No king but King Jesus!

In Duluth there is an on going event called "Bentleyville Tour of Lights" which is a large area decked out in lights. We saw an opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus, but just as the event began my brother and I fell sick. We were sick for some time, ending up with sinus infections and such. Praise God that He has healed us and we are back on the streets singing the praise of our King! On Thursday we did a "Health Partners" witness and a "Planned Parenthood" witness, then headed down to Bentleyville. My Mom and I held signs that said: "Jesus Came to Give Life" and "The Lord our God, He is Mightily to Save!" We sung carols while Michael and our friend and brother Steve handed out gospel tracts. Before long Mr. Bentley showed up. He was furious with us for being there! "Why are you here?" he yelled. "This does not belong at this event!" He told Steve: "The police told me you would come, but it took you two weeks to get here!" This reminds us of a verse "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also...!" (Acts 17:6) Mr. Bentley tried all he could to get us to leave, even bodily blocking my brother from handing out tracts! One of his volunteers said she is a Christian, but also said that when someone hands her a tract it "makes me sick"! Another volunteer began to tell those coming to the event who were about to take a tract: "We're sorry they are not part of Bentleyville, they're just soliciting." Over and over. My brother responded by saying "These are free, we are not soliciting." Thankfully a police officer arrived who knew the law and told Mr. Bentley that we have "a Constitutional right" to be there. Praise God!

We returned on Friday night, and hope to go again for many nights to come. What an opportunity to glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Obviously Mr. Bentley wants his event to be all about HIM and cannot tolerate competition. We are there to proclaim that there is no king but King Jesus! Please pray for us, and for the many people that accept tracts, hear the songs, etc. that they will be convicted by the Spirit of God and come to repentance and faith. One young man named Dan, was very open to hear the gospel, please pray for the salvation of his soul.

Also on Tuesday this week a baby's life was spared at the abortion mill in Duluth! We are praise God! To read that story go here: http://www.sarahsprolife.com/blog/

Praise God For His Wonderful Works!

I am amazed at the way God has used the incident that happened on Tuesday the 24, for His glory! The story has travelled across the nation and even over the world. Already I have done two radio interviews and a paper interview, as well as responding to multiple e-mails. This has really surprised me since the incident is not an isolated occurrence, other sidewalk councilors are attacked weekly and the news does not cover it. One man told me what had attracted him to the story, and I think this is probably the reason for all the attention. He said, "It is the fact that God gave you such peace in the moment of need, that is so amazing." Praise God! So it is God's working that causes people to cry when they read what happened, it is God's ability and power to give a weak girl peace in the face of death, and God's protection over His people. In this I rejoice, that the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is being glorified and lifted up through this whole thing! He is worthy of ALL praise! I have been greatly reminded of the fact that my life is NOT about me. It is about my God, I am His, and all I am, have and do are His. If He chooses to use me, I rejoice and glory in Christ my Savior.

I am not great at speaking so when it came time to do the radio interviews I prayed and prayed, and others (especially my dear Mother) prayed as well. Asking the Lord to speak through me, clearly and to His glory. He did it! He really did! My prayer is that people will see how beautiful my Lord Jesus is, and how worthy of praise. That they who heard/hear will tremble before God and give glory to Him. That many will be turned unto the Lord and be saved. As the second interview approached, I was sick with a bad cold and without a voice. But when it came time to talk, my voice was there! Praise be to God!

Recently we heard from relatives of Michelle's (the attacker), I will let this note speak for itself, it is addressed to my Mom:

Sarah,
Thank you so much for your blog. I am a relative of Mechelle and live in Minneapolis. I, too, am a pro-lifer. In response to my convictions I have in the past housed pregnant women who had no place to live. I have never been outside an abortion clinic as I had believed that it was pushing it too far in a negative manner. This incident has changed my mind. Although things did not go as smoothly as normal for you, you were at the place God wanted you to be. My brother visited her the other day and said “I believe the protester was an angel sent by God to save the life of the baby”. That is just what happened. Since the incident, she has decided against abortion. I wanted to thank you for the work you are doing. Keep praying for Mechelle that she would return to Jesus.

Lori

Did you read that? Michelle decided NOT to kill her baby! Praise God! And this relative of Michelle's now sees the value in pleading with women at the gates of hell as a last voice of reason that they will hear before going in. Praise God again and again! As she said, please keep praying for Michelle that she will be saved. For legal reasons we have not been able to visit with her, but pray that we may be able to do so some day.

But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)

If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:11-14)

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Romans 16:27)

At The Abortion Clinic

We were at the abortion mill yesterday to plead for the lives of innocent baby girls and boys. 16 mothers, 1 turn-away (which means, one left before having an abortion without giving us the reason. She could have changed her mind...we hope so!...or she may have been too far along...or had taken RU486, a chemical abortion....or any other number of reasons). As I showed one mother a baby model and spoke to her about the gift God has given her, she took the model...thinking that I was offering to her. She then walked toward the building and threw the model in the trash before going in. I called out, "Don't throw away your baby! Fear God!"

That was not a cheap baby model, so I asked one of the "escorts" if he could retrieve it for us. Being the "kind" man that he is, (very intentional) he looked in the trash for it. When he failed to find it, the two women "escorts" with him, took the trash inside and looked through it with a ....coat hanger....we thought they were kidding when they said that, but they were serious. Here they were digging through the trash looking for a baby model, with a coat hanger, a symbol of death used often by the pro-death people. How ironic. They "did not" find it. Perhaps that mother had thrown something else away, and carried the model with her to the waiting room...we pray so.

One vehicle pulled in with a "Jesus fish" bumper sticker. As the young mother made her way to the building, my brother Michael said to her: "Jesus said, '"As much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."' So if you abort your baby, it is like you are killing Jesus." She did not respond, and he continued. "Jesus also said, '"A thief comes to steal and destroy, but I come to give you life."' At this she made a bad hand gesture.

It is terribly sad that the modern church of America has made Jesus look like a "cool guy" who will be our best buddy to keep us out of the hell that the mean God wants to send us to. In America it's "cool" to be a Christian. What happened to the true gospel? Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) and "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12) It sure wasn't "cool" to be a follower of Jesus when he was hanging on the cross, and it certainly has not been "cool" in the worlds eyes, to be his follower ever since. So why is it suddenly "cool" in America? Is our country more spiritual than all nations before us? OR are American churches preaching a false gospel, one that omits God's holiness, wrath, anger, judgment, and commandments, and is therefore expectable to the world? It's ok to be saved from a mean God way up there, if you don't have to give up your sin, your life and turn your back on the world. No longer do people seem to care that Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).... (What I am NOT saying is that we are saved by keeping commandments i.e.. saved by works. I AM saying that someone who has truly been saved by God, will bear good fruit. "You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16) "Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5) etc.) They do not understand that we are the ones with the problem, we are sinners, filthy, rotten, disgusting in God's eyes. Jesus is righteous (without sin), pure, and holy (set apart, different), He died for us bearing our sin as if He had done it, and God punished His own son for our sakes. People believe that "yes it is wrong to have an abortion, but God will forgive me." They don't get it!!! So we warn them of their error, and pray that God will open their eyes. God is the only one who can cause them to see and understand the truth, because they are blinded by the lies of satan.

I praise God that we were able to lift up the name of our Lord Jesus on the streets. We pray that He was mightily glorified, by our singing, praying, and proclaiming His Word to the lost. He is worthy to receive all praise!

A trip, and Where are God's People?

It has been far too long since I have written on here! I have been very busy canning garden produce. We had a hard frost several weeks ago which sent us scrambling to bring in all the green tomatoes before it hit. With my Dad and brother's help, we managed to pull all the plants and box up the green fruit. Now they are ripening, so I have been canning almost every day. We are also making and canning applesauce, chutney, various jellies, and ketchup.

Two weeks ago my Grandma who lives with us, had a mini stroke. Thankfully it did not do too much damage, but she needs to have an operation on her carotid arteries soon. Wednesday last week, my brother and I took her down to IL. to visit family and attend a cousin's wedding. We were able to see our Uncle & Aunt from WA, who we have not seen in a long time. It was a great time.

The bride and groom! Josh & Cathy

My cousin Danielle and I

We also visited with our brother Dan, sister-in-love Basia, and their two boys, Kristofer and Noah.

Hanging out with Kristofer

Cutie!

We had a little extra bit of time on Friday, so we drove down to an abortion mill in Chicago, and did some sidewalk counciling. It was a late term killing center...we saw mothers great with child going in there to kill their little ones. . . . . Soon after we arrived, one young woman came out crying. My brother asked if she had changed her mind, and she affirmed that she had. Praise God! There were no other sidewalk councilors out there when we arrived, no one obeying Proverbs 24:11-12, just some catholics praying their repetitious prayers. Where are God's people? What are you doing?
This is a gospel outreach, not just a humanitarian effort. God commands, who will obey?

Pleading for souls, and lives.

Michael and I came back on Saturday, my Grandma stayed down there for a few more days. One of my Aunts is bringing her back up here today. The surgeon thinks that it will be safe to wait a few weeks to have the surgery...I hope he is right since there is danger of her having a major stroke that would leave her paralyzed. Please pray that that won't happen!

God really impressed upon me how much He protects us. Driving around the Chicago suburbs for four days, made me realize that ANYthing can happen, it is only God who keeps and protects us. We do the best we can, drive the best we can, but ultimately God keeps us safe. If anything does happen, it is because He has allowed it, and it is for our best.

Keep seeking God with all your heart, and praise our Lord Jesus Christ always!

God is Worthy to be Praised!

We were at the abortion mill today. The gospel was clearly given to the eleven mothers who went in to destroy the lives of their little ones. We read the Word of God out loud, and sang praise to our Lord Jesus Christ because He is worthy. What a joy to lift up His name!

I was able to preach for some time to a group of eight woman who gathered in the "gated" area. There were two mothers in the group who seemed to be sobered as I shared with them on sin, righteousness, and judgment. One loud woman came over to tell me that she had an abortion once because "the baby was not right", and when I expressed sympathy and regret that she had done that, she said that she was not sorry. She also said that she had "Jesus in her soul". At which I began to share that God does not forgive those who will not repent. She called me a "Bible preacher" and wished I would stop. Glory! What a name to be called!

As we prepared to leave, a couple came out. We asked them if they had changed their mind, The woman answered, "Yes". Praise God! We rejoice, and give glory to God! They would not stop to talk, but drove away, and she waved. Please pray for them, that God will convict them of sin and save their souls.

Our God is great, and worthy of all praise and glory!

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
(Revelation 4:11)

A Witnessing Opportunity

On Tuesday this week Michael and I went to the abortion clinic early to sidewalk council. It was not open, so we prepared to hold signs and pray. Then this young woman came to us asking if we knew when the place opened. We asked what she wanted there, she said to get a pregnancy test. We offered to take her to a life care center for a free pregnancy test, and she agreed. The LCC did not open until 9am, so Mr. Tuttle asked myself and another sidewalk councilor to take her to breakfast.

I began to share the gospel with her and found that she had heard about Jesus, but she did not know about judgment. She had heard that Jesus was her only hope, but did not know why! At first she would not look me in the eye, but as I shared about sin, righteousness and judgment, she became very sober and looked me in the eye. When I told her about Jesus coming back to destroy the world with fire, I had to go back to the flood of Noah's time and explain why God judged the world then, and why He will judge it now.

People used to have a foundational knowledge of Scripture, but now there seem to be few who do. We have to do as Paul did at Athens, begin at the beginning and lay the foundation, the reason for Christ's sacrifice. When I told her that the earth will be destroy by fire, she looked very sober and asked, "So then none of us are going to make it?"

I rejoice and praise God for the opportunity to share with her the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We exchanged phone numbers, so I hope to keep in touch with her.

Please pray with me that God will get glory for His name by saving this young woman.

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your name give glory, for your mercy, and for your truth's sake. (Psalms 115:1)

Missionaries to the Preborn Tour, 2009

On Monday the 10th, Michael and I are set to head off again on another mission trip! We had no reason to think that we would go on this one, but God made it very clear that it was His will for us to go. We are excited to see what He will do.

We are going with a group called Missionaries to the Preborn, and will be traveling through Southern Michigan stopping at various towns to hold signs about abortion, street preach, and share the gospel, from the 11th through the 15th. Saturday looks like the biggest day, as we plan to be in Detroit for the "Woodward Dream Cruise", which is a car show event that claims to attract 1.5 million people. That will be interesting!

We hope to meet up with several different people we know on the way, we are looking forward to that.

Please pray for us.

Pray for:
*Souls to be saved
*God to fulfill His will in sending us
*Safety
*Good weather
*Favor with the police
*Most of all, that God in all things will be glorified.

Here are some details:

Missionaries to the Preborn ITINERARY

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED FOR
WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE

Detroit, Michigan
August 11-15, 2009

For eight years now, we have been asked to come and speak up for the preborn at the WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE, an event held in Detroit, Michigan which draws a half-million people from around the country. If you can participate, please contact our office ASAP at 414-462-3399 or by emailing us at defendbabies@missionariestopreborn.com or, send a donation towards this effort!

August 11= Kalamazoo, MI 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

August 12 = Battle Creek 7:30-9:00 a.m.
Lansing 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Jackson 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

August 13 = Ann Arbor in the morning
Various stops in Detroit area the remainder of the day

August 14 = Various stops in Detroit area all day

August 15 = at the Dream Cruise

For times and locations to join us along the way,
or to participate in the whole Tour, contact our office at 414-462-3399.

http://www.missionariestopreborn.com/upcoming_events.html

OSA 2009, July 21 and 22, Tuesday and Wednesday

If you have not already read the introduction to this mission trip report please read it, Here.
Read Day 1
Read Day 2
Read Day 3
Read Day 4
Read Day 5
Read Day 6

On Tuesday morning, my brother Michael went with a team to a hospital which claims to be pro-life, but has an abortionists on staff. I went with the Yoders', and a large team to an abortion clinic called "BCC". This murder mill is at the end of an alley, and to get there you have to drive past a church (which was very supportive of us) and a crisis pregnancy center. "Our people" had set up, in the parking lot of a business building, some of the signs which we had used on Fremont street, and a sound system from which to preach. The clinic was open and mothers were going in escorted from their cars by clinic workers. There were a several ladies sidewalk counseling, and I joined these to offer literature to the mothers as they drove down the ally. It was very saddening to see those mothers going into that place of death despite the cries for mercy that they heard. I am sure that there were many more mothers who decided not to go in because we were there, and when that happens they are more likely never to come back. We pray so.

As I waited for cars to come, an older man road up on his bike and stopped when I offered him literature. He kept glancing at the large signs of babies killed by abortion, so I asked if he had seen those pictures before. He said no, but he did know that abortion was very bad. I then asked him, "Do you know Jesus?" He said, "No, but I know I need to." So I began to reason with him about the Law, Righteousness and Judgment, explaining sin, and our need for a Savior. He agreed about his need and seemed truly broken and tender hearted. He said, "I wish you had talked to me two days ago. But, I guess it's not too late for God." I told him, no it was not too late, but he needed to repent and cry out for mercy now and not wait. I asked if I could pray for him, he agreed and told me his name is Dennis. When I prayed, God broke my heart and I began to cry out to God to for Dennis. He began to cry and say "thank you God, thank you God." He did not own a Bible, so I ran to get one from one of the ladies there who had several to give away. As I walked back to him, I saw that it was in Spanish, oops. But instead of going back to see if she had an English one, I handed it to Dennis and asked if he knew Spanish, he said "yes". Then I realized he was of Mexican decent, I had not even noticed! After thanking me, he turned back the way he had just come and began to ride away, he said "I will not forget you."

Please pray for Dennis. I pray that the seed fell on good ground that day and will bring forth much fruit.

After this we met back up with Michael and his group, then headed off to Planned Parenthood. Our leaders thought that we would not be able to stay very long, because this PP is in a mall complex and we set up with our signs on their property.


PP shared a balcony with a coffee shop called "reJAVAnate", and many of our people went in to buy lattés. (Michael and I had one of their slushies and it was really good :) The manager was very friendly, saying that he did not like having PP as a neighbor, and set up extra tables and chairs for us. One PP worker came out with a vest that said "Escort".
Soon the police arrived. We expected to be told we were trespassing and needed to leave, instead they just stood around and watched us.

We stayed for a whole hour! I remember looking at some friends as we exclaimed to each other, "Can you believe what we are doing?" It was absolutely incredible.

Some mimes who had been doing their acts at other place with us, began to do their skits right there. It was amazing. I still can not get over the fact that we were allowed to stay!

After lunch, and a cool down, the Yoder "kids", Zastrow "kids", Michael and I gathered in the park by our hotel for a good old fashioned game of "Prisoners base". We had a blast even though it was around 115 degrees!

The Zastrow family

The evening rally was a time of rejoicing, and sadness as we said goodbye.

As I looked around that night at all those people whom I had come to love, my eyes filled with tears. Yet we all rejoiced at the thought that there is coming a day in Heaven when we will not have to say goodbye any more!
Michael and I met a dear brother from Jamaica who encouraged us in the Lord and invited us to visit him in his country. Wouldn't that be neat? What a blessing to fellowship with the brethren, I do so love the family of God.

Michael, brother Levi, me

At 3:00 am, Michael and I both got up to say goodbye to the Yoders' as they left for Missouri, it is hard to say goodbye. We were taken to the airport around 9:00am with Mr. Tuttle and made an uneventful flight back to Minneapolis MN airport where our Mom picked us up.

Mr. Tuttle waiting at our gate; notice the slot machines behind him.

From the Las Vegas airport, I love those mountains.

Here are some pictures from the plane...

Las Vegas from the air.

Leaving Las Vegas.

A storm over Minneapolis, our flight was delayed for five minutes because of it.

It was good to come home, and we do not miss Las Vegas! :-)

We praise God for a wonderful trip, safety, and pray that He was glorified in it.

Check out Michael's blog for his take on the trip.
Check out our Picasa Web Album for many more pictures, too many to post.
Also check out Ken and Jo Scott's Web Album for more pictures.

And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

OSA 2009, July 16th, Thursday

If you have not already read the introduction to this mission report please read it, Here.
Read Day 1



One of the things I will always remember about Las Vegas is the heat, the temperature rarely dropped below 100 degrees during the day and the 90s at night. But the dryness of the air made it bearable and I did not mind it that much.

Thursday morning at 6:30 am we met with our group in the parking lot of the hotel we all stayed in. Over a loud speaker, our leaders gave us the directions for the day and arranged transportation with those who had vehicles for those who did not. Michael and I road with the Yoder family.

Morning meeting (not my photo)


Flip Benham speaking

First stop was A-Z abortion clinic. There we lined the streets with many, many graphic signs. These signs put a face on the word "choice" and bring the issue to it's root, is it or is it not wrong to kill an innocent human person?

This is Mr. Tuttle holding "Baby Malachi"

A neighboring business whose parking lot adjoins that of the abortion clinic, allowed us to set up in their parking lot!
No abortions were done while we were there. When two hundred and fifty to three hundred people stand up and say, 'abortion is murder', things happen. Standing in the sun, we quickly learned to use umbrellas to keep the extremely hot sun off of us, and to drink tons of water.

Corrie, Patience and me (Corrie's brother, David behind her)

We were served a free lunch at a church, then headed out to Fremont Street.


Wow, talk about a place that reminds me of Sodom.

We had to take these pictures carefully because there is p*rn everywhere. Our leaders set up a very large display with seven foot tall signs showing the correlation between the Jewish Holocaust, the Civil rights movement and the Unborn Holocaust.

It was powerful. So many people stopped to look and read, and talk with us. Shock was evident on many faces. We filled Fremont street with "our people" (red t-shirts that say "Jesus is the Standard") handing out tracts and literature and talking with people.

Mrs. Yoder and I

One woman I began sharing the gospel with, looked a bit confused, so I asked "have you every heard this before?" she said "no". I slowed down and started over, she seemed very concerned but had to run catch her ride. I pray that God will send another of His people to her.

At 6pm we all met up at the host church for the night rally. This was a night of repentance. I wish you could hear the sermons that were preached and the weeping throughout the place as we repented for the sins of this nation and our sins in particular. I cannot describe it.

When the rally finished at 9pm we all headed back out to Fremont street to read the Bible out loud. We were met with a different looking place! The three block long canopy over the street was turned into a giant tv screen. Lightning flashed from end to end as thunder reverberated in our ears, then strange patterns and colors with '60s type songs.

We read the Bible out loud for some time, then most of us left to get some much needed sleep.

Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
(Psalms 96:2-3)


A report on day three coming soon....

...Edited to add....
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7 and 8

Operation Save America 2009

One week from today my brother Michael and I will, Lord willing, be leaving for a week long mission trip to Las Vegas. There we will join a group called Operation Save America (OSA), this is a gospel oriented gathering of believers to expose and reprove the works of darkness. We stand with signs at abortion clinics, street preach, share the gospel, have rallies every night, and overall seek to glorify Jesus. Michael and I went in 2007 when the event was held in Birmingham Alabama, and that was an amazing and edifying experience. But now...Las Vegas....? This is going to be interesting.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a God ordained trip. I really don't know why He wants us to go, and what He wants to do or teach us there, but God IS sending us. It began with Michael wondering if there was the slightest possibility for us to go. Truthfully the answer was no. There was no way we could go, we simply do not have the kind of finances it takes to travel that far. But we decided to pray about it. We told the Lord that if He wanted us to go, He would have to send us, because it seemed impossible, and we covenanted not to ask anyone for financial support. Within a few short days, Mr. Tuttle, (a friend and brother in the Lord and the head of the pro-life ministry in Duluth) informed us that he intended to buy our tickets to Vegas! Whoa! Step by step God has opened the doors and we are now packing for that "impossible" trip. Needless to say we are a wee bit excited, and looking forward to seeing what God does.

I don't know if I will be able to post until we get back, we'll have to see how things go, but I do intend to tell you all how it goes. Please pray for us.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. (Psalms 72:18-19)

...Edited to add...
Read about the trip here:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7 and 8

An Update on Happenings Here

I have been busy, busy, busy, with transplanting tomatoes and herbs and studying Spanish. The plants are going from their seedling soil-less mix to potting dirt and there are a lot that need to be transplanted. I have way too many tomato plants and herbs this year, so I hope to sell some at our local farmers market. I have begun to study Spanish in earnest and that is taking up most of my computer time, but I love it.
Here are some recent pictures, first in the "growing room":

In the foreground are cabbage seedlings.

Out side we have some things growing happily:

Garlic, planted in the fall.


Peas


Pepper Mint
and
Chocolate Mint
I love this stuff, it really tastes like chocolate mint!


Daffodils
and...

Kittens! This is Maria.

Mother's day was a fun day as we had my sister and her four children over. There were three mothers to celebrate! I decided to forget about being an adult for a while and played with the children...it is 1841 and we are pioneers out west, we have finally arrived at the place we wish to settle. There are no cars, planes, phones or computers. Sorry, no flame-throwers either! Oh no, lookout here come some Indians! Actually, we can't understand their language, if we want to trade with them we will have to make them understand by signs....you get the idea, we had fun. :-)

The three Mothers!

The three Stooges..oops, I mean Devin, Ashely and Brittany. :-)

and Matthew
in Grandpa's truck. He is taller than me now!

On Tuesday last week we were out at the abortion clinic bright and early as normal. It had been especially impressed upon us to make sure we share the gospel as we talk to the mothers, pleading for their babies lives. It is wonderful to open our mouths in praises to God as we stand on the streets. We sing hymns, read the Bible, pass out gospel tracts and pray, pray, pray, while we wait for the mothers to come. Spiritually, it is a lot of work! This Tuesday my Mom talked to one mother who said that she was "undecided" about getting the abortion. My Mom talked to her about her baby and told her that God has created her and He has created her baby. She asked this lady what she would say to God when she stands before Him to give an account of what she did to her own child. My Mom asked if she could pray for her, to the which she agreed and afterward gave my Mom a big hug and left the area. A little later we saw her drive away and she smiled and waved at us! We praise God for this life spared from the pains of death and pray that He will draw this dear lady to Himself for salvation.

As we were preparing to leave, a young mother and her mother came out of the building smiling and crying (this is always a good sign!). When asked if they had changed their mind, they said Yes! Praise God again! This young mother said that she was not sure what made her do it, but she asked to see her ultra-sound and changed her mind when she saw her baby. They were both so excited, the Grandma of the baby said, "he looks like me!" and "we're going to have a baby!" They were very happy to receive the gift of a diaper bag with baby things and a $100 gift certificate, (we try to give these gift to all those who tell us they have changed their mind). We also gave them a Bible and gospel tract and my Mom was able to share the gospel with them.

You should have seen us after all this happened, we were so excited and praising God! What a joyful time that was, but it was damped by the thought of the seven other mothers who did not come out.

Later on that same Tuesday we went to UMD to hold gospel signs and pass out gospel tracts. There were several good conversations that took place, we pray that God will turn the hearts of these young people to Himself. Steve brought his two daughters Amoriah (3) and Maylea (almost 2) and they helped pass out tracts as well. People enjoy taking tracts from these adorable little girls. Though we were saddened to see how many young women would harden their heart and turn away from that little out-stretched hand. This is most likely because they have had an abortion, since the statistics show 1 out of 3 woman in the US have had an abortion.

Here is part of the crew, my Mom is taking the picture and Josh was somewhere else.

Yesterday abortions were done again and there were thirteen mothers who went in. None said they changed their mind but one did leave early. One pedestrian passing by on the sidewalk began yelling at my Mom. She was very angry that we talk to the mothers who are going to kill their children, she kept saying "I see how things are, you are in your own little box and don't see what is happening." This made my Mom call to mind John 9:39-41, so she asked, "You say you see?" The lady answered "Yes, I see!" My Mom said, "So, you are blind." The lady soon left, but this was a sad reminder of the state many people are in. They believe themselves capable of sight and reason, but do not know that a veil of blindness is yet over their eyes and heart. Proverbs 28:5 Evil men understand not justice: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

Today I am meditating on this scripture: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..." 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

It hit me that here we are given a very good reason to share the gospel, the terror of the Lord! If we take verse ten seriously, than how much do we have to hate someone to not share the gospel with them?! (in the words of an atheist who said, if the gospel is true than that is what he would ask.) and yet so often I let opportunities slip by without a word. Oh Lord, teach me to have the terror of the Lord!

For the Wanderer

Thou who makest intercession,
Give to us to share
In that holy intercession;
Deepen prayer.

Some have chosen dust and ashes,
Fruit of poison tree;
Let them have nor peace nor pleasure,
Wanting Thee.

Let Thy fiery Law arrest them;
Let Thy love constrain,
Till they turn, repentant, humbly,
Home again.

Keep Thine own alert, courageous;
Strengthen them to stand
Till Thou comest, or we meet them,
In Thy land.
-Amy Carmichael

I am busy painting cabinets today....

So I have to make this quick, but I wanted to bring to your attention that one of the guys we go out witnessing with, Steve, has written a couple of great posts on his Street-Preaching Journal ....check it out!


Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
(Proverbs 3:5-10)

Miscellaneous Musings

Today turned out to be a beautiful sunny day, just perfect for...cleaning our the garage! Not the most fun thing to do, but very necessary when your garage looks like ours, I will kindly spare you the details. :-)

Our back yard.

This is "Joyce" my cat and I.

These pictures were actually not taken today, but the day was a lot like this!

I am looking forward to the fast approaching time when I will be able to start my vegetables indoors. Up here we cannot plant outdoors until June. I like to start my seedlings, eleven to fourteen weeks early, in order to give them a good start and hope for produce more quickly.

I am finally sewing the jumper I had cut out long ago and am really enjoying it! The fabric is a type of blue denim and the pattern has four pleats, which I absolutely love. I will have to look for more patterns with pleats or make some up myself, I don't think it would be too hard to add pleats to a regular dress or skirt pattern. Anyone with experience have suggestions?

We were at the abortion clinic again on Monday where seven mothers went into the building to destroy the lives of their babies. One girl was probably just fourteen or fifteen and seemed very scared, but her mother was with her and so she did not stop to talk with us. How can a mother do that to her daughter? Perhaps it was for rape or incest, but killing the innocent child does not take away the pain and trauma, it only makes it much, much worse. The adults in that girls life will have to give an account of their actions before The Judge of all the earth some day, that thought alone should cause them to tremble.

We went to the UMD again for a couple of hours. My Mom had a good conversation with a young atheist who, after hearing the gospel, accepted a Gospel of John saying that he will read it and consider what he had been told!

One guy walking by, began to curse and swear at Josh and Michael and then at our Lord Jesus. Josh answered with, "God bless you." and Michael with, "Thank you for the blessing!"

Another guy walking by spit at Josh and Michael. These things really are blessings!

"Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

And:

"But I say unto you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you." Luke 6:27-28

My Grandma is now in physical therapy and is slowly recovering. This is a hard time for her as she cannot remember things very well because of the trauma from the operation. It is frustrating to her, as I am sure it would be to anyone. Thank you so much for praying and please do continue to pray for her salvation.

Colossians chapter One has been a great blessing to me lately, what a packed chapter! One thing I keep thinking about is verse eleven: "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."

It is one thing to learn patience, another to learn longsuffering, but "patience and longsuffering with joyfulness"?! Wow! I need to be abiding in Christ Jesus so that He can produce this fruit in me. In Him all fullness dwells, He is the one I want to be around. Since we become like who we hang around, I want to 'hang around' Jesus, to be in fellowship with Him all throughout the day. I must confess that my thoughts often wander to less important things, then I realize with a start that it has been several hours since I consciously spoke with my dearest friend. Oh why, do I do this? I love to be near Him and I love talking to Him and yet I find my mind wandering. Oh, may He draw me closer to Himself! How patient He is with me, what a kind and compassionate Savior. "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:13-14

Thank you Lord Jesus.

I have been training my dog Abby, here are some pictures and a video! I am using a "tug" which is a piece of burlap type material used to build drive and focus. As you can see, Abby thinks that this is all a game and to a point, it is at this time. Eventually we will get into more advanced training.

Day of Mercy - Part Two

Read Part One first!

"And there they preached the gospel." Acts 14:7

After the abortion clinic we went to the University of Minnesota Duluth, where Steve and Josh had already been for an hour with a gospel sign. We joined them and the three guys began taking turns preaching to the crowds of students coming off the busses. Sue, who we had talked to on Friday, came by again but did not want to talk to my Mom and I. Instead she talked to Steve and Josh who were answering questions and giving the gospel to a group waiting for a bus. She asked them, why did they want to go to Heaven. Steve answered, "Because God is there." She mentioned needing something more and Steve asked "Why would anyone want anything more than God?" She seemed to be on the defensive and we hope that this is because of God's conviction in her heart. We have been praying for her.

God really does prepare us for the particular people He will bring for us to share the gospel with. He brings the ones who have the questions and needs which He has prepared us to answer. It is very comforting to know this, but amazing to experience. My Mom and I were handing out tracts, when an older man began talking to my Mom about how "turned off" he is by "all this born again stuff." He shared his story of a wound inflicted by a loved one claiming to be born again and how he did not want anything to do with being born again, because of it. My Mom was able to share with him a similar experience of hers and told him that we cannot blame God for other peoples actions. At that he seemed to soften and wanted to read one of our tracts! Please pray for Tim (name changed).

As one group of students got off of a bus, I noticed a young man who was looking at our signs. I walked over and handed him a tract, which he took and immediately read from cover to cover. I asked him what he thought about it and he said that he had grown up hearing that God is not as "harsh" as we were portraying Him. I explained the gospel to him using an example Steve had been using, which I think is really good. We can see how much God loves us by looking at Jesus on the cross, that He would take our sins upon Himself and suffer for us like that, the just for the unjust, shows how much He loves us. We can also see how much God hates sin by looking at the cross. When Jesus, God's first begotten son, hung on the cross bearing our sins, God, His Father, crushed Him. Isaiah fifty-three says that in pleased the Lord to bruise Him. God hates sin so much that He poured out the fury of His wrath on His own Son when He was bearing our sins. If God would do that to His own Son, what will He do to unrepentant, unbelieving sinners?

Bryan (name changed) asked what "repent" means. I said "It is a turning away from sin, to God." then explained a little what that means. He wanted to know who he could contact later and talk more about this stuff, so I motioned Steve over who began telling Bryan many of the same things I had already said but in more detail. Bryan asked if he could be saved today! Steve told him, "Yes! The Bible says "Today is the day of Salvation!" Bryan asked if it was not too late for him, because he had lived a rough life. Steve told him that God is merciful and that Jesus bore all his sins on the cross. Bryan said he has many questions, because it is all so new to him. He said that he had been an atheist and that he had just recently started seeing his need for God and had begun to read the Bible. He said that his Dad is an "evangelical Catholic" and that just then he had been on his way to talk to a priest, because they told him that he had to go through classes to get baptized. But he had seen our sign and thought he should talk to us first! Steve told him that he should steer clear of the Catholic church and that one reason for that was even in what Bryan had just said. They told him he needed to go to classes to be baptized, Steve explained, "Jesus said that we need to repent and believe, then be baptized." there is nothing about needing classes in the Bible. Steve offered to take Bryan out to lunch some day soon where they could talk more about all of this, they exchanged contact information and I pray that they will be in touch soon.

I cannot explain what it was like to see someone so tender to the gospel, someone on whose heart God has been working, someone who is on, what I would say is the brink of salvation. We could just see God working on him and I did not want to say or do anything that would turn him away from the Savior. As Steve was talking with him I was strongly impressed that we needed to pray for him before he left. Just before he left, Steve asked him if we could pray for him, then asked me to pray! God is so good!

Please pray for Bryan! Pray that God will save him and will not let the enemy snatch him away.

After that, a guy with a sign came out. His sign said: "Bob loves you, no not like that, embrace Bob" He was an atheist mocking God and the gospel. My Mom spoke with him and found out his name is Saul (name not changed) We pray that God will turn him to be like Paul.

Shortly after he came out, five girls went across the street from us with their own signs which said: "Doesn't God love everyone?" and "I will think what I want", "This is a School, not a Church, keep it to yourself" and some others. Steve began preaching to them, then my Mom, Josh and I went over to talk with them and my Mom gave them the gospel. They claimed to be Christians who did not like our message and did not believe you need to repent to be a Christian. My Mom explained that repent and believe are tied together, you cannot have one without the other and be saved. We left them and Steve went over to them and began preaching very earnestly.

Meanwhile, more atheist had gathered around Saul. They began to mock preaching and to mock God. One falsely accused Michael, turning away, Michael began to pray out loud, thanking God for being counted worthy of false accusation for His name's sake. My Mom and I began to pray out loud, praising God and reading the Bible. The spiritual battle was intense.

We crossed the street to stand with Steve and Josh and to hold signs while Josh caught the action on video camera. Their lawyers have told them to keep the video camera rolling while on the streets, so that if someone does something to hurt us, or the police act against the law, we will have evidence. By this time a crowd had gathered around Steve and more signs had been brought out, one of which said: "I will forgive you for $1" Steve told the guy holding it, "The goodness of God is that His forgiveness is free!" At one point in his preaching, Steve said, "We are out here to warn you. If you were in a burning building, it would be the loving thing to do to warn you. That is what we are doing." A guy on the edge of the crowd said, "You're out here to warn us?" He seemed surprised. We gave him a tract which he took away with him. He seemed to be in a very serious state of mind. As I watched all this taking place and saw Steve pleading with these people and reasoning with them for their souls, I thought "This is the goodness and mercy of God!" 1 Corinthians 1:21 says: "For since in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased god by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." Also read through to verse 31 !

Another guy began asking Steve some very good questions, which Steve used to preach to the crowd. This guy talked with Steve for a long time! I did not get to hear how it ended.

Still another guy talked with my Mom for a good while, asking many questions. He was very surprised when she quoted Psalms 66:18 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." He had never heard of that before. Neither had he heard that you can be saved at once ( as in 2Cor. 5:17 "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.") and do not need to work your way to Heaven and eventually hope to get it right in purgatory. Please pray for him as well.

One lady told me that she is a Christian but thinks our message should be "more loving". I mentioned what I had just read in Mark chapter one, before Jesus even got His disciples, He went all throughout Galilee preaching, "repent, and believe the gospel." She said that He did not tell people like the adulteress that they were going to hell. (For the record, we do not say to specific people, 'you are going to hell', we tell who the Bible says are going to hell. Using verses like, 1Cor. 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21) I told her that those people already knew. The Jews knew the law, they did not need to be told that they were sinners, had broken God's law and were under God's wrath. They needed to be told that the Messiah had come and to believe. Later when Paul preached to the Greeks, he went to the public places and debated with them, beginning at creation, then to the law and finally to the cross. If people do not know their sin and their need for a savior, Jesus will mean nothing to them. He will need to be as He is now being portrayed in most modern evangelism, an accessory to your life, someone who will help you and give you good things. What we have lost is the understanding that these people, who have no concept of the Bible, the Laws of God and the history of those who obeyed and those who did not, do not know they need a savior. We must begin where Paul began, at creation and take it from there. Remember that tribe in Papua New Guinea? Our nation has become much like those people.

O.K. I did not quite say all of that to this lady, the gist of it was there though and after I was done she said, "I guess I see what you're saying. God bless you!" Then she left.

This was the longest time we have been out pleading for the lost, to date, eight hours! With a one hour break in between. We got cold! We praise God for the opportunity and for His direction throughout the day! I cannot tell you how happy and excited we were on our way home! When we obey the Lord, it sure makes us happy! Perhaps one thing American Christians are lacking is the joy and happiness in obedience?

"For you remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be a burden unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9

About My Grandma and More Witnessing Opportunities

This past Wednesday we received news that my Grandmother needed to have triple bypass surgery, the next day. Her heart was so bad that the artery on one side is completely blocked and the other is eighty-five percent blocked. So, on Thursday morning she had the operation. We praise God that she made it through and is beginning to do a little better, though she is still in the ICU. She is in Illinois so we are not able to be with her, which is hard, especially for my Dad. Thankfully, my two Aunts are with her. Please pray with us for her salvation, God is able to bring her to Himself.

On Friday we were at the abortion clinic early to plead for the babies lives who were appointed to die. When one young mother and her mother parked their car across the street, my Mom went over to offer them information. The young woman rolled down her car window and said she would call the police if my Mom did not leave. My Mom told her that her baby is a person, then showed her a picture of an aborted baby. This made the babies Grandmother jump out of the car and tell my Mom that she would call the police, my Mom told her "Go ahead, I'm not doing anything wrong. This baby is your Grandchild!" Then my Mom showed the young mother, through the closed window, some pictures of developing babies. She looked at them, then began to cry. Her mother jumped out again, yelling at my Mom who continued to calmly answer, "This baby is Your Grandchild." They then drove away and they never came back, as far as we know! We hope and pray that the child was spared. God knows.

When we were done at the abortion clinic, we went to the University of Minnesota Duluth with Josh for a witnessing outreach. We held two gospel signs, while Josh and Michael preached.

One student made his own sign to protest us, which said: "Don't Worry God Loves You No Matter What". Josh had a good conversation with him and found out that he believes the teachings of a certain professor who takes all the "good out of different religions" and believes that, not the "bad". Josh was able to ask some very pointed questions showing the faultiness of that faith and expounded on the resurrection of Jesus as difference between other religions and the Bible. We pray for this young mans salvation.

Remember the lady I talked to on Tuesday the Twentieth? That short conversation had made me think more about our obedience to the gospel versus trying to make the gospel more appealing to the carnal mind. She came back to talk with me this Friday, I'll change her name to Sue.

She told my Mom and I that she is a pantheist, believing that everything is god and that god is everything. My Mom gave her the gospel, which Sue clearly could not understand. She does not believe in life after death and thinks that life is an end in it's self, because it is so "full and beautiful". My Mom explained to her that she is in the darkness and does not know it, using the example of a room that is slowly growing darker and you do not know it is so dark until you turn on the light. We told her that what she believes does not change the way things are, that in the end she will stand before Jesus who is the judge and she will confess that He is Lord. We said that people have so many ideas about the way things are, but what really matters in the end is what God says about things and whether or not we obeyed Him.

At one point I asked her, "Why are you alive? Where do you come from?"

She answered, "From my parents."
"In the beginning where did it all start?"

"With the Big Bang."

"Nobody knows who started that?"

"No, there are some theories, but no one really knows."

"God tells us what happened. He was there, He tells us what He did. You see, the Bible is a history book, written by God who made every thing."

She wondered how anyone could not believe in the big bang and said "Evolution is so beautiful."

"Millions and Billions of years of death, bloodshed and cancer, is beautiful?" I asked.

"Yes, it is."

"By what you are saying, you are showing me that you are in darkness. It does not matter what we tell you or if we are able to answer all your questions and explain everything to you, you would still not believe unless God opens your eyes. It has to be God who shows Himself to you."

She left then but short while after leaving she came back saying that she had thought of some more questions.

She asked, "Does God ever change?"
"No, in His Word He tells us that He never changes."

"Do people change?"
"Yes, all the time."

"Will people who are redeemed still change in Heaven?" She had earlier told us that she thought Heaven was pointless and boring.

I answered, "When we die, our bodies are changed. We will not have flesh and blood like we have now, we will be different. We do not really know what Heaven is like, it is not something we can understand or grasp with our human minds. If God told us what it is like we would not understand, it is too wonderful. We know that we will be praising God and that we will have work to do, but what it is I do not know."

She asked, "If God is all powerful, then why did He make man, since He does not need us?"

We told her that it is true that God does not need us, yet He made us for His glory. Life is not about us but about Him. We ended by saying, that we would pray that God would show Himself to her. Please pray with us for the salvation of Sue.

The thing I love about this conversation was the peace God gave me to just stay true to the Word. It did not matter to me that she said and thought it was "silly" and that it made no sense at all to her. I did not have to think up witty things to say or remember tons of facts to throw at her about the validity of the Bible. I just spoke as God led me, staying true to His Word, knowing that she would not understand unless He opened her eyes. I even told her that her reasoning proved to me even more that God's word is true because He told us that the carnal mind would not understand these things unless He opened their eyes! There is such peace knowing that it is God's work to cause her to understand, not mine! Praise God!!! I love it!

Here is a short clip of me talking with Sue:

Here is the link to our teams YouTube sight where you will find more videos of us: The Way Ministries