5.21.2008

California?

So we are still diligently on a job hunt. Dylan has been looking at a wide range of jobs in camping ministry and also in the secular realm of recreation and leisure (i.e. state parks). The jobs could and would take us anywhere from McGregor, MN (sound familiar?) to Idyllwild, CA...all we have to do is to follow God through whichever door opens.

Experiencing the job search process has been a challenge. There are so many emotions that seem to cycle through our beings each time we check out a new wanted posting or send in an application. Excitement, anxiousness, hope, curiosity, frustration...and each time it seems a little tougher to continue. We know we need a job and we want a job, but we are comfortable where we are. Our families and friends are nearby, our jobs and hobbies are here, our family was created here. When we think about those things it makes it hard to motivate ourselves to push forward through the rejection to find the right open door. Because, ultimately, we know it's out there somewhere.

So, if you think about, even though it may be hard, please pray for us. Pray that we would be diligent and patient in God's timing so that we don't miss an opportunity meant specifically for us. Pray that we have the courage and determination to pursue openings and the wisdom to pick out which ones would really fit our family. Please pray for our hearts that they would continue to prepare us for whatever service we will be called to. Thank you for your prayers and support; we definitely appreciate them all.

5.18.2008

A New Child

RELAX.

We promise we're not pregnant.
Nope. Nada. Nil.
Definitely.Not.In.Any.Way.

(Knock on wood.)


What we mean by "a new child" is that we have decided to sponsor another child through Compassion International. We already have a little girl whose name is Dayana. She is almost eight years old and lives in Ecuador with her family. She likes to play with her dolls, go for bike rides, run around and play games with her friends. We were given the opportunity to sponsor her two and a half years ago and have enjoyed corresponding and getting to know her since. What prompted our hearts to re-evaluate our financial situation and to make this decision was after attending our Pastor's presentation on his Compassion International visit to his family's sponsored child in Ethiopia. While we had already been considering it for some time, this was the final tug on our hearts and we knew that we couldn't put it off any longer.


No, we are not rich by any means. Yes, we do get more support from our family than we probably deserve and we are blessed everyday by their generosity and love. But, with that said, we also are not so poor that we cannot share. C.S. Lewis once said "Nothing that you have not given away will truly be yours." This applies to so many things in life, friendship, love, respect...and certainly it does not seclude whatever monetary wealth we may have. Christ called us to love one another, to reach out to the poor and to love the unlovable in whatever way we could. For those of us blessed to be living in such a country of luxury (whatever your thoughts on recession might be), there are always a few things that can be forgone.

For us it's cutting back on entertainment (eating out once costs just as much as our support a month for Dayana; thus not eating out twice in one month will pay for two children to receive adequate food, education and love). It's something easy for us to cut back on, we like to cook and ultimately believe that by establishing a routine of cooking in and dining together, we will build a strong family.

There are so many things that we do not need but seem to "have to have." "It's the greatest poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish," lamented Mother Teresa. And nothing could be more true.
This is not a post to brag about how "righteous" and "selfless" we are. It's not to guilt anyone into sponsoring a child, that is a personal decision one that we hope would be made with thorough deliberation and deep commitment. This isn't a paid for plug for Compassion International (it's entirely free). What it is is just a reflection of how God is working in our lives.

Thus, without further ado...our new child is five-year-old Jose, also from Ecuador. We will be receiving a packet in the mail sometime in the near future containing more information about him and we are eager to get to know him in the same manner as Dayana.


"When a person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed."
Mother Teresa

5.16.2008

3 Months,13 Weeks Ada Update

Wednesday Ada turned three months old and yesterday she turned 13 weeks...we think it's weird how the charting of her age goes (that silly Gregorian calendar). She's growing and changing quickly, it seems like every time we turn around she's doing something new. Her last WIC appointment, she weighed in at a hefty 14 pounds even and she's begun to grab and grasp dangling toys of various sizes and jingling abilities. Unfortunately she's decided that she no longer cares for tummy time, regardless of whether or not it's good for her. (And she's started perfecting her pouty face already...I think we might be in trouble...)

5.15.2008

Ada's Dedication and Such



Last Sunday we not only celebrated Katie's first Mother's Day but also Ada's dedication at church. We really enjoyed spending time with our family and friends that day and also appreciated the support that was shown by them being there. There is nothing that we want more than to raise Ada in a secure, loving home lead by deep faith. We want to raise her to know that she can make her own decisions and choose her own path, but ultimately we will always pray that she will choose the one that is specifically laid out for her by God. And we are thankful everyday that both of us were blessed to be raised in atmospheres that allowed us to become who we are and to develop the kind of faith that we prescribe to.

5.06.2008

One Down, One More to Go.

So today marks Dylan's last finals...not necessarily for forever but for a good, long while. We are excited for this chapter in our lives to begin coming to a close (Katie still hasn't finished--it's not a race you know) but are anxious for what the future holds. Where will we be in a year seems to be the ever looming question. Yet, we know that God's created a perfect plan and we'll do our best to follow along.

"Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there...
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your
people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran."
Genesis 11:31, 12:1-4


This passage has been comforting and inspiring as we look for jobs, build our family and seek God's will in our lives. In chapter 11, verse 31, Abram's initial goal was to make it to Caanan, but instead they settled in Haran. He built his life there with his wife and family. They were settled and comfortable, they were happy. And yet when God called Abram to leave for his original destination, the place where God intended for him, he didn't question. He just went. Abram knew that even though he had become settled with his family, that it was just a transitory period; one in which he would eventually have to leave. It definitely wasn't easy but Abram trusted God and that He would not only take care of him and his family, but that life could not be lived to its potential if it weren't Father-lead and God blessed.

It is our goal to be like Abram in this regard. We love our family and our friends (we hope that's obvious) and we are comfortable where we are. But when the time comes that God chooses to open the door for the next chapter in our lives, we pray that we're ready and that we will choose to be blessed by following.


5.05.2008

The First Exciting Post

We decided to open this blog for our friends and fam who are far away and want to keep updated on the exciting and mundane events in our lives. Recently, there has been quite a bit of happenings as we got our first dog, Moses, in April '07, our first "grown up" car in July '07, our first daughter, Ada, on February 14, 2008, and soon Dylan's college degree in August '08. We are blessed to have you all who care about us enough to slog through this blog of ours and are thankful everyday for your support and love.

With that said, we decided that the first entry should re-introduce you to the Dachtlers.

Dylan Lee Dachtler
Born: April 22, 1984--Earth Day!
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Sauted mushrooms
Favorite Comedy: Arrested Development or The Office
College Degree Earned: B.S. Recreation and Leisure
Current Job: LM Glassfiber
Favorite Quote: "I love your Christ, but I do not love your
Christians." Ghandi

Katie So Dachtler
Born: February 20, 1986
Favorite Movie: Spaceballs, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, While You Were Sleeping
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 37:4
Favorite Smell: Lilacs
Favorite Food: Blueberry waffles
College Degree in Progress:
B.A. Religion
Current Job: Starbucks' barista
Favorite Quote: "We act as though comfort and luxury are the chief requirements of life, when all
we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." -Charles Kingsley

Moses Dachtler
Born: February 20, 2007
Favorite Food: Science Diet Small Bites for Adults
Favorite Cleaning Chore: Vacuuming the kitchen floor
Favorite Activity: Taking long walks, beach side a plus
Favorite Spot: Top of the suede couch near the window
Current Job: Face-licker extraordinaire

And now of course, for the one that you are most
interested in...


Ada Bailey Dachtler
Born February 14, 2008 at 11:06 am


Our daughter was 7 lbs. and 0.7 oz. and 21 inches when she came into this world. She was born via emergency C-section and is thriving. At her two month appointment, she weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz., almost doubling her birth weight! Needless to say, she loves to eat and play with her Mommy and Daddy. She also loves seeing her aunt, uncles and grandparents whenever she can.


So anyway, we hope you enjoy the pictures. Check back sometime soon for some more posts (as we get a hang of this blogging business that is)!