What if..... then God!

My friend Rebecca and I at the July 4th celebration in Wrangell 2009



I used to be a What if girl and I must admit that I still sometimes ask God why and what if! However as the years go by and I see God work in some pretty amazing ways I'm learning to just take one day at a time and instead ask, OK Lord.... what today? Is there someone I can encourage or love with YOUR love? Is there a way that I can help John that I normally wouldn't think of? What little thing do YOU want to show me today that I'll miss if I'm to busy? One thing I learned from the Alaskan people, especially from my friend Rebecca was to appreciate the small things. The salmonberries that Jonathan fell in love with. The smell of spruce, and even the taste of spruce tips (Rebecca said they are good in jelly)! Fireweed in the summer and a sunny day in the winter! Sea glass that's been refined by the sand and the sea! Just the little things.








Kristi and I when we visited her in Iowa, at Thanksgiving Time.

The date is right on the picture. Aren't you proud of me?



As I look forward to the birth of my grandaughter, and at times worry about the choices that Kristi is making I am reminded of how much God loves us and that the God who can create the universe, set the stars in the sky, start the storms and calm the storms is the same God who makes those spruce tips smell so amazing and causes the Kansas sunflower to open up facing the sun each morning (yep had to slip Kansas in there too!) A God this amazing can surely be trusted with my daughter and my grandaughter! Our kids and we ourselves for that matter, go through some tough times and sometimes it's because of sinful choices but I've learned that no matter what, we can trust God to be the perfect parent to our kids. He knows what they need even when we aren't so sure!

Kristi's due date is February 23rd so your prayers are much appreciated at this time!!



Prayers,

Jody

Saturday Mornings

October zoo trip - Like usual the date on my camera was wrong.

Why is it that I can never sleep in on Saturday mornings? It doesn't seem to be a problem for John and Jonathan. A quiet house, a bit of a chill in the air, the sound of the heater. Enough to make me sleepy on any day when I need to get up so why not on Saturdays. I slept so well last night though, and you know what helped? With some of my birthday money I bought a noise machine thing. I went to sleep to the sound of ocean waves and I slept better than I have in weeks. When I heard the train I just turned the waves up louder. Poor John.... not sure he appreciated the waves as much as I did, but he didn't complain. He's a good man!

We had a nice day yesterday. A busy day, but a nice day. I think we're adjusting well to this crazy furlough life. After spending the last 8 weeks home with Jonathan while John travelled alone we are extremely thankful to have him here with us. Then again, we also want him in churches sharing the ministry God's called us to in Alaska so we can get "home" for real. Late October and most of November John has churches in Nebraska. Since that's not to far from here he can come home some between churches, which will be very nice.

The time at home without John made me think of the fishermen's wives in Alaska who stay home with their kids while their husbands are out making a living. I want to get to Dutch Harbor and truly reach out to these women. I also thought of military wives, whose husbands are gone for a very long time fighting for the freedom many of us take for granted. I pray that our country will appreciate these families who sacrifice so much. I pray that each of us will appreciate them more.

It's been fun teaching the 4 and 5 year olds in Pioneer Club at our sending church, Wellington Baptist Temple. I love to teach and want to serve while I'm here. Singing in the choir is also a lot of fun.

I have enjoyed homeschooling Jonathan here in Kansas. So many cool opportunities. A few weeks ago they had homeschoolers day at the Sedgwick County zoo in Wichita. Our friend at church, Grandma Bev, was kind enough to take us.

Friends

I knew I would miss Alaska but I didn't realize how much, and I sure didn't realize how "homesick" Jonathan would be! However we are adjusting to life in Kansas while John travels. We're praying that the needed additional support comes in soon so we can get out to Dutch Harbor. While we wait we are being thankful! Jonathan for his new friend, Christian who came and spent a couple of days with us last week, and I for the amazing, beautiful field of Kansas Sunflowers I see every Sunday and Wednesday on our way to church :0) So pretty. I'm also thankful for family and friends, both in Alaska and here in Kansas. Please keep
us in your prayers!

When it storms we use duct tape.......

Today I enjoyed church so much. First for Sunday School I taught my Jr. High girl, Erica about facing trials in life and looking to God to get us through. She's so sweet and I'm going to miss her terribly when we come back South for furlough. Then in Children's Church I was teaching the little children about the disciples and Jesus being in a boat on the Sea of Galillee when a storm came up. Jesus was asleep in the boat and the storm didn't even wake him up. Then the disciples woke Him up to help them. Well, this lesson was especially fun to teach to these kids because their Dad is a commercial fisherman. I let them tell me about times they had been out in the sea when a storm came and they said it got all bumpy. Then the little girl (in the picture above) piped up and said, "but my Dad just puts duct tape on the cabinets so the food doesn't come out." I told her that was a really good idea but the little boy said "no it's not cuz then I can't get any food out." How funny. I am amazed and grateful that God has given me the opportunity to teach these kids that no matter how bad the storms or problems in life get that Christ will get them through if they ask Him to. Very cool.

Unalaska/Dutch Harbor

After many years of praying for the people of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor and seeking God's will for the specific place He wants us to serve Him we had an awesome opportunity. Last week we actually took a trip out to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. God used the generosity of people here in Wrangell Alaska and all over the United States to provide our needs in regard to this trip. I was so excited when the plane we were in landed in Dutch Harbor, that is after the plane actually came to a stop :0) I just knew in my heart that I was finally home. Throughout the week God reenforced the call in John's heart and in mine. It was so hard to leave but we couldn't stay yet. We will be here in Wrangell until July 15th working in the ministry here at Wrangell Bible Baptist Church. July 15th we will take the ferry to Bellingham WA and from there make our way back to Kansas for our first furlough. We need to raise more support. Our goal is to be back to Dutch Harbor by next spring (2010).

I

Busy Day

Wow! This day has been packed full of stuff. This morning I went to water aerobics and now figure I must've had some stress to work out because I am sore.

I think I kicked a little harder, stepped a little higher, and jogged a little faster.

After water aerobics I came home and did school with Jonathan. Then we needed a trip to the beach so first we went to Shoemaker and took some neat pictures. Then we went to petroglyph beach to look for sea glass.

After that we went to our Pastor's house for dinner. We had a great time just talking and laughing. They even had jalepeno poppers! Yum!

Growing Pains

These last few weeks have been the toughest ones I've had since Mom went to heaven. Kristi decided to move out and go to Iowa! She's 19 but had not yet completed High School. She had only 6 weeks left! Bummer! Anyway, I don't want to focus on the negative. Even in this there is much to be thankful for.....

1. Kristi is now in a safe place. 2. Computers and cell phones make it very easy to keep in touch even though she's far away. 3. God allowed me to pour His love into her for 9 years and I don't plan to stop now!

4. I am enjoying time with John and Jonathan. 5. It's a beautiful spring day.

but most of all........

GOD NEVER CHANGES!!!

Our circumstances change, friends change, ministries change. Nothing stays the same but...

GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.