We've just returned from a 10 day tour of North Dakota that brought us to Regent, North Dakota. We were invited to be the spiritual emphasis in their city's Centennial celebration. Russ and Sharon Schaur and Ron Schaur invited us to sing and minister Friday evening in the Regent School, as well as a community service on Sunday morning under the big red and white tent. Beings it was a centennial celebration there were people from coast to coast that came to participate, and many of them joined us on Sunday morning.
How thrilling it was to change the wooden dance floor into a sanctuary and altar. The morning gave us perfect summer weather with plenty of sunshine and a light breeze. When Larry gave the invitation young couples, families, and seniors walked up to the front and made decisions for Christ. 
The night before the tent was used for a dance band, so we had an early Sunday morning clean-up of the aftermath of party goers. Larry and I set up our sound system and Ron, Russ and friends set up chairs and benches and may I add, the chairs were padded..how about that!
It was also thrilling in the past two weeks to meet numbers of friends who have come to Christ under our ministry in the past several years. That truly is an energy transfusion to Larry and I that gives us strength and joy to keep pushing on. Speaking of "pushing on" Larry turned 67 on Monday, the 28th. His vision and heartbeat for the lost is greater than ever. He lives, breathes and talks evangelism. He began his 50th year in ministry last May 15th and plans to go a lot longer. (But I hope we will slow down a bit). I'm trying to keep up with him...but trying to keep up with the ministry pace is like trying to chase a "rabbit on the run"! On our way to Regent, North Dakota which is tucked away in the hills of the North Dakota prairies, we had a special treat. We were mesmerized and intrigued as we traveled the enchanted highway where you
In the 40th chapter of Exodus verse 34 it talks about the "tent" being a "meeting place" with God. Well-Regent had a tent that became that "meeting place" for those looking and longing for God. It was such a sweet service.
travel 32 miles and view 7 of the world's largest metal sculptures created by Gary Greff. Of course North Dakota and South Dakota are known as the pheasant hunting capital so Larry had to stop and take a picture of these metal pheasants. Wow! You can't bag this pheasant, but you can admire it as it took 3 years to complete. The rooster stands 40 feet high and 70 feet long! The hen is 35 feet tall and 60 feet long. The chicks are 15 feet tall and 20 feet long. Our motorhome definitely looked tiny beside these pheasants! If you happen to be traveling through the midwest or the prairie lands, keep them in mind. I'm sure you would enjoy seeing that. Enjoy your 4th of July weekends and remember what a gift Freedom is - both for our country and for our spiritual lives!
"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." - James Dent
The world is filled with strife, confusion and despair, But God is still in Heaven, His power is over all; America to your knees in supplication call. America to your knees! Night shadows lengthen fast, Soon judgment will descend, the day of mercy passed; Our only hope is God - on Him we must rely; America to your knees! He will hear our cry. America to your knees! Your forefathers of old, loved God And served Him faithfully - for righteousness were bold; They read and lived God's Word, honored the Sabbath day; America to your knees! Confess your sins and pray. America to your knees! Now is no time for pride; In humble pleading call on God that He be on our side. We've sinned and disobeyed, we've wandered far astray; America to your knees! Return to Christ today. - Esther Kerr Rusthoi
America To Your Knees
America to your knees! Your only hope is prayer;
This photo reminded me of what a farmer once told me- All my tractors are John Deere except for my wife-she's a real Case! Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open carefully and enjoy! * A ½ cup of milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more.
PIC OF THE WEEK
Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 tsp. vanilla
6 Tbsp. rock salt
1 pint size plastic food storage bag
1 gallon size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.
At 6:30 Sunday morning, action began again.
Hundreds of chairs were set up in the tent
and at 9 a.m. Larry and I set up our sound system for the morning
service. They held a "Liquid sunshine hour" where they
served free juice, coffee and rolls to whomever wanted it. While all of
this was going on, the church
set up their worship band, etc. At 10
a.m., the big blue and white tent came alive with the worship group and
special
highlights about honoring fathers. By
this time the tent was full as friends and family from around the area
and the
Assembly of God congregation came with expectations of what was going to
happen
"On the Sunday following the
Lundstrom's visit with us I asked the church if they appreciated having
the Lundstroms come and minister with us. There were praises and smiles
all around! We were blessed by the decisions made for Christ and
grateful for a "prodigal" visitor who teared up when we spoke of the
Lundstrom's time of ministry showing God ministering to her in a pretty
powerful way. They're both fun people and we sure enjoyed having them
here!"
for Christ.
did everything, plus more, that needed to be overseen in the ministry. She and her husband, Rev. Mark Bittner, are living in Fargo, ND. 
Assembly of God with Pastor Van Berry.
Breakfast. Praise the Lord, over forty responded to the invitation to accept Christ.
Our niece, Londa Lundstrom-Ramsey, is now Senior Pastor of Celebration, along with Pastors Lowell and Connie Lundstrom. Last Sunday morning, May 2nd, Larry and I sang and preached at the two morning services. Celebration is experiencing a fresh anointing! About 
1,200-1,400 were there from the two services. The worship time was exhilarating and soul-searching. Truly, there was an air of excitement and anticipation of what God was going to do that was definitely evident. There were 27 decisions - nine first time - that responded to the altar call. Their tears of joy and repentance made all the road miles and weariness of the past couple weeks worth it. We say it all the time and it's still true, seeing people come to Christ is a "transfusion" of joy and much needed energy. 
Larry and his wife, Gloria, were with us. Our congregation enjoyed their music and the message that Larry shared. It was a strong clear call to commitment. Over twenty stepped forward at the invitation to receive Christ or to renew their relationship with the Lord.
who is currently working with Celebration Church.
in McCook. We held a Saturday night, Sunday morning and Sunday evening service while we were there. The crowds weren't huge, but God's loving presence was and again God touched lives. 
many new dedications to Christ and many rededications to Christ, from young children to mature adults. The way that they tie everything together is so powerful and the Holy Spirit flows throughout the service. The services went smoothly and were just AWSOME!! Anyone would be blessed to have them come be a part of their services. Thank You Larry and Gloria!!
I am always amazed at the lessons that God teaches us along the journey of life. On April 9th while we were preparing our motor home for the trip to Nebraska, I made one more walk around the parking lot to see this intriguing ant hill. I had been observing the ant hill for several days. The first time I saw it I was determined to stomp it out when I saw a line of hundreds of ants, like an army marching back and forth in two lines across the gravel parking lot. They looked so organized and intense I decided to withhold my urge to stomp them out and have mercy on them, really just so I could watch to see what they were doing. For days I watched this army of ants that had its troops traveling about 50 feet or more over to a fence line where there were sparse patches of green weeds amidst the gravel and sand. They were carrying little bitty pieces of grass
and minute pieces of twigs taking them to their ant fortress and using all of that to build a barricade around the ant hill. I stood there that day totally amazed at the detail and design, the work ethic and effort, those hundreds and hundreds of ants went through to achieve their quest and build their fort. I guess my thought was, "Isn't it great and amazing how much we can actually get done if we all pull together, put our own whims, wishes and whines aside and work for 'one purpose'." It's kind of a sermon on its own isn't it? Ants can teach us a lot. The scripture says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel". If we, the church, would stop bickering and fighting, catch the vision of the burden to reach the lost, pull together, take orders, and carry the load, we can and will see more people come to Christ. Thank God for many churches who are doing just that. There are still so many that need to catch the vision! If there is ever a time to work for the kingdom - it's now. Jesus is coming soon-are we quickly going out? Let's fulfill the great commission God has given.
on the stove. She boiled the eggs and cooled them while I set out and prepared about 15 cups of boiling water, put the color dye tablet in and a touch of vinegar (don't ask me why, I just did it because I was told -ha!). Then, about 6 of us kids began dipping the eggs in the variety of color dyes and decorating them. It all started out fun, but believe me, I was happy when we got to the last dozen eggs. Going through the first 100 eggs was alright, but after that it became more of a chore. With all the eggs colored, it was time to pull the Easter baskets out of storage. It was my delight to be able to fill them with eggs, candies and chocolates. Early on Easter morning, I would get up before anyone else and place a basket by each of my brother's pillows. Thinking back, I should've been a little smarter as more often than not, they would roll over, knocking the Easter basket off the bed creating all the grass, candies and chocolates to go flying all over the floor. But hey, it was fun!
baskets, a new dress and shoes. Then, when I was 8 years old, our family was invited to church and heard the Easter story during the message. I was so touched and amazed that this man named Jesus, as I was told, loved me so much that he was willing to die for me and to pay the penalty for my sins that I had committed. The preacher encouraged us that if we would pray and ask Jesus to come in to live in our hearts that he would always live in and with us. They told us he would be our friend forever. Then the preacher told of the promise that if we live for Jesus, when we died he would take us to live with Him in heaven for all eternity. Wow, what a deal! That's one we didn't want to refuse. 
we 'had to go listen to those people'. He could not tell us what they said, just that we had to hear them. The next night we went and they really made believers out of us. We marvel how they have endured the miles over the years and are still ready to energize us with their music, messages and their love. There is no question that God is in control of their lives." 
30 feet towards the beautiful blue Arizona sky. I've always admired this cactus and as I stood there this time, letting my eyes take it all in, I saw something I'd never seen before. There in the center of that cactus, surrounded by prickly needles, was a perfect heart shape. The heart shaped hole had been constructed and hollowed out by birds. I directed my brother and his wife to look at it. They too had never noticed it before. 
of some people that we meet or know?" They appear to be big and prickly, void of personality, sometimes even heartless. They've been through some hurt or life situation and their hearts' seem hidden. Until, through an up close encounter with them the prickly needles appear to fade away, and we notice their heart. When we get to know them, and the trials they are going through, we are privileged to really see their heart and appreciate them in a new way. I just stood there and prayed, "God, help us to look for the heart in all that we come in contact with so we can encourage them. Let us never miss that moment to touch a life of someone who is hurting."
It was interesting to find out that his father came to Christ under Lundstrom Ministries many years ago in Bangor, Maine. Now his son pastors here. Hearing stories like that always makes the hard work on the road worthwhile. Pastor Brown along, with his evangelism pastor, Kelly Bashore and associate Pastor Bob Roche, are doing a great job rebuilding the congregation. Great things are happening! 
Oak Creek, Wisconsin. In those few hours we had so much fun and even squeezed in a pizza party. When we are on the road so much we seldom get to see family, so I cherish every moment we can see any of them.