thehagedorns's Xanga

Moving on in our new season of life

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:03:07 GMT

Although I will miss all the history here, I have wanted to move to blogspot for over a year so now it is finally time. Go check out our new blog...

http://thehagedornjourney.blogspot.com/

All about God and boy is he at work!!!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:40:04 GMT

Last night I wrote a post, tried to put up pictures and the computer froze. I think it was divine intervention. I need to post this instead.

As most of you know, Brian's job will be done and we have some major decisions to make and are feeling the weight of not knowing where God is leading. Through this time I have felt great peace and feel overwhelmed that God has grown my faith so much during these past few months that I am confident He will carry us. Brian and I have been praying with arms wide open and are resting in his hands.

Yet, we feel burdened by the next step...because we can't see it. It is like standing at the edge of a cliff with confidence God will provide a way and just not knowing if we should take that step to the left or to the right.

This weekend we were blessed by a family in church who spoke into our lives and not only prayed for us, but encouraged us to look at Christ and not at the next step. He said, "Fall more in love with Christ during this time." This spoke to my heart, but apparently God had more work to do.

That same day, in fact right during the conversation just mentioned, a friend gave me a book she had previously told me to read.

I stuck it in the diaper bag and didn't think of it again until this morning. I woke to do my devotions and decided to peak at it. WOW!!! It spoke to me and was saying the same thing... Fall more in love with God. (I will share more about the book in a minute). I began praying that my heart would be soft to what God is trying to teach me as He is obviously dropping some really big hints!

Later in the morning I am doing Bible time with our kids and using the book

"Leading Little Ones to God" the story is about how mighty God is and we need to remember that we are nothing and He deserves our praise, love, etc. At this point I am feeling that I must really be a bad listener since God is "screaming" this message to me.

This afternoon a friend calls, asks about what is to come, and shares the same bits of wisdom. "Don't think about the next step, just look to Christ and love Him and all will fall into place." Okay, Okay, Okay God I get it. I am listening and I am no longer searching for the next step.

So I have been looking more into this book "Crazy Love" and cannot wait to see how God is going to use it in my life. If you can get a copy DO IT!! I was told by another friend who is in the middle of it to read it with a journal in hand and be sure to go to the internet when he tells you to in the book. I agree!!

I hope you find a copy and I hope it impacts you the way it is impacting me.

Blessings!!!

A mini vacation (or at least family time) and 12 more days!!!!

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:39:29 GMT

This past weekend has been what feels like a mini vacation. Brian and I were invited to a dinner party at one of the justices homes on Thursday night. It was simply delightful to be with him in Madison, have a wonderful dinner, and then have him join us at home the next night. My mother stayed with the kids over night which was so special for them....an me!

There was very little work for Brian to do this weekend (which is really really rare) so we spontaneously had a family over for dinner. We ate outside and enjoyed the beautiful day! It was such a treat!!

Today we have had family time which has been so scarce I really feel like we have been on vacation. I laughed when I told Brian how wonderful this has been and he said, "Yeah, this is what normal people do." We have been living so out of the ordinary lately that I have really forgotten how sweet a weekend together and with friends can be! I am so thankful for this little respite.

12 more days and counting till he is home with us again. What is after this you might wonder?? Well, the Lord is doing some interesting things and when we feel able we will inform you. Until then, we appreciate your prayers!

Long few weeks

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:32:59 GMT

In the last three weeks Brian has been home for one crazy day which was Olivia's b-day. Thus, I have not been blogging. I long to have more time to share thoughts, life, and experiences, but such is not my life right now.

Thankfully the kids and I were able to go to Madison this past week for a few days. We visited the capital again which the kids still think is great. We had a picnic each day we were there. We went to the zoo one day and spent another morning playing together at a park. It was great to see Brian in the evenings and I was happy to do so many fun outings with the kids!

We finished up school last week and are planning an end of the year celebration soon. Gabriel is very happy to be officially in first grade! I am thankful for the break and am looking forward to our summer activities and my fall prep.

God is continuing to be so faithful to us and I know I wouldn't have been able to get through the last few weeks if it weren't for so many dear friends prayers and their offerings of help. I can't explain how God used their phone calls of, "Bring your kids over for dinner so you can pack." or "Why don't you and the kids come for dinner tonight. " Really, it is humbling how our friends have given so much to help us through this challenging time. God is so good and just when I need help, he is faithful to provide. My heart is filled with gratitude that we are walking this path right now. While it is not easy, our family is seeing firsthand God's tender and thoughtful care which makes the daily challenges well worth it! I feel thankful for our circumstances when I hear my little daughter say, "Isn't it great how God is providing all these friends to take care of us while Daddy is gone?" These are lessons so much better taught though experience than words alone.

Three weeks left and we are resting in His hands!

May 23rd Olivia turned 4!!

Sat, 30 May 2009 01:45:33 GMT

Olivia turned 4 last weekend and we had a grand ballerina party. Actually we had two parties. She had some friends come in the morning and in the evening family joined. She begged for a ballerina party for months so we gave it our best shot.

We started by coloring ballerina's and making place mats with them. Then they made a ballerina door hanger.

Next were some games where each girl got a wand and then they had a ballet class with my mom. She was quite the ballerina back in the day so she had a lot of fun leading all these little girls!

Everyone decorated their own cupcakes with a lot of sprinkles!!

After this party came the family party .

It was a great day and we enjoyed celebrating her little life. She is a crazy little girl who really loves life. She can't dance in her ballet outfits enough or care for her dolls or baby sister enough. She is quite, watchful, sharp, and silly all at the same time. We continue to pray that God would use her to be a testimony of His faithfulness.
Happy Birthday Olivia Faith!!

Hagedorn happenings

Tue, 26 May 2009 01:23:51 GMT

Haven't updated on our life lately so here is what we have been up to...

Playing at the park.
Yes, those are coats. It has been a cold spring!

Finishing up school
Here is Gabriel with the boat he made in science.

The sandbox got left open and was flooded. It was a perfect place to float his sail boat.

Sleeping.
Anna loves her naps!

Graduations
Brian's brother graduated this spring and is headed to Divinity school in the fall.

Concerts
Our homeschool co-op had a spring concert and graduation. The little kids sang some international songs and the teacher had them all dress up. It was so adorable. During an African song Gabriel got to dress up as a lion and be chased by a "Zulu warrior." He did a great job and was a great prowling lion!

Losing teeth
Yes, Gabriel officially lost his first tooth. It is the bottom one. The top one got knocked out last year. The first one fell out on it own. It was actually rather funny because he was really not happy about it coming out at first. He hated how it was really lose right before it came out. It took a lot of convincing by me that it was a normal thing and he would survive. He finally got over it and yanked it out. He is now so proud of his gap.

Waiting
5.5 more weeks until Brian will be home. His weekends are getting shorter with us as his job is getting busier. We miss him tons!

God is so good! Read and be encouraged in the Lord's faithfulness.

Thu, 21 May 2009 17:31:41 GMT

So during this difficult time of Brian being gone and not knowing what the future holds for us, God has put his majesty on display for our family to be reminded that he is faithfully watching over us and those he loves. From small provisions like my friend who so unexpectedly paid a lawn service to come last week so I could have a more relaxing evening, to stories such as this...

A few weeks ago a dear family in our church crashed one of their vehicles. This of course is difficult for any family, but especially them as the father has been looking for work for quite some time. They put a bunch of money into their other vehicle to make it road worthy for a yearly trip out East to see family and a wedding. Just days after the repairs, the car needed even more repairs. Our prayers and the prayers of many others were with them as they waited to see how God was going to provide.

Well, my husband decided to post something on facebook to see if anyone had a car to donate. The prayers continued and someone responded. They had a car to give. This is someone who didn't even know this family! Some complications arose and they were not able to give the car. However, this person simply sent a very generous check for the family to buy a car.

This alone was amazing and we were shocked along with the family. God is so great and he wasn't even done...
Another couple in the church just got a new car and told the family they could buy their old one. This happened the same week the check arrived, but the couple new nothing of the money. Guess how much the couple wanted for their car? The exact amount the check was for!

As all of this has unfolded over the last few days, I find myself in awe. Why I am surprised at the work of His hands is curious to me. I know he is able, but I am amazed when things like this happen. I obviously have such a small view of God, but by his grace he is helping to grow my faith by giving me glimpses into his great care and love for his Children.

I hope this finds it's way into your heart and gives you a taste for how mighty our great God really is.

Pool

Wed, 20 May 2009 02:28:13 GMT

It finally got warm enough to get the kiddie pool out!!! Finally. We broke it out for just a little bit this afternoon. Anna joined right in. I will take pictures tomorrow to post. I was so happy to be a bit "hot" while outside. It's been a long time since we were really hot outside.

God is so faithful

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:35:57 GMT

I am loving spring, but right now with Brian gone so much, the yard is feeling more like a burden than an enjoyment. Tonight, once I got the kids down for bed I was all set to mow the lawn. I was so tired, but it just had to be done before it rained and grew even longer. Then, God stepped in and a dear friend told me a lawn service was coming to our home tomorrow. She so sweetly provided a huge gift that I cried right on the spot. God is so big!!

Really?

Thu, 14 May 2009 01:52:39 GMT

Sometimes I just wonder why God has thought of me as a capable mother of three. While at the store the other day looking at plants, a terrible mom moment happened. Anna was strapped (thankfully) into the cart while the other two kids were helping me push the cart. I stopped to look at flowers and though my back was turned, my ears were hearing the sweet voices of children keeping one another company. It was a joyful noise. No one fighting etc. Then...my listening ears head the crash and the piercing screams of my children. I turned to see the whole cart up on its front. it was a layeredd tragedy with Gabriel and Olivia on the bottom the cart with Anna still strapped in on top of them starring at them much closer than any would like, and the contents of the cart (flowers and dirt) on top of her back.

Oh for a camera. No, I wouldn't have stopped to take a picture before helping them; I am not that bad of a mother. But it was a picture moment for sure! No one was hurt too terribly, just left them scared and left me thinking, "Really Lord, you consider me a capable mother?"