Last Thursday Thomas took his placement exam and we were delighted to find out on Friday that he has tested out of Greek 1 and will begin Greek 2 this week! He had a good meeting with his adviser who was very encouraging about Thomas' endeavor to complete the program in three years. Having received such a solid foundation at GCC in the languages, his adviser says he'll not have as much stress in that area as most new students. Orientation also went very well, Thomas enjoyed meeting some of the guys he'll be in class with over the next several years.
On Sunday we visited another church which happens to be right across the street from the seminary. After the service we were invited to stay for their monthly potluck and met some very kind people, some who were as new to the area as we are. We returned for the evening service and were both encouraged and convicted by the message from 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 about cross-centered giving. How can we who have been given the riches of God's grace in Christ not give joyfully and generously our tithes and offerings? We will return next week and continue to pray through this decision of finding a church. Your prayers for us would be greatly appreciated.
Monday morning we got more work done on our apartment. It is really beginning to feel like a home now that our pictures are hung and the very last of the boxes are cleared out of the living room. Later in the afternoon we joined some friends for some Labor Day festivities, which were fun and relaxing after a busy weekend.
I am still loving my job as much as I did a month ago when I began. Julia will be 10 months old in a few days and is learning her first words. If the weather is nice on Friday Thomas and I are going to take her to the Philadelphia Zoo after he is done with class.
Please pray for Thomas as he begins classes on Thursday. Since the seminary is right on my way to work, the plan is for me to drop him off in the morning before 8 and to pick him up on my way home at 6 each day. He feels that studying between and after classes in the library will help him be more productive than studying at home, as well as keeping a balance between school and family life.
We are very grateful for all who have been praying for us. Your support and notes of encouragement are a huge blessing to us!
In God's Love,
Thomas and Erin
