Nelson’s journal 3/6/22

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Margaret

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

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Margaret

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)

Nelson’s journal 3/3/22

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Margaret

Nelson was always on the alert for God’s messages to him, trying to remain open to his ideas, especially those that seem impossible at the time. This applied to everything from career choice, living situation, even filling out tax forms. How does a person make good plans without becoming controlling? In this journal entry, he’s figured it out.

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March 3, 2022

Isaiah 55…One of the all time greats. God reminding us that his thoughts are not our thoughts nor his ways ours.

I have seen so many times how he leads us in a way and for a reason we could never have guessed, so how can we even plan anything? It’s funny we even try. But we sure do.

Plans are good, but the outcome is always in the hands of the Lord. If I try to honor him and do the right thing, that’s the important part. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… that’s what matters, not where we go or what we do.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I want to be honest, but not a fool or a sucker. For example, doing taxes takes a skill I don’t really have, but I paid a guy to do it all those years, then realized I’m smart enough to do it. I just don’t like the dirty feeling I get once I’m done.

There’s no way I know to do it without feeling like I have to either screw myself so bad or that I’m somehow cheating. So now I do it somewhere in the middle and try not to feel guilty. Anyway, lots of things have gone that way for me. I used to obsess on them and they ruined my life and became gods.

Now I mostly let things go and leave the results up to the Lord. Maybe it’s a release of control. I think so. People who try to control everything seem so much unhappier than the ones who just focus on living and less on the bottom line.

Working with Tim yesterday was fun, and I enjoy learning about electricity and like the thought of being an expert at something. I’ve always been the jack of all trades, master of none. I’d love to at least be an expert in something. lol.

Maybe God doesn’t care about that, but I would like to try to become a licensed electrician in the State of Hawaii. How hard can it be? Once you learn something, it instantly becomes easy.

Been praying for Ukraine at church and in Kokua Crew. It’s been good. Also, I like how it has eclipsed the whole corona virus thing. That was getting so old. Hard to believe they made such a big deal about that for so long, when it was basically nothing all along. A lesson in what the media can do.