Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Giving Thanks

Our "banquet table" set up on Thanksgiving Eve


Last week we celebrated our third Thanksgiving in Alaska, our third with this loving family we call the Mountain Chapel Hospitality House. As is tradition we split our group into smaller groups for Thanksgiving, and and plan on a combined large dinner for Christmas. We hosted about 20 people here for dinner both families and single soldiers and airmen. It was actually somewhat of a light cooking week for me. I was only in charge of the turkey, stuffing, gravy, and some green beans! Among my cooking accomplishments for the day were my first successful homemade gravy, and my first stuffing completely from scratch- it was amazing (sausage, fresh herbs, apples, yum)! It was a great time to share about family traditions and reflect on what we're thankful for.

That evening everyone was invited over for dessert (and oh, how much dessert there was!). We set aside time to hear a report from the folks who have just returned from a short but life changing missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Their reports were encouraging and challenging. They spent most of their time building a school for poor children, and communicating through Spanish-English charades! It was great to have people from our community come home with first hand knowledge of the hardship and love present among that impoverished community. I'd even say that the majority of our community members are now financially sponsoring children through the ministry, Hands of Grace.

I could go on all day about the things we are thankful for. Our family has been so blessed by our Creator. I recognize that all good things do come from above, and I'm not deserving of any of them. Yet I sit here and enjoy them day in and day out. We are 3 weeks and 6 days away from our baby's due date. I'm excited and terrified, but the little soccer player and I are doing just fine.

Keep checking back (we're on a new streak of regular blog updates!).

Elaine (& Wes & baby)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice


Last night I was on the blessed receiving end of our ministry. Everyone around here is quite excited about our little, "Lucy", "Beatrice", "Claudia", and otherwise "Secretly named girl". The ladies of the Hospitality House threw a wonderfully beautiful shower to celebrate Baby Auldridge.

My hostesses, Anna, Lacy, & Alicia

Anna is a such a gifted and detail oriented hostess, with every bit of heart to match the color coordinated favors, foods, and decor. We were in her home. Lacy is my best friend here in Alaska. She knows me and cares for me, and several times in the planning process added her most knowledgeable 2 cents to what was most "Elaine". Alicia is a passionate and energetic young woman, who appreciates me probably more than I deserve. She ran around ringing a little bell to signal the next event in the evenings festivities. :)

Evidence of the Tea Party theme and a
"Diaper Cake" made with cloth diapers and appropriate accouterments.


It was a completely perfect evening, with the exception of some missing guests, and I also wish you all could have been there to share it with me. I have decided that the addition of our first child to our family is probably the biggest change that will ever happen in my life. Her coming birth has been properly recognized and celebrated by those who love me in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Alaska. Thank you so much.

Our group of ladies.

If you are on Facebook, you really should go see all of the photos from the evening. Anna arranged for a professional photographer friend to document the evening, and she did a splendid job! (I think that I'll eventually have non-facebook access to the photos too).


God bless,
Elaine (& Wes & Baby A.)