When I Am Weak Then I Am Strong

This past Sunday my husband had the opportunity to preach here at KAC. It was a crazy week and he was commited to many things that weekend let alone being the sole pastor at church while General Counsel  was being held in Kansas City. By the time Saturday night rolled around, I looked at him sympathetically and asked how he was doing. He smiled that strong smile that always makes me feel like he has a secret and said, "I am held by God. He is good to me." I just thought to myself, "I hate that I get more nervous for him during crazy times than he actually gets!" 

But I realized, my husband is living like he believes  everything God says is true.  He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5)." He says, "Look, for I am about to do something new. See I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create streams in the desert (Isaiah 43:19)." He says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 2:9b)."

As I sat and listened to my husband preach on Sunday morning not knowing anything ahead of time but his topic, I was in awe of God's power as he spoke through my husband who I knew was only an empty vessel wanting desperately  to be used by our mighty King. That said, I want to share with you how God spoke to me through my husband. Glory to God.

http://www.kielcma.com/site/audiodownloads.asp?sec_id=180003572

By Faith- 2 Cor. 5:7

I've had plans to write on this day, the 28th of May, for two weeks, as this is my first day off in a month. My husband reminded me this morning that today  I don't have any commitments which was so relieving to hear. So here i sit in my favorite spot with my favorite bowl full of cereal and my tea cup full listening to the song birds chirp their morning tune outside my window.



It's the simple things in life that make days like today best. As I enjoyed the opportunity to leisurely make my bed this morning, I realized how truly busy I have been. When John and I first moved here, I remember a talk we had on the river while he fished. I told him I was panicking as I applied to jobs and grad. school as quickly as I could. He asked why I thought I had to hurry to do that, and that's when I realized for the first time in my life, if I didn't want to, I didn't have to always be working towards something. I could get a normal job, and just relax and settle into married life. Eventually God provided a job for me that I loved and I began to work, but work became an escape for me from John's work. Being married and being in ministry as a couple both first times, is not something John and I would be quick to recommend to young newly married ministry couples. It was a crash course for us, and we are grateful, but at times we so wish that we could have spent this first year focusing on getting to know each other. God taught us so much about loving people,about what it means to give, and we are continuously thankful for the way God used all difficult circumstances of a "first year" to draw us closer to each other and to our Father God. 



A couple months ago, as we realized we were coming to the close of our first year together, God laid on both our hearts that something was was going to change. A mentor of ours challenged us to seek God's will consistently for where we serve as a couple-even when we feel we are in the right place- to keep our dependency on the Lord. As we began to pray, and talk together, the Lord revealed to us in many ways, that we were no longer the right fit as a Pastoral couple for Kiel Alliance Church and asked us to step out in faith, and move on. Part of us is glad and excited for what he has in store and the other part is scared, and in deep grief because after almost a year, we have developed some friendships with students and families that we hate to leave.



Even the best writers can't explain God in a few paragraphs, or even an entire book, and my attempt here is really not to try to explain God or his will for us because we don't claim to know. My hope in sharing this is that in knowing at little bit about our journey right now,  you will hold us up in prayer. That you would pray protection over us and protection over the church we are leaving. Pray for the right person to come and to be a blessing to this church and that this church would be a blessing to him and his family. Please pray blessing with us over this town, over our coworkers, and pray that the seeds that have been planted here in Kiel, Wi, would continued to be watered and would grow strong pointing always to God's faithfulness. Finally, please pray that our eyes and our hearts would be open so that when the time is right we will be able to see and to know where God is leading us to serve.


As always, we thank you for your support,

John and Autumn Anderson
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Date Night

One of my very favorite things of late is Friday night- date night. Life has gotten a lot busier since I took a full time job in Sheboygan and though I truly love my job, I really miss those early afternoons and evenings with my husband.
During the girls nap on Friday I interviewed Dana, a local of Sheboygan, hoping she would have some new places for us to add to our GPS for date night. After she provided me with her favorites along with catagories to help me decide, I texted John some websites so he could make the final decision between Italian on the Lake or Sushi on 8th St.

After bidding the girls goodbye for the weekend I slipped on my sunnies and turned up the radio as is  my Friday after- work custom. Pulling into my driveway I was delighted to see a boyish Johnny practicing his fly-fishing in the front yard =] Sidenote: This week he bought his WI fishing license and has been pouring over the manual like it's the Bible. Yes, I would venture to say he's in need of a vacation.

When he saw me he greeted me with a big smile and kiss and a story  about his perfect afternoon disking with a friend followed by ice cream. I was still sitting in the car at this point and he put his left  hand on the roof to lean against the car when our perfect date night was altered by one detail he forgot to mention when giving me the rundown of his afternoon. While disking, it seemed a disk had gone into the river (not an uncommon occurance while we were at Crown) and he deemed it a good excuse to go for a swim, not knowing that THAT disc would go up in value by quite a bit following that swim...when putting his hand on the car he waited unconsciously for the "clink" of his wedding ring. Nothing. So...date night turned into a couple of calls and a shopping trip to the jewelry store to find something while we wait for a duplicate to arrive in the mail. My poor husband. Honestly I think it affected him more than it affected my sentimental self. He acted on getting another immediately after we searched the grass by the river. I mostly feel bad for him having to deal with my lecture following the event, but I share this story because as much as it bothers us both we had to laugh knowing there are far worse things than losing a wedding ring in a river.Also, to brag about how much my husband loves me. (My wise  mother gave me a little insight when I called her crying  and she asked me where John was. I said I was in "my" room and he was out looking for it... "Autumn Rose, I'm going to hang up if you don't go apologize to that poor man right now!" Did I mention he also graciously offered to call a friend with a scuba suit after it registered to me that he could have DIED jumping in the 5 ft. deep river in 45 degree weather?

That disk might get framed for Christmas, I love my husband,  The End.

Cheap-o and the On-Call Nanny

I finally caved and decided to give John and hair cut. It doesn't look great, but it's cut. He politely said he would go get another  tomorrow and I can't help but feel I've won the battle. I didn't cut it poorly on purpose--In fact, it went exactly the way I thought it would go all along. That is why I have been insisting it's better to pay for one upfront than pay for my mistake, but the cheap-o in him prevailed, and I felt the need to prove myself.

This morning I was scheduled for nursery duty at the church...a new role for me as is the children's ministry in general. Thinking I had a day off from nanny duty since I have the toddler class for only about an hour, I plopped a sleepy child on my lap and pulled out the play-doe. Moments later, after the rest of the children had arrived, and everyone had their favorite color in hand, my helper and I discovered what seemed to be the first dirty diaper  toddler her nursery duty career thus far. Flipping a coin flashed across my mind, but the poor dear was only in 6th grade and has her whole life ahead of her...the obligation was clearly mine. The events that followed are really a blur of what I believe to be me trying to reason with a 2 year old that his diaper was in dire need of changing. The child who was cuddling in my lap moments ago was now making a bee line for the door somehow managing to outsmart even the creators of  One Step Ahead baby proofing. He made a dash for the sanctuary and I literally breathed a prayer that I would be able to catch him in time. I did, and from there the conversation went  something like this:
Him: "No Diaper Change! Balls!
Me: "Trust me, this is critical and as soon as we're done, we will play with the balls."
Him: "Pants on! No!
Me: "Did you go poopy?"
Him: [Silent, then points to other little boy] "He did it!"

Amazingly,  as I took the time to check, not wanting to be mistaken, child #1 took the liberty to dodge yet again, and hide under the table. Thankfully, child #2 was clean. Back on the chase for child #1, and yes we eventually prevailed.

Meanwhile, Child # 2 had his own very eventful five minutes. This job was not as lively as the later  but followed with child # 3 confronting me [basically] with the fact that she felt she  wasn't getting enough attention.
She: I need my diaper changed.
Me: You do? [sniff] Are you wet?
She: No
Me: Stinky?
She: No.
Me: Well then you don't need your diaper changed.
She: [Giggles]
Me: Did you just feel left out?
She: Yes, I did.

Needless to say, I was mistaken to believe that I would be off duty this morning as a child care provider, and yet somehow I didn't really mind ;-)

Rich Young Ruler

Reading through the Psalms, I've noticed that many of David's most beautiful songs come out of his uncertainty of what God is trying to teach Him. My dad always reminds me of this when I'm going through something and am processing a lot. I used to write songs all the time, but lately John and I have just been hit and miss..he'll write some lyrics and I'll write some music, and we always mean to put them together to finish our song, but somehow never get to it. As I was trying to get some inspiration for some lyrics that have been in the back of my head, I stumbled across a rough recording of the last song we wrote together. It really applied to life life lessons I'm learning right now and I wanted to share it with you.
.it's about ME.... and how i am learning to surrender...and how that's a process...and i compared myself to the rich young ruler that came to Jesus and asked what he could do to get to heaven...and Jesus told him to sell everything...and FOLLOW HIM. yikes!

oh! p.s. it's not the best recording...turn it down so the dogs next door don't bark! lol...

Copyright Autumn R. Anderson (2011)
v1 --I came to you/ I came to see/ what you could do/ could do for me
tell me what can i do to be set free/ just wanted to reserve a seat
but i walked away/ i just couldn't take it/ it'd be easier to die
than to give away my life/

and i sang, "blessed are they that have nothing.
v2- i tend to be a Peter/ and here I go again/
i sing "take my life you can have it all"
but then i take it back again.

Pre-Ch. I'll fix it up/ I'll do it all/ Jesus I got your back
but maybe something's wrong with that picture/ I say let's rewind again.

Bridge--Maybe I'm not dead yet/ and maybe I'm not alone/
where should I just let go/ and follow

surrender was the sweetest thing/ follow
to lean my head back on the swing/ follow
trusting and hoping i'll follow

v3- In Christ alone my hope is found/ and I know who I am
but when it's said and done I'm a rich young ruler
and alone i cannot stand.

Pre-Ch. so pick me up and dust me off/ jesus i want your plan
'cause when it's said and done I am only human and
I'm not done growin' yet.

Copyright Autumn R. Anderson (2011) 

Psalm 13:6

Today I'm in a top five mood as I sit down to write on this lazy afternoon...

1. Last month, I took a job with a family in Sheboygan to be their full-time nanny and have been working part time while their other nanny transitions out of their lives. They are currently on vacation in Florida  and when they get home I will  transition into the role of full-time.  This is something I certainly did not foresee when I began looking for jobs after college. However, through some humbling circumstances, the Lord has made clear that this is where I can best serve Him now and I pray that he will help me to bloom where I am planted in this season. The family is absolutely dear to my heart and very supportive/flexible with  my plans to further my education, as well as my role within the church. The job consists of being the full time private day care provider for three beautiful girls ages 5, 3 and 1. It is a joy to serve them and their family and I pray that God fills me with his love each and every day so that I can impart it to them.
2. Spring fever has set in with brute force. The 2-for-1ski resort John booked for us last month threw in free access to their indoor water park. The experience of putting last summer’s bikini, tankini, or trunks on in the middle of February is likely to offer some unwanted perspective. Also, my late preference of sweats to jeans was another clue that it was time to pull out the ol' running tights and hit the streets! That said, John is on his usual spring detox diet with a new 17 day twist adapted from Pastor Fred and I have high hopes of running a half marathon this summer.
3. The light at the end of this cold winter tunnel came when an event that I felt most excited to be put behind me came as a refreshing surprise. A dear friend of ours who is now employed at our Alma Mater as the choir director contacted us last year to ask if KAC would be a host to the choir. I said "of course" without any hesitation, but as the event approached I became more aware of my responsibilities as the sole contact person for the choir. Setting up host homes, preparing dinner for 30 +, and the public communications of an event like this all had me worried that I would overlook the smallest of details. Yet just as He ALWAYS does, my dear Lord took complete control allowing me to simply rest in his strong arms as I soaked in the sweet, and dearly missed fellowship of  these cherished friends. The amount of encouragement  I received throughout the 24 hour period was incredible and I'm still thanking God for such a gift.
4. Following the choir's visit, I was blessed, yet again, with a short but sweet visit from my parents. They treated us so well that I kept thinking, “Lord, I don’t deserve this all at once! Save some blessing for next month!” They came in time to meet our KAC kids, play games, worship and take part in small groups with us. The kids loved meeting the infamous “Brule” that we find ourselves referring to constantly, and I, needless to say, felt so blessed to have them take a peek into our lives here.
5. As if these two visits didn’t bless me more than I can put into words, having this week off before my change in schedule was liberating. After seeing my parents off on Tuesday, John asked what I planned to do with my week off. I did something I need to do more often. I made a spontaneous choice to visit my grandparents in Door County. A half an hour after my parents left my bags were packed and I was headed for our family vacation spot and my grandparents home near the bay. The time, though short, was packed with memories I will treasure and take with me until my next trip. Even the 2 hour drive alone was a much needed time of reflection and since I was in no hurry  I stopped along the way to enjoy the shores of Lake Michigan and revel in the magnificence of the Lord's handiwork.
Now back on my couch as I ponder my latest escapade, I’m reminded of how my Abba knows exactly what I need and exactly when I need it. I cannot stop rejoicing in God my savior for He has dealt bountifully with me! I implore you to do the same…(Psalm 13:6)

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