Forgive us for posting our Christmas letter online, but we (meaning Laila) couldn’t resist the efficiency of communicating so easily with so many loved ones at once.
We are not really homeless, but often feel that way as we are not currently living in the home we own in Minnesota. For the detailed descriptions of the past few months you can read the individual postings on our blog, beginning with August 12, 2006. A short summary is provided here.
After a whirlwind summer of interviewing, candidating, vacationing, and putting our home on the market, Jon began his new job as Associate Pastor at Evanston Bible Fellowship in Evanston, Illinois on September 1st. Laila and the girls remained in MN with hopes of selling our home, buying a new home in Evanston and quickly joining Jon. In November, when our home had not yet sold, the all the ladies moved in with Laila's parents in Wheaton. Jon has been blessed to stay with an elder's family in Evanston. As a result, our free time has been spent commuting back and forth trying to act like some sort of family. Throughout it all, we continue to be humbled and amazed by our wonderful family who has graciously taken us in and helped ease the stress of this transition.
Needless to say, this has been a challenging time for our family. Thus, our Christmas letter this year serves as a request for prayer from our loved ones. Our most urgent requests are as follows:
-that God would provide for the sale of our home, and the opportunity to purchase a home of our own here.
-that the chaos of this transition would not prove negative for our family, but rather make our faith and relationships stronger.
-for wisdom and grace for Jon as he serves in his new role with multiple responsibilities.
Currently, God has provided a temporary place for us to live through the end of March. Being a large, 3 bedroom apartment in Evanston, we can finally all be together under one roof on a daily basis, which has not been the case for us since August. The girls refer to our new “home” as “the building”. Our apartment is on the first floor but it is a courtyard style building, with several units, so you can understand the association. We are grateful for this reminder of God's continued faithfulness in the midst of this challenging season.
We love our new church home and Jon thoroughly enjoys his new role as Pastor. All though we don’t have a physical home of our own at the moment, we feel very at home in our church and with the new friends we are making here. It remains a joy to be a part of what God is doing in His church and in the world for His glory.
The girls have been great through all this transition. Elizabeth is 6 and in Kindergarten this year. After two wonderful school experiences already this year, we have decided to home school her for the remainder of the school year and start her in 1st grade in the fall once we are finally settled into our new home here. Emma is almost 4. She’s busy at home playing and ever collecting things in bags and carrying them around the house. She insists on wearing dresses everyday, and lately is really into skirts. Evangeline is 16 months, just learned to walk and has discovered a whole new world of mischief. She loves to open drawers and cabinets and empty the contents onto the floor and carry various items around, hoping no one will notice. Potholders and plastic containers are among her favorites. All though it’s been a hectic season, we truly treasure these days with our young family.
We hope this Christmas season finds you all well, and your hearts and minds tuned to the true message of Christmas…..Jesus, the Hope for the world.
We’d love to stay in touch with you. You can contact us via email:
Jon: jonbechtle@ebfchurch.org, Laila: lailabechtle@hotmail.com,
Jon cell: 952-250-0487, Laila cell: 952-2501783
Our mailing address will be my parents address which is :
407 W Thomas Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
or before the end of March, here in Evanston:
535 Hinman Ave E1, Evanston, IL 60202
God’s richest Blessings to you and yours this Christmas and in the New Year,
Jon, Laila, Elizabeth, Emma and Evangeline Bechtle
Friday, December 22, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Fall Memories
We wanted to post some photos from the past few months.....
A day at the apple orchard & pumpkin patch
Our Halloween Princesses and Ladybug
A day at the apple orchard & pumpkin patch
Our Halloween Princesses and Ladybug
Our First Snowfall
Friday, November 10, 2006
Finally Together .... sort of ...
We arrived in Chicago (Wheaton) on Tuesday evening after a very eventful trip that lasted 12 hours instead of 7 1/2. We had two girls with the stomach flu..... poor Emma threw up over 6 times (at least). But, we made it and are getting settled here in Wheaton.
Elizabeth has already started school here at Hawthorne Elementary School and is loving it. We will all go downtown today to spend the afternoon and evening with Jon. Our weeks will be busy with travels back and forth, but it will be nice to be together at least 1/2 of our time.
Our new contact info:
at my parents house: 407 W Thomas Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-690-1621
Jon Cell: 952-250-0487
Laila Cell: 952-250-1783
email: jonbechtle@ebfchurch.org
lailabechtle@hotmail.com
We continue to have showings on our home..... two last weekend, one today and Open House on Sunday..... so keep praying!
Elizabeth has already started school here at Hawthorne Elementary School and is loving it. We will all go downtown today to spend the afternoon and evening with Jon. Our weeks will be busy with travels back and forth, but it will be nice to be together at least 1/2 of our time.
Our new contact info:
at my parents house: 407 W Thomas Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-690-1621
Jon Cell: 952-250-0487
Laila Cell: 952-250-1783
email: jonbechtle@ebfchurch.org
lailabechtle@hotmail.com
We continue to have showings on our home..... two last weekend, one today and Open House on Sunday..... so keep praying!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
More Musings from Chicago…
...a lonely husband's thoughts on human circumstances and the Sovereignty of God.
Not wanting my wife to have all the new millennium fun, I thought I would leave the Dark Ages and take a crack at this new-fangled blog thing.
A lot of you wonderful people have been asking how to pray for me and my family. First of all, thank you. We FEEL your prayers. Without a doubt that is the most important thing you can do for us right now. Again, Thank you!
In terms of specifics, what can I say; it can be very easy for me to feel sorry for myself sitting alone in a basement office day after day, sleeping with my feet dangling off a girl's bed in the home of a church elder with the people I love the most in life being more than 500 miles away. Can you believe it...I am actually tired of eating out!
I want "normal".
But, God in his sovereign grace has decided that I don't need "normal" right now.
So, what do I need? What does my family need? I don't know.
But, I can share with you what I am learning...again.
You could say that my family is going through a classic "valley" experience.
Valleys are interesting places. The only place you can look is up. And when you do look up, you see a whole lot of things that are bigger than you...reminding you of your actual place in this world. For some reason, being in valleys give us all more perspective...about really big things and how we relate to them.
So, you ask, what are the really big things I am learning about?
In short...Valleys!
You see, in His graciousness, God has brought me back to those wonderful people: the Puritans. What’s not to love? Has their ever been a more God-soaked vision of the world and all that is in it?
This prayer in particular has been both a comfort and a challenge…
The Valley of Vision
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.
Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett
Sovereign Grace Ministries has actually written a song based on this prayer:
(you can listen to it by clicking the link Sovereign Grace Ministries next to this post)
So how can you really pray for us right now?
Of course, you can pray that the house would sell and that we could be back together soon.
But, what do you pray in the meantime?
On behalf of my family, I would ask that you pray something like this:
That while the Bechtles are “hemmed in” by the circumstances of life (and our sinfulness to boot!), we may experience new heights with our God and Savior.
And that we may revel in God’s glory in our “valley”,
And as we do so, we may be an example to those who have been, are, or will be traveling these same valley floors.
…just a humble request from a lonely husband (who really doesn't have it all that bad after all).
...a lonely husband's thoughts on human circumstances and the Sovereignty of God.
Not wanting my wife to have all the new millennium fun, I thought I would leave the Dark Ages and take a crack at this new-fangled blog thing.
A lot of you wonderful people have been asking how to pray for me and my family. First of all, thank you. We FEEL your prayers. Without a doubt that is the most important thing you can do for us right now. Again, Thank you!
In terms of specifics, what can I say; it can be very easy for me to feel sorry for myself sitting alone in a basement office day after day, sleeping with my feet dangling off a girl's bed in the home of a church elder with the people I love the most in life being more than 500 miles away. Can you believe it...I am actually tired of eating out!
I want "normal".
But, God in his sovereign grace has decided that I don't need "normal" right now.
So, what do I need? What does my family need? I don't know.
But, I can share with you what I am learning...again.
You could say that my family is going through a classic "valley" experience.
Valleys are interesting places. The only place you can look is up. And when you do look up, you see a whole lot of things that are bigger than you...reminding you of your actual place in this world. For some reason, being in valleys give us all more perspective...about really big things and how we relate to them.
So, you ask, what are the really big things I am learning about?
In short...Valleys!
You see, in His graciousness, God has brought me back to those wonderful people: the Puritans. What’s not to love? Has their ever been a more God-soaked vision of the world and all that is in it?
This prayer in particular has been both a comfort and a challenge…
The Valley of Vision
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.
Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett
Sovereign Grace Ministries has actually written a song based on this prayer:
(you can listen to it by clicking the link Sovereign Grace Ministries next to this post)
So how can you really pray for us right now?
Of course, you can pray that the house would sell and that we could be back together soon.
But, what do you pray in the meantime?
On behalf of my family, I would ask that you pray something like this:
That while the Bechtles are “hemmed in” by the circumstances of life (and our sinfulness to boot!), we may experience new heights with our God and Savior.
And that we may revel in God’s glory in our “valley”,
And as we do so, we may be an example to those who have been, are, or will be traveling these same valley floors.
…just a humble request from a lonely husband (who really doesn't have it all that bad after all).
Monday, October 23, 2006
Chicago Report
With great difficulty and Jon's help we finally arrived in Chicago on Thursday night, October 12. The week prior to our trip I became extremely ill with a sinus infection.... to the point of needing Jon to come up to Minnesota to help us prepare for and make the trip down to Chicago. Thankfully, he was able to rent a car early Wendesday morning and arrive here in the early afternoon to rescue all of us.
I enjoyed a Women's Retreat at EBF on the weekend and continued to recover. Jon and the girls enjoyed a nice weekend in Wheaton with my family and welcomed Ben and Helen for a visit on Saturday.
Jon and I were able to get a night and day away dowtown Chicago where we were pampered at a great hotel in Old Town and enjoyed some great dining, recommendations of our siblings. (Thank you.)
The rest of our week was spent with each of us making some commutes in and out of Evanston trying to spend as much time together as a family as possible. We were all able to attend EBF on Sunday morning, which gave us a great taste of our future life and ministry. All though this transition has not been without its challenges, it was so confirming this week as I stepped into life at EBF, how at home I feel there.
I personally benefitted from lots of rest, which aided in my recovery, as my family took care of the girls and provided me with a much needed break.
On the Minnesota front..... our home remains on the market, a few visitors came through while we were gone, but no promising interest.
We are looking into a possible temporary housing option in the Evanston area that would allow our family to be together for at least 5 weeks or so.
Please continue to pray with us for God's leading in our transition and housing provision. We long to be together as a family and living near our new church home.
I have many new pictures to post, but continue to have difficulty posting them...... keep checking, I'll get them up eventually.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us.
With great difficulty and Jon's help we finally arrived in Chicago on Thursday night, October 12. The week prior to our trip I became extremely ill with a sinus infection.... to the point of needing Jon to come up to Minnesota to help us prepare for and make the trip down to Chicago. Thankfully, he was able to rent a car early Wendesday morning and arrive here in the early afternoon to rescue all of us.
I enjoyed a Women's Retreat at EBF on the weekend and continued to recover. Jon and the girls enjoyed a nice weekend in Wheaton with my family and welcomed Ben and Helen for a visit on Saturday.
Jon and I were able to get a night and day away dowtown Chicago where we were pampered at a great hotel in Old Town and enjoyed some great dining, recommendations of our siblings. (Thank you.)
The rest of our week was spent with each of us making some commutes in and out of Evanston trying to spend as much time together as a family as possible. We were all able to attend EBF on Sunday morning, which gave us a great taste of our future life and ministry. All though this transition has not been without its challenges, it was so confirming this week as I stepped into life at EBF, how at home I feel there.
I personally benefitted from lots of rest, which aided in my recovery, as my family took care of the girls and provided me with a much needed break.
On the Minnesota front..... our home remains on the market, a few visitors came through while we were gone, but no promising interest.
We are looking into a possible temporary housing option in the Evanston area that would allow our family to be together for at least 5 weeks or so.
Please continue to pray with us for God's leading in our transition and housing provision. We long to be together as a family and living near our new church home.
I have many new pictures to post, but continue to have difficulty posting them...... keep checking, I'll get them up eventually.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
I can't believe it's October already.....
We have appreciated the prayers of so many friends and family over the past several weeks. Jon is settling in to his new ministry in Evanston and the girls and I remain in Minnesota. Jon was able to spend four days here the 3rd week of September which was wonderful! We also enjoyed a visit from my mom, which was a welcomed break and support for me in caring for the girls.
This season has certainly been challenging for all of us in many ways. Our home continues to be shown on a some-what regular basis, but no offers as of yet. As we approach the 90 day mark of our home being on the market and the over 30 day mark of our family being separtated, we are contemplating our next steps.
The girls and I will travel to Chicago on October 12th and return on the 23rd. I will be joining the Women's Retreat at Evanston Bible Fellowship and we'll all be able to participate in some of the weekly activities while we're there as well. It will be great to be together as a family again.
Once we return to Minnesota we will spend approximately two weeks here and then plan to "move" to Wheaton and stay with my parents temporarily until our house sells, or another housing option presents itself. This seems like the best decision at this point, to have our family closer together. Elizabeth will be able to enroll in Kindergaten in Wheaton, and there's a possible preschool opportunity for Emma. It will be nice to have some routine and structure while we're there.
So, this is the plan for now..... of course all plans are subject to change at this point, but we just thought we'd publish our latest plans. I do have some new pictures of the girls that take a while to upload, so I will post them in the near future.
Thank you for your prayers ....
We have appreciated the prayers of so many friends and family over the past several weeks. Jon is settling in to his new ministry in Evanston and the girls and I remain in Minnesota. Jon was able to spend four days here the 3rd week of September which was wonderful! We also enjoyed a visit from my mom, which was a welcomed break and support for me in caring for the girls.
This season has certainly been challenging for all of us in many ways. Our home continues to be shown on a some-what regular basis, but no offers as of yet. As we approach the 90 day mark of our home being on the market and the over 30 day mark of our family being separtated, we are contemplating our next steps.
The girls and I will travel to Chicago on October 12th and return on the 23rd. I will be joining the Women's Retreat at Evanston Bible Fellowship and we'll all be able to participate in some of the weekly activities while we're there as well. It will be great to be together as a family again.
Once we return to Minnesota we will spend approximately two weeks here and then plan to "move" to Wheaton and stay with my parents temporarily until our house sells, or another housing option presents itself. This seems like the best decision at this point, to have our family closer together. Elizabeth will be able to enroll in Kindergaten in Wheaton, and there's a possible preschool opportunity for Emma. It will be nice to have some routine and structure while we're there.
So, this is the plan for now..... of course all plans are subject to change at this point, but we just thought we'd publish our latest plans. I do have some new pictures of the girls that take a while to upload, so I will post them in the near future.
Thank you for your prayers ....
Monday, September 18, 2006
On your mark
Get set
GO!
This Saturday in Waconia we celebrated an age old festival called Nickel Dickel Day. The City Sqaure Park is tranformed into a fair-like atmosphere with booths of crafts, baked goods and vendors of all kinds. Other traditions of the day include a 10K, 5K and 1/2 mile run - known as the Tickle - for the younger ones. Elizabeth has waited all year to run in the Tickle and since we're still here, we signed her up!
We were so proud of her as she ran the whole way! I ran along with her in hopes of encouraging her and getting a few photos.... good thing I had everyone cheering for me as well so I could make it to the finish line!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Emma Katherine
We wanted to make sure our delightful middle daughter got recognized as well since she didn't get much press in our last post.
At 3 1/2 Emma keeps us laughing with her literal outlook on life and many questions and comments.
As many of you know, Jon is now living in Evanston while the girls and I remain here in Minnesota. Recently while driving Emma informed us that she would like to live with Daddy. Hopefully she won't share her desire with the other moms at the playground.....
Emma has a very serious side to her and is always making sure we keep track of the rules and regulations of the house. She loves to tell us what's important to do ..... Like "it's very important to read the bible and other stories about Jesus and God...." and "my favorite nutritious drink is water, cause it's very important to drink water...."
She's also our most honest child ..... you can count on Emma to give you the full story of what happened in most instances. And most of these comments are followed up with the phrase "for real, for real!" Recently when she and Elizabeth were having an argument she informed us that "Elizabeth is making me yell at every person in this entire house....."
What's most endearing about Emma is her sensitive spirit. It is very important for her that we approve of her actions and she is deeply broken hearted upon learning she has somehow disappointed us. One thing we've been working on in recent weeks is respect for the members of our family..... Emma's version is "spect" and she frequently asks me if she's being "spectful." Most impor
tantly though, Emma has a tender heart towards God. Last week while getting into the car for some outing she told Jon that she needed to pray right away to ask Jesus into her heart. As we talked with her about what that meant and prayed with her we were blessed to see her humble 3-year old understanding of salvation. What a blessing!
We wanted to make sure our delightful middle daughter got recognized as well since she didn't get much press in our last post.
At 3 1/2 Emma keeps us laughing with her literal outlook on life and many questions and comments.
As many of you know, Jon is now living in Evanston while the girls and I remain here in Minnesota. Recently while driving Emma informed us that she would like to live with Daddy. Hopefully she won't share her desire with the other moms at the playground.....
Emma has a very serious side to her and is always making sure we keep track of the rules and regulations of the house. She loves to tell us what's important to do ..... Like "it's very important to read the bible and other stories about Jesus and God...." and "my favorite nutritious drink is water, cause it's very important to drink water...."
She's also our most honest child ..... you can count on Emma to give you the full story of what happened in most instances. And most of these comments are followed up with the phrase "for real, for real!" Recently when she and Elizabeth were having an argument she informed us that "Elizabeth is making me yell at every person in this entire house....."
What's most endearing about Emma is her sensitive spirit. It is very important for her that we approve of her actions and she is deeply broken hearted upon learning she has somehow disappointed us. One thing we've been working on in recent weeks is respect for the members of our family..... Emma's version is "spect" and she frequently asks me if she's being "spectful." Most impor
tantly though, Emma has a tender heart towards God. Last week while getting into the car for some outing she told Jon that she needed to pray right away to ask Jesus into her heart. As we talked with her about what that meant and prayed with her we were blessed to see her humble 3-year old understanding of salvation. What a blessing!Friday, September 01, 2006
August - A Month of Firsts
This past month has marked a few significant "Firsts" for the Bechtles.....we wanted to share a few of these special moments......
Evangeline Joy celebrated her first birthday on August 12. She's not yet walking, but thinking very seriously about giving it a try. She spends most of her time just a few crawls behind her big sisters and has managed not to swallow any polly pocket shoes as of yet.
This past month has marked a few significant "Firsts" for the Bechtles.....we wanted to share a few of these special moments......
Evangeline Joy celebrated her first birthday on August 12. She's not yet walking, but thinking very seriously about giving it a try. She spends most of her time just a few crawls behind her big sisters and has managed not to swallow any polly pocket shoes as of yet.
Elizabeth celebrated her first ride on her two-wheel bike with no training wheels. A few laps around the park and she was a pro. She enjoys riding around the neighborhood now as the rest of us try and keep up with her.
Our final "first" for came on August 28th when we sent our "first" daughter to her "first" day of Kindergarten. Elizabeth was very excited to get on the bus for her short ride to Bayview Elementary school. She has definitely enjoyed her first week, with the greatest challenge being the 7:00am alarm clock. Her sister Emma misses her very much and enjoys meeting her at the bus when she comes home. 
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Greetings from Minnesota,
...which will soon no longer be the place we call home.
As of September 1, 2006, Jon will be serving in the position of Associate Pastor at Evanston Bible Fellowship (www.ebf-church.org) in Evanston, IL.
We are very excited about this next chapter of our lives as we follow God's leading back to the local church. Jon will be serving in a variety of areas including shepherding the church staff, pastoral counseling, program oversight, some preaching, and on-going development of the Deacon Board. A member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, Evanston Bible Fellowship (EBF) is part of a group of churches whose mission statement includes being within walking distance of a university or college. In keeping with this vision, EBF is located just one block from the campus of Northwestern University. With many college students integated into a vibrant congregation, we are excited to see our sovereign God combine our love for the local church and college students in this new chapter of ministry.
While we have been grateful for the ways in which God has orchestrated the details of this transition, we continue to commit the sale of our home here in Waconia to Him in prayer. Humanly speaking, we probably couldn't have chosen a worse time to put our home on the market (the current status: 9 homes for every buyer). Having just lowered our price significantly to help sell more quickly, we continue to trust that God will bring the right buyer in His perfect time. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers for us in this particular need.
Our current plan involves Jon moving to Evanston and beginning his job on September 1st. In the meantime, Laila and the girls will remain here in Minnesota for at least the month of September in hopes of selling our home. Elizabeth will begin Kindergarten here on August 28. Once our home sells we will pursue "official plans" to relocate. While it can be difficult to have so many details "up in the air", we are seeking to rest in God's sovereign plan. With this in mind, we would greatly appreciate your prayers that we would remain confident of that plan.
As soon as we have a new address and phone number we will make that available. For now you can reach us via email at lailabechtle@hotmail.com, or Jon at the church at jonbechtle@ebfchurch.org.
Again, we would treasure your prayers during this time of transition.
Because of Jesus,
The Bechtles
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Gratitude
(following are the lyrics to a song by Nichole Nordeman that has been an encouragement to us and is our prayer in this season of transition and some uncertainty)
(we are trying to set up a link to listen to the song, but in the meantime, here are the words)
"Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would you send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case....
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If you never send us rain
Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up
And warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case.....
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread
Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need
So, grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be a million miles away
And if that's the case.....
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if you never grant us peace
But Jesus, would you please....."
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