Following God

So some of you already heard that our adoption is on hold at the moment.

God has moved mountains, and moved so mightily in both Dan and I's hearts separately and together.
The last week of October we found out that Russia was restricting access into the country for adoptions, and we had to get our stuff in to Russia by November 1. We did everything we could do, but Illinois did not play fair. But, that being said, this adoption road has been filled with bumps and bruises. When we first started we were listening and following God in where He was leading. Through so many turns we went from Country to country, but this time it was clear that now is not the time for us to adopt. It doesn't mean that is completely done, it means its on hold. We trust the Lord that the timing wasn't right.
I went to a women's conference the last weekend in October, and Dan did some solo time with the Lord. Right before the conference the Lord put a phrase of a song in our hearts (song is Blessed be your name) and the phrase was there is pain in the offering, and you give and take away. Wouldn't you know it at the conference they showed a video of some orphans and in the video was a girl dying in her bed, and two guys playing a song over her, and it was the same phrase, with no other phrase playing.
I thought, ok God. I understand. There were many confirmations along the way as I went to a seminar workshop called Barren Womb not barren soul. This was first hard to attend, as there were 3 ladies total along with the teacher. In this workshop we talked about all the passages the Lord was impressing on my heart for the last 3 months, but also added a Psalm.

Psalm 127:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court.

What hit me the most with this Psalm, was that not anywhere does it say natural born, or specific to giving birth, or adoption. This was life changing for me as the Lord revealed to me that not everyone can parent thousands of kids and when you get to Heaven, you will see all the kids that call you mom.


All that being said, the Lord confirmed in our hearts that it was time to move. He needed us to sacrifice our desires now for natural kids for His desire for the lost. While our desire for a family is huge, His desire to reach the lost is bigger. So, this is us walking in obedience to the Lord.  God's desire is so much bigger and we are not here on earth for us, we are on this earth to honour and worship the Lord.
He's in charge, so why wouldn't we follow where He says to go, if we don't who would want to be around us... (aka Jonah and whale)

We will be leaving Germany Jan 31st. We are still in need of about 800/month support but we are trusting that the Lord will provide. If He's called us to it, He will lead us thru it.

Homecoming

So Friday night was the second football night game under the lights! Such a fun atmosphere and such a community event. There were so many people there of all ages. We held a contest for our Middle Schoolers if they found me (Becke) they would get points for their small group that they are apart of. The winning small group will be announced October 27th at our event " The Redneck Roundup"

Below are some photos of the game!
Also the group photo is our small group that we love, and love doing life with. Such deeply grounded believers who are passionate about living for the Lord. AMAZING!

 Sam and I

 Christine and I

 

During the National Anthem

 

A group candid of our small group

I found it so interesting seeing all the students we had when they were in Middle School who now are juniors and seniors. Wow, we have been here long, and its awesome to be the people who have been here so long. Although so many people move around us, its nice to be the people who are stationary and a constant. We are loving our friends here that we get along so well with. We love doing life with them! I think some of the best conversations I have had have been with them. They are super supportive of us as we adopt, and have opened their hearts and want to do everything they can to support us in the transition. Even if that means a 2 am phone call.  We have so much in common, and much the same heart in bringing the Lord to those that are lost. We are blessed!

Apple Pie Bars

So we have friends over Saturday night and I tried out a new recipe. Below are the prep photos.

Crust made and baked first

Oats, butter, flour, nutmeg 

 

Pan 1 of apples

Pan 2 

 

Topping covering the apple topping. 3 layers basically.

 A piece cut out, and ready for a willing mouth.

 Finished product

Basically the bottom layer is a shortbread crust, middle is cooked apples, the top is a oatmeal butter crust. There were many many raving reviews. The only thing I would do different is putting it in a bigger pan, so the bars are thinner.  After the photos is the link from the recipe.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/apple-pie-bars

new coffee bag kitchen valence.

Many of you asked what I was doing in the Kitchen these past few weeks. I got a few coffee bean burlap bags and for the kitchen valence, I cut open the bag and then attached the bag on a rope to the wall. I then had brown ribbon I used to keep it nice and tight with a polished look. Super simple and easy.

 We collect starbucks city mugs, and this is a sample of how we have hung them in our house. Super simple. Get a long piece of wood 1/4 inch from your local Home depot, and then drill holes where you will put large screws threw them.  Attach the board to the wall, and hang your mugs.  We stained the wood to match the decor in our house. Hope this is helpful!

Life settling in.

We are settling back in to a routine. Life has changed a bit, and it much calmer which is a welcome relief. Please pray for our middle school youth group. It decreased in size over the summer, and we are in a rebuilding phase. Please help us as we bathe it in prayer for growth.
 We are picked up right where we left off with the adoption. The link below will have our latest update!

Thanks for joining us in the fight.
http://danandbecke.blogspot.de

Adoption Blog!

http://haasadoption.blogspot.de/2012/09/a-video-into-first-trip-to-russia-from.html

We made it!

We made it!
After a long journey we made it back home. Below are some photos of our time in CA.
I am excited about being back except the jet lag thing is kicking my butt. But, God is good and tonight I am feeling much much better.
    I am excited about my new role here in Wiesbaden. As many of you know we are adopting, and that means I will be at home more with the child. So with that I am stepping back from lots of things in ministry while I get the home ready.  So, with that I will be still volunteering with the Junior high youth group, and doing a girls study but will be taking a step back from high school youth group.
One reason is I don't want to have to leave the group in the middle of the year, and thought it better to do it at the beginning. I will still be meeting with a few students that I mentor, and will have a mentor myself.  I am excited about this, but a little nervous as well. A new role, is a new season which means a new learning curve! (ODE to JOY! - that is for my mom in CA)
Below are a few photos from our time in CA!

 

Our friends who we love SO SO SO much! 

Romero's in Manifee! (so glad to see them)

This was a replica of the first photo Dan and I took in Japan.

Uncle Danno and Jacob

Vincent came to one of our supporting churches to speak on the life of a military student.

Candice and I jumping on the beach in Santa Barbara, CA

Christian, Dan and I in Huntington Beach, CA

Family day at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA