August is here already?

Yes. Summer is almost over, but don't despair. We have great news! Another little Ekelund will be arriving in March. We are very happy. Although, I had to laugh at Caleb's reaction. When we decided to tell the family, Adam said, "Kids come put your ears on Mom's belly." Caleb looked at me questioningly, slapped his forehead, shook his head, and said, "There's another baby in your belly, Mom?" That kid cracks me up.

These are Family Stickers that you put on your car window. I know they are a fad, but I love my family.

Thank you Lord for the blessing of family!

5 Years!

Adam's is from January 2009. Mine is officially from last night (unofficially from January 2011).

Time To Take a Trip?

I haven't posted in a while. I know this. It has been for a combination of reasons mainly just plain "not feeling like it." While the beginning of January is exciting because it is Caleb and my birthday, after that I feel the after-Christmas blues that others feel after the hype of the holidays ends. It doesn't help when it is so, so cold. I LOVE snow. I really do. Especially now that we bought a snowblower.

I HATE cold. I HATE heat too. I just like it to be "perfect." Don't we all?

Adam has to choose his vacation weeks in late October for the following year. I never know what to tell him to pick (because he always asks me). I said, "Take off the week that your mom is here (Feb).

Take off the last week of the year (my dad always did that, and it was fun having him home when we were home on break). And for your third week????" I was hoping he would have something he HAD to go to so I didn't have to pick another week. The only thing he knew were a couple things in the summer with the youth group, but unfortunately the guys with higher seniority took those weeks already. Finally, I said, "Take off the third week in March because that is my Spring Break. Even though it isn't winter yet, I am sure we will need a break at that point in the winter." Little did I know...

After making it through January with only Adam having a nasty cough, maybe I got too cocky? We all got sick in just a rotating schedule that went on and on and on and on and on... There was strep, ear infections, tonsilitis, more strep, more ear infections, many fevers, and Sarah tried to cut 1st year molars too! It was miserable. As the third week of March approached, we started to get better, Timothy finished his 3rd round of antibiotics, and I tried to figure out what we were going to do for a VACATION!

Unfortunately, there were a couple of wrenches in the works. First of all, we have committed ourselves to getting out of debt. Every financial seminar/talk I have ever gone to says the same thing, "Don't spend what you don't have." So, I guess Disney World is out. Secondly, Caleb really wanted to go to a classmate's birthday party on the Monday evening. This would mean the vacation would have to be short, sweet, and a steal!

I had the brilliant idea of spending the weekend with the Lang Gang in DeWitt, IA, but when I called they were having company during that weekend. Plus, Caleb would have to miss the birthday party. We decided to do it another time.

Then, Sunday evening it came to me. Why don't we visit the Pribbs in St. Louis? We miss them so bad, and guess what? We could stop at the Lang Gang's on the way through during the week. Then, on the way back we could go to DeWitt Lutheran Fellowship to see the Lang Gang and Paul & Betti for church on Sunday. Brilliant idea. Thank you, Lord! Now to make the phone calls...

On Monday, after confirmation from all parties we decided to leave on Tuesday. For any of you who know me, I am far from spontaneous. It is kind of fun sometimes to do different things.

Tuesday brought a whole lot of obstacles including our minivan overheating before we even started the trip. The original plan was to take the van to Minneapolis and rent a car to avoid a huge car expense due to the miles. Was this the "huge car expense?" Do we gamble and not rent a car? I may be spontaneous, but I am NO gambler. We rented a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan.

The new features were fun to play with, I must admit.

We finally made it down to DeWitt at 2:30am. All the porch lights were on. Thanks Heidi!

We slept. Played outside. Ate breakfast with Pastor Jay. Found out that Paul & Betti were in Israel. Went to a consignment shop. Played at a park. Waited for everyone to come home from school, and left for St. Louis.

We arrived at the Pribbs at about 8pm. You know you are good friends when you can just pick up your conversations where you left off after not seeing each other for what seems like forever. Everyone may be older. Kids may be taller. But it's like we were never apart. Love you Melissa!

Most of the photo highlights are on Facebook. So I won't go into a lot of detail, but we jumped on the trampoline, sweated in 82 degree weather IN MARCH, went to a Jefferson Barracks park, went to the St. Louis Zoo, jumped on the trampoline, got stuck in St. Patrick's Day Parade traffic, played Wii, grilled outside, jumped on the trampoline, shopped at Target, and did I mention jumping on the trampoline?

The kids really had a great time playing together, and the adults really got a chance to be refreshed (except Brad did have school while we were there). I can't thank them enough for letting the Ekelund family circus invade.

We left on Saturday after lunch to go back to DeWitt and found a Godfather's Pizza stand in a Convenience store when we got there. We hung out with the Gang that evening, and after the kids finally went to bed, Pastor Jay and Heidi resumed their marriage counseling with us that they started over 1o years ago. :)

It was so great to go to church in DeWitt. They were such a warm church family and welcomed us throughout the morning. Pastor Jay preached and Heidi taught Sunday School. Too bad we missed Pastor Paul and Betti this time, but there can always be a next time...

We ended up leaving DeWitt quite late in order to get home at a decent hour. I knew that would happen. It is so hard to say goodbye. Thank you so much Lang Gang for making us feel so welcome in your home.

Until next time...

Sarah's 13 Month Primer

I don't do New Year's resolutions. I just don't. I don't need to decide to change a habit on January 1st anymore than I need to on January 30th or July 19th. Why am I telling you this? Because my non-New Year resolution of blogging more is being trumped by my spending more time growing our family with God. So, if you are checking here often only to be greeted by the Christmas Letter 2010, you may want to frequent my Facebook page instead.

I do want to use this blog as a digital memory book in the place of writing down all their cute sayings and statistics in a journal or baby book.

So, I am sharing Sarah's Primer as of today because she shocked me by saying a bunch of almost-words today!

Da-da, Da-da, Da-da etc. - Dada
Mehm-me - Mama
Pee - Please
Eee - Eat
Dehss - All Done (with dinner)
Caah Caah - Scat Cat (made famous in Hannah's section of Christmas Letter 2010)

So to recap: Sarah is the earliest walker (10 months) and talker (13 months) of my kids. The next was my first born.

Christmas Letter 2010

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

First Day of School

Today was Caleb's first day of first grade! Since we are still in FF, he gets to go to school down the street. Check out his "First Day" picture from last year...

Wheeeee!

Did I ever tell you that my dad was a roller coaster enthusiast? Do you even know what one is? My dad has travelled to many amusement parks in the continental US just to ride the famed roller coaster the park boasts (usually in the front car). I too have enjoyed a roller coaster ride in my day. Just the mechanical kind...

Well, here is our real life real estate roller coaster (say that five times fast). As some of you may know, there was a Homebuyer Tax Credit to stimulate the economy. There was one for first time homebuyers (which we aren't) and existing homebuyers (which we are). The rules were that you had to have a signed purchase agreement before April 30th and close by June 30th.

We had a signed purchase agreement for 514 (Bville house) before April 30th, and we had a buyer for 511 (FF house) by the end of April. The buyers signed the purchase agreement, put down the earnest money, had the inspection (at which point we had 514 inspected), and when they talked to their lender, they were denied the funds and the deal fell through. They even got their earnest money back after the house had been "off the market" for a month. What's the point of earnest money? Wheeeeeeee...

During the "tax credit" period we had 30 showings in two months. Since then, it has been five. I spent a lot of time stressing out about how to boost the curb appeal, enhance the interior, landscape, fix the front steps? Then I prayed. "Please, Lord, get us a buyer so we can close by June 30th and get the tax credit. This credit would help eliminate $6500 worth of debt, and move us closer to our mission field goal. Sounds like a plan God would follow, right? I mean, we are doing it for Him, right? Wheeeeeee...

I asked many friends and prayer partners to pray hard that it will close by June 30th. I bit my nails down to the skin, and about a week ago, He gave me peace. His pocketbook is not limited. He will provide no matter what we have going on. A friend posted on his Facebook status concerning his family's living situation, "God is rarely early, but he is never late." So true.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

So here we are, June 30th. We terminated the 514 purchase agreement today because it was contingent on selling 511. We are at peace in His provision. Ahhhhhh...

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye...

...to yesterday. (Are you humming Boyz II Men right now? We are.)

Message for Gma and Gpa

Full Disclosure

...another house selling term I have come to know amidst all the paperwork we have been filling out as of late...

I wanted to update my stalkers on our new life change. Adam just accepted a call to be a part-time associate youth pastor (with a little bit of worship leader on the side) at Hope Lutheran Brethren Church in Barnesville, MN. So, that is why we have put an offer on a house in Barnesville and have listed our current house. As far as our house goes, we have had some positive showings, but no offers yet. We are leaving it in His hands because we know He has the perfect buyers in mind; ones that want an adorable starter home that is a great deal and move-in ready! Are you feeling the hard sell? Good! You need to buy our house!

So with the start date contingent on selling the house, Adam plans to go up there once a week besides Sunday to start hanging out and getting to know the youth of the church. This is such an exciting time for Adam and our family as he has felt a call to ministry for a long time. God had the perfect position all laid out for him, and we just had to be patient.

When we moved here to attend seminary, through an intricate grapevine, Pastor Rich heard that a new seminarian helped lead worship at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Cranston, RI. Barnesville Lutheran Brethren (their name at the time) needed someone to play a lead instrument. So he took Adam and I out to Subway and asked us to visit on Sunday. We were overwhelmed by the love we received as mere visitors that Sunday and were invited to lunch at one of the elder's houses. On the drive home we knew that we wanted that congregation to be our home church while in seminary. We attended for four years until the commute became too difficult for our family.

We have kept in contact especially with Pastor Rich and his family, and when the church saw the need to add an associate pastor, they thought of Adam. It is such a great thing that we already know many of the families, and that there are new young families that have started attending since we have been gone. So we are excited to not only serve our Savior, but reunite with our Barnesville brothers and sisters.

Praise Him for His blessing to us! So, my faithful stalkers, what can you do (besides buy our house)? Please keep us in prayer as we turn the page and enter a new chapter in our lives and spiritual journey with Christ AND come visit us at our new church home this spring!