Larry and I flew out of Phoenix (yes...the day before Thanksgiving), but all went great and the flight was good. I stumbled through the people in open seating on the plane where I was thrilled to see a window seat open. I quickly nestled in my chair and relaxed and watched the earth below us. Again, I saw the greatness of the Lord and His creation. From the air I was mesmorized to see the desert of Arizona, the rugged mountain ranges in New Mexico, the majestic snowcapped mountains of Colorado, and to view the snow covered lands. An hour later, the scene turned into a checkerboard of ranches and fields as we neared Pierre, South Dakota. The Missouri river was still flowing out of its' banks. As the airplane sped along, believe it or not, I began to recognize several South Dakota towns nestled in the prairie lands. The flight reminded me of the song, "How Great is Our God....sing with me... How Great is Our God...." That just kept playing in my mind. By this time, there was no snow cover at all. We crossed over into North Dakota and landed in Fargo. Imagine, November 23^rd - no snow! I rejoiced, no blizzard conditions, blowing snow or icy roads. When you visit the Midwest or live in that area, at this time you never know what to expect. Any day without snow is a good day and a shorter winter - ha!

We were picked up by our good friends, the Burchill's, who took us to our car that was parked at their home. We stopped at a grocery store which looked like it had been vandalized as so many shelves were empty of food.

We arrived home at about midnight and I kept commenting to Larry that there was not a snowflake from Pierre, SD all the way to Sisseton. We drove up the street, pulled into our driveway and to my surprise, (and to mock me) was a small two-foot snowbank. We just laughed! It was a welcome home greeting as if to say, "Fooled you...you actually thought you could come home to South Dakota and not see snow this time of year?"

Oh, I can't even say how peaceful it was to come home after this emotional, action-packed tour. I was ready to nest and rest.

We will be working in our home office until mid-December and then doctor appointments will bring us to Minneapolis, so please remember us in your prayers.

Larry and I thank God for a wonderful year of ministry and His ever-faithfulness to us. Have a great week!

Yes...just what the doctor ordered for both of us. Someone addressed me the other day, "You know Gloria, you're not very young anymore and you need to rest more as you are getting older." "Excuse me", I interrupted, "the correct phrase is 'you are growing more mature!'" He laughed...."Whichever makes you feel better!" I agreed; the word mature makes me sounds like I'm getting smarter and wiser instead of older and falling apart.

So many of you have asked how I am doing physically since I got out of the hospital in Bozeman, Montana. I'm really trying to rest more and take better care of myself. My mother, Julie Brooks (96 years old), tells me every night on the phone, "Missy, take care of yourself...you're the only one who can do it." My doctors in Bozeman, MT have been so wonderful in their follow-up phone calls to see how I am doing, or what I am not doing. I am on medications and trying hard to follow their instructions, as both Larry and I desire to stay on the road in ministry. Yes - we do have to slow down.

One day last week, our friends Jim and Karen Vlieger insisted in "getting us away" for an afternoon and evening. How sweet! Karen grew up just 60 miles from my home town and we attended a lot of youth activities together growing up. They swept us away so quickly, we forgot to take our camera. But the views of the beautiful red rocks outside of Las Vegas were gorgeous. They drove us back to Las Vegas and drove us by Wayne Newton's sprawling estate all enclosed by huge, towering walls. It was like a fortress. I thought to myself, "Would that be fun to be that rich and famous and be locked behind those walls that cover acres...hmmm..." Then they drove us by the Liberace mansion. If any of you are our age, you would remember him as the world known, flamboyant pianist who was as popular as the Beatles and was on television with his million dollar piano, lit candelabras and huge diamond rings on his fingers. With all this in my memory bank, I was shocked as we drove by his famous mansion. The mansion is weather-worn, and the awnings that look like keyboards were frayed and his famous black fence with his well known "L" initial on it looked forlorn. What at one time was a dazzling, lively mansion in the 60s and 70s - as it was always filled with music and people, servants, limos, etc.- now stands empty in a poor neighborhood. Again I was reminded, "It's not what you have on earth or what you possess here...because it will all pass away." At the last breath, all talent, creativity, knowledge is silent, and then...eternity. It's not the question of IF, it's WHERE it will be spent.

After seeing Liberace's estate, Jim and Karen drove us down the world famous sunset strip. There are millions of twinkling lights and miles of nightclubs and towering casinos. Las Vegas has earned it's recognition as the city that never sleeps and thousands pack the streets walking aimlessly looking for happiness.

We drove back to Boulder City, about 17 miles outside of Las Vegas, a small desert community, up to a stop light, turned right down a quiet dark street to a small church. Its beautiful, but comparatively small sign shown like a star in the sky, "Boulder City Assembly of God Church". You know what...that small friendly sign excited me more than all the Las Vegas lights as I knew that sign was a welcome to anyone who was lonely, hurting, looking for peace, and most of all, longing for a relationship with Christ. Larry and I were looking forward to sharing our ministry there.

"We as a church were very blessed to have had the Lundstrom Ministries here last Sunday! We are grateful for their affirming and encouraging evangelistic ministry.

Gloria was the special speaker for our Ladies and Young Ladies Brunch on Saturday. Her love of Christ and her love for each was so apparent as she presented her message in such an uplifting and strengthening way through the Word and music. Gloria's wonderful instruction for altar workers and counselors on Sunday morning prior to their ministry was so right on and welcomed.

On Sunday, their energy and ability to connect with the congregation was refreshing and evident. Then Larry's simple, and uncompromising message of salvation was direct and powerful. The altar call was effective with several coming forward for salvation and then several who came to rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ.

For believers it was a blessing to bring back that memory of when we first invited Jesus into our lives; and, for those who are struggling with the circumstances of life it was re-affirming that He is with us "through" this season; and, for those who made that first-time decision it was truly a time of celebration.

Thank you, Larry and Gloria, for your faithfulness to the call of God on your lives to win the lost to Jesus."

Yes...it was a wonderful weekend of ministry and it never grows old to see lives changed.

This Thursday we head off for Prescott Valley, Arizona for next Sunday's service. If you are in that area, please come and join us. Have a wonderful week!