Conversations

Living Sent Today, Monday February 6, 2012

2012-02-06T07:36:00.001-06:00

Our Young Adult and Men’s Pastor at our church is preaching a series entitled:

LIVESENT: Sparking Missional Dreams

“Living Sent on Mission with God”

He actually asked us to take out our cell phones on Sunday morning during the message and text or tweet and for those of us who have blogs; blog so here goes ….

Learning on Sunday and putting into practice on Monday these ideas:

The mission field is no longer over there; the mission field is now right here so …

This is an invitation to dream together as a church.

May I live my life with this purpose—this responsibility: to share the mission of Christ as my own!

May I be about the mission of God and may I flood the world with the sublime blessing of knowing, following and worshipping Jesus Christ.

In Gen 12:1-3 God asks me to “GO” …. So I will be a blessing.

In Acts 3:25-26 God will bless me by turning me from my wickedness

In Gal 3:7-9, 28-29 God states this is me of faith and that Jesus Christ is the blessing.

So Pastor Bryan has left me thinking and asking myself:

Will my life be defined by my mission or will my life be defined by God’s mission?
Will I ask God to join me in my pursuits or will I join God in His pursuits?

How about you … how will you answer these questions?

In His Arms, Beth

2012-02-06T07:29:00.000-06:00

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Dear Dad

2012-02-01T20:40:00.000-06:00

Been home reading my Bible and thinking a lot about family again tonight. Even went to the photo albums to just enjoy pictures of the family. Then I went back into my archives of letters and reread some. There is just something about reading what has been written in the past that brings to mind God's faithfulness to our family. So here I post a letter from a son to his dad while in treatment at Teen Challenge!

Dad,

Hey thank you very much for coming today. It was nice to chat with you. Well I want to give you this 20 dollars for March. I gave you that last twenty for Feburary so this is for this month. I am so excited for what the Lord is planning for me in these last few months at Teen Challenge. I am so blessed that I got in here and am truly thankful for the decisions on you and mom's part to give me the much needed nudge. Well, I hope you feel better and that your visit to the VA goes well on Monday. God bless and I love you. Something I am doing for that class with my mentor is this week in the morning and night, praying that prayer of Paul in Eph 3:14-21. I personalize it and it is very helpful.

I love you dad, Adam

More grateful then ever ....

2012-01-16T14:09:00.002-06:00

I love that You are the one I desire. You satisfy me, give me contentment and peace in the circumstances. Thank You Father!

I stand before You Father
                        with courage
                                hope
                                and joy

for I know I face

the day ahead with You!

I have a strong and vivid sense that you are with me today!

Give me grace today to begin my day in, with and through You!

802. spending time in bed reading

803. long walks and conversations with my Father

804. fellowship with friends

805. meals prepared by the golfer

Saturday ... a week of prayers 1.14.12

2012-01-14T15:34:00.000-06:00

I praise You Lord and thank You for giving me a heart, a true heart, a tender heart, a heart fixed on and for You.
Thank You for Your hand that leads me
Thank You for your hand that holds me

Almighty Father, Protector, Provider, Peacegiver, and friend. How grateful I am for Your love for me. Darkness and Light are alike to You.
When I feel I am in the darkness alone, Your are there!
When I feel I am in the light alone You are there!

May I be a woman who dwells in the facts of Your word rather than the feelings I can't trust.

Thank You for Your nightly, daily, hourly, grace, mercy and peace. Thank you for Your reminder, Your rebuke, and Your discipline, to me for times of being judgemental. Teach me Your ways Oh Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

May I love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind and may I love my neighbor as myself.

Bless Chris and Megan

Bless Aaron and Alisa

Bless Ken and Ginny

Bless Mike and Denise

Bless Tim and Nancy

Bless them indeed

enlarge their territories

put Your hand on them and

Keep them from all harm!

Friday ... a week of prayers 1.13.12

2012-01-14T15:18:00.001-06:00

Your greatness Father is unsearchable
Your goodness is infinite
Your compassions unfailing
Your providence boundless
Your mercies are new to me right now, this morning. Father in the middle of the day I am quite tired make my lunch hour focused on You and truly a time of rest. Father, at the end of the day I am quite weary wanting to rest. Make my rest at the end of each day profitable.

I continue to defeat who I am in Christ daily. May I know today that You are enough to get me, not only through my day, but rejoicing in You throughout the day! I am confident that the good work that has begun in me as a teacher will be perfected! Thank you Father!

Oh God, help me be more concerned about the children made in Your image, and building up and edifying them, then my own selfish agenda. Oh God, forgive me, for living in the futility of my thinking! May I not harden my heart towards the boys who have yet to know you! Make me new, in the attitude, of my mind, my heart, and my spirit.

Father today I pray 4 Catherine, Syndey, Kendra, Brent, Keegan and all the HopeWatchers. May you, help me, help them, to grow in Christ. May You, let each of them, take refuge in You, be glad, sing for joy, because are their defender!

Bless them, enlarge their territory, put Your hand on them
and keep them from harm!

Thursday ... a week of prayers 1.12.12

2012-01-14T14:43:00.000-06:00

Turn to me and be gracious to me for at times I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multipled; free me from my distresses. Look on my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins. Psalm 25: 16-18

Make me peacable
and gentle and showing
true humility toward all people
help me and the women I disciple today to
walk with You
depend upon You
commune with You
follow You as Your children
imperfect, but still pressing forward
not complaining of labor but valuing rest
not murmuring under trials but thankful

Bless them, enlarge their territory, put your hand on them

and keep them from harm.

The world I cannot see or touch is the most real world!

Wednesday ... a week of prayers 1.11.12

2012-01-14T14:35:00.000-06:00

My God is an Awesome God
Who reigns from heaven above
with wisdom, power, and love
Thank You God for reigning over me today as I invite you into this time of prayer!

Oh, I do know that You alone are the most high God, who walked the heavens, the earth, and You walk before me. I will praise you with all of my heart. I will rejoice and be glad in You, O most High. Ps. 9 I know Your name. I trust in You. I want to seek hard after You this morning. May my thoughts today make room for God. I thank You for forgiveness of times when my thinking is wasted on negative thoughts. So Father, may You peace transcend all understanding and guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Let no mean or low thought have a moments place

in my mind or the minds of the boys in 47.

Father would you bless my children, enlarge their territory, let Your hand be with them and keep them from harm.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord, to see You high and lifted up. Pour out Your power and Love as I say "Holy, Holy, Holy,
I want to see You".
You are above all ... You have the power to save me from my own destructive thoughts! Please Father remind me that You are already answering my prayers. You are slow to anger and Great in power. May I be one who is slow to anger and great because of Your power that lives within me.

Lord how my destructive, evil, thoughts are something You hate.
I'm sorry; thank You that You are All-Forgiving. I am sorry for even viewing B. with contempt yesterday. Father, forgive me for some days I am like those who do not trust or get their strength from You.

Tuesday ... a week of prayers 1.10.12

2012-01-14T13:53:00.000-06:00

You are above all kings and kingdoms. There is no way Jesus to measure what You're worth. Thank you for taking the fall and thinking of me; Your daily word spoken to me! Thank You for Your Holy Presence that lives within me!
Most High God
Creator and Controller
Father of Mercy
God of all Grace
Bestower of all comfort
Protector of the saved

I will exalt You my God and my King. I will bless You name forever and ever. Great are You Lord, and most worthy of praise. You are mighty!

Father, I am sorry right now that I am frustrated by the lack of growth in the reading of the word by a friend and others within a particular ministry. Break down my pride and help me to pray and walk alongside of these women with a deep love and a desire to disciple them effectively!

Open my eyes as I read Your word today that I might see wonderful things.

Father, today I pray for Fritz, Dante, the team at JAF, Irv and Elise, Steve and Keli and Bob and Barbara ... would you Father, bless them, enlarge their territory,, let Your hand be with them and keep them from harm,

May I be one who bows down and worships the Lord. Gen. 24:48

Monday .... a week of prayers 1.9.12

2012-01-14T13:37:00.000-06:00

Forever You are faithful
Forever You are strong
Forever You are with me Forever and Ever
My heart about worship must be all about You, Jesus
You Father, are all I want
You Father, are all I've ever needed
Oh my God, All-Sufficient One
My Unchanging One,
You are Great and Glorious
Your divine power has given me all things necessary for life and godliness
You are my Forgiver
You are my Healer
You are my Reedemer
You are my God over all
Lord Your are my Dwelling Place
Thank you for being the same yesterday, today and forever

Father, I have already wasted 20 minutes in front of a computer screen. I'm sorry, Please forgive me.

May I fix my thoughts on You and I pray that Kennedy will fix her thoughts on You today!

You give and You take away Yet blessed be Your name.

Oh that you would bless Brian and Reggie today. Enlarge their territory. Let you hand be with them, and keep them from harm so that they will be free from pain.

Sunday .... a week of prayers 1.8.12

2012-01-14T13:27:00.000-06:00

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousands, times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders in a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing: to Him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.

Thank you Father, You are my Hope, my Help, my Healer, my Father, and my friend. Like Enoch may I walk with You! May I know and please You God throughout this week in particular in the darker areas (eb). May I live in the light and have a deeper and greater committment to Your words, Your works, and Your ways. You are the Light of the world I know that when I walk with You there is no darkness.

O that You would bless the senior staff of NHC indeed!
That You would expand their territory.
That You would have Your hand upon them and keep them from all harm.

A Year in Review 2011

2011-12-31T20:26:00.001-06:00

It can be overwhelming to think back and remember 2011 as there were many joys and concerns. Yet in an attempt to look back and begin a tradition on my blog of review here goes:

December
Joy: family; this can be a repeated joy for me because I love to spend time with family. This December was a time of welcoming a new member to our family, Nora Lynn Davis. It was a joy to hold and love on this little one along with spending time with the entire Pederson family and on Christmas Eve time with the Walker family as well.
Concern: losses; this month was the loss of Adam and Renee's baby. I am praying God's grace, peace, and His will for their lives ahead in 2012.

November
Joy: spending time monthly with younger women in the faith than I and discipling them to be
Christ-Followers who encounter Christ through His word.
Concern: a surgery I had on November 8th that was quite hard on my body. As I wait for complete and total healing I am amazed at how the Father has already done a great work both physically and emotionally.

October
Joy: to see the growth in my best friend and husband after attending the Men's retreat. We are learning to love each other more each day and I am loving spending time each Tuesday night away from all screens (TV, Computer, Texts) and sharing time as we read a good book together.
Concern: thinking forward to the time when my youngest daughter, Ashley deploys in less than 7 months, desiring to know that her strength is in none other than Jesus Christ, her Savior as she is away briefly from me.

September
Joy: a new school year, a new teacher, a new opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child, one student at a time.
Concern: using my time wisely as working full-time limits my time with family and friends

August
Joy: times of meeting with two girlfriends, Andrea and Ginny and learning from one another how to best invest in the women of New Hope Church.
Concern: for a friend who had many needs with the greatest one being a need for Christ

July
Joy: preparation to "go" to the mission field of Minneapolis with my husband to help with tornado relief.
Concern: will we be able to raise the funds to "go" (and we did, Praise the Lord)

June
Joy: school's out for the summer and the joy of reading books and walking outside in His creation.
Concern: I will not be able to do and go all the places I want in the coming 3 short months of "summer vacation"

May
Joy: always a joy for me is to sing in the mother's day choir at our church. I do not know how to sing and I do not know how to read music but this is the one time per year that I enjoy singing with my girls at our church.
Concern: I have had some stomach issues once again and have had trouble finding the root problem. (finally after many tests and doctors visits I am lactose intolerant)

April
Joy: A trip to Dallas TX, time spent with grandchildren and a weekend spent with my 2nd daughter at her women's retreat. What fun to get to know the women she shares life with each day so many miles away from Minneapolis.
Concern: I am still working on not spending my money on earthly things, temporary stuff, things I don't need.

March
Joy: during the winter months my joy is having and taking time to study the word each morning.
Concern: my student loans are now coming due and at times I get concerned with making the payment each month.

February
Joy: evenings where the golfer and I have time to just sit by the fire and watch a little TV
Concern: a good friend walking through cancer (I love you Judy, and am praising God now December 31, 2011 that you are cancer-free)

January
Joy: a time to reflect on where I want to be personally, professionally and missionally through the vision workshop led by oldest daughter. (want to think forward plan on attending this year, more information here):
http://lisavanahn.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=107#2012_visioning_worshop
Concern: making the time I need to read and write more.

Counting gifts from His Hand!

2011-12-26T14:22:00.002-06:00

787. God sending His son

788. the time to read good children’s literature (The Tale of Despereaux)

789. a decorated house done by the hands of the golfer

790. all 5 kids and their kids home for Christmas

791. Christmas Carols

792. hot tea warming my body and the Word of God warming my heart

793. His healing, His grace and His mercy

794. seeing missionaries in person that I have prayed for all year

795. sending gifts to missionaries that I will not see but have prayed for

796. a baby loss yet a sovereign God

797. a house broken into, some things taken, but family is safe because He is our protector

798. time spent with youngest daughter soon to be deployed

799. hugs from family and friends

800. holding a new granddaughter

801. a Spirit-filled Christmas Sabbath day celebration

802. a smile brought to my face as I looked at the artwork of the grandchildren

Gratitude ... I just keep Counting!

2011-11-28T18:05:00.001-06:00

751. watching as He enlarges my heart of gratitude today

752. recovery from surgery

753.Thanksgiving spent with family and friends

755. a hot water shower

756. hugs from the golfer

757. a reminder to pray as Daniel did morning, noon, and night

758. days off from my job at Edinbrook

759. library time

780. warm coffee and the word

781. for mentors who love the Lord and want to see women grow in Christ

782. God’s creation: these turkeys greeting me at our patio door on Thanksgiving morning

783. new granddaughter Nora

784. skype time with Dallas daughter, husband and granddaughters

785. a book that is changing my thinking and helping me to look deep in my heart

786. Dallas daughter who is an amazing knitter and has made these recent gifts for the
golfer and me

Closing with this quote tonight:

“Gratitude that is pleasing to God is not first a delight in the benefits God gives (though that will be part of it). True gratitude must be rooted in something else that comes first — namely, a delight in the beauty and excellency of God’s character. If this is not the foundation of our gratitude, then it is not above what the ‘natural man,’ apart from the Spirit and the new nature in Christ, experiences. In that case ‘gratitude’ to God is not more pleasing to God than all the other emotions that unbelievers have without delighting in Him.” [John Piper, God is the Gospel.]

Remaining In His Arms, B.

So Excited to Host in our Home...

2011-11-24T18:39:00.001-06:00

I was so excited to have guests in our home this last night. You see, we have been attending the same church for 23 years and years ago the church began an evening before Thanksgiving tradition of having a time of open mic where the people of the New Hope Church would be given a chance to give praise and thanksgiving publicly at the mic to the rest of the body of Christ. After this time all the attenders would bring a pie to share and we would enjoy a pie social after the service.

Several years later there was a decision to keep the service going but to not include the pie time. It was at this time that my husband and I choose to invite a few families to our home for pie and since then we have enjoyed the pie social time in our home.

It works well for us because we generally are not the ones to host Thanksgiving the next day. This year when we had family and friends over for pie I was able to set the table with this amazing silverware caddy thanks to Dayspring.

I also found that when not in use for company I could use this caddy for my colored markers, pens, and pencils that I use each morning at my kitchen table when I meet with the Lord.

Dayspring is graciously giving away a coupon code for $20 off their products to one reader of Conversations.

To Enter:
Visit Dayspring, come back here and let me know what product you would love to have: I will keep you posted on the winner in the very near future!

A Week of a Birthday

2011-11-19T18:21:00.004-06:00

My birthday was the day after surgery so …. I didn’t really feel like celebrating. This was the most likely reason why some of my family members and friends choose to celebrate throughout the week before and after my actual birthday.

Friday night started with pizza at Josh, Kelley, and the kids home along with Adam and Renee and Terry. I wasn’t exactly feeling that great prior to surgery yet it was a fun evening of homemade gf cake from Kelley and an amazing pair of cute, cute black boots from the golfer, the littlest, and the Larson family. Plus a gift certificate to go out to eat at a fancy restruant with the golfer from my only son and his wife, Renee!

On Saturday, November 5 a few days before my birthday I had the fun adventure of going to the Mall of America, where the OM Collective was the studio of the month at Lu Lu Lemon. Because of this Lisa taught her sati class there and after class she gave me a free birthday shopping trip. I have to say I got these pants which I love and which have worked incredibly well post op since I have a catheter.

Then there was the day before surgery when I was met at the hospital by my good friend Ginny and she gave me a beautiful set of handmade cards she had made just for me!
The day of my birthday, 1^st day of recovery after a long surgery the day before, I received many, many, calls from family singing but the ultimate greeting was one such video of my granddaughters in TX singing that was posted on daughter # 2 blog! Also a good friend and ministry partner, Holly brought over homemade gf meatloaf, rice and vegtables for the golfer. YumYum!

The day after my birthday I had a visit in my home with my good friend Andrea who brought me a new “army” green lunch bag. Can’t wait to go back to work and use it. With the lunch bag she included a homemade card:

"May this be a year of gazing at Jesus

and glancing at your circumstances

while being led by the good Shepherd

as you graze on His word

and experience restoration by

quiet waters in your heart and mind.

Happy Birthday Beth!!

A few things I appreciate about you are that you are loving, lovely, encouraging, praying servant-hearted, dependable, passionate, invested, dependable, faithful and a great time keeper J

I love you and I wanted to find something that might continually bless you this year. This new lunch bag will hopefully remind you that you are loved as well as remind you that the “”crisis’s” this year are opportunities to let God show you more of Himself and for your faith to find feet. So, as you feast at lunch, may you also feast on His word. Even days your body may be in pain or reject Him, you can still pack the true feast. And army colored, you can pray for Ashley. Love, Andrea”

My birthday is not over yet because even though I was unable to go to TX due to my surgery I can expect a gift in the mail for the Davis family sometime this week. I can only guess that it is something handmade but I will keep you posted on this one.

Another year is ahead of me and I fully intend

to make it a year of significance

as I continue to grow deep

in Him while remaining In His Arms!

The Source

2011-11-15T07:12:00.001-06:00

It’s the source of everything you do and it is under constant attack

I must have the heart of a warrior. I must be alert but not afraid

The heart of my mission is to make disciples; first, those who do not yet know Christ and secondly, that those who know Christ would grow in the fellowship of believers

742. leftovers
leftovers
743. walks in the woods with a friend

744. women’s conference shared time with a co-laborer

745. courageous conversations

746. a great workout with LVA

747. a hard surgery and a hard recovery

748. the thoughts, words, and deeds of encouragement from family and friends

749. His word fresh each day; today Psalm 138

Heard it on past Sundays and now so grateful to believe and live it out on Monday and for that matter the whole rest of the week ahead of me.

750. a heart for His glory!

Handwritten Journal Entry November 8, 2011

2011-11-08T07:26:00.000-06:00

Surgery is today at 10:30 am at the University of MN Medical Center.

Today, I thank you Lord for the many, many, verses of scripture and prayers prayed by family and friends this past month, week and day leading up to surgery.

You are my strength every morning, my salvation in times of distress. May I bring glory to your name hour by hour.

Thank You Lord that Your name is a Strong Tower where I can be safe and encouraged!

Next time I blog I will be on the other side of surgery. Praise the Lord!

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is

stayed on You."

Sabbath: Release, Review and Remember

2011-11-07T07:37:00.001-06:00

I have this weekly practice on the Sabbath to:

Release concerns
Review the past week, good, bad, feelings, emotions sins etc.
and then to
Remember His faithfulness and express praise and appreciation for who He is and all He has done in my life

This is my entry from yesterdays practice of Release:

Father,
I may not get much further than the release today as there is a lot on my mind. I am just 2 days away from surgery now and I am struggling to have peace even though ...

I know this is what You want from me.

I know You want me to trust you for the outcome.

I know You want me to believe that You are the same Great Physician; the same Comforter; the same Peace giver; and the same Healer that You have been to me in the past. Yet to be totally transparent and to be totally honest I am fearful of the outcome of my pending surgery. So .... I desire to put off fear and worry and put on peace.

Thank You father that Your words spoken to me through Your son and my husband today were ...

"Peace I leave with You, my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives; do not let you heart be troubled Beth and do not be afraid." John 14:27

"May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind Beth through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Putting Off the Old

2011-10-27T01:06:00.000-05:00

Love this quote about being chosen, holy, loved:

“The measurements are in and the character clothes are going to fit. The wardrobe is ours. There is only one more step, as it were, to donning the virtues that hang literally within our reach. Our old vices and habits must go. The petty practices we’ve worn, the bland shades of bitterness with our beads of resentment, all of it must go. Shoved into bags and left on the curbside so we’re not tempted to try them on again in four years when we can’t find a thing to wear! We must ready ourselves for the fitting room where the curtain is drawn, and the old is gone, and we slip into something altogether new. And when we emerge, only God knows what we will look like—I suppose beautiful will have something to do with it.”

Grateful for the difficult and the refining from my Lord!

2011-10-18T06:41:00.001-05:00

Although at times it seems difficult to be grateful I continue to know the grace God has given me to walk through difficult times. The grace comes through Him, His word, prayer, family and friends for which I will always be grateful.

724. a solid night of sleep

725. friends praying for me

726. Hope in Christ not in circumstances

727. family

728. words of encouragement from a friend

729. His Word to me

730. A God who leads the way

731. painful experiences yet a joy-filled heart

732. walking weekly with a friend

733. a husband who loves me

734. peace, His perfect peace

735. a friend who sits by me at hospitals and doctor offices

736. my greatest defense against worry … staying in communication with Him

737. comfort in the midst of unknown health issues

738. encouragement in my time of confusion

739. peace of mind at times

740. The goofy faces of my grandchildren

741. Your hope in the moment of greatest discouragement

What Women Fear

2011-10-01T20:54:00.000-05:00

I am kind of excited to begin another Bloom Book Club book. The first book I read with this online book club opportunity was One Thousand Gifts and I am still counting.

Then this summer I read The Fitting Room. I love this opportunity for a number of reasons. The book club involves viedos with the authors and other women, the books have been great in helping me grow spiritually and finally I love that I can listen to the videos at my own pace morning, noon or even midnight in the comfort of my own home.

Now I will join in and read What Women Fear by Angie Smith. Want to come along for the read? Just click below!

It has been more than a year

2011-09-12T23:16:00.003-05:00

It has been more than a year since I began the gratitude journey. As I look back I am grateful for having read the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Vonskamp. The book has changed my life!

Looking at the character of Christ, who He is and what He has done in my life has been a great reminder of His love, His grace and His mercy towards me and others around me so today ... more than a year later I am continuing to count my gifts:

701. Freedom in Christ
702. knowing I am His co-worker
703. His provision not only for my needs but often for my desires
704. the golfer getting up early to provide for us
705. good friends

706. knowing I have been chosen and appointed
707. knowing that I am dairy intolerant and now after months of feeling physically sick I feel so much better
708. the crisp morning air
709. a book that is "rocking my world"
710. a son with the gift of hospitality (I just love my only son so much)
711. a wonderful teaching job to go back to tomorrow (beginning my fifth year at EB)

grief and loss

2011-09-08T00:07:00.000-05:00

I received an e-mail message from a dear friend and partner in the ministry of prayer this week that he lost his wife to a short battle with cancer. Loss can be so hard on me personally. For I have found that the bigger the family and the bigger the network of friends one has the bigger and harder the loss.

Because this friend is one who I love dearly in the Lord and was one of the first persons I knew to be a pray-er and taught me to pray the connection spiritually is so strong even though we have a distance between physical location. I so would love to be with Steve during this time and because I am unable to I wrote this note on the Caringbridge site.

Please if you are reading my blog today would you agree in prayer for my dear friend and co-labor in Christ Steve. Could I also ask that if you have read and prayed that you would encourage my heart by leaving a comment below. This is a hard time for all of us who have been touched by Steve and Marilou.

Oh Steve,

How very sorry I am to hear of the loss of your love, your best friend, your wife and my dear friend and fellow pray-er. My mind is in shock and my heart is heavy for you, me and others left behind. I rejoice in the hope of heaven and a time when we will be reunited with those we love, but for now I am sad, so sad for your loss. May memories of Maryilou bring you and your family comfort during this time of loss. Words cannot express how my heart hurts and how I want to be by your side, encouraging, supporting and hugging you during this time, yet distance makes that impossible. Please my friend, the one who first taught me to pray, may you know that now, more than ever, I uphold you in prayer knowing full well that "Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted."

May we all remain In His Arms, B

Day 3 North Minneapolis Tornado Relief

2011-08-27T04:36:00.001-05:00

Our final day of ministry we worked long and hard on an Urban Homeworks home getting it "move in" ready for a family that has been affected by the most recent devastation due to the May 22 tornadoes.

The day started at Hopebridge as Holly led us in prayer. We traveled to South Minneapolis by van as a team. When we arrived we were met by Jon and given directions for the day. My day consisted mostly of painting. With other team members by my side I was able to get one room completely painted with two coats of paint and another room primed and ready for paint.

As you can see by the pictures other members on the team worked at peeling paint, laying floors, cutting and installing baseboards and trim. It was a great day of ministry and much was accomplished.

Our day ended as Jon thanked each one of us and sent us off with prayer!