Like everyone else who uses this blog, I too have been waking up each morning and praying "Surprise me, God". And also like the other bloggers, I have been answered by little things. Like today for example, I pulled into the parking lot of Super Target ready for a seven hour shift and realized I didn't have a quarter for the portable lockers to secure my valuables in for the day. This sounds strange, but I prayed "Surprise me, God" and, lo and behold, I found a stray quarter sitting inside the first locker I opened. Or a couple weeks ago when I was having an especially rough week, a very special friend of mine gave me a CD that they burned for me just because they were thinking about me.

I feel a bit shallow for not accepting these surprises as legitimate, but I supposed (again, like everyone else) that a bigger surprise was heading my way. There are plenty of other events in my life that could use surprising, yet God has chosen the little, somewhat insignificant details to make special. As a high school senior who is worried about financing a college education next year, I have REALLY been praying "Surprise me, God (with some extra scholarship money so I can go to St. Olaf)". Yet, I'm not sitting here writing this after receiving thousands of dollars towards my higher education; today I found a quarter- that's 1/4 of a dollar- and I have to say it made my day.

I suppose my biggest revelation over the last couple of weeks is that we can't sit around guessing what our surprise will be. After all, doesn't that take the fun out of the surprise? Like Pastor Luke preached about a few Wednesdays ago, God WANTS to surprise us. Personally, I think he likes to see the expressions on our faces and the turning of our hearts toward Him when we truly receive a gift that we were not expecting. :)

That's about it for my deep thinking. Time to write the rest of that English paper!

Kayla Gronli

Waiting

Anticipating a surprise...... One of our children is expecting some major job change news, wheather it be good or not so good, I find myself having butterflies in anticipation. I ask myself is this right??? Or Am I trying to control the outcome and not let God plan for her? I have asked God to guide her and her decisions, but I hope for an outcome that is better for me....to have her closer. I miss her and want to be able to do more things with her. But I feel I am being the guide not the guided.! So as I have said this prayer so many times.....I still struggle to accept that God has total control over my life. He only knows where she is suppose to be and where her place is in this world. I struggle with the selfishness of it all....on my part. God continues to test me, through this experiement. He is trying to teach me patience and trust. I will continue to pray also for guidance, as God WILL continue to surprise me with many things..... To God be the Glory.....for the things he has done. Peace Sue

ok, here it goes...

Ok this is my first time writing because I have only been doing what I'll call a "challenge" for about ten days. I'm not sure exactly how to look for these surprises because I am not sure what my surprises are suppose to look like or what I am suppose to do with them (if that makes any sense at all).



Some of you might know that my dad, Bruce, died of brain cancer last April. I can't believe it's almost been a year. (PS and by the way, BIG thanks and shout outs go to all of the POP supporters)

My mom and I just got back from a amazing mother/daughter date to the movies. I have a history of constantly forcing her to listen to songs that I believe to be wicked awesome. However, tonight she decided to turn the tables and reflect the music back to me. A select few of you will remember that my dad used to sing at the 11 o'clock service in the Sonrise band. Overtime, they so intelligantly decided to record some of their talent. A year or two later my dad had made me a mix of some of my favortie songs. Tonight, my mom pulled it out to reveal to me a song she had discovered earlier on this week called Will You Love Jesus More.

This song talks about turning your eyes on Jesus even when the ones you love have gone to be with him in heaven. It's hard for me to listen to recordings of my dad... and I'm not going to lie, I didn't make it through the whole song, but this was... well... a surprise.

Thanks God... and Dad.

*Cheree Johnson

Day 24 (Catching up on 10 days)

I’m back…it has been a full 10 days. When we left I managed to take a “good” Minnesota Cold with me which still lingers in the back of my head…cough…hack…when will it end? It is the "gift" that keeps on giving.

Lois and I spent a few days away as a couple that were fun and refueling for our relationship. We spent it with friends, which is a double whammy for us “relational junkies”. I was surprised by how much I missed Lois when she left after a couple days. When we see each other everyday we tend to take each other for granted but when away... I “see” better…if you know what I mean. It must be a bit like the way a spouse feels when the love of their life dies. There is an emptiness and loneliness that enters your life that wasn’t there before…for me I can come home to Lois but for the one who has experienced the loss of that special someone I think I might have caught a glimpse of their lonely place…grieving place. God is always teaching or shaping me even when I don’t want to be taught and shaped…

I spent the past week being taught and "caught" again. I love to learn. I love to be caught by God’s presence and power through speakers, singers, old friends and new acquaintances as we lived out a week together. Two friends were at the conference that I had not expected to see which surprised me. Tom is a pastor in Iowa that I had the privilege of preaching at his ordination some years ago. The other, “Flip”, is a long time friend and pastor who is wired to “go…go…go!!!” His energy is contagious (…so was I…hack!! I thought I would leave my cold at the conference but….) We worshiped together, took classes together…shared our family stories. It was a special surprise that was encouraging. We needed each other. We forget about the many times we hear the “negatives of life”. These are special times to share the joys and sorrows that have made us who we are…not something extra ordinary but ordinary men, husbands, fathers and pastors who are doing life together even for a short few days. I think God loves to put these serendipitous moments in our lives as “food for the journey” ahead.

Coming home I met an elderly couple from Minneapolis. They were returning after 3 weeks away and wondered if it (the weather) had improved. We were delayed for over an hour due to weather in Minneapolis…they had their answer. We could have been irritated about the delay…I admit that I was a little anxious…I wanted to get home...but they just laughed and smiled as if this was extra time to enjoy each other and those around them. I wish I was more like them, God... I coughed a bit more and relaxed as we hit the tarmac at 1:05 am in the morning…got to bed at 2:30 am…cough…hack…cough…oh well. As I laid in bed trying to get to sleep the events of the week and the “challenges” of the days ahead crept in…the more I tried to sleep, the more my mind spun. Surprise me, God...give me rest! Finally sleep.

Surprise…an extra day in the year…Leap Day!

See you in church…
(cough…hack…I hope not!)
Pastor T

Big Ol' Slap In the Face

So, I finally got what I had been hoping for.
Its kind of ironic, really.
I had been hoping for a big surprise because I wasn't really noticing the little things.
And it turned out to be what seems a big old irony filled slap in the face from God. Like ha, you thought that I would actually let things work out for you.
I'd go into it, but I really can't.
But at current, I can't get over this. Its all I can think about and it SUCKS!!
Yeah, thanks a bunch God...
I feel guilty for sounding so bitter and resentful towards God, but that's how I really feel.
Anyways, until next time,
Jackie Winters

To my surprise

The last few days has been a challenge. By continueing to say the prayer, surprise me God, I felt as if everything God was going to do was great, as usual. Well...SURPRISE.....just when you think all is going good, a curve ball comes your way, and you are forced to search inside for patience and guidance, that only God can give. I ask if this is why God surprises us not only with all the great things and people in my life, but with the many things that keep me grounded and focused, to know truly what is important, and that is Gods unconditional love for me.
There have also been so many people who have surprised me by talking about their faith and the difficulty they have had in their lives...while having their teeth cleaned......God only knows how we touch on these subjects. And yes I do understand most of what people say even while cleaning thier teeth. It is truly a language of its own. :) I will continue to trust that God will not surprise me with anything I can't handle.....To God be the glory! Peace Sue

Why senior high kids are cool

Last night my surprise was more of a proud mom moment than an actual surprise. We had our usual lent service, and two of my senior high students had roles. Steph Manthey gave her "surprise me moment" of the week and did a great job. Up until 30 minutes before the service I didn't have anyone to do the moment, and not only stepped up to the plate, but hit it out of the ballpark. Nice work Steph!
Then, the proud mom moment #2, when Val Krych got up to sing her solo during the offering. Not only did she do a great job, but 13 (actual count, thanks Mary) of our senior high students took a break from cleaning the kitchen from the supper to come and stand in the back of the sanctuary to hear her sing. I have never been involved in a group that is so supportive of each other, in good times and in bad times.
I really, really hope you all get a chance to hang out with them sometime. They are really amazing people... and I am lucky to know each one of them.