FORWARD LOOKING

STRIVING TO DO MORE TOGETHER

For the 1st time in my nearly 15 years of athletic ministry, I will have a few others to lock arms with while on campus.  Mike Buchanan (far right), Andrew Eppes, and I are seeking to strategically work together in serving the athletic community at UCLA.  Both Mike & Andrew are on staff with Athletes in Action and have a strong desire, as well, to influence coaches and athletes with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The three of us meet weekly for a time of fellowship, prayer, and planning.  Since Andrew just moved here from Ohio 2 months ago, we are still in the early stages of discerning how we can best compliment one another as we serve the greater purpose.  One thing for sure, God has strategically placed the 3 of us on campus, for such a time as this, and we each carry the same passion of seeing lives changed for the glory of God. 

BACK ON THE SAND...

We are excited to announce that Jenny will begin serving as an assistant coach for the UCLA Women's Sand Volleyball team beginning in January.  UCLA is beginning its 2nd season as a competing program after the NCAA launched this sport 4 years ago.  As you can imagine, Jenny is excited about the process of helping to build a program from scratch in a sport that she's been so passionate about over the years.  To have an opportunity to impact the lives of young women while coaching and training them as volleyball players seems like the perfect fit for her.  In her mind, this coaching opportunity will provide her with more open doors for ministry, as she will have even more of a presence on campus.  Though the season doesn't officially begin until the Spring, Jenny will start acclimating herself to the girls this winter, as they launch into their preseason workouts.


ON THE HOME FRONT

Both Jaylen (7th) & Kory (3rd), enjoyed a good start to the 1st half of their school year.  They are developing relationships both within and outside of their school environments.  Jaylen is beginning her 2nd year of club volleyball.  She seems to have a love for the sport and a knack for the game {umm, not quite sure where that came from:)}  In any case, we look forward to seeing how she and the team grows throughout this upcoming season.



Kory just finished his flag football season and had a blast.  He's so fun to watch. He is passionate, yet joyful while he's competing.  The boy just can't stop smiling!  Also, for the 2nd year in a row, he was chosen to represent his classroom at the ACSI area spelling bee at the end of January.  He's excited about the chance to go through this process again and hopes to improve on last years outing.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

• On December 8th, the UCLA Women's Soccer Team captured its 1st National Championship by defeating the Florida State Seminoles!  Jen & I couldn't be more excited for this group of young ladies, as they had to battle through a tough playoff bracket to win the title.  

• Mom Jackie (Kevin's mom) still remains in a rehabilitation facility following her brain operation back in early November.   Her progress remains slow, but steady.  Kevin will be flying back out to Maryland in the coming weeks to visit with her again.  We ask for prayer for her to regain movement on the right side of her body, as she is still unable to walk on her own.

• As we continue building our ministry support team for our work on campus, we are closing in on the 50% mark of our monthly funding goal. (Praise God!) 

• We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to share our ministry with a small group of people at a gathering in early December.  Thank you to Head Women's Basketball coach, Cori Close, for hosting this event on our behalf.  

• As we transition in 2014, we will continue to trust the LORD to provide us with additional ministry partners, who are able to journey with us, as we work to serve student-athletes and coaches on campus at UCLA.  Thus, we are planning additional "Home Gatherings" in February, both in the LA and Orange County areas.  Please pray the LORD provides the right people to attend these gatherings. (We learned from our 1st gathering, that its not always about the number of people in the room, BUT rather WHO'S in the room that matters at the end of the day.)

FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, JENNY AND I APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT. 

 WE PRAY YOU FIND 2014 TO BE A PROSPEROUS YEAR FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:  PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND FINANCIALLY!

      "May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD  

          make his face to shine upon you; may the LORD life up 

                 his countenance upon you and give you peace." 

                                                              Numbers 6:24-26