{"id":1643,"date":"2016-02-11T15:26:13","date_gmt":"2016-02-11T21:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/clauson\/?p=1643"},"modified":"2016-10-11T23:02:29","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T04:02:29","slug":"so-many-church-visits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/clauson\/2016\/02\/11\/so-many-church-visits\/","title":{"rendered":"Instruments of God’s care for us!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I had forgotten just how little free time you have with a new baby and the only way Maya will nap right now is in our arms! \u00a0And I can’t say I am\u00a0complaining because who can say no to holding and playing with someone this cute…<\/p>\n

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But, it has put me behind in keeping up with emails and writing. \u00a0However, I do believe it is important\u00a0to keep you informed about this year and particularly our connections\u00a0with our supporting churches, so here is an update of 2016 so far.<\/p>\n

After a couple of slower months with less travel after Maya was born (which were such a gift for our family as we are getting to know our little Maya and adjusting to being a family of five), we started the New Year with several trips to supporting churches. \u00a0 With the boys in school and a new baby, we’ve done fewer trips as a family, however, each visit has been such a blessing for us.\u00a0 Nils enjoyed sharing with\u00a0our partners at Castle Oaks Covenant in Colorado and South Bend Covenant in Indiana. Thank you for welcoming him!<\/p>\n

We strategically planned a family visit to our only\u00a0supporting church in Florida during the month of January, and we were so happy to escape the frigid cold weather of MN for a few days! \u00a0We had a great time meeting\u00a0new and old friends at Bay Indies Covenant in Venice, a church that serves in a 55+ community. \u00a0Maya had a lineup of lovely women more than willing to\u00a0hold her while\u00a0Nils and I shared how God is at work\u00a0with our theme verse being from Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I am making a way in the wilderness<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and streams in the wasteland”. \u00a0We shared how God has called us to look, learn and listen with\u00a0our partners in Mexico to see how He\u00a0is already at work and join Him. \u00a0We also shared about the new things God is doing in us as well as in our ministry.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One thing that made this trip extra special was reconnecting with dear friends Rose and Stan Edin from Erika’s growing up years when her dad served at Thomastown Covenant in Staples, MN. \u00a0We were blessed by our time\u00a0sharing memories together\u00a0and were further blessed when Rose, an internationally known water color artist, allowed us to pick out a print of hers!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_2030\"<\/a> \"IMG_2027\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We decided that since we’d already be in Florida, we should add on a couple of days to our trip and visit Disney World – which was a very special family Christmas present made possible by the many Christmas monetary gifts from family and churches. \u00a0We all had so much fun! \u00a0We had some crazy weather, but it ended up being a great time to be there since the lines were super short. \u00a0An added treat was running into Jeff and Heidi Gustafson, close friends of Nils’s family from his time in Green Bay.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_2005\"<\/a> \"IMG_2004\"<\/a> \"IMG_1173\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At the end of January, Nils, Maya and I headed to Chicago for Midwinter, which is always a great time of connecting with friends and being refreshed and renewed!<\/p>\n

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Maya meeting Regional Coordinator for Latin America Pia Restrepo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Midwinter\"<\/a>
With Alejandra Ibarra of Merge Ministries Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Nils participated in\u00a0his leadership cohort class, I preached\u00a0at our home church Edgebrook Covenant and afterward they surprised Maya and me with a baby shower for her! \u00a0What a joy it was reconnecting with our dear friends.<\/p>\n

\"Pastor<\/a>
Pastor Jill praying for Maya (in Aunt Julie’s arms) at baby shower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just last weekend we\u00a0visited Salem Road Covenant in Rochester, MN as a family and had a\u00a0fun time at their square dance celebrating the church’s\u00a040th anniversary!<\/p>\n

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During the few Sundays we had free at home, we have enjoyed celebrating Advent, Epiphany and now Lent with our home church for this year, Abbey Way Covenant. \u00a0We feel blessed to be welcomed into their community with so much love!<\/p>\n

\"Advent\"<\/a>
Advent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ash<\/a>
Ash Wednesday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As we reflect on all the activity of these last few months we are so grateful for God’s love and care for us demonstrated in\u00a0the many people who have opened their\u00a0home, hearts, and churches to us and in\u00a0your prayers and generous giving. You are such a blessing to us!<\/p>\n

Please continue to have our family in your prayers as we continue to travel and share with churches. \u00a0Specifically, please pray for Nils as he travels today to Oaxaca for a Latin American gathering of organizations supported by Covenant World Relief. \u00a0The rest of the family is quite jealous that he will get to enjoy Oaxacan food such as tlayudas, mole, memelitas, see our friends and dog Jojo and get away from the cold for a whole week!<\/p>\n

Other upcoming travel\/events you can be praying for:<\/p>\n