Still here.....

Hello Hanstad Family Blog Followers.....

Thanks for not giving up on me!  I have not forgotten you and know that we are still walking this journey solely because of the prayers of many of you.  From the bottom of my heart I apologize for the long absence on the blog.  My desire was and still is to keep you updated as to the goings on in our family and the ups and downs of our service in Brazil and just life in general.  Honestly, it has been a rough few months along the journey.  But God is faithful.  I do not say that just to sound "Christiany".  He really is faithful, providing all we need for one day at a time.  Although we are currently in a place of not really know what our next step is in Brazil, I will give you a brief update of what's been happening.

Last December we went as a family of 7 to Brazil in mid-December.  We did an eye clinic for the children and houseparents at Chain of Love and spent lots of time playing with the kids and helping the houseparents.  What a joy it was to experience Christmas and New Year's with our Brazilian family.  Christmas Eve dinner was served just before midnight after spending all day in the kitchen preparing.  It was only about 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity!  Quite a change from the North Dakota Christmases to which we had been accustomed.  We spent many hours with the kids at Chain of Love, playing basketball, going to their activities, helping in their houses, and simply loving them.  Brad, Jack, and Drew left for home about a week after Christmas.  During those two and a half weeks, we honestly struggled as a family in many ways.  I won't go into all the details here on the blog, but we felt that God was possibly closing some doors for us to be there in service as a total family unit.  This brought much stress, sadness and discouragement among our family.  After the boys left, the girls and I stayed for another 3 weeks.   We were able to travel with the kids we sponsor and their house to the beach for 10 days as they spent that time away on holiday.  This was a great opportunity for us to simply be with them in a relaxed mode.  We got to experience a beach community in Brazil which we had never done before.  

When we returned to Chain of Love, we had another another week to help as needed until we left for home on January 20.  The tears came, as they always do, when we said goodbye.  We know that God has purposed our time there and that the relationships we now have were given by him.  

Many of you may know that our daughter has been dating a Brazilian boy long-distance.  He is no longer living at Chain of Love but we had an opportunity to spend some time with him and his biological family.  This is a very difficult situation that he is now in.  We continue to stand with him to help and support in whatever ways we can.  His desire and ours is to have him come here to the states, if possible, as his living situation is not good.  I travelled down to Brazil alone in March and went with him, along with his uncle, to Sao Paulo to try to obtain a visa for him to study here in the US.  The visa was denied and so he went back home, very sad, as was our entire family.  As for now, we will wait on this issue as well.

These things being said, we are unclear as to how God is leading us regarding our service at Chain of Love in Brazil.  We are open to serve in whatever way God shows.  It may be that for now it is shorter trips with only one or two family members going at a time.  We simply do not know.  As hard as this is, we are learning that God must be the one to direct our steps.  He has given us a desire and a passion to serve him and we trust that he will show the way.  We continue to be available to do the things he asks of us....whether that is to stay or to go.  

Brad is now working at Lone Star Vision here in Texas part-time.  We are grateful for this opportunity with a Christian doctor who has a great understanding for our heart to serve in Brazil.    The kids are finishing up the school year and we look forward to the summer. 

Please continue to pray for our family.   Each one of us has struggles unique to our stage of life and the different situations we are facing.  Please pray that God will give us great clarity and that we will not become discouraged as we walk this journey.  We know that God is for our good and his glory.   May it be so.

Waiting, resting, and rejoicing in HIM,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

Christmas in Brazil

Good evening blog followers....this is one tired Mom writing here as we are about 36 hours away from our departure to Brazil.  I have to admit....in the last few weeks, I am somewhat at a loss for words.  I have come to the blog many times to write, but the words simply do not come.  I go to my journal where usually the words flow easily, but my heart is quiet and my hand is still.  I guess maybe one might call it writer's block...but I don't think that's it.   To be honest with you, my heart is a bit heavy amidst the excitement of returning to Brazil.  As I long for the place that I know the Lord has called us to, the worries and difficulties of this journey linger around me.  It is an uneasy feeling that causes me to cling even closer to my God who, unlike me, does not change like shifting shadows.  He is always the same...yesterday, today, and forever.  My refuge.  And so it is there I stay...even as I leave my own country, and my own culture, for the pursuit of his will somewhere else.  Perhaps I can be wise to learn the lesson of listening more closely to God in these times and in those seemingly empty moments that may be actually full of what I really need....MORE OF HIM AND LESS OF ME.  Please continue to pray for us.  Pray that we will not grow weary under the pressures and demands of a committment to service.  Pray that we will have wisdom and discernment with each and every decision we make for our children and our family.  Pray that God will bring forth great fruit out of our meager efforts to love others in Jesus' name.  Brad and the boys will return on New Year's Day.  The girls and I will stay until January 21.  We are grateful for every minute of it.

With great anticipation and overwhelming humility,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

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

Autumn.....and other happenings

I write this morning from cloudy and rainy North Texas.  The heat is subsiding and we are finding ourselves enjoying the somewhat cooler temperatures.  I must admit that I am missing the vibrant fall colors that God paints over the Northern Midwest....those reds and golds that delight the soul.  But in the back of one's mind.....winter lurks.  Those of us raised there have learned to appreciate, maybe more than most, the season of Autum....winter's opening act.  And so, here in Texas, I appreciate my hot cup of coffee, a quiet morning, and the peace of knowing that, no matter where I am, God is always doing His thing.

As for a little Hanstad family news....

~We are excited to have become official members of Crosspoint Church.  They have welcomed us with great warmth and hospitality and we are happy to have a church home here in Texas. We are all getting involved in various activities and studies and trust that we will grow and serve well alongside our new church family. 

~The kids continue on in their schooling with ups and downs.   We seek God's help in determining what is best for each one of them.  Sports and various activities keep us busy and running but it is always a joy to watch them and cheer them on.  They have found good friends among their various teams.

~Brad continues to move forward with business prospects and we are grateful for the opportunities that God has put in our path.

~We look ahead with great anticipation to returning to Brazil in November, if all things come together as we hope.

As we face various trials and difficulties along the path of this journey, even though at times it is painful and causes us heartache, we are finding that God is graciously using those things to help us have great clarity in knowing what we are supposed to do.  When we are wise, the heartache itself can actually guide us to the place that God ultimately wants us to be.

As always, thank you for your unending prayers and encouragement.  We continue on with great trust that God's plan is for our good, but even more, for his glory.

I Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

Getting wiser,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

Pieces

Life is full of pieces.  I am talking here about all the different parts of our lives that make up the whole enchilada.  Sorry, living in Texas can bring out the Tex-Mex in just about anyone.  There's just a whole lotta salsa down in these-here parts.   But that being said, truly I am not talking beans and rice here.  I am talking about the day-in, day-out, nitty gritty pieces of life that make up who we are.   Who we REALLY are.  How are all of your pieces fitting together?  Do you have your puzzle finished?  Doesn't it sometimes feel like right about the time, after you have struggled and labored and given yourself entirely over to setting each piece in place, and you are almost ready to put in the last piece, and enjoy that satisfaction of completion, someone comes along and bumps the table, and you have to start over again?  Maybe not the entire puzzle was broken, but it was disrupted just enough to cause you frustration and maybe you just had to walk away for awhile before you had the courage to face it again?

Maybe I am alone in this.  Maybe all of you, my friends, family, and blog-following encouragers are basking in the satisfaction of having all of the pieces of your life, your "puzzle", neatly in place.  Well, as we say in Portuguese...."Parabens!" aka "Congratulations!"   For those of you, who like me and my family, have ventured into enough unfamiliar territory as to most definitely NOT have your puzzle finished, I am just wondering......maybe this is a good thing?????

I, Robbyn, am struggling with my puzzle.  It is complicated.  Too many pieces for me really.  What would be easier is just a simple 24-piece Sponge Bob Square Pants for ages 3 and up if you get my drift.  Trying to get all the pieces of my life to come together and knowing how each part fits is just plain hard.   Figuring out how to spend time in this country and making a life and living here while at the same time having a heart called to Brazil is drawing me nearer, and nearer to my ever-faithful God.  It is causing me to try to clear out the distractions of this busy world and truly open my ears to the voice of my Savior.  Only he knows how the puzzle will look when it is finished.  Only he knows that in the process of continuing to perservere, overcoming my frustration and fear, and leaning in closely to him, I  will truly see that he knows exactly what it's going to look like.  And I'm thinking it's gonna be good.

Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Blessings,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

First day of School

Good morning friends and family,

My apologies for the long lapse in posting.....we returned home from Brazil on August 23 at 6 a.m.  We hit the ground running (literally) getting the kids' school registrations, shopping, physicals, and what seemed like a million other details taken care of before school started today.  But all was accomplished, more or less, and the kids are all at school now, the house is quiet, and I'm not sure what I will do today.  I must admit that a lingered a while in Drew's classroom.  I didn't cry--don't get crazy--but he is the last one--and a gem of a little guy too.  Don't get me wrong, I am more than okay with having a little downtime now that they are all in school.  All the stresses of relocating, going back and forth to Brazil, and just simply re-arranging life for a family of 7 has taken its toll.  Maybe I will sleep awhile.  That being said, I will give you a little update on each of the kids and then a short re-cap of our time in Brazil, and our plans for returning.

Shelby, dressed in full uniform of plaid skirt and white collared shirt, nose ring removed and looking beautiful as always..just a little nervous, headed to Cornerstone Christian Academy in McKinney--the city right next to us.  She will be starting her Junior year.  It is about a 20 minute drive for her.  The school is a University Model Christian school which means she attends Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; and is home on Tuesday and Thursday.  This will be a great fit for her as it will give her flexibility to do her work in Brazil while we are there.  She continues to work at Marble Slab Creamery ice cream shop in Frisco about 15-20 hours a week as well. 

Jack, joined his group of buddies and walked to Maus Middle School for 8th grade.  He starts football tomorrow morning bright and early and since he finished the year there last spring, he was all smiles as he went back to a school that he really loves.  He will also be playing fall baseball.

Molly, Ellie, and Drew went to Mooneyham Elementary which is about 4 blocks from our house.  I will walk over and pick them up after school today.  They will be able to walk home by themselves after that which will be nice.  Molly is in 5th grade, Ellie in 3rd, and Drew in Kindergarten.  Molly is playing her first season of soccer; Ellie also as well as softball for the Texas Twist select team, and Drew will play baseball for the Rockies.

Brad continues to work on getting his business going and hopefully the details will all be worked out soon.  He is excited and soon I will share more details on this here on the blog.

Brazil~~~where our hearts are.  We had a blessed time there as a family and as always, the time went way too fast.  We spent lots of time with the kids in craft classes and playing baseball and soccer.  Brad even taught them to play "Lightening" with the basketball and that was a real favorite.  I spent a good amount of time helping the housemother, Fabiane, in House 7 with all her work.  Much laundry, dishes, cleaning and cooking were done together.  It is a great joy to me to be able to help her.  I also led the housemothers bible study and spoke to them about discouragement and how God wants to help us through it when we find ourselves there.  I taught the teen girls sunday school as well and that is always a joy.  Brad and I helped the young missionary couple there as well with much work as they were preparing to leave for Canada.  We continue to find ourselves growing closer and closer to the children and houseparents there at Chain of Love and continue to find confirmation of our place and work there.  We are hoping to return in November and December and stay as long as possible.  The staff there is hopeful that we will be able to substitute as houseparents while we are there to give the houseparents their weekends off that they need each month.  Our kids are turning in to real Brazilians.  Learning to speak Portuguese, eating beans and rice, and playing soccer is all they really need!

We are grateful to all who are praying for us and encouraging us as we serve in Brazil.   Thank you for the support that allows us to go as a family which is our heart's desire.  God continues to show himself faithful in our desire to serve him and raise our kids to serve him as well. 

God bless you as you seek Him and may He show you also with great clarity what he has put in your heart to do.

Robbyn for the Hanstads

Seasons

Good morning from hot and sweaty North Texas...we are officially uttering words that should never, EVER, and I mean NEVER, come out of the mouths of native, born and raised, tried and true North Dakotans........."CAN'T WAIT TIL WINTER!!!"  Yup.   We said it.  Curse us if you will our Northern amigos, but truth be told, come November....we'll be the Hap-Hap-Happiest group of North Texans ya'll have ever seen!

Okay, I'm done.  Lost my head.  Certainly I have better things to talk about than the weather.  But since we are on the subject, it is Winter in Brazil....and that's where we are headed today at 6:00 p.m. on American Airlines.  Once again, the Hanstad Family of 7 will embark on a journey to South America, seeking and searching for what God will have for them and encountering many people, both English and Portuguese speakers along the way, and hearing that question that always opens many doors of sharing our faith and our story...."ARE ALL THOSE KIDS YOURS?"

Boy are they ever.   And even though there are moments when all the planning, the details, the chaos (it's so loud--why do they have to be so loud?), the difficulty, the heartache and tears, the joy and everything that goes into to trying to do ministry in Brazil with five kids is completely overwhelming, it is certain that this is as it should be.  As we share with various people in our lives about going to Brazil, often they ask, "What do you down there?"  And so we go about sharing about our work, and the people and what we hope to accomplish.  But, I am starting to really grasp, and God is continuing to reveal to me,  that it is not at all about what we do down there.  God's got that.  It's about what God is doing in us.  In each and every one of us.  He is about the business of turning hearts toward him.  And although we hope to help him with that in Brazil, we have seen him work more in each one of us in turning hearts that want to live for US and molding them into hearts that want to live for HIM.  And we know that as God leads us, goes with us, and in us, beside us and behind us, he smiles and says to himself, "Those 7 Hanstads, Yep....they're all MINE."

Thank you for being our support and encouragement by reading this blog and praying for us.  We are definitely not alone on this journey and we are grateful for each one of you.  Please pray for safe travel and good health while we are gone.  Please pray that we will continue to find doors open for ministry in Brazil and that God's timing will continue to line up for our returning.

Zephaniah 3:14 "The Lord your God is with you,  He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Boa viajem!  (Safe Travels!)

Robbyn for the Hanstads

Ellie

Good morning friends...the house is quiet and the coffee is good.  The sink is full of dirty dishes and the floor needs to be swept.  The stacks of bills and paperwork call my name and a million other tasks I could be and should be doing.  I am straining to type in silence so as not to waken any of the children less my precious moments of peace slip away and the chaos begins for yet another day.  We have a saying in our house that we live by..."NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING ELLIE"! If I had even a small portion of the energy that pint-sized pirhana, I would certainly change the world and would never have to learn the discipline of patience and waiting on the Lord.  That girl just makes things happen!  Just to give you an idea.....

This past Monday, she tagged along with us to a British/Brazilian soccer camp for Drew.  She will be starting league soccer in the fall but she wanted to watch her brother.  By the time we left on Monday night at 9:00...she had spoken in Portuguese to the two Brazilian coaches and secured them room and board at our house for the week (with our approval of course), earned a place in the advanced soccer skills camp for the rest of the week (free of charge), received promise of a new Brazilian soccer ball and shirt (which she has received), and again reminded the rest of us how GOD WILL USE US AND BLESS US WHEN WE MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE! 

That being said, our house and our hearts are full.  We have also had a friend of Jack's here nearly night and day as his parents work through a divorce and he finds some comfort and joy in this loud and crazy place with too many people and never quite enough food!  :)  So although our mission and goal here in Texas is set on spending more of our time and resources serving in Brazil, God continues to show up in our day to day lives, calling us to be available for the people we are to influence, help and serve in the here and now.  WILLING HEARTS AND AVAILABLE LIVES.  We press on toward this.....with Ellie's help of course...:)

In other developements, we are excited that Shelby has gotten a job at Marble Slab Creamery, an ice cream shop here in Frisco.   She is loving it and really enjoying getting out and about more.  Also, she will be attending Cornerstone Christian Academy in McKinney (the town right next to us) this fall for school.   This is going to be a great place for her to finish out her high school education and experience.  We are grateful to God for this opportunity for her.

The rest of the kids will be starting at the public schools on August 27.  The principals and staff at the schools have been unbelievably encouraging of our work in Brazil and we will be able to take the kids out of school and do their work while we are away.   We again are amazed by God's provision and answer to prayer in this.

BRAZIL!  We are so excited to be returning as family to Brazil from August 6-23.  We have direct flights from Dallas to Sao Paulo which will be a huge difference from our last trip which for those of you who don't know went as follows: Dickinson, Fargo, Chicago, New York, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre.  Ever been stressed travelling and making connections?  This is definitely a better way!  We are grateful that we have this period of time to go and minister and serve the kids and houseparents at Chain of Love.  While we are there, we hope to get a more clear idea of when and how long our next stay will be and how it will look for us as a family.  Please pray that our time there would be fruitful and that we will have clear answers for our ministry and place there in the upcoming months.

God is at work in our family.  There have been challenges...hard days, tears shed, fear, and often times just not understanding how this is all going to work.  But we have also seen amazing growth, increased faith, and joy in just seeking him with all of our hearts.  Thank you for your continued prayers....we are an extension of our brothers and sisters in Christ who diligently intercede on our behalf for God's help and strength.   And we receive it generously from Him.

2 Corinthians 4:8 "We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair, we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed."

Pressing on with WILLING HEARTS,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

1300 miles, 4 fried pies, and a broken arm

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

This and That

Good morning Hanstad blog followers!  We know many of you are praying for us and for that we are thankful....keep it up...we need it.  Brad's sister Karin and her husband Deon were here recently and we had a great time with them.   The kids enjoyed some Aunt and Uncle time which was fun.  Many fun moments were had and even a couple of trips to the Snowcone Lady.   No matter how old you get, or how far from home you are, time spent with family is just good medicine.

On the home front--Jack, Molly, and Ellie finished up their seasons of league baseball and softball.  Jack will now play only for the Texas Stallions select team.  They will play their last tournament of the spring season this weekend and then have a little time off until they start fall baseball.  He is doing strength and agility training every morning at his school.  Molly decided not to play select softball and will be playing soccer this fall.  Ellie was too young for the select soft team, the Texas Twist, but they asked her to practice with them.  I am sure she will be voted team captain by the end of the first practice...haha.  Drew will be forced to end his love affair with the concession stand and start to play soccer too this fall.  I guess if our kids are going to be part Brazilian, they want to learn to play Futebol.... that is soccer in Portuguese for your Northerners.  Even Jack talks about playing soccer for his school next spring.  Does the thought of a North Dakota hockey player going against these southern boys scare anyone else???  Should we tell him that there is no penalty box?

I think our firstborn deserves her own paragraph...I know she would agree.  What a beauty she is becoming!  She is diligently working toward finishing two years of high school yet this year so that she can start her senior year in the fall.  How hard it must be to see the little kids leave for the pool everyday while she sits on her computer.   But she is determined and we are proud of her.   She has applied for a job at a cupcake shop and for those of you who know her fondness of frosting, you will understand our concern.  However, it has a happy little place and we hope that they will see what an asset she would be and hire her!  She will turn 16 on July 3rd....but her heart is in Brazil.

Brad continues to work at his main job of providing for our family.  He is working on a great business opportunity that we hope would give us great flexibility for being in Brazil.  Our hope is to return to Brazil later this fall and stay awhile.

Please pray for the details of each step of this journey.   At times the hurdles seem too many and too difficult to overcome.  I keep recalling that part of the movie "League of Their Own" with Tom Hanks and Geena Davis.   She wants to quit the team because she says "It just got too hard."  Tom Hanks replies..."It's supposed to be hard.   If it was easy, everyone would do it."

And so we continue to trust that the task God has given us, even though it often feels too hard for us, is NOT TOO HARD FOR HIM.

James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.   Perserverence must finish its work in order for you to become mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Perservering......always,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

Happy Anniversary

20...yes I said TWENTY....years together!  Today we will celebrate our 20th Anniversary.  Wow how our lives have changed since that day when we overcame the odds of young love and actually said "I do".  And we meant it.  We really meant it.  Those of you closest to us know that our challenges began the next month as we packed up that moving truck and headed for California...just the two of us.  I'll spare the details here on the blog but the truck barely made it there and we had to grow-up and overcome during those 1500 miles.  God continued to increase our joy day by day along with allowing challenges to come our way.  The ups and downs of marriage and just life in general can be wearing.  And yet, as we look back, we see how God has used each and every heartache and test to prepare us for the task he has given us here in Texas and in Brazil.  We see how God has grown our faith, matured us through some very unpleasant circumstances and trials, and shown us how HIS WORD IS TRUE and HE IS FAITHFUL.  We are grateful for the five great kids he has given us.  Even though the quantity can be a challenge, we recognize that each one has a specific purpose in his call on our lives as a family.  I find it significant that God would give us an even 20 years to learn and grow and prepare us for service in Brazil.  With a group like us....I guess I can see why it took so long!  Actually, God's timing is perfect, and even though there are many days, most days in fact, when we feel completely inadequate to raise our own five kids, let alone take them to another country to help raise 85 more kids, we are COMPLETELY CONFIDENT that God will provide everything we need and equip us with all things for this task.

Now, time to curl the hair for the big day.  We can all be thankful that my hair is not nearly as big as it was in 1992.  I know Brad is.

Smiling, smiling, smiling,

Robbyn

The Heat is on.....

Hello Blog family and friends,

It is heating up here in Texas but so far WE ARE ALL OK WITH THIS.  Our new friends continue to warn us about the Texas heat coming this summer.  I guess we'll see.  Maybe us North Dakotans are tougher than they think!

This weekend both Jack and Molly play baseball and softball so we will be busy with that.  We had three of the kids' friends sleep over last night.  What fun to have a house full of Texas kids!  We are spending lots of time at the pool.  Ellie is learning to swim on her own...and Drew has an attitude about wearing the life jacket.  I guess the other kids won't think it's cool.  Now the baby of the family has to be cool too?  SO MUCH PRESSURE!!!!

God continues to be faithful in all we could ask or imagine.  We continue to learn that although we have grown and matured in many things, we still have so far to go.  He continues to show up in situations that cause us to stand in awe of HIM.  But, will we ever really learn to depend only on Him and not on ourselves?  I hope so.  If we know he is faithful, and he has proven himself to be faithful...OVER AND OVER AND OVER...why do we continue to fear?    My prayer is that our faith will grow stronger and stronger and that the fear in us will get smaller and no longer keep us from believing in the power of our God.   Pray this for us....for discipline to hear his word, and to put it into practice.  

Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and IN HIS WORD, I put my hope."

We wait for the Lord and thank you for your prayers as we wait.  We wait with great anticipation that the Lord will continue to lead and guide us toward our work in Brazil and in simple obedience every day as we serve him in each and every moment he has given us.

In great love and EVER-INCREASING faith,

Robbyn

The Snowcone Lady!

Hello friends and family....things are slowly but surely returning to whatever normal might be for us since returning from Brazil.  We are enjoying a short visit from my Sister Lezlie and her daughter Raegan.   Showing them all the sights and fun places in Frisco and just some catching up time.  Celebrating Mother's Day together was a blessing. 

We are continuing to settle in to life here and look ahead to wrapping up with homeschooling soon while Jack will be in school until June 1....poor guy!  The kids continue to stay busy with baseball and softball and now will be playing even more with having been chosen for select teams with more tournaments and higher competition. 

We are continuing to seek God's plan for our return to Brazil.   We visited a school this week that is a part school/part homeschool Christian school that would encourage our time in Brazil and be very flexible with the long absence.   We are praying about this and would appreciate your prayers for this specifically.  Also, regarding employment for Brad, we continue to seek the right opportunity and trust that God will show us how this will look as well.

Shelby and Jack are getting more involved in the youth at church and are really feeling welcomed and part of the group.  Brad and I are in an adult fellowship that is full of very dedicated Christian people who are passionate as well about getting the gospel out here and around the world.  We are grateful to God for these new relationships.

We continue to feel somewhat lop-sided in our hearts as part of us is always in Brazil.   But God provides our comfort in this and we know that your prayers uphold us each day.

The Snowcone Lady!  What a treasure we have found here in Frisco....a tiny little building with a gravel parking lot and any flavor snowcone you can imagine for $1.50!  A great little treat for our family and I think our goal is try every flavor combination.  It's the simple things, right?

I will close with a precious comment from our little brother Drew today.   Riding in the car, he said, "Dad, why did we move here?"  Brad replied, "so we could be in Brazil more."  Good, because maybe then the kids won't cry so much when we leave like they did last time."

2 Thess. 2:8 "We loved you so much, that we were delighted to share with you  not only the gospel of  God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."

In pursuit of HIM,

Robbyn for the Hanstads 

Home Again

But Brazil is home too....it's hard to have one's heart residing in two places.  Shelby and I returned home on Tuesday at about noon.   The goodbyes in Brazil were difficult, as always.  But knowing we will be returning soon with everybody made it a bit easier.   Our time in Brazil was good and fruitful....even had an invitation to teach Sunday school to the adolescent girls which was such a blessing.  Spent lots of time helping with the new baby and enjoyed all the kids so much.  Brad and the kids had a good time with Grandpa and Grandma.   They got to see lots of ballgames and had fun hanging out in our new home and town.  So thankful they could come and help!

Our next step will be planning our family trip to Brazil.   Brad is working on an Optometry license here in Texas and we are figuring out the school plan for the kids this fall.  We definitely covet your prayers for all of this.   We trust that God has all of the answers and will seek Him with great faith.  Pray for us that we will have wisdom in each decision.

Blessings,

Robbyn for the Hanstads

Brazil is Life

Hello Blog followers.....Life in Brazil is good.  What a joy it is to be here and to share love and encouragement to the children and others here.  My Portuguese has definitely improved as I am able to share many conversations with people and I think the kids really feel happy when I can speak to them in their language.  It is early fall here and so the weather is beautiful.  We have spent the last few days getting reacquainted with everyone and spending lots of time helping in House 7 with the new baby, Josue (Josway..."Joshua" in English).  He is only one month old and it seems as if he has grown even since we arrived.  Last night it was a joy to be here to celebrate the 17th birthday of Amanda, one of our sponsored kids.  She was so happy that we could be here for the special day.  And Shelby's opinion is that a country that has 3 cakes at the birthday party is a country for her!  Tonight will be church which is always a great joy to worship with our Brazilian family.  I will begin some crafting classes tomorrow with the children and a quilting project with the older girls.  Tuesday will be sharing my testimony with the housemothers at their weekly bible study time.  Please pray that these activities and all of our time here would be fruitful and encouraging to all.  We look forward to our return trip as a family.   We are in the process of working out the details of this so please pray that all things would line up for us to return soon.

Brad and the kids are doing well and enjoying Grandpa and Grandma in Texas.  We have skyped a few times and thankful for that great technology!

I am so thankful today that God is continuing to open the doors of ministry for us here in Brazil.  The verse he laid on my heart as I prepared for my first trip here continues to come back and bring me peace and joy....

Psalm 138:8 "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands."

May he continue to do a good work through us.

Blessings,

Robbyn

Brazil!

Dear friends and family,

Tomorrow is a big day!   We are thankful that Shelby and I will be returning to Brazil to minister to and spend time with the dear parents, children, and missionaries at Chain of Love.  We are grateful that Brad's parents will be arriving as we depart to spend the two weeks with Brad and the kids and learning about our new home here in Frisco, Texas.  I will try to update the blog while I am there but I am always so involved with life there that I don't often remember to get on the computer!  But, I will try.

A few notes about our trip....We will depart tomorrow at 2:45 and as it works we will meet with a Canadian friend in Chicago who will be serving with us at COL.  God really worked out the details for us to go together so we are grateful.  We will arrive in Brazil Tuesday at 2:45 p.m.  We will be working with the kids in crafting and sewing classes, ministering to the house mothers in bible study, helping House 7 with their new arrival...a one month old baby boy who was abandoned at the hospital, and assisting the missionaries with their work, playing with the kids, and continuing to build relationships with the people who are so dear to us.  We are grateful to be able to celebrate the 17th birthday of Amanda, one of our sponsored kids, while we are there.  We will leave Brazil on April 30, returning home on May 1.

Please pray for safe travel, luggage arrival, no problems with passports/visas/tickets, etc.  It is always a blessing to arrive there and return home safely.  Please pray for our health as we are there along with Brad and the kids while we are away.

Thank you for your great encouragement of our family, our move to Texas, and our work in Brazil.  God has been so good and so faithful.

I can't help but share a verse from James that has been so crucial to us in this journey.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

We are so grateful for all of you who have encouraged us in our attempt to do this in a very small way.  May he find us faithful.

In Him,

Robbyn

Waiting?

Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."

Does anyone else feel like they are always waiting for something?  I don't mean for little things like red lights or the McDonalds drive thru.  I mean like waiting for something to change, an answer to prayer, a situation to get better...just plain waiting.  I am finding that God is constantly causing me to live this verse in my daily life.  When anxiety or fear or just plain frustration rises up in me, I find that often it is because I am waiting for something...and things just aren't happening fast enough for me.  The question then, I guess, is what do we do with our human, impatient, control-freak selves while we wait?  The answer is in that verse.  We go to HIS WORD.  That is where God will bathe us in his peace, his comfort, and his complete wisdom that reminds us that his timing is best and that WE CAN TRUST HIM.

Love you all.....

Robbyn

The Daily.....

Hello friends and family....

School started today!  We all decided that it was best for Jack to go to school to finish the year...to make some friends and get out of the house a bit.  He started today at a public middle school across the street from our subdivision.  The teachers and staff there were so welcoming and friendly and one of the guys from his baseball team was showing him around so pray that all goes well for Jack today.

All of the girls are starting with their homeschooling today.  It will take some getting used to for all of us but I think we can do it!

Easter Sunday was of course a special day for us as a family.   We went to worship and then took the kids to a Mexican Restaurant for lunch which was fun.

Shelby and I will finalize our Brazil preparations this week as we will leave on Monday, April 16.  Brad's parents will arrive the same day and everyone is looking forward to some Grandpa and Grandma time.

Please pray for us as we continue to get settled and accustomed to a very different life.   Frisco is a very friendly community and easy to get around in.  We are grateful for some new friends that we have already made.

Thank you for all of the love and encouragement.

Love from all of the Hanstads

Texas!

Greetings from Frisco, Texas!  So sorry it has taken so long to update the blog.   We have had a little trouble getting internet going at the house.  It is supposed to be hooked up tomorrow so for now I am at a Barnes and Noble with the family.  Many of you have called and texted today regarding the tornadoes and storms that were in the area.  We were actually caught driving in the storm but made it home with the sirens going and hail hitting the cars.  Apparently the storms very near but didn't quite hit us head on.   We are thankful.

We left Dickinson last Thursday morning and drove to Rapid City, picked up my Aunt Laurie, and headed to Yankton, South Dakota.  We had a wonderful reunion with Pastor Jon and Pam Cooke and family and spent some time visiting and catching up.  What a blessing to tour Calvary Baptist Church and see how God has been working through them there in Yankton.  Friday morning we got up early and headed to Frisco.  We arrived in our home at about 9:30 p.m.  It was a long day of travel but everyone did well.  Saturday brought our moving truck at about 9 a.m. along with a full afternoon of softball and baseball for Jack, Molly, and Ellie.  We took a trip to the mall, bought a refrigerator, and are getting acquainted with our new town.  Sunday we visited a church called Crosspoint which we all liked.   The kids will go there Wed. night and check out the activities.  We are a little homesick, having ups and downs, but overall are doing great.  We are so grateful that Aunt Laurie could be here to help us get settled.

She will go home tomorrow, and we will take the rest of the week off and plan to start school on Monday.  Shelby and I will leave for Brazil on April 16, and Grandpa and Grandma Hanstad will arrive the same day to spend some time with Brad and the kids while we are gone.

Here are a few prayer requests:  Please pray for the kids to get accustomed to a new town and unfamiliar people and activities.  Pray that they would feel welcome and accepted among the new kids.  Pray for Brad and I as we work on health insurance and getting the last of the utilities going...seems to always be more difficult than it should be.   Pray for us as we prepare for Brazil...that our time there would be fruitful.  Pray for the right job opportunity for Brad as he will begin looking soon.  Thank you for your faithful support of our family.

God is our refuge and strength and how he has put things into place continues to amaze us.  The first friend I made at Jack's baseball game lives around the corner from us.  And if that doesn't rock your socks off, does the fact that she speaks fluent Portuguese?  It did mine and I am continually reminded of the greatness of our God and his ability to direct our path.

In Him,

Robbyn

P.S.  Someone tell Mike Pitkin that we all listened to "The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Chapman on our way out of town!  What a good idea!!!!

The Adventure Begins

Exodus 9:16 "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

We are simply overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and encouragement that we have received from our family and friends as we leave Dickinson and set out for Texas and then Brazil.  I have so much in my heart and the overflow will come soon on this blog.   But for now, we delight in this verse from Exodus and are humbled by how God has called this large, loud, but bursting at the seams with love for Jesus, family of 7 to follow him and proclaim the gospel away from our "home".

The "Great Adventure" begins....

Robbyn for The Hanstads