100%

The local church is 100% behind us getting the building. We handed out pledge cards and almost everyone pledged something. It looks like we're only $100 short of the $1073. God is so good. I am so excited. So tomorrow, I'll give the owner and call and then we'll have to talk to the maintenance man as to where we want the SS rooms. When we come back from the assembly we'll have so much to look forward to.

Yesterday, the Jessa, Jenna and I flew to Seattle for the day to go to the Pikes Place Market. It was neat but it was 85 degrees and CROWDED. AND I couldn't bring any of the beautiful flowers or the awesome fruits and vegetables home with me. Next time I'm going to find a way to bring them home. We did go to Dress Barn and found some awesome 50% deals. I'm set for the assembly with the exception of a black sweater. Oh and we got a GPS but "Gretchen" had her problems this time. She was having us turn down wrong way, turning on to dead ends and was suppose to be taking us to Olive Garden but Olive Garden was no where to find where she took us. She still did better than I would have. When we took the rental back, the man that checked our car asked us how our day went and I said good but went on to tell him about Gretchen's "problems". He actually took the charge off (I think he left .95 on), when I told he didn't have to do that he said if she wasn't acurate we shouldn't have to pay for it. Anyway, it was good day. It felt good to not think about work or the church building situation.

Well, I was up at 4 am (went to bed at midnight) Saturday, walked 5.5 miles yesterday, had church, went grocery shopping this afternoon so I didn't get a nap, so I'm headed to bed.

God is good.

WELL...

It has been the worst bout of flu, or whatever, I think I've ever had. I didn't go to work on Monday. The bathroom and my bed were my best friends. Actually, I feel like I lost two days of my life. I would say I don't remember it, but OHHHHH I sure do, but I would love to forget. Tuesday I had to go to work cuz as it was my poor boss was on vacation and had to cover for me remotely from home on Monday, and I wasn't going to do that again to him (and unfortunately there were $8,000+ in errors that were made that I had to write credits for~but oh well; not by him but my co-workers that were trying to help out). My boss and I are not to be gone at the same time and this reinforced it. Tuesday was really tough. I had hope to work until noon maybe 1 pm...yeah right; I think I left at 4 (only 1 1/2 hours early). I was still only on liquids. Though I wasn't vomiting, my stomach was queasy and I still was busy in the bathroom. I'm glad my desk is only down the hall. Wednesday was better but still only liquids and crackers. Wednesday night I decided I needed to try something solid and a grilled cheese sounded good. So I did. I didn't go to church because I was wiped out and I didn't dare be too far from a bathroom. Not totally great but it worked. Today was soooo much better. I still ate soup for lunch, but I literally dreamed about fajitas. So tonight we went to a Mexican restraunt and I had my fajita. I know, you got be kidding. But I didn't even begin to finish it all. My stomach doesn't know what to think, but I'm good. AND we had a man that didn't want to pay his bill and he was cussing up a storm, and making a scene. The poor owners had to call the police 3 times, but finally told the man if he apologized he could go (I was in the bathroom at this time ~ not sick though ~smile). So I guess he made the speech to the customers and some customers told him just to go. Well after he left, of course that's when the police came. Brother Nowling felt it necessary stick up for the restaurant owners and had to tell the police how sad it was that it took them 25 minutes to get there. I was with Jenna as she paid the bill, but Joleesa was with her dad and embarrassed terribly. He was civil (Jody that was) but ugh, not necessary!!!

Now the good news. As you've heard about the possibility of us getting a building. I guess last night they talked about it at church, there's excitement, but as I've already said, there's that FEAR how are we going to make the payments. Well the man's been calling to ask me what we were going to do. I told him we really want it but reminded him it is a congregation of mostly "young adults". I began to negotiate with him. I asked if he would be willing for the first 3 months to charge only $.75/sq ft and then go to the $1/sq ft. He was awesome, and said he would. Then he proceeded to ask when we would want to get in, I asked when he was looking at...IF we did take it. We both kind of said August 1st (although I think I'll tell him August 15 because of the assembly). He asked if I could call him in Hawaii on Monday and let him know where we stand.

Have you ever had something that you felt God SOOOOO much in, but more people then you need to see it too. We have more than half of the $1073 committed, but there's still about $400 to come up with. AND it's scary. But now this way it gives us 3 MONTHS that we only need an additional $200 and AND WE HAVE 3 MONTHS TO REALLY RAISE FUNDS to build our expense EMERGENCY fund for a time when we all may be having it rough. Ugh! As far as "how" can each individual do their part...everyone of us has things we can do without AND GOD will bless.

To think that we would have ROOM to grow. It's something also, that by taking this step of faith, growth can and will come spiritually too. Please, please, please pray (as I know you have)!!!

Never Been So Sick

I was woken up Sunday morning at 3 am making a mad dash for the bathroom. Usually I can fight it off but no way this time. It came at full fl edge. Then I found myself sitting and a bucket on my lap as it was coming from both directions. Every 15 minutes. If I took a sip of Sprite or ice chips I was right in there. By noon my lips were cracking, I was so thirsty and weak. When Jody got home from Church he to me to the emergency room. My electrolytes and potassium levels were dangerously low. They hooked me up for two hours to an IV to replenish both of those and more and then I was sent home with a pill for the nausea. I have slept through the last 24 hours. I feel like I've lost a day of my life and so quickly. Now I'm not nauseated but I still can't move from the bathroom. I've drank apple juice, water and jello, that's it. I drinking some herb tea.

One of bad things is my boss was on vacation this week. I called him at home last night. He was so great. He was checking my stuff from home and connecting with my coworkers and his boss to get my job. He is a great boss. I guess his son-in-law had it a few weeks ago so he has an idea how bad it is.

Anyway, please pray for a quick recovery I need to get back to work. They don't know if it was food poisoning or just virile. The doctors say 3 days for recovering and I don't have 3 days. So your prayers are requested again. Thanks

The Building

You would think the 700 sq ft would feel spacious but by the time you get a piano, pulpit, altar ( I will be THRILLED to have an altar)and it partitioned off for 2 SS rooms, which is what we really need, we wouldn't have much more room then we do now. I so long to have enough space to have a Holy Ghost, flag waving march. The Lord knows what we NEED. I'm willing to even go back to the man and negotiate more. BUT he's already come down considerably AND I would really like to see our young people put their faith into action and trust the Lord as for them to make a commitment. They will be robbed of so many blessings, in more ways than one, if they don't. Even it's a small commitment, God knows their heart and their faith and will bless them accordingly.

I remember when Brother Nowling and I were first married, the local church we were members at (Church of God of Prophecy) had just built a new dome church. Each WORKING member had made the commitment to pay $40/month. There were plenty of months that it was tough as a young couple just starting out. But you know what God honored our faithfulness and we made it. I know He'll do the same for this group.

Megan, it's not in Midtown. It's just before Barnes and Noble (I figure that's a landmark you'd remember ~ grin)on the right hand side. Right off Northern lights. Very easy to get to and plenty of parking.

It is such a scary thing to even think of taking on any kind of payments with such a young congregation. Brother Nowling and I are more than willing to do all that we can and beyond, but it's their church too. You know how when someone gives you something. You would like it, enjoy it, take care of it, etc but buy it with your own money...you cherish it, it truly BELONGS to you. I think of Joleesa with gas prices as they are, any time she thinks about making an extra trip for something, or if she makes a wrong turn, her comment is "do you see those gas prices". She's even started "driving" her car differently. If it was left to us to take her around, or she was driving our car, with our gas...the effect wouldn't be the same. That's the way I feel this can be. God can, and I believe WILL help us make it happen if were WILLING. It will be interesting to see how badly everyone really wants a building. But it's one thing to talk about it and another thing when you can help make it happen, but you've got consider what you may have to sacrifice.

I've got to leave it in the Lord's hands or I will make myself sick over it. But I so want altar. I so want to see children being taught when they come, I want to feel free to HAVE children come, I want Jeremy and Heather (and other young parents that may come )to feel comfortable bringing their baby to church (hopefully we can make the children's SS class a little bit of a nursery too; plus the bathrooms are right there. No going outside into someone elses home and some times finding the door locked), I want to have space to run if I feel the Spirit on me to run. Brother Werkheiser showed how to allow the Spirit to move even in our tight quarters and I PTL for that, but what freedom the Spirit can have when we have the room. Also, we can advertise. People will see the name on the building and it'll be it's own advertisement. We can have monthly dinners to raise funds for different things. This small group really hasn't done that. I know it's a lot of "I" but it truly is for the right reason.

My heart is so desiring to see Anchorage move forward for the Lord and His Church and many of us have said "we need a building", maybe, just maybe this is our chance. If it is the Lord making a way for us, I don't want us to miss it as I know the suffering that can take place when one doesn't listen. So thank you to those who have been praying, and please continue to pray. We need to be in God's will.

Please Continue to Pray!

I went and saw a space that's for rent. Let me tell you the story. Back when we first made the commitment to come to Anchorage I put my resume on a website that's free to potential employees but costs employers to receive them. A man that owns the Sunshine Plaza downtown and now many other properties in town contacted me. I interviewed over the phone with him during my lunch break. He offered me a management position, but I told him I needed to pray about it. Then the newspaper offered me a job while I was at the assembly. This man counter offered but for many reasons I just didn't feel like that was the direction I was suppose to go (and I still feel good in that). After I was on the job for a few months he called me again to see if I was satisfied at the paper and I assured him I was. Then last winter he called again. He had purchased more property and wanted to talk to me. Jody went with me as he wanted me to meet him at his house. Mind you this man is Asian, lives in Hawaii, has a condo and lots of property here in Alaska, but his wife had recently passed away. He once again wanted me to come and work for him. I basically told him I wanted to meet with his son as he was getting up there in years and his son was doing a lot of the managing of his properties and I would want to be sure he wanted me also before I gave up a good job. He understood and said he would set something up. His secretary called me on two occasions and said that they still wanted to get together but they had been really busy. Then last week the man calls again. Really wanting to get a hold of me. I called him, his first question, was do you still have a job at the newspaper as he saw the article saying ADN laid off 35people. After I assured him I still had a job. He went on to share that he was desperately need of help. I told him could possibly help him temporarily part-time. Then I proceeded to ask him if he had property that our church may rent. Remember, I've met with this man on 3 occasions, spoke with him numerous times on the phone. One of the things that he has brought up in every meeting is the fact that we were willing to leave the lower 48 and come up here to work for God. So he proceeded to tell me he did and he would work with us. He told me where the building was so I could go look at it. I drove down after work on Thursday and then called him Friday and met with him today at noon.

The building is on Northern Lights just across from Blockbuster. There are two spaces available. One 700 sq ft and one 1073 sq ft. They will fix them to our needs. Meaning with 2 - 3/4 walls so that we can have Sunday School rooms. There is so much potential for the larger room. It's in a complex with other business but down a hall with only the empty space at this time. He usually charges $1.65 a sq ft which is avg from what I've seen. But he would give it to us for $1/sq ft includes all utilities. There's bathrooms right outside the door of the space we would have. We would have a sign put on the outside of the building. We would have to make signs to put down the various halls so people would know where to find us. When I left him this morning, I was sick to my stomach. I have felt all along that some how God had placed this man in my life for the sake of the church finding a building. And then when he kept popping up...I knew I had to approach him on it.

So why was I sick to my stomach? Because it's going to take all of us stepping out in faith to make the commitment to make those payments. I am confident that it's time that these precious people do that. SO please continue to pray that we all come together in unity with financial commitment from all to make this happen if it's God's will.

Oh about the job. His accountant has been diagnosed with cancer. They think they have caught it early enough but she's going through chemo and can't put in the numbers that she has in the past during tourist season. So they actually are looking for another full time accountant but has asked if I (and I mentioned Jenna could possibly help) could give 12-16 hours a week doing receivables, collections and payable. I told him I would do what I could. His son is suppose to call me. He would pay me a consultant fee, not as employee, being I'm only temporary. If everything comes together I would use this toward the church.

So please, please, please pray. I don't know how much time we have to make the decision but God knows and can pull it all together. We NEED a bigger space. That it is. We could have dinners there, etc.
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Pray! Pray! Pray! And PTL!

We may have found a building. This has a long story to it that I'll share if everything goes through. Right now, I ask that you help me pray, that if this where God wants us that everything will come together.

Also, I can't get over how good God has been to me this week. I had been really sick for several weeks, I emailed a couple of dear sisters and they prayed and had their local church pray, and all week I have felt the best I have felt in months actually. Then you read abut my win on Tuesday. Wednesday I didn't have any sales but today I took first again. Yeah, first $200 Best Buy certificates and now today $200 Nordstroms. I've only been in Nordstroms once. They're like a Macy. I don't know what $200 will buy but I'm greatful to God for the "gifts" for doing my job.

I WON!!!

No I didn't win a game. I know miracles do still happen, but when it comes to games I need a miracle. BUT I won a $200 gift card to Best Buy for selling the most online advertising today at work. We're having a 3 day promo and each day there'2 $200, $100 and $25 gift cards to different places. Today was Best Buy, tomorrow restaurant(s) of your choice and Nordstrom's for Thursday. I sold $23,000+ today. The second place was $9,000 so I did good. I was really whipped by about 1 pm though. It's not easy trying to make everything come together for your clients. But it felt good to win. I have 3 appointments tomorrow. I hope to make some sales but they'll be nowhere near today's revenue. I'll even take 3rd. The great thing is I also get a major bonus because I not only made my goal, but I reached my stretch goal. Along with that I also get my commission once the ads run. God is good.

The bad news is Anchorage Daily News laid off 35 people yesterday. McClatchy, which is I think 2nd or 3rd largest newspaper group in the country, laid off 9% of it's employees across the state. My department lost it's two administrative assistants. Anyone in sales is pretty safe as long as they are bringing in money. Trust me, it gets scary sometimes. I handle some of the largest accounts and I've had a couple of bad months. But it's picking up right now and I thank the Lord. My heart goes out to those who lost their jobs. I don't know who else it was. I heard the news department got hit the hardest. We're all having to do more with less people. Stress is alive and well at my job, but I thank the Lord I've got a job and He's been good to me.

Well, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

A Lazy Weekend

This is going to be a lazy weekend. It started raining last night and is kind of dreary today so it's good sleeping weather. Consider we're starting the long days, I don't mind a dreary evening and morning as I sleep better. When the sun is shining bright, people don't belong sleeping. But summer in Alaska, if that was the case Alaskans would never sleep.

Today Alaska Airlines is having their company picnic. Get this Jody had to pay $5 a ticket...but at least they have one. Anchorage Daily News doesn't do anything summer, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Any way, we're going to it because Jody said they're giving away some great prizes, like positive space airline tickets. Yeah, we can fly free stand-by but in the summer that's a challenge because the flights are full. Positive space is basically free guaranteed tickets. It's been a long time since I have won anything, hopefully today will be a good day for one of us.

After that Joleesa and I are going to spend some time together. Tomorrow's Father's Day (I think we're going out to eat) and I've got my youth service. The greatest gift someone can give Brother Nowling is take him fishing. He is sooooo wanting to go fishing but it's tough because he works weekends and everyone else works during the week. One of these days he's going over to Bethel and do some real fishing with Brother Mojin. He was wanting to go this Monday, but realized with it being father's day and all he probably has a house full. Hopefully soon.

Well, I better get busy. Though I'm washing clothes, I need to load the dishwasher and pick up a bit, shower and get ready for the picnic. Everyone have a great weekend.

We're Going to Have Okra!!!

Yep thanks to our fourth daughter, Jackie, we're going to have Okra. Brother Nowling and I really like okra. She works in the garden center at Fred Meyer and picked us up a package (I think they were mainly for Brother Nowling, but he'll share~I think). I told her she had to plant them though. Saturday Jenna and I went to Fred Meyer while Jackie was working. The plan was to buy dirt, flowers and a planter for the okra. I had a pot that hangs on the house and two other pots that I wanted flowers in. Jenna was going to buy the planter for the okra, well we both bought flowers with Jackie's help. Although Jackie wasn't very assertive in telling us we were buying too much, as Jenna bought some also. I had hoped that Jackie would plant them (with my help of course) Saturday after youth Bible Study. Well that was before she got sick. She wasn't feeling the best at work and by the time she got home she was really feeling rotten, so they didn't make it and my flowers and okra didn't get planted. She was really sick by Sunday and I knew she wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I determined I would plant them when I got home tonight. Well her and Josh were at the house when I got home and she felt sorry for me (or maybe it was the flowers she felt sorry for) and in her sickly state she began to plant the flowers. But we had more flowers then we had pots and dirt. So we all headed out to a different Fred Meyer (not the one she works at) to get pots. NOTE: NEVER take Brother Nowling with to get flowers or more importantly DIRT again. He was so annoying about not wanting me to have dirt left over and yet kept saying we didn't have enough. Ugh! Any way we got what we needed and went home. Josh and Brother Nowling started a fire in the fire pit (I really like our fire pit; wish it wasn't so big and ugly, but I love that we have one) while I attempted to help Jackie finish up the flowers. Here's the pictures I took before my camera went dead. I'll try to keep you updated on their progress. I have a tendency to plant flowers and not take very good care of them; I think with Jackie around she won't let that happen. Sorry these are reversed again. I forget....




The Fuchsia Jenna got me for mother's day is looking gorgeous. I haven't killed it yet and fortunately neither did our neighbor girl.

This is the okra that hopefully will be ready by Thanksgiving time. Remember it's Alaska.






I have no idea what kind of flowers we planted, all I cared about is the color, cost and if I liked them. Jackie knew which ones "trailed", etc so that's all that matter. I'm looking forward to them brightening our deck.

Random camp pictures

As usual blogger does everything in reverse...you may want to scroll down and work your way up.

Do you see the likeness?

A true conversion....

I love this sight!!! Victory in the sky.

Getting ready to share our victory balloons.

One of the best camp pictures ever...taken during the banquet.

Banquet "Victory Celebration"

A famous pose of Brother Nowling's (it's because he's hard of hearing)

Josh and Jackie Grant, they really are awake and enjoying themselves.

Brother Werkheiser, campfire and smores.

Building a bridge during rec time.


My "weight loss class" challenge. Brother Grant, Tim, Micah and Isaiah thought they were strong so we had a push-up contest. Most push ups in 30 seconds. Tim won but then had to do push up with wood logs on his back. The weight made it more difficult.

It's Over, but I feel we have a new beginning.

We had an AWESOME camp. We didn't have anyone, saved, sanctified or filled with the Holy Ghost. But we had young people experiencing liberty in the Lord. Brother Werkheiser preached under the anointing every night. Monday night I blew the worship songs and the skit I felt so strongly about flopped. Though Jessa and I had practiced the songs and in practice we did fine. I could not get us on key. Jessa was trying to help me but I couldn't hear because of the noise of the freezer. I had felt so inspired by a simple skit while we were singing Josh(Satan) went around and tied ropes around various people and then Jody (a minister of the gospel) with Bible in hand, released the ropes all while we were singing "My Chains Are Gone" and the "Press On". I turned it Brother Werkheiser praying he could find the direction that I couldn't. He got up their and said he thanked God for giving him confirmation during the worship. I'm like, "How?" and he preached about taking a stand no matter what. It was a great message (all of his messages were) and the Holy Ghost broke out but then everyone sat on it...he turned it to me and I KNEW God wasn't done. I had know idea what He wanted to do or what I was to do but I was not going to close out until "the Chains were gone" and He did what He wanted to do. Brother Werkheiser stepped up beside and gave his confirmation that God wanted to do do more that people were "sitting" on Him. The Spirit broke out again. This is really the first time since being in Alaska I saw these people allow God this kind of liberty. I feel like some depth was established and it'll be a new beginning for many.

We also had great fun. We built human bridges, marshmallow spaghetti buildings, a life size battleship game and more. We had 22 total in attendance but only 5 not VLB age or under. I find myself physically exhausted but spiritually encouraged beyond words. Most of all we had one young lady that came to church Sunday morning who went home and packed within less then an hour later was on her way to camp with us. This was a young lady that I had prayed and cried out to God regarding a certain situation. I had done all I knew to do for this situation for almost a year but it didn't seem to change, but I saw God do some work here and I can't praise Him enough for it.

Then there was the banquet. I usually have a lot of fun with preparing the banquet but I couldn't come up with a catchy theme or program. Our camp theme was "Be Strong in the Lord". I knew I wanted a victory party...so that's what we had we had a victory party. Nascar, VLB style. Our colors were red, black and white, white black and white checkered table cloths, red crepe paper, red and white paper products, and red and black balloons with white string AND a race car pinata. I kept thinking it was too simple and not special enough. But it turned out pretty good. Everyone was given a blank piece of paper that was their ticket to the party BUT they had to write out a victory scripture on it as to get in. As they shared the scriptures they took a turn at the pinata which brought laughs as grown people swung the bat at the air. Then then we shared our victory as we went outside and let our balloons go with the scriptures attached. I always love watching that. It was different then any banquet I've done in the past but I feel good about it.

Through and through, it was a good camp. My only complaint is not getting enough sleep. Our services went late so that made late bedtimes and then I couldn't sleep. I am sooooooo exhausted. But I'll catch up. Oh and the other thing it was cool and cloudy and we had no one to be baptised so Brother Werkheiser didn't get the Alaskan experience of baptising at 10 pm in the cold Alaska waters. I think he'd been praying. Oh Sister Smith, please have your husband check his minister's report. He better not have any number in the baptized in water spot...he tried to tell me that two capsizing in a canoe and him sitting in another canoe qualified as a "baptism" because they were submerged. ~smile. If you ask Jessa and Jacob I assure you they did not present themselves willing for that submerging. Gotta love the man. Truly you do.

Well, I think I'll head to bed. I'll try to post pictures later.

Oh Sister Smith, I reminded Brother W. about the rhubarb. He was going to get from Grants before he left...so I did my part ~ grin.