We Found a House

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

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

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

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

See details in previous post.

A Life Time A Go

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

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

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!

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.