Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas dear family and friends!

For those of you who have followed our blog this year, you are already aware of the many challenges we faced in 2007. (For those who are new to our blog .... and have some extra time on your hands .... feel free to catch up). Instead of recapping the challenges we'd love to share with you the many blessings we've recieved this year!

Family...

We've been blessed to live near Laila's family and Jon's sister and brother- in- law. It's been a blessing to spend more time with our growing families.

Our daughters have brought us great joy this year as well. Elizabeth started first grade at Fairview South school in Skokie. We live in the most diverse city per capita in the world (we're told) with over 93 languages represented. We love it! Elizabeth's school is no exception. She has caught up quickly after a year of transition and is doing very well in reading and writing. She especially enjoys art.

Emma is almost five. She misses Elizabeth during the day, but enjoys her own preschool two days a week. She has grown up so much this year, it's hard to believe she'll be in school next year as well. She can often be found making things with little bits of paper and markers and taping them to the walls above our beds.

Evangeline is two and half and keeps us laughing constantly. She is definitely our comedian and makes sure she doesn't miss out on anything. She wants to do whatever the big girls are doing, but will occaisionally be found playing with babies or her kitchen. She loves to sing and has many of her own versions of familiar songs. One of her favorites this season has been her own combination of Jingle Bells and Jesus Loves Me.

Jon and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary this December. All though this was easily our most challenging year, it was also one of the best for sure. We enjoyed a week long retreat this fall on a beautiful lake setting in Wisconsin. It was a much needed break and time to re-focus. We're thankful that God brought us closer to one another and to Him this year.

Church ...

In September, Jon completed his first year as Associate Pastor at Evanston Bible Fellowship. He faced plenty of challenges his first year including moving our congregation to a new location, the Century Theaters in downtown Evanston. Favorite parts of his job include equipping and and enabling the staff in the work of ministry and helping his four interns grow as ministers of the Gospel and as followers of Christ.

Laila's primary ministry has been at home with the girls. In addition, she enjoys mentoring some younger women in our church and also had the opportunity to lead one of our women's bible studies this fall. She has been blessed by new friends who have been loving and supportive during this transition.

We love our church family and are blessed to be able to serve in this way. We know without a shadow of doubt that this is where the Lord would have us at this point in our journey with Him.

Friends ...

We were blessed to have many visitors this year ... friends from our California and Minnesota days. We're also thankful for the many new friends we have made here and the tangible ways they have shown love and encouragement to us this year.

Faith...

If you have had the chance to read through our blog this year, two themes become clear. First, we are desperate and bankrupt apart from our Lord. Second, He remains constant in His faithfulness and goodness. His plans for us are always good, no matter the circumstances we may face. He is always working for our good and His glory.

This Christmas season, in the midst of all the trappings and busyness in our lives, may we pause to revel in His faithful goodness. Because, truth be told, we could never fully experience either apart from the Incarnation. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's faithfulness and goodness. They intersect in the person and purpose of our Lord. With this truth ringing clear this season, we pray that all of our lives would please and praise Him.

Love,
Jon, Laila, Elizabeth, Emma and Evangeline Bechtle

Our new contact info:
4931 Estes Ave
Skokie, IL 60077
(h) 847-673-3199
Jon cell 847-913-6159
Laila cell 847-913-6049

Christmas Card Rejects

So that you can appreciate the efforts put forth to take our Christmas picture this year, we thought we'd share with you the pictures that didn't make it onto the card ... Needless to say, it's nearly impossible to have a 7 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old all looking at the camera, smiling nicely, all at the same time ... Enjoy!

Fall Photo Review

first day of school

Elizabeth and Emma were in a wedding (Katie Severson) in October.

Emma, our doctor and Evangeline, our ladybug, on Halloween

and Elizabeth our cowgirl