A Year in Review
In May we tore out our driveway and cemented in a new one. This was a huge DIY project we did with the help of family & friends. There’s an amazing story of God’s provision related to this project; ask us sometime!
Three new baseball players were welcomed into our hearts & home early in June and stayed for 10 weeks. They came from college campuses around the country to play ball & tell others about the love of Jesus. We enjoyed getting to know them and their parents—what a blessing!
Molly spent a few weeks in July building a VBS set to look like a college campus. It was a huge undertaking and presented a few challenges, but she had fun being “creative.”
We took our first family camping trip in August—to the Michigan Dunes. Jonah still talks about digging for “treasures” at the beach.
Ben began a new job at SAIC during September. The transition was part of his plan to decrease stress and find new joy in his employment. So far, that has worked!
In early October, Molly traveled to Colorado for Captivating—a women’s retreat. She had an amazing time being refreshed in the knowledge of God’s deep love for her. That same month, Ben applied for a men’s retreat in Los Angeles; he leaves in February for Wild at Heart Boot Camp!
November brought more creative design opportunities for Molly through church. We also enjoyed a wonderful weekend getaway with friends in Gatlinburg. We closed out the month with a special time of sharing Thanksgiving with family.
Jonah Goes to Preschool
We continue to work with Jonah at home, encouraging sensory play. He enjoys that immensely.
Jonah loves all things music and movie-related. He has most of his movies memorized and enjoys enthusiastically acting them out on a regular basis. Some of Jonah’s favorite toys
include his trucks, cars, planes, and anything that looks like a light sabre or rocket ship!
He is a friendly, outgoing, affectionate little boy. There are no strangers when it comes to Jonah. He shows compassion easily, something that amazes us often and reminds us to continue to extend kindness to others.
Habitat for Humanity
We certainly received an education while serving with Habitat. We learned a lot about Non-Profit Organizations, all-volunteer organizations, fundraising—or Resource Development as it is now called, board development, event planning, and so much more!
In March we attended Habitat’s state conference. We met many affiliates; some with new, innovative ideas and others struggling in similar ways as us. It was great to brainstorm together. We heard wonderful presentations from keynote speakers and left with many great ideas.
It was a successful year. As Director of Public Relations, Molly redesigned the website, launched a social media blitz (Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn), and published 3 newsletters. She also planned and executed the dedication ceremony for the home built last year. 75 people attended including pastors from area churches, Commissioner Perales, Mayor Bayless, former mayor Pennewit, Habitat of Ohio’s Executive Director, and a representative from Habitat International.
In June, Molly and another board member planned a picnic BBQ for our volunteers—a first. Everyone had a wonderful time.
We are sad to leave but we know it is the right decision for our family at this time.
Eden's Promise
Eden’s Promise is an extension of Ransomed Heart Ministries by John & Stasi Eldredge. It is the goal of the Eldredge's to reach as many people as possible. Knowing they cannot accomplish this on their own, even through the auspices of Ransomed Heart, it is their desire that other ministries are born out of their own - with the same vision. Thus, Eden's Promise was created.
Next year, 2013, we plan to start Home Groups. Small, intimate groups of men & women exploring the topic of the lost kingdom of our heart: how to recover our heart, heal our wounds, and live the Grand Adventure, the Great Romance, that our Beloved calls us to live.
This is the heartbeat of Eden's Promise; to journey together in the restoration of our heart in full view of God's promise that from it He will produce flowing "rivers of living water” (John 7:38). It is a Grand Adventure. The stuff legends are born of: complete with a Hero, a Villain, beauty to rescue, wounding, healing, romance & danger.
Please, join us in prayer. We covet your prayers as fellow warriors (Eph 6). Pray for our hearts and the hearts entrusted to us.