Category Archives: Parenting

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 3/2/22

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Today is the due date for Baby Boy Nyman to arrive, but he didn’t get the memo and was still tucked in tight by the end of the day. As for Nelson, he is still having a tough time finalizing a few decisions, and so, as always, he hashes it all out in his journal.

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March 2, 2022 

I had this thought this morning about repentance. Like in the Catholic church. Have I been in the active practice of confessing my sins? In my prayer times, I don’t know if active confession is a part of it like it used to be.

It’s 6 am and Annso and I are stirring around in the dark before I head to work with Tim out at Waikoloa. It’s a couple days a week at this point, but it doesn’t seem like something that will work for us, given the circumstances of our lives and the support we have.

We don’t even really need the money, so it’s just about getting educated in electrical work, which I like, but at what cost and what’s the need for that?

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”Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8)

Nelson’s journal 2/22/22

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Ann Sophie and Nelson continue running the Kokua Crew ministry in Kona, Hawaii, staying busy around the clock with Youth With a Mission. The idea of becoming an electrician still has appeal, but the ministry still tugs firmly. Nelson is realizing that a traditional 40-hour job that is calm and predictable might not be the way to go.

The one thing he knows for sure is that as God guides, he’ll follow.

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February 22, 2022

The more I lead the Kokua Crew, the more I realize that these are my people. The BBC people came for their Mission Journey and the difference between the two groups is clear. I’m way more of a worker than a diplomat or office person. I’d rather be up in a tree than at a meeting… Anyway, we are glad to be doing what we’re doing.

Being an electrician doesn’t seem like a compatible life to this. Or it seems like a complete abandon of this life and all it has and demands. The demands and perks are different from those of a “normal” job.

Like Peter said, “We trusted God and look how it worked out for us.”

 Lord, when I was working at his (Tim’s) house, I thought about that and have seen you do that for me so many times. Every time I’ve “Made a Plan,” it’s turned out to be second-best. You have always done more than I can ask or imagine. Maybe we should just stick with that.

Also, the two we asked to step in as house parents declined. So we’re left with a space open for next quarter. I hold it all loosely and want the best for our family, even though having a baby still seems like a dream. But the due date is anytime.

I pray, Lord, that I would never fear man or the churches that send us, the leadership here, any disease, any deportment or exclusion. I pray that you would always be the boss and the one I look to for orders, value, and self-worth. I pray for wisdom about spending Saturday with this team or sticking with the new Sabbath transition we are trying to start.

Even last week, there were commitments that tried to get in there and did. Lunches with people and other work-oriented things. We are happy to work, Lord, but even happier to spend the Sabbath together without work.

I pray for the courage to defend Annso and our baby boy above everything and everyone else, and not to let business or work come in the way, or fear of man, or fear of not having enough money or whatever, to stand in the way. I’m grateful for today, for the work we have, for the meeting tonight, for new starts and for fresh appreciation of what we do and why we do it.

Thank you Lord for the team from BBC that’s here and for their kindness to us bringing the dresser and coming all this way to bless us for such a short time.

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“Think about the Lord in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)