It has been 4 weeks since Fiona joined our family and when I think about these past 4 weeks, tears well up in my eyes. I am overwhelmed and inspired and filled to the brim with JOY because of our village. You. Our people, our family, our Church, our community.
We have been held up in prayer, supported and encouraged, been fed and showered with gifts by a village of people. How could we possibly have journeyed through these weeks without you?
This culture tells you to do it alone. It tells you that you are strong, you are capable, and that you can do anything you want to do. This lie not only expects too much of you, it robs you of the joy of leaning on other people. We need each other and I know now more than ever how little I could do on my own.
I sit here staring at a blank screen just thinking "there are no words, there are simply no words that I can offer that would be enough to express my thanks to so many people."
I feel like I need to write peoples' names down. I need to remember how God has used so many people to touch us. To watch over us. To help us. To support us. To remind me that when I feel alone in this journey of parenting, I am not. There are others who care, others who are willing to help, others who will love my children and I the extra mile we cannot limp along ourselves.
We are blessed beyond measure and I am so deeply, deeply encouraged.
For caring for the boys, and caring for us while we were in the hospital, and beyond we say thank you
Our family (taking the boys for days, feeding them, putting them to bed, visiting us, bringing us food, transferring things to and from cars, cleaning our home, giving us food- Grandma, Nana, Papa, Oma, Opa...you are all incredible and we are SO thankful for you)
For the meals, we say thank you
Nana and Papa Hinksman (yummy ham and potatoes)
Grandma Hinksman (yummy roasted chicken and mashed potatoes in the hospital!)
Our amazing lifegroup who helped chop over 16 crockpot freezer meals (Deb Bergman, Tim & Angela Hiebert)
Stacey Kaetler (the best homemade chicken soup ever and gluten free brownies- YUM)
Claudia Peterson ('the night before' meal and many others to follow)
Jennifer Peters (peanut soup!)
Janet Theissen (lentil soup!)
Tanya Friesen (aaaamazing meal with quinoa, stew, salad and brownies AMEN)
Wendy Hodges (fruit salad left on our door, what else does anyone need?)
Laura DeVries (chili, and you made it while very pregnant and working? HOW?!)
Andrea Hendy (I don't know what it was but it was awesome. We love ethnic)
Courtney Wedemire (incredible vegan enchiladas, such a yummy recipe)
Shawna Goertz (a BOX of food, such a generous and thoughtful meal of marinaded chicken, vegetables, and more brownies...I'm gaining weight over here instead of losing it)
Nikki Middleton (food the week before the baby- sooo helpful when I was 9 months pregnant and miserable)
Breakaway ladies (frozen meals for J and I- like pesto stuffed pasta shells- yum!)
Erin Fay (coffee, we needed it!)
Nikki White (we love Lasagna and were deprived of gluten and dairy so THANK YOU)
Sara & Nate Searle (literally THE BEST pot pie we have EVER had. I ate it for lunch, dinner, dessert and a bed-time snack. SO delicious)
[I am already bawling, because I cannot believe how many of you have helped, loved on us and cared for our needs]
For the thoughtful, generous, and sweet packages sent in the mail, we say thank you
Ashlee Thomas (stickers for the boys! coffee shoes for Fiona! What a lovely surprise)
Gillian Souza (a girl's package filled with chocolate, soaps, and outfits for Fiona FROM FRANCE- you rock!)
Jacob & Tara Topping (a huge box in the mail- a lovely surprise!)
The Sissons Family (your generosity, even while you are facing your own challenges, is beyond inspiring)
For the baby girl clothes, sooo cute, sooo generous, can't wait to get them all on her, we say thank you
My incredible co-workers on T14F- you threw a beautiful shower for us and gave so generously SO many things, I could hardly believe it. I was stunned. I am so grateful!
Dad & Sally Hinksman (Nana and Papa...we have the best dressed kids because of you! Cupcake sleepers? Pleated skirt/shirts? A coordinated outfit to wear with your brothers? You are so generous!)
Kerry Hinksman (what HAVEN'T you bought Fiona? She is blessed to have such a thoughtful and generous Grandma)
Scott & Courtney Lowes (love the sunday dress, everyone commented on how cute it was!)
Michelle Renault (red, sparkly sweater! You know how to make a perfect girl's outfit- so cute!)
Tanya Friesen, Stacey Kaetler, Nikki Middleton, Jennifer Peters, Janet Theissen, Claudia Peterson, (you all brought meals AND clothes? So amazing)
Kristin Oliver (Fiona wears the fuzzy sweater all the time already, and giraffe outfit. You blessed us abundantly!)
Lisa Lincoln (Stars! Pink! LOVE!)
Cheryl Hazelton (so many cute summer outfits, where do I begin?)
Brittany Brink (we share the same last name! I LOVE the sweater and jeggings, she will be stylin' like her uncle and aunt in no time!)
Mom Brink (love the pea coat and all the fun summer outfits. Cottage!)
Elsie Ens (what a sweet baby bonnet!!)
For all the things you let us borrow and use, we say thank you
Selene Lau (a car seat, so awesome)
The Benniks (a VAN. Ummmmm. Not sure how we could ever thank you enough for your generosity in GIVING a vehicle to us. You adopted 3 kids, are raising 5 and moved your family to Ethiopia answering God's call AND you gave us a vehicle...wow, we are inspired).
Andrea Hendy, Michelle Renauld, Amy Olson and Shawna Goertz (maternity clothes- you saved my wardrobe!)
Erin Hinksman, Denise Smith, Andrea Hendy (so many cute girl's clothes, SO helpful and SO generous)
For the home-made lovelies for Fiona's wardrobe and use, we say thank you
my Aunt Shirley (a beautiful, hand made blanket for Fiona- it's beautiful)
Grandma Sally (a sewn blanket and cute knitted booties. Lovely.)
Auntie Erin Hinksman (how in the world did you have time to crochet so many lovely things for Fiona when you have 4 kids at home?!)
Monika Theissen (another lovely quilt for Fiona, we use it all the time!)
Grandma Kerry Hinksman (a thoughtfully planned and beautiful executed quilt for Fiona)
Maria DeVisser (such cuuuuute hats and headbands for Fiona- you'll see them a lot in photos to come!)
For the visits, the prayers, the love, the support, we say thank you, thank you, thank you
All of you!!! And if there is anyone I did not mention here, it is simply because my brain is fried and I'm trying to rock a baby in a seat at the same time.
See? A village. It takes a village, and I hope I can find ways to support all of YOU in your own lives as you journey through your own highs and lows.
We are blessed. We are cared for. Praise God for this beautiful community and village.
Who can you care for today? Whose help can you accept? Lets share the love people!
No comments:
Post a Comment