Merry Christmas 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

As it's that time of year again, I sit in my favorite spot on the couch next to our little Christmas tree ready to give you the annual run down on the Anderson's. I knew that before I would be ready, I would need to journal my thoughts on a blank piece of paper so I would know where to start. This year has been a crazy year of ups and downs, of laughter and tears, and of business and rest. Through it all, the one steady thing that stands out in my mind is how great the love of God has been shown to us over the past 12 months. I am paging through the events in my mind, and the truth of the matter is: GOD IS GOOD. I will proclaim his love all day long. He has been good to us and my heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness. That said, I want to tell you the top ten great gifts we've enjoyed this year:

10: Our new jobs and home in Omaha, Nebraska! In September, John and Autumn were offered jobs at an agency called "Omaha Home for Boys." We work with boys that are wards of the state as well as parent placed kids with behavior issues. We are on several treatment teams that work to prepare the individual boys for reunification with their families after undergoing months of residential treatment here at our facility. We also have the opportunity to work right with the boys and their families as behavior coaches and family teachers. Last week we finished our final week of rigorous training and feeling very thankful that we have the opportunity to work with the intercity kids of Omaha.

9: During the months before our move to Omaha, we lived in Black River Falls, WI where John and I both worked temporary jobs- John learned to make hand-made furniture for a family owned furniture business and Autumn got to work with her brother at Hoffman Aquatic- which was way to much fun ;-)

8: While in Wisconsin, we had the opportunity to spend some time with some dear friends of ours and Autumn was able to be involved in a women's book study with some of her friends.

7. We were able head to Anderson cabins  multiple weekends throughout the summer celebrating birthdays and the 4th of July and making up some lost time with our beloved nieces and nephews, brother's and sisters!

6. Autumn was able  to spend her birthday with her Papa (with whom she shares the day) in HER favorite spot to vacation- Lake Michigan in Door County! It was positively perfect!(also in attendance were her best friend/ brother, Garrett, Nana, mom, dad and Johnny!) =-)

5. John was able to go fishing multiple times this year with his dad at Hayden Lake (Anderson cabins) and Autumn was able to go fishing with her dad in Black River as well! Both were pleased with their catches!!

4. John has had three different state driver's licences in the past year and a half!

3. We were able to go on a missions' trip to St. Paul with the Kiel Alliance Youth group (all of whom we miss and love SOOO MUCH!!)!

2. Autumn was able to spend a weekend with her brother out west rock climbing  in Spokane, Washington while John  spent that time with his family fishing and hanging out in Minnesota!
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1. We get to spend Christmas with the Andersons' and New Year's with the Buselmeier's!!!!

Much love to all of you as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior this Christmas! May we be reminded of the many gifts He has showered upon us- mainly that of sending His Son to earth to take away our sin!

Loving you always and so grateful for your friendship,

The Andersons' 

Here we are!

It seems like every time I begin another blog it starts with..."it's been awhile." Well, once again, it HAS been awhile. So, to whoever actually reads this, sorry for the delay and thanks for the patience.

It's been two weeks since we've arrived at our new home here in Omaha. Since our arrival, we've had the opportunity to meet up with a few friends from college that live close, but mostly we have been swamped with pre-service and on the job training here at Omaha Home for Boys (which from now on I will likely be refer to as OHB).

God has answered many prayers with this place. We like the area- for those of you unfamiliar with the area- it's known for it's MANY fine eateries. One of our traditions is to try  new local restaurants on dates. I don't think that will be a problem here.

It's been a little more difficult to find things to get involved in besides eating. ;-) Nebraska isn't known for it's mountains, so a trip to CO might be necessary for this years downhill ski trip...that or WI which sounds funny, but we do enjoy the prospect of a new Granite Peak tradition with John's brother and his family.

I forgot to mention the college sports scene here in O. Very big. Who knew anyone could care so much about college football? I thought I'd seen the crazy fans when I moved to Green Bay area...apparently not. But we have no problem cheering on the Huskers...or the Creighton Blue Jays-who we had the opportunity to watch last weekend.

As far as churches, John and I are still hopping. We did visit our friend Koob who works as an intern at Christ Community- one of the largest churches in the Christian Missionary Alliance. It was fun to visit and see some familiar faces from Crown =-) Koobie also, randomly happens to live on the North side on Omaha, where we live and work. Ironic since he and i were neighbors when we lived at Crown in faith village. After he gave us the rundown of the crime over the weekend, he said "welcome to the neighborhood Buzz (my nickname from college) We're not in Faith Village anymore." I still chuckle when I think of it, but it is true. We went from the very small town  of Kiel, Wisconsin to living and working on a campus that is surrounded by the ghetto. It took us awhile to realize the stigma "North O" had attached to it, but you would not believe how many locals give me a double take when I give them my address. We are completely safe here on "the hill." The campus has been outfitted with the best security, and overall, it's said that OHB is honored among the locals. "They know we are doing a good thing." I'm so proud to work here and to work with this amazing staff who has the same goal and crazy love for these kids and their families. I am truly blessed.

We would LOVE your prayers as we finish up our last few days of pre-service next week, then prepare to transition into on the job training in the Patton cottage. This is yet another blessing to us, because the staff at the Patton is a couple that we have already picked out as our model couple. They have been here for 3 years, have a beautiful little girl and one on the way, are believers and he also used to be work in the church as a youth minister. They have a heart for these kids and we love their style. We're really looking forward to training with them and feel very blessed to have the opportunity.

We are getting  ready for dinner- found out we have another friend in the area- John's old college roomate, who will be joining us for dinner. Before I go, here I some photos of our new home, so you can picture us when you pray!

Our Home (Scott)

I am so thankful that we still have fall here in NE!

Youth and Family Services Building- where we work.

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This is the Patton where we will be doing our on the job training

The deck. We can see literally for miles up here, from the "skyline" of O all the way to IA.

Business building

Our house!

The skyline of Omaha

On top of the World

Truly...i am. I am in love with the state of Washington and my husband who so lovingly gave me the gift of a vacation to see my dearest Garrett. Everything in my life is beautiful right now, except for the fact that I am now down to two nights left. The free spirit in me wishes we could pack up and move here...forever. ;-) But the college graduate in me knows that the better choice is to stick with the already decided move to Omaha Nebraska- the life change that sparked this little adventure I am on.

A month ago when John and I visited Omaha Home for boys, we fell in love with what we believe is God's will for our lives right now. We were both offered jobs there, and after much prayer- and a promise from Johnny that I could fly to Washington first--we accepted two very exciting job  opportunities. We will be moving on October 28th and beginning pre-service training the following Monday. Yes, the great state of Corn-heads will be our new home. Who would have thought? Neither of us, that's for sure, but we're thrilled with the prospect of a new adventure and VERY excited to work with the staff and most of all the kids/families in Omaha.

That said, let me remind you of the good gifts God gives to his children. John reminded me of that by sending me on this trip but in a larger scale, I feel this is the perfect way to wrap up a beautiful time of the Lord refreshing my heart and my soul. I am grateful beyond words. He is good,...so good and knows exactly what we need. He delights in giving good gifts to his children.

So here I sit, soaking up the Spokane sunshine (appartently it's known for how little it rains and how much it shines here! Annd, how friendly locals are!...which I'm attributing to their intake of vitamin D.)

I tried to find a local coffee shop, as is my tradition when in a new city, but since the one Garrett suggested is closed, I snuggled into the safe haven of Starbucks which once was very local--one more reason to love this state ;-)

It's more than the state of Washington though. I've been here before. It's a lesson that I believe the Lord is teaching me. The theme of this weekend for me has been one of overcoming fears. One fear of mine is flying.  I hate it for more reasons than most- and being in the sky is surprisingly not part of the problem. It's the airport, the landing, and not being able to see where I'm going or where I've been. Put plainly, it's the lack of control I have when I subject myself to air travel. It is humbling for me to be seated next to someone who can tell that I am anxious and takes it upon themselves to "distract me" during the flight. What a comfort though to land after two flights safely in the little airport of  Spokane and see my brother's Jeep pulled in to pick me up at baggage claim. Words cannot express my joy!

Another fear conquered happened when Garrett took me climbing with he and two wonderful friends of his (Brady and Ian). Before I knew it I was all geared up to climb one of the biggest boulders I have ever seen--however, I was told these were the "beginner rocks." Of course I've always wanted to climb real rocks and of course I wanted my brother to be proud of me, and of course I climbed to the top and was thrilled, but when the time came to "let go"  "lean back" and repel down the cliff....well, that was humbling also. After some coaxing, and the three men being just so kind and comforting I finally leaned back in my harness entrusting myself completely to my "baby" brother's belaying skills and conquered yet another of my fears...=] The cheering that ensued brought tears to my eyes because I felt not only their joy and encouragement, but also the joy of my Father because that small step represented so many larger steps in our relationship. I love my Abba so much.

As far as John's adventures, he is having a wonderful time visiting his family and friends and "saying goodbye" before we leave. He is spending some refreshing time at one of his very favorite spots, his families cabins at Hayden Lake, Wisconsin. He and our friend Alan Hall have been fishing today and I received a picture message from Alan of some very big bass that they caught! I'm so happy that my John is  having a blessed time too. =]

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Photos of my trip are posted at http://www.facebook.com/autumn.rose21. Enjoy!

Jackson's Discovery

Jackson (black lab) and Ebby (Black lab mix) make such delightful companions.
The other day I was helping my dad stack wood for the winter and was delighted when I successfully taught Jackson to pick up sticks he could fit in his mouth and place them in the trailer =) He's a quick learner...usually. However, yesterday when I returned from the vet with Ebby, I found Jackson with porcupine quills in his poor little nose! Dad and I wrestled him to get most of them out with a pair of pliers, but eventually the last two called for yet another visit to the vet. =( He was a darn good sport about the whole thing. He loves getting his picture taken and even gave me a "smile"  in spite of his condition.

Forget Not His Benefits

The rest of this week I am dog/house sitting for my parents. The weather here in Black River is absolutely perfect (a high of 73 today) so I took the dogs for a walk on the land. With Jackson beside me I seem to notice every little detail of beauty down to the motivated woodpecker flying from tree to tree. Every time we heard it Jackson stopped in his tracks until he figured out where it was. 

Coming home, I'm always amazed by how blessed I was to grow up here and to call it home. Prayer Acres is a name my parents gave the 10 acres of land when they bought it several years ago and i think it is a fitting name. I can't NOT recognize God's prompting to lay my burdens at his feet when I walk through and enjoy his beauty. 

Here are some photos of Prayer Acres in beautiful fall.

"Praise the Lord Oh my Soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord Oh my Soul and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all yours sins

and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the Eagles." Psalm 103:1-5

John and I truly feel renewed by the benefits of our  Lord and continuously grateful. Let us not forget...

"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

"You Never let Go" David Crowder Band

Ever heard a song and thought, "did i write that in my sleep last night?" or "did that artist hack into my journal??" That's how I felt when I heard the first song  on my mix. Enjoy the truth of David Crowder's song, "You Never Let Go."