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

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....."