Where did the year go?

Christmas is over and now we start to think "Where did the year go?" "What happened in 2008?". Here are some things that I can think of happening in 2008.

• Our Bible study completed an intense Beth Moore Bible study on Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
• We added Glen and Linda to our bible study in the Spring.
• We added Tess to our Bible study this fall.
• We completed 10 studies on Modern day Parables.
• We have challenged ourselves to grow our faith.
• We have challenged ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
• We mourned with Glen and Linda, as Linda's mom passed away.
• We celebrated with Mike and Donna in the birth of their granddaughter, Morgan.
• We sent Alicia off to college.
• We tried to solve the problems of the world by getting off topic.
• We prayed together.
• We prayed for each other.
• We went to the movie "Fireproof".
• We laughed together.
• We cried together.
• We ate together!
• Our kids enjoyed fellowship together each Sunday evening.

2008 was great and 2009 will be fine.

Blessings

Robin

Angels with Heartbeats!

True story! This happened today.

I have told you about my co-workers - Pam and Diane. Both are experiencing challenging times in their lives.

Today, "An Angel with a Heartbeat" dropped off a card for each of them. The scripture on the card was Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Inside the card was a generous sum of cash!

Both women were shocked by the gift and felt God's love at this challenging time.

Diane: She came into my office with tears in her eyes. She asked me to be honest with her. Was I her Angel? I could honestly answer her that I was not her angel, but I believe that God takes care of his people and sends angels. Diane was crying. She told me that her angel came again today with a gift of cash and a note. She showed me that note. She said, “ We have always been church goers and believers, but God wants to really deepen our faith. He allowed this to happen to us, so we will focus on him. He will always take care of us. He provides for us just when we need it.” I wish you could have seen the love and gratitude in her eyes! She told me that this last week their computer got a virus and they have been have a lot of issues with it. Steve needs a computer to job search. This money will be used to fix the computer and buy a part for Jenna’s (19 year) car, since her car is broken right now.

Pam: Came in shortly after Diane. She was so full of smiles and love. She told me that she had also been visited by her Angel with a Heartbeat! She cried as she told me how she has been praying to be able learn a lesson from all that has happened in the last 2 years. Tomorrow is a very difficult day for Pam. It will be two years ago that Ted asked for a divorce. She told me that she prayed, that God will let her feel love this Christmas, as she was driving to work this morning. Then a gift arrives from an angel!

These families recieved a blessings and a gift of Love this Christmas.

Here are the gifts that they have recieved from their Angels.

Pam:

• Farm Hamburger and groceries the day before Thanksgiving
• Gift Card to HyVee the beginning of December
• Card and Cash on December 23rd
• Daily motivational e-mails
• Hope for the future
• Feeling of Love

Diane:

• Full Thanksgiving meal the day before Thanksgiving
• Card and Cash on December 23rd
• Daily motivational e-mails
• Hope for the future
• Strengthen Faith in God

Blessings!

Be a Mary have Faith!

Can you believe that it is the week of Christmas already? Time goes by so fast. This week I would like you to think about the people in Christmas Story.

Today, we will start with Mary.

This is what we know of Mary.
· She was young – only 13
· She was engaged to Joseph
· She had strong faith on God
· She was virgin
· She was visited by an Angel

Today’s message is to be a Mary – Have a strong Faith in God. He will has great plans for you and he will carry you through the challenging times. This about what everyone must have been thinking about Mary. Joseph – Why trust her? Her Mother and Father? Her family? Her friends? We know what it is like today for a teenage to have a child, imagine what it was like for Mary. She kept her faith!

Be a Mary!

Blessings
Robin

Hello again

Quote for the day:

"It is not what happens to you that determines how far you go in life; it's how you respond to what happens to you."

When things look down in your life always remember to look up. Prayer is the best way to respond to any situation.

Blessings

Romans 12:3-8

Today, I am sharing Romans 12:3 – 8 with you. I chose this passage today, because we are in the Christmas season and so often people today get wrapped up in gifts for the holidays. This passage is about the gifts that God has given us and how we should use them.

Romans 12: 3 - 8
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Stay warm and have a day full of blessings while you share your gifts!
Robin

Sunday Night Recap

What type of soil are you?

• Hard
• Rocky
• Weedy
• Tilled and ready to produce

Prayer requests:

• Glen and Linda's family
• Haak family
• Tess -- Testing went well, exit interview for homestudy this week, the children
• Homeless people at this time of bitter cold
• College students -- It is finals week.
• High school students -- it is the end of the semester
• Baby Morgan
• Madison -- adjustment to the baby and she wants Mom and Dad home
• Robin's friends Pam and Diane
• Robin's aunt - Kathy - Cancer and they will not be doing additional treatments
• Audrey -- positive test results
• Mike (Julie's friend) has cancer

Happy birthday Jim Millman -- December 13th

Dates to remember:

• Sunday, December 21st -- Church Christmas Program
• December 28th -- Pam VanZee's birthday
• January 4th -- Louis Peter's birthday
• Saturday, January 10th -- Church serving at the Banquet
• Saturday, January 10th -- Tess may be moving and will need help!

It's a GIRL!

Adam and Stacy Carpenter had a baby girl on Friday, December 12. Her name is Morgan Lynn.

Welcome to the world Morgan!

Congratuations Grandpa and Grandma!

Linda's mom

Linda' s mom passed away. Her name was Louise Venenga, and the funeral
is Tuesday morning 10:30 a.m., at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock,IA. Listed below is the link to the funeral home. Please keep Linda, Glen and their family in your prayers. It does not matter when it happens it is hard to say good bye to your parents.

http://www.jurrensfuneralhome.com/index.cfm

Wonderful Wednesday

Scripture for the day:
"Act justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly with God." - Micah 6:8

This is a time of year that gets so busy as we prepare for Christmas. Some times we get so busy that we forget the real meaning of Christmas. Take time for yourself to spend with God in prayer this Christmas Season.

Is your singing voice ready for Sunday?

Blessings
Robin

Monday update

Happy Monday!

I am not sure if you are reading in your "Love Dare" book or not, but I just read Day 16 on pages 76 - 78. I think that so much of this touches on the lessons that we have been studying in the bible study. Please take some time to read Day 16. Here are some key points.

Scriptures:
"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." -- 3 John 2

Do you feel like giving up? Jesus said pray instead of quitting (Luke 18:1). Are you stressed out and worried? Prayer can bring peace to your storms (Philippians 4:6-7) Do you need a major breakthrough? Prayer can make the difference (Acts 12: 1-17).

God is sovereign. He does things His way. He's not a genie in a lamp that submits to your every wish. But He does love you and desires an intimate relationship with you. This doesn't happen apart from prayer.

Please keep the family from Julie's work in your prayers as they deal with the loss of their father, Erstad.

Have a day full of Blessings,
Robin

Sunday Night Recap

It was decided that next week we will sponsor a Christmas Caroling event. We will start at 4:30Pm at the church. Everyone is welcome! At 6PM we will have soup, 6:30 we will have our Bible Study. The kids will stay at the church to play while we have bible study.
Tess - Taco Soup
Robin - Chili
Karla - Chicken Noodle soup
Cindy - Soda's
Pam - Crackers
Linda, Donna and Julie - Bread and desserts

Scripture:
The Parable of the Sower
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear."
10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance. As for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' [a]
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Prayer requests:

• Sue Horstmeyer family
• College kids as they enter into finals
• Tess - housing
• Praise that Tess was able to find time in peace today.
• Audrey as this is a busy week with the elementary school program.
• Rob, Cindy's cousin, help him gain strength.
• Praise for the lesson that Jim was able to prepare for the Jr. High kids
• Linda's parents
• Robin Kraft family as she was in an accident and it is undetermined what happened.
• Andy, Donna's son
• Tess has her next evaluation on December 11th.

It's a great day

Only 21 days until Christmas! Are you ready?

Be sure to enjoy the cookies in church on Sunday. The RCYF made them last night. You will be able to tell that they are homemade with love by the appearance of the cookies. Enjoy!

Do not forget to read Chapter 9 for Sunday. Pages 117 - 136


Scripture of the day:

"Your faith has saved you, go in peace." Luke 7:50

Sue Horstmeyer

Sue Horstmeyer passed away on December 1st. Her obituary is at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com .

Recap of November 30th

Wow! It was a very powerful lesson. Luke 18:1-8 -- Pray continously and God will answer your prayers.

Some key points:

• "Be still and know that I am God."
• "It is all up to the Judge."
• "God gives us more than we can bare, so we totally rely on him."
• "You have heard that it was said, 'Love you friends, but hate your enemies.' But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in Heaven." - Matthew 5:43-45

Prayer requests:

• Our Country in this time of change and turmoil
• Rhonda, Karla's sister, as she deals with her oldest son graduating from high school, and depression.
• Linda's mom is going into the nursing home. Her dad is feeling bad about not being able to take care of his wife any longer and upset about the separation.
• Dave had a job interview at EROS on Monday evening.
• Tess -- Joe wants to go to court on December 22nd.
• Jim Millman's brother, Wayne is separated from his wife again.
• College students. Some are struggling with the college they chose, gaining new friends and classes.
• Avery has his home study interview on Monday.
• Tess has a psychological evaluation on 12/11/08 for the home study.
• Julie's parents have been married for 32 years and are struggling at this time. Some issues include the relationship between her mom and sister-in-law and her dad and brother farming together. Pray for their church family to support them during this time.
• Praise!!! My friend, Pam is doing great! Her daughters are coming around and working with her on the relationship. Pam was blessed with a card and a box of food that gave her hope for the future.
• Millman's Wednesday night they will be talking to the Middle school kids about a relationship with Christ.
• Cindy's nephew, Cory and his wife Amber are back together after a long separation. Prayers have been answered. They do have a long road of healing ahead of them.
• Kyle Borman will be sentences on Tuesday.
• Frank and Audry
• Max and Cheryl
• Sue Horstmeyer
• The youth of our church and community.
• Pray for Joe

Giving Thanks

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, think about all we have to be grateful and thankful for. Think about doing a random act of kindness to make the world a better place!

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1Corinthians 13:13

"By this all willknow that you are my disciples, if you have loved for one another." - John 13:35

"The world cannot always understand one's profession of faith, but it can understand service." - Ian Maclaren

"Sharing our blessings, adds more joy and satisfaction, than receiving ever can." - Marlowe H. Schaffner

May your Thanksgiving be full of God's Blessings!
Robin

Thanksgiving week

The Widow and the Judge is the parable this week. Luke 18:1-8

Prayer requests:

• Linda's parents
• Safe travel for Thanksgiving
• Thankful hearts
• Robin's friend, Pam
• The economy
• Ida, Jim Millman's grandma
• Praise - the Millman thanksgiving gather was full of fun, fellowship and family.
• Ryan Feltman -- possible youth worker for our church
• The young people of our church. They are faced with so many challenges in our society.

Just a reminder the Stewardship Committee asks that you open your Bible each morning so that tat the end of the day you might look back and see how the LORD has:

• Convicted You - because you will not change unless you see the need to change.
• Taught You - because you must know about God, his plan for the universe and you.
• Changed Your Thinking - because your mind needs the transforming which comes from meditating on God's word.
• Comforted and Encouraged You - by causeing you to focus on the loving care of your Father.
• Reshaped Your Habits - because as one habit is given up something else is and musttake its place.

It's a great Day that the LORD has Made!

We need to continue to tell ourselves that it is a great day that the LORD has made. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the negative. We all have it so GOOD and we have a loving God. We have many blessings.

• Homes
• Food on our tables
• Bibles in our homes
• A church family that loves us
• Cars to drive
• Heat in our homes
• Healthy families
• Dogs - even ones that can get up on the counter and eat a $9.00 butter braid in 3 bites!
• The blessings are just too many to list!

Scripture of the day:

"Trust in the LORD and do good: dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." --Psalm 37:3

Prayers:

• Last night Ryan Feltman from Lifelight came to speak at RCYF. He was wonderful. He had a chemistry and connection with the kids. He and I have had a conversation regarding our youth position. Please keep Ryan and this position in your prayers. I truly believe that God brought Ryan to us for a reason.
• Please keep everyone that is impacted by the recent lay-offs in your prayers. The midwest is finally being hit with the recession. These are the companies that have made public announcements. -- Citi, Total CARD, Raven, Lodgenet.
• Pray for the harvest and farmers

Have a great day.

Robin

PS -- It was 26 years ago today that Todd and I met at Inspiration Hills!

Peter Family

1. Tell us about your family.

Louis was born into a family of nine sisters and one brother – that’s probably why God gave us three sons and no daughters. J Most of his siblings still live in Nebraska – Lincoln, Milford, Papillion, Wayne, Chambers, O’Neill, and Stuart with one sister living in Pierre, SD.

Karla has two brothers and one sister. My oldest brother, Roger, lives in Brookings. My next brother, Doug, lives and farms near my parents’ farm by Harrison and my sister, Rhonda, lives with her three children in Brandon. I’m the ‘baby’ of the family.

Our three boys, Trevor - 13, Mason - 10 and Riley - 6, keep life fun and interesting. They have many varied interests from sports to music to academics. They truly are gifts from God!!

2. Where did you grow up?
Louis – O’Neill, Nebraska
Karla – Harrison, South Dakota

3. How did you meet?
How many years have you been married? Louis’ two sisters were nurses at the hospital in O’Neill where I was working. One day, one of them asked if I wanted to meet their brother. I, hesitantly, said “maybe”. J Our first date was a ‘blind date’ bowling with one of Louis’ sisters and her husband. We began dating in May 1991 and were married on April 3, 1993.

4. Tell us about your jobs.
Louis has been employed by Troy’s Wood Specialties since November of 2002. He primarily does the cutting of the pieces for the cabinets that are built; however, being the Jack-of-all-trades he is, he routinely assists in other areas, as well.

Karla is employed as a Health Information Specialist for Avera Health in Sioux Falls. As a Health Information Specialist, I conduct audits of physician office records for facilities within and outside the Avera Health Network providing support and guidance to achieve compliance with coding and billing standards.

5. What is your favorite thing about Dell Rapids?
Louis – Our Church Family and the small-town atmosphere of Dell Rapids.
Karla – It’s not O’Neill!!! J Seriously, our Church Family and the strong sense of community we have found here in Dell Rapids.

6. What are your favorite Bible verses?
Louis – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Karla – “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11: 9-10

7. Wedding anniversary? April 3, 1993

8. Birthdays?
Louis – January 4, 1967
Karla – September 26, 1967
Trevor – April 25, 1995
Mason – September 19, 1998
Riley – February 11, 2002

9. Little known fact about you.
Louis – He spent four years serving in the U.S. Army being stationed in Texas and Germany.

Karla – I have travelled extensively both nationally and internationally - mostly as a nanny, many years ago. (Oh, I was also chosen as Homecoming Queen in High School! J)

Prayer requests for 11/16/08

• Praises for the DRHS football state 11A championship.
• Praises for the DRHS competive cheer team taking first at state.
• Pam will be traveling to Denver Monday - Thursday. Remember Jim as he is home with the kids.
• Jordan Youngberg's full recovery
• Rob - Cindy's cousin, as a battle with cancer
• Pam, Robin's friend -- financial and family concerns
• Michelle T. parents
• Levi Sell -- praise he has returned home from the hospital. Please pray for a full recovery.
• David Grave -- lost balance
• Sandy Rave's husband passed away. (Don Egge)
• Tess -- House, Home study

Karla's prayer request 11/11/08

Please pray for me today and the rest of this week? Four of us from my office have to drive to Omaha today to catch a flight to Chicago tomorrow a.m. and will fly back to Omaha on Friday then will have to drive back. The weather is obviously awful out today and doesn’t sound good for the rest of the week. Please also keep Louis and the boys in your prayers while I’m away.

Thanks so much and I hope you have a super week!!!!

Love,
Karla

Prayer requests 11/8/08

Levi Sell (Brett's close friend) was in a serious accident on Thursday evening. I think he is doing a little better but was thrown from the pickup and had some head injuries along with other injuries. My mother is also in the hospital recovering from dehydration and just general weakness. She is 85 and has had health issues for quite a while. Would you please keep these people in your prayers? Linda Kruger

Prayer requests

• Please pray for Levi Sell. He is a sophmore at DRHS and was in a head on collison on Thursday evening. He has a broken leg, bleeding on the brain and a cut on this neck. He is in stable condition.
• Keep my friend Pam and her family in your prayers.
• Keep Jordan Youngberg and his family in your prayers.
• Pray for the DRHS football team, coaches and fans as we travel to Harrisburg.
• Pray for Tess -- Strength, courage and patience
• Tom Reecy -- (Dave's boss) had a mini stroke on Wednesday.
• Pray for those that are without power in the western part of the state.

Prayer is Powerful!

Robin

Prayer requests for 11/2/08

The prayer requests for this evening were

• Cindy’s cousin, Rob, and his fight with cancer
• Julie’s friend’s husband, Mike, and his fight with cancer
• Pam’s hairdresser’s daughter, Alyssa, and her kidney problems
• Jim’s Grandma’s health and starting with homecare
• Jim’s brother, Wayne, going through a divorce, he has one son
• Michelle Triebwasser’s Mom and Dad’s health issues
• The election
• Farmers with harvesting
• Pam DeLange

The praises:

• Morgan and her experience this weekend
• Julie, Shelby and Dani at All-State Chorus
• Alicia’s boyfriend who Dave and Cindy really like – he is a Christian
• Weather and abundant crops
• Mike’s son’s, Matt, job promotion
• Jim going back to school to obtain his Business Management degree (going through Minnesota West online).
  
  

VanZee's

Tell us about your family.

We’ve been married for 17 years. We have three children. Peyton, who is 4 ½ years old and Reagan and Ryder (boy/girl twins) that are 2 ½ years old. (For those of you who don’t understand twins, there are fraternal not identical - hence boy/girl.)

Where did you grow up?

Jim grew up on a Farm on the edge of New Holland, SD. He attended Dakota Christian School.

Pam grew up on a farm six miles East of Pipestone, MN. When she was a senior in high school, she moved to an acreage 1 ¾ miles from Woodstock, MN. She attended Edgerton Christian Elementary school and Edgerton Public High school.

How did you meet? How many years have you been married?

We met through Pam’s ex-boyfriend.

Tell us about your jobs.

Jim is a Database Administrator for SGT, Inc., contractor to the USGS EROS Center. Pam is an Outreach Coordinator for SGT, Inc., contractor to the USGS EROS Center.

What is your favorite thing about Dell Rapids?

We were drawn to Dell Rapids since we both grew up in/near small towns. Dell Rapids is friendly, we have great neighbors, it’s safe for the kids to play outside, and most of all our church family is awesome!

What are your favorite bible Verses?

Jim – Psalm 23
Pam – 1 Corinthians 13

Significant dates:

Wedding anniversary?
June 29, 1991
Birthdays?
Jim – July 17
Pam – December 28
Peyton – February 24
Reagan and Ryder – March 20

Little known fact about you?

Jim is ambidextrous. He shoots pool and shotgun left-handed. Everything else he does right-handed, including shooting a rifle.

Pam can say (and sing) the alphabet backwards (z-a) really fast.

Bible Study review October 26th

Scripture: Luke 10: 25 - 37

Comment from the video: "The person who has experienced the love of God, will be able to express the love of God." God works through us to be the his hands and feet and share his love.

Next Sunday, November 2nd
Adults: Peter's
All Kids: VanZee's

Prayer Concerns:

• Rob, (Cindy's Cousin) had surgery on 10/24. He does have brain cancer. Please pray for his healing and recovery.
• Cindy Aunt, Calzina (I think I spelled it correctly) had surgery last week.
• Linda's dad is have a colon procedure on Monday.
• Praises -- Dani had good test results from her kidney tests.
• Michelle Tribwauser (I think I spelled it correctly) both parents are ill. Dad has heart issues and mom had a stroke.
• Jordan Youngberg -- pray for full recovery
• Jarred Riesch family
• Tess has completed her portion of the home study
• The election
• Tonia and Andy in the death of Tonia's mother
• Tess's bother, Trevor and Nikki will be having a baby
• Dani and Nicole are applying for a mission trip the summer of 2009

Thursday update

Happy Thursday!

The scripture for the day:
"Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the LORD." Psalms 31:24

Prayer requests and praises:

• Jordan Youngberg has returned to school as of Wednesday. He is walking with a cane.
• Please keep Andy and Tonia in your prayers as Tonia's mother has passed away.
• Pray for sunshine! The farmers need it.
• Pray for the election
• Pray for our military
• Pray for the leaders of our country
• Pray for those that are needy as we go into the winter months.

God Bless

Robin

Donna's prayer request!

Just got a telephone call from Andy about 6:15 and Tonia (Andy's girlfriend) mom passed away after 5 pm today. Her name is Sonya, and the family could really use your prayers!!! Alot is going on with her family and Tonia just needs some peace with this.... I couldn't imagine loosing my mom and friend at the age of 25. Andy needs prayers also because he has never been through anything quite like this, at least this close, the kids really weren't there when my dad passed away so this is something "new" for him so please just pray that he can be there and give Tonia the comfort that she needs for the time that is coming up. Sonya and her sister made all the arrangements so that is a help and she was really tired and wanted to go Home. Tonia had a great talk with her last week end and Andy and her were there at 11 am today. Thanks for listening to me ramble and I know you all will come through with prayers!!!! Thanks again Donna

Get to know Glen and Linda a little better!

1. Tell us about your family. Kids names, where they live, spouses and grandchildren.

Oldest daughter Karla and Ben Gruis - grandchildren Brett, Kade, Braden
Live in Dell Rapids, Karla teaches 3rd grade and Ben works at Troy's Woodworking

Oldest son Kevin and wife Jen - Live in Iowa City
Kevin teaches P.E. K-8 and coaches while Jen has her medical degree, and is specializing in neurology
(She has two years left to complete it)

Son Kraig and wife Kelli - Live in Fairmont, Minnesota
Kraig is a chemist for an ethanol plant and Kelli teaches middle school English in Fairmont

Daughter Katie and fiance Tim - They will be getting married June 13th, 2009
Katie is a Junior at Augustana in elementary education, and Tim is at USF, history major in education

2. Where did you grow up?

a. Linda - Little Rock, Iowa
b. Glen - Little Rock, Iowa

3. How did you meet? How many years have your been married?
We were high school sweethearts and have been married for 35 years this past summer.

4. Tell us about your jobs.

a. Glen - An admissions counselor at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
b. Linda - data specialist at Avera McKennan Hospice in Sioux Falls

5. What is your favorite thing about Dell Rapids?
Getting to have the opportunity to spend time with our
grandchildren is our favorite. We both enjoy attending and taking part in activities at the Reformed Church.

6. What is your favorite Bible Verse?

Glen - 2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though
our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Linda - Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

7. Significant dates:

a. Wedding anniversary? August 3
b. Glen Birthday? September 21
c. Linda Birthday? April 28

8. Little know fact about you?

Glen taught band and vocal music for 10 years. He grew up on a farm,
he has two brothers and one sister.

Linda worked 24 years at Osceola Community Health Services in Sibley as administrative secretary. She has three sisters. My parents are 85 years old and live by Little Rock.

Glen and Linda both served at different times on the Little Rock School Board.

Fireproof Day 1

Day 1
Love is patient
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. —Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Love works. It is life’s most powerful motivator and has far greater depth and meaning than most people realize. It always does what is best for others and can empower us to face the greatest of problems. We are born with a lifelong thirst for love. Our hearts desperately need it like our lungs need oxygen. Love changes our motivation for living. Relationships become meaningful with it. No marriage is successful without it.
Love is built on two pillars that best define what it is. Those pillars are patience and kindness. All other characteristics of love are extensions of these two attributes. And that’s where your dare will begin. With patience.
Love will inspire you to become a patient person. When you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation. You are slow to anger. You choose to have a long fuse instead of a quick temper. Rather than being restless and demanding, love helps you settle down and begin extending mercy to those around you. Patience brings an internal calm during an external storm.
No one likes to be around an impatient person. It causes you to overreact in angry, foolish, and regrettable ways. The irony of anger toward a wrongful action is that it spawns new wrongs of its own. Anger almost never makes things better. In fact, it usually generates additional problems. But patience stops problems in their tracks. More than biting your lip, more than clapping a hand over your mouth, patience is a deep breath. It clears the air. It stops foolishness from whipping its scorpion tail all over the room. It is a choice to control your emotions rather than allowing your emotions to control you, and shows discretion instead of returning evil for evil.
If your spouse offends you, do you quickly retaliate, or do you stay under control? Do you find that anger is your emotional default when treated unfairly? If so, you are spreading poison rather than medicine.
Anger is usually caused when the strong desire for something is mixed with disappointment or grief. You don’t get what you want and you start heating up inside. It is often an emotional reaction that flows out of our own selfishness, foolishness, or evil motives.
Patience, however, makes us wise. It doesn’t rush to judgment but listens to what the other person is saying. Patience stands in the doorway where anger is clawing to burst in, but waits to see the whole picture before passing judgment. The Bible says, “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29).
As sure as a lack of patience will turn your home into a war zone, the practice of patience will foster peace and quiet. “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute” (Proverbs 15:18). Statements like these from the Bible book of Proverbs are clear principles with timeless relevance. Patience is where love meets wisdom. And every marriage needs that combination to stay healthy.
Patience helps you give your spouse permission to be human. It understands that everyone fails. When a mistake is made, it chooses to give them more time than they deserve to correct it. It gives you the ability to hold on during the tough times in your relationship rather than bailing out under the pressure.
But can your spouse count on having a patient wife or husband to deal with? Can she know that locking her keys in the car will be met by your understanding rather than a demeaning lecture that makes her feel like a child? Can he know that cheering during the last seconds of a football game won’t invite a loud-mouthed laundry list of ways he should be spending his time? It turns out that few people are as hard to live with as an impatient person.
What would the tone and volume of your home be like if you tried this biblical approach: “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
Few of us do patience very well, and none of us do it naturally. But wise men and women will pursue it as an essential ingredient to their marriage relationships. That’s a good starting point to demonstrate true love.
This Love Dare journey is a process, and the first thing you must resolve to possess is patience. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. But it’s a race worth running.
Today's Dare
The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicatedin a number of ways, our words oftenreflect the condition of our heart. Forthe next day, resolve to demonstratepatience and to say nothing negativeto your spouse at all. If the temptationarises, choose not to say anything. It’sbetter to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret.
____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.
Did anything happen today to cause anger toward your mate?
Were you tempted to think disapproving thoughts and to let them come out in words?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fireproof -- Love Dare introduction

Receive this as a warning.
This forty day journey cannot be taken lightly.
It is a challenging and often difficult process, but an incrediblyfulfilling one. To take this dare requires a resolute mind and a steadfast determination.
It is not meant to be sampled or brieflytested, and those who quit early willforfeit the greatest benefits. If youwill commit to a day at a time for fortydays, the results could change your life and your marriage.
Consider it a dare, from others who have done it before you.

THE SCRIPTURES SAY that God designed and created marriage as a good thing. It is a beautiful, priceless gift. He uses marriage to help us eliminate loneliness, multiply our effectiveness, establish families, raise children, enjoy life, and bless us with relational intimacy. But beyond this, marriage also shows us our need to grow and deal with our own issues and self-centeredness through the help of a lifelong partner. If we are teachable, we will learn to do the one thing that is most important in marriage—to love. This powerful union provides the path for you to learn how to love another imperfect person unconditionally. It is wonderful. It is difficult. It is life changing.
This book is about love. It’s about learning and daring to live a life filled with loving relationships. And this journey begins with the person who is closest to you: your spouse. May God bless you as you begin this adventure.
But be sure of this: it will take courage. If you accept this dare, you must take the view that instead of following your heart, you are choosing to lead it. The world says to follow your heart, but if you are not leading it, then someone or something else is. The Bible says that “the heart is more deceitful than all else” (Jeremiah 17:9), and it will always pursue that which feels right at the moment.
We dare you to think differently—choosing instead to lead your heart toward that which is best in the long run. This is a key to lasting, fulfilling relationships.
The Love Dare journey is not a process of trying to change your spouse to be the person you want them to be. You’ve no doubt already discovered that efforts to change your husband or wife have ended in failure and frustration. Rather, this is a journey of exploring and demonstrating genuine love, even when your desire is dry and your motives are low. The truth is, love is a decision and not just a feeling. It is selfless, sacrificial, and transformational. And when love is truly demonstrated as it was intended, your relationship is more likely to change for the better.
Each day of this journey will contain three very important elements:
First, a unique aspect of love will be discussed. Read each of these carefully and be open to a new understanding of what it means to genuinely love someone.
Second, you will be given a specific dare to do for your spouse. Some will be easy and some very challenging. But take each dare seriously, and be creative and courageous enough to attempt it. Don’t be discouraged if outside situations prevent you from accomplishing a specific dare. Just pick back up as soon as you can and proceed with the journey.
Last, you will be given journal space to log what you are learning and doing and how your spouse is responding. It is important that you take advantage of this space to capture what is happening to both you and your mate along the way. These notes will record your progress and should become priceless to you in the future.
Remember, you have the responsibility to protect and guide your heart. Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged. Resolve to lead your heart and to make it through to the end. Learning to truly love is one of the most important things you will ever do.
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love
1 Corinthians 13:13

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1–3

Prayer Requests:

Since we did not have bible study tonight. We did not do a prayer request. If you have prayer requests please add them in the comments section or e-mail to me and I will put them on the blog.

• Jordan Youngberg remains in the hospital recovering slowly.
• After seeing the movie tonight. I think that we can all pray for marriage in our country.

Robin

Super Saturday

Happy opening Pheasant Season Everyone!

Prayer Requests:

• Jordan Youngberg is still in the hospital
• The Election is just a couple weeks away. Please pray for our elected officials and our country.
• Pray for the men and women serving our country in the military.
• Harvest
• Safety as the hunting seaons begin.

If you have not already did so, please take a minute and complete the survey's on the side bar.

See you Sunday!

Terrific Thursday

Please reread Luke 10:25-37 again. It is on Sunday’s blog.

We discussed some things in our bible study that prevent us from reaching out to our neighbors.

• They may reject us.
  
• They do not want to share their problems
  
• People want to keep their problems private
  
• I do not have the time
  
• I am too busy with my own life and my own family
  
• How can I trust others will value what I am giving them?
  
• They may not appreciate it.
  
• They brought it on themselves
  
• They keep making the same mistakes. I can not help them.
  
• I do not want to be associated with them
  
• It is not safe for me
  
• I may get hurt, physically or emotionally
  

October 15th update

Scripture for the day: Luke 10:36-37

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

How can we as a bible study group make a difference to our neighbors? What fears do we need to overcome? How do we overcome them? What are our barriers?
Jesus tells us to “Go and do likewise.”

"Fireproof"

The movie "Fireproof" has been held over another week at the Century. It has been suggested that we attend the movie as a bible study group. Here is the suggestion:

• 4:30PM Meet at the church to car pool
• 5:00PM Dinner at Cracker Barrel
• 6:30PM Movie

We should be home by 9PM. The question is who will watch the little kids. I do not think that the Welbig children will at there and I know that none of my kids will be available.

Robin

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Tuesday, October 14th

Scripture focus of the day Luke 10:30-35

30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

Think about a time you acted as the Priest or the Levite. Why did you take the action you took? How do you prepare to be more like the Samaritan the next time a situation comes up?

Family Pictures

If you send me a soft copy of your family picture, I will post it with your contact information. Please send to wiebenga@siouxvalley.net

Polls

You will notice that Polls have been created on the side bar. Take a minute to reply:)

Monday Update

Our Parable this week was from Luke 10:25-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Let’s focus on verses 25 – 27 today.

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]"

Today think about how you can show others that you love them as you love yourself. Challenge yourself!

Circles
It doesn’t have to be a perfect pebble
But drop it in anyway;
It will make perfect circles.

You don’t have to be perfect
But do your caring with love,
And you will make perfect circles.

The Love in the center makes the circles perfect.
-Peggy Monroe

Prayer Request for 10/12/08

• Jordan Youngberg
• Karla is traveling to Seattle this week
• Rob, Cindy's cousin, is preparing for surgery
• Pam DeLange's recovery
• Audry Boerema's hearing
• Aaron Bowman
• Consistory of our Church as they make decisions regarding the Youth Programs
• Praise for Dave's parents farm sale
• Tess requests prayer of courage, patience and relief from stress
• Our Country
• Jimmy Pollard family (Jimmy is a friend of Todd's, he passed away at the age of 39)
• Praise that Dorothy Wiebenga's infusions went well this week.

Scripture Lesson

Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan 25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Thursday update

Scripture:

"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." -- Proverbs 4:23 TEV

Praises:
Todd's mom is doing well after her infusion.

Prayer requests:
Harvest
Prayer for positive thoughts in our lives (see scripture)
Prayer for the young people that are in college
Prayer for the teachers in our schools

May you day be full of Blessings!
Robin

Tuesday

Scripture for the day:

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household." -- Acts 16:31

Please keep Dorothy in your prayers on Wednesday. She will be having her infusion starting at 10AM. It takes about 6 hours to complete.

Tess requests your prayers. Her home study begins today.

God Bless

It's a Marvelous Monday!

Scripture for the day:

" A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." -- Proverbs 28:20

Remember our prayer requests from Sunday.

Keep our kids in sports in your prayers as the seasons come to an end.
Dani - Volleyball
Trevor - 8th grade Football
Andrew - 6th grade Football
Mason - 4th grade Football
Ross - 4th grade Football
Jeffery - 3rd grade Football

Sunday Night Review

Here is my review of the night.

Thank you to Jim and Pam for hosting the evening.

The questions we need to ask ourselves this week.

1. What is my duty? DO
2. What should I be?
3. Where should I go? Goals
4. How can I learn to see the world God's Way? Vision or Discernment

Prayer Requests:

• Rob - Cindy's cousin just found out that he has a brain tumor.
• Marlene Boumgarden's husband died suddenly. Marlene is a neighbor of Glen and Linda.
• Todd's mom, Dorothy, will have infusions this week.
• Pam's mom had surgery last week. Please pray for her recovery.
• Pam's neice, Destiny has surgery last week. Pray for good results from the testing.
• Dani will have additional tests this week for her kidney infection.
• Tess- requests courage, as she begins her home study.
• Dave's parents -- will be having farm sale on Saturday.
• Karla will be traveling to Seattle on Sunday - Wednesday. We all know how she loves to travel!!!
• Pam DeLange's recovery.
• Matthew Benda's test results

Next Sunday will be at Wiebenga's. The little kids at Van Zee's and the Big kids at Peter's.

God Bless and Good Night!

Robin

It's a great DAY!

Scripture for the day:

“Serve the LORD with gladness.” -- Psalms 100:2

We all have different gifts from God. Today, take some time to think about the talents that God gave you. How can you use your talents to serve the LORD?

I strongly recommend the book “Strength Finder 2.0”. This is a wonderful book that provides you an opportunity to take a test to discover your God given strengths. The focus of this book is to understand your strengths and utilize them. I believe this tool has helped me understand God’s calling for me. Now, I did not say that I have this completely figured out and I believe that God has different callings for us at different times in our lives. The important part is to serve the LORD with gladness!

Do you have all your reading completed for Bible Study????


Prayer requests:
Praise for the great weather we have had.
Pray for harvest
Prayer for our community

It's Friday;)

Scripture for the day:

“Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him.” -- Hebrews 12:28 TEV

Prayer requests:

Please keep Morgan in your prayers – She had her wisdom teeth out today.
Todd is on his way home as of 1pm this afternoon.
Pray for our country as we are going through troubling economic times.


May God Bless you and Keep you!
Robin

Thursday update

Wow! Was the soup good or what last night? I always enjoy the Soup and Pie supper. It is so much fun to see everyone in the church coming together for a common purpose.

Scripture for the day:

“Share each other’s troubles and problems and in this way obey the law of Christ.” – Galations 6:2 NLT

Prayer requests:
I received this e-mail today and I would like to share it as a prayer request.

This is a family from Aberdeen, SD , that needs our prayers......thank you.

Tough times don't last... Tough people do!!!My name is Gary Hogman. Some of you receiving this know me, some do not. My wife, Cindy, is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed 3 days ago with stage 4 cervical cancer and her chances for survival are very slim. She was pregnant with our second child and had miscarried recently at 3 months, and now we know why. This is a request for you to forward this e-mail to everyone you know asking for prayer. The more people that pray for her to be healed, the better. Pray and forward. It only takes a second to hit 'forward'.Please do it and don't delete this, your prayer can, and perhaps will, save her life. Please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for the HEALING of Cindy and the removal of all cancer in her body, so she may enjoy all that life has to offer, and to continue to be the wonderful mother to our 5 year old son, Michael.
The power of Prayer is unsurpassed. I want the whole world to have her in their prayers the next few weeks. God will hear our cry. Please do not be offended by my plea.. This is only a request for your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and helping with our request for healing!
No words can express the power we have when we each do a little to come together. Thank you, and please send it to the far reaches of our world.

Prayer is Powerful!
Robin

It's the middle of the Week -- Wednesday!

Scripture for the day:
“When people sin, you should forget and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair.”
-- 2 Corinthians 2:7 CEV

I found this passage in The Purpose Driven Life. Purpose 2 – You were formed for God’s family, in real fellowship, people experience mercy. I thought it was interesting. I am just letting God, lead me in the scriptures.

How is the reading going for Bible Study? Remember we should read through page 34.

Prayer requests:

Please keep Todd in your prayers as he is hunting.
Morgan will be having her wisdom teeth out on Friday.
Praises -- Tess had a good meeting with her attorney.
Praises -- The annual Soup and Pie supper was a success.
Pray for all the kids of our church.
Pray for the elderly of our church.


Prayer is Powerful!
Robin

Happy Tuesday!

Scripture of the day:

“Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace.” -- Colossians 3:16

The question of the day is: “What can you do to make peace with someone that you at odds with?”

Prayer requests:
Pray for world peace
Pray for peace in our country
Pray for Pastor Frank
Pray for the Soup and Pie supper – may this be a community outreach.
Keep Pam DeLange in your prayers
Keep Tess in your prayers. She has a meeting with her attorney on Wednesday.

May you day be full of God’s Love and Peace!
Robin

Happy Monday!

• I hope you could see God’s hand in your life today.
  
  Scripture of the day:
  “Remember what Christ taught and let his words
  enrich your lives and make you wise.” -- Colossians 3:16
  
  Today, please pray for wisdom.
  Wisdom for the leaders of our country
  Wisdom for the leaders of our schools
  Wisdom for the leaders of our church
  Wisdom for the leaders in our businesses
  Wisdom in our families
  Wisdom for each other
  
  Julie added the following prayer concerns.
  Jim’s Uncle Bill Millman(great uncle) has Prostate cancer and told Jim this week that he is not going to be taking any type of treatment (he is 83 or 84). Jim has been pretty close to him since his grandfather’s death.
  
  Also, my good friend who was married in August, just found out her new husband(Mike Holliway) has cancer in his heart. It is already at a stage 2 or 3 and is a very aggressive cancer. They meet with the team of doctors on Thursday to see what type of treatment there is for him and give him his life expectancy. He is only in his mid 40’s.
  
  Prayer is powerful!
  Robin