WHAT?!

I'm surprised that my mom and dad have not been posting more pictures of me!



After all, I am adorable.


Actually, it is kind of upsetting to think about.


Oh well, guess I'll just be patient... and "peace"ful.




-Rolland Pax

(Of course, he didn't right this, but it is funny to imagine, right?!)

Enough Suspense

His name is Rolland Pax Sterken.


It means "Renowned Land of Peace and Strength."


From the Daddy,
Our inspiration came from Isa. 30:15 "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..."

We pray that he will find strength through the peace of/with God (Heaven, the renowned land)


Erika will probably write more when she is up to it :-)

Hooray!

This is the best "mountain top" that we could find so shout from:
Our son is born!! December 9, 2008 at 7:45am; 20.5 inches, 8 lbs, 10 ozs.
Pictures are on the way.

Not What We Expected

Yesterday we expected that:

• Dave would go to work,
  
• Erika would have a non-stress test appointment, and
  
• we would have a nice, relaxing Friday evening together.

Here's what really happened:

• Dave went to work. So far, so good, but
• Erika drove into a snowy ditch on the way to her appointment, so
• Dave got the rest of the day off work to help his overdue wife out of the ditch, which meant that
• Dave got to go to the non-stress test appointment with Erika, which was good because
• the test showed that Erika was having contractions 2 minutes apart, so
• we got sent over to the Labor and Delivery triage area, where
• we spent over 2 hours confirming that Erika was not actually in labor or anywhere near having a baby, after which
• we went home and had a nice, relaxing Friday evening together.

I guess we weren't that far off.

Happy Thanksgiving

Giving thanks for many blessings...


... and still waiting for one more.

Still Waiting...

Well, today is the Due Date, but I'm beginning to suspect that Stroopie didn't get that memo. So far he seems happy enough to continue looking like a basketball from the outside...while occasionally kicking me in the ribs. I beginning to wonder if I'm going to have to drape his "Baby's 1st Thanksgiving" bib across my belly for the photos on Thursday.

If you're looking for something to do while you wait, Dave and I have been enjoying the daily crossword at www.thinks.com recently. You can do it online, and you can check answers as you go (if you want). I usually wait till I'm stuck, hit the check button, and watch about half my answers disappear. Oh well, it'll help me stay sharp in case I'm 80 years old before this baby comes out.

3 Years and Counting

November 18 has always been a big day for us!

It was on November 18, 2005, during the lighting of Michigan Avenue that we began to develop a mutual interest in each other while attending Moody Graduate School in Chicago.


One-year later, Dave proposed to Erika (after a nostalgic day of scavenger hunting) and she said "Of course!" That means "yes."



Last year we celebrated the 1st Anniversary of our Engagement on November 18, married and just starting to look forward to the opportunity to serve the Lord overseas.



This year we celebrated with plans for moving to Croatia in full swing...

...and a baby on the way!

Check out the website

Erika has written another article for MK2MK. Check out "Permanent Change of Station" at www.send.hr/mkcamp/mktomk or click the link to MK Camp at the left of this article.

Hiking with Kids

This weekend we went up north to visit some friends. We learned some valuable lessons about taking kids hiking:

1) Know how long your route is before you go.
2) Bring more adults than children.
3) Damp leaves = pre-moistened wipes.

Creative Writing

I imagined each of these photos being part of an independent and fascinating blog entry, but instead they're a series of semi-unrelated shots. I'll let you make up your own story for each one as you scroll down, and then I'll give a little explanation at the bottom:

1

2

3

4

5

1) The reason they make pregnancy tops for women in their 8th month

2) Erika's first experience with cream horns (Dave used to get these after getting shots...although Erika's the only one who's gotten shots lately)

3) Dave arriving home from work and still looking fresh (and having just presented the cream horns)

4) After Erika's home-hair cut (compare to the mullet in photo 1 to see why this was necessary)

5) What Erika found when she got the bread machine out the other day. So that's where the leftover breadsticks went. (Also note the belly that couldn't keep itself out of the top-down pic.)

Once more in the Woods

We really enjoy camping! We are so thankful that God gave us one more opportunity to get out in the woods this year. This time we went to Muskegon and even though we did not bring Erika's enormous marshmallos, we did have lots of great food over the fire and a wonderful day of hiking.

We even found a luge track...





The biggest luge-rs?

What a way to spend a week

We had a wonderful and busy week when the Noble's came to town! After a month or two of plugging away with our support contacts, we were ready for a change of pace. Well, we sure got it! Dave started a new job at a charter school as a "para-professional" the very same week the Nobles came for a visit. It has been amazing to see God in work in our support discovery process. He is meeting the needs we have for future ministry as well as our current financial needs. AND we can see His hand at work in the lives of our family and friends, too. It seems like God has so much to do, but He is never too busy.

Unlikely Economics

I (Dave) set a new personal record last Friday when I got--not one, not two, but THREE job offers. OK, so maybe "substitute teacher" is stretching the definition, but it was a real possibility for work. Two of the job options (subbing or working part-time for a food testing lab) seemed like good ideas because those jobs left me with ample time for contacting churches and working on Partner Development. Nonetheless, I accepted the third offer, which is a full-time job working as a teacher's aide. This has set me to thinking about God's economics.

This new job opportunity (which includes insurance benefits) came along at just the right time. My short-term insurance recently ended, Erika will soon lose coverage, we have a baby coming soon, and our bank account has sprung a leak that just won't quit. The new job seems to be God's way of providing for all of those needs, as well as giving me a chance to be involved in education again! But what about the time we need for Partner Development?

You may remember our story about Erika's birthday when we were awarded a $10,000 matching grant. Last week we finished (finally) all the official paperwork for that grant AND last week we moved above 50% of the way to fulfilling the match. What that means is that since Erika's birthday in July we have received more than $500 in monthly pledges! And along with those pledges, we've gotten wonderfully encouraging notes from our partners. One, an adult MK, wrote about his understanding at a personal level the need for this type of ministry. Another supporter increased his pledge and explained how excited he is to be an active part of what God is doing in Europe.

I have learned during this week of upheaval in the US economy that God's economy is something altogether different. Only He can meet our needs now and in the future, so I must be careful not to put my confidence anywhere else--not in my bank account, not in my job, and not even in my "abilities" to convince people to give money to camping ministry.

Things change so much in 4 months

Here is a picture of Erika in May...

...and a picture of Erika in September.

So much has changed, and not just the things you can see in the pictures! There have been good times and hard times, both of which we trust God will use for our ultimate good and His glory. There have been steps that bring us closer to ministry in Croatia and things that feel like setbacks.

Here are a few steps we've taken towards Croatia:

1. Just last week we heard news that the government is at last beginning to issue work permits to our co-laborers!
   
2. We have been asked to begin some more writing for the MK Camp website/internet magazine.
   
3. We have seen the Lord add several more financial supporters.
   
4. We have cut our monthly expenses, streamlined our lifestyle, finished most of our training, and begun to practice language.

All of this is in an effort to be ready when God opens the doors to Croatia for us.

We are so excited to see what will unfold in the next 4 months! If the Lord wills (James 4:15), we will be holding our son (in between diaper changings), finished with all of our training for SEND, and be "outward bound" for Croatia. We know there will likely be more "surprises," but we know that God is constant in His love for us, His plan for us, and His ability to work out all things for the good of those who love Him. We look forward to what He will bring next!

Thoughts on "support discovery" (by Dave)

We are certain that God is leading us to ministry in Croatia, but going with a faith-based organizations means waiting and asking for funds to support that work. I thought I would share some reflections on how my attitude has changed from "we are begging for money" to "we are offering opportunities."

As I do the math on our ministry budget there are two things are that are clear to me:
1) This is God's work and as I heard a pastor say: "God's will, God's bill." (It is beyond us!)
2) God works through people. (Money doesn't grow on trees)

Some years ago my mom went into the hospital, and after a few days my dad made an observation that I have not forgotten. God could have healed my mom through prayer, or sent a pastor to heal her through the laying on of hands, or some other miracle. He didn't. Instead, God sent many people from the church and our family who sat with her, encouraged her, and supported her when she came back home. By using many people God multiplied the blessing of my mom's recovery.

I can see God working in the same way for Erika and me (Really, God is working for the MKs and the unreached that we are going to serve) . If somebody gave us a check today for $468,000 we could finalize plans to move to Croatia for our first term, but who would go with us? As of today we have at least 52 committed prayer partners, 23 committed monthly givers, a loving church, and many other supporters who have given us gifts and great encouragement. All of these people will go with us (in God's eyes and in our hearts) when we begin to minister in Croatia.

Just like God brought together a team of people when my mom was in need, we can see Him bringing a together a team of people to support the ministry to MKs. As we leave for Croatia and as we see lives changed it will not be to our credit nor for our encouragement alone. God is multiplying the blessing of His work!

P.S. We are creeping closer to having half of our monthly financial needs met. We still have a match-grant available for new ongoing supporters. Praise God for His provision!

Midwest Adventure

Our Midwest Adventure Mission Statement: To see as many of our Midwest supporters and friends as possible (we wish we could've seen everyone!) within a reasonable amount of time, and using a reasonable amount of gas. And now for the rundown of our exciting life on the road!

Wednesday (to Chicago):

• lunched with Holly (mmm...french onion soup at Bistro Margot)
• coffeed with Sarah, an "MK Camp" alumnae who is starting her freshman year at Moody
  
• visited the Espiritus and the Millers (thank you to Kristen for drawing my uterus on a whiteboard while explaining what labor will be like)
• slept in Lewie and Ryan's creaky-floored appt

Thursday (to Paletine):

• lunched on Devon Ave (mmm...Indian buffet)
• took at pic in front of The Indian Garden (this is where Dave once surprised me by paying for lunch while I was in the bathroom and then declaring that we were on our first real date)
• supped and slept at the Englishes (thanks, Heather, for the veggie-full dinner!)

Friday (to Kenosha):

• stopped by an outlet mall and found 1) an adorable plaid onsie for Stroopie, 2) a greasy foodcourt lunch, and 3) a fantastic deal on Harry and David truffles
• toured lake-side Kenosha with Uncle Gordy and Aunt Debbie in their convertible (with the top down!)
• compared bellies with Dave's cousins, Sarah and Emily (all 3 of us are due in late November)

Saturday (to Wausau):

• ate delicious homemade blueberry pancakes (thanks, Uncle Gordy!)
• drove to Wausau in time for a splash pad birthday party for one of our niece Abby's friends
• had a biscotti bake-off (chocolate vs cardamom) (like that's a competition...)

Sunday (in Wausau):

• drank foamy lattes while taking turns getting spit up on while trying to feed our niece, Lauren (poor girl!)
• attended (and enjoyed) Dan and Kristy's church
• watched Dan go crazy with a borrowed smoker (chicken, beef jerky, tomatoes, onions, squash, jalapenos, etc.)
• survived a night of Bible Bingo with our nieces while D&K went on a bikeride date

Monday (Labor Day in Wausau):

• puffed a pancake for breakfast and ate it with foamy lattes
• experienced our first small-town waterski show
• sat around and did not labor

Tuesday (to St Paul):

• drank foamy soy lattes
  
• caught up with Uncle Tom at a Panera in St Cloud
• had Thanksgiving-style dinner and stayed overnight with the Thompsons (with a due-date 4 days after T-day, this may be the only Thanksgiving dinner I eat this year!)
  

Wednesday (to Devil's Lake):

• lunched with April and kids at Potbellies
• mall-walked with April and kids
• camped at Devil's Lake (it was warmer, dryer, darker, and quieter than we dreamed possible...heavenly)

Thursday (to home):

• woke up in the rain
• took down our tent in the rain
• hiked in the rain
• drove home in the rain
• unpacked in the rain

Greetings from Stroopie. He started kicking as I was sitting here staring at the blank screen as if to say, "Let's go, Mom. You don't have all day." No time for writer's block when you have a kid--or a fetus--apparently.

I read today that my uteris has graduated from soccer ball to basketball. I didn't realize there was much of a size difference between those balls, and I'm not convinced I'm WNBA material yet, from the number of people who tell me I "don't look pregnant," and I "certainly couldn't be entering my 3rd trimester." On the other hand, no one noticed my haircut yesterday in church, so I'm a little curious what people see when they look at me. I was dreading all the helpful comments from people who would try to make me feel better about my middle-aged-woman-wannabe-80s-rockstar haircut, but it was a nonissue...which didn't make me feel better.

Here's a pic taken 2 days ago, which shows both belly and new hair cut. I don't fully understand why beauticians like to blowdry my hair straight and then curl it, because I'm pretty sure that when I leave it alone it comes out just as curly, but that has very little to do with the size of my belly, so I'll move on.

This one was taken this afternoon. Maybe it's just my posture that affects my ABS ("apparent belly size").

Danish Camping

After a long 2 weeks of pretty steady work, we arrived at our campsite on Thurs afternoon with high hopes and huge, homemade marshmallows. The tent went up quickly and we were happy to see that the rustic end of Lake Wabasis Campground was pretty deserted, except for us and one small family. Our expectations began to change, however, as rumbles of thunder and a sudden, short downpour convinced us to explore the surrounding towns with a short drive. To Dave's delight, this little excursion led to the discovery of a Starbucks and so we "officially" started our camping adventure with a decaf soy latte (Erika's choice).

We returned to the campsite and found plenty of semi-dry firewood for the weekend, and also discovered that some "neighbors" had pitched their tent in the woods. Our campfire dinner was delicious and the gigantic s'mores were fantastic! It was also a blessing that our camping neighbors went to bed early, probably tired out from shouting obscenities at each other throughout the evening.

The next morning Erika went for a Danish dip in the lake, and all was still quiet as we left our little campsite and headed to the Danish Festival (one of only 8 Denmark-themed festivals in the US). The crowded main street included two booths that seemed to fit the bill. One sold Danish souvenirs, the other sold a version on Aebelskiver (the Danish "pancake ball"). We walked all over the town looking at the occasional Danish flag, and searching for something that might remind Erika of her visits to Denmark. At last we sat down to watch the children's parade. Little kids dressed like up as fairytale characters (a la Hans Christian Andersen)--and some dressed like superheros--walked, ran, biked, and powerwheeled along behind a volunteer band in red vests and black knickers. The parade was followed by a mildly entertaining "Princess and the Pea" bed race in which teams pushed hospital gurneys up and down the road. We did not find Tivoli Gardens or the Danish cuisine that we had hoped for, but it was nice day to be outside and it was fun for Dave to hear about Erika's memories of Denmark.

Back at the campsite, we were looking forwarding to using our campfire popcorn-popper, and we were wondering if our fellow campers had discovered any new ways to drop "The F-Bomb." We arrived at our campsite to a mixed blessing. Our noisy neighbors were keeping pace with the previous evening's tirades, but now their voices were mixing with three other raucous groups to form an indistinct background chatter of profane language, which was somehow less distracting. While the cursing, swearing, and shouting of our new, younger neighbors helped in that way, we eventually discovered that they also had a much later bedtime.

We dismissed the idea of waking up at dawn and preparing a very loud breakfast, but we did make a very good-smelling breakfast (take that!) before we packed up our tent and headed out (just as we began to hear our neighbors waking up and complaining about headaches).

Despite the crazy evenings, God did bless us with good sleeping, good eating, and good hiking on some short yet beautiful trails that helped us to clear our heads and relax after our "vacation."

We are Everywhere!

Last year we helped out with AWANA at our local church (and we will probably sign up to help this year, too). One of the favorite games to watch is the 4-way tug-o-war in which all four teams pull on a circle of rope as they strain to grab the pin behind them. It should be an Olympic event. These past few weeks, Erika and I feeling like the rope in the contest.

Since returning from training in Farmington we have: sent out newsletters (some by e-mail and some by post); called churches; started planning a trip through the Midwest; met with a pastor, a professor, and a fund-raiser; enjoyed leading our first Bible study for young-adults; took a last minute baby-sitting job watching 7 kids; and tried to keep up with our "regular" communication and prayer for our Ministry Partners. (Our list doesn't hold a candle to Paul's in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, but we are not boasting either.) Now, on Day 11 of our daunting 12-day schedule, we are trying to finish on two sets of frazzled nerves.

On the bright side, we look forward to a refreshing and refocusing weekend camping trip this week. Please keep us in your prayers as we finish up a long to-do list, take our short vacation, and then get right back into the thick of things to finish the month well.