May your new year be full of the goodness of God! He is so good! He is in a GOOD MOOD!!! He's not mad at you!
What a crazy season we've had. My part time job (Michelle) has it's busy season Oct-Dec. So I've pretty much been working like a mad woman, and got myself a nice case of bronchitis. I'm feeling better - this week is rest and rest and then a little more rest. The good news is that the tithe from my job goes to help get our students to our SALT conference in January. We had students over helping us pack toys many nights in December. It made it fun! We also raised a chunk selling cookies at First Assembly in December- thanks to everyone who bought them!
We spent our Christmas in Winona with my family, and the week before, Phil's sister and her family were here. It's been great, reconnecting with family. After this week of rest, Phil goes back to work and the kids back to school. Next Thursday, Jan 6, we load up and head to Sioux Falls for a long weekend. The SALT conference has always been a highlight in our year- we are really looking forward to it! Pray for good weather!
After SALT, BSU resumes classes for Spring semester. We continue with Tuesday and Friday nights, Phil's men's group on Thursdays, and International students hang-outs. We are also hosting a new event this spring- the Bemidji Area School of Transformation (BAST). This school is a dream realized for our dear friends and board members, Brad & Becky Fossand, but also for us. Phil and I have seen the need for emotional and spiritual health and the transforming of our minds for people to be healthy and free to influence their world, but we also have known that Phil and I are not enough to see this realized. Brad & Becky have had this dream as well for many years, and this fall, we felt the "now is the time" from the Lord. Registrations are coming in, and this first session of BAST will be meeting in our great room on Sunday and Wednesday nights, along with 1-2 Saturday afternoons a month. We are using the curriculum from Bethel church in Redding, CA- the curriculum they use and have developed over the last twelve years for their School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). You can contact r.fossand@gmail.com for more info.
And I will keep you updated, of course :) Our intent is to pour into these leaders this spring, and be trained at a deeper level ourselves. So exciting!
In the meantime, Ruth is heading up Tuesday nights on campus. What a blessing to have her here. She has been really connected with the school and students, and then she brings them here so Phil and I and our kids can connect with them. For now, while we're working and can't be on campus full time, this is amazing. God is so good to just bring what we need!
So family, this is our plate. Isn't it lovely? Please keep us in your prayers, and your financial gifts are always so appreciated! The "donate" link on this blog makes it easier than ever :)
We think of you often, have your faces on our fridge, and love you tons. We've loved getting all your letters and pictures this Christmas- keep 'em coming! YOU are more a part of all this than you know!!
xoxoxoxo
your Thooft clan
