This Is My Father's World

An Amazing Day

2011-03-06T00:42:00.007-06:00

What a glorious day this has been both weather wise and how I spent it. I started out spending time with Jessa for her birthday by going downtown to the Iditarod. I enjoyed myself tremendously. The crowds were unbelievable thus why very few pictures. We didn't see much of the actual dog race, but it's the whole atmosphere of it all. We went into several shops and then we had the famous M.A.s hot dogs (where we saw Lisa Murkowski, whoopee). The line was really long but it was well worth the wait. It was a great morning spent with her and being outdoors felt good.

I've said many times over that my biggest regret in coming to Alaska was that I didn't come when I was younger and could climb to the top of these mountains our young people climb. Micah Peter came to me and asked if they found a way to get me up there. Well with pulleys, a sled and Micah, Matthew and Nathan, we started out with them getting me to the top of Mount Baldy. I was praying leading up to today and today that I wasn't being foolish in trying to do this. But so like my mom, I feel young at heart, but body hasn't got the message. So bundled up, we headed up and these 3 young men gave me a most amazing afternoon. I experience God's beauty and that was the ultimate goal. I also experience exhilaration and some great fear as we climbed. As we got to the steeper part I crawled, walked, rode Matt's back (which I was really afraid doing and asked not to continue on after the first break). We didn't make it to the top but I've got further up then I've been on foot and these young men made it happen. BUT because we didn't get to the top, we couldn't slide down the other side in all the snow as had planned and had to go back the way we came up over rocks and tundra with Nate and Micah being the rear brakes and Matt being the front brakes. I was sooooo afraid of how this was going to work through the rocks, brush and deep snow. I was close to tears as my biggest fear of the day, it was getting dark. I was praying and I tell it brought back the fun of being a child as we headed down the mountain at high speeds with the guys loving every minute (minus the terrible leg cramps Matt and Micah got). These 3 were challenged mentally and physically and loved every minute of it.
Like I said a most amazing day. Here's some pictures of it. Though I didn't do much, this 51 year old is going to feel the effects of this entire day tomorrow (what do I mean tomorrow, I already do). But it was great fun. The guys asked if we could try again and they'd go a different way to get me up...my response, uh NO I don't think so. And Micah actually apologize for not getting me to the top. I don't think he or the other two have any idea of how special what they did for me means to me. I truly feel loved by these young men. Now if I would've come out of it hurt and maimed, I would have thought differently ~ not really. Thanks guys. I love you all.

Here's the pictures.

Forever and a Day

2011-02-27T17:08:00.011-06:00

Don't pass out - I know it's been forever and a day since I've posted. I've tried several times over the last couple months but I thought I had been locked out as it wouldn't even let me comment on other blogs; but it turns out there's something wrong with my Firefox and my blogger (per Jenna) so she had me go through Outlook. So I'm back. I don't know how faithful I'll be but I'll try.

Life has been really different over the last year. Becoming a grandma is the next best thing than being a mother (some times even better because I don't have them all the time ~ tee hee ~ having said that, I really would love to have them more often than I do). Grandpa babysits Savannah twice a week and I leave those morning wishing I could change places with him. Watching Savannah and Noah grow up is one of life's greatest joys for me. I look back and really see how our children's lives change our life as they grow up. I have gone from having three daughers, whom I've always had a close relationship with and we did almost everything together as a family, even after they became adults, to adding two young men into our family through Levi and Dallas. Both very different from each other, but both of which I love very much. Then add in my granddaughter and grandson; they now have their own family. When they say they want to be with their family, that doesn't mean Jody and I any more. Many nights I've cried and prayed for these two young men and my girls and their little ones. I want to be there for my daughters but not be "meddling" in their lives. I have been blessed to have ALL my girls close. I knew one day that would change and that change is coming sooner than I had hoped (but I can't talk about that yet, I'm still coming to terms with my oldest daughter LEAVING ME and not her just leaving but taking my little grandson with her.) Once again, another change that I'm having to deal with. God will help me, I know but....maybe some day I can share the tearing of my heart over this, that I desperately cry out to God daily to help me prepare for.

I have so many things to share, and would like to, but too often the written word is taken wrong and I can't say all that's in my heart to do it justice any way.

Bottom line, one word sums up my life these last several months and that is CHANGE!!!! For the first time in over 36 years I am not the youth leader. I asked to step down as I felt like though my spirit is willing my flesh is weak. Though my heart still beats for the youth, my body won't let me do everything they like and need to do. Along with that, I want and need to be able to help out with the little ones so their mommy's and daddy's can be involved. Fortunately, I still have some of the youth through the ABM as I am a bandleader over 9 out of the 13 youth. I love our youth as if they're my own. Some days I wish I didn't as I hurt when I see them struggle. I don't think any of them even begin to know how much this pastor's wife prays for them and has even cried for them.

I definitely can't sum up all the missed months in one blog and I have no intention of even trying to do so. On a lighter note....I can't wait for winter to pass, I'm so ready to truly enjoy othe outdoors by BEING outdoors and not just looking at it. Oh to be able to take my grandbabies OUTSIDE for walks, and to the park. Soon, it'll be here soon (I'm trying to convice myself, sorry)!

For now I'll leave you some of my favorite pictures of my favorite babies.

Ready, Get Set....

2010-08-08T19:55:00.003-05:00

Well crunch time for IYC and the assembly is right before me. I really didn't think I would be going to International Youth Camp this year as Jessa was due on the 31st of July and that would be just too soon for this grandma to live her daughter, son-in-law and grandson. But God had other plans and IYC here I come. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal for me to miss IYC but it's been so many years that I have gone that I actually can't imagine not going. I am really looking forward to that. There are two things that are on the down side, my husband won't be at IYC and still definitely need your prayers as to be able to make it to the assembly. He has only one hour yes, just ONE HOUR to get someone to work for him as for him to be able to go. I am trusting the Lord though. The tough part is we hope to BUY him a full ticket instead of him flying the stressful way of going standby. As we all know the closer to departure time the more expensive those tickets get. BUT it's in God's hands. Secondly, I will so have withdrawls from my grandbabies. It's amazing how much a part of my life they have become in such a short time. I am sooooo blessed to have them nearby. I wish they and their family would be coming also. Hopefully next year. I am thankful that we have iPhone 4 and we actually can do face time. Hopefully Jessa can go over to our house and use Joleesa's phone. I love my girls and I adore my grandbabies.

So any way it's time to get ready and to get set as my flight leaves out Thursday evening. I arrive in Asheville on Friday afternoon and my precious Sister Perkins will be there to pick me up and I'll be spending the Friday afternoon and evening with her. Then I'll meet up with the dear Williams Saturday morning early to meet up with the Hays as to get everything set for IYC.

I am soooo excited. The longing for the fellowship is HUGE, top with with looking forward to the feasting that Lord has for me (and I will be focusing on ME as their are things MY soul is in need of) at both IYC and the assembly. Anticipation is definitely present.

The Apples of Grandma's Eyes

2010-07-19T22:19:00.008-05:00

Noah snoozin on grandma's lap. He is such a doll.

My little lady. She's so precious.

My life has been changed forever by these two precious gifts.

Noah Finds Land on July 2nd

2010-07-05T14:06:00.009-05:00

Noah finally left the ark at 9:25 am July 2nd weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz, 17 1/2" long (little shortie, but has a long torso). 4 weeks early. July 1st at 2:45 am Jessa's water broke with no for warning of any kind of labor. At the hospital they waited 12 hours to allow the contractions to begin on their own. A few little contractions occurred but didn't make any difference. At 2 pm they induced labor. Off and running she began having HUGE contractions. 12 hours of contractions "on steroids" (as Jessa puts it), they said she could begin to push so I called Jody and the girls back to the hospital thinking it would be any time now. Though Noah had decided the water needed to go, he wasn't sure he wanted to see land (smile). He kept turning himself every which way and with every two pushes down he receded back a push. Then he got stuck behind Jessa's pelvic bone. That little stinker was afraid of the outside world. Jessa pushed for 7 hours through some horrendous pain. Tears were flowing down my face as I watched my daughter, exhausted, push through with no breaks in between contractions (this was even WITH an epidural)a side effect of pittison. She was on the border of needing a c-section but she was determined to not come this far only to have to do have that. The last option was forceps to turn him and pull him out. If that didn't work within 2 minutes they would have to do a c-section. Prayers were going up everywhere as we even stopped right there and had prayer. PTL he just slid right out once they turned him right and moved him away from her pelvic bone. The NICU team was waiting to receive him, as is common procedure for assisted deliveries. They moved quickly through his examine and PTL said he was healthy and could stay with mom and dad and put him on mom bare chest and he right away warmed up. He is the cutest little guy with lots of black hair and dark eyes (not sure yet if they're dark blue, or brown). Such a perfect miracle. Mom tore internally and externally which require lots of stitches. My daughter, Jessa is a CHAMPION marathon runner. I am so proud of her. She is so sore she can't hardly hold her son but she is right there doing all she can. She can't hardly sit or find a comfortable position but she continues to find a way to nurse. Levi is right there figuring out how to take care of his son with one hand. It's great to watch him rise to the challenge and conquer!

God is so good. I have felt like July 1st was just 4 days long as they didn't get to come home until July 4th. Jessa and Levi's celebration was better then any 4th of July celebration (it's just their celebration was in their hearts, as our bodies are exhausted). God has changed my life all over again as I now have a GRANDSON and a GRANDDAUGHTER.

I'll Never tire of the View

2010-06-26T13:24:00.002-05:00

from my living room window. The mountains take on attitude. Today they are being invaded by clouds but the green grass peeks through as the clouds circle around. They almost look overwhelmed by the clouds (that could preach). Other days the sun makes them just glow. Last night, a rainbow came out of them. Even on the dreariest day, I love my mountains.

I know it's been five weeks since I've posted, it's not due to my not attempting to. Two major reasons I hadn't. 1)I just didn't know what to say (doesn't make sense, I know), and 2) When I did start to post, my computer went out on me. For weeks my computer was over heating. I'd be on it for 5-10 minutes and then it would just die on me. Took it to Best Buy and the warranty was expired and they said they thought it was the hard drive. Someone at work recommended this other computer place that had a very quick turn around and great service. Well Brother Nowling was not happy about their turn around time or their service, but 3 days and $100 later, I have my computer back. The fan was gooped up with dust and all not allowing it to work. I actually think the fan hasn't worked for a year or more because I had it in to Best Buy once before because it would get so hot and I kept getting the blue screen...get this they told me it didn't have a fan. Ugh. Any way I have my computer back.

So what's been going on...I think I shared ladies retreat and the Perkins. I really miss them. I was just thinking how they would get up in the morning and go sit on the deck with their morning coffee and enjoy the day no matter how cool it was outside. It was so peaceful. Just a few minutes ago I was longing for Brother Nowling not to have to work the night shift so we could be enjoying those kinds of mornings together. Any way, moving on.

After Perkins left things went into full swing for convention and camp. I told Brother Grant we needed ladies retreat back in April as only 3 weeks between the two about killed me physically and stress wise. Yay, it is back to April. We had the Hawkins here for convention and camp. We had a revival spirit going in to it and God blessed mightily. We had 26 in camp (including the two babies and a pregnant Jessa). I tell you Satan fought along the way with things regarding camp, so I knew it was going to be good. Our theme was "Shapened to Serve". Brother Hawkins preached on getting the dirt out. You could feel the struggle of individuals as they didn't want to let go of things in their life that was causing "dirt" to remain. As he preached about letting go of some of the things in the world that creep into the Christian's life such as video games and some movie sagas such as Twilight you could really see the struggles even on faces let alone at the altar. The Lord put it on me Monday night to have the bonfire start earlier and for individuals to write on paper the things that were revealed to them to get out of their lives and burn them. We went from the altar service down to the fire and through them in. I knew there were some that were holding back and some that threw it in but though it burned on the paper it was still in their heart. Tuesday night the power came down and one camper asked if we could have the fire again. WOW the power at the fire that night as we became "set apart". We had our baptismal following at about 9 pm and even in the chill of the evening (and the water) you could feel the victory. At camp and since I realized the great responsibility we have to hold to these commitments AND to not be a stumbling block to those who God has dealt with certain things in particular. To help to hold them accountable and US accountable so that we don't lose out in the end.

We really enjoyed the time with the Hawkins, my only complaint was there wasn't enough time with them. Following camp we had a Heritage Day revival that Jenna was in charge of with Jared Nolen. Jenna did a great job moderating. It was something watching her try to find the Lord's direction at the end of a service. It was glorious time in the Lord as well.

At camp several of us got colds (including the Hawkins). Little Savannah got really congested but God watched over her and she's doing much better. I am still struggling with what is probably a sinus infection. But God is so good.

I've been loving watching my little granddaughter Savannah. I believe it was Brother Perkins made the statement that babies are new every day. That is so true as I watch her change every day. She is such a good baby. Full of smiles. I love to hear her little laugh and watch her play with her feet. I love to cuddle with her either the first thing in the morning, or the last thing at night and pray with her for her daddy to come to know Jesus and for her mommy to show here daddy and her Jesus in everything she says and does. Joleesa is a wonderful mommy. She loves her little girl and is proving that she wants to raise her for the Lord. Dallas loves Savannah very much too (and Joleesa). He is a good young man, he needs to know Jesus personally...Please help me pray for him.

Oh and my dear oldest daughter, Jessa. She is so beautiful as an expectant mother. She has had to deal with some things during here pregnancy that I didn't, such as stabilizing her thyroid and now having gestational diabetes. She's called out to God to take away her fears. I've watched Levi and her as they prepare for our grandson to enter this world. I can't wait to hold little Noah. I will be in the delivery room with her as I was with Joleesa. I have to say, I'm a bit apprehensive of what my role will be with Jessa. With Joleesa, I was there for Joleesa. To keep her comfortable and listen to what she wanted and be her mouth if I needed to as her situation was different. Levi's gone to birthing classes with Jessa...he's the husband, I don't want to overstep him but I'm Jessa's mother. I'm a woman. But I've learned to stand back and watch and step in when needed (though that's not my comfort zone), that's what I'll do on that day. I think Jessa's more patient then I am at this time. I hold Savannah and I remember Joleesa being afraid that we wouldn't love her like we should, and my love for that little girl is so HUGE and I think how amazing God is because I know I have more love in me to wrap around the miracle of life of NOAH. Jessa has dreamed about being married and having a baby and it's happening. It's amazing how LOVE is so endless. Noah I am so excited to be able to see and hold you for the first time.

I've been saying how I have entered another season of my life. I watched Jessa, Jenna and Joleesa at the piano one night of convention and felt so old but so proud as my three grown daughters sung and worshipped the Lord. Now as they begin to raise their children for the Lord my prayers are raised for them to have wisdom beyond measure to stand up against the world for their children.

If Jessa delivers in time I am looking at going to IYC and the assembly. Bless Brother Hays' heart that he goes by faith that I'll be there. I want to be there, but I WILL be there for my daughter as she delivers her first child. I truly believe God has it all under control and I'll be able to be a part of both.

I'd like to put pictures up, but that's one of the disadvantages to relying on others for pictures, I didn't take too many myself. We have pictures and videos of convention and camp but they were done by Jenna and Levi. So I'm at their mercy. I do have a few pictures of the Hawkins as we made the trip to and from camp. I'll have to get them off my camera. Brother Nowling, and the Hawkins and I went to the SourDough Mining Company for dinner one night and on the spur of the moment decided to drive up to Flat Top Mountain but get this, NONE of us had a camera (except our phones).

So does this make up for 5 weeks...Now I need to try to get some house cleaning done as I've been invaded by baby swings, play rugs, changing tables, chairs, etc. It feels like everything is closing in on me, even in this big house so I need to try to get things organized differently. So God bless everyone until the next time...

Busy, Busy, Busy and it's just going to get Busier

2010-05-20T10:43:00.003-05:00

Wow. I didn't realize it had been a month today since I last blogged. Life is just so busy. I don't know even where to start. I know there's that's happened before but I'm going to begin with ladies retreat. It was a great ladies retreat. We were so blessed to have the Perkins here. I have known Sister Perkins for many years through IYC. Last year, we shared a room with her as I flew into North Carolina and rode with the Williams to IYC and so did Sister Deborah. We shared a late night of talking, laughing and crying. As I sought the Lord for an evangelist for ladies retreat, it was made very clear to me it was to be her. BUT she is deathly afraid of heights and had never flown. We promised her we wouldn't bring her without bringing Brother Danny. It's always fun watching someone lean on the Lord to conquer fears and that she did. When I talked to her when she got to Seattle she said she felt the Lord just carried through the air to Seattle. Flying standby can be tough but everything went so smoothly for them.

We then had a great retreat with 15 in attendance and 5 babies. Only 4 of us were over the age of 30. It was a blessed retreat as everyone helped out with the babies and the Lord ministered through classes and messages. We were able to take the Perkins to Hatchers Pass and once again watching God work was great as for a moment Sister Deborah laid her head down and grabbed my hand with her cold clammy hand only to sit back up, determined to enjoy every minute. That she truly did. Saturday night we had a shower for Jessa. Though we were all exhausted the ladies and Levi had great laughs together once again. Sunday night we were blessed as the Holy Ghost moved in our worship and as Sister Perkins preached on Joseph. It was a glorious time in the Lord.

Monday we headed to Portage Glacier and Seward. Such sweet fellowship we had along the way as enjoyed the handiwork of our Lord. We came back so Brother Nowling could go to work and we headed to Earthquake Park (Joleesa joined us) where Sister Deborah could FINALLY see HOW the Sleeping Lady was the Sleeping Lady.

Brother Danny and Brother Nowling are so much a like it was pretty awesome. I am so glad they had their time together as well. Here in Alaska there aren't too many people our age as we are blessed with such a young church. We LOVE THEM ALL DEARLY. But it is such a treasure when we find a couple like the Perkins where you just enjoy yourself thoroughly talking about the Lord and life in general. The men are so a like that even when we went out to eat, twice they both ordered the exact same thing... We came home and Joleesa built a fire in the fire pit and our Southern friends enjoyed a crisp night around the fire telling stories about our families.

Tuesday Jessa joined us and we went downtown and met Jenna for brunch and then we shopped the souvenir shops. Brother Danny became a man of few words again amongst all of us women but he was patient with us as we spent 5 hours shopping. Then we headed home and Levi met us and we went to the Sour Dough Mining Company for dinner.

We were so blessed to have them in our home. Now my plate is full trying to get ready for camp. Work has been hugely stressful for several weeks along with everything else so please pray for me.

Suprise!

2010-04-20T01:30:00.005-05:00

I sent Brother Nowling and Levi to the store to pick up rice for dinner Sunday and my husband actually came back with flowers for me. Yes flowers, yellow tulips. It was a great surprise. I can't hardly remember the last time he got me flower. I don't encourage him to get the expensive ones on the holidays because they just cost way too much to die in a week or so. These were from the floral department in the grocery store. I cut them down and put them in my yellow tea pot along with the leaves. The girls, him (and even Levi) were trying to get me to use a regular vase and I wouldn't. It turns out they look pretty good in my tea pot. You see I collect tea pots I have 15 or so of them (different seasons too) and I like to use them as centerpieces on my table.

In other news, I'm trying to tie things up for ladies retreat. Sister Deborah Perkins is our guest speaker. Her and Brother Danny are coming up. Sister Deborah has never flown and she trusting the Lord regarding her great fear. They're flying standby so please remember them in your prayers both for her to feel His calm and everything goes smoothly as they fly. Of course remember the retreat. We really want the Lord to bless. Alaska's state flower is Forget Me Nots and I felt inspired to use that as our theme. Think about it there's so much NOT TO FORGET when it comes to our Lord. I talked to Sister Deborah today and one of the things I'm really excited about is that I've asked if we could have a music class where she would teach us some new songs. I love learning new songs and who better to teach us.

To top of pulling everything together for ladies retreat we are planning a fundraiser to boost our building expense fund. We have 3 great photographers at our local church so why not use their talent. We are doing 30 minute studio photo shoots. Jenna, Micah and Megan will be alternating shooting the photos and editing and then will burn them to a CD and the people can print their own. Cost just $20. You can't beat that. We're going have some bake goods to sale also as to raise funds for mission. I'm really praying this will be successful financially but also allowing us to meat people.

Along with the retreat and fundraiser, I have to finish with my camp planning as camp is less a month after the retreat. Ugh! Lord help me. I'm having a hard time focusing on any one of them.

Then on top of those church things we have a baby shower for Jessa. I want it to be so special for her.

Between the fundraiser and ladies retreat I'm going to take a break and fly over Friday night, May 9Th to Seattle to spend the day with one of the ladies I work with. She's going there for a few days by herself to celebrate her birthday. I'm going to stay with her Friday night and then we're going to the space needle and then do some shopping and then I'll head back Saturday night. It's been so long since I've done anything without my family, so I'm so looking forward to it.

Then I'm going to take 3 days of vacation to spend with the Perkins going sight seeing. So a busy time but a great time.

I Know, I Know....

2010-04-15T01:00:00.005-05:00

It's been a long time since I've been here but I really do have a good excuse. Every time I'd try to post the computer would freeze up. And uploading pictures was impossible. Our internet was un-secured and it was getting next to impossible to do anything because it was sooooooo slow. Any way Matthew Peter came over last night to do something on Jenna's computer and got a taste of the slowness (is that a word?). So he called our internet provider to set up a password and secure it and WOW what a difference. Funny thing is it took him a while to get all our computers set up at first as he kept putting the password in and it wouldn't take it. So he went back to the computer he set it up on and found he had a typo. Our password was...ugh...I can't share it because I'll be back to square one with it not being secure. One letter off changed a spiritual phrase dramatically. Sadly so too, but it was way too much work to change it.

Any way, life's been moving by quickly. It makes so much difference when you have a baby around. Every day Savannah changes and I don't want to miss a moment of it. I stand in awe at God. The only negative for ME about having a baby in our home again is though she's not even walking, some how she manages to have her clothes and belonging strewn throughout the house. Oh wait a minute, I think she's taken OVER our house. But we are blessed to have her.

Life in our little church is changing as we settle in with the tiny new lives God has brought into our midst.

I am love watching Jessa blossom as she carries little Noah until time to enter the world. Jenna announced the other day that Jessa is the ark for their Noah. Though it may not seem "nice" it was meant and is a cute thought. Oh the anticipation of holding our grandson and seeing Jessa's dream fulfilled of becoming a mother. Now that it's becoming a reality, the fears of inadequacies surface, but I know my first born will make an awesome mother and Levi will make a great dad.

Since my last post babies have taken over my life. Of course the joys of Savannah is present everyday. But one Tuesday evening I asked Megan to come over and I captured cute little Caleb in my arms most of the evening. It was a pleasant night with Megan and her son, just watching tv and visiting.

Then last weekend Brother Nowling and I went to Bethel for youth convention with Brother Bagoni (which the Lord really broke open His Word through this man). There was great preaching, good fellowship in the Spirit and with the Bethel saints. One again I got to enjoy another precious baby, my future grand-son-in-law, Braden Sutton. Sister Annette and I have told Joleesa and Dallas that their daughter has her marriage all arranged and her name will some day be Mrs. Savannah Lynn Sutton. Ok that's a little much. Not even two months old and calling her Mrs. Any way I enjoyed spending time with our cute little man. So though I was away from Savannah, my arms weren't empty.

We've been dumped on with over a foot of snow last night and today. A foot of snow in April is soooo wrong, even if it is Alaska. Hopefully though it will melt by Saturday as we are holding our youth activity here at the house roasting hot dogs and marshmellows in our fire pit.

The first part of May is going to be busy for us. May 1st we will be having a fund raiser for our building fund. Jenna, Micah and Megan will be doing photo shoots at the church. We'll set up one of the Sunday School rooms for the shoot, the other room for the editing room and the sanctuary for the reception area. Jenna will do one shoot of 50 pictures and while she is editing her pictures, Micah and Megan will do their shoot and then swap spots with Jenna. We'll be charging $20 for a dvd of 50pictures. We'll be putting fliers up and distributing them to friends and family. We know there's great talent here and this is truly a way for them to use it for the Lord.

May 7th I will be taking the evening flight to Seattle to celebrate one of my co-workder's birthday. We plan on going to the space needle and then just shopping. It has been forever since I've spent time with a girlfriend just bumming. I really hope to find some "baby" shops.

The following weekend Danny and Deborah Perkins will be here as Sister Deborah is our guest speaker for ladies retreat. I'm so looking forward to retreat and spending time with Sister Deborah. I don't really know Brother Danny but I'm looking forward to it.

Well now that I've updated everyone, I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite grand-daughter done by my favorite photographer.

A Blessed Easter

2010-04-05T15:53:00.002-05:00

I truly had a blessed Easter weekend. It was VERY busy, which I knew it would be. I woke up Saturday and put laundry away and then headed out shopping for Easter breakfast at church and dinner at home. I got home and Brother Nowling and I headed over to the church to meet up with Tim and Becky to decorate for the Easter Breakfast. I had planned on using some of the decorations from Jessa wedding but when I couldn't find table cloths to match, I started over with my ideas. I wound up going with one lemon yellow table cloth and two white ones (there was only the one yellow left; all the other colors were way to bright and ugly). I found one green and two yellow tulip candle holders and these cute birds (green dove like) that said "love" on them. So they became our center pieces. Yellow napkins on the white tables, white napkins on the yellow table, yellow, green and white plates, and white cups. It was simple but pretty (I think Jenna took pictures so I'll try to get my hands on them and put some up if blogger will let me). From there I went to make copies of our lesson for our youth Bible Study Saturday night. Then I went home and had a 45 minute power nap as I was totally exhausted. I headed over to Tim and Becky's for Bible study. It was a great study. I don't know what the young people thought but it was on the Lord's Prayer from "Disciplined Disciples" and it had many powerful thoughts it. Everyone really participated. I love teaching the youth. I miss teaching their SS class. I was really proud to see Joleesa and Micah and Megan come out with their little ones. We have such a great group of youth. It was great as one would need a diaper change and then the other would need a diaper changed ~ smile. We are so blessed.

I then went home and with my hubby's helped me make the breakfast casseroles for the church's Easter Breakfast. I made two, sausage and egg, and ham and egg. Becky made a bacon and egg one and Jessa made fruit bread and a blueberry coffee cake like. It was a great breakfast. We had 20 out. I also boiled eggs and bought egg dye and set it up in the kids class room. I asked those that would to go dye the eggs and by after church they were dry so we could hide them for Lillian to find. Levi hid them in the halls and then he really got into helping Lillian, along with Heather and Micah.

I need to add our 3 little ones looked great in their Easter out fits. Lillian was so cute in her floor length dress with little cardigan and Easter hat. Then there was our handsome little Caleb with his black slacks, tie and vest. Then of course our adorable Savannah with her fancy little white dress with pink flowers and ribbon, pink headband and little satin shoes. Just the cutest sight to behold.

Our services both morning and evening were full of worship and praise and searching. The Holy Ghost took over Sunday evening and brought us to the altar twice. Johnna Wilson sang beautifully "The Lamb of God" and then Levi preached on the Lamb of God that was slain. I felt for him as He tried to find the will of God for his message after such a move of God.

In between services we came home and Jenna took family pictures (one more thing I'll post once I can get them from her). I put on a ham dinner for our family, helped Jenna clean up and did book work while everyone else napped. I finished just 10 minutes before we had to leave for church. So it was an exhausting but blessed weekend.

It's been so long....

2010-04-01T01:15:00.002-05:00

since I've blogged. I'm sorry. I've tried several times and either I had computer problems or couldn't put in to words the many thoughts, feelings, emotions and changes I've been experiencing.

Life is truly different around here these days. We are finding our family growing closer together than ever before. Many time in my life I have felt like my family took the back seat to church work. I have felt a tremendous need to have the girls, Levi, Savannah and Dallas around me. I've been enjoying them more now than ever. I have want to have "family" time. It hasn't matter what we were doing, just that we were together. It's been very special.

I have found myself taking a step back from church work...you know feeling like it HAS to be done so if no one else will do it, then I've GOT to do it. No if no one else is going to do it, I guess it's just not going to get done. It's not that I don't care about the church people or the church work...but it's ok if it doesn't get done. If we don't have it.... I promise I'm just trying find my place these days. Not in a bad way...just a new way. I know God will bring me to that place He wants me in but I'm just walking slowing in the way to that place. It may be a little bit because, things are going to be changing even more when little Noah comes. I need and want to be there for Jessa, Levi and Noah... I've got a peace in all the changes because these are good changes, but they are still changes. God is my rock through the changes and He continues to give wisdom and guidance along the way.

I know, you were all probably better off before I blogged, but this is just tad bit of my thoughts these days.

So Blessed

2010-03-21T19:48:00.003-05:00

If you haven't seen on Jessa's blog or Facebook...Jessa and Levi are having a boy. Our family was so excited as we were at the ultra-sound and saw first hand (no doubt whatsoever)that we are getting a GRANDSON. We have ourselves a beautiful grand-daughter that we love dearly and now will get that boy that we have not got to have around. I've had so much fun buying boy clothes and more fun will come when we get to buy the fire trucks, ambulances, police cars;anything that's for a boy that makes noise ~ smile.

This whole week I have been thanking God for blessing us so abundantly. I am so thankful that God has allowed our girls to be here in Alaska with us. And that Levi didn't move Jessa away from us. I know I would've found a way to be with them during this time, but I can't thank Him, or praise Him enough for giving me this desire of my heart. To be near my girls, thus far, as they bring these babies into world. Levi, though you weren't thinking of me, I'm sure when you made that decision (wink)but I truly thank you for it. I am so anxious to watch you and my daughter see another one of your dreams come true as you become parents. Just don't forget to share Noah Allan with us.

There have been things that I never expected would happen in my family but God has given us a miracle. We continue to wait, pray and try to be an example as He brings a new life to Him in Dallas.

I thank God for ALL things and I know He has greater things on the horizon.

Pictures That Make Me Smile

2010-03-15T21:30:00.004-05:00

I was holding her and took her picture myself with my phone camera. A little close for sure, but so adorable.

This is Savannah's glo-worm buddy. Her bouncer has a music box on it as does her basinett but neither puts her to sleep like her glo-worm. It's music isn't as high pitched. BUT it doesn't play continuously, you have to keep pushing it's belly.

More pictures of our Precious

2010-03-14T19:14:00.004-05:00

Grandpa cherishing his grand-daughter

Grandma and Savannah

2010-03-10T01:11:00.003-06:00

I've tried to upload grandpa pictures but blogger just doesn't like my pictures. This is the third time I've tried. Ugh!!!

I'll try tomorrow.

WOW!!!! I am a grandmother.

2010-02-26T01:22:00.008-06:00

I may not have all the facts, or have all the facts right but here's the story as I remember pieces, knowing there is MUCH more that occurred but my brain's to tired as is my body to remember....
It started Tuesday night at 5:30 pm. Joleesa came home from work and was laying on the couch and she said she was having contractions that were different than anything she had before. We began timing them and they were consistently about 8 minutes a part. Dallas arrived and he took over timing them and keeping her busy. She didn't want to have this be false labor so I, along with many at work had told her to walk. Our living room, kitchen and dining room are all open she started walking around it circles with Dallas behind saying right, left, right, left and cracking jokes. A contraction would hit and she would be bend over the couch breathing and crying. This continued until at 2 am when the attractions were 4-5 minutes a part and I called the maternity ward and they told me to get in NOW because if they got any closer together we'd have her be taken in ambulance. We moved quickly and got her in. She was dilated to two and 90% effaced. The nurse wanted her to walk for an hour. So Dallas and I joined her and she would walk but the contractions were 3-4minutes a part and so intense. After 45 minutes her hip and lower back were hurting so bad we went back to the room. She now was dilated to 4 and 100% effaced. They began to admit her. It was when we got to the birthing room the big teddy bear anesthesiologist came and gave her the epidural. That's when it hit me. This was MY BABY. As I watched him, towards the end I started getting light headed and started feeling overwhelmed so I walked out. I needed a hug from my husband. I went out to the waiting area where Jody, Jenna, Jessa and Levi were waiting. I didn't think about what they would think when I came out crying...so as I saw the fear in their faces I quickly told them everything was ok. I just was feeling a moment of overwhelm ... I'm not sure what. Soon afterward Dallas was coming out to check on me. Some where in the time line Joleesa said she was feeling sick to stomach. I didn't think much of it as she had said she was nauseated several times and nothing happened. I was heading out the door to give the family the up date and Dallas was saying she's about to throw up what do I do. I quickly yelled for a nurse and came back in trying to find a basin but couldn't so I grabbed a bunch of paper towels but I was too late, Dallas (who has a weak stomach for vomit and other similar things) was holding his hand out and she was throwing up in it. I gave him the paper towels as the nurse hands me a basin. From then on Dallas began struggling. As she began to progress Dallas made a mad dash for the bathroom and he was throwing up (not just a little either). This had a couple more times. Joleesa told him not to worry about trying to be up there with her that she understood and if he needed to leave she was ok...he stayed on the couch by her bed. After about 18 hours of labor the pushing began. Dallas was either laying on the couch or had his hand stretched out to her holding her hand. By this time tears are flowing steadily down my cheeks as I kept saying this is my baby having a baby. The adrenaline kicked in for Dallas and he was there at the very end encouraging her. After 50 minutes of pushing out comes our little grand-daughter. I dial Jenna's phone and put it on speaker so the family, who are in the waiting room can hear her first cries. Different ones ask her name and they don't answer. A few minutes pass and I ask them and Joleesa tells Dallas to say it, he says ... Savannah Lynn. No matter what girls name they chose they were going to have Lynn (which is my middle name) but Jody and I really wanted Savannah so I called the family and told the family and I guess he was ecstatic. When they put that little girl into my little girls arms the tears were coming hard and fast. I was and am so PROUD of Joleesa. She's had a tough 9 months. But she walked them in the Lord's forgiveness. Some times feeling a lone, and constantly making her thanks to God be known. I am sooooo thrilled to be a grandmother (although it still sounds strange) but whether anybody understands it or not, I so want to be there for my daughter(s) however they need me. I sent Dallas home and I spent the night with Joleesa and Savannah. I got home about an hour ago. It has been a long, exciting, stressful, amazing couple of days. Tomorrow Joleesa and Savannah come home. For those of you who are not on facebook here's a look at my new grand-daughter:

Savannah Lynn
Born: Wednesday, 2/24/10 (on my dad's 86th birthday)
1:25 pm
7 lbs 3.5 oz
20" long
Just minutes old

My precious lamb

I tried to post more pictures but blogger started be sluggish and I'm exhausted; so more will come later.

PTL for LIFE!!!

emotions

2010-02-23T01:06:00.002-06:00

You know over the years a person experiences so many hurdles/changes/mile stones, whatever you want to call them. It never ends and I guess that's what keeps life exciting. I don't know which mile stone is the toughest. All of them hold elements of excitement. I experienced another major one as Jessa fulfilled her dreams of finding a Godly, loving man to marry. Rejoicing with her at her wedding which was simply elegant and filled with the love of God and each other.

Then having my youngest, Joleesa facing motherhood has drawn us very close (which I treasure). As I anticipate the debut of my granddaughter, I hurt for my little girl as she experiences the discomforts and pains of carrying her little girl, while at the same time seeing the love and care on her face and within her actions for this little one that she will be bringing in to the world. Watching her abound in strength within her situation. Giving God glory along the way. Knowing she has so many uncertainties ahead of her. Praying that she holds tight to her Master's hand all along the way. Leading her precious little girl to Him from day one.

Add to that, seeing another dream of Jessa's coming true as God has blessed her and Levi with a life inside in her. Listening to her awes of it (and apprehensions) this my first born, approaching motherhood. As I watch Levi take care of her, I thank God all over again. Knowing this grand child is going to be raised in a Christian home as we brought up our girls.

Then as I watch Jenna at her excitement for becoming an aunt. As she also tries to figure out what God has for her amongst this church family full of couples and new little ones. A Godly pride wells up within me as she is ever seeking Him.

A mother is always mother. The transition from motherhood to grand-motherhood is overwhelming. As you are still a mother but now a grandmother.

I need to add too, watching Jody in his excitement to be a grandpa.... For years he's looked at babies and little ones oohing and awing over them looking forward to the day that he's a grandpa, with me saying not yet, I'm not old enough :o). He has been cherishing Lillian for months. He thrives on her running to him, and holding her. It's so cute to watch. He is going to make an awesome grandpa. I hope I'll be an awesome grandmother too, but I can't help but want to be sure I'm there for my daughters however they want me to be.

Once again my prayer, is give me wisdom in this another milestone in my life. And Lord I pray for deliverance for Joleesa. She so wants to hold her baby girl, and so do I.

The Waiting Begins

2010-02-16T02:25:00.002-06:00

Tonight we spent several hours as Joleesa began having contractions at 4 pm. Unlike the braxton hix contractions that she has come to know very well, she knew this was different. Several other signs said so too the number one being the intensity and the severe lower back pain. Her contractions were anywhere from 10 minutes to 20 minutes a part. So I called the triage nurse and she told us to bring her in. She had such a RUDE nurse... It's so hard and yet exciting watching your baby going through this. Not knowing how long and how hard her labor will be makes all of us anxious. Jessa and Levi landed in Hawaii just as we were headed to the hospital. I know they so want to be here but I hope they'll have a great time and not fret or kick themselves over not being here. Who knows, baby girl could wait until they get home and then some. We just want them to relax and enjoy the sun and sand.

She is currently sleeping. I'm going to wait until her dad gets home to go to work. Dad will have his cell phone at his bedside, I'm only 1 mile away at work, Dallas is only about 5 minutes a way so we'll wait for God to deliver our precious bundle in His time.

By the way, grandpa was almost as bad as when he became a daddy. He was so cute when we were signing in telling the ladies "I'm going to be a grandpa". But I think the next hospital run (which should be for real) it'll be just mom and Dallas in the room. Cute and excitement from grandpa or aunt doesn't cut it when a woman is in labor.

Well I'm headed to bed. There may be some long nights ahead.

Exhausted but Refreshed

2010-02-02T22:23:00.003-06:00

This past weekend marked men's retreat 2010. Since Brother Sutton was coming in for men's retreat, Sister Annette came in and stayed with us. It was so good having her around. Friday night, before Brother Nowling and Brother Sutton left for men's retreat we went to Red Robin for dinner. Then Sister Net, Jenna, and my boy Braden headed over for a pedicure and a mini-manicure. Ohhhh I loved the pedicure. I had a rough week at work, playing catch up from my vacation, covering my co-workers desk while he was on vacation, ending one month and beginning another month. On the way to the restaurant I even got called back to work. So I was desperately needing to relax. Oh the spa for my feet, the massage of the feet and the legs, the great company and even the staff as they had us cracking up as the owner and his wife worked on me. I didn't realize they were husband and wife until they were almost done. She was doing my pedicure and had a mask on, he was doing my hands. He was telling so many stories about his age, how long he'd been married,etc. You could tell from her eyes that she was grinning but she didn't say a word. I mentioned that and he said her words were too expensive they usually cost him diamonds, or gold. I should caught it from that but remember I had been stressed and was trying to relax (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). Then when he walked away I asked her if any of the staff was related (they'll all Vietnamese). She said just him and her and slow as I was, I said brother and sister and she said slowly husband and wife. We laughed so hard. It was so fun.

We then headed to the house and Net got Braden ready for bed and Jenna watched him while we went and busted in on men's retreat. Not really, we went to the hotel after their service for Net to get some cash from her husband. He tried to follow them to Village Inn but my husband's eyes told me I better not.

Saturday was a day of shopping for Net to get supplies. I enjoyed just walking around in her and Braden's company. My little boy is such a good baby. After shopping we came back to the house to rest on weary bodies. Then we left Braden with Joleesa while we went to Costco. When we came we began our ladies night. Megan out did herself with lasagna, biscotti, pasta salad, homemade mozzarella sticks, chocolate cookies and Net used her skills to buy wonderful cheesecake. We then watched 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and August Rush. It was great to spend time with another cutie Lillian, and then of course Heather, Megan, Jenna, Joleesa, and Jessa even made it. It was fun. Oh and God wonderfully touched Net's migraine. When we came back from Costco she had a migraine that was causing her to vomit. I texted Brother Nowling and he had the men pray. Within the hour God had touched her and she came up to eat with us and enjoy the time together.

As I sat there Saturday night I had moments of feeling overwhelmed at my responsibility as mother, pastor's wife and older woman to be an example to these young mothers. I continue to pray for wisdom and along with that wisdom strength as I want to help anywhere I can.

Sunday it was just ladies for church. God put a message on me about the process of being a Godly woman (if a man was to have come, God would've had to help me tweak it because I felt like it was ladies retreat). Heather, Lillian, Jenna, Joleesa, Megan, Net and Braden were there. There were several times that our two little ones were crying and I couldn't help but think what it was going to be like with 3 crying babies and a toddler. It could get mighty loud in there as the acoustics are strong in our building.

Sunday night the men were back. Some had headed out but we had Johnny Furlong and Isaiah Peter there. We had a good turn out Sunday night but more importantly the presence of the Lord was very present. From worship, to the altar, to the message to the close. Exhausted from the weekend but truly refreshed.

We're Home

2010-01-22T18:24:00.002-06:00

After a great day of Sunday services my hubby and I headed out at midnight to catch our 2:30 am flight to Seattle and then on to Orange County, Anaheim CA to see my college girl friends that I caught up with after 25 years through facebook. Let me just say, I've never been afraid to fly. I USE to love to fly but it's so hard on me physically that I don't care for anything more than a couple of hours. BUT the flight from Anchorage to Seattle was the most horrible ever. We ran in to turbulence towards the end of the flight. I was actually in the bathroom. It was a little bumpy when I when I got up. By the time I got in there...I was being thrown everywhere. I couldn't stand up. I tried to open the door and the flight attendant slammed it shut and told me to stay in there until she said. It probably was the safest place to be, but kind of eerie. After about 5 minutes they told me to hurry back to my seat. The flight from Seattle to Orange County was better but not much. We got in and it was pouring out. This is what it did all week but you know what we had a great time. Susan got us a beautiful room at the Marriott Fairfield Inn (Disneyland hotel fell through the last minute). The Marriott is across from Disneyland and in the midst of downtown Disney. It had one of the most comfortable beds ever. Susan dropped us off leaving us her friends car. We slept for a couple of hours and then the rain stopped and I went for a walk. Susan and her husband picked us up at 6 pm and we went to out to dinner at a Korean BBQ (Susan is Korean so perfect). I was leery as I'm not one for different food. But I LOVED it! There wasn't any of it that I didn't like. It's where you take the raw food back to your table and grill it right at your table. I wish I could remember what any of it was called but I don't. We will definitely be looking to see if there is a Korean BBQ here in Anchorage.

We got to shop downtown Disney. Store after store of Disney paraphernalia but other stores and restaurants too. My favorite was the Anne Geddes store. They had her dolls, her books, her maternity clothes, and baby clothes. After putting 3 books back I came out with some of the darlingest cards and that was it. I was a good girl.

Remember it's still pouring down rain...as we head to Newport Beach to the next hotel Susan set up for us. It was at the Newport Channel Inn. We took the Coast Hwy as be able to see the view. The view we saw was palm trees bending in the wind. All different kinds of palm trees. It was so windy and rainy so hard...when we got to the Inn; it was quaint, nothing fancy but very comfortable. We decided to stay in and relax versus getting drenched (as I forgot to say, we got soaked on Tuesday). We asked at the Inn where we could order some pizza. We ordered from a place that I can't pronounce Big Cheese Pizza and it was great pizza. Then we got to meet Susan's beautiful daughter Elizabeth as she brought us some more gift certificates, this time for Marie Callandear's restaurant. We noticed it stopped raining so we took a drive in the DARK to Balboa Island. The winds were still strong as we found palm tree branches on the roads. We saw the huge waves on the ocean beaches but couldn't go down to them due to them being closed cuz of the storms. We went back to the Inn for the night.

Thursday we had breakfast at Scappy's Cafe and then headed to Susan's house. An awesome historical, Victorian house. It is absolutely gorgeous. Her yard, all of it. It has toilets that you have to pull a chain to flush. Pretty cool. Two sets of stairs going upstairs one steeper then the other but both steep. Cool but I wouldn't want to climb them all the time. The master bedroom has a sitting room off it with a fire place, sofa etc. The house is full of glass bookcases (built in) and her husband collect antique books such as Emerson, and old books on the reformation. I just loved it. We visited with Susan for a couple of hours then went to Marie Callandars for lunch, picked her darling two sons and daughters from school and came back and visited some more. Then her and I decided to do quick stroll down Orange Circle, which is Antique land as I want a Victorian Teapot but no success. We came back to wait for Mary. When Mary got there the four of us (Susan's husband had to work) headed to an upscale Chinese restaurant PF Chang (another set of gift cards) which was in the Garden Walk of Anaheim. This is basically an outdoor, open air mall. Different and cool. Now I see the crazy Susan and Mary coming out. We had such a great visit. Jody just added his quirkiness, keeping it fun. He learned how to use chopsticks (Susan and Mary are great teachers) and was rubbing it in that he succeeded before me. He also was bragging about being a gentleman and opening the car door for me (Susan has an Odyssey van that she pushes a button and the doors slide open ~ smile). These two ladies were bridesmaids in our wedding, so they weren't strangers to Jody or Jody to them. It was so good to be with my dear friends again. Yes, years have aged us as has life but Susan put it best "time didn't cause much distance of the heart". I'm grateful for the short time we had with them and I'm just praying that they'll be able to come to Alaska some day before we leave here (no we're not leaving any day soon that we're aware of, but we never know what God has in mind).

We were thankful for the time away, as always though, it's good to be home. We left behind wind, rain, palm trees, flowers and green grass BUT we were welcomed by sunshine to our winter wonderland.

New Post

2010-01-12T21:26:00.002-06:00

Quite the unique title huh. Well it's because not a lot happening these days. I did fly over to Bethel on Saturday as to take the rest of Sutton's supplies to them. I don't what it is about Southerners but 1 thank you is enough. I without a doubt know they were very appreciative as they thanked me over and over, and over, and over, and over again. They just don't understand it's because they're my "neighbor" that I did it. Seriously, it was my pleasure. There was a guy in the security line that I was insane for flying over on the noon flight and coming back on the 9 pm flight, although I think we was finding it hard to believe that I was leaving Anchorage from Bethel. He was kind of strange. I don't mind flying when it's a short flight like to Bethel. It's only an hour. Not what Brother or Sister wouldn't take an hour drive to help out someone in need knowing they'll enjoy the opportunity of being with them as well. My hour drive was just through the air instead of on the ground. I'm blessed to be able to fly for free and I really was blessed to have that time with them. Top that off with the pleasure of seeing my "nephew" Braden again. I love that little man. He is just adorable. He truly has helped me get use to the idea of being a grandma. I wanted to put him in my suitcase and bring him home as I had two empty ones for him to choose between; but I got the "eye" from mommy when I mentioned that and decided to behave myself. I always enjoy a chance to play games with Isaiah so it was a great visit, minus the flight attendant welcoming us to the flight heading to Hawaii and then proceeding to say, I mean Bethel where the temperature is 1 degree and windy. The sun was shining brightly but the wind was bitterly cold. Give me Anchorage, the 20+ degrees, blue skies and no wind. But I traded it for the fellowship of some Bethel Saints.

In other news I am experiencing my daughters pregnancies at opposite ends of the spectrum. Joleesa's love/hate experience of the somersaults, kick boxing, etc of her little girl and counting down the day she arrives. While Jessa is experiencing the excitement of hearing the heartbeat but facing morning sickness coupled with migraines. I have to frequently take a deep breath and say this the next chapter of my life unfolding and say WOW!!!

Work has picked unbelievably. It's like I've lived through a week in just two days but that's not a bad thing.

Next week Brother Nowling and I going to sneak away to sunny California in celebration of his birthday that is this Friday and my December birthday that we didn't get to go anywhere. We're visiting my college girl friends Mary and Susan Song. They were in our wedding and then I was in Mary's wedding about 4 years later and we lost track of them but found them through facebook. I am so excited to see them again. They have actually managed to get us a couple of free hotel rooms. One being at the Disneyland Hotel (which is a gorgeous hotel) and another at Cottage Inn hotel that Mary's daughter's boyfriend manages. They also got a free gift certificate for dinner. So we'll be in Anaheim, Newport Beach and then we hope to take a day trip over to Catalina Island. The timing for this is great. We need to get away to some sun, spend some time together and do it all before the grand babies and Megan and Micah's baby comes. So Joleesa's little girl has got to behave herself and be nice to mommy well were away and definitely wait until we come back before even pretending to want to make her debut and then when we get back life as we know it will be a thing of the past. But I'm as ready as I'll ever be for the lives God has awaiting for us.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T00:03:00.003-06:00

No original title I know, I'm following the crowd.

Yesterday was a great day. I got off work at 2 pm and called the Suttons telling them if it would make things easier for them, I'd watch Braden well they did all their shopping. They hesitated at first and wanted to call me back. I am so glad they took me up on it. It made my day and night. I love that little boy. He's my little man and he's such a cute little man and so good. Sorry mom and dad he felt so much love from us he didn't miss you at all ;o) Seriously, the only time he cried was when he was hungry and then had a bit of gas. Later in the evening I rocked him to sleep. As he was sleeping in my arms, I started to doze off and I was afraid I'd drop him. He woke up when I laid him on the floor so I went and laid down with him on the love seat and he slept on (and I took a little nap) until my arm was hurting so bad from being in the same position for too long. Micah and Megan came over to share the last of the old year and bring in the new year and when they came in Micah offered to take him. He picked him the little guy slept on. He continued to sleep on as he was later passed to Megan. We woke him up when his mommy came home. As Brother Bobby and Micah went to finish up the shopping Sister Annette, Jenna, Megan and I played I Buy. Annette got her hopes up that she would win...it was short lived when I went out in the 5th round sticking everyone. We all weren't totally in the game (you know one of those games where you keep having to ask who's turn it was). At about 8 minutes to midnight the guys got back and somewhere in there Dallas and Joleesa came and we counted down to 2010. The icing on a great day was fire works. I was wanting to go see the fireworks downtown but considering the temperture and the crowds didn't even suggest it. We have 4 big bay windows and then a patio door throughout the living room and dining room. We looked up after midnight and saw fire works going off all around us. It was a clear night and you could see the mountains behind the fireworks. The ooohs and ahhhs inside the warmth of my very own home made a perfect beginning for 2010. It was after 2 am before Annette and I went to bed. Sorry sister, it felt so good to visit.

This morning I got up to take Bobby to return the van. Came back and Brother Nowling and I both took our vehicles to take them and ALL their stuff to the airport. Those two have been in a whirlwind with making this move. Their spirit is so at peace as they KNOW they are in the perfect will of God. From a voice of experience, that is one of the best places to be. Because they were over the limit for their luggage, I was given an excuse to fly over to Bethel next Saturday. I'll just take the morning flight over and the last flight back, but it's my pleasure to assist them and be with them and my little man. Maybe I'll do alright as a grandmommy after all (and I also think I found what I want my grand kids to call me, if there mom's and dad's are ok with it seeing as I haven't even mentioned it to them yet).

This afternoon I was a sluggard. I napped off and on and then was going to go to Tim Osborne's wedding rehearsal with Brother Nowling (who's a groomsmen ~ that seems weird and cool at the same time), Jenna who's the photographer and Levi who's doing the video recording but Jessa wasn't feeling well today and had been home all day, so I asked if Levi would drop her off I would stay home. I was afraid I'd have a hard time keeping my mouth shut and try to help when my may not be wanted if I went to the rehearsal so perfect plan. So I got to spend quality time with my oldest daughter, which I rarely get. She had a migraine and throwing up and the baby really doesn't like meat so she asked if I had the stuff to make homemade macaroni and cheese. I had just been thinking about how that sounded good...so macaroni and cheese with my oldest daughter. Another perfect part to the new year.

Off and on throughout the date I was thinking about what is my main desire/prayer for 2010. One word came back to me again as it was towards the latter part of 2009...WISDOM. If I could have only one request for 2010 it would be wisdom for ALL the things that 2010 will bring. He's never failed me yet and I know if I will allow Him to, He will give me HIS wisdom when I need it.

So I end as I began Happy New Year, my dear friends and family!

Merry Christmas from the Nowlings

2009-12-24T17:04:00.013-06:00

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

2009-12-14T22:11:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-07T10:33:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-06T20:39:00.003-06:00

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

2009-12-02T22:36:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-01T22:09:00.002-06:00

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.

Growing Pains

2009-11-28T17:02:00.004-06:00

Our family is feeling the growing pains as we go into the holidays. Marriage for Jessa means she will be starting her own traditions. With Joleesa expecting her mind is on her baby. We have a son-in-law and our granddaughter's daddy/Joleesa's boyfriend to add into our celebrations. We had everyone here for Thanksgiving. PTL Dallas came, stayed and visited (sucking on a pink pacifier while watching movies ~ grinning and shaking head ~I'm glad he felt comfortable enough to goof off). It was a good Thanksgiving but it was difficult for me to figure out what our three grown girls roles were suppose to be on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately they're not ones to define them on their own. Well maybe they did; no longer kids so I'm not to tell them what to do but they're not ones to just pitch in. Maybe because in the past I've made them feel like if they didn't do it my way it was wrong. That was never my intention. I guess I just hoped there were some things that I've done over the years that they liked enough to do it because their mom did it. Jody fit into his role perfectly as he goofed off at the table keeping everyone at ease.

Now as we go in the Christmas season I'm feeling the growing pains even greater. The shopping is quite the challenge but add to that to having two adult girls in our home that would like to have a home of their own to be decorating puts a subdued excitement on it. See the three girls taste is as different as their personalities. Jessa loves the rustic, old fashion Christmas decorations and is thrilled to be able to decorate her place to that theme. Jenna is the more modern, while Joleesa seems to be the more traditional. I am one that doesn't mind CHANGE when it comes to decorating. I'm ok with whatever they want to do. I just want them to come together and enjoy doing it and enjoy doing it together. My days of refereeing SHOULD be over but it doesn't seem to be. Mom the peacemaker is still my major role. Thus taking away some of the fun.

I'm sitting here in the living room with baby stuff in the dining room next to an undecorated Christmas tree and a few decorations sitting around; we need to bring the rest of the Christmas stuff up. We all want everything to be decorated but no one seems to be motivated enough to do the heavy work that comes with it. Jody works weekends while I work the week days making it very difficult for the two of us to do it. I don't have the strength to do it myself so we'll see how long it takes to all come together.

I know the growing pains are only just beginning. I also know that they're not a bad thing it's just another thing for me to find my way through. My apologies for the melancholy spirit. I'll work through it. Lord help me find my way as only You can do.

Dinner and shower

2009-11-19T21:36:00.003-06:00

Let's see last Friday Micah and Megan, a young couple from our church had Brother Nowling and me over for dinner. Other than Jessa and Levi we haven't been over to anyone's house to dinner since moving here. We're the ones having people over. They out did themselves. It was better than some of the fanciest restaurant's. We had steak and scallops. I've never had scallops as it's seafood and I don't like seafood usually so I won't spend the money to ever try it, because in my mind I won't like it. Micah did a Mediterranean marinate in it and it was AWESOME. We had to laugh because he said he spent the day trying different recipes before he settled on that one. It was good. We hand Quinoia, which we also had never had before but both of us loved and Brother Nowling kept hounding me to get the recipe so this weekend I'm sure I'll be picking up some. We had asparagus with a mushroom sauce over it and then stuffed tomatoes. Dessert was homemade apple crisp. The whole meal was great. The two of them worked together in the kitchen and there wasn't any part of it that didn't turn out. We enjoyed visiting with just the two of them also. Usually there's others around. I know I told them before but I want to tell them publicly on my blog Micah and Megan thanks so very much. That was very special for us and meant a lot to us.

Saturday was our youth Bible study at Tim and Larry's and we had a good turn out and a great Bible study. Then Sunday morning Jenna asked if I wanted to teach the youth if there weren't anyone for the adult class. I love teaching our youth. They all really get involved and I love it. Sunday night was VLB's and the Lord really blessed.

Now for the shower...I decided to do Joleesa's baby shower early so she would know what she needed and have time to plan financially for things AND Christmas. So several weeks ago Jenna made the invitations and we sent them out to the coworkers at the newspaper, church people, her friends from when she worked at McDonalds, Target, and Captain Cook Hotel. By Monday before it looked we would have about 30 people attending and I was freaking out. The day of we had some cancellations and I was ok with it. Because it was a work night (because Jessa didn't USUALLY work Tuesdays) I decided I would fix tacos for everyone. One of the ladies brought taquitos and jalapeno poppers and another gal from work made mini cupcakes for me (and she wound up being sick and couldn't come but made sure I got the cupcakes). Jessa brought the chips and did dip. It turned out we only had 13 in attendance but it was good party. Jenna had taken the day off and finished up the cleaning and added some more decorations. She made a great diaper cake and put up pregnancy pictures up around the cake. As people came in I encouraged them to eat and then we started the games. We had a total of 5 games. "My water broke" where they melted the ice cube and got the pacifier out. The Wright game where a story was read and the prize was passed around going right and left as the story used those words. Naming the items on the tray with tiebreaker of describing what Joleesa had on. The pin game where they couldn't say "baby" or "Joleesa" or they'd lose their pacifier off their pin. That became really tough as I had them o around the room and introduce themselves and how they knew Joleesa. The string game where they cut off a piece of yarn the length that they thought would go around Joleesa's baby belly. And then those that brought diapers put their name in for a drawing. It was fun and went well. Then she opened her gifts. She got some great gifts. She could mark several "needs' off her list BUT she's grounded from buying more clothes in the 0-3 month size. The shower ended with Jenna giving the grandmother's a picture of the baby's parents. A b&W picture that she took of Dallas and Joleesa that was she printed out and framed. It was a great end.

It still seems so seril that there's going to be baby in the house. That I'm going to be a grandma.

This weekend is our youth activity. Jenna's in charged and we're having a picture scavenger hunt (fitting) and then coming back to our place for home made pizza.

So every week is something and I'd not have it any other way.

What's Been Happen'

2009-11-11T00:15:00.002-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted because not a lot of things going on here. October was a good month at work. As a whole the advertising had the best month they've had in a very long time. We actually beat budget which maybe only occurred once all year. AND I made "Big Bear" (sales person of the month)which also it had been a very long time (a year ago September actually; actually I won for September). I was totally shocked and everybody loved the shock expression. Joleesa had a good October too.

Two weeks ago Sunday I went to Bethel and covered their morning service in Brother Grant's absence. I stayed with Sister Connie Peter and I enjoyed my time with her and Isaiah and Sarah came over Saturday evening and we played aggravation with Ernie and her older foster kids. Oh my it's been a long time since I've been around kids. You actually look away for a moment and one or another is cheating. Oh but wait a minute I think I've known of some adults that are like that ~ smile. That Sunday night we had an evangelistic service and Brother Nowling said he wanted me to lead an extended time of worship. At first it was really tough for my spirit was feeling heavy but we came to a place of a true HOLY worship and it was great. I so love to worship the Lord. We get so caught up in asking the Lord for things all the time, to lose ourselves in His love, bringing you to that holy place with you and Him is awesome. That's what it was like that night.

Things have slowed down for November at work though. We have Joleesa's baby shower next Tuesday. It looks like there will be approximately 20 people at the shower. Between church, her former co-workers and current ones. When I first told her how the rsvp's were coming in her response was "wow, it'll make up for my graduation open house". She had only two people come to graduation open house. Isaiah Peter came from Bethel and then one of her co-workers from McDonalds. We had been here only a year, but still it was sad because we really thought some people would show and they didn't. She never let on to her disappointment as the girls and the two guys went off and found somethng to do. But three years later she showed me really how much it did affect her. Any way, it's on a Tuesday night right after work so I'll be doing tacos. One of our co-workers are going to make mini-cupcakes for the shower, while another one is going to make taquitos. Though these kind of things are not my forte, I know there's a lot of things she needs and these people want to help her and I hope to make it fun. I still have struggles that go on within me over the circumstances but there's a baby girl going to be coming into the world and I want Joleesa and her to know they both are loved.

Thanksgiving is going to be even more exciting for us this year. I am thrilled to have Levi be with us. Then we'll have Matthew Peter joining us at our table as he's not able to go open AND please help me pray, I've invited Joleesa's boyfriend Dallas to join us. He has not committed. It would mean so much to all of us for him to be present. We really don't know this young man and yet he is a big part of Joleesa's life. So please help me pray.

Obviously after Thanksgiving the Christmas preparations begin. We have our youth Christmas party. Jessa has a women's tea planned, and then Brother Nowling and I'll be putting on our Christmas dinner again.

Then Tim Osborne is going to be getting married January 2nd so I want to do a little shower for her. So in the midst of Christmas celebrations I've decided the best way to do it is to take her to her favorite restaurant and do a small shower for her. I want her to know that we are very much looking forward to her becoming a part of us.

In no time at all after Christmas it'll be baby time with Joleesa and Megan both being do in March. Megan has chosen to have her baby shower after the baby comes, when her parents are here and have it be a part of the babies dedication. So before all that takes place, I'm going to make a trip to Minnesota to see my dad for his birthday and hopefully before that make a trip to Colorado in January. Brother Nowling wants to go to men's retreat and I'll probably go and spend time with the women. So to say the least life will be busy going forward.

Oh did I tell you we've already started our Christmas shopping. I love the fact that I started already as it makes it so it's not so stressful. I love being able to take the time and look for the perfect gifts and I have to say this year has been the hardest so far seeing all the changes my family's experienced this year. Snow on the ground makes it seem right.

So now that I've rambled. Let's see how long it'll be until the next time ~ smile.

Ummmmm

2009-10-30T21:53:00.002-05:00

Not a whole lot to blog about. This week has been a week of feeling a heavy burden for so many people. It seems like on every turn someone is suffering physically. Jeremy and Heather Adams have been hit with so much but I know that God has been there for them. Then there's different ones at work, friends around the country that have been need in prayer. I thank God that there is power in prayer. So many times we feel ALL we can do is pray. Do we realize PRAYING is the best thing we CAN do.

There are a lot of things on my heart and mind that I long to share but I know I can't because though there are those out there that would understand and encouraging, there is always that don't. Don't you ever wish you could ever just say what you want to say and not worry about others. Some day....

Tomorrow I'm headed to Bethel to preach as Brother Grant is in Idaho for their convention. I'm looking forward to visiting with our Saints in Bethel. It's probably going to be pretty cold as today the wind made it really chilly here so I'll be pulling out the winter coat and wearing sweatshirts and sweaters. Remember me in your prayers if you would. I want to be a blessing to the Bethel people.

I'm getting a Granddaughter

2009-10-22T21:13:00.004-05:00

Yep, another girl. Today Joleesa had her ultrasound. My how advanced those things have become. And the little one wanted us to know she was girl as she was positioned perfectly with her little legs up for us but she also showed she was embarrassed as she had her arm over her face. It was so obvious and cute, especially when they did it in 3D. Jessa and Jenna got to be in the room with us along with Dallas of course and his mom came too. They were all pretty confident it was a boy. Joleesa had our co-workers assuring her it was a boy as well as the customers that came in. I wouldn't make a guess as that's truly all it is a GUESS. It was fun watching the faces of everyone in the room. The ultrasound doctor wasn't the friendliest man in the world but the first thing he did was find out the sex so we didn't have to wait. This is one excited grandmother (that sounds so weird).

I had and have so many emotions going through me right now that I can't even begin to put them into words. As a mother you take so many things/people into consideration when thinking about things. I am so thankful that God is control. So far we know everything is showing we will have a healthy granddaughter. Her name (at this moment, who knows if it might change ~ grin) will either be Savannah Lynn or Isabella Lynn. I'm thrilled with "Lynn" as that's my middle name. It's fun listening to people give their thoughts on which one. Dallas wants Isabella, I think Joleesa likes Savannah. Jessa and Jenna like Isabella (I think) but Jessa had a good idea, wait until she's born and see if she looks like a Savannah or an Isabella.

On another note; my heart and mind has never been off Heather Adams during this time. We are waiting for a miracle and I know that God can give it to them. Last night in service we had prayer for her and Brother Nowling had told me our Bible Study was going to be on the priest's ephod and going on into the putting on the "garments of praise and of salvation". As I was asking the Lord to show me what songs to lead I truly felt Him guiding me to songs of praise. As I was leading, singing, and praising Him; Heather's name and face was there constantly be lifted up through the praise in my heart and mind. I was reminded of a time Sister Tami Adams shared how she was really sick and crying out to God to touch and God told her to praise Him and as she praised Him she received His healing touch. I praise the Lord for breathing life into Heather. For being with her through this. I know He has a plan for her and her family and we're going to watch it unfold before us.

In other news we had our minister's convention last week and it was good. Due to some misunderstanding we didn't have a guest evangelist. Everyone dig a great job on their boosts. Megan had us laughing as she shared her childhood experience of harvesting ocra (and I actually learned some things) and she used that as her analogy. Jenna did great with her cpma boost reminding us that Christ sees His bride as Perfect. Levi preached a message that got right to the point about being used of God. I preached the Saturday evening message on "despise not thy youth". Though several things were pointed out the main thing was that we need more Elijah's and Elisha's.

Well I'm going to go get some supper and go shopping with Joleesa for GIRL things.

For Jessa

2009-10-11T17:24:00.002-05:00

Jessa is telling me I need to blog so she has something to read at work...I love you Jessa.

I haven't blogged as there hasn't been too much new to blog about. Ever since getting back from the assembly and then Juneau I have been swamped at work. More accurately put I feel like I have been drowning. All newspaper businesses is full of deadlines. With the economy in a down slope we are trying all kinds of things to help the businesses to continue advertising so they can still grow their business and also ours. The last two months have very slow on my desk but this month it seems like it's raining down ads. I have to watch that I don't complain as this is a good thing. Couple this problems with our press causing my clients ads to run dark (thus having to gravall and give credits) and with yahoo sales that are tedious and a moving target of inventory, there have been days that I've had things given to me and said I need it before the end of day. Friday our Financial analyst that's office is right next to mine, came out and told me to remember to breathe. I have been going 100 miles an hour plus and by the time I get home the stress release takes several hours. I'd like to say next week should be better but I can't as my co-worker is on vacation and I have to cover his desk while still dealing with my own work. BUT God ALWAYS gets me through.

We have minister's convention this next weekend. So I also try to pull the state financial report together (thus why everyone else is taking their Sunday nap and I'm not as I need to work on that as soon as I get done with post). I have my ABM boost to pull together. God has put something on my heart that may seem quite different but I know that if God is in it it will minister. Then shock of all shocks, Brother Grant put me on to actually preach the Saturday evening message. "Let no man despise thy youth". Someone said but you're not a youth...oh Lord why did you give me this burden for youth so late it my life. I've tried to lay it down and relinquish it for someone else to pick up the mantel because my body is just not allowing me to do all that I need it to, but God WILL NOT release me. As I prepare for this message I truly feel the Lord is so many directions. I desire God to use me to minister as He desires to through me.

Friday night I would not allow myself do anything but relax as well as yesterday morning and afternoon. I went out to eat with Brother Nowling only to have him go down a one way the wrong way. He caught himself right away and was backing back into the road he turned off and it was a police car that let him in and then proceeded to pull him over as well as have another officer pull up. He told the officer the truth and said he just spaced out which road he was turning on and PTL they checked his license and told us to be careful.

Yesterday I did some shopping, nothing major just felt good to get out. Last night I worked on the bulletin, the monthly state books, played a game of bowling on wii and went to bed but was up until the wee hours of the morning praying for one of our young people who was in desperate need of God's intervention.

This morning we had a good SS (I really miss teaching the youth though), worship and message. Now I must get the state finance report done. If I don't do it today I'll be having to do it in the evenings after hard days at work when I'm brain dead. So until the next time.

Wisdom

2009-10-02T10:39:00.003-05:00

I sure know why Solomon asked for wisdom when he could have asked for anything. It is the most needed attribute (if that's the word to use) ever in the Christian life. Wait a minute, even if you're not a Christian, wisdom is needed. As parents, as adults. In Christian service it is a must. I so need wisdom. It's the cry of my heart constantly these days, for home, church and work. For LIFE in general. Please help me pray for wisdom?

PTL it's Friday.

Our Anniversary

2009-09-26T23:31:00.011-05:00

Brother Nowling and I went to Juneau for our anniversary. It's amazing how, though we've been married 28 years the need for the two of us to get away alone is so much needed. It was a great time, beside the dreary weather. Our flights went well and when we first got there seeing he worked all night before and we couldn't check into our b&b until 3 pm we went downtown, he parked and I walked the shops as I was also making contacts for the paper on before of our Alaska visitor's guide. A cruise ship had come in and the shops were busting at the seams, especially the ones that 60% - 80% off (I got a few great buys too) end of the season clearance. There's all kinds of languages all around me. I walked a long way and when I call Brother Nowling to pick me up his phone went to voicemail (ugh). My feet were killing me and after 3 tries of getting him to answer I started walking. It turned out the last time he talked to me, when he closed his phone it turned it off. We then went to a nice yogurt shop that had great soup and sandwiches and was own by Christians. From there we went to our B&B. We had such a great experience at the B&B in Valdeze I chose this over a nice hotel. Ugh, we felt like we were in a stranger's home. Don't get me wrong they were friendly enough (actually she talked non-stop until we couldn't get a word in edge wise), but our room was across from theirs. The last B&B the guest rooms were on their own floor with their own entrance. I don't know it was just more awkward this time. We felt like we had to be careful not to offend them. I also felt almost claustrophobic as she collects precious moments statues and has over 2000 of them throughout her house. In our room alone I stopped counting at 56. It was a beautiful log house and the walls were so covered with plaques and shelves you lost the beauty of the logs. Any way, we went to our room and I took an hour nap while Brother Nowling slept 3 hours. In the morning they had breakfast for us. She made french toast and eggs. Has anyone heard of spruce tip syrup? She made some, yes from spruce tree needles. It was a different flavor altogether. Not bad. Then we headed back to downtown for me to meet with more businesses and the town was dead. Everything was closed. It was amazing the change overnight because the cruise ship had pulled out. We drove around town and I took down names of businesses for me to call when I got back to the office. We then went to lunch and had some of the best pizza ever at Pizzeria Roma. The service was poor as the waiters were in the kitchen gambling, but the food was delicious. After eating we headed to the Mendenhall Glacier. I had made the statement that all the glaciers were the same, but not so. This one was a gorgeous blue and had a huge waterfall next to it. We went up to the visitor center and technically it closed the day before so it was free and we had the ranger almost to ourselves and I made contacts for our paper with them and we enjoyed looking at the glacier from a higher view as it was built up into the rocks. We then went driving from one end of Juneau to the other. Remember Juneau is surrounded by water, so we drove one way until the road ended and then headed the other way but due to road construction turned around just a couple of miles before it ended. We went to Auke Bay and it was another gorgeous site even in the rain. We stopped at sheep creek, and though we didn't see any sheep we say lots of eagles. I tried to get some good pictures but unfortunately I had some problems but I'll post one of the better ones.

We then headed back to the Hangar restaurant for our anniversary dinner. Juneau doesn't have any "fancy" restaurants just costly ones. We had been told the Hangar had great food and it had a view of the ocean. We made reservations but we got there early so had to wait about 15 minutes. If it hadn't been so dreary out the view would've been nice, it was terribly noisy but the food was absolutely delicious. He had shrimp and I had Parmesan halibut and it was so good. We then did a little more driving around and then headed back to our room. We slept in until 8 am. We had a good breakfast and then decided to take an earlier flight out as it was pouring out. When we got to Anchorage the sun was shining and it was a beautiful autumn day. Levi and Jessa invited us for dinner and we truly enjoyed it.

It was a great time away and I'm thankful we had the time together and I'm really grateful that the newspaper is picking up most the bill of it all too.

Here's few pictures.

About Me

2009-09-20T17:16:00.006-05:00

Let me prelude this post with I usually don't bare my soul on my own blog because I don't want to offend, upset, or disappoint anyone. But I haven't blogged for awhile as I need this blog to truly be MY blog and I need to be able to share my heart and so that is what I am going to do.

As I was spending time on flights and airports on my way to IYC I determined in my mind, this assembly was going to be for me. I was going to be praying for me. Seeking answers for me. The first service at IYC found me praying Lord help me to know how to be there for Heather. Then Lord show me how to share this special time with Megan and Micah. Also, Lord I feel like I've gained a son but in gaining the son I've lost a daughter, help me to find my relationship with Jessa. And my prayers continued through the various people that are so much a part of who I am, Jenna, Lord let her find someone (not just a guy) but someone here to share life. Josh and Jackie, oh how I miss them Lord show me how to reach them so they will draw closer to you. Their faces went before my face one at a time Matthew, Tim, Nathan, Larry, Jeremy, all of them one right after another. Lord help me to serve them truly was my prayer. Always hanging over every prayer was Lord give me WISDOM. I found myself feeling like Solomon as more than anything I want wisdom. My love is so great for these souls that God has put in my life that I need wisdom as to know when, what, and how to be what He needs me to be for them.

In every prayer there was one huge plea for wisdom that was on behalf of a new road that I'm having to walk. A road that is filled with huge amount of love for my daughter Joleesa but a cry for wisdom to help me in being the mother to her and a grandmother to the baby she is carrying. Yes. I am going to be grandmother. Not in the way I had ever dreamed of becoming a grandmother, but none the less a grandmother. God forgives the repented heart and forgets. We are to be like Christ. I had to find my way in forgiving as Christ does and I truly have. Many individuals turn away from God and go into sin. Some sin is easy to forget but sometimes God allows that sin to bring good and all life exists only if God allows. As Joleesa has turned her life back to Him and as she finds her way in her walk with Him she now has a child to lead as she walks that walk and I will be right there with her (as will all her family)helping, rejoicing and loving this new life. Life changes around every corner and I committed this road to Christ a looooong time. As I help Joleesa make preparations for this precious little one, my prayer continues to be for wisdom, not only for me, but for mother-to-be Joleesa, along with a strength that will help her in this time that is very joyous but also very challenging. I am already watching her as she looks at life in a whole different way then she ever did before. My ultimate prayer is that this little life will be healthy and be given the opportunity to know the love of Jesus right from the early years.. Joleesa, with God's help, love and wisdom can give that to this child.

Yeah, this assembly was about me finding all that God has for me as person, as a pastor's wife, as a leader in the church, as a wife, as mother but the biggest goal was finding me as a grandmother. I thank my precious Lord and Saviour that He never fails us...Jada Nowling is going to be a grandmother. Wow!!!

It was a glorious assembly where every message spoke to me. I stand in awe at how precious His anointing was and I thank God that He allowed me the privilege to be a part of IYC and the 104th general assembly.

Leaving Tuesday

2009-08-31T22:15:00.002-05:00

Well I'm leaving out Tuesday night. I'm flying positive space (secured seat but we pay the taxes. Gift from AK Airlines to employees). I'm hoping to upgrade to first class if a seat is available so I can sleep. I fly to Chicago on the red eye flight, land in Chicago at 8:05 am, leave out at 10 am on US Airways to DC and then DC to Chattanooga to be picked up by the Williams and Sister Debra Perkins will be with them. I'm so ready in spirit to go but I haven't started packing and I'm so physically tired. Brother Nowling leaves out on the red eye on Wednesday red eye (positive space) to Chicago, from Chicago to Charlotte and Charlotte to Chattanooga. Arriving 1/2 hour after Levi and Jessa. They'll drive over to IYC together.

In other news, the bank returned the money to our account that was taken fraudulantly. I don't know what the next step is, we just notice it was returned to our bank account.

Well, I better get packing and I want to try to get to bed early...yeah right.

Sick, long week, check book stolen

2009-08-28T21:21:00.002-05:00

Yeah the title sums it up. I have been having terrible headaches and tightness in my chest. My blood pressure's been up and I've been stressed and drowning at work. But today I feel the best I have all week.

I know that's not the part you're wondering about. On Thursdays Brother Nowling does our bills and he called me at working saying I forgot to leave the checkbook for him. I told him I didn't have it. He said he put it in my purse Wednesday night as he was leaving for work so I could have money for the offering. I knew nothing about it and it wasn't in my purse. Levi remembered him doing it too. So we back tracked over all my steps Wednesday night. Going to the church twice, ransacking Jenna's car (I rode home with her) and mine and nothing. So he went to the bank and two checks had been cashed with an individual's name and business on it that we had never heard of. The checks equalled up to over $200. We flagged all the number sequenced checks in that book and put a flag on our account so no checks can go through without us being called and proving ID. He then proceeded to go file a police report, actually two. One for fraud and one for forgery. Had to go back to the bank (after paying $12 for the police reports ~ how wrong is that) and was sent to the fraud department. Then everything started really coming together. The first check was actually cashed Tuesday and the second Thursday at the AK USA bank right across from the church. It wasn't Wednesday night that he put it in my purse it was Sunday. I did take it out and write a check for the offering and as it was VLB service I was at the pulpit and I left it and all my notes on the pulpit. If you remember it was our 1 year anniversary in the building so we took church pictures before church. Jessa had to work late so Jenna took her picture afterward and was going to photoshop her into the picture. I was in the way at the pulpit so I moved leaving everything there and forgetting everything (not even thinking about the checkbook). I received a call Monday from the property manager of the building the church was in asking if we had blocked the door open, let anybody in that we didn't know, or knew if someone had followed us in. After declaring no she told three of the suites had been broken into Sunday night. On Wednesday night Brother Tim mentioned that he had gone over to the Church to pray on Monday and the door was unlocked. Jeremy had locked the door Sunday night, I was standing next to him, he went on a head and I double checked the door just to be safe so I KNOW it had been locked. The property manager told me today when they got the break in call early Monday morning and they checked all the suites ours wasn't locked but didn't show any forced entry like the others. But apparently they got in and took the check book. As far as we know that's all that's missing but we really weren't looking for anything so we'll have to check things out thoroughly this weekend.

So back to the bank, because the person that cashed the checks didn't have an account with AK USA they had to show ID and the bank has driver's license number, name, address and phone number. They're from Wassila (if their ID isn't fake). The bank is confident that they'll be able to re-coup our money and with the police's help catch the woman. Tomorrow morning I have to go to the bank to sign papers as it's my name they forged AND I believe the checks were time stamped so they can pull the surveillance camera's and get a visual as well. So wow...too many thing happening to us that you never thing will happen to you but only on tv or to someone else. In the end though maybe we'll also be able to catch who's been breaking into the building. This is actually the second time in a couple of months.

So it's been a long, sickly and wild week. I need to go return some things to JC Penney, and get some groceries. Tomorrow is a pot luck at our place as it's the Mack's last weekend with us before they head back, hopefully they'll be able to come along with Heather and Jeremy if Heather's feeling up to. I hope every one's praying for precious Heather. She needs a miracle.

Have a great weekend.

Reminiscing

2009-08-22T18:32:00.003-05:00

I've been helping my husband clean out the garage and while he laid down for a nap. It dawned on me had been about a year ago that my mom passed away so I decided to look back at my blog and it was a year ago last Sunday. I began to read over the posts from then forward.

This has been a year of loss (my mom) and gains (a son-in-law). It's been a year of heartaches, trials and tests but it's also been a year of triumph and celebration. I looked back on my mom's passing, funeral and then on to the church moving into it's own building (space) On August 24th the church finally had it's only building. It was great step of faith as we took on rent of $1073/month. I was a nervous wreck as to whether we could do this, but knew we needed to and knowing also that God had provided the space. Our people, 95% young adults, have been awesome in their giving. We had a few months that some struggled making their pledges, and though we got behind (the car wash almost got us out of the red). God has helped us. God honors faithfulness.

Then as I continued moving through my blog, on to ministers convention and revival with Byers. I still remember the strong preaching on love. As I moved on I was reminded of the changes at work and then went on through Thanksgiving and Christmas. The new year brought a lot of sharing about Mt Redoubt with March being eruption after eruption to the point that youth convention in Bethel had to be cancelled. Then April brought a once in a life time mission trip to England (I am really looking forward to seeing some of the dear brothers and sisters at the assembly). May brought looking for a place to live and then June actually moving, camp and Jessa wedding.

As I read through my blog though I saw I shared some of the heartaches, I read many posts of how good God was. How God had blessed in our services. How He proved His faithfulness. Even now I have Christian music playing and Pam Thum's song "Life Is Hard (God is Good)" is playing and it really summed up the last 12 months from August 2008 to now.

Lot's of changes still ahead for us. Lot's of trials, tests, joys and triumphs but I'm not in any of it alone. My God is there with me. He truly proves He never leaves us, nor forsakes us.

By the way bloggers, don't forget to blog. It truly becomes a diary of memories of our lives and those we care about. It helps to remind us of the victories along this pilgrimage.

Well I need to go get my husband up from his nap. We're headed to Popeyes for dinner (not my favorite place due to the spiciness but he has been wanting it) and then going to JC Penneys to get a few things we need for IYC and the assembly. Oh, oh, I don't think I told anyone my husband actually gets to go not only to the assembly by IYC. It's really a miracle. We were flying on positive space (secured seats at n/c due to his working at the airlines) but he couldn't find a flight open for the dates for the assembly. His supervisor was helping him look one night and Thursday, Sept. 3rd had one positive space seat open in the early morning but he works Wednesday nights. His supervisor said she would work for him and listed him. He has Thursday and Friday off so it worked perfect. So I fly in Wednesday and the Williams and Sister Perkins will pick me up and we'll be spending Wednesday evening together and head to IYC Thursday morning (I'm taking the red eye flight Tuesday night so I'm trying to get first class so I can sleep.) Jessa and Levi will fly in at 5 pm Thursday night, Jody and 5:30 pm so they'll drive over to IYC together in time for that evenings service. How cool is that. Then Jenna will fly in on Sunday. (Joleesa won't be going this year. Please pray for her. God knows what all she needs.) I'm so looking forward to IYC and the assembly.

Well off to Popeyes. Have a great Sunday everyone.

A Quiet Strength

2009-08-18T10:41:00.002-05:00

Our revival is over and Brother Keven Lewis has made it home. We switched flight to an earlier flight as he would have stuck in Portland as the plane was over booked. Flying standby is always a "hold your breath" experience. There were 9 seats open and he got the 9th seat and it was aisle seat at that.

It was so good to have Keven in our home. He is so like family to us as we pastored him when he was in his early teens. He has become a brother to us and an uncle to our girls. When you watch a young person grow up and become an adult and go into the ministry and raise a family in the love of the Lord, you stand in awe at God.

The revival was not a victory shouting revival, but a quiet strength was bestowed by the Word and His Spirit. Our little group here in Anchorage are experiencing trials and tests on all fronts. We needed words of encouragement and strength and that's what was preached and shared. Megan declared that it was like standing out in a gentle rain and allowing it to wash over you, refreshing and cleansing you as it came down. Jessa sang a song Sunday night that added to that refreshment for me, Holy, Holy Holy (by Hillsong). It talked about praising and "adoring" Him. I so want to ADORE Him every day of my life. I want that power of "first love" partnered with "mature love" in my life.

Brother Keven made it obvious he was here for "us" the Anchorage church. His first time in Alaska and time was short. We usually try to do as much sightseeing as possible when we have visitors. Though we did go Beluga Point and Portage Glacier (where he didn't get to see any ice bergs as they were all melted to the point that the water was over the side walk)Sunday we took as a day of rest at home. He did get to see moose, not just one but six when Micah, along with Nathan took him to Flat Top yesterday.

I feel bad that not everyone was blessed as they could've been because they didn't come out. We have had very few revivals here, and this was just a 3 day revival and I wanted to gain from every moment of it. Life gets tough, we need times of revival to see us through. This was revival for US. We now need to move out and with a revival for the community but Lord prepare our people to move beyond and reach out to the world.

Please pray for me today as I am so very tired as I took Keven to airport and didn't get home until after midnight and then had a rough time sleeping. I was already tired and had a hard time staying awake yesterday and today is going to be tougher yet. But I truly can say my Spirit is refreshed.

Revival in the Land of Anchorage Alaska

2009-08-11T22:31:00.004-05:00

We're excited for revival. No one realizes how difficult it is to get evangelists to Alaska. When you consider just the travel time let alone the cost, it's not an easy thing. PTL! There has been someone that we have been trying to get to come since we came to Alaska and God has worked it out. It'll only be three nights, but we have a people that don't waste time. They are hungry and ready. The devil's already been fighting so it is just proof that God is going to really move.

Oh I suppose you'd like to know who's coming. Our brother (who is like an uncle to our girls) Keven Lewis. We are so excited. We wish his wife and family could come but they're not able to, but that means he'll have to come again ~ smile.

Please pray that NO ONE is hinder from coming out and that God is allowed the liberty to move. The revival is Saturday, August 15 - Monday, August 17th. So we covet your prayers. He's flying standby so please pray everything goes smoothly with the flights as well.

The Church of God Pirates Out Did Themselves

2009-08-01T20:03:00.002-05:00

I know you're saying "huh". We had a car wash today. We asked Matthew Peter to take charge of it for us and he came up with a brilliant (and I mean that seriously) idea to have a theme and have it be pirates. I know, how does pirates fit with church, God, etc. Who cares. It was fun. A couple of weeks a go several of the youth came over and we did homemade pizza for them while they made some pretty cool posters with the "pirate" theme. Then today was the day. We were all praying hard for good weather as this is our raining season and that's about all it's done for a couple of weeks. We woke up to a gray day that quickly turned into a beautiful summer day. We were going to have the car wash in the back parking lot of the building the church is in, which is the door we go in for church BUT the picket there didn't work. Brother Nowling called the maintenance man and he told us we could use any of the spigots and there was up at the front right hand side. This was perfect. We set up our hot dog stand and money booth at the front off a busy road, Northern Lights and washed cars along the side of the building. The plan was to go from 10 am to 2 pm. We were asked to dress up as pirates which all the Peters did an awesome job of (pictures to come probably on Jenna's blog and facebook). Matthew sent pirates Micah and Megan, and then our beloved Timothy Osborne (aka our marketing tool) to the streets with signs. Micah and Megan in their costumes and Tim's non-stop crazy jig (Matthew, Nathan and Jenna also took a turn; even Matt's dog Kershaw was out there with a sign; but the pros were Micah and Tim) they brought the cars in. The goal of the car wash to get our rent fund out of the hole. I didn't remember what that amount needed to be but I had a goal of a profit of a minimum of $200. PTL. 28 cars in 4 hours, hot dogs, chips and soda (one of the businesses came out and bought $20 worth of food for their employees for lunch) brought in $325. After deducting the $58 for the hot dogs, buns and chips (everything else was donated with everyone giving something) we cleared....drum roll please, $267. 21 cars from the street, 7 of our cars and food. It was pretty cool as they washed some pretty nice cars. We charged $5 for the car wash and $4 for the dog/chips/soda. Only 4 of the people actually paid $5 the rest were $7 or more. We had some give $20 and $15. It was funny as the couple with a Corvette gives only $5, but after talking to me and asking what it was going for, he gave another $5.

Without a doubt God is good. Several people told me God had to be in this because of the beautiful weather we had after several days of rain. We were able to share about TCOG quite a bit. Matthew even met TCOGOP man (may have been a minister, I can't remember) that knew him in Bethel.

We had comments about it being a great idea to have a theme, about our "marketing" people on the streets doing such a great job, about loving the hot dogs, it just went really well.

I can't thank our youth enough. We had about 75% participation in the car wash. They sacrifice so much. They donated the stuff for the car wash, their time PLUS most of them pay pledges to make the rent. God has blessed us with great youth and I KNOW God will return back to them ten fold.

Every third Saturday of the month we have a youth activity and a different youth is in charge. August Levi is stepping in for Jeremy as he'll be out of town. He said he would like us to do one more car wash before winter sets in. So Lord willing we'll try it again. What will we do different...our signs will be on cardboard and sticks (as life was tough for them to hold the flimsy poster board), we will get a longer hose and another hose with a splitter, we will bring old towels for drying (they seemed to work best) and I'm not sure what else.

Oh, oh, oh...also the lady that came out to buy for their business said we should something like this more often and I mentioned a bake sale and she LOVED that idea. The doors are opening and I thank God for it.

I need to finish getting ready for youth Bible Study tonight. Yeah, car wash and then several are helping Micah and Megan move, then youth Bible study. A very fulfilling day.

Everyone have a great day in the Lord tomorrow.

Quilt of Holes

2009-07-30T00:16:00.002-05:00

A precious sister back in Menomonie sent this to me and I thought I'd share it.

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the
bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,
creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with
warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

This sums things up for me lately

2009-07-24T01:59:00.002-05:00

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Hang on tight as the storms spins around and you feel like your right in the eye of the storm. Then you look around and see several others right in the eye of the storm. You're all bearing your personal pain but you're reaching out to each other. Riding the storm together. Waiting for the storm to calm, but while it is raging allowing God to calm you in the midst of the storm. Then it begins to rock you again and you drop that anchor down in Christ and you know with Him aboard you'll make it and so will everyone else that has their anchor secure in Him.

He truly is "my Rock of Ages" and "my shelter". Though my mind has major arguments with my soul, my heart is settled in Him so my soul will win and I thank my God for the decades that He been with me through the fire and flames. I love Him so much!!!

What an Awesome God we Serve

2009-07-13T01:02:00.002-05:00

First He was in our SS class with a very active and personal discussion on sanctification that almost everyone participated in. Then we went from there into a FANTASTIC service as the Lord moved during our worship and the Spirit broke out and moved upon individuals reminding us He's there for us and lifting us from a place of burdens to a place of worship. The guys and gals broke off to pray together. When the ladies got done we began to sing and we watched the Lord move mightily on ALL the men as prayed one for another, linking arms together in a circle (it reminded me of a football huddle) praying for one another and worshipping together. What a glorious to sight to see these young man with pastor broken before God and not embarrassed by it. These are TOUGH guys but they know how to be sensitive before their God.

We had moose roast for dinner and then I went to play frisbee golf with Matthew, Nathan and couple of Matt's friends and one of their wives. It truly was a lot of fun. My body feels so old though. I stopped throwing at the 9th hole as my bad arm was beginning to really hurt and lost what little strength it had. I continued to walk the rugged course though. I enjoyed my time in the sun and with these people. They seemed like real good people.

Then we had another good service and Jessa shared scriptures on being a servant of the Lord's. Brother Nowling then preached the message he didn't get to preach this morning on the covenant. We then had a time of worship in song and a time at the altar.

So to sum it up; my body is old and tired, but my soul and spirit is refreshed and light. Now I'm going to bed as the "tired" has won. I just hope my aching body will allow me to sleep.

Another Beautiful Day in Alaska

2009-07-11T18:24:00.003-05:00

It is almost a perfect day here in Alaska. The sun is out and there is a breeze. The skies are still hazy over the mountains due to the 70 or so fires. The air has been so heavy it has been difficult to breathe. But all and all still a gorgeous day.

Have a wonderful weekend with a Glorious Lord's day tomorrow.

Interesting analytics

2009-07-09T01:21:00.003-05:00

June 7-July 7 (Cool but scary)

United States 706 (only 13 states haven't been to visit me)
2. Canada 9
3. South Korea 2
4. Malaysia 2
5. Italy 1
6. Romania 1
7. Spain 1
8. Australia 1
9. France 1
10. Indonesia 1
11. Japan 1
12. Brazil 1
13. United Kingdom 1
14. Israel 1

It looks like the out of the county ones came either during Jessa's wedding time or my 4th of July Valdez trip

Our Trip to Valdez = AWE!!!!

2009-07-04T23:40:00.016-05:00

We had a glorious trip to Valdez. It seems like forever since the two of us have truly been alone to talk with no people, no computer and no tv to distract. We left at noon on Friday and were headed to Kenny Lake (outside of Copper Center) to a B&B. The drive there was beautiful and we stopped several times for pictures, bathroom breaks and souveniers(I got this carved bear holding salt & pepper shakers that is so cute). We got to the Copper Moose B&B at 5:15 pm (I had figured between 5 & 6 pm so perfect). The place was a gorgeous log cabin. C.D. the host took us downstairs to choose a room and then showed us around. It was a 3 story log home with the downstairs having 4 guest rooms and 2 bathrooms. The main floor the kitchen, living room, dining room and a bathroom. The loft was the where the owners bedroom, bath and office was. The carvings the decor, the deck, the view, the hosts, couldn't have been any better. Jody had worked the night before so after the long drive he wanted to sleep for a couple of hours. C.D. and Kathy offered for me to stay upstairs and visit with them. Then as they began to get their grandson some moose stew they insisted I have some. It was delicious. I visited with these two as if I had known them forever. We talked about the Lord even. Then their guests from Scotland came in and oh how I loved visiting with them. When I went to London, I was only 6 hour drive from them (that would've been so cool). Then I played bowling on the WII with Jude their grandson. Then some more guests arrived. I got Jody up and then several of us went on walk down a trail that led to a gultch that was beautiful. It was just a great day. Weather wise it would rain, be sunny, sprinkle, pour, and more sun. We actually got up to 80 degrees. God was so good.

This morning we got up at 7 am, showered, and went up for coffee, french toast, bacon and fruit. The food was great and what made it even neater was sitting with all the guests enjoying it. We left at 9 am and then headed to Valdez. Oh what a beautiful drive. The weather was perfect again. I stood in AWE at God. As we saw glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, canyons. Every corner was a different view. It was so glorious. We got to Valdez at about 11 am. Drove down Allison Point in hopes of seeing bears. We saw the ocean, ships, seals, a sea lion. Once again another glorious view. We then ate at this little shack called Old Towne after asking a young couple at a coffee shop that argured between them as to what place would have the best burgers, and the young man won and he was sooooo right. The best burger and the best halibut & chips. We then headed out at 1 pm to head home and got home at 6:15 pm. We stopped just a couple of times coming back so we made great time so that we can be ready for church tomorrow. Here's some pictures, though good, it really doesn't show how big and glorious the sights were. Everyone have a great time with the Lord tomorrow.

The Copper Moose B&B ~ I recommend it to anyone headed to Valdez

The view from the B&B

Our room

Allison Point and the Prince William Sound (part of the ocean). At one time we counted 12 seals out there feeding but my camera would snap fast enough for me to catch them when they came up.

Keystone Canyon

Worthington Glacier

Driving to Valdez over the 4th

2009-07-02T01:58:00.002-05:00

I'm excited for just my husband and I to get away over night. We were going to fly to Kodiak (although he wasn't to anxious to FLY) but AK Airlines cancelled one of the flights on the 4th so we would just get there to only turn around and come back. Don't think so. Some day before we leave Alaska I want to see Kodiak.

So we went back to our original plan to drive to Valdez. The problem was he has to work Thursday night so he has to sleep in the morning. It's about a 6-8 hour drive depending on how much stopping you do. He said he'd still like to take a road trip so I got online to see what towns were part way there. We are actually going to stay at the Copper Moose B&B in Copper Center. I've never stayed at a B&B and I've really wanted to. The chain hotels were booked and Copper Center is about 2 hours from Valdez. We'll get up and a full spread breakfast with blueberry pancakes and all and head to Valdez (this part of the drive is the best so I've been told). We'll get Valdez probably in time to get lunch and make the 6-8 drive back to Anchorage as to get ready for church Sunday. People at work on one hand think we're insane but at the same time helped me to figure out how to make it all work.

I'm excited to spend some quality time with my husband, enjoy a road trip, get to stay at a B&B, and see another part of this gorgeous state that I can't get enough of.

I've been told by Mrs Stephens that I need to Blog!

2009-06-26T21:37:00.002-05:00

The past two weeks I have been in recovery mode from moving, camp and the wedding. Creating a new "NORMAL" is what I've been doing in these two weeks. Being in a new house, having our oldest married, and some other changes.

Looking back at camp...we had a 12 car caravan going 3 hours to Sterling AK for camp. We had all 5 of my family cars being used as to cover all the visitors that flew in. We took our time allowing photography ops along the way as we had so many visitors from the lower 48 and this is a beautiful drive. We usually get to the campground about 5 pm, have supper and then start service about 7:30 pm. I believe we got into camp about 6ish. While the guys were unloading the vehicles of the food and luggage, Brother Nowling and I went and checked out rooms as the dorms had beds all switched around. We were able to put all the older couples in individual rooms with king beds. My mother-in-law who is 83 years old was there and it was her first time ever at camp, so I was glad we were able to give her her own room with a king size bed. She slept well. The challenge with these beds was that I had brought bedding for double, king and twin beds. I had no king size bedding. But between sleeping bags and flat sheets we made it work. Upstairs on both girls and boys sides there was one room that now had a double bed and bunk beds so that helped with the ones that had little kids. Spaghetti dinner was well on to completion when we got back to the dining hall. I believe service started at 8 pm. As tired as everyone was from having company, state convention and traveling, everyone got right into the service. It was great having Sister Amy Anders there to do the worship. Though Sister Griffins messages was short it spoke and the Spirit moved and the altar was full.

Monday was full with devotion, classes, games and service. The Griffins taught relationships class (splitting up the boys and girls). It was great fun listening to what the gals and guys learned. That night's service was awesome as Sister Griffin preached on taking back the arrow. Lives were definitely changed that night, but war was also waged at the altar.

Tuesday was the combined relationship class and it was a lot of fun, laughs and truth. Then we had the banquet with a theme of Battle for souls. Jenna did a great job of creating "hell" with flames and lots of glitter (that several helped to decorate) and then we had the road that led to a big cross with every one's name written in "blood". All the tables were done in red or white table clothes with candles and then cross key chains made of nails as place settings. CeCe Winans song "Waging War" was played while Brother Anders (dressed in black) took his place in hell and Brother Griffin wrapped in white sheet protected the saints. Satan would come out and try to get one of the saints and Christ would push him way. Little Brother Anders and big Brother Griffin, it was moving to me. Then we went into the service. After worship Sister Griffin had the ministry pray for the children. In no time the Holy Ghost took over and we had a POWERFUL altar service. She then preached a short message on the Holy Ghost and then we moved down to the lake for our baptismal service at 11 pm with the sun still shining bright but the water quite chilly. Brother Anders and Brother Griffin did the baptising. It too was awesome. The water was so cold at first but they said they truly felt the Lord warm it up for them. (By the way, we had some really warm weather and some chilly weather. I believe it got into the 80's one day; so everyone got a taste of what summer in Alaska is like). The young people still wanted their bonfire so we did a small one about 11:45 pm for about 45 minutes and we were blessed to have a moose walk by the lake behind the bonfire. How cool is that.

Camp ended on Wednesday morning after devotions, breakfast and cleaning up. We had a total of 41 campers/staff. I can never thank the Anders and the Griffins enough for all their work. Brother Anders taught, helped with the music, allowed the Lord to use him during the altar work and participated in all activities. Sister Anders worked so very hard beside Sister Connie Peter in the kitchen (and ladies I promise paper plates next year) plus helped me put the crosses together (which was more difficult then I thought they would be). Amy and/or Bev was there with the music whenever it was needed. Brother and Sister Anders, I don't know if you'll ever read this (but hopefully Amy will) my deep gratitude goes out to you for what you gave to our camp. You were precious and a blessing beyond measure to everyone but I am forever grateful for the help it gave me and the lives you touched.

Brother and Sister Griffin our very precious. They gave themselves in so many ways to the camp. I don't think anyone will ever forget your classes. Your sensitivity to the needs of the people and the Spirit was a blessing. We worked you every way we could, although Brother Griffin and Brother Nowling really became fond of Fred Meyers...I can never thank you enough, but my heavenly Father will reward you greatly. And Victoria, you are a beautiful, precious young lady for the Lord. I hope your first camp was a good experience for you.

To everyone that came and gave camp was about all of us and allowing God to do a work in us. We came expecting and jumped right in from the very first moment and we were rewarded greatly because of it. Hang on to what you received. Continue to grow and GIVE and SHARE God's goodness with others and we'll see many things happen.

Though camp already seems like so long ago. And though I had thought that once I got to camp I would be able to relax and that didn't happen; it was time that I wouldn't have traded any moment for anything. It reminded me once again why I love the camping program. Those days at camp, we are secluded from the world. We deal with the effect that world has already had on us without having to deal with jobs, school, etc. I love camp and I pray that God will continue to give me strength to work it until I die.

My next post; I'll outline the days after camp and Jessa's wedding.

Sorry I haven't blogged details

2009-06-20T02:42:00.003-05:00

I feel like I need a month to catch up on sleep and just out and out relaxing. Even my boss left telling me to get some rest tonight.

I promise I will share details soon. This weekend is going to be just a time to have no real plans. I'll pack up the wedding things (flowers, shoes, etc) and all for Jessa as they're sitting in the living room. Then put away some laundry but beyond that NO work for me.

Tonight we're watching classic movies. I haven't watched tv or movie for weeks. It feels good.

God is good. Have a great weekend.

More pictures

2009-06-15T23:12:00.017-05:00

I still don't have the brain power to lay out the wedding events. But here are some more pictures. They are from various cameras and have not been cropped or anything as you will see for yourself. Hopefully they'll help you share the day with us though. Jessa and Levi these are for you as I know you're both anxious to see pictures.

Forgive the random posting. Oh and yes Brother Ray, Jessa was very tired but she also had contacts in that she just started wearing again about a week earlier.

Wedding picture a quick note

2009-06-15T02:17:00.003-05:00

It was a beautiful wedding. Jessa was a gorgeous bride. Though the preperations had some minor problems the wedding itself started on time and went off without a hitch. The songs and words that were shared truly edified the Lord. I'll share step by step details later. I think I could sleep for days. My week felt like a month long but it had to produce some of the greatest blessings of life with the lifes that were changed at camp and then seeing your first daughter be joined into marriage with a Godly man who's eyes were so full of love during the ceremony and God's spirit so very present...every ounce of exhaustion was worth it.

Now comes putting my house (and church) back in order but first lots of sleep to catch up on.

Less than 24 hours....

2009-06-13T02:10:00.002-05:00

and I will be a mother-in-law. The church looks beautiful. Practice went smoothly, the Anders, Levi's parents, were awesome. They worked endlessly ironing chair covers, and linens.

I am sooooooo exhausted. Just one more day...I've never wanted to be two people as much as do tomorrow. I want to be able to be directing everybody to be sure everything goes smoothly (even in the kitchen) but I'm the mother and I don't want to miss anything of seeing my oldest be joined in marriage.

My dad, brother and nephew arrived late last night so everyone is here. We just need tomorrow to go smoothly and have Jessa's special day go off without a hitch and then I'll be able to relax.

Awesome Camp - Quick Post

2009-06-10T10:01:00.002-05:00

8 saved, 6 sanctified, 2 baptized with the Holy Ghost, 1 healing, 8 baptized in water by two Southerners (Brother Anders and Brother Griffin) @ 11 pm. 3-4 hour services.

More details and pictures to come.

God is Good!!!!!!

Stress is my first, middle and last name

2009-06-02T23:49:00.002-05:00

I keep taking a deep breath, and reminding myself to stay calm but I've forgotten what calm is. I believe I've reached a level of stress that I have reached in months if not years. I am so thankful for all the staff for camp so I don't have to plan a class or worship on top of everything else. I know different ones have asked if they can do things for me but some things are impossible to turn over. Joleesa got a "hug tester" at work where you put your thumb on it and turns colors saying how many hugs you need based on your stress. Mine was black, the highest level saying I needed 3 hugs...where's those hugs.

Things are coming together. Every day people are arriving for camp. Levi should be here tomorrow. I know Jessa is stressing and I want to be there to relieve her stress but instead we stress all over each other. Jessa I promise that once camp is past I'll be able to calm you instead of add to it. Although, you probably won't need me to then as Levi will be here.

Brother Nowling leaves at 2:30 am to go get his mom in Mpls to turn around and come back on Thursday, while Thursday night I go grocery shopping for camp. Griffins come in Friday night late, Anders come in on Saturday. Some of the Bethel folks will arrive tomorrow with more coming on Friday along with the Dorans. We have state convention Friday night, state staff meeting Saturday morning, a shower for Jessa with her co-workers, conventin in the evening and Sunday morning. Then 11 cars and 38 people (maybe more) will be headed out for camp. Camp ends Wednesday about 11 am. We'll take a leisurely drive back and then Thursday we work on some of the last details for the wedding. My dad, brother and nephew come in Thursday night. Friday morning we decorate the church, Friday afternoon the our shower for Jessa (the guys will be doing something with Levi), Friday night rehearsal and then back to our house for a barbecue for the rehearsal dinner. Saturday morning hair appointment for the girls and I and then the big day. And I'm still working full time this week. Couldn't take off because I don't have vacation plus we have training.

I surely can't say I'm bored, but I am anxious for Jessa's day to be here and be so very special. I hope it'll all come together.

Sore in Body but so grateful to Many

2009-05-30T18:06:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post. With Micah, Megan, Tim, Matthew, Joleesa's boyfriend Dallas and the girls everything was over to the new house last night. Furniture is put in place, kitchen put together (thanks to Megan; I marked the cupboards on Wednesday night and she unpacked things on Thursday while I was at work). The garage is full of boxes. We still have a lot to do, but the place is amazing. Several are at the duplex and cleaning there.

The young people have been determined to help us get it all done. We are so grateful to them all.

Please pray for Brother Nowling and I though. Our bodies hurt so bad but we have to keep going. Yesterday I had to move my desk, file cabinets, etc at work from the 2nd floor to the first. My co-worker was great and did alot of it. But after all the packing and moving I came in tired and hurting. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my lower back, and the bending and lifting has it just on fire. Then I came to the duplex after work and Brother Nowling was sitting amongst all kinds of heavy stuff in the living room that he had moved by himself. He was saying we still had so much to do, I wrapped my arms around him and he started crying saying he hurt so bad (especially his knee that he hurt in a car accident years ago and continues to have problems with). When Micah got there I asked him to help to insist that he not do the heavy stuff and of course he said he would but no matter what Micah said, until the other guys got there, he was right in there. Eventually he just had no more in him and he sat on the couch and let the guys finish. They were great.

Now today he's over cleaning while I've been trying to put stuff together here. I've got a couple more things I'm going to do here and then I'm going to see what they need. Please pray for our bodies.....

Got the keys and met the owner

2009-05-27T01:24:00.004-05:00

Well tonight Brother Nowling went and picked up the keys. So when I got home after grabbing a quick bite to eat Jenna, Joleesa and I headed over the house to walk through it again. And the owner was there. He is a nut and very nice nut at that. He showed us all kids of things. Told us to make it our home. Told us different things we could change if we wanted to. He also said they've got someone coming either once a week or every other week (he couldn't remember because his wife made the arrangements) coming do the yard. How cool is that. That was one of Brother Nowling's concerns. He told me about the neighbors. Gave me his and his wive's cell numbers and email so if we wanted to get approval on something from them we could and then he would contact the management company to do it...he kept naming things that he hadn't done when they lived there but he was more than willing to do it now as it would be a tax write off. They're actually moving to Australia as he is Army Intelligence and has been assigned for 3-5 years in Australia which works out great as his wife is from Australia. He did kind of give me a scare as he started off our conversation saying something about "when we come back in a year". He must have saw my face and said he was joking that it would it be at least 3 years but most likely 5 years. The thought of moving in even 3-5 years is like YUCK! But who knows what the Lord will have for us by that time.

It's amazing though as you really walk through knowing it's yours it's like "where is this going to go?" The bedroom that is the master bedroom was a room they never finished, as far as painting that is. So hopefully tomorrow night after the church Jenna and Joleesa (and maybe a couple of the other youth0 will go over after church and do a quick paint job. Nothing fancy, just clean. I would really like a peach colored room but we don't have the time to tape off everything so white it'll be. But it's kind of a dark room so probably for the best.

Well go to Jenna's blog for a video clip that crazy Joleesa took of the place. I'm headed to do some stuff in my room and then go to bed. I may or may not post again before moving in.

Busy as a Bee

2009-05-23T01:56:00.002-05:00

I just keep flitting from one thing to the next. I got the State church books done for convention so all I have to do is drop in the May numbers. Ordered more checks for the church, only to have the bank cancel the order due to I had them coming to my place instead of the overseer's, even though I was told that was ok. Ugh...so placed the order again to be delivered to the overseer's home.

Camp - grocery list, schedule done and printed, went through the camp totes to see what was left over from last year that can still be used, found the folders and notebooks, got the crafts from Oriental Trading (got love Oriental Trading, even got pencils with special print on them). Tomorrow morning I'll go get the rest of the things that I need for the banquet, pick up the rest of the notebooks from Jackie, and get them put together.

Moving-is going well. I'll be packing the pots and pans, serving bowls and food cupboards tomorrow. I got the electric and heat scheduled to start the 28th at our new place and turn off on the 1st at the duplex. I couldn't get cable and Internet scheduled because the current owners has put their disconnection in. Oh and get this, we weren't going to get a land phone because only telemarketers use it, but IF we don't get the package that includes a land line we actually will pay $30 more per month AND we won't be able to have unlimited usage. Ugh! They get you any way they can. I now need to do a change of address. Post office said if done on line it'll be effective immediately but will cost $1 (ridiculous) otherwise it takes 7 days. So I got do that and rent the U-haul trailer tomorrow.

Jackie came over tonight and Josh and I helped her transplant my indoor plants. I had purchased some from work as they will be leasing out the 2nd floor so they got rid of all their plants. I purchased 4 and two of them were small leaf philodendrons that had vined together. All of them needed re potted and that's her speciality so we got them all done. The two tangled plants were placed together in one big pot as they were so tangled and it makes for one huge, beautiful plant.

Tomorrow night Brother Nowling and I will be going to the BBQ for Jenna's friend who's wedding she is in and we'll be going to the wedding on Sunday.

Monday I will be doing my camp shopping. Yippee, Memorial Day celebration. I'll probably be doing it by myself as I don't want to take anyone from their day's plans. I'm going to store the stuff at the church and in Jessa's freezer so I don't have to move it to our new house.

The wedding has had some great strides. I was stressing over the need for kitchen help when I realized there are ladies that I work with that would probably do it. It was so awesome as one even started to cry, honored that she was asked and the other ones hugged me and said tell me where, when, what you want me to wear and what you want be bring and what you want me to do and then don't give it another thought as she hugged me. Now that's the way I remember weddings being, a display of recognizing that it's an honor to be in a wedding. It's been awesome. Then Jenna worked things out for the three girls and I to have hair done at 8:30 am on the wedding day. They salon will be all ours as they are not opened to the public. They have promised that we will be pampered and I tell you we will need that. Also, we have a back up plan in place for some things that are uncertain at the moment. Lastly, my dad, brother and nephew have their standby tickets bought. Brother Nowling got all the time he needs as to fly to Mpls to get his mom and bring her up. She'll be staying for several weeks and will even be coming to camp.

I have to get my VLB service for Sunday night together, plus my camp and ABM boost for convention.

We still have so much to do but it's coming together. I just keep going over things day after to day and say what do I tackle today?

Everyone have a great weekend, I thank God for the extra day to get more accomplished.

Another Beautiful Day

2009-05-16T19:27:00.002-05:00

We have been blessed with several beautiful days of weather in the high 50's, 60's and 70's the last couple of weeks. With lots of sunshine. Mixed in there were a few hours of rain to make everything green up real nice.

Today we went to the huge Kampden Hills annual garage sales. This is in a higher income part of town. I went last year with Tim Osborne and I found my kitchen table and chairs, bookcase and a night stand. This year I asked Brother Nowling to go with me because there wasn't anything we actually "needed" and with moving into bigger place I thought we may see things that would work but that I would feel better with his opinion present. MISTAKE! He hates crowds and traffics. We got there about 7:45 am and apparently they were suppose to start until 9 am so people were just putting things out. At first though there were definitely people out and about it wasn't bad. But in no time at all it was shoulder to shoulder and bumper to bumper. No big deal to me, you just patiently work your way from sale to sale but he was miserable. The neighborhood is huge too so he kept moving the truck every so often. Not a good idea. One cul de sac area the cars were parked every which way it was very difficult to get out and patience in this kind of a thing is not one of his virtues. Finally he parked the truck and I went by myself for a little bit as Jenna was cold (she wore flip flops and it probably wasn't even 50 degrees yet). Then she went with me. No huge deals. We both got some games (some of which were brand new and hadn't even been open), a brand new bath fragrant set, frames, I got some glassware to match some that I already had, a full size ironing board (now that I'll actually have a laundry room), a girls tea set, cotton batting, a roll away bed (only $5) and artificial flowers. Other then the bed and a couple of the games no real huge deals. We stopped at a sale that wasn't a part of the neighborhood sale and they had a beautiful secretary desk for $75. It was definitely worth and I think they would've taken $50 for it. I knew just the spot in our new house and I could keep my church stuff in it. BUT he wouldn't let me. We really didn't have the money to spare with the move, camp and the wedding. But I really, really wanted it (can you see my bottom lip is sticking out :o( ). I'm sure I could've pushed him and got my way, but I knew we really didn't have the money. But I'm not saying he's right...I just knew we didn't have the money ~ grin.

Any way we came back home after dropping Jenna off at her place to work on her cpma service and get the local books ready for business conference (when she really slept 2 hours instead ~ how fair is that), Brother Nowling and I packed up dishes in the kitchen. After about 2-3 hours of packing he went to take a nap and I'm working on camp stuff. Really I am, I'm just taking a break. But I'm thinking that break is calling me to take a nap as I can't hardly keep my eyes open. This evening is our monthly youth activity and everyone is suppose to meet here and then we're going to play mini gulf. One of my favorites.

Everyone have a great rest of your Saturday and a blessed Sunday

My job has been slow; but evenings full.

2009-05-11T00:57:00.003-05:00

Well this past week in the midst of the business we determined we were going to take the time and enjoy the beautiful weather. Thursday night we went for a walk on the trail near our current house. Brother Nowling, Jenna and Matt kept pushing me. There were times my hips hurt so bad I could cry. I would stop and massage them and then continue on. I actually slept pretty good that night but when I woke up my lower back where I have severe arthritis was really paining. But it felt good to be outside with family enjoying God's beauty. Jenna got some great pictures.

Then Friday night we took a driver to Hatcher's Pass. I couldn't believe Matt hadn't been there. Jenna hadn't as she never seemed to be available whenever we went. Every season of the year Hatcher's Pass has a different beauty. The snow wasn't totally gone but the snow was melting off the mountains and the Little Susisitna (sp?) was beautiful and the trees were budding. Jenna got great pictures there too.

Then Saturday meant doing the church books and starting our packing. We boxed up all our books. All the knickknacks in our bedroom and office, stuffed animals, sheets and blankets, some of the towels, my tea cups and tea pots, and misc things. I really think it's easier just to pack and move all at one time. We stopped about 2 pm and Jenna and I went shopping for Jessa's shower and camp while Joleesa took off to be with her boyfriend and Brother Nowling napped. Oh by the way, I don't think I ever told you how I got a call from Alaska Airlines on Wednesday night just after hanging up from Brother Nowling. They told Jenna that he needed me to come pick him and take him to the hospital as he hurt his thumb bad. As I headed out I called him and apparently he somehow hurt his thumb in his locker at work (he had no idea how) and it was bleeding heavily and his nail was just barely on. I took him the urgent care. Matt, Josh and Jackie met me there. Matt stayed in and helped the doctor take his thumb nail off, clean out the broken cuticle and put his thumb nail back in so his nail would grow back. It was gross and painful. I guess when the nail was taken off and it exposed all those nerves ending that never are exposed to air and he felt a fire on his thumb. It was quite painful. Anyway, he had some nights of a throbbing thumb but it's doing much better now.

Then today, mother's day. We had to be out of the house today for the land lady to show it so Brother Nowling went to the girls apartment to sleep while Joleesa, Jenna, (Jessa had to work), Matt, Megan, Micah, Josh and Jackie helped me celebrate Mother's day with a picnic at Eklutna Lake. Once again it was beautiful. We picked up steak, chicken, potato salad, chips and Jenna bought watermelon (but we saved that) and chocolate cake that I won at the grocery store during a cake walk. Oh yeah another story. I was grocery shopping yesterday and their pictures of cakes with numbers on them on the floor throughout the store. I heard them announce for the kids to find a cake picture and stand on it to win their mother a cake. A boy won a cake and I thought that was it. Then I was standing by the milk cooler and talking to a man when they called the number 14. I look down and right by foot was the number 14. The man told me to step on it, but I said it was for kids, then the employees at the bakery were yelling at me to step on it and stay that someone was coming. So I won a chocolate fudge cake. It was a part of our picnic and it was so good. After eating we walked down to the lake it was gorgeous with the glacier above it and some ice still in it, surrounded by mountains. Kershaw, Matt's dog went swimming in it. I tell you Alaska IS the most beautiful state ever. You never get tired of seeing it's beauty. I feel like I stepped into a picture or painting and I have to pinch myself as a reminder that this real. I'm really here. I just love it. Though I know we probably won't be here forever, I don't want to leave this beautiful country that God has placed us. And I love the people that God has placed us over. Every day they all grow dearer to me. I want to thank ALL the youth at church, they made me feel so special today by sharing this day with me.

On one last note; I missed my mom today. It's the first mother's day that I didn't go see her or call her. I truly felt she was smiling over me today and I'm so thankful that she knew that it was God that had sent us to Alaska and had prayed for us until her last day on earth. I am so looking forward to seeing her some day.

Count Your Blessings, name them 1 by 1....

2009-05-06T10:24:00.002-05:00

1. I'm feeling better
2. We got the house
3. The house we live in now looks ready to show. Thanks to those that helped (now we got keep it that way ~ smile)
4. Brother and Sister Anders, Amy Anders and her friend Beverly are coming to camp. A teacher, kitchen help for Sister Connie Peter and a worship leader...I was praying for new blood and I got it.
5. Brother Nowling's new schedule at work gives him Thursday, Friday and Saturday off.
6. He needed Sunday - Wednesday off for camp and in 2 days he had people signing up to cover his shift. He won't be tired at camp this year.
7. It looks like we'll have close to 40 at camp.
8. Our congregation. God is bringing down walls.
9. My dad, brother and mother-in-law will be hear for Jessa's wedding.
10. I've been making commission on my job (it's been about sixth months since I met goal, thus little or no commission).
11. Jessa's wedding is coming together.
12. Joleesa starts work at ADN on Monday.
13. It's been beautiful weather in Anchorage for several days. Even hit 70's.
14. I got to go work so my list will have to continue another time.
15. The list goes on....somebody want to pick up where I left off?

It looks like the house is ours

2009-05-01T20:30:00.002-05:00

The realtor has to talk to the wife of the owner per the husband's request but everything else is a going good and the realtor doesn't think they'll be a problem. She's also going to request for us to move in on the 28th of May at no extra charge seeing as the house will be empty any way. We are so excited. God is soooo good.

Now the work starts in packing and cleaning. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Sister Smith I am definitely praying for you and I wonder how you do it all.

We Found a House

2009-04-30T22:27:00.005-05:00

With Jessa getting married Jenna's moving back in with us. The place we are in is so small and we constantly have problems with neighbors. We needed a bigger place even without her moving in as we love having the young people over. Rent in Alaska is high. We won't buy as it's too hard to sell when we get transferred. Well we found the perfect place. It's on the East side of town like we want, good looking neighborhood, 4 bedrooms (not huge but bigger than those we've looked at so far), huge living room, dining room and kitchen, lots of cupboard space, lots of windows, laundry room that includes washer/dryer, deck, two baths, office has a murphy bed in it (no need to buy a futon), two car garage, backyard with lots of perennials, 2 car garage with garage door opener. The colors of the carpet and the rooms are beautiful, not just your whites and neutrals AND though not important definitely a plus, they are leaving their big flat screen tv that's attached to the wall WITH surround sound. Has a gorgeous view of the mountains. This is only lacking one thing that we were looking for and that is a downstairs family room. But the upstairs is large and open. The kitchen has a breakfast bar cupboards under it on both sides (our house in Duluth was like that and I loved it). There is so much more even and the rent is in the range we needed.

Please help us pray we get it. There were other people looking at it also. We're leaving it in the Lord's hands but we really want it. So blogland raise those prayers as you have so many times before.

In other news, I am still struggling with my voice. I'm really beginning to think it's allergies as I seem to get better and then I have a day like today that my voice goes, the cough comes, my chest hurts, etc. Having said that I am thankful that I've definitely felt better overall.

Tomorrow we begin our youth emphasis weekend with a lock in at the church. I'm excited and exhausted already. I'm probably only going to stay until midnight as I need to be downtown at 5:30 am Saturday. The broadway play the Lion King is coming to Anchorage in the fall. Individual tickets go on sale Saturday and they expect people to stand in line throughout the line. Disney works with local media in providing food, entertainment, etc. This is my account so I've been working closely with them and we've done a poster that wraps around the Saturday paper and we'll be distributing free papers to the people buying tickets and I'm not sure what else they'll put me to doing. I forgot about that when I set the lock in, but that's alright. Our young people are young adults and Brother Nowling is looking forward to staying too. Back to the lockin. Larry is bringing his projector and surround sound so I'm actually going to get a Veggie Tale movie and then I have a friend that's going to borrow me a dvd of a Christian group in concert (I can't remember the name of the group). Then we'll be bringing the Wii to play baseball, bowling, etc and the Wii fit to play with. Of course games and we're going to make quesidillas (?). We'll have a time of devotions and singing. I really feel it will be good. Then Saturday night will be our youth Bible Study at Jessa and Jenna's. Sunday afternoon we're going to have a scavenger hunt and pass out tracts on Sunday afternoon and then wind it up with a youth service on Sunday night. So to say a very busy weekend.

After we get through this weekend we must start packing. While packing, I need to finish up with camp plans. It looks like we'll be having almost 40 at camp. I'm really excited. Along with that we need to finish up the plans for Jessa's wedding. I think May will be one of the busiest months of my life. Things are really busy at work too. So I could really use your prayers.

Anyway happy Friday Eve.

Awesome Service

2009-04-26T17:48:00.002-05:00

We had such an awesome service this morning. It started out with a good SS where we took the lesson on "Studying the Bible" and put into practice by showing ( and actually doing) the various resources available to really study the Bible (ie Thompson Chain study Bible or other like Bibles, Strong's Concordance, dictionary, Matthew Henry commentary). Practical study sources. I think it was helpful to several. We went over time (although we also got a late start) but as we went into our worship service, WOW the windows of heaven opened as almost everyone really opened up and worshipped. Brother Nowling took requests then had us go to our knees, then turned it to me for worship. It was neat to watch the worship turn into surrender and then laying our burdens down. It has been a long time since we have had the Spirit move like that. So many times we pray for revival and think we must bring in an evangelist for revival...but revival begins with "me" and each person present and truly we experienced revival fires. It felt so good.

I have continued to struggle with this virus that has gripped me. The biggest frustration has been my voice has been very weak. By the end of the day I haven't hardly had a voice. Yesterday I felt very rough again. I woke this morning feeling pretty good. My voice was stronger than it's been in days BUT after teaching SS to go into worship I felt it going weak on me. But I'm amazed how God sustained it through the worship and prayer. I did have the church pray at the end. I felt like the waters were stirred and I needed to be healed completely. I still feel much better but please, please help me pray for told victory over this BUG.

Once again PTL for His AWESOME presence!!!!!!

Joleesa's going to be working at ADN

2009-04-25T12:10:00.002-05:00

I am so thrilled and proud of Joleesa. There had been a job opening in classifieds for front desk before the layoffs. Joleesa put in her ap but the layoffs caused someone to move from the business office into that position so she never got an interview. When I got back from England I had an emeail from the manager asking if she was still interested. They had misplaced her application so she came and completed another one and we walked it back to the manager personally. Apparently they had to let a girl go. She had a great interview on Thursday (in her opinion and the manager's and supervisor's opinion) and she was offered the job yesterday. She'll give her two week notice at Target and will start 5/11 (and they've already approved camp and the Friday before Jessa's wedding for her to have off ~ that's the only thing mom did for her; the rest she impressed the socks off of them all on her own). She'll be making over $4 more an hour PLUS she'll have benefits (ie medical and vacation). I know she'll do great and they are looking forward to her moving up the ladder.

I am excited for her. This works perfect as classifieds is downstairs and retail upstairs so though we work the same place there is minimal interaction. God is good Joleesa. Stay forever faithful to him.

So Good to be Home

2009-04-20T10:08:00.002-05:00

It feels awesome to be home. I really missed my family and the church. I've slept a lot this weekend trying to make up for the jet lag and my sickness. We had our youth activity here Saturday evening. The youth played capture the flag, I relaxed with Sister Connie Peter(visiting from Bethel as she already had the ticket for ladies retreat and then it got cancelled). Then I played arousing game of I Buy with them. I wasn't myself and various ones felt for me and were very kind to me. Sunday morning we had a blessed SS class and service but I pushed my voice to far teaching and then leading worship. By Sunday afternoon I really felt miserable. Well the Peters and Jenna played I Buy I attempted to nap on the couch. I woke up at one time crying because my throat and chest hurt so bad. I cried out to God that I need reprieve as I was tired of being sick and needed to be able to work for Him. I laid back down and slept a little longer. The evening service was VLBs and we had it on "Follow Me as I Follow Christ". I had everyone trace their feet and share verses that showed what God requires of us. Prior to that I had Brother Micah and Sister Connie lead us in some of the old hymns that this young congregation doesn't know so well. I knew my voice wouldn't make it but it was so frustrating to not to be able to join them in singing. It was a good service.

I praise the Lord for our group of our young people. I truly believe everyone of them what to serve the Lord with their whole heart. We have two that don't come out to often because of all that's going on in their lives. I pray daily that some how they can find release from some of their daily responsibilities and truly join this precious family of God. My husband and I are so privileged to be able to lead them and I pray that God will use us to help them grow in Him.

Oh I received word from Brother Bennett the overseer of England, that a young man that he and I passed out tracts too, as well as a young girl that had come to convention (along with her family) came out to church Sunday morning. PTL. I also heard that some of the people there are still experiencing the sickness. So please remember them in your prayers. It's something how I can hear there English accents speaking in my mind. It is acting as a reminder to pray for them.

England Pictures

2009-04-18T17:25:00.022-05:00

See details in previous post.

A Life Time A Go

2009-04-18T16:40:00.002-05:00

It seems like a life time ago since I left for England. All the travelling was done without any situation. PTL. Youth Convention was awesome. Our English church know how to worship. It was glorious freedom in the Spirit. There were great skits, songs and messages. The altar service was amazing. Having said that Satan worked hard to slow us down and try to stop us. We had so much sickness from Saturday going forward. Tim wasn't feeling well on the plane, Victoria began running a temp on Saturday so Brother Bennett took the Griffins to the emergency room. She had tonsillitis and an ear infection. By Saturday I too was sick with my sinuses and cough. Sister Sharon got back Saturday afternoon and preached a powerful message on heaven and hell. We had a young Muslim, Ashley, get saved and truly met the Lord. Please remember him in your prayers, as soon as he got home his family really was on him. Then a young 15 year old boy named Luke, who was raised in the Church rejected God, not wanting anything to do with Him. My heart aches for him as it reminded me of Joseph Morgan, who did the same thing after a powerful message on hell, and died of an asthma attack about 10 days later (I told Luke about Joseph but it didn't change him any).

Sunday the team divided up to go to the three churches. Sis Marsha and Sister Sara at Northfield with Sister Beverly Anderson (they tag-teamed preached), The Griffins to Hansworth with Brother Bennett, and Sister Teresa and I to Durind-Heath with Sister Prince. Sister Teresa preached for us on Sunday morning. I became very sick during service. Fevering, aching all over. Brother Bennett also became sick Sunday morning. Sister Prince had prayer for me and they took me back to the hotel to rest as I was on to preach for the revival. Both Sister Prince and Sister Griffin wanted to know if I wanted to switch with someone and I wasn't about to let the enemy win. So I rested for a couple of hours and then the Griffins and Sister Claudine and Brother Stuart came to pick me up. My fever had broke but my sinuses still hurt, I was coughing a lot and I was losing my voice. God sustained me as I knew He had given me a message to preach. I felt it in every fiber of my being. I felt the anointing and His strength throughout the message. Brother Bennett too, was feeling weak but I could see God strengthening him throughout the service. Their were 2 saved, 2 sanctified and 1 filled with the Holy Ghost during the altar service.

Monday we went door to door in the Northfield area. Many of us by this time were sick. Brother Patrick who had been helping to drive us around was really sick. Sister Teresa by this time was sick. I've never seen a virus come on individuals so fast AND pass around so fast. Any way we did the door to door and the people were very responsive. Several said they would be out on Sunday. Lord bless the fruit of our labors.

Monday night we went to Hansworth and Sister March preached from Ezekiel and the dry bones. The Lord blessed again.

Wednesday, we begged Brother Bennett to take us to Wales. It was so beautiful. For me it was the highlight of the sightseeing. So serene and picturesque. I loved it. But Sister Beverly Anderson the pastor of Northfield, helped drive and she now was sick. We returned that evening with Sister Marsha also sick.

Thursday a van was rented and Brother Patrick was feeling better, him, Brother Jason Prince, Jennifer, Karen and of course Brother Bennett took us to London. We were to pass out tracts in London as soon as we got there. Thursday morning Sister Sharon woke up fevering and sick so they stayed on the van while we canvassed the neighborhood passing out tracts. We couldn't go door to door as they were all security buildings but we went through bus stops and parks and around the block and we had great reception from most. Sister Teresa actually shared the plan of salvation. Once again Lord bless the fruit of our efforts. By the way many of them from England had never done door to door witnessing and they were thrilled having been a part of it.

After passing out tracts we grabbed a bite to eat and returned to our hotel. AND I taught the English how to play "I Buy" Oh yeah, it was great fun as Brother Jason informs me that he's competitive and will bring us all down. He learned the American saying "eat crow" very well that night as I won, Sister Sara took second and Jason 3rd with Brother Patrick losing on the last round. But Jason was thrilled that he beat the English "brethren" as they call guys and gals alike. He then kept telling me he wanted to play again so he could have me experiencing "eating crow"; I don't think he understood the saying. I don't think I've ever had so much fun playing "I Buy" as I did that night. But I think we'll add a new rule; double blunder (if you take your turn out of place you have to pick up two cars) Jason and Patrick wanted to do that but they would've really lost if they did.

Oh let me re-wind a moment. Each evening we had dinner in a member/pastor's home or at the church. We had lots of mutton (too spicy for me), plantene (a type of sweet potato), fried green bananas, fish, chicken with curry (too spicy for me) and lots of other food. Though most of it was good, I like American better. Although, I can't really be a fair judge as my taste buds were messed up from being sick. The people were soooo good to us.

Thursday we headed out to sight see by way of the tour bus. Wednesday, the weather had been beautiful, but Thursday it was as we think of London, rainy and cold. We took a double-Decker tour bus around congested, people everywhere London. Then we got off and visited the Crown Jewels castle, from there we took a boat on the Thames river and then back on the bus to Buckingham and then back to the van and the hotel.

I've come away with a major prayer request and that's for Brother Bennett to find himself a good woman to help in the ministry there. He is a precious man that has never been married and he deserves the blessings of a wife.

The English folk do NOT like to get going to early in the morning. Their Sunday services start at 11 am or later. Every day's event was around that time as well...I'm a morning person and even if I wasn't I wanted to make the most of every moment I was there. Even though sick, I pushed myself as to not miss out.

So now after 18 hours in the air yesterday, it feels good to be home. My back is killing me from sitting on the plane, I'm still really sick (cough and can hardly talk) but I have memories that I will cherish forever. Although, I really think I left a piece of me (other than the many people that I shared my virus with; on Wednesday night 12 people were out of Bible Study where I went on Sunday due to sickness ~ I felt/feel so bad. Brother Tim called it the Alaska Lovin...) with our precious, precious English folks. Most of them won't be at the assembly this year but they're planning on next year. I so look forward to seeing those that can make it for a great reunion.

The First Leg Successful

2009-04-08T23:57:00.002-05:00

Mt Redoubt kept quiet (I was wondering if she would after we had our earthquake yesterday that registered 4.6, shaking buildings and pictures on the walls). My flight was a beautiful, perfect flight. Jessa managed to get someone to get me a window exit row seat. The middle seat was open so it was as comfortable any flight could ever be without sitting in first class. The sun was shining beautiful. I slept off and on and read off and on. I arrived in Seattle at 5:30 pm and when taking the escalator with my carry ons my one bag caught and I tried to catch it I started to fall backwards. There were two ladies behind me that steadied me and were so very nice. The one said how God was watching out for me. Oh He sure was as He always does. Once I got the shuttle to the hotel, I was so hungry, I walked next door to Dave's Diner and had some of the best tomato soup ever, London Broil, baked potato and carrots. I actually got to have dinner with my brother Kelly. We talked on the phone the whole time I ate. I really enjoyed it. So what he wasn't there in person, I didn't eat alone and I really have never been one to enjoy being alone.

I then came back to the hotel and ironed all my clothes. Yeah, I knew I would have tonight with nothing to do so I packed without ironing anything (I brought my iron in case the hotel didn't have one, but of course they did). After sitting for 4 1/2 on the plane it actually felt good to stand and iron while watching tv.

Well I'm heading to bed now as I have to get up at 5 am as my flight leaves out at about 8:30 am. You probably won't hear from me now until we get to Birmingham as I get to Detroit just a little over an hour before the flight to Amsterdam leaves out.

Thanks for the prayers so far and please keep them coming on behalf of all of travelling and then the services there.

D-Day

2009-04-08T01:50:00.002-05:00

This is a first for me. Travelling internationally that is. The excitement is definitely setting in but so are the nerves. The hardest part is leaving things at home and work, AT home and at work. There are things to be done that I just couldn't get done. The girls and Brother Nowling are capable of doing them. Some of the problem is that I haven't seen much of Brother Nowling as he's had to sleep in the evening.

Any way tomorrow I leave out at 1:30 pm to Seattle. I get into Seattle at 5:30 pm. I have to pick up my luggage get a bite to eat and get a shuttle to the Days Inn. At least I know I'll get a good nights sleep. My flight then leaves at 8:30 am to Detroit getting in at 3:50 about the same time as the Griffins get in Marcia and Sara will already be there, I don't know when Teresa gets in. Then we all head out towards Amsterdam at 5:30 pm and fly through the night. It looks like I'm actually sitting near the Griffins so that will help for a very long flight. I don't remember what time we get into Amsterdam and then we have another hour to Birmingham. Just thinking about is making me even more tired. So I'm off to bed as I need to get up at 6 am to be at work at 7:30 am to work until 11:30 am and then on to catch the first flight.

I hope to be able to update everyone depending on internet service. Please continue to remember to pray for us.

I Leave for England on Wednesday!

2009-04-05T20:38:00.002-05:00

Yeah, excited and apprehensive at the same time. I will be spending the night in Seattle. I couldn't get flights to connect so that I wouldn't have to stay over but it wouldn't work. I so wanted my husband to be able to take the night off and go with me. We'd have a good dinner and get a hotel for the night. When I left out Thursday for Detroit he would head back home. Not happening, he couldn't get anyone to cover for him at the very airlines that is causing me to have to do this. UGH!. So it'll be 3 1/2 hours to Seattle on Wednesday. Then 5 1/2 hours to Detroit on Thursday morning. I'll then meet up with the mission team there and we'll all travel about 10 hours to Amsterdam and then another 1/2 - 1 hour to Birmingham. We'll be in their youth convention Friday night and Saturday. Sunday the team will split up and go to different churches. Then Sunday night I will be preaching for the start of the revival. It is 8 hours difference between Anchorage and England, so Brother Nowling will be preaching Sunday morning in Anchorage, at the same time (but 8 hours later) I'll be preaching in England. How weird but cool is that. We'll head back Friday the 17th from England and this time I go to Chicago and then head from Chicago back to Anchorage. I'm kicking myself that I didn't have the travel agent bring me in to Minneapolis, MN and I could have visited family. I'm not use to the fact that Alaska Airlines flies there. Oh well.

I need the volcano to behave itself on Wednesday and then again on Friday so I can get out and then back in. AND the immigration laws in the UK changed in December of 08 regarding visiting for religious purposes. There's some concern that we may not be able to get in. Brother Nowling keeps telling me that's where "trusting God comes in". So that's what I'm going to do and I'm excited.

So far I got the state books done, the bulletin done for next week, the application for a house that we're looking at moving into the beginning of June, camp applications are out, the design for camp tshirts are done (one of the designers at the newspaper did it for me AND the printer that I used for years in Wisc is actually doing the shirts ~ I'm excited), I got the most the stuff I need for the trip but I still have lots to do at work to be sure I get everything done that I can and I leave specifics for stuff hanging out there as at $1.30 per minute to call me is NOT an option. I have to stop at Fred Meyer tonight after church for a small umbrella and a small tube of hair gel and then I have to pack tomorrow night, send off the tshirt sizes and see if there's anything else I need to do.

We had a good youth Bible study last night and great SS and service this morning. I'm looking forward to service this evening. Have a great week.

Not Wanting to Disappoint Anyone

2009-03-30T22:42:00.004-05:00

Please pray for me. There's a several things going on in my life that is heavily weighing me down. All of which affects someone else and I don't want to disappoint anyone. Most importantly I want to find God's direction and not disappoint Him. I just want to cry and feel like my heart is actually heavy in my chest over these things. Please, please help me pray.

Ash Falling In Anchorage

2009-03-28T21:56:00.002-05:00

The volcano erupted again on 3:30 pm today and now the ash is falling on Anchorage. It is real heavy at the airport. Jessa is at work and she says they are trying to get people out of the airport. Jenna was coming from her apartment and said it was like a dust storm. I was coming from the grocery store and definitely saw it falling. Jenna will be posting pictures of how the ash looks like on the cars. There's a moose that has bedded itself down across the street form us. I hope he'll be ok.

Please do pray for us.

Anybody Have A Big Cork?

2009-03-28T12:12:00.002-05:00

You know we've been involved in tornadoes, floods, blizzards, even around hurricane areas (did I miss any) and we know the drill. Well the drill for this volcano is getting old. Air is the main way of travel for Alaskans and it's expensive. We need Mt Redoubt to, as Jessa put it on her blog, put a cork in it. She said by June because of her wedding but I need it to by April 8th. That's just 10 days!!!! As I head out to England. And then be sure it's still corked the weekend of the 19th when I come back. There's a lot invested in this mission trip. I'm trusting the Lord, or I'm trying to any way. Brother Nowling has told me so many times "you're going".

You know there are so many people that have had their plans interrupted by Mt Redoubt (I just even don't like her name ~ do they call volcanoes hers or hims like they do hurricanes?) and the hard part about natural disasters you don't know even how to re-plan. Only God does.

They were saying on the news the last time Redoubt erupted (which was several decades ago) she blew 20 times in a 5-6 month period. She's erupted 12 times (I think that's where the count is) in a 6 day period. Maybe this means she's let off her steam and will settle down sooner. With each eruption I can help but think about how the Bible says that hell has enlarged herself and when I do, I get this gut wrenching feeling. So sad.

Any way that's my ranting and raving on it. Let me end with I am soooooo grateful that God has protected us. That we didn't leave for somewhere and get stranded. Though we don't understand the timing of her spewing, with convention having been scheduled; just like the Colorado regions timing of a blizzard with their district convention scheduled. God allowed us to have fair warning and gave us wisdom so that no one would be hurt. Thank you Lord.

Ash on the ground in Homer

2009-03-26T21:42:00.002-05:00

It's getting closer to home. The volcano erupted twice ths morning. One went 20,000feet into the air, the other 65,000 feet. Ash has landed on Homer and a warning is out for the Kenai pennisula. All flights in and out of Alaska has been cancelled. So I'm so grateful that none of us got stuck in the air when it happened or at another airport. So far nothing here in Anchorage.

But please, please pray. I leave for England on April 8th. This has got to settle down so I can get out. The team is depending on me in their plans and I have a lot of money invested in the airline tickets. I'm not sure how all that would work as my tickets do not start or end in Anchorage as I would be flying part way on standby or positive space through Alaska Air. They're saying this could go on for months. God knows and it's in His hands, but I could use the prayers to help to trust Him ~ smile.

Update

2009-03-26T00:27:00.002-05:00

After 8 eruptions Mt Redoubt has quieted down but is still considered unstable. Due to the volcano many flights were cancelled therefore bottle necking the airports as flights began operating therefore making it so Levi can't get up here. Then with the instability of the volcano it isn't recommended that people fly within interior of Alaska, so we had to make a very tough decision as to not go to Bethel for the youth convention. The convention therefore has been cancelled. If the Lord wills maybe it'll get rescheduled.

We were really looking forward to staying with Sister Connie, fellowshipping with the Bethel people and snow machining with Isaiah and Matthew. Yeah Matthew was going. But we know there will be other opportunities and we just PTL that we know we'll have another opportunity in the near future.

Meanwhile we'll continue to watch Redoubt and keeping praising the Lord for His protection.

More News about the Volcano

2009-03-24T00:12:00.003-05:00

The volcano erupted for the 6th time at 8 pm cancelling all flights again. So far 1/8 - 1/4" of ash has landed in Telkeetna which is 113 miles North of Anchorage. The ash plume is 60,000 miles up and all flights are cancelled coming in and going out of Alaska. For a short time today flights going South were allowed out. But the airways are closed again. Reminds when we came back from the assembly and a volcano in the Aleution Islands erupted.

Our youth convention is this weekend in Bethel. Levi is the evangelist. It isn't looking like Levi is going to be able to get in and no one is going to be able to get over to Bethel unless God steps in.

It's hard to say if it will hit Anchorage, it just depends on the winds. Please continue the prayers.

Mt Redoubt update

2009-03-23T10:28:00.002-05:00

Got up this morning and nothing new has happend. The ash is 60,000 miles in the air so pilots are refusing to fly so all morning flights are cancelled. The weather service is now saying it MAY miss Anchorage. Then it goes on to say this all could go on for several months of activity and threat. When Mt Spur erupted (I don't remember what year) it went on for 5 months. To follow the threat go to adn.com for updates.

It reminds me of the coming of the Lord. We don't know the day or the hour, we must not let our guard down but must be ready continuously. The difference with the rapture is He WILL come again. With the volcano, we were told it may or may not erupt and when started to quiet down they reduced the threat code. They brought it back to code orange early afternoon but did announce it broad enough that many weren't aware it had changed (especially on a Sunday). The Lord's return IS at code red and will stay there and the Church MUST shout it from the mountains, to the plains, to the valleys and across the world. We don't want anyone to be caught unprepared as there won't be time to do anything about when that last announcement made.

Please keep the prayers coming.

Mount ReDoubt Erupted

2009-03-23T02:48:00.002-05:00

Please pray at 11:38 pm Mt Redoubt errupted. Earlier today they put the code back to code orange but now it's code red. The ashes are 50,000 feet in the air and headed toward Anchorage. They're expecting it to be here in about 8 hours. I'm not sure how thick it will be at that time but without a doubt we need your prayers. Brother Nowling is at the airport and is on the emergency committee so he will not be able to leave until all is cleared. Jessa is also there. They are passing out respirators to everyone.

I'll try to keep yo informed.

Where Did the weekend go

2009-03-23T01:32:00.003-05:00

As Jenna posted Brother Nowling, Jenna and I have been enjoying her JAG dvd's. It's rare that there's a movie or tv show that Brother Nowling and I both like but we've found it. Friday and Saturday nights we stayed up until midnight, cuddling on the love seat, with Jenna on the couch across the room watching the shows. Friday night before we started watching JAG we all three worked together to do a quick cleaning of the house. Saturday morning we got up and put laundry in and then got Joleesa up and the two girls and us went to Qwennies for breakfast then went to get to get Joleesa's IM done on her car as well as her tags and registration. From there I met up with Jessa to do some wedding shopping. When we came out of our third stop her car wouldn't start, so while we were waiting for Brother Nowling to come we went in to a pizza place for me to get something to drink and Jessa to eat something. When Brother Nowling got there her car popped right off. She continued to have problems off and on until on her way to work this afternoon it stalled out at an intersection and we had to have it towed. Please pray it doesn't cost too much. We think it's the fuel pump. Anyway, as the day wore on I started feeling really nauseated. I'm feeling a lot better but my sinuses are continuing to drain, so I think that and the strong air freshener in Joleesa's car got the best of me. I was working on the computer when all of a sudden I was an overwhelming sense of exhaustion hit me. So I laid down on the couch and slept for about an hour. We had our youth activity so Brother Nowling and I got and we stopped at the gas station for me to get some seven up. We headed on over to be the youth. Then as I said we came home and had JAG fill.

I had been really praying for our Sunday services. We've been having great SS classes and services. I really wanted the Spirit to break loose and I was praying that I wouldn't allow anything or anyone hinder me from allowing Him to have His way. As I was leading the worship I felt His presence so strong and I worshipped, but though everyone was singing. I really felt quite alone in the worship, but I ptl it felt good. Brother Nowling preached on snares and traps and how we can allow ourselves (our words in particular) become a snare and actually be used of the devil instead of the Lord. It was strong, straight forward and very much needed.

Then tonight was Jenna's CPMA service and she based it on "see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil" but she turned it to "see no God, hear no God, and speak no God". It too was really good. Then we went to prayer and then to worship and it was the kind of worship that no one wanted to end. So the Lord was truly in our Sunday.

Oh and just a side note...I've been real active on facebook but I am so grateful I'm there. I've recently been found by some people in my past. Most recently two ladies (twin Korean girls) that I went to TC with and they were bridesmaids in my wedding and I was in one of there's. Over time we lost track of each other. Well Susan Song found me on facebook and I am so thrilled to reconnect with her. Her and Mary both are living in Anaheim CA and Alaska Airlines flies to Anaheim so Brother Nowling and I are hoping that some time we can go visit them. Mean while I am enjoying catching up on all the changes that 23 years (yes that's about how long it's been if not even longer)brings about.

So now we go into another week. My prayer is use me to bring encouragement in the discouraging atmosphere that hangs over my work these day.

Lay Offs

2009-03-20T00:15:00.004-05:00

Well today the newspaper that I work at laid off another 47 people. Last September they laid off 30 some people and in July 40. The letter hit our emails just before 11 am of the cost reduction plan and letting us know that individuals to be laid off would be notified today. Some would be laid off, those departments needing to cut 2 or people would be offered a buy out for those would volunteer and if there weren't enough volunteers, then they would be laid off by tenure.

It didn't end there. Almost everyone else was given a mandatory wage reduction (including me). If you made $25k-$50k your pay reduction was 2.5%, $50k-$100k got 5%, over $100k a 10%. It didn't effect anyone hired after January 1st or anyone making less than $25k.

Still a possibility out there if revenue doesn't pick up, is mandatory 1 week furloughs. So far it's not implemented so I don't know how it would work.

To say the least it was a strange day, as one by one we were called in by ad director. Us in sales were pretty confident it didn't mean lay off, but it was matter at that time, what type of pay reduction we were in for. There were those in other departments that were laid off even if they had been employed for more than a decade.

I'm grateful I still have a job, but I do wonder if I made a mistake in not accepting Mr. Wong. I also, received a phone call from a former co-worker who is now the admissions director for Charter College here in Alaska to tell me about two different openings at the college, both of which sound very appealing. It's like, not a decision again. I'm going to look into it and I'll see where I'll go from there.

It's pretty grave thinking where the economy is at. I'm so glad my trust in God and He will never see the righteous forsaken. He's proven that over and over again.

If you think about, please pray for all those that lost their jobs.

I Love Him So Much

2009-03-15T20:58:00.002-05:00

I am so happy my God is an ever present God. More and more, that fact has come to mean so much to me. It doesn't matter what time of day or night it is, He is there. You don't need to explain yourself to Him as He knows your heart (even the hidden parts that He some times needs to reveal to us). He understands my thoughts, and my emotions when even the closest person in my life doesnt. He knows my insecurities, my fears, my hurts my struggles, my strengths and my joys. He loves me as I am as He sees me as I can be.

No He doesn't physically wipe the tears away, but spiritually He understands each tear and He wraps His love around me. He settles His peace over me and gives me what I need at that moment to continue on.

I have been sick now for 21 days. It's been so frustrating as I try to keep going. My sarcoidocis makes it difficult to fight off this type of virus. We have our youth covention in two weeks, and the thought of flying with all the congestion in my head and chest is scary as it is sooooo painful to fly (last year I experienced tremendous pain flying back from convention as I was sick then too. I am sooooo tired of being sick. I've got so much I need to do...but God knows all this and I KNOW He will take care of me. I just need to trust HIM. I covet your prayers for His complete healing.

BUT I love my Lord and Saviour so very much. I truly believe the Word. I experience His Truth of "I will be with you alway" every moment of every day AND I can't imagine life without Him. I Love You Lord, and I know I can never OUT love You.

23 years ago

2009-03-13T01:04:00.005-05:00

23 years ago on Thursday, March 13th, having taught Bible Study that night in Janesville, WI I sat down on the pew turning the service over to Pastor Nowling. I was feeling pretty exhausted. We had a couple of songs and I was really hurting, but I thought it was just from being on my feet but then I started timing the pains and when Pastor Nowling said "do we have any testimonies" I shook my head at my husband, Pastor Nowling, "I don't think so. It's time." He had picked some of the older ladies for church, so he had to get someone to take one of them home, while he took the other lady home. I went downstairs with one of the ladies to get my suitcase together. Then the sister took Jessa with her and I sat there waiting for my husband to come and get me (he didn't have far to go to take the member home, and the hospital was just a few blocks down the road). The surgical staff states that they really would rather be sleeping at 11 pm night...as if I had a lot of control over this, right. Then at 11:45 pm a cute blond headed, 6 lb 14 oz baby girl was born. God graced us with Jenna Rae another piece of joy added to our life.

That cute little girl, is now a beautiful, Godly 23 year old that we are very proud of. Jenna we love you and may this year be a year of many dreams coming true and drawing closer to God then you ever have been.

Love you and Happy Birthday from Dad & Mom

Feeling A Little Better Each Day

2009-03-10T21:25:00.004-05:00

It has been a rough couple of weeks. I go from my sinuses hurting so bad, to my ear hurting to my throat hurting, to my chest hurting, to counghing so deep it rips me a part, to a cough so loose that I think I'm also done to today. This horrible smell, a nautious stomach AND this stupid loose cough. Sinuses are still draining but not the horrible pain that I have been having.

Friday night I went to bed at 9 or 10 pm and slept until 11 am on Saturday. I think that is an absolute first to sleep like that. I got up and did the church books and then did our taxes (yeah lots of fun when I really wanted to be watching the Iditarod on a day when the sky was blue and the sun was shining). Anyway, I have done our taxes with TaxCut proably for 15+ years. I did our taxes and almost freaked out as it had us owing almost $3000. I was crying trying to figure out what I could've done wrong and/or how were we going to pay. Finally I was so frustrated I was closed out of the program. Well whenever you close out, it asks if you want to receive updates through the internet (ie updates on tax laws that went into effect after the program was developed). In the past it never made a difference but this time, uh yeah, we went from owing almost $3000 to owing just a little over $400 and since Brother Nowling and I remembered we forgot to claim the medical expenses for his dental work, it may be even less. Amazing that things changed that much.

I then crawled back into bed about 4 pm feeling very chilled. We had our finance class Saturday night so I knew I couldn't sleep long, but it felt good. I was up at 6 pm and though we had small turn out it I think it was helpful for those who did come out.

Sunday morning, I was still pretty rough, but I taught Sunday School but had Jessa led song service (I still sung and had my coughing fits because there's no way I could stand there and not sing). We had a good service with our handful of people. I'm not the only one that's been sick. Jackie and I guess Heather have been sick as well.

Sunday night I did a youth service. God had placed a topic of "walls" on my heart for a week or so. The walls we build up that shouldn't be there and building, re-building, or fixing the walls that God wants us to have there. I used Jericho in bringing down the walls through obedience and Nehemiah in rebuilding the walls and starting at home in the building program. I'm not sure what anyone else got out of it, but it spoke heavily to me.

Then I had work this week where I had to cover my co-workers desk and all management would be gone, so I was dreading it...fortunately it's not been bad.

So that's my weekend and week so far.

Updates

2009-03-05T23:23:00.003-06:00

I still feel rotten. I actually felt better Tuesday (not great but better). Yesterday afternoon I started feeling rough again and today I feel absolutely rotten. I can't miss work because we will be very short staff starting tomorrow. Speaking of work, I did not get the manager's position. A young man that's only been there 5 months got it. He has ran his own business and has a real estate license. I left in the Lord's hands so I'm ok. Can't honestly say I'm not disappointed but at least the two other people that applied didn't get it. I would've been troubled if either one of them got it. The one is arrogant and rude, the other one is a great guy but just too inexperienced and a immature. The Lord knows best. I'm still at peace about not taking the other job.

Thank you for your prayers for my dad situation. His roommate got moved across the hall. He now has a silent roommate. They are storing a lift in his room ~ hee hee. He loves telling people that. There's apparently a guy that moved in that is as mobile like my dad that dad is trying to convince to move in with him. The guy is wanting a private room. I guess the mediator had the nursing home chaplain do a survey of how many of the residents and staff liked my dad and got a long with him. The results were 95% and I guess that was the deciding factor for the mediator. I told him we'd been praying. He seems so much happier now.

The volcano is being quiet, although we're still at a level orange and Elemendorf air force moved their planes out of state. The thing is it can change rapidly.

Tonight the whole family went out for Italian for Jessa's birthday. It was the best family get together we've had in a long time. Everybody seem to enjoy themselves, including me even though I wasn't physically feeling the best.

This Saturday is our finance class for the youth put on by the Credit Union. It was postponed by the financial advisor last month because he was sick. I hope we have a good turn out. It's been a long time since we've had all our youth out to something. This will be so good for all of us. Pray for our local church. We desperately need revival. We need a minister to come, but some only want to come in the summer, some want to come but their work (or lack of work), or school or other responsibilities are complicating it. We can give standby passes to those that are in areas where Alaska Airlines fly, other wise it's real expensive to try to bring someone in. If any of you lurkers out there that are ministers hear a still small voice calling to hold revival, please listen and be obedient and give Brother Nowling a call (you'll find his phone # in the assembly minutes). I'm really serious.

We've been planning Jessa's wedding. It looks like some of the things are starting to come together for her. We wish we had more church homes for the people to be able to stay in as hotels are quite expensive here. But we know God will work it all out. Some will be coming for camp prior which is awesome. I'm really praying Brother Harvey Anders will come. I have the perfect class that I want him to teach/preach. I'm also hoping Amy Anders will come (though I don't know her personally, I've heard a lot good about her) and I would love for her to be our worship leader. Amy if you're reading this, please pray about it and talk to your dad as well ~ smile. Have I told everybody Sister Sharon Griffen (Tim and Victoria too) will be our evangelist. Brother Tim and her will be teaching classes on relationships. How God intended for a man to treat a woman and vise versa. This is something her and I have spoken about on several occasions so I'm really excited.

A month from Saturday I leave for England. I'm sooooo excited.

Let's see what else. Oh, the Iditarod is this weekend. I was really hoping to go as it is so cool to watch. But if I'm feeling as rotten as I am now, I won't be going.

I've been trying to change my blog for several days now to a new "cute as a block" background and it looks like everything is changed under the editing but when I go to view, nothings changed. Ugh.

Well, I think that's about all for now. I hope I can sleep tonight. Sister Smith I'm really coughing a lot so I'm going to try the vicks on the feet with socks. I'll let you know how it goes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSA

2009-03-04T10:24:00.007-06:00

At 1:10 pm I gave birthday to my first child,a 5 lb 4 oz (4 lbs 13 oz by the time I brought her home) beautiful baby girl. Now she is a beautifuly young woman of God that I am very proud of. Jessa we have shared many joys and tears together and they'll be many more ahead, but I'm so thankful that you know and trust the One True God, and as long you continue to do so, LIFE WILL BE GOOD! Happy Birthday honey, hope you get to feeling better.

25 Random things

2009-03-03T21:50:00.002-06:00

Jessa tagged me some time ago but I haven't done it...so here we go:

1. I'm tired of being sick.
2. This nasty bug thinks he's taken up residence in our house.
3. I am sooooooo ready for summer (Alaska doesn't see Spring~they experience break up).
4. I love Alaska.
5. I've lived in 6 states.
6. I'm going to England in April ~ yippee.
7. I'm next to the youngest of 7.
8. I would like to be Christian Youth Counselor some day. Yeah right!
9. I love Italian food.
10. I'm looking forward to being a grandma some day.
11. I am really looking forward to camp this year. The Griffins are coming and they're going to be teaching classes on "relationships".
12. I love to plan things.
13. I wish I would've been more physically active when I was a youth.
14. My husband loves candles.
15. My favorite color is peach.
16. I love playing games.
17. I love teaching.
18. I can't imagine life without my Lord.
19. I feel like I missed out on something special by not having a son (girls I love you very much, but I have enough love for son). I'm greatful that God has put young men in my life that have treated me good. All the more reason I look forward to son-in-laws.
20. I am so glad my girls moved to Alaska with us and don't mind being around us (most the time).
21. I love The Church of God.
22. I brought work home but I don't feel like doing it.
23. My favorite time of the year is autumn (but it's too short and my husband ruins it for me by reminding constantly it means winter and cold is right behind it).
24. I am looking forward to the "inflow".
25. This is harder than I thought.

The Decision

2009-03-02T22:48:00.002-06:00

I didn't take the job with Mr. Wong. It was a very difficult decision and I kept crying out to God to make it clear. As rotten as I felt Saturday, I went down to the Alaska Craft show at the Fur Rondy celebration. This was a very big event for Mr Wong's business. His staff were so friendly and treated me great, initially confusing me. Then as I stood outside waiting for Jody to come pick me up (I had him drop me off so we wouldn't have to find parking and he went and visited Sister Texter). I prayed and prayed for direction. Jody came and we went to the Alaska Experience Theatre Earthquake movie and the Alaska movie. While we were waiting we visited with more of the staff and I learned even more and it really helped me. And it was really good for Jody to hear it too. I then asked him to pleeeease tell me what he thought. He said he felt like I needed to stay where I'm at. There are a lot of problems within the business and current management put in mega hours. I don't want to be married to my job. Mr Wong didn't even wait for me to call him, he called me on Sunday. (Another fear that my weekends wouldn't be mine). He was very understanding and ended the call with God bless you and maybe the next time you'll take me up on my offer...ugh. He sure doesn't give up. Any way, so I let people know that I wasn't leaving and everyone was thrilled and my bosses comment was that I won't regret it.

As far as how I'm feeling. Though I've not fuly recovered I definitely felt better today, but by late afternoon I was losing my voice and I was really dragging. But I made it through. Jessa is sick again (I don't think she ever got better) and now Jody, Joleesa and Jenna are fighting it. I want to evict this bug from our home. I feel like our house is so germ infested. Ugh!

Oh we are now getting 10 1/2 hours of daylight. Until you've experienced only about 5 hours of light, where you will go 5 days a week and never see daylight you'll know how much to appreciate it. It is so great to see the sun...oh how that sounds spiritually too.

Home Sick from Work

2009-02-27T14:49:00.002-06:00

Though I have been sick this past year, this I the first in over 6 months that I have been "down" sick. I feel like I have been ran over by a truck. My head, my throat, my chest, my ears and when I cough it feels like it's ripping my throat and my chest a part.

I made it through work yesterday. I had hoped to go home as soon as my interview for the management position was done. The ad director was going to try to fit me into his schedule sooner then 3 pm but he couldn't and actually I got pretty frustrated because he had a couple of different people in his office at 3 pm so I didn't get in until 3:30 or so. How dare he :o) any other time I wouldn't have minded but I really wanted to get home. Any way the interview seemingly went well. He says he has 3 other internal candidates. I know who one of them is and though it's in the Lord's hands I'll really be disappointed if she gets over me. She's young and doesn't have much experience, but even beyond that she's rude. She sits in our meetings texting the whole time. That absolutely drives me crazy as I truly believe it's rude and disresptful. But I don't know who the other two would be and no one else seems to know either.

Tomorrow I'm suppose to work the Fur Rondy for Mr Wong. If I feel like I do today, there's no way I'll be able to do it, but it too is in the Lord's hands. Down inside I think I know the decision I'm suppose to make. I've been trying to listen for God's whisper that Sister Smith reminded me of and I think it came in a way of an email for Mr. Wong's secretary. I said I wouldn't make a decision until after this weekend so that is what I'm doing.

I covet your prayers still regarding that decision as well as for my body. I'm headed back to bed now. Sleep is what my body wants, but it's also what my body is making it hard for me to get...go figure.

Please Pray!

2009-02-26T10:40:00.002-06:00

I've got that crud that everyone has been getting. The head that's full of gunk, the throat that hurts even when your not talking or eating, the ears that are plugged or hurting, the chest that hurts and when I cough feels like it's being ripped a part, and hardly any voice. I always seem to get sick after a trip, but this time I thought it wouldn't happen as I got about 7 hours of sleep every night except Thursday night. Ithink it's being couped with all the germs on the plane for a total of 14 hours. But I couldn't get it at worse time. It's the end of the month so I have all kinds of stuff to do to close out the month and open the next month (and I haven't gotten caught up from being gone two days) but more importantly I have my interview for the manager's position at the newspaper today and then Saturday I'm volunteering at the Alaska craft show at Mr. Wong's business in hopes of it helping me to make my decision (I maybe should say confirm, I pretty much know what I'm going to do but I am hoping for the final confirmation by doing this). Bottom line I need to at least make it through today. I didn't go to church last night and dozed off and on, then actually went to bed at 9 pm (I don't remember the last time I went to bed that early and actually slept). I did wake up at 5 am when Joleesa got up and never went back into a solid sleep. I'm sitting here now with my eyes just wanting to close...Lord help me make it through this day.

Please, please pray!

We're Back

2009-02-23T22:53:00.002-06:00

It was great trip, but way too short. Our flight left out at 1:30 am Friday morning. I laid down about 10 pm to try to get a power nap. Brother Nowling got me up at 11:30 pm. We got to the airport and Jessa got us exit row seats (lots of leg room) and we had the whole row to ourselves. We flew to Seattle and we were suppose to have about 40 minute layover. We were taking the same plane but because there was a crew change we had to get off. Which actually felt good after 3 hours. We get back on and wound up sitting there for an hour as they were waiting to de-ice the plane. But all and all it was good. I dozed off and on but by the time we arrive at my mother-in-law's we were both hungry and exhausted. We went to Culvers and then came back and her neighbor was wanting to discuss the Bible but I was sooooo tired that (shame on me) I was hoping she wouldn't answer her phone. But she did, and Lord forgive me because He helped us and we had a great study sharing with her that Christian's don't sin (my poor mother-in-law has her hands full following up with what we laid out). We then headed out to the Thompsons in what was almost a blizzard. We had rented a KIA and can you believe it, no snow tires. It took almost 2 hours to get there. We pulled up and we saw a house full of kids. It was Montanna's birthday party and I don't know how many were there but there was a lot of loud, happy screaming girls along with Shane and Ethan. Dorn and Mitzi are amazing parents. They love children and are right in there with them with games, etc. Brother Nowling had been up for over 24 hours (he didn't sleep on the plane at all) so he went to bed and slept right through all the noise. Sister Mitzi was prepared to quiet the girls down as soon as I was ready to go to bed, but hey this was Montanna's party and I know they wanted to stay up and I just got there and I wanted to visit so it wasn't until a little after midnight that I headed to bed and true to her word she got the girls quieted down.

We got up about 8:30 am Saturday and Mitzi fixed us pancakes and sausage and then Brother Nowling and I went to find Christopher Banks. Using my gps on my phone we couldn't find it and the lady at Caribou said she thought they closed. Mitzi had said there was a bigger CB in Maple Wood so I put that in the gps and it took us to CORPORATE headquarter of CB but my dear husband was persistent and he found Chrtistopher Banks and CJ Banks. I got Joleesa several skirts for $5 each, Jessa a jean skirt for $5, myself a jean skirt and another skirt ($5 each) and then a blouse for too much. But I made up for it with the sales. I was disappointed as I walked away without any of their gorgeous sweaters as they were pretty well picked over. But I still got some awesome deals.

Then we headed to see my dad (my brother Kelly was suppose to meet us, but things didn't work out) so we got there and found him in a friends room. Please pray for him. He has a room mate that is really bad shape and really unreasonably grumpy and he and his family are making life miserable for dad. The nursing home actually brought in a mediator to figure out how to deal with it. Bottom line his roommates family and the nursing home are trying to get dad to move out of the room and dad doesn't want to. He's been in that room for 2 1/2 years. Mom passed away in that room. This man has only been in the room for about 4 months. It's like telling someone they have to move from the home that he shared with his wife to her last days. It's just not right. They were suppose to make a decision today, so I'll have to find out what happened. Anyway, we visited in the lobby for a couple hours then took him out to Perkins and met my niece and her boyfriend there. It was a great time with him. We took him back and as we were standing outside his room in the hall saying goodbye his roommate was yelling at us to shut up and be quiet. It was an ugly scene and my heart broke for dad. Dad headed back to his friend's room.

We then headed to the Thompsons. They actually got Brother Nowling to play a dice game called Farkel. Simple game, but Brother Dorn had us laughing so hard I was crying. We had so much fun. Oh by the way I won.

Sunday morning we really enjoyed the SS class and then Brother Nowling preached. Sister Mitzi prepared an awesome ham dinner and while some napped I taught Mitzi, Autumn, Landon, and Bekah (Landon's girlfriend). Autumn won.

Sunday night I preached. Both services the worship was great. After I preached the Lord really came down and blessed. There was such a sweet and powerful spirit. We really love these people.

Monday morning we got up early as we decided to surprise dad at his breakfast. Then we met my mother-in-law for breakfast and then headed to the airport. This time the flights were full but still all in all it too was a good flight. But it was just too short.

Now to go forward to another week.

Off to Minnesota

2009-02-19T01:04:00.003-06:00

Well tomorrow night, or I should Friday morning at 1:30 am our flight leaves for MN. We are actually on "positive space" tickets, though it looks like there are plenty of seats open and I'm kind of kicking myself for using Brother Nowling's positive space when we may not have needed to, it will feel so good to know we don't have to wonder IF were going to get on the flight or not. And we don't have to go from gate to gate to gate with the same wonder. I hate red eye flights, but hopefully I'll come home eat, back a carry on and lay down for a couple hours. I'm one that can usually sleep, or doze any way, on a plane but I'm in a middle seat as to sit next to my husband as he has to have an aisle seat. Jessa's going to ask to work that flight, and if she can get us an empty row, that would be so cool. Or you know what would be better yet, would be first class. I better wake up and stop dreaming. Anyway, it'll be so nice to get away as I haven't left Anchorage since September. That still seems so strange as when we were in WI we would go somewhere at least one weekend a month. It'll be great to see my dad (it's my dad's birthday) and brother, my mother-in-law and hopefully Brother Nowling's nephew and family. And then to see our dear friends the Thompson. We love this family. Brother Nowling will be preaching Sunday morning in Princeton and I'll be preaching Sunday night. I am really excited for the whole weekend.

On another note, it's official, I'm going to England for the mission trip. I paid for my ticket. Ouch, $1100. I've struggled recently about going because of Jessa's wedding. I had committed to going before she became engaged. I knew I could probably back out, but I got the days off work and that was such a miracle. I just truly feel like I'm suppose to go. But it was always hanging in the back of my head that maybe I shouldn't be spending the money. At the time I committed I bringing in some good commission checks, but that's a thing of the past. But there's no turning back now. I'll be flying standby (or positive space to Seattle)on April 8th and then flying from Seattle to Detroit and meeting up with the team, going from there to Amsterdam and then Birmingham. Then on the 18th fly from London to Detroit, Detroit to Chicago (that legs by myself) and then standby to Anchorage. It seems real now that I have my passport and have paid for my ticket (reality will really hit when I receive my tickets).

The girls were going to go on a sister trip to Hawaii. Joleesa was so excited and they She was devastated. I talked to Brother Nowling and he said why don't I go. Yeah right, there is no way I could get more time off. Then it hit me, it's only Thursday through Monday. He doesn't work Thursday through Saturday so he just needed to get coverage for Sunday and Monday. Those two have such similar likes so they'll really enjoy the time together and when she flies with him, she doesn't have to pay. So it's going to be a father daughter trip now. He's already got Sunday covered. I think they're both really excited, although I think some of Joleesa's friends can't understand approved her time off work only to have Jessa and Jenna say they just couldn't afford it. why she would want to go with her dad (sad world). They both also are apprehension of flying for the first time over the ocean ~ they'll have calm each other ~smile.

In other news the girls I went shopping last night for bridesmaids dresses and Jessa's wedding dress. I've struggled with the idea of Jessa getting a different wedding dress as she already bought one several years ago and she had really loved that dress. It was too big at that time, but now it would need altering the other way as she has filled out more and can't quite zip all the way. That's what she was going to do but changed her mind. I was really upset at first as it's wasted money (even if I wasn't paying for the new dress). But finally I had to let it go and she did choose a beautiful dress (and it has bow under the bodice like the bridesmaids dresses). If I remember right, I think it's costing the same amount as the other dress. So anyway, she's going to put it on Craig's list and I'm going to put in the paper and hopefully we can sell it and put the money towards the wedding.

Well I need to get to bed. You may not hear from me for a few days ~ oh that's right ~ that's no different then any other week.

Today Started Off Rough

2009-02-15T19:36:00.005-06:00

Today we were having potluck after Sunday morning service. I was fixing chili. No big deal. I planned to get up 7:30 but hit my snooze (shame on me). Got up showered, started the chili, and started gathering up everything. I went to print out the bulletins (I always wait until Sunday morning in case I feel differently about the songs for worship-I think I've got to just go ahead and do it on Saturday). Anyway towards the last couple of the copies of the inside, we started running out of black ink. So I went into the cover to change all the black text to color so I could finish it. Somehow in doing that, it threw "The Church of God" line on to what is the back page, yet it didn't show on the screen ~ ugh (but if I would've done the print preview it did show it there). Any way several of them printed that way before Brother Nowling called me in to tell me. So I had to fix it. THEN he had to print out his message and remember, no black ink so I had to change it to color for him. Then we loaded the car. We drove seperately because we were going to have the youth activity after the potluck. Joleesa and I headed to McDonalds to grab a quick coffee and Brother Nowling headed to the church. My phone rings and it's him his key card isn't unlocking the door. I get there and mine didn't work either...it's really NOT a good day. Fortunately, due to my interviewing for the job with Mr Wong, I had his property manager's phone # on a notepad in my purse. I call her and the maintenance man can't come but she'll be there in about an hour...not good. All of us standing outside wondering what to do. Jaime, the property manager calls me back and says the maintenance man will be there in a half hour. Brother Nowling says he'll stay and wait. Some of went over to Barnes and Noble, some decided to just go home (ugh) and some hung there with Brother Nowling. We know more than got our order for coffee in and Brother Nowling called to say that the maintenance man was there. It turns out we got into the 30's yesterday and today and the key was actually working but the door was frozen. Our key was only worked on the one door (which we didn't know, as Brother Nowling tried it on all the doors). They're now going to program our keys for three of the doors AND he promised us a wireless income system so if the door locks someone out they'll be able to buzz us and someone can go let them in. AND he promised he'd get it in this week. So all things happen for a purpose. So by this time is 10:30 am. By the time we got the cars unloaded and settled in for SS it was 10:45 am and being as Brother Nowling was the only one there from the adult class, he joined the young adult class. We really had a very interactive class about the conscience. I love it when eveyone gets involved.

We wound up just doing SS so at noon, we closed in prayer and had our potluck. We usually do our youth activity on the 3rd Saturday, but Brother Nowling and I will be gone next Friday through Monday to Minnesota to see our family. It seems like forever. I am so looking forward to it. The great thing is we're not flying standby and yet it's not costing us a thing as we're using Brother Nowling's postive space that he received some how from the airport. Meaning they're secured seats at n/c. PTL. We'll be staying at Dorn and Mitzi Thompson. I love this family. Sister Mitzi and I will cry and laugh together. As well as see Brother Nowing's mom, and my dad and brother (maybe another brother and sister will come to see us). Anyway, sorry for straying...because we'll be gone I moved the youth activity to the second week but Saturday was vacation day so I didn't want to take away from those that wanted to do something so it was Joleesa's activity so she agreed to do it Sunday afternoon, and thus the potluck also.

Brother Nowling had to work Friday and Saturday nights (as to get next Sunday off) so we went out for breakfast when he got off work on Saturday morning. He was trying to say that was our valentine date...not to sound ungreatful but we would've done that anyway. Then today different one's were asking me what he got me...and I would just look at him and grin and he would tell them thanks for nothing (basically). It was great! So he owes me big time. Especially since I got him a card and the 4x4 truck driving game for the WII.

Now tonight is my youth service so hopefully all the bad stuff is out of the way so we'll have an awesome service.

Tomorrow is President's day so two of my co-workers are off (we do a patriots day and employees chose a day off in Jan or Feb - thus my Friday to go to MN) but this mean I have two desks to cover.

Oh by the way, I am really frustrated, around September we had our piano tuned, and it's needing it again. All we can figure is the temp got down to 60 degrees when it got really cold. I just find it hard to believe that would do it...but it is so out of tune that Micah can't even play the guitar. So I'm going to call the lady tomorrow about it. Brother Nowling wanted to, but I wanted to talk to her and see what her thoughts were and see if maybe she'll discount it.

Big Decision

2009-02-10T10:51:00.002-06:00

Please pray for God to show me what I'm suppose to do about this job opportunity. I met with Mr. Wong AGAIN last night. He is so adamant that I'm the person for this job. I had hoped I'd have until May 1st if I was to take it but he's told the person that's in the position now that he's done March 1st (they both agree it's not working I guess). I told him I didn't want to make the decision until after I helped them out with Fur Rondy because I needed that observation to make my decision. Then there's the newspaper...our new VP of advertising started yesterday. My first impression of him is that I think this guy will do great at getting things turned around, then it turns out he's from Wisconsin originally and worked with my boss from the paper their Menomonie. If ever there was boss I really enjoyed working with it was the publisher of the paper in Menomonie. So I sent an email off to my former boss to get his take. I'll be talking to the VP probably today. I really need direction with a peace that even it takes me out of my comfort zone, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt this where God wants me. So please continue to pray.

Also, remember Jessa as she came home with terrible cold...the vicks on her feet has helped the coughing some but not entirely. AND the rest of us don't need or want to get sick.

Feeling Much Better

2009-02-06T23:37:00.003-06:00

It's been a rough week of just feeling yucky. PTL it didn't go full fledge though. More in my sinuses and my vocal then anything. Mornings were terrible but after a hot shower and a few hours into the day I wouldn't be too bad. Yesterday was actually was a good day and I actually came home and worked out with the wii fit. I really had a work out with it and it was fun. I love it. Brother Nowling did it too, but he goofed off more than anything.

The only other news is that apparently there's going to be more people laid off at the newspaper where I work. My job is secure as it's revenue driven but I've not made goal for 3 months as sales have been down so much so that means commissions have been next to nothing. I go to meet with Mr. Wong on Monday night. With the economy like it is I don't know what to do. I have this "feeling" I'm suppose to take this other job, but I don't know why. I'm asking the Lord to make it clear beyond a shadow of a doubt, as there's no going back once I leave the newspaper. I told his son I wanted to wait until after the Fur Rondy celebration which they are a huge part of and I've committed to helping with it and then I'd make a decision after that. He thought that was a good idea. That's not until the end of February so PTL I don't need to make any quick decision. If you think about it, please remember this in your prayers.

Well, I don't know about anyone else but I'm thrilled it's the weekend. I'm not sure what all I'll be doing. We do have our youth Bible Study tomorrow night. Brother Nowling wants me to do our taxes so we know how much money we still need for my trip to England. Other than all that I don't know what I'll be doing. Oh we're going to start the South Beach diet so we'll be going grocery shopping for the "right" foods. No matter how you look at it's the weekend and that means no having to go to work and we have church. That makes it all good.

Oh, Sister Tammi's blog talked about spiritual giants, I commented on her blog as to who one of my spiritual giants were but I want say here is this; I just really ask God to help me the type of person that some day someone will see so much of Him in me that they may say that of me...not for the glory, but because that means I've made a difference. I remember as a young girl wanting so much for Christ to be seen in me in such a way that a complete stranger could see Christ in me from a distance or close up. I have a long way to go, but my prayer is so much that I might be the example that I need to be and the help that I need to be. I hope it's not wrong to feel that way. I hope it's not wrong to have that desire. God knows my heart and whether I should have shared it here or not, I don't know. But I did...so take it for what it's worth.

Feeling pretty Rough

2009-02-03T00:57:00.002-06:00

Saturday night, or early Sunday morning I was woke up by the pain in my throat. It hurt so bad. After some hot tea and lemon it felt better. By the time I got done leading song service Sunday morning and evening I was starting to feel it a little. Once again in middle of the night the pain woke me up. When I got up this morning I had hot tea and lemon and by the time I left the house my throat was scratchy. All day my nose was running, my head was hurting, as was my chest. Tonight I have all that plus the scratchy throat along with it being sore. I'm sure that means a cough tomorrow. Several have been sick at work, and when Brother Nowling came home from Colorado he was sick...I don't why they think they have to share it.

The worse part is, I can't call in to work tomorrow as I have 3 appointments with clients. Ugh! I could use your prayers please.

Still Waiting

2009-02-02T01:06:00.003-06:00

Everyone is still watching Mt Redoubt. A fly over was done and the volcano is putting off gases that are only emitted prior to an eruption. Other than that the rumblings have quieted, it's kind of like the quiet before the storm so they are still figuring it will blow it's just a matter of when, and if the winds will blow the ash towards Anchorage. Brother Nowling picked up four cases of bottled water and bought masks. Whether he take any other percautions, I'm not sure but please continue your prayers. Sister Becki, usually I love to think about the fact that we'll have memories to share with grand kids, but you know, I'm ok if I don't get this memory :-). And Jessa, you need to watching things closely and kind of have a plan B in case you can't get home.

As far as other news. I'm so excited, I got Wii Fit. I had read it about it I think it was on Emili's blog and I've been trying to figure out what to do about an excercise program. I hate joining health clubs and having to have a contract. So I was asking Matthew if he knew about Wii Fit and he actually borrowed me his Wii console until I can get money saved up to buy it (that was if it looked like it worked for me). So after going to Fred Meyer and having all the Fred Meyer's called, calling Best Buy and Game Stop no one had it. I was so bummed. I called Joleesa and she asked if I tried Target, and ah "no" I forget about them being here. So I called and sure enough they had a bunch. So I headed over, then later in the evening Matt came over and set it up and we enjoyed doing it. I'm going to love it. It's basically playing games with your body. How cool is that. I'm going to try to start getting up 1/2 hour earlier to do a 1/2 work out (won't happen tomorrow as I pretty tired tonight). So I'm really excited.

It was men's retreat this weekend so I had charge of service this morning. We only 7 but we had a good SS that I allowed to go long as everyone was really into it and then we had a good worship time. Then a bunch headed to our place for sloppy joes and other food and junk food and watch the superbowl. 3 of Joleesa's friends came over plus Matthew, Nathan, Isaiah, Jacob, and Megan so there was about 11 of us (we really need to find a bigger place ~ please pray, as we're looking). There were a lot of laughs over the commercials and yelling over the game. Fortunately there wasn't anyone that was sold on any one team (although Jacob and Jazzy kind of are) so it cheering over just good plays. Then it was off to church where we enjoyed a good Spirit and a message by Brother McMahon.

Well I'm off to bed. Everyone have a good week.

Mt Redoubt Volcano

2009-01-29T01:11:00.002-06:00

First let me thank you for your prayers. Both Brother Nowling and I are feeling much better. I slept real sound last night and it felt good.

Now for my title. Mt Redoubt is a volcano that has been having a lot of rumblings and the snow is all melted on top of it. Seismologist are saying that they expect to erupt within days. Mt Redoubt is only 103 miles from Anchorage on the Cook Inlet. The last time it erupted was 1990 and much damage was caused and lives even lost. The ashes from the volcano is supposedly like glass. People are encouraged to have goggles and masks on hand. They are saying we are to be prepared to cover all vents and if driving to immediately when it takes place to immediately to turn off your car. I'm not one to easily be scared. I have had tornado sirens go off and tornadoes hit around us and not really been afraid. I don't know why this has me really concerned. I think maybe it's because it's something I'm not familiar with, have not been around and haven't talked to anyone who does. So do I go out and buy the supplies that they are telling us too. Home Depot sold 100s of the masks. The military gave them out to Heather and Jeremy. So I really think I need to take this serious. I at first told Jody not to get worked up over it and his comment was "I don't want to be caught with my pants down". I do think maybe God would want us to use wisdom and be prepared. No matter how prepared we are we still need God's protection. Another thing that bothers me is whenever I have thought of a volcano I have thought of the scripture "that hell is enlarging herself". It's really an erie thought. Please do pray for us and all of Alaska.