Pasadena Reflections: Lynn M, Dorothy, Kayla, Joan

Pasadena Reflections:

Lynn Menz, Trinity, Jefferson

I have been on the Pasadena adventure a few times before and each trip is different.  Different people each time make for new and special times.  This year there was a unique mission event after the decorating was completed.  Never before have I been involved in wrapping over 600 sandwiches in such rapid fire succession the way Sandy and I did.  I think we should have some kind of medal.  What say you, Sandy?  I was impressed with the operation and building we were part of in Skid Row.  We were a small part of much needed help for the homeless that day. 

The main reason for this mission adventure was to decorate the Lutheran Hour Float and other floats.  It presents the gospel message to millions of people along the parade route and around the world via TV.  It was great to be part of our group as we decorated the Lutheran Hour Float with the final roses on the last day, making it a sight to behold!  Steve did a great job with the greenery around the float while the roses were being added.  Work on the other floats was also fabulous as we worked on so many of them during our four decorating days.  And of course it was satisfying to see the finished floats come out the building the last day and line up on the street!  I appreciated the day of the parade and just ‘being there’ with all the excitement to see our group have this once in a lifetime experience!  Our seating was so perfect, thanks to Chris.  And I thought it was great that we were able to break into groups for the various activities after the parade and that everyone got to do what they wanted with the rest of that special day. Some went to the Ronald Reagan Museum, some to  the Rose Bowl game and others to the beach.

I enjoyed the meals out with our group and all the talking, laughing and getting to know each other.  I especially enjoyed the young people who were part of our group.  I thoroughly enjoyed that they interacted with me, an old guy, and shared with me and even responded to my teasing!  It was a special joy to see the family groups in our team participating and sharing the adventure together!  All in all, it was a great trip.  I am glad I was part of the adventures again this year. Lynn Menz  P.S. Awesome job, Ellie!!

____________________________________________________________________

Dorothy Kruse, Zion, Ogden

The trip could not have been planned any better.  The highlights were working on the floats, seeing the great parade in person in front row seats, seeing President Reagan’s Library and Museum and the Skid Row adventure.  All were very interesting.

 I will never forget the great faith strengthening devotions each evening and all the wonderful friends we made.

 What an awesome week! Thanks for all your special efforts. Dorothy

____________________________________________________________________

Kayla Heetland, Faith, Adel

This has been an absolutely amazing trip!  It has been so great to have my whole family on this experience.  My faith has been strengthened  by witnessing throughout the week and sharing time with a group of people with the same beliefs.  The complexity, amount of detail, and amount of work the floats require amazes me.  You could never even imagine this by watching it on TV!  Watching the parade on TV will never be the same!  It will be so much better now!  Every float was so different, but so gorgeous!  The amount of different kinds of flowers and seeds used on the floats was unbelievable.  We spent the whole first day working on silver leaf.  It comes all the way from South Africa.  It was also so gorgeous to see a whole tent full of flowers!  I understand that the flower tent had over $1.5 million worth of flowers! 

The Lutheran Hour float was absolutely breathtaking!  Not only because it was beautiful, but it was such a strong witness to the millions of people watching the parade.  The float also played "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.  The beauty of the float along with this song was very moving.  Watching the Lutheran Hour float move down Colorado Blvd was the highlight of this trip.  All our hard work and lack of sleep was more than worth it.  The beautiful float, music and the presence of God was very touching and I am sure it touched many people's hearts. 

Working with the homeless was a great eye opener to see how blessed we truly are.  It reminds you to be thankful every day for everything we have.  This was an amazing experience and I would encourage everyone to become a Petal Pusher or go on another mission trip.  God loves You! Kayla Heetland

____________________________________________________________________

Joan Nahnsen, Immanuel, Schleswig

The week spent with the Petal Pushers in California was an exceptional experience for me. I especially enjoyed working with and spending time with a great group of hardworking and friendly people.  Ellie does a good job organizing and keeping everyone taken care of.  Working on the floats, seeing all the beautiful flowers, and meeting people from all over the USA who are Petal Pushers was fun.  The parade was great, also the weather. 

The experience working with people on Skid Row was great although I was a little leery about that area of LA.  God kept us safe on Skid Row and also on our travels to Pasadena.  Thanks Ellie, Lynn and all our IOWAY Petal Pusher group for a great week.  God bless all of you and hope we will meet again.

Pasadena Reflections by Pat H, Sandy, Linda, Doris, Delores, Chelsie, Lynette H.

Reflections on Pasadena mission trip….Pat H, Sandy, Linda, Doris, Delores, Chelsie, Lynette H.

Pat Hoffman, First Lutheran, Missouri Valley

Highlights of the trip to Skid Row:

·        The eyes of the men in awe as they received the hygiene bag and items included.

·        A comment “Just what I needed”. 

·        The kind reception as the men met us. 

·        Emotionally losing it upon seeing a young mother with a well-behaved 1-1/2 year old boy and 3 year old girl.  I put my hand on her shoulder after giving her clothes and health items for the children.  I told her how much Jesus loves her and told the children Jesus loves them.  I also told the two children, “I know your mother loves you.  You are blessed with her love and Jesus loves you.”

Their mother shook her head yes and dropped her head down in tears, as I said to her, “Isn’t that true?” I told her to keep working to go forward because she is special.  Again she nodded yes.  I assured her that I will be praying for her and the two children. 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Sandy Day, Trinity Lutheran, Jefferson

This was my first mission/witness trip.  What a super experience!  I am very grateful to my mother for the gift of this trip.  My faith has definitely been strengthened by my many new friends in our group and the many strangers I was able to witness to.  I really enjoyed our activity where we each made a comment in each person’s Bible.  It made me appreciate the connections I have made with others on our trip.  Thank you Ellie for being an awesome leader!

                                                                                                                                                                                   
 

Linda Sprague, St. Paul, Ankeny

This trip was way more than I imagined!  I was so pumped for it but the trip was twice what I expected!  Float building is an art and people were so very friendly and open.  Skid Row was an expected eye-opener.  What struck me was how stark the building was.  No pictures on the walls, no chairs to recline or feel comfortable in.  Just the nothingness that goes on.  Yet I realize it is much better than the street.  As for the hand outs of personal care items, one man had watery eyes after inspecting his bag of items.  He said it was just what he needed as he was out.  Talk about God’s timing!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Doris Nahnsen, Immanuel Lutheran, Schleswig

This trip we worked at a mission on Skid Row.  We served a meal and distributed health care kits and items.  Many people had many needs yet many knew Jesus as their Savior.  Even though their needs were great their faith was strong.  One gentleman and I were talking about Iowa and snow.  He said snow is beautiful.  He said snow is white and that the snow is like Jesus.  Jesus’ great love covers the darkness of sin and makes all things white and clean like snow.  I will never look at snow the same again.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Delores Schall, St. Paul Lutheran, Eldora

This has been an experience of a life time! It far exceeded anything I had expected. When we flew out of Des Moines, I knew we were in God's hands. The lodging - meals - vans - drivers - everything just flowed like Ellie said it would! What an amazing gal.
Being a part of building the Lutheran Hour float, Home and Garden, US Bank, Micro Soft and more, was an awesome experience. The flowers were spectacular!!! Sunday morning when we saw those huge floats rolling out of that building in the sunshine, I thought I was in heaven!
The side trips to Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier (yes, Lynn it was worth it), Pacific Ocean, and Ronald Reagan Library were also a plus that I never expected to ever see.
The parade was awesome! (Just the parade was on my bucket list)  The parking - seating - food - sunshine - made it a perfect day.
Being able to go to Skid Row was very sad and humbling. We are so blessed that God has guided our lives and we have made some right choices. Now I will pray for those people every day.
It was a very faith building trip for me. The daily Bible studies were such a blessing and I came home with many wonderful memories. The people on our trip were friendly - great - wonderful - inspirational - I miss you all!!!
I know some of us will be friends forever ---- Thanks SO MUCH !!!! God Bless You All

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Chelsie Heetland, Faith Lutheran, Adel

This trip has been absolutely amazing!  Throughout the days of working on the floats I volunteered to work on the scaffolding of the floats which was very high.  The very first day was very nerve wracking and a lot of prayers were said so I wouldn’t fall off and would stay safe.  I found myself constantly praying.  As the days continued and the heights stayed the same I found myself calm because I knew that God would keep me safe.  It was a great feeling.  Spending the day at Skid Row was also a highlight of the trip.  One lady stands out especially to me.  She was dancing and so excited because she got a washcloth. The most basic item and one we take for granted could provide someone such great joy!

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Lynette Heetland, Faith Lutheran, Adel

I am so excited that my three girls and husband were able to go to this mission trip with me.  It was a blessing to me that we could serve God by decorating the Lutheran Hour float.  The amount of time and flowers that goes into each float is amazing.  When the floats were pulled out of the building and the sun shone on the flowers, they just glowed.  So very beautiful!  God has blessed us with so many different colors and types of flowers.

It was great to see my girls witnessing their faith to others.  You never know if that one comment will get that person to heaven.  This trip helped all of our faith to grow as well.  It continues to amaze me how a simple comment of “I will pray for you” or “Jesus loves you” will brighten a person’s day. Even just a smile.  We need to remember to do this at home as well, since our mission field is everywhere, not just in LA.  As Gerald says, “Isn’t it fun working for Jesus!”

___________________________________________________