Hello…yes, we are still alive! Larry and I have been bombarded by messages and emails asking, "Where are you? Are you okay? Looks like you dropped off the edge of the earth. Are you sick? What is happening?" So to answer that, yes we are still alive and breathing – LOL!

We are in Florida and as I'm writing this I looked out the window and saw all the birds getting ready to head north, as it is spring! Unfortunately, I don't think they watched the weather report of what's happening across the U.S. right now. They may need some de-icer on their wings by the time they get to the Midwest.

We are getting ready for our journey back to the Midwest, as well. Today Larry is hitching up the car and trailer to the motorhome and we are going to an RV center to get new air conditioners on top of the motorhome. After 10 years of running, they are shot!

Tomorrow we will head off to Tallahassee, Florida and then into Mississippi for a few days.  We will miss the weather here, that's for sure!

Then it's up to Texas to leave our motorhome and go by car up to Nashville, TN where we are scheduled for two weeks with cardiologists and heart specialists. We are grateful that Larry's heart was able to be shocked back into rhythm and they will now be doing stress tests and various testing. They have me scheduled for a specialist to decide what to do for my A-Fib, as the cardiologist says there is something wrong with the wiring of my heart. So we're not sure what's all going on. We do appreciate your continued prayers. We're praying that God will give wisdom to the doctors so we can get all re-wired and ready to hit the road for services.

What I've shared with you here, reminds me so much of a true story about my mother. Several years ago we came home off tour and as I always did, I was anxious to go and have a cup of coffee with mom in the afternoon. And in the course of the conversation, I asked her what she had done today and she responded, "I have just come back from an organ recital." I thought to myself, "Wow, that's pretty neat that she would go up to the church and attend an organ recital."  I said, "You mean a piano recital?" I continued to ask her who, what and where, and she chuckled, "No Missy, it wasn't at the church, it was at my bible study that I lead.  It was an ORGAN recital – everyone was talking about all their aches pains."

I'm not one to have an "organ recital" and talk about all my aches and pain, but I've had so many people who have asked about our health lately, that I felt I had to be honest and let them know that yes we are human and yes we are facing some physical challenges, but are believing God through it all. And, with us being "smart" as to how to take care of ourselves, we're going to continue to get better. So we thank you for your prayers for our health and for our traveling as we have many miles to go with our motorhome towing our car.

Speaking of mother, it is one year ago, on the 18^th that she went home to be with the Lord. Do I miss her? I miss her like crazy!!! I miss our evening prayer time, our chats every night on the phone, I miss our giggles and stories, and all those intimate moments that she and I had together. Would I wish her back? Absolutely not.  That's because she's at the feet of Jesus and experiencing the joy that she always talked about of being with her Savior. The following is a poem that I thought fit her.

Back Home

If I had the power to turn back the clock,

Go back to that house at the end of the block –

The house that was HOME when I was a kid,

I know that I'd love it more now than I did.

If I could be back there at my mother's knee,

And hear once again all the things she told me,

I'd listen as I never listened before,

For she knew so well just what life had in store.

And all the advice my dad used to give,

His voice I'll remember as long as I live;

But it didn't seem really important then;

What I'd give just to live it all over again.

And what I'd give for the chance I once had,

To do so much more for my mother and dad;

To give them more joy and a little less pain;

A little more sunshine – a little less rain.

But the years roll on and we cannot go back,

Whether we were born in a mansion or a shack;

But we can start right now – in the hour that's here;

To do something more for the ones we hold dear.

And since time in its flight is traveling so fast;

Let's not spend it regretting that which is past;

But let's make tomorrow a happier day

By doing our "good to others" – TODAY.

Looking ahead:

April 23 Wagner, OK

April 30 Nebraska City, NE

May 7 Detroit Lakes, MN

May 14 Valley City, ND

Gloria

REFLECTION

Can you believe it's already the middle of February? It'll be June before we know it!  We'd like to share an article from our newsletter and a health update:

It is that time of year again! The Christmas tinsel wasn't even off the tree, the Christmas wrappings hadn't even been disposed of, and the Christmas gifts didn't find their new homes before the window displays echoed shades of red, pink, and white and Hallmark had their card racks spilling over with hundreds of Valentines cards. (By the way, this doesn't encourage me to buy my card early; I don't buy mine until the day of… no rush in me… Chuckle!) The enticing displays of red heart boxes wrapped in dazzling foil, ribbons and lace all scream out "love is in the air"! Yes…the retailers make sure you don't miss the fact that Valentine's Day is coming!

I was teasing a waiter at a restaurant the other day and asked if he had a girlfriend, to which he responded and chuckled, "Yes, three of them!" I reacted in surprise and astonishment, "Boy, that's expensive!" To which he piped up, "That's why I don't get serious with a girl until after Valentine's Day; it costs too much money!"

LOVE…how does one describe it? We often think of love as a "thing" {a noun}, but in actuality, the word love is a "verb." Love must DO something in order to remain what it is. Part of the nature of love is that it requires expression—God is love! The Bible says in 1 John 3:17 (NKJV), "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" This makes it very plain that if we see a need and close our heart, how can the love of God live and remain in us? Love becomes weaker and weaker if it cannot be demonstrated, in fact, it may be snuffed out.

Sadly, this is where many find themselves as a result of love in its truest form, an action, not being exercised on a regular basis and thus debilitated…walking through broken relationships, divorce, hurt and loss. True love requires sacrifice and selflessness! There was no other such great expression of love and sacrifice as the definitive act when Jesus laid down His life for us. He was the ultimate Valentine's gift, wrapped not in lace and ribbon but rather in swaddling clothes. His Heavenly Father expressed His love through deed by giving His only Son to be born. Jesus then gave his most priceless gift — a sacrificial action—when he willingly gave His life on the cross so you and I could receive the supreme gift of love— SALVATION—that we might live forever if we receive this free gift offered to all. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Love is all about action and Jesus proved it!

This Valentine's Day, let's resolve to put LOVE IN ACTION. Let's share our love and concern for those who feel forgotten, rejected and unloved. Send a card, make a phone call, stop in for a visit, or give a gift. CHOOSE and then DO something to make their day!

Speaking of hearts – Larry and I are sweethearts, but also both experience some physical heart issues. At least we're happy to know we still have hearts! LOL! We made a trip back to Nashville 3 weeks ago to see our cardiologist and praise the Lord, Larry's blood clot was dissolved. They were able to shock his heart and get it running back in rhythm again. So he's up and running….slowly – ha! The cardiologist equipped both of us with heart monitors to record for a month, so we are wired! The first night I had mine on, Vanderbilt heart clinic in Nashville called immediately warning me I'd had a 30 minutes event happen with my heart. I thought so, but tried to ignore it was anything serious…until they called. Then they informed me I'd had another one after that. 

Through the heart monitor readings the Cardiologist diagnosed that there is something going on and something very wrong with the electrical current in my heart.  So…I'm scheduled again with Vanderbilt in Nashville with a specialist to determine what heart procedure they will do to correct it. We will keep you all posted. Keep praying for us, please.

PS. I have A-FIB… and Larry has 

A-FLUTTER, so I guess it's fitting to

sign-off as:

"We love you,

FIB and FLUTTER"

How romantic! Ha!

 It's been 51 years, and we're still one!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Gloria

REFLECTION

RECIPE

Mom's Red Velvet Cake

2 ½ c. cake flour

1 ½ c. sugar

1 c. buttermilk

1 ½ c. corn oil

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cocoa

1 tsp vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

2 oz. red food coloring

Mix all of the ingredients together and pour into a 9x13 inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Greetings from Florida! It's a beautiful day, and any day above ground is always wonderful! I was on the phone this morning and the lady I was speaking to said the following line, "Life is no fun if you're not smiling." How true is that? When you read about everything that's happening in the world in the news, politics, etc. we can still smile because know that God is in control.

It's hard to believe that almost a month is already gone of this year. My mother used to always say, "The longer you live the more quickly life passes by." Or as Larry likes to say, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer to the end you get, the faster it goes!" Ha!

I ran across this poem that I thought was fitting for this month after Christmas – and how true it is! Pounds come on easier than they do coming off…Larry and I both know that for a fact!

T'was The Month After Christmas

T'was the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste.
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

As we are taking time to build sermons, and set up our schedule, we are getting excited for the next ministry tour. We'd ask for your prayers as this Thursday we fly to Nashville for both of us to meet with our Cardiologist on Friday to make sure the "old ticker is working good."  The beginning of January, at Larry's last appointment in Nashville, they found he also has an A-Fib flutter and were going to do a Cardioversion immediately to shock the heart to get it back in rhythm. But, to be on the safe side, they put a probe down into his heart to make sure that everything was okay. They prepped him and took him in for the procedure and put him under. In about 45 minutes came back out and the doctor told us that he had a blood clot in the upper left ventricle of the heart. How thankful we are that they did the procedure of the probe to the heart , as they told us if they had done the cardioversion to shock the heart to put it in rhythm, he could have gone into cardiac arrest. So, with that being said, we are very grateful and thankful that the Lord had us there (even though Larry didn't want to go in for a check-up and his daughters and son made him do it). God was in it.

How ironic is that we both have an A-Fib? Larry claims he caught it from me – ha! We are praying and believing for good results and appreciate your prayers on Friday the 27^th, that God will give direction as to what we do next. With that being said, we are at a bit of a standstill waiting for things to stabilize before we hit the road.

I hope you've had a wonderful January with the election and everything that comes with it now done; we need to remember to pray for our president and staff. No matter who you voted for, they will need God more than they've ever needed him. Pray that President Trump would seek the godly advice from those who surround him, and for his protection. Blessings on you!

Gloria

Recipe

Toffee Bars

1 1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

2 egg yolks

3 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

6 Hershey bars

Mix all ingredients together, except for Hershey bars. Spread in small cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown (about 25 minutes). Place Hershey bars on top of warm bars and spread. Let cool and slice.

Happy new year to our friends and family!

We just arrived in Florida, and so happy to be out of the cold weather. We called our office a couple days ago, and it was -28 degrees windchill! That's when I'm happy to say I am "away" from South Dakota. I was always told, that when you get older, you're skin gets thin and you feel the cold… Well I am definitely there.....that cold your shakes me to the bone. Ha!

We are still basking in the wonderful memories that we had with our family in Nashville Tennessee over Christmas. We had so much fun! One of the highlights, was attending the Amy Grant and Vince Gill concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

We so enjoyed spending time with our family in their homes: Donovan's, Ladawn's, and Lashawn's. We relaxed, we laughed, we went places, and we ate way too much! Our daughter Lashawn says "it's all fun and games when you're eating, until your clothes don't fit!" Both Larry and I are there!

As you know Christmas time is a tough time for many people. Depression is on the rise, untimely death's, suicide, loneliness, rejection, divorce, so there were so many people that needed encouragement, and we've tried as much as we could to be available to those who needed someone just to encourage them and be there for them.  Which reminds me of the article from our January newsletter:

Do we really care? How much do we care?

Man Overboard

One day Hudson Taylor was traveling on a Chinese junk from Shanghai to Ningpo. He had been witnessing to a man named Peter who rejected the gospel but was under deep conviction. In the course of events, Peter fell overboard, but no one made any effort to save him. Taylor sprang to the mast, let down the sail, and jumped overboard in hopes of finding his friend. But no one on board joined Taylor in his frantic search. Taylor saw a fishing boat nearby and yelled to them to help, but they wouldn't do it without money. Finally, after bartering for every penny that Taylor had, the fisherman stopped their fishing and began to look for Peter. In less than a minute of dragging their net, they found him, but it was too late. They were too busy fishing to care about saving a drowning man.

We can easily condemn the selfish indifference of those fishermen, but by indicting them, we may condemn ourselves. Are we too busy with our jobs or other activities to take the time to rescue those who are perishing without Christ? I pray not… let's remember the man overboard—it could be a family member or neighbor! Ephesians 5:15-17 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

Currently, Larry and I are busy with our office, and sermon prep, and scheduling the rest for 2017. We've taken a few weeks to regroup, and rest.....by directions of our children, our staff, and our doctors. We will be ready to hit the road running when we go again.

Have a great month, and remember you have a whole year ahead of you… Include God in all of your decisions and your priorities. I have a feeling we will need him more than we ever have this year, with the world that we live in, and the events and circumstances and attracts from Satan. I am always comforted by the Scripture where Jesus says "I will never leave you nor for sake you". With that promise I know that he will never leave us nor forsake us and we will not have to walk the journey alone, be it in the mountain tops or the valleys he will be right by our side. Praise the Lord!

Gloria

Chuckle

The New Year

Another year has come and gone;

I know not what comes with the dawn

of this new year, but this I know –

the power that calmed the waves at seas

will still the doubts and comfort me;

and though the day be dark or fair,

I'll ever seek my Lord in prayer.

And God who loves the great and small

will surely answer as I call,

The still, small voice dispelling fears

will guide me as in former years.

I face the New Year with a smile,

for God is with me all the while,

and faithfully trust all its days

to Him who guides my earthly ways.

Recipe

Cranberry Nog

2 ½ qt. water

2 c. orange juice

1 c. pineapple

2 T. lemon juice

3 – 3" cinnamon sticks

1 (12 oz.) bag fresh or frozen cranberries

1 c. sugar

Boil cranberries and water until berries pop.  Reduce heat. Simmer 5-10 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 25-30 minutes.  Strain through colander into crock pot. Add slices of oranges to crock pot. Serve warm.

Greetings from Nashville, TN! We are excited to celebrate the holidays with our family here for the next couple of weeks. We look forward to making many memories and feel so blessed to have this time with them. Can you believe it's almost Christmas? We pray you enjoy moments of peace, love and remembering "the Reason for the Season" this weekend. Jesus Christ truly was the greatest gift we could ever recieve. Accept His love and sacrifice, and share it with those who desperately need this gift He's given. 

Here is one of our favorite poems about Christmas that was shared in our Christmas card this month:

For some of you, we know this has been a long year with the personal loss of loved ones leaving a void and empty chair at the table. We so miss our mom. With that in mind, we wanted to share that those that are home with Jesus would probably say this:

"I've had my first Christmas in heaven, a glorious and wonderful day. I stood with the saints of the ages, who found Christ, the truth and the way. I sang with the heavenly choir. Just think! I who loved to sing. And oh, what celestial music we brought to our Savior and King. We sang the glad songs of redemption, how Jesus to Bethlehem came. And how they had called His name Jesus, that all might be saved through His name. We sang with the angels the song they sang that blest morn, when shepherds first heard the glad story that Jesus the Savior was born. Oh family, I wish you had been there. No Christmas on earth could compare with the beauty and glory I've witnessed in these few days that I've been here. You know how I always loved Christmas, it was such a very special day, with all of my family around me. Yes, now I can see why  I loved it, and oh, what joy it will be when all of you are with me to share in the glories I see. So dear ones on earth, here's my greeting. Look up 'til Jesus appears. And oh, what a Christmas awaits us beyond all our partings and tears."

Merry Christmas dear friends!

Gloria

Chuckle

Top Ten Things to Say About a Christmas Gift You Don't Like

10. Hey! There's a gift!

9. Well, well, well...

8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would've fit.

7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.

6. Wow. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.

5. If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!

4. I love it - but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.

3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.

2. To think - I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.

And the Number One thing to say about a Christmas gift you don't like:

1. "I really don't deserve this." 

Greetings from Sevierville, TN! What an action-packed week! One week ago, last Saturday night, November 26th, Larry and I decided to take a quick getaway to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN. We arrived that Saturday night, located our hotel room, unpacked and watched the evening news and weather (Larry claims I am a weather fanatic…he is 95% right…as living on the road, weather is important to me for traveling). The reports give me freedom to peace of mind or…panic – ha!

The local TV station out of Gatlinburg predicted rain on Monday and I groaned, "Oh no, we wanted to see the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, now it's going to rain on Monday and it will knock all the beautiful leaves off the trees. So I suggested, "Tomorrow after going to church, let's spend the afternoon site seeing." Indeed that's exactly what we did. We drove through PF, Gat, and a few miles in to the National Park. I was ecstatic as it was an absolutely beautiful day and every sight was so breathtaking. The color of the leaves, the quiet and quaintness of the area and the Smoky Mountains and all their beauty seemed to literally tranquilize me with peace. I kept telling Larry, "Honey, this is so beautiful; I can hardly take it all in." We weaved through the winding mountain roads and back to the busy bustling streets of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. As we drove out, we determined we would come back on Tuesday evening to enjoy all the Christmas lights and displays and I was amped! 

Monday morning we woke up, I walked out on the balcony and the sky looked so eerie, like a huge sand storm wall was moving in. In an hour, I stepped out again and the smoke was so overwhelming that I quickly went back into the room. Little did we know that a fire was raging out of control with 40-70 miles an hour winds, 9 miles from us. The alerts began to scroll across the TV screen of evacuation, etc. The smell was coming into our room so I put towels around the bottom and tops of the doors as it was getting hard to breathe. The high winds were literally blowing the smoke inside, any way it could get in. An hour later, the horizon that we could view from our balcony, turned into a flaming red blaze, it literally looked like all hell broke loose, which it did.

The rest of the story, you may already know by watching the news. So far 13 dead, 1,500 homes and hotels and business destroyed and thousands homeless. This area hadn't had any rain since the first of July. So it was a horrific tinderbox. The cities in this area have been on total lockdown and we were warned if the winds came up again to leave immediately as it would come to where we are in Sevierville. Praise the Lord, the rain came to help dampen the fires, but it's still only 35% contained.

Last Saturday, our daughter LaDawn drove down here with some of her employees of Verizon and brought a load of necessities to the main command station in PF. We went over there with her. There were staggering lines of people who had lost everything but the clothes on their backs. They were  shopping carts filled with essentials and food. The looks on their faces screamed out confusion, hopelessness and loss. The stories that were shared with us while we were there were heartbreaking. Person after person shared with us, "We were at home, and a sudden loud knock on the door came, we answered, and the police and fireman screamed only three words… GET OUT NOW!" With the wind spanning up to 70 miles an hour, they literally ran out the door with family members or a pet within a couple minutes. Within seconds, the impending flames were up to their homes as they frantically raced down the narrow mountain roads with flames on both sides and burning falling timbers.

Larry and I have been haunted by those three words "GET OUT…NOW!". Those were escape words, which meant live or die. Tragically so many people today are surrounded by the eternal hell fires of hell and damnation. We as believers need to be the spiritual fireman and police to warn them, "GET OUT NOW!" If they had not heeded the warning, they would have died in the fire.

Sadly, since then, story after story has surfaced in the past week of senseless police killings, unbelievable explosions, the Oakland warehouse fire, tornadoes in the South, shootings, etc. Every day is one tragedy after another. We do not know our future, but we need to always be ready and we need to pray always for those who are going through the loss and tragedies in their lives. Be that person and friend, if you know someone without Christ, to lovingly give them the warning.

Gloria

PS. While I am looking in shops, Larry is engaged in his favorite encounter.... sharing his soul winning illustration with a stranger on the bench! This is what I love about my man.... his love and zeal to win the lost, anywhere, anytime! I shot this thru a store window, so the pic is not clear, but what is clear is his urgency to share "The Way"......

Reflection

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children.  After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting the perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally, the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him."

For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

Recipe

Chicken Rice Soup

8 C. chicken broth

1 small onion, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

3 celery ribs, sliced

2 C. cooked chicken, cubed

1 C. uncooked long grain rice

In a large saucepan, combine broth, celery, onion, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken and rice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender. Makes 8-10 servings.

Greetings from Nashville! We are so excited to spend Thanksgiving with our children and all be together. We cherish these times as they don't happen as often as we'd like.

It is hard to believe that we are already in November 2016, the eleventh month of this year. Meaning only one month left in the year. It has been an incredible, wonderful, exciting year of ministry with hundreds of decisions made for Christ. It has been thrilling, and we are so thankful.

Having said that, it has also been a year of challenges, loss of loved ones, disappointments, heartbreaks and health issues. I am sure if I questioned you about your past year, you, too, would probably use many of the same adjectives to describe 2016. Gloria always tells people and drills home the line, "If you are always grateful and thankful for something, you will have something to be grateful and thankful for." Every day when we have our morning devotions, the first words out of her mouth in prayer are, "Thank you, Lord, for the MOMENT You came into my life. Thank you, Lord, for the MOMENT my eternal destination was changed to heaven." Amidst the struggles and trials we encounter, she continues to thank God for His unfailing love and faithfulness. Needless to say, her statement, "Thank you for the MOMENT," has been etched in my heart and memory.

Often we complain about the things going wrong in our lives, or that have gone wrong or will go wrong, but to be thankful while going through the fire is quite a bit more challenging. I am reminded of the life of Paul and the picture He painted of His life (his diary) through the various letters he wrote in the Bible.

It surely didn't sound like a picnic to me. 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 paraphrased says he was beaten with rods, imprisoned, stoned, shipwrecked, endured storms, faced perils by robbers, weary, hungry, thirsty and more. After he openly shares the downside of His ministry, He says, "If I must glory, I will glory in the things which concern my infirmities." KJV 21. Paul's chronicle sure made my life seem like a day on the beach. Paul was saved and called into missions to "GO" and "WIN THE LOST AT ANY AND ALL COST."

While going through his trials, there were three things that Paul never forgot, which I also want to encourage you to remember and practice:

• He never forgot the moment of his conversion. When he remembered the change in his life and the presence of peace in his life when he experienced Jesus, it encouraged him.

• He never forgot the fact that "Life is tough, but God is faithful." It encouraged him.

• He never forgot God's presence. When he felt all alone and forsaken, he was reminded that God's presence was continually with him and that God's grace would be sufficient for him. He knew that Christ was his hope, joy and peace. It encouraged him.

May those keys also encourage you and me! If you are struggling with life at this moment, look back and recall God's faithfulness. Lastly, Gloria and I want to express our gratefulness and thankfulness to you, our family, friends and partners who continue to encourage us with your letters, calls, emails and financial support. YOU KEEP US GOING!

May your homes and the homes you visit be filled with love, peace and joy this week!

Gloria

As Election Day nears, I thought it was fitting to share our thoughts from our current newsletter:

I know, I know—I share much of the same feeling you do about the upcoming election! I'm tired of the rhetoric, name calling, slander, lies, accusations and screaming between the candidates, news media and supporters. I often feel like I am watching a boxing match or ugly court case. To be perfectly honest, I'm not 100% sold on either candidate—BUT—we have to understand and realize that America is at the most dangerous crossroads of its existence. I've encountered too many people who have shrugged their shoulders and announced, "I don't like or trust either one so I'm not going to vote!"

In all honesty that, too, is dangerous! I certainly don't completely agree with Trump nor Clinton, but we still have to seriously look at the issues at hand. We know how we feel personally and are sure that there are millions who feel the same way…uneasy, frustrated, troubled. Yet, if those same people  choose to NOT go to the polls to vote, we will have CHOSEN to "throw America under the bus." We have too much to lose to not care and to not vote.

Here is the bottom line—we are in an intense battle between good and evil. There is, as you know, a ferocious battle waging. One front of the battle is for the protection of religious rights. I'm weary of Bible-believing Christians being mocked and belittled in the public square. We are loudly accused as being "hateful, mean, bigoted, narrow-minded" plus a myriad of other terms. The secularists in our society seek to redefine the First Amendment, which guarantees that none shall impede the free exercise of religion, as a mere right of worship. In plain speaking, what is being argued is, "If you are going to be single-minded in your pro-life views, your views that marriage is between a man and woman and that fornication (both heterosexual and homosexual) is morally wrong, than you must confine them between the four walls of your sanctuary." Then we are warned, "Don't bring your intolerance into the public square."

Let's take a closer look at that. The society that adopts such a view may be setting the stage for a future day when we, as pastors, evangelists and missionaries, address those issues or other biblical issues, we can be banned from the pulpit and/or risk the punishment (which by the way has already happened in Canada).

Another front of the battle is the future of the Supreme Court? Do you realize there are currently no evangelicals residing on the Supreme Court? We are thankful that evangelicals are one of the largest minorities in the United States, but the fact is our pro-life position and our views on things like marriage are not currently socially acceptable and thus would tend to prevent an appointment to the Supreme Court, appellate courts and district courts. On this issue, among the dozen other issues on the plate, we must consider would our choice of candidate be more likely to appoint those who will uphold the protection of free exercise of religion or erode it further? Here's the truth one must really ponder—the next president will most likely shape the Supreme Court, lower court and resulting culture of America should the Lord tarry.

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  1 Timothy 2:1-4

Gloria and I are not endorsing either candidate. We just ask you to carefully read and study what each candidate believes, as well as, what their plans are and consider what destination or destruction those plans will take us to. Please go to the polls and vote. Neither one has all the answers to solve all the issues America faces, but a "no vote" can and will affect the future of America for us, our children, grandchildren and generations to come. Pray, pray, pray! Your vote can help turn the tide of our future. America needs Christians to bombard heaven with prayer. What happens in this next election will deeply affect your church and evangelists like us who want to keep spreading the truth of the Gospel.

"And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace." Jeremiah 29:7

Blessings to you as we end October!

Gloria

{ Reflection }

October is Pastor Appreciation Month – so as we are showing the clergy in our life thanks, don't forget those behind the scenes who support them every day:

There is one person in our church

Who knows our pastor's life,

Who weeps and smiles and prays with him –

And that's the pastor's wife.

The crowd has seen him in his strength

When wielding God's sharp sword,

As underneath God's banner's fold

He faced the devil's horde.

But deep within her heart she knows

That scarce the hour before,

She helped him pray the glory down

Behind the closet door.

She's hear him groaning in his soul

When bitter raged the strife,

As, hand in hand, she knelt with him –

For she's the pastor's wife!

You tell your tales of prophets brave

Who marched across the world

And changed the course of history

By burning words they hurled.

And I will tell how back of each

Some woman lived her life;

Who wept with him and smiled with him-

She was the pastor's wife!

- Author Unknown

It's a beautiful windy fall day here in South Dakota. That last couple of nights you could feel that nip in the air, which tells you it's going to be a colder nip soon! With that in mind, we are getting ready for our fall tour and heading south. If the birds have a brain to tell them to go where it's warmer, we should take heed to do the same. Ha!

We had an exciting evening last Sunday as we held a community Harvest Fest service, and had a great turnout. We were thrilled with all the pastors who took part, from the Presbyterian, Missionary Alliance, Christian Outreach Center, Family Life Assembly of God, a few Lutheran and Catholic churches.

We had special music from each of the churches and then we were the special guests to share the message.

It was a lot of fun, laughter, music, the Word, and then of course, the food…cookies, bars and coffee!  We were thrilled to have people come as far as from McIntosh, Aberdeen, and all across South Dakota and Minnesota.

Speaking of a fall tour, we are leaving this coming Thursday and heading to Burnsville, Minnesota, where we will be at The Father's House Sunday morning at 10:00 am, at Burnsville High School, Mraz Theater, 600 E Hwy 13, Burnsville, MN 55337 (612-405-3777). Then onto Auburn, Indiana and heading to Indianapolis, Nashville, and will end up in about 3 weeks in Florida where we will nest in our motorhome out of the Midwest weather for the winter.

Blessings to you as we end September!

Gloria

{ Reflection }

As Christians, we have a responsibility to uphold our nation, its leaders and its inhabitants in prayer. If we don't pray……who will? Here are some ways to pray which also include the scriptures they were gleaned from.

* Mighty God, we look to You for protection and safe keeping, especially during the days leading up to this fall's elections. Keep the candidates, the conventions, the delegates and the media safe from every kind of harm, O Lord, and deliver us from any evil plots that have been arranged. Let no weapon that is formed against our nation or our leaders prosper. --Psalm 32:7, (You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.) Isaiah 54:17 (no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

* Father God, You love truth and are displeased with lies. Grant a spirit of truthfulness in the elections, particularly on the part of all media. Grant a spirit of fairness and honesty in the reports created by all members of the media, and give discernment and wisdom to citizens as they seek information from the media. --Proverbs 12:22 (The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.)

* O God, You are actively involved in every part of Your creation at every moment. Grant to all Americans a willingness to get involved in the upcoming elections, resisting complacency and passivity. Let each one know the value of his or her vote, and let each one exercise their privilege with diligence and faith. --Amos 6:1 ( Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!)