Back online (07/18/08)
<p>Over the last few days, we've moved duncanandmeg.org from our old server to a new one. The site was down for part of this time, but it is now available again. Not everything is back online yet (like the photo gallery), but we hope to have that back online soon.</p><p><i>[Update 7/19/08: <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/">Photos</a> are now back online.]</i></p>
May & June (06/26/08)
<p><img src="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/albums/May08/0512Anniversary/thumb_DSCF1712.JPG" style="MARGIN:1em 0pt 0pt 1em; WIDTH:75px; HEIGHT:100px; FLOAT:right">Time
has flown. May was a busy month for us, often with one event crowding right
after another for several days at a time. June was less busy, but is almost over
too.</p>
<p>
We have been posting pictures occasionally over the last two months, but have
not written an update in a while.
</p>
<p>
A quick rundown of activities is below (links go to appropriate photo
galleries):
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Meg planned a "surprise" weekend for her sister Beth and for her Mom on the
weekend of Beth's birthday and Mother's Day. Fun activities included
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=32">a
ball game</a>, an afternoon at
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=33">our
church's Mother-Daughter Tea</a>, and a visit with
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=34">Meg's
relatives the Rinks</a> on May 9, 10, and 11.
</li>
<li>
On our
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=35">anniversary</a>
(May 12), we went downtown for a nice meal and a walk in the park and
stopped at an ice cream shop.
</li>
<li>
Duncan's friend
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=36">Stephen
Howard married Jennifer Gibson</a> on May 24. Meg played violin for the
ceremony and Duncan was a groomsman.
</li>
<li>
We picked up Duncan's sister Susan at the Charlotte airport on May 29, and
she left on her mission trip to Mexico from Greenville the next Monday.
</li>
<li>
On June 12 (a Thursday), Meg played violin for a wedding in Athens, GA.
Rather than driving home late that night to go to work on Friday, we went on
a "Mini-Vacation" instead over the weekend. We visited Beaufort, SC;
Savannah, GA; and Charleston, SC.
<ul>
<li>
On Friday we spent the evening in
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=37">Beaufort</a>.
</li>
<li>
On Saturday we visited
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=38">Savannah</a>.
</li>
<li>
On Sunday we spent a few hours in
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=39">Charleston</a>.</li></ul></li></ul>
<p>
We plan to visit our family in NC for July 4, and then will take a trip up to
NY in August for Meg's grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary.
</p>
2 commencements (05/06/08)
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/displayimage.php?album=30&pos=0"><img src="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/albums/SusanGrad/thumb_HPIM4312.JPG" style="MARGIN:1em 1em 0pt 0pt; WIDTH:100px; HEIGHT:75px; FLOAT:left"></a><p>Even relatively quiet families change continually, and ours is no exception.
Last Saturday, May 3, 2008, our sister Susan graduated with her B.A. from BJU,
and life for her (and us) will never be the same. It was thrilling to be all
together again to celebrate Susan's success, but bittersweet as we realized that
she will probably not be with us next fall when school resumes. Soon, all our other
siblings will likewise go away to follow the Lord's leading for their life, and
our family will continue to change. These changes are good, but strange.</p><p>Another change happened today when our friends <a href="http://weblog.lincolnmullen.com/archives/2008/05/wedding-day/">Lincoln and Abby were married</a> at Hampton Park Baptist Church here in Greenville. We rejoice at their union and wish the Lord's blessing on them.</p><p>As usual, photos are online:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=30">Susan's
graduation</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=31">Lincoln
& Abby's wedding</a>
</li>
</ul>
À la prochaine! (01/07/08)
<p>The French have a phrase — <i><a href=
"http://www.websters-dictionary-online.net/translation/French/A+la+prochaine">
à la prochaine</a></i> (<a href=
"http://french.about.com/library/media/wavs/alaprochaine.wav">pronunciation</a>)
— which basically means "until the next [time/encounter]."
It's a common way to say goodbye, but a happy one, with a
glimpse of future reunion. We have similar phrases in English, like
"see you later" and "till we meet again."</p>
<p><img src="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/img/tn_gmaK.jpg"
align="right" vspace="10" hspace="12">Today we get to say <i>à la prochaine</i>.
Although the looked-for reunion may be farther away than usual, it is more certain. Last night Duncan's
grandmother Susan Kiser passed away, and now she is in heaven. When
we visited her last fall with Susan and Rory, her last words to us
were "I'll see you up there!" Although we miss her
now, it is comforting to know that those words are true. Because of
Christ's all-sufficient work in her life and ours, now we can
say to her <i>à la prochaine</i> and not merely
goodbye.</p>
<p>As we head to Tennessee to bid her farewell for now, we are
grateful for her testimony of love for God. Grandma Kiser will
be missed not only for her love and kindness to us, but for her
constant witness to Jesus Christ. Even when others would have kept silent, she did
not hesitate to share the gospel. Partly because of her faithful witness, Duncan
came to Christ (see <a href=
"http://www.duncanandmeg.org/about/testimony.php#gmaK">our
testimony page for that story</a>).</p>
<blockquote><b> (KJV)</b>  But I would not have you to
be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  14  For
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  15  For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them
which are asleep.</blockquote>
<p>Amen and <i>à la prochaine</i>.</p>
Christmas activities (01/04/08)
<p>This Christmas we were able to visit Duncan's family in Victoria, BC. We had a wonderful time with numerous adventures. A summary of our activities is below:</p><ol><li><i>(Dec 15-17)</i> We flew to Victoria and joined Meg's family who were already there. That Sunday Meg's Dad preached at Duncan's church. After church that evening we went to Butchart Gardens to see Christmas lights.</li><li><i>(Dec 18-24)</i> We stayed in Victoria, and the Calhouns left. We visited a Christmas tree exposition at the Empress Hotel downtown and toured Fort Rodd Hill, a fort on the coast which protected the harbor until shortly after World War II.</li><li><i>(Dec 25)</i> We all drove to Courtenay, BC and spent the day with family there. We had a wonderful time with family and an eventful drive home that evening (see <a href="http://oxgoad.ca/2007/12/27/on-daily-grace/">Duncan's Dad's blog for more</a>).</li><li><i>(Dec 26-31)</i> On Saturday, Meg, Susan, Rory, and Kaleigh went skating on an outdoor rink. On Sunday, Duncan got to teach the morning Bible study and preach in the afternoon. We flew a red-eye back to Greenville and arrived on Monday afternoon.</li></ol><p>We really enjoyed our visit, and wished we didn't have to leave. Photos are posted in our gallery.</p><p><b>Photos</b></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=23">Decorating the apartment (Greenville)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=24">Butchart Gardens (Victoria, BC)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=25">Downtown (Victoria, BC)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=26">Fort Rodd Hill (Victoria, BC)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=27">Christmas day (Courtenay, BC)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=28">Skating (Victoria, BC)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=29">Visiting (Victoria, BC)</a></li></ul><p><b>Links</b></p><ul><li><a href="http://oxgoad.ca/2007/12/18/on-a-sunday-with-the-outlaws">Dad C's sermons on Dec 16</a></li><li><a href="http://oxgoad.ca/2007/12/25/on-the-sunday-before-christmas/">Sunday before Christmas</a></li><li><a href="http://oxgoad.ca/2007/12/27/on-daily-grace/">Christmas day adventure</a></li><li><a href="http://oxgoad.ca/2008/01/01/on-the-last-sunday-of-the-old-year/">Our last Sunday in Victoria</a></li></ul>
Six months later (11/12/07)
<p><i>(notes by Duncan)</i></p><p>Today marks the first six months of our marriage. From a romantic perspective, it seems ages past -- we have learned and grown much in our love and patience for each other. From perhaps a more realistic perspective, these months have been exquisitely short. As we continue in newlywed bliss, I hope that this mini-milestone will be but the foreshadowing of countless more to follow till death do us part.</p><p>More personally, I thank the Lord for blessing me with Meg, my lovely, precious wife. She truly means more to me than anything else on this earth.</p>
Weekend excursions (09/03/07)
<p>Last weekend Duncan's parents came to Greenville for a brief visit. They attended the <a href="http://www.threeoriginalsocieties.com">Three Original Societies outing</a> with us on Saturday, and came to our house on Sunday evening for supper. It was fantastic to see them again.</p>
<p>Today, we went out for a drive. Our only real objective was to see "whatever we might find" (a la <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=judges+17%3A8"></a>), although our general direction was set toward visiting <a href="http://www.auntsues.com/">"Aunt Sue's" restaurant</a> in Pickens County. Along the way, we took a hike at <a href="http://www.gcrd.org/pleasantridge.html">Pleasant Ridge Park</a>. When we eventually actually did arrive at "Aunt Sue's," it felt almost as accidental as we intended.</p><p><b>Photos:</b><br/><ul><li>Last week's <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=21">meal with family</a></li><li>Today's <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=22">hike</a></li></ul></p>
Nashville visit (10/08/07)
<p>Last weekend, Duncan, Meg, Susan and Rory all went up to Nashville, TN to visit with Mom, Grandma Kiser, and the rest of the Nashville Kiser clan. After a <i>mostly</i> uneventful drive, we arrived in Nashville Saturday morning. That afternoon while Grandma and Mom got some rest, Duncan, Meg and Rory went to see a bit of downtown Nashville with Uncle Dennis. We got to hear free concerts at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center's free day of music and saw some of the city sights. On Sunday after church, we all had a Thanksgiving meal to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving (that was today, for those who didn't know!) together. We had a wonderful visit, and were glad we were able to spend a little time with Grandma Kiser.</p><p>(Of course, we took lots of <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=20">pictures</a> too!)</p>
Happy birthday! (10/01/07)
<p>Yesterday (9/30), we celebrated Meg's birthday which is tomorrow (10/2). We had Susan, Rory and Beth come to our house after church for pizza, and gave her a few gifts. <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=19">Pictures</a> are available.</p>
School's in! (08/28/07)
<p><i>[Update 09/04/2007: I discovered yesterday that I was supposed to register for CMn 701 - Issues in Church Ministry, which conflicts with Hermeneutics.]</i></p><p>Classes begin tomorrow for the fall semester at BJU. Duncan will be taking Elementary Hebrew I, Expository Sermon Prep, and Issues in Church Ministry <strike>Hermeneutics</strike>. Meg will be taking a violin lesson for her class, and will be attempting to practice most evenings while Duncan studies.</p><p>It is exciting to see many students who have returned for the school year, including our siblings Susan, Rory and Beth.</p>
New address (08/06/07)
<p>Lately, we've been pretty busy. We've moved into our new home and spent much time unpacking and sorting through our belongings. Photos of our new place will be available shortly.</p><p>We're also applying for membership at our church in Georgia. Part of this involved writing out <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/about/testimony.php">our salvation testimonies</a>, which we've posted online in a new "about us" section. Eventually we plan to include more information in this section.</p><p>Of course, since we've moved, that means that our <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/contact.php">mailing address</a> and the <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/area/map.php">directions to our house</a> have changed, so all of that information is now updated as well.</p>
Moving! (07/09/07)
<p>Just today we got an exciting call from our landlord in Taylors to let us know that our permanent apartment is ready for us. Although we've enjoyed staying at our friends Greg and Ruth's place while they've been in Canada this summer, we're really excited about moving into our own place soon.</p><p>Probably this Saturday or the next, we'll begin moving our stuff out of our storage unit into our apartment. After taking a week or two to unpack things over there, we'll move in officially on August 1.</p>
Weekends in Georgia... (06/17/07)
<p>We've spent both last weekend and this one visiting with folks at our church in Georgia. It's been a real blessing just to be able to split up our driving time over a couple days instead of driving down and back all on a Sunday, but perhaps the greatest blessing has been the additional time for fellowship and ministry with the folks at <a href="http://www.gracedacula.com/">Grace Baptist</a>.</p><p>Last weekend, we stayed with Marc and Lynn Gershman, and really enjoyed getting to know them a little better while visiting in their home. This weekend, we stayed with Marty and Sue Lee, and had a great time helping out with things around the church as well as relaxing at their home.</p><p>This Saturday Duncan had some good fellowship at the men's prayer breakfast, and the people at church threw a wedding shower for Meg. While Meg was at the shower, Duncan was able to help out with setting up decorations for VBS at the church. We are truly privileged to be able to serve with these godly people, and we hope that this summer we will be able to encourage them as much as they do us.</p>
Wedding photos & more! (06/16/07)
<p>We've finally been able to wade through most of the photos from the wedding day and our honeymoon... numbers of these are <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/">now available for you to see</a>.</p><p>We'd like to especially thank our friend Jesse Larson for taking our <a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/thumbnails.php?album=5">formal wedding portraits</a> and allowing us to post them on our site.</p><p>We've also posted several of our engagement photos. Most of these were taken by our friend John Murray, a grad student in Cinema at BJU.</p>
We're famous! (kinda) (06/16/07)
<p>...Or at least, others have blogged about our wedding. Several of our friends have posted pictures from the day.</p><ul>
<li>Duncan's Dad
<ul><li><a href="http://ebaptist.blogspot.com/2007/05/on-view-of-our-big-event.html">his main blog</a></li>
<li><a href="http://theweddingtrip.blogspot.com/">his wedding trip blog</a></li></ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://unsearchableriches.blogspot.com/">Andy Efting</a>, a friend of ours from our church in Georgia (see entry titled "Bloggers getting together – Canadian Style" on May 13)</li>
<li><a href="http://andrew-mel-garland.com/news/events/an-eventful-weekend/">Andrew & Melanie Garland</a>, friends from BJU</li>
</ul>
Photos from graduation & other exciting events (05/10/07)
<p><i>(notes by Duncan)</i></p><p><b>Meg graduated</b> from BJU last Saturday, and then this Monday my Dad and my Grandpa <b>bought us a car</b>.</p><p>As you might imagine, it has been an exciting week here before the wedding.</p><p><a href="http://www.duncanandmeg.org/photos/">Photos</a> are now available.</p>
duncanandmeg.org is now online! (03/24/07)
BJU Bible Conference ends (03/23/07)
<p><i>(notes by Duncan)</i></p><p><a href="http://www.bju.edu/resources/chapel/bc.html">This year's Bible Conference</a> was a time of great refreshment, as always. The Lord had a theme for the week, I think, evident as many sermons resonated with a theme of God's service. I needed this message, having become distracted from God's calling and self-focused in my own service. The Lord's working during this week was dramatic, piercing to the dividing asunder of truth from error and reality from self-deception. I won't comment on every message of the conference (or every message that centered on a theme of service), but there were two which touched my spirit that I will mention here.</p><p>The first sermon of the week by David Burggraff was from <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=matt+20.20-28"></a>. Dr. Burggraff's proposition was that we should not "seek to be a great servant of God, but rather to be a servant of a great God." I found his message most memorable, not only because it cleverly exposed an oversight in a common cliche, but because it propounds eternal truth. The true servant of God cannot be lost in self-exaltation—for to do so is, by definition, to no longer be a servant.</p><p>The last sermon of the conference by Brian Green again re-emphasized a theme of service. This time, we looked at <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=exod+4"></a> and saw how God used Moses, a man much like us, for His service. An emphasis of this message was how God took all that Moses had, a simple shepherd's crook, and turned it into the "rod of God" which was truly God's instrument for mighty miracles. Dr. Green explained that God desires to use his people in a similar way. The completely surrendered servant of God can be a mighty instrument in his hand.</p>
