The Friesen Family

Last September I set out on a 90 day endeavor to get in shape and lose 25 pounds. My motivation was of course the cruise we were taking for Christmas. I was determined to be in a swimsuit by Christmas! My ever so sweet, good looking, absolutely gorgeous, healthy mother lent me the ever so difficult P90X program. I tell you the truth it was insanely hard in the beginning! After the very first day, I could not move! I could hardly do even close to the reps those on the video were doing. I could hardly finish the 30 second intervals on the plyometrics or Yoga training. The thoughts of quitting sure crossed my mind. I thought surely this is way to advanced for me. But you know what I stuck with. I just kept saying I will do my very best. And you know what, I made it and I made it well. I can now do all the reps needed, I moved up in weights, and can last through Plyometrics (which is the toughest video) with energy at the end to do more. Praise Jesus he gave me the strength to go on. At the end I was in the best shape of my life. I saw muscles I never knew I had. I lost 25 pounds and two pants sizes. Not only could I tell an outward difference but I felt great; more energized, more confident, better mood and stronger. Since Christmas though I have had a lack of motivation. I need another cruise to whip me back into shape, the work outs have been sporadic. I am so thankful for my mom keeping me in check for those 90 days. She was a great accountability! Thank you Jesus for giving me the strength and discipline to finish.

After:

Before:

With two babies under 3 and Glad Tidings growing, the Friesen household has been super busy! I am so sorry I have not kept up with the blog but I really do not want to miss posting about some things. So I will try to cover some highlights for you from this last semester in this one blog post. Here we go!

Daddy's Girl

Dan started a journal for Halle. A journal that he will fill the pages with sweet remembrances and love letters to Halle. He will then give it to her when she turns 16. I hope this time goes by very slow though. She will love it. Dan is an exceptional writer. I cannot help but cry every time I read a post he has made in it.

Back 2 School Bash

Dan organized and put on a back to school bash with 3 other churches in the area for the youth. It went amazingly well. We had around 300 students the first night that packed out GT church!!! The first night was held at our church, GTC. Our youth State Director was the speaker and Open Bible's youth band led worship. It was an amazing night!! Nearly every young person was on their knees in the alter after the service. A prophecy was given over a young mans life that night. He had influence in one of the largest gangs in this area. If he were to live out his life for Christ and listen to His voice he would win that whole gang to Christ. We would see revival in our city!! WOW!! What an amazing way to start out that weekends events. The next night we held our services at Celebration Assembly. Dan and his band (the seas resound) led worship that evening. Dustin Cox, the youth pastor there gave the message. Proxy youth did drama. Again we saw the alters flooded with young people. Attendance was around 300 that night as well. The last night we held our service at Open Bible youth building in downtown Waterloo.The worship was again led by Open Bible worship band and a powerful message delivered by Dan. Again long time afterwards just praying for students. We held a block party that night afterwards. Throughout the week we had amazing dramas, crazy wacky games,and super sweet connecting time. The week was truly exhausting for us but so amazing and strengthening at the same time. A week before this went down Dan threw out his back. He was in severe pain and could barely walk straight. He was limping around terribly. I felt so bad for him. he had one of the biggest weeks ahead of him. He put this whole thing together so everyone was looking to him to lead it. he was in bad shape. But he completely put his trust in Jesus and looked to him for strength. Miraculously Dan had supernatural strength that carried him through that week and carried him very very well. He did an amazing job of putting this together and leading with the heart of Jesus. Jesus spoke to many teenagers that week LOUDLY. Jesus encouraged Dan and I as well. I can't explain what supernatural strengthening we had. We had gotten absolutely no sleep but felt so pumped and excited to face each day. We could not wait to see what Jesus was going to do that night. The following Sunday after the eventful week Dan led worship form a barstool. The spirit of God was so eveident in the service. He was very near. The prayers and excitement of the youth rally that week was carried over and evident in our GT family service. We shared all that had happened and GT family worshiped there hearts out in total adoration. And we firmly believe that we heard from Jesus that week. There WILL BE revival coming to the Cedar Valley. We are ready and want to be a part! Here are some pics:

the first night at GT church

Dance the second night at Celebration

Games at Open Bible, Ground Zero

Worship at Ground Zero

Dan speaking the last night at Ground Zero

Dave petting the horsey...I don't know!

the block party to end off the weekend.

PRAISE JESUS for all He did and spoke that week. It was so exciting. I am ecstatic for next year.

Halle turned 2

and same as last year she cried when the cake came out, hahahaha! Not sure why really. She likes to blow out candles in the house and she no doubt loves cupcakes. Oh well, can't wait to see how it goes next year. We just had a sweet little party at home with just the Friesen fam 4. I love my little red head. I am so thankful for her!

Chill Time with Daddy

He's a great daddy!

A Trip to Bloomsbury Farms with the Lathrops and Hospos

We have decided to definitely make the trip to Bloomsbury farm a tradition in our home. We love this place. It has an animal farm, pig races, tractor rides, hay rides, scary house, the largest corn maze ever, pumpkin launcher, corn pit, bouncy thingy (my fav), yummy fried food, fun house and much more. So much fun. We took the Lathrops and met the Hospodarskys there.

We also took a trip to the near by apple orchard where we picked some apples, rode another tractor ride, and sipped on some apple cider slushes, yum!

Our First Friesen Pumpkin Carving

This is actually my very first pumpkin carving as well as Halle's. Daddy drew the design. He did a great job!

Dan has Back Surgery

Dan had another bulging disk that has been acting up for a while. While playing golf with some students near the end of August Dan really hurt his back. We went to doctors and specialists who both gave him lots of pain meds. I had never seen it this bad. He was layed out in bed for days. They ordered an MRI and found that his disk below his fusion he had 8 years earlier was now bulging into the nerve. They recommended surgery and fast because he was in some intense pain. The surgery went very very well. The back surgeon said the nerve was purple and very aggrivated and that it was a good thing that we went a head and did the surgery. He was only in the hospital for one night and had an amazing recovery. Thank you Jesus for keeping your hand upon Dan. You are the Healer. He is pain med free.

Bekah Joy is Dedicated

We thank you Jesus for our sweet gift we've been given in Bekah Joy. She is precious.

Best Buds

Bekah's eyes are still fixated on Halle all the time and Halle is always looking out for Bekah Joy.

Halloween with the Nelsons

We had our sweet friends, the Nelsons over for some HOT chili and then we went door to door around our neighborhood. So much fun! Halle and Denver wanted to eat every single piece of candy as we received them.

Bekah has started eating solid food, yum!

She is not so great at it yet! But she sure loves to do it herself already! She does not really like the mushy stuff, but she does much better with more solidity to the food.

Indoor Park Opened

When the winters hit hear in Iowa, it is hard to find stuff to do. We are stuck inside! The rec department has a wonderful indoor park for the kids. We love to visit there with our friends Ashley and Denver.

4Thanksgivings

We were so blessed this past year and were invited to 4 different Thanksgivings throughout the week. The Dahlager's from our church had us over the Saturday before for a very yummy dinner. The Barthlows' from Chi Alpha and the state office had us over the Friday before for a yummy dinner with new friends. Carol, our church secretary and dear friend invited us over Thanksgiving morning with her son and family. And then Thanksgiving evening we got to spend with our dear friends and nearly family the Warbrittons'. We were truly blessed and FULL!