Please Pray for Me!

I have had a very long, hard week. I've been putting in 10-12 hour days (plus worked last Saturday, said absolutely no to tomorrow). I have been so exhausted. But the reason I need your prayers is my lower left back has been really causing me pain. It even woke me up in the middle of the night last night. For several days now it's been bothering me. Some times it would lighten up but not go completely away. Tonight it has travelled to my lower right back as well and into my midsection. It feels like the back labor I had with Jessa. Then again it feels like the many gall bladder attacks I had before I had my gallbladder removed. It also feels like the worse gas ever (but I've not been one to have that problem). I went to bed at 9 pm so very tired. It was bothering me then but I was able to fall sleep. At 11 pm the pain woke me up very excutiating. It doesn't matter if I sit or stand it's there but I do think it's the worse when I'm laying down. There is sooooo much pressure. I feel fine except for that!

I know most, if not everyone is sleeping due to the time difference. AND I don't know who if anyone will read this seeing as I haven't been posting regular. But please if you do, pray for me. AND if you have any suggestions as to what it might be and have any natural rememedies, I'm open to anything almost.

Thanks.

Computers, Computers!!!

Our computer does not like the internet and hasn't since Brother Nowling downloaded a spyware program. Apparently the spyware program booted out our IP# for internet (or something like that - I'll never understand that end of computers; and you know what, I really don't want to either), anyway, no matter what anyone tries we cannot get internet on it. Our desk top is in the spare room, which is where Jeremy is and though he has no problem with us going in and using it, that stupid computer has cable problems. Brother Nowling got Jessa's OOOOOOOld HP working but it is sooooooooo slow I can take a shower and get ready for work before it ever loads. Hence, why I haven't been on the computer much. I have to borrow Joleesa's or Jenna's (which a miracle has to happen as for her not be on ... by the way it's happened, I'm actually using hers).

Anyway, we're saving up money for a new laptop for us. Brother Nowling will use the old one for just his Bible programs and sermons, etc and the new one will be for internet, pictures, camp and misc things. We almost have enough so we'll see.

Wednesday's our anniversary and seeing as Brother Nowling didn't go to the assembly with me we were trying to find a quick getaway, which shouldn't be a problem with the free flying...yeah the flying's not the problem. It's our jobs, I work during the week and he works weekends. I don't have any vacation time as I used it for camp, IYC and the assembly. I could pull off one day but the flights within Alaska have cut back to one a day to most places and that time table means taking the day before off. Not happening. So we'll be using the gift certificate my boss gave me a couple of months ago for this fancy restraunt downtown. Get this, it's $70 gift certificate but people keep telling me we'll still have to put more with it. That just seems sooo wrong to spend that much on food. But since the majority won't be coming out of our pockets, we're going to do it.

Speaking of work. Please pray for me. I am so far behind. I've worked the last two Saturdays and still don't seem to get ahead. It's only going to get worse with the holidays ahead...but the new person starts the first so that should help. But it takes time to train to...ugh!

I'm excited about the youth work this year. I have felt for some time with our youth group expanding so, we need to be more active. Well last night we met and the third Saturday of each month we're going to have a youth activity and each youth drew a month and they will be in charge of that month's activity. They did some swapping of months, and we eliminated March as Gracie's wedding and youth convention both are in that month. All in all they seemed excited. Along with that the first Saturday of each Month Jeremy's going to work with me and we'll have a regular youth Bible study/prayer service. AND I have Jackie and Heather working at directing a community outreach once each quarter, AND Tim Osborne is in charge of fund raising. Joleesa will be our secretary/treasurer as to be my laison with the youth in communication and such. I'm really excited and they seem to be too. I still have such a burden for the youth but I've found it difficult to stay on top of things to keep them busy and Brother Nowling didn't feel there was anyone ready yet to take over the group. Hopefully this will get someone trained for it in the future. We had 9 here last night. One of our regulars were missing and we have potential 6 more eventually. PLUS by each youth being in charge it'll hopefully cause them to invite their friends their particular activity. I've also stressed that each activity MUST beging with a devotional. I really feel God's going to move the youth in Alaska forward this year.

Well enough rambling. I think I'm going to take a nap. By the way I could still use prayer for my body. I have not been able to throw this sinus drainage and then coughing/choking spells. I'm beginning to wonder if it's allergies. This morning the drainage was so bad it was hard to teach SS and especially lead song service. And right now I have a terrific headache above my eyes and that the bridge of my nose. I need relief.

God bless everyone.

God is So Good

We had a great Sunday morning Sunday School, worship and service. We had 19 in attendance. Brother Johnny Furlong has been in town the last week and we've had a couple of opportunities to fellowship (and laugh) with him. He and Matthew came out to SS and church. I am loving teaching our VLB class this quarter. They have opened and everyone is sharing soooo much. Then we went into a wonderful worship. Brother Nowling then preached "Go and sin no more" and fit in with Noah's ark and how it's only if "we go and sin no more" that He'll be able to make us as indviduals be "fitly framed together" and finish the work and He did with Noah and the ark. It was great (and the man hadn't had but an hour of sleep).

God has been healing relationships. There's times you do all that you know to do and nothing happens but you continue praying and eventually God does the work. It is so great. And I know there's other ones He's working on.

I have not been able to throw this cold completely. I have so much drainage into my throat. My cough is lingering. It's been difficult teaching and leading song service, but that was even amazing. Before song service I was coughing like crazy. God stilled the cough during song service and soon as I was done the coughing started again. It was actually kind of funny...we had all put our whole selfs into the worship and when I got done and started coughing, Joleesa was giving me a cough drop to suck on and several others started coughing or clearing their throats so the bag got passed around. I'm beginning to wonder if it's allergies because I feel fine otherwise.

Going backwards on my weekend; Saturday was busy but good. I had to go into work for four hours and then I came and picked up Heather to help her shop for her dress. I wasn't sure how Walked into the next store, at first we were tag shocked and then this lady looked at me and said "what are you doing here?" It turns out I had been working with her all last week on a German fest ad. She was sooo sweet and helpful. As we looked around, it was getting difficult to find anything modest. Then all a sudden I saw it and called Heather over. It was so Heather and the price was reasonable. See God answered my prayer and then we went for shoes, wasn't successful at two stores but seeing as Payless was in the mall of the last store and we were running out of time, I said let's just take a quick look...and she found the perfect shoes for $14.99. God is good.

We came home, Joleesa cooked the best lasagna for about 8 people (poor Brother Nowling didn't get any as it wasn't ready by the time he left for work, and finished off). Then we set around for 4 hours an "ugly" fire pit that I had been begging to get (that's another story, but it's starting to grow on me). It was a busy but good day.

And Gracie, I haven't forgotten that I've been tagged. I'll do it here soon.

HAS IT REALLY BEEN A YEAR???

Wow! We've actually been here a year TODAY. A year full of so very many emotions. You know it doesn't matter what trials and tests that you face, when you are in God's will there's a peace that is there through every storm. I have felt the mountains of Alaska have been our friend this year. We have had a year full of many new experiences. The fear of the long dark hours was all for nothing. They didn't bother me. The long daylight hours, now I didn't fear them, but I found myself frustrated with them. I didn't WANT to go bed because it was still beautiful. Winter was more mild then Wisconsin's and much more beautiful.

The church here have seen many new faces throughout this year. I feel a real excitement, and as I feel God is going to take this Anchorage church to heights it's never been before. I'm looking forward to being a part of it and I'm anxious to see things move.

Another year...in a place I never dreamed of ever being and actually never desired to go. My family all here together, good jobs for all of us, and a local church with great things ahead for her. Yes, through it all, God's been so very faithful, and good to our family. I love Him so much.

I have two major goals for this next year...a bigger house (we have had more people into our home in one year then I think we did in 10 years in Menomonie), and a church building. I am patiently waiting on my God to provide as He has everything else for us. He is my perfect heavenly Father. He knows what I need and will even give me the desire of my heart in due time.

Doing Better

It has been a looooong, short week. I was swamped at work and had online training to do. I'm just amazed at my God and how He gives us strength beyond measure. I couldn't miss work, there was just too much to do. I even had someone complain that I was passing germs with my coughing. They were told I wasn't fevering, and unless she wanted to cover my desk, there wasn't anyone to do my work, so they were not going to send me home. Towards the end of the week I wasn't feeling too bad but I just couldn't stop coughing. Yesterday was too bad. I had some spasms. It was wierd. I'd actually sleep well, no covering and all. But once I got up and started talking the covering started.

Anyway I'm doing much better. Still got a little crackling in my throat and voice. I actually slept in until 10 am. That is soooo rare. I probably would've slept longer but I have the state books to do as well as clean house. I also, was afraid if I did I wouldn't sleep tonight. I fixed some breakfast and decided to check my email before I started the books and I can't believe how sleepy I still am. It's a dreary rainy day so that means good sleeping weather.

Brother Nowling has started with the cold. Please pray he doesn't get as sick as Joleesa and I did. He usuall is able to fight it easier. I had been sick before IYC and actually just felt good the day before we left. With being anemic, no matter the Emergen C or the Airborne, my immune system didn't get built back up to fight the germs from Joleesa. But hopefully this germ doesn't mutate here with Brother Nowling and make its rounds again. Any way thanks for your prayers, please keep them coming.

I am anxious to get busy with the church. I feel like God wants so much more from me than what I gave last year. And I'm anxious to get going. Hopefully Brother Nowling will make appointments soon and we can get moving Please help us pray for a building. We have been blessed 10 youth and potential for several more. A building would make a big difference for us BUT youth don't have much money so we're asking God for a mighty miracle but I believe it's out there.

Everyone have a great weekend.

I'm Sick of Coughing

I cough at night, cough in the morning, noon and evening. I cough on the phone, in meetings...I am soooooo sick of coughing. I want to sleep but I can only seem to do it an hour here and hour there because I COUGH!. I didn't go to church because all I would do is COUGH and I'm sure I'd hear about it. I also hope to catch a little sleep when no one is here.

Life has not gotten back to normal since I've been home because I feel rotten and can't carry on a conversation without coughing.

Jody and I still haven't had any time together. Because I'm COUGHING! Now he's into his shift at work. They bid on their shifts again at the airlines and he got stuck with this same horrible shift (10 hours/day Wed - Sat, 9 pm - 7 am. Sunday-Tuesday nights off) that blows our weekends but he is available Sunday and Wednesday for church. I know that's what is important but I miss my husband.

I'm sorry for ranting. I want you to know I'm ranting as I COUGH! I'm going to see if I can nap now without coughing.

It's Good to be Home

Well we made it back from IYC and our general assembly. It was just Joleesa and I that went to IYC and then we picked Jenna up at the airport on Tuesday night for the assembly. It was really great to spend time with my youngest daughter. She is usually a daddy's girl. It's not unusual for me to spend time with Jessa or Jenna but Joleesa is usually with friends or her dad. I really cherished the time with her. Though she's 18 I found her being my little girl at this time. We took the red eye flight to the assembly and she would usually have her teddy bear dad to lean on but had her short mom instead ~smile. We have a new appreciation for those that have flown these long distance for years. It is really tough. I thought the long drives were, but you can pull off and get out and eat or even lay over for a night as to split it up but ugh, it doesn't work that way flying. The long hours in the air in a cramped, crammed airplane coupled with long hours in the airport are really tough. BUT I PTL! We flew standby to Chicago and then back from Chicago and had absolutely no problems getting on and none of our flights were late. Joleesa got sick to her stomach towards the end of our Anchorage to Chicago flight, I got nauseated on the landing of our Memphis to Chattanooga flight (both of us actually having to use the barf bags ~ ick) and then we both got a little nauseated on the Chattanooga to Memphis flights. But I cannot thank the Lord for how smoothly everything went.

IYC was great. There were a lot of new people and such a sweet calming spirit in the services. BUT IT WAS HOT! Averaged about 103 degrees and one day one of the units went out in our main dining facility which is also where we had class and services...even Joleesa, who loves the heat, was saying giving me our Alaska weather. But they got it working and we really had a great time with our precious people from around the world.

Then the assembly. Oh how we LOVED the new facilities. Parking was great, everything about it was great (except we froze with the air conditioning just like in the old facilities). The message were so full of meat right from the start with Brother Michael Jernigan's message, followed by Brother Kevin Werkheiser (I think their messages along with Brother Brian O'Dell's and Brother Hawkins were my ultimate favorites). Every part of the assembly was awesome. I did have one major problem...I was sooooo missing Jody. It just wasn't right him not being there. I don't know if I could do a WHOLE assembly without him again. Joleesa (and Jenna) were great to be with me although Joleesa got really sick with her sinuses and cough that she missed several sessions. I truly feel it was the enemy keeping her from getting what she needed. There were so many that were so sweet in helping me out with Jody not being there and just precious just because. Isaiah Peter was awesome for me and Joleesa at both IYC and the assembly. A new young man that I just met for the first time at IYC, Tim Cox of Virginia was great fun and helped in several ways. Then there were our precious brothers and sisters the Adams (Ray and Tammi), the Williams (Jimmy and Georgia), the Thompson family from Minnesota Johnny and Connie Wilson, and the Griffins (Tim and Sharon) such precious, precious people God has brought into our lives overthe years for some reason I found them so dear to me this year. I spent Saturday evening visiting with two of our dear sisters from Iowa. There were others as well that would stop and ask about Jody and Jessa. This really gave me a taste of what that last assembly over on the shining shore will be like some day as sooooo much love abounded.

We arrived about 11 pm Alaska time (which would be 3 am Tennessee time) ready to not be on another flight for some time and glad to be home. We had Brother Bobby Sutton and Isaiah (and all their luggag ~ grin) at our place as they didn't fly out to Bethel until Monday late morning. So after visiting for a short time with them and Jeremy we went to bed only to get up by 8 am this morning so I could get them breakfast and Jody could get them off to the airport. AND I started on the piles of laundry I had (it's still going now) plust unpacked everything and clean the house.

Now tomorrow it's back to work and back to routine (oh yeah I haven't found a "routine" yet and that's one of my goals ~smile). But I've got a major bummer. Joleesa shared her cold with me and once again I have what I had before I left. Scratchy throat, draining sinuses and coughing, coughing, coughing. NO! NO! NO! I can't be sick. Please,once again pray for me. And by the way, anyone that's a firm believer in Emergen "C" or Airborne; I've been taking them both for weeks...ugh.

Well I think I'm going to check some blogs.