Update!

 Madison's 16th birthday was a couple of weeks ago and this month has been one of the busiest!

 Sorry it has been so long since I've blogged!  There has been lots going on!

Coming into a family is not always easy and having a new sibling come in is not easy either.  It is a transition for everyone in the family.  Good news, all my kids are learning to adjust well! 

I am very proud of the seven that were here before Andrew.  Even when it's tough, they handle it with grace.  They are excellent representations of Christ!

Andrew is learning new things every day, even after being here eight months. His English is improving. He's slowly learning to trust. He is working on being respectful to adults and siblings (not always easy). He is working on writing his story from his very first memory.  I can't wait to read it!

It is a slow process for him, which he would like to move a lot faster! He does not have patience, but good things come to those who wait.  He thinks eight months home will erase 16 and a half years.  No, it takes time to heal the wounds and hurt, and this mama has the time and the patience.  I'm not going anywhere! I love my son, Andrew!

Certificate of Citizenship

On our way to the USCIS office.


Andrew took the oath today to become a US citizen!


He received his Certificate of Citzenship!


He was happy just to be dressed up in his new suit!


We were there for almost two hours! There were so many people they couldn't get started on time. Then the video they played had no sound. The gentleman who administered the oath had a very thick accent....none of us could understand him. When we started to sing the national anthem, the music wouldn't work. Quite the experience!

The best part was Andrew getting his certificate. As soon as they handed it to him we all applauded! You should have seen his face! He was delighted! He's come a long way from the boy we met in Ukraine!

Blessings,
Hansina

Hair color?

Andrew has been asking if I would "paint" his hair. He would love for his hair to be lighter in color. So this weekend I put a blonde color on the top of his hair. It turned out to be a strawberry blonde.




He's so funny! He screamed in delight! He loves it! Eventually, I think he will go back to his natural color, but for now he's having fun with it.

Last week was tough, but the weekend was better. Andrew likes to go his own way, which is not the right way. He's been his own boss for so long, it's hard to do what the mom says. But you know the saying, "mama knows best." He'll come around because he knows I only want the best for him. It's a battle of the heart and mind.



Please keep praying for Andrew. I know he will be a great man of God some day!

Blessings,
Hansina

Andrew feels the presence of the Lord!

I had a sore throat coming on yesterday morning, so Mark took Andrew and my mom to visit a church in Roseville. (We do home church.) This was Andrew's first time at a Sunday morning service.

Mark said the pastor gave the altar call and a little while later Andrew asked if he could go down. Mark said, "Yes." Andrew told me he closed his eyes and was opening his heart. Then he felt someone touching him on his forehead. He opened his eyes and the pastor and his wife were standing there praying over him, and dad was standing behind him with his hands on his shoulders.

At first, Mark said the prayer could have been for anyone and then it got more personal, just for Andrew. The prayer was about Andrew seeking God first and how close he was. The tools are the seeds in him. He just needs to pursue God. And all the stuff in his past was gone. They were praying that it was not easy right now, to keep going...you're close!

When Andrew got home he said he felt something at the altar...the tears kept pouring down his face....that he actually felt different. He is so close to making a decision for Jesus! God is pricking his heart and making Himself known to him! Please continue to pray for Andrew! His heart is starting to soften. Go God!




Blessings,
Hansina

Is this boy your son?

Adoption.....there are so many children out there longing for a family to love and a home to call their own. How can we help?  Mark and I would like to advocate for some boys who want to be adopted.  I cannot put their pictures up, but I can give some information about them.

First off is a boy who has captured my heart.  The first time I saw a photo of him, Mark and I wanted to adopt him, but we were in the process of bringing Andrew home.  This boy's name is Andrew. He just turned 15 years old, is HIV + and lives in an orphanage in Eastern Europe.

He likes to read, play football and has a reputation of defending the younger children.  He has a great sense of humor and his caregivers say he is well mannered and polite.  He has always dreamed of having a family.  A good friend of mine has met him and would love to see him have a family to call his own. 

Time is running out for Andrew!  He will turn 16 next year!  PLEASE consider giving Andrew a chance at having a real family. If you are interested, you can email me for more information at hansinais@yahoo.com.

If you all would be praying for these children and sharing their stories, I know they will find families.  Thank you for your help!  I will be posting about a child every week for the month of February.

I'm always learning!

"Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all." Helen Keller

It's not always easy to parent an adopted child. The lying, the stealing, wanting to go their own way. Some days are easier than others. Mark and I are always looking to educate ourselves on how to help our adopted kids. We went to an adoption seminar this last week. It was great to hear confirmation on the things we are doing as parents and learn some new technics as well.

One thing I've learned is not to punish, but to give a consequence. When one of my son's lie to me, I tell them, "Wow! That's a great made-up story! Go grab your notebook and write it all down and share it with the family at dinner tonight!"

We don't like lying, but when you get angry over a lie, it shows to the child that the lie is powerful. We give big kudos when the truth is spoken because a child will repeat the behavior they get the most reaction from.

What's positive about a child who lies? They think fast, creative, good acting ability, smart, convincing, and knows right from wrong. These are good skills to have as an adult! If you are going to lie, put it down on paper! Maybe this kid will be a famous fiction writer someday!

Instead of focusing on the negative, Mark and I try to turn it into a positive. Speak life!

It was a great week last week! I feel energized and ready to keep going! Andrew keeps telling me, "Mom, you look fresh!" I love that!




Blessings,
Hansina

Praying Andrew

The best way to witness is not necessarily to say anything, but to show the love of Jesus. That is what Mark and I have been doing with Andrew. Just being an example...showing forgiveness instead of anger, loving each other no matter what and praying together.

 

The last couple of days Andrew has been coming to us and asking if he can pray with us. Mark prays with the kids at night and I pray with them in the morning. Instead of waiting for us to pray with him, he will come into our room and ask to pray. He starts off the prayer while Mark or I finish the prayer.

His prayer usually goes like this, "Dear God, thank you for my family, my brothers, sisters, mom and dad.  Thank you for my home and good life. Please forgive me for doing bad things now and in Ukraine."

In his prayers he is always thanking God for what he has and asking for forgiveness. His heart is starting to melt for the things of God.

 

We watched the Blindside last night as a family. Afterward Andrew asked if he could talk to Mark and I.  The movie really touched his heart. He connected with Michael Oher....coming from poverty, having a drug and alcohol addicted mother to a family who loves you at all times.  He said it was a GREAT movie...best one he has ever seen.

 

Watching him grow and blossom is truly rewarding!  Keep going Andrew!