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

A POEM

"WHERE I AM FROM"

I am from "Remedy"
From youth groups
I am from a legacy of belief
and new found faith

I am from inviting friends
I am from immersion on May 4th, 2008
washing me clean
I am from gospel hymns
I am from Doxology

I am from painful piggyback rides
I am one of six
I am from hair dye
and hair clippers
I am from receding hair
to bald with razors
I am from the two little angels
that just joined the crew

I am from toe head
to dirty blond
I am from ice-cream and movies
I am from the smell of cedar,
complicated pergolas
and uneven measurements
I am from deep sea fishing,
fishing bait and fishing line

I am from a world of chaos
and busy schedules
I am from nice shoes
and clean cloths

I am from six
and I know love

By: Spencer Lind

Halloween 2008

THE BESTEST SNEEZER I EVER DID SEE

"LOOK WHO'S TALKING"

He looks like me!!

ADOPT - Webster's dictionary states that the word adopt is from the Latin word adoptare, which is formed from the two root words: ad- which means "to" and optare - which means "choose". Adopt is then defined as "to choose and bring into a certain relationship".


The legal validation of the inclusion of Rya and Roman into our family occurred over a week ago. This was a wonderful, albeit short (10 minutes in the court room with the Judge), occasion in this process we started almost one year ago. The signing of documents and the filing of papers with the appropriate state departments in no way increase or decrease my love and commitment to these two children. In the same manner, the filing of birth certificates and registering for social security numbers does not make me more or less caring for my other children.

I love ALL of them.

I love all of the same.

Love is a choice...............! Yes, for those who have not had marriage classes or read any books regarding the issue of Love, it is a choice. I chose to love my wife and she chose to love me. We choose to continue loving each other each and every day, with the bonds of that love growing with each passing moment.

I did not "Fall in love". I am very sure on my feet and rarely loose my balance, either physically or emotionally. I could choose to stop loving her, this is how divorce happens usually. I have never stopped choosing to love her, nor will I.

I choose to love my children.

Some parents do not.

These are the unfortunate children who get neglected and abused. If you love someone you care for them, sacrifice for them, place them first and never hurt them.

Love is a choice.

We have choices every day with almost every situation we find ourselves in. I choose to love my children whether they obey or disobey me. I choose to love them if they get good or bad grades. I choose to love them NO MATTER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE. This is a choice.

I have SIX children. All of them were created by God. I have chosen to love and care for each of them. I have chosen to sacrifice and impart God's truth to them. I have chosen to accept them every day for who they are, not based on what they do.

Children are gifts from God.

As parents, especially as Christian parents, we are charged with taking the responsibility for teaching and modeling God's truth to them. It is a choice we make. It is not that we "can't help it", it is a purposeful task that we choose to make and keep making. I am often told that Sterling looks like me. I am also sometimes told that Spencer looks like me. Occasionally I am also told that Hannah and Linnea look like me. Certainly, when these comments are made they sometimes refer to the genetic, physical similarities that exist with regards to facial structure or other physical attributes. More often these comments are the product of people noticing similar mannerisms, ways of speaking and acting. These latter attributes come not from biology but from exposure and influence. My children have been exposed to my speaking, acting, walking, behaving, etc. These things are what create the essence of a persons character and personality. I have chosen to be daddy each and every day to Hannah. When Spencer came along I began choosing each and every day to be daddy to him. Sterling was the third life entrusted to me and I am daddy every day to him. Linnea then arrived and another life was entrusted to me to show what being a man means and what she is to expect in a husband. God then saw fit to entrust me with two more lives to care for and instruct in truth.

Love is a choice.

I choose to love all my children, and I love them all the same.

I am now often told that Roman looks like me. This is usually by those who do not know us well, or strangers who stop us to look at the babies when we are out. I feel no need to correct them and inform them that they "are adopted". In time, both he and Rya will, like their siblings, look like me.

I am proud of my children.

I am proud to say thank you whenever I am told any of the children look like me. I am proud of who they are and proud to be their dad. Parenting is about committing your priorities to the most precious gifts that are given to us. Who we are will manifest in those we are entrusted with. It is this legacy that we leave behind that matters most.

I have chosen to love my children. They are gifts from God. It does not matter that I did not make them. I did not make any of them, God did.
He wants me to care for them......all of them, and I choose to honor his request. So, if you feel the need to tell me that any of the children look like me, I will be honored by the gesture.


In Christ, Kevin

Growth

I am a work in progress. I am aware of this everyday. I have been especially aware of this in the past several months. God has given us many blessings. We have also never been under so much stress. I like to be in control, no shocker for those of you who know me well. I have no control over many things that I wish I did. I am wondering why after so many years would God give us this opportunity to move to Minnesota amid the worst housing market? I am learning things about myself. I have many areas where I can grow. I know God loves me and wants more from me. Growth is painful. I made the mistake of asking for patience once a long time ago. I am still learning. Gina

Adoption Day!

Yesterday the courts made legal what our hearts have known for 7 months. Rya and Roman are ours. We are truly blessed! Sterling said it best when he said "As soon as I saw them, they jumped into my heart!" They did indeed!!

7 month pictures

We are having so much fun at our house! Rya and Roman have truly enriched our lives. They are so much fun! As I sit and write this, they are both in their exersaucers talking to each other.

Rya is more verbal and loud. She loves to be right in the center of all the action. Roman is quiet unless he has something to say. His new interest is a ball. Rya has a little dolly she likes. I bought her an ID bracelet and put it on her. She held out her arm and admired it. How does she know that jewelry is cool? Later I noticed that it was missing. Not exactly, it had just gotten "lost" in the chubby bend of her wrist! She has started to say a few words. She says "ma ma, ba ba and da da". She says "ma ma"when she is sad, tired or hungry and she says "da da" when she is happy. They both play really hard. They are starting to fight a little and like to take toys from each other.

Roman has a good sense of humor. He likes to laugh with the boys and Daddy is his favorite! His smile melts our hearts. He just said "ma ma" for the first time. We recently had their pictures taken. Roman has always reached out for Rya's hand, especially when they are sleeping. During the pictures they were sitting and he reached out and held her hand. They took a close-up photo and we have it enlarged and framed on our wall. It is precious!

Hannah is so good with them! She knows what they need and loves to care for them. We are all learning sign language so we can sign to Roman. Each of the kids willingly help out with the babies.

Patience, Guidance and "40"

Psalm 40:1-3 NIV - " I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord....."

The Lord has heard our cry to return home. He initially led us to Bluffton 11 years ago, and is now bringing us back to Minnesota. These things have all occured in His time and in His way. The blessings we have received, and have been able to impart to others when we have been able to be vessels for His will are beyond our expectations. My hope is that we have been a light in the dark to those needing his grace and mercy during our time here. Nothing good was done because of our actions, but when we were open to His leading, I know on occasion we did make a difference. This has been a time of great joy, sorrow, hurt and healing. We are closer to each other and to our God. As we move forward, we are unsure of what lies ahead, but we will follow His lead and trust His good purpose in and through all things. In Him, Kevin

Family

Life has gotten a bit busier since school started.

Spencer is playing football. It's so much fun watching him. The kids are back in voice lessons and Hannah and Spencer are busy with show choir.

Linnea had a fun birthday party at our house. They did a scavenger hunt through the neighborhood and had a water balloon toss. They decorated cupcakes and danced on the deck.

Roman got tubes in his ears last week. The ENT wanted to try tubes hoping it may improve his hearing. They will re-test his hearing in a month. He is the most patient easy-going kid.

Hannah is scheduled to have knee surgery at the end of the month. She has had trouble for 4 years and is excited to not have pain anymore!

Sterling got his cast off! He is probably the person who is the most excited about our move to Minnesota.

Rya is busy rolling all around. She gets more fun all the time! Hannah has sang to her since she was born. She is now trying to copy her and tries to sing herself. It's so cute!

Minnesota Bound!

As the image of our home with a For Sale sign in the front yard would imply, we are in the process of "coming home". 11 years ago God led us to Bluffton. Since we arrived, I have always fished for opportunities in Minnesota, but nothing was ever available until now. With the benefit of hindsight, His use of us here can be seen when we reflect on our lives. The reason there were never any opportunities for me in Minnesota was because He needed us here longer for reasons we never could never have imagined. The opportunity in Minnesota is with Allina, and I will be working in the Northwest region. I am humbled by His greatness in my life, and how all things work together for His good. I am very grateful for my time in Bluffton and am sad to leave my practice, and all the wonderful people I have worked with. There are innumerable unknowns that accompany this transition, and we continue to pray and ask for wisdom and guidance as we move forward. I look forward to spending time with my brother and parents, which has been very minimal for the past 17 years. This move will place us within 1 hour of all extended family, which even for those not good with math, is less than 12 hours. We pray that proximity will present opportunity to grow and strengthen relationships that have struggled due to the distance.

July 2008

Sterling broke his arm!

Sterling fell off an ATV and broke his arm this past weekend. He is bummed because he is we are going to the lakes with friends this next week to go tubing and skiing. His youth group is also going to a waterpark. Unfortunately, he will be wearing a cast for the next 6 weeks. He is looking at the bright side and is liking that his brother and sisters are having to do his chores and help him with the things he can't do. He is also enjoying the extra attention he's getting. He was such a trooper in the Er when they set his arm! We are thankful it was not his head he hurt.