Kerry Hasenbalg

*If you would like a collection of 30 devotions written by Kerry, Steven Curtis Chapman, and others, you can order “Seeds of Change” from Shaohannah’s Hope at cost.  Perfect for group study. Order here >

*Listen to Kerry’s speech at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit III. Listen here >

Family Update

 Since I have not written in over four and a half months, here are a few highlights during that time in pictures.  (But in no particular order)


 This is a picture of Maya and me this afternoon.  I am currently six and a half months pregnant with a baby girl!  Praise the Lord! We are thrilled!

Leah isn't quite getting the hang o' potty training....But the potties are getting the hang o'Leah

Spent my 40th Birthday in Italy with Scott (November 19th)

Visited Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii, and Florence.

Spent Scottie's 40th Birthday in Aruba - this is the view from his birthday meal on the beach - see his actual meal below

Maya learned how to Ski - Cole, who had skied some before got even better.

Had a great Christmas Holiday.  Although Homeschooling has been really good this year, Cole and I were really hankering for the holiday break.

A few good days of sledding - but primarily a warm winter

Cole had his believer baptism at age 9 and the pastor asked Cole's daddy to participate which was very special for them both. And Maya committed her life to the Lord the day before Thanksgiving.  What an amazing year God has given us - Thank you God!

Leah and Nanna

Maya and Meme

Caught a few dolphins on film during one of the kids seaschool outings in Sanibel

Leah found a shell

Contemplating the sea

Circle of Friends

Hunting for Shells

Our three kiddos - thank you Lord for their laughter!

Off to more adventures!

Become as Little Children

And he said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

I am exceedingly grateful that my mother, my father and my Uncle Dave take my son, Cole (4th grade) and my nephew TR (12th grade) to Bible Study Fellowship every Monday evening.  I am overjoyed about the incredible Biblical education that my son is getting from this program.  This year, they are studying through the book of Acts.  I cannot say enough good things about BSF  - the children's program is just superior! 

What is really neat is that Cole is currently studying early church history through to the middle ages in his Homeschool curriculum, so he is getting a double -dose of this period in history.  And boy is it sinking in, his retention of the material has been phenomenal.  

Tonight, Cole and I were studying the stoning of Stephen, who was the first martyr of the early Christian church, through his history curriculum.  When we got to the part which explained that it was the very audience listening to Stephen's amazing sermon who stoned him, Cole exclaimed, "Talk about a tough crowd!"  

I laughed out loud!  

He then went on to remind me that the crowds that I have been speaking to over this last month are nothing compared to the one Stephen had to deal with. (I've given three talks in the last month, one on prenatal loss, one for National Adoption Day and one on prenatal loss and its relationship to adoption. And Cole saw me preparing for them a lot over the past few weeks - and I am sure he saw that I got a bit stressed to have so much to prepare for this month).  He said, "Even if you don't think so Mom, I think you'll do a lot of speeches in the future. And I hope you remember that no matter how tough your audiences could be they are nothing compared to the audience Stephen had when he preached that sermon where he was stoned." 

Amen, Cole, Amen!

The Word is so real to my son and this brings me unspeakable joy!

Tonight, we also went through some of his BSF homework.  While we were reading the Word together, he said, "It made me really happy when you, or maybe it was dad, said that God particularly honors the prayers of children."  

 "I am sure that is true," I said "but you should know that he will still hear your prayers when you are an adult just as he hears mine.  What matters is your heart." 

Cole said,"Well, I still think there might be something special about kids prayers don't you?"

I replied, "Probably yes, but I'm not sure how to explain why?"

Cole then said, "Mom, since I'm a kid, can I think for a minute, and then tell you why I think so?"

"Sure, go ahead." I answered.

So, he closed his eyes and waited silently for a bit."

He then opened his eyes and said, "We, kids, have weaker minds and we don't know which way to go, so we go to God more fully than adults.  Adults rely on themselves because they think they know, but kids know they don't know and that they need help; so they go to God for help and God honors them for this.  Plus, since this world was overcome by sin, it's really dangerous for us kids, and God knows it."

While he was speaking, I was taking notes right there in my Bible on the top of the first page of Hebrews. Seeing as he had taken so much time to think in silence with his eyes closed and knowing that this seems to be his way of seeking God in his heart and accessing his wisdom directly, I figured this was gonna be good.  

Yep, it was quite good.  Apparently, closing his eyes and turning his heart towards God, WORKS!

Just as the Word says, unless we become as little children we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  We must know that we are weak minded and that we don't know the way to go and that it is not wise to rely on ourselves.  As Cole explained.  Children know their weakness and so they know their need of God.   Humility.  God lifts up the humble - He hears and answers their prayers. 

She Surrendered All!

"For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." 2 Ti 1:12

I have heard my mother tell the story time and again of how she "gave me to the Lord to raise", but this time, when she shared the story as we stood with my three children directly in front of the church where she "gave me" it affected me entirely differently.

My brother and I were both born in Williamsburg, Virginia during the time that my father was attending William and Mary Law School.  Although my mother had grown up attending church, she says that it was not until she was 24 years old that she truly found her personal relationship with God.  She says that up until that point her faith was not her own; she was sort of "riding on" the faith of her parents and grandparents before them.  

At any rate, while my mother, my children and I were visiting Williamsburg this past week, touring around for our own homeschool adventures - from Richmond to Jamestown, Williamsburg to Norfolk and back to PA again, we all learned an enormous amount.  I had planned on Cole and I learning about American history, but learning about how my own life fit into American history was not something I had planned. 

My mother said, "Nanna Zehner always told me to give my children immediately to the Lord right after birth.  She told us not to waste anytime.  I wasn't attending church when Bobby was born and I wasn't attending church when you were born either.  But because I was so afraid to raise a little girl, I took my grandmother Nanna Zehner's advice just after you were born and immediately after coming home from the hospital, I bundled you and Bobby up very warmly (Nov. 19th I was born) and I brought you straight here - to Bruton Parish Church.  I went in and knelt down and gave you to the Lord.  I told the Lord I didn't know how to raise a little girl, so I asked HIm to raise you.  I gave my children to the Lord as Nanna Zehner told me to do and I am so glad that I did"  

Truth be told, I have heard this story probably a hundred times from my mother before.  As a matter of fact, just about every time my mother would witness God do something in my life, through my life, or anywhere near or associated with my life, she almost always referenced that she is not responsible for these blessings because she had given me to the Lord that day in that church in Williamsburg.  She would say, 'I knew I could not raise you, I was so afraid, so I gave you to God to raise for me."  

She always seemed to act as if God was in charge of me and she was just along for the ride - as if viewing as a witness to God's directing all the while.  As far as I can recall she has never sought to take credit for any of the good that has happened in or around my life. And whenever I or someone else would try to give her some sort of credit, she would tell me the story of "giving [me] to God to raise at Bruton Parish Church." 

But last week, as I stood in front of that church, finally putting together the name of the church which she had always referenced, "Bruton Parish Church" and those things which Cole and I had been studying in his homeschool unit on Williamsburg and the revolution, I realized that my precious mother had been led by God not to any old nearby church, but to one of the absolute oldest and most interesting churches in our history. The 1660 church of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, and George Mason to name a few parishoners of the church.

Bruton Parish church had been used as a hospital during the Revolutionary and Civil wars.  It was the destination of George Washington's walk calling upon the people of Williamsburg to a week of fasting, prayer and humiliation in recognition of the hardships being faced by their countrymen in Massachussettes at the start of the Revolutionary war.  This was not any old church.  This was far more than JUST the church where mom "gave me to the Lord."  Why hadn't she made a big deal of that part I wondered.  But then I realized.....

As I stood there in that church looking at the names of our nation's founding fathers engraved on the sides of each the pews where they sat and knowing that I was standing on Hallowed ground because of what took place so many years before, I also realized why my mom's story only involved herself, God, and us; because for my mom something just as holy had taken place.  And I believe that to God what my mom did that day in Bruton Parish Church was just as holy and honorable as anything else that had transpired there before that day.....She gave to God all that she had - she gave up and gave it all  - my mother had surrendered her children, entrusted their lives and their keeping to the Lord - she had come to the end of herself and then unto the Lord she had truly surrendered ALL!  We can only give up what God has first given to us.  He only requires from us that which He has first given to us.  And when we give it all back to him for his safe keeping, we soon find, as my mother often testifies, that He is able to keep that which we have entrusted to Him until that Day.

Lord, please help me to know, just as my mother knows, that what good comes in and through the lives of our children is because of you and for your glory alone.  And I thank you in advance for the opportunity to witness each of my children walking in the truth - because I, too, am persuaded that you are able to keep my children whom Scott and I have entrusted to you until that Day! Amen! 

Eternal Rewards

"And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel...whose names are in the Book of Life.  Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I say rejoice."  Philippians 4:3-4

A few weeks ago, I was surprised at the Congressional Angels in Adoption Banquet, when I was called up on stage, together with Kathleen Strottman, and presented with a beautifully framed and gold-lined copy of the Congressional Record which told the story of the founding of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and my involvement in it.  Because the award was a surprise, the only family member who was attending this tenth anniversary banquet of CCAI with me was my nine-year old son, Cole.  Cole and I used the opportunity to go to DC for the event and also as a chance to visit the National Archives and the Botanical Gardens for a homeschool educational outing. 

It was really special for Cole when Senator Landrieu was presenting the award to Kathleen and me because she said these words directly to our eldest children, "Grace and Cole, you should both be very proud of your moms!" 

Then, after returning to our banquet table and having the opportunity to look at what was written in the congressional record, Cole wanted me to explain to him what it was all about.  (He just recently found out that I was not always a stay-at-home homeschool mom; so, seeing me receive an award was way outside of his box of understanding about me.)

As I looked into his face, I could see that he was still beaming because of what he had witnessed and specifically because the Senator had said his name from the stage.  "Mom, the Senator said my name from stage in front of all these people!"  

So, as I searched for words to explain to Cole, what came from my mouth surprised even me.  "Yes, Cole it is really special to have your name said from stage in front of all these people and it is special for my name to be written in the congressional record, but you know what is far more amazing - that our names are written in the Lamb's book of life!'

 And as I said it my eyes began to well up with tears.  I became overwhelmed by the comfort these words spoke to my spirit!  THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE!  

Then it hit me - I mean it really hit me - perhaps for the first time!  My name is in the Lamb's book of life.  My son's name is in the Lamb's book of life! As lovely as a worldly honor as this is, IT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE! 

Then, with more excitement than I could appropriately express in a setting like that, I repeated it again, "Cole, can you believe that God - the One who created everything and everyone in the world, put your name and my name and anyone else's name who would believe in His Book of life for eternity!"

I doubt my son felt the same feeling I did from these words at least not with the great intensity with which I was feeling it, but one thing is sure, Cole knew that for his mom, the recognition I had just received could not compare to the joy that it brought me to know that our names are in the Lamb's book of life!

 
Wendy Cosby (founding program director, CCAI) Jelani Freeman (FYI for Senator Clinton)

Hooked on Truth

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.  God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

 Yesterday, I lacked patience most of the day and almost entirely – with Scott, with the kids – I even was a great bother to myself.  Cole was a little off yesterday as well.  In a way, I think Cole and I fed off of one another’s negativity.  We took turns alternating apologies to one another throughout the day.

“I am so sorry that I have been so emotional today Cole.  I know it is making home school difficult for you.” 

 “Oh, Mom, I’m the one who’s been emotional, I keep getting frustrated and then sinning in my heart.” 

 “But I’m the parent, Honey,” I said.

 “But you're only human too, Mom” He said.

 Although the day ended far better than it had been most of the day for us - thanks to a family bike ride and Cole's exciting soccer game, I really didn’t want to carry my attitude any longer and was worried that the next day could be bad as well.  So, last evening, I came very needy before the Lord in prayer and implored Him for extra grace and mercy for the next day and the 170 some days of school we had left of this school year. Well, God not only answered, but He did so first thing this morning.  He gave extra mercy and encouragement beginning at 8am through the words of our 9 year old son, Cole.

 As Scott and I were sitting together with our coffee preparing for our morning devotions together, Cole came down the stairs to join us, as he often does.  Scott read a few sentences that included the words intelligent design; but, before he could go any farther, Cole asked if he could interrupt for a moment to ask a question. 

Cole said, “What Dad read just reminded me of a favor I wanted to ask about my school curriculum this year.” 

 “Sure, go ahead Cole,” His dad said.

 “I would really appreciate it if we could read a lot in our science study this year from the creation scientist’s view. I just don’t want to be like a fish hook that get’s stuck into a fish that’s dead, I want to get hooked into those things which are fresh and alive.  So, I’d like to start out by learning what is really true." Cole said with great conviction.

He then asked, “Does that make sense or is that a foolish picture to imagine in my mind and share with you?”

 Scott immediately responded, “That was not a foolish thing to think or say at all – it was actually very wise, a great word picture son - Honestly, thanks for giving our family devotions this morning Cole – That’s all I needed this morning, How about you Kerry?!”

"Absolutely!" I said

 Cole then said - “Oh, Thanks for saying that Dad – that’s very encouraging.” 

 And then came Sweet Maya’s words that kept my spirits up and heart laughing the rest of this wonderful day.

 “Now, Maya for your first week of K-4, we are going to study Day three of creation. ‘Genesis 1:9-13, I said.

 “Then God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered together so the dry land will appear.’  And it happened.  God named the dry land ‘earth’ and the water that was gathered together Seas….”

 But before I could finish the passage, Maya sweetly and confidently said, “and then....And then God gathered the waters together at people’s houses and called them “pools.” 

AWESOME! My Funny girl Maya!

 Oh, what a wonderful, wonderful Day!  What sweet, funny children you have entrusted to us Lord! 

Thank you for this day and these memories.  Thank you that I didn't miss these moments with my children because of a heart that could have stayed stuck in impatience.  

 

 

A Little Mother's Day Giggle

This is how my friend found their dog when they came home one day recently. He apparently was licking up something in the bottom of this jar that he found and got his head stuck.  Happy to report that they got his head safely out of the jar.

 

My funny little girl! 

Happy Mother's Day Ladies!

Quiet Moment

Finished homeschooling the kids,folded a load of laundry and put away the dishes after eating.  Just then, Scott arrived to pick up Cole and Maya and headed out to Cole's out of town soccer game.  Two of the doctors who are going on the medical missions trip to Maria's Big House of Hope, that were at our house packing up in our basement (we house all the equipment), just left for the day.  And my baby is asleep in her crib.....And I just realized that my house is quiet for the first time in ages.  So, I thought I'd write and say - thanks God for the quiet moment.

Family Reunion

 I am still shocked that we figured out how to house 19 of Scott's relatives for the weekend in our home.  Even Scott's office had a king blow-up bed and a roll away crib stuffed into it.  And everyone was so kind to allow me to believe that they each had comfortable nights sleep.  

The highlight of the whole Easter Weekend for me took place when we had a chance to ask Scott's mom about her take on the weekend.  This conversation took place just after the last of Scott's sibling's drove away.  Scott and I asked his mother, who will be staying with us (with Scott's dad as well) for another week, what the highlight of the weekend was for her.  She answered saying, "Of course it was having all of my children here together; this is the first time since they were children that we have all stayed together."  And at that moment I felt like I could feel her mother's heart.  Right now I can hardly even imagine one of my children growing up and moving away; let alone all of them no longer living together in our home( and she had five); moreover, I can't imagine going that many years before they would ever sleep under one roof together again.  

 I suppose for parents whose children have grown and gone. heaven takes on yet another great facet of hope.  The hope of a lasting reunion with our loved ones. Lord, thanks for the resurrection and the eternal reunion of saints that will follow.

A few photos of our time together:

 

The Art of Losing Myself

While visiting Nashville to attend Show Hope's Cinderella event, a few friends and I stumble across one of the neatest stores I have ever experienced.  And I mean "experienced" because while I was in there I was so profoundly struck by the various things that I was reading that I actually started to cry.  The store was filled with "TRUTH" beautifully written on plaques, planks, and pillows - the entre store was filled with the truths of God's Word.

The store itself was called "Tetellesti", which apparently means, "It is finished."

Upon walking in the store, the keeper of the establishment asked us if we had secured our reservation in heaven.  And that if we had, he said we were more than welcome to sign the walls of the store anywhere. And if we hadn't yet, he was happy to share with us how we could.  It was such a blessing for me to watch my 8 year old son, Cole, sign his name because of his assurance that he was truly the Lord's.

Anyhow, I wanted to share a few of the great truths I read there in the store,

1. "God offends the mind to reveal the heart" -

    (Oh how painfully true that is!  My mom always says remember when you find yourself annoyed and hurt it is most often your pride that's been offended.)

2. "Humility is giving up your own opinion for the sake of unity!"

3. "Count your trials as joy"

4. "Lord, fade me away"

5. "Fear not, I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine."

6. "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

7. "Accountable to the truth"

8.   "Speak the truth in love"

9. "Love God - Love people"

10. "The art of losing myself"

11. "Be still and know..."

12. "Legacy of Peace."

As I remember more of them I will add them to the blog.  

.....for now here's a few recent family pics:

 

Helpin' Out A Friend

This is Kerry's friend Anna here! Between taking care of baby Leah and schooling Cole and Maya among all other daily activities, Kerry has been mentioning every now and again how she feels badly that she hasn't been keeping up with blogging. So here I am for her to give an update of recent days, particularly the past week that her and her family have spent with me and some of my family in Sanibel, Florida, while my parents and four of my sisters were in Haiti. Kerry was able to do respite care for Nathan and Jeremiah, who is our foster brother since she and Scott's foster care/adoption paperwork is current.  However, R\rather than giving another whole update here, I'll link you to my blog where I shared more about our week which you can read on my blog.

But first I'll share some photos from our beach outing this evening, although Scott wasn't here as he left yesterday for work.

 

 

 One of my sisters, Abby, and my mom, both of whom were on the Haiti trip.

 

 

 L-R: Abby, foster brother Jeremiah, Cole, brother Nathan, Maya, sisters Mariah and Katie who were in Haiti as well, me

 

L-R: Nathan, Jeremiah, Katie, Cole, Mariah, Abby, Maya

 

 My dad supporting our pyramid; Kerry supporting Leah :)