Just in case you've been wondering what we are up to.......
My apologies blog followers for the long delay in updating you on what's happening in the busy life of the Hanstad family. We just returned from a 10-day car trip to North Dakota and back. I will give you a glimpse of what we have been up to for the past few weeks....
Vacation Bible School~We had our first experience with VBS at our home church here in Texas...Crosspoint Church. Molly, Ellie, and Drew had a great time and I even volunteered a few days helping out in crafts and with the preschoolers. We all made a few new friends and learned that NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS...TRUST GOD!
World Series~Jack's team, the Texas Stallions, played their final tournament of the spring season and despite a couple of bad games, did really well and finished their season up with success. We are looking forward to getting going with fall baseball soon and apparently some Texas middle school football is on the horizon too.
Sweet 16~On July 3, Shelby celebrated her 16th birthday. What a joy to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman, inside and out. She is still looking for a job and will get her Texas driver's license very soon.
North Dakota~We drove 1300 miles back to North Dakota on the 4th of July for the wedding of our nephew John and his bride Mallory. Ellie looked beautiful as their flower girl and Jack was an usher. Shelby and Molly also helped out with the wedding. We had good times with the family and were able to see some of you as well. Our sweet Molly ended up with a broken arm while we were there but she has weathered it well and hopefully she will heal quickly as she wants to play soccer this fall. We were happy to say that when we finally reached Frisco after many, many, many hours in the car....it felt like HOME.
Brazil~We will be traveling as a family to Brazil from August 6-23. Although we were hoping to be there for at least a month, these are the dates that have worked out. We are grateful for the opportunity to go together and serve the children and houseparents at Chain of Love through help and encouragement. Turning 40 in Brazil will be the best birthday present ever.
Brad continues to pursue business opportunities here in Texas and we are excited at how God is moving and providing the way for us. Please continue to pray that details will be set into place for this that will allow us great flexibility and provision for spending more time in Brazil.
The kids (except Shelby) will be going to public school this fall with the intention of homeschooling while we are in Brazil only. This will take much planning and organization to maintain their academics in this way but we are confident that God will provide all we need to accomplish this. Please pray for us in this and also that the kids would be a great light in and among the other students and in their classrooms.
We continue to have good days and tough days. We have seen so clearly God's hand in our lives and in this move and change. Even though at times the way seems cloudy and we feel overwhelmed and discouraged, God continues to light each step of this path. He continues to speak into our hearts that the only part we have in this is to be AVAILABLE to do his will and to bring with that a WILLING HEART. The rest is for HIM to handle. So, we will continue to work at trusting in that knowing that he has a great plan and purpose for us.
Thank you for your prayers, love, and encouragement.
Oh yeah.....4 fried pies? Our great new find in Oklahoma....talk about a treat! We have always said that you really can deep fry anything.....and it's true.
Blessings,
The Hanstads
You need more fried pies after a trip like that. It was good to se you!
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