Kerry Hasenbalg

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 :)