TheAuldridges

Help Wanted

2012-05-23T14:24:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends,
The time has come for us to really begin raising support for our next assignment with Cadence in Europe. Our goal is to be in the field by the end of October this year. That leaves us with our new job, no more resting, now it's time to ask for help.

First, we need everyone to begin praying that all of our financial need will be met. Second, we need all our friends and family to consider coming on board with us either monthly or with one-time donations. This is the help we need to get us back into the field and continue this mission God has called us to.

So, would you consider helping us? Maybe $25, $50 or $100 a month? Maybe a one time gift?

CONTRIBUTE HERE

Our travels begin in two weeks as we head to Texas. If you would like to meet up with us while we are down there to either reconnect and learn more please e-mail me.

For His Glory!
Wes

What a Week (Video)

2012-05-17T08:50:00.001-06:00

(Me and my buddy Dan Stehley. More about him later.)

You should all know by now that one week ago we welcomed our first son Silas into the world. It was an incredible moment in our family and we were thrilled to experience it together. Most of you don't know that last week held a few more surprises than just that. Let me go back and tell you an awesome God story.

The Sunday before last Elaine and I were sitting in church listening to the sermon when Elaine handed me the bulletin pointing to something at the bottom. It said that on the following Sunday our church, Eastern Hills in Aurora, would spotlight on Cadence International. I about freaked out. I have spent some time over the past few months trying to get my foot in the door with our church to get some help raising support. I didn't get very far, until the Lord dropped this in my lap. I immediately started asking questions about the possibility of a booth that Sunday as well as some face time with the congregation. I received a phone call on Tuesday asking if I could meet with a few of the pastors to work out the details. I said, "I would love to meet as long as my wife isn't in labor!"

The meeting Wednesday morning went really well. I was going to get 5 minutes in all three services to talk about Cadence and the next steps for us a family headed back into the mission field this fall. This was all great except one little detail, Elaine was about ready to pop. Well as God would have it Elaine went into labor that night, delivered Silas on Thursday and we came home from the Hospital at 2pm on Saturday. That was just enough time for me to compose my thoughts, grab a shower, change clothes and head to the church for the Saturday night service.

What pleasure it was to share with congregation all God was doing to move us back into the field. Another blessing in all this was that I had ordered a video from LifeCairn to use in churches as we go around and speak. It also arrived last week and was ready for the service. Check it out!

Words can't describe how amazed I was to see God's provisions for us last week. He has jump started our Partnership Development (aka. financial support raising) and given us a big thumbs up to move forward. What a rewarding life it is to walk in the Light!

All For His Glory,

Wes

Welcome Silas Levi Auldridge

2012-05-15T10:23:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures of our new baby boy!

Mommy and Silas shortly after delivery.

Ada meeting her baby brother for the first time.

Our little man wide awake.

Silas Levi was born May 10 at 2:44pm, 7lbs 11ozs, 20.75 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing really well! Thank you all for the prayers and support via Facebook. It really meant a lot to us.

For HIM!

Wes (For all four of the Auldridges)

Andrew's Testimonial

2012-04-30T11:37:00.003-06:00

Here are some thoughts from my buddy Andrew Brammeier about Cadence International and us. If you want to do a quick video testimonial to post on our blog we would love it, so please e-mail me. If you would like to contribute to help get our family back into the field in Europe, please click here for more information.

In Christ,
Wes

I Wish I Could Time Travel

2012-03-29T11:56:00.000-06:00

Don't you just wish sometimes you could go back and undo something stupid. I am working really hard to get a monthly e-mail Newsletter put together to try and reach more of my friends and family with information about our next assignment. I started using MailChimp and had so many bad/old e-mails they locked my account. Then I was to go through a lengthy process to have people sign-up again. So this time I had to send an e-mail from my personal e-mail address asking everyone to join my list again. (Here comes the stupid part.) I put all 290 emails in the "To:" box and hit send. (This is such a huge pet-peeve of mine.) Now I have shared almost my entire e-mail list with everyone on my e-mail list.

I am so sorry. Again, I am so sorry. All I can ask is that if there is someone out there who likes to make funny comments on mass e-mails and hits "Reply to all," DON'T.

Finally, I you wish to receive these e-mails please click HERE and sign-up.

I feel like a dope,
Wes

Lent

2012-03-26T18:33:00.001-06:00

No...not the stuff you pick out of the dryer. That's lint. This is a season in the church calendar, like Advent.

Take a moment and let me share a song from one of my very favorite singer-song writers, Andrew Peterson. Lyrically a fantastic song, especially for the season. Hosanna!

Have you ever done the lion's share of cooking for a big holiday meal? The kind where all the extended family comes out of the woodwork to eat their fill? One can spend the better part of a week actively preparing dishes for such a big meal. And in 20 minutes, 30 max the meal is done and you're left with a week's worth of dishes. That's how I feel about the day after a holiday. December 26th, Easter Monday, July 5th, April 4th (or whatever the day after your birthday is)--you've looked forward to these occasions of celebration for a whole year and all of a sudden like that, they're over.

That's why I like the seasons of the Church Calendar. Advent and Lent are the most familiar, Advent leading up to Christmas, and Lent the 40 days leading up to Easter. Resurrection Sunday should be the Christian's biggest cause for celebration. What better news? What better gift than our Savior defeating death and sharing it with us? It's far more than one can contemplate or celebrate in one Sunday, or even in one week (Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, with its own significant observances). Neither Wes or I come from church traditions that make a big deal about Lent (which is fine). But this year I decided that we should (or I'd like to) observe Lent with a sacrifice of some sort, which is the tradition. Something that would help me think about Easter, Jesus, his sacrifice, his miraculous rising, and our promise of New Life through the busy weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.

This year we have given up secular music for this season. I know that occasionally it is good for me to quiet some of the extra voices in my life. Since I like music, I listen to it it quite a lot. Over the past few weeks I've found myself turning the radio off a little more (because when you take away secular music the selection gets much smaller!). It has been good to sit or drive in the silence for a while.

I didn't choose music because I think there is something wrong with secular music. I quite enjoy it. It has been a sacrifice for me to go without it, and it's been a sacrifice of my pride and preferences to have my car radio set to K-LOVE for the last several weeks. I recognize that for this season it's more imoportant for me to hear the words focused (mostly) on God than anything else, it helps my mind wander in good directions.

Have you ever given something up for Lent? What is your experience like? I hope it has helped you focus on God's amazing love for you, and your need for Jesus' sacrifice.

God bless,

Elaine

P. S. It's hard to even write this post using the labels "secular" and "Christian" for music since that is another whole conversation, but they work for getting my point across.

Pressing on towards the goal

2012-03-19T09:44:00.001-06:00

(Rebecca Hawkins serving the Hospitality House in England in 2007)

Life is so hard to plan. I am trying my best, but it seems like everything is waiting on everything else. An example of this we cannot get a specific assignment until we have enough funds. I believe we won't get enough funds until we have a specific assignment. Paradoxes like these are what requires us to live by faith. Right now I am in the moment of wanting to "do." God continues to tell me to "rest." You see my dilemma.

Well we do have a plan at least (even if God makes a few tweaks to it). Elaine and I have decided we would like to be back in the field by October. That will give us enough time to adjust to the new baby boy, time to visit many of you and time raise the funds necessary to survive in the field.

I understand that in the upcoming months hearing me ask for support might get old (and I understand that) but please understand it is our livelihood and we must do it. It is the very nature of the calling we have accepted. So please if you can see our vision and want to help, we need your support. We really desire to see the dark and lonely lives of unsaved servicemen brightened by loving hospitality, family and fellowship of believers.

For His Glory,

Wes

(A group of Airmen outside our house in Alaska having a little impromptu prayer)

Then There's Just Life

2012-03-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, Elaine here. Wes asked me to write a blog update, and since he's been working so hard trying to get us caught up on all sorts of communication, its nice to give him a break.

Since we talk about things of substance frequently, I don't feel bad bringing up the weather. Today is beautiful here in Aurora, CO. It's sunny and 65 degrees. It's a great change from our former home, where yesterday the Iditarod commenced, and "spring" is still two full months away. Now, our forecast has snow in store on Wednesday, but that doesn't change today.

Ada and I just returned from a walk to the park where we played on the swings, watched the kids, and slid down the slide. She is not quite walking yet, but I think the park will be much more fun for her once she is.

Yesterday Wes installed a screen door in our kitchen, which otherwise has no windows and is a dark, unpleasant hole. Today it is pleasant.

Our baby prep for Baby Boy is coming along well. We've toured the maternity ward at our chosen hospital, assessed sleeping arrangements for the new addition (they do sleep, right?), realized we were waaaaay more concerned about being prepared for Baby #1 than this one, and helped Grandma make her travel arrangements to come help with the big one and welcome the little one.

One day at a time, things are fairly straight forward here. Eating vegetables, not eating things off the floor, trying to get out and have some fun (I'm looking forward to exploring two fabric boutiques I just discovered, later this week). Thank you sincerely for your prayers and support. And thanks for keeping up with us!

God bless,

Elaine

Fund Raising Season Approaches

2012-02-29T11:37:00.000-07:00

If you visited our blog in the past day or so you may have noticed the "Fund Raising Thermometers" over on the right. I (Wes) recently had a chat with Cadence's HR Director and asked for a tentative breakdown of what it would take to get us back into the European field. After a couple weeks they got back to me with these numbers (see the numbers in the sidebar on the right). They are rounded and tentative (always subject to change) but can give us a good idea of where we currently are and what we need to be released. The best news came yesterday when I was speaking with our ministry mentor and he said the odds of us starting a new ministry are slim. That is huge because the cost difference in very substantial.

So please pray for us as we embark on a new season of ministry. And please partner with us financially if you can. (Click here for more info) We will begin planning our trips to visit as many friends and family after the baby is born in May. We look forward to seeing many of you.

In His Service,

Wes, Elaine & Ada

Video Update

2012-02-23T12:49:00.001-07:00

A little change of pace this week. Here is a quick video update for all your Auldridge needs. (Sorry there is no Ada or Elaine. I will add them in the next one.)

Wes

Just Because I Can

2012-02-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure I have the cutest daughter in the world. This got me thinking. I am unbelievably in love with Ada. She is wonderful and perfect and sweet and special. She is mine. She could do nothing in the world to earn my favor any more because I am completely in love with her. The problem is I don't really believe God loves me like that. My insecurity causes me to spend a ton of time doing whatever I can to earn his favor. I'm sure many of you can relate to that feeling. It is so frustrating.
Kids are such a blessing. But, of course, mine is more than yours!
Wes
(This post featured some very cute pictures of Ada, why? Just Because I Can :)

We've Been Assigned!

2012-01-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

It is my pleasure to announce that The Auldridges have received word that our next assignment will be in Europe! This is very exciting for us because Europe is our first pick over the Asian and American fields. We have no firm assignment yet because we have a long road of support raising. Once we can estimate when we can depart, our leadership team will assess what is available. Thank you for all you prayers for us. We are really doing better on our road to rest and recovery.

In Christ,

Wes

Emulating Christ

2012-01-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Recently, I sat down on the couch and began working on a few things. Ada decided that the one thing in the room she couldn't live without was my computer. I sat there for a while, tried to fight her off and continue working. What I didn't factor in was her persistence. After a few minutes I realized this wasn't going to work.

At Christmas Ada received a toy laptop from my mother. It sings songs and makes noises and is exactly what she really wanted, although she didn't know it. I went and got it for her sat her next to me on the couch and we got right back to working.

There are so many lessons I can learn from this event. First, I, like Ada, want things I cannot have. I'm not content near enough with the things I have. Second, I don't really want what I ask for. And if I got it I wouldn't even know how to use it, which would make me discontent and lose interest. Lastly, what I want (what I really want deep inside) is be like my Father. I want to get up on the couch next to him, watch him and do what he is doing. Although my flesh dictates I do other things all the time deep down inside I just want to emulate him.

Hope everyone is well. I'm currently trying my best to reconnect with old friends and would love to hear from you if it has been a while. Send me a message and hopefully we can chat soon,

Wes

Enjoy the Silence

2012-01-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying this New Year. Elaine, Ada and I are getting rejuvenated here in Denver and are looking forward to hitting the support raising trail. We miss seeing our friends and hopefully we will be able to see you sometime this year. We recently sent out our newsletter and it can be found here. Lastly, we want to apologize for the silence our blog has taken over the last few months. To bring you up to speed we are resting well in Denver, Elaine did not have altitude sickness, Ada is as cute as ever and we appreciate all your prayers.

Wes

Sorry, Baby Boy A was not in the picture up top.

Moving Right Along

2011-08-30T11:59:00.000-06:00

This is what our house looks like. We will pack the U-Haul tomorrow and Elaine, Emily and Ada will hit the road Thursday morning fulfilling their dream of driving the ALCAN (Alaska-Canadian Highway). Please keep them in your prayers.

Leaving AK

2011-08-26T14:02:00.000-06:00

So the plan was to drive out on Monday. Emily, Elaine's twin sister, was going to fly from Philly to Anchorage to drive with her. (It has been a dream of both of theirs?!?!?) Anyway, old hurricane Irene is messing up the plans so leaving AK Monday is out the window. Hopefully, we will be on the road by Thursday. Maybe God want us to stay?

Wes

Packing Video

2011-08-19T17:45:00.000-06:00

Facebook: The love/hate relationship

2011-08-06T10:44:00.002-06:00

I'm sure that many of you out there are like me and have this love/hate relationship with Facebook. It can either reconnect you with dear friends and loved ones or it can suck your life away spending hours finding out the latest relationship status of people you barely know. It can reconcile broken relationships or break them up (seems like more of the latter). Anyway, I did something this week that will help close the gap between those who have not joined the 21st century (my mother) and those who are not really friends but would love to keep tabs on the ministry God has given us. I created a "Page." What is a "Page" you might ask? Well, it can be just about anything you want it to be. For us it will be another way to stay connected with Churches, acquaintances and those like my mom who want to see what is going on in our lives (mostly a few pictures of Ada here and there).

All you have to do is go to our Page and "Like" it if you have a Facebook account and you will start seeing our updates in your daily feed. If you don't have an account just check out the site facebook.com/theauldridges and you will can see all the same things.

Hope this is a useful resource to stay connected.

Wes

The e-Journey Continues

2011-08-02T09:38:00.000-06:00

So as we look at the (approximately) three weeks left in AK, lots of thoughts run through our minds. Will we get good goodbyes with all our dear friends? What do we keep? What do we let go of? These are all life questions but not (e)ternal in our journey. I think the real question is, "Lord, what are you doing?"

Do you remember that time in your life when you were super close to God in your walk. You were constantly talking to him and you just really felt his presence? If you have never had an experience like that before, I pray you do. I (Wes) am really being stretched right now by God and it hurts. Not just emotional pain but physical as well. There are times when I physically ache for the eternal. Let me tell you that this is not what I imagined when asked God to be my savior. (Puppies, roller coasters and bacon for every meal!)

Please allow me to share a video a really good friend sent me yesterday. I think it sums up really well where and what God is doing with me. Click Here

Isaiah 64:8 Yet you, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Pain "For His Glory,"

Wes (along with his girls Elaine and Ada)

Aloha!

2011-07-11T23:04:00.001-06:00

Many of you knew that we just took a weeks vacation to Hawaii last week. As much fun as it was, the vacation was planned before we knew we would be leaving in less than two months. So relaxing and stressing don't go very well together. I (Wes) am having some real struggles with anxiety right now and so I thought this would help out a ton.
Many of you know I am a big fan of Twitter and a day or so after we arrived Pastor Rick Warren Tweeted this, "You cant escape problems thru a vacation because you take YOU with you." Ouch. But I definitely saw his point.
Needless to say it was fun and there were relaxing moments. We saw beauty at it's finest and had some wonderful hosts, the Cassidys. Now we move our focus to the move to Denver. Pray we, "cast all our anxieties on him because he cares for us."
-Wes

Like a Band of Gypsies

2011-07-01T20:12:00.004-06:00

Wes, Elaine & Ada Easter 2011

Ladies and Gentleman in the words of Willie Nelson, it's time to be "on the road again." After conversations with Cadence Headquarters, prayer and consideration our leadership has decided that our service in Alaska is finished.

Three years ago this month we (the two of us) arrived here for a one-year internship. It has been a long, challenging, unexpected, exciting and rewarding road. Most of you have followed us through this journey. We are incredibly grateful that God placed us here for this time, and we're excited about his plans for our future.

The time frame is short. We (the three of us) plan to be leaving Alaska by 1 September. From here we will drive (!) to Denver, Colorado where Cadence HQ is located. The plan is that we will spend the next 6-12 months (per Cadence Home Assignment policy) resting, being renewed, and preparing for our next ministry assignment. Pray for this time, as we use it to grow closer to God, refresh our marriage, and recover from the weight we have carried here.

If you support us financially, please continue to. Relocating is expensive, and we will need to save in order to begin at our next location.
If you don't already support us but you've been thinking about it, this would be a great time to join the team! See the EFT Form download to the right, visit Cadence.org, or chat with us for more info.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the love and support you've shown us in so many ways on our great Alaska adventure as we've shared the Gospel and our lives with the soldiers and airmen here.

That's the basic info. We will keep you posted. Please feel free to write or call with any questions, or just say hi! :)

Many blessings to you,
Wes, Elaine & Ada

Elaine & Ada hiking with our dear friends Anna & Jenna in Eagle River

And Sew it Goes

2011-05-17T17:13:00.003-06:00

Lindsay came for a little sewing lesson

This is my pregnant friend Lindsay (I have a lot of pregnant friends). And if she's not careful I'm going to steal her sewing box!
I was surprised when she showed up with a sewing kit of her own. She told me she needed to take up some curtains, and since she was asking me for help, I figured she had no sewing experience. Turns out she has sewn before, but like most people I find, has little confidence in her ability to remember what she learned so many years ago. Like sewing is rocket science or something.
I taught her the step by step sewing method learned decades ago, and enjoyed passing on my knowledge. We chatted a bit about life and babies and grandmas. These are the little moments I want my ministry to be made up of. Just "life" things.
I used to explain to people that life is what happens in the times when you're not saving the world. Ministry is then assumed to be the "saving the world" moments. They are both pretty connected though. Jesus' ministry included long sermons and fishing trips. Both life and both ministry. Sometimes I save my schedule for someone that really needs me, responding to some spiritual crisis- since 'that's ministry'. But I know (and need to remember) that these little interactions are just as important...and quite a bit of fun!

Thanks for stopping by to read our blog. Hopefully you're new around here, and will come back for more in the future.

Elaine

Wes' Sister Nicole

2011-03-29T00:28:00.001-06:00

3 Weeks ago Wes' older sister Nicole was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This was the day that Barb passed away. Sometimes it feels like a relay race with cancer, passing the baton.

Bill, Nicole and two of their four children came to visit us last month. We had a fantastic week showing them Alaska and enjoying our kids. It has been a long time since Wes has spent that much time with Nicole, and a first for Elaine. While they were here Nicole gave us a heads-up that she was getting a lump check out after their visit. After a series of tests and doctor's visits they have decided on surgery to remove both of her breasts. Today (Tuesday) is her surgery. During the surgery they will check her lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. She'll spend a couple days in the hospital then be home with her family.

Please pray for the surgery, the doctors, her family, and us so far away. I have hope that medicine related to Breast Cancer is really sophisticated, and God will use it. We praise him for the testimony of faithfulness he has already given to Bill and Nicole. I know he will continue to use this for His glory!

Thanks for your prayers,
Wes & Elaine

Barbara Jean Evans ~ Feb 13, 1969 - Mar 7, 2011

2011-03-08T20:24:00.004-07:00

Yesterday our dear friend and co-worker ended her year and half long struggle with Brain Cancer. Her family and our community are in the middle of the grieving process. We will honor her life and ministry with a memorial service Thursday at our base Chapel.
Please continue to be in prayer for her husband, Dan and their children Caleb & Audrey. They will travel to Chicago for another memorial this weekend at the church where Barb grew up, was married, and her parents still attend.
Pray for those in our community who have known Barb for either 5 years or 5 months. Everyone deals with loss and death differently and we want to be able to help each of them in this process.
Pray for Wes and I as this is a challenging journey. We are glad to know that Barb is in Glory with Jesus, in a body that will never know cancer. We are relieved that her suffering is done. Wes is being a strong support for Dan in this time, and needs continued physical and emotional strength.

The Lord's timing is good. I (Elaine w/ Ada) will travel to PA Thursday after the memorial service to begin the festivities for my sister's wedding. Wes will join us next week. I am beyond thankful that God allowed me to remain in Alaska for this time with the Evans'.

Death is swallowed up in victory!
Elaine (& Wes)

No more excuses...

2011-03-01T18:25:00.006-07:00

Ada bundled up for her first outdoor outing, the "Outhouse Races" at Fur Rondy,
the festival leading up to the Iditarod.

Hello friends! The past two months have flown by! Things are busy in absolutely every category of life. So, I'll try to do a quick overview:

Family: Sweet Ada is 8 weeks old now. She's of course growing like a weed. She loves to wiggle, smile, and cuddle. She enjoys having her diaper changed, and loves the bath! She checked in this morining at 10 pounds 10 ounces and 22.5 inches!
Wes and I are enjoying parenthood, and our little family. We've escaped for a couple dates, and plan on continuing our weekly "date night".

Ministry: We are once again hosting Hospitality House in our home, after a "maternity leave" break. Our Married group is large. They love and serve one another so well. There are some marriages going through some dark and hurting times, that would greatly benefit from your prayers. Our singles group is small, and going through a transition. We are in need of leaders to come from within the group, and we have none right now. I'm praying for a soldier or airman with a heart for his or her peers to join us!

Teammates: Dan and Barb's road has turned from rough pavement to gravel. They are nearing the point where Dan says goodbye and Barb continues on through the gate that leads to streets of gold. We expect to give her to Jesus in the coming weeks. She is finally ready. Ready to get a new body where all of her limbs work and with her whole being she praises the Lord. Pray for Caleb and Audrey as they hurt, and grow through losing mom.

Plans: The Lord knows the plans he has made for us. He will direct our steps. If he wills it we will wake up in Alaska tomorrow. These are our plans.

Thanks for checking in on us!

Daddy & Ada taking care of business.

Mommy & Ada enjoying the sunshine.

Love,
Elaine (, Wes & Ada)