Merry Christmas from the Nowlings

I'm guilty of not getting Christmas cards out and thus no Nowling letter reviewing 2009. 2009 was a year of much excitement.


God has blessed us all with good jobs in a time when people have been laid off God has taken care of us. Jody and Jessa continue to work at Alaska Airlines. Jenna is still a definite valuable employee at The Hotel Captain Cook (5 star Alaskan hotel), I'm still at The Anchorage Daily News and in May Joleesa came to work at the paper in the classified department.


In January Jody went to Colorado as the evangelist for their men's retreat. He preached at several of the churches in that area. He truly enjoyed the fellowship of the precious brothers and sisters in that region.

In April I had the chance of a life time in going to England on a mission trip. It was an experience filled with many memories and new friends. On the trip almost the whole team got sick and whatever we had it passed through the churches that we visited but fortunately our brothers and sisters still love us. The Lord bless wonderfully and hopefully they are reaping some results from the teams work.

Upon my return we went full swing into getting ready for camp with Griffins as our evangelist and the Anders as our guest AND the excitement of Jessa's wedding. It was such a pleasure to have Brother Tim, Sister Sharon, and Victoria in our home. We shared so much together and then to have them be a part of this big day. Sharon played the piano and sang and Victoria was one of the flower girls for Jessa's wedding. What a beautiful wedding it was. I know as girls we dream of our wedding at a very young age. I don't know if this was all that Jessa dreamed of but it was a beautiful and LOVE prevailed both in the form of the love between Jessa and Levi AND the love of the Lord. We were privileged to have not only the Griffins and the Anders with us but I am so thankful that my mother-in-law, my dad, my brother Kelly, and my nephew B.J. were all able to share in this special day. Along with sharing this special day, they were able to share Alaska with us. My dad is going blind and I'm so glad he had enough eye sight to enjoy the beauty of Alaska.

Shortly after Jessa and Levi's wedding we received an announcement that Joleesa is pregnant. This is always a life changing experience but for Joleesa, God is making her into HIS young lady. The baby's daddy, Dallas is still very much in her life. He's a good young man but doesn't know Christ as his personal Saviour so we covet your prayers for him and for Joleesa's future. We'll be welcoming a new granddaughter on March 13th (but I think she'll come early). It has been quite the experience watching our little girl becoming a mother.


I believe it was in August we had the privilege of having Keven Lewis from Pueblo, Co hold a weekend revival for us. Keven is like family to us as we pastored him and his brother and sisters when they were teenagers. He was a great blessing to us and once again it was fun to share Alaska with him. Hopefully some day his wife and children will be able to come for a visit as well.

Jenna has been had a year with a camera forever in her hands as she found herself being able to put her passion for photography into use. Weddings, baby bumps, family, friends and Alaska memories have been caught through the skills of Jenna's eye for photography. I am so proud of how she is using this God given skill. Also, Jenna recently accepted God's calling on her life not be a teacher like she had thought, but acknowledged and accepted that God has called her to preach.

Then December brought another exciting announcement. Levi and Jessa are expecting their first child! Can it get any better!!!!

A wedding, and two grandchildren in the year that Jody and I turned 50 made for a year of all years. 50 is a 1/2 century, the year of Jubilee and we are so blessed to have our children near and serving God and growing. We covet your prayers for 2010 and the babies that will be entering the world as well as the lives that have been changed.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all of our dear family and friends across the world.

Totally Exhausted

I should be wrapping gifts, Christmas shopping or making out my Christmas cards but I'm too exhausted. Friday night and Saturday morning and afternoon was spent shopping for Christmas. Christmas gifts, youth Christmas party and our Christmas dinner. Then the youth Christmas party in which I spent big bucks on a gingerbread house (which I thought was 3 houses but it was 3 ways of decorating)for everyone to decorate. We decorated ornaments first. Which was fun but took longer than we thought it would Then we started the gingerbread house, we didn't have enough time to wait for it to set up (I know I should have read the directions before, ugh). So as we tried to put it together we were getting frustrated and by now we're tired and some had petered out on us. So then we went ahead and did our Chinese gift exchange (for the record, I like secret Santa 10x better), went back to the gingerbread house only to decide it's going to have to set over night. I have no idea when we'll get back to it. I'm afraid it was money wasted.

Then Sunday morning got up and made the jello, headed to the church, came back from church where Jody, Jenna and Joleesa were awesome really stepped in and helped even under my stressing. Jody worked until 5:30 am too, so he had very little sleep. Getting the food ready wasn't the problem, it was figuring how to keep it warm and transported to the church (next year it's going be at our place even if it means setting up a table in the living room). We got it done and I had 2 crock pots, a rice cooker to keep the potatoes warm, jello and Waldorf salad in ice cream bucket and Tupperware. I brought my nice glass dishes with and transferred them. We had so much stuff and I was hurting so bad already and Jody was already exhausted, Joleesa and Jenna were limited on how much they could carry but the Lord knew and He sent Matt to load the cars and then Tim and his uncle were waiting to set up the church. We kept telling them they weren't suppose to do anything this was for them, but they insisted and I am so grateful as I was getting to the end of my strength. I planned to decorate the tables like gifts with white table cloths, red ribbon down the middle and across one end with a big red bow. I wasn't sure how it would look but it looked really cool. Then I had gotten striped candy cane like pillar candles on mirrors to go across the ribbon. A little extra was the mint peppermint Andes candy that I was going to put in a dish but decide to scatter along the ribbon too. Finish that with red plates and napkins, clear cups and silverware. The finish product turned out better than I thought. The three guys were great at decorating the tables. I had told Tim's Uncle Tom how to fold the napkins and put the plastic silverware out and he said he could handle. He got it all done and I was looking at it and he had the knife and forks in the wrong place. I was standing looking at it (I think I may have been on the cell phone) and I was trying to decide whether to say anything to him when he asked if he did it right. I said not quite and I switched them. He laughed and made some comment about how he had no idea and I told him I was trying to decide whether to say anything. He was awesome. After having to send Matt for more punch and Jody for butter as I forgot my crystal dish that I had washed and put fresh butter in on the counter, ugh, we were finally able to eat. Ham potatoes, green beans, strawberry applesauce jello, Waldorf salad, honey wheat buns, pickles, olives and cherry delight for dessert. Then good old Uncle Tom and Tim start picking up (after having come around with the coffee pot). I had found information on the various general Christmas traditions and had each one read the tradition and then share a personal tradition (there are some interesting traditions out there)mingled between were Christmas Carole's. The Peter boys sang "We Three Kings" where I'm sure the floor vibrated by their awesome bass voices. Joleesa and I sang "Silent Night", as well as congregation Carole's. A 94 year old lady who's been coming lately played the piano while we all cleaned up. The guys loaded the cars, Matt and Nathan helped unload and we went to bed with a mess in our house, our bodies worn out, physically exhausted but our spirits great as we think of how good God is because He has blessed us with such precious people. We had 14 people. We had six missing and we pray God will bless them with a blessed Christmas and we hope they all know how much we love them. By 9:30 pm I think we all were in bed. I know I was.

Thus tonight it's just relaxing as Jody cleaned the house and is now out with Jenna for her company Christmas party with steak and shrimp. Jenna asked if I wanted to go and I asked if she'd like it if her dad went and he was thrilled to. So he looked sharp in his black suit, red shirt with black, red and gray tie and her beautiful in black and deep purple dress on a night out with her dad.

Grandma x 2

I know I just posted but this was must. In my year of Jubiliee I am not going to be a grandma just one time over but I'll be a grandma x 2. Jessa and Levi are expecting in July. Joleesa and Jessa are only 4 months a part. God is good.

A Great Start to my 50th Year

There's a book out there called the Language of Love (or something like that). It talks about how different people are when it comes to the language of love. Whether they're one of words, of actions, gifts, etc. Not that long ago Jessa and I were discussing which language we speak. Everyone is so different. Some, words are enough. Others like to have something done for them and others like gifts. I'm a gift person. In saying that it makes me sound shallow but I hope that's not the case. I love taking the time to find the perfect gift (or card) for a person. I can shop for days for one person in hopes of finding that "special" gift for them. It doesn't mean it's something they've asked for either. It's something that I listen to them in and try to dig into their personality and find that "special UNIQUE" gift that they will love AND will truly surprise them. I like the same in return. It's not a matter of the cost, the size, etc. It's a matter of KNOWING me! My girls did great this year. First Jenna. She is one that gets gifts for people way in advance and can't stand to wait to give it to them so gives it right away. She bought mine several weeks ago but resisted and didn't give it to me until last night. I've said how for many years when I was in college and as young adult my mom (and mother-in-law) bought me things to decorate the house with. Then it stopped for various reasons but I've been saying I'd like some new things but can't justify it. She listened and bought me BEAUTIFUL salt/pepper shakers in a holder that are deep red with pointsettas (matches my dining room table settings) and elegant pine cone candle holders.

Joleesa comes in last night with my gift but won't let me open it. This morning when I pull it out of the bag, she's got the tissue paper rubber band around the gift so I couldn't even snoop (bummer). She tells me there's a card (she doesn't usually do cards). I open the card, and my little girl shares her heart to mother in such a way any mother would weep. Then I open the gift and it's a music box (like I've always wanted but never told them because I wanted them to WANT to give it to me) that says "MOTHER - My heart is filled with love & appreciation for your guidance, support & inspiration. The Lord bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24" This could not have been a better gift for Joleesa to give in her whole life, but most importantly at this time of her life. Also she had a yellow coffee cup that says "There's no love like Grandmas". Not a big screaming of being a grandma but a quiet celebration of it.

Then I get to church and our young church sings Happy Birthday to me. And you have to realize, I usually lead the singing...everyone started singing, in their own key and to a certain extent their own version. It was like about 14 individual songs of happy birthday. It was awesome.

Then I get home, and Levi gives me Jessa's and his gift. Now since they've got married they've gotten about 20 beautiful quilts that I've coveted and begged for (I believe his aunt has made some of them). They gave me the one that matches our bedroom with burgundy and green. Jody is going to take the quilt my sister made us probably about 20+ years ago and get it mended and dry cleaned and then pack it away for safe keeping.

As far as what Jody got me, we don't buy for each other on our birthdays, we just are allowed to go out and get something we want. Although I didn't do it with the intent of it being my birthday, but I found the movie "Newsies" and so today we sat back and watched it.

Then I received a phone call from Minnesota...as I answered it I hear the whole Thompson family singing happy birthday to me. One by one they wished me a happy birthday. The best wish was from Dorn...he wanted to send me a cane (Dorn I'll get one and use it on you the next time I see you). Mitzi then shared with me how Dorn was sharing with his family his first memories of me. They were all precious. Thompsons if you're reading this...what you did will be one of my greatest memories.

Top all of this with all the birthday wishes from around the world (England friends too) on Facebook. It has been great.

I laid in bed this morning asking Jody if we could just skip today. As I can't believe I'm 50. That was my parents. Christ was going to come back before I ever reached this age. But it's here and 50 is the year of Jubilee and with becoming a grandma (that just still seems so weird)it truly will be that for me.

The day is still not over. But it sure has been a good one. I thank God for my dear family and friends at home, at church and around the world. I am truly blessed.

What a Week and it's only Wednesday

Well I got released from the criminal trial today. So I won't be a juror on this case. I've got mixed emotions about that. It was a case of a young man with charges of murdering a teenage girl back in 2007 when attending a party with underage drinking. I truly think I didn't get selected due to my working at the newspaper even though I knew nothing about the case. I don't read the newspaper. It's not my thing, and seeing as I work in advertising if I see one my ads messed up on a Sunday in particular, it makes me dread even more going in to work. And some times ignorance is bliss when my advertisers complain about the editorial.

When I got back to the office Joleesa wasn't feeling well. She was having severe cramping. First it was coming and going and then she sat at my desk for about 20 minutes with severe cramping and her face was so flushed I got on the phone to her triage nurse, who wasn't going to have her come in for 2 1/2 hours, and told her my concerns. She then she had me bring her to the hospital maternity triage. As we watched the machine she was having some major contractions. It turns out she was dehydrated. Fortunately it didn't go beyond the contractions. But after 3 hours at the hospital and 3 hours of jury duty and jury duty yesterday, I had to work late. A different kind of stress that's for sure.

Fortunately I don't have jury duty tomorrow. I have to call tomorrow night for Friday and then I'm done. Yes. It's been an interesting experience.

I can't wait for Friday.

Jury Duty

This weekend I turn 50 years old. I almost made it 50 whole years without doing jury duty. Almost as today my number was called along with 600 others. Once you get there you are no longer a number they actually refer to you by your name. I was in the first group of 50 plus potential jurors sent to a court room. From there I became a part of the first group of 14 potential jurors. The DA spent 1 hour asking questions of individuals. I was only the only individual that didn't get questioned. Kind of strange. Tomorrow the defending attorney ask questions. This is really scary for me. I have said I NEVER wanted to do jury duty as I am so afraid of being a part of possibly making a mistake and putting an innocent person away. Then I get called to this case. A serious criminal case. You sit there looking at the defendant. As much as I haven't wanted to do this, I kept feeling such a drawing in my spirit that God wants me on this one. If I could give you some details I know many of you would understand where I'm coming from. As I sat there listening to the charges while looking at the person I realized this was real life not television. My stomach churns at the seriousness of it. If I get selected as a juror it will be a 3 week case. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday 8 am to 1:30 pm and Wednesdays all day until December 23rd. I get paid from my job but I need to go in every day and cover things that my co-workers can't. It'll make for a very busy December, but my evenings and weekends will be free until the deliberations. The whole process is very interesting. The attorneys are quite young and it was evident that the DA was quite nervous. Some times the jesting was border on irritating when you consider the seriousness of the case. I couldn't help but think if I was the defendant and the people that held so much of my future in their hands was joking around; I really wouldn't be a happy camper. But then again I've never been around a possible criminal before.

Bottom line, I need your prayers. If I get selected, I believe this will be one of the scariest if not THE scariest thing I've done. I truly want to serve the Lord in this a very new role for me.