TOOOO Long...sorry friends

Realizing it has been two months since I have had a chance to blog. WOW! Time flies.

I started my business with Thirty-One gifts and life took a jump into the fast lane. I am so excited being busy again. I love connecting with other women and having a chance to change their lives too.
I was able to see the North shore of Minnesota for the first time this summer. Gorgeous place. I would love to explore it further.

Tom has been working on a new project at work. He finds out today if it is something the company is interested in putting their $ behind it.
Boundary Waters...MY husband...YES!! Tom took a three day trip through the boundary waters. This is an area of lakes between Canada and Minnesota. Lots of rest and relaxation. He went with a great group of guys from his bible study at church and had a wonderful time. I even think he may do it again.

Karianna - Who is that?! She started the summer (the DAY after school was out) going on a mission trip to Miami. She was home a couple weeks then went to Camp Victory for two weeks. We were really starting to miss her when she got home. Then she headed off to a friends cabin up north for three days. I think we have her back now, but she has she face in a book due to the fact that she will be in 'AP Lit' when school starts on the 6th. She is always going off to a concert or out with friends, Applebees is the hang out of choice.  =)

Ean-Thomas is good. We had lots of plans this summer but they did not get done. He wants his bed replaced. It is a loft bed and he wants a 'normal' bed. I thought I would just whip one out in the garage...yeah that did not happen. He wanted to go swimming every day, but we were only able to go twice. He did get to hang at a friends cabin a few weekends ago. I know that was fun for him. He is a great kid staring at a new charter school next Monday. I know he will do well.

Collin Dave is great! He had surgery on the 5th of August and seems to be recovering well. I am not sure the right side was successful in sealing the hydro-seal, but we shall see. Check-up is a few weeks away. He still says "HURT" every time you change his diaper. He is talking very well. Much earlier then Kari or Ean did. He says "Cool Dude" "Popcorn" and calls us all by name. So so so cute.

God has truly blessed our little family. We officially joined Edinbrook Church here in Brooklyn Park. God has 'grown' Tom and I so much in the 9months we have been there. It is a church were God IS and I love being a part of Him moving and leading.

Hoping it does not take me another 2 months,
Elaine

Sweet Sweet 16

I can NOT believe my gorgeous daughter is 16 years old this week. She has grown to be a remarkable young lady and a gift to the entire family. She has been on a mission trip this past week and last night her 11 years old brother said, "Mom, I need my sister back."

Here she is at Easter 2001...

 

and in 2004 at 10 years old.

 

Baptism in 2006...

 

 ...and an all grown up young lady in 09.

Thanks for letting me share my sweet gal with you!

 

Thank you Lord for blessing Tom and I with this breathe-taking joy. I can never thank you enough for your blessings and provision. Continue to walk with my girl as she changes once again from a lady to a woman. Finishing high school and moving on to amazing places, as you lead. I love you, Amen

 

In Christ,

Elaine

My New Adventure!

So...It's official! God is leading me on a new adventure. I waffled and prayed and decided and undecided and opened my bible one morning last week to Proverbs 31. It finishes off, 

"...a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."

With everything in me I want to be a woman of God. I want people to see Christ in and through and (hopefully rarely) in spite of me.

One of my dearest and closest friends recently got involved with a company called Thirty-One Gifts. As I sat in her home talking about what a great opportunity she has with this up and coming company the Lord spoke to my heart. I came up with many excuses...
*I have a little baby
*I have to take care of Mom
*I have kids in school
The truth is, with God's strength and leading I can do anything he wants me to do! I am signing with a company called Thirty-One, hum...is it based off being a woman of God, doing what brings God honor and glory in my life, a Proverbs 31 woman?! YES!

Feel free to check out the link above. Let me know if I can be of service in any way. Are YOU ready for an adventure? Is God leading you to do something different or out-of-your-box? JUMP IN! The rewards are more then you can imagine!

In Christ,

Elaine

Mission 2011

As many of you know Karianna is on a mission trip to inner city Miami Florida. She went with about 30 kids from our church, Edinbrook Church. She is working with a Haitian Church there. In the mornings they will be clearing fields for future building sites, so lots of brush and tree removal. In the afternoon they are working with kids, singing songs, playing games and telling them about our amazing God. In the evenings they will do additional work with the families of the kids. They arrived in Miami this morning after a one day, two night bus ride!!

They started work right away! I only know what Mark Thurston (Youth Pastor) posts on Facebook, but I will try to keep you all informed. They leave FL on the 18, spend the 19th at the Creation Museum in KY and arrive back in Brooklyn Park late on the 20th.

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

What a JOY to do God's work.

Have a blessed day,

Elaine (Mom)

the Uncommon Woman

So, I have been reading this book by Susie Larson called the uncommon woman.

 
Over the last couple years the Lord has been showing me how my worth does not depend on how others see me, but as He sees me. Others will let me done. Others will seek to destroy my reputation. Others can spread untrue rumors. Others are NOT where I find my worth! I am a child of the King and ALL of my worth and value are found in Him!
Here is one of the many many MANY excerpts that really spoke to me;

"The thing that continues to amaze me about this Man Jesus is that He takes us - rags and all - and makes something of us. In His presence and by His leading, we turn from wimps to warriors, from being pretty to powerful. He turns our lives upside down, and then He equips us to turn the world upside down."

Isn't that fantastic?! This book was loaned to me from a friend and honestly I can only get through a couple pages a day. The Lord starts speaking to me and I have to reread paragraphs and pray. There is just so much truth, painful at times, but complete biblical truth.

At the end of each chapter she has a prayer and a declaration. This is the declaration that I have been praying every day for a week plus.

"I Declare in the Name of Jesus, that I am complete in Christ! I have discernment in how I relate to others, and I wisely walk away for the battles God has not called me to fight. I will not be bound or manipulated by others' opinion of me. Even when good people think I am bad, I will put my trust in Him. I refuse to look down, look back or wonder about my worth, because it is a settled issue! I will not engage in spiteful conversations, nor will I listen to gossip about anybody. I refuse thoughts of insecurity, and I will not engage in petty differences that will ruin my day! I am made for better things. I will love, I will forgive, and I will walk in the fullness Christ has made available to me."

Lord Jesus, Thank you for your faithfulness! I am Your daughter and I want to look like You in everything I do, say and AM!

In Christ,

Elaine

 

Too long.....

As I look at my 'to do' list and all that needs to be 'done' I realize IT'S OK! As moms there is so very much going in our lives. Some of us run the home, work outside the home, run a business and volunteer and... and... and... I could go on and on, but what is important? What is the fuel in your life that keeps you going? Are you fueled by rest-sleep? Are you fueled by chatting with friends? I know that those things are great for me, but are they the fuel that is what keeps me going? No, it is simply not enough!!  As I look at the 'to do' list I see the things that have NOT gotten done, but what is important are the things that HAVE.
1) I spent quiet time with my Lord this morning.
2) I played a game of scrabble with my mother. (two actually)
3) I wrestled with Collin David.
I have lived too much of my life worrying about what needs to get done and not what has been completed. Years ago at a MOPS conference I was in a class with Julie Patrick-Barnhill (fantastic author and speaker) and she said something that changed the way I parent and think about time, "In the relm of eternity, what does it matter?" Really?? God wants us to weight everything on His scale and realize it's true value. Not on the scale of this world.
So, I will keep the 'to do' list and continue the day to day joys of being a wife, mother, daughter, friend, sister, giver, but God's scale is where I will place all that is important and look at it all though His eyes.

Let's look at our lists differently moms. Let's look at what is important to God and how it affects the lives we influence.

In Christ,
Elaine

Living out a dream ~BALANCED~

Yesterday Kristi Z. (my dearest friend) and I spent the day in Livermore, CA. We toured vineyards, enjoyed phenomenal tastings at La Rochelle and Wente wineries.

 

There were green lush rolling hills all around. We saw beautiful horses (and COWS-even) amazing villas and were just reminded again of the glory of Gods handiwork.

 This is the LaRochelle tasting room entrance. It was the first stop of the afternoon. I had had a Pinot Noir from there a few years back and wanted to figure out which one it was. We were blessed with a comp'd tasting of 9 different wines, three cheeses and a fig tapenade. It was a great way to start the tour of Livermore.

 This beautiful Mediterranean building is part of the Wente Winery. This winery had been open for over 100 years. They have over 200 acres of vineyards in three different locations in CA. The grounds were impeccably groomed. There were children running in the lawn and riding bikes with their families. There was a wedding in a cave on the grounds. The floral scent in the air was intoxicating. We walked, relaxed, laughed, took (a gazillian) pictures, admired Gods creation all around us, finished the day eating dinner at the restaurant there on the grounds. Truly the best meal I have ever had.

Appt: Salmon deviled eggs with red onion and capers

Salad: Asparagus and Spinach with prosciutto, egg and vinaigrette

Main dish: Filet Mignon in an amazing mushroom sauce with fingerling potatoes and small veges

Dessert: Brioche Donuts with sugared kumquats and ginger

Bottle of 08 Morning Fog Chardonnay with the meal and Port with dessert, both from Wente Vineyards.

One of the things the Lord has been shining a light on in my life is 'balance'. I am a wife, mother and daughter in my home everyday. Some days I choose to forget ME in the midst of all the duties of home, family and LIFE that happens all around me all the time. That is NOT Gods design.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Laundry, dishes, prayer, dusting, vacuuming, washing bedding, quiet time with our God, making beds, changing diapers, driving kids to activities, praising God for His goodness, cooking, cleaning bathrooms, scrubbing floors, putting the baby down for a nap, helping kids out with homework...shall I go on??

HELLO PRIORITIES!!!

God created ME for a specific plan and purpose. Yes, I AM meant to be a mom and daughter and wife, but I am also meant to BE...ELAINE! God WANTS to use ME! Go WANTS to use YOU! Give Him.....YOU!!! God's amazing Balance can take place.

I pray Balance for you,

Elaine

 

Organized = Peace

I pray you all had a fantastic Easter weekend. What a Joy to celebrate the Risen Savior! We started the celebration off Friday night at the Good Friday church service. It was fantastic!! Ean-Thomas (at 11 years old) truly felt the Lords presence for the first time. He was in tears AND awe. He was filled with Joy and sadness. The true impact of what Jesus endured  FOR US came alive to him. Oh, how I praise the Lord when he works in the lives of my children!!

Sunday was a BLAST!! It started with an early music service at church. As many of you know, Tom is blessed with an amazing voice and the choir sang 3 pieces. The sun was blessing us from every angle, and the Son blessed us indeed!!

      When we came home we dined on AMAZING short ribs!

                 TODAY IS THE ORGANIZE=PEACE DAY!!!
I am leaving on vacation this Friday. It is a time just for me (with one of my besties Kristi Lynn). I have a fantastic husband and family that see the need for me to get away when I have hit a wall. Thank you GOD! Also my in-laws are coming for a visit and arrive a day and a half BEFORE I get back.....SO little details that usually I only think about have to be written down and labeled. Here we go;

MEALS:

for the week I am gone and the shopping list and meal plan for the in-law visit.
CHORES:

Tom - 'Hey Elaine, what goes IN the kids lunches?' Now he knows. There is also a meal list for my Mom to refer to. Also, my dear dear friend Amy is watching Collin for me during the days I am gone. Thank you Amy dear!!! Collin's list is there as well.
BASEBALL:

this is Eans baseball game schedule, the practices are on the google calendar and will send an alarm to Tom so he does not forget. I hope!

Yes, this is a busy family. Yes, we are involved in LIFE. I would not have it any other way, but I thank God for the gift of organization he has given me. Without it I would be lost and while I am out of town, my family would be lost. God is good and has blessed us with all good things, and even though my family is scared to see me leave for a week...vacations are GOOD TOO!!!
So please join me in praying for my sweet family. I leave the 29th and return on the 7th.
Being a believer I have something that non-believers do not have, the ability to rest. Rest in my redeemers arms. Unload the stress that I take on. Cry, laugh, dance, sing or sleep in the arms of my Jesus.


Love to you all,
Elaine

Praising God for the trials???

So my heart is breaking for my 11 year old. He tried to pull his first BIG lie.
Now I remember MY first BIG LIE. I was in the 4th grade and I wanted to get the gum that Mrs. Johnson was giving out for those that had completed their schoolwork for the day. I had NOT, but thought I could lie about it. I attended a small Christian school of about 50 kids, K-12. Everyone knew everyone. I told one kid (Paul W.) the truth and he told Mrs. Johnson and she told my Mom (who was a teacher there) and I got my gum taken away AND a spanking with the wooden paddle. Isn't it amazing what we remember when we really learn a lesson?
So I sat down and told this story to Ean. He laughed with me and we talked about how much bigger his lie had to get to keep making since and then completely fell apart.

As we were praying at bedtime he thanked God for caring about him SO MUCH that he would teach him this lesson. I was in tears!!

**When was the last time I thanked God for the trials?

**When have I seen them as a gift of His marvelous grace?

Mr. Ean is now grounded from the things he loves most....computer and video games. He is having to RE-do a project from school AND he is doing it  with a GREAT attitude.

**Have I learned my lessons AND displayed an attitude of forgiveness and grace?

**Have I been giving God the glory for the 'teaching moments'?


James 1:2-4 reads, 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Overwhlemed!!!

What a wonderful day in the Lord!!
Have you ever had one of those days when you just can NOT stop smiling (or crying) with Joy? Today was that day for me.
I woke up after an amazing nights sleep. I think this was from pure exhaustion due to the fact that I did 98% of the Spring cleaning yesterday but none-the-less a restful night of sleep. Smile!
I checked email and got the funniest one for a dear friend making fun of my inability to save a file on my computer and there I was laughing myself out of bed. I had a peaceful morning getting the kids ready for church and off we went. Big Smile!!
The first of a sermon series for Pastor Ivan...Gospel. How good it is to hear the basics all over again. "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so." No matter what, you can come to Jesus and confess your need of Him and your future is filled with purpose. Not a bed of roses. Not instant riches, but a peace that passes all understanding. Tears of Joy and SMILE!!!
Went out for Mexican food and created more long lasting family memories. Played outside in 60 degree weather with the boys. Went driving with Kari (still alive so smiling). Watched a movie about Gods mercy and second chances. Still smiling!!!
Went back to church to an Evening of Commitment. Twenty-one people were baptized, some of them NEW believers in Christ. Three babies were dedicated to the Lord, one of the an adoption! And about 30 people becoming members of our church. Can you Get Any More Excited about what God is doing??!! Praise the Lord!!! SMILE!

I now sit on my porch, my favorite place to be, listening to the wind and rejoicing in the Joy of my Salvation, Jesus. Name above all names. Beautiful Savior and Friend.

God is good. He is good all the time.
www.edinbrookchurch.org


 

Balance

At first I was in shock, "Can it be?! Really?"
I was starting to feel - unbalanced. As a Mom we have so many responsibilities and when we get behind on one thing it takes days and sometimes weeks (mostly with laundry) to get back into the groove of life. But when the walls start to close in around you that is not God's plan.
God wants us to live a life of balance. A life that takes time for regeneration and renewal. Be Still and Know that I am God. He wants us to be able to focus and reflect. In a ciaos of mothering and in my case 'daughtering' and being a wife 24x7 I lean on my Jesus ever so dearly. We have to have that relationship with our Savior strong and ready to take on the emotional, physical and spiritual tasks that are mothering.
So...to get back to my surprise...I get a time AWAY!!! God has provided a way for me to spend a week in beautiful California. This is 100% lay by the pool, only do what I want/have-to kind of time. God took care of all the 'details' and I am really looking forward to going! I am starting to plan and think about what books to download onto the kindle...any suggestions?
Now to put this into perspective, I have a teenage daughter, a 5th grade son and 1 year old at home. I am called to be a wife first (so that carries it's own special requirements) and I have the privilege of having my aging mother here with me. I love the life the Lord has truly blessed me with and this trip proves His amazing goodness to me.

This is the hotel where I get to stay in San Jose. I am mostly looking forward to sharing sweet time with my Jesus and learning to better maintain that balance that He wants for me. 
What Joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord... Psalm 84:5

Kiddos and memories

Thinking about the treasure my children are. Our neighbors just had their first baby and the tiny little 6+ pound fellow reminded me of the precious joy of my children.

Karianna is our 15 (almost 16) year old. She has started driving, doing great in school (10th grade), serving on the praise team for the youth group at church, going on her first mission trip this summer and really starting to grasp her relationship with the Lord as being HERS and not 'riding on Mom and Dad's coattails.'

Here she is as my sweet 5 year old.

Ean-Thomas, Oh what a BALL he is!! His love language is 'Quality Time.' Sitting and watching a movie, playing a game or watching him play video games all fit in this category. He adores his little brother and is an absolute joy to the family. Funny, funny kid.

Here he is at 2! Love that smile.

Collin David. What to say. He is our amazing surprise that Only God Himself knew about. He will be two in June. He cut teeth early. He crawled early. He walked early. Please Lord, let him potty-train early!!

Thank you Lord for my children. Give me your strength to raise them to follow your greatest commandment, to love You with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I love you Lord! Amen

Blessing beyond blessing...

This winter Kari came to me and told me she felt the Lord was asking her to go on a mission trip this summer instead of getting a job. She had two concerns, one that she would not be earning money for car insurance this fall and two how was she ever going to pay for a mission trip. Her youth group from Edinbrook Church announced the trip they were planning on taking this summer. She himmed and hawwed.... what to do?! She finally committed to going very concerned about the cost. She wrote a letter from her heart and placed it in Gods hands, and let me tell you THAT is a great place to be!! It has been one month and she has raised ALL of the money for the entire trip!!! Thank you! What a blessing.
She will be in Miami, FL from the 11th to the 20th of June working with inner-city kids. Please keep her in your prayers.

God is Moving!

Praise The Lord! He is Alive and Moving.
After praying for family members for years and feeling like I am seeing NO change - God is moving!
Tom (my dear husband) is sharing Christ to a man at work - God is moving!
Karianna (my 15 year old) is going on her first mission trip - God is moving!
I feel like I have hit a wall emotionally and God provided a time for me to 'get away' - God is moving!

"You're everything I can't explain. You set my heart on fire. And here I stand amazed. You take my breathe away." - Michael W Smith Wonder album

Words...

What an impact our words can make. Just this week I said something that I should not have said. I know we all do, but I wish I would grow out of it.

• What words might I say today that could impact that overweight person to make a life change?
• What words might I say today that would allow that shy, sad teen to look at life in a new way?
• What words can I say today that can turn someones heart toward the Lord Jesus?

I used to think I could just show Christ in my actions, and yes that is where others should see Christ, but I believe the Word of God talks about words too much for it to be an after thought.
         Lord, in my words today may others see You in me.

Am I really doing this???

After years of reading all my friends blogs...I am finally ready to do it myself.
Being born in Colorado, growing up in Alaska and now raising my kids in Minnesota there are loads of people that can see my kiddos grow.

We are a family of 5 but my wonderful mommy lives with us so there are 6! We have been in Minnesota long enough that our accents are noticeable.  =) We love the Lord and strive to live our lives in a way that He receives all the glory and honor.

I look forward to sharing more about our family in the near future.