Tuesday October 28, 2008
Dear Family and Friends
Some of you may remember that a year ago I was all set to travel to Honduras with Joni and Friends, Wheels for the World and was unable to go due to a contusion to my head and a fractured thumb well …. I am all set to go now on my first Wheels for the World trip but this year the trip is planned for Peru. I am getting prepared to leave on Friday, November 7th and I will return home on Sunday, November 16th.
I would be honored to have you pray for me during my time away. A couple of ways you can pray specifically for me are:
Safety as I travel
Health while I am away
Unity for the team (we are from all over the United States)
Food intake (I have recently found out that I am gluten intolerant)
Some of the verses God has prompted me to pray for the team and myself are:
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8
“Be wise in the way you act toward others; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” Luke 14:21
As God prompts you would you pray one or two of these verses for the team and
myself while we are away? I am looking forward to how the Lord will use me to serve the disabled community of Trujillo, Peru. I hope through the power of the Holy Spirit
to bring people with disabilities to Christ and to bring Christ to people with disabilities.
Thanks for your prayers!
In His Arms,
Beth Pederson
ps you can follow the comings and goings of our days at
http://wftwtrujillo2008.blogspot.com
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Love Sundays
Love Sundays
Love reading the Bible aloud to Annika, my granddaughter this morning
Love seeing Adam direct the Teen Challenge choir and give his testimony at Brooklyn Park EV Free church today
Love worshiping with family
Love praying with my "family" of younger "Pray-ers", the 4th-6th grade HopeWatchers prayer group
Love showing off my granddaughter, Annika who is visiting from Texas to my New Hope Church friends
Love spending time with family, Mary Catherine, Catherine, Amelia, Marlee, sisters, cousins at Kelley's baby shower
Love celebrating with Kelley's friends as she is expecting our 2nd granddaughter
Love having dinner with Terry and Carrie
Love that I can start and end my day with the reading of your word
Love reading the Bible aloud to Annika, my granddaughter this morning
Love seeing Adam direct the Teen Challenge choir and give his testimony at Brooklyn Park EV Free church today
Love worshiping with family
Love praying with my "family" of younger "Pray-ers", the 4th-6th grade HopeWatchers prayer group
Love showing off my granddaughter, Annika who is visiting from Texas to my New Hope Church friends
Love spending time with family, Mary Catherine, Catherine, Amelia, Marlee, sisters, cousins at Kelley's baby shower
Love celebrating with Kelley's friends as she is expecting our 2nd granddaughter
Love having dinner with Terry and Carrie
Love that I can start and end my day with the reading of your word
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday October 16, 2008
afternoon pages
It was just one year ago today that I received word from my doctor that I would not be able to go on an upcoming missions trip with Joni and Friends, Wheels for the World to Honduras. I am happy to report that as I began my study in the word today I am preparing spiritually to go to Peru with Wheels for the World for the first time.
Today, I came across this verse in Zechariah 13:1 "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity." I have personally struggled with sin this week and when I found this verse it was like a light went on ... this is truly something that can be experienced today for me and for others ... the cleansing from the fountain, Jesus Christ.
Joni says it so well in the Encouragement Bible ..."God has opened up a fountain to you through the Lord Jesus. He invites you to come on in and enjoy his love. Don't stand on the edges of his joy. He has washed away your sin, and you, like a child, can be free and full of life."
What a powerful message for me that God has washed away my sin of this past week and He desires me to enjoy His love and fully experience His joy ....
May you too enjoy His Love and fully experience His Joy ...
Always remaining In His Arms, B.
afternoon pages
It was just one year ago today that I received word from my doctor that I would not be able to go on an upcoming missions trip with Joni and Friends, Wheels for the World to Honduras. I am happy to report that as I began my study in the word today I am preparing spiritually to go to Peru with Wheels for the World for the first time.
Today, I came across this verse in Zechariah 13:1 "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity." I have personally struggled with sin this week and when I found this verse it was like a light went on ... this is truly something that can be experienced today for me and for others ... the cleansing from the fountain, Jesus Christ.
Joni says it so well in the Encouragement Bible ..."God has opened up a fountain to you through the Lord Jesus. He invites you to come on in and enjoy his love. Don't stand on the edges of his joy. He has washed away your sin, and you, like a child, can be free and full of life."
What a powerful message for me that God has washed away my sin of this past week and He desires me to enjoy His love and fully experience His joy ....
May you too enjoy His Love and fully experience His Joy ...
Always remaining In His Arms, B.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday, October 11,2008
morning pages
In reading through Psalm 107 for the 3rd time this week I am grateful for His words to me ... Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His steadfast love endures forever. Let me consider the steadfast love of the Lord today. In a day of uncertainity in the world around me I am thankful that the Lord never changes and His love for me continues to be steadfast!
Always In His Arms, B.
morning pages
In reading through Psalm 107 for the 3rd time this week I am grateful for His words to me ... Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His steadfast love endures forever. Let me consider the steadfast love of the Lord today. In a day of uncertainity in the world around me I am thankful that the Lord never changes and His love for me continues to be steadfast!
Always In His Arms, B.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Love Sunday
Sunday, September 21, 2008
afternoon pages
One of my very favorite things I Love about Sundays is the fact that I have more time, to do what I love to do, read and write. So here I sit hoping to update you on my summer, my fall, and my life. It was a very busy (not like I like it) summer as I took on a full-time job for the months of July and August. It was of course, good for paying the bills, but as for having the extra time to read and write let's just say it did not happen. Although, I did have the privilege of being a part of a book study, so I can say that I did completely read one book cover to cover and I am currently working on finishing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for school. It is so fun to read these classics that I did not read when I was in grade school or high school.
I also had a summer of many physical tests because of my lack of appetite and loss of weight. What I loved about all the uncertainty through this time, is that God remained Faithful and Sovereign, even when I had no idea what was going on in my body, I was confident that He knew. Is it not true, that when our life becomes unmanageable by us, we run into the arms of the one and only God who can manage our lives? Well, come to find out that I am gluten intolerant ... this is new for me and I am learning just what I can and can't eat to remain healthy. I am so thankful for so many others who have gone before me gluten free that I can learn from.
As I jumped into fall these last couple of weeks I found myself in still another hard situation. It's as if I want to have control of people and circumstances that are clearly beyond my control. It would seem that I would have learned my lesson through my health issues this summer that were unmanageable but no ... not me. Because I am strong-willed and sometimes stubborn I have to be taught over and over the same lesson again and again.
Now having spent the morning (remember Love Sunday morning) with the 4th-6th graders who pray with faith I am reminded once again of my purpose to know and love the Bible and to glorify Him in all that I do, say, and am.
Going back to loving to read and write ... I love the book that was written to me by my Savior and Friend ... The Bible, and can I say too, that I love to write about what my Friend teaches me .... There is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother ... He continues to teach me to rest
In His Arms, B.
afternoon pages
One of my very favorite things I Love about Sundays is the fact that I have more time, to do what I love to do, read and write. So here I sit hoping to update you on my summer, my fall, and my life. It was a very busy (not like I like it) summer as I took on a full-time job for the months of July and August. It was of course, good for paying the bills, but as for having the extra time to read and write let's just say it did not happen. Although, I did have the privilege of being a part of a book study, so I can say that I did completely read one book cover to cover and I am currently working on finishing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for school. It is so fun to read these classics that I did not read when I was in grade school or high school.
I also had a summer of many physical tests because of my lack of appetite and loss of weight. What I loved about all the uncertainty through this time, is that God remained Faithful and Sovereign, even when I had no idea what was going on in my body, I was confident that He knew. Is it not true, that when our life becomes unmanageable by us, we run into the arms of the one and only God who can manage our lives? Well, come to find out that I am gluten intolerant ... this is new for me and I am learning just what I can and can't eat to remain healthy. I am so thankful for so many others who have gone before me gluten free that I can learn from.
As I jumped into fall these last couple of weeks I found myself in still another hard situation. It's as if I want to have control of people and circumstances that are clearly beyond my control. It would seem that I would have learned my lesson through my health issues this summer that were unmanageable but no ... not me. Because I am strong-willed and sometimes stubborn I have to be taught over and over the same lesson again and again.
Now having spent the morning (remember Love Sunday morning) with the 4th-6th graders who pray with faith I am reminded once again of my purpose to know and love the Bible and to glorify Him in all that I do, say, and am.
Going back to loving to read and write ... I love the book that was written to me by my Savior and Friend ... The Bible, and can I say too, that I love to write about what my Friend teaches me .... There is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother ... He continues to teach me to rest
In His Arms, B.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Monday September 8, 2008
morning pages
My first week of school as a teacher was the most difficult week I have had so far in my teaching career. So, because of this, let's just say I was less than excited to get up this morning and go in for my second week.
What was interesting to me though is that God has me in Matthew 6:5-13 a very familiar passage to everyone "The Lord's Prayer". As I was reading and praying this morning not really sure how to pray ... I thought about the phrase "my will be done". It occurred to me that I need not think or worry about school, the students, the teachers, etc. because if I leave all of this into the hands of my Father indeed His will will be done!
Remaining In His Arms today, B.
morning pages
My first week of school as a teacher was the most difficult week I have had so far in my teaching career. So, because of this, let's just say I was less than excited to get up this morning and go in for my second week.
What was interesting to me though is that God has me in Matthew 6:5-13 a very familiar passage to everyone "The Lord's Prayer". As I was reading and praying this morning not really sure how to pray ... I thought about the phrase "my will be done". It occurred to me that I need not think or worry about school, the students, the teachers, etc. because if I leave all of this into the hands of my Father indeed His will will be done!
Remaining In His Arms today, B.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Love Sundays
OK, so it's a week and a day late but still very important Loves about the last 2 Sundays
love family
love friends
love celebrations
love gifts
love smiles
love food
love cake
love Sundays
Sid opens Uncle Jake's, Aunt Carrie's and cousin Annika's
gift with the help of papa Pederson and daddy as mommy
and grandma take pictures. Happy 1st Birthday Sidney!
"This is kind of like my dad and mom's moped, do I need
a license to drive this in North Minneapolis?"
" I love Dinos"
"Hey Uncle Matt and Aunt Lisa if you had not eaten all your
Our new son-in-law, Matt
love family
love friends
love celebrations
love gifts
love smiles
love food
love cake
love Sundays
Sid opens Uncle Jake's, Aunt Carrie's and cousin Annika's
gift with the help of papa Pederson and daddy as mommy
and grandma take pictures. Happy 1st Birthday Sidney!
"This is kind of like my dad and mom's moped, do I need
a license to drive this in North Minneapolis?"
" I love Dinos"
"Hey Uncle Matt and Aunt Lisa if you had not eaten all your
wedding cake we could have used it for my party. What's up with that?
Our new son-in-law, MattMatt and Lisa
Matt's 'so cute' nephew
Matt and his Dad
Jackie and David
Love wedding receptions in Iowa
Love our new son-in-law Matt
Love Jackie and David, and love their gift of hospitality
Love that we had opportunity to meet Matt's dad, Bruce.
Love the beauty of the lake and the enjoyment of time spent with new friends and family.
Always loving Sundays!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Fisherman
Sunday
August 17, 2008
evening pages
Yesterday, I decided it was time to get some exercise and go for a walk. I walked down and around to a near by park and pond area and ended up at Bass Lake, one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. As I walked I came to a bench overlooking the lake where I stopped to sit for awhile. I noticed in front of me on the rocks near the shore a fisherman. I don't really know a lot about fishing but as I watched I saw this young man cast out his line only to reel it back in to see weeds on his hook. He cleaned off his hook and cast his line out a different direction. He watched with a careful eye and as soon as the little red and white ball sank he reeled his line back in once again only to find weeds on his hook. As I sat and watched he did this several times. All the time I watched he did not catch a fish. But as I sat and looked on I was impressed by how patient and persistent this young man had been while fishing. I thought of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to put down their nets and follow Him. Jesus was teaching us about becoming fishers of men. I began to think about my faithfulness or better yet my lack of faithfulness in "catching fish" ie; praying for those who still do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was reminded that I have not been patient or persistent as I believe Jesus would want me to be in praying for and reaching out to the lost. As I got up and continued my walk home I pondered on these thoughts and began to pray more and to pray harder for those who do not know Jesus. When I returned home I gathered my Bible, Journal and Pilgrimage of the Heart a Bible Study that I have been working through. My study for the day, you guessed it ... Matthew 4:18-5:1, Matthew 14:22:36 and Matthew 26:6-13. I love how Holy Spirit works through all things, my walk, the fisherman, and the Word.
Finding myself once again In His Arms, B.
August 17, 2008
evening pages
Yesterday, I decided it was time to get some exercise and go for a walk. I walked down and around to a near by park and pond area and ended up at Bass Lake, one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. As I walked I came to a bench overlooking the lake where I stopped to sit for awhile. I noticed in front of me on the rocks near the shore a fisherman. I don't really know a lot about fishing but as I watched I saw this young man cast out his line only to reel it back in to see weeds on his hook. He cleaned off his hook and cast his line out a different direction. He watched with a careful eye and as soon as the little red and white ball sank he reeled his line back in once again only to find weeds on his hook. As I sat and watched he did this several times. All the time I watched he did not catch a fish. But as I sat and looked on I was impressed by how patient and persistent this young man had been while fishing. I thought of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to put down their nets and follow Him. Jesus was teaching us about becoming fishers of men. I began to think about my faithfulness or better yet my lack of faithfulness in "catching fish" ie; praying for those who still do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was reminded that I have not been patient or persistent as I believe Jesus would want me to be in praying for and reaching out to the lost. As I got up and continued my walk home I pondered on these thoughts and began to pray more and to pray harder for those who do not know Jesus. When I returned home I gathered my Bible, Journal and Pilgrimage of the Heart a Bible Study that I have been working through. My study for the day, you guessed it ... Matthew 4:18-5:1, Matthew 14:22:36 and Matthew 26:6-13. I love how Holy Spirit works through all things, my walk, the fisherman, and the Word.
Finding myself once again In His Arms, B.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday
August 14, 2008
morning pages
I feel as if it is time to write an update journal entry on my ongoing health issue .... The following is an e-mail that I sent out just one week ago followed by a couple of prayers written and sent by friends ...
"Some know but for others I want you to know that I have not felt well since April of this year. My symptoms have been nausea, loss of appetite, and loss of weight, As I have gone to the doctor and then on to a specialist, one test result has lead to yet another test.
It seems they have found 2 cysts one 5mm and the other 2 mm on my liver and a spot on the tail of my pancreas which is somewhat larger than the remainder of the pancreas.
I will be going in on Thursday, August 7 at 10:30 am for an Endoscopic Ultrasound at Hennepin County Medical Center.
I know and believe that God can completely heal as He has in the past, yet I also know how important it is to pray according to the will of my Father who has given me such peace throughout the past 4 months. thank you for joining me in prayer on my behalf!"
Blessings, Beth
"But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more, my mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day for their number is past my knowledge." Psalm 71:14-15 ESV
Dear Gracious God, I pray for Beth and Terry and al the Pederson family today. May Your perfect peace which does pass all understanding be theirs as they await this next test. I pray that each moment that anxiety or fear tries to rear their ugly heads, that You will quietly calm their fears and strengthen their faith. You have graciously reminded us that Your ways are so much higher that ours and we rest in that today. In the powerful, precious name of Jesus, who will raise us up on tha tday, I pray. Amen. B.F.
Lord Jesus, you are the one we love, honor, worship and serve. your are our King and our Lord and the master of our lives. We acknowledge your ability to completely heal Beth in this very moment and we ask that you do just that. We ask for peace for Terry and Beth, wisdom for the doctors, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be more present that ever. In Your powerful name. Amen. Love you, friend. B.F.
It may seem like these prayers were written by the same person but these prayers came by e-mail from two different friends with the same intials. Have you considered sending an actual prayer like these by e-mail.?These have been powerful in fact ....
I am happy to report that my size and shape of my pancreas are indeed different but to no concern and they found a benign tumor in the surrounding area again of no concern. So you may be thinking how am I feeling? Well about the same so I am going to experiment with some changes in my diet and see if this makes a difference in how I feel. I will keep you posted.
In His Arms, Beth
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