After our appointments, we headed back to Waterloo, IA.  The Iowa cornfields are absolutely breathtaking.  God is so good!  I pleaded with Larry to stop so I could get this picture of how tall the corn is.  Larry is 6' 3" so that gives you an idea of the actual height of the corn.  Just seeing these luscious corn fields all over definitely whet our appetite for a good meal of corn-on-the-cob!

Pastor Lamberts shared the following about the rally:

Our partner friends, Roger and Bev Sorensen, of Harlan, were instrumental in bringing our ministry back to the area.  They said, "We really enjoy your ministry.  It is always a thrill to see so many people come to Christ.  It was so great to have you come back to minister in Harlan as every time you come, people are saved.!"  Thank you!  Thank you, Roger and Bev, also for your great hospitality and the delicious dinner at your home. 

From Harlan, we traveled over to Palmer, IA, to the Faith Lutheran Church pastored by our long-time friends, Pastor Dennis and Joan Niles.  Joan prepared us a home-cooked meal of BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes,  fresh corn-on-the-cob and don't forget all the trimmings.  Oh were we hungry for corn after passing by all the Iowa cornfields!  Our granddaughter, Myanna, said, "Oh, Grandma!  I love these home-cooked meals.  You are lucky to get all that good food!"  I agreed with her!  There is nothing like home-cooking.  What a treat, and an exciting evening of music and ministry! 

"The relaxed style of Larry and Gloria make it easy for people to respond to the gospel.  Their ministry is definitly a blessing to the church...the saints were encouraged, the lost were reached, and those who were waivering received new strength.  Again, Joan and I appreciate the ministry of the evangelist and Larry and Gloria establish a clear standard in that gift area.  We pray God will give them wonderful open doors and hungry hearts."

As it is a large country church, it drew many of our friends from the surrounding communities.  It was wonderful to see our partner friends, Rev. John & Connie Elkin, and Joan Foster Hall from Fort Dodge, IA.  Joan was like a mom to us during our early years of ministry on the road.  She told us, "I had forgotten how good your ministry was.  I'm so glad I came.  It was great."

Now to Sunday...we ministered at Celebration First Assembly of God in Waterloo, IA, with Pastor Don and Alice Cox.  They have been so special to us through the years.  We have known them since....well...since Larry and I were newlyweds.  Each time we come, they take time to mentor us.  What a spiritual uplift it is!  Don's wife, Alice, now has to be on kidney dialysis.  Please keep her in your prayers.

 Pastor Cox shared the following about our time together:

"Larry and Gloria Lundstrom minister together with a great anointing on their music and their message.  There is always a large altar response.  You will never be sorry to have them minister at your church.  We have had them for meetings several times and each time we have been tremendously blessed."

 One of the most outstanding young youth ministers that we have ever met is Pastor Cox's grandson, Dustin, who is on staff at Celebration.  What a joy it was working with him! 

"God has given Larry and Gloria Lundstrom a unique ministry that is relevant and effective in reaching all ages.  Many ministries are geared to a certain age group, but the Lundstroms come with a ministry that the whole family enjoys.  In a time when many ministries are hollow, powerless and lack an urgency to reach the Lost, it is so refreshing to hear their simple message, see their transparency and sense their excitement as they bring people to Christ."

Another gem that we have been blessed to work with is Pastor Earl Warstler.  He is the Associate Pastor at Celebration.  He shared this:

"I have been acquainted with the Lundstrom's for nearly 50 years.  I love to call them the 'Happy Lundstrom's'.  Their ministry in music is not entertainment but is a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.  They truly have a passion for souls."

As we were speaking of corn earlier, I saw an interview on a TV station from Des Moines a couple of nights ago where they interviewed a man who enters his prime cornstalk that he grows every year.  He has won the prize fourteen times and has only lost twice.  His cornstalk measured over 14 ½ feet tall.  There are only a handful of people that enter this contest.  What impressed me were the comments the other participants said about the winner.  The comments went something like this, "This man almost always wins the prize, but we are happy for him.  He is such an unselfish person.  He tells us which seed company he orders from, which corn seed he buys, how he plants and pampers it and encourages all of us to give it a try.  Our corn isn't quite as tall as his yet, but with his guidance, ours are getting closer to prizewinners too."  What a spiritual application we can glean from this.

It has been great visiting with you once again.  Take the opportunity to share the seed with someone who needs Christ!  God's blessings on you!

"Keep praying, but be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your prayers."  -William Culbertson

 

 

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LARRY'S FAVORITE PIC

 

 

 

 

An "old fashioned" flower pot.