Nashville Visit - Hasenbalg Family Update

Scott, the kids and I have been on quite an adventure over these last ten days or so.  First, we travelled from PA to Cincinnati where we met up with our four-family homeschool co-op (with husbands and kids) and together we spent two days visiting the Creation Museum and the Cincinnati aquarium. We had a wonderful time; the Creation Museum was awe-inspiring.  Although the shows at the creation museum were spectacular, we did however have a little problem at the planetarium show.  

Prior to our departure on this trip, my mother purchased light-up sketcher sneakers for Maya.  During the planetarium show, which is shown in a pitch black room, Maya insisted on kicking her seat.  And each time she did, her sneakers would light up causing all watching the sold-out show to witness unexpected and unidentified flashes of light in the heavens (which all were sure was a part of the show, All that is except those putting on the show.)  When we saw the "guards" coming for her, I quickly grabbed her shoe that she was swinging and pulled it off of her foot.  Well, needless to say, she was startled and immediately erupted in a scene of emotional devastation as only a three year old looking to embarrass you can (UUGGHH!!)...yeah, planetarium shows are not only supposed to be pitch black but also very quiet...One is only supposed to hear the soothing voice of heaven's narrator.  Scott quickly ran her out and missed the rest of the show.  So, the moral to this story is when attending the Creation Museum's planetarium show don't let your children wear light-up sneakers.

On the 9 hour ride from Cincinnati to Nashville our children were wonderful, we had them "plugged in" to the car DVD and I was able to read a book on Astronomy that I purchased from the Creation Museum cover to cover.  It was fascinating, answer-giving, and faith building!      

Since arriving it has been pretty busy but good.  We had a chance to catch up with friends and all the awesome folks of Show Hope ministry - what a truly wonderful team of people God has brought to this ministry.  

All of the SHow Hope girls got together Wednesday evening and we spent some time studying the Word and reading through one of my favorite books, Calvary Road. I tell you what, if you want to see a group of women you are a part of begin living in truth and light, I strongly recommend studying through this little book.  I have been a part of three studies using this book, Calvary Road,  over the years and I have never seen so many spiritual light bulbs go on as I have with it's teaching.  Some of my favorite concepts in the book are ones like :  You don't lose your peace with God over another man's sin, only over your own. And also, If the things we struggle with such as fear or hurt, reserve or self-consciousness are just faults or personality weaknesses then there is no relief, but if recognized and confessed as sins, which they are, we can take them to the cross for complete relief through forgiveness and the cleansing power of the blood.  Anyhow, it's a must read in my opinion!

My dear friend Nyanja from Rwanda visited us since we've been here as well.  She the one about whom I have written in a number of past blogs - as she had been orphaned in the genocide and a decade later reunited with her family who had been wrongly imprisoned and since exonerated.  Anyhow, she came to visit us here in Nashville in order to introduce us to her fiance, Peter.  She is currently here in the States getting some additional training on orphan care and adoption for her work with vulnerable children in Rwanda and Peter is here because he is lecturing at Harvard on his break-through medical research.  Although it was a short visit we had a wonderful time. 

 The four of us, Nyanja, Peter, Scott and I actually attended a "guitar pull" at the famous Bluebird cafe.  Basically, there were four musicians sitting in a circle and about 100 people in the audience sitting at small tables all around them.  The musicians would take turns talking about their songs briefly and then playing whatever songs they felt like performing at that moment.  The musicians that night were Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Rivers Rutherford and Ashley Cleveland.  It was so special for us to be there - thanks Steve for the tickets.  I can remember thinking a number of times throughout the night, I think I am the happiest person in this room, I just love this - and I believe God is pleased with what He is witnessing here tonight as well. The musicians were so honest with their words and music that night. 

It was especially neat for me to see SCC and Amy perform together considering that the last time I saw Steve and Amy Grant in the same room was at the funeral visitation of little Maria Sue Chapman.  On that sorrowful day, Amy came in the church, apparently gave some cookies she had brought to the people serving, and then sat quietly, alone, as hidden as she could be in that place, for what must have been several hours, and in that way paid her respect and sorrow to the family.  I remember thinking that day, Amy is a wise woman according to the Word...for it says that a wise man is found in the house of mourning.  Anyhow, it sure was good to see them together as fellow worshippers in a more joyful setting that night.  Amy actually played a song about birthmothers that brought me to tears and I am sure blessed Steve. 

Last evening, we attended a play by Thornton Wilder called "Our Town". Many thanks to the Chapmans for springing for tickets for all the staff!  The acting was superb and the script was really thought-provoking.  At one point the scene was in a graveyard and the dead were speaking.  And one "dead" actor spoke saying (and I am paraphrasing), "Why are the living so ignorant and blind, walking around so busily and never really seeing one another at all."  WOW - so painfully true! Let us all take time to stop and look at one another and really see each other as God would have us see one another.

And then this evening we had the privelege of screening the movie, "BLINDSIDE".  The movie was wonderful, absolutely wonderful! For those who don't know it's the story of Michael Oher the NFL football phenom who was "adopted" through a most unusual and miraculous set of circumstances. A must see!  Julia Chapman and Melissa watched the kiddos at the Barn during the movie  (thanks girls) and apparently Maya told Julia and Melissa that Satan is God's enemy and he has a bad magical wand and Jesus who is God's son has a good magical wand...hmmm might be time for a little Biblical chit chat.  

As for the in-between-time,  Maya and I have been playing together and doing lots of crafts - she is a hoot!  And Cole he has been very diligent to keep up with his Homeschool (allowance has been a new motivator for diligence and extra help around the house)...and well, he's been playing Wii.  We are staying in Emily and Tanner Richards place for our three weeks in Nashville since they are currently attending Bible College in Ireland (thanks guys) and they have a Wii in their home.  Well, Cole is thrilled seeing as I haven't broken down yet and purchased any kind of video type game system.  (not sure I want the continually begging-to-play battle in my home). He actually played so much boxing and tennis the last two days that his arms are too sore to dress himself.  I suppose you really can get exercise that way....They good news about Cole's new interests is that he has decided that Bibleman is his new favorite superhero, which makes me relieved that all is not totally lost. ha ha.

As for worthy news on the Home front in PA: My little brother Tommy got engaged to a great gal, Heather.  Both families are thrilled about it - the really seems like a right fit.  As for unworthy peripheral news,  I sure hope Cole's fish are still alive, last time we went traveling and we left my folks to feed the three fish, we arrived home to find the tank filled with three all together different fish.  Hilarious really!  

Comments

[Stephanie (in Chile)]

Kerry, This sounds like such a special time for your family and one that provided much-needed refreshment and encouragement. So thankful that you were able to experience these precious days. God bless you.

[naomi cuozzo]

Wow what an exciting time you are having!! I absolutely love hearing about all that God has been blessing you with and it sounds like you have really needed the time away!

Last night we watched Redemption...... yes, we have finally made it to series 7 of 24! All I kept thinking about was Nyanja, (but I could not remember her name and neither could Jeff!) I cannot believe that you mentioned her today!!! That is so the Lord because I felt Him laying her and her family on my heart last night as we watched the 2 hour episode!! My heart was so moved once again towards Africa and I just wonder what He is going to do regarding this. I would love to visit someday!

I also heard great things about Blindside and saw a preview a few weeks ago! It looks so good and I hope it makes its way over here to England so that we can see it.

Maya is so funny with her shoes and little sayings!! Tell Cole that when Isaac played Wii for the first time, he was also in so much pain afterwards!! He could hardly get out of bed! Our kids keep asking for one but we just keep telling them... maybe one day!!!

Love to you all!!

Naomi

[kathy naylor]

Thanks for the update. The Angel of the Lord encamps around us!....not just a protective feel, but comforting and resting us. May each memory be enlivened by His presence with you!

[Isaac Cuozzo]

hey Cole

I miss you.
I love star wars and am collecting the figures like you!
It is my birthday soon and I am getting Anakin.
I've played on wii and know how you feel.

Isaac

[valerie]

Hi Kerry, what a great time it sounds like you guys are having in Nashville!

You may not be ready to get a Wii regardless (we don't have one either) but we have a system for computer time that works really well at our house. We have a "coin" reward system. I bought some plastic gold coins at a party store, and my kids can earn rewards for having a great attitude, obeying without arguing, doing extra chores, etc, etc, or even just because they are great kids and I love them! :)

Anyway, we have a chart - sort of like a menu - that shows different rewards they can "buy" with their coins and how many coins each reward costs. One item they can buy is 20 minutes of computer time. Now there's now begging. When they ask for computer time I just ask, "Do you have enough coins?"

They were warned at the beginning that the "prices" were subject to change if after a while it seemed that the price was too high or too low. So you could alter the number of coins required, or the amount of time they could purchase, if needed.

It works great for us - just thought I'd share in case you do decide to get that Wii someday! :)

[Lita]

Hi Kerry. I have been following your blog for a while but have never posted before - thought I'd throw my 2-cents in on the gaming system thing! I was not really in favor of having one at our house either - didn't want the battles and didn't want my kids' lives to involve that much "screen time". But we, too, have a system that I am happy with. My 9 year old son has a Playstation (a gift from his grandparents), and a Nintendo DS (ditto), and he also enjoys playing computer games. HOWEVER, he is only allowed to play his Playstation 2x during the week, and then he can play on both Sat and Sunday. BUT he can ONLY play for 30 mins MAX at a time. Same thing on the DS and the computer (and the computer games are mostly educational). He cannot play more than one "screen time" thing a day (can't play the PS and the DS on the same day). I have tried to be careful to make sure that he doesn't place too much importance on the gaming, and he has on occasion been grounded from it when we see signs of it becoming an idol. Also, because he enjoys it so much, we have found that taking those privileges away are a good form of discipline for him, as we have moved away from as much physical punishment at his age.

Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say that I can understand why you haven't wanted to add that temptation to your household, but if you have limits in place that you are comfortable with, there end up being NO battles about it. The rules are the rules - period.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, and have often been both blessed and challenged by your writings. Thank you for sharing your heart.

[Anna]

Hey Kerry- what a great update! I started laughing when I read that Cole's arms were too sore to dress himself! haha- hilarious!! Can't wait to see you guys soon! :)

[Cindi M.]

Hey Kerry,

Interesting update.

I'm in the process of reading "Calvary Road" now. Some premises jumped out at me such as "The Lord does not fill a dirty cup" and "All unlove must be recognised as sin." I don't think I've ever heard the term "unlove" before. When asked what is the opposite of love, most folks think 'hate' or 'fear,' but the term 'unlove' covers the gamut of those & everthing else that is not love. It sounds so simple, but is so deep when we apply it to ourselves.
It sounds like your family has had some quality time together lately. With children, there's never a dull moment, and they're always teaching us something, such as how not to be embarassed in planetariums when the heavens light up more than usual and our offspring is resposible. The term "teachable moments" applies to us just as much as it does to those we're trying to impart knowledge to!!!
We want to see Blind Side when it comes out. Have you heard about the movie The Secret of Jonathan Speery? It will have limited, church-sponsored showings, but it sounds good and I hope it does well.
Again, thanks for the update and the recommendation of "Calvary Road."
Love from NC.

[JoAnn McWhorter]

Hi there,
I enjoy your blogs very much. You said that amy and steven sang a song together at the bluebird cafe, what song was it? I wish i could have heard it!!