May 17, 2006
Greetings from Montana! There hasn't been much grass growing under our feet this week. We have been on the go.
We had a great service a week ago Wednesday night at Montesano, WA. 
Montesano is just a few miles from the Washington Coast. When Larry gave the altar call, a couple whose marriage was on the rocks came forward and rededicated their lives to Christ. What a thrill it was to see true peace and forgiveness written all over their faces. It was worth the long run down the Coast even if only for that one couple. God is good!
Last Thursday and Friday, we drove from the Washington Coast, through the Seattle area, through the state of Idaho, into Montana and finally arrived at Hamilton, MT, our destination for the week. It was refreshing getting back into our motorcoach after a long three and half week tour living out of our suburban which required packing everything in and out almost every day. Regardless, it was a wonderful tour. Hundreds responded to Christ and that is the name of the game!
Mother's Day was special. I had the privilege of ministering at the Hamilton Assembly of God in Hamiton, MT, with Pastor Steve and Ann Trimble. There was good attendance and the sanctuary was abundant with 
moms. After I shared, I invited all of the mothers to come around the altar and then form a circle which stretched around the entire sanctuary. What a moving sight! Once that was completed, I asked the children to stand with their mothers. I proceeded to pray a prayer of blessing over the mothers and the children. It was pretty emotional! There were a lot of hugs and tears throughout the sanctuary!
After the service, Justin Goss approached me and said, "Wow! What a Mother's Day service! I've been to a lot of Mother's Day services through the years, but none like this. You were so transparent! You shared your joys, fun, and laughter of motherhood, and then you opened your heart pouring out your personal struggles, disappointments and pains of parenting. You gave us victory reports and good advice! You had us laughing and crying. You ministered right where the rubber meets the road. Thank you for being so honest and open to help encourage the mothers...fathers....and me!"
I sure missed not being able to be with our three children on Mother's Day. They all called to wish me Happy Mother's Day and sent cards and flowers. 
Donovan called from Portland, OR. LaShawn called from Lexington, KY. LaDawn and the grandkids called from Minneapolis, MN. I was just aching for a physical hug from each one. A couple of weeks ago when LaDawn called, she said, "Mom, it's time for you to get back home! You've been gone for five months on this tour and that is way too long to be gone from your kids and grandkids....now get home! HA!" She continued on, "Mom, we miss you so much!" I assured her that we are starting our turn towards home and should be back to South Dakota by May 29th.
On Monday, we packed our coach with all of the equipment, clothes, and office materials that were in our suburban and traveled toward Bozeman, MT. It took us a long time to get through the two mountain passes as they are steep, but also Montana is currently experiencing a record-breaking wave of temps in the 90's and above. It is hard to keep the bus engine cool while climbing these mountains.
Boy, isn't that like life?! We are forever climbing up a mountain or going through a valley experience. Sometimes the current of life's situations can sweep us off our feet if we don't hang on spiritually. I am reminded of the story of a medical missionary who forded many swift and bridgeless streams in Africa. He learned from the natives the best way to make a hazardous crossing.
The danger in crossing a stream lies in being swept off of one's feet and carried downstream to deeper waters or being hurled to death against hidden rocks. A way to avoid this is for a man about to cross a stream to find a large stone, the heavier the better, to lift it to his shoulder, and carry it across the stream as an extra weight. The extra weight of the stone keeps his feet solid on the bed of the stream.
In telling this technique, Dr. Lambie drew an application to life; "While crossing the dangerous stream of life...we need the ballast of burden bearing to keep us from being swept off of our feet." The moral of this true story is: we need to hold on tight to the Rock, Jesus Christ, to help carry us through the deep waters. Isaiah 43:2 says, "When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee..."
It is my prayer that you will have a wonderful week and that you will hold tight to God and His Word to give you strength to face life's challenges.
God Bless You!
Gloria
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Peace is not the absence of problems...peace is the presence of God.
CHUCKLE OF THE WEEK
You Never Know!
A wife was berating her husband at the company picnic, "Doesn't it embarrass you when people see you go up to the buffet table for the fifth time?"
"Nope, not a bit, sweetheart," the man replied, "I just tell them I'm filling up the plate for you!"
HOUSEHOLD HINT
To wash greasy clothes, put the clothes in your regular wash water and detergent and add a can of Coke to the wash. It will come out cleaner!
Come join us for the National Quartet Convention Tour!
Louisville, KY September 13-18, 2006
We will begin our journey in Sisseton, SD. On our way to Louisville, KY, we will pass through St. Louis, MO, stopping at the Arch to tour. We will then arrive in Louisville, KY, enjoying some of the sights it has to offer like the Joe Huber Family Farm and Restaurant, Louisville Slugger Museum, Glassworks, and a steamboat built in 1914 called the Belle of Louisville. In the evenings we will take in the National Quartet Convention where we will get up to six hours of Gospel music from many various groups.
We would love to have you along! Please e-mail us at llmin@venturecomm.net to request a brochure with more details.
miles west of Seattle. We were privileged to minister at Christian Life Center with Pastor Ray and Sandy Jennings. What a powerful ministry couple they are! They exhibit gentle spirits along with a zest and passion for the Lost. Pastor Ray informed us he and his wife were in one of our services in Springfield, MO, way back in 1967 when we were traveling with Larry's brother, Lowell, and his wife, Connie. We were known as the Lundstrom Team at that time. It was fun to reconnect and reminisce about the old days! HA! 
red in two morning services and an evening service. The presence of God was so precious and dozens flowed up to the altar to make commitments for Christ. The pastor was thrilled to see families, couples, singles and teens that they had been praying for respond to the invitation for salvation. What a joy it was to see what God did in their lives! 
Once again, we were blessed to have many friends attend our services at Christian Life Center who have been at our rallies somewhere someplace through the years. It was thrilling to see friends and relatives attend that we haven't seen for years. From the platform I made the comment, "You just came to see if we are still really alive!" HA! It reminded me of the couple who approached Larry and I awhile back. They marched right up to us, stared us right in the face and announced, "Boy, you two are getting to be old dogs." We gulped. I thought to myself, "They surely hadn't read the book entitled, How to Win Friends and Influence People." Larry spoke up, "We may be old dogs, but we can still hunt!" Praise God we are still on the trail of lost souls after these 40 plus years on the road. 
We then drove through Kemp, WA, on our way to Port Orchard, and we were thrilled to see my brother, Larry, and his precious wife, Terry. They are such a joy to be around. On our open day, they took us by ferry from the Seattle Central Waterfront on an hour ride to Tillicum Village located on Blake Island. Thousands of visitors, including us, enjoyed the warmth of Tillicum's Native Village Long House styled in the fashion of the ancient dwellings of the Northwest Coast Native Americans. We experienced eating fresh clams in the shell out of 
a boiling pot and a delicious Indian-style salmon bake with all of the trimmings. Yummy! The salmon was fresh, originating from that area. You sure can't beat that! Following the buffet was a stage show interpreting the culture of the Northwest Coast Native Americans. It was very interesting, especially since we come from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. We have a special love and appreciation for Native Americans. As a teenager, which was way, way, way back (HA!), I helped with ministry in our hometown Dakotah Mission. It was a great experience!
honor them. I have been blessed to have had my mother for 62 years. What a gift! She has made the single greatest impact on my life, next to Christ and my husband. She has taught us how to pray in times of need, how to trust God when all else fails, how to laugh when life gives us lemons, how to love the unlovable and how to live by God's Word, the atlas and survival kit of our lives. Mom has modeled strength and perseverance when the storms of life were raging. I could continue on and on. I am so honored, not only on Mother's Day, but every day of the year, to appreciate and cherish her. She is a dear friend, and I thank God for her. 
staying at Frank and LaVonne Wallace's (Larry's cousins) home in Washougal. On Friday, they had a family gathering where we were able to renew acquaintances with several relatives we haven't seen for nearly 20 years. There was a lot of laughter and humor in the room. Now I know where Larry's sense of humor came from! HA! There is nothing more pleasurable than being around happy people! 
soulwinning tools with those who want to win their loved ones to Christ. 
We had a wonderful Sunday morning service with Pastor Mark and Michelle Geer. What a young dynamic couple! Their love for God and ministry just oozes out of them! When Larry gave the invitation to receive Christ, many rededicated their lives to 
Christ. There were also three people that made first time commitments to the Lord. God is always faithful! The Bible says if we lift Him up, He will draw all men unto Himself. I like what one pastor said lately, "Not only does He draw...sometimes He will drag!" That's true! When we are faithful to lift Christ up, the Holy Spirit drags them in. That's what I call fishing for souls.
State Park on Oregon's coast. Larry and I, along with his cousins, Frank and LaVonne, ventured over to the North Head Lighthouse, which is often called, A Light On the Pacific. It stand 190 feet above sea level. We found its story very interesting.. Many ships and vessels (over 2,000 in fact) and thousands of lives have perished due to the high waves and 
shifting sand bars in this area now known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was constructed, but shipwrecks continued because ships traveling from the north couldn't see Cape Disappointment's light. To remedy this problem, the North Head Lighthouse was built two miles north going into operation on May 16, 1898. Wow! What a story! 
rocks because we have failed to let our light shine to a lost and dying world. We are tempted to lives our lives being selfish and keeping to ourselves. Just think of how many more people would come to Christ if we would do as the little songs says, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." In Matthew 5:16, Jesus commands us, "To let your light shine before men." When we come to Christ, we are commissioned to "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel". That lighthouse challenged me, once again, to let my light shine in a dark world so we might reach the lost!
everywhere I look. The fruit trees are showing off their blossoms and are so fragrant. I recall the first time I was in Oregon- it was April in the late '60's-oh, that makes me feel old! Our daugthers, LaShawn and LaDawn, were four and one years old. I dressed them in matching light blue dresses with white puffy lace sleeves that our dear friend, Lois, had sewed for them. That was 34 years ago! Well, I can at least compliment myself on remembering that much from that far back! HA! 
Last Sunday, we ministered at Calvary Temple in Salem, OR, with Pastor Gary & Joyce Fournier. They were thrilled at the altar response. They told us, "Thank you for being you- transparent and obedient to the Lord. Larry, you made the altar call so clear and slick!" HA...that tickled me! They continued, " I loved the way you held their feet over the fires over hell but you didn't condemn them and they responded. We don't see altar response like this very often. It was good!"
youth leader. He shared with us that he rededicated his life to Christ in the 70's in Missoula, MT, at a Lundstrom Crusade. Now he is in ministry doing a great job along with his wife Rhonda who is the Christian Education Pastor. Pastor Gary and Joyce Fournier are Kevin's father and mother-in-law. 
Missoula. Because of the Easter weekend, the traffic was bumper to bumper for miles. We were thankful to finally nest the coach in the pines behind the Light of the Valley Church. We had a hard time keeping the fuel tank full during the 1300 mile drive, especially with the price of fuel. Larry pointed out the price of diesel which was $2.89 a gallon. We both groaned....enough of that subject! 
for the Easter egg hunt to be held after church. I chuckled, "Wouldn't it be fun if we went out with our own big basket and picked all the eggs before the hunt since we know where they were all placed?!" Larry just grinned at me, and then I was convicted and said, "That sure would be mean, but wouldn't it be fun!!" As you can see by the photo, the church didn't have an Easter bunny, it was an Easter dog. 
After Larry's message entitled, "So What's the Big Deal About Easter?" he gave the invitation to those who wanted to receive Christ for the first time or wanted to rededicate their lives to the Savior. Dozens flowed to the altar to pray a prayer of salvation. It was precious to see entire families go up to the altar together. After the service, I 
walked into the counseling area and what a glorious sight-there were many tearful and cheerful reunions! Among those that responded were several teenagers making first time commitments to Christ. That is what Easter is all about; people coming to know Christ as their personal Savior! What a privilege to have a small part in bringing them to Christ. 
Pastor and Mrs. Art Huwe of Light of the Valley Church took us out for Easter dinner. They were so kind to let us be a part of their family gathering. We have known Pastor Art and Gloria for many years, and it is always a pleasure to come back and minister with them. They are so gracious. 
On Sunday, we had the privilege of ministering at Harvestime Church in Peoria, AZ, with Pastor Ron and Sue Rockwell. Pastor Ron and Sue were the youth ministers in our home church in Sisseton, SD, about 20 years ago. They left a great impact on the lives of the youth they ministered to. Pastor Ron and Sue started a new church in Peoria about five years ago. It is growing quickly and is filled with loving people of all ages. Oftentimes, a church assumes the personality of the pastor. It is really true in this case. Larry and I know why people are flocking in; it is because there is so much love there which is a direct reflection of Pastor Ron and Sue.
recommitments of their lives to Christ. It was thrilling to see a large group of teenagers come forward to pound another nail into their commitment to Christ. 
complimented him and commented on how beautiful the picture was. I taped it on the window of our bus so the sun could shine through the picture. I then looked at my son, and I could see he was in deep thought. Finally, he spoke up, "Mom, why do they call it a good Friday when they nailed Jesus on the cross? I don't think that's so good!" Wow! I was slightly taken aback. I took the time to explain that Jesus loved us so much that He wanted us to go to heaven with Him. I continued to state that the only way we could go was if Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Donovan's eyes brightened, he grinned and said, "Oh now I know why it was a good Friday." 
the years sometime, somewhere. It was a special treat to see Rev. and Mrs. Don Waggoner and their daughter, Helen, and husband, Roger Sorbo. Rev. And Mrs. Waggoner pastored our hometown church in Sisseton, SD, way, way, way back. They were pastoring the first time our family attended a full gospel church. It was my first opportunity to see a pastor's wife and family. Helen, her sister, Carol, and little brother, Ron, were sitting in the front row chairs and I was all eyes and ears. There was this handsome pastor and his beautiful wife who got up and played piano, trombone and sang. They were electric! The children were beautiful and so well behaved. I was mesmerized by all of it and they made a great impact on my life. That was about 1949 or 1950...oops...now I'm really making myself ancient. I think I was about 6 years old at the time. What a thrill to see them and to see Brother Don still playing his trombone in the Sr. Church Orchestra. It's been great to be able to keep in touch with them all these years.
dynamic couple who are doing a great job pastoring the church. The people love them. Boy, are they talented and can sing! We had a delightful time ministering there last Sunday morning. Larry preached a sermon entitled, "If you don't know you....you don't go!" He presented the simple salvation message and then asked if they'd like to make sure that their sins are forgiven so they can know for sure that they are going to heaven. Larry gave the invitation and you can see by the photo, the altar was filled with those making sure they were saved. That's what life is all about!
preacher in a suit into work clothes to be a mechanic. There's always a long list of things to fix on the coach. One thing about this lifestyle is that Larry and I have to be all and do all because Larry and I are all we have, ha! I've been trying to find time in the past week just to get 6 blocks away to the laundromat. I'm sure if I don't make it real soon those clothes will walk over there themselves, ha! On second thought...I wish they would...sure would help me out.
'68. I was just a little kid." Boy did that make us feel old! He continued, "They brought their old blue and white bus over to our house so my dad could help them fix it. I remember there were bus parts all over the floor of the garage, and my dad wouldn't let me play in there. He warned me not to touch any of the parts." I think his dad was afraid he would run off with a bus part, and we'd never get out of town. That would scare me too! Ha! 
remembered the auditorium being packed to capacity with hundreds making decisions for Christ. They looked at us, shook their heads, and said, "Wow, you've been on the road all these years, and you are still traveling, singing, and preaching...That's great." Eldon Oller piped up, "Larry, in 1968 you left a tool in my garage after working on the bus. When I saw you years later I brought it to give it back to you; you said keep it as a souvenir. I was so happy as it is a special keepsake. The tool reminds me of the great fellowship we had while working on your bus. We love having a part in helping to keep you 'on the road'."
Last Sunday, we ministered in beautiful Fountain Hills, Arizona. Fountain Hills is another suburb of Phoenix. It was wonderful being back with our friends, Pastor David and Sharon Iverson, that we have known for years. It was like deja vu when he got up to introduce us. He said, "I remember when I was a young kid, you and Gloria came through the Midwest, and I still remember Larry's crazy jokes and antics." Wow that's scary!
visitors from all over the 
After the sermon, Larry gave the altar call, and it was so thrilling to witness the altar packed with prodigals coming home and many others making decisions for Christ. Nathan, the Youth Pastor at First Assembly, was so excited! He said, "You not only ministered to our adults, but you equally touched the hearts of our teens. The Lord used you to motivate and encourage several of our young people to recommit to Christ."
They reminded us that they attended one of our services in 
with you. First, don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the other seasons. And secondly, don't judge life by one difficult season. Larry and I have faced many tough seasons in our own lives-but God has always seen us through. I share an encouraging message on tape entitled, "Keep Holding On! You Can Make It." I would love to send this tape to you as a free gift of encouragement. On that recording, I share some of our struggles, as well as how God saw us through them. I truly feel that some of you reading this today need to hear this tape. Please contact us today with your name and mailing address-either by writing to 
We had a wonderful weekend of ministry at Celebration Christian Center in Mesa, Arizona. Pastor Randy Visconti shepherds this fast-growing church. There were dozens of friends from all over the United States and Canada in attendance-we had met them during our various travels through the years. It was a joy to have my four older brothers, their wives, and our mom attend that morning service at Celebration. What a special treat! 
God's timing." 
