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)