Robert Loves Kendalyn

After serving at ALERT for over a year as head chef in the kitchen, plus having my two brothers go through the program, I am a huge fan of ALERT (Air Land Emergency Resource Team) and the incredible work they do with young men in preparing them to make a difference in the world.  Their goal is to equip men to be honest, hardworking men of character who are not control by peer pressure, but by the Word of God.  Enjoy the video below to grasp just a bit of what this incredible program involves:

This past Saturday, Robert and I drove 4+ hours down to Iowa to attend Dan & Courtney’s wedding in the beautiful countryside nestling a small, white church. (Just as an FYI, someone suggested drinking a carbonated drink to help with the motion sickness I’ve been having since my pregnancy started and it worked! Praise the Lord!) The wedding was beautiful and the happy couple did a great job in organizing the ceremony smoothly and with meaning. The pastor gave a wonderful sermon and we really enjoyed getting to see the Bertin family again and visit during the reception.

The next day on Sunday, Robert and I went to the airport to visit with my sister, Aleita, during her 3-hour layover here in Chicago!  It was so good to see her again!

This must have been the quickest start-to-finish relationship I have ever seen – just another example of how the Lord works in different ways for different people!  David Waller & Priscilla Keller began courting in September, were engaged in November, and married February 4th!  We often had them over in our home and enjoyed their fellowship very much.

The wedding was beautiful with God-honoring symbols of love and commitment each step of the way in the ceremony.  Many came to watch and even more watched the wedding online!  You can see their wedding at  http://davidlovespriscilla.com/.  God was glorified and two happy people began their lives together!

On Sunday, after the wedding, Robert, our friend Katherine, and I went to tour St. Augustine.  What a beautiful place!  We toured the lighthouse, the fort, and walked along the quaint little street laden with clothing shops, ice cream and treats, and restaurants before finally ending at the Columbia for a delicious lunch.

This month has flown by with lots of company, visiting, and good food!  My parents came down for over a week from the 9th to the 17th. Then we had a brief few days to turn around before Robert’s parents came for five days!  We had so much fun and made lots of special memories.

Mama and Dad Kowalchuk came to see Chicago and visit so we packed as much as we could into their week. We went downtown Chicago, I took Mama shopping all over the place (and found some WONDERFUL deals!), Mama and Dad bought me some cute maternity clothes (ah! They’re just wonderful!), we tried several different “Chicago style” restaurants, they attended our midwife appointment with us, and anything else we could fit into the schedule. Dad found many things to fix around the house that we haven’t had a chance to get to – what a blessing!  He fixed our weather-stripping, the patio door, the closet door, organized the garage better, fixed umpteen things, and went through the car thoroughly with Robert, replacing the brake pads and springs. True to their goal, Mama and Dad left our house better than they found it!

Mom and Dad Staddon’s visit was a bit more laid back because they came to Chicago as part of a Sabbatical to plan out their year. We still had company and games, an evening out to a restaurant, and a Basic Seminar session with Tanya, but they did find time to spend alone in prayer and planning.

The week following Christmas, Robert and I took off and visited some friends in West Virginia and North Carolina.

Aunty Alice and Uncle Ralph Andrus are a dear couple in WV who have been a part of my life since before I was born.  They led my Mama back to the Lord, counseled and married my parents, baptized both my parents and siblings over the years, and dedicated us when we were babies.  They continue to be a special part of our lives and we couldn’t drive past them and miss a chance to visit!

Our next stop was Lauren and Josiah Faas in Raleigh, NC.  Lauren and I took college courses together, roomed together in Chicago, and still stay in touch as very close friends.  I was able to meet her little girl, Lily Rose, for the first time, too!

The Stelzls graciously opened their home for a visit so Robert and I enjoyed a couple days in their incredible hospitality!  The boys loved Robert and kept him busy wrestling, tackling football, playing games, telling stories, and playing the piano!  We feasted on incredibly delicious food and enjoyed fun fellowship, good talks, and uplifting singing by the campfire.

Christmas week was busy as we had four very special guests come for a visit to our home in Chicago the weekend before and stay overnight. Then we left Monday for time at home with the Staddon family and friends.  Here is a glimpse into our two exciting weeks!

Our guests: Mr. & Mrs. Gren (also known as my dear, sweet, wonderful spiritual heroine, Elisabeth Elliot!), and Danielle Sobie with her mom!

At the Staddons home, we began Christmas festivities with concerts:

Christmas cooking decorating:

Ice Skating:

And Christmas Day!

This year for our staff Christmas Conference, the staff put together a handbell choir.  Becky Keilen orchestrated music for the bells, the piano, harp (my instrument!), and cello and it was a enjoyable time practicing for the performance!  Robert was animated as he conducted the choir and the audience had a difficult time whether to look behind them to Robert’s stand, or toward the front with the people playing bells! 🙂 Everyone did a fantastic job on the bells and the audience talked that evening about the uplifting song and smiles on the faces of the bell players.  It was definitely one of the highlights of the conference for me!

Our den was transformed in just a few hours as Libby Zellon and Emily Oliverio, with the help of Eddie and Ethan, shoved our furniture to the back of the room and put in a long table laden with a large center piece filled with vegetables and fruit. The room took on a glow as candles were lit and decorations were hung. Christmas lights sparkled and the pewter dishes caught the cheerful reflection.

Delicious food put the thirteen participants around the table at ease and made the conversation lively.  Libby even made homemade eggnog and Emily made a delicious homemade apple pie!

After a leisurely meal, everyone joined in to put items away and get the room back to its original state.  More cookies and dessert followed as everyone settled in the den to watch “The Muppets Christmas Carol.”  A relaxing evening to a lovely Charles Dickens tradition!

This past October, we had five visitors come to liven our home and send joy throughout the rooms as little voices sang out in play and creativity.  Keon Pendergast drove the ALERT bus so the guys in Phase 2 could attend a Journey to the Heart, and he brought his wonderful family with him!  Although Corrie was a bridesmaid at my wedding, we had little time to talk and there was much to catch up on!

We enjoyed the 10 days they were able to stay with us, and especially the 4 days Robert and I took care of the children so Corrie and Keon could take some time together up in the Northwoods.  We took the kiddos to a fire station, make sugar cookies, played football, read books, and watched “Facing the Giants!”  The time with them was so precious and wonderful and we are so grateful they could come to Chicago!  With Corrie expecting her fourth child, I had many questions as I entered this phase in life for the first time!

While we were watching the children, we received a call from the traveling ALERT Mobile Ministry Team (MMT) asking if they could spend the night with us.  Why of course!  They gave us a full concert of the songs they’ve been singing all around the country as they have given of their time and energy for free to families and individuals who needed help with projects.  The little kiddos were happy to see the guys from ALERT again and we all enjoyed their music.

We arrived home safely last night from a wonderful weekend with the Staddon Family in West Virginia!  The weekend was filled with delicious food prepared by Mom & Esther, fellowship, friends, and fun games.  This little baby seems to be going through a growth spurt because eating was a constant activity for me!

We drove down with Daniel, James and Barak last Wednesday and arrived just in time for a late supper.  Thursday was relaxing with great food and games, Friday involved taking naps for me and working on the computer for Robert, and Saturday was Jonathan’s graduation from high school.  Early Saturday morning, however, Grandpa Brannon was rushed to the hospital and he and I ended up missing the graduation.  He felt better after receiving an IV, so the hours passed quickly for us as he shared stories of his time in the war, about his family, how he and his wife met, and how proud he was of his children and grandchildren.  I felt that I really got to know him better and enjoyed the time staying with him immensely. 

Jonathan’s graduation went very well and I was able to give Grandpa blow-by-blow reports of what was going on, thanks to Robert’s updates from his cell phone!  It was a blessed time at the Staddon’s home.

Now the Christmas rush has started as I start thinking of all that needs to be done before Christmas (like eating!  again…).  I love this season!

Happy Thanksgiving!