Ellie is two!!!

Is that Handy Manny, or Handy Ellie??

Movie time!!

Minnie Mouse Cake!

So we had a birthday in the Owens house this past month. On February 15th Miss Elaina Grace turned TWO!!! I cannot believe it has been two years since God brought her into our lives. We celebrated with just our family here at the house with a Minnie mouse cake I made her. The cake turned out pretty good, and I enjoyed making it. We also took all of the kids to a play place here in Tallinn to play for a few hours that day. She got a Minnie mouse toy and a Jessie doll for her birthday.

We are almost finished learning the days of creation with the children's club. We have been learning the days of creation by doing crafts for each day of creation. It has been great to see the kids explore the days of creation hands on by making crafts to remind them of what was created on each day. Many of these children do not have much exposure to the Bible so this helps reinforce what they are learning. We also put each day of creation on the craft to help them remember at home as well.

We will be traveling this weekend and next for training seminars on one of the islands here in Estonia. Justin will be teaching Evangelism training over these two weekends and the church that will host the sessions has a lot of youth that are interested in this. Please pray for safe travel and for those that come to take on the task of being a multiplying disciple for Christ.

Soon Justin and I will celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. It is on March 10th. I truly could not have picked a more wonderful man to have in my life. He truly is the man God made for me. I love Justin more than words could possibly say! We continue to grow with each other through every obstacle and miracle along the way. God has richly blessed us through these past ten years. We have three beautiful children, awesome supportive parents, wonderful friends and family, love and friendship from each other, and a Father who loved us so much to send His only Son to die for our sins and purchase a place in Heaven for us!! Who could ask for more?

Sure life is not always easy. In fact really I do not have many easy days, but I know that with the help of the Holy Spirit I can do anything. I know God knows all of my burdens and what I will do before I do it. I know that He will never give me more than I can handle. Sometimes this alone gets me through the day. I try to stay positive and focus on things I can change and give the rest to God. I do not always succeed, but I try. Justin is really the more level headed one between the two of us and he helps me a lot. I am trying more to control my temper and reactions. I see that I need to teach my kids the right way to react to adversity, and reacting by raising your voice or getting angry is not what I want them to learn. It is a long process and I still fail, but I continue to try and with God's help I will become more patient and less reactive.

Kayla and Braeden are still chugging along with their schooling. We are growing radishes right now in Kayla's science class to learn about plants and how they grow. It has been interesting. She is excited to be doing experiments in her science and learning hands on. Braeden is learning about the human body and how it works. He is fascinated by the bones and muscles. He had me draw him a picture today so he could decorate it. He is the budding artist.

I am through week eight of my weight loss journey and so far have lost 14lbs. I am at 185 now. I have also dropped another size in clothes. I hope to reach my goal of weighing 143lbs by the middle of August. I am still working out to Slim in Six, five day a week. I have been doing the third level of the video for the past four weeks. This is a big accomplishment for me because before I could not even make it through this part of the video. It is still not easy, but I make it through. Justin has also lost about 12 pounds just from the diet changes we have made!!

Thanks for continuing to pray for Estonia and God's work here. Please continue to pray for the hearts of believers here to be burdened to reach their friends and neighbors for Christ. Please pray for our family as we seek to raise our children in a friendly loving environment and that they would see Christ in us. Pray for us to be the parents God wants us to be. We love and miss all of you. Have a blessed day!!

It's a new year!!

Mom pulling Braeden on a sled.

Dad, Mom, Kayla, and Braeden

The sun shining the other day. Oh sun how I have missed you!!

Ellie let Kayla fix her hair. She of course left it up since Sissy did it!! But when Mommy does it she pulls it right down ;0)

Ellie and Papaw

Well 2010 has left us and now it is 2011. So far it has been a great year! We have set our dates for coming home for furlough. Furlough, for those that do not know, is the time we come home to travel to our supporting churches and share God's vision and the work we have been doing on the mission field. We will be coming home on October 14, 2011 and staying through July 16, 2012. This will give us about nine months to travel, raise ministry support, as well as share about God's work here in Estonia. I am excited about this (if you could not tell ;0)) So much that I am posting about it now, eight months ahead of time!

If you are a pastor of a church or interested in us visiting your church during our time home please email Justin at estoniamissions@yahoo.com with the date and time you would like us to come. We will be taking appointments from November, 2011 through June, 2012. We will start emailing churches to start getting our schedule filled up soon. We would love to share with you about Estonia and the ministry here.

School is going full force right now. The kids go to school four days a week. We usually are done by lunchtime. Then Justin and I both have our own school work for a few hours as well. I am only taking one course at this time so it is not too tough. Three more sessions to go and I graduate!!

Kayla wrote her first research paper! She did great! She had to choose an animal and research it. She chose dolphins. We looked on the internet and found two sources there and then she used two of her school books as well. I cannot remember doing research papers in the third grade, but she did perfect!

Braeden is learning more and more each day. He is learning to put sounds of words together to read 3-4 letter words. He loves art! He can draw pretty well too! I may have an artist on my hands.

Elaina is still her bright lovely self. She will be two soon! I cannot believe it has almost been two years. It has flown by.

My parents came for a visit a few days after Christmas. We really enjoyed our time with them. We did not do too much due to the weather, but we got to spend time together. I enjoyed seeing them it really meant a lot to me!

I have began a journey to becoming healthy myself. I started on January 3, 2011. I decided it was time to make a change and start taking better care of myself. I am soon to be thirty and all of my grandparents are dead. They each died of heart attacks or cancer. I do not want this to happen to me. So I have been making small changes and sticking to them.

I have been watching my calorie intake and trying to keep it to around 1200 calories a day, but no more than 1600 calories even on a splurge. I also have been working out to a video I have had for years and used occasionally. It is called slim in six and it is very intense for me. It is a cardio and muscle strengthening workout and has three levels. It took me several months to finally be able to just do the second level. When I began my workouts on January 3 I started with the second level and did that 47 minute workout five times a week. This week I began to do the third level of the program and am still going five days a week. The third level is 59 minutes. I started out at 199lbs and now I am at 192! Seven pounds down in four weeks! I am proud of these results and will continue on till I reach my goal.

My goal is to loose 45-50lbs to be in the normal weight range for my height. I know this will take a while so I plan on achieving my goal within 9 months to a year. As a family we have been eating better as well so this is impacting the whole family. I want my kids to know how to take good care of their selves and know how to eat healthy. This is the beginning of that.

Each day working out is not easy. Sometimes I do not want to do it, but I cannot give up! I will continue this until I reach my goal. Then I will make a plan to maintain my weight which will also include exercising as well. Exercising has been a hard thing for me to keep a commitment to in the past. Now, after four weeks I can tell you I feel a difference in my body. I have more energy and feel better.

I will post each month where I am at and what my weight is doing. The good and the bad. This will help keep me accountable. I am not willing to let another day go by that I say "tomorrow is the day". Today is here and the time is now to make a change!

Justin and I have been reading the Bible together as well. We chose a plan to read through the Bible in a year and this plan is in chronological order. We are on track so far. This is another goal of mine. I have yet to read through the whole Bible and next year this time I will be able to say I have!

We continue to help with the kids club here in Estonia. Justin is continuing to have evangelism training seminars as well. We still have about two feet of snow on the ground here as well.

Thank you for the prayers and support! Please continue to pray for Estonia and for God to continue to work in the hearts of believers here to have a burden for reaching their people. Please continue to pray for safety as we travel for seminars. Please pray for me to have strength to continue towards the goals I have set physically and personally. Thank you again for all of your love and support.

Merry Christmas!!

So it is Christmas Eve here in Estonia, and the past few days I cannot help be a little home sick. Okay a lot home sick. Holidays are not the same without all of our family, but with the help of Skype and the fact that my parents are arriving here two days after Christmas, that helps. We have been on Christmas break from college and home school this past week. We have been sledding with the kids and enjoying our time together. Today we watched Toy story 3 (an early gift from us to the kids). Here are a few highlights from this year:

Kayla is learning how to write in cursive and how to multiply. She loves to listen to music and can sing Psalm 8 by memory. She is a bright loving child and very helpful big sister.

Braeden is learning to read and write. He is learning to add. He loves to listen to stories and even though he does not sit still during them, he can tell me everything that happened. He is a lively bright little buddy, but also a loving little man.

Elaina is learning her shapes, she loves to say circle over and over again! She likes to sit and listen to stories as well and still loves to dance to music. She is a bright, silly, little angel.

I am halfway through my schooling. Only seven more classes to go! Justin will finish his schooling shortly after me in December 2011.

We helped with the Christmas party at the kids club of the Hope church here. The kids made candy trees for their parents, played Christmas games and sang Christmas songs. These kids are such a blessing to my heart. To see their smiling faces really makes my day! We gave them each a little gift for Christmas, and look forward to seeing them next year in the kids club.

Justin is continuing to do seminars in conjunction with the Seminary here in Estonia, about how to Share Jesus Without Fear. Many have come to learn how to share their faith more effectively. Justin is also going further with not just teaching evangelism, but also praying for God to lead him to men that would like to learn more about what the Bible says about discipleship and how to become a multiplying disciple of Christ. Justin has began meeting with a man who feels led to work with the youth here in Tallinn. They have been meeting once a week and learning together.

We are grateful for all of the blessings God has given us. This year has been challenging at times but very rewarding as well. God has shown us that He can make us much stronger than we could have ever believed we could have been. God also revealed His mission for us here and it feels so good to understand the bigger picture now.

Thanks you for continuing to pray for Estonia. Thank you for praying for our family. We hope that each of you have a Very Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We wish you many blessings this next year as well. We miss and love you all!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!

What I am thankful for

The first snow!! Yes we have had enough snow to make a snowman!

The volcano Braeden and I made, then we made it erupt!

A cell model Kayla and I made.

First day of school!!

First day of school!!

Camp out

Baseball

Kayla had a birthday!! She is 8!!

The boys made cars at Kayla's party

The girls had a spa party and painted their nails and made glitter lotion!

I decided to make a list of things I am thankful for and put it all together. This list is not really in any order, except the first thing. So here it goes!!

1) First, and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus Christ, who came to earth to save me from my sin, and offer me eternal life in Heaven! Even though I did not deserve it, He died for me, and only through Him, am I saved.

2) I am thankful for the wonderful man God placed in my life. Justin is my partner, my friend, and my soul mate. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.

3) I am thankful for each of the wonderful children God has given me.

Kayla is a beautiful, smart little girl. She reminds me of myself. She has a warm heart and is sensitive to others. With one look into her sparkling blue eyes, you can see to her heart. Oh how I love her.

Braeden is a handsome, bright boy. He is a little (okay a lot) wild a times, and loves to explore the world. He also has a sensitive side, and loves to snuggle. I see Justin in him, especially when looking at his beautiful hazel eyes. That boy will melt hearts, he already has mine!

Elaina is a beautiful little doll. She is funny and loves to dance and play. She is a little stubborn at times (which I have been told I was too!!). With one look into her beautiful brown eyes, you can tell she is filled with love. She sends joy to my heart.

4) I am thankful for my parents. Who have guided and supported me no matter what. My mom is my best friend and stood by me when the world failed me. My dad would always tell me never to give up on my dreams; I could do anything I put my mind to. I love them very much and am very excited about their upcoming trip to see us here in Estonia. December 26^th cannot come any faster!!

5) I am thankful for my sisters. Even though we did not always get along (what siblings do?). We love each other very much.

Debbie, my older sister, is who, I have always admired. Every little sister wants to be like her big sis, and I did too. I still admire her for being who she is, going to school while working, and still maintaining her family. She is a good mom and wife. She has a genuine heart that not everyone sees. I miss times like the ones we shared when we were young. I love her so much. Maybe more than she knows.

Jamie, my little sister in the middle, is also someone I admire. She is also taking school right now along with taking care of her family. She is a good mom and wife. We used to stay up on the weekends playing Barbie’s, school, and doctor. I miss those times as well. I love her very much as well.

April, my youngest sister, is ten years younger than I am. She is also in school, and I admire her as well. She had a heart condition as a child that kept her from many things, but she did not let it hold her back. Instead, she has chosen to become a doctor and combat heart problems. I remember sharing a bed with her right up until I got married! She would come down the hall with her blanket and ask if she could sleep in my room. I did not mind the extra company. She was always like my real live baby. I miss times with her. I love her very much too.

6) I am thankful for my in-laws. How many people can say that?? I have two sets of in-laws and I am very blessed to have them in my life. They all love my children and me, just the way we are. They love us and support us. They have raised an awesome son, who is wonderful to me. I love them very much.

7) I am thankful for the rest of my family. I come from a close family, so family to me is just not my immediate family, but aunts, uncles, and cousins too. I love holidays because I get to see all of them and catch up. Oh how I love all of the wonderful times we have shared!

8) I am thankful for my friends. I have many friends in different categories. Those from Baylor, Mother Francis, here in Tallinn and church family. They are all dear to my heart. I have special memories from both of the places I worked, Baylor and Mother Francis, and with our church family as well. I was truly blessed to work with such awesome people who let me into their lives and continue to pray and support me. Our church family is dear to my heart. I love that we come from a praying body of believers. Here in Tallinn, I have met some wonderful women too, who also have welcomed me and support me. God has provided special people along my path, and I am very grateful for them.

So that is the list. It really turned out not to be what I was thankful for but Who I am thankful for! I hope you enjoyed it! I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, we all have so much to be thankful for!

We have just finished our first six weeks of homeschooling, and it has been going good. With Braeden we have learned about fossils, made a volcano, looked at dirt, read 6 books, and much much more!! With Kayla, we have learned about Indians, I read 3 books to her, and she has read 3 books on her own! We have learned about animals, and how to use them in an apologetic way to prove against evolution. It has been quite interesting and fun! Elaina also likes to join in on the science experiments and readings. Justin is also teaching the kids this year. He has been a huge help.

The kids have also started playing baseball, once a week. They are learning the basics right now, but are enjoying it. The team is a group of kids from the international school here in Tallinn, so they all speak English. It has been a good way for the kids to spend time with other kids.

Justin has started the training sessions for the evangelism training. The first one went well with five people coming. Each of these people had a heart for evangelism, but needed better tools to use. Please continue for these sessions throughout this year and next.We continue to help with the kid's club at the Hope church, and are enjoying that as well. We do games and crafts, we have had about 8-10 kids coming each time.

Thank you for continuing to support and pray for us. We love each of you. That is all from our neck of the woods. We would love to hear from you, write if you have the time!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Fall is here!!

The girls at the zoo recently.

The fort we made from the boxes our home school supplies arrived in.

Elaina in her Big girl bed.

Justin and I, can you believe it has been 9 1/2 years!!

The kids at a castle we visited in Narva.

Elaina and Braeden.

My lettuce.

My first roses!!

We had a pretty warm summer with temperatures in the 90's for a week or so. The rest of the summer was mostly in the 80's but humid, which does not sound too bad, but you have to factor in the fact that we do not have air conditioning!! That changes everything!!

Summer went out with a bang in mid August with the temperatures falling to highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's. Definitely not Texas weather!! Fall here is cooler and makes me want to be home to go to the fair and carve pumpkins. I love the cooler weather and the crisp breeze, I could do without so much rain, but nothing is perfect right? I had planted some lettuce, cherry tomato plants, carrots, and rose bushes this past spring. We have already eaten the lettuce. The tomato plants are finally beginning to ripen, and the carrots will be ready in October. The rose bush in the front yard bloomed with beautiful peach roses, and the one in the back yard is beginning to grow as well. I am no green thumb by any means, but I decided to try and so far so good.

We decided to change the kids home school curriculum this year. Kayla was beginning to become bored with the one we were doing, so we opted for a more hands on program. The kids have been excited since the supplies arrived a few weeks ago, and so am I!! This program has about 30-40 books per child that we go through, but it is literature based, and we will spend a lot of time reading together and journeying through the books as a family. This curriculum is also packed with activities and fun things to do. I was a little overwhelmed when first getting things organized, and I still am, but I know we will make this journey together with God's guidance, and have a great year. We plan to start the first week in October, I will post school pictures then. I can not believe that Braeden will be starting kindergarten and Kayla is starting 3rd grade!! Elaina has also stopped using her pacifier!! She lost it for one day, that was a week ago. Where has the time went?

We have been waiting for God to show us where He needs us here in Estonia. He has shown us that there is a need for evangelism training and a need for understanding that sharing our faith is not an option but a command from God. We have had a church here request Justin to teach their youth Share Jesus Without Fear, which is a simple way to express your faith and teaches the reasons why we are to share our faith. Justin had this book translated in Estonian this year, and now has the opportunity to use it!! He will begin teaching them on Sunday nights starting on the 19th of September and carry through till January. There is also interest in this program being taught at the seminary as well, here in Estonia. Justin has a meeting with the seminary on the 16th of September to discuss this.

We are tapering this book to fit the needs of the people here as well. Cold evangelism just does not work here, so we are focusing more on the people that each believer already knows and is in contact with. These are the people that will be more responsive and need to be reached. With 70% of the population here being unbelievers, every believer here knows at least a handful of non believers. Our hope is to have the believers see that the people who are in their lives, who do not believe, these are the people God has placed in their lives for them to be a witness to. Witnessing is so much more than just sharing the Gospel, it is a way of life. We strongly feel a burden for this work and are excited for God's upcoming plans!

We also have an opportunity to take a more active role in teaching the children's church at the Hope Church, here in Estonia. We are excited about this opportunity and this is where I will be more active. We will be meeting on Saturdays and have Bible stories, prayer, crafts, games, music, and snacks. We are praying to become closer with those that attend the Hope church and for God's continued guidance to how He needs us in this church.

We recently had are three year anniversary since we came to the field. Whew, who would have known that in three years we would have moved to two different countries, learned two different languages, tried to adapt to two different cultures, have another beautiful child, and seek God continually for guidance as to His plans for us!! God is amazing!! He knows His plans for us and reveals them to us in His timing. We feel like finally we have a glimpse of God's plans for using us here in Estonia. Our main focus that God has laid on our hearts here is evangelism training. We feel like there is a need for that here and God has burdened us with that need. Eventually we would like for this need to be taken over by an Estonian here. that is our goal, to work ourselves out of a job! Our second focus here is outreach. There is a huge need for growth in the churches here, and people are more likely to come to events, rather than church. It is important for the people here to see that Christians can have fun too! We feel like with the children's club, camps in the summer, and other outreach events more people will respond and get involved with churches. We are excited about what God is doing here in Estonia, and look forward to growing with Him here!!

Thank you for your support and prayers! We love each of you very much. Please continue to pray for God's work to be done here in Estonia. Please pray as we begin a new school year in a few weeks. Going from teaching one child to two is going to be an adjustment. Pray for God to continue to move in the hearts of the people here.

Fishing for Christ camp

Well we have had a very busy past three weeks here in Estonia. Justin's dad and step mom came to visit us and then six days after their arrival a team of three more people from our home church, Farley Street Baptist Church, came to help us with a camp at the Lasnamäe Hope church.

We had a good time together and everyone stayed with us at our house. We had much fellowship and the kids loved the extra attention. I would like to share with you how thankful we are for the ones who came to help us. Thank you Mike, Doris and Van and Jim and Joyce. We truly cherished the time we spent together.

The camp went well. We had 38 kids total who came. Each day we would have Bible lesson, songs, games, and crafts. The kids enjoyed the camp. It warmed my heart to see each of their smiling faces eager to learn and play each day. God truly blessed us through this camp. About half of the kids were not affiliated with the church or friends of ours. At the end of the camp we made wordless bracelets so the kids could share what they learned at camp. Six kids asked Jesus into their hearts that day!! Thank you God for these precious lives. It is such an honor and blessing to be a part of God's work here in Estonia. God is working all around us, we just have to stop and listen to where He needs us.

Many of the members of the Hope church also helped with the camp. They proved to be a valuable asset and it was a pleasure to work with them and get to know them better. Thank you to each of the people that helped with the camp. Without you it would not have been possible.

Our kids went to the camp as well and had a great time. Kayla had accepted Christ into her life last year and earlier this year Braeden also accepted Christ into his life. We had to make sure Braeden fully understood what this meant, but he showed that he understood, so we prayed with him this May and he asked Jesus into his heart. What an awesome message the Gospel is, that even a child can understand. What a wonderful God we have!!!

We would like to continue to challenge the group that came here. We know that it is expensive to come, but if you feel that it is God's will for you to continue to minister here, then He will provide. We challenge for each of you who came, and those that did not, to pray and if you feel that you would like to commit to coming to Estonia, for the next five years, then plan on coming. We would be more than happy to have you stay with us again. We plan to continue to put on camps in the summer for the kids here. By committing to five years you will be able to see how God is working here each year you come. Those who came got to see God working first hand and it was a very rewarding time.

If you cannot come, then please still pray for Estonia. Pray for the hearts of the people here to continue to be softened. Pray for the ministries here to continue to grow. Please pray for an upcoming opportunity for evangelism training to be taught in the seminaries here. Please continue to pray for us to be willing to submit daily to the will of God for our lives and His ministry. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. We love you and miss you all!! Thank you again Mike, Van, Doris, Jim and Joyce, words cannot describe the joy and happiness you brought not only to the children here, but also to our family. We love you all, thank you for being who you are.

Customize your own photo slideshow

Up Coming Events

Ellie pushing the baby doll.

The fire at the Jaanipäev

Playing games

Our stuff

The wood before the fire

Some of the food and friends.

Playing

Ellie and I

Talking, We had a great time!


Justin teaching Braeden how to throw a football.

The kids
My little princesses!
My 29th Birthday!


We have been enjoying the wonderful weather here in Estonia the past few days. The sun has been shining and the temperature is finally warm enough not to need a jacket all of the time. Last night we went to celebrate Jaanipäev with some of the members of the church we have been working with. We were very grateful for the invitation to join them for their celebrations. We enjoyed the time together very much. Jaanipäev is the night where Estonians celebrate the summer solstice. They go out to a village or forested area and have big bonfires and cook out. They have music and dancing and just a good time. They usually stay out most of the night because this is the night that the sun does not set. We lasted until about 10:30pm which is good for our crew. We had a lot of fun.

We are growing more and more accustomed to things here in Estonia. God is revealing slowly but surely His wishes for us here. He is showing us more in detail what our contributions will be here and how we can be used here. We continue to pray for His guidance daily and ask that you continue to pray for Him to clearly show us His will for us here.

We are very excited for the upcoming camp that we will be doing alongside the Hope church here and the team of our friends from our home church in America. We have been working to get things in order for the upcoming event. We pray that many kids come and hear the word of God. We pray that many kids get to see and feel the love of Jesus through this camp. We are very grateful that we are able to do this camp with the Hope church. We are grateful that they have welcomed us with open arms. We are getting to know their members better and are starting to feel at home with them. We are also grateful for the team coming from America. Tickets here are not very cheap but those that made a commitment to come are coming faithfully. May God bless them richly. Everyone will be staying at our house, so I am really looking forward to the fellowship time!!!

We will be celebrating Breaden's 5th birthday soon. I have invited many from our church and neighbors to come celebrate with us. I will post pictures and details of the happenings later. I can not believe that my little buddy is turning five. Time flies when you are having fun!

The kids are doing great. Kayla is learning to ride a bike without training wheels!! Go Kayla!! Braeden can write his ABC's and 123's!!! Go Braeden!! and Elaina ca climb up the slide and slide down all by herself (a little kiddy slide)!!! Go Elaina!!! Maybe I am a little bias but man are my kids great or what?

I finished my first two classed towards getting my Bachelors degree and I made an A in both of the courses!! I am so happy. I finished up my language school for now. I need to practice talking and listening more but I know much of the grammar. Justin also will finish his language school tomorrow. He is much better that I am, much better.

We ask you to pray for the upcoming camp here. We ask that you pray for God's will here in Estonia to be done. That many would come to hear God's word and feel the love of Christ during this camp. That all of the glory be to God. Pray for safety for the ones traveling here and for them to have a great time here in Estonia. Thank you for all of your love and support. We love and miss you all!!