It's the most wonderful time of the year...

OK, not really, but Halloween has got to be one of the best holidays! Every year Matt and I plan a Halloween party complete with a theme, decorations, and friends who plan fabulous costumes. This year our theme was occupations. We enjoyed food, company, playing Halloween and occupational charades, and just having a good time. I think one of the best parts is finding out everyone's costume choices! This year we had a street watch salesman, waitress, handywoman, UPS delivery man, computer spammer, dolphin trainer, California patrol officer, handyman, nurse, and a construction dog. Below are some pictures to document the evening! :)

Grateful

As Nappanee tries to pick up the pieces from the recent tornado, I am reminded about how awesome people are. When you are needed, it is overwhelming the sense of urgency you feel. How can I help? Where am I needed? That is what thousands of people felt yesterday afternoon as they all descended upon Nappanee to help clean up the damage. It was so heartwarming to see the masses of people, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers that felt the urgency to help. Although, we only worked for a few hours, I could see progress being made but know there is a lot more to be done.
Then today as I returned to school, I was extremely nervous about what my students would be like today. Would they be able to concentrate and learn after seeing so much destruction over the weekend? Would they dwell on the tornado and want to spend the day talking about it? Had anyone lost their home in the storm? Well, of course the only way those questions could be answered is through relying on God to lead me through. Amazingly enough, students talked (just as all the teachers did), but by lunch time, they had moved on to other things. Kids are so resilient, while adults are still trying to figure everything out and process it all.
My two favorite quotes of the day:
"Mrs. Hahn, did you hear about the tornado?" :)
"We live in Blackstone [the subdivision that was hit by the storm]. But luckily we don't live in a mansion because the mansion side was hit by the storm, but our side is just fine!" :)
Thank goodness for the kind souls of people.

Unbelievable

The tornado that ripped through Nappanee on Thursday night did a lot of damage to homes and buisnesses. It is absolutely unbelievable. This is a picture of what used to be Taco Bell/KFC and all of the debris. It is so crazy how different you feel after a storm has ripped through your community as opposed to somewhere else in the world. It feels so much more real seeing places you know well, destroyed. Co-workers lost roofs and whole stories of their houses while others had to be evacuated for the gas leak. Church members found their house unlivable and are staying with friends. I feel so helpless and I'm sure no one knows quite where to begin. Matt and I are planning on helping with the clean up.

If you are in the area, on Sunday at 10 am at NorthWood High School everyone is meeting to be shuttled to areas that need help cleaning up. It's one small way to give back to a community who always gives so much.

Blessed...

by his thoughtfulness to make me dinner when I am tired.
when he asks me what he can do for me.
when he asks how my day was.
by his willingness to do chores around the house WITHOUT complaining!
by his thoughtfulness to call when he'll be late.
by his sense of humor and abilty to make me laugh.
when he loves me even through my faults.
by his support and encouragement.
when he does things I'm too scared to do.
by his passion.

Thank you Lord for giving me just the right husband and please help me to be patient as You choose just the right child for us.

Adoption-Step 5...WAITING!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Ever since high school, this has been my favorite Bible verse. It is God's awesome promise to us that He wants and knows what is best for us. As Matt and I wait to hear from a birthmother, I take comfort in knowing that God has my future planned and that the perfect family is waiting for us, just as we are for them.
I can't believe that we are actually finished with our paperwork and ready to wait for a call from a mom asking us to parent her child! It is amazing and quite nerve racking at the same time! Thanks to all for supporting our decision and praying for us. We love you all!!