Today (Sunday, September 7) we had our first outdoor service on our property. It appeared touch and go as far as the weather was concerned, but it turned out great! The rain held off (except for a little during setup) and we had a great time of worship, a challenge from God’s Word, and a great time of fellowship, food, and fun. Most took the opportunity to check out the property from all angles, some with “Gator” rides, some with wagon rides pulled by a tractor, some strolled around on foot, and some saw it by car. All seemed excited about what God is doing in us and among us and through us.

We have the first building block of our future meeting place… and it rocks! We also each left with a little reminder of God’s faithfulness… a memory stone. It was a special time and we are very grateful. What a great God we serve! Our church rocks!

Check out the slide show on the Slide Show page.

We just got back from Lonnie Sr.’s funeral. What a special time it was. A great celebration of his life. It was so nice to see everyone. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

I’m heading out to set up the tent on the property for tomorrow… I’m still optimistic about the weather! If the weather cooperates, we’ll start setup tomorrow morning at 8:00 am so that everything will be ready for our 11:00 am service. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, our services will be at Pine Tech at 9 and 10:30 and we’ll arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 Sunday morning to set up there. We’ll post here and put a message on the office answering machine if we’re canceling the outdoor service.

Remember: casual dress (as always)… maybe even more casual than normal: there will be a wagon ride around the property after the service and meal so you can take a good look at what God has provided. Also remember to bring your chair if you have one.

Lord willing, I’ll see you Sunday at our property… if not, I hope to see you at Pine Tech.

Meet our new mascot for the upcoming motorcycle ride. This handsome furry critter not only looks good, but sounds good as well. He sings the infamous song, “Born To Be Wild”! He anonymously just appeared the day of the last scheduled motorcycle ride and will take front and center for our upcoming ride.

Another ride has been scheduled for Sunday, September 14. We will meet outside the church office at 1:30 pm and head East into Wisconsin. Tom & Nancy have mapped out the route for us and we’re really looking forward to it.

So all wild hogs assemble for a great ride during a great season of changing leaves. Remember, you must leave room in the caravan for an old Honda loaded with even older riders.

We’ve been getting ready for our outdoor service on our property.
I picked up a tent today that we will probably have the food under (subs for everyone!). The porta pottie has been delivered (thanks Paul). The property has been freshly mowed and bailed (thanks Hadley). There will be a “stage” of sorts (actually stages) that will be for the worship team.
I can’t tell you how excited I am. Keep praying for good weather! We’re still discussing rain plans… I’ll keep you posted if something changes. Remember… assuming good weather, there will be one service, all together, at 11:00 am followed by lunch. Watch the weather and dress accordingly… (casual, as always… I’m referring to temperature). And remember to bring your chair if you have one. More later…

THIS Sunday will be, Lord willing, a very memorable day. Weather permitting, we will be having our service outdoors on our new property. There’s quite a few details you need to be up to date on.

First of all, there will be one service at 11:00. This is so that everyone (even the people who show up at Pine Tech at 10:30) will have a chance to come on out and join us. One service has advantages and disadvantages. We can all be together… but so that everyone can be a part of it (including all our wonderful volunteers), there will be no nursery or KidVenture. One service allows everyone to participate, but it also puts a little added responsibility on parents. And… there’s not much in the way of nursery facilities on the property yet, anyhow.

You need to bring a chair if possible… there should be shuttles to bring you and your chair to the “worship center” if you need a ride. And I know some of you were wondering about this one: yes… we’ll have a porta-pottie there for your convenience. We’re planning on having sub sandwiches after the service. We’re providing them as well as water bottles and possibly McDonald’s orange drink. This is all weather permitting, so plan accordingly.

It will be a great chance to worship together in the great outdoors on the beautiful property that God has provided and dream a little about the possibilities. Come prepared to be blessed. There will be more on this in the days ahead.

We are having a baby shower to honor our newest Journey North arrival: Peyton Hammill, son of Kim and Ryan. The shower will be Tuesday, September 16th, at 7:00 pm at the home of Lorraine Schultz. Please mark your calendars and come enjoy the festivities.

Directions to Lorraine’s:

From the 4-way stop intersection of 70 and Hwy 61, travel south on 61 6/10ths of a mile to 560th Street and turn right (West). On 560th Street, go 2/10ths of a mile to 7080 - 560th. It’s a gray house on the left on top of the hill. If you have questions, call Lorraine.

Parents, although today you may be packing a brightly colored back pack for your grade school students to return to school on Tuesday, in a very short time you’ll be packing a suit case for your young adult to go off to college. Therefore heed this warning: this event is “closer that it may appear!”

Time is short. Embrace and enjoy the moment. The days are quickly passing by and this season of life will rapidly give way to the next, never to return again. Be about sowing good in the lives of your children. Teach, train, and enjoy them! Live these days without regret. The time that’s invested in their lives will not be in vain.

Two weeks ago, we delivered our middle child, Becca, to Crown College. How quickly our days at home with her were marked off the calendar. But there is life after graduation. Here we all are at Becca’s first college volleyball game, a tournament at Saint Olaf. She’s doing well and loving college. We certainly have enjoyed greatly all three of our children. What an amazing gift they are.

So plan your days wisely. Take time to sow good. The harvest is just around the corner. Embrace the task of parenting and do it with all your heart, as to the Lord.

Typically September is the month we get away for our Women’s Retreat. This year, however, we are doing something new. We will be hosting our own retreat… customized to accomplish personal, specific purposes for us.
I am so excited. This should be fun!

We are looking at January, which will fit our schedules much better than September this year. If you are interested in being in on the planning, please let me know. We will start brainstorming ideas soon!

Below is a possible location:

Just kidding! I just wanted to make sure I had your attention.

Monday night we gathered together to celebrate the new life of Olivia Anderson. God truly is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

The celebration was filled with fun and laughter as we had the opportunity to shower Kelly and Olivia with gifts.

I am always amazed at the support and generosity shown by our Journey North family. Over the past year I have watched as you have demonstrated your love and concern for each other, in good times and in bad. I applaud your efforts and am so blessed to be part of this church family. Thank you for the many ways you minister to each other and encourage each other to continue your good works. We love you all.

1 Peter 1.22 says, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

Take a look at our pictures on the Slide Shows page.

I’ve just spent the last 3 or 4 hours getting everything back in order on this site. Someone with way too much time on their hands and a problem discerning right from wrong hacked our site and caused first a slowdown, and then a complete stop. It’s now after midnight and I’m finally heading home. I hope I wake tomorrow morning to find everthing still working.

Update 7:00am: Still working. Good thing I had a backup of everything!