "Big G, little o, GO, GO". So, she was to be spelling "go", instead of Bingi and Lilo. It was pretty cute!

Our niece Ellie before her half-time cheer-leading show!

We are enjoying the periods of warm weather and can't wait to go to the beach for spring break!

Fun in Illinois...

Well, it has been a little while since I last posted. SO, I will have to recap you on our January.

We are still trying to learn new things about Bloomington and have been enjoying spending most of our time with students. A fun way we have been learning about Bloomington "hot spots" or super fun things to do is through our weekly dates. Joe and I take turns planning our Wednesday date night. We try to pick a new place to go out to eat, visit, or explore. One of my dates was going to an Illinois State men's basketball game. We had a blast - it was a close game and the redbirds won!

Joe took me to a cool restaurant with a tree inside for one of our dates and to the library (we read each other children's books!). I learned that it costs 50 cents to get a movie from the library - I never knew that it cost to rent anything at any library - and I've been to a lot in my day.

Other things we have learned about the great state of Illinois is their love for Lincoln. Our co-workers with Campus Crusade for Christ all have Lincoln pride. I like Lincoln and all, but Joe and I aren't to that point yet. We have been seeking to start CCC on some schools in Springfield, and thus were near the tomb site of good ole honest Abe. In case you weren't aware, his tomb is in a middle of a cemetery in Springfield, Illinois and now I can say I've been there. As I mentioned before that our staff team has Lincoln pride, so they took us.

There is a large Lincoln head there. You are supposed to rub his nose for good luck (that's why the nose is so golden in comparison to the rest of the head). I can say the tomb was actually pretty neat.

So, I mentioned we have been learning about Bloomington and then spending most of our time with students! We have been loving our job so much (if you can even call it a job)! Joe and I meet with several students weekly from different universities in central Illinois. We are mostly on campus at ISU, since it is here in town. We have been enjoying getting to know students better and seeing them take steps of faith!

Daka, Brian, and Stephanie - students involved with CCC at ISU - having fun at "Winterfest".

We (Campus Crusade for Christ) just had a table at "Winterfest" at ISU. Winterfest is where students can come, explore, and gain information on all the campus organizations and groups. Students were asked if they would like to take a 60 second survey and then their name would be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Potbelly restaurant. Some of the questions on the survey were based on if they would like more information on CCC, CCC events, bible study, if they would want to know God personally, and if they would be interested in taking a spiritual questionnaire at a later date. We were very excited as many students marked they would be interested in finding out more. Joe and I had fun manning the table with some of the students!

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our January! We are headed this upcoming week to Indiana for two different conferences with CCC!

There is more to life than college football...

Just wanted to pass along a wesbite in regards to the BCS national college football championship. On the site, various top college football players share about how Christ has changed their lives. Athletes in Action (the athletic ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ) put out the website www.beyondtheultimate.org where you can see video of Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford.

Indy Christmas Conference

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the New Year! We have had such a great time rejoicing in God and all His blessings.

Students at Indy Christmas Conference

One of the best things about being on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ is attending the annual Indianapolis Christmas Conference. It is such a joy to see 2000 college students gather for the prime purpose of experiencing God in new ways, growing, sharing their faith, and having fun! We were very busy this year - as all the staff with CCC from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan work various jobs to make the conference happen. Joe's job this year was manning the meeting doors to make sure only people a part of the conference could enter. He also had to clean up any garbage and such from the large meeting room. I was really excited about my job this year - even though it was a great responsibility. My friend and I were in charge of childcare for all of the staff families (making it possible for moms and dads to attend events). It was time consuming, but rewarding as I was able to glorify God using the gifts He's blessed me with (early childhood degree). I also got to meet many other staff and staff families (which is neat, since we don't know very many people!).
Joe being a door "bouncer".


We had a great time playing the game "Cranium" with the students from Illinois State University!

Every year there is a New Years Eve dance party. The theme this year was the 90's. Students from central Illinois dressed up as contestants of the 90's show "Legends of the Hidden Temple". I decided to bust a move and dance it up with the students!

Students praying "in" the New Year!


It was great being able to hang out with some of our students (playing games, good conversations, and dance party) and to see how God has been moving in their lives. Last year around 12 students from Illinois State University attended the conference and this year there were around 30! Many others from central Illinois schools also came! God did some amazing things! Two of our students saw someone accept Christ with them on the day of outreach (one who was sharing his faith for the very first time)! Others shared that they understood the vision of CCC and why it's important to share Christ with others! Students were challenged to take steps of faith and to trust God with their whole lives - no matter where He leads!

On the day of outreach, we pass out boxes of love, which our boxes of food to the local community of Indianapolis. We want to meet their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs as well. Our hope is to also have an opportunity to share the Gospel throughout the community.

Joe with his group on the day of outreach - Brian and Stephanie.

My group on the day of outreach ran into a woman and her little daughter. They were appreciative for the box of food and invited us in to discuss more about spiritual matters. I got to play with the little girl and talk to her a little about Jesus, while the 2 students I went with talked with the mom about Christ.


You can read more in our newsletter - but just wanted to share a few updates from our life!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have all had a great Christmas season! It has been a very different Christmas for us - we stayed home this year - and have had lots of time to relax and enjoy all God has done for us.

This morning, Joe fixed me breakfast and then we partook in Christmas festivities. We read the great story of Jesus' birth and then did our annual Christmas ornament tradition. We write on the ornament all that happened throughout the year - trips, blessings, big events. It is really fun the next year to look at past ornaments and reminisce.

Here are some pictures from our Christmas season....

We made Rice Krispie Treats with our niece, Ava. She helped decorate the top with chocolate. She liked eating some, too! This was back at the beginning of December - I think this is the only goodie we made!

Joe sipping his hot cocoa this morning, before reading from the Bible.

Our completed 2008 ornament - some highlights included moving to Illinois, our 1st backpacking trip, Chicago trip with Joe's family, free Cedar Point trip, and many others.Hope you all have a great Christmas! We are headed to southern Illinois tomorrow for some Christmas festivities with Joe's family and then to Indianapolis for Campus Crusade for Christ's Christmas Conference.

We are now in Illinois!

Hello all! We made it to Illinois to safely and are really enjoying our new apartment!

We moved December 1st and boy was it fun. The weather didn't turn out like we had wanted, but God protected us and kept us safe. We saw 3 different accidents seconds after they had just happened - in all we saw about 12 cars off the road. We were very excited to arrive safely and to be on solid ground. The Uhaul and our cars had think layers of ice and were super dirty. But, all in all we were really excited to be where God has called us to be!

The day we moved in, we felt so blessed. Students from Illinois State University and staff (all with Campus Crusade for Christ) helped us unload and settle in. My sister also lives in Illinois and came to help! I think we had about 15 people helping us! By the time the day was done, the kitchen was organized and put away (thanks to the students) and master bathroom and bedroom semi set-up. We were so thankful - our fellow staff with CCC even brought buckeye bars over and a goodie bag. We felt so blessed and welcomed!

Some of the students from Illinois State unpacking and putting away our kitchen stuff!

More of the students unpacking and helping out!

Our nieces came to help us, too! They even spent the first night with us, so they could help us unpack more the next day. They didn't know they were going to spend the night - so they loved wearing Aunt Andrea's T-shirts to bed.

We have been diligently working on getting our apartment in order. We have pretty much everything where we want it now and we really love it!

Our living room!


Our bedroom!

One of our bathrooms!

Other part of our living room - decorated for Christmas!

In other news, we have been really enjoying our new job. We love the people we work with and the students. We were able to attend the weekly Campus Crusade for Christ meeting at Illinois State and got to take part in staff development week. It has been such a joy being where God has called us to be! The students even welcomed us by decorating our cars with window paint!




Hope you are all doing well and taking joy in the Lord this Christmas season!

We have so much to be thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for all of you!

We are so thankful to God for how He has provided for us this year. We will be moving to Bloomington, Illinois this Monday! Yay! We are so excited to finally work with college students! Thank you so much for your giving hearts and prayers! We are so thankful to God that He would be gracious enough to let us move in time for Christmas and the beginning of the second semester!

We were also blessed with being able to attend Fall Staff Conference with Campus Crusade for Christ last weekend. It was such a joyous time meeting other staff and rejoicing for all God has done. We also were given a clear vision as to where the ministry is heading and also saw the bigger picture of how God has been at work in college students' lives all across the world.

So, Monday is the big moving day. Will you please pray for us and all would go well? Joe will be driving the big Uhaul truck with a car trailer on the back. I trust he will do well driving, but also know it could be difficult maneuvering the big ol' thing. Many students and other staff with Campus Crusade for Christ are going to help us unload in Illinois, as well as my sister!

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving! Again, we are so thankful for you!