Meet Lauren Greenslade
A little about our family…
Andy and I have been married 13 years, and we have called 9 places home. We’ve been back here in Rochester for about 2 years. Andy is the Dentist/owner at Honor Dental here in Rochester, and I get to stay home and care for our daughters. As a couple, we get a lot of joy out of bearing wittness to growth around us: growth in each other, growth in those close to us including our daughters – Emma (5) Josephine (2) & Anna (6 months), and even just fostering growth in plants both indoors and outdoors.
Describe your average day.
We have breakfast (and cold brew coffee) and do education at home. Then there’s play and housework, errands, and food and naps for all the little humans. Then there is more food and housework and play. Then bedtime routines and dishes (or not). Afterwards, sitting on the couch relaxing with Andy watching something like The Great British Baking Show for a few minutes before we go to bed.
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives.
Comfortable, cheerful, cooperative, loyal, inquisitive
or tired, tense, puzzled, hangry, fine.
Haha! Just depends on the day or the hour.
What is something that makes a welcoming home?
I hope it’s piles of laundry, crumbs on the floor, and the smell of something baking or cooking. We love to have people in our home (Emma will always ask if you can spend the night), but our home is far from spotless most days.
Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.
Read to my girls. My mom loved to read to me as a little girl, and I so loved snuggling up and listening to a story while my mind went to work imagining all the details. I love love love sharing that with my daughters now.
What is one important skill every person should master?
I’ve been slowly reading the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. She contends that all education should include reading, writing, arithmetic, and drawing; but our society has lost sight of drawing as a skill and believes it is something only some people are gifted in. She claims it can be trained in all of us, and that drawing is a very important skill because it activates the less dominant right side of the brain unleashing creativity and problem-solving in all areas of life. I’ve been enjoying walking through the exercises in her book to try to learn to draw past my seven-year-old skill level.
Favorite bible verse?
Psalm 46. The whole thing, but if I have to choose just one verse it’s v.10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
What’s the best dessert you’ve ever had?
I love a warm gooey chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Meet Emily Ofstedahl
How long have you attended Calvary? Over the years, what areas of ministry have you been involved in?
My family has been attending Calvary for about 15 years. When we moved to Rochester our new neighbors, Matt and Vicki Tierney, brought us brownies and with time recommended Calvary to us! When we first started attending, we volunteered in the preschool rooms as helpers. Then for many years I taught in Lambs, Bunnies, Kangaroos and King’s Kids (now Tadpoles, Polliwogs, Frogs and the Calvary Treehouse). My husband and I have led and been a part of different Calvary community groups over the years. I also participated in many Bible studies with Coffee & Friends and now Renovaré. I’ve helped with teaching in the Bible room for Vacation Bible School and was a crew leader too. Then for the last five years I’ve been the Administrative Assistant for the Compassion Counseling Center at Calvary.
Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.
I grew up in Austin, MN, just about an hour west of Rochester. I have lots of childhood memories of spending good, quality time with my Dad. We’d go camping, swimming and go on lots of long drives together. I’ve been to about 40 states with him so there was a lot of time to just talk and listen to music. Over the years he’s shared lots of valuable wisdom and good advice with me.
Describe your average day.
My average day involves lots of moving parts! There are not too many dull moments with our four kids (Grace 18, Caleb 17, Ethan 15, Aaron 11), a granddaughter (Iris 11 months) who lives with us and Iris’ Dad (David 18) often over! My day typically starts with doing an exercise work out with my husband, Kyle. Then the driving begins with things like taking Aaron to school and hockey, driving Ethan to work at Chick-fil-A and driving to Calvary for Counseling Center work. Then there’s grocery shopping, endless errands, friend activities and various appointments. There’s lots of food prepared and devoured at our house along with late night teenager talks and then trying to get them to GO TO BED! Everyday feels like it flies by!
Favorite Bible verse?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.
I love to listen to music as I go about my day. I listen to music that counsels my heart with Truth. I listen to music that validates my feelings and helps me feel understood. I listen to music to help me process life. I listen to music to be more light-hearted and joyful. Music soothes my soul and I’m thankful that I get to listen to it everyday!