Greetings again from Sisseton! It seems like we are running here and there...I almost meet myself coming and going - ha! I can hardly believe it's late-May and Mother's Day has long passed...but is not forgotten. Our children, LaShawn and her husband Liam, LaDawn and our son Donovan, sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They know I love flowers. Larry also gave me a red rose corsage and they all gave me beautiful Mother's Day cards with heart-touching verses. Often I don't feel I'm worthy of all those "flowery" kind words...but I'll gladly accept them! Often times, while parenting, we feel inadequate in how we're raising our children. We ponder and wonder if we did the right things in the right way. So, I need those verses of love and appreciation to keep me going. I was so happy to have our granddaughter, Myanna, with us on Mother's Day. She is such a joy to us.

"Wow! Our church is still beaming with excitement and joy at seeing nearly half in attendance on Sunday respond to the altar call, many committing their lives to Christ for the first time.  Thanks Larry and Gloria for your anointed and outstanding Gospel ministry!

 As a Pastor, I appreciate so much how Larry and Gloria present the Gospel in such a simple, clear, and relevant way.  Our whole congregation uses this as an opportunity to invite unsaved friends and neighbors to come to church for something special; and it never fails that souls come to Christ when the Lundstroms are here. What an amazing evangelistic opportunity for any church. Praise the Lord!

 During the Lundstrom's last visit in our church, in addition to the many children and teens who were saved, there were 8 adults who made first time decisions for Christ. Now, a year later, 6 of those 8 are active members in our church, along with their whole families. Now that is Gospel fruit that will change a whole church!"

 

- Rev. Robert Kaumans

Each time we minister at Eagle Bend the altars are filled with people making commitments for Christ, and for many of them it's a first time decision. It's these altar calls and changes that God makes in lives that inspire and challenge us to remember "it's worth the effort" through the traveling with its fatigue... just to see lives changed for all eternity. Thank God for the 42 ½ years that Larry and I have been privileged to travel together and share the simple Gospel message.

It's always fun to see friends that we haven't seen in a long time come out and attend our services. It was so special have Russ and Becky Burchill, their son Russ Jr and family, and daughter Sheila, her husband Alan and their children come. We've known them for years and they hold a dear spot in our hearts. She shared the following about the day,

I enjoyed your Mother's Day service. It was fun to hear some of the 'oldies, but goodies'.   What I really took away from the service, though, was what you said about mistakes that mothers make, and how we need to 'let it go'. We can't control everything. We can't shield our children from every potential harm.   We can't change the past, but we can make the future better.  As the mother of a 3-year-old and a newborn, that is advice that I can really use.  As I grow older, I see more and more the struggles that parents face, and that we're all just imperfect human beings.

As I'm writing this, the patio door is open, the sun is shining, the birds are singing - oh how I love spring! The weather has been so cold that the trees are just now beginning to bud open and it's nearing the end of May.

Just the other day, the bushes around our home looked like a jungle, budding out of control - I cannot believe they grow so fast. Our friend couldn't make it to help us trim them - so Larry and I took the challenge...we bought a hedge trimmer and with little (or I should say no) knowledge on how to trim, we began to hack away at the bushes. It was a guessing game as to how much to trim. Of course, Larry and I had a lot of laughs. One thing we know for sure - pruning is not our calling! The bushes looked like they got a haircut from a first-time barber student..that's okay, they'll grow out again.

Just as those bushes were out of control, often times our spiritual lives get that way due to lack of spiritual food, discipline, prayer, and Bible study. If we don't make the right spiritual decisions, our lives too begin to grow out of control, spiritually. We tend to get overextended in earthly, material things, thus our lives like those bushes, need to be trimmed and pruned in order to grow healthy in the way they should. In Psalms chapter 51, David cries out to God after he made a massive wrong decision and sinned with Bathsheba, causing life-long consequences. Praise God he cried out for a pardon and asked to be pruned and forgiven of the sins he committed so he could again feel God's presence and have God's blessing on his life. I love verse 10 where he prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation..."

Prayerfully it's your and my prayer that whatever is not of God we will allow to be trimmed or pruned off so we can be a vessel of God and be used for His glory.

That evening, we held a Wednesday night service in Albuquerque at Trinity Family Church with Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Barnard. What a warm, loving couple! They were so gracious and kind to us. They shared this about the rally:

Marvelyn's funeral was to be held in Sisseton, South Dakota so we quickly made plans to fly back home. Pastor and Mrs. Barnard were so thoughtful to take us to the airport and allow us to leave our motor home at their church. We flew into Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday evening and were informed that old man winter had given one more "huff and puff"dropping 14 inches of snow in South Dakota. That delayed our drive home to Sisseton until Saturday. Our daughter, LaDawn, and two grandchildren, Dante' and Myanna, came back with us to attend the funeral.

A couple days later we scurried back to Minneapolis, caught our flight back to Albuquerque, New Mexico, got back to our motor home and headed off to our next rally in Canadian, Texas.

We arrived in Canadian on Friday evening, April 18^th. It was fun being back there again as Larry and I were there in 1966, just four months after we were married. Of course, lots of memories flooded our minds.

On Saturday afternoon, two couples that we had met in the 1960s, David Young, his brother Lee and their wives prepared us a Texas steak dinner on the grill. When we met the Young's in 1966, they had us out to their ranch for steaks. Their steaks were so good waaaay back then and this time they were just as delicious, along with those Southern Texas beans. Of course...Larry loves steak! It's always a joy to renew friendships. We hadn't seen the Young's since 1988.

 

In Canadian, we were greeted by Pastor Justin Coleman, his beautiful wife Jessica, and their two dear children.  On Sunday morning we had a wonderful worship service and there were several decisions made for Christ. That's always so thrilling for us. Pastor Justin and Jessica are such a sweet and inspiring young couple. They exude the gift of southern hospitality.

After the morning service on Sunday a lady, about 40 years old came up to me and chuckled, "Gloria, you guys don't change! You looked ancient when you were here in Canadian when I was about 7 or 8 years old." I joked, "Thanks...if we were ancient way back then, what are we now?" She blushed and said, "What I meant was, you don't look any different now than you did way back then..." I quickly interrupted, "Oh please, don't say anymore, it's just getting worse!" We both had a good laugh!

Isn't it great that we can laugh? Laughter is a gift from God and when it is allowed to occur, it relieves us from the weight of stress, pain and disappointment. God created joy knowing it was medicine to the body and soul. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." A happy heart and countenance gives us strength and carries us through the valleys and trials of life. Nehemiah 8:10 reads, "The joy of the Lord is our strength." I don't know about you, but believe me...I need all the strength and joy of the Lord I can get to carry me through this life. How about you?

From Canadian, Texas we headed across country into Kansas. The wind was kicking up, trying to toss us to-and-fro on the highway. During one stop, I stepped out the front door of the motor home and the wind pulled me and the door right outside! I felt like Dorothy in the story of The Wizard of Oz. Except...with all my body weight - especially since all the great Southern cookin' - I know the wind couldn't lift me off the ground! I'm firmly packed! HA!

Well, we are inching our way home to South Dakota. It will be good to see home again! Talk to you in a couple weeks!

shadows almost danced across the landscape, moving, shifting and causing a continually changing view. When the sun was shining or when the shadows fell upon the rocks, the sights were simply awe-inspiring...mesmerizing. Personally, it was a sermon to me.

Days filled with sunshine come into our lives and Christ shines through us. I find it easy to shine when all is going well, but the true test of my testimony is when the dark shadows of disappointment, trials and unexpected valleys come. During the times when it seems all hope is fading and satan tempts us to question whether God knows or even cares what we are going through; it is in those moments, I realize the world is looking to see how we handle it. Just as the red rocks of Arizona shone their beauty even through the dark shadows that overtook them, it is my prayer that in my life, Jesus will shine through me. I pray that those who are hurting will discover hope in observing how God brings us through our valleys, ultimately, giving them the assurance that they, too, can make it through.

We arrived in Gallup, NM, which is located in Navajo country, on Saturday afternoon just in time to set up for Sunday's service at Gallup First Assembly of God. It was exciting to be back in Gallup with Pastor David Toppen and his wife, Faye. We met Pastor Toppen and his family when they pastored in Pierre, SD, years ago. We were, again, greeted by his loving congregation who consist of mainly Navajo. My how they love the Lord and love to worship!

"We recently had Larry and Gloria Lundstrom for a Sunday morning evangelistic service. We've

had them come several times over the years. We know what to expect when they come:  People are going to laugh, and people are going to get saved. It's Like Larry puts it, they're an 'altar call with a song'. We had seventeen people respond to Larry's invitation to receive Christ as Savior. Awesome!"

Geri Easton, one of the counselors for the service, told me, "I was thrilled to be a counselor. I felt I have been lazy and not doing what God has called me to do. I have been praying and asking God to help me get involved in touching lives. I am going to be coordinating the effort to follow up on all those that responded to the altar call. It was exhilerating to see all of those people make decisions for Christ."

Mary Buntanbach, a former missionary on a Navajo Reservation and who continues to be very active in ministry said, "Gloria, your ministry was so uplifting and inspirational. I loved the focus on souls and family."

All of those comments were such great encouragements to us. As you are receiving this e-mail, we are heading off for Santa Rosa, New Mexico, for Sunday services. Before I sign off however, I must tell you this...Larry knows how much I love flowers, and he is so thoughtful to surprise me every now and then with a plant or some fresh flowers. Anyway, last week I mentioned to him that I was getting spring fever and how much I loved seeing the first flowers of spring such as daffodils, tulips, etc. A few hours later he went to pick up a few groceries. He returned and then presented me with a beautiful blue and cream hydrangea plant. Of course, he deserved an extra hug and kiss for that! I immediately watered it as instructed. About 14 hours later, when we awoke the next morning, I went to admire my "Pride and Joy", but I was appalled to see my plant looked like someone had put a torch to it. It was completely drooped and it appeared to be dead.

I gasped, "Larry, my plant...ohhh...my plant! Look, it's dead! What happened to it?" To which he smartly quizzed, "Did you water it?" Answering a bit sarcastically, I said, "I'm not that dumb...of course, I watered it!"

I first thought I should return the plant before we left town. Then my second thought was to try to revive it by watering it again. The only thing worse that could happen is it would be dead and water-logged. I chose the latter option. I soaked it, set it on the table and went about with my office tasks for the day. About an hour later, I glanced over to observe my dead plant and to my complete surprise it was in full bloom and looked perfectly healthy and beautiful. Proudly, I showed it to Larry. I picked up the little instruction card and read it again. It said, "When watering, drench thoroughly." AHA! That was the key! Don't let it dry up, keep it moist.

I told Larry, "Aren't our lives just like that plant? If we fail to keep it watered with the Word of God and prayer, we can dry up just as quickly as that plant did. Psalm 63:1, 2 says, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory..." I love that God uses every day life to teach us so many spiritual lessons.

Well, it's time to sign off once again. May you have a blessed week knowing that you are special and that God loves you!

P.S. I wanted to thank you for the many prayers that you, as our family, have offered to the Lord on my sister-in-law, Marvelyn's, behalf. She recently went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ. This is an excerpt from her caringbridge journal that was posted by her family to let people know of her new home. We thought we would share it with you. We ask that you continue to keep the family in your prayers as they walk through this next phase of their journey.

Sunshine Blush

Greetings from the road! We just pulled up stakes and are heading towards New Mexico. I always tell Larry, "When you see plants and weeds growing up around your motorhome, birds trying to nest in your awnings, and people know your name as they walk by, it's time to get a new address! HA!"

We will miss the beautiful Arizona sunshine, the breathtaking sunsets, and the delicious fresh oranges, lemons and grapes that have been given to us straight from the trees/vines by friends and family. Larry has definitely received his daily dose of Vitamin C the last few months. We will miss seeing the Saquaro cactus, a trademark of Arizona, along with the beautiful palm trees that are scattered about.

We are leaving it all behind, but what we are taking with us are the memories of the unforgettable church services, the hundreds of new friends we have made and the joy of getting reacquainted with all of the friends we have met in years past that have been wintering in Arizona. Most of all, we take with us the fragrance of the glorious altar calls, remembering those who made decisions for Christ. Altar calls never become mundane or grow old for us. Every time we see someone come to Christ, it is like a life-giving transfusion to our body, soul and spirit.

On Sunday, March 16, we were back in Fountain Hills, AZ, to minister with pastor and friend, David Iverson. He's always so kind and gracious as is the congregation he is pastoring. We were greeted with such great hospitality and open arms. The altar call was precious and it is exciting to see what God is doing at Fountain Hills Christian Center.

"Larry and Gloria, thank you for another great service. Your heart and ministry is so appreciated! The songs and message are both comforting and challenging. May God give you strength and finances to continue. Praise the Lord for the first time salvations. I told the congregation the previous Sunday that 'If they would get the unsaved to the service, that their chances of getting saved would be very good!' Fortunately, some listened!"

My mom and dad, Clair and Julie Brooks, started wintering in Arizona in the late 70's. They began attending Pastor Lowder's church and as our family began to migrate to Arizona during the winter months for vacations and extended stays; Pastor Bill and Linda Lowder became their Arizona pastors. They have been so faithful to walk with us through many trials and valley experiences. They have been such a blessing and encouragement to our family. Thanks, Pastor Bill and Linda.

A couple days ago, I was walking up the sidewalk to my mom's house. As I looked down, my attention was caught by a most unique picture. Growing out of a crack in the sidewalk, making a statement, was one brilliant orange desert daisy. This daisy brought me to an immediate halt and I leaned over to study it more closely. I motioned for Larry to come and take a look at this one lonely daisy that had pushed its way up into the sunlight against all odds. How beautiful it looked as the late afternoon sun dropped its golden rays on its face. I thought, "Wow! What a lesson for us to learn! No matter how boxed in we may feel by the problems and cares of life, when we feel pressed on all sides like crushing concrete-if we trust God and are determined that we won't allow life to suck our joy and beauty-He will allow our lives to be as beautiful as that brilliant orange daisy."

Pondering that, I am reminded of all our family and friends who have faced pressing challenges in the last weeks or months. In the last "On the Road" update, I shared about my sister-in-law, Marvelyn Brooks, who has so courageously been battling breast cancer. Larry and I, along with my brothers, Larry and Jack, and their wives, Terry and Angie, have had the privilege to have been close to Glen, Marvelyn and the family at the hospital to be a support and to pray with them while here in Arizona. My brother, Glen, and his family remind me of the desert daisy...no matter how discouraging the situation is with bad reports and seemingly hopeless assessments, their strong faith in God and their love for God absolutely radiates through each one of them. The doctors, nurses and staff of Banner Gateway Medical Center where Marvelyn had been for two weeks said they had never seen an entire family like theirs show so much love, faith and belief for miracles of which God has given them many. Each one of them have been a testimony to everyone they have met. This family has literally trusted and stood on the Word of God and it's promises.

For many of you who are also going through deep valleys, I would also like to leave with you the following scriptures, Isaiah 40:28, 29 & 31, "Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the end of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength....But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

May God be your strength and joy until we connect again!

Gloria

Spicy Rice Casserole

Greetings, again, from Arizona! These past two weeks have whisked by so quickly I can hardly believe it.

We've had wonderful soul-winning rallies in the Phoenix area. We ministered at Faith Assembly of God in Phoenix on Sunday, March 9^th.  Pastor Elwin Mack, along with his staff and worship team, were on a missions trip to India.  Pastor Earl and Rose Ostrom, the Seniors pastors, hosted us in their absence. What an energized preacher! He energized us just by being around him. We had a precious service and when the altar call was given many responded. It was exhilarating to see several teenagers make decisions or rededicate their lives to Christ. Several adults of the church also commented how thrilled they were to see the teens go forward, along with all the others. That's a sure sign that it wasn't because of us or our music that those teens came forward - it is certainly not their style of music. It was truly an anointed Word and preaching that touched their hearts.

It was a great Sunday of ministry. On Tuesday, March 4^th Larry and I drove to Tucson, Arizona where we had the privilege to be invited to speak at the Chapel service for the staff of Family Life radio. It was a special time of sharing the Word and spreading encouragement.

Family Life radio beams from coast to coast sharing the gospel through music and syndicated programs.  The facility is beautiful and is definitely on the cutting edge of technology. We were privileged to meet about 30 of their staff, which are all exceptional business men and women who have dedicated their talents, skills and lives to further the gospel through Christian radio.

Audrey Blanco, a long time friend of ours, who formerly worked with Women of Virtue and who is now on staff of Family Life radio, along with her brother, Thorville, were instrumental in bringing us to the Tucson area. Audrey chuckled, "I remember being invited to your wedding in 1965 in South Dakota. I was just a little girl and I remember the wedding being so beautiful." Wow- she has a good memory! Thank you Audrey for the great job you are doing promoting Christian radio with Family Life.

"What a joyful privilege it was to have Larry and Gloria minister recently to our national headquarters staff during our weekly chapel time. Several staff remembered 'the Lundstroms' from years past and were delighted to make a connection again. The words to the songs they sang were uplifting and inspirational, and many were blessed immensely by their testimony. Larry and Gloria encouraged and admonished us to never forget the difference we are making via the airwaves to reach families and individuals for Christ. Larry and Gloria, you are welcome back anytime!"

On Wednesday night, March 5^th, we had a church service at Tucson Assembly of God with Rev. Jimmy Munns. What a sweet spirited pastor. It had been some 20 years since we ministered in Tucson. We're looking forward to returning in a couple of years to do a series of rallies.

Here we are...Easter week. It's a joyous week, knowing that Jesus loves us so much that He would die on a cross for our sins and that He rose triumphantly on Easter Sunday so we can live in that victory, here on Earth, and for all eternity with Him.

As you know, it was a long three day journey for Jesus from Friday to Sunday. From an unfair and unjust trial, to the trail by which he was forced to carry His own cross, to the test of questioning His Father, "My Father, why hast Thou forsaken Me...", to coming to terms that this was the will of His Father that He might fulfill the plan of salvation through His death and resurrection. Thank you Jesus for fulfilling that plan!

As all of us know...life is journey. There's hardly a family I've met that is not going through a "Friday to Sunday" experience. The Bible says in Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

For our immediate family, my brother Glen Brooks and his family, continue in a journey of his wife Marvelyn's battle with breast cancer. She and my brother flew out from Minneapolis to Arizona to spend a month with the Brooks family. Though Marvelyn was very weak, she never complained, but always had a smile and something sweet to say. She is such a testimony to us. A week a ago last Friday, she enjoyed a family birthday party. My brother, Larry Brooks, celebrated his 71st birthday.  She ate, laughed and delighted in the evening with us. The next morning she was rushed to the hospital and within hours was placed on life support. Their four children flew out immediately from Minneapolis. The doctors did not give her any hope to come out of this. I don't think I've ever experienced a family so united and who have stood on the Word with a greater faith than this one. They are totally believing that their mother will come off the life support, and be able to see and respond to her husband and family.

Fast-forward to a couple days ago - - we received a phone call that my sister in-law Marvelyn just opened her eyes after being on life support for over a week! She is nodding her head to questions asked by her family. What a miracle and answer to prayer! This is a much anticipated moment. What a testimony to the doctors and nurses who were sure the outcome was bleak! This was an "Easter Sunday" experience for this family. The verse in Romans 8:17 is dancing in my spirit, "For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." God is definitely revealing Himself in and through this family. Marvelyn is in God's hands. Please continue to pray for her.

May you experience the peace and the joy and the reality of the hope that Easter brings to us with the death and resurrection of God's son, Jesus. Have a blessed Easter!

Gloria

Greetings from sunny Arizona! I can hardly believe it is March already. The weeks are flying by. We have had two wonderful active weeks here in Phoenix, Arizona.

One couple grabbed my arm and said, "We remember you from Klamath Falls, OR, in 1968! We can't believe you are STILL on the road after all of these years! We loved your music and ministry way back then, and we loved your music and ministry today as much or more. We were thrilled to see people respond to the altar calls." I assured them that it is the altar calls that keep us going; they are like a blood transfusion to us when we are weary and tired in body. Every morning when Larry and I pray together, we thank God for saving us and for the privilege of being called to represent Him through ministry.

Last Sunday, we returned to Harvest Church in Glendale, Arizona (a suburb of Phoenix) with Pastor Ron and Sue Rockwell. Ron and Sue are special to us as they were youth pastors in our home church in Sisseton, SD, many years ago. Their ministry to the youth made a great impact on those who were teenagers at that time. They are now adults, many of whom are married and have families of their own. Ron and Sue poured into their lives and a great number of them are still serving God making an impact in the marketplace through their lives, testimonies, examples and integrity. Thanks, Pastor Ron and Sue!  Pastor Ron and Sue shared the following comments regarding the service:

When Larry gave the altar call on Sunday, many responded, including several teenagers. Pastor Eddy Johnson, the new youth pastor at Harvest Church, was thrilled to see those teens make decisions for Christ, especially as this was his first Sunday there. What a way to begin!

We are so thankful to Pastor Ron for allowing us to park our motorhome here alongside the RV MAPS couples who are here working on various church projects. It's exhilarating to see all these seniors investing their lives in God's work rather than rusting out in rocking chairs. This coming fall, most of them will return to Glendale once again to begin working on a new sanctuary that will seat over 1,000. Harvest Church's congregation has grown from 25 people to over 400! Praise the Lord!

Dennis and Jan Duff, who work with RV MAPS, watched over our motorhome for nearly two months while we were back in the Midwest. I had given Jan our new devotional before we left, entitled "For This Moment". On our return, she grabbed me and said, "Gloria, I just love this book! I laugh, I cry and see God's hand in everything you did along the journey you write about. This book is life that we all face on a daily basis. Thank you for telling us the stories of your life journey as it encourages us to walk by faith and not by sight."

Time lapse...okay, I'm back. Both office phones were ringing, I was knee-high in paperwork and mail as well as trying to work on the monthly newsletter. I got a bit overwhelmed by it all. I announced to Larry, "Honey, I need to take a 20 minute power nap to clear my brain...it's blinking!" I laid down and told myself, "I need to think of something really calm and relaxing to erase my anxieties." For some reason my mind recalled one such time when we were in Maui, Hawaii, for a quick day and a half getaway. The deck of the condo overlooked the Pacific Ocean. As we walked out and gazed at the ocean, I couldn't believe my eyes. There were several gigantic whales coming out of the water, ever so gracefully doing acrobatic flips in the air. It looked identical to the Pacific Life commercial. These airborne whales appeared to be the size of boxcars. We stood there, spellbound, watching this breathtaking event. We were being entertained by playful whales.

As I relived the refreshing scene that has been stamped in my memory, I scolded myself, "Gloria, slow down. Get the weight off your shoulders. Take a break, get out and enjoy a few moments of relaxation. If those mammoth whales can lift themselves out of the ocean and into the air with joy, I certainly should be able to throw this weight off my shoulders for a couple of hours."

Sometimes the weight of your and my responsibilities pull us down physically, emotionally and even spiritually. I know I can certainly be found guilty of that. So, about three hours ago, I said, "Larry, let's take a break and have a date...now...please." We dropped everything and scurried off to the "Sweet Tomato", a soup and salad buffet. We leisurely enjoyed our date and then went for a quick walk in the late afternoon Arizona sun. It was so invigorating! I came back relaxed and ready to tackle the work again.

There are times in our lives we need to "close shop" for a few minutes or hours in order to pull away, take a walk, read or pray. Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still...and know I am God." I don't know about you, but I can't rest, be refreshed or grow closer to God unless I am still.

Ooooo...I am preaching to myself, but I must say... "Good preaching, Gloria!" HA!

Well, be blessed! Have a great week and we will connect again!

Gloria

Greetings from Arizona! We left Honolulu, which is on the beautiful island of Oahu, with its breathtaking scenery of brilliant flowers, tropic plants and mesmerizing ocean. It was definitely hard to leave.

We had a marvelous month of ministry over there. The decisions for Christ were absolutely thrilling. We met people from literally all over the world. Within minutes we were no longer strangers but friends.

The week before we left was action-packed. On Sunday, February 10^th we were happy to be back with Pastor Chris and Aurora Bartolome at Bethel Chapel Assembly of God in Waipahu, HI. We've ministered there several times and it was a joy to see friends we've met through the years, and many new ones as well. Pastor Chris has mentored many who are now in ministry and he's very active in oversees missions.

It was so touching to see the young and old step forward at the two morning altar calls to receive Christ, or to recommit their lives to Christ.

The Monday following the service, our friends, Tim and Evelyn DeGracia, and Leanor Tuazon who were responsible for bringing us over to the island for ministry, took Larry and I to the island of Maui for two days. They introduced us to many of their friends, who instantly became our new friends. What fun we had with the different culture backgrounds: Japanese, Filipino, Korean, and South African. As you can see by this photo of us girls, I was definitely the tall Norwegian! The first evening, our new friends fixed us a Japanese meal and the following evening we had a Filipino meal. Each meal consisted of 5-8 courses. Yes, Larry loved it!…me too. Their delicious cooking so graciously added 5 pounds to my 5 foot 8 frame. I'm sure glad I don't have to put all my pounds in a 4 foot 11 frame- I would look like a mini Volkswagen - HA! Our island friends know how to cook…and cook they do. And oh my, all the fresh fruits - including pineapple- we will surely miss that.

Oh yes, the Saturday before we were blessed to attend the wedding of our friend Leanor's son. It was beautiful and so much fun. Anytime the Filipino's have a special event you're sure to have lots of delicious food and a lot of fun. We were so blessed that our friends Tim, Evelyn and Leanor housed us in a beautiful townhouse for 2 ½ weeks, gave us a car to use and fed us most of our meals. They are one of the main reasons it's possible for us to return to Hawaii every two years to minister. Thanks again, Tim, Evelyn and Leanor.

On February 14, Valentine's Day, Larry and I boarded the United Airlines at 6:00 pm. We had a long, long flight home with our knees scrunched up against the seat ahead of us. We arrived into Phoenix, AZ at 9:30 am. Our friends, Jan and Dennis Duff, picked us up and took us back to our motor home in northwest Phoenix. They were so kind to watch over our motor home for the past three months as it was parked by a church in Glendale.

"I would like to thank Larry & Gloria for ministering in the first and second services last Sunday morning. It was good to see both young and old respond to the altars."  - Rev. McNeely

That church was the first church we ministered in when we launched our Family to Family ministry in 1982. We've been back there every two years since then. The church has a real special place in our hearts. In the two services there had to be about 75-100 friends who had been in our services from coast to coast in years past. It was really fun seeing all of them again. Larry and I were especially thrilled to have four of my brothers, their wives, a nephew and his wife with their two children, and a niece attend a morning service. To make it even more special, my precious mother, Julie Brooks, 92-years-old, who is wintering in Arizona was able to attend. This is a photo of some of them just leaving after the service. That was such a treasure.

This past month in Hawaii meeting people from all over the world has been so interesting and inspiring. It's good for us to get out of our comfort zone and "fish bowl" mentality. Once you receive Christ as your personal Savior, it doesn't make any difference where you travel in the world - far and wide - when you meet other Christians, you instantly bond. Isn't that great?

Speaking of friends, Larry and I want to thank you for following us through our website. You've truly become family to us. We appreciate the emails, and if you'd like to leave us a note on the Guest book page you can. Have a great week. We'll connect with you again on March 5^th.

Chocolate Nutmallow Goodies