Abigail Elise Stalnos

Most of you know that Kirsten and I are now the proud parents of Abigail Elise Stalnos. She was born on May 27, 2010 at 9:38pm. She weighed 4lbs 13 ounces and was 17 1/2 inches long. Her original due date was July 7th, but she came a little early. Because of this, she's been in the NICU at the hospital. However, she is getting healthier and stronger each day and she should be coming home in a week. Mom and Dad are both excited and nervous!

Paper Done!

I turned in my paper on time on Friday (my professor pushed back the original deadline to a day later). Thanks to all of you who prayed for me. I feel like going back to Disneyland!

The Source of our Fellowship

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life hwas made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)

One of my assignments this semester is to write an paper on 1 John 1:1-4. My job is study the passage and argue a thesis based on the grammar, syntax (how the words fit together), and context. My thesis is:

The incarnate Son of God (Jesus Christ) is the source of believers' fellowship with God and one another.

For the Christian who reads this post, I would like to ask you to do two things.

First, I want you to think about your experience of fellowship both with God and with others lately. Are things going wonderfully or terribly (or somewhere in between)? Whatever it is, are you looking to Christ, who is true God and true man, as the source of your fellowship with God and other Christians? Is Christ the source of your confidence as you approach God in public and private worship? Is Christ the focus of your bond with other Christians as you seek to have meaningful fellowship with them? By God's grace, I want to focus more on Christ in order to grow in these two areas, and I encourage you to do the same.

Second, will you pray for me as I work on my paper. It is due next Thursday, April 29.

Thanks!

Long Lost Update

For those of you who used to get my updates, I hope this blog will have a similar function. I regret that relatively few people know what Kirsten and I have been up to since we left Chicago to begin my studies at Westminster Seminary California. Instead of writing about everything all at once, I hope to write several shorter entries in the coming weeks to gradually bring everyone up to speed.

Many of you know already, but our biggest news since we left is that Kirsten and I are expecting our first child in July, a little girl. We are amazed at this blessing and we are eagerly looking forward to her arrival (we recently picked a name but we are keeping it a secret!). With this wonderful news brings many opportunities for prayer:

-Continued health for Kirsten and the baby and a safe delivery in July

-Gainful employment for me

-Grace and wisdom as we prepare to be parents

-That our little girl will one day put her trust in Jesus Christ

I hope that future posts will be an encouragement to you and that you would keep us in your prayers.

God bless!