Pray for U.S. Citizen Imprisoned in Iran

". . . I want to share with you an urgent prayer request regarding an Iranian, who is now a U.S. citizen and has lived with his wife and two children in Idaho. God has used him to bring many Muslims to the Lord and to establish numerous house churches throughout Iran. His biography was being written, and he knew once it was published in the U.S. he would not be able to travel back to Iran, so he made one last trip in September. However, he was arrested and has been held captive and severely tortured, yet without denying his Lord and Savior. He wrote a letter to his family saying, “Prison is a test of faith. I was always worried that the storms of this life would break the ship of my faith, but when you stand steadfast, the storms are like a nice breeze. Nothing can break my faith. These walls have created more fervor for me to love others through sharing the Gospel, but more than that, the walls have deepened my love for my Savior. I feel the prayers of all who are praying for me.” He may have to serve 18 years in prison or he may even be given the death penalty. News was just received that his case has been assigned to a judge they call “the hanging judge” because of his harsh sentences. He is expected to rule next week [this week]. Please join us in prayer for him and his precious family."

- A Prayer Request from Randy Alcorn and Eternal Perspectives Ministries

Washington D.C. Part 1

Alright, so here are some pictures from our time in Washington D.C.! I had never been to our nation's capitol before (and mom had when she was only 16) so we both had a wonderful time taking everything in. The weather was BEAUTIFUL - in the 40s most of the time.



Here we are riding the metro system - we boarded the wrong train the first time, but thanks to a kind stranger got put on the right path. Let's just say after that we learned the metro system very quickly! :-)

President Hannah?

At the National Air and Space Museum

Here I am driving a huge aircraft carrier

Yep, that is THE original Wright Brothers airplane - it was so cool to step back in history!

A model of the Hubble space telescope

 

 

Next we went to the National Museum of Natural History. Even thought we got to see many amazing creatures, we couldn't turn around without some evolutionary saying being there. It was pretty sad - it's so obvious that these wonderful and beautifully designed animals had to have a Designer!

 

 

Below was one of my favorites - the pre-flood Titanoboa! It almost swallowed me alive. ;-)

 

Mount Vernon was next for us . . . . and both mom and I consider it one of our favorites! Seeing the exact place where such a godly hero as George Washington lived so many years ago was absolutely amazing. 

"Martha Washington" asked where we lived, and when we said Minnesota she said she didn't know where that was (we are such early pioneers it hasn't been made a state yet, I guess). ;-)

But the MOST AMAZING FACT that I learned on THIS ENTIRE TRIP was . . . was . . . *takes a deep breath to collect thoughts* . . . . was . . .

 

 . . . well, you'll have to find out next time, but I will give one clue. In the picture of a young George Washington above, if you look closely, you may see that I have something very special in common with him.

Until next time!

P4C 2012 Part 3

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

Friday night in OH was "A Night To Remember!"

Each year Passion for Christ has a special formal event, and this year's theme was movie classics. So we all dressed up in vintage clothes as if we were the actors/actresses attending the Oscars! I decided to go with a 60s look (tried to, anyway) and be "Julie Andrews." It was one of the neatest events I've EVER been to, and my first authentic formal! The appetizers and 4 course meal was amazing, and the "Award Ceremonies" was very creative.

 

 

(below you'll see "Ding Crosby," who won the award for most comedic)

Stuffed shrimp for an appetizer (nope, I didn't try one!)

Me, Amanda (who did my hair!) and Joyce

My entire cabin of 17 girls

 

 

 

Lemon Sorbet

My table . . .
First row: Natalie, Amy, Leah, and Michael
Back row: Theresa, Joyce, and me

"Aubrey Hepburn" (best actress), Mrs. Cavanaugh (best production design), "Marlon Brando" (best actor), the Emcee, "Ding Crosby" (best comedy) and not pictured here is the cook, Leah, who won best "director!"

The musicians for the week

A bunch of random people who jumped together for a quick snapshot - I'm on the far left.

Two Charlie Chaplins

And one of my favorites - all the redheads!!!!!

In Part 4 I'll share about the volleyball tournament!

  

Look for some pictures from D.C. very soon!! :-)

Visiting D.C.

Mom and I made it safely back this evening, and I'm praising the Lord for good health and safe travels! I can't wait to tell y'all everything we did and saw . . . more pictures coming soon!

 

Leaving for America's Capitol

My mom and I are leaving for Washington D.C. this afternoon as a result of the Open Doors contest where I won second place (thanks again to all of you who voted!!). Prayers would be appreciated for health, good weather, and safe travels. We're excited to be touring the city for a few days before the special Open Doors events, which include a press conference about persecution around the world, and a church event where Brother Andrew (of God's Smuggler) will be speaking! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and post them when I get back. Thanks for the prayers!

HAPPY 2013!

Happy New Year from our family to yours! 
May God bless each of you richly as you follow His plan for your life in 2013!

Jeremiah 29:11-13

King James Version (KJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, 

thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 

Our CHRISTmas

Here are a few quick snapshots from our family's Christmas this year . . .

Ethan the Elf


All ready for Christmas Eve dinner . . . sparkling juice, jello, ham, mashed potatoes etc. etc.
Only when we were going to take the picture did we realize we were all wearing either black or red!

Opening presents

A couple of the books I received this year were One Thing I Desire, Anything, and Art for God's Sake. I'm looking forward to reading them!

Sometimes homemade gifts are the BEST! Lydia made each of us something special this year (she's so creative). For Caleb, she created a special scrapbook of his time at ALERT earlier this year!

 

What did you do for Christmas this year? Do you have any special family traditions?