Introducing Lindsey Feldpausch

Hey all.

Have you ever known someone with whom you hit it off instantly? Someone that, although you’d only known them for a few hours, you felt as if you were already lifelong friends?

About 7 years ago in the fall, I met such a person. She was a college student visiting a huge, annual event that takes place in our circle of friends: The Davis Harvest Party.

Hay rides.

Donuts and cider.

A hot dog roast and old-fashioned square dance.

Many couples have begun their “courtin’ days” at the Harvest Party.

That year, my friend Eileen (mother of 11!) and I chatted while the dance was beginning. Her son Josh had brought home a group of friends from college. In the group was a young woman with the most contagious smile ever. Her name was Lindsey.

I joked with Eileen about this gal being Josh’s ‘girlfriend”. She insisted she was just his friend.

I knew better. College guys don’t wipe their hands on their jeans before holding hands to square dance with a ‘friend’. I knew he had his eye on little Miss Lindsey.

By spring they were engaged.

They got married late that summer.

Fast forward to the present. Lindsey and Josh are now the proud parents of three young girls. Lindsey has a knack for writing about motherhood and musings and finding God in the midst of the mundane. Thus far, her readers have consisted of  family and a few friends who get her weekly family email update.

I’ve decided to ask her to periodically share her thoughts with you.

I was fortunate enough to have a few mentors help get me started speaking and writing. I have never forgotten their kindness.

And I determined that whenever I came across a friend who needed some help or a forum or a blog to chat in (while I took a little breather) I’d happily help her too.

Today will be Lindsey’s first post.

Can I ask you to hop on and leave a comment welcoming her? I’m sure you’ll come to love her as much as I do…..

________________________________________________________________

Hi all! My name is Lindsey Feldpausch.

If your wondering how to pronounce my last name, don’t worry, I was thinking the same thing when I first met my husband. It is said “feld-posh” Like “this party is so posh!” Except that I don’t think I have ever been to a posh party or could really be described by the word posh in any way. Well, I do own some pretty posh salt and pepper shakers that are from France.

Anyway, I am the stay at home mother of three girls ages 4, 3, and 1. So, It’s a barrel of chimpanzees around here (“monkeys” sound much too tame.) I have been married to the most amazing man for 51/2 years.  I love God with all my heart and am continuously surprised at the power of His word, the freedom that He offers and the sovereignty of His plans.

I’m originally from the suburbs of Detroit, but after my husband graduated from Grand Valley State University last spring, God laid it on his heart to come to the Houston area for a teaching job, which is where we are now.

I had never been to Texas until moving here. You can imagine what kind of funny things I find myself getting into and/ or observing.

I’ve taken notice of an interesting food-on-wheels attraction here in Texas. They look like beefed up ice cream trucks (minus the weird music) and sell hot tortilla, cheese, and meat creations. You can find these type of vehicles in Michigan at carnivals. Except down here, they show up without the carnival.

I haven’t sampled anything yet, but I applaud the concept. Why wait for the fair when an “authentic” Mexican food truck could pull right up outside the grocery store? I’m still making up my mind as I stare at the driver wondering if he is the cook as well. I’m tempted to roll down my window and say “I don’t know what that smell is, but just give me whatever fried flour sensation that’s creating that delicious Tex-Mex food incense.” Of course that would go against every frugal and health conscious bone in my body, so I don’t.

The most obvious difference between Texas and Michigan is, predictably, the weather. It is winter, but much sunnier and warmer than any Michigan winter.

Here‘s the interesting part… I still act like it’s winter. You would think that I would be out with my stroller enjoying the weather, but I find myself inside for several days in a row wearing my hoodie and fuzzy socks. If it were in the 60’s during February or March in Michigan, you better know that I would be running around in my bare feet wondering if we could bust out the hose and slip and slide.

Here, though, I just keep doing what I did up in Michigan. I stay inside and have hot tea as if I were snowed in.

Isn’t this what happens in our Christian walk? Just when God lifts us up, transplants us, heals us, or sets us free, we end up doing what we always did because we haven’t known any other way.

It’s like when Jesus healed those who could not walk. Wouldn’t it be absurd of them to have the ability to walk, but just go back to sitting on their mat and begging?

In the same way, God has given me the privilege to enjoy the sunshine, but I keep telling my kids that it is “a little chilly out there”. Either I have acclimated way too fast to the warmer weather or I just need to get up off my mat and stretch my legs.

Mark my words, I am getting out of this apartment tomorrow and if I do see one of those Mexican meals-on-wheels vans, I am at least going to see how much they’re charging. If I’m going to be embracing my new life as a Texan, I better get out, enjoy the sunshine and try something new.

I shall trade my hot tea for a hot tortilla and my mat for the stroller.

Here’s to making the most of the new life and new opportunities God gives us!

Sincerely,

Lindsey Feldpausch

50 Comments

  1. Hi Lindsey,Read your blog,seen you were from Detroit suburbs(I’m from Pt. Huron). I’m so glad you were brave enough to move to Texas. Quite the place! I spent alot of time there delivering auto parts from Mich. to Tx. border towns to go to Mexico. The toco wagons are delicious! Tx. also have alot of wonderful churches,and very frendly people. I’m so glad you are in love with God. Your children will thank you for it when they grow up. One thing my parents done right was to make sure I was brought up with a good church back ground. God bless you, and your family, and enjoy the winter weather,cause you will be real warm soon! Judy

  2. What a precious family!!! I loved your comparison to our new life in Christ and how we sometimes keep living in our old ways. Powerful parallel!!! So glad you were a guest post here today. Hope your day in the Texas sun was lots of fun!

    Renee

  3. Did someone compare your writing to Lysa???? Girlllll, you are in good company!!!!! Your writing is beautiful!!! Welcome to the blog world…and with Karen as your mentor you are in good hands….you go girl! love ya!

  4. Yay Lindsey!! I’m so excited to see your post here on a blog! You definitely have a way with words! I’m so glad you’re here in the Houston area, & that I’ve had the chance to get to know you & your beautiful family (seriously, the most beautiful girls!!) As for the taco trucks ~ only go to one with Mexican men in line. Trust me ~ they know the good/safe ones!! Thanks for the encouragement to get off my mat ~ I’m one of those who sometimes settles back into what I always did, rather than the newness of life that Christ has to offer.

  5. Thank you, Lindsey, for the reminder that we should live as the new creation in Christ that we are. We should “walk in newness of life”. That can be difficult, as the enemy certainly doesn’t want that for us. But we have to be reminded how to think and act through God’s Word. I appreciate your encouragement today! Enjoy life as a texan!! :-)

  6. Hi Lindsey!

    Awesome first post! God has clearly given you the gift of writing and I, for one, am very grateful that He is calling you to share your gift and your heart with the rest of us. I can’t wait to read your next post.

    Make sure you introduce yourself to me at She Speaks. I’m really looking forward to meeting you.

    Blessings,
    LeAnn

  7. Hi Friend, great job! SO glad to have you in Texas and learn from your wisdom firsthand. But we want to keep you here, so stay away from the taco-mobiles! I’ll help you find a good enchilada :) Thanks for sharing about getting off our mat–I look forward to hearing from you again!

  8. Hi Lindsey. I really enjoyed your post. We moved to California about 7 months ago from Minnesota. So I completely relate to your comments! I had always lived in the midwest. I too found myself wearing polar fleece, slippers, and sipping hot cocoa in January. I loved how you related that to our spiritual walk and stepping out a little bit. I needed to hear that today.

  9. Hi Lindsey – I loved your message today. It’s so true that we hold onto old habits when we should be busting out in freedom! Having faith and walking in faith are two different things, aren’t they?

  10. Sounds to me like you’ve bloomed where you’re planted. Good job considering the Texas landscape. I have lived in Las Vegas for over 30 years–who would have thought. (And raised my kids here.) Can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts.

  11. Hi Lindsey! I loved your first post and can’t wait to read more! If you have your own daily blog I would love to read it.

    Welcome to Texas by the way! I’m from East Texas (Tyler) and our weather is definately something to get used to!

  12. Hey Lindsey,

    I LOVE this post. Especially this “Just when God lifts us up, transplants us, heals us, or sets us free, we end up doing what we always did because we haven’t known any other way.” Can I hear AMEN!!!

    You are so refreshing, and it has been a PLEASURE getting to know you at Grand Parkway.

  13. Lindsey, Great first blog, but then again I have had the privilege of getting to know you on a personal level here in Texas. Thank you for sharing the talents & gifts God has given you and for being such an awesome mom and wife. You never know the lives you touch with your kind words. Keep up your good work!

  14. Hi Lindsey,

    Congratulations on your first blog post! You have a beautiful family. I’m so glad you’re enjoying Houston. My sister lives in Houston and I get to visit her twice a year. Things I love about Houston:
    1. Best Tex-Mex ever!
    2. Great shopping!
    3. Super friendly people :)
    4. Wonderful churches to visit

  15. Absolutely, Lindsey (nice to meet you), get out there and enjoy the blessings God has given you. I believe it will please Him – and do you a world of good.

  16. Hey Lindsey! First, I love your name– it’s the name (and spelling!) of the main character in my first novel, The Mailbox, which comes out in June. And also I know Annie, your sister in law!! She used to babysit for us when she first moved here. She’s such a sweetheart!

    Your girls are beautiful. I have a friend who lives in TX– moved there from TN. She has culture shock too. We laugh about the differences. Your parallel to us and the Christian life is very true! Keep up the good writing and I hope to meet you at She Speaks this summer!

  17. Hi Lindsey,
    Wonderful first blog! I look forward to reading your future blogs about life in Texas with your husband and girls. Enjoy the warm weather and God’s blessings.

  18. Great job Lindsey! I’m so proud of you! Just put sweaters on those little girls and get out there! You probably don’t need sweaters, you’re probably needing your bathing suits.

    Love you!

  19. Hi Lindsey! Welcome! I enjoyed your blog. I too am a mother of 3 although they are all teens now. Never a dull, wonderful moment!
    I appreciate what you said about doing something outside the comfort zone we have always known. Im going to put one foot in front of the other and step out!
    Thanks for the encouragement!

  20. Welcome, Lindsey. You are so right – I so often think/do what I’ve always thought/done because it’s all I’ve ever known. When the fact is that God has provided a new way – I just need to recognize it. Glad you are making TX your home.

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