Help the Adams

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.  You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day.”

May and June 2010

Dear Family and Friends, 

It seems that every time I turn around, I am turning a calendar page.  I was told when I was younger that  time speeds up when you are older, and I do think that is the case.  We hope that this letter finds you well and that you will soon be enjoying a wonderful summer.  Summer is my favorite season, particularly after a long cold winter. 

At the end of April, I took a group of kids to the Bismarck Youth Rally.  It is always a lot of fun for me.  We are busy planning our 15th annual Dickinson campout, which will be in August.  Working with youth, is always a rewarding job.  Dean continues to keep busy preaching and teaching.  He is doing a study through the Old Testament, which has been quite interesting!

It has been an extremely eventful  few weeks, with highs and lows. Both Mindy and Steven ended up at the hospital with Mindy having a kidney infection and Steven a bad viral infection.  At least it wasn’t the same week.  Steven was glad though, as he had just finished his classes.  

Steven had a whirlwind of a month, with finishing classes, and then graduation.  We were fortunate to go down.  I went down a  couple of days before Dean,  Mindy and Dean’s mom drove down that Friday.  Ian couldn’t get off  because of work–driving truck in the oil field.  Unfortunately, right before the ceremony started, we received word that our dog of 13 years, Belle, was found dead.  Lyn (a teacher from school, who works with Dean) called.  It was a very sad time, but we were so grateful to Lyn as she took care of things while we were gone.  We didn’t tell Steven until later that day.  It was his big day.  Dean, Mindy and Dean’s mom had to leave on Sunday, and it was so hard on each of  us that first time we walked into the door at home.  Belle had been the dog that was always there when the kids were sick.  It has been so hard.  Mindy and Ian have been letting us “borrow” Dudley, their dog, and this has been a huge help.  It will be hard to give him back, but he is a funny dog, so has been good to fill the gap.  He and Duchess (Dean’s hunting dog) love to play tug of war.  

I was able to stay a few extra days in Omaha.  I had a conference in Washington DC, so just flew from Omaha to there.  Steven and I had a great time, I think we must have walked a thousand miles.  I had flown to Omaha on the Thursday before his graduation, and while changing planes in Denver fell off the steps of the small aircraft, and my face landed smack down on the tarmac.  Fortunately, I only had a bruise on my chin, but didn’t think too much about it, as I had just a few minutes to catch my plane to Omaha, but as I was running, my wrist started throbbing.  I thought I must have sprained it….so when I landed in Omaha, made a dash to a Walgreens to get a wrist brace.  Didn’t want to go to the ER there as it is so expensive,  and it would take hours…anyway after 5 days, and it not getting better, I went to a walk-in clinic, and it is broken in two places…which does explain the pain. HA! It was too swollen to cast, and I had to fly to DC the next morning, so they splinted it, and I was to see a Dr. in ND when I returned.  Well lesson learned….metal braces will set off the screening alarms…anyway…I finally got to ND 10 days after my injury, and went to the ER in Bismarck when I landed, because I had hurt it again from lifting the luggage.  Hopefully it will heal soon.  Unfortunately, I have to travel to New Mexico this next week…So could be interesting!!!!  When people ask how I broke my wrist, I just say…I fell off a plane!  My family just laughs,as nothing surprises them!

Steven has been trying for months and months to break into the journalism industry.  With the recession, massive layoffs, and four times the usual amount of applicants for reporting positions, the field seemed nearly impossible to start in as a recent graduate.  Steven decided he would apply to be a server at a  downtown  restaurant in Omaha to make an income while he continued looking for reporting jobs.  He applied to many places, and one told him he was OVER qualified, but he keeps on applying… It was May 20th, and he took yet another application to a restaurant 2 blocks from his appartment, and they hired him right then.  He was so excited, and then a very short time later he got a call that he got a part time writing position for an online Nebraska magazine called Nebraska Entrepreneur.  Needless to say, he was sooo excited, and so were we.  It is his foot in the door for journalism.  The magazine is an online publication that writes features about independent businesses in Nebraska.  He will write 6-8 articles a month but has the potential to write up 15.  The magazine is in Lincoln, but he can work from Omaha.  He will also keep the server job.  He really wanted to stay in Omaha for now as he is established with the church and all, and didn’t have to pay to move anywhere.  As with any job, you need experience to apply, but it is hard to get experience if no one will hire you.  I was able to keep him under our insurance policy, which costs about $410 a month.  Hopefully down the road, he can get a job with benefits, but at this time, we are grateful he has work!

Speaking of work, if any of you are in need of work…oil is booming crazily here in North Dakota.  It is really changing things in our state.  It has good impact, but the hard side is that other industry can’t keep up with the cost increases due to the oil.  Apartments are pretty costly, as well as becoming scarce.  Regular jobs are available everywhere, but are having a hard time having comparable salary.  It sounds like this boom is going to last anywhere from 20-40 years!  So we would be happy to have you here!  Ian works 4 days on and 2 days off…but they are really long days.  Some work 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.  

Well, we hope that you are doing well.  Know that you are in our thoughts and in our many prayers.  We hope that your vacation plans include Dickinson :).  God watch over you and keep you safe in His care!

Love and Prayers, 

Dean and Sherry

Filed under: Uncategorized on June 24th, 2010 | No Comments »

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart exalts, and with my song I shall thank you.”  Psalm 28:7

Dear Family and Friends,

It seems like yesterday we were looking at the year 2000, and here it is already 2010.  We hope that this finds you well.  When I think of perseverance, I think of you and your continued love and support…year after year.  We never cease to thank God for you.

We enjoyed having Steven home for the holidays.  We had several blizzards over the holidays, so in many ways it was quite unusual, being snowed in several times.  He did have good weather to go back to school, and is very busy in his last semester of college.  He got an internship, at a magazine in Omaha, and continues to be the news editor for the university paper. He is also starting to look for jobs, so if you know of any newspapers hiring in May, let me know . Our biggest concern will be that he can find a job that offers health insurance, as he will go off my policy then.  He was able to get much needed rest over the vacation, so that helped get his strength back.

Please keep Mindy and Ian in your prayers.  Mindy’s health continues to be an issue, and is truly hard on them both.  She is seeing different specialists in Bismarck, so we hope that this will help.

We started doing teen activities again in January, which was a nice change to the craziness of December.  We have activities planned for the next couple of months, and then I will take the teens from here to Bismarck for the youth rally in April.

I had a busy month in December with my job, organizing 12 mass vaccination clinics for the H1N1 flu within a two-week period.  Staff was great. This month has been busy, but not like December.  It has been a challenge, but all the years of training and preparing has been a huge help.

Dean has been busy as well with church and work.  Having lots of bad weather has been a challenge.  He has spent many hours shoveling.  We had a bad ice storm, followed by a two-day blizzard.  We were without power for part of a day, but many are still without power going into the 2nd week.

Well, as we enter into a new year, and a new decade, we ask that God keep you safe.  We always will face challenges and struggles; we are so fortunate to never have to face them alone.  Do keep in touch.  God bless you always…..

Love and Prayers,

Dean Sherry Steven  Mindy  Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on March 2nd, 2010 | No Comments »

Dear Faithful Readers,

Please forgive me for posting this newsletter so late.  I have little excuse except for busy days and some illness. I do hope you will remember Dean and Sherry’s needs in the coming year.  If we all truly give as we have prospered there will be so little need.  Have a blessed year in our Lord,  and thank you for your faithful attention to this cause in prayer and thoughts and contributions.

Sincerely, Jennifer Percell for the Adams

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 5th, 2010 | No Comments »

“For this reason I, too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”  Ephesians 1: 15-17

Happy Holidays To Each of You

November and December 2009

Hard to believe that another year has passed.  It has been a year full of many highs and lows, but throughout the year God has always seen us through.  We hope that you and your family are doing well.  You are never far from our prayers.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving.  We went to see Grandma Lawhead a few days before for her 95th birthday.  It was fun to see her and the family.  Three days later, Steven came home.  It was just a short stay, but we were so excited.  We spent Thanksgiving at Dean’s moms and also had Mindy and Ian and four college kids over.  We had such a nice time.  I was so glad that everyone was able to be together, after all the flu they had earlier.  It was hard though to see Steven leave.

My job continues to keep me very busy, even though the flu has eased up some.  We are trying hard to vaccinate as many as we can before the next wave of flu possibly hits.  Work has truly been a challenge, but I have been fortunate to have the help of great staff.

Mindy continues to struggle with her health and continues to doctor in Bismarck.  She recently took a second job at White Drug, which will help with a discount in her perscriptions, but I worry it will be hard on her.  Steven is pretty tired from his bout of the flu.  The hospital bills have been crazy.  We are so grateful that they are okay now.

Dean continues to preach, teach and work at the school.  He was able to go out and get his deer.  He had a lot of fun hunting with Gina’s husband, Chad.

We do hope to so some teen activities again in January.  It just depends on the weather and the flu, but we hope it works out okay, as it is always a lot of fun for us.

As we get ready to close out another year, we are grateful for so many things.  We hope that you and your family have a happy and healthy 2010.  Please do keep in touch.  Our email is adams@ndsupernet.com .

God watch over you and keep you safe in his care.

Love Always, Dean, Sherry, Steven, Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 5th, 2010 | No Comments »

Dear Friends,

Please read Sherry’s letter posted below to see how the H1N1 virus is effecting their family.  The debt is beginning to creep up again  (because of the nature of this illness it always will).  It is approaching $6500.  Please consider a Christmas donation to help this family avoid being again overwhelmed with this debt.  In this season of Thanksgiving and Giving, please remember to be generous.

Thank you for caring and praying!

Jenn Percell for the Adams Family

Filed under: Uncategorized on October 30th, 2009 | No Comments »

“Lift up your eyes on high, and see who created these stars, The One who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power Not one of them is missing.”   Isaiah  40:26

September and October 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

We hope this letter finds you doing well.  Another two months have flown by, and the seasons have also changed.  We had had several snowfalls, many icy and cold days, and soon it will be winter.

With the changing of the seasons, the pandemic flu has started hitting with full force.  I had hoped that our family  would beat the clock with the pandemic and getting the vaccine before the flu, but unfortunately that has not been the case.  This past week Mindy went down to see Steven, as he had fall break, and would not be able to come home until Christmas.  It was good for both of them, but the day before Mindy was to leave (October 23rd) Steven, got hit hard with H1N1 (swine flu) and ended up the hospital.  Within about 8 hours of feeling sick, he got real sick, but fortunately he went to the hospital.  They called in some immunologists, and put him on medications and antibiotics for his lungs, as well as Tamiflu–the antiviral drugs.  The Doctor said had he waited another day, he most likely would have ended up in ICU.  He has been slowly mending at home.  Because of the timing, when Mindy got home that same day,  she was placed on the antiviral drug, Tamiflu as well.  She still came down with H1N1 the following day, but because she was placed on the drugs right away, she has not been hit nearly as hard as Steven.  They are both really worn out, but we are grateful that the doctors treated them so quickly.  Ian also was hit with the flu, but has gotten better.  This flu is hitting the young particularly hard.  It has been hard not to fly down to help him.

I have been working 12-16 hour days trying to keep up with everything, and trying to get our region organized to get the vaccine.  It will be  along winter.  I do feel somewhat  detached from every other aspect of life, but this all will pass.

Dean is doing well.  He too is very busy, as many students have been hit hard with the flu.  He has been able to hunt some, and still spends a lot of time preaching and teaching.  I am still able to be off Sunday’s so that, at least, is nice.

Also, due to the flu, we are going to hold off doing some teen activities until it slows down.  It is better not to bring the kids together at this point.  Hopefully we can start up after the New Year.

It is hard to believe that next month is already Thanksgiving.  We do not have far to look to be grateful for so many things.  We hope that you and your loved ones can stay well.  Do keep in touch.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love and Prayers,

Dean, Sherry, Steven, Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on October 30th, 2009 | No Comments »

“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.  They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”  Psalm 91:1-12

Dear Loved Ones Near and Far,

The past couple of months have been rather a whirlwind.  When I look back over the past few weeks, I am thankful to have the avenue of prayer.  We hope that you have had a nice summer.  Having snow in June, and many colder days, summer has seemed more like fall.

Mindy’s health has not been good, especially this past week.  She has been seeing a specialist in Bismarck, and they have determined some additional problems with her adrenal glands on her kidney.  They have to run more tests before they can get the right medicine.  In addition, this past week, she got really sick and has been at the ER twice.  She has ended up with a kidney infection that is in her blood.  The IV antibiotics worked somewhat, but when they switched her to an oral antibiotic, she got sick again.  She is on a third antibiotic, so hopefully that will work.  It has been quite discouraging for her, and she hasn’t been able to work much.  I do worry how she will fare come fall.  Ian started a new job, that has better benefits, but has to drive out of town a lot, so that is also a challenge.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Steven was able to come home for a short visit.  He has been busy taking summer school, and working.  He won’t be able to come home until Christmas, so this was great that he was able to come home.  He will have a busy school year, as he will be the news editor for the paper at the university.  Fortunately, he has had a rather healthy summer.

As many of you know, on July 8th, Dickinson was hit by a F3, 150 mph tornado that wiped out a large part of southern Dickinson.  We were fortunate, as we live north, and only had some mild water damage.  With my job, we were called into help.  I was in charge of organizing all the volunteers and tetanus shots, etc., to help with clean-up. The first night I set up a shelter, and the stories from the people that lost their homes were very touching.  It is something I will never forget.  I was not able to get to Bible camp right away, but was still able to go about mid-week, after we closed the volunteer/health center.  Camp was good.  It was the 25th anniversary of the camp, so many of our friends that had originally started the camp came for the reunion.  It was so fun to see everyone.

On July 31st-August 3rd, we had the 14th annual Dickinson Teen Campout in Bismarck.  We had 24 kids, and, as always, it was a very rewarding weekend.  Next year is our 15th year, so we hope to have some type of reunion.  We hope to start up the teen activities this fall.

This fall will be a challenge.  When the World Health Organization declared a pandemic flu, my job has gone into a whirl.  We will be doing mass vaccination clinics this fall.  I truly am concerned for the kids, as this flu is hitting that age group hard.  I fly to Washington D.C. this week for a conference on this flu.  I will keep you posted.

Dean continues to be busy with church and getting ready for school.  The flu will also be a challenge for him, working in the school system.  He didn’t have a lot of opportunity to go fishing this summer.  Time and the weather were both a problem, but he hopes to be able to hunt this fall.  There are lots of deer, so that should keep him busy.

Well, sorry this is slow…. I do keep you in my thoughts and my prayers.  God keep you safe and healthy in the time ahead.

Love Aways, Dean, Sherry, Steven, Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on August 19th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

“Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be Thou to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.  For Thou art my rock and my fortress; For Thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.”  Psalm 31:2-3

May and June 2009

Greetings to you from North Dakota,

We hope that this finds you doing well, and that you are enjoying the onset of summer.  With having 3″ of SNOW on June 6th, our warmer days have been slow at arriving.  I guess it just makes us appreciate summer even more.  Things the past couple of months have definitely kept us busy.

Steven was able to come home for about 3 weeks, so he was home for Mindy’s graduation.  It was nice to visit with him.  He got caught up on his rest, after a very stringent finals week.  He is back in Omaha taking summer school and working at the law library.  He should be done with school next May.  We hope to go see him for a few days.  We need to take down the rest of his things,  but also it would be good to see him.

We were so proud of Mindy finishing her schooling.  She indeed persevered.  Her best friend Sara, from Colorado, came up for graduation as a surprise.  That was so nice to have her and Steven both here.  Mindy continues to see specialists in Bismarck.  They are trying to find a medicine that can help.  At least she doesn’t have to work and go to school right now.  Hopefully, they get something figured out so she can feel better.  She and Ian had their 2nd anniversary on the  15th of June.  Time sure has flown by.

Dean is on vacation for a couple of weeks, which is always nice for him.  he was able to go fishing, but only once, as the weather has been so wild.  He continues his Sunday morning class on the Old Testament.  It has been an interesting study.  He also continues to preach.  We will be doing the teen campout again this year, towards the end of August.  This will be the 14th year!

I started my new position as administrator on May 1st, which ironically was about the same time as the threat of a pandemic has occurred.  Needless to say, I have been really busy, but it is what I have been training for over the past 4 years.  This flu could create a lot of problems come fall.  I do plan on going to Bible Camp in July.  It is the camp’s 25th year, so there will be a reunion.

Dean’s grandma has really been struggling with her health–been in and out of the hospital.  She is quite a fighter, and still very active for being 94!

We hope you have a great summer, and again if you are vacationing in North Dakota, please stop bye.  :)  God watch over you and keep you safe!

Love Always,

Dean, Sherry, Steven, Mindy and Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on June 29th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Dear Friends,  Please read the newsletter below for updates on the Adams family health and experiences with the North Dakota flooding.   I apologize for being so slow in posting.  I have been delayed by some health problems of my own.  Since this newsletter Sherry has informed me that she is undergoing more tests to determine what is causing her continued serious sinus infections and other symptoms.  Mindy has also received news of bad results on a kidney test and will be seeing a specialist soon.  She is suffering from a lot of fatigue and constant health problems that make these weeks before her graduation quite difficult.  Medical bills have creeped up over 5000 dollars again.  A much more manageable sum, but contributions to keep it manageable would be deeply appreciated.  Please continue to pray for these good people.  And as always, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

With love and appreciation,  Jennie Percell for the Adams Family

Filed under: Uncategorized on April 21st, 2009 | No Comments »

March and April Newsletter:

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul….”  Deuteronomy 10:12

March and April 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Sorry to be slow at sending out this newsletter, but the past few weeks have been crazy for  most of us in our state.  We have had a very hard winter,  and although it is officially spring, we have continued to experience winter-like days.  We had had record snowfall…and even the past week or so we saw 2 full blown blizzards that dumped 33″ of snow in one week in Dickinson.  With all the snow throughout the winter, and colder weather, came the ice jams, and flooding in almost every place in North Dakota.   We have been okay in Dickinson for the most part, with localized flooding, but floods have ravaged many parts of our state.  I was called up to be in charge of the medical shelter in Bismarck.  My role was the state liaison working with the various federal partners, and also coordinating the evacuation of several long term care (LTC) facilities to Bismarck and then out to other LTC in the state.  I joked with Gina, as we sent several to her facility in Dickinson.  I told her I was sending them all, but she didn’t think that was funny.  I worked about 96 hours in 7 days, but I learned so much.  I just got home on April 2nd.  We still have about 28 inches of snow on the ground in Dickinson, but warmer temperatures are just around the corner.  ND is still not out of the woods for flooding, but there is a lull for the moment.

Steven has been keeping busy with his classes.  He will be coming home for Mindy’s graduation (May 16), and home for about 3 weeks.  It will be nice to see him, as it has been awhile.  Health wise, he hasn’t been too bad.  He has had a sinus infection, but is on antibiotics.

Mindy is counting the days to graduation.  She still has not been feeling too good.  She has had to work extra because many people could not get into town due to the weather, and she ended up staying several nights/days in a row.  Ian has been filling in a lot as well at the fire station for the same reason.

Dean has been holding down the fort and keeping busy with church, snow removal etc……  The last storm he was snowed in alone with the two dogs….it was quiet. :)  He works so very hard!

We were able to finally do a couple of teen activities.  It was too bad we couldn’t do more, due to the crazy weather.  I will be taking a group to the Bismarck youth rally the end of April.  We had scheduled a young adult retreat for this weekend, but had to cancel because so many could not come.

Well we hope that you are doing well.  Please know that you are never far from our thoughts and prayers.  Have a great spring….God keep you safe and in His care.  Do let me know how you are…. our email is:

adams@ndsupernet.com

Love and Prayers,  Dean  Sherry   Steven   Mindy  Ian

Filed under: Uncategorized on April 21st, 2009 | No Comments »