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
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
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
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
Thursday, September 13, 2012
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
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
Monday, August 27, 2012
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
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
Monday, August 6, 2012
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
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
Friday, July 27, 2012
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
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
Sunday, July 15, 2012
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)