Hannah's Project

Dear family and friends,

I am working on a community service project for school and one of the things that I have chosen to do is help raise money to donate to a charity that I love. It’s called ‘A Friend’s House’ and it’s a safe place for women to receive a fresh start from self-harm, eating disorders, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, physical or sexual abuse or an unplanned pregnancy. “At A Friend’s House(AFH) women receive therapy, training and care they need to learn how to live healthy lives. The entire program is free-of-charge”. How amazing that these women can receive the help they need at no cost to them! They rely on donations and grants.

“A Friend's House offers women training on developing healthy relationships, managing emotions, handling anger, identifying lies we tell ourselves and exploring worldviews. Residents attend several therapeutic groups each day, and meet with a licensed therapist once a week.”

My mom used to have her adoption agency in the same building as AFH. I was able to meet many of the women and saw them undergoing really neat changes in themselves. Pam Durdahl, the Director of AFH was with Loving Option from the very beginning until she left to pursue her dream of opening A Friend’s House. She is an amazing woman!

I would love to raise as much money as I can to donate to them. I am going to Indiana in July and will be visiting while I am there. I will send the money to them on June 9th. If you are lead to donate, please have your donation to me no later than June 8th. You can make the check out directly to A Friend’s House and you will receive a statement of your donation for your taxes. If you live near AFH you can drop off your check directly. Please let them know it’s for my community service project.

My home address is:
Hannah Lind
5729 160th Lane NW
Ramsey, MN 55303

Thank you very much in advance for your help with my project and for helping A Friend’s House ministry.

Sincerely,

Hannah Lind

Birth Family

Last evening Hannah and I took the babies to say good-bye to Rya and Roman's birth family. It was a fabulous evening that left me with so many emotions. I feel so blessed to know these people and to share the bond that we do.

During the visit the babies literally rolled around on the floor with their cousins playing and having a great time. Travis, the babies birth father played on the floor with the kids and I often heard him tell them that he loved them. I studied the faces and saw my children in each of them.

As we prepare to leave Indiana, I am sad that it will be fewer and farther between when we do get to see the family that entrusted Rya and Roman to us. They will forever be special to us and we will be back for visits.

* The photos above are of (top) Kera, Travis and Kyra with Roman and Rya (middle) Rya and Hope (who was also adopted) and (bottom) Roman and Hope

Moving Update

It's been a while since we updated the blog. Life is busy and honestly a bit stressful for us these days. Kevin is moving to MN in a few days and will be taking Spencer and Sterling with him. We are still working on selling our house. We purchased a home in Ramsey, MN, though it won't be available to move in until late August.

Kevin and I will be celebrating 18 years of marriage in a few days. I am thankful that through all of the curve balls life has thrown us, we have been together. Life is hard but life with Kevin is good!

We have exciting news! Chantel who was our babysitter since she was 12 and is now 21 is engaged to be married! She is truly part of our family and we are thrilled she found the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. His name is Tom Excell and we think he's great. She will be getting married in August and has included all 6 kids in her wedding. Congratulations Chantel!

We'd love it if you would remember to pray for us in the weeks to come as our family is apart.

She has the keys and she knows how to use them!

We are celebrating with Hannah today because she got her drivers license! Yeah Hannah!

WOW!

Rya is trying to walk. She's really good at standing and keeping her balance. I know I've done this many times before but it never ceases to amaze me!

Sweet 16

Hannah is now 16 and I am amazed that the time has absolutely flown by! I am SO proud of the person that she is. She is compassionate and has an incredible love for children. I call her the Pied Piper because it seems that wherever we go, children are drawn to her, even in the grocery store! She is growing in her faith in Christ. She has even begun to call me out on things. Believe me that's convicting! I know I was nothing like her when I was her age. I call her our practice child and say that God knew she could handle it and that's why he made her our firstborn. She is a blessing and I cherish her! (Gina)

Christmas 2008 update

In the letter that went out with our picture, there were instructions to see the blog for more info on the family. Finally, here is the 411 on the Indiana Lind's.

HANNAH

"This year was full of blessings, excitement, and drama. We were blessed with the birth of Roman and Rya adding numbers 7 and 8 to our family. They are so much fun, I love every minute spent with them. I finished my freshman year and started my sophomore year at Bluffton High School. I was voted vice president of my class. I had the amazing opportunity of visiting New York City for the first time with my mother for show choir. I saw saw two Broadway plays and sang in Central Park. Dad, Spencer, Sterling, and I went to Cedar Point and camped out. My friend's mom surprised her daughter, me, and two other girls with a trip to Orlando, Florida Universal Studios where we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel for her sweet 16!!! I started my first job, working at the Boys and Girls Club. My Yorkie Miley got hit by a car (which was devastating). Although, for an early Christmas present, my boyfriend Bill got me my current Morkie (Maltese and Yorkie mix) Chloe whom I love to death. I was probably the least excited about moving to Minnesota...although with passing time, the thought is growing on me. Those are some of the great things that happened to me in 2008."


SPENCER

"2008 was a year full of laughs and good times. This past year my family and I adopted Rya and Roman on March 13th. They literally changed my parents, siblings, and my own life. I made the "Show Choir" at Bluffton High School after 2 years in the middle school choir. Being in show choir has brought me closer to many different friends, among these people was my sister Hannah. Hannah and I have grown close again because of show choir. Having her there for me always helps alot."

STERLING

"Wow!2008 was such a wonderful year! I've met so many awsome people. I WILL NEVER EVER forget the day that we got Roman and Rya. I remember crying when I held Roman and saying " I already am in love with you baby boy!"! It has also been a year of tears! With school there are tears, with family, with tryng to find myself, and of course with friends. Speaking of friends, I have met a couple good ones! I met Storm Betz the summer of 08'. We have been hanging out since then. I have also met Brady Johnson! We just met a few weeks ago! This year I struggled with finding myself. I didn't feel right, so I started hanging out with a couple of different groups of people. I started hanging out with the punks. My parents did not approve of this or of my friends. I am now back to being that very hyper and random Abercrombie kid. I still hang out with all of the different groups of people and we have lots of fun! 2008 has been a great year and I hope that 2009 brings the same love and happiness!"

LINNEA

"This past year I have been very social with friends. I've gotten to play soccer and softball. I've helped serve food to people at church. I also made the high honor roll at school. I am in 4th grade this year. I have gotten 2 more siblings".

RYA AND ROMAN DECIDED TO CLIMB THE STAIRS FOR THE FIRST TIME @ 11 PM ON CHRISTMAS EVE