Awesome Day

I could hardly believe it when we woke up to 6 inches of fresh snow this morning. Talk about disheartening! I had gotten so elated yesterday when I discovered the patch of fresh green grass. Now this! We had planned to drive over to the Silver Valley today. The Ministerial Fellowship was having their monthly meeting and we were counting on being a part of it. Plus we had other important appointments with family and friends.

A choice was before me. I could sit and mope all day, feeling sad and frustrated. Or, I could chose to trust God's sovereignty and enter into His agenda for the day. I thank God that I surrendered to His will for me today; I poured my heart into the "Day of Intercession" that the base had scheduled. I can't begin to describe the spiritual high God took me on throughout the morning. He ministered healing to me (my right arm); In the still of the "quiet station" He reminded me of something He wanted me to do; then He spoke through me to bring restoration to several girl's relationship with their Mother. What an awesome day it has been!

Spring Is Close

Hey... Hurray... Yippee!!! I caught my first sighting of green grass today. Yes, this year's new growth. Wow, it made me want to sing and dance. I had tossed my mop heads and rags out onto the sidewalk of Dorm #3 while I swept the entrance runner. (Dorm #3 is my housekeeping responsibility until the end of March). When I went to pick up my dirty rags, I noticed it. Fresh, green, new growth grass.


This winter has felt almost unbearably long, so today's discovery made my day. Earlier in the day I had been blessed when new friends we've become acquainted with here in Montana were sharing their vision for what they believe God is calling them to. Their expressions of faith in God, trust in His provision and promises, etc. made for a spiritually uplifting time. And now this new sign of spring, this sign of hope, well........I'm ecstatic!!!

Missing dear friends!!!

I've been feeling particularly lonely for the dear old friends we've left back in the Silver Valley. I find myself having "blue" days, but when I try to figure out why, all I can come up with is that I'm having a hard time saying good-bye to the Silver Valley and all our friends. (These are my dear Zoe girls).

You may say, "What's the problem? You left Kellogg last May. Why are you just now getting so lonesome for everyone?" I think the reason is this: Up until now it's been go, go, go, with very little opportunity to reflect on my losses. And now that we are turning our attentions to new people, to new avenues of ministry, etc. I think there's a part of me that is resisting change. The other day as we were driving through Kalispell, I felt sad. Part of me didn't want to start all over in a new place. That particular day I had to admit I didn't even want to try to make new friends, or get to know a new geographical region. I just wanted to go home.
(More precious friends from back home)

Thankfully, the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit has come to my rescue. I cried out to the Lord and He heard my prayer. He reminded my of a strategy that would get my eyes off myself. 'Cause that's what it was. I was feeling sorry for myself. I was feeling isolated. I had lost my sense of "belonging," of "being known and valued." The Lord challenged me to reach out to others, even in the midst of feeling like I was invisible to others.

Wow, What a difference it has made! Within a day of submitting to God in this, things started to change. No, I haven't forgotten or abandoned my dear old friends, but God has ignited a desire within my soul to make new friends--to take new people into my heart, to invest in them, to love and accept them.

The two friends you see here, I sorely miss. What a blessing and spiritual boost they were to me. How I miss our times together! But again, I have so much to be thankful for. Lord willing, I will see them both when we visit the Silver Valley this Thursday. Kelly will attempt to "fix" my hair. And, boy, does it need it. And I'll get to spend time with Jamie at the Silver Valley Ministerial Fellowship.

Like I said, within a day, things started to turn around. As I began reaching out to others: sitting by someone who was sitting alone in the cafeteria, inviting a young mother in for a chat, praying with a gal from another culture who is struggling with the way Americans do things, etc. all of a sudden I experienced the blessing of feeling needed, feeling appreciated, and feeling like I belong.

This whole experience reminds me of the song we used to teach in Pioneer Girl's Club: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the others is gold."

Christmas with the Grandkids!

Hey Everyone, do you recognize these handsome guys? If you haven't seen Angela in a while, or her family, you may not. This is Will. He just turned 11 last week.
And this is Jackie (Ang's oldest son). I can hardly believe he is 15 now. Grandkids sure have a way of growing up on you, don't they?

Wow, look at this beautiful group of Fleming grandkids: (from oldest to youngest) Zach, Deanna, Jacinda (all belong to John & Kim), then Emily and Noah (belong to Steven and Christel).

The girls are ready to dive in to the goodies, but they wait with graceful patientce for the go-ahead.

This video includes John, Kim, Deanna and Jacinda at the wave pool in Abbotsford. I have a great picture of Zach and Noah, but it's on it's side and I can't get it to stay right side up once I post it here.

Working With YWAM/RSN in Montana

Arthur and I in last week's staff meeting. The picture below shows you the team we work with here in Montana. Each Wednesday morning we meet together to discuss and strategise. Then on Friday's we dedicate the full morning to intercede for the many pastors, pastor's wives, churches and ministries that God is connecting us with in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, as well as in the countries of India, Nepal, Ukraine and Thailand.

The Local Church Equipping and RSN (Rural Shepherds Network) teams

that we are a part of.

The Lord has blessed us with a lovely home to "house-sit" for a couple months. I love it! It's so nice to have some privacy again, after living in a 12x12 dorm room with the restrooms down the hall. Thank you for your prayers. On Friday night we enjoyed having guests over for the first time in 9 months. I've really missed that!! But, Lord willing, now that we have some room again, we can have company, entertain guests, do Bible studies, etc. etc. My secret hope is that our kids and grandkids will be able to find their way to this part of Montana sometime this year.