Joy along the Way

Good afternoon Hanstad family blog followers, encouragers, prayer warriors, friends, and family.  My apologies that is has been over a month since my last post.  Many things have been happening and keeping us busy and a little crazy at times.  Here are a few updates of the busyness going on in our life....

We will be heading to Brazil as a family on December 13.   As I look at the calendar now....that is just under one month from now!  We are excited to be able to spend Christmas with the children and houseparents at Chain of Love.  We hope to do eye exams for them while we are there as they head into their summer holidays.  We will work alongside the houseparents helping with the children and serving wherever we are needed.   Due to Brad's work responsibilities here at this time, he and the boys will return to Texas on January 1, 2013.  Robbyn and the girls will stay and help until January 21. Please pray for fruitful ministry and continued opportunities to grow relationships.

After much thought and prayer, we have brought Molly, Ellie, and Drew home from public school and are how homeschooling them.  What peace and blessing this has brought to all of us!  Even though our minutes during the day are much fuller, we definitely feel this is the right decision for us.  Brad is teaching them math, science and physical education, while I am doing the language arts and history.    There is a great homeschool co-op here which we will hopefully be starting next semester where they will do some additional classes with other homeschooled kids.  With so many opportunities here in Texas, homeschooling is a great option for us.   Last Tuesday we spent the day at the Dallas Museum of Art learning about the Plumed Serpent of Mexico, doing crafts, and watching South American dancers!

Shelby has been busy too.  She ran a mock presidential campaign at her school which she had a great time doing...who knows...Hanstad 2024????  Jack is usually out the door in the early hours of the morning heading to football practice.   He has one game left but continues to play baseball for the Texas Raiders with some freshman and sophomores who have nicknamed him "5th grade":)  He has also been convinced by the coaches at his school to go out for cross-country and also basketball.  So he stays busy but hope that his math teacher will be as impressed with him as everybody else seems to be!

Brad continues to pursue his new business and is getting closer every day.  They are hoping to open in January...slow going...but we will keep you posted!

God is working.  He is faithful and unchanging.  He keeps his promises and provides all we need.   We continue to learn lessons along this journey that bring about some heartache...but ultimately result in joy.  Please continue to pray for us.   We have so far to go.  Our goal of being in Brazil is coming...but slowly.  And so, we focus on obedience.   There are many distractions, but when we continue to bring our hearts and our focus in on him...he leads the way, one step at a time.  And we are grateful.

I Thess. 5:16-18 "Rejoice always!  Pray constantly.  Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Time for some lesson plans now....what a journey!

Robbyn for the Hanstads