Yvonne

Greetings,

Thank you for your prayers and thought they are always appreciated. I will be reporting to Omaha, NE 27 March, but will not end up in Afghanistan untill 28 April and will be there for about 9 months. Most likely I will be at Bagram but that can change.

As Lutherans we observe Ash Wed, Lent, and holy week, but fasting and other requirements are not strickly enforced. The focus is always on the cross and the sacrifice Christ has done for us. Contrition over sin and faith in Christ's forgivness is stressed with the celebration of Christ's resurrection, his victory over death and the grave. Most of us do give up something for lent or enage in an extra spiritual event. Purple is on our altar and the cross is draped in purple.

May your journey this lenten season to Christ's cross and the empty tombed be blessed.

In Christ,

Pastor Otten

Alela and kid,

Greetings,

I agree with you that the "doctors" do a great service in educating people in STDs. I would not want them to stop informing the public about the these dangers. I was hoping they could have included a spiritual side through a guest minister to help deal with guilt and shame. It may have been just that episode.

I have been up to Canada (1995). When I was with the USS KISKA AE35, an ammunition supply ship, we stopped in at Victoria. We were hoping to spend enough time in the area to see Vancouver but we did not get to do that. Victoria was a very nice. I also have had a chance to visit a few Canadian Naval ships and meet a few of their chaplains. The most recent chaplain I met was non-ordained Roman Catholic women. I forgot her title in the Catholic church. 

I always enjoy visiting and meeting others though at least in the near future I will not be traveling your direction.

I know there, like Lutherans, are different flavors of Pentecostal churches, which one is your congregation associated with?

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Otten

Pastor,Please be careful.I will always have you in my thoughts and prayers.About when are you leaving??

Take Care

Yvonne  

Tabby,

Greetings,

Alot has been happening as I prepare for my mobilization on three sides: church, family, and the Navy. We are in the Lenten season and this adds an extra sevice in the weekly schedule. We observed Ash Wednesday last night. Once I announced my leaving we had a spike in baptisms, adults requesting to be part of the congregation, and a confirmation. The confirmation was a 16 year girl who had her father die a few years earlier which along with other things derailed her confirmation and I wasn't sure if the challenges were going to stop her from wanting to part of the church and being active in her faith but she, by God's grace, desired to come closer to Christ and the people of the church. This last Sunday she confessed her faith before God and the congregation as well as going through the rite of confirmaiton. (Lutheran don't understand confirmation to be sacrament but as formal way of identifing with the congegation and the congregaiton to recognizer an adult member.) We will do this with two other adults before my last Suday at the congregation on 15 March.

It is neat for you to be involved with special olympics. I know I need write more but I have a meeting coming up and I need to log off.

Blessings, Pastor Otten

Hello Pastor Otten,

Praise God!

I for one would like to hear the doctor's talk about STD's. It's a good awareness for all of us. "Prevention is better than solution" for sure.

In case you happen to drop by in Vancouver, please come and say Hi. We are at Broadway Pentecostal church at Broadway and Slocan. Our service is 11:00 a. m. Pastor Darin, his wife and the entire congregation will be happy to meet with you.

Take care.

Adela & kid'

Tabby,

I don't report to Omaha untill 27 March but will be have some family time. So you should be able to seend me that information.  I will be establishing a new email address the current one may not help me according to the military. You are in my prayers.

Blessings, Pastor Otten

i will know february by the end of february..  i think you will be gone by then.. norey will know, so i will have you tell her and if you are one of the lucky troops that gets email axcess you will know the results too. i've had two brother, three step brothers and many friends over there since the war started. i know you can only axcess certain cites if you can even get on. totally understand.  but i will get hte information to you one way or another.

Tabby,

Your news sound scary. When will you know for sure that it is cancer? At this time is there any dietary or other changes you are needing to adjust to? You will be in my prayers. As that is a heavy load to carry don't do it alone. The book of Psalms can bring words of strength and comfort so I encourage you to read selected portions. I need to give you a list of Psalms that may serve you best.

Yvonne,

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts not only for myself but the troops. I don't know if I will have internet but I will have email.  May strength of God's word aid you in your challenges. His word isn't magic but in his word of promise especially in Christ words of mercy and forgivness you find the heart of God.

The Lord's blessings,

Pastor Otten

Pastor Dotten: I wanted to wish you well and be careful ofer there.I will be thinking of you.Also praying for you and always for our troops......I know I have not really talked to you,and even thou I am still having problems I want you to know I am okay.Please try to let us know how you are when you get a chance...

Take Care

Yvonne