A Day in the Life

Me to my wife Carla: "I am going to go for a walk."

Her: "Ok! I am going to finish writing my New Years resolutions for you."

Me: dumbfounded look

Her: "What!!? It's a joke!"

Her: "But I do have some for you."

Mmmmmm

There are currently 3 fall candles going in our kitchen this morning. I asked my wife "We've got all these candles burning in the same space this morning on purpose?" She replied, "Yes, I am letting them fight it out."

60!!!

 

Happy 60th Birthday to me!! Grateful to God for 60 years and one year closer to going home!  Thank you Lord for all of my friends that have become family! I am soooooo blessed.

The Thought I Think

 The first thought I have when I walk into Walmart is, 

"I have got to get outta here."

Empty Nest

Eldest son Josh left for his ministry opportunity with Casas por Christo!! (Homes for Christ) He made his way to El Paso, TX to build the video production crew as they watch servants from all over the world donate their time and talents to build homes for those that are homeless in Mexico.  Thank you Lord for this opportunity!  

80'S Babes

 

45th Friendaversary!!

 

Carla Nelson met Shelly Hieb on August 27th, 1980.  The first day of 9th grade at Hughes Junior High. We were babies at 14 years old!! 

 

Shelly and I celebrated our 45th Friendaversary on August 27th, 2025!!  I flew out to Utah to spend several amazing days with my BFF!! Oh my goodness we DIED OF FUN AS WE ALWAYS DO!! Laughing, talking, reading old calendars, looking through old photo albums, walking down memory lane. 

BEST TIME EVVVERRRRRRRRRR!!    

LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER SHELLY! 💖💖

35th Year at the MN State Fair!!

 

We missed you Sarah Bearah!!

I Miss You Stuart!!

 

I can't believe it has been 20 years since you passed away!!  I am grateful that I got to know you and love you as you have been such a blessing in my life.  Showing me what a loving husband and father looks like and walking me down the aisle to my Patrick.  I pray that you are in heaven. I would love to catch up with you there!

Happy Birthday!

 

Happy 25th Birthday to you Sarah Bearah!! You are such a joy and a blessing and always our party girl!!  I am grateful to God to be your mom and watch you grow to be a Godly woman!! 

I love you SAS!!

31st Anniversary!

God has truly restored what was broken and filled these years with more joy than I ever thought possible. Each one better than the last.

Carla, you are a fierce woman. You chase justice and truth with fire in your bones, and yet you give your heart so freely to those in your care. I’ve seen you grow in strength, wisdom, tenderness, and courage. But what I love most is your daily walk of grace with Jesus. It marks everything you do.

It’s been the privilege of my life to be your husband. Thank you.

I look ahead with great anticipation for what this next year will hold.

Here’s to 31 years of marriage!

Yes You Did

My wife Carla asked me what I did today.  I told her I went to Menards 3 times in 4 hours.  She said, "Oh so you spent your time Menarding.  You Menarded all day."

Prophetic

Josh and I sat on the porch last night. We got to talking about the food I used to make.  Cinnamon Streams, tortellini, tacos, spaghetti, grilled cheese and soup, corndogs.  The easy peasy foods.  Josh wanted to read some stories from this blog.  Ohmystars! We laughed until we cried.  Especially over this one.  

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Nack

Nathan "I hab a nack? I hab a nack? I hab a nack? I hab a nack?"

Mom "Nathan if you say the word snack again you are going to your room for a timeout."

Nathan "I hab one? I hab one? I hab one? I hab one?"

And this one.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Typical

Nathan "Can I have a snack?"

Mom "Nathan, we just ate lunch."

Nathan "Yay, time for lunch!"

Mom "No, we just ATE lunch."

Nathan "Oh. Can I have a snack?"

There were so many comments over the years that said," one day you will talk about these days and you will laugh and laugh."  Indeed. 

She Did It!

 

Our daughter Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science today!

What a journey it’s been:

Military basic training right after high school

Two years at the University of MN–Duluth

A 9-month deployment to Kuwait

Returned to Duluth, then endured a serious car accident

Took a semester off to heal

Transferred to UW–River Falls and finished strong!!

Well done Sarah!!

Now heading to grad school at UW–Eau Claire!

See You Soon!

Lyle David Brooks

January 24, 1959  -  March 13, 2025

I had just become a moderator on Jill Stanek's blog Pro Life Pulse and Lyle was a commenter. Obama became president for the first time. I had a speaking engagement for a group of prolife college students. I told my story of abortion regret and God's forgiveness. When I got back from that trip I posted the video of me telling my story on Jill's blog. Later that day, my husband asked me if I knew a Lyle Brooks. I didn't. He had put thousands of dollars into my PayPal account! What? Why? I emailed him to ask. He emailed back to say he had been struggling after the election. Knowing what it might mean for vulnerable mothers and their babies. He had watched the video of me telling my story. He said he was moved. That I was crisp, direct and lyrical in my telling. That in the face of the political landscape I would share something so deeply personal. He said that if I could keep going, he would do everything he could do get my story out there. And so he did. He paid my way to The March for Life in Wash D.C. in 2009 where I was part of the documentary, Life After Abortion. That video has saved countless lives from abortion. The trailer for the video on YouTube has a comment from 2 mothers who chose life! Thank you Lord! Lyle became a man who stood by me and cheered me on and told me to KEEP GOING CARLA! He told me that the world needed my story. The story of Carla and her daughter Aubrey who died via abortion. Since then I have kept going! Still speaking and standing as a witness to the evil of abortion. And Lyle heard me. He understood. He was always there. He knew what I went through and what God had done in forgiving and healing me. I was beyond grateful to learn of his conversion. His coming to Christ! God be praised! He wrote about Aubrey and I on his blog and although I have yet to find that post I remember how proud he was to be my friend and tell me to Keep Going! I had a mom blog forever and Lyle was always there under a fake name with his dry humor and wit. He made me laugh so much!! I have spent the last couple of days reading his comments on my blog. Laughing until I cry and crying until I laugh. He seemed to enjoy my antics in the prolife movement and the antics of my 4 children that I blogged about.

We lost track of each other for a time but I found him still busy, still helping women. He shared with me about Hyperemesis Gravidarum. I was blessed to be able to bring precious resources and hope to several mothers in my area who were struggling with HG.

I never did get to meet Lyle in person but I can't think of a better place than heaven to catch up with him!

I will keep going Lyle with all of the love and support you gave me. The memories I have of you are a blessing to me.

I am so happy for you!! I am so sad for us! 

Well done, good and faithful servant! ❤️

Love, 

Carla

Clearwater, FL!!

 

Finishing Strong!

From Patrick
She's writing her final four case reports! After completing the education, exam, and supervision phases, she's almost officially certified as a Biblical Counselor. She started this journey years ago, and life took its turns. But just over a year ago, she regrouped, made a plan, and took an exam prep course that got her motivated-and she finished strong! I've been amazed at her diligence and resilience through this rigorous process. Her compassion and care for others shine so clearly, and she's incredibly effective with God's Word. Her teaching background stands out as she thoughtfully develops counseling plans. I have so much to learn from her! God has used every part of her journey to shape her into the image of Christ. Nothing has been wasted.  
It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway-I'm incredibly proud of you, Babe! 

From my BC Supervisor
And Carla did really well. She is a great counselor...loves God, His Word and the ladies with whom she meets

Biblical Counseling Certification

UPDATE
Patrick and I started the Biblical Counseling Ministry at our church home, Faith Community in 2014. I have been counseling since then. Always wondered about becoming certified. But I was sick for 6 years, covid hit and my youngest cherubs asked me to homeschool. We did that for 2 years. Ben Prince went to heaven and we have been walking  with his family. ONE YEAR AGO this week I started watching the training videos for certification with 2 other friends. Wrote the Theology exam and Counseling exam from Feb-June 2024. Submitted them and passed Theology! I had to expand on 2 counseling questions. I did that and resubmitted.  PASSED!! Found a supervisor who I have met with on Tuesdays for an hour online since September.  I have 4 counselees.  I need 50 sessions of supervised counseling.  I have 43 sessions down!! 7 to go!!  I have 3 counselees to see this week and 4 scheduled next week and I will hit 50 sessions!! Praying that I finish strong. The finish line is in sight! Thank you Lord for all that you have taught me in this process!  It has been an absolute joy and blessing to counsel from Your word and watch You work in people's lives!! All glory and honor and praise to Him!! 
I never thought I could do it or should do it But God Knew.

Sunset over the St. Croix

I took this photo on February 1st, 2014. 11 years ago.  God be praised for how He paints a sunset! Gloryous!

Birthdays!!

Nate turned 21 in November. Tim turned 19 in January. Josh will be 28 next month. Sigh. It makes me happy sad.
The mancubs just keep growing!  I am grateful to God that they enjoy their siblings as friends.  
 

Merry

 

Christmas Eve

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Faith Community Church.  GLORYOUS!

Cookie Decorating 2024

 

Merry Christmas 2024!!

 

Holiday Cheer

 Clicking my heels as I Christmas shop with Patrick.

59 Years Old!!

 

13 YEARS!!

 

Top photo was my momvan new to me in 2011.  Last 2 photos are of the love bestowed on it by the 2 youngest Streams!!