Wow! Where did the fall go? I just posted Caleb's First Day of School. Time for me (Rebekah) to scroll through our Kids 2010 picture folder, and share what has happened and what is happening in the Ekelund family. For one thing, we did the near impossible. People called us crazy, but against all odds we travelled over 3000 miles with 3 kids and a nursing baby to New England to visit our families and friends. I chose to post pics on Facebook with captions instead of blogging about the trip, but it was an action-packed-wonderful-whirlwind-vacation.
We also put our cute, affordable, and move-in ready house :) on the market this past March with the plans to move to Barnesville, MN as Adam accepted a call from Hope Lutheran Brethren Church to be the Associate Pastor on April 1, 2010. We were very blessed to be called to a church that we had already had a history with. We were welcomed back by old friends and got to know many new friends as well. Adam's main responsibilities are organizing the youth with a little bit of worship leading mixed in. He also maintains his part-time position at UPS driving and in the warehouse. Hopefully, our house will sell soon, so we don't have to commute during the winter months!
I am perpetually chasing after my four energetic kids. Even though it can be trying at times, I truly love staying home with them and am incredibly blessed to be able to do so. I taught three sections of online chemistry at M State this past spring and fall, as well as trained faculty how to set up their online sites. As far as ministry goes, the Lord has been pressing upon my heart (especially lately) the importance of being a mom and encouraging my children to a mature relationship with Christ.
Caleb will be 7 in January and is in 1st grade at Adams Elementary two blocks away! He is in Peggy Peterson's class with a couple of friends from Kindergarten, as well as some friends from Bethel Lutheran Church. We just got a great report card with the following comment from Mrs. Peterson, "Caleb is an enthusiastic learner and I love having him in my class. His attitude for school is excellent and he approaches assigned tasks in a confident manner. He has a very happy and cooperative attitude."
He also learned how to ride a two-wheeler and attended Inspiration Point Bible Camp this past summer on his first sleepover camp. Way to go, Bugs!
Hannah is 4 ½ and has informed us that when she grows up, she wants to be a princess. Move over Kate Middleton. She is in her 2nd year of preschool at McKinley Elementary and is becoming quite the artist. One of her favorite activities at school is finger painting. She is often found in a princess dress, jewelry, and heels while toting a sleeping (stuffed) cat named Scat Cat.
She is also a great help with her baby sister. Thank you, Goose!
Timothy just turned 3 on October 29th. We call him Timothy the Tornado. He gets into anything and everything as he grows to understand the world. His vocabulary is extensive, however, he needs grammar work. One of his statements when he is frustrated at his older siblings is, "MOM! Caleb and Hannah are keeping funny!" which means, "Caleb and Hannah are making fun of me."
Hang in there, Wu! Pretty soon they won't be able to "keep funny" without consequences.
Sarah Grace made her dramatic entrance on Christmas Day last year. So, we get to celebrate Jesus and Sarah's birthday on the 25th. Sarah is such a sweetie. She is generally very good natured unless she is getting four teeth at one time. Youch! She has wanted to stand since she was four months old, she can do amazing squats, and she started taking steps on Papa's birthday, November 6th.
I don't have a full primer, but I can tell you the words that melt my heart come from a 16lb girl who's eyes can just peek over the Pack N Play sides every morning at 7am, "Mehm Meh Meh." Happy 1st birthday, Sushi!
As the Christmas season comes, we once again focus on our Savior's incarnation. John chapter 1 describes this miracle; that the Almighty God, who has always been and always will be, came to us in the "flesh and made his dwelling among us." (v. 14) It was the end of this verse, that first caught my attention; "...full of grace and truth." As I was holding my baby girl, I was praising God for my (Sarah) Grace, but more importantly, for His (Saving) Grace. I am able to spend eternity with Him because of what Jesus did for me on the cross 2000 years ago. "God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Christ did that for you too. John 1:12&13 says, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." Praise be to God for His all sufficient grace! May this verse be your affirmation this season and coming year:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:14
Love,
Rebekah Adam Caleb Hannah Timothy & Sarah
Christ did that for you too. John 1:12&13 says, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." Praise be to God for His all sufficient grace! May this verse be your affirmation this season and coming year:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:14
Love,
Rebekah Adam Caleb Hannah Timothy & Sarah
