Living in the City and Allie's Room Part 2

For the past week Noah and I have been living full time at our place in the city. Our final move is this coming Friday but we love our new place so much we stay down here all the time. The only issue is we are still without internet so I feel SO behind. After a long fought battle with Charter we have decided to switch to AT&T so hopefully we will have internet sometime this week. In the mean time Noah and I frequent STL Bread Co. to get our internet fix. This coming week is also my last week at CEF. The commute back to St Charles is too far and with Allie-belle coming in September it is time to hang up my working hat.

This weekend Brie came over to help start making Allie's room adorable. Here is the beginning works of what will be her room. I am so excited with how it is turning out. Now I can't wait for my mom to get here with the bedding and finish the rest of the decor. Thanks Brie! You truly are gifted.

Allie's Room

We got the crib together! I am so excited this crib is beautiful. However, I need some help. I am trying to figure out how to lay out the room and since we are keeping a queen bed in there as well as the crib and dresser there is not a lot of options. I have posted the 2 that I am considering below and would like some feedback on where I should place all the furniture. Some of you may be thinking this isn't a big deal yet, I can always change it later. Well the issue is I am going to be painting things on the wall (flowers, grass, lady bugs, etc.) and I want to know where I should paint. So what do you think?

This past weekend...

Noah and I are back in St Charles after another amazing weekend down in the city. We are so ready to be in our place. I was looking so forward to this weekend because I knew we had a lot to do. We planned to paint one day, help a couple move, and put Allie-belle's crib together. Thursday night Noah and I planned to put the crib together thanks to my moms side of the family who bought the crib I really wanted but knew I couldn't afford. The whole thing was quite and ordeal first of all my aunt had to drive all the way to fairview heights from West County to pay for the crib and then she couldn't fit it in her car so Josh had to pick it up from the store on his way to work. So there we were thursday evening both very excited to put together this beautiful bed for our baby girl. We got everything out of the box and to step #2 and realized that we were missing some major pieces. So that was the end of putting the crib together. We have to wait till the other pieces come in the mail. Oh well. Here is what it looks like online. I will take more pictures once we get it put together.

Friday we had a doctors appointment. Everything is still looking great. Dr. Pignotti is always SO enthusiastic about how great both Allie and I are doing. When he went to check her heart beat he had some trouble finding it. At first this totally scared me but he quickly re-assured me that the reason he was having trouble is because she wouldn't stop moving. He said he would get it and then it would be faint. So apparently we have one active little female on our hands...oh boy!

Later that day we set out to paint our condo. Noah was not excited about painting but since he is an amazing husband and knew I needed paint to help make this place home he painted. Not only did he help me but he did most of it himself, as I wasn't much help taking frequent long breaks to get out of the fume infested room. I forgot to take a pic this weekend but I am SO happy how it turned out. Will post a pic soon.

On Saturday we got to meet an amazing couple who just moved to the area. Our meeting was totally a God thing. He (Matt) just finished Seminary in New Orleans and is moving here to get a second masters from UMSL in Philosophy. They know absolutly no one in St Louis and through a mutual aquaintance and the power of facebook we were able to hook up and help them get in to their new place. We also had dinner with them that night. I look forward to God's plans for us in the future. I think this may have been the start of an amazing friendship. Welcome to STL Flummers!

June Update

We’re moving...again
Yep, that’s right. The Oldham’s are once again in the midst
of a move. This will be the fourth time in less than four
years! Our moves have ranged from everything from the
unknown, to despair, to hope. But I would have to say that
this is the greatest move I have ever been a part of. This
move means more than a change in location. It means more
than a new job, a new place to live, and new neighbors to
meet. This move is all about the Gospel.
More than ever before, the vision that God has given us is
clear. We know exactly what God is calling us to do and that
is precisely why we are moving. See, there is this principle
in missions that is well understood by foreign missionaries.
It is called indigenous church planting. It means that people
that live in and are a part of a community have a much
greater possibility of reaching that community that those
who are considered “outsiders.”
If we truly want to reach the city of St. Louis with the
Gospel, we have to be a part of the city of St. Louis. We
have to live there, eat there, shop there, and have
community there. Pray for us as we make this transition.
And pray for our furniture as it is going to need divine
intervention to be usable after this many moves!

Allie Grace in on her way!
There are a few rare moments in life that steal your breath away and leave you in awe at the majesty and mystery of God. I had one of those moments a few weeks ago. As we were lying in bed about to go to sleep, Heather placed my hand on her belly and within a few moments I felt Allie kick! You hear about this happening, you see it on movies and ABC afterschool specials; it is one of those “facts of life” that just happen. But in that moment, I felt as though my heart stopped. I was literally speechless because I had no language to describe the wonder that I was feeling. All I could do was laugh. None of us really knows what is going on in the minds of babies in the womb.

Scripture tells us that John leapt in his mother’s womb when Mary came near Elizabeth. What’s up with that? Every night, whether I place my hand on Heather’s belly or not, I pray for our little girl. I ask God to watch over His handiwork. I also ask Jesus to call Allie at a young age, to allow her to be a young woman that fears the Lord and loves and lives the Gospel. I’m going to be a first-time father. And I know that I have so much to learn...but one thing I know for sure...Allie Grace Oldham is on her way...you better get ready world!

Preview Service
On May 31st we hosted the first preview service of August
Gate. What is a preview service you might ask? It is an
opportunity for people to get a feel for what weekly worship
will look like at August Gate. Every church is distinct in
style, methodology and community. Our preview services
are a chance for those we meet and share the vision with to
come see what we are talking about.
It is also an opportunity for us to work out the kinks in what
we are doing. For some on our launch team, working with a
church plant is a brand new idea. Serving in a church plant
is much different than serving at an existing church. I was
incredibly encouraged to see our whole crew stepping up to
help set up, tear down, welcome people and participate in
worship.
We had about 60 people attend. A few were family who
came from Illinois to support us (thanks!). Several were our
launch team. But we had a few people that we had either
met once or had just connected with through the internet or
on the street who came to check things out.
If you would like to check out the audio for the preview
service or any of our launch team meetings...just go to
http://www.augustgate.com/.

Prayer...
There are several things that you can be praying about.
1. Location
2. Walk-a-thon
3. Fund-raising
4. Networking
Many of you have been praying for a few months about our
location situation. We were graciously given the opportunity to use a building that is owned by another church for our preview service. We have been praying for a long while and are still
praying about our relationship with this specific church. At this time, things do not look possible for us to partner with them under their terms and still be able to fulfill the vision God has
given for August Gate as a new church plant reaching the city of St. Louis.
But God has not left us without options. We have met with the
local Lutheran church and we will find out this week if they will
allow us to rent the use of their fellowship hall on a weekly
basis. Things look very good so please help us pray it through.
Over the next few months, we have three goals as a launch
team. First, we need to grow together as a more cohesive unit
and in number. Next, we want to let as many people in our
area of St. Louis know about the mission and vision of August
Gate. Thirdly, we want to build a good name in our
communities. Due to the creativity of a couple people on our
launch team we are planning a Walk-a-thon for September
12th to be held in Soulard to help accomplish all of these
goals. The event will raise money for both August Gate as well
as the Children’s Miracle Network who gives funds to both of
the children’s hospitals in St. Louis. Please pray for this event
and for Heather as she will be one of the two people spearheading
the operation.
Please be in prayer about our fund-raising efforts. We still
have several needs that need to be met. Check out the fundraising
section for more details.
Finally, a huge area for needed prayer is that of networking.
Those of you who have been involved in church leadership
know the struggle that church politics can be. Our prayer is
this: that God would lead us to the group or groups that will
help us in the areas of financial support, emotional support,
vision, mission, and resources. I have so many conversations
and meetings set up over this issue that I am getting dizzy.
Pray for focus, clarity, and divine guidance as we seek to
make partnerships with churches, networks, and associations
that God would have us join with.

Fund Raising...
As always, we want to start off by saying a big “thank
you” to all of you who have decided to give to August
Gate these next twelve months. God is using you to
take the Gospel to the city of St. Louis.
Several people have asked how they can help in
specific ways. Below is a list of specific items that we
will need in the next few months prior to our launch.

• Projector
• Serial Cable (150 ft)
• Rear Projection Screen and frame
• Cables for sound system
• Sound board and snake
• Carpets for stage area
• Carpets for children’s area
• Stands for speakers and backdrop
• Pipe and drape for backdrop
• Sheets for décor and connection table
• Lights
• Black extension cords
• Signage
• Promotional material
• Bibles
  

Because we will be renting space and will not have
our own building for storage we may also need the
following.

• Storage trailer
• Wheeled travel cases for equipment

We know this is a huge list and many of the items
are big items. Believe me, we know! An option is if
you or the churches you attend have any of these
items in good condition that they would be willing to
give away or sell at a discounted price.
If you aren’t an itemized person, good old fashioned
monthly support is still very welcomed.
All your gifts will be tax deductible. As God leads and
you decide to give please let us know by emailing
noah@augustgate.com.

HK and Uncle Noah

Friday we went to Eldorado for Hallie Kate's 3rd Birthday Party on Saturday. Since Betsy, HK, and Nolan were already in town we decided to go hang out with them for the evening. HK and uncle Noah picked up where they left off with acting out Zacchaeus this time in a real tree. Noah is loving spending this quality time with HK I think it is makeing him get more and more excited about the days when he will be able to play with Allie-belle.
Here is Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree.


Noah asked HK if she knew how to climb the mokey bars and she said "no. Im sorry". This is her favorite phrase these days. If you ask her to do something and she doesn't want to do it she quickly responds with no...im sorry. It is actually really funny. When Noah asked her if he could teach her she seemed intrigued. So here she is learning to climb the monkey bars. Hopefully she wont try to climb them without help anytime soon.


The real reason HK wanted to go to the swingset to play was to swing. She loved running into the swing and swinging on her tummy. Here is Uncle Noah pushing HK on the swing.
HK loves her bubba. Anytime I am loving on him she feels the need to come over and get in on the action. I was able to snap a quick picture while they were both looking at me, right before Nolan got frustrated because she was loving him a little too tight.
After Dinner HK and Uncle Noah played outside for a while:

Later that evening HK asked Uncle Noah to dance with her. Here is the infamous Paso Doble Face

I grabbed my camera and switched to video mode to capture the majority of the event. Check it out.


Uncle Noah and HK finishing up a long evening watching all the Veggie Tales Silly Songs while Betsy and I prepare food for her party. I think they were both pretty tired after playing so hard.

4 Years!

Yesterday was Noah and my 4th Anniversary. I knew the day that I married him that I was so in love with him that I couldn't imagine my life without him. I had no idea how my love would grow over the years, how much I would love, respect, trust, value, believe in, and be proud of my husband only 4 years from the day I committed to be with him till death parts us. In this 4 years God has grown our marriage in ways that were not always easy. We have walked through leaving his home church and our first church together, 5 moves, loosing jobs, working at Cracker Barrel and Walmart to make ends meet, living with parents, loosing a parent, struggling with infertility, not being able to sell a house, living with 2 relative strangers, living off of support, and the beginings of planting a church. These 4 years have not been easy but I value the lessons they have taught me and the strength they have brought to my marriage. Noah you are my best friend, my biggest fan, my pastor, my confidont, my provider, my refuge, my strength, my spiritual leader, the father of my daughter and truly the love of my life. I can't wait to explore the future with you. I can now say with confidence that we can walk through anything together. I am so thankful for you. I love you more than ice cream.

Our first Preview Service

I am so behind on my posts for this past week. SO much is going on and it seems almost impossible to keep up but at the same time I want to make sure that I get everything on here so bare with me. I will eventually get it all.

May 31st was our first preview service for August Gate. Things went extremely well. We met at the Jesus Church in Soulard at 11am and we had about 60 people in attendance. You can check out Noah's teaching on the link in the upper right hand corner. Thanks to Kelly Beth I have a couple of pictures from the event (my camera battery died literally the second I turned it on). I was trying to post them tonight but apparently I am on an extremely slow internet connection so I will update once we get back to St. Louis. We are currently at Noah's dads house in Eldorado ready to celebrate my neice Hallie Kate's 3rd Birthday tomorrow.

We are also in the process of moving from St Charles to our new condo in Lafayette Square. We were able to stay down there earlier in the week. Even on an air mattress I wanted to be there more than our house in St Charles. Noah and I are both ready to make this move and be in the city full time. Continue to be praying for this move to be easy and smooth. I am so anxious to be down there but am trying so hard to finish strong and finish well where God has placed us in the mean time.

Check out a few pictures from today thanks to KBK photography!

Noah and me at 23 weeks.



HK didn't want her picture taken by KB but she got one of her smiling anyway!

The Zoo

Friday Nate, Betsy, HK and Nolan came up to STL to visit and we went to the zoo. This was the first time Noah and I have been to the zoo since we have been back to STL and it was a beautiful day for it. The zoo is a totally different experience with a 3 year old. Everything is more exciting.



Quick into the trip HK conned Uncle Noah to let her ride on his shoulders. Here she is looking at the elephants in amazement.

After Noah couldn't take her on his shoulders anymore he decided to take a stab at pushing the stroller. Better get in some good practice Uncle Noah September will be here before you know it.

Betsy and HK looking at the Tigers.

HK and the penguins. She was very excited to see the penguins.

Riding the carousel. When HK saw the carousel she wanted to ride. She wanted to get on it right away. Waiting in line was a bit of a foreign concept.

I think this might have been her favrite part of the whole day... the fake seals. She loved them and didn't want to stop playing with them. Here she is kissing the fake seal.

I was trying to get her to take a pic with the boys. She didn't want to cooperate at all. It was the end of a LONG day.

Two very tired kiddos.

Walking back to the car hand in hand with daddy and uncle noah. Who knew the zoo was such a fun place to go. We are so lucky to have a free zoo here in STL. The day was beautiful and we all had a blast.

Fun at the Oldhams

Saturday morning seemed to come early after spending the majority of Friday at the zoo. So we decided to spend the morning at home relaxing. I don't think HK know what it means to relax so the dancing queen roped uncle Noah into dancing with her. We found a kids dance station on the tv and well they spent some quality time dancing.

I think this is the running man. Whatever she calls it this is one of HKs special dance moves. She reverts to it often.

Doing flips. A must in a dance routine.

The tango.

Uncle Noah dipping HK.

This one I will have to explain. While they were dancing Noah would kick his leg over HKs head. After he did this several times she wanted to kick her leg over his head.

Later that morning after the dancing was over. Noah and Hallie Kate put on quite a show for us. They acted out all kinds of bible stories. Betsy and I both took several pictures to attempt to document this event. However, the pictures do not do it justice. We were all cracking up. They acted out Jonah several times where uncle Noah would get under a lot of blankets and act like he was getting thrown up by the whale. HK thought this was hillarious. It took me a few stories to get my camera out but here is what followed.

"Kias" as HK referes to Zachias. Noah is up in the tree and HK is telling him to " you come down because I'm going to your house today"

Now it is HK's turn to be Kias. After Noah got down he would walk on his knees to show that he was short Zachias. So when it was HKs turn she felt that she also needed to walk on her knees while they walked to her house.

Let me set the scene for you. We are about the begin the story of baby Jesus' birth. Uncle Noah handed out roles. HK was the donkey, Betsy was Mary, Nolan was baby Jesus, I was the inn keeper, I don't know what Nate was, and Noah was everything else. Here is Mary riding into Bethleham on her donkey.

Baby Jesus has just been born and I think Noah is the star?

The donkey is laying next to baby Jesus.

Then the shepards come to see Baby Jesus. HK was also a shepard but you can't see her in this pic.

Then the wisemen come bringing gifts to Baby Jesus.

This is the story of Joseph. Hallie Kate is joseph with her multicolored princess blanket coat and Noah is making her second in command over all of Egypt.

Now Josephs brothers are begging at his feet for food during the famine.

Moving on... to the story of David and Goliath. HK is David with her rock and Noah is Goliath with his sword.

David killed Goliath. They also switched roles on this one and HK was Goliath. Not sure which version was better.

Thanks Nate, Betsy, HK, and Nolan for coming! We had a blast with you this weekend. HK don't worry. We went home and got Cubbie. We are taking him to our new house with us tonight.