Andrew home 4 years!

I'm sorry it has been so long since I've posted. I would like to give everyone an update on Andrew.

Andrew has been home for four years!  The time has gone by so fast!

He has praying and fasting to see where the Lord would take him and what he should do.  Mark and I have been encouraging him to seek the Lord and to follow his heart. Andrew's heart has always been music and missions.

Andrew called Mark and I a couple of weeks ago to let us know that he has been called to go to YWAM in Australia the 1st of January! He told me, "Mom, even though I don't have the money, I feel like it's in my pocket already!" That's faith.  That encouraged my faith. It's a big dream, but we have a BIG God!

He is still at Teen Challenge in Lincoln, and they said he could stay with them until he leaves for Australia.  He has applied for several jobs and has been doing side work to earn the money. He has set up a go fund me page https://www.gofundme.com/2dxuhhw, is getting his GED and driver's license.

I can't believe how his life has changed in four years. He has grown a lot...as a person, child of God, son, brother, grandson...I'm amazed at what our God can do when you open your heart and life to him. The journey continues for Andrew!

Thank you for praying for him on this next chapter in his life.

Blessings,
Hansina

Andrew gets baptized!

The last eight months have been challenging with Andrew. Working with other people at a full time job has greatly influenced him. Mark, Andrew and myself all sat down last autumn and had an important conversation. We had been praying for the next season in Andrew's life. Three options were given and Andrew chose Teen Challenge. He moved into Teen Challenge the first part of January. A new year and a new beginning for him.

He wrote me a letter to let me know he really liked Teen Challenge and he was getting baptized. Just to be real and transparent, Andrew has lied to us so much, I didn't believe he'd had a real Jesus experience.

When we arrived at the church last Sunday, we couldn't find him. When we finally found him, he was a mess of tears and was super excited to see us.




There was a miscommunication between the church and Teen Challenge. The baptisms were the week before, so Andrew was given the option of waiting a week or go out in the rain and cold and get baptized in the fountain. He didn't want to wait.





Mark wanted to be a part of Andrew's baptism, so he took off his shoes and rolled up his pants and got into the icy water with his son.





Andrew's excitement about the Lord was most definitely contagious!





He wasn't a god in Andrew's head. He is the God of Andrew's heart and life.





You could see it in Andrew's eyes and the countenance of his face.





It wasn't the words he spoke....he was truly changed. A complete miracle!





That's how Jesus rolls! Takes a seemingly impossible situation and it becomes more than possible.





Life changing! I keep thanking the Lord for the goodness he has poured out and onto Andrew. He told us when he finished Teen Challenge, he wants to attend Bible college.

It encourages me to not give up praying for someone or for a situation. God will come through!

Blessings,
Hansina

Update on Andrew

Andrew has been home a little over two years now. The first year we were so busy showing him all the things that he's never seen or done before, but we've quieted that down just a little bit. This last year has been a little slower with more family time at home. One thing we did do, was surprise the kids with a trip to The Grand Canyon this summer.



Mark and I have been watching as God has touched Andrew's heart. Andrew has been hungry for the things of God. The hunger grows every day for more and more of the Lord. It's been an amazing transformation in Andrew's heart, disposition, attitude and life. I appreciate all of you that have prayed for him!

Andrew has been working full time at a cabinet shop near our home. He loves his job! They are teaching him a wonderful skill and craft. The owner takes a lot of time working with Andrew and teaching him. Here is Andrew leaving for work.


With all the things going on in Ukraine, we are thankful and blessed that Andrew is here with us. Mark and I have talked many times about our last four adoptions....the journeys that God took us on. It was not always an easy road, but the end results are so rewarding!


Blessings,
Hansina

Andrew has a soft heart

Andrew has gone down to the altar many times in the last couple of months, but we didn't see a heart change.  Then he went down to the altar a few weeks ago.  With tears streaming down his face and arms reaching to heaven, down on his knees, a true heart change was occurring, and he's not been the same.

Wow! Only God! Andrew invited Jesus into his heart! He has been respectful, truthful, obedient, kind, taking responsibility for his actions, joy filled and not angry, and he's expressed more love for the family. His heart is soft and tender. Thank you for praying for Andrew!

I know you all have heard me say this a lot, but Andrew was truly meant to be in our family! He's a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew and a cousin.

Please continue to pray for him that his walk will be strengthened by reading the Word, praying and listening to his worship music, and that Mark and I will have wisdom from our heavenly Father on how to guide him.

Love to all,
Hansina

Sorry it's been so long...

I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've done a post. Here are some random pictures that have been taken recently.











This is Mark's mom, Gloria. She came out for a visit last month from Wisconsin. Glad she was able to meet some of the new grand kids and to spend time with her!











This is a sneak peek of some pictures we had taken recently. I'm excited to see the rest as soon as the photographer sends them to me!

















Andrew will be 18 next month and I'm sure he will still be living with us for a while. He's still learning how to be in a family and soaking it all in.

We have a close friend who owns a cabinet shop. Andrew has been going there once a week to help. What Andrew doesn't know is that starting January 1st, he's going to be working there part time! He really likes going and it's close to our house so he can walk. This will be a great opportunity for him!

So much to be thankful for this year. I hope you and yours have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Summer

It has been so long since I've written a post!  The summer has gone by way too quickly and we have been super busy. It will be nice to get back into routine with school starting in September. I give the kids a choice every year......do you want to go to school or stay home?  Without hesitation, they all respond, "Stay home!"  I love being with them and teaching them!

                           Here are a few pictures from the last two months!

                                  This is Andrew's first time hitting a pinata!

                                    
                Mackenzie LOVES to play dress up even if it is with her brother's mask!

                          Millie in Lake Tahoe jumping and doing somersaults!

                                       My girls in the pool on a hot day!

 

We had a French student stay with us for a little while this summer.  He was a hurting boy. Unfortunately, he was not interested in our family or the love we tried to show him. If you think of him, please remember to keep Hugo in prayer.

 

Blessings!

Andrew home 1 year!

Andrew has been home one year! We've had our ups and downs, but it has been worth it.  A life is always worth it! Lots of love, hugs, teaching, encouraging and smiles! I am thankful the Lord has brought us down the path of adoption. Mark and I have grown so much over the last nine years! Our four kiddos are amazing blessings!

We took the whole family to dinner at a Japanese restaurant where they cook the food in front of you. Andrew LOVED it!

I made a photo album of the whole year from when we picked him up at the airport to our boating trip over the weekend. It's full of memories, family, fun times and lots of love.

Here is a video we made last night about Andrew's first year home. I don't want to give the wrong impression to people that it's easy, because it's not. But I will say again, it is rewarding and a huge blessing! To see his heart change and become the person God wants him to be. To learn how to be in a family and to love. I am so thankful to be his mom!