Life Happenings

So my goal is to try to get back to journaling.  I really enjoy getting my thoughts out, or just talking.  I know I know!  Talking in person or on here...I love it!  No wonder God gave me 2 more children that talk more than me!

We have been trying to get into a more RELAXED rhythm since coming back from Jamaica.  Seriously, life should really be more relaxed and enjoyed.  Steve and I are committed to try to keep that "vacation vibe" going, and staying on island time would be great too!  But I will admit, the farther we get from our vacation, it can be hard not to get caught up in the stress of busy, or just general negative feelings.

One area, that I know that would take care of that is.....MORE GOD!  I know that I am a better person, wife, mother, and friend when I don't let stress or irritability consume me.  And since I don't live in a resort on a tropical island, but in the real world.....God has shown me consistently since I have been home....that, THAT is the vibe he wants for me ALWAYS.  Even in the hard places....let him have my stress, anxiety, and big on the list...MY TIME!

God has been faithful always to show me that when I give him those things  I struggle with he ALWAYS replaces them with...Peace, Peace, more Peace, Joy, Trust, Hope, Courage, LOVE, and MORE TIME!  After all, time is his.  And he just wants more of that with me!

So today, while I am home with these two small bundles of non stop energy, talking, and motion....I will not become a stressed out mommy!  I am going to PRAISE God that I get a "re-do" and that he trusts me with a son and daughter that are very much like their talkative, swirling motion of a mama!

 Lamentations 3:22-23

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Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

And oh yeah.....Steve would prefer that, as well as my "adult babies" Jordan & Seth.  And I am sure that Brandon would really want me to "get it" 

Thank you God for trusting me with this life....I will continue to try to steward it well with you!

 

7 years

Sometimes I can hardly believe that it is possible that 7 full years have passed since Brandon went HOME to wait for us...and surely he will have so much to show us when it is our day. There are many days that I can barely wait for that moment...the moment I get to wrap my arms around my sweet son, kiss him until he says..."okay mom" and see that beautiful smile that his brothers also share.

Even in my hard days I am so so soooo overjoyed and thankful and full of PRAISE that because of Jesus, our future with Brandon is longer than our past! I don't know if I will ever find all of the words that fill my heart with trying to explain the knowing of what my Saviour did for me & all of my family. First that I was even TRUSTED with the awesome job of being the mother of such wonderful Godly sons...Brandon, Jordan, Seth, & soon to be Jedidiah...and let us not forget the PRINCESS...Desi! Wow...God just loves me so much & that is so cool with me!

But that God also trusted me with this hard journey...I can't say that I like it or would have ever signed up for it....but if the only way that I could have ever been a part of Brandon's life was to knowingly sign up for this journey...I know I would have pushed people away to say ..."YES God...choose me"!

Our family is abundantly BLESSED....and I continue to push forward, press in, and BREATHE THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD!!! With the excitement and anticipation of....ONE DAY!

So as we CELEBRATE BRANDON today...I will always encourage you...to smile, have fun, and seek the lover of your soul...JESUS!

It sure would be cool to see ya all there in Heaven with us! :-)

Blessings & Love
The Hastings
Steve, Dawn, Brandon, Jordan, Seth, Jedidiah, & Desi

Beautiful!!!!

Beautiful One Conference!!! ♥.....thank you to my Mighty Man of God Steve for taking on the business of our home, especially with the two littles, for honoring me with this time, and for learning to do a little girls hair! You are awesome & I LOVE LOVE LOVE You!
My family is good!

Blizzard...I'll take mine from Dairy Queen next time!

Well....the 2 back to back Blizzards we have had have eased up on some of my "funk"...although there were many times during the cabin fever frenzy that my mind would take a walk down memory lane....sometimes that can be good, but a lot of times the good is followed by that intense longing. I would suppose that is the way God longs for us. Time, relationship, fellowship, our love.

When I think about it that way, it gives me a fresh breath and the shear full happiness that because of what God did for me through his son Jesus..I WILL see Brandon again one day. And he did the same for Steve, Jordan, Seth, Little Helper Boy & Little Mama....and all of the other family and friends I LOVE SO MUCH!

Thank you God for always being there to lift my eyes and wipe my tears.

Jordan's BIRTHDAY!!!

Today is Jordan's 21st Birthday! He was MY Birthday Gift all those years ago. WOW! How the time flies from when he was my sweet little blonde hair blue eyed baby. Now he is my sweet TALL blonde hair blue eyed MAN!

And this momma loves him soooooo much!

Celebrate Brandon Day ~ 8/3/09

Psalm 31:24:
Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon.


We had a beautiful warm sunny summer day in Washington DC (my FAVORITE city) to Celebrate and remember our precious son and brother ~ Brandon. I have to admit...during the ride over, I really had to press through and fight off why's and keep my mind from going to a place that it did not need to be. And since God knows me so well, and loves me so much...he continued to shower me with his peace and love (smile). The entire day was very fun, and it was also so fun to feel "connected" to so many strangers in such a small area. It makes me wonder what Heaven will be like. Like I said before, I think my small piece of Heaven will be warm...just like I like it. And just like God has done since we started "CELEBRATE BRANDON DAY", God always shows up with little "kisses" and "laughs". To show that he sees us, he cares, and Brandon is exceedingly abundantly OKAY! And one day...we all will be where he is!
"Till I See Jesus and Brandon Face To Face" ~ WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!!!

Getting Through

Getting through these days can be tough sometimes. And others...well not so bad. As I said, I guess this will be a FOREVER thing. I mean, how can't it. One of my sons is in Heaven and not here. But...I know he is in a place that is exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think...and that God's ways are higher than ours. But you get the picture at times.

But you know....I do have JOY, and I know that the JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH...and God has been so faithful with many new adventures for us. He has continued to show his love through other people and through this next new adventure that he is taking our family on....I promise to reveal more when the time is right. But I can say that I am super excited...and I know and feel that Brandon will have a hand in this as well. I can just imagine the look on his face, and the words he would tell me, Steve, Jordan, & Seth. And then of course he would flash that beautiful smile. Oh how I miss him, but I PRAISE God for my life....would not trade it for anything in the world!

DAWN LOVES HER FAMILY!!!

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart,....Psalm 31:24

Beautiful Day ~ Beautiful Night

The sunshine and warm weather truly brought me "back to life" yesterday. The bright yellow sun, warm humid air, and the smells of pre-summer/late spring. Even the the fresh laundry on the clothes line brings me to life.

AND...Steve and I got to go for a quick motorcycle ride (those who know me...know I do not ride unless it is at least 80 degrees in the evening). After a very fun ride (tried to figure out how to take our photo silhouetted by the sun while riding, but decided I'd wait on that one), came home, made dinner AND cheesecake and had a relaxing dinner outside. SO FUN!

Then a quick trip to my sister's house to pick up some plants, and do a little visiting...back home, more laundry, a quick ping pong match in the garage between Seth-Jordan, Steve-Jordan, Steve-Josh. And then...10:30! Realizing how much fun could be had, and how much can be accomplished by turning off the tv...hmm...think that will be a new plan.

I LOVE SUMMER, life was just about perfect.....just about. But God is GOOD, and he LOVES ME!

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 ~ The Message