Snow & A Christmas Party!

We got our first snow today! I know that it may not be that exciting but we don't get that much snow here in the Salem area so when we do it is a big deal! It is so beautiful and there is something magical about it. It makes me smile!



Yesterday we had our first Open House for our community at our church. I was primarily in charge of putting it together and it turned out to be a great success! We had hot cocoa, cider and cookies to start in the foyer and the Children's Dept. had crafts for the children. At 7:00 we opened up the sanctuary where we had tables all decorated and then later we served dessert. The program was great. It was a variety show of sorts, the Pastor's( Pastor Kyle, Pastor Doug and Pastor Dave) did a Beach Boys routine, except they were called "Dr. Doug and the Preacher Boys." It was hilarious! They were wearing shorts, hawaiian shirts, sunglasses and santa hats and they did a lip-sync routine to Little St. Nick. Kyle was the lead singer and he did great. Halfway through the show we served dessert and then the children did their Christmas program. We ended the night with Santa making an appearance and taking pictures. It was really fun and we loved being able to give that gift to the community. I love Christmas!

Right now Kyle and I are enjoying hot cocoa, a fire and relaxing on his first Sunday evening with no seminary the next day! He just received his grade from his Greek final and got a 98%! He is amazing! He is really going to enjoy this break from school and time with his family! We are both looking forward to this season in so many ways! Merry Christmas Everyone! God Bless!

Busy weeks!

We have had a couple of busy weeks here in the Welstad household. We had a 9 year old "daughter" for week, bought a new car, prepared for an event at church and took teen girls to the Revolve Tour.
Chealsie, our Pastor's daughter stayed with us while her parents were on vacation. Here are a couple of pictures of her making cookies, playing Wii and eating doughnuts on her way to school .


This one is where she tossed flour on me! We had a blast baking together!

Kyle and I took her to Dunkin' Doughnuts on the last morning she was with us before we dropped her off at school. It was great! We loved spending time with her!

This last weekend I took 5 teen girls to the Revolve Tour, which is the teen version of Women of Faith. It was a great time. I came away feeling much closer to the girls and really encouraged about their growth in Christ. We spent Friday night at the Conference where we saw concerts and a couple of speakers. We spent the night at a hotel and had a little slumber party with hot chocolate, popcorn and marshmallow treats that I brought for the girls. The next day was more concerts and speakers. Ther girls really enjoyed it. Here is picture of our party!


On Sunday we used the fireplace in our house for the first time. I have been looking forward to doing that for so long! We had a great evening of watching the football game and AMA's, making cookies and spending time with my brother and sister-in-law. Our kitty, Lilly was so intrigued by the fire. It was so fun to watch her be mesmerized by the flames. Here is a photo of Lilly watching the fire.

This is Kyle helping Tiffany grade papers for her class.

We are really excited about Thanksgiving. Kyle and I have been talking about how much we have to be thankful for. God has blessed us in so many ways and taken care of us in so many situations. We are so thankful for our families, jobs, home and each other. Enjoy your week and Thanksgiving holiday! We love you!

My brother got married...!

For those of you who don't know.... my baby brother David got married to Tiffany (Marks) this summer! They had an amazing and beautiful wedding at the Oregon coast June 5th. Here is a picture of the gorgeous bride and groom on their wedding day!


They live here in Salem and we love being close to them. They also volunteer and help with the churches youth group. They are great with the kids! We love you Dave and Tiff!

My Sista is getting Married!!!

My beautiful sister Michelle is engaged to her man Sam! They got engaged on October 5th in downtown Portland. They are both very happy and can't wait for their May 25th wedding! Here they are right after Sam proposed! It was a rainy night!


The next night we had a semi-engagement party for them at PFChang's! I gave Michelle a wedding planner book and a picture book of cute brides! She is going to be so beautiful! Congratulations Sam and Michelle! We love you!

Some Pictures....and Updates!

Okay here are a few pictures of the car.


Thank you to everyone for your care and concern for me!
I am doing well! My wrist is just a little sore.
We are looking for a new car.... see this one is no longer drivable!




Kyle gave me these roses as a gift after the accident! He is the BEST husband! (Oh yeah, the flowers in the middle are from Jonny P. Thanks Jonny! )

Here is a picture of Kyle and I at our churches Fall Fun Fest! We had really original costumes....can't you tell?!

Car Accident

I was in a car accident last night. My beautiful New (to me) Ford Escape is most likely totaled. It was a dark, rainy night and a car traveling the other direction turned into my lane by crossing the concrete barrier. My air bags deployed and I have a sprained wrist and sore shoulder as a result. We are hopeful our insurance company will fight hard for us. Needless to say, this has not been a fun 24 hours. I was pretty shook up and bruised right after. Today was a little better... sore but more frustrated than anything else. The driver of the other car was arrested. I was not told the charges only that he couldn't provide any documentation. He was borrowing the car and so thankfully the car was insured.
I will keep you all updated... maybe put some great pics of me in my sling! :O) Please pray for quick healing of my wrist and shoulder, that the insurance issues will be dealt with quickly and that we will be able to get a new car soon. Thank You!
PS. I just want to say "Thank You" to all the friends and family who have been so kind to me today! The parents for their care and concern, Lesley for her medical advice, Shell for the coffee and yummy dinner, David transporting me places and most of all to my amazing husband Kyle for his incredible care to me the last 24 hours. He has helped fill out the accident forms, cooked me food and Hot Chocolate, took me to the Urgent Care and and even covered my duties today at work. You are amazing sweety! Thank You everyone!

Amy Grant Concert

I have been a huge Amy Grant fan my whole life. My parents listened to her when I was younger and I just fell in love. I saw her once when I was 5 or 6 and it was too loud for my poor ears and when I was in High School we saw her on the Christmas tour. Last night I was able to attend her 20 Year Anniversary of the Lead Me On Tour Concert! I had SO much fun! I went with my friend Jennifer Markley and we had a blast singing all the old songs together. Amy didn't sing any song past 1989! It means all my favorites were sung! She did numbers from the Ungaurded Album, Straight Ahead and Lead Me On. For those of you who didn't hear of or know Amy until the "Baby Baby" years, these albums won't hold the significance to you that it does to me. But wow! Those albums were great! It was such a walk down memory lane for me. We lived in California at the time those albums came out and I have so many memories connected with each song. It is amazing how a few measures of music can bring memories to life that you haven't thought of in years. Now I have a new memory with my friend Jennifer!


Here is Jennifer and I before the concert started!

As the concert started Amy just calmly walked out onto the stage and started strumming on her guitar and started sing. The concert was all about the music, she was not showy or theatrical but entertaining and nostalgic. Her first song was "Father's Eyes" This is one of my favorite! When I was in high school and taking voice lessons I sang that song at a recital. It was a neat moment and memory to recall. The words of that song really resonate with me.

Lyrics to Father's Eyes :
(Gary Chapman)

I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world
But that's all right as long as I can have one wish I pray
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say

[Chorus:]
She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes
Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can't be found
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same
Just like my Father's eyes
My Father's eyes
My Father's eyes
Just like my Father's eyes

And on that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done
Good and bad they'll all be had to see by everyone
And when you're called to stand and tell just what you saw in me
More than anything I know, I want your words to be

She's got her Father's eyes .....



My favorite is the chorus
"Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can't be found
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same "

Even as a five year old, I loved that song and felt that it echoed my heart. I feel others pain like it was my own. I hurt deeply when others are hurting. I do my best always to find the "good in things." It took me a while to really understand the song; to know that it is about our Father not my "dad". It is SO much more powerful that way. My dad is fantastic but he will be the first to tell you God is the true Father with true eyes of compassion. How I long for more of my Fathers eyes...

Welcome and Hello!

I have been wanting to start a blog for a while now and thought I would give it a try.  My sister-in-law Sarah does a wonderful job of keeping her blog up to date... So, here is my attempt at communicating with those we don't see very often! 

It was  a beautiful day in the Northwest today! Blue clear skies, yellow and orange leaves on the trees and it was seventy degrees! It was amazing and I tried to soak it all up because the rainy weather is on the way. I always tell Kyle at this time of year, "I am going to be cold until June."  

As much as I dread the cold, rainy, darkness and dreariness that consumes the Northwest until June, I have to say this is the most beautiful time of year and I love it! 

There is something about the fall that makes me think about traditions, family and what the future holds. I am sure it has something to do with upcoming holidays and all that they entail. Holidays mean SO much to me!   I am looking forward to this holiday season with great anticipation. Kyle and I are looking forward to meeting our new niece Campbell. Sarah and Jeff will be here from Pennsylvania and we can't wait to spend time with them.  So, what are your thoughts about holidays? What are you looking forward to? How do you plan on honoring God with your time, money and energy this holiday season? 

Blessings to you all...