In His Grip

Third Sturman is Employed

Congratulations are in order to Anna as she has signed a contract with the Spring Hill School District. Yeah!  Our youngest child is now employed with a real career.  Where has time gone?  It seems like just yesterday that I sent this baby girl off to her first day of Kindergarten and come next Fall she will be teaching someone else’s babies.  When I look back at parenting our kids this day seemed so far off and to be honest I was not sure we would all come out alive.  But to be at this place and look back at those times that were hard, messy, and a bit unbearable, I would do them a hundred times over to feel the satisfaction and pride that I feel for what great adults our kids have turned out to be. This all despite of the mistakes that I know we made during those tender growing up years.  This proves that prayer and faith in God can be more powerful than any missteps two humans trying their best to raise the precious gifts God entrusted with them.   Yes, Jeff and I have successfully parented three babies who are now adults and contributing members of society.  Wow, really God? How did we deserve such blessings we find in our children?

Skate For Change Gets a Media Boost

Our son, Ryan, has been a part of a start up ministry called Skate For Change in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Their primary goal is to connect with the homeless community in their city.  Basically, they are a bunch of skate boarders that have a heart for the under resourced in Lincoln and are doing something about it.  This weekend they got a huge media boost with the visit of Ryan Sheckler.  Ryan Sheckler is a skate boarding icon, business owner and charity founder.  He was interested in what Skate for Change was all about and wanted to experience, along with the skaters of Lincoln, the act of serving the homeless.

To view the news video of the day click here.  The hope is that Ryan Sheckler will take this experience back to Los Angeles and start a Skate For Change in his own community.  Mike Smith, Skate For Change founder, is also the owner and operator of Bay 198, a nonprofit skate park whose desire is to mentor and empower the skate culture through a positive environment.  They are creating a space where skaters of all ages can creatively develop individual skills while cultivating an atmosphere of growth, love, and community.

Trust for three?

This past Sunday in church we were each given three playing cards.  Coming from a baptist background, my pastor, grandfather would be quite disturbed by the fact that we had playing cards let alone drums and guitars in church.  But that is a whole other story. We were to assign each card something we value most in our life; family, job, security, etc.  Once we had done that, we were asked to give them over to Jesus.  Giving him total control and trusting him for the plans of each of these things we hold so dear.  During an extended time of worship and prayer, when we had given these things over to Jesus we were to lay them face up on the floor in front of us.  I have been a Christ follower since I was 12 years old and grew up in a Christan family believing that I was able to give it "all" over, but I have to be honest with you I was unable to lay these cards down.  I want to be able to trust Christ for everything, and there have been times when I think I have come close, but as soon as I would lay it down, minutes later I would pick them up again.  Daily, if not hourly, I have to force myself to allow Christ to have control in areas of my life that I want him to and areas where I struggle to give up that control. Needless to say, I still have my cards and have not yet laid them down. The desire to trust fully is there it's just the lack of control that I have trouble with. 

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4

I do believe this, its the application that I can't seem to manage.  Have a great day and "trust" in the Rock eternal.

Living Life Together

In the past I may have used the phrase living life together a little flippantly.  This group of women are the gals that I often talk about who meet at 6:30am each Saturday morning for coffee and spending time together.  Over the course of 30 days we will have truly lived the very highest and lowest of lows in life.  As a group we have and will continue to help each other live, the death of a 22 year old nephew, the death of an American hero, and the passing of a much loved father-in-law. And yet these gals will also live and celebrate the birth of a grand baby and the marriage of a child.  How is one such precious group of women able to live this roller coaster?  We are doing this together, along with our faith and hope in Christ.  We may not know how to do this the "right" way, but just walking through it hand in hand knowing that someone is always there to prop you up when you can no longer stand, is "right" in and of itself. Loving each other enough to be there to weep and mourn and in that grief recognizing that there are celebrations as well is a true testament of the deepest kind of friendship there is.  I love these gals and we are truly living life together.

Life Can Overflow

What if my life was like a fountain? What if hope, grace, peace, and love flowed freely, never drying up or feeling depleted?  Try as I might to fill that top bowl of my "fountain" with the things of this world, approval, accumulating stuff, gaining advantage, etc. it never seems to fill up enough to spill out into the bowl below and then the bowl beyond that.  Trying to fill my own fountain makes me weary and ultimately burned out.  But when I build into my day time to pray and do a devotion, somehow that top bowl begins to fill and the more often I do this, the fuller that bowl becomes and starts to spill over into the next bowl and my fountain begins to flow over into other areas of life.  My desire and quite frankly, struggle, is to live a life that is overflowing with the love of Christ that it may even be splashing onto things I do not even expect or imagine.  

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." ~ John 7:37-38

Praying for a Soldier

Praying for a solider has changed my perspective on how I take my freedom for granted.  When I stop to think about it, I live as though it is my right and dog gone it, I deserve to live in a country where I have known no other way.  But if I stop there, that would mean that those who live in a part of the world where they have little freedom and live under oppression deserve that way of life too.  It comes down to the fact that there is no real justice in where we are born and the circumstances of the government we find ourselves ruled by.  I have come to be so much more thankful and appreciative of the men and women of our armed forces and the sacrifice they are making to give me the right to freedom.   One of the gals in my "tribe", saturday morning coffee group, has a son that has been deployed.  Just hearing regular updates of the conditions and morale of our guys and gals who have chosen to put themselves in harms way on a daily basis has really taken me to pray daily/hourly for our solider. He asks for prayer for his fellow soldiers as well and the difficulties they have being away from loved ones and having to be "on" everyday in the face of mortal danger.  Our "tribe" has been wearing these bracelets as a reminder to pray for our solider as well the rest of our military.  I have only had this bracelet for a week, but I cannot tell you how many times a day I have been reminded by this bracelet to pray for our solider.  I would challenge you to make yourself some kind of reminder to pray for our military on a regular basis.  Our solider depends on prayers to get him through his time of service to our country.  This is the verse I pray for our solider regularly.

God is your refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 41:1

Little Country Church

The little country church on the edge of town in Cook, Minnesota, is one of the happening places when it comes to making God's kingdom grow.  We have been attending this little church on our vacations for over 25 years.  The transformation from a very traditional older, baptist church to one that is keeping up with the times and meeting the needs of their community has been fun to watch over the years.  This is the first church that my dad attended as an infant as his father was the pastor here when my dad was born.  I think of the this old song from the 1970's every time we attend here.  "Little Country Church" by Love song.  This song has to be written about First Baptist Church of Cook, Minnesota.

 

Helping Japan

I just can not get the images of the devastation in Japan out of my head.  Sitting here in my home with water, electricity and many other comforts makes me feel so helpless.  From here, I know there is really only one thing that I can do and that is pray for the leaders and people of Japan.  Their need for comfort, daily needs, and wisdom in the face of all the destruction has to be overwhelming.  My heart goes out to the organizations that are on the ground in what I am sure is a desperate need to help and not stop until there is nothing else to be done.  I always have a yearning to go to these devastated places in the world and help, but I have no way to do this, let alone funds to make a difference.  I do know I can help with my donation to organizations that are there on the ground and they do need the funds, even if it is just my little bit.  Here are few ways you too can make a denotation.

Heart to Heart International is an organization that mobiles volunteers and supplies in the face of disastors.  Find out how you can help with a donation or provide personal care kits at their website.

Salvation Army has made it possible to donate by texting the words "Japan" or "Quake" to 80888 to make a $10 donation, or make a donation via their website here.

The Red Cross also offers this option, text "Redcross" to 90999 to donate $10 as well, or visit their website to make other donations.

Not Too Close, Please

I have to say, there is a small group of people that really know me and I think that they would agree that I really know them.   Some are in my family and others are people that I have chosen to be a part of my "family".  When we allow people to be close enough to really get to know us, they can tell by our expressions and body language what we are thinking and feeling.  This can be a good thing when you are in a group, someone else is talking, and your spouse gives you a look and you know exactly what they are thinking about what is being said.  Or, you and friend can be walking in a crowd, you pass someone, you both look at each other and just crack up knowing exactly what they are thinking without saying a word.  I love having people in my life that I can do this with.  However, there are people that never allow others to get too close.  They have walls up for whatever reason and just don't know what they are missing out on.  In fact, they may feel they are not missing out at all and wonder what the big deal about "living in community" is all about.  I want others to experience a close circle of friends that they can depend on in good times and bad.  Although, I am not the kind of person to give up easily, I do respect, "not too close, please" when I see it.  How can I make a difference to that "not too close, please" person?  Something I have been thinking a lot about lately.

Breath of Heaven

One year ago today my Dad took his first breath of heaven.  I imagine it was a long, full, deep, breath like none he had for quite some time as he had interstitial lung disease.  This last year has been full of firsts without Dad there to offer loving encouragement, share is his wisdom, prepare the boats for fishing, and not the least of which was to tell me how beautiful I am ever time I saw him.  Together my Mom, sisters and I, as well as family and friends, have navigated these days and have made it through with the comfort in knowing that this is not all there is.  We too will one day take a breath of heaven and Dad will be there cheering us through those pearly gates.  The memory of that last evening together as Dad prayed and blessed each one of his children and grandchildren knowing that he would soon be taking that first wonderful breath of heaven is one that is sweet and I hold very dear.   Although I know that this will not be my last experience of loosing someone I love so dearly, I do know now that I have a God that is way bigger than death and all the sorrow that comes with it. 

I Will Become In 2011

This is my plan of action for 2011, to become all that God has planned for me. 

I will walk with the dreamers
the believers,
the courageous,
the cheerful,
the planners, the doers,
the successful
people with their
head in the clouds
and their feet on the
ground. Let their spirit
ignite a fire within
me, to leave this
world better than
when I found it.

~Wilford Peterson~

My First Christmas In Heaven

 

My First Christmas in Heaven

 

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below

With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

 

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

 

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,

But I am not so far away, We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me dear ones, You know I hold you dear.

And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

 

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.

I sent you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

 

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do,

For I can't count the blessing or love He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear,

Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!

 

This poem was sent to me from my friend, Donna.  Our family talks about what holidays must be like in heaven for Dad.  Seriously, Christmas with Jesus, angles, and streets of gold, how can our mere attempt at holiday decorations compare?

Why I Celebrate Christmas

I believe that in the business of the Christmas season I often forget what my celebration is really all about.  Even as a follower of Christ, I am  sucked into all of the activities of our Christmas holiday that our culture suggests.  Everywhere I look there is a reason to buy gifts, decorate my home, and go to parties.  As my blog and home are here to tell, I love the Christmas season with all of its glitter, sparkle and surprises.  But I have been reflecting today why it is I do all of these things and why the excitement builds as the month of December progresses.  For me, it starts with family and the memories that are involved with the celebration of Christmas.  There is not a Christmas for me that did not include the telling of the first Christmas in Bethlehem.  I began thinking today that even if you do not believe that Jesus is the son of God, you celebrate his birth everyday of the year.  Our calendar is based on the birth of Christ and there is no getting away from that.  Today my heart is happy that Jesus was born and brought with him the gift of grace and forgiveness. That is why I celebrate Christmas!!!!

Trunk or Treat Invite

 

There She Goes Again

Yes, there she goes again, writing another article that can hit a sister right between the eyes.  My sister, Janet, has written another article that is published in the Christian Standard titled Shut Up. This past Spring Janet and I spent some time together in Norther Minnesota as she took a good portion of her time writing this article among some other things and we talked a lot about this "shut up" concept and it impacted me pretty good then too as I wrote a blog post about it here.  Janet serves as the community life director at Restore Community Church, where she helps people get connected to small groups and develops leaders.  She has always been one of those people that has been able to talk to me about the hard stuff of life and I don't take offense but rather know that what she is telling me is out of love and helping me the best that I can be.  I am a big fan, can you tell.  Who knows maybe one day, after she becomes some kind of famous author, I will be able to say I knew her back when she still wore pigtails.

Group Leader Appreciation

Last Friday night we spent the evening thanking the community group leaders here at Indian Creek Community Church.  Our leaders were greeted with a walk of fame, where each leader was honored with a star of their own.  We honored 104 group leaders over the past year.  (Insert big applause here).  Community groups are where the truth of God's word and the realities of life meet here at Indian Creek.  We heard some great stories of life change and inspiration that were attributed to being part of a group.   

 

 
If you live the in the Kansas City area, it is not too late to sign up for the Fall Semester of community groups here at Indian Creek Community Church.  Click here to find a full listing of the groups available at both the Olathe and Gardner Campuses this semester where you are sure to find something that will fit your needs and season of life. 

100 Blessing Chanllenge

This past Sunday our next step was to write 100 unique blessings in our life.  I wanted to take up this challenge so began this process right away on Sunday afternoon thinking this is going to be easy.  Well, it is Wednesday and I am up to 70.  I am trying to limit my list to blessings about the real stuff of life and not the material world around me.  Although, I do feel blessed by the "things" in my life, I feel like it is my relationships that bring me the true blessings I enjoy.  But seriously, trying to come up with 100 unique blessings is really hard.  Mine range from the blessing I feel when people comment that my daughter is just like me, to the sound of hearing Jeff come through the door each evening.   When you stop to think about what you would miss if the people in your life were not there, that's when the "real" blessings start to come to mind.  Try it, and then share these blessings with the ones that you love and bring a blessing to them today.

Suprising Impact

Today we received the newsletter from the couple, Travis and Roberta Sanders, at Casas por Cristo that served as our team coordinators for the mission trip that our family took at Christmas time in 2007.  Because this newsletter is not on-line, I want to share it with you here, otherwise I would just give you a link.  But this is the article that Travis wrote:

"A couple of Christmases ago Roberta and I had the privilege to be a part of the Bergfalk family in celebrating Addison and Peggy's 50th wedding anniversary by building a home for Sergio and Flor Venegas.  This January the world lost an incredible man as Addison passed away.  Instead of flowers Addison and his family requested people to donate to the work of Casas por Cristo.  About a month later Casas received a substantial check in honor of Addison.  After hearing of Addison's passing, I began to look back on the brief time that we got to spend with him and his family and about the impact that our time together has had.  The focus of Casas por Cristo is to provide adequate housing for people in desperate need.  The generosity of Addison and his family has had a deep and significant impact on my life and my ministry here.  I have always known that doing what we do has a lasting impact on not only the families who receive homes but also everyone who has ever gotten the opportunity to  be a part of a build.  After all, that experience is the reason that every single person at Casas has moved hundreds or thousands of miles for their homelands to serve here.  I have seen thousands of people's lives get changed here, but none have hit me so hard.  The thought of being part of the seventy-two hours that Addison chose to represent who he was as a man is probably the most humbling experience of my life.  I am not anywhere near being worthy enough to be a part of the life changing impact that goes on here. However, I am incredibly grateful that we serve a God that does not see that unworthiness, but allows us to share in what He's doing.  Thank you to all of you with whom I've been able to share in what Christ is doing here, and thank you to the entire Bergfalk family.  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family, for your continued prayers and support, and for reminding me that this is bigger than building a home or serving our friends across the border.  It's bigger than any of us."

To hear of the inpact that my Dad had on Travis is so touching.  I can't say I will ever tire of hearing stories of how my Dad made a difference in others people's lives.  It continues to prove to me that I cannot wait to be "perfect" for God to use me, but allow God to use me in the midst of my journey.

 

 

In Grandma's Garden

My Mom has lived in northern Minnesota since she and my Dad retired over 10 years ago.  Okay, I know, who retires to Northern Minnesota? Well, if you could see the lake and house that they retired to, your questions would be answered.  But one of my favorite parts of the lake house is the garden that my Mom has put together.  She is not a big plant person, so the flowers are not really the focus of this garden.  She originally called it her prayer garden.  Just a little piece of the world that she could call her own and meet with Jesus there.  She has things in the garden that remind her of the people that are on her prayer list.  I like to picture her walking down the little rock covered path praying for me and my family.  One of the things that I have been able to count on over the years is that my family has always been covered by the prayers of my Mom, and before they died my Dad and both sets of Grandparents.  The heritage of Christ followers in my family has been one of the greatest blessings in my life.  Gardens don't just have to be for flowers and plants they can be full of the prayers of a Grandma for the ones that she loves.  

 
 

Journey to Debt Freedom!

As I posted yesterday, Jeff and I are credit card free!!!!!! Yes, we have zero credit card debt as of this week.  Yeah!  (Jumping up and down doing the happy dance, and believe me you are glad that this is a blog and there is no video!)  But quite frankly, the war is not won yet.  This is just one more step in our commitment to become totally debt free. 

Next we tackle the parent plus college loans and at the same time commit to paying the last two years of Anna's college without any additional loans. Yikes!   As young parents, Jeff and I had made no plans on how we would help our kids financially through college, after all, that was years away and we had plenty of time.  Well, we are here to tell you those years disappear without a trace and you are faced with how to pay for higher education when you wake up from the fog of raising teenagers. 

We have not been total financial dummies, after all, we do have retirement planned for, it was the in-between years that fell off our radar.  But those college bills are not standing in our way for long and with a little dedication, they too will disappear and we can proceed with the happy dance once again.  I do have to say, I felt a bit of anxiety when thinking about cutting up those credit cards and that first cut really made me sweat, but once I got started, the scissors were flying and the relief was awesome.  Just to make sure that these debts will not be forgotten and the stress that is related to them, I decided to put them there right in front of us every day.  Yes, instead of the pretty marbles that usually surround my candles, I thought this credit card confetti makes a nice reminder!  Debt freedom here we come!