Though I've been in and out of Church for the past several months, I've started back into a regular routine of attendance. Sometimes I just couldn't make it due to the schedule of our band performances out of town - but I've kept God close to my heart as much as possible. My daughter is doing extraordinarily well in school and has been allowed to talk about God in her classroom - which she does often. Makes me very happy :) My ex-wife is still doing what she does... Not letting me talk to my (ex)step-daughter, won't talk to my daughter, avoids sticking to her responsibilities of removing her things from our house - accusing me of this and that, etc. She even put a lien on my house due to court costs I wasn't aware needed to be paid - so, when I found out, I paid them right away. A number of my friends have asked why i just don't throw her stuff out and/or burn it. They say I'm too nice to her... I can see what they mean, because, the old me would've felt and done exactly what they're recommending. HOWEVER, I knew it wasn't what God wants me to do. For the longest time, I couldn't explain why I was being so nice, and not lashing out other than to say it just isn't who I am ... though I understood and YES I'm upset by her actions... Until this morning - inspired by the service this last Sunday - and here's what I opened my Bible to, just this morning at "random" Ephesians 4:26-32 (NIV) 26 In your anger do not sin[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Once I read that, I felt SO relieved!!! Those were the words I was hearing in my heart, in my mind and in my soul... but I just couldn't quite get them to come into light. Each time I attend service at HVC, I walk away feeling like that service just spoke to my soul ... and that same feeling continues through the week until the next service. Thank you, all at HVC, for being my family through God!

God is s-o-o GOOD!! My lttle cat, Jasey, hadn't been seen for almost 24 hours. I was very worried because he had been treated for an opposum bite and was on medications. It has been so hotand he can't use his left foot, I thought he would not survive. I remembered that my daughter said that I would lose my cat forever. I prayed to break that curse and aksed that God return Jasey home, right now! Two minutes later, I got water and went out to look walk the neighborhood looking for Jasey and he was sitting at the back of my house!! Yahoo!! GOD IS AWSOME!!!

I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me since I have been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.The good news is: I was told by a Dr. Thurs. my tumor is smaller than the previeous x-ray. He told me to keep doing whatever I am doing, so........that is praying. God is so good!If you believe anything is possible. He is my shelter during this storm. In Jesus name.

I have been having a very stressful financial time in my life. I am a divorced single mother who is trying to make sure my son has the best I can give him. In my current job, my hours have dropped to 2 hours a week. I have been searching for another job but have found no luck. I thought I had found a job but it fell through. I have to worry about bills and now my son's school tuition at Valley Lutheran for next year. I wasnt sure how I was going to pay my rent this month but with the help of an organization and Valley Lutheran who found the help, my rent was paid for me this month. I am not comfortable being in a position where I need help, but I am so thankful the Lord helped us out with this because I swore to my son that we would never be homeless again. So I thank the Lord for hearing my cries and presented this blessing for us. Praise you Lord!!!!

My daughter had kawasaki disease in 2009 so we had to have routine visits to a pediatric cardiologist and many echocardiograms since then. On friday she had one and it was good now she does not need an echocardiogram for 5 more years. Praise God !

At times when I let my focus channel from God to a problem that is causing me anxiety, God in his ever glorious way reassures me of his promise to take care of me in unsettling situations. Case in point. Working on my Master of Counseling, the university pulled back $5,000.00 of my student loan last month. This left me with an outstanding bill at the university. I am disabled yet trying to find employment to cover this additional unexpected cost and have had no success in being hired. The last two weeks I asked for financial breakthrough on the survey card. Here is the good part. I make my own Chili from cooking a bag of beans to adding sauce and tomatoes. I did not add meat because of limited income. I was having a bowl of my Chili last night when I felt something different in my mouth than what I knew I put in the Chili. I spit it out and saw a small morsel of meat...it was hamburger! I thought, "Oh, God, look at you!" I ate the hamburger. It was the tenderist, moistist, and best tasting hamburger I ever ate. Through his generous and faithful way, God told me that he is and will provide for me. I need not fear the events that occur in this world due to men's actions!! Sometimes, God brings me into a humbled state and I am shamed by my lack of trust in him and reminded that HE IS GOD.

I just wanted everyone to know that a dear friend of mine has recently introduced me to God and I have been attending Heartland Vineyard and I can tell you this, it is awesome to be in God's love and house. I feel so much better and have been trying to live the life God intended me to! Our God is so wonderful and amazes me everyday!

Just checking in to let everyone know I had my brest cancer surgery at Mayo last Tues the 14th. Bi-Lateral mastecomy. All went well and I am home recouperating now. Thank you for all the prayers and positve thoughts during this difficult time. God Bless and I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas. Lucy Lemker

We are so grateful! Our granddaughter Angela had her 6th open heart surgery and suffered a stroke 5 weeks ago. The doctors were considering a treach and decided to try and take the breathing tube out one more time. Angela is now breathing on her own with no treach! She has since started talking and the therapists are working on excercising her limbs. Angela will be moving to a rehab hospital on thursday. We are hopeful. Progress is slow and it will be a long hall. We are still pleased. Our God is awsome!!!! The tube has been out 3 days and Angela is talking in full sentences! It's a whisper but that's ok. We can understand her and she is making sence. She has her mind! Please continue to pray for her and her family. Her little brother Payton needs prayer too! Our God is awsome! Steve and Chris Waddell check out her progress at www.caringbridge.org/visit/angelabush

Sat, July 24th we experienced a group of your young people that prayed with us in the Kohls parking lot in Cedar Falls. What an encourgement they were to us and a real testimony for your church! Praise goes to our heavenly father for these kids that have the courage and boldness to go around the community to pray with people like ourselves. We are going through some health issues and just needed prayer at that moment! Needed some extra strength and energy too! Thank you to these kids for praying with us and we'll continue to pray for them too! We're from First Baptist Church, Elgin, Ia.

On July 7th, my home was hit by flash-flooding. Within an hour I had six inches of water throughout my basement. I prayed... not more than 10 minutes later, I received a call from my friend saying he thought he should just check in on me but didn't know why. I explained the situation to him and he came over as quickly as he could. He's a plumber! Praise God! (story continues) So much hard work around nasty, smelly, messy water-laden carpet, drywall, etc. Financial issues with the insurance checks/mortgage company, difficulty at work ... I was about to snap. My heart was aching for my daughter. The house was no place for either of us to be in. God delivered another message to me. A friend came over and cleaned up the area that my daughter and I were living in (it's a two story split foyer) ... Even with that, my heart was still heavy with the financial woes. I finally started crying and prayed with my whole heart and soul because I honestly thought I was going to have to file bankruptcy. During my prayer, I felt the comfort of a hand on my back and a soothing "sound" envelope me. I realized it was time for bed. The next day, I got an email from my insurance rep, I wrote back, then she called me. I explained everything to her. She then contacted the insurance adjuster and then he called me. By the end of the day, I had a check big enough to continue with the cleanup and to help cover some of the expenses that I had to use my mortgage and car payment for. That "sound" that enveloped me has become more clear as the burdens have been lifted progressively since the prayer. That "sound" was a reminder that these difficult times, these trials and tribulations are part of our life to help us grow stronger in faith, hope, courage and much more ... but more importantly, to grow in love for all things - good and bad.

I just want to thank everyone at Heartland for making me and my family feel so very welcome. I truly feel that I have found my way home. It has been a long road to get my husband to open up to finding a church, but I feel that he is really seeing and feeling the love and support within all of you. Thank you,Lord, for leading us here.

Why small groups are important to me. . . For me, living this Christian life without small groups would be like trying to breathe without lungs. This past nine months I lead one small group on Monday, attended one on Sunday and one on Wednesday. I used to believe I did not have the time or energy to add another committment to my schedule. I admit to feeling overwhelmed at moments, but going to small group is like getting to the gym. The hardest part is getting there, and I always feel better afterward. Small group is where I share the junk I won't let just anyone see. Small group is where I find healing. Small group is where I experience the presence of God. Small group is where I get an opportunity to be a blessing to others. Jesus needed a small group. The formation of this group was not an afterthought in His ministry--He spent a night in prayer before choosing the twelve. Are you better than Jesus? If He needed a small group, how much more us. I encourage everyone to find a small group and see what God will do in your life.

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Praise him...always!

Yesterday I had a knock on my back door. I was kind of worried because nobody uses that door. I thought goodness what happened. I open the door and seen 4 very friendly faces offering me groceries. They could not have came at a better time. I have had appointments in Iowa City this month and more next month. I have to have throat surgery due to a very large stone in my salivary gland. It is very painful and I already had mouth surgery last month on March 17th. With all these trips to Iowa City the money I usually have to get extra grocies and things we need had to go for gas money. I am on disability because I was born with serious back problems and am unable to work. I am a single parent and do what I can. I am so thankful. I love coming to Heartland and try to make it every weekend when I am able to get around without severe pain. God bless all of you!! You are always in our hearts.

to everyone who prayed for my dad why he was in the hospital.he just had his checkup from mayo and the dotors were amazed! they said he's doing great! his kidneys are slowly improving and he's regaining his strength back!GOD IS GREAT AND GOD IS GOOD

Praise God He is so good. Just wanted to update for those who have been praying for my husband and I as we lost 2 babies in this last year. We had 2 seperate appt in Iowa City that we had lots of prayers for. It took them the second visit 2 find that I had a septum wall on my uterus and that was the cause of me not being able to carry a baby full term. They did surgery the very next week. Everything went well and the wall was removed and they wished us luck though we know it is not luck but mearly our God!! Now for the baby we have been longing for, not yet but it has only been a month since the surgery. Always in God's time and we are just so thankful that we have such a good God and Savior that truly loves us more than we will ever comprehend and that always answers our prayers in His time we just need to stay true to what we know and keep the Faith. Glory to God!!

God is good!! He has worked out the house deal for John and Lori!