IA-MN Wesleyan Women

"Once Upon A Time..." Women's Retreat

2011-09-26T21:43:00.007-05:00

It is once again time for the Iowa-Minnesota Women's Retreat! The theme for this year is "Once Upon A Time..." It will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 7-8, 2011 at Cedar Springs Camp in Floyd, IA. Registration will start at 5 pm and our first session will be at 7 pm. A soup supper will be available between 5 pm and 7 pm. Registrations are due by Friday, September 29th.

Our Friday night speaker is Theresa Jenkins. After 30 years in the banking industry Theresa has retired to work in ministry full time as wife of Camp Manager, Mark Jenkins. Managing a husband and four kids is enough for anyone, but she enjoys the challenge and the joy camp ministry has to offer. Theresa is gifted in administration, organization, music and service and feels this is the best place to use these gifts.

Brenda Olmstead will be speaking two times on Saturday morning. Brenda joined the Living Hope staff as youth pastor in 2007 and serves part time. She is responsible for giving spiritual guidance to a growing group of teens in middle and high school. In addition to her responsibilities at Living Hope, Brenda is a full time counselor at Keys To Living, a Christian counseling center in Cedar Rapids, where she does individual, marital, and family counseling. Her specialty is adolescents. Previously, she had worked at the South Central Human Service Center in Jamestown, North Dakota. Brenda is a 1999 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where she received a bachelor of social work degree. She then received a master of social work degree from the University of North Dakota in 2001. She was raised as a pastor's daughter in the Dakota District of the Wesleyan Church. Brenda loves spending time with friends, reading and scrapbooking.

Our conference will conclude after our lunch on Saturday; however, in the afternoon you are welcome to stay for an informal discussion on women's ministries lead by Suzi Swarthout, District Director. It will be a time to share ideas, ask questions, and hear about the changes taking place with women's ministries in our denomination.

We will also have tables in the Tabernacle for you to display any crafts you would like to sell.

If you'd like more information, please contact Suzi Swarthout at suziswarthout@yahoo.com or 763-433-9092.

Look forward to seeing you at Cedar Springs!!!

Cost for the event is $50 per person. If you come just for Friday evening, the cost is $15.00 and if you only attend on Saturday, the cost is $35.00. Lodging will be in the lower level of the dining hall and in cabins. (You may also choose to spend the night at a local hotel by making your arrangements and at your own expense.)

Women Under Construction

2011-07-11T22:07:00.004-05:00

Women Under Construction
IA MN Women’s Ministry Day Away

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 from 10 am to 3 pm
First Wesleyan Church - Charles City, IA

** Creating Your Blueprint
(Designing and Planning The Future)

** CAUTION: Women At Work
(How Does God Want To Use You?)

** Building Permit Required
(Working Together)

** Construction & Design
(Making A Difference In Your Community)

** S.L.O.W. Zone
(Building Your Own Luncheon - $6.50)

It will be a day you won’t want to miss! Questions? Contact Suzi Swarthout at suziswarthout@yahoo.com

Living Hope

2011-07-11T22:04:00.002-05:00

A recent article in the newspaper talked of how hopelessness and anger brought death to a young man. He had experienced a great deal of bullying and finally came to the point where he fought back with a gun, and in the end, he lost his life to a gunshot wound. He earlier that day had written a note saying "Today would be a good day to die." My heart ached when I read about this incident in the newspaper. I couldn’t help but wonder what lead him to such despair.
There was a time when the prophet Elijah felt hopeless and wanted to die. He had just experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal AND God had answered his prayer for rain, but now his life was being threatened by the king’s wife, Jezebel. In fear, he ran into the wilderness and there he "prayed that he might die, and said… ‘It is enough, Lord. Take my life!’"
Elijah’s hopeless feelings were real. I am so glad he knew where to go for help – he cried out to God. After his two great spiritual victories, he experienced a time of exhaustion and discouragement… The Lord KNEW Elijah needed restoration, so first He provided for his needs – giving him rest and food. Next He revealed Himself to Elijah – not in the wind or the earthquake, but in a gentle whisper. And then, God renewed Elijah’s sense of purpose by giving him work to do – there were three people he needed to anoint (including Elisha!) Last of all, God brought Elijah HOPE by reminding him in verse 18 that Elijah was NOT alone.
My friends, hope is real, but many in our world today have lost hope…so many hurts, sicknesses, financial difficulties, family issues, world unrest, and the list goes on. For many, it seems the world has no hope. Apart from God, it is an awful, hopeless place. The only place where hope can be found is in Jesus Christ..and it is a living hope! I Peter 1:3 says… "In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you." What amazing words of encouragement Peter gives us. We’re called into a living hope…our hope isn’t just for the future, but eternal life begins when we trust Christ and join the family of God! This world is not my home…heaven is!
I don’t know what is going on in your life right now, but know you do not need to be disappointed and feel alone. Hope is real. How do I know? It has been evident in my life time and time again – the birth of an anencephalic baby, the loss of a job, the heartache of sin, hearing the doctor’s words to my daughter "It is cancer", uncertainty about the future.
What is your need today? Cry out to the Jesus, the only source of hope. He is well aware of what is going on in your life. He will provide, and while He is doing this, He will reveal himself to you in a very personal way. His Word will encourage you as you read it with great anticipation and faith! Pray out loud the words of hope into your life and your situation. Know He has work for you today…you can speak the gift of hope to another person…and when we bring hope, we bring life!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Don't Miss The Summit

2011-04-05T22:03:00.008-05:00

Women from around the world will gather at Cypress Wesleyan Church near Columbus, Ohio, for the 12th Women's Summit of The Wesleyan Church June 23-25, 2011.

The Summit theme, Living in Hope, is reflective of the hope women of The Wesleyan Church have brought throughout the world through their commitment to:

•Evangelism

•Discipleship and citizenship

•Personal and family development

•Giving and service to meet the needs of others.

Speakers include:

Rev. Kim Fowler is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. She is currently Assistant Pastor at Hickory Chapel where she preaches, leads worship, teaches a young adult Sunday school class, plays keyboard in praise band, leads women’s Bible studies, and works with children in a neighborhood outreach program. She was inducted into the SWU Music Hall of Fame in 2006.Rev. Fowler will be speaking during the Thursday evening rally.

Dr. JoAnne Lyon is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and one of three General Superintendents who give oversight to The Wesleyan Church. Dr. Lyon founded World Hope International in 1996 and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees. She has ministered throughout the world.Dr. Lyon will be speaking during the Friday evening rally.

Rev. Patty Bray is an ordained pastor at Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa. She currently serves in Adult Discipleship, where her great passion lies. She says, “If I could do only one thing in ministry, it would be to write Bible studies and teach them. I love to teach the Word and see people ‘get it’ when it comes to learning the Word, loving the Word, and living the Word!”Rev. Bray will be sharing with devotions Friday and Saturday mornings.

Dr. Shirley Mullen has served as president of Houghton College since 2006. Dr. Mullen has earned two doctorates, one in history from the University of Minnesota and one in philosophy from the University of Wales.Her current passion is communicating the significance and relevance of a Christian liberal arts education to the needs of our world in the 21st century. Dr. Mullen enjoys traveling and photography. Dr. Mullen will be speaking during the Friday luncheon.

Oh, there's so much more! Visit http://www.wesleyan.org/ww/ministry_summit today!!

Join Me For Coffee...

2011-03-11T22:41:00.003-06:00

Make plans to attend one of the Wesleyan Women coffees to hear of the changes being proposed for women’s ministry plus enjoy a time of inspiration and encouragement! Join me at one of the following locations!

Friday, March 25th 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Des Moines Debra Heights Church
4025 Lower Beaver Road
Des Moines, IA 50301
515-279-5212

Saturday, March 26th 9:30 am to 11 am

First Wesleyan Church
205 Hammond Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
319-232-1272

Friday, April 1st 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Crane Community Chapel
1111 9th St NE
Austin, MN 55912-3616
507-433-5844

Saturday, April 2nd 9:30 am to 11 am
Anoka Wesleyan Church
1930 Branch Avenue
Anoka, MN 55303
763-427-1068

No RSVP is necessary, however, if you can send me an estimated number of the ladies attending, that would be greatly appreciated! See you soon!

Heart of Ministries Offering

2011-02-03T23:10:00.003-06:00

Hope is what gives each of us fuel for living! Have you ever needed voices of hope from others? Hope received is life-changing and moves us to extend hope to those around us and the world. You can be a voice by giving through the 2011 Heart of Ministries Offering.

Who will hear your voice of hope?
· Those who have never heard about Christ’s love
· A woman trapped in extreme poverty
· Young mothers seeking support and mentoring
· Native Americans given hope
· Victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse
· God’s Word to those serving in the military and their families
· Discipleship for all generations
· Coaching and mentoring of young ethnic leaders
When we join together, we are more powerful than working alone! Thanks for giving from your heart!
Thanks for giving Hope!
* * * * *
Did you know you can even make
your Heart of Ministries donation online!?!??!
Just go to www.wesleyan.org/ww

May God Determine My Steps This Year

2011-02-03T23:07:00.002-06:00

My goodness, here we are already in February!! As I am writing this newsletter, there are massive winter storms hitting many parts of our country! I am told that many records are going to be set for amounts of snow and length of below zero temperatures! I had to chuckle as I listened to the radio this morning because special instructions were being given to the Wisconsin Green Bay Packer fans regarding those who planned to drive or fly to Dallas, TX for this weekend’s Super Bowl game! After a little bit, a listener called in and was complaining that all their plans for this weekend were falling apart!
I have been blessed by a devotional book that I started in January. One day talked about the plans that we make. Ladies, we are planners, wouldn’t you agree? Oh, my goodness, I must have at least three lists on my desk right now with plans and/or things to do. In my Bible, I have a list of goals I’d like to accomplish this year. Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (LTV) The devotional for this verse said, “Goals give you direction. You may have a lot of goals for different areas of life…but following God should be your primary, overarching goal. You do not know what the year ahead will bring, but if the Lord determines your steps and you are following where He leads, you can be sure that your life will have purpose. In addition, when you keep your eyes on the goal, you will not stray from God, regardless of what difficulties you encounter!” Good stuff, huh!
Stop for a minute and think of the goals you have. Now let me ask you what kind of goal will it take to keep you following God closely each day? Oh, my friends, as we travel through 2011, may we moment by moment fix our eyes upon Jesus for only He holds the answers for every circumstance of your life! Have an amazing year walking with Him!

A New Year Prayer

2011-01-08T08:19:00.002-06:00

Holy Father, God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows, we praise You for Your unequaled greatness.

Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead. Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more, to teach our children to laugh by laughing with them, to teach others to love by loving them, knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us, so that Love could be with us, and we could know You so that we could share Love with others. Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise, in the chirping of sparrows in our backyards, in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children. Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs, so that we may know You better and better. We rejoice in the world You loved into being.

Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day. We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others. Forgive us for falling short this past year. We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year knowing You will go with us. We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on You to help us do exactly what You want. I say it again, we rejoice! In Jesus name, Amen.

Celebrate Christmas With Great Enthusiasm!!!

2010-12-11T07:41:00.005-06:00

On Thanksgiving Day, my side of the family gathered at my sister's home in Burnsville! (Everyone except Andrea was present...sigh!) Needless to say, it was a houseful with 30 of us! The food was amazing and the time with family priceless! Naturally, when you have babies in a gathering, they receive such special attention! You would love to get to know my great-niece, Natalee and my great-nephew Olaf. These little ones are so very precious and bring much joy and excitement to a family gathering! It seems like only yesterday that they were born! I love babies!

In just a few days, we will celebrating the birth of another child - Jesus! I read an interesting question this week. It asked why we celebrate Jesus' birthday so differently from other birthdays. When it's time to honor historical figures who have a day set aside for them, we don't think about them as babies, do we?. I don't know about you, but I have never seen a picture of "cute" little Abe Lincoln as a baby in his log cabin in Kentucky, have you!?!? (I wonder what he did looked like as a little one!?!?)

Jesus' birth was the most remarkable event in human history. When the shepherds came to honor Him in the manger....and later when the wise men from the East brought Him gifts, these visitors had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult...but they came to Him as a babe...an infant...God in human form. Doesn't it blow your mind to think that The Creator of the universe came to visit this planet we call earth? And the story gets even better...for this baby grew to be a man, lived a perfect life and was willing to die on the cross of Calvary for your sins and mine.

I am going to celebrate Christmas season with great enthusiasm...marvel at His incarnation. Jesus has come..."Merry Christmas" !!! "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord..." You are loved!

* * * * *

I saw this message on a billboard last evening...

Christmas is for giving.......Christmas is forgiving.....

Mastering Thankfulness

2010-11-07T22:45:00.002-06:00

A friend of mine passed away this week. In reading her obituary, it stated that she was a Master Gardener. She indeed loved the beauty of God's creation. Her garden in the back yard of her home was her passion...oh, how she loved flowers! I remember her telling me how excited she was when she was able to open her own flower shop back in the 70's! She was a master with flowers!

This morning, I was pondering about what things have I mastered? If you look in Webster's dictionary, the word "master" is defined as being "skilled or proficient in"... Hmmm, what have I mastered? I make a good pie crust, but I would not say that I have mastered it...I love to play the piano and organ plus I love to sing, but I am no master...reading is a love...I'm a good administrative assistant...but I don't know that I would go so far to say that I have "mastered" any of these skills! I continually seem to be learning more in those areas all the time!
　
But this morning, as I was reading from His Word in Colossians, I realized there is something that I indeed have learned to master - the art of thankfulness! Stop for a minute and read Colossians 1:9-14. Paul wrote this book from prison...it is a book of connections. Most scholars will agree that when he wrote this letter to the church in Colosse, he had never been to the church there...BUT he had heard all about it from Epaphras. (Epaphras was a Christian preacher who spread the Gospel to his fellow Colossian citizens...and he went to see Paul in Rome.)

Paul knew this church was under attack....and because of his circumstances, there was no way that he could pay a personal visit to them..but he did the next best thing...he wrote them a letter (basically teaching them what Christ has done ... and what Christians should do!) and he prayed fervently for this congregation. Notice in verses 12 and 13...Paul asked that they give joyful thanks to the Father because He had rescued them...Christ rescued them from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of the Son!

I have mastered thankfulness! There is not a day that goes by when I do not realize that God has rescued me from eternal death and has given me eternal life through Jesus! I will find myself more than once during the day sending up a prayer of praise and thanksgiving...sometimes silently and sometimes right out loud! I want my Father to continually know how grateful I am for all He has done for me. I can NEVER tell him too much or too often that I love Him and I am thankful for His gift of salvation.

We're in November...Thanksgiving will be here before we know it! How are you in the area of thankfulness? Don't let it be a lost art in your life! Give Him thanks for the things He has done for you! And one more thing - know how grateful I am for your friendship! Know you are loved!

No Voice Mail For God!

2010-10-11T22:59:00.001-05:00

One of my husband's pet peeves is being "greeted" by a computerized voice when making a telephone call instead of getting a real person! Getting a real person is, for the most part, a thing of the past! (What happened to "reach out and touch"!??!) I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the "options" you received when getting an automated answer when placing a phone call. On a recent phone call, I literally "pressed" seven options before I finally was able to leave a voice message! The sad part was that no one ever called me back!

I am so glad that that isn't true of our Father in heaven! He is always there! He tells us in Jeremiah 33:3 to "call to Me, and I will answer you." I can guarantee that you won't get the message, "All lines are now busy. Your call is important to Me. Please stay on the line!" And yet, I wonder what kind of access He has to us? Communication with God is a two-way street! He speaks to us through His Word when we come attentively before Him in prayer and through the clear voice of the indwelling Spirit. Our speaker at the women's overnighter last weekend at Cedar Springs Camp reminded us of this. When we come to our Father each day with a surrendered heart and mind, He will speak to us! Dietrich Bonheoffer said, "I ask with all my heart what god is trying to say to us through the bible...since I have learned to reach the Bible this way, it has become more dear to me every day! " He paid a great price to keep the lines open so that we can experience the joy of Being still long enough to know that He is God!! (Psalm 46:10).

There is a song that I have sung countless times at funerals...it is one of my favorites...."And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known!" Oh, the joy of hearing His voice...it's a call I don't want to miss!!!
　
If God had Voice Mail
"Thank you for calling Our Father's House. Please select one of the following options:
PRESS 1 for Requests PRESS 2 for Thanksgiving PRESS 3 for Complaints PRESS 4 for All Other Inquiries
"I am sorry, all of our angels are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and will be answered in the order it was received, so please stay on the line."
If you would like to speak to: God...Press 1; For Jesus.. Press 2; For the Holy Spirit.. Press 3. "If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you are holding, please press 4; To find out if a loved one has been assigned to Heaven, Press 5, Enter his/her Social Security #, then press # key (If you get a negative response, try area code 666)
For reservations at "My Father's House", please enter J-O-H-N followed by 3-1-6.
For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth and where Noah's Ark is, please wait until you arrive here.
Our computers show that you have already prayed today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow.
This Office is closed on the weekends to observe a religious holiday.
Please pray again Monday after 9:30am. If you need emergency assistance when this office is closed, contact your local pastor.
For emergencies, refer to your Bible.

Iowa-Minnesota Women's Overnighter

2010-09-01T23:06:00.005-05:00

Join us for the Iowa-Minnesota Women's Overnighter
"HEART TO HEART"
October 1-2, 2010
Cedar Springs Camp
Floyd, IA

Our special guest speaker will be Rev. Patty Bray. Patty is a pastor’s wife from Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa. She and her husband, John, have been at Heritage for thirty-seven years! She is the mother of two adult daughters and the grandmother of precious little Stella Rose. She has worked on staff at Heritage in such areas as Christian Ed, Women’s Pastor, Small Groups Pastor, Connections Pastor, Children’s Pastor and Missions Pastor! She is currently working in areas of Adult Discipleship, where her great passion lies. She says, “If I could do only one thing in ministry, it would be to write Bible studies and teach them. I love to teach the Word and see people “get it” when it comes to learning the Word, loving the Word, and living the Word!”
She enjoys communicating God’s Word and God’s truths in down-to-earth, exciting ways. She will challenge you to live a more Christlike life and enjoy a deeper relationship with Jesus!

We start at 7 pm on Friday evening and officially end with lunch on Saturday; however, you are welcome to enjoy our church campgrounds that afternoon!

The cost is $35.00 per person. If you come just for Friday evening, the cost is $15.00. Lodging will be in the lower level of the dining hall. (If you choose to stay in a cabin at camp instead of the lower dining hall, an extra donation of $5.00 would be appreciated.) You may also choose to spend the night at a local hotel by making your arrangements and at your own expense.

What should you bring?
• Your favorite munchies to share on Friday evening.
• Bedding and towels
• A favorite game
• Your Bible and a friend!

Registrations are due no later than Friday, September 24th.

We'll again have tables for you to display and sell your crafts!

For more information, write suziswarthout@yahoo.com

Are You Hungry?

2010-09-01T23:00:00.002-05:00

I love the book of Psalms! I have been so blessed these last few weeks as we have been doing the Beth Moore Bible Study called "Stepping Up" which is a journey through the Psalms of Ascent! This last week's study was on the Feast of the Tabernacles...absolutely amazing!

As I was reading in the Psalms, I came across this verse in Psalm 90:14...."Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." I know that no where in the Word does it give us a specific "time" of day we are to come before our Heavenly Father to "feed" on His Word. In the Swarthout household, mornings are my best time for coming to my Father. I'm normally one of those individuals who wake up with a song on my lips...BUT for Pastor Swarthout, mornings are not so much fun and music isn't what he likes to hear when he's sound asleep! I have a feeling that are several households like that! But this one thing I do know, our souls constantly demand to be fed, and make no mistake about it: if God does not have the proper place in your life, your soul will remain hungry. When I invite God into my days, I experience His satisfying presence no matter what I face. But when I don't set aside time to pray, when I don't read my Bible, and when I don't praise, I get hungry. Really hungry ... and grouchy. Right, Andrea!?!?

As Christians, we must be hungry people. Just like the Israelites who wandered in the desert, we need God's daily bread, His spiritual manna. Jesus taught us to ask for a daily portion. In the book of Matthew, Jesus took a moment to teach His followers how to pray. In that prayer, (we know it as the Lord's Prayer), He said, "Give us TODAY our daily bread." Notice...He didn't ask to be fed for an entire week, but just for today!

Frequently, I will share with someone a glimpse of what the Lord has revealed that day from my devotions. It has raised some interesting responses. I really think that some people think that once we become Christians all of our spiritual hunger subsides. But I know I've told you many times before that the more I get to know my Father, the MORE I want to know Him. The more I experience His peace, presence, and power in my life, the MORE I want to experience His peace, presence, and power.

Doug had a delicious supper waiting for me when I got home from work. (He's such a good husband!) A few minutes ago, I had a warm piece of homemade peach pie. My tummy is full, but I can guarantee you in the morning I will want to eat again! I will have my honey toast and my glass of grapefruit juice...it will satisfy my physical hunger and help me keep "living" for a bit! I can guarantee you by noon, I will want more to eat! Jesus declared in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty!" Oh, Jesus, walk with me daily, feed me with Your Word that I may keep "living" forever!!!!

Know you are loved! Suzi

Wesleyan Women Convention - July 20th

2010-07-01T21:34:00.005-05:00

"Lord, We Are Your Hands...Use Me!"
Wesleyan Women Convention

Human Trafficking Awareness and Education Training
Sandie Morgan, Guest Presenter

First Wesleyan Church - Charles City, IA
10 am to 4 pm

Our Convention is going to be very different this year as it is going to be a training session on Human Trafficking…what it is…what the church can do…what YOU can do!
Our guest speaker for the day will be Sandie Morgan. Sandie is a registered nurse and has served on the board of the International Nurses Association in Athens, Greece where she lived for ten years. It was there that she discovered human trafficking while doing a story for Lydia Living magazine. She also serves as Director of Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice and is adjunct professor of Family Violence and Human Trafficking. www.vanguard.edu/gcwj. Sandie served as a Human Trafficking Dialogue Facilitator at the National Association of Evangelicals Global Leaders Forum in Washington D.C. and was invited to the first Whitehouse Roundtable on Human Trafficking. She has hosted the Senior Director for Global Projects from the US State Department for the first Economic Roundtable on Human Trafficking in Southern California as well as in Athens, Greece at the Athens Bar Association, as well as current Human Trafficking Ambassador Luis CdeBaca. Sandie Morgan is Administrator of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, enlisting the local community in partnership with law enforcement against the modern slave trade. Changing the way we think about the forces that drive demand for human trafficking is her goal. She says, “The modern slave trade is a business fueled by demand. Consequently, to some degree we are all part of the problem or part of the solution. We contribute to demand by turning a blind eye to pornography and sex tourism or by making choices that reward companies that keep their bottom line under the rest of the market by the use of slave labor.” Sandy is also an ordained minister with the Assembly of God church.

Because District Conference will be held this year at Cedar Springs Camp this year, Wesleyan Women will be meeting in the sanctuary at First Wesleyan, and our luncheon held in the Fellowship Hall. The church will be open at 8 am on Tuesday morning, but our convention will not start until 10 am. You will find the complete schedule of District Conference activities on page 2 of this newsletter. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me evenings at 763-433-9092, or e-mail me at suziswarthout@yahoo.com.

The OASIS LUNCHEON tickets are $6.50. This covers the cost of the lunch and helps with the expenses of our speaker! Please send your reservation to me no later than July 14th. As a reminder, tickets are non-refundable.

DAY CARE is a bit different this year. Chilcare will be at the church for infants and toddlers on Tuesday. Childcare for K-4th grade will be at the camp. Cost is $12.00 per child and includes lunch if you preregister (otherwise, it is $15.00). You must pre-register! E-mail or call Mary at First Wesleyan (by July 11th) at fwciniamndist@q.com or 641-228-3182.

You've Gotta Love Technology!

2010-07-01T21:28:00.002-05:00

Genesis 1:1 tells us that "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." And James 1:16-17 says, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above!" Okay, think with me for a minute about those two portions of Scripture...and today's technology!

Let's start with digital cameras. We purchased one for the first time just a couple years ago...they amaze me! When Doug when to Japan, he took it with and snapped lots of pictures. When he and Andrea would come home after a day of sightseeing, they could connect it to the computer...remember, there is no film...but a little chip captured the images and he could download them and send them to me! And our phones can take cameras that we can send around the world in seconds! Unbelievable.

Today I got a new Blackberry at work...no matter where I go, I have a phone, my work e-mails, and the network available. There are so many gadgets on it, I'm not sure I'll ever figure it out! And yet, it gives me the capability to work away from the office and yet, be available when there is a need...haven't decided yet if that is good or bad! (Smile!) And with the Global SIM cards, we can call anywhere around the world...boggles the mind!

I'm thankful for iPods. How is it that we can get all our CDs plus videos and pictures put on that on little machine! When things are going crazy at work and I need the Lord's touch, I take my iPod out of my purse and set the songs to "shuffle" which means the iPod chooses which songs to play...one song after another...songs which bring renewal and refreshment to my soul...it's definitely a time of worship!

Then there is Skype and webcams. Skype was started in 2003. It's not even 10 years old! It is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Andrea and I talk almost every morning at 5 am...and with the web camera attached to our computers, we even see each other...and the calls are free! Some Saturday mornings, Andrea and I will have Skype going on our computers while we do our work. We're not carrying on a continual conversation, but just doing our "work together" via cyberspace. (It's kind of like when she was a young girl, we would sit at the dining room table doing our "work" together.) As one of us thinks of something to share, we share it...then we go back to work. One morning she was finishing up on her English speaking service for the next day and was practicing various choruses from her hymn book. Even though thousand of miles separated us, what a special time of blessing as she sang of her love for her Savior...and I was able to "be present" to receive the blessing! Other times I'll be blessed by another precious sight in my office. There will be Doug sitting at the computer with his Bible open discussing theological questions with Andrea concerning passages that she wanted his further insight on...and so they discuss the Word back and forth...and I stand around the corner basking in that special moment!

And then there is that computer...oh, my. Where do we begin? The wealth of material and applications available to us! How much easier it has made my life (and yes, at times a bit more frustrating!) It's made the world we live in a much smaller place! Through CaringBrfidge we've been able to receive regular medical updates on Crystal, John, Brenda, Patsy, Kate, Wayne, Jenna...to better know how to pray for them. We're able to know what is happening in Bosnia, in Panama, in Austria, in the Czech, in Japan, in Mongolia....all in a nano-second! And because of that, our prayers can be more focused and specific for the immediate needs. And we can keep in touch with what is happening with our Wesleyan Family through the denominational and district website!

Think again to those verses at the start of this devotional, though. God created man, and all creation. He gave us a mind...but though man thinks he has designed these great and marvelous things (and he has), it is only because God has given him the skill...a mind to create. It is within God's gift of thinking that man thinks. I am so grateful that the Lord gave people the ability to think, to have insight and use that knowledge to develop the technology that we have in our world today...Absolutely amazing!!! Love, Suzi

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-03T21:25:00.002-05:00

. Doug and I were able to attend the community service this morning which was very touching and respectful. How grateful I am for the men and women who have served our country...and how humbled I am by those who have given their lives for our freedom. As the Gold Star parents laid the wreath for their child at the base of the memorial, I must admit my heart ached for them for they know the true price of freedom. The speaker for the program shared that our solders are ordinary men on an extraordinary mission to make a difference in our world because of freedom. During one part of the program, those from a particular area of the armed services were to stand..the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, etc... I watched as young and old proudly stood to their feet...men and women who have been willing to be used. It was a sobering time. I often wonder about those men who signed the United States Declaration of Independence..under the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident."...the list of names of men who were willing to stake their fortunres, their honor, and their lives on a few convictions that changed the world.

Jesus changed the world with a few who were willing to die for what they believed. He began with only twelve men...men that He chose to be with Him. These twelve were indeed special for they walked and talked with Jesus for those three years of His ministry...they learned from Him in person! And at the end of Christ's earthly mission...He sent these apostles out with the good news of the Gospel. We recently studied the first part of the book of Acts...the beginning of the Church after the visitation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. I had goose bumps as Doug shared from that portion of Scripture. But don't stop with Acts! Continue on in the Word, and you will see as multitudes heard of Jesus and followed Him, some went on to change the world!

And the neat part is that this is still what God is doing today -- He still uses people -- people who are willing to be His instruments for change in the world...ordinary people on an extrodinary mission...willing to make a dfiference in their world because of the freedom from sin offered through Jesus Christ! He uses us when we are willing! It doesn't take great people to do great things...just ordinary people on an extraordinary mission in service to an Omnipotent God! Are you one of them???

My God is SO Big!

2010-06-03T21:19:00.002-05:00

I love the songs that I learned in Sunday School as a child! Most are very simple in their theology, but the message is TRUTH! These songs have been my favorite repertoire when singing to my precious granddaughters as we "rock-a-bye". Oh, such heartwarming times...
Yesterday the little tune that kept playing over and over again in my head was: "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty...there's nothing my God cannot do!" Why?? Well, I know the reason. As I rode the train into work, my time in His Word was spent meditating on one of my favorite doxologies in the Bible. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Wow...there is nothing my God can not do - for He is able to do "exceedingly abundantly" more than we could ever ask or think! Yes, He is SO big! I have a lot of precious friends who have some major concerns and needs right now. I know that some of them are feeling a bit overwhelmed ....but know, my God is able to meet the needs of your heart...He is SO big...come to Him today! My Redeemer is so faithful and so true! Know you are loved!

Are You Running?

2010-06-03T21:17:00.002-05:00

The other night as I was straighten up in the guest room, I picked up The Runaway Bunny book in a basket by the toy chest. I quickly glanced through the story of the little bunny who tells his mother that he has decided to run away! No matter what the little rabbit says, his mother is persistent and says she will not give up or go away! At the end the bunny finally decides he should stay where he is at and be his mom's little bunny. As I read that, I was minded of Psalm 139, especially verses 7-10...because of time, I'll let you read it, but I am SO very thankful that God is relentless in His love for us -- He is ever-pursuing, ever-present and ever-guiding! Oh, how I love Him...I'm staying with you, Lord...always!

"Rise Up"

2010-03-13T14:43:00.003-06:00

Hello, my dear friends! I hope you are having a most blessed Lord's day! I loved sharing my Sunday School lesson this morning with my class...it was the story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, but only one returned to say thank you! I have some very special memories of Sunday School classes from when I was a young girl. I can truthfully say that this miracle had a very pointed influence on me as a child in regards to my need to say thank you to those within my daily life who give/serve me...and to continually give thanks to my Savior who died for me!

But I think one of my all-time favorites as a youngster was the story of the four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to see Jesus. When they arrived at the home where Jesus was preaching the Word, there was a massive crowd of people. There was no way they were going to get close enough for Jesus to see their friend! Did these four amigos give up on having their friend see Jesus and be healed? No way! They went to the roof of the home where He was and began to "dismantle" it until it was large enough to lower their friend down! I can still see Mrs. Barton using the "home" she had prepared so that we could have a glimpse of what it would have been like on that day! My vivid imagination had all sorts of scenarios taking place! I've often wondered if the four friends stayed behind to repair the roof! Back to the story! Oh, the love of those friends for this man on the cot...Jesus realized their faith and said to this paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." Immediately, the scribes began to grumble against Jesus....BUT Jesus, knowing the hearts of these scribes who had witnessed this amazing event, asked which was easier for Him to do...to say to the man on the cot that his sins were forgiven or to say that he should take up his bed and walk. Because He wanted them to know that the Son of Man had power on earth to forgive sins, He said to this man "...arise, take up your bed, and go to your house!" The Word says, that "immediately, he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, 'We never saw anything like this!" (Mark 2:12) I have a feeling that this gentleman didn't walk quietly back home but was jumping, running and shouting praise to this Man of Galilee!

This week I was reading a story about a woman named Sue Lehr. Sue started making bread after she had to quit her job as a nurse because of a head injury. Instead of letting circumstances pull her down when she could no longer help people in her usual ways, Sue rose to the challenge and created a unique expression of gratitude. She now makes and gives away delicious homemade bread to ministries that can then distribute the loaves to others. Although Sue did not receive complete physical healing like the paralyzed man that Jesus healed, she did "rise up" and have caused many to be amazed at the work of God in her life. (The label on the wrapper of the homemade cinnamon says, "Thanks for the dough! We kneaded it!"

God has something for each of us to do...even if we have limitations. My friend, "rise up" and ask what He might want to do through you today! Aren't you thankful for the miracle He has worked in your life when He "healed" your life which was "paralyzed" by sin! I know that I am forever grateful. It has been quite an amazing journey to "rise up" to the tasks that God has called me to...but there is no place that I would rather be than walking with my Lord and Savior! Know you are loved! Suzi

Fill It To The Brim

2010-02-21T15:21:00.002-06:00

I had hoped to write this e-mail yesterday morning, but did not have my e-mail address book with me! Yesterday was a very special day...it was my hubby's 60th birthday and I had a special "road trip" planned from Friday afternoon to Saturday night! We had an absolutely wonderful time...it just was too short! How I thank the Lord for my precious husband! He has been an amazing godly husband and father! His love and passion for the Lord Jesus has blessed me and encouraged me in my spiritual walk with My Father!

I read a devotional by Sharon Jaynes this past week about the first miracle that Jesus performed. Do you remember it? Jesus was at a wedding reception in Cana...and the word tells us that on the third day of the party, Jesus' mom noticed that they had run out of wine. Now that was quite a disgrace for Jewish wedding celebration. So Mary went to her son, Jesus, and shared the situation. (You can read the whole account in John 2.) Mary turned to the servants of that household and said, "Do whatever He tells you", for Mary seemed to understand Jesus' power before anyone else. There were six stone water jars nearby...the kind that were used for ceremonial washing (each about 30 gallons!), and "Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water'; so they filled them to the brim" (John 2:7 NIV). I love the next part. Jesus then told one of the servants to dip some out and take it to the master of the banquet. Imagine what was going through the servants' minds for they were witnessing the first miracle of Christ! Well, the master then called out to the bridegroom and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now!"

Fill the jars to the brim...you know what? I want to "fill it to the brim," giving Jesus all of my life - every bit of it. I don't want to hold anything back but to give Him everything! His transformational power is amazing! AND it is the same with my marriage. I want to give Jesus all of my marriage...to the brim. So in our autumn/winter years, Doug and I will agree...we have saved the best till now!! Oh, how I love this guy of mine! Happy birthday, honey!

And to my dear friends...happy Valentine's Day to you! May you experience His love today as never before!! Know you are loved! Suzi

Thanks for Choosing Life!

2010-02-21T15:17:00.002-06:00

In the middle of January, something very special happened to my sister's daughter and her husband, Ali and Jon. Many of you will remember that my niece delivered three children within the last year, however, none of them were ever able to go home with them. Emmalee was born with a heart condition....and little Owen and Cooper were born too soon. http://feldmanbaby.blogspot.com/ This month Ali and Jon were able to adopt a precious little girl whom they have named Natalee Ann! Doug and I were able to go up to the hospital the day after she was born to get acquainted...oh, how we thank the Lord for this precious new life. She has captured our hearts and we love her dearly. http://www.feldmancrew.blogspot.com/

Since the day of Natalee's birth, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the birth mom...and have prayed often for her. This birth mom chose LIFE for her baby and chose adoption...and my niece and her husband are now experiencing the joy of raising this child as their own. Oh, they will be a good mom and dad to Natalee...they will love her unconditionally and will help her to know Jesus! And we, as the extended family, will have the opportunity to love on her, as well!

Doug and I had a most delightful evening last Saturday as we attended "Laugh For Life", a fundraiser for New Life Family Services...the crisis pregnancy center in Minneapolis. Triple Expresso were the performers! These three gentlemen we just so enjoyable...I had such a fun time just listening to my hubby laugh. At the close of the evening, though, Michael Pearce Donley sang a song he recently composed entitled, "Lullaby for A Birth Mom". This song was very personal for Michael as he and his wife are adoptive parents. My heart was greatly moved as he sang this special song written for the mother of child they adopted...

Lord, would you be so close to Natalee's birth mom this evening. How grateful we are that she chose LIFE. Her decision has changed the lives of a couple who we dearly love.... Jesus, help her to know how much you love her and desire to "adopt" her as Your child...

Compassion Is A Verb

2010-01-19T22:45:00.002-06:00

My dear friends...

My heart has grieved this week as we've received multiple reports from the devastation in Haiti...I am sure your heart has been as well. I've asked Andrea if I could share her blogspot message from Friday with you. Andrea writes...

I am a person who believes we as humans are created in God's image. Because I believe God created humans in His image, there is a "specialness" about humans that separates us from the rest of creation. One of the greatest examples of this is our ability to empathize.

As the news of the earthquake in Haiti continues to be reported this week, most of us cannot help but empathize with the Haitians. My heart has been heavy all week. My prayers this week have include many "whys?" I do not understand. I can empathize even though I don't understand.

But it doesn't end there. We can empathize with the Haitians all we want, but it doesn't get the them anywhere. God instilled in us the ability to empathize but he also calls us to be like Him and God is compassionate.

I have come to rely on Webster's dictionary a lot, but I believe they made a huge error. They have compassion listed as a noun. Compassion is a verb. It is an active verb.

I am well aware there are a lot of needs around the world right now. However right now Haiti desperately needs help. They need compassion as well as our prayers. There are so many great organizations mobilizing. If you have an organization you give though, please do. But if you don't know where to start, consider World Hope (www.worldhope.org).

Be especially praying for our Global Partner missionaries and World Hope as they minister during this rescue effort. Also, thank you for praying for one of our sister holiness denominations. The Free Methodist Church has lost three missionaries in this earthquake, one a friend of Andrea's. These three individuals gave their lives in service to the Haitian people whom they loved deeply.
Know you are loved. Suzi

Happy 2010!

2010-01-19T22:42:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year, dear friends...

The last few days have been most delightful ones...New Year's Eve was very uneventful for the Swarthouts, but how special it was to have some quality time together! When I crawled into bed on that last night of 2009, my mind began reflecting on some of the events of the last 365 days....there were times when a smile would cross my face, but then a few moments later, a tear would roll down my cheek. Yes, there have been ups and downs, but through it all, God has been very present and ever so faithful. I soon found myself singing a song of praise to my Father! It was a special time of worship under my comforter! Isn't that just like our God...He says He will meet us where we are! =)

Now the new year has been with us for three days...what will 2010 bring? Deuteronomy 11:12 says "The eyes of the Lord your God are always on [the land], from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year." We don't know what tomorrow will hold, but we know who holds the future...His eyes will be upon us if we are faithful to Him from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010! Yes, God's faithful care will extend to every day of the new year...oh, my friend, isn't that an amazing promise for us to claim in 2010! I think I am going to start singing again! Won't you join me...."Great is Thy faithfulness...."

Know you are loved! Suzi

He Calls Them By Name

2010-01-19T22:40:00.002-06:00

My dear friends...

In Psalm 147:4 we read that "He [God] counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name." How well I remember laying down on the lawn as a child and staring at the stars in the evening sky...trying so desperately to count them...and then just giving up because it was an impossible task! Not only does our God count them, He names them! But while God knows and numbers the stars, YET, He is concerned about you and me... Verse 3 of Psalm 147 says, "He [God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." He binds our shattered hearts with sensitivity and kindness He brings healing to the depths of our souls...He cares even when we're broken by sin!

The greatness of our God is the greatness of His heart...His strength is the measure of His love...He is a tender and mighty God. I still like to look at the stars...these celestial bodies are but mere matter, yet He knows their name...so how much more must He care for us who bear His image. Because of His care for us...we can leave our cares with Him!

How we have claimed His promises time and time again...and He has been faithful! His love (and His hand) have been so evident. Thanks to those of you who have who prayed for our family during these past days...thanks for your notes and phone calls of encouragement...thank you for your love! We were all surprised with the reoccurrence of Andrea's tongue cancer...but God wasn't. His timing is always perfect, isn't it. She had planned to come home in February to surprise Doug for his 60th birthday; however, when she heard we would be having our three precious granddaughters (plus mom and dad) with us for a few days, she changed her plans! A visit to her ENT doctor was just to "check in"...so we were all surprised after her exam and a biopsy showed that the cancer had returned! We're still in awe as to how quickly she was able to get in for surgery; but, in even more amazed when one week following surgery she was able to return to Japan! God's healing hand was very evident...even to her doctor! So tonight our house is quiet. We miss the pitter patter of little feet around the house...we miss having our grown children gathered around the table and the conversations shared. But the God who counts the number of stars and calls them by name...even those stars that shine over Williston, ND or Kyoto, Japan...this God loves and cares for us! My heart is filled with praise and gratitude this evening...

Know you are loved. Suzi

Don't Forget To Vote...And Pray

2009-11-01T21:32:00.002-06:00

It seems hard to believe that it has been almost a month since I have written the Weekly Update! How I apologize, but the days have been more than full! We had an amazing Iowa-Minnesota Wesleyan Women retreat with 102 ladies present. Thank you to Jeanette Vermilya for your ministry that weekend! (We were so sorry that Shirley Duncan was not able to attend because of illness!) The following week, Jeanette and I were the guest speakers at the Dakota District Wesleyan Women retreat and it was indeed a blessed time! I love getting together with my "sisters" in Christ! The next week, Doug left for an 11 day trip to visit Andrea! You will find some fun pictures of their adventures on her blogspot! It is good, thought, to be able to spend a few moments with you, and hopefully I will soon be back on track on a weekly basis!

Tuesday will be Election Day...the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the month of November. This Election Day has almost gone completely unnoticed because there is no major national election taking place. Nevertheless, I hope you are praying and becoming informed on the decisions that will be made in your city or your state...and don't forget to vote!

Let me ask you...do you pray for those in authority over you? Some people would say that prayer and politics don't mix. Let me share a quick story with you that I recently read. In 1787 a convention was called in the United States to revise the Articles of Confederation. For weeks, delegates reviewed ancient history and analyzed modern governments, searching for insights. But nothing suited the infant nation. Finally, a distinguished gentleman named Benjamin Franklin rose and said, "In this situation of this assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth and scarce able to distinguish it when it is presented to us, how has it happened that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? Mr. Franklin believed there was a sovereign God who could provide guidance to those who sought it."

I firmly believe that if there was ever a time to follow that prayer example given to us, it is NOW! Paul said that governments are ordained of God (Romans 13:1) and are in authority over us (I Timothy 2:1-2). That was pretty remarkable for Paul to say at that time considering that Nero was emperor at that time! (Just got done studying what a notoriously cruel ruler he was!) Persecution against Christians was a growing threat to believers.

I've had people share with me in the last few months that they just cannot pray for our government anymore. But I would challenge them that this prayer principle also applies to today...not only for the election of our leaders, but for the leadership that those in authority over us give. We must be an informed people...we must vote prayerfully for those who shape our laws...and we must continually be praying for those who are in authority over us. Why? Because God has instructed us to do so...so that is that! So yes, I believe we can mix prayer with our politics! Be on your knees! And don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

Next time...I want to tell you about square watermelons in Japan...and the following time about St. Elizabeth...

Know you are loved...turn your clock back and hour tonight...and enjoy time with the "family" tomorrow!

Thanks For Praying

2009-11-01T21:23:00.002-06:00

Good morning, my dear friends...

Have just a few minutes to write this morning as I am leaving for Indianapolis soon; however, so much has transpired these past few hours that I wanted to bring to your attention for prayer. Before Jesus left this earth, He promised to prepare a special place for those who love him. Read it for yourself in John 14:2-3! Years later, He spoke to His disciple John in a vision, giving him as much detail as man's finite mind could grasp. Sine then, God's people have pondered with eager anticipation "a new heaven and a new earth", where there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain". (Revelations 21:1-4). Yes, the greatest joy on earth is the prospect of heaven. In the past week, four precious children of God are experiencing the presence of their Lord and Savior...kneeling at His feet...walking the streets of gold...two of them in the last few hours.
Rev. Larry Marshall, who was injured in June during a well digging accident, passed away yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Grace Duncan, mom of David (and Shirley) Duncan, is finally home this morning with her Lord and Savior
Rev. Bruce Lecates, our friend who was diagnosed with the aggressive infection called Necrotized Fasciitis (otherwise known as the 'flesh eating disease') passed away on Monday.
Lori Corey, a precious friend whom I had the privilege of leading to the Lord when we lived in Denison, passed away last week from ALS. Doug and I were able to go back to Denison and officiate at the celebration service. Oh, the lives she touched...over 700 people at the visitation.
My heart is heavy this morning...and yet filled with joy...it is a bittersweet time...but this I know, we as Christians know the best is yet to come....to see the Face of Jesus. Oh, what a day that will be! Know you are dearly loved! Suzi

2009-11-01T21:21:00.002-06:00

The husband of my friend, Janice, has been on quite a "roller coaster" since the middle of August. He was diagnosed with a horrific and very aggressive infection called Necrotizing Fasciitis, otherwise known as the "Flesh Eating Disease." They have set up a Caring Bridge website to keep everyone updated on his progress as well as to ask people to be praying for the Lord to intercede for him as he battles this very serious illness. Janice's daughter, Marilyn, wrote a wonderful analogy that I wanted to share with you concerning the ups and downs we experience in life! It is excellent!

"I was thinking this morning about that roller coaster we are on. They say the best way to experience a roller coaster is to put your hands in the air and just go with it. Letting go of the bar in front of you allows you to experience the full extent of the twists, turns, ups and downs and gives you the ultimate adventure of the coaster. Holding on to the bar in fear doesn't enable you to change the course of the coaster, slow it down, or make in changes in the way the coaster runs. It really just makes your muscles tense and your hands sore.

Consider this in parallel to life's roller coaster -- holding on to fear doesn't enable us to control what happens in life. In fact, it causes us to be tense and anxious. But letting go -- that's when we throw our hands up and experience the full extent of the adventure God wants for our lives. Taking our hands off means we trust God with the adventure and we are content with letting Him take us on the ride of our lives.

Ever watched people on a roller coaster? It's the ones with their hands in the air that are enjoying the ride the most."

Isn't that good! Know you are loved!

How Wide, How Long, How High, How Deep!

2009-11-01T21:19:00.002-06:00

My dear friends...

Katelyn Olivia Swarthout arrived last Wednesday evening shortly after 9 pm! Kate weighed 8 lbs and 12 ounces and was 20 inches long! Rachel ended up having a C-section as little Kate was breech! How thankful we are that mom and baby are doing great -- as well as the rest of the family! We almost had a baby born in Minnesota as Chris, Rachel, Morgan and Taylor left to head back to Williston just four days before that! Oh, what a wonderful time we shared together while they were in Minnesota! The house is a bit too quiet right now! Lord willing, we plan to head to see this precious new little one over Labor Day weekend!!! My heart is overflowing with love for this little one whom I haven't even been able to meet in person yet and yet, there is such a fullness of love already in my being...
We had such an awesome week of Vacation Bible School last week. Beth and I shared the storytelling responsibilities during our week. On Thursday night, I shared the story of the Last Supper with each of the four classes. During one of the classes, one of the little guys started asking questions about the Trinity! That is always an interesting concept to explain to a young mind...but with the Holy Spirit's help, there was understanding and application about getting to know ALL of God! I love when the "light bulb" goes off in their formative minds!
In Ephesians 3, Paul is praying that we may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge - that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. The fullness of God...wow! That is a mindboggling thought! I think he is saying that requires us to experience full communion with all parts of the Trinity. The Father came up with a very special gift to us -- a plan which would bring us back to Him -- the plan of salvation which would cost Him the life of His son. Oh, my... And then there is the Son who showers us with grace...He was willing to carry out His Father's plan for such a sinner as me...I will never understand that, but, Jesus, thank you. I now have hope!
And then there is our Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us and offers us the gifts of His strength, encouragement, assurance and joy as we daily live life. Pretty amazing gifts, if you ask me, especially in this crazy world that we live in! I am humbled to receive them so freely....
Have I personally seen the Jesus? No..but there is such a fullness of love already in my being because of the communion that is mine with my Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me...oh, how wide, long, high and deep is the love of God. My heart is overflowing tonight...I am so looking forward to holding Katelyn in my arms for the first time but I can't even being to imagine what emotion when I will see Jesus face to face!
And another night is done...hope you have a restful sleep and your tomorrow is awesome because of Him! Love, Suzi

Are You His Hands And Feet?

2009-11-01T21:15:00.002-06:00

My dear friends...
I apologize for being behind in writing; however, these past four weeks have been filled to overflowing...oh, God has been so good! The days have been long and there has been very little time for keeping up with my personal correspondence, but I hopefully will start getting back on track next week! How wonderful it was to be with so many of you at District Conference and Wesleyan Women Convention!
We started our Vacation Bible School tonight and what an awesome time attending "Camp E.D.G.E"! (Experiencing and Discovering God Everywhere). Bible School is an amazing time at Anoka Wesleyan...our adults give 100% plus to make this week a fun God-filled time! This year we started a teen class which is being taught by two of our young adults and I am excited to see how God is going to work in the lives of those young people through this week! And guess what -- our largest class was the adult class!!!
My only responsibility tonight was to have the missions moment, so I decided first to spend some time in prayer that we would see many come to really know Jesus this year. And then the Lord impressed me to go for a walk around our neighborhood! Don't you just love it when the Holy Spirit prompts you! With flyers in hand, off I went...and met several children in our neighborhood that I had never seen before...and you guessed it...they received a personal invitation to come! As I was going back to the church, I noticed one little guy (whom I had earlier invited) who just moved in down the block sitting on his stairs just staring at our activities...you could see the "yearning" in his eyes to come be a part. So I asked him if he wanted to come for the last half hour, if it was okay with his mom! He was back in a flash with a smile on his face and quickness in his step to experience this adventure! He told me he is coming back tomorrow and bringing a friend!
As we drove home, I was reminded of an old Sunday School song we used to sing...the chorus said, "Go to the highways, tell it on the byways..tell them that you're their friend!" Yup, Jesus wants us to go across the street, around the block, and up and down the avenue letting people know that we care but even more that Jesus loves them! Our world so desperately needs to know the love and hope available to them...but it requires that we be His hands and feet and mouth and ears...whose down your block!?!?
Know you are loved!

My Father's Thoughts

2009-11-01T21:14:00.001-06:00

Hi, dear friends...

Our Sunday School Superintendent is doing something different during our opening time! Each month, we are memorizing a portion of Scripture! Our verses for the month of July is Matthew 22:36-39...the first and greatest commandment..."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your MIND!!!" Let me ask you a quick question...how was your thought life today? Was it pure or did it need improving!?!?

Memorizing God's Word is the best way to rebuild your thoughts! Committing portions of Scripture to memory is like thinking God's thoughts after Him! When we think that way, our mind can't help but be elevated! I love to hear my husband recite the long portions of Scripture that he learned with his mom as a young boy...portions that have stayed with him to this day! When we memorize Scripture, it gives us insight into understanding the very thought structures of our Lord! We come to understand a bit more how God "thinks"...pretty amazing!

There is a story of a family living on the edge of a desert who were amazed to see that flowers had sprouted in the salty sand behind their home. No one could figure out how this happened, since they had tried for months to grow vegetables and flowers. The mystery was solved when someone realized that the mom had been throwing her dishwater out the back door every day. After many months and many dishpans of water, the salt was washed out of the sand. That's why flowers were able to grow! What does that to do with memorizing Scripture, you ask? Well, when we "soak" our minds with His Word, those thoughts that we don't want in our minds are "washed away"...new thoughts - the very thoughts of God - will find a home in our mind!

I want to think My Father's thoughts!!! As we think more of Him, our thinking is elevated to His level and we grow deeper in our spiritual walk AND His Word! So how are you doing at memorizing Scripture? If your Bible was someday taken away from you, would you have His treasure hidden in your heart to "feed" upon?!? Hmmmm....just something to think about this week!

Can't wait to see you on the 21st of July at First Wesleyan Church in Charles City for the Wesleyan Women Convention! Ladies, it's not too late to get a ticket for the luncheon! I have a feeling the Lord is going to meet with us in an awesome way that day! Thanks for praying! Know you are loved!

Midwest - Ocean - Mountains?

2009-06-18T22:11:00.002-05:00

Hello, dear friends...

It is raining in Anoka as I type...oh, how thankful I am for the rain! As I peaked out at my garden, I think I can almost see my vegetables growing right before my eyes -- remember, I said almost! I stood by my deck door for the longest time admiring the beauty of my Father's creation! I love the Midwest...and rightfully so, as I have lived my entire life in either Iowa or Minnesota! But I've been blessed to see a good portion of the other areas of the United States! When Chris and Rachel lived in Oregon, I fell in love with the ocean! I will long remember the weekend we spent on the coast...such a special time. I can hear the water lapping on the boulders that lined the coast. This week my sister told me of a blogspot where my cousin's daughter is posting some of her beautiful photographs of the mountains in Montana! When I went in to check it out, a flood of memories came rushing to my mind! We made a couple trips to Kalispell, MT when I was a child and then Doug and I took a trip there in 1973. I love the ocean, but it doesn't even begin to compare to the majesty of the mountains! I remember a hike we took in the mountains, coming to a flower-strewn meadow and then a stream winding somewhere in the midst of it all! Breathtaking! I wish I could find the pictures that my parents took of that time! Or the stream that was well over 24 inches deep and yet crystal clear to the stone-lined bottom. On our trip in June of 1973, the snow banks in the passes were well over twice my height...in June!

As I looked at the pictures of the mountains, words started popping in my heard: unchanging, steadfast, dependable, strong, awesome, beautiful...doesn't that sound like characteristics of God as well? Do you think that one of God's goals when He created mountains was to reveal Himself in creation to creation???? Romans 12:1 says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

It continually amazes me that God chooses to reveal Himself to us in so many ways. Oh, how He desires for us to know Him! He not only sent Jesus and had the Bible written, He also designed this world intentionally so we can know Him better! So whether I am looking around at His creation in the Midwest, or at the expansive ocean on the east or west coasts, or the spacious mountains scattered through our land of the free, I am catching a glimpse of His invisible qualities...that is JUST AMAZING to me! Heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful world that we live in!

He Touched Me

2009-06-04T05:52:00.002-05:00

Happy June, my friends!

"He touched me, oh, He touched me!" The words of this song ministered in such a powerful way on Saturday night as Doug and I enjoyed the "Lovin' Life" Gaither Homecoming Tour at the Target Center. The last few weeks have been ones where my heart has been grieving over a matter...one of those situations where there was nothing more I could do to change the situation other than to intercede to our Heavenly Father, especially in the wee hours of the morning when sleep would not come. Oh, how I needed a fresh touch from Him.

Saturday turned into a crazy day at the Swarthout home and satan tried as hard as he could to change our minds about attending the concert that evening. He likes to do that, doesn't he. The moment we entered the auditorium, we were greeted with the amazing piano rendition of "How Great Thou Art" being played by Kim Collingsworth and that was the start of a night of experiencing His glory...oh, I never want to miss His glory! There was something very special about this year's program. Doug and I have been to a couple other homecoming concerts over the years, but Saturday evening's event was much more than a performance of quality gospel music...it was a time of overwhelming worship which proclaimed hope, redemption, joy and His great love.

"And oh, the joy that floods my soul...." As we drove home that night, the Holy Spirit was still blessing our hearts from the ministry of that evening's music. I went to bed that evening and had a wonderful night of rest. Did the music make my concerns go away? No, but the Holy Spirit used it to remind me that my Father is well aware of the situation and He has invited us to "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you". (I Peter 5:7) Yes, I can trust Him in all of life's circumstances for He is faithful and true! He is so good! No doubt about it...Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened to me! "Something happened, and now I know, He touched me and made me whole." Know you are loved! Suzi

Hands of Hope - Training to Abolish Human Trafficking

2009-05-23T07:11:00.003-05:00

Hands of Hopes - Training to Abolish Human Trafficking
September 10-12, 2009
World Headquarters of the Wesleyan Church
13300 Olio Road; Fishers, IN

Wesleyan Women in partnership with World Hope will be conducting training for men and women in The Wesleyan Church in the Anti-Human Trafficking movement. This training will be conducted at the Wesleyan World Headquarters September 10-12, 2009.
This training will help us understand the magnitude of the problem and teach us needed skills to address the issue. Each person who comes to training will be expected to return to their district to train others. This way training can spread quickly across North America. For more information, visit www.wesleyan.org/women and also find a DVD about the training there.

Yes, human trafficking is in Iowa and Minnesota. In fact, the first person convicted under Iowa’s new human trafficking law resulted from an arrest made in Denison, IA … a town where we lived for 12 years…a rural community very near and dear to my heart. Oh, Lord, open our eyes…

Human trafficking is the modern-day form of slavery. Victims of trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. There are currently over 27 million slaves worldwide, of which over 50% are children. It is estimated that this 32 billion-dollar industry will soon surpass the use of drugs and alcohol.
Young children, teenagers, men, and women are all victims. Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 people annually are trafficked across international borders, and thousands are trafficked into the U.S. It is sickening to realize this industry employs people full-time to look for vulnerable victims in North America.
Who Should Attend?
Individuals, church, and community leaders who are willing to learn and serve as trainers and caregivers of trafficking victims within their own spheres of influence.
About the Curriculum:
The curriculum uses a community-based holistic approach to addressing the needs of trafficking survivors, and will be taught by professional trainers.
What is the Cost?
$125. (Due with the registration form)
Includes training, curriculum, meals: continental breakfast (Thur.-Sat.), lunch (Thurs.-Sat.), and dinner (Thur. & Fri.)
Transportation and lodging expenses are not included, but lodging in local homes is available for those coming long distances. Contact the Wesleyan Women office if you want to stay in a local home.
What will the Training Cover?
Defining and understanding human trafficking
Biblical framework for Christian response
Trafficking in persons community assessment
Cultural issues in trafficking and trauma
A holistic approach to aftercare - understanding the spiritual, physical, psychological, and social needs of survivors
Combating the demand for commercial sex

And More Blessings - May Flowers

2009-05-23T07:09:00.003-05:00

Hi, my dear friends.....can I share just a few blessings again with you of these past weeks??? May your heart be warmed...

1) Brrrrr...it is a very chilly May day in Minnesota...but oh, how our hearts are warmed! Doug and I were blessed this morning to be able to participate in the "Walk for Life" for New Life Family Services! (It was awesome to see a good group from Oakdale Church there as well!!!!) It is a startling statistic to think that 43% of American women will have at least one abortion by age 45. Many of these abortions are due to lack of compassionate care and practical assistance. How thankful I am for New Life Family Services. It provides women and men with the care they need to choose life, including these free services: pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, options counseling, adoption services, parenting education, maternity and baby supplies, evangelism, and post-abortion healing.
As many of you know, my niece and her husband have lost three children within this last year. They have now started the adoption process...a baby will be available for them to love because someone choose life! So this walk is very personal for me this year. Ali and Jon, we love you dearly! We are blessed by life!

2) This week we said goodbye to my cousin, Rick. So many of you have been praying for him these past months. Thank you. Rick was only 42 years old when he lost his battle to cancer. When Rick's grandpa passed away last year, the Lord had placed Rick on my heart for a reason we did no know at that time...I can so clearly remember that day. A few weeks ago, Rick came to know Jesus as His Lord and Savior... We have been so blessed to be able to love Rick and Tina during these past months of his illness...we know he has "graduated" to glory, but nevertheless, Tina, his kids and the rest of the family grieve....thanks so much for lifting them to our Father as they come to mind. We are blessed to be able to love...

3) Those of you who are moms will appreciate this. When we lived in Denison, Iowa, we had some very special neighbors who still remain our dear friends today. The Stanley family lived two doors down from the parsonage. When they moved in, they had a boy and a girl the same age as Chris and Andrea. Needless to say, the kids became "best friends"! Matt and Elizabeth would be at our house or Chris and Andrea would be over at their home. We have many, many pictures of the kids playing together as well as many cherished memories! Jan and I walked the same road together when our moms were ill and then passed away. Some of my favorite pictures of the kids are the ones of "the first day of school". The girls would talk about what they wanted to do when they grew up -- Andrea wanted to teach overseas and Elizabeth wanted to be a star! You know where Andrea is and Elizabeth has become a star. She was on a television episode of Fringe last September but mainly does musicals...in fact, she was in Tokyo this past week where she has the starring role in Xanadu ( www.xanaduonbroadway.com ) (You can see a picture of Elizabeth when you click on "About" and then on "Cast".) Andrea went with a couple of her friends to the production and then joined Elizabeth for dinner afterwards...I'm sure she will be writing more on her blogspot, but as I looked a picture of the two of them that Andrea had sent from Tokyo and I talked Doug that evening, the tears flowed...for the Lord has been so good in allowing such special people to place their touch upon our lives...people who have helped to mold and make us into what we are today... We are blessed by the friends He allows to touch our lives.
My friends, I love life and the way the Father comes along side and just sprinkles special blessings our way. But I have a responsibility as well...I have a responsibility to be a blessing to others! As we have been "helped", I am also to "help" those in need around me! I love the verses in II Corinthians 9:11-15...can I share them with you from the Living Bible? "Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help. So, two good things happen as a result of your gifts - those in need are helped, and they overflow with thanks to God. Those you help will be glad not only because of your generous gifts to themselves and to others, but they will praise God for this proof that your deeds are as good as your doctrine. And they will pray for you with deep fervor and feeling because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you. Thank God for his Son - his Gift too wonderful for words!"

How do you serve others? Maybe it is just a simple letter with a few bright words...but God can use that little note to bring sharply into focus the enormous value of serving others in His love. Maybe it is a quick phone call to just say you care. Only the other side of eternity will reveal to you and me the immense value our small sacrifices of service have accomplished. May the Lord daily help us to go out and spend our lives for Him! He WILL enable us to undertake the special tasks He has for us...He IS faithful! Love, Suzi

Blessings From April Showers

2009-05-23T07:04:00.002-05:00

My dear friends...my heart has been so blessed by the Holy Spirit's presence these last few days. The Lenten season is always so special, especially Holy Week - the most important week in human history!! Jesus came to break the bonds of sin and hell! I hope it indeed was a time of thanksgiving and celebration for what Christ has done within your life!

If I were to write all the blessings that have taken place these last few weeks (and I do apologize for the month of silence), this would be a book, so let me just share a few high points in a bit of this and that...

1) On Saturday, we received a phone call that a friend of ours was missing. It had about five hours since anyone had last seen him. When I received the call, I said I would gladly go drive around Anoka to see if I could spot him. The whole time I was driving, I was praying to the Lord for His protective hand upon my friend and for the Lord's help in finding him. As I passed through the downtown area of Anoka, I spotted my friend! I cannot begin to tell you the joy and excitement I experienced to know that my "lost" friend was "found". As I was driving back home that afternoon after "delivering" him to where he was to be, I wondered if my excited emotions were anything like what the Lord feels when His "lost" children are "found"...I could almost hear Him singing and shouting! "My child, you have come home!!!"

2) Have you experienced those days when you feel like life is going 100 mph and you just can't keep up! (During those times, Satan tries to defeat me, making me question whether I am really making a kingdom difference where the Lord has placed me.) As I was going to an appointment a couple weeks ago, I was racing through the skyways of Minneapolis trying to "be on time" for an appointment when all of a sudden the Lord gave me a divine moment with a gentleman "singing" in the skyway. He did not have a container out for "donations", but was just singing his heart out with "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine"...I found my quickened steps slowing and my cluttered mind cleared as I looked at him and smiled...to which he responded...."Ma'am, you have a blessed day shining where God has placed you..." I just felt as if I was hugged by my Heavenly Father...yes, Lord, I will shine where you have placed me! Oh, don't you love our Father!

3) I have been so blessed by the SpringLife emphasis we are having within our church. SpringLife is in full swing at Anoka Wesleyan! During this two-month emphasis, we are being challenged to share the message of Jesus Christ more intentionally, along with making more and better disciples for Him! We’ve created a post-it note prayer wall where we have listed the first names of individuals our church family is specifically praying for during these eight weeks…that they will come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior! We know of two individuals we have been praying for that have come to a saving faith in Christ...oh, God is so good! (And how I wish you could have heard our choir's mini-musical "In Christ Alone" on Easter! Wow...His presence in our midst was awesome!!! We indeed serve a risen and living Savior!)

4) Some dear friends of ours have been displaced by the flooding situation in Fargo and have moved into an apartment until they are able to inhabit their home again. I was blessed by her comments in a recent e-mail. Let me share her closing remarks with you..."I think this can either be an adventure or a disaster, and I'm voting for adventure. I only get this one lifetime and since God has healed and restored so much of my life, I don't want to waste a minute!!" She is choosing an adventure!

Let's see -- we are in April. It is the month that we think of "showers"...may you experience "showers of blessing" from above!

Happy Easter

2009-04-02T22:44:00.005-05:00

Because of what happened 2000 years ago....

...we have so much to look forward to!

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..."

Will I see YOU in Heaven?

2009-04-02T22:39:00.001-05:00

If I were to ask you your favorite Bible character, who would it be? I how I love Moses...a man who felt he had no leadership skills and yet, look what God did through him when he surrendered to his call! Doug shared on Joseph the other evening...his life never will cease to amaze me...so mistreated and yet kept trusting the Lord, even offering forgiveness to his brothers after all the wrongs they had done to him! Maybe it is Daniel...we just finished the Beth Moore study on Daniel -- amazing! His commitment and wholehearted trust in the Lord God and then the insight the Lord revealed to Him regarding the end times fills me with awe! And then there is Esther, Rahab, Noah...I could go on and on.

But one of my favorites since my early childhood is found in the first few chapters of Genesis...Enoch, the son of Cain! You will find him referenced in eleven verses in the Bible....not a lot of detail about the day-to-day stuff of the years he lived, but the ending of his life is fascinating. Genesis 5:24 says, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter) says that "By faith, Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away But before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God...." I have often thought what it must have been like. Was he walking with his "grandkids" and God come down from the blue sky in his heavenly chariot and swoop him into the passenger seat!?!? Hmmm...

Enoch walked with God, but did not experience death... The last few weeks, I have been to three funerals for friends who indeed "walked with God"...and yet experienced death. They were women who had lived amazing lives because of their love for the Lord and lived day-by-day in faith-walking which I know pleased the Lord! Oh, the lives they touched...their imprint they left resembled Christ...

Maida DeBoer (Living Springs Church) came to know the Lord as an adult...and when He took up residency within her heart, Maida was never again the same! She had such a passion to see those around her come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and to disciple them! There was seldom a visitor at the church who was not invited to dinner after the worship service! And her sense of humor added "life" to everything she did! And she was indeed a faithful prayer warrior...

Rebecca Bibbee (Global Partners missionary to India) passed away in February. I've shared in the past the tremendous impact she had upon our family from a visit in the early 90s to Denison, IA. Becky was such a mentor to Andrea. If you have never read her book "Becky: Only to India" by Joy Brady, I'd encourage you to find a copy! For over 40 years, Becky gave her life to the people of India in obedience to a remarkable call from God at the age of 15! As I listed to the CD of her funeral service (thank you, Joan Lowe), I found myself chuckling and then crying and then rejoicing! She would have told you that she was the most unlikely person for missionary service and yet, what God did through her life because of her obedience...she was an architect and overseer for many buildings, she helped raise a houseful of orphan boys and girls, establishing a school of over 1,500 students know for its academic excellence, and worked with others to bring dignity to leprosy patients through Hope City! And yet, she was such a humble woman... And she was indeed a faithful prayer warrior...

And yesterday, I attended the funeral of Bernice Magler from Oakdale Church. I think of Bernice as Barnabas - the "daughter of encouragement". I cannot tell you the number of notes and cards I have received over the years. Notes of encouragement and love...and she did this to so many around the world, particularly those in Kingdom work. I know that her many letters to our missionaries over the years where indeed words of great blessing! She, too, was like Maida....a most gracious hostess and cared so deeply for the needs of those around her...all because of what Jesus had done in her life! And she was indeed a faithful prayer warrior... Her son shared that on one of his last visits, he slipped into his mom's room without her knowing he was there and listened to her intercede for over 45 minutes for family, friends, ministries...

Oh, my friends, these three ladies indeed "walked with God"...they lived a "life well lived" for the Kingdom! Their presence and their prayers will be greatly missed...who will the Lord raise up to take their place?

Do you long to be one who pleases God by walking in a way that daily gives up your right to navigate your own life...to place your faith in Him, admitting He knows what is best for us and realizing He might not always reveal the hows and the whys" I hope so. Walk by faith, my friends...who knows, we may be like Enoch one day on one of our long walks with God!!!

"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8.

Thank you, Lord, for Maida, Becky and Bernice...

Our Sympathy

2009-02-14T08:51:00.002-06:00

Maida DeBoer, longtime Wesleyan Women from Living Springs, passed away on January 29th. Maida loved the Lord and had such a passion for missions, singing, reading, praying and encouraging others. She indeed was a prayer warrior. She always so willing served where needed. Her memorial service will be Saturday, February 14th at 11 am at Living Springs Church in Spring Lake Park, MN. Our sympathy is extended to her children, Debra (Richard) Scott, David DeBoer, Sherry (Kevin) Kirby, LaChelle(Erik) Troff; 5 grandchildren, Brittany and Brianna Scott, Kyle DeBoer, Kevin Mattison, Drew Troff; and sister, Francis Anderson along with many dear friends and relatives. Maidi, we will miss you.

The Lord Giveth...And The Lord Taketh

2009-02-14T07:54:00.000-06:00

My dear friends...

The devotional that went along with my Sunday School lesson this last week was from Romans 8:28..."We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." It is a verse that comes to mind, particularly when someone is in the middle of a personal loss or crisis. I have tried to be very careful and "thoughtful" when sharing this verse, for if we are honest with ourselves, there are times when those words do NOT immediately warm our heart for we do not have the benefit of seeing how tragedy or pain will turn out...only our Father does. Will we know in a month or a year from now? Do you ever ask "why" during those times when you just don't understand....Sunday was one of those days.

Around 1 am on Sunday morning, I received a phone call from my sister that her daughter, Alison, was in labor. (Ali had lost a child last April but was now expecting twins in June. Many of you had prayed for Emmalee as well as Jon and Ali.) She had not been feeling well on Saturday evening and after a bit had decided she should go to the ER to make certain everything was okay. When she got to the ER, they told Alison that she was in labor and was fully dilated. She delivered two perfect little boys during those early morning hours, but Owen Timothy and Cooper James were just born too soon at 21 weeks. I cannot even begin to explain the emotions I felt as I held one of the little guys in the hospital... Tomorrow we will gather at Valley Grove Church to bury these two little ones next to their big sister. When the Lord brings them to mind, would you please remember Ali and Jon plus my sister, Annie, and husband Tim and the rest of their extended family. Their hearts are very fragile. The Word says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted...

Back to our verse in Romans...what does God ask us to do? All we are asked to do is to love Him. The devotional said "If we choose not to believe that God does indeed cause all things to eventually work for good, then we invite the bad stuff of life to create a bitter spirit, which chokes the peace of God in our hearts." How thankful I am that his promises are perfect and true. I don't understand the "whys" of this happening, but I am clinging to Jesus for He will be our sufficiency in the days ahead, but nevertheless, the pain is intense right now for them. Lord, we desire YOUR peace that passes all understanding....Lord, we do love you....thank you for being faithful unto us. And to my friends, thanks for your love and your prayers during this time. Love, Suzi

If you'd like to see a picture of the boys and read Ali and Jon's thoughts, visit www.feldmancrew.blogspot.com

Thoughts On Giving

2009-02-14T07:52:00.000-06:00

These past few weeks, much of what I have been studying is from the writings of Paul! When I’ve shared some thoughts with individuals, it has caused for interesting conversations!
Acts 20:12-38 is Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders. As you read the entire chapter, you know that Paul is not just their spiritual father, but he was a close and beloved friend! As I read the last three verses of that chapter, I reflected on the times that we have left a ministry…our church families have prayed with us, have cried with us, and while they didn’t walk with us to the "ship", they graciously helped us pack our U-Haul! I think you would agree that friendship is a very important part of the Christian life!
Let’s look for a minute though at Paul’s closing verse 35…. "In everything I did, I showed that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’." That is a difficult concept for many in today’s world…give! One of my teen friends would tell you, "Hey, I’m a girl...I love to get stuff, not give! Giving isn’t fun!"
Have you experienced those times when the Lord has gently prompted you to make a meal for a family who is going through difficulty times, and yet you are so tired after a long day of work, that you can barely make it through preparing a meal for your own family? Maybe he is nudging you to go get your friends’ children for a few hours so that she can have a break, and yet your own kids have physically worn you out today! Maybe it is taking a rude co-worker to lunch. How about those times when you KNOW He is pushing you to call someone but you really just don’t feel like talking! And yet, God is calling us to "give"…
You’ve been there, haven’t you! What happens when you obey? You experience what Paul describes as being "blessed"! As I read that verse, I realized it is just another one of God’s promises to us…as we obey, we will be blessed!
The Book of Isaiah is a book that has ministered to me greatly over the years. In a portion of this book, the Lord says through Isaiah that His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts! He knows best…He sees the top of the jigsaw puzzle of our life! He has written a master plan for our life…He just asks that we do what He asks us to!
Yes, there have been times when I’ve had a bit of a discussion with the Lord when he brings the "interruptions" or "inconveniences"….but the bottom line is this – our decision whether we think it does or does not, has eternal meaning. It means something to our eternity and to the person we are to give something to or do something for! Something for you to "chew" on in the days ahead…. Love, Suzi

2009-01-06T21:13:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year, my dear friends! 2009...oh, my! The beginning of a new year...and with that, I've started my list of "expectations" for this next year. My list has several things I'd like to accomplish this new year...things that are most attainable and most will help me focus more on my Savior. Let me share just a couple of them with you...
Yesterday my favorite pastor shared a message on the wise men and the good examples they are for us in 2009! As a child, the lengthy journey of the wise men was a very special part of the Christmas story. (Does anyone remember the musical "Amal and the Night Visitors" that was an annual special on television? It was a favorite of mine!) They indeed were diligent in their travels...they came seeking the Child...they were seeking the Truth. They had traveled for thousands of miles to find "this one who has been born King of the Jews". They didn't expect God to come looking for them...to prove who He was...they were indeed "wise" as they were seeking Jesus. The chief priests and teachers of the law in that day were well aware of prophecies of ruler to be born in Bethlehem..they were well aware of the promised Messiah (Micah 5:2), but were not searching for the Truth.
These wise men also showed us worship. The Magi came with their expensive gifts - gifts which would be worthy of a King - and they were overjoyed when they say the child (oh, I can almost see them dancing around!) BUT then they bowed down and WORSHIPED! They were willing to give him what was valuable to them...gifts of gold, of frankincense and myrrh. Oh, my friends, Jesus is worthy of the best we have to give when we come to worship! I want to worship Him with my very best...
But as I studied that passage of Scripture, there was one last thought which I wanted to share with you. I determined that I want to be as responsive to God's leading as the wise men where...they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod and returned home another route. They recognized the Lord's leading and they obeyed without any questioning. This next year, I want to walk in such close communion with Him - not only in the major decisions of life but in the day to day choices that I find myself making - that when decisions or choices come, there is no hesitation but a certainty of knowing what the heart of God is in the matter and to know His peace....
A new year is here and I'm excited. What are your expectations for 2009?
Know you are loved!

2009-01-06T21:08:00.003-06:00

Hello, my dear friends....
Tonight I finished getting the last of my Christmas presents...now I just need to do the wrapping....ugh!! It has been interesting to hear conversations taking place around me at work and on the bus in regards to the gifts they need to purchase. I don't believe I have ever seen so many advertisements from the various merchants in our area telling of the very best bargains available! Everywhere you look these days, it appears that "gift giving" is the most important aspect of Christmas! For so many, the reason for the season is really NOT the reason for the season! It seems as if people are "doing Christmas" instead of celebrating the Lord's birth.
Why do we give gifts? For me, it is because of love. I want you to stop and think for a minute of a gift you have received over the years which was really special. There are two special memories that quickly come to my mind. The first year we were married, we had so very little and Doug had just been laid off from his work. He knew that I was wanting a rocking chair for our home, but we both knew that our budget had no room for such an expense. However, because of my husband's love for me, he scrimped and saved and presented me with a beautiful rocking chair that Christmas of 1972. As you can imagine, the tears flowed freely when I received it. The other was from my father when I was in 6th grade. My dad was NOT one to buy presents. That fall, my brother had had surgery for a "hot" appendix and I ended up having to do his chores in the barn for several weeks...helping with milking the cows, picking the eggs, cleaning the gutters, etc...something a pre-teen was just wanting to do! That year under the Christmas tree was a present my dad had gone to purchase for me all by himself....a beautiful pearl ring. I was so touched as an 11 year old...I just thought my dad was the best. And to this day, I almost always wear some type of pearl. His gift expressed his love.
Christmas began with a present from God to His sin-damaged world...Romans 6:23 says, "for the wages of sin is death, BUT THE GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!" The Magi came and "opened their treasures and presented him with gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What are you going to offer Him this Christmas season? Think about what treasure you can offer to "...the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6)... Oh, how I love Christmas!!!! God, thank you for your INDESCRIBABLE GIFT to us!
PS Many thanks to those of you that sent notes yesterday concerning our daughter, Elana Marie. It would have been her 31st birthday. Even after all these years, the Lord continues to minister through the short lived life of this little one! That was a Christmas I will always remember, for I truly came to realize the meaning of "peace" - His peace which passes all understanding! Oh, you are loved! Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T08:48:00.003-06:00

In the quietness of the early morning hours, I have been having a time of praise and worship with my Father, giving thanks to Him for all He has done...and thanking Him for your friendship. May you have a most blessed Thanksgiving! How I would love to write each of you a personal note, but there are just not enough hours in the day...

I am one who likes to have a "bit" of decoration around my house for the season we are in; thus, on one of my coffee tables are two pilgrim figurines. We have learned of the pilgrims since our early school days. How well I remember making the pilgrim hat and collar in elementary school!
The pilgrims came from England to find a new home in America because they did not want someone (namely the King of England) telling them how they should worship God and they didn't agree with some of the things the church was teaching. They had heard of America - a place where they could be free to live the way they wanted to live and believe what they wanted to believe without being punished for it. As I've pondered this thought over the years, I must admit I cannot imagine the cost of that decision...leaving behind their home, the majority of their belongings, their friends, their security....getting on a small ship to travel to place they had only heard about...a land where they would be strangers...but GOD was with them and helped them to live in this land and survive.

At our special Thanksgiving service last evening, Doug shared a video which opened with the word "pilgrim" and its definition - a traveler - one who journeys in a foreign land. I have been blessed by the Word this week as I've looked at different Scripture verses. You know what? I am a "pilgrim"... I am on a journey in this life. When I accepted Jesus as my Savior and He forgave me of my sins...I was made free. This world was no longer my home....and I am a stranger here. The Word says in Ephesians 3:20 "that our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there." Hebrews 13:14 tells us "For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come."

Yes, I am a "pilgrim" on a pilgrimage (a journey to a holy place!) ...are you too? Have a most blessed Thanksgiving....give Him thanks! Love, Suzi

I Love Family

2008-07-28T21:01:00.002-05:00

"Family" has been an important word in my vocabulary these last two months! It started with my nephew's wedding the end of May! It was the first time all my immediate family was together for some time! It's hard when one of your kids lives in Japan! Have I told you how much I love my nieces and nephews, and now their families? Oh, it was a special time with together celebrating the love of Ben and Jessica...

Many of you know that my mother came from a family of 15 children, 12 of which lived to adulthood...and I am blessed to have 64 first cousins! In June, several of us gathered together for my Uncle Alvin's funeral...he was the eldest of the Christensen kids and lived a full life for 98 years. It was another special time of sharing together as family. My Aunt Ruth who is 93 years old even came from Kalispell, MT...learned so many things that I had never heard before as we sat together in Aunt Pearl's living room visiting!

A week ago Sunday we had surprise visitors! Doug's sister and some of her family came into Minneapolis for a short time and we gathered those from his side of the family that could come to our home for a cookout. My heart was full and overflowing as we shared together and had prayer before they left! Then this past Saturday, my brother and his wife came into Minneapolis from Kentucky, and so we had another mini-family reunion for the Christensen gang at our home for those who were able to come. We spent the afternoon sitting in a big circle in our backyard sharing stories of the past and life today! I hated to see the day end. Yup, I love being with family...

But we've been with other "family" as well! In June we gathered at General Conference in Orlando, FL for another family reunion with other "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ! And then on the 15th of July, to be able to be with our district church "family" for our annual convention was a heartwarming time! Family...

Ephesians 3:14 and 15 in the Living Bible says "When I think of the wisdom and scope of His plan, I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God - some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth."

The Christensen family is a BIG family but the family of God is overwhelmingly huge! Have you ever thought how amazing it is to be "related" to such a big group! You know what I've found? You can go just about anywhere in the world and find people that you belong to! They may not speak the same "language" that you do, but they possess the same Holy Spirit...and we share the same common bond because of Jesus! How I loved being with my "family" from all around the world at "General Conference"... And we are a privileged family because our "Dad" is always available for us... And the really neat part about being related is that we are loved, not only by God, but by all those in His family! Yes, we are related because of the blood of Jesus! I think there is a song about that - "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God. I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, for I'm part of the family, the family of God!"

Oh, I do love the "family"...that means you!

P.S. Guess what? We get to see more family soon...some REALLY SPECIAL little ones...we get to see our granddaughters for a few days in August - as well as their mom and dad!!! Oh, I feel blessed...

A Bit Of This And That

2008-07-28T20:44:00.004-05:00

This weekly update was from 07-06-08. "How I apologize that I've not been able to weekly get out the update these past weeks. The days have been filled beyond measure...and yet our God is so faithful. Hopefully after District Convention I will be able to get back on track again! Please know, though, that you are often lifted in prayer! Thank you for your notes of concern and encouragement. I'm so looking forward to seeing many of you a week from Tuesday! It is a "family reunion" of sorts, isn't it! Oh, how good it is to be part of the family of God!!! Let me share a bit of this and that with you this week...

-- As I've been walking to the bus stop these past weeks of summer, I have been blessed by the song of the birds who reside in our neighborhood. I don't know if I've been oblivious to their music in the past or if there are just an abundance of song birds this year! Do you ever wonder why birds sing? I know that birds sing because they have a syrinx instead of a larynx...the syrinx is the bird's voice box, an organ that lies deep in a bird's chest and is uniquely fashioned for song. But I think they sing because they must...Their Creator put a song in the heart! As I listen to their singing each morning, I am reminded of the old song "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me"... The Psalmist writes in Psalm 104 that the birds of the air "sing among the branches"..."[therefore] I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." So as I walk now in the morning, you will usually find me singing my praises along with the birds to our loving Heavenly Father...how about you?

-- On Thursday evening, we watched the fireworks along with some of our church family from our patio deck. Fireworks will never cease to bring "ooohs and aaahs" from my being! How in the world do they make them to form the patterns, the colors, and such. I stopped this year to read and reflect upon the Declaration of Independence. Oh, the price that was paid for freedom. I was humbled as I read of the 56 men who signed the Declaration...their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. I want to share two quotes with you that stirred my heart. Patrick Henry said "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!
French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

-- My Auntie Pearl came to spend a few days with us this past week. On Saturday, she and I did some traveling to visit some friends and family in nursing homes around the Minneapolis area. What an insightful time it was as I listened to these dear people share memories of the past...I learned so much about my grandparents and great-grandparents that I never knew. As I was traveling back to Minneapolis from taking Auntie home, I did a lot of "pondering"...I know some day my life on this earth will be over...what legacy will I have left? I'm blessed each time I read the faith chapter found in Hebrews 11... Life at times can be very hard...but how thankful I am for the Holy Spirit who is available 24/7 to empower us! Need encouragement today? Fix your eyes on Jesus and live!!!

-- Enough rambling...time to get back to work on District Convention! Know you are loved...may you be overwhelmingly blessed tonight with the realization that Christ is with us at this very moment! He is with us... Suzi

Ladies…come "Lasso A Heart" with the ladies of the Iowa-Minnesota District on Tuesday, July 15th!!! Our Women’s Ministry Convention starts at 9:15 am; however, come for the combined worship service at 8:15 am too at First Wesleyan Church in Charles City! We have a fun-filled day planned for you! The luncheon cost is $6.00. Let Suzi know if you would like a ticket by July 10th! Come in your "cowgirl" dress, if you’d like!!! Can’t wait to see you!

A Child Shall Lead Them

2008-06-03T22:35:00.004-05:00

A week ago Friday, we have a very special family event which brought my entire family together (my kids, my sister and all her family and my brother and all his family)! My nephew, Ben, married his high school sweetheart. Ben and Jessica love the Lord with all their heart and are feeling the call to ministry. Their wedding service was such a time of worship, praise and testimony of their love for the Lord and each other.

Naturally, a special highlight of that weekend was the opoprtunity to have time with my two adorable granddaughters as well as getting better acquainted with the four siblings that my niece and her husband have just adopted. So many times in the Word, the Lord used children in talking about the believer's relationship to Him. I don't know about you, but kids have a way of showing and teaching me more of our Father. Let me share...

1. Morgan - Morgan (4) reminded me again of our Father's love. Now there was no secret that weekend that she was grandma's girl. she and I spent much time skipping in the halls and outside (yes, that was a comical sight to be hold...a 55 year old woman skipping...oh, my!) We would color, we would swim, we would read, we would ride in the car...several times during our time together, she would stop what she was doing, look up at me with her beautiful light brown eyes and would tenderly say, "I love you so much, Grandma." The warmth and sincerity of her words would bring tears to my eyes. As I laid in bed one night, the Lord impressed upon me that just as I love to hear those beautiful words, My Heavenly FAther likes to hear them from me as well...after all, I am one of His kids! It warms His heart and deepens our relationship. Have you told Him lately that you love Him? I've found myself doing it more and more...

2. Taylor - This little munchkin reminded me of the trust we have in our FAther's love for us. When we stay with the girls at a hotel that has a pool, you can be certain you'll find Grandma and Grandpa in the water "swimming" with these two little ones. Oh, what fun it is! (Maybe we should call it "catching" in the pool for Morgan loves to jump off the edge into our waiting arms...it amazes me how she doesn't tire of this after an hour!!!) Now Miss Taylor is only 20 months old...jumping isn't yet part of her routine, but she does like to sit on the edge of the pool or on the stairs to kick or splash! Taylor takes great delight in watching her big sister confidentally jump into the water knowing that she will be caught by the ones whose eyes are upon her. Taylor was quietly sitting on the side of the pool with grandma close by on Friday evening. In a split second, she nonchalontly pushed her little bottom forward and intentionally fell into the water, knowing that the one whose eyes were upon her would watch over her. Needless to say, she made grandma's heart flutter a bit as I quickly grabbed this little one before she went under. She then repeated it again two more times! There was no fear...grandma was near! Talk about trust...isn't that just like our Heavenly FAther? He has told us he will never leave us nor forsake us. How many times has there been uncertainty or the unknown in our life and we are afraid to move or go forward because we cannot see what will happen next? And yet, our Father says "I'm here. Don't you see me?" Can't you heard His voice telling you to "jump" into His arms so He can catch us and safely carry us to where we should be...

3. Michelle - This is my new great niece, the four-year-old of the four siblings. These children have had a rough few first years of life. My niece and nephew have opened their home to them and desire to love them as their own. They are also teaching them about Jesus. As we were waiting for the reception to start, I found myself sitting on the stairs with all six of the little ones. Michelle asked if I wanted to sing her favorite song with her...you guessed it..."Jesus Loves Me". After we were done singing, we had quite a "deep" discussion about who Jesus is...I was reminded how important it is for us, whether we are with the young or the old, to be able to share our faith...why we love Jesus! It isn't about how much we know, but WHO we know...

Yes, I love learning from children...they are so very trusting in their nature...they trust us as "adults"...and through that "trust" they have the capacity to grow in their trust of God. And while we are "teaching", we are learning more of our Heavenly Father and His desire for our lives as well...

Praise You In The Storm

2008-05-06T20:43:00.002-05:00

Many of you have followed the "storm" my niece and her husband were journeying in with their daughter, Emmalee, these past days. The Lord did bring complete healing to this precious little one on April 23rd by taking her home to be with Him. Her memorial service was one of great hope because of Jesus and His redemptive work of grace. Our Father was faithful in seeing our family "through" the storm...where would we be without Him? Ali and Jon had shared a song by Casting Crowns which they claimed during this journey..."Praise Him In This Storm"...may you be blessed by the lyrics:
Praise You in This Stormwords by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away,stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away. And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You and raised me up again my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find You and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

My nephew made a DVD of Emma's short life which you can see at file://www.feldmanbaby.blogspot.com/ (April 30th blog) While we don't understand the "whys" of this journey, we know that God is going to use Emmalee's short life in an amazing way for His honor and glory. How grateful I am for the comfort and the hope that is ours because of Jesus...thank you for your love and concern for my dear family during this time.

------ A little something to bring a smile...Chris and family where able to come and attend the memorial service...Morgan had many questions from the day as we were traveling back to our home following the committal. We were talking about John 14, when all of a sudden she said, "God doesn't ever get to relax, does He? He's always busy getting heaven ready for us...He has a lot of building to do!" Yup, my Father is caring for you and me 24/7...aren't you glad!

------- What it joy it was last Sunday evening to participate in the ordination of Rev. Joshua Carter in Cedar Rapids! He left for Bosnia on Wednesday! Josh shared on the day he left, "These are exciting days ... ones that God has ordained and planned from the beginning! Let's see how they unfold!" Thanks for praying for Josh!

Storm of Life

2008-04-23T15:01:00.003-05:00

Written on Monday, April 21st...It is a stormy night this evening...the rain has been heavy and the lightening has been blinding at times. It just is not nice out. The warmest of the spring day has become chilly with the change of weather. And yet inspire of the storm with its cold and gusty winds, the Lord is near...and our hearts are warmed...

But there is another storm that has been going on the past few days. On April 10th, a beautiful little girl named Emmalee Ann Pearl Feldman came into this world. Her mom and dad, Ali and Jon, had prayed so long for this child! So had this great auntie... Ali and Jon had found out a few weeks before Emmalee made her appearance that she had a condition called an unbalanced AV canal defect, which meant that the right ventricle of the heart was larger than the tiny left ventricle, and she would require open heart surgery when she was born. Shortly after her birth, it was also discovered that the esophagus was not attached to the stomach, which would require an additional surgery. April 14th the esophagus was repaired...an amazing surgery when you consider the size of the tube they were working with was comparable to a coffee stir straw... This last Thursday, the storm became a little more intense as little Emma underwent the open heart surgery and developed a blood clot after surgery. If you'd like to know more, you can read the blog entries at http://www.feldmanbaby.blogspot.com/

Tonight, though, the storm is quite intense. Another blood clot has been discovered as well as some other concerns. Right now we don't know what tomorrow will hold for precious little Emma...we know the Lord is capable of healing her tiny little body if that is His plan...her mom and dad have placed her in the Lord's hands...

There are many tears this evening...but the Lord is near...and our hearts are warmed. Thanks for joining with us in praying for Emmalee, Ali and Jon, my sister Ann and her husband Tim and for Jon's folks, Jim and Maralee...and all of those who have grown to love this little one in these few short days.

Written on April 23rd...At noon today, Emmalee Ann Pearl Feldman passed away. Earth is crying, but heaven is rejoicing. My family had abeautiful time of saying goodbye to their precious Emma before they disconnected the ECMO machine...Ali and Jon read her her favorite book one more time, "God Gave Me You."

Emmalee's heart had developed more blood clots and there was just no way for her to survive. How grateful I am that God made it easier to make the decision to let her go...that was the family's prayer that they would get a clear answer to her condition and it would be very clear so that they really had no choice but to remove her and let her go. Very hard, but the right decision. Her funeral service will be on Saturday afternoon.

GPS

2008-04-06T21:27:00.003-05:00

I don't know if you are like me, but if I have someplace to go that I have never been before, I always appreciate being able to "scout" out the place where I will be staying, plus find the directions so that I know where I am going! Friday morning I will hop in the a rental car to head to Eagle Pass Lodge north of Miller, SD. When I mentioned this to a co-worker, he quickly said, "Suzi, that is a LONG ways from here...and there is nothing in Miller, SD. Why are you going there!??!?" Well, there is something special. I am going to there to be one of the speakers at the Dakota Wesleyan Women Leadership Retreat.

So this morning, I googled in "Eagle Pass Lodge" and almost immediately saw a picture of where I will be spending tomorrow evening! In addition, it had a driving directions tab which gave me directions from my house in Anoka right to the front door of "Eagle Pass Lodge". What a beautiful facility!

I know I am not alone in wanting to know where I'm going as I am finding out that more and more of my friends have portable GPS systems!!! (GPS is Global Positioning System. It is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day...utterly amazing!!!

Yup, I'm all set for tomorrow...I know where I am going. But what about today? Do you know where you are going? We've had a funeral this week for a friend who was my age...she passed away suddenly from an aortic aneurism. As were we driving to the cemetery, I wondered how many people that were following in the procession knew where they were going...no, I wasn't thinking of the cemetery in Edina, but I was thinking about their eternal destination. We can read about Heaven and hell in the Word...one is a place where God dwells...a city with golden streets, no more pain, no more tears... but the other is a place of everlasting fire and torment...a place where there is complete separation from God. I know where I want to go!

But where do you go to find the directions to Heaven? You'll find "the map" in His Word - the Holy Bible. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God...Romans 6:23 further states that the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus! It starts with admitting that you are a sinner...believing that Jesus died for your sins (and my sins)! Believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He died for YOU on the cross and then pray to receive Him through prayer...that He will come and live within your heart and life! And to top it off, when you know the way to Heaven, Christ will be getting a place all ready for you there! He says so in John 14:1-6! This "map" is quite different than MapQuest or maps.yahoo...there is no other alternate route to take...it is only through Jesus.
Yup, I know where I am going today. I hope you do too! Know you are loved! Suzi

It Is Done!

2008-03-19T07:34:00.003-05:00

My daughter has introduced me to Facebook. We were looking at some pictures of her friends from her elementary and junior high days in Denison. There was one young woman whose picture brought back a flood of memories. For a period of about two years when we did not have many children in the church, I drove a carload of kids to a town 11 miles away so the kids could take part in the Awana Program. Patricia was one of the kids. While we would travel to Kiron, we would have some interesting conversations...we'd discuss what had happened at school, sometimes work on memory verses, and most often, we would do lots of singing. There was a song on one of the cassette tapes that we would sing along with that became our "theme song" for many, many weeks. We would sing "Alpha and Omega" along with the Gaither Vocal Band at least two times driving up and two times driving back, Pat singing the loudest! As I'm typing this, my eyes are a bit misty as I can almost still hear those young voices singing at the top of their lungs...

Alpha and Omega...the meaning of these two words refer to the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet -- it is like our A and Z...they simply mean "the beginning" and "the end"! When these words are used in Scripture, the meaning is sometimes difficult for us to comprehend! (Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13) Jesus, the Alpha, had no beginning...he existed before time, before the creation of the universe (that's what it says in John 1:1)...and as the Omega, He is not the "end" as we know it. He will continue to exist into the everlasting, never-ending future. Is that mind-boggling or what! Let me share the words of the song...

I heard a great voice out of heaven saying "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men. He shall dwell with them and they shall be His people and Almighty God will be with them. He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, and no more pain, The former things are all passed away." He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new" He said unto me, "Write these words for they are faithful and true". It is done! It is done! It is done! It is done!He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. The Son of God, the King of Kings, Lord of lords, He’s Everything! Messiah, Jehovah, the Prince of Peace is He, the Son of Man, Seed of Abraham, Second Person in the Trinity

He's the Alpha and the Omega...the Almighty God...but He is also OUR SAVIOR! We are in Holy Week...I hope your journey of remembering the last days of Christ's life on earth is rich and very personal...what He endured, He endured for YOU...from the public recognition and celebration of who He was on Palm Sunday...to his actions of washing the disciples' feet at the last supper (there is no loving others without living for others)...to the anguish in the garden...the betrayal by one of His own...His willingness to silently and voluntarily become our sacrifice on the cruel cross. His mission on earth had ended BUT the greatest work of Christ remained yet to be done! He was victorious over death!

Yes, it is done! (Or in Jesus' words, 'It is finished!') The plan of redemption was complete...He is the Beginning and He is the End...He deserves our praise, our lives, and our all! Have a most blessed Easter celebrating Jesus!

Mentoring Worship

2008-03-15T11:43:00.004-05:00

Cedar Valley Community Church is hosting a "Mentoring Workshop" Saturday, APril 19th at CVCC from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Presentors will be Pastor Kory Kleinsassar (Hillside Wesleyan Church), Norman Haupt (long-time mentor, Sioux Falls) and Pastor Phil Wiseman (Linwood Wesleyan, Sioux Falls). The workshop is free of charge. Lunch will be available for a $3.00 suggested donation. For questions, please contact Dr. Pamela Edwards at 319-235-6781 or e-mail at pedwards@cvcc.net If you would like to print a poster to post, let me know and I'll forward the document.

The Training DVD From Wesleyan Women Has Arrived!

2008-03-15T11:39:00.003-05:00

Training DVD Coming from Wesleyan Women Office!
A new training DVD has been prepared by the General Office. This DVD contains information about the purpose of Wesleyan Women, resources for women’s ministry, outreach ministries, retreat planning, WKFM coordinators, communication, treasurers’ reports and fundraising ideas, where your money goes, how one district leads with a leadership team, ideas for exciting conventions and newsletters. A Training DVD has be sent to each registered church! This is not meant to be viewed at one sitting, but rather as a resource for you for information and ideas as you wish.

If you didn't receive a DVD but would like like one, please let me know!

Weekly Update Thought for February 10th

2008-03-15T10:33:00.007-05:00

"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round, all through the town." Each weekday, I get on my bus at 6:36 am to head for downtown Minneapolis. "Hi, ho, hi, ho...it's off to work I go!" These last few weeks we have had some very cold mornings! Some days have had snow mixed with the frigid temperatures and even some ice! Brrrr... (If you see Shirley Duncan, ask her if she enjoys Minnesota winters!?!?!? She had a fun [?] time recently driving to our home and then on to Wisconsin! She rubbed it in that it was 79 degrees when she returned to Georgia!)

One morning last week, I was chilled to the bone and really was tired of winter. As the wheels on the bus went round and round on my commute, I observed the faces of the individuals who would board the bus along the route. I could tell that they too were tired of this season. I looked outside at the snow...the barren trees. The "dark coldness" of the scenery added to the "gloom" of the morning...BUT as we turned the corner to make our entrance onto the interstate, there before us in the eastern sky was the most beautiful sunrise! The orange glow of the rising sun was adding sheer brilliant beauty to the darkness of the morning sky...beams of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks filled the wide heavenly expanse. The moment was breathtaking and had caught the eye of most of the passengers on the bus. Before you knew it, the sullen mood in that vehicle changed to one of conversations of "renewed hope" because of the beauty and warmth of the rising sun.

I sat in my seat pondering this unfolding scene. Sometimes life has its barren moments...times when there is a "coldness" that brings a shiver to our very being. Life becomes full...we spread ourselves too thinly....or tragedy strikes our lives because of illness or injury...maybe there is a "fracturing" of a special relationship. These can be times of gloom and despair! But as a child of the King, we have a special gift available to us 24/7 which gives us renewed hope for tomorrow...it is the gift of the Son! When our eyes are lifted from the situations around us and look upward to the risen Son...there is strength for what may come our way and a bright hope for tomorrow.,for we know His promises are true "...I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) It was one of those God-moments where He just blessed my socks off!!!
I hope you've had a most wonderful Lord's Day. We just returned home from our evening service -- had our annual talent show tonight and it was absolutely phenomenal! Lots of laughter, fun, inspiration and just a special time with the "family"! Tomorrow it is back to "the wheels on the bus..". Lord, help me to make a difference in the life...help me show my world Your hope!

Weekly Update Thought for February 10th

2008-02-10T21:40:00.000-06:00

We were able to spend five days this past week in Rapid City, SD with Chris, Rachel and girls!! That is always such a special time as our visits are limited throughout the year. Needless to say, Morgan and Taylor hold a very, very special place in our hearts. Because Chris and Rachel were at Pastors' Retreat, we were able to enjoy some quality one-on-one time with the little ones. I could share numerous moments together that would bring a smile to your face, but I'll spare you and only share two very special teachable moments for this grandma.
The first was as I was putting Morgan to bed the third night we were there. We had gone through our routine of taking a bath, having a treat, reading a Bible story, watching a short video, brushing the teeth, taking our vitamins and finally, off to the bedroom! As I was tucking her in and we were preparing for saying our bedtime prayers, she looked at me so seriously with her beautiful hazel eyes and asked if I would help her pray to ask Jesus into her heart. She said, "Grandma, you tell me what to say and I will say it after you." I asked her a few questions and then together we prayed for Jesus to be her Savior. As I sat by her bed rubbing her back a few moments, my heart (and eyes) were filled with emotion. What joy for her heart to be sensitive to realize she needs Jesus in her heart at four years of age. In sharing with Chris and Rachel, they said they have been talking with her about this for the past few weeks...the Holy Spirit is so faithful to minister, even to the little ones. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus told the disciples to "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them." Jesus loves the little children...and they have the kind of attitude needed to approach God and trust Him.

The second came from a book I had brought the girls..."Froggy Rides A Bike" Let me see, I think we read the book probably about a dozen times during our stay! Froggy's dad is teaching him to ride his first bike...he tells him to hop on, peddle like mad, and that he won't let go of him....but guess what, he lets go and Froggy falls down! Froggy got back up on the bike and dad repeated the same instructions, and still let go, but this time Froggy after some wobbling and zigzagging, makes his first ride all by himself. When we were done reading, Morgan said it wasn't nice of his daddy to promise that he would not let go...but then did! (It is so much fun to explain things to little ones, isn't it!) It was a time where I could remind Morgan that people will let us down by breaking their promises in life, but that there is one Promise-Marker that we can trust completely and not be afraid...that one is God! Oh the hope we can find in the Word..He has given us hundreds of promises and He keeps EVERY one of them.
Yup, it was a very special time with the girls...thank you, Father.

Special Needs for Hephzibah Children's Home and Elizabeth Home Ministrise

2008-02-10T21:27:00.000-06:00

Shirley Duncan was in the supply room at Hephzibah this past week and noticed that they are in need of a few items. I will list those below. ALso, be in prayer for the director of finance at Hephzibah, Mrs. Gail Faile and her husband, Randall. Gail has been a part of the Hephzibah family for 15 years. Their only child, Amy (age 27), died last Wednesday and was buried Saturday. She fought a courageous battle for two years with cancer.

Thanks for being faithful to the ministry of Hephzibah...

Hephzibah Children's Home Needs: body wash, bar soap (dove or dial), body lotion, dedorant for men and women, mouthwash (containing no alcohol) rubbing alcohol/alcohol wipes, toothpast, toothbrushes, dental floss, toothbrush holders, hair brushes, hair accessorise (barrettes, pony tail holders, headbands), hand sanitizer, Tylenol/Advil/Cold Medicine (without alchohol), neosporin, digital thermometers

Elizabeth Home Ministries Needs: For babies...baby outfits (0-9 months for boys and girls)*, hooded bath towels, burp cloths, small bottles (4 and 8 ounce size), diaper bags, disposable diapters (newborn to size 3), slipcovers for boppy pillows, vaseline in tubes, socks*, onesies, cotton mittens for keeping baby from scratching face, pacifiers for babies (0-3 months), baby bath tubs (pink, blue, white), baby wipes* For mothers...slippers (various sizes), t-shirt style nightgowns (maternity all sizes), disposable cameras, phone cards*, Wal-Mart gift cards*, clock radios.

* Indicates items most in need of at the current time.

Information on Hephzibah Gathering

2008-02-10T21:23:00.000-06:00

Shirley Duncan wrote this week with an invitation to senior adults! "Hephzibah Children's Home invites all senior adults to enjoy four heartwarming days of inspiration, fun and fellowship in the Great Smoky Mountains--Pigeon Forge, TN. There might be some ladies in your church that would enjoy making a trip down to Tennessee to shop, laugh, play, enjoy wonderful music and fellowship, meet new friends, and experience a time of spiritual renewal. If you have any questions please contact Audrey Ruth at 478-477-3383 ext. 114 or aruth@hephzibah.com. Information is also available at the web site http://www.greatgather.com/"

Des Moines Grace and Des Moines Debra Heights Host First "Mini-Retreat for Women" in Des Moines

2008-01-27T22:50:00.005-06:00

The women of Des Moines Grace Wesleyan and Des Moines Debra Heights Wesleyan will be hosting a mini-retreat for women and have extended an invitation to the women of the Iowa-Minnesota District to attend. "Life...What A Trip" will be held on Saturday, April 5th, with registration beginning at 8:30 am. It will be held at Debra Heights Wesleyan Church in Des Moines and the cost for the event is $10 which includes lunch. CharlaneBlomberg will be the speaker for the morning. The deadline for registration is March 22nd. For more information, see the attached flyer. If you are unable to open it, please let me know and I'll send you a hard copy.

Milestones - A Time of Gratitude

2008-01-27T22:48:00.000-06:00

I hope you had a most wonderful Lord's Day. We were blessed by the ministry of the Branch Director of New Life Family Services this morning and then this evening started a new Bible study series on Daniel...has been a good day....it has been a good week...it has been a week where I have felt such immense gratitude to the Lord for a milestone in my life and ministry. Twenty-five years ago on Thursday, I walked into the Northwestern Bank in Denison, Iowa to start a temporary two-week secretarial position...and never left. What an amazing journey it has been.

Over the years, I have held a variety of positions in Iowa and Minnesota - secretary, teller, customer service supervisor, mortgage originator, personal banker...and now administrative assistant. But if you would ask me what my job has been over the years, I would tell you it has been customer service... to meet or exceed the expectations of my customers (whether internal or external). I have made a choice in life to consider the good of another as equal to my own - to serve rather than be served.

When I got up on Thursday morning and was getting ready for work, there were so many memories and emotions that filled my mind and heart. So many individuals/friends along the way that have played a large role in contributing to my life...people who have challenged me, encouraged me, corrected me...all helping me to grow professionally and personally, for which I will always be thankful. My work has been an extension of my ministry...there have been so many opportunities over the years to "show" Christ to my coworkers and my customers. That is just a natural response when you apply the two greatest commandments to life...loving the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength...and then loving my "neighbor" as myself
I will tell you that banking has changed significantly in the last 25 years. I've seen mission and vision statements reworded, programs have come and gone, departments/divisions have changed...such is life. Through it all, the personal mission statement I adopted many years ago has remained constant..."The day I was born, I cried and the world rejoiced. I want to live my life in such a way that on that day when I die, the world will cry and yet I will rejoice."

I do firmly believed the Lord provided the opening at the bank so many years ago...and He has continued to lead and direct with each chapter of our life. Thank you, Lord...

Heart of Ministries Offering

2008-01-16T21:52:00.000-06:00

When February comes, my thoughts immediately to go the Heart of Ministries Offering. It is a wonderful opportunity for the entire Wesleyan Church to respond in a tangible way to equip, prepare, inspire, and provide resources to effectively protect the sanctity of LIFE. Our theme for this year's offering is "A Heart For Life".

The Wesleyan Church believes in the sanctify of LIFE for all - unborn babies, infants, children, teens, and adults. Wesleyan Women will collect funds for ministries that provide services and protection for others. The following will benefit from the 2008 Heart of Ministries Offering:

Ministries to fight human slavery in North America and worldwide.

Hephzibah's ministries for the unborn through young adults who are transitioning into society.

AIDS/HIV orphans in Zambia.

Evangelism and discipleship tools and materials, including the Proclaimer box (God's Word dramatized in many heart languages).

Leadership development for present and future ministry leaders.

Russian orphans.

Livno development project to improve the quality of life in a Bosnia community.

Hospital milk - purchase of formula and powdered milk for infants in our Haitian hospital.

Missionary care and renewal.

I hope you will be in prayer as to what the Lord would have you give this year. Thanks so much for partnering in ministry with us and your continued giving through the Heart of Ministries Offering. Together we can do so much more than any of us can alone. Funds raised in excess of these project swill further the purpose of Wesleyan Women ministries.

Happy New Year

2008-01-15T21:22:00.000-06:00

The first few days of the new year are always reflective times for me. I would venture to say that the same is true for you. We review the events, the challenges, the tragedies, the joys of 2007 and wonder what the next 12 months will hold for our lives. Life has changed much this past year...but it has not ended and my God is still in control!

I've been working on my resolutions for 2008 and think that my list is now complete. I hope that through them I will be able to make a Kingdom difference in life. Each year I pray for the Lord to give me a year verse to claim for Him...this year, he has given a passage of six verses - Psalms 90:12-17, with special emphasis on verses 17. Oh, Father, I want to love and serve you with all my heart.

I've been reading an insightful book this past week by Andy Hickman. One chapter talked about "time stuff". Time is experienced sequentially...past, present and future. It talked of our Past which has a determinate nature. It can be documented and remembered, but not changed. While we may not be able to forget the pains of the past, we can choose to not dwell on them. "We can check our "baggage" from the past at the counter of forgiveness." He goes on to say that of the three tenses of time, the Present matters the most. "The present is the moment in time when we create our future. It is a Royal Gift from God - brimming with hope and promise!" Oh, how we need to seize this Present moment..my wish for you in 2008 is that you will live life, and not just make a living…that you will add life to years and not just years to life….you will spend time with those that are near and dear to your heart because they won't be around forever…and you will enjoy the simple things of life. But my earnest desire for you is be obedient to the two greatest commandments..."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength....and to love your neighbor as yourself. " Jesus said there are no commandments greater than these two simple principles - LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS. Our future will be determined by the principles we live by, choices that we make, and the commitments that we honor....we must take personal responsibility for our future...

Happy 2008!