Bring Those Trees Down

Watching the rain thru the front windows, I noticed the trees in our front yard. Scott and I talked about having those trees cut down in the spring. As I watched the rain, I couldn't get those trees out of my mind. I started to think about having them removed and I said to myself, I can do that. So out to the garage I went to get a hand saw. We don't own a power saw, which is probably a good thing. I shouldn't handle power tools of that kind! Out in the front yard I went to work on a tree. I started down real low and that didn't work , so I moved higher up. It still wasn't easy, in fact it was a slow, hard struggle for me to get the saw to work. But eventually, with the neighborhood kids watching, that tree came down. I cut the branches off and carried them to the street. While trying to break apart some branches I even fell down a time or two. I have bruises to prove this. One time after a fall, I just sat there looking up to heaven, and God showed me that this struggle with this tree is like the struggles in my life I am facing right now. The struggles, the obstacles will be around us all the time. God never once told us life was going to be easy. But we can bring those obstacles down, just like me taking that hand saw to the tree. It wasn't easy, but it came down. I was able to face it, deal with it, and bring it down. Yes, I even fell down along the way, got bruised up a bit, but I did it. I conquered it, it did not conquer me.

What obstacle, what struggles are you facing today? Putting them off for tomorrow won't make them go away. Face them, conquer them, with God at your side. "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us." You can face your struggles and conquer them with God!

Love you,

Vicky

God's Love

Pastor Gary and I have been talking about the next few week's services, sharing ideas and thoughts. One song we've discussed is called "Your Love is Deep" by Jami Smith. Interestingly, this follows the 'love' theme from Vicky's posting a couple days ago. One part of the lyric says: "Your love is deeper than my view of grace, higher than this worldly place, longer than this road I travel..."

I love steak. I love my family. I love to water ski. I love...I love...I love. My how we've cheapened the word. After Melinda and I had dated awhile, I started by saying "I heart you" because I wasn't quite ready to say the "L" word, but there was something there ;-) God's LOVE is unfathomable. It's more than a pizza love, and even more than I love my wife and kids.

Be encouraged to know that when we hear God loves us, it's the deepest, widest, longest, most tireless love we could ever want or need. He loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins. He loves us! Love Him back with your worship, talent, time....with all of your being!

I Love you

This morning I had a phone call from one of Scott's friends. He had just learned of Scott's homegoing and was checking on Candi and me. As we talked and shared, he told me of Scott's love for me and the girls. How he blessed my heart! Scott isn't able to tell me he loves me anymore, so God had one of Scott's friend do it for him Thank you Father!

Do we realize how precious those three little words are? I love you, it rolls off the tongue really easy but it is hard to bring breath to these words. Don't be stingy with these precious words, share them with your family and friends. It may bring healing and assurance to your relationships. When we are told each day that we are loved it helps our self esteem and our confidence. We don't have to guess how others feel.

So start today saying I love you, three little words, three precious words. Follow our heavenly Father's example, Isaiah 43:4 "You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you". Say these three words and watch it transform your relationships with your family and friends.

I Love You!

Vicky

Broken Shell

Yesterday, I was given a book from someone in my church. The book was "My Beautiful Broken Shell". This book expresses every emotion that I am feeling. It parallels a broken shell to me (us) with a broken heart. The book states, "this broken shell is people who are hurting.... people who have lost loved ones....people who are frightened and alone....people with unfulfilled dreams. Broken shells have lots of tears...lots of pain...lots of rough edges...lots of struggle, but they are so valuable for teaching us faith, courage and strength.

Broken shells have been tested and tried, hurt and yet they don't quit." Like the shells once perfect, which have been tossed and carried thru the waters and storms of life we do not face our storms alone. We have a Savior who carries us when our load becomes too heavy. Just like in the poem "Footprints in the Sand", "The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering was when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

I am thankful that as I face my todays and tomorrows that I have the peace and presence of the Savior in my heart. And right now he is carrying me in his arms.

What is your storm? Your burden? Your fears? Jesus has his arms spread wide open to carry you. All you have to do is call out his name. Call on Jesus to see you thru.


I Love you.
Vicky

Updates

Many have asked about the possibility of being able to purchase Pastor Scott's Memorial service on DVD. We did video the service and will be making that available. Additionally, we had a 30 minute slide show running with pictures of Pastor Scott's life. Details will be available very soon on cost and how to order this 2-DVD set. All proceeds will go to the family.

Also, we have had several conversations with Vicky about the future of the website/blog. Consensus (from you the readers, Vicky, and those of us involved here) is that it be kept going. We've been kicking around a few ideas and will let you know when we nail these ideas down. Until that time, Vicky and Candi will occasionally continue to post entries, and they have invited the staff to post as well.

Joshua 1 has a repetitive theme: "Be strong and courageous." 1:9 adds "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Eugene Peterson says it like this in The Message: "Strength! Courage! God, your God, is with you every step you take." I like the emphatic, imperative nature of the verse, both in the translation and paraphrase. It's understood that we're going somewhere, at least one step at a time (I think sometimes we try to leap forward). The unknown is what we fear. Yet, we have the assurance that strength and courage are ours for the asking, or perhaps, simply through the relationship. Thank God, the Holy Spirit, for His presence every step of the way! Remember the poem "Footprints?" ...a great promise for today!

Pastor Mike and the Pastoral Staff

One Day At A Time

As I begin my day having time with the Lord this morning, I keep hearing the words "one day at a time" in my head. A wonderful lady in our church gave me a bracelet with these exact words on it when Scott was diagnosed. I lived by those words for seven months. And so it seems those words will carry along into the future. If we take one day at a time, asking God to help us this minute, this hour, we can make it thru the day. We all have situations in our lives that cause us to worry about tomorrow, about the future, but we can step back and face today with God. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13 and that is facing today "one day at a time" and letting you and God face tomorrow, tomorrow.

All of our family has headed home. Melody finally has made it back to Oregon. She had a time getting here and getting home. The airline has finally located her luggage from her trip here. Braydn is safely home and in the arms of his mother. He is going great. Thank you for all your prayers.

Dear Family have a great day.

We love you!

Vicky and Candi

Thank You

Dear Family,

This has been a difficult week for all of us. Scott's home going has changed all of our lives. We rejoice in the fact that his healing has taken place in the arms of Jesus. We are thankful for the journey that led him there. That journey challenged us to look at life differently, to value each day, to value our loved ones and to value our Saviour. Faith, Family, and Friends, Scott challenged us with this over and over. Faith that we will all, like Scott, have the miracle where we can come face to face with our Savior. Family- to be thankful for them- tell them you love them and accept them right where they are each day. Friends- appreciate the friendships that you have and nurture these with time and effort.

We want to thank everyone who has helped our family thru these last difficult days. We don't know each and everyone of you but you have still become our family. So welcome to the Ostendorf Clan! Thank you for being the wonderful family of God.

Love you

Vicky and Candi

A Day of Celebration

Today was a day of celebration as we joined together to celebrate the life of Pastor Scott Ostendorf. Together we laughed, we cried, and we honored a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Thanks so much to all the family and friends who have shown an outpouring of love and support to Vicky, Candi, Melody and the family. Through the hours of visitation last night and the celebration service today it was evident that Pastor Scott was loved and admired beyond what words could say. We feel honored and challenged to carry on his ministry and passion to reach the lost.

If you were unable to attend the service or view it via the world wide web, copies will be available through the church office.

We love you!

Pastor David Winchester and the MVCN Pastoral Staff

Late Thursday

I Corinthians 15:58 says "STAND FIRM! Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." This scripture ends the passage Pastor David read on Wednesday night. For a great chapter on our HOPE in the Lord, read I Corinthians 15! The victory is already ours!

...from the family...Mimi (Pastor Scott's mom) has been freezing leftovers from the wonderful meals so many of you have provided. Thanks for these acts of love and all the gestures of kindness. If there are others that would like to participate in preparing meals, please contact the church office~593-3114.

A nursery for children through the age of 3 years will be provided for the Memorial Celebration Service on Saturday at 2PM. We will not be able to accomodate those 4 and over in the nursery and encourage parents to sit in areas where they can easily 'escape' if their kids become restless.

Beginning at 1:00PM, we will be running a shuttle from Midland Valley High School to the church to help with parking. MVFCN attenders are encouraged to utilize the shuttle bus to save church spaces for family and out of town guests. Additionally, there will be overflow parking adjacent to the upper parking lot (far left end--looking from the sanctuary) for those who would be willing to park on that hardened natural surface.

Several who may only be able to attend the service on Saturday and are not attenders of MVFCN have asked about an opportunity to greet the family. Immediately following the service, some of the family will be available to meet with you in the Family Ministries Center. Also, Vicky, Melody, Candi and several other family members will be in the 9AM service Sunday morning which will give MVFCN folks an opportunity to speak.

Thanks for your understanding and help with these logisitcal issues. Continue to pray for all the family. Many will be traveling in on Friday.

The Pastoral Staff

Wednesday

Friends and family,Pastor Scott's family has repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of love, concern and offers of help. Continue to pray for them over these next few days. Melody finally arrived at the Atlanta Airport, rather than the originally planned Columbia, SC airport. She spent the night on a luggage rack in the Chicago airport after a lengthly string of delays and a cancellation. Then early this morning she flew out to Atlanta. She's now home with her family and they are glad to have her. Pray for Ben as he cares for Riley, Carly, and their new baby, Braydn Scott.

Following are a few more details answering questions about which many have asked:

*There will be no graveside service
*In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Department of MVFCN
*Addresses for the church and funeral home follow

Midland Valley First Church of the Nazarene
(visitation and memorial service)
PO Box 645 (mailing address)
3526 Jefferson Davis Hwy (Hwy 1)
Clearwater, SC 29822
803-593-3114

Hatcher Funeral Home
(if you would like to send flowers)
3464 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Langley, SC 29834


The Pastoral Staff

Arangements

Friends and Family,

Pastor Scott's family first wishes to express their appreciation for your love, kindness, and generosity. Today has obviously been difficult but God's love is ever-present and sustaining.

The arrangements for Pastor Scott have been set and are as follows:*On Wednesday night at Midland Valley First Church of the Nazarene (MVFCN), there will be a combined service at 7PM in the sanctuary. The choir and orchestra will rehearse following to prepare for the memorial service.*Visitation will be in the sanctuary at MVFCN from 6PM to 8PM on Friday evening, January 6.*A Memorial Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, January 7, at 2PM at MVFCN.

Realizing our sanctuary will probably not hold the crowd, we will have overflow seating set up in The Dock (Teen Worship Center) and Family Ministries Center. Video and audio will be sent to those two areas.

The Pastoral Staff

Tuesday

After a restful night's sleep Pastor Scott passed away before 10:00 a.m. today. Arrangements are pending and will be publicized as soon as possible. At this point it would still be helpful to direct all calls to the church office or pastoral staff. All expressions of love will be passed on to the family. They need and appreciate your prayers and support. We love you!

Pastor Gary Curry and the MVFCN Pastoral Staff

Monday Update

It is difficult to share today's update, but your prayers are needed as much as ever before. The hospice nurse strongly suggested today that the out of town family be encouraged to come be with Pastor Scott, Vicky and Candi. As a result, Pastor Scott's parents and sister arrive in town later this evening. Vicky's mother and Mel will be in tomorrow. Preparations have been made at the house for their arrival.

Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers. Please continue directing your telephone calls to the church office or one of the pastoral staff. Vicky and Candi can feel your prayers as well as the Lord's peace and presence surrounding them at this time. We love you!

Pastor Gary Curry and the MVFCN Pastoral Staff

Sunday

Today was a fairly uneventful day. Both Candi and I were able to attend Sunday morning services. We were able to tag-team Scott with the help of a few special women. It felt good to be in the house of God but it was strange to be without Scott. Pastor Gary Curry preached a wonderful sermon and the presence of God was there during worship.

Scott's parents will be returning to be with us on Tuesday afternoon. If everything works out right Melody will be arriving on Wednesday afternoon. Braydn should be released from the hospital that same morning if he still continues to do well. He is currently off of the oxygen and responding to treatment.

Please continue to lift up Scott to the Father. We appreciate all the e-mails, cards, messages in the guestbook, and telephone calls.

We Love You.
Vicky and Candi