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September 23, 2009
Greetings from Dekalb, Illinois! Does that city name ring a bell? Of course it does if you are familiar with agriculture…Dekalb seed corn! We are parked in a church parking lot about 25 feet from a massive corn field. On the way here, we felt like we were literally traveling through a maze of cornfields all the way from Rockford, IL.
We drove from Whitehall, WI (located near Black River Falls, WI) where we were kept quite busy with several types of ministry. We held two services, participated in a TV interview and spoke at a bike tent rally. It was a fun active week!
It was good to be back with Pastor Allen and Wanda Skroch for these various outreaches to the lost and hurting. One visiting pastor commented, "I have never been to anything like this before. God did a new work in my life." Even those in ministry need encouragement and a "shove" every once in a while.
It was also a pleasure to see many friends and partners that we have met in our almost 44 years of ministry together. One of those couples was Fran & Ellie Davids. It is a true delight staying in touch with so many!
After our time in Whitehall, we made a quick trip back to Minneapolis. Just before hitting the road again, Larry wanted to go to what he dubs his second home…..Perkins….for pancakes. We were driving our Suburban and with directions in hand, we were in hot pursuit for pancakes. We followed the (unfortunately) misleading directions and found ourselves in the middle of a residential district.
What happened next I will do my best to describe, but honestly you would have just had to have been there to fully enjoy the craziness of the moment. Following our directions, we exited off on a wrong exit and not knowing where to go, Larry and I said simultaneously, "We need to get directions again." We at once noticed that there was a Sheriff's car parked about 200 feet ahead of us. "Perfect!" we thought! Certainly we would be able to get directions from the sheriff as this is his/her territory. Larry pulled the Suburban up close to the Sheriff car, and I motioned to the uniformed individual in the car hoping to get a response, but there was no response. I waved again and again, and after still being unable to attain a response, it dawned on me that the sheriff had fallen asleep on duty. Giving the benefit of the doubt I told Larry, "It must be time for his lunch break and he's taking a little nap."
Not wanting to give up as we were still on a mission…to find Perkin's pancakes, I decided to get out of the car and get a little closer hoping to initiate a response. However, I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. There was a glare on the driver's window and I was hesitant to knock on the window as I didn't want to startle him thus getting myself in trouble! HA! It was becoming clear that this just wasn't a good situation! I kept peering at the policeman and realized he was not moving…at all.
Just then, a businessman was crossing the street in front of the car. He looked at me, stared at the man in the car who was in a rather slumped position and panicked, "Oh…is he dead?" I carefully stepped up even closer to the window, and to my very apparent surprise, there was a mannequin occupying the driver's seat. I motioned for Larry to come on over. Larry sauntered over, looked at what I was looking at and literally fell over in laughter. (I was so glad I had my little camera with me). In disbelief Larry exclaimed, "It's a dummy!"
Still in pursuit of directions to a Perkins, we eventually made our way down the street hoping to find someone willing to help. We finally found a lady willing to help and relayed our curious experience. She said she had driven down the street for weeks and never realized it was a dummy in there; the whole time she thought it was a real policeman. It goes to show "Things are not always as they appear!"
Getting the wrong directions, getting off the wrong exit and putting ourselves in a potentially interesting situation was, in the end, worth the hours of laughter it provided.
That was the fun side of the week. The rest of the week followed with literally a flood of phone calls, e-mails and letters from friends, partners and families whose lives have been shattered by untimely news of breast cancer, death of an evangelist friend who had battled cancer, death of a 23 year old daughter by a car accident, a young mother strolling her newborn who was struck and killed by a car, another partner and wife whose motorhome blew a tire resulting in it flying 75 ft airborne causing significant injuries, another partner who is facing very serious financial decisions, a partner struggling with eyesight issues and the trials continue on and on.
Again, I am reminded how fragile life is. I become aware of how dependent we are on God as well as for praying friends to help carry us through trials and tribulations. Today I have been drawn to Isaiah 43:1-4 (NKJV),
"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
4 Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored,
And I have loved you…"
It appears everyone that I meet is facing a life changing challenge. We need to remain faithful to pray for each other like we have never prayed before. It is prayer that makes the difference in lives. Take a few moments right now to pray for those God brings to your mind.
May God bless you and may you feel His presence and love!
Gloria
QUOTE
"Prayer: don't give God instructions---just report for duty!"
~Anonymous
"Prayer is where the action is!"
~John Wesley
CHUCKLE
* The Sunday School teacher asks, "Johnny, now tell me frankly...do you say prayers before eating?"
"No sir," Little Johnny replies, "I don't have to, my mom is a good cook."
* A mother overheard her little girl praying:
"Now I lay me down to rest.
I pray I pass tomorrow's test.
If I should die before I wake,
That's one less test I'll have to take."
PIC OF THE WEEK
It is hard to believe it is that time of year again!
RECIPE
Baked Zucchini
3 zucchini, sliced (1-2 inches thick) salt and pepper
1 Tbsp butter or margarine 1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery 1 cup ground beef or sausage
1 slice bread, cubed 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Italion seasoning, optional
Cook zucchini in boiling salted water until almost done, drain. Season with salt and pepper. Melt butter; add onion, celery and meat. Cook until lightly browned. Add bread cubes, zucchini, and sauce with spices. Place in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves 6.
** Submitted by Lila Douglas and featured in our new cookbook Tastes of Friendship.
For a limited time,
with the purchase of Tastes of Friendship ,
you will receive one of
our best selling cookbooks,
Lunchies, Munchies and Household Hints for FREE!
To take advantage of this offer,
and add Tastes of Friendship to your cart only.
You will receive your free cookbook in the mail shortly after.
You may also call the office at 605-698-7007. Enjoy!
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HOUSEHOLD HINT
Purchase a new coffee grinder and mark it "spices". It can be used to grind most spices. However, cinnamon bark, nutmeg and others must be broken up a little first. Clean the grinder after each use.