a few pictures from fall

Nate's new look for fall... or the show Cops




We went to a cabin in September with the family



Office party- Nate was Michael (Martin Luther King Jr.) and Ruthie was Karen

Horseback riding at the Henryville Forestry with Brian and Cindy Arbuckle

Putting up our first artificial Christmas tree

The Haags took us to a Colts game!

Our Crazy Christmas Sweater party!

Merry New Year!

Haha!!! Friends and family, its been a while. Sorry for the poor planning on my part (Nate). We started this blog because it was going to be a HUGE fall/winter and then we didn't keep anybody up to date.
I'm sitting here listening to Ruthie's new ipod shuffle and relaxing after getting to see the rest of our family in Illinois. It's good to take a breath and realize how blessed you are. There seems to be a hundred things still to do whether it be at work/home/etc. but ya gotta stop and celebrate.
It was wonderful to see my sister for its been over a year now and no matter how hard you try to be a "tough guy" your heart is not that tough. Iza and Rach never disappoint. Even if we were just sitting on the couch watching a movie in complete silence, the time with them is so fulfilling. I will always wrestle and be in need of God's comfort as i see Rach do Kingdom work but do it so stinkin' far away. That ol' Matthew 28:20 verse is fun to talk about until it really starts to effect you and your household. But there is a deep joy that God is repairing lives and giving hope through such wonderful people.

"A Baker's Dozen"

For a short while i was married to the best donut artist in town! Ruthie helped out a great friend who opened a donut shop and needed a worker from 10pm-2am decorating the next days donuts. She did an amazing job but the ol' hours and due to my pansiness required her to cut back and take the role of "Fill in" person.

"Like Father, Like Son."

It's been a hilarious, sweet, tiring, and joy-filled 10 months working at my home church. Northside has been a great home church and i've come to find out that its also a great place to work at as well. It's also nice having dad there incase i forget my lunch money.
We've gone through a lot of changes in a short amount of time and i'm looking forward to another great year of ministry. Ruthie has done a phenomenal job of supporting me and helping me figure out how to not put ministry first. Her heart is absolutely wonderful.

"Live 2:6"

I've had an amazing opportunity the past year to join with 15 other guys to study the life of Christ with Dr. Dann Spader. Dann is president of Global Youth Initiative www.globalyouthinitiative.com and has trained over 1.5 million people in the life of Christ. This study has literally changed my life. I know i get excited over a lot of things, but this study has changed my life and has changed the way i will do ministry forever. The 2:6 comes from 1 John 2:6, "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked." It's only Jesus and how He did ministry. If you get a chance, i would love it if you could pray for me and the guys as we meet in Louisville, KY from Jan. 8-10th. We normally meet in Chicago where most of the guys are from, but we're excited to meet down here...plus it won't be so cold!

Well, that's a pretty decent update, if i do say so myself. I hope you're well resting this time of year. God is continuing to do great things and be our hope despite any set back.

And i promise it won't be so long before we update next time.

Going Home

I had a fleeting thought... It might be cool to get stuck in Amsterdam on the way home from Romania. My mind changed over the course of those two weeks I was gone. I wanted to get home and be with my best friend! I missed him so much! Well, be careful what you wish for. My plane, that I almost didn't make, was delayed a little bit leaving Amsterdam. Then coming into the US at Detroit I had to go through customs again. I was the very last person to get on the plane to Louisville... with 5 minutes to spare. I made it home safely. My luggage did not. I already miss the kids and watching movies with Iza and laughing with Rachel. We had a great time and I can't wait to go back! More pictures can be seen here: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=1AYuGbRs5cMXgQ



Speaking of going home, a very dear friend of our family went "home" last week. Frank was trying to move a tree that fell on a power line during the storm and the tree fell on him. The common thing that was said about him at the funeral was that he lived his life with a quiet passion. Serving others and not wanting any credit for the work that was done. What a great challenge for the rest of us. He was an incredible man. Please keep the Eickholtz family in your prayers.

Romania update numero 2

As you already read... we made it! We are loving the time with Rach and Iza. We haven't had hot water since we've been here, but we're surviving : ) I am feeling perfectly fine now, it was just the first day that was a little rough for me.

I absolutely love the Isaiah center. The 6 kids that Rachel has there are precious and the house is so neat. Before we came, it was so hard to imagine the environment that they are being brought up in with their families. The extreme poverty, the abuse, the abandonment. They are children that deserve to be given a chance and to be loved just like you and me. Rachel has done, and is doing an incredible job here. It's obvious that God has brought her here for a great purpose. It's total reliance on God and his sovereignty. Trusting that He will carry out His plan. It's amazing. (fyi -for anyone who is not aware of what Rachel is doing here check out her website http://www.fmnministries.org/)

This week at the center a team from England came to spend time with the kids. They played games, danced (oh how they LOVE to dance!) had them play instruments, had a parade around the property, painted with their feet... they were so much fun! And the kids loved it! We brought one of the girls from the center home with us one night. Little Simona. She is sooo cute. I told her I was going to bring her home in my carry-on bag. Hope Nate doesn't mind!

We got to be here for Iza's first day of school. She was a little nervous before going, but when we picked her up she was so excited and had a great day. "The best student in the class" her teacher said. Such a smart girl.

I'll have more to write when I get home and lots of pictures. Pray for Sue Linn, she is traveling back tomorrow morning!

Just a few pictures, out of lots and lots, for your viewing pleasure...

-Ruthie

We watched Hannah Montana in 3D!!!

Outside of a cathedral in Oradea

Inside the cathedral, built in the 1700's. It was breathtaking!

Flan at Capitoleum

Iza's first day of school! The teacher said she was the best student in her class. We were so proud.

Alex playing on his excercise ball.

Party day!

Quick Update on Ruthie and Mom in Romania.

I've talked w. the ladies a couple of times this week and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. They made it to Romania w. no problem, except no luggage. After receiving the precious cargo, Ruthie ended up getting sick. She's a quicker healer and was back on the trail of loving kids and having a great time w. Rach and being Tushi Ruthie to Iza. I know time flies but hopefully it will slow down and they can soak in every moment.
And i know you were wondering, but dad and i are getting a long alright. Between the steaks, pizza and football kicking off, we've had some stuff to take our minds off missing our beautiful brides. But we sure can't wait for them to come home!

To Romania!

In the midst of all my lists and things to do before leaving, I am still in awe of God's faithfulness and love for Nate and I. Proiding an opportunity for me to go to Romania to see Rachel and Iza and the kiddos at the center... to love them and spend time with them. I am so thankful. I wasn't sure when, or if I would be able to go over, even though I had a desire in my heart from the first time I saw pictures of those little angels. I wasn't sure why I didn't have a job yet. I knew God had something in mind, but what, I never know. "And here you go", He said, "you're going to Romania". I wouldn't have been able to take off for two weeks and go if I were working somewhere. God knew, I was just supposed to trust.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I'm super excited!!! Pray for Nate, as he will be without me for two weeks. The jury is out on how he will survive!

Heeellllloooooo Bloggin' World!

We did it! We stinkin' did it! We're apart of this secret society that only a few people have joined. I used to (still do) make fun of people who blog. But we figured since we moved to Indiana that this would be a great way to stay in touch and share what's going on in the ol' Ross household. God is lining up a pretty phenomenal fall and we can't wait to live every moment of it. For example, today we were at Sellersburg Celebrates, the hometown parade and fair, when a man dressed up as Jesus came walking down the parade with the Boy Scouts right behind him. And the good mother-in-law was also in the parade for being the new nurse at the local high school. Always a good feeling to know that you have a connection for unlimited band-aids. I told you this fall is going to be nuts! Glad to be a part of this elite group knowing as "Bloggers."