Tania Aracely Hershberger

We had a very exciting day yesterday when we received Tania’s final adoption paper and her name was officially changed to Hershberger! We have worked on this process for 2 1/2 years and it’s finally a reality! We thank God for blessing our family with Tania! Continue to pray for us that all would go well and we could complete the US paperwork in a timely manner.

As I was looking at Tania’s new birth certificate which has our names as her parents, has her full name that we’ve given her, I was very deeply impressed at what it is that God has done for us when He adopted us as His own children! My name is changed, I have a Father who loves me so much that He gave His own biological child so that I could be His child. Romans 8 talks about that adoption and it became so real to me as I saw it in the natural form here. Praise God for His greatness!!

Life goes on… God is good…

Another month has passed and what have we been doing?

  Nov. 1st we were no longer house parents at SLCH. How did that feel, you may wonder? Well, even we didn’t always know what we were feeling. It was definitely a bittersweet change as that’s been our life for 3 years and the staff and children were like family to us. We made the change over a period of time, so we were able to transition out rather than an abrupt change. At the same time, it’s been wonderful to be free of those responsibilities and focus on our own family. We had been behind in our schoolwork because of the extra time involved in the changes at the home so after the changeover we did a months worth of schoolwork in 2 weeks time. That was intense, but a good feeling to catch up the work and be on schedule again. We also went grocery shopping for just our family for the first time in 3 years. It felt very strange to buy only 5 lbs of potatoes instead of 50, and so on for the whole list. But, it felt very good. We now only join the home for a few meals a week, so we are relearning to cook for just 7 people.

We’ve also been busy sorting through closets and drawers so that everything will be in order once we can pack and move. Regina and I did a bunch of sewing as well so that our closets are in better condition for traveling. And we’ve repainted our whole house here, since it had originally been painted with some very poor quality paint and was quite needy.

The first week in Nov. our men were working on digging another well so Kenlin came for a week to help with the project. We sure enjoyed his time here even if he had to work a lot. The same day that Kenlin went home, Lorne also left for IN because his CDL drivers’ license were expiring and it wasn’t an option to let that happen, if at all possible. He was gone for 4 days and did have a successful trip.

The definite highlight of the month was last week when Walt & Virginia and their boys came! We had a wonderful time and made many great memories! On Wed. Regina and I helped Virginia make Pupusas for the whole home. We made around 180 and they were all eaten. We spent Thurs. in Tijuana, shopping and seeing the ocean. Of course, when there are visitors we need to make sure they get enough tacos so we did that several times too through the week. The boys also went mountain climbing on Sat. and border walking here several times. The days we were here the men were busy putting up the frame for our new garage that will house the solar panels that are being installed. The building was ready for rafters on Fri. but then there was too much wind and they had to wait until Mon. to finish. Our evenings were filled with games and lots of laughter. On Monday we went to San Diego for the day with Walt’s. We went to an aircraft carrier museum and then drove around some to see the sights, had a relaxing supper, did just a little shopping, then took them to their hotel as they had an early morning flight to catch.

There are also 2 fellows here now from Ohio helping on the building projects that are being done. Lorne is still very busy with some projects that need finishing before we leave. They are installing a solar electrical system and a wind turbine in hopes of saving quite a lot of diesel costs.

Continue praying on behalf of our adoption papers. We’ve finished everything at the courts, but continue to wait to have the final documents released so we can get Tania’s Mexican birth certificate and get the US papers needed for her to be able to cross the border. They are saying that this week those papers will be released but we continue to wait to see if it actually happens. We had planned to travel to Sinaloa on Wed. for Nelson & Marcela’s wedding but now we’ll have to see what happens with the paperwork, whether or not we’ll be able to go. We’ve all been struggling to understand God’s timetable with our time here and it seems He continues to say, “I’m not done yet.” So we continue to seek His will and to carry on in what He would have us to do until He says it’s time to go.

God bless each of you as you serve Him this week!

Peace in the midst of change…

Several weeks ago I was feeling quite overwhelmed with everything we were dealing with and was talking to the Lord about it as I was working and very clearly He told me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” I have claimed it repeatedly through this time and truly God has been faithful. With so many details to be documented and passed on to Walter’s, visitors to host, adoption details to keep going, the normal work of running the children’s home, plus trying to meet the needs of my own family, there were plenty of times to fall back on that assurance, knowing that where I don’t reach around, God will provide and He does.

 

On Dec. 9 Regina and Nevin left with our car to go to Indiana. As they drove out the lane I wondered for a bit what in the world we were thinking, sending them off alone. But they did quite well and had a great time. They went to attend Gideon’s wedding and to take the car back to Indiana. They then flew back to Mexico on the 18th.

 

We had our main adoption hearing on Oct. 10th and it went very well. Now, this Thurs. we have our final hearing where we have to take some witnesses in to testify for us and then the adoption will be FINAL. We will need to wait a few days for the paperwork to process  from that hearing and get the final birth certificate. It’s so amazing to see how God’s timing is coming together in revealing His plan for our family. We thought the adoption would be finalized last spring and we were waiting for other house parents to come take our place but no one could be found. God in His time brought house parents and the adoption is now finalizing. Isn’t it wonderful to place our plans into His hands and let Him lead us, because His plan is perfect and He organizes things so much better than we ever could!

 

Walter and Sandra have been here for two weeks and have been working with us to learn to know the people and the program here. We are right in the middle of the transition time, as Nov. 1st we will transfer the responsibilities of being house parents to them and we will walk along with them yet for the next several weeks. It’s been a real blessing to work together and share the vision of furthering God’s kingdom through the work here.

 

Last weekend the board was here again, only this time the weekend was a bit different as the focus was more on working on a video presentation that is being made of the work here. Darvin Diller from PA is making the video and has been here since the 18th. So there’ve been lots more pictures being taken, testimonies being recorded and just a lot of history gone over. On Saturday then the board also had a big farewell party for our family. The whole home went to a lake park for a picnic and had an enjoyable day of fellowship.

 

Our SLCH family!

September…

The month of September was busy and flew by, it seemed. Sept. 1st the men were working on the electrical system here and we experienced an unexpected power surge that wreaked havoc on our electronics here. That evening was a sad time as we continued to discover more and more damage. Refrigerators, microwaves, stereos, computers, printers, fans, an oven, washers, and the list grew longer. What a disappointment! A lot of it has been fixed or replaced and we hope to recover it all with time. “In everything give thanks” sure became a challenge!

We enjoyed having Darin here for a weekend too. He didn’t have a lot of time to be here but it was special that he took the time to come anyway. Then on the 12th we had the highlight of the month when Nevin came home! He was gone to Canada for a week over 2 months and it seemed like a long time! We’ve had wonderful times being a whole family again!

The home had quite a bit of change in September as well. Marcela Weibe, from Chihuahua, MX, came as a childcare worker. That brought our staff to full house which is such a blessing! We also received 11 new children this month, bringing our number of children to 41. One of those is a former child that just plans to be here til in Dec. There is a group of 5 siblings, ages 1 – 10. Then there are 2 other sibling groups as well. We again have a full house of children and lots of action but that’s why we’re here! 

On Sunday, the 18th, we had a very special day for the church here! Arturo, our potter, responded to the invitation to accept Christ that was given after the message at church. Then, in the afternoon, his ‘wife’ Rosario said that she also wanted to find the freedom that could only come from Christ and they both became saved! They have 5 children and have lived together for all these years but had never been married. So on Monday they went to Tecate and made appointments necessary for a civil marriage, which took place on Wed., and then the following Sunday we had a wedding here at church and a reception afterwards. Some of both of their families came for the wedding and we had 100 people here for that day. They have been attending church here for several years and learning a lot about Christianity and what a joy it is to see them choose to serve God! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, the 30th, also marked 3 yr.s since we arrived in Mexico. As for every year since we came, we reflect and see how God has been so faithful again this year, and ponder on the future wondering what His plan is for us in the next year. What a blessing to be able to stand on the foundation of God’s ever-present goodness and faithfulness as we look into the uncertainty of our future and know that whatever we face it will be in God’s hands as we go forward. Our replacement house parents plan to arrive next Wed. and so we are looking at spending time with them these next several weeks as they learn to know the people and the program here. Along with that we face the reality of our responsibilities here coming to an end and we face that with bittersweet feelings. These people and this place have become a part of us and we a part of them and so how do we bring closure to our time here and pass the torch to those coming, in a way that will bring honor and glory to God as His work continues here? Again, we look to God to lead us.

A month ago it appeared that Tania’s adoption would possibly be completed in Oct. sometime but once again we are waiting and still do not know when to expect the final papers. Now that Walters are coming and our time here at the home is coming to an end we are really wondering what God has in mind for us these next several months as we wait to be able to return to IN. This family does still need food to eat and clothes to wear but God tells us not to fret about what we will eat or what we will wear so we are together focusing on worshipping Him more and trusting Him to provide for every need we will face.

Last Friday, Regina had 2 wisdom teeth cut out so the next several days were not very pleasant for her. The worst thing is she needs to go back and do the other 2 and now dreads it even more.

Yesterday was Brent’s 14th birthday so we went to Tecate for a taco supper and then home for a rare treat of ice cream with his cake. We took a break from school too as I had some extras to catch up and the boys were quite pleased to spend the day out with Lorne and Nevin.

Please, pray for us these next several weeks that we could keep our focus on God as we face the changes ahead and that the devil would in no way be able to pull us down as he fights the work of the Lord in our lives.

If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide you with strong shoes.
Wow! Am I ever glad He doesn't just send us barefooted down those stony paths He allows us to encounter! He equips us for each specific difficulty we will face. This quote was shared with two of us the same day this week from two completely different sources. God is good like that.
The last ten days have been a valley for my family and our church as Dad was in the hospital, had surgery, and failed to recover as quickly as normally expected but God has been very near and provided for our needs, and then in His time brought healing. I am so thankful that I was able to go to IN to be with them during this time. Dad is still in the hospital but is doing much better and should be able to return home in the next few days and I am on my way back to my dear ones at home!
Nevin is still in Canada helping Galen's with the store remodel project and whatever jobs Galen has for him. He's been gone for almost 2 months now and we've sure missed him but are also glad he can help with the work there.
Our family has had exciting news the last week as well! We are finally moving ahead again with Tania's adoption and are moving towards the final steps in that process. After 2 1/2 years of working on legalities it hardly seems real that we are coming to the end!
Backing up a little in time, the last week of July we had a wonderful time when Sarah came to Mexico for six days! The boys treated her to new experiences, one of which was eating rattlesnake. Great memory making times!
Tony Nisly finished his term of service and left on July 31. Winston Martin took his place doing maintenance. We also welcomed Iginio and Consuelo Perez, Heidi's parents, when they arrived Aug 11. They are the new caregivers for the boys. It's been very positive to have them at the home filling a grandparent role for the children.
Our garden continues to produce far beyond what we ever imagined and we are being blessed bountifully! It serves a number of purposes for the home in that the children learn the art of planting and being involved in all the stages and hard work, up to and including the harvest. Our grocery buying has really decreased which is an other benefit and blessing of the harvest. We had the second large corn day and froze a total of 90 gallons of corn this year. We also used a lot of corn for fresh eating so that gives you a little picture of the amount of harvest we had. Mary Esh has returned and is taking the position of head cook for us.
August 12, Lorne and I celebrated 22 years of marriage! We went to San Diego to do some shopping, tried a new restaurant for supper, and stayed for the night too! Being married to your best friend is awesome!
On Aug 4, we received an 8 yr old girl, Kenia, at the home. Then on the 19th baby Jasmine left to live with her grandma. The children coming is so much easier than the goodbyes!
Myron and Mary were also gone this week for hernia surgery for Myron. They actually came to IN and his surgery was at the same hospital where I was with Dad. It was pretty special to have someone there from home.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for our family these weeks and for all the support you've shown! What a wonderful blessing to be a part of Gods family and have many brothers and sisters to help us when we face hard times!!

Busy, Busy, Blessed!

Our trials are not so much for our good, as they are that we would bring glory to God as a result of that trial. This was a challenging thought brought to us in Leonard’s message this morning. Too often I look for ways to avoid trials when instead I should be thankful that I can glorify God through my life! Of course, we also benefit from difficulties by personal growth, but that’s not the reason for the trials. Leonard and Caroline Mast and family were here for the weekend to visit Tony and he shared the message with us today. We really enjoyed their visit!
Looking over the last month again, time is passing very rapidly and much has happened! Regina went to Indiana for a week towards the end of June, which also included going to Ohio for Ethyl Eichorn’s wedding. She really enjoyed her time there with friends and family! Brittany and Deborah were also gone for a wedding at the same time so we had staff juggling for a few weeks. It’s very good to have them back, as well as Heidy, to settle things again into a more normal routine. Mary Esh, who was here to cook as a temporary, has committed to come full time as a cook. It’s such a blessing when our worker needs get filled, although we are still short one childcare worker.
The 24th of June Lorne and our boys, Tony, Myron and Neil all went deep sea fishing south of Ensenada. They traveled down the evening before to go out early on the boat. They caught over 200 fish so it seemed to be worth the trip. They all really enjoyed the experience! Then on July 4th we took the whole home down to a wooded area on our road here and had a fish fry which was a real treat for everyone!



On the 5th of July, Regina left her teen years and is now 20 years old. Our family went to Tecate for supper but then it was so warm and the pizza place doesn’t have a/c so we all voted to bring the pizza and ice cream home to celebrate. We had a great evening anyway.
July 6th, Nevin left for Canada to spend some time helping Galen with the bookstore remodeling project and to spend some time with Galen’s family. He’s been having a wonderful time there but we sure do miss him a lot here!! He had the misfortune of losing his luggage through the flight up there and still doesn’t have it. That included his unicycle which definitely brings a sadness to the loss for him.
July 9th was the school program here and the final day of school for this term. Leland Ulrich’s family, Dan, Rhoda and Daniel Miller and Herbert Miller all came for that special event and the weekend. There were a number of local people that attended as well. Gloria Enns’ family came for the program too and to take Gloria home with them. Gloria does not plan to return to teach but Delores Kornelson has committed to teach and is here already learning to know all of us and studying for her teachers’ certificate.





Abigail’s brother, Winston Martin, arrived last Mon. and plans to work here for a year. Tony’s term is almost finished and with Roland also gone we were in need of another guy to help us with maintenance and some childcare.
On Wed. we had a big corn day here! We had close to 40 bushels of corn from our garden. It was a good day of working together and accomplishing a huge job. They started picking at 6:00 in the morning and we finished the last cleanup around 3:00 in the afternoon. We froze the corn that was left after we had fresh eating for lunch. The children SO enjoy corn on the cob! And here it’s eaten with quite the array of toppings. Start with your corn. Then, add butter, mayo, chamoy, chili powder and top it all with lime. We all enjoyed the corn, just in different ways!












That was on Wed., then Thurs was grocery day and Fri. we butchered an old cow we had here. We’re very glad for the meat and corn but it sure made for a full week. The garden is producing greatly and we have more potatoes and squash than we can use right now. We did cook and shred some potatoes for the freezer but there are bushels  of them sitting in the pantry. Myron received a call from home this week and needed to return to MS for 3 weeks to help out there so Mary and the girls are left to carry on with the garden jobs.

Yesterday was a sad day for the home. Jose, Jacky, Jenny & Cesar have lived with the home for 5 years as voluntary children (not through DIF). Their uncle was unable to care for them and so we called them our children. On Thurs. eve their uncle came to visit and said he wants to take them home with him on Sat.. He felt like the children are getting older and it’s time for them to be with their family. The children were excited to be with family and yet seemed to have mixed feelings about the change. Cesar doesn’t remember any other home as he came here as a baby. And the older ones are old enough to understand the differences that they would be facing, going to a nonchristian home. We pray that the seeds that were sown in their lives would take root and continue to grow. We do know where they are living and can go visit them, so we hope to still have contact with them.
We also praise God for answering our prayers and supplying for the need of house parents! We shed tears of joy the day we received the news that Walter and Sandra Valles from Costa Rica have committed to come and serve as house parents here. Sandra is a sister to Greivin. They were not sure then if he would be able to get a visa to enter MX because he is from El Salvador and there is conflict between those two countries, but Greivin is working on the paperwork with the officials here who know Greivin and the work here and it looks like they will give him a visa. Once he has the visa, Greivin plans to drive to El Salvador to fix the paper work on the small van we have here from there and then bring Walter’s and also Heidy’s parents from Costa Rica along back. Heidy’s parents also plan to help here with caring for the little boys.
God’s blessings to all of you!

For I know the plans I have for you…

Once again, too much time has passed since I wrote and lots has happened. My Dad and Mom were here for a week and we had a wonderful time together! Memorial Day evening us and Myron’s family went way back in the boonies to a lake where the men fished, the boys caught huge frogs and the women talked. It was a relaxing evening. The rest of the time Dad was busy being a fix-it man while Mom helped us get caught up on some cleaning jobs and things that just weren’t getting done. Mom also helped can 64 qt. of tomato juice from some donated tomatoes that needed to be used. Then there were games to be played and food to be made and it all made wonderful memories!

On Thurs. June 2 a youth group of 22 people from South Carolina came to help us for a few days. The men did some exterior painting, some cement work, enclosed the generator room and did some odd and end projects outside. The ladies did sewing and some extra cleaning for us. We were very blessed with the help and the fellowship that they gave us!

Friday morning, June 3, we received the tragic news that Roland and Marilu’s brother Natan was killed in an accident in Costa Rica. They began preparing to leave right away as their tickets were being found for them to go home. Greivin got them across the border and then they just waited at his house until evening when they could finally go. Heidy is also from Costa Rica and these are dear friends of hers so she also wanted to go to the funeral. The necessary arrangements were made and she also left that same afternoon. We all knew that these were God directed plans but in one day we had 19 children who’s caregivers had left unexpectedly. For a few hours I struggled not to panic but moved ahead with one detail at a time and God provided for every one!  Regina and Brittany, who’s regular jobs were cooking, took over 2 of the rooms while Tony took the boys. Regina moved into Marilu’s room and Brittany into Heidy’s. The remaining staff did a wonderful job pulling together and covering the needs!

Sara Enns returned on June 4th as a fulltime childcare worker. Sherri Shirk was here to take her place for the months that she was gone so Sherri was then able to help in the kitchen this last week that she was here. Two of Sherri’s siblings came last weekend to travel home with her when she left on Mon.

Regina, Brittany & Deborah had planned to be gone in June for weddings and so there were 2 girls, Natalie Martin & Mary Esh from PA, arriving on June 7th to cook for them. God obviously had this all in His plans and Natalie became the caregiver for Heidy’s room of children and then on the 11th Sharon Kisling arrived to cook. We still don’t know what the plan is for the room of children that Regina has while she travels but will trust that it’ll be clear when the time comes, which is next week. Talk about faith testing!

Nevin went with Phil’s to Lebec, CA on Sunday and helped Phil with a double-wide trailer moving job on Mon. and Tues. They came home again on Wed. afternoon.

Wednesday we had a fun day celebrating Tania’s third birthday. She loves to sing happy birthday so that was repeated a number of times. She’s really growing up and is such a joy to our family. Regina had a babysitter and came home for the afternoon and evening so it was fun to all be together again.

The garden continues to do very well. Right now we don’t need to buy any cilantro, lettuce, or potatoes because of harvesting it fresh here and soon there will be onions and green beans as well. It’s such a blessing and so good!

Continue to pray for the needs here, which includes the need for house parents, and also for Tania’s adoption process. The judge is being difficult and the lawyers are a bit frustrated so just pray with us that it could be completed in God’s time.

May’s story

May 21, 2011. What did it do for you? We’ve had quite a few discussions about the claims of the deceived ones about a definite date for the rapture and I’ve really been thinking how disillusioned these people must be now that it’s past. How must it be to have believed something and then find that you were wrong and to wonder what is truth? I believe the devil uses deception like this to even make people believe less in God. I am so thankful to have a secure faith and to be able to read the Bible and find Truth! Praise God for His Word and His faithfulness!

We’ve had quite a bit of traveling activity the last 2 weeks among the staff. Gloria Enns went home for two weeks vacation. Sheri traveled to MI for a cousin’s funeral. Tony was gone for a week for a wedding and a few days at home. Then, last Fri., we said goodbye to Margaret as she left for home and terminated her time of service here. Her brother came the week before to travel with her when she leaves. We will really miss her quiet, faithful service here. We also have enjoyed more visitors recently. Myron’s Mom is here to be with them for a few weeks and Abigail also is enjoying having four of her siblings here. Nelson and Marcela were here to visit this last weekend.

We’ve faced a few changes with the children in the last weeks. Any of you who have visited here remember Daniel. He’s been a boy with many issues and struggles connected with his troubled past and in the recent months it continued to get worse until we saw that he seriously needed more help than we are equipped to give him here. On May 9th he left the home here after years with us. He was one of the original children of SLCH and it doesn’t seem the same without him here.

May 9th we also received another girl to live here. Loyda is a 16 yr old who had lived at the home years ago and has kept contact with us over the years. She lived with Phil’s last summer and came to the home regularly. She has a very sad home situation and desired to live in a Christian home and serve the Lord. She accepted Christ and is so grateful and happy living here.

We have a new sibling set that came a week ago. Five yr. old Emanuel, almost 3 yr. old Oscar and 11 mo. old Sofia. Abigail is their caregiver. Our family thought it was pretty neat to have a Sofia here but it made me miss our Sophia even more!

Another big change last week was that Greivin’s family moved to CA. They can’t all return to Mexico until the two oldest children have their resident cards again so only Greivin has been coming during the day to work and for church on Sun. It’s pretty lonely for the rest of the family to be away from everyone and be unable to come back right now. Pray that the paperwork could be processed quickly for them that they could again be with the rest of us to fellowship together.

We are so excited to be eating fresh garden produce! We’ve been eating lettuce and radishes from the garden here. It is looking very nice and growing so well. The garden project is so good for the children to be able to see and experience the process of growing food. They’ve been involved in planting and weeding and now a little harvesting but there is lots more coming.

Our family is very excitedly waiting for Wed. of this week! My Mom and Dad plan to come for a visit and it seems so long since they’ve been here. God is so good and is blessing us so richly!

Blessings on Mother’s Day

Blessings to each of you today! Thinking of how this special day affects people in different ways. I am honored and blessed to be a mother and have my family blessing me in special ways. I really miss not living near my own mother and mother-in-law and yet am so blessed to be able to still call them and know that they love us and are praying for us! I love you, Moms! But, then my heart hurts for my dear nieces and nephews who today is nothing more than another burst of fresh pain because we miss Mom so much! And, here at the home there is a group of children who just wish they’d have a real Mom or there are some who really are missing their Moms and can’t go see or call them. So, I thank God that He created mothers and that He knows exactly what each one needs today and loves us all so much!

The last several weeks have been normal with the fact that one week is seldom the same as another. Lorne and Nevin made a two day trip to Sacramento, CA to do some pottery repair on a shipment that went there. On Apr. 30 was children’s day here in MX so we took 72 people and went two hours east to a zoo. Indeed, we took the zoo to the zoo! We took a hot lunch along and ate in the yard there in the shade. The children really enjoyed the outing and the staff did a great job giving of themselves to make it enjoyable for the children.

Last Wed. Lorne and I both got sick and have been very ill with a vicious stomach flu with high fever. I was still not feeling strong enough today to go for church services. On Thurs. evening the boys were having a cookout and on the way back up Nevin was thrown off the truck and really hurt his foot. On Fri he went to the Dr. because he couldn’t put any weight on his heel and it was hurting so badly but the Dr. said it’s just deeply bruised and needs time to heal. So he’s been hobbling around too.

On Friday Ismael left to go live with his grandma. He’s been here since the day before we came so he seemed like part of us and we will really miss him! Nevin and Tony went to visit him a bit yesterday and take his dog to him. Hopefully we can stay in contact with him since he lives here in Tecate.

Another unsettling situation we’ve had to face is that again Greivin’s need to move to CA. It looks as though they will be moving this week. Two weeks ago her aunt was here to visit and they went for an outing with her and a friend. They stopped for a little to see the ocean and were within sight of their locked vehicle at all times but someone punched the lock on the vehicle and stole their purses which contained all their passports and resident cards except for Greivin’s. The two oldest children were not born in the US so they only had resident cards which means they can’t enter the US until they plan to live there to replace the cards, then once they enter they can’t leave again until they have the new cards. So pray that they would be able to get the proper paperwork and all would go well.

We continue to wait on God and His answers for our future. We know He has a plan for our family and a plan for SLCH but so far He’s not making clear to us just what those plans are. And it’s the waiting that sometimes is the hardest. So continue to pray that He would provide for the needs here and for the needs of our family.

We moved…

The two weeks have brought some big changes to our family and to the home. God has blessed us in such a wonderful way in providing strength and direction in the midst of restructuring here. We had been making plans for us and Greivin’s to change houses but didn’t have a definite date for the transition until Tuesday the 12th. After looking at the upcoming schedule we decided it would be best to move that Thurs. So we mobilized the troops and in one day we packed our house and were ready to move. God’s timing was so perfect in that He had Mom and Dad Hershberger come on Tuesday and they were here to help with the big job! Then, on Thursday all able-bodied men and boys were employed and by noon we two families had traded houses. And by bedtime that evening we had most of the boxes emptied and a resemblance of order in our new home. Dad and Mom Hershberger left a little before lunch to travel home. The men had loaded their van on Wed. evening so that it would be ready whenever they got ready to go. I was glad they could be here long enough to see where we will be living and see the move happen.

 

Our new abode…

It also has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths

As far as the transition and changes that affected the staff and the function of the home, we’ve been blessed how those details are working out and so far things are going well. It will take some time to see how it all works out but God is in control and most of all we want to honor Him with the program here.

We really enjoyed having Ken and Gloria Nisly and family here for the week! We were glad for Tony that his family could be here and see what his life is like here. They were a real blessing and encouragement to all of us. On Tuesday evening we were given the privilege of having them as the first ever supper guests that we’ve had in our own home since we live in Mexico. Yes, we are enjoying having a home of our own and having a little more life as a family again.

Tidbits and news

Greetings to our family and friends. Once again, it’s been a month since I’ve written and so much has happened. We really enjoyed having family here for a week in March. Lorne’s parents came the 16th and Darin & Kenlin with Tony Burkholder came the 17th. Dad’s came by land and brought a van load of things. They brought cabinet parts for the kitchen in Greivin’s house and that week Darin and the men here made and installed those cabinets. That was a long awaited project! Dad and the boys sure took a lot of items off the ever present to-do list we have here. Lots of little odd jobs that get pushed off but are so nice to have done! Dad’s had planned to leave for home on Wed. to make it back for Sun. but the pottery they planned to take along wasn’t quite ready and their van also had some bodywork it needed, which is quite a bit cheaper here, so they decided to fly home and return later for their load. So, we get to have them come twice in a month.
Another thing Dad’s brought was irrigation supplies for the garden. Myron’s have been busy starting plants and preparing the ground for the garden. They’ve planted potatoes and corn and an assortment of early plants. The trees that were planted are doing quite well and look so nice along the garden.
On March 29th we were blessed to have Herbert and Edith Miller and two of their daughters come. They drove from Alabama, bringing a van that was donated to SLCH. They also were busy throughout the week helping with various projects here. On Friday then the rest of the board of directors came for the weekend and board meetings. That’s always an encouraging weekend and we enjoy having them here.
On the 31st of March two little brothers we had here, Antonio & Oscar, went to live with their aunt. On the same day we received a one month old little girl and a two year old boy.
On Monday, April 4th, Miguel had hernia surgery in Tijuana and is doing very well. He’s the same boy who had surgery on his eye last year and has been doing much better vision wise. He has just recently been diagnosed as autistic as well. We need to take him for further testing to find out the level of autism that he has. Sure have to wonder what kind of future the little guy might have.
Our family has been looking forward to taking a vacation and last Thurs. we came to Rosarito for the weekend. It’s an hour and a half from the home and just south of Tijuana along the ocean. God helped us find a house that is wonderful for our stay and is cheaper than it would have been to get a hotel. We brought food along to fix our meals here and are really enjoying time together as a family. We have a beautiful view across the ocean outside our living room windows. We’ve seen dolphins jumping and could spend hours just watching the waves crashing up against the rocks and marveling at the greatness of our God who created and keeps the ocean by His word. The boys found and caught a crab along with exploring lots of sea life on the rocks along the shore. There’s also a game house that’s been fun to use!


 

Sunset view from our living room

The next several weeks we again expect a number of visitors at the home, so it looks like the busyness will continue. One of the decisions that was made while the board was here is that it would be best for the houseparents’ family if they could live in a home separate from the main house. For that to happen means changes to the structure and details of the everyday working of the home. We are working on the details of that change to try to have the system changed and settled for new houseparents when they come. We are not certain where we will live but there will be a need for another house here. We continue to pray that God would supply the need for houseparents and that His will would be made clear.
God’s blessings to you all this week!

Of accidents and stuff…

What a beautiful day to praise the Lord! We’ve been blessed with warmer days and green hillsides this week. I’m enjoying the green because most of the rest of the year it will be brown and green is so much nicer.

We are all happy about some changes we’ve made to our schedule, trying to provide more family time to be able to better meet some of our needs as a family. Included in the changes is two evenings a week we now have supper and the evening together in our house. That is such a wonderful treat for us! We all crave to be a family again and not just part of the herd.

We’ve had a few staff changes in the last few weeks. Sara Enns left for home for an extended vacation of close to 3 mo. Sherri Shirk from MS came to take her place while she’s gone.

I think the devil was out to try to get us this week for sure. On Tues. we were working on more adoption paperwork and I had my FM3 out to fill out some forms. The time came to go to the dining room for supper so I left the computer with my FM3 on the table with plans to resume the job after supper. When I finally returned, after getting all questions answered outside, there was no FM3. Well, we needed it for Fri. morning and there was no way to continue the process until I found the item. We searched, we prayed, we searched more until we had the whole family searching and still no FM3. Tania was sleeping so I couldn’t ask her about it but we felt like she probably moved it. So I tried to think like she does and thought about the computer as that was where it was last seen. Hmmm…. There in the cd slot was my FM3! I guess she thought she’d see if it played anything. Thanks to God was offered very sincerely for showing us where to find it!

On Thursday the men decided to take a trip about an hour and a half southwest to a nursery to buy some trees for around here. Delores called me in the morning and wondered if I’d want to go along as the wives had decided to join the men. Well, of course, I want to go relax a bit! So Lorne and Nevin went to get groceries in the morning so that I could help the boys finish schoolwork and be ready in time. We left around noon with Phil and Edith and had a beautiful drive down there! While we were walking around looking at plants and trees, Lorne handed me the phone and it was Nevin. The first thing he said was, “Mom, what do we do for a concussion?” What?! Who has a concussion? Well, Brent had a bike accident and it’s pretty bad. The boys were riding down the road and a big dog ran out in front of them. Brent saw the dog but didn’t see in time that Tony was stopping in front of him and his bike caught Tony’s bike. He was thrown over the handle bars, flipped in the air and landed about 20’ away on his head and shoulder and was unconscious when Tony came to him. He was out for several minutes and then when he did respond he was very confused and didn’t know what had happened. They got him some water from the neighbors there and got him into the truck which Nevin had brought from nearby. He remembers nothing of the accident or of getting into the truck. He had severe head pain and they could hardly keep him awake. They got him home and let him sleep, but kept waking him regularly. We talked with them several times and decided to just watch him until we get home unless he would show more danger signs of being critical. We got home around 7 then and he was more awake but still a bit confused. I was up several times in the night to check on him then but he rested well through the night. The next few days he needed constant pain meds but each day seems to get better. We are so thankful for God’s grace in protecting him from further harm and for healing him thus far!

By the way, we did bring home 32 trees then and they are planted as a windbreak for the massive garden that Myron’s plan to put in. It will be so nice when they are bigger to actually have some trees on the property!

Then, on Friday, Lorne, Nevin and I needed to go to Tijuana for more paperwork and Nevin’s dentist appt. I was just going out the door to leave and Dustin and Tania were coming in the lane on the bike when I saw Tania’s foot swing forward into the spokes of the wheel and jam between the wheel brace and the wheel. She screamed in pain as I tried to loosen her foot. Lorne and Nevin then both pulled on the wheel and released her foot. So here we go again! Ice, a sucker and a recliner and soon she was quieted. Amazingly, she had only scraped open a small spot and bruised her foot. We waited then until she walked on it and after giving instructions for everyone to sit calmly while we are gone, we headed out again. We spent the day running from office to office and collected the papers we need and tomorrow we need to go back to the immigration office in Tijuana and hopefully then meet with the lawyer again. It seems like things are moving forward again with the adoption, for which we are very thankful.

So, we face the new week armed with God’s grace and strength and wonder what He has for us next!

Over and Over… He is Faithful!

God is too wise to be mistaken;

God is too good to be unkind;

So when you don’t understand,

When you don’t see His plan,

When you can’t trace His hand,

Trust His heart!

These words are from a song on a cd that was here for us when we returned home. Myra had sent it even before Liz died but it was so perfect for our raw emotional state when we returned. There is so much I still do not understand. At this time I can’t see God’s plan, so all I can do is trust His heart. It was extremely difficult to leave our dear family in Indiana and go so far away at a time when it seemed we needed our loved ones the most! I felt so bad to leave Virgil and the children and not be able to be there for and with them. One thing that Galen shared with us the day they left helped me come to grips a little with leaving and that  was the verse that talks about all things working for my good according to God’s purpose for me. And right now God’s purpose for me is to be here. Even if that makes the pain even harder to work through, it does bring us to God and makes us cling to Him for strength.

God was so good to us and everything worked out so well for our trip to Indiana and for the care of our children. Sarah flew down here on the 25th and we left the 26th. She came to stay with Dustin and Tania so that we could more comfortably leave them here. It was so wonderful to be able to leave and know that she was here with them. They loved having her here and spending that time together. It seemed so wrong to leave while Sarah was here but then when we returned God sent a snowstorm to IN so that she got to stay a day longer than planned. That gave us a little more time together, which was great! Thank you so much, Sarah, for sacrificing your time and money to help us!

The weekend of Feb. 13, Christina and Bethany Klassen’s parents and grandparents came down and brought a new generator for the home here. It was so exciting to see the old one being removed and some steady power taking it’s place. But the other side of their visit was not so exciting, as the girls then traveled home with their parents and terminated their term of service here. We wish them God’s blessings as they continue in His service at home.

Dustin’s 11th birthday was the 18th of Feb. so our family went to Tecate for supper. The boys hoped for some unicycle, park fun but then it rained. We found a new pizza place and actually had a sit down, delicious pizza supper! Then back home for cake and ice cream which is definitely a real treat here!

This last week was Orphan’s For Jesus week again so there were a few extra activities because of that. Then today the home went to join them at the campground for church services and lunch. Lorne was sick this morning and Gina and I also stayed home to take care of 3 babies since it was extra cold outside. The great excitement this morning was that when we got up, the ground was covered with snow! The boys even quickly made a snowman before it all melted.

I know it’s been too long since I wrote but it seemed there has been too much pain to sort through and no words to be able to share how we are doing. Continue to pray for us that our hearts would be renewed and that we’d have the emotional healing needed to carry on with our responsibilities here.

Tears, so many tears... Such sorrow...

Tuesday morning at 4:30 our phone rang and I knew. Our precious, suffering sister had gone Home! No more pain. No more cancer, blood tests, treatments, or uncertainties! She loved her Savior and her life was a testimony to that love. But she has a very dear family and she loved them so deeply. She still wanted to be their mother. She wanted to be the wife that walked beside her dear husband. She cared very much for each of them. She was such an amazing wife, mother, sister-in-law, friend! She touched so many lives! We all still needed her. And my heart cries and bleeds with tears but there are no answers yet. My soul waits for the Lord. His Word tells me He will not leave us comfortless. I choose to trust Him. Only because of the Hope we have in Christ can we even face the future. To Virgil and the family, there are no words to express our sorrow with you and for you! We love you and continue to pray that you'll be able to feel God's arms of love surrounding you now and in the difficult days and months ahead.

January

We've had a busy Jan. so far. The week of the 11th thru the 18th Rachel was here to visit. We really enjoyed her time with us just being together. She hadn't been here for 2 yrs so it was fun for Tania to get to know her better too. Dad and Mom had planned to come as well but God had other plans and when they were at the gate to fly out they received word that Liz was very low and that it would be best for them to return. We missed having them come but totally wanted them to be there with Virgil's during that time.

Gideon came on the 17th for two weeks to help out while Roland took a week vacation to Alabama. It's been great to have Gid back again even if it's just for a little bit!

We received 4 new children in Jan. , all 2 yrs old and younger. There were 2 little brothers, a 1 yr old and a newborn. Another newborn that came is a brother to Alejandra and Alondra, 5 and 3 yr olds that were here. And also, Maria, a fiesty little 2 yr old, was the last one to arrive. That brings the total of little ones 1 yr old and younger to 7. Lots of bottles and diapers, but lots of fun to hold and snuggle too.

This week is Orphan's for Jesus week so we've had extra helpers for a few days.They are a group of around 50 people that come to MX to do work projects in the area where needed. It always helps to get caught up on extra projects. And we share together for Sunday services the 2 Sundays that they are here which brings fellowship for all of us.

The church here has decided to make some changes and last Wed evening we had our first Wed evening service. We also plan to do some reorganizing for Sundays and have more of a Sunday School time for staff and children. We are looking forward to what God has for us through these changes.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Praise God we do not walk in our own strength!

Complete…

Dec. 31, 2010 11:59 pm. The end of the year. You can never again do anything in 2010. Missed opportunities are gone. The door is closed. But, wait. A new door is before us. Jan. 1, 2011 12:00 am. The beginning of a brand new year with a full 365 days, Lord willing. Many opportunities are before us. God in His mercy gives us another chance be all He calls us to be. I’m excited about the road before us and seeing what God has for us in 2011. We know that it will be a year of change but we don’t know just what the details are that He has for us in all of that. I’m so glad we can trust God to direct our plans according to His plans, so that it will be the best for us!

Our last week was a spirit-lifting week full of so many blessings! I think the greatest need we as a family experience here is the need for fellowship. And God sent us the gift of a week of wonderful, awesome fellowship! I can’t even begin to describe what this week with Virgil’s did to our hearts. Even more so because of the precious gift of life that God has given us in restoring health to Liz! When the Dr.s gave up, man had done all they could and it seemed life was at the end, God in His perfect time chose to show Himself strong and gave life again! Praise His wonderful name! We are so unworthy of His grace and goodness! And so I felt like this Christmas we received the best gift that we’ve ever received when she and all of the family was able to come and celebrate life! The first evening we drafted a number of them to help us with the little holy walk that we did. Then Christmas day we enjoyed a special dinner with the home, the youth climbed a mountain, then we had an evening of lively catch phrase games to finish day. Thru the week then the men did outside odd jobs to help Lorne while the ladies kept the laundry clean, held babies, made pizza for a lunch, cheeseburgers and fries for a supper, doughnuts one day, and whoopie pies another. On Wed. we all went to Tijuana to the hospital for Virgil and Liz to talk with a Dr and for everyone to have a chance to have been there. Then we went downtown for some great shopping, even though it rained all day. All too soon already we were at the end of the week, but with our cups full! Thanks again to you as a family for all the ways that you blessed us this week!

Thursday Lorne and I took Virgil’s to the airport then did a bunch of shopping for the home. We came home just in time for the staff Christmas supper here. Bethany and Christina planned and did a beautiful supper for all of us. Then on Fri. we did the grocery shopping and again returned just in time for supper. When we drove in everything was very dark so Lorne went to see what the problem was and found that the generator had blown a hose and we were not going to have power right away. He called the mechanic and left again for town with hopes of finding parts. In the mean time we got out candles, lanterns, and flashlights and went on with supper. The Moms had planned some special New Years Eve activities for the children so we talked a bit and decided to continue on and just do the best we could with the low light situation. There was no water to wash dishes but no light to see them either which was best. We had lit the fireplace for heat and light so we let the children roast marshmallows over the fire. Then they started a lively ‘upset the fruitbasket’ game with 20 players. The power then returned so we drew slips for cleanup jobs and soon had it all cleaned up and ready for a hot chocolate and cookie snack. After which it was time for the littlest children to go to bed and cleanup time again. The oldest ones then played games until midnight and happily welcomed the New Year to SLCH. Today our family is spending the day apart for our own family Christmas celebration. We came out to Greivin’s house and have had a wonderful time sharing our gifts, playing games and just being together.

Following are some pics of the Christmas story as we saw it here…




The shepherds were watching their flocks by night…

And a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory be to God”…







Come let us make haste and see where the child is laid…





















The wise men have seen the star and have come to find the babe…

King Herod and his soldiers

The wise men come before the king…

The king calls the priests…

The wise men find the babe and bring their gifts to worship Him

The most precious gift ever given to mankind so that even today we can live in peace and have life in Jesus!

We wish you all a very blessed new year! Make it count for the Lord!!