Someone gave me this book report written about the Bible (obviously by a kid) and I wanted to brighten your day by sharing with you:

‘In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness and some gas. The Bible says “the Lord thy God is one” but I think He must be a lot older than that.  Anyway, God said, “Give me a light!” and someone did. Then God made the world.

He split the Adam and made Eve. They were naked but they weren’t embarrassed because mirrors hadn’t been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden … not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn’t have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel. Pretty soon, all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.

One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him but they said they would have to take a rain check.

After Noah came Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh’s people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels and no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don’t lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor’s stuff. Oh yeah, I just thought of one more: humor thy father and thy mother.

One of Moses’ best helpers was Joshua, who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.

After Joshua, came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn’t sound very wise to me. After Solomon, there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don’t have to worry about them.

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of the New Testament. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too because my mom is always saying to me, “Close the door! Were you born in a barn?” It would be nice to say, “As a matter of fact, I was!”)

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republicans. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount. But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn’t stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.

Anyway, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution . The end.”  Amen.

Thank you to the following Friends in Christ who shared the cross with others during the month of September:

Les – IA
Brenda – NY
Carla – MN
Amy – SD
First Baptist Church – Bemidji, MN
Dana – MN
Cedar Valley Church – Bloomington, MN for mission work in Thailand
Joan – MN
Darlene – MN
Treva – WI
Resurrection Lutheran Church – Monticello, MN
Lakeview Covenant Church – Duluth, MN
Connie – MN

Just a reminder:  Christmas is on its way and the Cross The World woodshop is getting busy!! If you’re thinking you would like to have crosses to hand out during the Christmas season, we want to help you do just that!! So, please let us know as soon as you can how many crosses you will need and when you would like to have them shipped so we get your request in our system. Thanks!!!

There is no need to plead that the love of God shall fill our hearts as though He were unwilling to fill us … love is pressing around us on all sides like air. Cease to resist it and instantly love takes possession.
– Amy Carmichael

We got a phone call from a friend of ours, Kathy, who wanted to share some awesome news. Ernie had given her a cross about 2 years ago and she had been carrying it in her purse; recently, she had her grandkids in the back seat of her car. One of them wanted something to hold so she gave them that cross and, at the end of that ride, it was left in their carseat. Last week, she was involved in a hit & run accident by a drunk driver. When she got home and started to inspect the damage to her car, she opened the door that was struck. There was her cross, resting on the floor, immediately inside the door. It was the first thing she saw and she wanted to share with us the blessing she felt she had received from that cross … she had no small passengers at the time of the accident and Kathy was unhurt. What a wonderful Protector she had riding with her that day!

Believe in His miracles!!!

Here’s some other great feedback from our Friends in Christ:

Two of our members had ordered a couple hundred wooden crosses you have been making for the witness of Jesus Christ. We have been giving these wooden crosses, along with our church brochure, to the neighbors in our community. It has been very positively received.

I am a native of Japan, although I became an American Citizen almost ten years ago. My mother lives in one of the Lutheran retirement facilities in Tokyo and I will be visiting her there at the end of this month. I am going to visit my home church where my family belongs and plan to present these crosses to the congregation. They can share them with visitors and members alike, for them to wear and witness the love of Jesus Christ.

Your ministry is very unique and I can almost feel His love and grace through this wonderful ministry.

In His Spirit,
Interim Pastor Yutaka Kishino
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Moreno Valley, CA

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

These crosses will be going to Burma to the Po Karen people group. The previous crosses we ordered were in Spanish and went with our daughter and the Lakeville North FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) mission team to the community of Jaracaboa, Dominican Republic. She returns on Saturday, August 8th. We can’t wait to hear who they shared the crosses with! Thank you so much!

Jodi, Messiah Lutheran Church, Lakeville, MN

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

I am sending an extra $15 to help you with your wonderful mission. Be sure I will be passing them on to our children to pass them on to someone in their family or friends.

Sheila, River Falls Assembly of God, River Falls, WI

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Thank you to all who have shared their witness in Christ.  If any of you have stories about how the crosses you have distributed have impacted others, we’d love to share them as well.  Just let me know!

Recently, some members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Lakeville, MN went on a mission trip to Burma, where our crosses were handed out to grateful villagers.  These missionaries represented Project Video, whose goal is to equip and train Asian evangelists to make and distribute Christian videos that will share the Bible to children and adults who may not be able to read or write, giving them a wonderful opportunity to see and hear the Gospel in their very own language. To learn more about Project Video, click here or here.  This organization is always looking for church sponsors/missionaries that would like to help them spread God’s word. Maybe your church is interested in helping them with their mission?

Great news!  Thanks for sharing, Messiah Lutheran!!

We have given away more than 105,000 crosses, thanks to you!!! We continue to be oh so grateful to all of you for your kind generosity, both in helping us spread God’s love by distributing our crosses and in continuing your financial support of our ministry (please remember that your donations to CTW are tax deductible). THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!!

And, we thank the following for helping us continue our ministry during the month of August:

Bev – MN (to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary … congratulations to Bev & Jerome!!)

Linda – AZ

Crossing Home – Minneapolis, MN

Deana – TX

Messiah Lutheran Church – Lakeville, MN

River Falls Assembly of God – River Falls, WI

Curtis – MN

Dorothy – MN

Faith Lutheran Church – W. Fargo, ND

Narrows Community Church – Outing, MN

If you have a special need today, focus your full attention on the goodness and greatness
of your Father rather than on the size of your need.

Your need is so small compared to His ability to meet it.

Wow!  Can you believe it’s August already?  Where, oh where, did the summer go???  Pretty soon, the Minnesota State Fair will open and then the downhill slide starts for us … and winter is on it’s way.  I don’t know about you but this summer has just zoomed by. Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop the clock for just a little while but I guess time doesn’t stand still for anyone and so we just keep plugging along.  We hope this summer has been good for all of you and that, if you live in the northern part of the US, you are looking forward to God’s vibrant bouquet of autumn colors and the sparkling glitter of the wonderful white fluffy stuff that comes after that!!

Thank you to the missionaries from Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls who carried our crosses to the Cree people living in remote villages in northern Canada. This was Trinity’s 7th year of ministering through the LAMP program and they were looking forward to their visit as much as the villagers were to having them come. Read the journal on their trip here and find out more information about the LAMP program here.

In July, our crosses were distributed to these Cross The World family members:

Trinity Lutheran Church – Fergus Falls, MN – Fergus Falls, MN for a mission trip to northern Canada
Don – MN
Faith Community United Methodist Church – Rochester, PA – Rochester, PA
Grace – MN
Good Samaritan Homes – International Falls, MN
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish – Hastings, MN
William – MN
Kay – MN
Glory Baptist Church – Aitkin, MN
North Store Follow Me Outfitters – Newberry, MI
Lord of Life Lutheran Church – Moreno Valley, CA for family visits to Japan
Emily United Methodist Church – Emily, MN

On July 31st, Ernie and I enjoyed a public performance of the Jumpin’ Jehosaphats. Tuba, trombone, guitar, drums and keyboard … all playing peppy Dixieland jazz, gospel and bluegrass tunes … not to mention singing!!!  It didn’t take long before the city park was filled with hand clappin’, toe tappin’ folks who could hardly stay sitting in their chairs!  If you ever get an opportunity to see them perform somewhere, don’t pass it up!

And, more good news … our crosses took a walk around the park during their performance and are now gracing many homes with God’s love!!

We thank the Emily United Methodist Church for inviting that great musical group to the area for all to enjoy and for allowing Cross The World be a small part of their performance. Glory be to God!!!

Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. Instead, God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was sad; he didn’t understand why his request was mistaken. But he thought, ‘God has so many people to care for; maybe He didn’t hear me correctly’ and decided not to question. Some time passed and the man remembered his request and God’s answer; he decided to check on his forgotten ‘gift’. To his surprise, a beautiful flower had grown from the ugly and thorny cactus and the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.

And, he remembered … God ALWAYS does things right; His way is ALWAYS the best way, even if it seems all wrong to us at the time. If you asked God for one thing and received another … TRUST!! You can be sure He will give you what you need at the most appropriate time, for what you want is not always what you need.

God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep going to Him without doubting and murmuring. Today’s thorns are tomorrow’s flowers. God gives the very best choice to those who leave the choices up to Him.

God’s gifts are not forced upon us; we may receive them with joy and gratitude.

God’s love does not force anything upon us and it can wait

until we stretch out our hands for Him to fill.

– Corrie Ten Boom

Two hundred and thirty-nine years ago, the original thirteen American colonies declared themselves a new nation and no longer a part of Britain … we became the United States of America. July 4, 1776 … Independence Day … a day commonly associated with parades and fireworks, family picnics and reunions, concerts in the park, baseball, cookouts and fun!

It certainly is a day to celebrate … we are free! We sing patriotic songs … The Star Spangled Banner, America The Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, This Land Is My Land, Battle Hymn of the Republic, God Bless America … just to name a few. Of all the songs we sing in celebration, God Bless America is my personal favorite. Written by Irving Berlin in 1918 (the same guy who penned ‘White Christmas’), it was introduced to the public during Kate Smith’s radio show on Armistice Day in 1938 and was an instant hit, becoming one of the most popular patriotic songs ever. Mr. Berlin was so overwhelmed with the popularity of the song, he started the God Bless America Fund and all royalties from this song were presented to the Girl and Boy Scouts of America; he never realized a dime for his song! What a wonderful ‘fireworks display’ from this Jewish immigrant whose mother used to say daily, ‘God Bless America’. She knew what she was talking about … in today’s age, we need to keep repeating her words …

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

You’re probably wondering why I’m showing you all these apple boxes sitting on a couple of pallets. Well, remember the Boy Scouts I just talked about? This was an order placed by one of their chaplains … crosses that would be handed out to the Scouts who attended the Tomahawk Scout Reservation in Birchwood, WI (about 30 miles north of Rice Lake) this summer. Expected attendance: around 8000 campers … and these apple boxes hold the crosses that each camper is going to get.

These crosses were picked up the first of June and we wanted to share some heartwarming feedback we’ve received already from Chaplain Larry:

‘I am sending this to you from “Tomahawk Scout Reservation”. I have been here with the Boy Scouts for a week and a half now. I just want to share with you what a hit the crosses are with the boys, the leaders and the staff. The first week we (The Protestant Chaplain and myself) have given out 1,315 crosses to many, many thank yous from the recipients. Thank you so much for making so many people happy. Peace and Blessings to you. Deacon, Larry and Father David.’

Here’s the link to the camp itself, which is the second largest in the US; they welcome you to take the tour.
 

Recently, Ernie and I attended a cross raising. Our pastor built a 16’ cross from a balsam fir that was given to him and erected it in the front yard of his home. He and his wife live on a busy highway and the cross is partially hidden behind the tall pines which act as a barrier to the road; however, once this cross is spotted by passerbys, they will see it every time they drive by and remember what Jesus did for them. Beautiful cross … powerful significance! Here are some photos from that memorable event:

Thank you to the following for helping us make God’s love visible, one cross at a time during the month of June:

Tomahawk Scout Reservation – Birchwood, WI
Salem Lutheran Church – Deerwood, MN
Lee – MN
Community Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA – Bullhead City, AZ
Pine River Baptist Church – Pine River, MN
Gerald – ND
Ruth – Ontario, Canada
St. Aloysius Catholic Church – Olivia, MN
Trinity Lutheran Church – Billings, MT
Estancia United Methodist Church – Estancia, NM
Darlene – MN
Lutheran Heritage Foundation – Macomb, MI for mission work in Sudan
Troy – MN
Carla – MN
Pastor Stanley – MN
Diane – MN
Joan – WI
Christian Singles Fellowship – Rochester, PA

 
I forgot to mention one of our Directors who had a birthday last month; Donna Johnson celebrated on June 14th. Happy belated birthday and much love, Donna!
 

Recently representatives from the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), based in Macomb, MI, carried our crosses, along with Bibles and other materials, with them on a mission trip to Gambela, Ethiopia. The mission of this foundation is to translate, publish, distribute and introduce Christian books of a Lutheran conviction, helping to point people to Jesus. These publications are currently in about 100 languages and 83 countries around the world.

One of the many things they did while there was providing Lutheran theological books to the library of the Mekane Yesus Seminary, including a translation of the ACG (A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories). This was the first new material provided for the Sunday school children since the 1920s or 30s so everyone was thrilled to receive the new copies!

They visited local schools and churches; they spoke to pastors and translators, distributing Christian materials to them. Sadly, due to the violence in this country, the representative group was not able to visit any of the refugee camps (which house approximately 245,000 Sudanese total); also due to the dangers, they reported there are no missionaries currently in the region.

Here are some pictures of the materials distribution:

Approximately 3500 pastors lined up in the hot sun, eager to receive their copy of the Book of Concord:

The churches they visited are built of bamboo which doesn’t keep much rain or dust out but they were filled to capacity, with refugees sitting on a dirt floor covered by plastic. The singing, they said, was infectious and constant, despite the dire circumstances.

One of the representatives said:

‘There were around 20 children that sat for the duration and I had picked up a six foot stick on the way into the church and tied a wooden cross to the end of it. I used it for my lesson based on Hebrews 12 – “Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus”. During the night, I had the phrase of a hymn running through my mind and I taught them the phrase – “I want to follow Jesus”. I had the children march around the church singing the phrase. We then distributed the little wooden 3” cross to all in attendance. I placed the processional cross in the front of the church and told them it would remind them “to follow Jesus”.’

Distribution of the crosses to the Sunday School:

Thank you to the representatives of LHF for sharing their trip experience with us.  It is obvious, from the smiles on the faces, their visit, with our crosses, was well received!

When our relationships are born in the heart of God,

they bring out the best in us, for they are nurtured by love.

– Don Lessin

We welcome the following to our Cross The World family during the month of May:

Lutheran Heritage Foundation – Macomb, MI
Church of St. Joseph – St. Joseph, MN
Hope Presbyterian Church – Spicer, MN
Emily Wesleyan Church – Emily, MN
Carla – MN
Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Lakeview, MN for a mission trip to Dominican Republic and Honduras
Heritage Meadows – St. Peter, MN
Phyllis – MN
Good Samaritan Society – Carver, MN
Rev. Herb – MT
Jan – KS
Lakeview Covenant Church – Duluth, MN
Bill – MN
Don – MN
Phyllis – MN

We HAVE to tell you … You are truly wonderful! Because of you, our small wooden crosses are walking all over the world, bringing God’s love to many hungry hands and hearts. This spring, we have given away over 100,000 crosses and can’t begin to tell you how humbling (and thrilling!) this experience has been to us.

We also want to thank you for helping us continue our ministry through your generous monetary donations; we remain 100% funded by donations and rely on your kindness plus local volunteers to help us prepare the crosses for distribution. When you make a donation to Cross The World, please remember that it is tax deductible.

AGAIN, YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!!  THANK YOU!!!!

The month of May hosts two very important ‘events’.

National Poppy Month: At the end of WWI, the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of freedom and the blood sacrifice made by troops in wartime. The symbol comes from the poem ‘In Flanders Field’ by Lt. Col. John McCrae, which movingly begins, ‘In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row’. This refers to the poppies that sprang up in the churned earth of soldiers’ graves over parts of Belgium and France.

Mother’s Day: Moms are very special people … the ones we always run to when we fall and hurt ourselves, when relationships go bad, when we lose our job or have to move. They are also the first person we want to share good news with … new members coming into the family, a new job or house, or just sharing some special laughs and gossip over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Your mother is always with you….she’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not well. Your mother lives inside your laughter and she’s crystallized in every tear drop. She’s the place you came from, your first home; and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space … not even death!

Please pray for all mothers and veterans, thank them and honor them for their involvement in our lives; each, in their own journey through life, have kept us safe and free while showing their love for us.

A baby asked God, “They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?” God said, “Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.”

The child further inquired, “But tell me, here in heaven I don’t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.” God said, “Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel’s love and be very happy.”

Again the small child asked, “And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don’t know the language?” God said, “Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.”

“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?” God said, “Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.”

“Who will protect me?” God said, “Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.”

“But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.” God said, “Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.”

At that moment, there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, “God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.” God said, “You will simply call her, ‘Mom’.”

Last month, Cross The World attended the Living Local Expo in Crosby, MN and we are thrilled to tell you that we handed out over 550 crosses to the attendees! Here’s a photo of our booth. Standing beside Ernie is Pastor Stanley Mikles of Narrows Community Church in Outing, MN. He stopped by to help out on Saturday and, like us, was overjoyed by the many smiles those little crosses created. Thank you, Pastor Stanley for sharing the day with all of us!!

Be sure to visit our Testimonials page to see what others are saying

about how our crosses have touched lives!

The following Friends in Christ shared crosses with others during the month of April.  We thank you for your support!

Tom – MN
Deerwood Lakes Lions – Deerwood, MN for their Mother/Daughter Tea
Stephanie – MN
St. Bridget Catholic Church – River Falls, WI
Christian House Baptist Church – Aliquippa, PA
Tammy – PA
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church – Tucson, AZ
Judy – IL
Faith Lutheran Church – Monticello, MN

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
— Nelson Mandela

I had just packed all the groceries and was waiting for Ernie to finish with the clerk when I turned and saw him. His gentle manner and kind face emanated from him like warmth from an evening campfire. He stood perfectly still, as if to give me the opportunity to check out what else there was about him that attracted my attention and then I saw it … the only thing he had in his shopping cart … a wooden cane, hand carved with vines, flowers, hummingbirds … and a cross. Beautiful!!

I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Visiting with this friendly gentleman, he shared some of his life with me. His name was Don and he lived in Excelsior Place, a senior living apartment complex, not far from the grocery store. He said he had carved the basswood cane himself some years ago and that he was part of a group of 15-20 woodworkers that meet every Thursday at The Senior Center in Brainerd.  Continuing his story, now with Ernie at our side, he told us that this talented group of guys have made 2416 toy trucks since 2012 when he joined the group; likewise, a group of gifted women have handcrafted 678 dolls/teddy bears in that time.

These treasured keepsakes, he said, are distributed among 2 hospitals, 2 women’s shelters and 2 police departments in the Brainerd/Baxter area. Once a week, Don gets a call from one of these facilities and, like a plain clothes Santa Claus, delivers a bag chock full of pocket-sized toy trucks and huggable dolls or teddy bears to be given away to children who, for reasons they do not understand, are involved in a traumatic situation … either a traffic accident, emergency hospital visit or an uncomfortable supervised visit between parents in a strange place. With much compassion in his voice, he said he could receive no greater thanks than for that child to wrap their arms around his leg and look up at him with tear stained eyes, as if to say ‘How did you know I needed a friend right now?’ As he talked, we could only imagine that he truly becomes a superstar to that child as he pulls a toy or doll from his bag and their eager hands receive it … an ideal companion created especially for them … something that would help calm their fears … their new best friend.

What an amazingly simple and uncomplicated vision this gifted team of men and women from The Senior Center had a few years ago! Looking for something they could give back to the community, they combined their ideas and talents and, in the process, shaped the growth of a much needed and well received program. Awesome!! Ernie and I found ourselves wanting to know more about this group of dedicated people, The Senior Center and Don but our time was running short that day so, pulling one of our crosses out of our pocket, we gave our new friend a hug, a handshake and a promise that we would keep in touch.

When the phone rang the next afternoon, we were warmed to hear Don’s pleasant voice on the other end of the line. He wanted more crosses so he could give them away to his fellow residents and could we deliver them to him? A day later, we were sitting in his living room, visiting again and learning more about this special man.

He told us he was a carpenter by trade and that he and his wife had moved to Texas about 25 years ago to build a house and garage for his brother. They liked the Texas climate so much, they stayed. While down there, they started collecting waterfowl decoys as a hobby. As all hobbies do, the collection grew and Don started to think that maybe he could carve some of these decoys himself, saving them money. So, he got a piece of basswood and started. When he finished his first piece, he said he had to tell his wife that it was a duck and only then could she see the resemblance … his eyes twinkling as he pointed to his first project, now nesting comfortably on top of the refrigerator. Since then, he has mastered his craft and carved hundreds of things from mesquite, diamond willow but mostly basswood … ducks, diminutive bears, petite hummingbirds … paying special attention to the intricate detail each one carries. These delightful creatures share his apartment now, along with the treasured memories of his beautiful and loving wife.

Along one wall, lined up like soldiers ready for action, are the many carefully handcrafted canes. Some are carved from diamond willow, some from basswood … each one different from the other but alike in their artistry. Don is graciously humble about his handiwork but it is clear to us that he enjoyed each and every stroke of the knife.

Lymes disease stole the strength in his arms and hands a few years ago and, sadly, his carving days are over. But he keeps his days full … spending Thursdays and Fridays with other talent minded people at The Center, helping make the toys in the 4th floor woodshop or greeting visitors at the front desk. He coordinates with the dollmakers at both Excelsior Place and The Center and is the essential ingredient to the facilities that receive these special deliveries. And, now, through our seeming casual encounter (which we know was planned by God all the time!) at the grocery store, he oversees the stringing of our crosses by the Excelsior Place residents and the distribution of these crosses to many of the local churches (to date, that count is approaching 1000!).

Each time we visit with Don, it becomes more apparent that he is faithful and true to his God and that God is guiding his steps … each step, every day.

Don is truly an inspiration to us and we are thrilled to welcome him into our Cross The World family. More than that, Ernie and I are privileged to call him our friend. And, to think it all started with a shopping cart, a cane and a hug!

BELIEVE IN HIS MIRACLES!!

We have received so many nice comments this past month and we wanted to share with you.  Please read them here.

Birthday blessings to two of our Cross The World directors: Bob Schemel’s birthday was on April 10th and Ernie Miller’s on the 16th. God loves you for all you do for Cross The World’s ministry and so do we. Happy Birthday guys!!

Ernie and I will be representing Cross The World at The Living Local Expo on April 17th and 18th at The Hallett Center in Crosby, MN. Hours for the Expo are 3P – 7P on Friday, the 17th and 10A – 3P on Saturday, the 18th. If you’re in the area, stop by and visit!

We welcome some new and say ‘Glad you’re back!’ to returning Friends in Christ during the month of March:

Dawn – MN
Tom – MN
Sandra – TX
Genivee – TX
Dana – MN
Ruby – TX
Concordia College Parish Nurse Ministry – Moorhead, MN
St. Michael Lutheran Church – Portage, MI
Carolyn – TX
Rev. Herb – MT
Zion Lutheran Church – Stewartville, MN
Joyce – TX
Ann – MN
Jerry – MN
First Baptist Church – Baxter, MN
The Center for Family Counseling – St. Cloud, MN
God’s Country Cooperative Parish – Newberry, MI
Ben – AZ
Lutheran Heritage Foundation – Macomb, MI for mission work in Ethiopia
Darlene – MN
William – MN
Don – MN
Camp JIM (Jesus Is Mine) – Pillager, MN

God’s heart is the most sensitive and tender of all.

No act goes unnoticed, no matter how insignificant or small.

– Richard Foster

Because we’re nearing St. Patrick’s Day, I felt a need to share this (I’m positive) very true story with you. Enjoy!

The real reason the Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is because this is when St. Patrick drove the Norwegians out of Ireland.

It seems that some centuries ago, many Norwegians came to Ireland to escape the bitterness of the Norwegian winter. Ireland was having a famine at the time, and food was scarce. The Norwegians were eating almost all the fish caught in the area, leaving the Irish with nothing to eat but potatoes.

St. Patrick, taking matters into his own hands (as most Irishmen do), decided the Norwegians had to go. So, he secretly organized the Irish IRATRION (Irish Republican Army to Rid Ireland of Norwegians) and the members of this newly organized group quickly passed a law prohibiting Irish merchants from selling ice boxes or ice to the Norwegians, in hopes that their fish would spoil. The plan was that this new law would force the Norwegians to flee to a colder climate where their fish would keep.

Well, the fish spoiled, all right, but the Norwegians (as everyone knows today), thrive on spoiled fish. So, faced with failure, the desperate Irishmen sneaked into the Norwegian fish storage caves in the dead of night and sprinkled the rotten fish with lye, hoping to poison the Norwegian invaders. But, again, as everyone knows, the Norwegians thought this only added to the flavor of the fish, and they liked it so much they decided to call it “lutefisk”, which is Norwegian for “luscious fish”.

Matters became even worse for the Irishmen when the Norwegians started taking over the Irish potato crop and making something called “lefse”.

Poor St. Patrick was at his wit’s end, and finally on March 17th, he blew his top and told all the Norwegians to “GO TO HADES!”. So they all got in their boats and emigrated to Minnesota or the Dakotas … the only other paradise on earth where smelly fish, old potatoes and plenty of cold weather can be found in abundance.

And, now you know the real story about the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations held all over the world!

Being Norwegian and Minnesotan, I make no apologies for this story … but I still don’t like lutefisk!

‘I recently ordered your crosses a couple of months ago. I have been giving them out to people in my bible study. They absolutely love them. Please know that your crosses are touching many lives here in AZ. Thank you very much and may God bless!’ – Karen M, AZ

In February, these folks enjoyed receiving our crosses and passing them on to others:

Grace Lutheran Church – McGregor, MN

Bev J – MN, for World Day of Prayer

Phyllis G – MN

Riverside Fellowship & Mission Center – Mora, MN

Maranatha Free Lutheran Church – Ulen, MN

Faith Community United Methodist Church – St. Anthony, MN

St. John’s Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA – Angleton, TX

Even though the breakfast table never looks like the picture in the magazines
and the menu is at times unbalanced,
thank you Lord for the food we have … there are many who are hungry.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings,
thank you Lord that I can hear … there are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible,
thank you Lord that I might see … there are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
thank you Lord that I have the strength to rise … there are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic when socks are lost, toast is burned,
tempers flare, the children are so loud,
thank you Lord for my family … there are many who are alone and lonely.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
thank you Lord for the opportunity to work … there are many who have no job.

Every day, be thankful for what you have and for who you are.
Every day.

We appreciate and thank you for your comments.  Here’s some we recently received that I wanted to share with all of you:

‘I think this is our third or fourth year of using your crosses in our holiday baskets – over 2000 in that time! We produce approximately 1500-1800 baskets a year for the needy and we place them in all baskets for 12 and older … Thanks for all you do. This is a wonderful ministry!’
– Sue, CUPS Basket Ministry

‘Thank you so much for providing crosses for us to give away in Guatemala. God
bless you abundantly.’
– Kay, Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN

And, in response to last month’s post – ‘Happy Hands, Happy Hearts’:

‘What a magnificent story how these ladies help with your ministry. I am sure that is a two-way blessing. I took 3 of my crosses with me this month on a South American cruise and passed them along to staff members on the cruise ship, one from Brazil and two from Philippines. So, I’m really making an effort to pass them on not just in the USA but across the World. Thank you so much for what you do to spread the Word.’
– Pat, GA

‘Thank you so much for sharing the story and pictures of Happy Hands, Happy Hearts.’
– Darlene, MN

‘What a wonderful ministry! Bless their hearts – bless your hearts!’
– Sue, MN

The last week of January, Immanuel School in Walker, MN observed Helping Others Through Service and they invited Ernie and I to talk to their students about Cross The World. We were well received by the students, as well as the teachers, as we told them how our little ministry got started and answered questions about where the wood for the crosses comes from, the kind of wood we use, how we get other supplies, who makes the crosses, how many crosses we’ve given away, where the crosses go, etc.  The kids quickly got into it!!

But, the biggest excitement came when the kids were asked if they wanted to make some crosses to share … it didn’t take long for the line to form at the work table!  Here’s some pictures of eager hands and enthusiastic hearts:

Many of the kids told us the crosses they were making would be given to their parents, siblings or friends; almost all of them told us their school bus driver would be receiving one!   What a bounty to be received!!
 
It was truly a joy and a blessing for us to see crosses pass hands from one student to another, from students to teachers, and from students to Ernie and I!

What a wonderful opportunity to share the news of our helping serve others in God’s world; we thank Immanuel School for inviting us to be a part of this special week!!

REJOICE IN HIS GOODNESS!!

 And, in thinking about Helping Others Through Service, here are nine things God won’t ask you on that last day:

1. He won’t ask what kind of car you drive. He will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

2. He won’t ask the square footage of your home. He will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. He won’t ask how many clothes you have in your closet. He will ask how many people you have helped clothe.

4. He won’t ask what your highest salary was. He will ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5. God won’t ask what your job title was. He will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won’t ask how many friends you had. He will ask how many people you were a friend to.

7. God won’t ask what neighborhood you lived in. He will ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won’t ask the color of your skin. He will ask about the content of your character.

9. God won’t ask why it took you so long to look for salvation. He’ll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, not to the gates of hell.

We thank the following Friends in Christ who requested crosses from us during the month of January:

Glenda S – ND
Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN – for mission work in Guatemala
First Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, LA – for CUPS Basket Ministry
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Women of the ELCA, Tucson, AZ
Jeanne C – NV
Rev. Herb S – MT
Immanuel Lutheran School, Walker, MN

Some food for thought:

Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.

We are excited to welcome a new group into the Cross The World family …. Heartwood Senior Living located in Crosby, which is close to our home.

Recently, Ernie visited with some of the residents and staff there and was thrilled to find willing hands to help us finish our crosses. Ernie and his ‘crew’ get together once a month for some dedicated work (and fun) time tying the message tags to the crosses and, because they enjoy what they’re doing, some of the residents continue to work independently on the crosses in between Ernie’s visits.

These residents are a wonderful group to work alongside; we are so very grateful for the opportunity to have the residents of Heartwood involved with Cross The World. It’s a win-win situation for all of us!!

We wanted to share some photos of their latest get together.  They are gettin’ busy!!

 Happy hands, happy hearts!!!

  “Let us be grateful for people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 

Marcel Proust

We thank the following for joining our ministry recently:

Good Samaritan Society – St. Peter, MN

Jamie – AZ

Pastor Stanley – MN, crosses for family in Oklahoma

Heartwood Senior Living – Crosby, MN

I wanted to share this poem with you. It was received some time ago and I reread it often, especially during those times when I question whether I’m doing enough to help others.

FRIENDS

If nobody smiled and nobody cheered
and nobody helped us along,
If every minute looked after himself,
and good things all went to the strong;
If nobody cared just a little for you
and nobody thought about me,
And we all stood alone in the battle of life,
what a dreary old world it would be.

Life is sweet just because of the friends we have made
and the things which in common we share;
We want to live on, not because of ourselves,
but because of the people who care.

It’s giving and doing for somebody else
on that all life’s splendor depends;
And the joy of this world, when it’s all added up,
is found in the making of friends.
– Anonymous

REJOICE IN HIS GOODNESS!