I'm So Tired Already

I'm soooo tired already and it's going to be a looooong night. I'm expecting just about anything and trying to be prepared for it, especially seeing what Brother Bobby's going through. I have a great peace though and I thank you for the prayers as that is the only reason for the peace. No matter what takes place, I am looking forward to spending time with my husband. We don't get much time together as I work days and he works nights. So this will be a blessing no matter what happens...although I want to be at convention *pout*

Well I have to go finish the last little things of packing. I then have to go clean my office (Jody and the girls have been doing this to earn extra money for us). The girls will do it themselves over the weekend. I then pick Joleesa up from work, come home and take a quick bath and then leave to pick Jody up at work at 9 p.m. and we'll take off for Chicago.

With this peace Lord give us strength as our bodies are already tired and we want to be able to enjoy the convention when we get there. Jody can go on little sleep. I have severe anemia (I get monthly B-12 shots, which I got today) and cannot make it with little sleep. I will hold onto the scripture in Romans that says "If that same spirit that raised up Christ from the dead, dwell in me, it will quicken my mortal body". I'm not sure if that's exact but He's done it before so Do it again Lord, please!

Love you all. Thanks for the prayers and just keep them coming.

Busy Couple of Days

It's been a busy couple of days. Between cleaning the basement yesterday (still 97 degrees, yuck!) and then going back to work today (only in the 80's today, perfect). With only two days of work and 5 days of work to get done I had to work until 6:30 pm. But I got a headstart on tomorrow. I work at the local newspaper that has Wednesday and Sunday editions. So Wednesday is a delivery day (for circulation) as well as a deadline day (for advertising) so as Circulation/Customer Service Manager it is my busiest day. I always try to start the day caught up and by the end of the day I'm usually behind as I get hit with so many things. Therefore I knew I had better work late today. I don't mind though as I get a lot done with no employees or customers.

I got home and packed for Brother Nowling and myself to leave for the Alaska convention tomorrow night. We will be leaving at 9 pm for Chicago and Lord willing will be on a 8:15 am flight to Seattle (then by faith the Lord's going to open up two seats on a flight from Seattle to Anchorage as currently all flights are booked or overbooked). I actually packed everything into two carry ons as we have no idea where will end up and we want to at least have our luggage with us. Yeah, I really did get it into two. A garment bag and small suitcase. Brother Nowling will have the laptop and I'll have a book bag with our Bible's, books, etc in it.

Please pray for us. We're going to be tired but we're so excited about getting tosee what is going to be home, we get to be with our Alaska Brothers and Sisters and also get to enjoy Brother Wilda's preaching.

We hope to keep you posted as we go.

Great But EXTREMELY Hot Day In the Lord

We really had a great SS class, worship service and Brother Nowling preached an enlightening message on the laver within the wilderness tabernacle and it's comparison to sancification. It was great and it was one time that we were greatful that the church building is cement blocks as it was nice and cool (especially in the basement) and comfortable upstairs considering it was 97 degrees and very humid.

We're planning on going to Anchorage. All flights are still booked from Seattle to Anchorage but we feel the Lord's going to provide a miracle and get us there some way. Please continue praying.

We got the Alaska convention program and Brother Nowling said now I know we're really suppose to go to Alaska as he tossed it to me. It was addressed to Bishop JADA Nowling. We were laughing soooo hard. Thinking he just addressed the envelope wrong, we started looking at the program and the laughter continue. Brother Grant has "Nowlings sing"...NOT! Brother Nowling doesn't sing. Then as we continue Bishop JADA Nowling is the special speaker Sunday night. We roared. We have always had problems with our overseer getting our names right. When we first got married and Brother Nowling got appointed to pastor Janesville, WI and I Sunday School state secretary, we would get mail that said JODA Nowling from overseer Paul H. Thompson. So Brother Nowling started going by J. Allan Nowling. That became his name on checks, applications everything. Then we went on to Brother Lester and the same thing happened. But this was the first time I was ever promoted to Bishop *smile*. I would look at the envelope and just shake my head and say "this is just wrong". I called Bobby and Annette to see if they got their program but they hadn't so I had to share it with them. The laughter continued. Finally today Brother Nowling called Brother Grant. And he already knew and he had us laughing again...he said being so far up North they're closer to heaven so therefore they get enlightened on things to come before everyone else, and it just slipped out too soon. I'm sure this be something that won't die. lol I'm sure not going to let it be forgotten *great big grin*

Well I'm going to try to get some sleep. Hopefully the night air has cooled enough that the window fans will cool our bedroom. Tomorrow is a family day. We all get to work together in the basement sorting through things and marking them for our thrift sale. *exciting* Thank God no going to the office.

No Work Today

Brother Nowling and took the day off from doing much work today (except the absolutes of course. We went looking at trailers (a wasted trip except for we enjoyed our time together, but the trailers were small). We came home and took a nap and then took Joleesa to a friend's house while Jessa and us went to KFC for dinner, did a quick shopping trip, and then picked Jenna up from the airport. Our family is back together now. I'd say back to normal, but I don't know what normal is these days *smile*

While shopping, the Pastor's wife in Winnipeg Canada called. I called her back as we continued our trip to the airport. Please pray for them. There is only the 2 of them and then 2 individuals that come regularly but aren't members. Anyway they are really lonely. They knew nothing about Brother Pruitt resigning. No one has been in touch with them. I feel so bad. I use to try to call them once in awhile but I've had so much going on that I neglected them. I felt I had to tell them about our moving and she just sounded...I don't know, she tried to be excited and encouraging but I could hear it in her voice. The other couple that attends has been asking if we or anyone will be coming up this year and she's had to tell them she didn't think so. Now as to tell them we're moving she said they're going to have to really pray for the right timing. I wish there was a way to get up there one more time, but I don't see how. So please, please any of you who have felt small and alone in the Church, remember our dear Brother Frank and Sister Anne in Winnipeg.

Well I'm going to call it a night. God bless you all and stay cool (it's been hot and humid here, which is unusual this early in the year. AND we don't have air conditioning).

Have a great day in the Lord tomorrow.

I Need the Prayers

Ok. I've been excited about this move. But...Brother Nowling and I were trying to make it to the Alaska convention. Larry Walloya and Tim Osborne got us standby tickets. To make a long story short, after many hours on the phone with Larry, and Alaska Airlines, and searching the internet, it looks like the flights to Anchorage are booked and overbooked. There is one that has 1 seat and another 1 that has 2 seats. But standby means if someone else purchases tickets it's their's. This doesn't matter whether we leave Wed, Thurs, or Friday. Brother Nowling says he was trying to not get his hopes up...but mine were. I did not realize how much I feel like I need to see where we are going. (Not that I don't want to go if we dont). I just felt I'd know how to plan better if I'd been there.

I'm currently sitting at work (the office is closed and I'm here by myself) crying. It doesn't matter that it's been a horrible day at work as tension has been so thick as different ones wanted to leave early for their weekends and nothing was on time for them to be able to. So that is why I am still here waiting for our papers to come. And partly because of another late night (it was after 1 am before I got off the phone with Alaska Airlines and Larry)and partly because the enemy is just trying to get the best of me.

There's a reason I'm sure...but I can't imagine what it would be. Larry is not giving up yet he said. The good thing is there's $400+ we won't be spending that we need for the move. But I soooooo needed it. Not just the need to see where home is going to be...I need a refreshing. It's been so long since we've been in service with more than 3 other people and our family. I thank God He has kept His hands on our girls. Alaska has been said to be the Last Frontier, for us here with The Church of God in Menomonie, it has felt like Menomonie is our last frontier as we have been so alone for several months now.

I'm sorry...I needed to pour my heart out somewhere and not even a family member is available for me right now as they are all working (of course, except Jenna's she's graduating and I'm thankfurl our Brother and sister, Bobby and Annette were able to be there and help her celebrate). So you all are the lucky ones...but you could choose to stop reading too :oP.

Pray for me please. Pray for us.

Sis Nowling

Only the Lord Knows!

I am so glad our God is omniscient. He knows everything. That should make it easy to trust Him. I spoke to my younger brother tonight. Over the last couple years the doors of communication have opened between us. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and we're all spread out. The brothers all live in Minnesota and so does 1 sister. Then I have a sister in AZ and one in OK. None of us being close in distance or relationship. This brother and 2 of my sisters were members of the church at one time along with my parents (my parents are still members of COGOP). As we've had to put our parents in a nursing home Kelly (this brother) and I have started to talk more. A couple of weeks ago I told him about us going to Alaska (he was the first in the family I told). He was definitely surprised because at Christmas we were talking of our desire to move south. But he was supportive. Tonight was a little different. He kept telling me to be sure. That no matter how close we came to the date and much we felt committed if there ever came doubt don't hesitate to back out. That this was effecting not just us but the girls. He assured me he wasn't trying to discourage me but just wanted to let me know. I told him we are confident that this is right. Do I get scared? Definitely! Do I feel overwhelmed? Absolutely! But there's peace in it all. God doesn't change and ONLY THE LORD KNOWS how it's all going to come together, BUT HE DOES KNOW!

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8. Any time I have been experiencing a lot of change in my life, I have held on even tighter to my Lord as He is the one thing in life that never changes. There's a chorus that Sister Smith taught at BTI several years ago that talks about the weather changing and things changing around us but Christ never changes. HE IS MY ROCK!

Please pray for my brother, Kelly. He is going through a hard time right now, but I know it's a good thing. I can't share the details, but God knows and we'll be with him in this. But he is really feeling alone and he needs our prayers.

Well I've made this long enough, so I'll listen to Jessa (she says the longer it is the less chance for readers)and I'll say good night.

Together in prayer!

The Late Nights are Catching Up with me

I am not a night person, except when we have company. Between having a bad cold and coughing all night Sunday & Monday night (as well as visiting with Micah) and then staying up late last night (late to me 11 pm or after), I am exhausted. I know for the rest of my family that is early but I am up anywhere from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 am for work, while they are all still in bed. Any way it is catching up with me. I am sooooo tired and my legs are sooooo sore. This morning I didn't think I could stand up out of bed, let alone get in and out of our monster truck which I had to drive because Jody used the car to take Micah to the airport.

It was soooo nice having Micah here. It so different having guys around. In a good way. The Peter boys are all special to us and we treasure their visits as a family. It was soooo sweet when I hugged him good by this morning and he said he didn't want to leave. I told him he could change his flight, after all we have to pick Jenna up Saturday. Unfortunately he had to be back to the base tomorrow to complete some paperwork. We'll be seeing him and Josh Grant the end of July for camp, then the assembly and then all the time as they are in Anchorage. Brother Nowling is looking forward to having guys around him once we get to Anchorage. For once in his ministry the guys will out number the ladies.

Well enough babbling. Have a good night and great day in the Lord tomorrow.

Sister Jada

Old and Out of shape but not giving up

It was a gorgeous day today. After a hectic day at work I came home and Joleesa, Micah and I made Micah a home cooked meal (lasagna). Then we went to a place just 10 minutes from our place that I had heard about but never been to. I hate the name, it's called "The Devil's Punch Bowl". It is a beautiful place of cliffs, trails and trees. Punchbowl because it is deep and round, I'm not sure why they give the devil credit it for it as it truly God's handiwork. Joleesa will post pictures on her blog (getting her camera there was a story in itself *shakes head*). You know how I said yesterday I walked, walked and walked the Mall of America, today it was climbing, stairs and trails. Brother Nowling thought I wouldn't make it and I didn't keep up with Joleesa and Micah totally. But I loved being out there and I wasn't going to let my body stop me. And Micah proved himself a monkey over and over again as I held my breath as he jumped from place to place.

We then came home and they built a fire in our fire pit stove (gorgeous night too) and Micah showed his knowledge of fire tricks. It was good evening and night. We'll be looking forward to both Micah and Joshua Grant coming this summer for camp.

The youth keep my spirit young and reminds my body that it's not...but each ache will remind me of the beautiful evening. I needed it!

The late nights are not for me and I have had two in a row...so this body is going to bed.

Love ya all...I might even enjoy this.

A New Beginning

Another blogger is born. We have been lurkers and commenters but now have joined the blogging world. Yes both Brother Nowling and myself have been lurkers for some time...I would venture a comment now and then but that's where it stopped.

Brother Nowling had suggested that we keep a blog as we embark on "A new beginning" for our family as we put into motion the steps to the biggest change our life has seen in years, if not ever. That is Alaska. Anchorage, Alaska. We heard God calling us to move but we were praying where? God worked through theocractic government and showed us beyond a shadow of doubt where. Hence the title of our blog "Never the less, not my will but thine". Alaska. We're tired of snow, and cold. Brother Nowling wanted to tie a snow shovel on the roof of the car and go South until someone asked us what it was and that's where we'd move *smile* And God is saying Alaska! We remember the form that we completed when we became ministers. One of the questions that we took very serious was "Are you free from self will?" We both took our answer of "yes" very serious and meant it. And so as the call came...we answered "yes."

Hence the monster truck...the beginning of our journey to the faaaaar North.

Please pray for us as we continue to plan, raise the funds and make the move.

We'll keep you posted in the planning...so the purpose of the blog. As well to share other thoughts.

Together in the blogging world.

Sister Jada