January 15th 2013

Every New Years Eve for the past few years as a family we have gone to the Roseville Oval skating rink with our kids and grandkids. This year our daughter-in-law was interviewed on the rink with Justin and Haakon skating in the background. It was viewed on KARE 11 at 10pm that evening. I am including the link if you would be interested.

http://bcdownload.gannett.edgesuite.net/kare-podcasts/35140830001/35140830001_2066122956001_LindseyNewYears.mp4

The kids show up after about a minute of the segment so be patient. The new year is starting well with spending time with our kids and grandkids. Our prayer is that your new year is full of joy and laughter.

New Years at the Moorhead Marriott 2013...The little ones are growing up! They know how to find Mickey Mouse Club on the iPhone...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December 2nd, 2012

Great grandma Olga and three of her four great grandkids. Picture taking is a time for a little chaos. Lots of action and a few tears. Don't suppose anyone else has experienced this phenomenon :-(

We still enjoyed the effort each one put in to the event

November 13th 2012

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Sunday the children's choir sang "This is my Father's world". May we always remember that "This is my Father's world...God is ruler yet...the Lord is King...God reigns"

Sitting in the surgery family waiting area with our nephew, Le Michael. Lois' sister is having double knee replacement as I write. Please keep Kathie in your prayers for complete and rapid recovery. She is widowed and will need much care by others.

Yesterday I went to Mayo for my follow up pet scan and other test to check the progress of the mantle cell lymphoma. It is labeled a "slow burner" lymphoma. There were nodes that have uptake and  increased in size slightly. Dr Letendre said we would not treat at this time due the the size and uptake. We found that to be good news. 

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.

Blessings, 

Tedd

November 5th, 2012

Every day is a gift...Every breath is a miracle!  Gratitude is my response and love is my offering.
~Mary O'Shannon - Spiritsong ~

This was a quote from another and I found it very true no matter what our circumstance.

October 14, 2012 Home again...

Was able to leave Mayo this afternoon. New med dosing so am pleased with stay.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Tedd

October 12th 2012

Tomorrow, October 13 will be my 4th birthday since my stem cell transplant in 2008. I'm celebrating this event by being on the cardiac unit St Mary's in Rochester. My cardiologist felt we should adjust my meds and it requires an in-patient stay. I should be out in 2 1/2 days. My heart wants to race and beat irregularly so guess it is a good idea.

Lois and I had a wonderful summer enjoying our kids and grandkids. Watching them all grow (big and small) is a true treat for us. God has given us these special days and we promise to not waste them. Haakon is 4, Jaelyn is 16 months and Easton is 16 months. They are huge blessings in our lives.

Blessings my friends
Tedd

Pictures of the grandkids in this order or so....
Easton
Jaelyn and Haakon
Haakon

July 2012

On my birthday this Our Daily Bread devotional reminded me of focus pf my journey toward healing. July 2, 2012 A New Day by Bill Crowder Read: Psalm 118:19-29 This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24 In a morning meeting I recently attended, the person who opened the gathering began by praying, “Lord, thanks for today. It is the beginning of a new day we have never seen before.” Although the idea seemed obvious, that prayer got me thinking about a couple of different things. First, because each day is a new opportunity, it will be filled with things we cannot anticipate or even prepare for. Therefore, it’s important that we recognize our limitations and lean heavily on God—intentionally choosing to live in His grace and strength rather than relying on our own resources. The second thing that occurred to me is that the newness of each day is a gift worth celebrating. Perhaps this concept was what prompted the psalmist to declare, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24). Of course, we face many unknowns today—and some could be difficult. But the treasure of each brand-new day is so special that Moses was led to write, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (90:12). Every new day is a precious gift. May we thankfully embrace each one with confident trust and humble celebration. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best— Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest. —Berg Each new day gives us new reasons to praise the Lord. Bible in a year: Psalms 115-118

May 11th 2012

Mayo visit May 10th

Spent the day at the Mayo Clinic with blood work, x-rays and exam. The reports were good with no changes. Will return in 6 months for PET scan etc. Very happy with the outcomes and looking forward to having a wonderful summer with these little ones:

This is one of the keys to good health...
You can't buy this kind of joy and love anywhere!
Blessings

One of my dear friends told me to update my journey so here we go...sometimes it is difficult to update when one is blessed to have 3 grandchildren. Love them dearly and get to care for them regularly. It doesn't get any better than this season of our lives. My health is stable and will return to Mayo next week to see what they have to say about my situation. I have a "slow burner" situation at this time. Praying that it remains that way. Lois' healing is progressing gradually. A new knee, hip and back fusion in about 2 years is a lot to recover from at our ages. Enough about this stuff!

You may wonder about the picture and its significance. Lindsay's Concordia College (Moorhead MN) Class of 1999 at their ten year reunion initiated  a scholarship in Lindsay's name at Concordia. Last fall the Connections program that Lindsay taught in at Roseville High School was cut back significantly. We were disappointed as were the wonderful teachers committed to the Connections concept for 9th -12th graders but the program was reduced. As Brian and I visited about the situation we decided to explore the scholarship at Concordia. We found that the Class of 99 had endowed half of the total amount needed before the scholarship could be awarded. At that point Brian (CC Class of 99) and our family agreed to see if we could bring the generous funds from the scholarship in Roseville to the Concordia Scholarship.

With the help of Kilie Kadre Weiler of Concordia we were able to complete the endowment requirement with the transferred funds. We all were amazed that it will began awarding scholarships in Lindsay Ostrem Roach's name for the 2012-2013 school year. It will be dedicated to secondary education majors studying at Concordia. Thank you "Class of 99", Karin and Andrew for beginning this scholarship and know that Lindsay would be so honored to know you established it in her memory.

Concordia recognized the endowment of the scholarship at the Founder's Day Dinner. Dr Kraft, the new president of Concordia, presented the President's Award to Brian and our family last weekend. We believe that it really belongs to the Class of 99, Lindsay's friends and our families. Thank you for this precious gift in her memory.

January 12, 2012

First update of 2012!

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family. Two new grandbabies and a three year old really made the Christmas celebration special. How God has blessed us in these past three years. So many gifts of joy and love. Lois and I pray each morning a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of "one more day" to enjoy and serve. 

Visited Mayo on Tuesday. The pet scan revealed multiple nodes with uptake in neck, under arms and in abdomen which were small with slight changes overall. Dr Letendre said that it appears to be a "slow burner" at this time which was good news. He wants to check progression in four months.

Giving thanks and praise for a report that the lymphoma is a "slow burner" at this time. I have ongoing affects of "chemo brain". Sounds weird but it really exists.

Thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement in this journey.
Blessings in the New Year! Don't miss the joy of each day of 2012

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