Christmas 2010

It certainly has been a Merry Christmas for the Flanders family! Last week began with a blessed Sunday at Landmark Baptist Church. We were encouraged by several key visitors, a special Christmas Sunday school, and a church-wide fellowship service. At the fellowship, we were so blessed by a generous Christmas gift from the members of LBC. Lis and I did all of our Christmas shopping in one day (Monday)! Boy were we whipped when we got done. We celebrated Christmas with the Greens on Christmas Eve. We had our family Chistmas on Christmas morning, and then celebrated with the Flanders side on Christmas Day. Probably the highlight of our day was a trip to Frankenmuth sledding with mom and dad Flanders and the Fosters. We had a great time, and were quite taken back by the bravery of both Luke and Megan on the hills. Our little Luke went down all the hill with the big kids and had a great time! Notable gifts included... a shopping cart and doll house for Megan, a toy barn for Luke, a dry erase board for Caleb to learn his letters with, a light-bright and electric football for Andrew, and legos and games for Micah! We thank the Lord for such a great time and are looking forward to celebrating the New Year with church and family!

Detroit Lions 7 - Green Bay Packers 3

To all my packer friends, this one's got to hurt. So sorry:) go lions!

Luke's 3rd Birthday

Our little Luke turned 3 today. Hard to believe how fast our "Lukey-bear" is growing up. For his birthday, he got new cowboy boots (a Flanders family staple) from Grandma and Grandpa Green, new toy airplanes from Mom and Dad, and a new train set from Grandma and Grandpa Flanders! Our prayer is the Luke will come to know the Lord as soon as he understands, and will serve the Lord all his days. We love you, Luke!!

Putting up the Christmas tree!!

Last night, the Flanders family put up our Christmas tree. As always, it was a special family time of joy mixed with fun mixed with a certain amount of pain and frustration (toddlers aren't exactly professional ornament hangers). This year's tree had to be significantly smaller due to the size of our current living room but it is not lacking in spirit. While decorating, the kids seemed to enjoy putting many ornaments on one branch of the tree. Needless to say, mom had to do a little redecorating for sanity's sake. We are thankful for the season and looking forward to spending another Christmas together!

Happy 6th Birthday, Andrew!

Andrew John Flanders turns 6 on Thanksgiving day! Hard to believe it has been six years since we spent Thanksgiving at the hospital. We love our little "Rewski"! On Monday, Andrew got to invite three of his friends from school to a birthday celebration at McDonalds in Frankenmuth. Everyone had a great time and Andrew got some neat stuff...new cowboy boots and belt, the game Sorry, and other odds and ends. Happy Birthday Andrew!!

Spartan For A Day

Most reading this would know that I, John Flanders, am a die-hard UM fan. However, I will not turn down an opportunity to attend any big 10 football game. My father-in-law, Senator Mike Green. Invited me to an MSU game. Our seats were one of the box suites right next to the press boxes and athletic director's box. Also in the booth were reps from the Rose Bowl, and other state politicians including Lieutenant Governor elect Brian Calley. Needless to say, I was in over my head with influential people and great food. MSU won a great game with a 4th quarter comeback. I had a great time with my Father-in-law, even if it had to be in "enemy territory".

Thanksgiving Feast At BBA

Today, Micah and Andrew's school hosted a Thanksgiving Feast for students and parents. The boys got to dress up like indians and pilgrams and had a great time making decorations and food for the feast. Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Flanders came for the feast and had a great time. We are so thankful for BBA and the important ministry it has to our family.

Senator Mike Green

Since we moved to Michigan, we have had the priviledge to support "Grandpa Green's" campaign for state senate in Michigan's 31st district. Throughout this campaign, we have watched the Lord deepen Mr. Green's walk with the Lord as well as provide for his every need. The campaign concluded last night with a decisive win, Green-59%, Mayes 41%. We look forward to continuing to support a conservative move forward in Michigan while we continue to seek the Lord for the reviving work we so desparately need. Congratulations Grandpa Green!!

Megan's First Steps

Last Sunday, baby Megan took her first steps. She has been quite stubborn about walking, preferring to scoot on bottom everywhere she goes. A young lady at LBC named Crystal has been determined to help her learn to walk and sure enough, she took her first steps in the nursery last Sunday! Finally, our baby girl will be walking soon. Thanks Crystal!

Update: Megan took 21 steps in a row for daddy today! She can officially walk!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Micah!

Today our baby boy turned 8! How the years have flown by! In celebration of his birhday, Micah was able to invite three of his friends for a party. He chose to invite Nathan and Ryan from school, as well as Nicolas from church. They were also joined by Micah's cousin and neighbor, Wyatt. The boys had a great time together! They played in the treehouse, had a nerf gun fight, and caught toads by the pond. Boys will be boys!

Trip to Aunt Di's Pumpkin Patch

Today, Lis and the kids went to Aunt Di's pumpkin patch. They were joined by Grandma Green and their cousins, Hayley and Riley Green. Each child picked out a huge pumpkin to take home. Then, the boys got to dig up some potatoes and some humongous sweet potatoes (see pic). We had a great time. Thanks Aunt Di and Uncle Paul!

Clio Public Schools

Please pray for an important meeting with an administrator from Clio High School on Monday. Brother Mike Fisher and I are presenting the Real Character program as a possibility here in Clio.

Revival Wrapup

What a wonderful week of Revival Meetings. God was defenitely doing a deep work in all of our hearts. This week, the Lord answered many specific prayers. There was a total of 6 saved this week. Two on Sunday and four on Thursday night (Friend night). What a thrill it was to host 18 visitors on Friend night! We were also encouraged by last Sunday's attendance of 147! Perhaps the greatest blessing was just hearing the simple revival truths of the Bible proclaimed. The members of LBC responded with open and hungry hearts and God is certainly doing a reviving work in many hearts. Thank you for your prayers for us this week! May we continue to yield to the Holy Spirit and depend on the victory of Christ for every need. To God be the Glory!

Fun with the Millers

On Friday of our week of Revival Meetings with Chris Miller, the Flanders and Miller families took the afternoon off for some family fun. The ladies went to Frankenmuth while the men and boys organized an all out nerf gun assault using the educational wing of Landmark Baptist Church. Andrew and Micah were skilled gunsmen on their teams while Caleb took the role of supplyer, carrying around a box of nerf bullets for anyone in need. Luke served as Daddy's shadow while also drawing the fire of the other team when daddy sent him to scope out a questionable area. WE HAD A BLAST! Thank you to the Miller boys for sharing their guns with us. After picking up all of the bullets, we all went for a tour of Bronners in Frankenmuth. We have grown to greatly appreciate the Miller family and look forward to many more memories together.

Revival Meetings

This week (Sept 26-Oct1), Landmark Baptist Church is having revival meetings with Evangelist Chris Miller. Brother Miller has become a good friend in ministry and we are thrilled that the Lord has brought him to Clio for "such a time as this". Please continue to pray for Landmark Baptist Church. We are so encouraged by the growing hunger of the people for the revivng presence of the Lord. Pray specifically for Thursday night which is Friend Night. Many have been invited specifically for this gospel service. "Wilt Thou not revive us again?" is our prayer!

Down on the Farm

The boys had a day off school today because of the teachers convention. We decided to take the family to Grandpa Tiny's Petting Zoo in Frankenmuth. Grandma and Grandpa Flanders also came along. The kids got to pet all of the farm animals and we all enjoyed a horse-drawn wagond ride! The boys are farm boys at heart, although you couldn't have seen that today. Most of the day, Andrew and Megan gladly pet the animals while the others measured their individual fear of the various animals. The day was capped off by a trip to McDonalds. Happy Meals for all! We are so thankful for the opportunity to spend the day together!

First Day of School

On Monday, Micah and Andrew started school at Bridgeport Baptist Academy in Saginaw. They both love their new school. Micah is in 2nd grad in a combined class of 17. His teacher's name is Mrs. Allen who has been teaching for 30 years! Andrew is in K5 which is also a combined class with K4. There is a total of 11 students in Andrew's class. Andrew's teacher is Mrs. Corl who surrendered to full-time service as a result of one of Grandpa Flanders' sermons. The boys miss their school at Falls, but like their new school because of the cool playground (it has a ship!), the nice teachers (including a new principal named Pastor J.D.), and the fact that there as well as real lockers for elementary kids! Andrew has been "caught being good" three times already! So far, so good!

Tigers Game

Last night, I (John) took Micah, Andrew, and Caleb to Comerica Park in Detroit to see the Tigers play the lowly Indians. We had a great time! Mom and Dad Flanders came along with "Aunt Sus" (Susanna). Before the game, we got to meet relief pitcher Phil Coke. He was very nice and signed a bunch of stuff. We also happend too run into my cousin Crystal at the game. The tigers won 5-0 and we had a great time. We stayed after the game for Fireworks and got home very late. It was great to see the Tigers, but I so enjoyed the time spent with my family. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

"The Battle" Youth Outreach

Last night, Landmark Baptist Church hosted a youth rally for teens in our community called "The Battle". This outreach was led by a team from Baptist College of Ministry under the direction of Evangelist Jon Barber. Much labor went into recruiting throughout the week. We doubled our efforts by also canvassing for next week's VBS. Last night we had over 30 teens from our community come for the rally. There was a total of 10 teens and adults saved this week through recruiting (2) and the rally (8)! Praise the Lord! We are so thankful for the help of the team and for God's directly answering prayer. Please pray for next week's VBS!

Ordination and Installation Service

On Sunday, August 1st, I was ordained to the gospel ministry and officially installed as the pastor of Landmark Baptist Church. It was a very special day for our church. We had a church-wide picture, ham dinner on the grounds, and an installation service in the afternoon. The service was led by my dad and was attended by our own church family as well as by folks from Juniata, Mio, and Milwaukee! Pastor McMorris gave a great challenge to the church and Pastor Van gave a challenge to the candidate via video. It was a wonderful day... to God be the Glory great things He hath done.

Ordination

Well, it's official! By God's grace, I passed my ordination council last Friday morning. We had planned to have 6 or 7 pastors make up the council but several had to cancel at the last minute. In the end, the council was made up by Pastor Gary Hirth, Pastor Van Gelderen, and my dad. Though they were few in number, they certainly did not lack in Biblical knowledge or thoughtful questions. The questioning lasted aroud two and a half hours and was in the end a very good experience. I so appreciated the wisdom and spirituality of each of the men. Around 25 folks came to attend my "grilling". The council whole heartedly recommended me for ordination. The questioning was followed by a very nice dinner prepared by the wonderful ladies at Landmark. Ironically, Roast Beef was on the menu! Those who know me well know that I do not typically like roast beef. However, it was tolerable on Friday. I do have to admit that I ate muck more of the chicken so I am have not yet turned the corner on that issue:).

First Sunday

Yesterday was our first Sunday as pastor of Landmark Baptist Church. It was such a blessing to begin this new phase of our lives with complete confidence that we are right in the middle of God's working here in Clio. God graciously led throughout the day and manifested His presence in each service. God led me to teach on committment to the local church in Sunday school, Titus 2:11-12 in the morning service, and Psalm 127:9 in the evening. There were several significant victories won throughout the day.

We praise the Lord for the people of LBC. They have been so loving and have expressed there support of our leadership many times over. It has been an exhausting but thrilling week and we are very excited about what God will do through us as we humbly depend upon Him.

Please enjoy the pictures of our first Sunday and of the church building.

First Service at Landmark Baptist Church

We are thrilled with what God is doing in our lives by calling us to Landmark Baptist Church. Last night, we held our first Wednesday night service as pastor of the church. We had a sweet time of prayer and the Lord met with us as I preached from I Peter 5:1-9. After the service the church suprised us with a ice cream and cake reception after the service. There, the folks presented us with many thoughtful and generous gifts including U of M t-shirts for all of us including Megan! I, of cours, thought this to be quite appropriate! All in all, it was a great time of fellowship with our church family. We are continuing to move into our new living and work places. We will begin to look for a house next week. Thank you for your interest and prayers.

We're Moved!

After two long weeks of sorting, trashing, cleaning, boxing, fast food, and goodbyes, we are finally fully moved from Milwaukee to Mayville (Clio), MI! Thanks for the many people who helped us. Particularly thanks to four men from Landmark Baptist in Clio who came all the way to Milwaukee to help us move. We also cannot express our gratitude enough to Jessica Chaney and Kristin Allen from Falls who have given us countless hours of their time during the last several weeks. We also appreciate the many others who helped us on Monday. It was a great blessing, and the move went as smoothly as possible. God answered prayer regarding the weather. Scattered thunderstorms were forecasted throughout the day, but we did not have a drop of rain until after the last box was loaded!. We finished cleaning the house around 4:30 and left at 5:30. We endured a long journey and arrived in Mayville around 3:30 in the morning. Needless to say, we are exhausted but excited about starting this new phase of our lives. Please enjoy the pictures of our move as well as a photo of matching dresses that were made and given to Lis and Megan as a goodbye gift from Miss Chaney.

Preschool Farewell

Last Wednesday, the preschool division at Falls threw us a farewell party at our weekly meeting. One of the ladies made a U of M themed ice cream cake -very appropriate! They also presented us with several thoughtful and generous gift including a digital picture frame (with a pre-loaded message and pics), and a display box for Lis of our preschool themes song- "Joy In Serving Jesus". We have greatly enjoyed our time leading the preschool division and will miss all of the teachers that we have had the pleasure of working with. Thank you for the party!

Welcome!

Well, you found our new family blogsite! Congratulations!!! We are planning to post pictures, videos, and family updates from time to time so that people who care (like you) can log on and nose in on what is going on in our lives. As you know, we have recently been led of the Lord to move from Milwaukee to Clio, Michigan. We are currently in the midst of packing and preparing for our move on Monday, July 5th. Pray for no rain on Monday, and for the protection and wisdom of the Lord that we desparately need. We are very much looking forward to being Michiganders again and to beginning what we believe to be our life's work at Landmark Baptist Church. When you think of it, please pray for God's provision of the right house. The boys are thrilled that we are staying at grandmas! (we are too) However, we do want to find the right place (before too long) and begin the next chapter of our lives in beautiful Clio!

Well, until next time...