A new addition!

We have a beautiful new addition to our family! Abigail Emery Cassel was born on January 17th at 7:28 pm, weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. Everything went very smooth. God answered so many prayers and we are so thankful! Mom and baby are home now and doing very well. We love Abby so much and she makes us laugh and smile everyday. Thank you for praying for us! If you are interested in staying up to date with Abby, Jen will be starting a new family blog soon. This one will remain a place for ministry updates. We'll let you know of the blog address for the new blog when Jen has time to set it up.

BWC Photos!

Below is a website where you can find photos of the Boston Winter Conference. We hope this will help you gain a greater idea of what took place at the conference. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cccnehq/BWC2010?feat=email#

Andy's Story

Our students have returned from the Boston Winter Conference and had an awesome time! I (Joe) have really enjoyed hearing the stories of a few students and what the Lord shared with them there. Since Jen and I weren't there this year, I asked one student (Andy from UAlbany) to share a little bit about how God used the conference to impact his life. Enjoy reading...

My name is Andy and I am a junior at the University at Albany. This was
my first time going to BWC. For the first time, I was at a retreat among
other college students who were just as committed as me to seeing our
lives and our campuses reflect God's glory. The friends I made here will
last for a long time and into eternity, I am sure, and I can't wait to go
back.

I guess what struck me the most about being with these people was how much
everyone owned thier faith. It was no longer a parent's faith, or a youth
pastor's faith. It is ours, and it is real because of the Holy Spirit who
lives in us. I just saw others like myself seeking after God in a
personal relationship and it reminded me that the battle is still being
fought everywhere for Jesus to be lifted up.

God really showed me a lot about the "win, build, send" model of
evangelism and discipleship and missionary work. God helped me become
more secure and willing to accept my position as a small group leader and
as one entrusted with Jesus' disciples. I can say in a fresh way: I am
honored to be part of the Great Commission on my campus because of the
breath of fresh spiritual air that came from BWC.

God also gave me some specific directions for my educational path that
have challenged me to "walk by faith, not by sight". Although I am still
scared, I trust God and I am so appreciative for all of the examples of
faith I was able to witness at BWC so that I could "run with perserverance
the race marked out for me" because of "this great cloud of witnesses"
(Hebrews 12:1).

Overall, BWC was an awesome experience, allowed me fellowship time with
other Christians, allowed me worship time to thank God, let us experience
the joy of outreach and partnering in God's sovereign salvation, and, most
of all, gave me time to stand on the mountain and hear the sweet voice of
my Savior. So thank you, Jesus, and thank you, BWC!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010! We hope you had a great Christmas and New Year celebration. Jen and I continue to wait for our little girl to make her first appearance. No news yet! We'll keep you updated. Please keep praying!

Today, January 2, two exciting things are happening...

1. There is a UAlbany women's home basketball game today vs. Rhode Island at 2:00. I (Joe) will be spending time in Chapel with them this morning after their warm ups. We will be talking about HOLY SWEAT. The main topic is that Jesus calls us to be holy and it takes sweat to get there...and how our goal in life is not hapiness, but holiness. The women are excited. I got an e-mail from the assistant coach yesterday saying the girls were asking about whether or not we were having Chapel today. God is moving on that team! Please pray for our time this morning.

2. 19 Capital Region students will leave from Crossgates Mall at noon and roadtrip to Boston for the 2010 Boston Winter Conference. The conference begins tonight with a first meeting and then...the Shane and Shane concert! What a way to begin the conference! Please pray for safety for students throughout the Northeast Region traveling to this conference. Pray that God would draw students into a deeper relationship with Himself and that they would have a greater understanding of their purpose in the world.

As you probably guessed, Jen and I will not be attending the conference this year. There is some sadness, because it is such a special time of the year for both of us. However, the reason we are not going is so much more important! We will be sure to let you know when she comes!