Page 22 - Inspire, Summer 2006

22 Summer 2006
Chad ’01 and Erin Brauns Foerch ’01 are learning to find balance
between career, marriage, parenting, and running a bed and
breakfast in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Built in 1868, The Ambler
House has one guest room and is also used for bridal showers,
banquets, and other social functions. Erin does the scheduling,
marketing, planning, and cooking, while Chad works as a
mechanical engineer and in his spare time enjoys renovating and
maintaining the 4,100-square-foot guest house. The Foerchs have
a three-year-old son, Carter, and are expecting a daughter.
The Ambler House was recently featured on HGTV. Inspire asked
Erin about the bed and breakfast business and how the family
finds balance.
How did you come to buy The Ambler House and start a
bed and breakfast?
We bought the home after Chad’s job change moved us
to Iowa. The house had been vacant for two years and had
dropped in asking price from $225,000 to $135,000. We
thought and prayed hard about it since it was a big house
and therefore a big commitment. It had a lot of history, and
so that was a selling point too, along with the fact that we
would like a large family. So we decided to purchase this large,
history-rich home. We were thrilled to come across a thesis
that the previous owner had written complete with photos.
After buying the house we decided to start a small business for
financial reasons. I wanted to have a hobby that I could enjoy
and make some extra money while staying at home. I love to
host parties, so this business made a lot of sense.
What is a typical hosting day like?
About an hour before a party, I begin preparing the food.
When the guests arrive, I greet them and give a tour of the
front rooms. Then I serve the food. During this time, Carter
plays and sometimes comes and helps me greet the guests.
After the party I clean up the rooms, so it only takes about
three hours total for the day.
If we have a bed and breakfast guest, I make sure that the
room is clean and presentable. Then we greet the guests, tour
the rooms, and answer any questions, as well as get to know
them a little bit. Usually guests have their own agenda, so
we are on-call but not occupied. The next morning I serve
breakfast and talk with the guests. When the guests leave, I
clean the room.
by Chad ’01 and Erin Brauns Foerch ’01 as shared with Cessna Catherine Winslow
A Bed and Breakfast
Balancing Act
When I was pregnant with Isaac Immanuel, whose names
mean “laughter” and “God is with us,” my prayer for him
was that he would have the joy of the Lord, and God has so
answered that prayer. Isaac is a delight, and his life’s theme
song would have to be “What a Wonderful World” by Louis
Armstrong. He is a sweet and happy and loving boy, who
wins the hearts of all teachers and professionals who have the
privilege of working with him. We have learned to celebrate all
that he can do — running and climbing and giving us kisses
and seeing the vibrant colors of life with his eyes — and that
he is learning to communicate more with words. In general, he
has a happy heart.
I often think of heaven and imagine what it might be like.
Tears of hope and joy stream down my cheeks as I imagine
worshiping Jesus one day in heaven, with Isaac at my side and
completely free of autism, both of us with thankful hearts
before our Lord and our God.
The longing of my heart is to please God and minister to
Him through caring for my family and my son. One day Isaac
will understand all that we have invested in him, and I believe
that he will say with true understanding, “Thank you, Mom.”
My prayer is that one day Jesus will tell me that as I ministered
to my entire family and to my son with autism, I pleased
His heart and that the work He prepared for my life was
accomplished just as He had hoped. Thinking on these things,
sustained day by day by His great grace and love and strength,
is how I find balance in the present.
Jennifer and her husband, Jim, reside in Washington state, where
they are the very proud parents of three children: Jacob, Isaac,
and AnnaSophia. Jim is employed as a sales representative at an
area Toyota auto dealership, and is working towards his bachelors
degree at Washington State University. Jennifer stays home to
care for their children and also works part-time during the school
year as an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor at a
local community college. Jennifer would be delighted to hear from
other Cedarville graduates and can be reached at jennifercbates@
alumni.cedarville.edu.
Families of children with special needs are invited to join
Jennifer at Homecoming for a special time of fellowship and
encouragement. See the Homecoming brochure for details.