Category Archives: Children

Nelson’s journal 3/10/22    

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As their overdue baby boy continues to stay snuggled within Ann Sophie, Nelson continues to struggle with the leap from YWAM work (no two days alike) to electrician work (all days much the same). He’s aching to make the right decision at this pivotal point in his life.

He still has 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 on his mind as a new day dawns, focusing on his dilemma by tapping out the pros and cons on his laptop…while staying close by, in case this might be the day he officially becomes a father.

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March 10, 2022 

From 2 Chronicles 16: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand… Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing…”

This passage might be applied to a person who is making a plan where his own idea or way out of a situation takes precedence over relying on God. I have this scenario set up to start working for Tim as a full time electrician instead of what we are now doing, which will include moving to Kama’aina Hale instead of Hale Ola (both on the Big Island of Hawaii).

Annso and I differentiate days from one another by whether they are “YWAM Days” or not. YWAM days are full and unpredictable. You don’t get paid and can’t amass a pile of treasure for yourself, but you have lots of people in your life, and it’s a little more complicated.

I look forward to the work of YWAM days and dread the regular working days. Working days are simple. You trade time for money and get a skill out of the deal. YWAM days are “Jack of all trades, master of none” kind-of-days. The working days are “master of one.” I’m just writing it out because it helps me process it, so I don’t make a mistake.

We have plenty of everything. We lack nothing. Mom came in last night. She’s here to meet our little guy when he comes. He’s already 8 days late and they’ll let him go until 2 weeks I think. I don’t mind how long he takes, just so he’s ok in there.

Mary Helen from church said her second born was 1 month overdue. Mom said last night that most of her friend Katey Warton’s babies were 10 month babies, too. So what do I know? All I want is a healthy baby. Everything else is ok.

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“When you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand.” (2 Chronicles 16:8)

Nelson’s journal 3/6/22

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In this journal entry, Nelson makes reference to being healthy, despite the irritation in his throat and a possible thyroid problem. In anticipating the birth of their baby, both Nelson and Ann Sophie are planning on a home birth. That’s because in Hawaii, Covid is still keeping fathers from delivery rooms or even being with their wives during labor. And they want to be together.

Always looking for guidance from God, Nelson wonders if his nightmares have any significance. So many things are up in the air, but his MO is to remain calm, no matter what.

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March 6, 2022 

I’ve had this sore throat for about 2 weeks now and just found out it probably has to do with my thyroid. Mine is overactive, according to what we got from the blood work I had done yesterday. We’ll see what the doc says about it once he opens his office tomorrow.

Still no baby, and he’s right on course with mine and Annso’s overdue births. I’m sure things will work out fine, even though we don’t see Dr. Sira anymore because he is mad at us because we are not having a hospital birth. Last time he sent us over there to get some readings that were not necessary.

He’s a great guy and we love him, but we’re determined not to go to a hospital unless we’re sick. The modern trend is to spend your whole life obsessing on your health and even trying to make yourself sick if you’re healthy.

Mom is coming out Wednesday, and I’m sure by that point, we’ll be right on target for the birth. Who knows, maybe she’ll be here when it happens.

I’m scheduled to work for Tim tomorrow, even though the baby could come at anytime. Being ready without being panicked. The Kokua Crew have said to us that we seem relaxed. I want that to be our reputation, so that’s good.

The world is all up in a big manic panic for no reason, spending money, closing things down, giving vaccinations, and generally just mentally ill for no good reason, and I don’t want any part of it. We are healthy and we will live our lives. Period.

On another note, I had pretty much one nightmare after another last night. One where this octopus that came out of a fish tank latched onto my back and I was begging Lars (brother) to get it off me, another where I was eating, again with Lars and Karl (brother and cousin). I went to the bathroom and couldn’t find my way back.

I found Andrew and Berv (cousin and uncle) walking around, and all of a sudden I didn’t have shoes on and had a cordless drill in my hand. Andrew tried to help me get back. It was a bit weird. I do have a great family. I wonder if we will even move back there (near them). Now it doesn’t seem likely, but at least I have this electrician thing, so I would have something to do if we did. That’s a big part of it.

Jimmy has this week and next to preach until he’s done with his internship, when I’ll take over again. Should I drag Annso out of bed to go this morning so we can get Erin to church to lead worship? Or should I just leave it alone and let it do whatever it does? Is it YWAM we are here to serve, or the church, or both?

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”I bless the Lord who gives me counsel. Even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7)

Nelson’s journal 3/5/22

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Nelson and Ann Sophie are looking forward to summer’s arrival and a planned get-together on the mainland of the entire extended family, including his brother Hans from England with his family of eight. Because of the distance between them and the rest of us, our British relatives are only able to visit rarely. That was true about Nelson and Ann Sophie, too, living just as far away but in the other direction.

The plan was to be all together at last and would include a caravan of cars driving from Michigan to Kentucky to visit The Ark Encounter, a replica of Noah’s Ark that was built to the exact specifications in Scripture . From what we’d heard, it could be life-changing. The 16 grandchildren would love it, and best of all, Nelson would be introducing his baby son to his family of 28.

Several pesky health problems had developed in his throat, and the cough continued, but Nelson pushed through to pursue his busy life.

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March 5, 2022 

Saturday morning, our first real try at a Sabbath. Dinner Friday until dinner Saturday, the old Jewish way. Of course we are expecting a baby anytime also.

Trying to schedule our trip to the “Ark” in Kentucky in the summer, and really looking forward to possibly renting an RV and being together as an extended family, everyone, which might not happen again. Things slip away once the older crowd goes. And we are pretty much down to only Berv (uncle) and Mom from that generation in our families.

I’ve had this swollen throat thing going for a couple weeks now, which is not super fun. A couple doctors, and they still can’t figure it out. Getting blood work done, so that will probably help narrow it down. Thyroid is on the table as a possible problem.

I’m still running (several miles) and swimming (one mile) in moderation, even though it’s harder than ever to press through. I’m working for Tim as an electrician apprentice part time, a couple days a week or maybe even 1 day a week, but it keeps me in the loop with that stuff and nice to have another iron in the fire as the word tells us to do:

 “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:6

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“Those who work hard will prosper.” (Proverbs 13:4)