Meet Audrey

Audrey Quanbeck Olauson Zejdlik was born near McVille, North Dakota and has resided in this state from then until the present time. She is of 100% Norwegian descent, and though she has never been to Norway, she would like to visit there someday. In the 1800’s her great-grandfather emigrated to the USA from Norway and homesteaded in North Dakota. Her great-grandfather, grandfather, and father all farmed near McVille. She is the oldest of five siblings, and has three sisters and one brother. She is thankful that her family taught her to love God and give Him first place in her life.

After her high school graduation from McVille High, she studied graphic arts and interior design at Valley City State University. She met her first husband Mel while in college. He became a school teacher and she had a job as an interior decorator. They had four sons. In 1995 at the young age of 42, Mel died of a sudden heart attack. Their youngest son was only 5 years old. Faced with four sons to raise, she was very thankful that she was qualified to have a job that could support them. At that tragic time, God gave Audrey peace through His Word, particularly Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

She submitted to God’s will then as she had in some prior trials which included her firstborn son having epilepsy, and the loss of her business and home in Fargo. God has allowed her son to live through traumatic episodes, but He didn’t let her keep her home. He had other plans ahead for her.

In 1997 the year of the ‘500-year’ flood of the Red River in Grand Forks, ND, her house suffered water damage in the finished basement. She, her father, and her sons, redid the basement themselves. Close to that same time, her son spent 26 weeks in a St. Paul, MN hospital and her mother died. She again found solace in God’s Word as she read Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” She knew a song with those lyrics and sang herself to sleep with that verse and its consoling promises.

She recalls a very touching gift given to her by one of her sons. She and he were shopping in a mall where she saw a necklace that she thought was pretty. Later, he returned to the store and purchased it for her for Christmas, using money that he had been saving to buy something for himself. It is one of the special memories that she holds in her heart.

Audrey is not a stranger to difficulties, but she has learned to lean heavily on her Lord in the hard times, and He has always come through for her.

In 2002, at a business luncheon, Audrey met her future husband Tim. They spent 6 1/2 hours at the Perkins restaurant just getting to know one another. It was very important to both of them to know the spiritual goals of the other and to discuss their life's direction. They found that they had many things in common, including mutual friends and that they were both saved. Audrey was saved at age 10 and was scripturally baptized at our church years later. They became friends and business partners. You can learn about their business at www.thelightertouch.net.

God, in His perfect timing, led them to make plans for marriage after Audrey’s youngest son graduated from high school. They were married on November 28, 2007.

Together, they have been indispensable to our church in the interior decorating realm and in caring for the aesthetics of God’s house. We have a beautiful, comfortable, and utilitarian church building in a large part because of their work. They also both sing in our church choir and are faithful supporters of our church and our pastor. Audrey has been involved in decorating a large number of church buildings. She feels each time that what she does professionally in houses, is just ‘practicing’ for the decorating she does in the Lord’s house.

Audrey shares many helpful decorating tips on our church blog in a monthly article titled, “Building the Nest.” Be sure to check it out for yourself..

Her own warm and inviting home is a reflection of her belief in hospitality, attention to the comfort of her family and guests, and her preference for the color blue. On the day on which we met together in her house, my eyes were drawn to the many and varied Christmas trees displayed, at least one in each room. She is a Proverbs 31 wife.

Audrey lives her life with the goal to be a person who finds her strength in the Lord. She is a loving mom, a Godly wife, and a good friend. I think of her as a ‘decorator extraordinaire,’ but best of all I like knowing her motivation for everything she does: Colossians 3:23, “ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men…”