We spent 3 days in retreat with the Lord the first part of this month, and it was wonderful. Even when it’s just the two of us at home, we need to go away and be with Him without all the common day-to-day distractions of life. In fact, He told us years ago to go away with Him once a quarter–we got out of the habit when we began to feel it was a luxury more than a necessity and felt guilty for spending the money on it. However, we found out during this time away it is a necessity. We have felt somewhat lost the last six months, continuing to minister as usual while feeling a bit unsettled. We would spend hours asking the Lord why. Finally we scheduled the much-needed time away. Revelation regarding some smaller questions and needs came quickly over the first two days, and then His direction for us came on the third day: “Devote yourselves 100% to the roadside and to the roadside alone. A shift is coming, and I need you out there 5-6 days a week!” Although this was not at all what we expected, immediately a great peace and knowing came over us — this was the Lord and our spirits witnessed to it! We have gone through many emotions–peace, joy, excitement–since we received His word two weeks ago. The hard emotions come as we prepare for tomorrow night’s last gathering of our home group which we have led for over 4 years, since we moved back to Iowa. It’s a bittersweet time of anticipation for the new promise, “Watch what I will do,” and of sorrow as we let go of this major piece of our life which we know will leave a great void. We love these people. This wasn’t a surprise to God, so we know He has plans for each of them and ways unknown to us now to keep us all connected. We are family.

Thank you for your prayers! Here is a follow-up to our last post regarding dreaming bigger about owning a building in Sioux Rapids: After touring the building, the Lord showed us the answer is NO to that possibility! Lots of interior work would need to be done, much more than anticipated. Other issues were the heating sources, the wiring, no a/c, the location of the bathroom, whether the new trailer would fit due to other things that had not been removed from the bay. The main point was that it would be better to put the money into our own property by returning to our original January 2024 vision of a multi-purpose building on our own acreage. During the summer, we had even buried the plans of it in the place where it would be built as an act of faith! The Lord knew my (Karen) concern about the townspeople coming to our property for events or Bible Study because I heard Him say clearly, “If you build it, they will come!” I chuckled at that and got peace! We are now wholeheartedly pursuing that vision. Emil will be gathering bids for the cost and we are looking to the Lord for His provision of the resources to make it happen!

Emil got his Bible out and it opened to Psalm 107:35-38. We see our home and property spelled out: oasis of water, springs making fertile ground, feeding all who are hungry, reaping a bumper crop, fruitful harvest, blessed with multiplication and prosperity! We receive it, Lord!

There’s a lot of talk about audits these days! Here’s an interesting one: a thought audit! Many people, even Christians, deal with anxiety. A thought audit trains us to overcome anxiety, to walk through it instead of being consumed by it. If we pay attention to our thoughts, we will get a glimpse of our future . As Joyce Meyer says, “Where the mind goes, the man followsl” Our life always progresses toward what we think. If it’s a negative future, you can change that! Here’s how:

Take your thoughts captive; in other words, think about what you’re thinking about! As Gloria Copeland asks, “What does MY faith sound like?”  Spend time “unpacking” your thoughts, digging into them: (1) Are the thoughts negative, positive, or neutral?   (2) Which thoughts are contributing to stress/anxiety and/or unproductive behavior? (3)Are these thoughts truth-based, aligning with the Word, or are these thoughts fear-based?

The solution is: Refuse to think the thoughts contributing to a negative, fear-based future, and replace them by speaking the truth of God’s Word. Thoughts don’t fight thoughts–words out of our mouth fight thoughts. I know this sounds easier said than done, but that’s what renewing our minds is all about. It takes work for awhile to stay on top of your thoughts, but it is so worth it! The thought comes and your verbal response is, “I don’t receive that!” “I don’t believe that!” “The truth is…” and speak out God’s Word! This opens the door to a future of hope, fulfilling the plan God has for your life!

We believe 2025 will be the best year in quite awhile! We are experiencing a shift in the atmosphere and a higher level of expectation for all God will do through us this year! Our word from the Lord for 2025, so far, is “Greater Harvest, Lighter Baggage!” We are in agreement with the Lord and anticipating a record-breaking harvest for the ministry! Our prayer for you is for a year experiencing overwhelming blessings from His hand–health, prosperity, peace, joy, a greater awareness of His presence, His love, His provision, revelation, wisdom–ALL of His benefits, in fact! And let’s not forget signs, wonders, and miracles! John 10:10 in the Passion Translation tells us that Jesus said, “I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!” So let’s believe it and receive it! Jesus is in love with us and wants to show it!

A telemarketer called this evening. She said, “I’m calling about your timeshare!” I (Emil) said, ”We do not own a timeshare! “ She said “Yes, you do with your wife!” I said, “We have never owned one!”The Lord said, “Ask her if she dies tonight, will she go to heaven?” So I asked, “Can I ask you a question?” She hesitantly said, “Ok, sure,” so I asked her if she died tonight, would she go to heaven? I heard her conversing with someone quietly in the background and then she hung up!

Sometimes we just need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit because who else is going to talk to a telemarketer about Jesus? If they are telemarketers for worldly things, then we can be telemarketers for Jesus! Give it a try—you’d be surprised! I have led a couple of people to the Lord, simply by talking to them about Jesus!

Emil received a new assignment from the Lord last week in addition to the Roadside and our Friday night home group! He is preaching this Sunday and next Sunday for the pastor of two churches: Trinity UMC in Webb, about 10 miles away, and Faith United in Sioux Rapids. We have attended the Webb church off and on this year, when we aren’t on the roadside being the church on Sundays! He was asked last week by the pastor if he would consider being her back-up preacher, to preach every 4-6 weeks. She is a high school teacher in addition to her pastoral duties and so is extremely busy and rarely gets a weekend off. This will allow her to have some badly-needed R&R with her family. Emil was honored to be asked and accepted! We believe it will be a great partnership.

It’s so important to know what God is saying about everything in our lives! When we believe in Jesus and listen to Him, we can live in discernment. Emil and I have learned through the years to always ask, “Lord, what’s the truth about this [situation, person, decision, etc]?” After all, He IS truth! Once we get His heart and direction, we can walk in faith in what He told us and not be influenced by anyone but the Lord. We don’t want the world’s opinion, only His. In fact, when He set out the Free Prayer ministry to us 20 years ago, He said, “People don’t need another opinion, so you are never to give them your opinion. You are only to ask Me what I want to say to them. They will stop with a specific prayer request, but I have something to tell them that will set them free. That’s what I want them to hear.” We have seen incredible things over these many years because God ALWAYS goes directly to the heart of the matter in EVERY situation and heals it, setting people free to hear Him, believe in Him, be filled with His incredible love for them, receive their healing, whatever He wants to happen in that encounter with Him! He is so good and so awesome! Being led by Him, we walk in freedom!

The Holy Spirit led our Friday night home group! We always pray for His presence to intensify, and Friday night His presence was strong from the beginning and only got stronger as the evening progressed. There were miraculous deliverances and healings and the Lord had a specific word for every person there! Joy and praise went home with each person and continued to be shared with each other Saturday and into Sunday! God is so merciful and gracious. He sees us!

We were surprised to find our testimony of our new trailer published in the June Voice of the Covenant magazine! It was completely unexpected! One person read it and looked up the ministry on the internet, subscribed to our newsletter, and wrote us a very encouraging email because of it. Thank You so much, Lord!

Posted on Facebook January 16th:

Science says that we need at least 4 basic elements to survive.

1. Water
2. Air
3. Food
4. Light

And look what the Bible tells us about Jesus.

1. I Am the Living Water
2. I Am the Breath of Life
3. I Am the Bread of Life
4. I Am the Light of the World

Science was right, we need Jesus to live.