Monday, July 25, 2011

#3 partnership.

Life's transitions can sometimes be beautiful & at other times they can drive you crazy. I currently find myself in the middle of the two extremes.


Josh & I finished orientation with Every Home for Christ & are now candidates to join staff-- so we are just now starting to work on Partnership. Because we will be full-time intercessory missionaries, we will be raising full time support. We are taking a leap of faith by going 3+months with no income while trusting the Lord to bring in the finances our little family needs. We move in to this season with a surprising amount of excitement. The Lord has set our hearts in deep wells of confidence that He is our provider & that because He has called us, He will open the doors of provision for us. We will be spending the next 3 months traveling & meeting with people to share the extravagant vision of Every Home for Christ. 
In case you didn't see my last post click here to see it!
Here is the latest video from Every Home for Christ & what they are doing in Nepal... check it out!




if you are interested in receiving our letters or partnering with us in any way PLEASE leave a comment or email us @ thekrehbiels@gmail.com


kK

Saturday, July 23, 2011

#2 housing

As I wrote about yesterday, you now can imagine how full our little town home might be. It's been such a blessing to us in our transition to COsprings, but we're definitely feeling the itch to move. 


We have a few different reasons why this is important to us...


1. we have 7 people crammed in to a 2 1/2 bedroom town home, we simply need more space.
2. we'd like a yard, to be able to go outside with the ladies, even set up a mini pool for them
3. we feel called to be hospitable, both to people visiting us ((mostly from MN)) & to those from theWall community.


We realize that a bigger home will cost more money, but we believe that hospitality & cultivating community are two of the areas the Lord is highlighting to us in this season. 


So please, join with us in praying for the provision of the Lord in both finances & a home that is...
a. CLOSE TO THE PRAYER ROOM! ((we would save a lot of money on gas if we could just walk to work!))
b. CHEAP!!!
c. Nice Enough.. we would like a reliable home that isn't going to need constant repair


& yes... we're looking to RENT, not buy :]


Thanks for your prayers & support! & if you know of anything, PLEASE let us know!!


kK

Friday, July 22, 2011

#1 friendship

this is my first afternoon home by myself that I've had in a long time. I am an extravert in every sense of the word; but even extraverts need some down time. After putting the ladies down for their afternoon nap, I'm pretty sure I made an audible "sigh...". Peace & quiet. Rest. This is nice.


3 of my best friends arrived in Colorado Springs nearly 3 weeks ago. 2 of which were here to stay ((Mel & Annie moved here!)) and Aimee ((and her sweet little baby, Makhi)) were here to visit for two weeks. 




We had the BEST time together! It's not even so much that we did a lot of fun activities ((we were mostly at home with the 3 babies, really trying to get Makhi on a schedule-- he did awesome!)) but more so that we just got to be together. The last year & a half have been quite the road for our group of friends. So many changes, both good & bad, traveling, marriage, children, heart ache & pain... all of which should have driven a wedge between us so thick we never could have remained friends. But somehow, only by the grace of God, we remain friends & have more faith in the things the Lord has promised us now than we ever have had before. 







These girls are truly sisters to me... covenant sisters. It was such a blast to all live in the same house & do life together again... we know it is just a picture of what is to come. 






Aimee & Makhi left last weekend to go back to MN... we hope they come back soon! 


This week has been a week of rest & this weekend Courtney will be officially moving in with us! --Courtney is a dear friend I have made in COsprings at theWall. She was just one of those people who I connected with right off the bat & already consider her to be one of my closest friends! I love you Court!


So... our house is going to be VERY full... Josh, Me & the ladies, plus, Annie, Mel & Courtney... that's 6 girls!!! Special shout out to the most patient & loving husband EVER, I love you joshie! if you want to have a guys' night, PLEASE invite josh :] He will be needing a few nights out, if you know what I mean!


SO excited for this next season!!


kK

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

my tribute to you.

Today is the day someone very special to me was brought into the world. My big brother, Scott! While talking with him this morning, I found out that he is not 25 ((as I thought)) but he is 27! When I got off the phone with him & headed into the prayer room, my heart was flooded with many memories & deep gratitude to the Lord for giving him to me as a big brother. So today, I'd like to honor Scottie through some pictures & memories to go with :]

Just a fun memory of laughing with Heidi & Scott as my mom tried to get a good shot of the three kids... I have always had such a blast with Scottie, it seems like I can laugh harder with him than with anyone else... just that brother/sister bond & having the EXACT same humor! This is also the stage of life where Scott would teach me basketball in the driveway & if I was lucky, he'd come play capture the flag with me and my friends and be on MY team & we'd always win :] Ps... scott- I love the hair & glasses... they're comin back in style!!


This stage is one of my favorites... Scott was in a band called Eyes Wide in high school, & me & all my "cool" junior high friends were his BIGGEST fans... t-shirts & all! These were the precious years that I got to ride in the car to school with him every day, listen to his favorite music ((which of course became MY favorite music)) and try to connect with him in any way I could. I also joined the youth group this year & LOVED getting to see him on Thursday nights at church... I felt AWESOME that Scott Vanderwerf was MY big brother!


Since we've gotten older, Scott & I have gotten to connect in deeper things than just our humor, we have built a deep connection in God. One of the ways we connect with the Lord together is through music. He is probably the most talented/well-rounded musician I know & I love when I get to write with him. But he is not only talented, he is seriously an incredibly anointed worship leader-- so when I get to lead worship with him, it's always a joy! This picture is at my wedding reception, Scott & I led worship together-- just the way I like it :] & boy did the Spirit show up!!

Clearly, I am pregnant here, & Scott is being his "supportive" self, sticking out his belly to match mine... throughout my pregnancy I was always greeted with his "belly bump"! What a great brother, stickin with me through thick n' thin... literally :]

This is the day we got home from the hospital with the ladies. Scott helped Josh & I get out of the hospital & load the ladies in the car... it was a great comfort to have him with us on that day. He is an awesome uncle; Emayah & Olivet are blessed to have their "uncle Tottie" :] ((that's Becca, his amazing wife next to him!!))

Scott,
You are one of the most incredible men I've ever known. Your devotion to the Lord inspires me & spurs me on in a very real way. Your genuine pursuit is absolutely contagious & your zeal cannot be quenched, because it is given by God. I have spent my life looking up to you in many ways, but your raw consecration to the Lord trumps them all. I love who you are in the Kingdom! There is no one else like you! You were uniquely fashioned to love the Lord with all that is within you! I'm honored to call you my big brother. 
I miss you today in Colorado. Wish I was there to give you a big hug! 
Happy Birthday Scottie! this is my tribute to you. 
katelyn dawn katie vanderwerf :]

kK

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

the FOURTH.

The 4th of July has been one of my favorite holidays since I was little. Our family has always had boats on the St. Croix River & we'd always spend the day on the water, grilling out & then watching the fireworks in Stillwater while laying on the top of the boats. 


This year, we spent our holiday with the Krehbiel side. Their tradition is to do their OWN fireworks! It consists of a large family gathering, grilling out, intercession for our country, as well as lighting off fireworks. This year, there is a burn ban in Colorado, so they weren't able to do any of the aerials (the big ones :] ).


As I sat watching the fireworks, the little girls dance, & listened to James (my father in law) pray for our country with holy conviction & passion, I was moved. I could sit there, miss home, miss my OWN traditions, but then it all hit me... Who else is spending their 4th of July remembering what the Lord has done & asking for more. I am honored to be apart of the Krehbiel family. I love the heritage it carries. 


Here are som pictures of our day....








Not the most photogenic day for any of us, but you gotta take pics regardless... happy FOURTH y'all :]


kK