Our New Home

Standing alone in a room that had just been full of commotion that is now silent, the magnitude of what we had been given was beginning to hit us.  As we watched the last of the “welcome home” guests leave, Adam and I stood in an unbelievably beautiful living room, a room in a house that was radically different only 48 hours earlier.  “What… what just happened…?”  Adam said, dumbfounded. “I don’t know…” I replied.  And overwhelmed, I began to cry.

I don’t believe in coincidences.   Some people do -- random events that converge a surprisingly, sometimes astounding ways.  The chance meeting of an old friend when you were just thinking of them, receiving a “random” gift or hug or kind word when that is exactly what you needed.  Well, this kind of “coincidence” happened on Tuesday, November 12th when Christine Lawson picked up the phone after our family seemingly randomly popped into her mind.  “Can I bring over tacos tonight for dinner?” she asked. I happily accepted.   Dinner made for us by a friend?  Thank you Lord!  She didn’t know about how life was hitting us at this moment, she just wanted to bring over dinner.  But dinner made for us, was a calm that came in the midst of an emotional, spiritual, and physical storm.  Coincidence?  No way.  This is God’s provision for the needs of His children, expressed through the body of Christ.

Beginning late last year, I have been expecting and therefore preparing for some changes coming this fall.  I knew that due to factors beyond my control, my workload would be greatly reduced, and with it, my paycheck.  Part way through this year, I knew that even more changes would be coming, as we found out that Ekelund baby #6 was on the way.  A joyful time, true, but one which also brought with it fatigue and stress.  And most recently, as all these changes began unfolding, Adam hurt his back and was unable to work at his jobs, with a long recovery on the horizon.  With all of these changes happening at once, it seemed like a perfect storm was brewing, and despite our confidence that God *would* provide for his children, it was difficult to shake the fear of not knowing how an uncontrollable and difficult circumstance will be resolved.

So, Tuesday night we were treated to a yummy meal of tacos and all the fixin’s.  We, in turn, “treated” Christine to an hour or so of just sitting on our couch as we talked and ate.  Having four kids of her own back at home under the age of 5, she let us know that getting out for an hour and talking on our couch actually was a treat!  Yay!  J  We chatted about all sorts of different things.  Then, as she looked around our cluttered living room, she said, “Hey, would you ever be able to get away for a weekend so I could do “stuff” in your house?  Would it be alright if I just went through and put some things in totes for you?”  Those words were amazing and sweet words to my ears, but unfortunately, we just couldn’t afford time away with our current situation, but she could put anything she wanted into totes.  I just didn’t have the energy for anything.  She understood and said that she would think about it, but would love for me to come over to her house on Thursday morning for coffee/relaxation and the little kids could have a play date.

Thursday morning came, and Sarah, Joshua, and I went to her home.  She let us know that she had called her partner in crime, Mandy, and they were going to go over to my house that morning and “take some notes.”  Adam came over to Christine’s and we watched the kiddos while the girls “took notes.”  When they came back, we were told that we needed to pack a bag and vacate our home the next day at 4pm with an all-expense paid two-night stay in a local hotel.  Everything else was a closely guarded secret.  I was excited to think that my kitchen floor may finally be mopped!

Amazed, excited, and bewildered at what might be going on in our house, we arrived Friday afternoon at a hotel suite that was stocked with snacks and gift cards for meals, featuring a king size bed, pull-out couch, two TVs, and whirlpool in the room!  The kids were elated that one of the hotel amenities was a pool and hot tub.  They definitely would have slept in their bathing suits if the suits hadn’t been wet from already enjoying pool time right after we arrived.

We received sporadic phone calls throughout the weekend, asking about shoe sizes, favorite toys, or any needs we might have (!!) all the while hearing hammers pounding and many, many people talking in the background.  “We don’t deserve this,” we said to each other many times throughout the weekend.

On Sunday around 4pm, we got the call that it was time to come home.  We pulled into the driveway to see a group of people in our garage and Christine at our front door with a big grin on her face.  She told us to come in and proceeded to shock us with a COMPLETE home makeover.  Everything had been de-cluttered, cleaned, painted, repurposed, and organized.  There were many new items and new-to-us items also installed.  Stop for a moment and think of a drawer or a closet or a room in your house that is so full of stuff that you just don’t think you can or want to organize it.  Now bring that to a grander scale of an entire 1300 square foot house that is a culmination of 10 years of living.  It is like this 10 year burden that all seemed to come to a head last week was lifted in 48 hours through the love of others.

After the incredible tour of our new home, some of the volunteers, or we like to say Bethel Church Missionaries, gathered in the living room with us.  We fumbled around for words that conveyed our thanks and gratitude when, in truth, words could not possibly express our hearts’ feelings.  Joel led a prayer that glorified our Father in heaven for what happened this weekend, and we were left alone in our new home.

Ultimately, we were given an incredible, awesome, unbelievable, and life-changing gift.  Our lives were changed because of what happened this weekend.  We were given a fresh start, a new home, a chance to breathe, relief from a burden that was hanging over our heads to which we saw no end.  The only thing we can say in response to this past weekend’s events is “Thank you, God.  Thank you for the body of Christ.  Thank you God for Your love that comes to and flows through us to one another.  Thank you for being the tie that binds us together; the Source of our love for each other.”

I feel so truly deeply touched an overwhelmed by what people have done here that I am daily brought to tears, because, what did I do to deserve this?  Nothing.  I did nothing (!), and frankly I don't deserve this.  It is too much for me to comprehend a gift like this.  How can I receive it?  How can I use any words to express how I feel, when they fall so vastly short of my deep gratitude in the face of this unbelievable love for us.  And my mind turns to our Savior.  I live every day in the peace, forgiveness, and salvation that came from another – and infinitely more undeserved – gift.  But how do I react to that?  Am I overcome to the point of tears?  Am I elated to the point of laughter and singing?  Am I humbled to the point of silent thankfulness?  Truly, what is my reaction to God’s ultimate gift of his Son? 

Lord, help me to be confronted daily with the magnitude of the gift of your Son, what He sacrificed for someone as undeserving as me.  Let my life be a light and a testimony of what forgiveness from God means, and truly shout from a mountaintop in my heart, “You, Lord, Your Name alone be praised!”

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”   -Ephesians 3:20-21

Christmas Letter 2012

Christmas is coming!  Christmas is coming!  Christmas is coming!  Christmas is coming!

So what is new with the Ekelund fam?  Once again, we traveled eastward to visit family, but mainly to see my brother Matthew get married on February 11th in NH.  In March, Ekelund #5 was born, Joshua Matthew, named after my brother.  On a sad note, my mom, Beverly passed away on April 19th after almost a 30 year struggle with depression.  She was 63 and is missed very much.  Two-week old Joshua and I flew home for the funeral.  While it is painful without her, I know she is happy, healthy, and with her Savior.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Our family still attends Bethel Lutheran Church, and Adam teaches senior high Sunday School and 3rd grade Kidventure (1st-4th grade program on Wednesdays).  Bethel called Pastor Rich Iverson (yep! the former senior pastor in Barnesville) to be our Faith @Home Pastor.  Something really cool is happening at Bethel.  As a whole church, we began The Story which is a 31-week journey through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  It's the story of "God's great love for us, how far we have gone from that love, and the extent to which He will go to bring us back."  What's great about this is the pastor preaches on a passage of Scripture, the Sunday School classes teach the same passage, the youth groups learn the same passage, and the weekly Bible studies study the same passage.  So, there is a cohesiveness in what we are all learning and when we are learning it.  This really contributes to the Faith @Home model of studying God's Word.  As parents, we want to be the primary source pointing our children to Christ, but are blessed to be supported by the body of Christ.

If you have been following us on Facebook, you may have seen that we ripped up the carpet in our living room.  I could no longer keep up with the stains.  They won...or did they?  Now, thanks to Adam, we have beautiful hardwoods.

Caleb played football for the first time this summer and found a new passion.  He learned a lot and hopes to play again next year.  He is in 3rd grade at Cleveland Elementary, and still loves "recess" the best.  During recess, he runs around the soccer field in a program called JAWS (Jogging And Walking Students).  Students can choose to run laps during recess instead of playing on the playground.  For each lap, they get a card punched.  Once they "finish" a card (25 laps), they get a sneaker-shaped charm on a chain.  Caleb hopes to run the most laps at school and get a trophy.  And of course(!) all he wants for Christmas is his two front teeth. 

Hannah got an awesome present at the beginning of this summer.  Her friend Elise moved back to town!  I think both of them spent EVERY day from June 1st until the beginning of school together.  Praise the Lord for best friends!

For Timothy's 5th birthday, he wanted to go to the YMCA.  It just so happened that the night of the party, there was a Halloween party for the community in the gym.  We had cake and presents, and then played tons of games and jumped in a bouncy house in the gym.  So fun!  He is in his 2nd year of preschool and has even started to read.  It helps having older siblings to teach you.

Sarah is turning 3 years old on Christmas.  She is talking up a storm and asserting herself all over the place. She loves Dora the Explorer and dancing in her purple, Dora dress.  As she looks out the window of our van and sees Christmas lights, she says, "It's my birthday!" and "I see Christmas!"

Joshua turns 9 months on December 25th.  He is still toothless, but is very mobile.  He crawls everywhere and pulls up to a stand whenever and wherever he can.  He is definitely Mommy's little man, as he makes sure I am within arm's length (his!) at all times.  He loves his sibs, and we are blessed that he is part of our family.

During this season, we often hear the word "Advent," as in the coming of Christ into the world as an infant.  The Old Testament whets our appetites for a coming Savior in Isaiah 11.  God's chosen people waited for the Messiah.  Then, Joseph and Mary are both told by angels of the Messiah's coming birth (Matthew 1 & Luke 1).  And one night, in a lowly stable Jesus Christ, Immanuel (God with us) was born and placed in a manger. He came just as was foretold!

So now, we look forward to celebrating the First Noel later this month while continually anticipating Christ's Second Advent.  When he will "himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God...And so we will be with [our] Lord forever. (from I Thess. 4).  Now we say, "Christ is coming!  Christ is coming!  Christ is coming!  Christ is coming!"

We pray you find encouragement with these words and His peace this season.

Love,

Rebekah Adam Caleb Hannah Timothy Sarah & Joshua

Joshua Matthew's Birthday

Joshua Matthew Ekelund

Born 7:55pm March 25, 2012

7lbs. 4ozs. - 20.5in. long

Again, I want to write down Joshua's birth story before I forget. When I was 37 weeks pregnant, I felt HUGE. I was sure this baby was going to be either 10 pounds or 30 inches long. I started getting horizontal stretch marks! I saw the doctor on Tuesday the 20th and when he checked me for dilation, I was at a "0." The day that was chosen to be the birthday was Friday, March 30th.

Hannah was excited for the baby to have the birthday the day before hers. Little does she know that means joint birthday parties for the rest of their lives.

The day after my doctor's appointment, I just kept having a sharp, knife-like pain on the left side "down there." It hurt to walk. It hurt to sit. It hurt to get on the floor and change Sarah's diapers. It hurt to get up. All I could do for the weekend was lay on my right side in my bed. Because the pain was relieved when laying down, I figured the baby was laying on a nerve or something.

On Friday night, we had Hannah's 6th birthday party at the YMCA. As long as I sat down a lot and walked slowly, I could make it through. YMCA swimming parties are the way to go. For a fee, they set up, play games, organize gift giving, serve cake & juice, fill goodie bags, and clean up while guests are swimming. Perfect for a very pregnant mama.

Sunday came, and I just laid in bed. Adam went to teach confirmation during the Sunday school hour, and then came to relieve me. The pain was much worse. It was now on both sides and laying down didn't help. Around 5pm I finally gave in and called the OB floor at the hospital to ask if the pain was normal pregnancy pain. The nurse said that it could be a bladder infection and to come right in so they could prescribe antibiotics to take away the pain if necessary. I told Adam I was going in to check out the pain and drove to the hospital. By the way, driving the car with standard transmission hurt immensely every time I shifted. Thank goodness the hospital is only a few blocks away.

I had to stop at the ER before going up to OB, as that is policy, but the ER nurses said that a trauma had just come in, and there was no one available to take me up to OB in a wheelchair. OB said that it was ok with them, if it was ok for me to walk up there. I did...just reeeaaallly slowly.

I got there and Nurse Pat took me to a room, told me to put the gown on, and hooked me up to the baby/contraction monitor. She said that the lab was backed up and it might take a while to get the test results. I just switched on the TV and waited while listening to the sweet sound of my baby's heartbeat. I wasn't feeling any contractions, but curiously looked at the monitor, and saw that there were a few here and there.

At about 7pm, I felt a little pressure release "down there." I prayed, "Oh no, Lord. Please not now. Please don't let my water break. It isn't Friday yet. Charlayne won't be here to help until Saturday." I called Adam on my cell phone, and amidst my tears of fear, I said, "I haven't told the nurses yet, but I think my water just broke." As I said the words, I felt the gushing of the fluid. I confirmed to Adam that my water definitely broke, and he should find a babysitter ASAP. Then, I pressed the call button for the nurse.

I told Pat that my water had broken. She looked at me in amazement, but helped me transfer to the drier bed next to me. I profusely apologized for "wetting the bed" even though I obviously couldn't help myself. Dr. P was on-call, and I asked if there was any way they could keep me from going into full blown labor so that Dr. N could deliver the baby. She said that she didn't know, and we could ask.

After that things started to move really fast. The Anesthetist Pat (A. Pat)came in, and I asked him if we could wait, and he said, "No. Once your water breaks, we must do an emergency c-section because the pain can go from manageable to unmanageable really quickly." He assured me that Dr. P was a good doctor as his wife and daughter go to him. You have to understand. It isn't that I don't think he is a capable doctor, as many of my friends have him deliver their babies. It is just that Dr. N has delivered my four kiddos, as well as performed surgery for my ectopic pregnancy. I just trust him.

(Side note on A. Pat: He was my anesthetist when I was in labor with Caleb. I just remember the epidural I had didn't relieve ALL the pain. I can remember saying, "WHERE'S PAT?? GET PAT!!" over and over in the wee hours of that January morning.)

I asked A. Pat how long it would be before I was in surgery. He said probably within 30 minutes. Yikes! I had told Adam to take his time. I called him quickly and said, "I don't want to stress you out or rush you, but you have to get here as soon as you can. They said surgery within 30 minutes." A. Pat assured me they would wait for him. It seemed like Adam showed up 2 minutes later, but it was probably the three people asking me all sorts of questions simultaneously that made me lose track of time.

I started crying because I was nervous. I had been calm before this, but seeing Adam, and realizing I was going into surgery again (and having that HUGE needle put in my back again) just made me scared. After all the people left to go up to the OR, God did something amazing. Adam prayed with me about the excitement of meeting our new little one, the fear we felt about the surgery, clarity for the surgeon, and all the other things that I needed to hear right at that moment. I can't describe the relief, calm, and peace that came over me during and after talking to our Savior.

Adam and A. Pat wheeled me down to the OR in a wheelchair. Adam went to put on his outfit (he loves when I call it that). I went in to get prepped for my 5th c-section. A. Pat was very comforting. The spinal anesthesia went a whole lot better (no moaning like an idiot) this time. Adam came in to hold my hand and snap more pictures than he has ever taken during the surgery.

I didn't feel a thing this time. I am laying there wondering if it was going to be a boy or a girl knowing we didn't have any boy's names we agreed on, thus solidifying my presumption that it was going to be a boy.

Then, I hear Adam say, "We have a baby boy! I can't believe it." Next, I hear a sound that I love...my baby's first cry.

Adam left with Nurse Pat and Baby Boy Ekelund to go back to the OB floor for tests and baby's first bath (I look forward to smelling that baby lotion smell when we are reunited). Dr. P sewed me up. The only bad thing that happened was I was really nauseous and gagging as he was putting my uterus back inside where it belonged. Apparently, it didn't want to go back in. Later, I laughed to myself because I liken it to assembling something for a long time only to be left with one lone screw. Hmmm...where was that supposed to go. But I digress...

I stayed in recovery for what seemed like FOREVER. It was about 30 minutes. I couldn't rejoin my husband and newest family member until I could wiggle my toes. I tried so hard, but there is just no rushing it.

Finally, A. Pat wheels me back down to the OB floor. I see Adam with the baby in the room behind the glass. Adam came out and said, "When I laid my hand on his chest, the first name that came to me was Joshua Matthew."

"Perfect," I thought.

The name Joshua means, "God is my salvation." Praise be to God our Savior for this precious blessing!

Joshua's verses (and song) are from Isaiah 40:28&29

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

1977 Year End Report

This is why I blog for my kids. I do wish I was a little more detailed, but c'est la vie. Thanks Mom!

Christmas Letter 2011

Time for another Ekelund Family Christmas Letter. I actually like writing these because as I look through this past year’s pictures, I get to remember the blessings God has given us.

After a year and a half and lots of prayer, Adam decided to step down at the end of September as Associate Pastor at Hope Lutheran Brethren Church in Barnesville. We loved the friends and fellowship at the church, but ultimately, our house in Fergus didn’t sell. It was very important to us to live in the community where Adam served a church and it wasn’t God’s timing. We said “goodbye” at the annual Fall Picnic and Hayride. After he said goodbye, he was approached by Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus to help teach confirmation class. Adam continues to work part-time at UPS driving and in the warehouse and also helps our neighbor book loads for his trucking company.

I (Rebekah) had a rough year physically as I struggled with eczema on my hands which was accompanied by some depression, but after a great visit with a dermatologist, healing came quickly. Then, more joy came with the discovery that I was pregnant. I continue to be a homemaker, breakfast getter, book reader, kid snuggler, diaper changer, etc. while fitting in teaching online chemistry at M State. As far as ministry goes, I continue to seek the Lord how best to be a godly wife and mother as I desire to encourage my husband and children in their relationships with Christ. I read a great article of confirmation as my role as a missionary to my family. It was entitled Motherhood as a Mission Field. You should check it out!

Caleb started 2^nd grade at Adams Elementary in Renee Larsen’s class. One of her passions is monarch butterflies. So, Caleb got to see monarchs emerge from their chrysalises, identify the sex, tag them, and set them free to migrate to Mexico. He is doing very well in school, and when asked, his favorite subject is still “recess.”…And finally, he lost his first tooth.

For Hannah's 5th Birthday, she was given dance classes. She loves to dance and still draws every chance she gets. In September, she entered Kathy Bjork’s kindergarten class at McKinley Elementary. She goes half-day, is quickly learning to read, and is thrilled to be in the same class as her best friend Ellie.

Timothy is a big 4 year old! For his birthday cake, he wanted “a dinosaur cake with his face on it" and a bowling party. He makes us smile, and his laugh is infectious. He can climb, jump, and throw just about anything (and everything), and he started Otter Preschool two days a week at McKinley Elementary in Ms. Tara’s class.

Sarah turns 2 this Christmas. She still has her bright eyes and zest for life. She wants to do everything her older siblings do, and her vocabulary is growing daily. Here is Sarah’s “Primer”:

Caka = Caleb

‘Enna = Hannah

Timpy = Timothy

Peebo = Peanut Butter

Bucky = Milk

Duck = I’m stuck!

This Christmas and throughout this past year, God has blessed us immensely. What first comes to mind is the amazing blessing he has given me to carry another child. What a privilege it is to nurture and grow a little one! What comes to mind as we enter the Christmas season is the blessing of God’s son born of a virgin in Bethlehem. This little blessing came to give us the immeasurable blessing of saving us from our sins and eternal punishment (John 3:16&17).

The amazing part? This blessing isn’t just for me, as the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in Luke 2:10&11, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” This Christmas, I pray that you find great joy in His blessing!

Love,

Rebekah Adam Caleb Hannah Timothy Sarah & Baby

Cute Words

Sarah is starting to say lots more words, but my favorite so far besides "Dada" & "Mama", of course, is "Caba", "Enna", & "Timpy.

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...