Honey, our family just shrunk!

Trenton with Grandma before leaving for CBC

In a long 4+ hour line during CBC's registration

Meeting a new friend in the line

Photo ID the last stage of the registration journey!

Parking the car behind his dorm...new home for 4 years!

New student activities

In his dorm room...

Mom in Jordon and Brent's room @ Evangel University

Sunday lunch with the family!

Our family with my sister Marlene and her daughter, Genelle

I've been trying to process the events from this past weekend. Last Thursday I drove down to Springfield, Missouri with my son Trenton. He is enrolled as a freshman @ Central Bible College, the same school that I arrived at back in 1979 (some 31 years ago!!). We drove down together...Trenton in his car and me in the family van.

Then on Friday we pulled into the CBC parking lot. This would soon become more realistic in a few days when Trenton was not coming home with us...he would be staying! First, there was a general meeting in the chapel...then off to a long registration line...and finally moving all of his stuff into the dorm room at Horton Hall (the same hall I spent 3 years of my life in!). As we spent time together I quickly realized my boy was growing up...right before my eyes. He was eager to arrange his new room...meet his new roomie...connect his new laptop up to the school network...and get settled in.

Throughout the whole experience Trenton amazed me. He was ready for this next transition in his life. He was excited about what God was doing to prepare him for full-time ministry. He was thrilled at God's provision to enroll at CBC. He was happy to meet and make new friends. He was even ready...to live on his own...without any help from his parents. Wow...that one kinda stung a bit!

Our son is maturing into a fine young Christian man. We have raised him to love God. We have trained him according to the holy scriptures. Now he has responded to the call of God on his life...we are so proud of Trenton...and every one of our kids. God has blessed me beyond comprehension as I sit here and consider all that God has accomplished for us in our family.

Trenton will have his older brother just about 8 minutes away as well. Jordon is gearing up for his final year at Evangel University. He just completed his summer internship with Cummins Inc. on Friday and drove down to Springfield with his mother on Saturday. One more year to go...before you know it, we'll be driving back down for his college graduation!

Yes, my mind is racing with memories of our two sons growing up. There are pictures in my mind of Jordon on the drums or Trenton in the mud...that's right, the mud! Each one has grown into a responsible and respectful young man. They are great students. They work hard. They love to have fun!

Now, our home is a little bit quieter. Two cars are missing from the driveway. Two kids are absent around the kitchen table. Two gone...and two to go. Please, let's not even discuss the empty nest syndrome just yet...I still have about 6 more years before that dreadful day!

Final thought...love your kids every moment of every day. Cherish your family. Love your spouse. Build special family memories. Enjoy what God has given to you...I know I have.

Thank you Lord for all that you have done for us. You are an awesome and amazing God!

Love to all!

Missions Trip to Gateway A/G

CFA Work Crew arrives @ Gateway A/G

CFA's drawing on Gateway's sanctuary floor

CFA Missions Team along with the Pastor & his Wife (far left)

On Saturday, July 24th we traveled to Ashland City, Tennessee for a one-day compact Missions Trip. Our destination was Gateway Assembly of God. Mission: To work on getting their building back for worship services!

You see, Gateway Assembly of God and Columbus First Assembly have a lot in common:

Gateway Assembly of God was flooded out on May 2, 2010 with the enormous rain they received in the Nashville area. Columbus First Assembly was flooded out on June 7, 2008 with the enormous rain we received in the Columbus area. Gateway Assembly of God is using Faith Community Church of the Nazarene for their temporary worship home. Columbus First Assembly used Memorial Baptist Church for their temporary worship home. Gateway Assembly of God revised their worship schedule to services on Sunday @ 2 & 3 pm and on Tuesday @ 6:30 pm. Columbus First Assembly revised their worship schedule to services on Sundays @ 12:30 pm and on Tuesdays @ 7 pm. Gateway Assembly of God lost a huge amount of equipment, resources and supplies, plus major damage to their facility…final amount not complete yet! Columbus First Assembly loss was almost a million dollars! Gateway Assembly of God is experiencing wonderful miracle after miracle from God’s divine favor and blessing. Columbus First Assembly experienced wonderful miracle after miracle throughout our entire restoration and recovery phases. Gateway Assembly of God is receiving work teams from churches outside of their local area and outside states too. Columbus First Assembly received work teams from churches both in Indiana and also from many other states as well.

It was a joy to connect with our sister church in Tennessee and see our team work hard on the many projects that remain in Gateway's reconstruction.

Lift up a prayer for Gateway A/G! They are anxious to return back home to their worship facility. Yes, I remember those days very well!

Love to all!

LADC Missions Trip!

Today was the day that our youth missions team was scheduled to leave on their 7-day missions trip. They had been planning this for about 6 months...everyone was eager and excited to go.

They left CFA before Noon today and headed for the Cincinnati airport to catch a 4:10 pm flight...(I was their driver!) Stopped on the way to grab some lunch at Arby's!

Proud of our students and leaders for embarking on such an ambitious missions endeavor. They will be working with the L.A. Dream Center and living there too! They will serve and minister in a mix of ministries. Their hearts will be greatly opened to the many needs of inner-city work.

Sunday they will be going to church @ the historic Angelus Temple.

Keep them in your prayers all this coming week! I'm sure they'll have plenty of testimonies and trip experiences to share with all of us when they get back.

Love to all!

Summer Vacation!

Beautiful Views of the Gulf

Scenic Beach Views

Beautiful!

Sand art by Devon & Trenton

Ashlyn caught this rainbow on our road trip!

Boys in Cozumel...3 Amigos!

Chillin in Jaimaica, Mon!

June was the right time for a family vacation. We planned this getaway for quite some time and were thrilled to be together. We drove hundreds of miles...traveled through 6 states...witnessed some incredible sights...and visited some amazing islands. Thank you Lord for my precious wife and four fantastic kids!

This summer will be over before you know it. This fall brings more changes to the Andreasen family...two kids will now be at college and two kids will be at home! Not so sure that I am ready for these impending changes! But with God's help we'll navigate through the curves in the road together.

At church I have just started a new sermon series entitled, "The Blessed Life." This past Sunday was a great launch for this new series. If you can join us here @ CFA, great...but if not, you can still listen to each message online: "The Blessed Life!"

Put God first in everything you do. Have a blessed summer.

Love to all!

Graduation for Second Son

This past Saturday we witnessed Trenton receiving his diploma from Columbus East High School. Three years ago we gathered in the same gym to watch Jordon receive his. Three years have literally flown by...where did the time go?

Tammy and I are very proud of Trenton's accomplishment. It is so rewarding to see him grow up and mature into a fine young man. He has a level head on his shoulders and the life of Christ in his heart. This fall he enters the ranks of those studying at college to further their education. We pray God's best for our son as he follows God's will for his life!

We held a Graduates Reception at our church for those graduating from high school. Congratulations to all: Trenton Andreasen, Bethany Ferril, Jacob Kennedy, Lizz Nauert, Ethan Steinbach, and Rachel Warner. We are very happy for each one! God bless you as you cross this threshold and begin a new transition in your life!

Now the summer kicks off with June beginning tomorrow. Gonna be exciting!!

Love to all!