www.WesAndElaine.com

For further reading, antics, and updates on me, my married life, and ministry go to Our blog.

http://www.wesandelaine.com

Most of our newsletters will be electronic (however printed abridged versions will exist for mailng) and be located at our new website.

So...if for some reason you're still checking this site, there won't be much more.

love,
Elaine

Dear Emily,

no honey... nothing new to report. No updates, check back monthly...or call me, I'll tell you if I post something.

What's the difference?

Okay, I'm sitting here with a cup of tea, reading the news before I head off to Greek. And I've got this question, that no one is around to share:

Reading an article about Iran's nuclear program "Iran has until Thursday to agree to halt the enrichment program, which Tehran maintains is part of a civilian nuclear program to generate power. Western nations accuse Iran of seeking to master technology to produce nuclear weapons."

Please don't hear me wrong, I'm not saying I diasagree, but I don't understand where these policies come from. What ruling or agreement has alowed America to have Nukes and the right to say who can't have them? (And I know it's the U.N. security council blahblahblah...but it's the same idea)

Let me know if you know.

P.S. Happy Birthday Mommy!! :o)

Good morning Sears Tower!

Back to Chicago, it's great to be back in my city! I'm in my new room, but by no means unpacked or prepared for anything. Today my friend Brad and I are off to Wisconsin (yay cheese) to visit the folks at Sky Lodge Christian Camp, where we were both employed last summer.

The drive acorss I-80 was typical: boring. But at least it wasn't raining!

That's all for now.

Holey ice cubes, it's hot!

This is from what I've sort of been calling my "theme song" it's by Andrew Peterson, who is just a great song writer and musician:

'Cause after the last plan fails
After the last siren wails
After the last young husband sails off to join the war
After the last "this marriage is over"
After the last young girl's innocence is stolen
After the last years of silence that won't let a heart open

There is love
Love, love, love
There is love

And in the end, the end is
Oceans and oceans
Of love and love again
We'll see how the tears that have fallen
Were caught in the palms
Of the Giver of love and the Lover of all
And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

To see the whole song go here:
http://www.andrew-peterson.com/lyrics.php?id=41
"After the last tear falls" from Love & Thunder

You should probably even listen to the whole song...go buy it off of iTunes for 99cents.

I'm safely back in the states, and this weekend I'll head back to Chicago. I may or may not keep this up once I get back to school. I'm in danger of becoming one of those people who just rants and raves and artificially maintains relationships if I do. So, I'll let you know what decision I come to.

Thanks again for all of your love and support.
If you've never posted a comment, take a minute now and do so. I'd kind of like to know how many people actually read my little ramblings.

And so it goes...

My last few weeks in England were of course those good, honest times. I so enjoyed them that I neglected to keep you all informed. People generally avoid risk, so the closer I get to leaving, the safer I am to talk to. I'm ok with that, I just wish it wasn't so.
Well several girls moved into new houses, gained couches, and creepy neighbors. Many are getting ready to deploy...the ministry will change drastically this fall, because so many of our regulars will be gone (that's good for them though, because most of them will be going to the same place. Pray that they are an encouragment to each other thru this next season)
Last friday we had a girls-night. We had dinner at this fun turkish restaurant in Cambridge, and then were supposed to go to this acoustic show. Poor planning on my part put us there 5 minutes before it ended...so we rode the bumper cars instead.

Spontinaiety:
(this would have been a separate post if I'd thought about it)
Val and I went out for dinner one night last week. It'd had been one in a string of hot days without a/c. And I told her that I've always wanted to run through an irrigation sprinkler in a field. So, we found one, parked the car along side the field, removed our shoes and started toward the mushy irrigated ground. It was loads of fun, as it was getting late and the sun was setting. So, now I have the satisfaction and fond memory of running through a field with Val.

Back to our usually scheduled program:
My last night at the house was fun. Everyone came over of course. We ate, had fun, prayed for me. Tim and Bec have a tradition of putting people on the coffee table and praying for them before they leave. So they did. And it was special, because when I left the first time (with the AF) they were out of town...so they wern't there to "put me on the table".

These are the girls from the last night. The only person that I can think that's missing is Mandy. She was working swing-shift.
front row L to R:
Val, Lea, me, Carol, Jody, Kelly
back L to R:
Natalie, Erica, Genevieve, Emma, Jess, Erika, Rebecca,
Top (in pink):
Celest

So, back to Amreica.
Back to school, planning for RA stuff...ahh, don't knwo if I can do all of this!

Thanks for all of your Love, Prayers, and Support
Elaine

One Week

Well, it's tueaday and that means only one week left in the UK. Where has the time gone? Of course, after 7 weeks of building relationships, I've been able to talk and share more. I'm at the point where I wish I could stay and continue working with these people, these friends. I'm seeing change and growth, and it's cool.
I've actually not made it to London yet this trip, and I doubt that I will. The british country side has been quite enjoyable though.

Side note: does anyone, familiar with blogger, know what has happened to my old posts, and how I can make them available again? Thanks!

I feel a lot of pressure to come up with clever titles for posts

Where has the summer gone? I look at the calendar, and the things I've done, the things I've still got left to do, and I wonder how it is that I've only got 2 weeks left here, and 4 before going back to school. The World Cup is over, Italy won. Spain is behind us. Tim has put together a super sweet slideshow of our trip, I can't wait for you all to see it. At the house we're in the middle of our super-birthday-celebrating month (we've got one every Saturday in July). For this weekend's fete I've heard rumors of getting a dunk tank out here, we need to baptize our newest Christian, Rich.
Looking over the past 6 weeks, and the couple to come...I want to thank all of you who have supported me with donations, prayers, and smart comments on my blog. This has been a really good look at life in ministry in the "real world" away from the safe "Moody Bubble" and it's been challenging. I'd love continued prayers for this as I go back to school too (more on that in the weeks to come)

Another group of folks are preparing to deploy in a month or so. They've seen the folks who have just come back-- they've seen them changed. And the next ones are scared, they don't want to come home different--but they will. But they will also come home to a community of believers. People who believe that there is a God, in control, working out good for those who love him. It's great to see people here reaching out to those hurting.

Sunday night we started a new study series (you "Navigators" type people will recognise) it's called TrueFaced. It's about trusting God and others with who you really are, about not wearing the masks we build for ourselves to look "okay". Already I think it's been received well. It's time for these men and women to open up to each other, stop faking life, and just be real.

Well, I suppose that's all for now. Thanks for sticking with me.

Let's not get wrapped up in Independence

It's probably 90 degrees and a clear blue Spanish sky, to my left is the Atlantic Ocean, and I'm covered in sand. Just got back from playing frisbee on the beach, and I'm eating a cheese and olive sandwich. It's been an awesome trip. The singles have come on a retreat to Spain. And we are staying at the Cadence Hospitality house here. (Rota Naval Station is here) We've been enjoying Spain, and yesterday as I said, we took a day trip over to Morocco. It was interresting to be in a Muslim culture, and such an old city in North Africa. Of course it's like going to Tiujana and saying you've been to mexico, but it was Morocco nonetheless. We ate traditional moroccan food, shopped, tried to escape the children selling us things, and just enjoed the cuture of the city. MY favorite foor was some chicken pie thing... it was a triangular pastry with chicken, curry, and other spices, fried I think, and topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Fabulous. They're big on mint tea as well, it's served hot with a handful of mint leaves in it, and very sweet.
Sunday night we went to a bullfight. Definitely a cultural experience. I don't think I'd go to another, but I'm glad I went to this one (I didn't know they actually kill the bull. It's rather unsporting).
The rest of the time has been spent here in Rota. Either in town, eating piping hot Churros and Cafe con leche for breakfast, or on the beach hanging out.
Pictures to come later.
We;ve been talking about community, and what God's plan for community in our lives is. Why we need community, and how we can help each other and love God more in the process.
Another note, today being Independence Day, and I'm hangin out with a bunch of military folks-- one might think we're ultra patriotic and celebrating , but we're not and that's ok. A thought about American culture and independence. We are dependent. We have to answer to someone, we are not autonomous. We are dependent on God every single in and out of every day, and it's time we realise that, and live it out. These kids know they are broken, and have mostly admitted that they can't do life on their own!

time to wash off the sand and get to the airport. (sad thing is I think it's raingin in England)

3rd of July

Just a real quick update to let you all know where I am. Currently I'm in Rota Spain, beautiful. I love Spain, I could probably live here. Anyhow...it's 5:30am and were on our way to Morocco! Yep, I'll be adding Africa to my continent list. Spending the day in a Muslim country...exciting.
Pray for the true community of the goup.

gotta run

love me

Annual finger slicing

Warning: this post not for the faint of heart.

Well friends, gather 'round it's time for the tale of Elaine's summertime digit-mutilating story! The history of this tradition is quite rich. It started last summer as I nearly escaped the wrath of a deli meat slicer. As I was cleaning this fine piece of culinary machinery my rag slipped, exposing my right index finger to the razor sharp blade and left me with a severe cut on said finger...there was much bleeding and a small scar to follow. Fabulous story if you'd like the whole thing sometime.
Yesterday the occurrence became, unexpectedly, an annual tradition. I was in the kitchen at the Cafe for Friday night dinner and whatnot, cutting up fruit for our fruit kababs. As is typical with semi-public use kitchens, the knife selection isn't perfect so I was left to slice cantaloupe with something resembling a steak knife. We were almost done, and I saw it coming...the rind was tough and I turned it sideways ans started to saw, well the fruit proved to be no problem and I stopped just short of the bone in my left ring finger. OUCH! that hurt. So from instinct or experience, I don't know which, I grabbed the bleeding appendage and dashed to the sink, once again snapping at an oblivious friend to get out of the way (no profanities though!) It bled quite a bit and looked pretty deep. The cold water washed away the blood, but it was being quickly replaced on the surface of my finger. Concerned friends started saying things like "ER" and I then heard Wes in the background explaining to a nurse on the phone that I am a reservist ID card holder, I do have health insurance, can I some to the hospital on base? After fruitless searches for a first aid kit, none was found. Meanwhile Cody who has some field medical training says, "superglue". I'm thinking, "what?" but strangely I figured hey that might work!
Wes was not giving up on the ER, it looked like it was still bleeding. So off we go. But Cody met us in the parking lot w/ three tubes of glue. We all went to the ER (good adventure for a friday evening). After a while, in the ER, some painful scrubbing, a tetanus shot, and some sweet talking/ negotiating with the Doc I escaped stiches, and he used...super glue.
Point of this story... don't cut yourself, but if you do, let the crazy guy with superglue have a crack at it.

hos·pi·tal·i·ty

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers


Last weekend Tim and Rebecca had their 24th wedding anniversary. They were tied up with Chapel obligations, on a trip with 50 people to Paris. So this weekend after collecting money from the singles we've sent them to London for a night (actually sunday morning to monday night). Which leaves Elaine as the missionary, cook, meal-coordinator, mother, bedtime story reader, gardner, dog-walker, lunch-packer, and rootbeer float-maker.
Now, a lot of my posts, e-mails and phone calls make it sound like I'm just here being a homemaker, which is semi-true. This ministry is a whole-life thing. There is not one part of the Hawkins' life that is not affected by their ministry to the military community. Everything from making time to pay bills, reading to the kids, having time to read a book for their own pleasure, installing bathroom cabinets, any sort of regular bedtime, to how much milk is in the refrigerator.
I've said before that the Hospitality House is a "home away from home" but it is also the home of six (seven for the summer). If any of you have lived in a dorm room, away from family and everything familiar, or just had a long vacation in a hotel you know how good it is to finally sit in a living room on a couch and have friends around you. Keep the Hawkins in your prayers. They need to be able to have regular family time and not be reaching out to the community at the expense of their children, always a delicate balance.

I've survived the weekend (I started this post on Monday or something...It's now Wednesday). And what a fun weekend it was, when it's light out until after 10:00 you tend to squeeze every ounce of fun out of the daylight,I'm recovered but I have a cold.

A team of Airmen from the Transportation squadron at Lakenheath returned last week, and that brought a much loved member of the group back. I look forward to getting to know her. You can pray for Val though and her coworkers, they spent 8 months driving convoys across Iraq. It is true that the majority of AF jobs don't put you in imminent "combat" danger, but trans is one that does. Since last November she has been driving 5-8 hours a day in a truck, waiting for the next IED (Improvised Explosive Device). I know she is glad to be back on friendly ground where things are green and people are complacent and shallow. But it is certainly culture shock, and there's probably some Post Traumatic Stress going on too. Pray for her and her mental/emotional/spiritual health.

Today I'm off to Bury St. Edmunds with Erica. Erica is a new cop here, this is only her second week of work, and her first duty station. It's Market Day in Bury, I really love the market. It's classic: men yelling advertisements of their produce, smelly fish stands, and just about anything else you'd want to buy. There are fabulous ruins of an Abbey that once stood near the town centre which are now home to thousdans of flowers. :o)

Thank you all for your prayers and support.


Rom 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Heb 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

1 Pet 4:8-10 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Don't burn your bridges...it's a small world

To those of you who don't check my blog hourly, I apologize for giving you three posts to read at a time.
Story of the day:
I ran on base to get some groceries for dinner tonight (ladies bible study), and decided it was time I stop by my old shop to say hello. I wasn't expecting too many familiar faces, a couple of NCO's who arrived at the end of my tour, and our two wonderful and inclredibly british civilians, Alan and Grahame. I walked in and went to the main office, where said individuals were expected to be, and got the best double-take I've ever seen (without my sister that is) folowed by three great smiles and hello's. There were hugs, handshakes and whatnot. Alan said he'd been talking about me not 30 minutes prior t the fellow across the hall. We walked over to the other office (the one where I had started my AF career) and there sat TSgt Vaugh!!!!!!! My first supervisor...the first person I'd met at RAF Lakenheath over 5 years ago now. I'll admit, and you'll not struggle imagining it, but I was so surprised and excited I couldn't hold back a few tears!
He'd left for Colorado long before my days here were done, and we lost contact after I moved to NC, and even more after I graduated into the civilliam world. Turns out, he and his wife are stationed here again, got in about 2 weeks ago. I had no clue...but it's been the best surprise thus far. (every time I'm on base I keep an eye out for any familiar faces).
The moral of this story: it's a terribly small world! God's got plans, and I'm glad I get to have 2 more months with Perry and his wife Caroline, The Sergants Vaughn.

Multi-lingual

Good day my friends, this is a quick little note of boasting to let you know I've just used html code! Yup, if you will notice there are four lovely links over there to your left, if you are not one of these people, or related to them (in which case you've already done this) check 'em out! You thought my life was exciting...you ain't seen nothin' yet. (hmm, and I should also note that 75% of these people have lived for considerable amounts of time in Tennessee-- I think there's a pattern frming in my life)

P.S. don't waste too much of your life stalking people online.

Picnics, World Cup, and other great things about today

Here it is, the second consecutive sunny Saturday! And truly, it has been sunny and 75 every day since the last one. I'm seriously getting spoiled. That's the thing, when it's rainy here it's rainy. But when it's not, it's nice!!

These are some pictures from last weekend's outing to the beach at Hunstanton (it's a little spot north of here on the North Sea)
It was an enjoyable evening of songs, s'mores, and sand (you should read evening as evening, night, and early morning).

The other girl in this picture is Mandy. She has been here for a little over a year, hails from LA-- Louisiana that is. Pretty solid girl, lots of fun, and loves kids! I got stuck baby sitting the other day (little slobbery baby) and she was all too excited to come over and take it on since she works mids (thrid-shift).
They guy witht he guitar is Wes. He lives across the street, calls Texas home (yup I'm surrounded by hick-talkin' southerners). He's getting out of the AF in November and beginning a 12 month internship with Cadence and the Hawkins. And the goofy guy behind us is Rob. I don't remember where he is from, but he's a good guy. Big heart, always ready to help and have fun.

"Car Park Entrance" is what this sign reads, and since we couldn't park there, while some were retreiving the cars, others decided to make use of the barricade. These are some of the guys, most are Christians, but some just hang out because we're having fun. and that's ok too.

If you want a good idea of what the communuity here looks like...think back to those kids you knew in high school who joined the military. now, I'm not trying to stereo-type everyone in the armed forces, but it's a good start. They are not the cool kids, the super smart ones, or the kids that seem to have ait all together. They are disfunctional. (some of you have heard me say...good strong Christian kids don't join the military, they go to Bible college-- that's not 100% true, but it is more than 50% true) They have issues, and they are running from something. And this is a big melting pot for them. Pray for these Airmen, as they learn to live in community. Some of them are learning for the first time that people and God love them! I had a nice talk with one of these guys last night, and it's so good to know, that even now I am appreciated here.

I love you guys!!

Shalom~Elaine

"But the least of these look like criminals to me, so I left Christ on the street..." -Derek Webb

The sun is shining!!!

Hey guys (and gals),
The sun is shinging, and it's a great thing. It's been raining sine I got here, and I was quite pleased when I woke up this monrning to the sunshine!
It's been a good week getting aquainted with things/people around here. (I made a fabulous greek pasta dish for thurday night singles dinner).

To make you all a little familiar with what exactly is going on around here:
I am living with Tim and Rebecca Hawkins. Their's is a Hospitality House (with Cadence International) Ministry happens here almost around the clock. Tonight (monday) there is a girls Bible Study, it is a small group...but then again girls are a smal percentage of the military! This will be my first with the girls study, and we'll begin the book of James. This is a study that I will lead for the summer. We also have dinner.
The Thursday night study is for singles...that's us young folks. Tim is going through Exodus. My main duties for this, include helping Rebecca prepare throughout the day, cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping. (We do most of our shopping on the base, but head into Mildenhall village for those british delicacies not found in the commisary).
Sunday night is a study for couples, most of them are young right now. Going through Hebrews, but starting a book called "True Faced" in a few weeks. My role w/ the couples is small. There is some food preparation, but each couple brings food too, so it's not as much as thursday.

For those that don't know summer time is PCS-season around here (Permanent Change of Station) We say good-bye to lots of poeple and get new ones inroduced to the group. I hope to help make new faces comfortable here, so they'll have a family and a home-away-from-home. And this is a great way to get out of the dorms (which are this terrible place of drinking and partying all the time, horribly depressing-- especially for a new airman).

For me personally...jet lag is taking it's toll! It's been hard so far to get on a schedule and it's been pretty frustrating. I'm usually one of those people who is asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, and resting all night long. It's not been so since I got here. I'm really hoping my body adjusts soon. Today I'm experimenting, all of my tea wil be decaf! :)

Thanks for all of the e-mails and comments. I love you guys!!

(I've already been scolded for not putting enough milk in my tea, by the way)

P.S. ok, so I can't cheat and change the date....so this post is dated saturday (which is when I started it) But I've actualy posted it on Monday 5 June :o)

Arrival in England!

Hey Friends, I'm glad you've found my blog, and now you know I've arrived safely in England. It's all so incredibly british, I'd forgotten little things, like narrow roads lined with hedge rows, and the limey water. :o)
Tonight is the singles dinner/bible study at the house, and I'll meet most of the regluars. A few people topped by the house last night because they "wanted to meet Elaine" can you believe it? I'm famous!

For those of you new to this whole blog thing...If you want to post a coment (which I reccommend you do sometime) It will be there for me and the whole world to see. You can comment on the post, or other people's comments...or anything else you want. You don't have to be a member or "signed-in" to comment...so type away!

Love & Jetlag,
Elaine

What I did over summer vacation...

Ok, so this is a bit out of order... this is what I spent the first two weeks of break doing (before I went to England). I've decided to make (knit) a set of coasters. I made one over Christmas, and really like it, so I thought I needed a set!
I've just finished step one. Spinning the yarn. My mom bought me some dyed fleece, and I'm spinning it using a drop spindle.

The mission for the summer...not just fun in England!

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this letter finds you healthy and blessed! My third semester at Moody Bible Institute (in Chicago) is drawing to a close and I’m doing quite well. I’ll start in the fall as a junior, and as a Resident Assistant on one of the women’s dorm floors. It is an exciting opportunity to serve the girls on this campus, which I am looking forward to. God has provided for me time and time again, and I daily thank Him for His faithfulness.

As you know I was stationed in the UK at RAF Lakenheath from 2001-2003 with the Air Force. While I was there I was closely involved with the ministry of Tim and Rebecca Hawkins, of Cadence International. I have the opportunity to go back to Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall this June and July on a short-term service trip with Cadence! Why you ask, would I want to spend my summer on an island in the north Atlantic where it probably won’t get above 70 ˚ and I’ll come back just as pasty white as I left? When I look back on my time in England, my fondest memories come from Tim and Rebecca’s Hospitality House Ministry and their effect on my life. The simplest way to sum up hospitality ministry is a “home away from home”.

The overseas military community is a creature all it’s own. Young Airmen, families with deployed parents, single women wondering how they fit into this military world and Cadence reaches out to these people with the love of Christ. I will be helping with weekly dinner and bible study nights for singles, and another for couples. I am also encouraged by the recent development of a bible study especially for women. I look forward to encouraging these women with my experience, having been exactly in their shoes. Personal discipleship, and relationships are vital for Christian growth, and always easier when there are more people on the giving end. It is important to understand that my desire to do military ministry comes from the view of meeting the needs of real, hurting and lost people; not necessarily supporting any political situation, this is work for God!

The Lord is faithful and will provide where there are needs--physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual. I am in prayer for you even as I write this, and I ask that as you read this you will be in prayer for me, and my summer ministry. This is a faith-based ministry. As such, I am required to raise my own financial support for the summer, which will include airfare and ministry expenses, my housing will be provided. If you would like to partner with me in my ministry, first and foremost, pray! It really works. Secondly, you may make a donation. I ask you to prayerfully consider a monetary gift to help make this ministry possible. Thank you for the influence you have had in my life, and for your support in any manner over then next few months.

Comment or e-mail me for more details on how my support situation is currently

I pray that you will see God’s blessing in your life!
in Christ.

www.cadence.org

Ok...so I guess I have to include a picture in a post before I can use it as my profile picture...here it is. I may as well add some more JSB pictures while I'm at it...maybe later.