Independence Day

This is an article written by Dara:

INDEPENDENCE DAY

“I do it myself!” are words I hear daily from my two-year-old daughter. From simple things like feeding herself to the impossible like reaching the cookie jar on the top of the cupboards, she incessantly feels the need to assert her independence. I’ve found her in the kitchen trying to pour a drink from a full gallon milk jug she can’t even lift. I’ve found her on top of the counter trying to find something she can stand on to reach the extra four feet to get that illusive cookie jar. Even though I am right there to help her, she has to try everything she can possibly do to complete her task first before finally asking for help. 

In many ways, when I watch my daughter struggle to figure out she needs help, it is like watching myself in my relationship with God. As Americans, independence is a highly prized attitude in our lives. Nothing is impossible to accomplish with a little ingenuity and a whole lot of perseverance or maybe plain stubbornness. In fact independence is considered a strength and dependence a weakness. We even have sayings like, “God helps them who help themselves,” and it is surprising how many people believe those words are in the Bible.

However, the Bible has very different words to say. God wants us to rely on Him for our strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” He gives us the power we need to accomplish the tasks set before us. In Philippians 4:13 it says, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” And in 1 Peter 4:11 it says, “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

My older boys also went through a stage of ultra independence, but eventually they got to a point of recognition that they were not able to do everything on their own. Now I am asked for help on everything, even things I know they can do themselves. When it’s appropriate I help them. Otherwise, I encourage them and stand right beside them. Knowing I am there helps them to keep calm and complete the task. 

This is how I want to be in my relationship with God. I want to look to Him for everything, knowing that my strength in every situation comes from Him. To recognize that He is there right beside me in every situation. 

So, this July I am making a Declaration of Dependence; a recognition that I am unable to do it all myself, that God is my strength when I am weak, that I can do nothing without Him, and that I am here to show His glory when He works through my weakness

Family Update

I can't believe that it is the end of March! Here I sit at home with over a foot of snow on the ground outside. Our beautiful aspen trees in the front yard snapped during the storm last night.

The time has flown by. Over the last month, we have been helping with our grandchildren as our daughter, Sharon, has been struggling to overcome mrsa staph infection. This is an antibiotic resistent strain of staph that is all around us ever day. They don't know why it suddenly takes hold on someone. Sharon has been either in the hospital or in the doctor's office every day for the last 3 weeks, except for 3 days. She is there again this morning.

Not only have they been fighting this infection by inserting a PICC line and giving her very strong IV antibiotics several times a day, but she has also developed an allergic reaction to these medications. Last Sunday, we had to rush her to the ER. They were afraid her throat and air passageways would swell shut.  They were able to get that under control but yesterday the infection appeared to be rearing its ugly head again since she is off the antibiotics.

Last night the elders of LBC came and prayed over Sharon. She woke up this morning and the infected area looked completely better. She went to the doctor and he said it was not infected anymore. Praise the Lord!

We want to thank all of the ladies at our home church, Littleton Bible Chapel, who have brought over meals, watched the kids or spent time visiting and encouraging Sharon. We also want to thank all of you across the globe who have been praying for her.

An update on Jake: Jake has been working in Dubuque for 4 months. As of April 1st he will have health insurance! He is working for WSLive which provides call center support for major companies. He has transferred from web support for Pro Advisors of Intuit Quickbooks to phone support for Lifelock, the identity protection service. His health has been improving. However, he still struggles with migraines and today, he is struggling with the pain from a kidney stone. We would appreciate your continued prayers for him.

Bob and I got to have a "long weekend" in Mesa, Arizona with my stepmom, Julianne. We had a wonderful time and lovely weather. We were able to fly Jake down for the weekend as well. It was good to see him.

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

The Healing Hand of God

For the past year I have been suffering with intense joint pain. I thought it was just arthritis and that nothing could be done. But the intensity increased to the point that there were somedays I could not function. I asked my prayer warriors from my Bible Study and family to pray that I would be able to graciously cope with the pain.

When I went in for a yearly checkup, the nurse practitioner was apalled that nothing had been done about these symptoms. She immediately set me up with a Rheumatologist.

Yesterday, I went to see the rheumatologist. I half expected him to say, "Sorry, you don't have something that we can treat." But he turned to me and said, "You belong here. We can help you." I was so thankful for the answer to prayer.

When I came out of the doctor's office and got in the car, I immediately turned on Klove radio. I heard a song that I had never heard before and tears began streaming down my face.

Jeremy Camp - Healing Hand Of God

From the album Speaking Louder Than Before

I have seen the many faces of fear and of pain.

I have watched the tears fall plenty from heartache and strain.

So if life’s journey has you weary and afraid,
there’s rest in the shadow of His wing.

I have walked through the valleys the mountains and plains.
I have held the hand of freedom that washes all my stains.

If you feel weight of many trials and burdens of this world,

there’s freedom in the shelter of the Lord

I have seen the healing hand of God

Reaching out and mending broken hearts

So taste and see the fullness of his peace

And hold on to what’s being held out The healing hand of God

I have touched the scars upon his hands to see if they were real.

He has walked the road before me. He knows just how I feel.

When you feel that there’s not anyone who understands your pain.

Just remember all of Jesus’ suffering

Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.

He’s near to the broken and confused.

By his stripes our spirit is renewed.

So enter in the joy prepared for you

It seemed that song was being played just for me. I went to the pharmacy and filled the prescription. Within a few hours, my fingers were no longer swollen and painful. This morning, I woke refreshed and energetic. I went to the gym to work out and was able to do more than I had done in a long time.

When I arrived at work, one of my coworkers said I looked different. The other said I was practically bouncing as I walked!

I will lift up my hands unto the Lord to praise and glorify His name. My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. I am so thankful for those who prayed for me. I am so thankful for my gracious Lord and His love for me.

Family News ~ The Koenigs

Bob and Phyllis Koenig ~ Here I am on the first day of 2010 wondering where 2009 went. Actually, wondering where the past 35 years have gone!

Bob and I are living in Littleton, Colorado in my family home. We moved down here from Laramie in 2000 to help my parents stay in this house and to find jobs, since Bob had lost his job of 16 years.

And here we are 10 years later! We have been married for over 34 years, raised 4 children, lived on the other side of the world in Australia for a few years, moved back, watched our daughters get married, and now have 6 grandchildren!

We attend Littleton Bible Chapel, my home church. Bob is involved in a midweek Bible study and coordinates a church service for Riverpointe, a local retirement community. This includes preaching over there at least one Sunday a month and filling in when the other speakers are out of town or ill. I develop PowerPoint presentations for the Sunday morning sermons at LBC as well as sing on the worship team. On Tuesday nights, I facilitate a ladies' Bible Study for a wonderful group of my friends and prayer warriors.

Bob is working at JPL, Inc., a landscape maintenance company as a data analyst. His favorite thing, though, is tutoring math at the local Community College. Bob continues to be a Broncos and Nuggets fan inspite of recent difficulties.

I am the Office Manager at the same company. This company is owned by a brother in Christ, whose desire is to glorify the Lord. That makes working there a joy....not to say there is never stress!  But it is great to have a group of people working as a team, focused on one goal.

We enjoy traveling down to Mesa, Arizona, every year to get out of the cold and to visit my stepmom, Julianne. Her "bed and breakfast" patio home on the golf course is a relaxing get away. We would love to travel more. Our trip to Italy in 2007 was so amazing and we'd love to get back to Australia to visit everyone there.

We also love being Papa and Nana to the grandkids. However, it is becoming quite evident that along with beautiful grandchildren and wisdom, age also brings physical challenges. Bob is working to overcome diabetes and I am struggling with severe arthritis in all my joints. I have had my left knee replaced and have been hoping that I wouldn't have to have the other one done, but.....

We would appreciate your prayers that we could "finish strong". We want to glorify the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. As David Jeremiah shared in his devotional, Instead of focusing on what's wrong with yourself or your circumstances, resolve to focus on God. Resolve to do one thing: Make your life the subject of gentle conversation between you and God on a daily basis. "God, I want to reflect Your glory in my life more in 2010 than in 2009. Speak to me and empower me to be con...formed, gently but surely, more into the image of Christ this year."

Be sure to check out the other postings to see updates on our kids and grandkids. Thank you.

Family News ~ Jake

Jacob Raymond Koenig ~ Well, after a year and a half of being unemployed and being very ill for over two years, we have our Jake back. We have seen the Lord's hand work in his life in a remarkable way. In October, I shared at my ladies' bible study that I was very concerned for Jake. He was very depressed and really struggling. One of the gals in the study came up to me afterward and said, "My husband and I are going back to Dubuque, Iowa in a couple weeks for a wedding. Would Jake like to go along and visit his friends there?" And so, we began to see the hand of the Lord moving in Jake's life. Jake went back to Iowa with them on October 22nd. By the 24th, he had decided to stay in Dubuque and look for a job. A friend offered to let Jake stay with him in his apartment. By the 1st of November, he had been offered a job. So he flew home, packed up his truck and drove back to Dubuque. November 16th was his first day at work at his new job. In that short time, the Lord had provided him with a place to live and a job.

Jake is working for Intuit Quickbooks as web support for Pro Advisors. It is the perfect job for Jake. He walks to work for a midday shift, and works on the computer instead of lifting heavy objects as he did in his last job. He is learning new things and enjoying this new opportunity.

Jake is now attending the Great Adventure Church in Dubuque. He is enjoying the support of his good friends. His Uncle Chuck and Aunt Cindy also live in Dubuque so he enjoys time with them as well.

"As for you (Satan), you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result." Genesis 50:20.

"You - Do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace.

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this

Now, all I have is now
To be faithful
To be holy
And to shine
Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this

Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus

By Wayne Watson

You can follow Jake's blog at faithfulpc.blogspot.com.

Family News ~ The Sulzles

The Sulzles ~ Our second daughter, Sharon lives in Littleton, Colorado, with her husband, Cory, and their three children. Ayden is 6 1/2 years old, Karstyn is 4 years old and Adorae is 1 year old.

Cory is the Operations Manager for a landscape maintenance company and Sharon is a stay at home mom, daycare coordinator and executive chef. Sharon has a ministry of watching kids for her friends when they need it, providing meals to help out those in stressful situations. She also loves to try new recipes and make wonderful meals on a shoestring budget. I would call Sharon the "Coupon Queen" because she has really figured out how to leave the store with a full cart of groceries and only pay a few dollars for it. She also loves to do "scrapbooking".

The Sulzle family attends Littleton Bible Chapel. Sharon teaches Sunday School and they are involved with families with young children.

Ayden may be 6, but sometimes he thinks he is 16! He loves sports of all kinds but baseball has been his passion. He loves fishing with his Dad, watching sports with his Papa and building projects at Lowes. We can no longer "spell" words in front of Ayden because he loves reading and spelling.

Karystn is the cuddlebug. His favorite thing is to stay in his pajamas and make Mommy laugh. He also has a vivid imagination and loves to dress up in costumes ~ I never know whether he will be Obi Wan Kanobi, a ninja, a cowboy or his favorite ~ a knight.

Adorae loves the sparkly shoes, purses and baby dolls but I think she will be a tomboy as well. She reminds me a lot of Sharon as a little girl ~ very independent, strong willed and possessing a great sense of humor at a very young age.

Sharon and Cory are living with us in my family home. Cory helps us with the upkeep. (What goes around comes around ~ we moved here almost 10 years ago to help my parents with the upkeep of the house.) We each have our own space as well as the advantage of communal efforts.

After a rough start with Adorae as a baby at the beginning of the year, Sharon and Cory are thankful that everyone is healthy. They are also thankful for Cory's job. Sharon does have some struggles with her neck and back (residual from a car accident four years ago) and would appreciate your prayers.

Joel Koenig ~ In Loving Memory (June 16, 1979 ~ October 20, 2001)

Joel Michael Koenig ~ This year, Joel would have been 30 years old. It was very emotional to think that he would have been married, had children and been a mature adult.

We miss you, Joel. You would have loved your nephews and nieces. Little kids loved Joel and he loved them. He was "The Gentle Giant".

Dealing with his death has brought new life ~ not only did some of his friends and our son-in-law come to the Lord, but Bob and I learned the reality of proclaiming that God is sovereign. We learned the reality of proclaiming that He formed us, He knows us and He loves us. We learned the reality of proclaiming that "all things work together for good to those that know God, to those that are called according to His purpose."

It has been 8 years since he went to be with the Lord and tears still come to my eyes when I think of him. I miss him so much. But I can now say, "Thank you, Lord even for this. I'm sorry that I held onto my anger towards You for so long. I love You. You are my Lord and my God"