One Year Ago...

we were waiting with anticipation for Abby to arrive. Its hard to believe that its been almost a year since our little girl was born. At this same time last year, our students were packing up to head East to Boston for the annual Boston Winter Conference. We usually go, but last year was an exception. This year isn't...

Tomorrow, we pack our car and head to Boston. We are so excited to return to one of our favorite events of the school year! From January 1-5, 360 students from throughout the Northeast will converge on a hotel for four days of worship through music, speakers, seminars, an opportunity to go out into Boston and share Jesus with others and lots of great time with friends! Many memories are made at these conferences! Five students that Jen and I invest in will be attending this year (and many more from the Capital Region). God even redirected a student's plans when her flight to Spain was cancelled...

For a few years now, Caroline has always talked about wanting to go to the BWC. However, one thing has always held her back...her family's annual trip to Spain. This year was no different. She was all set and ready to go until the winter storm rocked the upper east coast. Her flight to Spain was canceled and her parent's didn't want to pay for another flight. She called us up a few nights ago and said, "I think God has made it clear that he wants me to go to Boston this year. If he has to cancel a flight in order for me to get there, it makes me think he has something big for me." We can only imagine! Please pray...

• For safe travels to and from Boston
• Open hearts to receive what God has for each student and staff
• Great times of fellowship with each other
• That Jen and I would honor God with our roles. I will be one of the program directors and Jen is the PR Coordinator (and a great mom)
  
• Students would take what they learn at BWC and bring it back to their campuses and communities

We'll update you shortly after we get back. Until then...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Looking Back...

2010 is nearing an end! Students are home and the campus is empty. I was there for a basketball game yesterday. It sure is quiet! I want to take a look back with you at what we saw God do this semester. Fall semester 2010...

• A great kick-off at UAlbany with 144 freshman indicat ing they wanted to talk more about God and their purpose in life
• Students trusted Christ as a result of that survey and conversations that followed
• Great relations with the UAlbany Football Team
• 10 students consistently coming to Siena small group on Friday nights
• A study on Christ-centered community at Siena that helped propel them forward
• 24 Capital Region students coming to the Fall Getaway
• A new believer at Siena started to take great ownership of parts of the movement at Siena
• A combined small group started at UAlbany, with 10 students consistently coming
• Jen and I had the opportunity to disciple 7 students and got to see them grow and trust God in many ways!
• Senior at UAlbany- Chad- trusts Christ for the first time!
• 11 players come out to the first women's basketball chapel
• And so much more!....

The semester in photos...

Capital Region Crew at Fall Getaway

Siena students at the UAlbany Football Game



City-Wide Meeting

Capital Region Christmas Party!

We are excited to celebrate Christmas in a few days! We are spending time with family at various locations. Its a great time to celebrate Jesus and new life that comes through knowing Him! Thank you for being a part of a great movement at UAlbany, Siena and other campuses throughout the Capital Region! We are grateful to have you be such a great part of our lives!

Merry Christmas!

A New Season for the Lady Danes!

I am excited to share that once again, I (Joe) will be spending time with the UAlbany Women's Basketball team before home games. We will be having on going discussions about God's purpose for their lives. We had our first time yesterday...

I was invited to their pre-game meal by the coaching staff. Arriving before the team got there, I had time to sit there and pray. I remembered God's faithfulness from last year. We had somewhere between three and eight women at small group times. Interest was high! This year, there is a new coaching staff. What is it going to be like? Are women going to come this year? Will this "chapel time" be received well? These are all questions that went through my mind. No matter what, God knows what He is doing!

I got to eat with the team. Then shared a little bit about what our times will be about for new players. I invited anyone interested to come to the other side of the room, so we could start our time together. I nearly hit the roof when 11 women came and formed a circle. What an answer to prayer! God is doing great things! We spent the next twenty minutes discussing the Christmas story- from Mary's perspective. We talked about being a servant, security and strength that comes from the Lord. Please pray that they would continue to come and be open to all that God has for them!