Rejoice in the Lord… always…again I say rejoice!
It's a perfect spring day. Just being able to wake up today is a gift from God that millions across the world did not get to experience. We take so much for granted don't we.
Okay, so I'm blonde. I admit I hadn't even looked at my expiration date because my efficient husband told me 4 months ago and wrote in our work calendar, "Urgent, Larry and Gloria get Drivers License renewed". I guess this is an example of what they call a "Senior" moment. Well, at least everyone else was entertained but us -Ha!
Love, Amanda Strom
(Amanda stepped forward at the altar call to make a public commitment of her life to Jesus.)
This past week and a half a wall has crumbled within my own extended family. We have hit some real vicious speed bumps in life that have been devastating. In the natural…you see NO WAY OUT - no sunrise on the horizon, no victory in the "ring" of life. The devil has tried to discourage us and throw fear into the situations. Last Thursday night as I was praying, I was also pleading, "God, how will all this come out for good for all of those going through these life changing trials?" In a sweet moment of silence, God whispered, "I will carry you…I will carry you." An overwhelming peace came over me. Once again I was reminded of what I always knew: He will carry us through all of this maze.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (NAS)
Let me encourage you family, friends and partners, HOLD ON. He will carry you. That is His word, and He keeps His promises.
"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage." - Author Unknown
Dear God,
I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool
Love, Sam
Dear God,
We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said you did it. So I bet he stole your idea.
Sincerely, Donna
Dear God,
Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
Love, Joyce
1 orange, chopped include peel 8 c. sugar nutmeats Boil until thick as desired. Pour into scalded jars, seal and turn the jars over when you have them sealed.
PIC OF THE WEEK
For a limited time, 
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.
Assembly of God with Pastor Van Berry.
Breakfast. Praise the Lord, over forty responded to the invitation to accept Christ.
Our niece, Londa Lundstrom-Ramsey, is now Senior Pastor of Celebration, along with Pastors Lowell and Connie Lundstrom. Last Sunday morning, May 2nd, Larry and I sang and preached at the two morning services. Celebration is experiencing a fresh anointing! About 
1,200-1,400 were there from the two services. The worship time was exhilarating and soul-searching. Truly, there was an air of excitement and anticipation of what God was going to do that was definitely evident. There were 27 decisions - nine first time - that responded to the altar call. Their tears of joy and repentance made all the road miles and weariness of the past couple weeks worth it. We say it all the time and it's still true, seeing people come to Christ is a "transfusion" of joy and much needed energy. 
Larry and his wife, Gloria, were with us. Our congregation enjoyed their music and the message that Larry shared. It was a strong clear call to commitment. Over twenty stepped forward at the invitation to receive Christ or to renew their relationship with the Lord.
who is currently working with Celebration Church.
in McCook. We held a Saturday night, Sunday morning and Sunday evening service while we were there. The crowds weren't huge, but God's loving presence was and again God touched lives. 
many new dedications to Christ and many rededications to Christ, from young children to mature adults. The way that they tie everything together is so powerful and the Holy Spirit flows throughout the service. The services went smoothly and were just AWSOME!! Anyone would be blessed to have them come be a part of their services. Thank You Larry and Gloria!!
I am always amazed at the lessons that God teaches us along the journey of life. On April 9th while we were preparing our motor home for the trip to Nebraska, I made one more walk around the parking lot to see this intriguing ant hill. I had been observing the ant hill for several days. The first time I saw it I was determined to stomp it out when I saw a line of hundreds of ants, like an army marching back and forth in two lines across the gravel parking lot. They looked so organized and intense I decided to withhold my urge to stomp them out and have mercy on them, really just so I could watch to see what they were doing. For days I watched this army of ants that had its troops traveling about 50 feet or more over to a fence line where there were sparse patches of green weeds amidst the gravel and sand. They were carrying little bitty pieces of grass
and minute pieces of twigs taking them to their ant fortress and using all of that to build a barricade around the ant hill. I stood there that day totally amazed at the detail and design, the work ethic and effort, those hundreds and hundreds of ants went through to achieve their quest and build their fort. I guess my thought was, "Isn't it great and amazing how much we can actually get done if we all pull together, put our own whims, wishes and whines aside and work for 'one purpose'." It's kind of a sermon on its own isn't it? Ants can teach us a lot. The scripture says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel". If we, the church, would stop bickering and fighting, catch the vision of the burden to reach the lost, pull together, take orders, and carry the load, we can and will see more people come to Christ. Thank God for many churches who are doing just that. There are still so many that need to catch the vision! If there is ever a time to work for the kingdom - it's now. Jesus is coming soon-are we quickly going out? Let's fulfill the great commission God has given.
on the stove. She boiled the eggs and cooled them while I set out and prepared about 15 cups of boiling water, put the color dye tablet in and a touch of vinegar (don't ask me why, I just did it because I was told -ha!). Then, about 6 of us kids began dipping the eggs in the variety of color dyes and decorating them. It all started out fun, but believe me, I was happy when we got to the last dozen eggs. Going through the first 100 eggs was alright, but after that it became more of a chore. With all the eggs colored, it was time to pull the Easter baskets out of storage. It was my delight to be able to fill them with eggs, candies and chocolates. Early on Easter morning, I would get up before anyone else and place a basket by each of my brother's pillows. Thinking back, I should've been a little smarter as more often than not, they would roll over, knocking the Easter basket off the bed creating all the grass, candies and chocolates to go flying all over the floor. But hey, it was fun!
baskets, a new dress and shoes. Then, when I was 8 years old, our family was invited to church and heard the Easter story during the message. I was so touched and amazed that this man named Jesus, as I was told, loved me so much that he was willing to die for me and to pay the penalty for my sins that I had committed. The preacher encouraged us that if we would pray and ask Jesus to come in to live in our hearts that he would always live in and with us. They told us he would be our friend forever. Then the preacher told of the promise that if we live for Jesus, when we died he would take us to live with Him in heaven for all eternity. Wow, what a deal! That's one we didn't want to refuse. 
we 'had to go listen to those people'. He could not tell us what they said, just that we had to hear them. The next night we went and they really made believers out of us. We marvel how they have endured the miles over the years and are still ready to energize us with their music, messages and their love. There is no question that God is in control of their lives." 
30 feet towards the beautiful blue Arizona sky. I've always admired this cactus and as I stood there this time, letting my eyes take it all in, I saw something I'd never seen before. There in the center of that cactus, surrounded by prickly needles, was a perfect heart shape. The heart shaped hole had been constructed and hollowed out by birds. I directed my brother and his wife to look at it. They too had never noticed it before. 
of some people that we meet or know?" They appear to be big and prickly, void of personality, sometimes even heartless. They've been through some hurt or life situation and their hearts' seem hidden. Until, through an up close encounter with them the prickly needles appear to fade away, and we notice their heart. When we get to know them, and the trials they are going through, we are privileged to really see their heart and appreciate them in a new way. I just stood there and prayed, "God, help us to look for the heart in all that we come in contact with so we can encourage them. Let us never miss that moment to touch a life of someone who is hurting."
It was interesting to find out that his father came to Christ under Lundstrom Ministries many years ago in Bangor, Maine. Now his son pastors here. Hearing stories like that always makes the hard work on the road worthwhile. Pastor Brown along, with his evangelism pastor, Kelly Bashore and associate Pastor Bob Roche, are doing a great job rebuilding the congregation. Great things are happening! 
Oak Creek, Wisconsin. In those few hours we had so much fun and even squeezed in a pizza party. When we are on the road so much we seldom get to see family, so I cherish every moment we can see any of them.
but it will come quickly. Thanks for letting us share our island travels with you and we'll connect with you in two weeks when we're back ministering in Arizona!
to be back at Ewa Beach Assembly of God ministering with pastor friends, Bob and Kathy Stalcup. Kathy was responsible for bringing me over to the islands in 1990 to speak at a Women's conference for all the Hawaiian islands. It was held at the big island in Kona. Since that conference we've been privileged to return every 2 years to minister. We've met many friends through the years that have remained true friends and that would definitely describe pastor Bob and Kathy. 
with people hungry for God. Sunday night I spoke and entitled my message "So you're having a bad day!" It focused on encouraging hurting people how to walk through the dark valleys and trials. I figure of all the trials Larry and I have gone through as a couple and family by now I should've gained some insight to help others- HA! 
mid-nineties. God has blessed them with great personalities and the joy of the Lord and is using them in ministry in the local church. After a lunch with them Debbie emailed, 
Larry and Gloria always say is, 'Laughter is a good medicine.' And believe me, they laugh and the make us laugh. We love them. 
minister at Pastor Janet Cordeiro's church. What a precious woman of God. We've also ministered there every 2 years since the late nineties. Again when the invitation of Christ was given many flooded the altars making rededications of their lives. There were 3 teenagers who made first time commitments as well as first time decisions for John and Raynette Solto's parents. They have prayed for them for many, many 
years and invited them to our morning service. When I asked John's father if he and his wife had ever prayed a prayer like this before to ask Jesus in to his heart he said, "I prayed through the years, but never like this…" with a big grin he added, "this is good!" For the last 10-12 years when we've come to Waimanalo, John and his wife Raynette, who were the worship leaders, always went out of their way to help us set-up, run sound, or whatever we needed, and had us to their home for meals. After all these years - God rewarded their prayers - how thrilling! 
challenge me, "Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered on to, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." I have to keep remembering and challenging myself to be diligent in ministering out of my need and hurts and He will minister back to me. And He does! If you are hurting, facing a trial or suffering, find someone else who is hurting and love and encourage them. Believe it or not, you will be just as blessed as the person you are ministering to. Not to mention that you will feel much better and be happier. Blessings on you!
Sisseton, Larry had his last challenge in "snowkota" to shovel us a pathway through five and six foot snowbanks from the front door of our home out to the doors of our car to leave on tour. He huffed and puffed, but did not complain as he knew it was the last shoveling job of this winter season at home. 
We flew out of Minneapolis on Jan. 13 with a layover in Dallas, TX on to Honolulu and arrived Wednesday evening. After a 20 hour day in the air and airports it only took one deep breath of the evenings 70 degree temperatures and the south trade-winds as I sighed, "It was worth the long trip!"
going to be just the 20 of us?" And then the pastor chuckled, "It's 9:00 Filipino time!" Before long they were pouring in the doors and within a ½ hour the church was packed. They put folding chairs everywhere they could and there were people standing in the back. There was an air of excitement as worship began. What an anointed time of worship. I left Sisseton exhausted, arrived exhausted, and as I started to worship I felt like I was receiving a blood transfusion or as if warm oil were flowing over me. The presence of God was so sweet, and God knew I needed that time of refreshing! When we got up to sing and minister the congregation was primed and ready to receive. We had a wonderful service. When Larry gave the invitation for the altar call they flowed out of the pews. Dozens of them were young couples and young people in their teens and twenties, making decisions for Christ. After the service a gentleman walked 
up to me with tears in his eyes and in broken English he expressed, "I feel good now...when you asked us to come forward, I walked up and asked Jesus into my heart." He smiled, "It's all okay now." If that had been the only one who had responded to the altar call...the 20 hour trip would have been worth it!
potatoes, steamed rice, salads, hot vegetable dishes, Filipino dishes, etc, etc! Yes, we enjoyed every bite of it and then they brought out their 3 ukulele's and we all sang and shared and prayed together. We all left blessed, happy and full of food! Of course Filipino's always send food 
packages home with their guests so we have lots of goodies to eat. Larry is very happy!
December 16th, 
then.
18th I baked a few of my family's Christmas favorites and made homemade vegetable stew…it is an annual request at this time of year.
20 inches of snow along with the warnings that the roads and interstates would be closed so he let her go a day early.
fore it hit to make sure we had plenty of food as it was predicted we would be snowbound for three days.
go because the road was still blocked with snow drifts.
