Refined By Design: My turn!! :)

Wow, what a whirlwind of the last few months! What joy it is to say we are healthy, blessed, loved, and overwhelmed by God's goodness! Since the last update, we have welcomed Noah Luke into our family and it has been so much fun! The kids are at such good ages and enjoy him so much. When your "baby" isn't much of a baby, when you do welcome a little one you appreciate the small moments so much more. We have enjoyed seeing him grow and the different stages, and so enjoyed the big kids loving and playing with him.

Right now, the kids and I are in Newnan, Georgia with our family missing Matt as he is in South Dakota. He had to return for work and to be back with our church family. We are enjoying the time spent with our family but do miss our home and family in South Dakota. We are so close to our families, and the kids are loving playing with cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and friends. Our kids are 5th generation kids! They have a great-great grandmother, 3 sets of great grandparents, 2 sets of grandparents, and as many of you know LOTS of aunts, uncles, and cousins! The Hadden Family lost their grandmother in September, but we are so glad Jacob and Leah were able to know Maw Maw. So for us, it's important that they have relationships with their extended family and that we make that a priority for them.

While Matt was in town we spoke at Lisbon Baptist Church in Fayetteville. I got to meet the ladies Sunday school class that has been emailing us, sending cards of encouragement, and praying for us. The following Sunday we had the privilege of speaking at Forward Church in Sharpsburg where my parents and some of our family attend. Man were we blessed! Matt spoke, and I had the opportunity to lead in worship with my cousin Caitlin whom many of you met this summer. The anointing was amazing and we were so encouraged. It's hard to leave Pine Ridge, you feel you are leaving things undone or that there are things that need to be taken care of, places you can minister. But knowing this first hand, coming back to a church who has a heart for the Natives and the Kingdom, and chooses to just love and encourage you, energizes us to head back with a refreshed sense of urgency and vision. It's so important that we take that time, and we are so thankful for all the church families who have taken us in so beautifully.

We have been blessed with a wood burning stove from a family in Mississippi. And boy have we needed it! Matt returned and was welcomed by 6 degree weather, and if any of you have experienced the South Dakota wind...you know it's brutal! We are so thankful, our units weren't keeping up the the temperatures and we now have an alternative way to heat our home.

In the coming weeks, we are going to celebrate Matt's 30th birthday (old!!), the Birth of Jesus, and Jacob's 7th birthday! For me, I love birthdays! I love to pour into someone on their birthday, especially my kids and husband. It's a day we celebrate the birth and the gift of them coming into our lives. We celebrate all the Lord has done in and through them, and it's encouraging to hear people say that have been impacted by you in their life. It's a day that is all about them. Some may say it's a selfish holiday (Matt, haha!), but every now and then it does need to be all about them. For Jacob, I want him to know that in all the ministry, and busyness, He is our priority, and I look forward to celebrating HIM on December 31st!

Also, we are sending out Christmas cards and if you would like to receive one and are not already on our email or contact list, please message us! We would love to add you!

In the spirit of the season, and the gift of Jesus, take time to love on one another. To give more than you receive and to pray for those that are missing family or loved ones during this time. We look forward to updating you again in December!

With love and thanks!

Amanda

Jacob and Matt's brother, Nathan!

Jacob and his cousin, Isaac!

Leah and her cousin, Ansleigh who is only 6 weeks younger!

Matt and I also had the honor of celebrating our best friends wedding, Jake and Nicole! This is the first time in YEARS all of us friends from Highschool have been in one place :)