Lon Bjornrud-Pastor

As you step into the Living Hope ministry center and go down a small flight of stairs I knock on a door. I heard someone walking towards the door and almost no surprise there was our church pastor. I walked in and had a seat at a table with some chairs. I pulled out my trusty notebook and kept my notes so I could read them later. After a half an hour of questions this is what I would like to share with you! Lon lives by two quotes, ‘Loving God with everything you’ve got’ and ‘Love Life and Live Love.’ How awesome!

Lon Bjornrud, as most kids do when they’re young have a dream of what they want to be when they grow up, Lon thought perhaps he wanted to be a professional athlete either football/baseball or a detective. As a son of a pastor he went off to northwestern college after graduating from Babbitt Embarrass High School. At Northwestern College, he resisted to be a pastor. As a son of a pastor you don’t want to become a pastor because you think that is what you think you’re expected to become. So he took a business class and hated it! Business class wasn’t exactly what he thought it’d be. Recognizing he wasn’t built for business. Now he is a wonderful pastor!

At the young age of 34, Lon Bjornrud is the Pastor for New Hope Evangelical Free Church. He has been a pastor since 1995 about 15 years. Lon has now lived in Saint Francis for 12 years with his family. Lon is married to Sonya, and they have two daughters; Sage and Maisy ages 6 & 8. Both there daughters are dedicated. Which is where the parents make a commitment to raising their children in the house of God, and the congregation makes a commitment to the children as well. Now, as it is expected Lon has a busy schedule. He describes his day as a “variety.” As he studies for the teachings, there are administrative activities, connection mentoring, counseling, and youth group gatherings and activities. When it comes to his job and family Lon feels positive that his children are exposed to the world of God. Lon is able to pour himself out for his family.

I remember that spring day last year as I was driving down county road 9 in Oak Grove, there was a wood like sign that said New Home for Living Hope Evangelical Free Church. Went home to call my parents to share the news as I was raised In the Coon Rapids Evangelical Free Church. We have been attending since. The Church family currently meets at the Saint Francis High school until the new church is built. Lon expects that perhaps the new church should be built in the next few years or so. No definite date is set. You can read more about the church at www.livinghopeefc.org/ .

There is much to learn when it comes to churches and religions. You learn more about evangelical free churches at www.efca.org/ .

Overall, if I were to describe Lon I must say, ‘he appears genuine and average not the suit and tie kind of guy. A very down to earth person who shows great leadership and passion for everything that he does, and does it well!’

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 45.19°N and Longitude 93.3°W

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 45.19°N and Longitude 93.3°W

BLOG 6-- RENTERS REBATE

Renters Rebate

Minnesota has two property tax refund programs. The homeowners refund and the renters refund. You can print out the forms to file at www.taxes.state.mn.us The checks are mailed out mid-August every year. If you are a renter there is a form you get in January, usually ‘a certificate of rent paid’, this is to file for the renters refund. There are 300 million renters that will be affected by the refund amount. Your everyday renter is affected it’s not just the rich or well off it’s everyone. The nice thing is that Minnesota offers a refund based on property taxes that renter pay. The state used to assume about 19% of rent payments went toward property taxes and used that number, income to determine the refund someone was eligible to receive. Senator Rick Olseen bluntly described the new changes to the rebate. “The state will assume that 15% of rent goes to property taxes. That delivered a $51 million cut to the renter’s rebate program. According to the Department of Revenue, there are 304,900 renter refund filers, and the average refund used to be $570. With the unallotment, the average refund will be reduced by $129”.

Renters such as Sheri Wells and Nicole Luzaich, look forward to the extra income. Nicole said “I use the money to catch up on bills, and family activities”. Renter Liz Haller is happy with any extra money the state wants to send her way. Liz Haller said, “I will just make do with whatever money I do get back”. We can all take a different view on the cut; the truth of the matter is that our state is facing a 426 million dollar budget deficit. The budget cuts should help. The renters rebate is one of many budget cuts.



Last summer Governor Tim Pawlenty revised the amount renters will be receiving. He had to make some cuts and the renters rebate was part of the budget cuts. This will be 1.2 Million dollars, over a 3 year period. There is a controversy we can’t put our hands on. returnmyrebate.com/ announced that Pawlenty and the GOP (republican Party) stole money from renters. Alliance for a better Minnesota feels the same way. Digging a little deeper www.minnesota.publicradio.org/ wrote that ‘Governor Tim Pawlenty says he will reduce state aid payments to cities and counties by $110 million to help solve a short-term budget problem’.

Democratic State Senator Rick Olseen from district 17 had also said, “Palenty made the decision on his own after the legislative term, so it wasn’t a tough decision. The state used to assume about 19% of rent payments went toward property taxes and used that number, along with total rent paid and a renter’s income, to determine the refund someone was eligible to receive. The new formula changes that percentage to 15%. That delivered a $51 million cut to the renter’s rebate program. According to the Department of Revenue, there are 304,900 renter refund filers, and the average refund used to be $570. With the unallotment, the average refund will be reduced by $129.

BLOG 5

I have a controversy for everyone that has been on my mind. I have 2 very important scenarios. I would like to hear comments and opinions!

SCENARIO 1
Ayden Wells age 6 has been receiving social security disability since he was diagnosed with autism at age 4. Ayden's mother Sheri Wells thought he was slower than other children considering ayden is her third child. The school and the doctors told her she could apply. She was approved to recieve a reliable monthly income.

SCENARIO 2
Martha S. age 54 applied for social security disability nearly 1 year ago. She is in remission from cancer, has severe depression, carpultunal and other physical illnesses including no thyroid. Suffering from illness most days including vomiting, and more. As she was simply denied by a worker she has not yet to appeal their decision, but to wait 4 more years to recieve social security. She wishes she had the energy other women her age do have.

Now in conclusion of these 2 scenarios how is it that if you were to meet either you would here almost no complaints, and see smiling faces. So should a 6 yearold who is doing well in school and is making progress, as a 54 year old women is denied.. Makes me kinda wonder. How about you??

Community Leader- Postal worker

Here in St Francis There are plenty of community leaders. After thinking of who I could possibly contact for a leader my decision was finalized. I spoke with one of y neighbors; Coy age 26 is a postal worker who delivers mail he has a wife son and daughter to support. He has been working there for 1½ years. I asked him what his opinion is on the issues we are facing in the community. Coy said; “first money is the issue that seems to be holding most of us back. As well as it’s a very tough time to find local jobs to secure your family and future”. I agree myself my number one concern is having a job, and making sure I have a reliable vehicle to get to work. When you live out in St. Francis commuting is not the easiest thing with today’s gas prices! If you have a family with young kids such as Coy’s the last thing you want to worry about is money. People need to eat right! So as every one of our community leaders whether it’s a church pastor, a politician or an owner of a business or even a mail man we all have worries and definitely have opinions about what the people of our community is worrying about. Without a job in today’s economy people may not know what their future looks like, if they will have a job to support their family or where they will live if their home goes into foreclosure. It’s So important for a community to stay strong together!

Health Bill Going Through Minnesota House of Congress Right NOW!!!!

There has been so much talk about the new Health Reform Bill, did anyone realize there is a bill going through the MN House right now!!! There is a bill moving through the Minnesota House right now that attempts to deal with the problem of pre-existing conditions when attempting to purchase insurance.

The Bill that Obama signed is rally all I've heard about. I must say am a little surprised that the Government can soon fine us, if we don't have health insurance. Martha Sommerfeld, likes the bill for the most part. Not too long ago when her husband was laid off work they were denied by Blue Plus because of their pre-existing conditions. Judy Meyers really dislikes the bill she said "Just another way to cut into our constitutional rights".

Senator Perry was very kind to let me know his thoughts on the issue. He believe's that there are people who like the health system the way it is right now, and people who like the reform. He also said that it should be left up to the states. It goes into the tenth amendment.

Wikipedia.com listed:
The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution's principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states by the constitution of the United States are reserved to the states or the people.

Economic Hardships are Inevitable

Today almost every way you look there’s an economic up and down. Every person eventually goes through some ups and downs. You will never know what each day will bring you, when it comes to the economy. I know some members of my family and friends are facing hardships everyday. It can be anywhere from a layoff, pay cuts, losing a home to foreclosure, unexpected expenses; the list can go on and on.

As I think of how the economy has affected my family in the last 2 years it’s amazing how much change we adapted to. Here’s a brief summary of how things changed for me at work. I work for a family-owned company, when I started in 2006 it was Landmark Mortgage by the end of 2007 the mortgage company no longer existed. When the mortgage industry crashed it was a dominoes effect.. Boulder creek took off mid 2007 and is still holding on strong as a home improvement company. I was laid off for the first time in 2009, due to slow production. It was completely unexpected. We got through it and I was called back in March. Last summer they re-focused on helping homeowners with storm damage. Now we are offering attic insulation inspections. That’s a lot of change in a few years if you ask me. As the spring months return I can’t wait to start helping homeowners with storm damage again! The company has stayed strong since the 1st lay off. Although I was often uncertain at times if we would be laid off again this winter, but we weren’t. I hope things will stay strong with the company; I enjoy working there and it pays the bills!

My Community - - Saint Francis Apartments

Saint Francis Apartments has a new pet policy. I received a irritating phone call this morning from Rachel S., the apartment manager. She called to inform me that cats are no longer allowed, with some exceptions to the rule. she said, "Cats have been in the hallway." I am sure there are more reasons than that. Cats will no longer be tolerated. With that in mind I own 3 cats so this even affects me personally. The exceptions: There is a $200 dollar deposit for each cat, you need proof that each cat has been spayed or neutered, and that each cat is fully declawed. We need to get each cat fixed and declawed, which is about $2oo-300 dollars more. Even though I work full-time it is next to impossible to come up with that type of cash. Sadly we will be trying to find them new homes.

I am very frustrated with this new rule, but even all of us who have cats and rent here can't change anything. Rachel also mentioned that higher management wants this said and done within 7 days. With some kindness she is giving us 14 days. It's a lose-lose situation here. If we don't have the proofs or the cats gone it's an immediate eviction. If worse comes to worse we will have to bring them to the humane society. This is there website http://www.animalhumanesociety.org there we would pay at least $60. I do hope to keep at least one of our cats. So I will be doing some more research on pricing at local vet clinics. I went to http://www.costhelpper.com and found that declawing ranges from $100-250, and spay and neuter can range from $50-200 dollars. WOW! So I have until March 12th to figure out what we will decide. The Worst part is that I will have some explaining to do, with my children.

Will you be wed?

Has it become the new genre for today’s society that “parents” no longer marry? Are you asking why? I sure am. If you are interested in the statistics check out this website: www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4316947/Married-couples-set-to-be-minority-as-more-choose-to-live-out-of-wedlock.html

It is written that less than 50% of women ages 18-49 are married compared to about 75% in 1979! Wow, what a difference. I am not only wondering why folks are deciding to not marry. Definitley also wondering about the children and the impact it will have on them in the future. I was raised in a Christian home and even with a divorce and remarriage I knew what was right and what my parents believed in. Which is marriage than the children. When I was talking with my friend who I haven’t spoke to in at least a year she has accomplished a lot! She is finishing up college, married about 5 months ago to a guy she had been dating for a couple years. With no children yet! I know she loves kids, so I had to ask her when the babies were due! We even talked about what happened to a couple getting married? It seems so much less common in today’s society. She made a very good point, what about the children, and their perspective on life. I feel the same. Of course if a couple who never gets married they have less obligations to each other, but with love wouldn’t you want to fulfill a promise to one another. While at the same time teaching your children your beliefs and the way of the world? I almost feel old-fashioned married at the age of 26 with 2 children! I’m not saying young folks should run out and get married. I am saying why not get married if you plan to have children and are going to spend the rest of your life with a significant other.
Not to mention that it provides security to the children and family.

RENTER REBATE STILL STANDS

RENTERS REBATE =
















If you rent you should file for a renters refund. Check out www.taxes.state.mn.us
Last year there was a close call on losing the refund. Around 300 thousand people would probably have been affected. WOW! That is unimaginable to us. You can find more information at www.politicsinminnesota.com

I think our governor at that time wanted to cut the rebates, because the economy was in a flip-flop, not that we aren’t now. Although I think the number of renters has gone up since all of the foreclosures that started two years back.

Guess what? I spoke with 35 people including; my co-workers, family, friends and neighbors. Out of 35 people 80% are renting today. Surprised? I’m not. I found that if the state would have lowered the renters rebate: Some renters would be upset and others would ‘make do’ with what they have. All the renters I spoke with file for the renters refund and look forward to that extra income in August! I do too. I asked them what they typically use the cash for, responses varied from household necessities, maybe an outing, but especially to catch up on bills. So really the money goes right back into the economy anyways. If you have questions about renter’s rights which also gives information to Anoka county residents @ http://www.co.anoka.mn.us Therefore if you rent take a deep breath, the tax break for renters still stands!

Insulation levels

Department of Energy: Insulation Recommendations.

Did you know that your insulation levels in your roof can save you $. With new reccomendations by the DOE, Mn R-values should be between R-49 to R60. You can get a free energy audit if you look in the right places! :)

I am going to start with some personal aspects of my day to day routine. I have been a Canvass Supervisor (door to door knocking). I have been working for this company; Boulder Creek Builders for over 3 years. Due to economic times we are still in business for the consumers. During warmer months we offer assistance to homeowners who have storm damage, may need replacement windows, siding roofing and gutters. We take care of everything. Now that we live in Minnesota, The Department of Energy has new Attic Insulation Recommendations. These guidelines are for new construction and homes that will be put on the market. This does not mean if you are a homeowner you don’t want to be up to this code! With that in mind did you know that you could save over 30K by having your home properly insulated!! Now who really climbs on a roof in the winter, unless you are trying to get rid of the build up of snow on your roof that will create icicles? I have learned a lot of techniques and have done enough research to know what to look for when a person is in need of attic insulation. My questions to you with these recommendations are you going to stop climbing on your roof to get rid of icicles? When properly insulated homes do not have icicle problems.

Introduction

So what makes a blog? I believe is is something that all people share some things they deal with in their daily life. I am not a typical blogger, now that I have started it is hard to stop! I was more into reading my friends blogs on myspace and their status updates on myspace and Facebook! My favorite thing about blogging is to get my thoughts out to more than just friends and family but to the general public. I am excited to share my knowledge with you. I think the most challenging thing to do when it comes to blogging is to blog about something that is important to you and others that will have an impact on them.

Terhaar

My name is Char and it's my first year at Anoka Ramsey.