Milestones and Memory Lane

A weeks ago John and I had a conversation that went like this:

"Johnny! She rolled over!"

"What's the problem? Is she ok?"

"Yes! But she rolled over for the first time!"

"Oh, I've seen her do that before."

 "What?! Why didn't you say anything?" 

 "I didn't think it was a problem."

A short tutorial on milestones followed.

Since he couldn't be here for it today, I recorded Afton having her first solid feeding. Thank heavens I did. I had no idea how much cuteness would be in every bite!

She's been interested in food for a long time. I've just been putting it off because I'm emotional about how quickly she is growing up. I find this emotion very strange as I can't compare it to anything I've ever felt. I want her to grow up, of course, but I cannot believe how independent she  has become  in such a short time! I am frantically digging for parenting books and chucking "Caring for Baby" books aside! Just as all babies are different, I know all children are different and there is no manual...blah blah blah...but aware of my need for wisdom like never before. Parenting well is something I am not capable of doing without the Lord's leading. 

Lord, help us train Afton up in the way that she should go so that when she is older she will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6). 

This past weekend, I happened upon memory lane. It all began as I watched my cousin welcome her baby into the world. So thankful to her for allowing me the opportunity to watch that sweet moment on video. As I watched with Afton in my lap that strange emotion I'm not used to yet welled up inside me and I bawled my eyes out. Never have I loved the look of a newborn baby so much until after I held my own. Now I understand the preciousness in a whole new way and I want to hold them all. 

The second stroll happened when I attended a banquet at my previous place of employment. I had planned to go ever since Melissa Ohden was asked to be the keynote speaker. I left feeling refreshed, invigorated and full of excitement after hearing her  incredible story as well as some very exciting steps being taken to impact the twin cities area!

The last decision to "stroll" was made on a whim.  Last Saturday we decided to visit our Alma Mater, Crown College. John had a previous student who was playing in the homecoming game and it was proving to be a nicer day than the weather man had suggested, so we hopped in the car and drove the hour west of the cities. While I realized now as a resident on the east side of the twin cities, Waconia is pretty far out there, I did enjoy the drive sipping coffee and listening to Afton giggle and talk. Two memories came to mind as we drove- the first was of many trips back from home during the fall. A familiar feeling crept in of the excitement to get back to school and also the familiarity of home sickness.

The other memory was of last year as John pulled me out of the house in the midst of my dreadful morning sickness telling me going out to Crown for homecoming would take my mind off of how sick I felt. It wasn't the case. (To this day I can't look at the sweater I was wearing because it still makes me nauseous. ) I was awkward with everyone we ran into because all I could think was "I hope I don't vomit here. Not here. Please God! Not here." ) Oh the joys of pregnancy! I don't think anyone picked up on it. Most people did look surprised when we walked into the football stadium (yes, Crown has one now) with a stroller.

It was a fun time. I love showing Afton off. She smiled and entertained all she met. When it started to rain we left to grab coffee at Mocha Monkey. Second to Crown, this place holds some of the most precious times between John and I. This is where the "DTR" happened and many since. It's where he held my hand for the first time. It's where we studied the one and only class we ever had together-the one we met in. It's where I decided on a major. It's where I wrote many a paper for said major. It's where I met with my internship supervisor (now dear friend) for staff meetings...oh the list goes on and on. And now its where I've spent a rainy Saturday afternoon with my family of three.

The Good Old Days

Today I visited someone with a "newborn" baby. So tiny and sweet...I may have had my first "I miss being pregnant or having a newborn" moment that everyone says you'll have while you swear you won't.

 I think I did. I heard sooo many times "Enjoy every stage because they grow so quickly..."While in my head I would say "You must have forgotten certain parts of this stage" , I did try my hardest to listen to the words of the older and wiser mothers. Now as I sit here, I think about how little she was two and half months ago and how *big (so relative) she is now.

 I keep looking at the most endearing picture of all the pictures I have. The one I snapped on my crappy cell phone moments after she was born as I sat there marveling.

Sweet baby girl, how you've grown.

What a joy and privilege to watch her grow. Today I watched her learn to grasp something in her fist. It only lasted a moment but as she realized she was making that rattle shake, she beamed with delight and so did I.

I realize also how much heart ache I'm in for as she grows. Having a baby makes you realize how fast life goes. But a breath...(Psalm 144:3-4). If two months goes this fast, I can't imagine how I'll feel when she is a year old. Can't she just be my baby for a while? That makes me think about how fast the last 5 years have gone. Will it really be that sudden that I'll turn around and have a five year old? If so, I understand why these women were so adamant.

I love NBC's show, The Office. John and I were office junkies as long as it was out. Homework breaks  consisted of me driving to his house to watch episodes of The Office. In our low times (the times where we were basically friendless, because we had just moved to a new place) we found ourselves referring to them as if they were friends we regularly spent time with.

Me: Hey John, remember when Jim played that joke on Dwight? That was so funny. 

As you can imagine, I shed a tear at the last episode. Maybe two. I wish I could say I hadn't. I once laughed at a friend who cried over a previous office episode, but there I was sobbing and blaming my hormones.

But seriously. Remember that time when Andy said,

"I wish someone would tell you you're in the good old days, when you're in the good old days"?

It stuck with me. There have been quite a few nights when I'm rocking Afton after she's fallen asleep and I realize I won't be able to hold her like this forever. A day is coming where changing her diaper and feeding her won't solve all of her problems and that breaks my heart. (Clearly a new area for me to learn about trusting God. More later on how much more there is to worry about  trust God with when you become a parent.) But right now, I will hold her and I will do my best to enjoy every moment of her babyhood.

I'm in the good old days and I am so happy to be here.

Merry Christmas 2012

Dear Friends and Family,

This year has flown by. We can't begin to count the things that God has done in our lives on one hand. We are overwhelmed by how much He has done in one year  all in His perfect timing.


A year ago we were sitting in our home in Omaha, Nebraska far away from family praying the weather would cooperate so that we'd be able to make a quick trip home for the holidays. We were so homesick but knew that we were right where God had planted us for that time and purpose. (Click here for more details on that adventure)


His timing is perfect.

Last spring God began to stir our hearts and prepare us for change- a change that happened so very quickly. Months before I told John I could never leave the boys we worked with until I felt that our ministry with them was complete. God orchestrated the timing of each of them completing or exiting the program right before we found out we were moving. After much prayer about God's tugging his heart back toward youth ministry, John applied for a job at a church called New Life Church in Woodbury, MN and last April God answered a long time prayer and brought us back to MN. (Click here for more details)


His timing is perfect.

Weeks later God provided a job for me at New Life Family Services (not related to the church) in Richfield, MN- the adoption agency and pregnancy care center that I completed my senior internship with 2 years prior. I now work in the position I had interned under two years ago.

His timing is perfect.

Months later John and I were surprised to find out that God was giving us exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we had ever asked or imagined and blessing us with a sweet little boy or girl whom we cannot wait to meet on May 8th, 2013. As "unplanned" as this little darling was to us, God's evidence of planning are literally ALL OVER as we've found. Another delightful surprise was finding out that this sweetheart will most likely be born on or around my mother's birthday- and if they're later than expected at least close to Mother's Day! What joy flooded my heart when I realized this. It was also fun to be able to tell my parents the news of their first grand baby on Grandparents Day, and tell John's parents on his father's birthday. (Click here for more details!)

His timing is perfect.

As we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next, it is a comfort and a joy to recognize his perfect timing. Yes, there were definitely trials this year. Moving several times, finding out that a high school friend of mine and a college friend of mine both passed away suddenly, and dealing with several health problems have  caused us to question God and ask, "Now? Really? Again? This?" In other ways waiting on God has been difficult and hearing "no" or "not now" have been frustrating. Yet, I cannot go on without recognizing how faithful he has been in the past and how faithless I am to not trust Him in the future.

My dad always quotes an old woman who once said,

"There is just one thing that God can't do and that's fail!"

And just because we can't see all the pieces of the puzzle doesn't mean that He lost one.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time and has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what He has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

"Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

He has provided in the past and He will continue to provide in the future. The gifts He has provided for us have been a constant reminder of this- but He gives freely a much greater gift to each of us! The gift of His Son and the gift of eternal life.

Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and therefore we all fall short. We deserve death for our sin (Romans 6:23) but the gift of God is eternal life that comes through Jesus!

Romans 5:8 explains that the demonstration of God's life was Jesus dying on the cross in our place even while we were still living in sin. His love is what saves us! Not religion, not attending church..etc.

We can be saved by accepting this gift. Romans 10:13 says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved! If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved.

What greater gift or reminder of His never-ending love and faithfulness could we ask for?

Merry Christmas friends and family!

We pray you are blessed and know Christ's presence in your life deeply as you celebrate this holiday season.

Love,

John, Autumn and Baby Anderson

Did I forget to mention?

Our lives are changing forever. The Anderson Adventure just took another crazy turn. Surprised? Probably not by now. If you've been following this blog for the two years that it's been in existence, you have seen a lot happen in a small span of time. We've stopped counting addresses and moves that have happened in one year. Now we are simply soaking up the time of "stillness"living in one place and are beginning to accept the fact that our version of "settling down" and God's are totally different =-) Likewise our definitions of adventure differ. How wonderful. I wouldn't change what I've learned- the surprises, the irony, the stories, the pain and the joy along the journey so far for ANYTHING. John agrees. 

Three months ago we enjoyed some time at Afton State Park together soaking in the last rays of summer, exploring new hiking trails and going for one last swim in the river before the leaves began to change. We spoke of the highs and lows of the past year and we spoke of the future and what could be coming. We agreed that we were experiencing a healthy thankfulness for the fact that things might be what we called "normal."

God has a sense of humor. Duh.

We found out later that day that I was pregnant. (Even as I type this, I laugh out loud!)

Although it wasn't quite "our timing" to be honest, I find much more peace in that. The God of the universe decided- like he always does- against all of what we'll call "the odds" to create this little one. To surprise us with the joy of this little one! To begin a brand new adventure close to where our family and friends can support us and encourage us and pray for us as we seek to raise this child up to love and honor the Lord's statutes. 

We are thankful. 

Ask, Seek, Find

I don't know if there is a good way to put this into words. Sitting in my smoky apartment that so often I have found myself grumbling to the Lord in-- more than once upon arrival, I am now laughing because once again the Lord's generosity is hilarious.
 I have it good.
I always do.
He provides and his steadfast love never fails. And it won't.

Months ago my husband and I were excited to find a place that would let us move in so quickly. Our jobs were lined up and temporary (relatively cheap) housing was set up. Our landlords were gracious and held it for us so we moved in after one week. For this one, of many reasons, we knew we were meant to be at 1650 Tenth Ave. As boxes flooded the first room of the apartment and we could barely squeeze three people in, I reminded myself of this-as I did each time I entered the bathroom to see the most hideous olive green sink, bath and toilet. Yes, we knew what we were getting into, and John and I continue to believe that the Lord's will was done. We moved in. Others who hesitated knew well not to argue- we explained more than once that this is where we felt the Lord wanted us and this would be our new home-green loo and all.

A few months later I began to struggle with my health. My breathing began to worsen and I woke up with my head pounding each morning, aware that I was not getting enough oxygen. When we left for vacation, we opened our suitcase, to find that our clothes reeked of smoke. The people that had moved in beneath us (two weeks after we did) were heavy smokers and somehow we did not notice this until we were away. Several trips to the emergency room and to the Dr. told us how serious this was becoming and we began to wonder what God's plan was in this. We had signed a year long lease! What would we do? There was no way we could break it. Who else would be crazy enough to live here? And we couldn't pay for two places? The very thoughts only caused my panic to sky rocket and asthma  to worsen. We left for  a weekend to see if a trip to my parents would bring any relief. Upon arriving back we were made aware of the most terrible odor of smoke and mildew. Our landlord came and could not figure out the problem but did notice a leak in the sink which he claimed to fix by covering up the wet wood with another layer of wood. My allergies and breathing continued to worsen.  We began to ask for prayer and look for other options. After much prayer, we found that our landlord would allow us to break lease due to my health conditions. Praise God! Now we would need to find a new place to call home.

House after house that we looked at I just became more overwhelmed. The price wasn't right, the layout was awful, it was in a bad neighborhood, it was too far from work, it was too small, it was too high. I admit, as we looked, it seemed hopeless. I felt ashamed to ask for prayer as if I was complaining, but told one friend that I could not wait to show them how God would provide, because I knew he would! John and I continued express that to each other and the Lord.

At a time when I felt particularly hopeless, I expressed my concern to a dear friend. She prayed with me, assured me that the house was being saved especially for me, and that it would be exactly what we needed. Moments later John sent me a text with a link saying--" I found it!! Showing at 11:30 on Friday!"I looked at the photos, and was shocked and afraid to become too excited. Could this be it? Everything I wanted  down to the silly amenities?

We pulled into the drive way on Friday morning and outstepped a well dressed beautiful ethiopian woman. "We introduced ourselves and she said "Yes, I've been waiting for you! Come in!" As we stepped in and looked around a familiar feeling swept over me. The feeling that I had when the Lord provided a job for me and job for my husband after we spent months praying that we could eventually move back to Minnesota. The feeling that you get as a child when someone hands you a gift and says "This is for you!" Could this be what I think it is?

Into the kitchen to see the exact layout I had drawn in my mind- nice open layout facing a window- and up the stairs to see more space- beautiful space! To anyone else, this was a basic townhouse with no major bells and whistles. To me, this was the promised land.

As we chatted with the owner, she asked what we did and John told her he is a youth pastor. She teared up almost instantly and said "I've been praying for christians to rent my house!" I stood dumbfounded knowing that John had also prayed for a christian landlord. Could this really be?

We filled out the applications, exchanged numbers and she promised to be in touch by the end of the day. We left the house and I instinctively noted her license plate (yes, i know she was a christian, but I'm a freak, we found the house on craigslist and I had just given her a lot of information, so...I looked =-)

It read "Matt 7-7"

John said "Duh, it's a bible verse. She's a christian. Honey, you're so weird."

Never the less, I jotted it down.

Only after she had called, we had received the lease agreement and settled on a move-in date did it hit me.

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you."

You have got to be kidding me.

You can laugh. We did. ;-)

Pictures (and more adventures) to come.....

To Love One Another

How hard is it to love someone you care deeply for perfectly the way Jesus loved? It's not easy. Broken marriages are proof of this and it breaks my heart. Love is not a feeling...it's a choice, an action. It's who God is to us and it's the way we should live towards each other. Tears literally flow to my eyes now as I'm touched with the way He loves and at the same time with the way we consistently fail at it.

Jesus teach us how to love! 'Us' as a nation, 'us' as the human race, 'us' as believers, 'us' as couples bound by the sacred  covenant of marriage.

Jesus, teach us how to love.

"Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment-to love one another-is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining." 1 John 2:7-8

Whatever My Lot

Thou hast taught me to say it is well with my soul...


A continuous thorn in my side is my struggle with depression. I can't explain it, can't find a cure for it, but I know one thing: it keeps me in a constant state of dependance on the Almighty. I find myself once again struggling to see spring at the end of winter, the light at the end of a tunnel...the weekend at the end of a long hard week...however you want to say it, that is the feeling I have. One of the most lonely parts of this is wondering if there is anyone that can relate?

I find myself on my knees again in a humble state of surrender. Ok, Lord, take it back. I'm a hoarder when it comes to my will. Very selfish. What do YOU want from me?

I'm struck with feelings of panic, feelings of helplessness along with a desperate feeling of wanting to get out of the pit that I feel trapped in. I know that I want help and that somehow gives me hope. I speak aloud the truth of my King. I speak His name and am reminded of His love for me. I surround myself with prayer warriors near and far and ask them to fight for me, knowing right now I can't fight for myself.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11


"Therefore my dear brothers' and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. ...4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds any anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And now, one final thing: fix your eyes on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Continue putting into practice all that you have learned and received from me- everything you heard me say and saw me doing. Then the peace of God will be with you." Phil. 4:1, 4- 9


I focus my posture to set my eyes on things that are excellent and praise worthy. Then I rejoice in the King whom I serve.

I choose to rejoice today. Not to be fake, but also not to be half hearted in anything the Lord sets before me to do. I choose joy because I know what is coming. I choose love because no one has ever deserved it but He gave it anyway. Therefore, I will continue to put into practice all that I have learned from Him. Everything I heard him say and saw Him doing. And do you know what? That peace is with me now. It's a promise and I'm living proof.

It is well with my soul.

Silent Tea

Today I find myself in a silent place. I wish it would last forever. Moments like these are few and far between in the place I find myself today. I never knew I could treasure silence and stillness so much. When I find myself in silence, sometimes I can't even bring myself to read because I don't want to hear anything...not even the voice inside my head narrating...

It is moments like these that I wish life could slow down. I scold myself for being lazy when I run into these moments..even months ago I would have cringed at a moment of stillness grabbing a pen and paper and mapping out what I would do next. Now I crave it. I crave the silence. I long for it! I hope for it. To sip my cup of tea and breath in and exhale deeply never seemed like such a luxury!
Luxury...
I notice myself finding joy in pretty colors, in sitting at the window at 3pm that draws the most sunlight and letting the warmth soak into my back. I star at sparkly things like the beautiful wedding ring my darling gave to me and I find joy remembering the moment he asked and the moment I said yes. I crave creativity yet I reach desperately for certainty and things that will not change.

Any moment now a number of clients will come hustling through the door asking me for this or for that or if I've heard back from whom. My phone might ring in a second with a plea from my supervisor to do such and such a favor and my peace may be shaken...disrupted. I have two choices. To feel cheated for the moments I could have had or to feel blessed beyond belief for the luxury of the silence. Or, to tap into a peace that will never leave me; to tap into rest that is mine forever.

"The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." 
Psalm 23

Therein lies my help. Therein lies my security for what I have and for what is to come. Therein lies my rest. Therein lies the stillness I long for. Therein lies my renewal and my guidance and the companionship I long for when the life I lead is too much to explain. There is my honor, my language of love in gifts and blessings as my cup runs over and my stability...that no matter where I lay my head He is with me and I will dwell forever in one place for certain...in Him, where there is peace.

My Valentine

Valentine's has come and gone, but I need to share with you how beautiful ours was! I used to never like Valentine's day- the day comes with strings of expectancy, and I feel it's not often that we actually experience what we expect that we will. Since my teen years and since meeting the love of my life, I've grown to appreciate valentine's day as a time to show love to those God has placed in my life and most importantly remind them of his love, rather than merely my own because his is worth so much more and it is only through his teaching that I am learning how to love.

And that is what this Valentine's day has reminded me of. ..

One night as I was gathering old paper and some music for crafting, the Lord brought to mind a verse a friend spoke over me long ago when I was struggling with a bought of depression. 

"He sings over you Autumn. He sings over you. You may not be aware of this, but he is so enthralled by who he has made you- just you as you are-that he is singing over you. He is your King. You will not be shaken."

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing."

He is rejoicing over you. He is rejoicing over me. I reached for my scissors as creative juices filled my mind and I began to create messages of truth for those dear friends that have spoken truth over me throughout my life. As I wrote it over and over again, meditating on this truth, it began to penetrate and while the depression did not leave over night, and I don't believe it will, I have hope because I am holding onto The Protector of My Soul. I know He is indeed who he says He is. 

He will not abandon me to the grave nor will he let his holy one see decay. He has made known to me the path of life and he fills me with joy in his presence (Psalm 16:9-11). 

He fills me with joy in his presence...

"Seasons"

Seasons (from a mid-western perspective)  are altogether a beautiful illustration of life, aren't they? I find myself fascinated with each seasonal transition. 

In the spring, everything is young, new, fresh and messy. We're over zealous about everything just because it's spring and things are NEW and pointing to the warmth of summer. We are ready, for something-- anything to get us out of the indoors. Spring is like a breath of fresh air that gives life to a wintered soul. 

Summer is like the adolescent years. There are days of perfect temperatures and there are days of extreme temperatures. Some days it rains, some days it storms, and some days we get perfectly clear skies and a storm. You never quite know what you're in for, but you live it up because it's the mid-west in it's prime. 

Fall...ah fall. Like a fresh perspective it comes. Like the end of a season is the season itself. The green life matures and before it dies becomes a shade more beautiful and more complimentary to it's surroundings than any art I've seen. Some days it rains, as if mourning it's youth. Good things we've waited for all summer are now in full bloom-- ripe, mature, and ready for harvest. As the days go on, the temperatures becomes less and less like that of summer, more and more resembling winter. The leaves fall and all that is left are frames of what once held a perfect picture.

Winter I tend to look at two ways. The first, I think is fairly obvious, for those that enjoy warm weather as much as I. To me it figures death. It is the end of the plant life we experience all around during Spring, Summer and Fall. With it comes a covering of all we once could see. Colors fade and the mid-west becomes  a black and white photo. Yet it is , to me, still beautiful.  While it seems to be the end, it is not-- only a fresh start to another beginning. It bleeds into the new life represented in spring with it's white covering that embodies a fresh start. It is altogether lovely.

So many pictures you can pull from the seasons and add to them your thoughts, as well as spiritualistic elements to be sure. 

I'll leave it open to you're own conclusion. 


Dedicated to our beautiful horse with whom I enjoyed many seasons of riding as he basically watched me grow up. The new season of life without a pet causes me to ponder and mourn what has been lost, and to thank God for what he gave and for what he will continue to bless us with. 


"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Kemo Sabe with my brother Garrett <3 

Copyright Autumn R. Anderson: 2011

My Eyes are Fixed

It's 5 to midnight and I'm still awake....The students have been talking all week about how excited they are for our intercity missions  trip starting tomorrow, but I think I had so many other things going on, I didn't have time to really think beyond check-lists to parents and paperwork...etc. Now, as I sit here, duffel bag packed, ipod and  camera charging, husband sleeping...I am deep in thought about this trip for the first time.

I feel the way I felt years ago before going on an outing with my youth group in 7th grade. The night before we were to leave, my mom came into my room and asked if I'd been praying about the trip. I told her I really hadn't given it much thought. Other than spending time with friends and traveling, I wasn't sure what else to expect. She reminded me that God could have an amazing agenda for this week and that I needed to open my heart so that I could hear what he was trying to say to me. So, I prayed, then went to bed.

Tonight I realize that again, I have the opportunity, to not only lead these students on a trip, but come along side of them as God works in their hearts. I'm not content with the disinterested, non- committal attitudes I've seen  in some this year. I want to see God do something mighty in the lives of these teens and I disparately desire for those that do not know the Lord as Savior and King to come to a deep and real understanding of what that means, the way I did that week when I was in 7th grade. Thank the Lord the pressure is not on me, but that I have the privilege of walking along side these teens as the Lord makes himself known to them this week.

I also realized tonight that the Lord has something genuine planned for me through this week. I can't put my finger on what that is, but I know that there is a reason I am still up contemplating what we are about to embark upon. As I align my will with that of Christ, by spending time pouring over his word, I am so reminded and comforted by the refuge and strength that he provides for the weary and the weak. My perspective is renewed and my heart is at peace.

Will you as our prayer partners please join us in praying for the 15 students, the four adult leaders, and the many we will come into contact with on this trip?

Thankful for you and praising God for partners in the gospel,

Auti Anderson

"But my eyes are fixed on you O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge..." Psalm 141:8a

Waiting for Spring

Well, as I'm sure most of you are...I'm just writing to say I'm finally ready for the snow to melt. I can deal with it until our coming ski trip to Granite Peak, but after that, let it melt, oh please, please, let it melt! I'm longing for some sunshine...

The cold, as I've shared before, does not advocate community here, but unfortunately only reinforces  this culture of people that go to and from work only, pull into their garages and stay warm, which I can understand. However, the community we have been praying for is still in the distance and we are feeling the effects of the winter. It's evident to us that Satan is working over time here to put walls between us and our fellow believers and we need prayer more than ever as we wait for the snow to melt as well as people's hearts to be softened. How easy it is to be discouraged when we cannot immediately see fruit but I prefer the news in the Chronicles of Narnia books when word reaches his servants that "Aslan is on the move." I choose to believe that the one I serve is also on the move and that soon- in His perfect time, the snow and the ice will melt and we will once again see the effects of His reign because this world and everything in it belongs to my King Jesus. Please keep us in your prayers. Pray that He will find us faithful through the winter! Thank you.

We love you,

John and Autumn

Not Profound

I love watching people be in their element. Lately I've noticed that my husband talks a lot about his job...the other day it hit me that normally it bothers me when people bore me with facts--just facts, not feelings--about their line of work. It's great to know the ins and outs of your work, but the counselor in me always begs the question, "But, tell me how that makes you feel!" Anyway, as Johnny was blurbing facts today about his job, trends he was noticing and so on, I realized that this information he was giving  was much more than facts to him-- this topic was something he loved and that made me happy!

We all talk about things that are important to us...we all do it. But when other people talk about things that are important to them, unless we share a very common interest to theirs, or their passion is just really intriguing for some reason, we have a hard time listening, don't we? Or maybe its just me ;-)

So here's what I've decided: When someone talks about something that they are passionate about and I have a hard time connecting with that passion, I'm going to choose to appreciate and hope to catch their joy. Care to join me?