We had such a good Christmas this year as family. Micah Kate was not shy about getting into her presents.  It was so much fun watching her enjoy the gifts that we got her and to see her excited. God is teaching me so many truths about His character as Chris and I parent Micah Kate.  Just like we were so excited to give her presents at Christmas, so to our Father delights in giving His children good gifts.  

Right after Christmas Micah got a cold. I thought it was just a regular preschool cold that so many get this time of the year, but one morning as I was getting her out of bed, she had this awful, barking cough.  I called the doctor and Dr. Fred said she had the croup. Even up until a few years ago they hospitalized children with this breathing condition.  After we left the pediatrician, MK, mom and me were eating lunch together, and all the doctor said hit me.  I started thinking about her airways constricted, how I would have to care for her and watch her closely for the next week, and I just teared up. I know, new mom, right? But it was more than that. It just hit me how this motherly love I have for my child is different than any other love I have felt before.  I love my husband, parents, family, and church family.  But the love I have for my baby girl is very different.  The best way I can describe it is a fierce protectiveness for her well being.  I know other moms and dads know what I am talking about.  

As I was thinking about how I just wanted to protect Micah, God whispered to my heart, and said, "That's how I feel about you." It hit me then like a hammer.  God  love us.  Let that sink in. The God of the universe loves You.  Not only loves you, but went so far to protect you and redeem you as to send his only Son to secure our redemption. A truth that I have learned since childhood, but God imprinted on my heart anew that day sitting in Calico County. In this season where there seems to be so much bad news, remember above all else, that God loves you.

This week is flying by! We have had a good week so far of construction out at the Montana Indian Ministries Christian Camp, wood chopping and hauling, and then outreach with the kids in the Southern end of the rez.

Today the men are back working out at the camp. The wood cutting, as Bro. Terry has described, is challenging. The road is rough and straight up. I went with them the other day and there were times my rear came off the truck seat a few inches it was so bouncy and slick. But, a fun ride! Who says mission work is boring? We ran onto a few deer, and I'll try to post pictures.

Today we are all leaving at 2:00 (1:00 LA time) and going north an hour to the Agency to do a free chili dinner, clown show, Bro. T will lead some singing, and Pastor Bruce is going to share the Gospel. There should be a big turn out. We'll also do face painting, popcorn, and balloons. Pray that the team will make it there and back safely, and that many people will show up and be receptive to the Good News. It is always amazing to me how when God is at work, the enemy is too. For those who have come up with us before, they can tell you that there is just a heaviness here that can only be described as spiritual oppression. You back home who are praying for us keep it up! We will never know how much the prayers of God's people make a big difference.

Just yesterday, I was working in the middle of the day, and Chris had to drive the 120 miles to get his truck looked at (the bill is up to $3500, under warranty). He had called Bruce and said he would start back around 5. Well, around noon, I just felt a burden to pray for him, and the Holy Spirit would not let me have peace to continue what I was doing until I stopped and prayed for Chris. Then, just a few minutes later, I came down off a mountain, and saw him pulling in the drive way. God told me to pray for Chris because He knew my husband was driving through rough roads in the snow, and I didn't even know he was on the road at that time!

This morning as I look out at about 4 inches of beautiful white powdery snow, I am also reminded that God hears the prayers of children. Hadlei Cates is with us, and she told me yesterday that it was going to snow because she prayed and God told her it was going to snow. No wonder Jesus said let the children come to him; they have a lot more faith than most adults have! (me included)

As I close, I just want to remind everyone to continue to pray for us. We are doing the same type of outreach supper tomorrow in Lodgepole as we are doing tonight at the Agency. We are working at the Enemy Killer center, which is a fitting title for our work :0) I'll try to see if Josh can post this to my blog on the church website, since I don't get a good connection here.

God bless you all!

Working on the floor at the campThree mulies on the road up the mountain to get firewoodHadlei in her snowSunrise in big sky country

We were able to do VBS in Mentasta, chopped firewood for the elders, and block parties in each of the other villages.  We also did a Blessing Store, in which the people could come and shop for free for items they need.  This store was a huge success and blessing to the people.  I want to thank you church family, for donating items so generously to the store.  Your kindness to people you've never met meant a lot to them.  Bro. Danny gave us a quote the other day in staff meeting that has really stuck with me: "Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, and learning." The kindness you have shown to the Athabascan people of Alaska we ministered to truly showed the love of God in a tangible way.  So, THANK YOU!

We have an exciting fall coming up. Usually the fall is a slower time of the year, but not this year! :0) We have a great women's conference coming up, Tailor Made.  We will welcome guest speakers Ashley Smith and Carrie McDonnall, both of whom you do not want to miss.  We will also enjoy worship led by Angela Carl, a recording artist and vocalist, and also a friend of mine from SWBTS.  

Then, on Tuesday, Oct. 6th, we start our Real Girlz Ministry.  If you are interested in volunteering in this exciting and fun ministry to girls K-6th grade, contact me.  

Sunday, Sept. 13th we will kick off the fall discipleship programs for women.  I am leading a study called, Knowing God by Name, by Mary Kassian.  It is an in depth look at 35 names of God.  We will meet at 4:30 on Sunday afternoons in the old Steffey's building.  Frances Headley is leading a study called, David, by Beth Moore, which looks in depth at the life of David.  This class will meet on Tuesday morning at 9:30 in the old Steffey's building starting Sept. 15th. Childcare will be provided if you need it.

We have our Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 21st from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Get your costume together! :0)

And, lastly, the last week in October, the 24th-Nov. 1st, we are leading a fall Montana Mission Trip.  This trip will focus primarily on construction, and a revival with the native Americans of Ft. Belknap.  We work with Pastor Bruce Plummer, who has been a great partner in the ministry.  We need more to go, so if you are interested, contact me or Chris.

On a final note, I would ask you to pray for my husband, Chris.  Most of you know that we both graduated from SWBTS with degrees in theology.  Chris has been waiting on God to see what ministry to serve in.  We both now feel it is time for Chris to start his motorcycle ministry, Full Throttle Ministries.  Chris has a passion for evangelism and a specific burden for reaching the motorcycle community.  We would appreciate your prayers for us as we seek God's face in this new endeavor.

Here are some AK pictures... enjoy!

Wow! We had such a super time in Montana this year! God did some amazing things through our team.  I think, just as importantly, God did some amazing things IN our team.  We took 65 people from FBL to serve the Native Americans of the Ft. Belknap Indian Reservation.  One of the biggest blessings to me was how God put our team together.  We were asked by the tribe to do two basketball camps.  And, God provided us with three basketball coaches on our team.  We scheduled three block parties in different communities on the rez, and we had people on our team to run a snow cone machine, grill hot dogs, make cotton candy, face paint, do crafts, and the clowns did a several shows.  The kids on our team even worked hard! The younger girls put on a puppet show, and a dance performance.  Our men worked so hard, also.  We had a mowing crew go out and do free lawn care, and others worked on the camp.  The missionary we worked with, Pastor Bruce Plummer, has been given 40 acres by the tribal council.  Our church is partnering with him to build up this camp that will be used to reach indians all over the reservation.  All of the hard work we did had one common goal, whether we were painting faces or shoveling horse manure (yes, we did that, too :0)....the focus was to share the Gospel with as many people as we could. We had seven people accept Christ as a result of this trip, but the Good News was shared with many more than that.  The Indian people know about and believe in the Creator, they just do not know of Jesus. They saw the Gospel in action, and heard it shared verbally.  I just want to say a big thank you to our church family for the prayers and support.  And, to our team, I am so proud of each one of you!!! You all worked so hard and did a super job.

Sometimes technology is my friend, but apparently it isn't today.  I worked to get little Miss Micah Kate down for a nap, and spent about an hour writing an update on the progress of VBS, the women's ministry, mission trips, and the Real Girls campout, and with one wrong click of a button, and it was all gone.  GONE!!! Just to summarize my previous entry that is now floating somewhere out there in the universe.....

We had our Real Girls end of the year campout last Friday night.  We had a great turnout, and great fun.  The girls got to put up tents in the gym, roast hot dogs, hear the story of Rahab's faith acted out, glamor shots (complete with hair, nails, and makeup) and then pile on top of one another about 12:30 a.m. when the thunderstorm hit! 

Here are a few pictures from the night, and as well as a picture of our growing family...my very own "real girl."