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
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
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
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
How tall is 37?
Emma and I were having a conversation this afternoon which consisted of several questions on her part that really make me laugh..... I thought I'd pass them along?
She knows Daddy is 37, so she wanted to know "How tall is 37?" which was followed up with "When will daddy go bald?" and "how old will you be when I'm 100?" and "how tall is that?"
It's been a blessing to enjoy some of these special conversations with the girls at the end of a stressful 12 months .... Jon and I were just reflecting on the fact that we are beginning to feel a sense of "recovering " from this past year, which is a blessing for sure!
She knows Daddy is 37, so she wanted to know "How tall is 37?" which was followed up with "When will daddy go bald?" and "how old will you be when I'm 100?" and "how tall is that?"
It's been a blessing to enjoy some of these special conversations with the girls at the end of a stressful 12 months .... Jon and I were just reflecting on the fact that we are beginning to feel a sense of "recovering " from this past year, which is a blessing for sure!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Recovering
Jon and I are both recovering from our accident. He had 4 stitches which have been removed, to reveal a nice scar under his eye. His knee seems to be improving and will hopefully continue in that direction. My leg swelling has gone down significantly, leaving a slight lump on my shin. Officially diagnosed as some type of hematoma (subperiosteal maybe?) which means it will take a while for the blood to be re-absorbed and the swelling to go down completely. It is much less painful and only hurts now when going up and down stairs, or when Evangeline runs into it (which is quite often).
We've been so blessed by our family and our church family who have done many home chores and brought many meals for us..... thank you so very much. And those who are far, thank you for your prayers, phone calls and emails....
Laila, for the Bechtles
We've been so blessed by our family and our church family who have done many home chores and brought many meals for us..... thank you so very much. And those who are far, thank you for your prayers, phone calls and emails....
Laila, for the Bechtles
Saturday, July 21, 2007
In need of your prayers
Greetings friends and family,
I apologize for once again being the bearer of bad news......
Unfortunately, Thursday night on our way to Elizabeth and Emma's Vacation Bible School program (only 3 minutes from our house) we were in a significant car accident. Someone turned left right into us while we were driving through a green lit intersection. Our van is totalled, Jon and I are recovering from minor leg and face (for Jon ) injuries. Thankfully the girls are completely fine. What is perhaps most challenging is the emotional trauma of enduring another accident after just recovering from the one I was involved in in April. In our entire lives, neither Jon or I have ever been involved in auto accidents of any kind, so it's been amazing to go through two in such a short time.
We are so thankful that we are all ok. Please pray that the insurance process and replacement of our van would go smoothly and not cause too much additional emotional or financial stress ontop of what has already been a challenging season for us.
I apologize for once again being the bearer of bad news......
Unfortunately, Thursday night on our way to Elizabeth and Emma's Vacation Bible School program (only 3 minutes from our house) we were in a significant car accident. Someone turned left right into us while we were driving through a green lit intersection. Our van is totalled, Jon and I are recovering from minor leg and face (for Jon ) injuries. Thankfully the girls are completely fine. What is perhaps most challenging is the emotional trauma of enduring another accident after just recovering from the one I was involved in in April. In our entire lives, neither Jon or I have ever been involved in auto accidents of any kind, so it's been amazing to go through two in such a short time.
We are so thankful that we are all ok. Please pray that the insurance process and replacement of our van would go smoothly and not cause too much additional emotional or financial stress ontop of what has already been a challenging season for us.
We are so thankful for our families and our church family who have offered so much support, physically and emotionally, thank you!
Monday, July 16, 2007
4th of July and Birthday Celebrations
Here are some photos from Elizabeth's 7th Birthday celebration and the 4th of July.
This was a special birthday for Elizabeth, she got to make a trip to the American Girl Store downtown Chicago and pick out her first American Girl. She chose Nikki, the 2007 Girl of the Year......
We had lunch at a crazy Chicago Landmark called Ed Debevics, a 50's style diner, where the servers are rude and (sometimes) funny, .... the girls loved it!
On the 4th of July, we attended the 4th of July parade in our new town, Skokie, IL. A Picnic with friends and fireworks over Lake Michigan rounded out the great celebration!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
New Address
Some have asked for our new address ....
4931 W Estes Ave
Skokie, IL 60077
We will have a new phone and will post that along with some updated photos later this week.
4931 W Estes Ave
Skokie, IL 60077
We will have a new phone and will post that along with some updated photos later this week.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
God is Good!
This past Sunday, our house sold after it was on the market for almost a year. We continue to trust in God's sovereign goodness while being grateful for your faithful prayers. We ask that you continue to pray that the Lord will lead us quickly to our new house.
Grateful and Excited!
The Bechtles
Monday, May 14, 2007
Fun Pictures
The following is a showcase of the lovely Bechtle ladies (from one proud Pop!)
Let the loveliness begin!
The Emmanator
Evangeline in a quiet (meaning rare) moment
Pretty in PinkMonday, April 30, 2007
Thank You
We wanted to thank those who have been praying for us, especially this past Friday.
We were truly ministered to by each of you..... those physically with us and the many messages we received via email and phone.
Our house did not sell this weekend, but a new peace has entered our home. Anxiety has been diminished and we are mindful of God's continued grace and goodness in our lives. Thank you for allowing His grace and goodness to shine through you.
We will be able to remain in our current housing until June 1st, for which we are grateful.
Your prayers are such a blessing and encouragement to us, thanks for your continued
intercession on our behalf.
We were truly ministered to by each of you..... those physically with us and the many messages we received via email and phone.
Our house did not sell this weekend, but a new peace has entered our home. Anxiety has been diminished and we are mindful of God's continued grace and goodness in our lives. Thank you for allowing His grace and goodness to shine through you.
We will be able to remain in our current housing until June 1st, for which we are grateful.
Your prayers are such a blessing and encouragement to us, thanks for your continued
intercession on our behalf.
Monday, April 23, 2007
A Request for Prayer
Dear Family and Friends,
As many of you know, our home in Minnesota has been on the market since last July. Jon started his new job here in Evanston on September 1st and our home has yet to sell. Throughout the last eight months, we have never doubted God’s leading us to serve at Evanston Bible Fellowship and relocate to the Chicago area. However, our housing situation continues to be a growing challenge in our lives. After lowering the price of our home many times and offering a variety of incentives, we have yet to receive an offer. While we continue to trust in God’s sovereign goodness, we are in a dangerous place of growing more tired spiritually, emotionally, and physically by the day. Many of you have offered to help us and have helped us in a variety of ways, for which we are very grateful. Still, we continue to believe that the most important thing we can ask for is your prayers. Desiring to earnestly and intentionally seek God on this matter, we will be setting aside this coming Friday, April 27th as a time to fast and pray regarding our housing situation. We ask that you would join us as you feel led.
Some specific ways you can pray for us are as follows:
1. the sale of our home
2. wisdom for us as we have many decisions and choices to make regarding this matter: we want to be good stewards of the investment of our home, we want to sell it for a fair price, we want to trust God’s timing, we want to make wise choices for where to live in the mean-time.
3. for our family during this continued time of transition.
4. that the Lord will lead us to the right home in the right place.
5. that God will be glorified in our actions and attitudes regardless of our current circumstances.
Regarding Friday, we would invite those of you in the Chicago area to join us in praying together at our home in Evanston from 7 pm to 10 pm. We are currently living at 2316 Brown, Evanston on the second floor of a two-flat. Feel free to come and go as your schedule allows.
Please feel free to pass this along to others who would be willing to pray with us. Thank you all for your love and support.
Still trusting in His sovereign goodness,
Jon & Laila
As many of you know, our home in Minnesota has been on the market since last July. Jon started his new job here in Evanston on September 1st and our home has yet to sell. Throughout the last eight months, we have never doubted God’s leading us to serve at Evanston Bible Fellowship and relocate to the Chicago area. However, our housing situation continues to be a growing challenge in our lives. After lowering the price of our home many times and offering a variety of incentives, we have yet to receive an offer. While we continue to trust in God’s sovereign goodness, we are in a dangerous place of growing more tired spiritually, emotionally, and physically by the day. Many of you have offered to help us and have helped us in a variety of ways, for which we are very grateful. Still, we continue to believe that the most important thing we can ask for is your prayers. Desiring to earnestly and intentionally seek God on this matter, we will be setting aside this coming Friday, April 27th as a time to fast and pray regarding our housing situation. We ask that you would join us as you feel led.
Some specific ways you can pray for us are as follows:
1. the sale of our home
2. wisdom for us as we have many decisions and choices to make regarding this matter: we want to be good stewards of the investment of our home, we want to sell it for a fair price, we want to trust God’s timing, we want to make wise choices for where to live in the mean-time.
3. for our family during this continued time of transition.
4. that the Lord will lead us to the right home in the right place.
5. that God will be glorified in our actions and attitudes regardless of our current circumstances.
Regarding Friday, we would invite those of you in the Chicago area to join us in praying together at our home in Evanston from 7 pm to 10 pm. We are currently living at 2316 Brown, Evanston on the second floor of a two-flat. Feel free to come and go as your schedule allows.
Please feel free to pass this along to others who would be willing to pray with us. Thank you all for your love and support.
Still trusting in His sovereign goodness,
Jon & Laila
Monday, March 05, 2007
A brief update
Sorry we haven't kept up with our blog..... we have limited email and internet access these days.
We remain in Evanston, renting a 3 bedroom apartment that is acutally the second floor of a large home on the NW side of Evanston, a beautiful area.
Jon and I will travel to MN briefly on the 11th , returning on the 13th to pick up some of our things..... spring clothes, etc.
Our home in MN has seen many showings, but no offers as of yet. Please continue to pray for a quick sale this spring so we can move officially to Evanston and begin to settle in more permanently.
Hopefully we'll have some good news to share soon,
Laila, for the Bechtles
We remain in Evanston, renting a 3 bedroom apartment that is acutally the second floor of a large home on the NW side of Evanston, a beautiful area.
Jon and I will travel to MN briefly on the 11th , returning on the 13th to pick up some of our things..... spring clothes, etc.
Our home in MN has seen many showings, but no offers as of yet. Please continue to pray for a quick sale this spring so we can move officially to Evanston and begin to settle in more permanently.
Hopefully we'll have some good news to share soon,
Laila, for the Bechtles
Friday, December 22, 2006
Homeless for the Holidays (Sort of...)
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
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
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.
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