Happy Easter!

As a mother of three, I cannot read the Easter story without connecting with Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Mary not only bore Jesus, but she also mothered Him for 30 years in poor Nazareth.  As a devoted mother, she did everything she could do for the son she knew was no ordinary man.  She surrounded His life with character building influences. 

When Mary brought her infant son to be dedicated in the temple, the aged, godly Simeon, taking the Babe in his arms blessing Him, said to His mother, "A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also."  Mary was to experience darkness as well as delight as her firstborn, "went to fulfill His mission in the world." 

I can only imagine that Mary's deepest sword-piercing came when in agony she stood beneath that old rugged cross and witnessed the degradation, desolation and death of the One whom she had brought into the world and intensely loved!  She heard the blasphemies and revilings of the priests and the people.  If that were me standing there, and it was my son they were accusing…..believe me….more than likely, this momma would have come out fighting and fought them all single-handed.  There would have been an all out war to spare my son.

But…many stood there silent.  If Calvary was our Lord's crown of sorrow, it was likewise Mary's also, yet she displayed great courage.  She saw the light of life go out in her son, but her faith did not die.  While others may have sat and watched the suffering, Mary stood by the cross.  While inside Mary must have fought the feelings of hate and pain, she also knew that Jesus was "her Savior".  She knew it was the divine order of things that she should be found beneath the cross to receive the final benediction of her Son and Savior.

As He died, those around her had no conception of her inner grief as she stood where her Son could see her.  No mother ever displayed such fortitude as Mary manifested at the cross.  The valor of Mary was shown as her heart was pierced again for that which she brought forth was dying!

Although some of Jesus' disciples forsook Him and fled,  His mother, Mary's, love never surrendered even though her son was dying as a criminal between two thieves.  In that moment, the tremendous truth must have dawned upon Mary….He who hung upon the cross was not her son…that before the world was, He was, that so far from being His mother, she was herself, His child.  Luke's account states when Mary found favor to conceive Jesus, she said, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Savior."

And then…can you imagine three days later hearing the news that her "son" is alive?  Talk about an emotional moment!  Her son is alive!  Not just for the moment but FOREVERMORE!  Her life has changed for all eternity.  Praise God!

As we come upon Good Friday, I can't help but remember and reflect upon on how through Calvary, my life, too, has been changed for all eternity.  My life which was apart from God, separated, through the most sacrificial act, the giving of God's only Son as my sacrifice, has now been reconciled, redeemed and restored.  I pray yours has, too.   If you have not taken the opportunity to make the Lord your Savior, I ask that you do not wait one more moment.

A  :   Acknowledge that you are a sinner.  ("For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23)

B:     Believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead.  ("For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not     perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16)

C:  Confess with your mouth and verbalize your belief.    ("That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9)

It is my prayer that truly this Easter, may you experience His life, death and most of all, the joy of His resurrection!

Just a note....we will be ministering in Osborne, Kansas, at Osborne Assembly of God for both morning and evening services.  You can call 785-346-2714 for more information.  The following Sunday, April 27, we will finally arrive in our  home state of South Dakota as we minister in Wagner, SD, at Wagner Community Church.  We hope to see you somewhere along the way!

Gloria

"All our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestations of His grace, power and love."

 ~Hudson Taylor

This made me think of the phrase..."When life gives you lemons...make lemonade!"

Lemonade Pie

1 small can frozen lemonade

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 small carton whipped topping

Line bottom of 8x8 inch pan with graham cracker crust or use a graham cracker pie crust.  Mix frozen lemonade and sweetened condensed milk with mixer.  Add whipped topping and fold in.  Put on top of graham cracker crust.  Chill or freeze.

“We have all eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them.”  ~Amy Carmichael

In honor of the fragrant orange blossoms....

Orange Salad

2 (3 oz) pkgs orange Jello

2 cups hot water

1 pint orange sherbet

1 can mandarin oranges with the juice

Mix Jello with the hot boiling water.  Stir until dissolved.  Add oranges with their juice.  Add sherbet.  Chill until set.

GROW AN ALOE VERA PLANT in a pot near the kitchen door.  Break off a leaf and apply the juice for the best-ever relief from burns or insect bites. The plant will grow and proliferate with little care apart from some occasional watering.  It's a natural remedy, virtually free, and unequalled for burns from stove or iron.

It's March and I am so glad to have Larry home! He just came back from Romania and I wanted to share part of his journey, in his own words, with you:

"I was just boarding the plane on February 21^st in Phoenix, for Minneapolis to catch a connecting flight to Romania when I received a call from Pastor John Brady, the leader of our missions trip, “Hey Larry, our flight out of Minot was just cancelled due to the winter blizzard – go on to Minneapolis…we will meet you there tomorrow!”  As a soldier taking orders, - boom – I boarded the plane and thus began the maze of crazy events that would ultimately bring about amazing results.  On this whirlwind journey began in Phoenix to Minneapolis, delayed a day, had to change tickets (which was a miracle), off to Paris, France to Bucarest, Romania into a van and drove 3 hours to our final destination in Constanta, Romania.  Constanta is right on the Black Sea.  The four of us, Pastor John Brady, Eric Wanner, Kyle Johnson, all from the Minot, North Dakota Assembly of God and I were graciously greeted by Dan Mercado. 

He escorted us to a boy’s home where we would be staying.  I really didn’t know the exact mission we were to embark on – but after collapsing for a few hours of sleep, we were up and going. 

Sunday, February 23^rd our first service was held in Maranatha Church in Murfatlar.  The banjo band of young people played worship and Pastor John preached a word “just for them” through an interpreter. 

From that moment on we set out to serve, spending time interacting with the boys at the boy’s home, ministering at the girl’s home across town, visiting patents at a hospital to give them fruit and candy and then we distributed Similac formula and diapers to abandoned babies at the Pediactric Ward (that tore my heart out). 

Off we went and prayed with the homeless in a sewer tunnel (unbelievable) and took bags of food to families in the poverty stricken area.  Again I realized how spoiled we are in America with so much – when just handing out a banana brought a smile of gratefulness to a hungry, hopeless and helpless person.  We conducted a mid-week service where we all shared Christ again and prayed with those who were there. 

We certainly didn’t have to travel way over to Romania to see all of this - as it is also so prevalent in our own USA, but Gloria and I feel that we also need to go out beyond our walls as He has anointed us to win the Lost and encourage the hurting. 

On Friday, February 28^th, we drove to Bucarest, flew to Amsterdam and met a missionary who took us on a whirlwind tour explaining her ministry to prostitutes, as prostitution is legal there.  The tragic sights of those young ladies standing in windows selling themselves made me angry with satan as to how he deceives and ensnares the innocent and tortures them.  This whole week the ageless old song kept going through my mind…”people need the Lord.” 

It was am impactful time of ministry in Romania.  I know not everybody can go overseas, but if you know Christ, everyone is anointed to reach out and comfort the brokenhearted, and bless and encourage others.  We need to reach them while we have time and share the good news about the Risen Christ who helps fallen man." 

Larry

What an encouragement! We have cried both tears of joy and sadness as we've poured over the photos he's taken. It's given him a new resolve to reach the Lost and hurting and we are thankful for the upcoming opportunities that God has gives us to minister.  We'll be at Harvest Church in Glendale, Arizona this Sunday, March 9th. Harvest Church is located at 8340 W. Northern Avenue in Glendale - we'd love to see you at the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service!

We'll chat again in a couple of weeks!

Gloria

The last aloha from Hawaii! It's been a sweet time of ministry here in Oahu, and now it's time to pack again. It seems like I spend most of my life packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking….it's all part of life "on the road". 

We fly out Thursday, February 13^th in the evening and will arrive Friday morning the 14^th on Valentine's Day in Phoenix, Arizona. I think we will be two exhausted sweethearts! 

We won't be there long and I'll begin to re-pack Larry's suitcase for his missions trip to Romania. This will be his second missions trip joining Pastor John Brady and others from Minot First A/G in Minot, ND. Larry feels so honored to be a part of such a great group of men doing great things for the Kingdom. His last missions trip with them was two years ago when they went to Africa.

With mixed feelings, we held our last service here last Sunday morning at the Jesus Cares Filipino ministry with Pastor Gloria Manera. She is so precious and has such a heart for her Filipino people. She kept thanking us and thanking us for coming again, saying "please come back, our people love your ministry and music."

I feel like a giant next to this petite pastor...she may be little, but she is a mighty woman of God.  We cherish the times we have been blessed to minister with her and the beautiful people of God who attend JCM.

We had a wonderful service and altar call. Larry and I love seeing what God does in the hearts of those He is calling to Him. Yes, I love to see the tears of repentance and joy at the altar...and ultimately it never fails to bring tears of joy to my eyes. 

Larry and I are so blessed to have had such wonderful hospitality from those who provided housing and a car to use while we were here. They've fed us and they've spoiled us, and we certainly enjoyed every minute of it.  One couple, Eric and Debbie baked us a delicious salmon meal with a crab dressing on top...mmmmm, yummy!  We are so thankful to all those who showed us hospitality while we ministered on the Hawaiian islands. 

With Valentine's Day upon us, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband who is my best friend and ministry mate. He's a wonderful father to our children and our grandchildren. God truly knew that no one could love and endure this Norwegian like Larry does. He is my inspiration, wind beneath my wings, and a crazy joke teller…I love you babe. Here's a message that I pulled from the archives that Larry wrote to encourage relationships...you may recognize some of these "experiences" in your home {chuckle}:

Marriage can be a real hassle at times! Yes, Gloria and I love each other, but at the same time marriage puts pressures and limits on each other that many times cause friction, fraction and uncalled for, "reactions." If you don't believe me, ask my wife!

Too often, I throw my clothes all over, mess up her clean room, dirty the sink, rip my new slacks - or when she's trying to have a conversation with me, my mind is wandering off a thousand miles away! I've earned the name "space cadet" by my daughters, because there are times I'm not present in mind-only in body!

Then there are the times I feel frustrated by my wife because there's a button missing on my good shirt that I've "politely" reminded her of the last 6 times I wore it. So I'm scavenging all over the bus looking for a safety pin to pin it - in hopes it won't snap open while I'm preaching, puncturing my neck! Sometimes I fume, "How can you remember to buy everything you need when you go shopping and forget the shaving cream I've been out of for 3 days, "making do" with a bar of soap, leaving me a dry, cut and irritated face! You get the idea.

Marriage in reality, undoubtedly is more demanding than any relationship!

To be honest - if we wanted to dissolve our marriage, all we would have to do is focus on all the differences, and irritations like a few I've already mentioned - but we have chosen to focus on the good points. Some days, when all goes wrong, it seems essential you need a magnifying glass to find the good in each other because in that moment all you are tempted to do is nag, condemn, accuse (sounds like I've visited your house?)!

Now that I've been honest, you're thinking, "They must not be happily married!" Regardless of those less-than-fairytale times, in all reality, I believe we are still one of the happiest, married couples I know.

Let me explain---Being married isn't hard - it's living together that sometimes becomes strained!! Even though we may disagree, or sometimes nag each other - still, we love being 

together. We relish dating each other, we love ministering together, we enjoy communicating and sharing our hearts. In fact if you could choose anyone to have fun with, work with, vacation with, or have lunch with - she's the first one that comes to my mind. Not only is Gloria my wife, but she's my best friend! I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything in the world! 

Two verses that have given our marriage meaning, happiness and completion are found in Ephesians. Ephesians 5:22 tells us, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as unto the Lord." He also gave husbands a key. Ephesians 5:25 admonishes, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it."

If Gloria and I, first of all, keep our commitment to Christ fresh -to love and respect Him - then it automatically overflows into our relationship with each other. Then our commitment and respect for each other falls in line - adding up to a happy, blessed, successful (not perfect) working marriage.

If your marriage is feeling the strain and pressure, go back to your first love - Jesus Christ. Recommit your life to Him - then recommit your mate and marriage to Him and you'll begin a new adventure in your marriage relationship. If you will PRAY and PLAY together, you will STAY together!

Have a joyous Valentine's Day this Friday and please remember us in prayer as we travel in the next couple of weeks, and Larry embarks on the missions trip to Romania. We'll chat soon!

Gloria

"Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal." 

- Charles Buxton

The Silent Sermon

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace…and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the firey sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday."

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

Coconut Whip Cake

1 yellow cake mix

1 ½ cups milk

½ cup sugar

2 cups coconut flakes, divided

4 cups Cool Whip, thawed

Prepare and back cake mix as directed on pkg. 9x13 pan. Cool 14 minutes, then prick holes all over cake with fork. Combine milk, sugar and ½ cup coconut in saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Carefully spoon mixture over warm cake. Let cool completely. Fold ½ cup coconut into Cool Whip and spread over cake. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup coconut on top. Refrigerate overnight.

A sheet of Bounce can dissolve soap scum from a shower door, eliminate odors when placed in the bottom of a wastebasket and deodorize shoes or sneakers when placed in them overnight.

"I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future." - Author Unknown

Mary was taking an afternoon nap on New Year's Eve before the festivities. After she woke up, she confided to Max, her husband, 'I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year's present. What do you think it all means?'

'Aha, you'll know tonight,' answered Max smiling broadly. 

At midnight, as the New Year was chiming, Max approached Mary and handed her small package. Delighted and excited she opened it quickly. There in her hand rested a book entitled: 'The meaning of dreams'.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

1 bottle Russian dressing with honey

1 (4 oz.) jar apricot preserves

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

1 cut up chicken

Mix together dressing, preservatives and onion soup mix; pour over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours.

Toothpaste removes scratches on glass-topped tables.

Another year is almost history! We rejoice when looking back on 2013 where we were honored to share HIS story-the simple plan of salvation with thousands across the United States. We are so blessed to have seen God change lives, family relationships and hopeless situations into victories for a brighter future and for all eternity.  Thank you for following us on the journey! 

Our children purchased tickets for us to fly to Nashville and spend time with them so we are eagerly anticipating those moments spent together.  I want to leave you with a touching story and many blessings for comfort, peace and joy this Christmas!

Gloria

On a cold Christmas Eve in 1952, when Korea was in the throes of civil war, one young woman struggled along a village street, obviously soon to deliver a child. She pleaded with a passersby, "Help me! Please. My baby."

No one paid any attention to her.

A middle-aged couple walked by. The wife pushed away the young mother and sneered, "Where's the father? Where's your American man now?"

The couple laughed and went on.

The young woman almost doubled up from a contraction as she watched them go. "Please…" she begged.

She had heard of a missionary living nearby who might help her. Hurriedly, she began walking to that village. If only he would help her baby. Shivering and in pain, she struggled over the frozen countryside. But the night was so cold. Snow began to fall. Realizing that the time was near to deliver her baby, she took shelter under a bridge. There, alone, her baby was born on Christmas Eve.

Worried about her newborn son, she took off her own clothes, wrapped them around the baby and held him close in the warm circle of her arms.

The next day, the missionary braved the new snow to deliver Christmas packages. As he walked along, he heard the cry of a baby. He followed the sound to a bridge. Under it, he found a young mother frozen to death, still clutching her crying newborn son. The missionary tenderly lifted the baby out of her arms.

When the baby was 10 years old, his now adoptive father told him the story of his mother's death on Christmas Eve. The young boy cried, realizing the sacrifice his mother had made for him.

The next morning, the missionary rose early to find the boy's bed empty. Seeing a fresh set of small footprints in the snow outside, he bundled up warmly in a winter coat and followed the trail. It led back to the bridge where the young mother had died.

As the missionary approached the bridge, he stopped, stunned. Kneeling in the snow was his son, naked and shivering uncontrollably. His clothes lay beside him in a small pile. Moving closer, he heard the boy say through chattering teeth: "Mother, were you this cold for me?"

I will be honest with you, as I read this I was completely undone by this story of sacrifice and unconditional love. The depth of emotion I felt is the same as when I ponder what Emmanuel, God with us, really means. The mother's sacrifice and love in this story parallels the love of God for each one of His children. I think of the God of Heaven, Majestic in all His wonder…one night…leaving His home, His glory, His Father only to be born into a cold, dark stable in an unwelcoming world. The very One who created the universe, the animals that accompanied Him in the stable and Mary who would deliver Him into the world, was willing to endure this humble beginning for you and me, to truly be God with us!

What LOVE! But the story doesn't end there, as the child has a response to the sacrifice of his mother…a response of awe, wonder and love. Our response to the Savior of the World is the same as we reflect on His marvelous love for us. It is my prayer that this true story reminds all of us of God's unconditional love and to share this Good News of what we have been freely given with those that need His love, those who need hope and those who need forgiveness.