Alaska Mission Trip- Part 3- The Baptisms

More of the Baptism story in Alaska.

 Makayla and Dolly 

are two of my young friends in Deering.

 (Both about age 8)  

One little girl’s mother asked

 Scott (my pastor husband)

 to baptize her daughter 

when he came back the next year.  

We came prepared to baptize Dolly.

 We were not prepared for the

 excitement Dolly was feeling about being baptized. 

The minute Dolly saw us she asked,

 “When can I be baptized?"

  One our 3^rd day in Deering,

 Dolly her mother and her aunt

 all came after Bible school 

so excited for her to be baptized.

 I will never forget the smile

 on Dolly’s face after her baptism. 

Scott gave her the shell 

he used during the baptism.  

After the baptism, Dolly’s friend said,

 “I want to be baptized too. Can I be baptized?"

Scott told her she had to ask her dad. 

Makayla rushed home and asked her dad. 

 She came back yelling- "he said yes, he said yes!"

 Makayla asked to be baptized during Bible school. 

An excited Makayla arrived early with smiles, 

and with her father watching, she was baptized.

  Their excitement at this important 

faith milestone was encouraging.

Perhaps I had taken for granted my baptism.

 What a wonderful reminder 

for me

 that I am a child of God through baptism!

Submitted by Denise Johnson- 
Contributing writer to Journeys of Faith

Alaska VBS Mission Trip- Part 2

I learned a second lesson

from my friends in Deering.

 While walking home from the small store
in the village I met an elderly man sitting
on an old van seat looking at the Sound.

I walked up to the man and said,

 “You are so blessed to have such

 a wonderful view

 to look at today.” 

The elder then started telling me

 about the beauty he was blessed

 with and how much he loved Deering.

 After about 20 minutes,

 I told him I had to return home.

 My friend said, “Wait! I want you to know

 I am very proud of you!” 

I thought he was talking about our work

 for the Vacation Bible School. 

But, he said,

 “You took the time to talk to me.

 You didn’t need anything,

 you just took the time

 to share and listen to me."

  For the rest of the day his words

 kept going through my mind.

 Later that night I realized why his words

 would not leave me.

 You see, I could imagine my Savior

 saying to me,

 “My daughter, I wish you would sit

 with me and just spend some time with me,

 just because you want to share and listen."  

God wants us to sit with Him 

and share what we are feeling,

 how our day went,

 and what blessing we noticed. 

God wants us to be still and listen.

 He wants me to come to Him 

not because we need something,

 but just to spend time together.

Denise Johnson serves in Hickory, NC 
and is a field reporter for Journeys of Faith.

Alaska VBS Mission Trip- Denise Johnson

Summer Mission Station---
Alaska VBS- Part One-

 I had the privilege of going to Alaska

 this summer to do Vacation Bible School 

in Deering and Teen Bible camp in Fairbanks, Alaska. 

 In Deering, Alaska there was an incredible

 Vacation Bible school team.  

It is a privilege to serve with them. 

There was a record attendance,

 a record number of perfect attendances

 and the baptisms of two wonderful young ladies. 

This was our 9^th year of doing V.B.S. 

in Deering, Alaska.
One would think that after
9 years,
the people in Deering
would just expect us to come.
Amaingingly, most of the children
expect us to come back.
But, the adults are genuinely surprised
each time we arrive.
On the day we first arrived one of the dads
saw us and said to my husband,
 "You came back?"
This was just one of the conversations 
in the village.
Isn't it wonderful
when we are able to bless people 
with a heart and body journey of return?

Denise Johnson serves with her husband 

at St. John's, Conover, NC. 

She is a "field reporter" for Journeys of Faith.

Melinda Ransdell- Northern Region

Creative Faith Family Adventures

No matter what people say, we are all artists and are all creative. It just depends on which areas you find the deepest connection. The art of creating something can have roots in any discipline, not just fine arts. Writing, problem solving, building, motivating -all use a creative process to execute their craft. For example, I can draw and I can paint, but don’t particularly enjoy either. But, I do like designing a logo on the computer and have a keen eye for decorating our home. One of my biggest strengths lies in organizational problem solving. Not like in big corporations- but rather in putting together projects. They range from my son’s recent blow out Legend of Zelda 7th birthday party, to organizing my closet better. 

All these things are creative and artistic. So, when I was introduced to Bible Journaling, I had to figure out a way to get my whole family involved. While my husband was assigned to a congregation in Denver, Colorado,we both did a lot of studying on alternative worship styles. How do people connect with God in different ways? What does profound mean in their personal lives? It might be  through song, prayer stations, dance, study, note taking or discussion. The conclusion?  People have their own unique learning styles. It effects how they chose to connect to Christ.

I saw Bible Journaling and Praying in Color as an opportunity to offer my children another tool to use to strengthen their relationship with our Creator. It needed to be simple, easily available and nonrestrictive. So, my husband and I went to our local discount buy out store to purchase a Bible to color and draw in for each family member. I had been practicing for a few weeks and could show them what I was doing. Just the thought of being able to write in a revered book was so meaningful. Eyes lit up with interest.

We also purchased each family member a lined journal for prayers or if they needed extra creative space. Along with the ideas found on the Bible Journaling Community Facebook page, we also referenced Sybil Macbeth’s Praying in Color books. We referenced the adult and kid versions. There were also several brightly colored ink pens and pencils bought in order to entice little artists. My children each own a couple different Bibles, and one to color in was welcomed. My children ranged in age from 6 to 13 when we began Journaling. Since they are a bit older, they understand that they "color" in their Journaling Bible.

Once all our supplies were home, I placed it all in a wicker basket in the middle of the dining room table. It needed to be easily accessible, so that this practice might actually happen. Also, our approach is very, very simple. You can do as much or as little drawing as you feel led. And you are not required to do it every day. Once something becomes a chore around our house, it moves to the"dreaded"camp by the children. My youngest loves Zelda, and works the character Link into some of his entries. That is perfectly fine. I just ask him how that particular picture makes him think about God. He seems to get what we are trying to do. He is also one of the more enthusiastic participants.

My teenager, on the other hand, isn’t as expressive in pen and paper form, right now. A few circled words in different colors and some underlining and simple symbols drawn between the text seem to work for him.  I too like icons. In my Bible you’ll find a cloud, an eye, a heart, and various shapes I feel the urge to draw in simple ink lines. Colors seem to have a lot of meaning for our family. The kids love switching up their pens. I tend to listen to the Holy Spirit while reading and find a color connection to what I’m underlining or circling.

Now my family and I do some form of Journaling every day. I was able to ease it into their daily routine checklist. It has become almost second nature, like brushing teeth. They understand that it is a spiritually healthy choice to strengthen their connection with Christ. This practice has enriched our scripture study so much, that everyone in the family has shared the practice with someone else.

We might be considered an artistic family that enjoys the arts. But, most everyone, especially young children, don't need much prompting to enjoy a fun creative coloring session. Remember to keep it simple, easily accessible, and unlimited with wide open possibilities. Watch the creativity flow. How fun when there is more than one way to be engaged. Remember- EVERYONE is creative. 

submitted by Melinda Ransdell

Melinda Ransdell serves with her husband, Rev. Dr. C. J. Ransdell at St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Dover, Delaware. Melinda is a Michigan native and enjoys applying her creative touch to graphic design and ministry opportunities.  We give thanks for the way this young family is modeling time for prayer and Bible Study and their willingness to share the journey.

Sue Beyer- Southern Region

What gives you JOY right now?

What brings me joy in my life right now is seeing young people getting ready for the future.  Sarah, my daughter, is a senior in high school this year.  It amazes me what the Lord has done in her life, and in the life of her close friends.  We are blessed to live in a strong Christian community.  I am so proud of Sarah and what she has accomplished in her life so far, and can't wait to see what God will do with her in the future.  She makes good God choices and does the right thing for Jesus.  But, I am keeping a box of kleenex close by at all times in this year of transitions!

What do you see the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now?

The Holy Spirit is working in the lives of young girls at the center where I am employed. Some change their minds about abortion, and choose life for their babies.  I have witnessed two young girls this summer completely change their minds about aborting their babies, and my staff and I were convinced the girls would walk out our door at the center and go right to the abortion clinic!  Praise the Lord for their choosing life!

What words of encouragement do you have for fellow faith travelers?

My words of encouragement are that God is new every day and His grace is sufficient!   I was walking in our garden the other day, during a particularly difficult week, when I noticed something unusual in my begonia basket.  I pulled away the pine needles to discover an abandoned set of four little white eggs that had hatched.  For those birds to have survived in that nest so close to the ground was a miracle!  It reminded me that if His eye is on the sparrow, it is even more on me and my family. Just as it is for everyone who places their faith and trust in Him!

Sue's church home is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Clayton, North Carolina 

where her husband Bill serves as the Senior Pastor. 

Sue serves in the choir, SS, VBS, LWML and anywhere they need a helping hand. 

 Sue's husband Bill also serves in the Southeastern District 

as Second Vice President. 

We give thanks for the way the Lord as blessed both of their ministries.