Let the "Story" begin on Story Street!

Greetings, Family and Friends!

Grandpa's Desk Still Being Used

                I am sitting in our new house in Appleton, WI in the little sun room we have turned into an office and to top it all off; my Grandmother Alexander gave Daniel my Grandfather Alexander's writing desk!  I am sitting at it now and the memories I have of seeing that wonderful man of God working at this very desk just bring tears to my eyes.  The many times I would visit and play around on his office floor while he worked.  He is with Jesus now, but I love to think of him looking down to see his desk being “used” to spread the love of Jesus like he did his whole life.  Thanks for joining me in my sentimental moment! 

Easter egg hunting with Christie!

                Yes, my friends we have moved….again, but this time it is for good….I hope (just knocked on Grandpa’s desk – hehehe)!  We have been in this wonderful home for just over a week and while the boxes are still strewn about and I still have no idea where the bath-towels went, it feels more like home than any house Daniel and I have ever lived in together.  I thought I was being overly sensitive about the whole thing, but Daniel made the same statement to me the night we moved in here.  I like to take that as another confirmation from God that we are doing the right thing.  The move went as smoothly as possible for a pregnant woman in her third trimester and for a family who just moved three months ago.  My dear friend Christie, from the lovely state of CO, came out for ten days to help us with this transition.  I have known this dear woman since Ellie was 6 months old.  She worked at the 24Hour Fitness in the Kids Club and we connected immediately over our love of Harry Potter, thanks Harry!  She knows me very well and we are so alike it can be creepy.  She filled in during my weaker moments physically and emotionally.  She encouraged me and at breaking moments she would just push me (softly of course) out the door and say, “Go catch your breath and get some sun therapy!”  She took care of my kids and even brought a new game that Daniel and I loved and now we must go out and buy it! All and all, God knew I needed help and he worked it out that Christie could come.  There are no words to express how grateful I am, thank you my friend.

                Now that we are here in Appleton the excitement of the Church Plant itself is starting to bubble in me!  It seems so real now!  My hard working man wrote up a huge “report” to take to the Wisconsin Presbytery this coming up week to show them his progress so far.  He has met with a lot of people from the community during the last few months, talk about a lot of coffee!  My “introvertness” (not sure that is a real word…) just makes me want to curl into a little ball and rock in the corner when thinking about all those meetings, but it makes Daniel come alive.  It has been fun to watch him in his element.  We have some fun summer activities planned for our growing Appleton group.

As the weather is warming up people are starting to creep out of their homes.  This past weekend our little street was all a flurry with the sounds of lawn mowers, weed – whackers and of course children!  We bared our winter white legs and worked on the first lawn we have ever owned! It was thrilling!  The girls and I cleaned out the designated area for our future vegetable garden.  It was a delight to have them working beside me.  They were more interested in the worms and roly-poly’s than weeding, but that’s ok.  Caroline…well, Caroline just wanted to eat the dirt so we took turns steering her back to Daddy, “Go play with Daddy, Caroline!” who would steer her back to us, “Go play with Mommy, Caroline!” you get the picture. 

Morgan Biking like a pro

Here is a small update on our girls. Ellie is in her last few months of 2^nd grade and is doing well.  We have kept her in the Kaukauna school because we didn't want to change her over for the 3^rd time in one year.  We will just make the 20 minute drive twice a day for now.  She was in a musical program two weeks ago and took her music teacher very seriously when she said to keep smiling the whole time.  Ellie most certainly kept smiling the whole time!  We did our best to hold in our giggles because she sort-of looked like a Barbie Doll up there. Then by the end of the performance the smile had turned into more of a grimace!  Her teacher came up to us afterwards and said with her eyes twinkling, “Wow, Ellie can sure hold a smile…”  So cute!  Morgan has been adding to her list of “victories” this month, but it didn't look like it would be a victory in the beginning! A few weeks ago she came stomping into the house and threw herself dramatically on the couch.  Then she cries out, “I will never learn how to ride a two wheeler bike!” (me) “Wait, did you fall off your bike?” (Morg), “Noooo, I just KNOW I won’t be able to do it!” I tried to talk to her and comfort her, but there was no consoling the child.  She sobbed for about twenty minutes then got up and went back outside.  I, of course sighed and said a few things to the ceiling and go about getting dinner ready.  When I happened to look out the window, oh twenty minutes later, there was my Morgan on her two wheeler bike just riding around the cul de sac…seriously?  We ran outside and had a small party to celebrate!  Love the drama…never gets old.  Caroline continues to suck us all in with her super cute gibberish and her drunken teetering around the house.  I love the way this kids walks!  It always looks like she has had one too many!  She loves to say, “Uh-o” at everything and my response always is, “There’s no uh-o.  You worry too much!”  She has just added “co-cu” for thank you to her growing list of communication…so cute!  “Velma” (nick-name for baby Breed) is now 29 weeks and 1 day along!  According to my “What to Expect” app on my I-Phone “Velma” is the size of a butternut squash (17in, 3.1lbs). It’s amazing that a 3 pound baby can cause this much discomfort. I feel like I have a 20 pound basketball stuffed inside my belly. I just feel…big.  I don’t like that word choice and I am the only one who can use it.  If you see me you can say things like, “Erin, your pregnant? I would never have known!” or “Erin, you are just glowing! What could be the cause?” 

All and all, I am doing a lot better.  It is good to finally be in a home we love and a place to fully settle into.  I still struggle with a bit of depression and low thinking, but that will heal with time.  God has been ever faithful and has been showering our family with His love.  I feel utterly blessed when I look around at where He has brought us so far. Thank you for your prayers and your support for our family.  We miss so many, many of you.  You bless our lives!

"Shovel Faster!"

I have stolen a moment in my crazy weeknight schedule while a wild game of “Throw” is going on behind me.  You might be wondering what a game of “Throw” entails? Well, it’s basically Daniel chasing the girls around the basement and then throwing them on beanbag chairs!  Pretty basic father daughter time in our house…lots of screaming and high pitched laughing!

I know it has been awhile since I have written and I know my last blog might have been a little more “real” than you would have liked, but it was a hard time for me.  Thank you for all your sweet encouragement.  I really appreciate it.

Ellie the professional shoveler

Our family is becoming more accustomed to Wisconsin.  It has been a very mild winter.  We have only had a few snow falls, which has been just fine with me, but the girls would like more so they can build a snow fort.  They have enjoyed the snow we have had though.  Ellie loves shoveling the driveway with Daddy.  I can’t believe how fast these Wisconsinites shovel their driveways!! We are always the last driveway on the block to clear our snow away!

The ministry itself is at a “strange” stage or maybe I should say a stage that Daniel and I have never experienced.  Our goal in moving during the winter time was to get here and try to settle our family so when Spring arrived we would know a base of people to really get things moving.  I can honestly say that is what this winter is looking like.  Daniel meets with people who direct him to more people etc… Getting to know people has always been a strong gift of Daniel’s and I think he is enjoying it.  I think it’s the pace of our ministry right now that is the hardest to get use to.  Daniel is used to working many hours and having a lot on his plate.  This is a rare and precious time on our lives and we are trying to really appreciate our slower paced days, but for two people who have been used to a packed calendar (I am sure some of your remember our crazy schedule) each month this takes some getting used to.  The funny thing is I am a classic introvert and always struggled with how busy we were in CO.  I always felt spread too thin and I yearned for something…I thought it was more time to myself.  Now that I suddenly have lots of time I find myself feeling anxious and jumpy!  Wow, we are a fickle people!  It is a very good lesson for me to learn. I have what I thought I wanted and still feel unsatisfied…ok, God just teach me and guide me to what I don’t even know I want or need! What a perfect quiet time for God to do some serious work in me/us…be careful for what you ask for, people (I say that with a smile)!

Caroline Morning Hair

The girls are doing great! For those of you who keep up with Facebook I keep it pretty updated with the funny happening of my girls.  Morgan tends to be the leading lady in the “funny” these days. Though Caroline is a close second.

 Morgan is my little open book, so like her mother!  I always know where my Morg’s radar is pointing.  She is hanging in there staying at home with a pregnant mommy and a crazy Caroline, but she has started to say how much she misses going to school.  This is a good sign.  She’s getting more comfortable here and ready to branch out.  We are going to look into getting her involved with some art class or swimming lessons soon.

Caroline and Morgan in the morning with
their favorite animals

Ellie is getting into those years where we are dealing with more serious questions and thoughts.  She has the most precious heart and is really concerned for others.  We have had to talk through a few confusing situations where girls in her class have treated her unkindly. It is hard for me to understand why this stuff starts so early, but I remember experiencing it myself.  We just try to talk each situation through and how handled it. 

Caroline is my little terror and I say this with a huge smile on my face!!! I love this age!  This morning Morgan wanted to sit on the floor next to the sliding class door in the kitchen to enjoy the snow that was falling outside.  She put up a chair “wall” consisting of all our kitchen chairs to keep Caroline out…you can imagine what the next hour looked like; Caroline making her way around the whole wall finding each small hole and trying to squeeze her little body through.  The times she did make it to the other side she just beamed with delight and crawled over to terrorize Morgan’s little space of peace.  Caroline still refused to walk though she could if she wanted to.  Sigh…patience, Mommy!!! 

“Velma” (baby Breed) is looking good!  The girls have nick-named the baby Velma.  I just roll with it and no we are not naming the baby Velma!  We got to see little Velma last week.  He/she is looking great and we got an encouraging report.  We did not find out the sex…we will all be surprised together, but as someone from Rocky Mountain Church stated, “Let’s face it, it’s going to be another girl!”.  If so, I don’t think there has ever been a man who will be loved so fiercely but 5 women!  Velma is due June 30^th

Well, that closes out my mid-February post.  This is a time of growth for the Breed family and it is good.  Thank you for all your encouragement and prayers.  You are in this just as much as we are.  Please know that we think of you often and are humbled each month by the different kinds of support you send our way.  We would not be here if it wasn’t for you. 

Love you all dearly,

Erin

"How do you say it . . . Kaa . . . Kaa . . .Naaa"

Written on January 9th

Dear Friends,                                       

      We have now spent 18 days in Wisconsin….the first 12 at Daniel’s parents house in McFarland, WI and the last 6 in a temporary house here in Kaukauna, WI (5 miles east of Appleton and one of the Fox Cities).  It took me the last 6 days to learn how to pronounce the city, “Ka- kon-na”…. J.  The house belongs to a gracious family who is letting us stay in their vacant home here in Kaukauna until we can find a house we want to buy in Appleton or until this place sells.  It has been on the market for 3 years with no bites, we thought another 3 to 6 months was a sure thing….hehehe…right!  We have had two showings in the first 3 days we were here!!!  That brought my unpacking to a screeching halt, let me tell you!  We haven’t heard anything yet, but we do know we have been guaranteed at least another month here before we have to leave if it sells.  I would say I have unpacked about 65 percent of our stuff.  As the British say, “oe!” There is a house we are very interested in and will be starting the process this week of putting down an offer on it.  Both Daniel and myself are a little wary about finding “that perfect house” after only 6 days of really looking, but we know what we like and we are quick decision makers even without the sudden fire under our butts to find a place. I have had my eye on this house since last summer.  It is super cute and full of character!  I would take character and uniqueness over big any day.  Now I am not saying this house isn’t beautiful because it is! There are 4 bedrooms, a study, a functional basement, big yard, newly redone kitchen, a new roof and it’s in a great neighborhood.  I have taken many deep breaths and given this possibility to God as I think about it over and over.  Our realtor made a comment about how surprised he was that it is still available.  I wanted to smile and say, “Well, God was saving it for us, of course!”  Now, it might not work out and if that is the case I will have a good cry and move on.  If God can change my heart towards church planting (and to do it in a state where I want to go bed wearing a sweater every night because I am so darn cold) then he can give us a wonderful house.

      Now to switch gears on you (Sigh)….I have gotten many questions as to how I am doing with all the changes.  I must now confess . . . it is hard.  Change like this always strips me and leaves me feel so alone and out of place… (well, I am literally “out of place”, but you know what I mean).  I have been on auto pilot because there was too much to do, too much to pack and too many details to figure out for me to realize all the change around me.  Now that the dust has settled and we are unpacked…well sort-of, its finally hit that we are in a new place, left our friends in Colorado and are starting a new church.  Being pregnant hasn’t helped matters.  All this doesn’t surprise me when I think about what the last few months have been like.  I had two sweet women at Jacob’s Well (church we are attending in Green Bay until we are up and running) today affirm my feelings. They too had a hard time moving here.  They encouraged me to give myself grace and time to grieve.  I want to, but I see Daniel all happy and excited to be here and I want that too!  Ahh, to be a man where hormones don’t run your day to day life! 

        The girls are doing well.  Ellie is like her daddy and seems totally fine and excited about the prospect of finding lots of frogs and toads this coming summer.  Morgan is more like me and has been more emotional (if you can imagine that) and missing Aunt Jenna very much.  Caroline….well, as long as she has music to dance to and someone to watch her while she dances life is good.  Ellie starts at her new school tomorrow and is really excited so keep her transition in your prayers.

        Thank you for your prayers and for the way you all love our family.  Even in the midst of all this change and uncertainty I know God has called us here and that is a BIG comfort!  Oh, I do need to say that God has gently reminded me He is still here even while I wrote this.  A sweet friend from Appleton just called me to encourage me during this hard time.  Thank you, Lord!

"Are we Planting the Church tonight?" - Chapter 3



Erin and Stephen



Greetings friends from the beautiful and cold Midwest!

The 26 foot Penske

After about two weeks of intense packing and lots and lots of tears we left our home for the last nine years (that rhymes)! The three girls, my wonderful 21 year old brother, Stephen and myself piled into the Pacifica; while Daniel and Brad (wonderful family friend) drove the 26 foot Penske packed to brim with all our worldly possessions (there was a lot of grumbling by my husband as to how much stuff we have).  We pulled out at 6:30am, Monday December 19^th.  Morgan pipes up from the dark back seat, “Mom, are we planting the church tonight?” Ah, if it were only that easy, Morgan.  We then made a much needed stop at Starbucks by the Pacifica crew and then with hot drinks in hand we hit interstate 76/80 east for the next 800 miles.  About an hour into traveling I made my brother pull the car over  on the interstate so I could pick up a Colorado tumbleweed to take to WI with me!!  Then back in the road we went!  I want to send thanks out to several families in our beloved Rocky Mountain Pres Church the Breed girls were sitting pretty with special travel boxes and bags full of goodies and fun toys to keep them entertained for the next 16 hours.  Stephen and I passed the hours by listening to music, talking and texting goofy videos of ourselves to the Penske crew who would send one back and so on.  I also made Stephen stop by  the side of the interstate so I could pick up a tumbleweed to take to WI!! The biggest surprise on our hours of travel was how well Caroline did.  I think her one year birthday a week before gave her a sense of maturity so she didn’t feel the need to have any crying fits during either day of travel….but it was probably God’s merciful hand on my baby girl.  We stopped in Lincoln, NE for the night and all the men played Marco-Polo and Chase with the girls in the pool wearing them out.   We picked up the next morning and though the day went fine we were all a little wilted by the time we pulled up to Daniel’s parent’s house around 6:00pm but safe . . . thank you for your prayers.  The next day was just as crazy for Daniel, Brad, Stephen and many others.  They all took the truck north to our temporary place of residence and unloaded it (God bless each of them).  Then they came back dropping Brad at the airport in Milwaukee. 

 The next few days were full of Christmas and family.  It is now Dec 26^th and I am thoroughly wiped out!  I have been sick with a sinus infection and….(drum roll please) I am pregnant with our fourth little Breed!!!  It was a bit of a shock, but I am now 13 weeks along and I am feeling better.   The baby is due June 30^th.

So what now?  That’s a good question!  We will use the next few months to get a feel for our surroundings in Appleton, touch base with a core group of people friends already established there and get settled to start this church plant.  It will take time, patience and lots and lots of prayer!   Keep in touch!  We miss you, Colorado!

Waiting . . . Chapter 2

Well my friends, the fundraisers have happened and almost all the letters have been sent or given out....now comes the hard part....waiting and doubting.  Waiting for God to bring in the financial support we need to make this church planting dream a reality and doubting that He will come through.  It is so easy to be excited and optimistic in the beginning when all your cards haven't been played.  When you think you still have a small bit of control over this “game” or an ace up your sleeve.  Now that our cards have been shown and our message has been communicated we wonder, was it enough?  Maybe we should have worded the letter differently or maybe if we had been more bold in our fundraising events . . . but we have to let it go.  I have to let it go.  I am a typical woman; I like my control and I am not very patient, but as my sister told me last night it is out of our hands.  There is truly nothing more we can do.  We have taken our family for a running leap off a cliff just trusting God has a safety net waiting for us!  I think we are nuts….truly!  J

It has been be very humbling for me and for Daniel during the last few weeks as he has gone out almost daily to ask for support from his peers.  It can’t be easy to do that.  I feel like a very bright light has been shown on me and my humanity.  I feel so utterly unworthy for this!  I sat in the tub tonight (my nightly routine to detox from the day) listening to some of my favorite hymns and found myself trying to think of all the skills, gifts or whatever that would have made God “pick” me to start a church in his name….yeah…lets just say it was very pathetic!  Everything I thought of that could benefit the cause was tainted with ME and my weaknesses!  I was a bit shocked when I realized I really wasn’t bringing anything to this.  If God wants to use  me to build His kingdom then I am going to be on the front row with everyone else to witness how He will!  “Oh Erin, you don’t give yourself enough credit…”  Really?  I ask you to put yourself in my shoes. What gifts and skills do you have that are always at the ready, you have energy to pursue at all times, and you utilize with a pure heart?  If there is something I am learning through this process it is that even my best gifts in which I put forward to build God’s Kingdom are tainted by my limits as a person. Yes, very deep thinking for tub soaking!!! 

So, we continue to wait on God to bring us the support we need.  I know I will look back and think this was a great growing time, but being in it now really hurts.  Take care and I will post again soon!!

Erin