Heidi G karlsson

So it's off to the island on a missions trip with the kids. Super excited. VBS. Camping, youth camp. Oh what fun it is to ride in a big white chevrolet. Try saying that word phonetically. Chev-ro-let. Funny. I just thought I'd drop a line (cool saying huh) because it's nice to drop lines. Drop lines, not anchors. Not that I mean anything by that, but it could. In some big pep talk it could really go over nicely. I think about "church" a lot. Someone asked me today, "Are you still going to the same church? How's that going for you?" (welcome to my blog - you the asker of my question. It's a good one. ) It's kind of funny. Some people love attending "church." Some people refuse. Some people were hurt by "the church" and now hate God. Some people go to "church" and criticize it. Some people go and don't think about it. Others run churches and don't think about it. Some run em and think about it. but then I ...

I recently returned from “The Call” in Nashville, Tennessee. “The Call” was simply a day of fasting and prayer, crying out to God in repentance and worship. I met up with the My Canada crew (Tamara Crampton and Faytene Kryskow) in Ontario, took a 12 hour bus ride through the states and met up with Pastor Jim and some of the Anderson fam down in Nashville. Here’s what The Call organizers said, and what drew me down there: In 1967, 100,000 young people, aged 15-25, flocked to San Francisco to experience the hippie movement. The mass convergence was sparked by the hit song, San Francisco (Wear a flower in Your Hair). Once there, they experimented with LSD, pot, causal sex and Eastern mysticism in what became known as the “Summer of Love.” When these newly recruited flower Children returned home at the end of summer, they brought with them new styles and ideas, flooding the cities of the US and Europe with a message that opposed authority and scorned conservative morals. This countercultur...

You shouldn't start your blog with sorry. So I won't. Thanks to all of you who have been telling me you've been reading this. This one’s dedicated to you (how apropos because you are in fact the same ones who are reading it now. It’s kind of cyclical reasoning but I’m not getting graded or edited, so here goes the free writing and free thought). I just spent the last 3 hours working on chapter 3 (incidentally) of Pastor Jim’s book. I have classical music playing in my headphones. It’s the playlist on my computer that I always use for this kind of stuff –I named it “easy on the ears.” Just classical inspiration. No words. Well, some words in another language but I can’t understand so it doesn’t distract me. My thumb has been twitching. That’s never a happened before, but if I relax it, it sort of jumps to the side toward my other fingers. I’ve heard of eyes twitching, but not this. This book is going to get done. Some days I feel it. Some days I say it by faith. It’s so funn...

I just finished doing the first read through of Pastor Jim's book. It's going to be so great. It's not done, I just wanted to to put it together for flow to see how the direction was working.. Oh my GOODNESS!!! It's working. I am so excited. Now back to fiddling and making sure we didn't miss anything. Oh man oh man. Ok. Now it's back to work. I just had to celebrate a little bit. I just posted Lifeline's new newsletter for the month of June as well. There's some good stuff in there about adoption. One zinger quote. You'll know exactly what i'm talking about when you see it. Ok. back to work.

MARCH TO MAY NEWSLETTER the UPdate: Since my place of employment is in Spokane, In January I tried to obtain an American Religious workers Visa three times. I went to the border and got denied for different reasons every time which resulted in being photographed, fingerprinted, and flogged . . . ahem, I mean flagged each time as well. Late January a Congressional office in Spokane made an appeal on my behalf to determine what the exact issues were with my visa and to inquire what we could do about it. Early April, Officials in DC notified us a that decision had been made regarding my situation. They requested my signature to release the information to the Spokane office. I signed and faxed. Next thing we know, we know nothing. We contact them. They promise a final answer by May 1st. On May 7th the final answer came and it was, in a bunch of different words and reasons the equivalent of “No working. . . but you can visit.” So I have just returned from a week’s visit to Spokane and alt...

Do you ever just think, "MAN I LOVE MY LIFE!!" ? It could just be the weather, but it could just be life. I'm sitting here in my home, working away (actually having one of those days that's begging to distract me while my insides turn ADHD) and my heart or whatever that thing is in there that lives and takes in every aspect of life and processes it for us, or it is us, well in moments it grows. Or it smiles. Or it sighs. Sometimes it cries, but not today. I just mention that because it rhymes. Could just be it's hot and sunny, I shot hoops for a few minutes and now everything is right in the world even though it just cost me $500 to get something fixed on my car. What is life (I say as a statement and not a question).Whatever it is, sometimes I'm in love with it. All the pain in the world doesn't compare to the beauty. I guess I'll just be happy with it and when the day comes and the ugliness of life shades the sun, I'll ride that one too. What to ...

I am in Spokane. Visiting. It has been great. . . but too short as every good visit is and ever will be. This is a good thing. I have been careful not to engage in any work so as to be honorable and have "no guile" in my mouth as God showed me in my Bible reading. He says it's ok for the government to punish you if you deserve it. So don't disobey he says. I am trying. My logic would like to over-rule that one, but alas things are as they are and I can not complain. But what would I like to have you know? Business or pleasure.. Well, I shall come forth with a newsletter when i return, however, I will say for now, I'm committed to Lifeline and if it has to be "lifeline Canada" so be it. I will do it. I'm working for the Church in a unique position that allows me to priorities lifeline work, requires me to raise support, and frees me to continue to help with interns worship stuff and even some short term missions trips as well as creative drama/music/a...

I went swimming the other day. I swim. Not well, but ever improving. Well, it was spring break. Even though it was only 7:30 am on a non-school spring break day, there were these two youngsters paddling back and forth in the fast lane. Anyway, so there I was with my hot goggles and my sweet old swimcap and adorable swimsuit looking all hardcore ready to swim. I stood in the lane and sort of looked at them for a bit. They just lolly-gagged back and forth with those little floatation devices. I jumped in and figured they’d get it pretty quick and get out of my way. I didn’t see them go past me, but I smelled them. I’ve never experienced that before. First him, then her. Two distinct perfume smells. Times like that I roll my eyes and try not to think about what other sweat particles, boogers, and whatever else lands in the water and I thank God for chlorine. What are kids doing up so early on a holiday anyway? Weird. And do you know we are 21 days into the rain and if we go 6 more we b...

It is February 27, 2007. My computer tells me so. And yet again I write from the downstairs of the house in Abbotsford. Canada. Yes. I remain in my home and native land. Here’s the condensed version: In order to work for Pastor Jim I need a US work visa. We decided to apply for a Religious Workers visa – the R1. As a Canadian I can apply for it while going through the border, provided I have the appropriate application and supporting documents. I have tried to do this three times. Each time I have been politely refused and given different reasons for this refusal. Oh that elusive R1 Visa. As we speak, my case is in the midst of a congressional appeal. The congresswoman in Pastor Jim’s riding in Spokane has agreed to appeal on our behalf. Port authorities and people in Washington, DC are considering my case. The outcome isn’t a free Visa (unless something quite strange occurs). This process is simply to clarify and lay out what it is that I specifically need to do in order to work for L...

January Newsletter: Hellooooooooooo! Paul so often wrote great things like “grace and peace to you from God our Father and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and every time I read those greetings I fly so fast past them, realize it, go back, stop and wonder about them, and then ask God for his grace and peace. So I say to all of you this: I pray that you will be shocked at the largeness of God and will realize in the deepest part of who you are, along with all the saints, angels, and other spirits in heaven, hell, and earth - that as children of God, our obedience to Christ renders us literally unstoppable to any opposing force. I pray that this realization would revolutionize all our lives. Ok. I know, it’s not as beautiful as Paul’s greeting, but for you I submit my somewhat awkward and lengthy greeting. I am writing from my chilly basement in Abbotsford instead of my not so chilly basement in Spokane. In the fall when I went down to start with Lifeline, I went as a visitor just to make...

It has been nearly a month since I last blogged. Can you believe it?! I am up in Canada due to a stoppage at the border crossing which I must submit to. We're working on trying to get some documents to verify some important information and then hopefully I will be on my way back to Spokane. Until then, I am ok with being here because I feel a sense of purpose in it. Even packing my bags to go I felt like I was supposed to be here a little longer. Alas, I am. As for the no blogging, I switched over to the beta thing and then I forgot my password and couldn't get in and so didn't blog nor read anyone's blog. Hutchy, I tried to email you but apparently I have the wrong addy because it came back like a daemon. And then I tried to put a little comment on your blog, but I couldn't despite repeated tries because: 1) my computer asked if I wanted it to re-organize. I thought it was a nice guesture until I realized that it incapacitated me and I had no idea where all my fil...

Here's a bold move. Perhaps it will boost my readership (which by the way many of you last month either commented or emailed as a result of my lament over the lack there-of. thank you. while it is fun to write these, it is nice to know if people are reading. I have been considering getting a myspace account. I may. who knows. I'll keep you posted. but back to this new and bold venture . . . ) Many of you have been asking about guys. men. boys. you know, as in do I like anyone down here, do I see any potentials etc etc. Now, those of you who know me well know that if I did have my eye on someone I would never say so. Which is a backwards way of saying with a clear conscience that no, there is not a man that has captured my attention or whom I have begun to send prayers upward in petition to God. There are many nice people. Don't get me wrong. I am enjoying many friendships but ain't none done set my head a-turnin' if yuh know what i mean. So those of you who are pray...

Hiya. Well. It snowed. We skated on the frozen pond. It was magic. The next day we went to the public skating rink. So many people. 80's music, but no magic. I'm sorry, but i have no camera so I couldn't take a picture of the pond and the evening and the glow of the moon on the snow and our cheery red cheeks as we raced across the frozen water despite the creeking sounds of cracks and ice readjusting with the changes in the weight and weather. . . but alas it is December and therefore it is Christmas. Here is our tree. Here are our decorations. Stars in the windows. Bulbs on the trees. A lap top reflecting. How beautiful. The fake branches with sparkly red and white stuff that look like melting icicles when the candles are lit below. Actually it freaked me out. I thought the decorations were really melting. But they were only reflecting. And now that I have all these pictures for you (I take them with my lap top for all of you who wonder why i would complain that I have ...

Meet the Roomates. ok. New roomie wants in on the blog world. She's a my-spacer trying to be nice to the bloggers. So everybody, this is Isabelle. Isabelle, this is everybody. She's got an upstairs room. A nanny and she is getting her master's in teaching. Ok. all the roomies but one are in. so. taking advantage of the opportunity . . . I'd like to introduce you to Gloria. She's a rodeo queen. No really. Ok fine, she came in second place or something. Next year she's going to try again. But she's a chef. Big huge hotel downtown. But I can't tell you where, because she can't give you free food anyway. Gloria has a downstairs room with me. Hers has a rock in it. Our bathroom has an apron tacked across the window. I'll show you some time. This here be Liz. Last names are being withheld in order to protect people and make you think that they're innocent. Liz is mysterious. She's an artist, so maybe it's best that we protect her image. Y...

Did you notice the pink? Ah but how could you not. Yes. This is still Heidi's blog, but it has changed to meet the demands of the public. This is SPECIAL FOR SPARROW!!! HI SPARROW! Do you like the PINK PINK PINK? Three year olds can't necessarily read words, but they can read pink. For the rest, it won't last long. I just had to try to win the little girl's heart so that when she see's me at Christmas she thinks pink and she just loves loves loves me. I don't know if the princess in pink is a good book. I'm not promoting it, I'm just including it because it's got a tiara on it. Remember, Sparrow can't read words, just pink. Now for the rest of my readers . . . The crunch of snow underneath my feet transported me to another place. You know those moments when your mind goes somewhere and you think of weird things? While I walked home from dinner all the ice and snow in the moonlight made me think of Russia. And I thought, "I could be anywhere...

November 18th. The week heading into American Thanksgiving. I am going to keep my eyes peeled, because apparently Christmas pops up immediately after thanksgiving and I want to experience it. Lots of walks and looking around at houses. America, America. Well, I have something special to share with you. Something unique to this city perhaps. I am not sure. Perhaps unique to cities with a whole lot of leafy trees. What are those called? Deciduous or Carnivorous - I can never remember. Heh heh. Anyway. I awoke yesturday morning to the strangest thing. Piles of leaves at every intersection in the suburbs. Like huge piles. My roomate was tempted to just drive her car straight into it. I wish she would have. We could have video'd it and won huge prizes on stupid videos.com. Oh well. our 15 seconds of fame will have to be for something else. Too bad. the funny thing about these piles is that people rake their yards and place their piles on the side of the road. They're not supposed to...

I HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE, AND HAVE JOINED THE CELL PHONE RACE. PLEASE DO NOT JUDGE ME FOR THIS PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY. FORGIVE AND LET LIVE- DO NOT PUT UP A WALL BUT PERHAPS YOU COULD CALL? PLEASE UNDERSTAND MY SNOBBERY IN THE PAST COULD NOT FOREVER LAST AND THUS A TIME HAS COME, A TIME INDEED WHERE I HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN CELL PHONE NEED I WON'T BE A CHATTER CHERRY BUT PLEASE DON'T YOU BE AN INCOMMUNICATIVE JERRY DO UNDERSTAND THAT THOUGH THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT CAME THROUGH IN THE LAST SHIPMENT IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT MY LIFE IS OPEN SEASON TO ANYONE WHO WOULD CALL WITHOUT A REASON I HAVE CALL DISPLAY AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO LEAVE THE CELL PHONE HOME WHENEVER I ROAM BUT NONETHELESS I DO PROFESS AT LEAST NOW YOU HAVE HALF A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING HOLD OF ME.

New digs. Yep. I'm in. And as you will soon be able to see (sorry that I didn't do a before and after) I am cozy as a bug in a Spokane rug. And it is quite rugged, i might add. Anyway. We have insulated this little enclave so much so that I have not had to use my space heater. It is quite a nice little cozy room. Although I do have to admit, it is a little bare. I have not got any art up, neither do I have my little bulletin boards or magnetic thingies so I can .. you know, post up all the people I love and gaze at you all longlingly. Oh yes. This morning I was just minding my own business, and all you computer people who know computers know that people make mistakes not computers. Well anyway, the computer made it's own independent decision to give me a slide show of a file of pictures that i am about to print. Yes, I'm not sure how. Instead of "sleeping" and a black screen, i saw all my peeps and nephews and nieces and i watched and it was beautiful and I...