Things We Hate!

Johan and I recently discovered we have another thing in common. We both HATE carpet (at least 40 year old carpet the smells like animal pee) and wallpaper (especially wallpaper stuck to plaster walls - plaster walls that are falling apart!).

In case you haven't guessed yet, we began the demolition process on the house this week! ON Monday, after the appraiser "OK-ed" the house we got to work ripping out the old carpet. My dad had a dumpster at an old job site that was leaving Tuesday morning so in 6 short/long hours we had stripped the entire house of carpet. Three floors, 10 rooms and two overflowing pick-up trucks later we were rid of all carpet.

Wednesday morning we began to tackle the wallpaper. This was not quite as quick! It is turning out to be a painfully, dreadfully, long process, so much so that this thrifty girl is even considering hiring someone to do it!

We are planning on officially owning the house tomorrow the 29th! We are excited that the day is finally here...it seems a bit strange that we will make such a BIG purchase tomorrow...I am a bit anxious about it. Most likely anxious because of all the work that has to be done before we can move it.

I hope to get some pictures posted soon!

Spring in Iowa!

The last three weeks we have been very busy...here are a few pictures of our adventures...

There is a local raccoon who has moved into the dumpster next to, so naturally one night Johan and the boys (Nate and Tucker) decided that they would go raccoon hunting. So the boys loaded up with a shovel, a painting poles - basically anything they could find in the closet at I-Hope. It was quite funny to watch. Fortunately for the raccoon, but unfortunately for the boys they didn't catch any raccoon that night...

Two weeks ago we attended our first Iowa wedding. I used to work in the youth shelter with Sharon, the bride. It was a good feeling to be invited to a wedding in Iowa - it was a good feeling to know that we are connecting with people in Iowa and forming friendships.

My dad recently had to go to Wisconsin for work on a building project. While he was there he Danish bakery and brought us home a chokolade kringle. It was great to have a little taste of "home".

Last week Johan got to experience his first American prom. JAM (Jesus And Me - Special Needs Ministry) hosted their third annual prom. This year's theme was Hawaiian Johan got thrown right into this American tradition as he was the DJ for the evening... It was definitely a fun night!

Stay tuned for an update on our house projects!

Greatness Named Ben

Johan and I have spent the last week praying for and being amazed at the faith of one family and the greatness of a 2-year-old boy named Ben:

It has been a long time since I can remember the Church body coming together for something in common unity for one intentional purpose. This past week I have seen the Church, regardless of denomination come together to pray for 2-year old Ben Ricketts. He is a beauitful little boy who goes to our church and last week had an accident in which he got a cord wrapped around his neck. He stopped breathing and has been in a coma since Sunday. His mom said when he was born that she felt "he was special and would do something great." (I know must mom's must feel that way about their children) But this mom was certainly correct. Over the last week we have witnessed THOUSANDS of people coming together to pay. On Wednesday night there was a live-stream over the internet broadcasting a prayer service from the hospital...over 1,000 people took part in it! The family has set up a website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/benjaminricketts and over 40,000 hits have been made since Monday!

It amazes me to think that God is using Ben - a 2 years old to bring a unity to the Church - faith to the faithless and hope to the hopeless. The family's decision to share their struggles with the world and their faith with those they do not know is certainly a challenge for all of us.

I encourage you to visit Ben's website to be encouraged and to find out more details and to join us in prayer for this family and precious boy.

We don't know what the future holds...but we trust the one that holds it...

One thing I know is true: Certainly, Ben is a boy created for great things.

Housing Update...

A quick update on our housing front...

We found out on Thursday that we got approval for the loan! Praise Jesus! We had many extra obstacles to overcome with getting the loan. The last few weeks we have been sending many email and making early morning phone calls to Denmark to get extra paperwork signed since Johan doesn't have a W-2 in the U.S. for the past two years.

However, being married to a foreigner isn't so bad after all...we both have learned a great deal about being creative, persistent and patient. All attributes that we believe God has been wanting to teach us through this process.

Prayer Request:
Today we snuck back into the house and discovered a new growth and water sources... The basement has a leak from the side of the house and there is mold growing in the second floor stairwell from a leak in the ceiling. I don't know how we missed all this when we did our inspection (it may have had something to do with the 4 inches of rain we had on Wednesday!) However, we are optimistic that the problems are not too expensive to fix and that with my Dad's knowledge and Johan's love and eagerness for projects we will clean up this little mess as well. So if you would pray with us on these mold and water issues. (Wouldn't it be wonderful if God just made the mold disappear?!!!!)

Seven months past due... So here is my attempt to catch you up, and hopefully stay up with it this time.

In December we went back home to Denmark for Christmas. Even though I lived in Denmark for two years this was my first Christmas in there - so there was a lot of new experiences for me! It was great to be back and relax with good friends and family. We miss them all so much!

We have had a lot of changes. Johan has started a new job teaching at The Learning Center - a special needs day hab center that meets at the I-HOPE (house of prayer - where we currently live) It has been a blessing for Johan to be working with such great people at a job he really likes...

I have been teaching that last five weeks with behavioral disorder girls. It has been a HUGE challenge for me and has testing my patience, endurance and compassion in so many ways...

In April we were blessed with the birth of our second sweet niece - Astrid Palmus Carl. We are so excited to get to Denmark this summer to play with Astrid and Johanne, and of course are also looking forward to spending time with the rest of the family.

We visited my newphew Sam and his parents in Dallas three weeks ago and had a great time. I was so excited to be able to take Sam swimming - and to be the first one to dunk him under water. He was such a natural - I have high hopes for that kid!

Our most exciting news right now is that we are in contract for a house! It has been a long and difficult process with many bumps along the way in dealing with various challenges of being married to a Dane. (But I do love my Dane!) We are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and hope to close by the end of June.