Here He Comes

If He is King, why won't I let him command? If He is Father, why don't I accept his embrace? If He forgives, why won't I accept his forgiveness.
I have a constant battle with myself. I forget. I forget all the time. I want to pray for you and, most importantly, for me that this Christmas season we remember. Who He is. What He's done. We must remember, He is willing, He is able, and He loves us so much he sent his son as a sacrifice for our sins, struggles and imperfections.

Remember He is coming! Oh and Merry Christmas!

wes

FUNdraising

     This weekend the ladies of Cleburne Bible Church are holding their second annual Craft Bazaar.  I'm only semi-crafty even when I have all of my stuff accessible.  But I told them that I'd love to help with my craft of baking. All the while knowing it would really hit the spot for my need to bake and not eat it all.
     So, I'm donating four dozen cookies to the concession table and I've baked more to bag and sell on my own along with a dozen loaves of Honey Whole Wheat or Cinnamon Swirl bread.  While I was telling some ladies at church about my breads, one of them asked about other baked goods.  I assured her that I bake lots of things and am up for a challenge. She asked if she could buy a loaf of Zucchini bread from me for Thanksgiving.  Is it possible that this is the start of a trend where I get to lick the spoon, smell lovely baked goods, and don't have to have them staring at me from my counter for days? I think so!
     All of the proceeds from my bake sale will go toward our Cadence start-up fund.  I hope to get the occasional order for homemade goodies, those profits will also go to Cadence. The idea is that everyone loves homemade stuff, especially with an increasing awareness of "non-food" in processed grocery store items.  Lots of people don't have the time or energy to bake themselves (and I'm realizing that some people don't even like to bake *gasp*). Hopefully I can help them, and they can help me.
     The name "The Art of Homemade" I chose because I like food that looks and tastes like food. All of my bread is made from scratch, by hand. I use things you're likely to have found in your grandmother's kitchen.  Some people are really creative and make a cake look like a real live fish bowl. That's great for them, but I'm not really into that.
     

Thanks for reading!
Elaine

Our Co-workers

(Missionaries and the Pastoral Care Team at the Member Care Retreat 

in Monument, Colorado October 2012)

We don't often talk about having co-workers, but Cadence has about 200 missionaries, as well as some great office staff.  At the beginning of October we were blessed with the opportunity to spend 4 days with some of these great people at the Member Care Retreat. The retreat serves as a time to rest, reflect, share with each other, encourage, and pray for each other. All of us are on Home Assignment, or have just finished it.  I'd love to introduce them to you, and share a little about their ministries to give you a better picture of Cadence's mission (it goes to say that we love all of them, lots!).

Starting in the front row left, Dick & MaryEtta Reynolds:  Dick is the VP of Human Resources MaryEtta is the nourisher of all things creative, homey, and hospitable. They have experience directing Hospitality Houses in Europe and raising children "in the field".

Front and center, Milt and Jeanie Bryan: Milt has been a counselor in private practice in Denver for many years and has recently joined Cadence in the capacity of Pastoral Care. He and his wife cared for us very well while we were in Denver, providing lots of counsel and friendship.

Front left, Gene and Anne Poppino: Initial Pastoral Care team with Cadence. Its their job to love us, even pastors (missionaries) need pastors. Gene visited several times in Alaska, meeting with us as a Team (with the Evans') and as couples. They live in Oregon and travel the world helping to make sure Cadence missionaries are healthy and growing.

Back Row from Left to Right:
Jim & Martha Bowden: They have just returned from 4 years as Hospitality House Directors at The Lighthouse in Yokosuka, Japan. They have served as fill-in missionaries since 2002.  Jim is a property owner/manager by trade and Martha a homemaker. All of their children are grown and live in Michigan with a bundle of grandkids. My (Elaine's) initial contact with them was at Moody Bible Institute. Their daughter was an MBI student who came to England as a Cadence Intern one summer (in a way, they are the reason I ended up at Moody and in turn, serving with Cadence).

Dave & Andrea Hutchings: Andrea is the daughter of Cadence Missionaries and has grown up in Hospitality Houses around the world. In 2008, after 2 weeks of marriage, they went to Okinawa, Japan to begin working with Marine Corps kids through Cadence Student Ministries. They established a fruitful ministry there through all of its growing pains, as well as started their own family. They plan to return to Okinawa next year (they are also MBI alumni, although none of us knew each other as students).

Rick & Jan Utecht: Rick is an F-16 pilot retired from the US Air Force. They have just served 4 years in Misawa, Japan.  This was their first assignment with Cadence.  Their ministry included Americans and Japanese.  They were forced to leave the field due to major health issues. Thankfully Jan has recovered completely and they are doing well in Wisconsin now.

Eric & Janet Thimell: They have worked with Cadence for 28 years. They've served as Hospitality House directors in Panama, Europe, and South Korea. for the last 12 years Eric has worked at Headquarters in the IT department. They have recently moved to Mountain Home, Idaho to minister to the Air Force there.

Wes & Elaine Auldridge: Missionaries Extrordinaire, Novice Parents (or something like that.) After college they served for three years in Alaska, having each completed internships in England as single people. Their hope is to return to Europe to minister the the Soldiers there, stationed far from home. They have been assigned to Wiesbaden, Germany to establish Cadence's first Hospitality House ministry there. Please help spread the word about their ministry and the plans to plant this ministry! (also, they have the cutest kids ever!)

Thanks for reading. I hope this gives you a little broader picture of who Cadence Missionaries are, and our heart for serving military communities.
God Bless,
Elaine

p.s. most of this is written from my memory, as I met most of these people on the retreat. So, some of the numbers/details might not be exact but they still paint the broad picture of the people who make up "Cadence".

Patience

Patience is a funny thing. The moment I decided to sit down and write this blog Silas began to cry. All I want to do is write and he keeps crying. Ada on the other hand, has been lying in bed for over an hour singing to herself. My kids both need naps. Not for their sanity alone but for mine as well.
As Silas continues to cry I begin to get more frustrated. How long until Elaine gets back from the store? Why won't he take his pacifier? Will she ever fall asleep?
...and the cycle continues. What's funny about all this is that it is on top of what I am already feeling about life. How long will we be in Texas? When can we get to Germany? How in the world are we going to get the money raised to go? It all adds up. I become more frustrated and less patient.
A few days ago I was hit once again by the grace and truth 2X4. It happens from time to time. This time I was reminded that life is not all about whats going to happen next. It's about right now. God (due to his nature of being outside of time) is never concerned with the future. He is concerned about our now. The Lord desires prayer without ceasing. That is not future prayer that is prayer now. He desires we rejoice in him always. That is not future rejoicing it is rejoicing now. Wait, maybe that is some kind of secret to life. We should never primarily focus on what's next but what happening now. My kids are growing up, now. My wife deserves to be loved, now. My God has a ministry for us right here, right now. Our hearts may long to return to the field and that's ok as long as that is not our sole focus in life, but there is life to be living here and now.
I'm sure I connect with many of you about our constant struggle to be present in the present. Please pray for us as we try to do a better job of abiding in Christ now.

Convicted,
Wes
Missionary in Texas for Now