November 5, 2011

It has been a wonderful fall. We prepare tonight to "Fall Back" on the clock. We have been fooling ourselves that our days were longer but tomorrow reality will set in. Evening will come earlier each day until late December. I find the days between now and December 21st are some of our best days. Thanksgiving will be here soon and then we prepare for the Christmas season. It is a season of anticipation and expectation. Joy, giving thanks and celebration will fill the days ahead. Don't skip over a day or hour during these days. Savor them and hold them close. 

Lois is doing well. She had to have a hip replaced about 10 days ago. It was affecting her back surgery of last year but seems to have been a good a decision for the future. What a trooper she has been with the two surgeries in the past year. No doubt...women are tougher then guys :-)  Lois, I'm amazed by you.

October 2nd 2011

My son-in-law, Colin is currently running the Mlps-StP marathon...uff da. He has trained for the run but still the unknown lies ahead in each step of the 26 miles. His comment last night as he was doing the "carbo load" thing was that no matter what he would be ok in the fact that he "ran the race."

Life is a marathon. Will we "run the race" in the assurance that Jesus ran it first for us? The lyric from an old hymn written by a man who had lost his whole family in an ocean crossing says..."it is well with my soul." Experiencing Jesus' hands and arms in the midst of the unknown is promised by Jesus in his words..."Lo I am with you always."

Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of my father's death. It is his birth into life eternal with Jesus too. My family will remember him as one who mastered the "marathon of Life in Jesus' and one who helped us to "run with perseverance" and hope. Life is not fair. It can be cruel. Yet we run in the promise that no matter what Jesus is right there by our side or holding us. We run looking forward not back to finish the race set before us for "it is well with my soul."
Blessings and thank you for all your prayers.

September 17, 2011

Tomorrow would be my parent's 70th wedding anniversary. Wow! To be so blessed. We are enjoying having Mom at my sister's for the weekend. Lots of fun and sharing. Family is a great blessing as we are bound together in life and faith. Hope abounds today.
    9 Two are better than one,
      Because they have a good reward for their labor.
       10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
      But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
      For he has no one to help him up.
       11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
      But how can one be warm alone?
       12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
      And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Visited Mayo on Monday. The PET scan reveal multiple nodes with uptake. Small nodes so will watch 4 months then take new PET. Blood work and exam where positive so consider it good. My oncologist felt it was a "slow burner" so was confident to wait. Pray for "fire" to go out. How's that for a metaphor?

August 10th, 2011

Psalm 118.24
This is the day that the Lord has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.

What a beautiful morning in Minnesota!
Sunshine, low humidity and a slight breeze...God creation is at its finest.
Give thanks. Drink it all in. Life is everywhere you look today.
May the troubles in our lives be overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus, the Master of Creation.
May our hearts be filled with gladness and hope.
May our lives reflect Jesus' presence today.
May we remember..."Joy is the echo of God's life in us."

July 29th 2011

Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days...Deuteronomy 30.19b-20a


We have been busy with our family in July. It's summer in Minnesota so lots of family time for most of us cold weather people. Some pictures of family may help. God has provided the gift of life and healing for Lois and me. We are so grateful for these days in our lives.

June 21, 2011 God's gifts and grace shown our family...

Jaelyn and Easton out shopping with the girls

Jaelyn

Easton Napping while Mom does house work

Easton the "Puppy"

Jaelyn all dressed up

Haakon reading a book to Mom

Haakon helping Dad mow the lawn

 Haakon is a big brother

God's gifts and grace shown our family...

June 1st, 2011 Welcome Jaelyn Elizabeth

The Newest Ostrem

Jaelyn Elizabeth Ostrem

5lbs 4oz, 19 inches

born by C-section 

June 1, 2011

12:22pm 

Dad's index finger and Jaelyn's tiny little hand

We are so blessed to have two new grandbabies in three weeks.

Praise God

May 30th, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend Highlights

"Grandbabies!"

We were able to enjoy our kids and grandkids together with my mother. Whitney, Colin and Easton surprised my mother with a quick visit. Surprised would be an understatement. She was ecstatic. We are so blessed to have these precious memories and days.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118.24

May 16th 2011

Today Easton Hans Theodore Woelfle was born at 2:13pm . He is 9#; 21". We have been with Mom and Dad since 12:15 today. Mom, Dad and Child are doing very well. Whitney had a C-section due to Easton's size and weight. We have pictures and videos of God's marvelous creation.

Psalm 139 speaks of us being "fearfully and wonderfully made" in our mother's womb. God has provided another great gift for our family. Cousin Haakon visited tonight and wanted to hold Easton. He said he would teach Easton how to play hockey...that's our boy!

Three years ago on October 13th I wondered if I would ever see and hold my grandchildren. God has provided abundantly and faithfully. In June, Haakon will have a little sister and Easton another cousin.
Thank you Jesus for watching over us and blessing us this day.

April 30, 2011

It has been a wonderful 3 weeks since I last posted. My Mother came to stay with us during the flooding in Fargo-Moorhead area. We have enjoyed visiting, looking at pictures, "shopping" and eating. Mom will be 93 on May 19th so we have been celebrating the big event to come.

Friday morning our daughter, Whitney, invited great-grandma, grandma and grandpa to watch her ultrasound of our future grandchild. What an awesome experience. The baby was sleeping. We saw the heart beating, blood flow and pulse of the baby. Measured the femar bone and head to determine approximate weight and age. The projection was about 8' plus. Looks like Colin and Whitney will have a good size baby to take home. She is scheduled to have the baby on May 16th. Psalm 139 came to life in front of our eyes...
"For it was you who formed my inward parts;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
   Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well. ¹⁵   My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
   intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
   all the days that were formed for me,   when none of them as yet existed.
Our prayers continue for Whitney and Amy, who is due around June 8th will be having a little girl. We are excited about the new arrivals. It will be a busy summer with new babies in both of our kid's families.

Friday night we had a 40th Class reunion of my dental school class. It was a fun evening of visiting and trying to catch up on 40 years of life and practice. There was more gray hair and less hair in the room. Lots of laughter and sharing of stories. I was so blessed to be alive and able to enjoy this experience. Thank you Mayo and Jesus for giving me these days of my life. Thank you for continued prayers and encouragement.

April 5th 2011

Happy Birthday Lindsay...

It would be Lindsay's 34th Birthday today. We were blessed by having her for twenty six years. Below is the quote shared with us at the time of Lindsay's death that has helped us in the passing days.

“Here, in a nutshell, is what it means to understand something as a gift and to handle it with gratitude, a perspective biblical religion puts around all of life. And I am here to testify that this is the only way down from the Mountain of Loss. I do not mean to say that such a perspective makes things easy, for it does not. But at least it makes things bearable when I remember that Lindsay was a gift, pure and simple, something I neither earned nor deserved nor had a right to. And when I remember that the appropriate response to a gift, even when it is taken away, is gratitude, then I am better able to try and thank God that I was ever given her in the first place.” 

Quote from Tracks of a fellow struggler by John Claypool, pg. 82, Word Publisher, 1974.  (We have edited the text by using Lindsay’s name to replace his daughter’s name in the original text.)

March 26, 2011

 ¹²Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord.

 ¹³Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

 ¹⁴This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

When we eat breakfast are we reminded of the "beach breakfast" that Jesus had with his closest followers and friends? 

Try it. When we pray "Come Lord Jesus..." see the coals and fire with Jesus sitting next to us. Give thanks and dine with Jesus and others who you may be with today. A blessing time for our meal and us.

Lois and I share breakfast each morning. It is an experience we have not been able to share for some years. Our new "normal" is blessing us with shared time we have longed for but limited by our busy lives. It has been good to slow down and enjoy the blessings of each day. May Jesus be with you.

March 15th 2011

What do you write as one watches the terrible images and destruction affecting Japan. Our neighbors are from Japan and I can only imagine the horror and anxiety they have been living through these days. I find  prayer for them and the many who this day have experienced a living "hell on earth" my only solace. I have been asked if these many events are signs of the "end times". It may well be. If it is it increases the urgency to share the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we can make a difference in another life for eternity. No one has tomorrow. Make each day count.

Revelation 3:14-22 

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans^[a^] write, 

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,^[b^] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

March 10, 2011

It has been some time since I posted. We are healing together each day. Lois' back is a long process of healing so we pray and wait for her recovery. Our daily devotions have been a special time for prayer for our family and friends. Know you are being lifted up in prayer. It is privilege to pray for so many each day. It brings joy and healing into our lives. God hears our prayers and we are humbled to have the privilege to pray. We thank Jesus over and over for all our friends and family that continue to bless us in so many ways.

Today's Scripture from Our Daily Bread devotion says

Psalm 102

 ¹ Hear my prayer, O LORD,
         And let my cry come to You.
 ² Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;
         Incline Your ear to me; 
         In the day that I call, answer me speedily. 
         
 ³ For my days are consumed like smoke,
         And my bones are burned like a hearth.
 ⁴ My heart is stricken and withered like grass,
         So that I forget to eat my bread.
 ⁵ Because of the sound of my groaning
         My bones cling to my skin.
 ⁶ I am like a pelican of the wilderness;
         I am like an owl of the desert.
 ⁷ I lie awake,
         And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. 



¹² But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,
         And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.
 ¹³ You will arise and have mercy on Zion;
         For the time to favor her,
         Yes, the set time, has come.
 ¹⁴ For Your servants take pleasure in her stones,
         And show favor to her dust.
 ¹⁵ So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD,
         And all the kings of the earth Your glory.
 ¹⁶ For the LORD shall build up Zion;
         He shall appear in His glory.
 ¹⁷ He shall regard the prayer of the destitute,
         And shall not despise their prayer. 

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

"Joy is the echo of God’s life in us."

Abbot Coumba Marmion

Love is the echo of God's life in us...

Joy is the echo of God's life in us...

Peace is the echo of God's life in us...

Patience is the echo of God's life in us...

Kindness is the echo of God's life in us...

Generosity is the echo of God's life in us...

Faithfulness is the echo of God's life in us...

Gentleness is the echo of God's life in us...

Self Control is the echo of God's life in us...

May our day "echo" Jesus' life and love through us with the Spirit of Jesus. May Jesus enliven our Valentine's Day even in the midst of sorrow or loss. May Galatians 5:22-23 direct this day and every day.

February 08, 2011

Morning devotions have become a precious time for Lois and me. We have chosen to listen to Our Daily Bread online to start our devotions. It is a time of quiet and listening to the spoken Word in the devotion for the day.

Then we pray. Prayers for so many in need of healing and help that only the Spirit of Jesus can touch are lifted up. Prayers of thanksgiving and praise for what God has and is doing in us in this new season of our lives.

A quote that continues to come to us is "Joy is the echo of God's Life in you".
Joy fills our lives each day as we pray and listen to God's Word.
We give thanks each day for health and healing being poured over us through the Spirit of Jesus.

January 28, 2011

Sisters are great!

My Sis, Bonita, has been able to spend the last 10 days with our Mom. Mom was so ready for her to come and stay. Mom had a bunch of things to take care of while Bon was visiting. They had a great time just spending time with each other.

Bonita is always ready to come if needed. Her husband, John has been extremely supportive and encourages her to go when the opportunity arises. I am blessed to have a sister and brother-in-law like Bon and John. They were here for a month while I had my stem cell transplant and continue to be very supportive. Sisters are great!
Love ya Sis!

January 14, 2011

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

 

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust...Lean...Acknowledge...

Faith and following where one is led sometimes takes a surprising course. Since January 1st we have frequented the clinic and emergency room a few times. It seems that Lois' has a predisposition to clotting issues. Pulmonary emboli have given us a few tense moments this week. God's hand of protection has been on Lois through it all. We have seen a hematologist at the U of MN who tested her for possible hereditary factors. She has a "Factor Five Liden" that half of which is functioning improperly. We are not sure what this means long term but will be evaluating and monitoring her INR (clotting time). Medication may be adequate to control her blood clots that tend to form periodically. Now we lean...trust... and acknowledge God's leading in our lives wherever it takes us. It brings 

healing to (y)our flesh 

and refreshment to (y)our bones. Thanks be to God.