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.

December 31, 2010 Happy New Year

From today's Our Daily Bread...so fitting for "our journeys toward healing". Thank you Lord for the many joys and struggles of 2010.

Rearview Mirror Reflections

December 31, 2010 — by Joe Stowell

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Psalm 111

For You, Lord, have made me glad . . . ; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. —Psalm 92:4

I’ve always thought that you can see the hand of God best in the rearview mirror. Looking back, it’s easier to understand why He placed us in the home that He did; why He brought certain people and circumstances into and out of our lives; why He permitted difficulties and pain; why He took us to different places and put us in various jobs and careers.

In my own life, I get a lot of clarity (though not perfect clarity—that’s heaven’s joy!) about the wise and loving ways of God as I reflect on the ways He has managed my journey by “the works of [His] hands” (Ps. 92:4). With the psalmist, it makes me glad and strikes a note of joy in my heart to see how often God has assisted, directed, and managed the outcomes so faithfully (Ps. 111).

Looking ahead, though, is not always so clear. Have you ever had that lost feeling when the road ahead seems twisted, foggy, and scary? Before you move into next year, stop and look in the rearview mirror of the year gone by, and joyfully realize that God meant it when He said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Heb. 13:5-6).

With the promise of God’s presence and help in mind, you can move ahead into 2011 with utmost confidence.

Shall not He who led me safely
Through the footsteps of this day
Lead with equal understanding
All along my future way? —Adams

God’s guidance in the past gives courage for the future.

December 23, 2010

We had our family Christmas last night. What a joy to have all our kids together. Our grandson Haakon was an little angel last night. Helping give out presents and opening anyone's gift if he asked. He helped clean up all the  gift wrap...one of his specialties! As everyone was leaving I was helping him get his coat on and said to him, "Merry Christmas Haakon." He looked at me and said, "Merry Christmas to you too, Grandpa." I will never forget those sweet genuine words of love from his heart.

We celebrated by reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20...my Father used to read it every Christmas Eve before we ate our Christmas Dinner. This is the first Christmas Dad is not with us but his memory lives on.

Our Christmas dinner menu was different due to Lois' surgery and complications following surgery. Yet we had a full meal thanks to the "Costco Cooks!" We had a delicious meal that we put together from Costco. I know that may sound strange but what a gift to have such a place for such a time as this. Next year we will return to our traditional fondue feast...the kids were a little disappointed but will recover.

Our stockings numbered 11 this year. Next year there will 13! Two new grand babies on the way in 2011. Whitney and Colin are due in May. Justin and Amy are due in June.
We celebrated our "New Life in Christ" as we remembered Dad while celebrating "new life" as we anticipate the arrival of our new grand babies.

What a wonderful Christmas!
Remember Luke's words as you celebrate too..."But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2.10-11

December 17th, 2010

Well it has been a interesting nine days...

Lois was hospitalized with a blood clot in her leg and multiple pulmonary emboli in both lungs. She came home on the 13th and continues to recover from her surgery and recent hospitalization. God has blessed us with great family and friends. It is humbling to be in need; overwhelming when others share and care so much. We have been encouraged and built up in these days. Thank you Lord.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5.11

December 8th, 2010

Our morning started with a trip to the ER. Lois has a DVT or blood clot in her leg. With medication she should be fine but still it's a little unsettling. I think our pharmacy thinks we are trying to start "our own pharmacy"! They know us by our first names which is not something to be overly joyful about...

Lois' back is mending slowly. She has more mobility each day. We took a walk at Target yesterday only to realize that you have to be able to get back to the car so don't go too far. She over did it a bit but there are benches in Target so a short rest and we were on our way. Feeling rather "old" :-\

Our morning devotions are a blessing as we remember all our prayer partners and those who have asked for prayer. The list grows but it is a joy to pray for others. This morning from Our Daily Bread we were reminded by Dwight L. Moody,

“When a man thinks he has got a good deal of strength, and is self-confident, you may look for his downfall. It may be years before it comes to light, but it is already commenced.” 

...When God gives us success in any area of our lives, let’s not forget the Source of our success. May we choose humility, for God gives grace to the humble.

We are humbled by God's love and grace poured out on us by friends and family in these days.

December 1, 2010

Junior in Nemo, SD 2007

Had to keep a picture of Junior on the blog.

Lois is doing well. More progress each day. Hoping by Christmas she will be more mobil and pain free.

Thanks for all the prayers and kindness shown us during this season of healing.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

November 25, 2010 Thanksgiving Day

My family and I give thanks for the blessings of friends, family and faith. God has carried us forward once again in the midst of things we do not fully understand. David's Psalm of Thanksgiving lifts us up to join in Thanksgiving...

Psalm of Thanksgiving

8 Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples.

9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

Speak of all His wonders.

10 Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.

11 Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,

His marvels and the judgments from His mouth...

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

24 Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

He also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the Lord made the heavens.

27 Splendor and majesty are before Him,

Strength and joy are in His place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him;

Worship the Lord in holy array.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;

For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

35 Then say, “Save us, O God of our salvation,

And gather us and deliver us from the nations,

To give thanks to Your holy name,

And glory in Your praise.”

36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

From everlasting even to everlasting.

Then all the people said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord.

1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 26-36


I would like to share this Thanksgiving devotion from Guiding Light Ministries...

DAILY INSPIRATION
Thursday, November 25th, 2010

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~Melody Beattie~
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Take time this day to reflect on all the many things that you have to be thankful for.  We truly are a blessed people...the mere fact that you are able to read this right now is a testimony to that!
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Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
~Psalms 100:1,2,4,5~

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
~Ephesians 5:18-20~

For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.  For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.
~1 Timothy 4:4,5 (amp)~
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© Copyright 2000-2010 by Guiding Light Ministries International. <mailto:byhislight@aol.com>  All rights reserved.

Guiding Light Ministries International
1680 Hendersonville Rd. - #B-6
Asheville, NC  28803

November 22, 2010

   For it was you who formed my inward parts;

   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

    I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

   Psalm 139:13-14

Healing is sometimes a sprint but most times a marathon. We heal physically at different levels. Our scars start to morph into lines of red, yellow and whatever. Beneath the surface God is knitting together the layers of tissue, muscle and bone which we can not readily see. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. That being said...it still takes a long time to mend after surgery or injury. Rest and exercise along with medications needed promote the healing of our bodies and minds. For the one who is experiencing the healing process it can be frustratingly slow. Learning to look back two weeks, then two months and then two years to see what God had done in the healing process helps. It is amazing what God does in miraculously hidden ways.

Lois is on this journey of healing. We have a schedule of sleep and waking which may be different these days but necessary. We pray for healing and relief from the persistent pain which radiates from the lower back surgery. Medications ease the pain for a while to give her the ability to rest and sleep as needed. Her spirit is strong. She is a woman of faith who relies on prayer when the medications tend to be wearing off.
Gathering peace and strength as she waits for the appropriate time for medications is sometimes hard to bear. It saps her physical and emotional strength, yet her resolve to endure the healing process remains strong. We have a post op follow up on Friday the 26th. Pray for strength and reduction of the chronic pain she will endure during these days. Thanks for all your cards, calls, emails and expressions of love for Lois.

November 18th, 2010 Lois' Healing Journey

It has been a week and 2 days since Lois' surgery and all is well. Strength is returning with some more mobility. She walks as often as possible for exercise around the house. Good thing we have a circle of door ways to make it easier to turn around.

We have had the gift of food and suppers prepared by friends of Lois. It has been wonderful. You don't realize how important this act of kindness is until you are on the receiving end. Bless you all. My mother (92) came on Tuesday and is a welcome helper with the daily chores she is able to do. Lucy the dog doesn't know who to follow some times as we are all moving around doing different things. It is tough to sleep as she is used too.

Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of Lindsay's death. We had notes, emails, facebook messages, flowers and visitors who remembered Lindsay on this day. Lindsay continues to touch our lives and others even in death. We heard they still have "Aloha Friday" at Roseville Area High School which was started by Lindsay and some of the teachers she taught with for 4 years. A student was asked how it got started and she said, "Some old teacher started it..."  I bet Lindsay would love to know she is now "some old teacher"! She would laugh and smile that big smile of hers.

Life is a gift. On Tuesday night our grandson, Haakon, told us that he was going to be a "brother"!
Yes, Amy and Justin are expecting in June 2011. We will be grandparents again by 2. Whitney and Colin are expecting in May. It will be wonderful summer at the Ostrem house. We pray that all will go well with the pregnancies and healthy little ones for our kids.

November 14th, 2010 Home again...

The first day back home from a week of surgery and recovery. A morning of waking, walking, coffee, peanut butter toast and Robert H. Schuller's Hour of Power. Not our average Sunday morning but we are grateful to be in our home and "bed".

Lois is resting "napping" on our couch. We have been showered with love by friends and family the past week. The snow was a nice touch God!

The week will be filled with rest and recovery. Healing of the anterior and posterior incisions will be slow but already improving. We covet your prayers and give thanks for all offered in this new journey toward healing for Lois.

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 3:5-8