Christmas & New Year Memories
Winter in MN..it's so beautiful, but we have had record snowfall this year. The kids get outside to play and skate, and we keep walking the dog for excercise and fresh air. It's a "holiday" for mom to walk the dog! The kids were all lining up for something to eat and we snapped this shot.
Here we are Christmas Morning. And here I am so that you know Mom is "surviving"! : )
Katya met Santa skating at the MFSC Winter Party, and Andri turned 8!
Our crazy hockey boys with their trophies. Grandpa O doing well at Christmas which is a blessing to all of us. His esophageal cancer treatment has been working, and we treasure every day that we have with him.
We made 6 ginger bread houses on New Year's Eve, and munched on them NY's Day. We went to see Santa, who we have seen now for 10 years, and we showed him our first picture with him (Experience with Santa in Mall of America). He asked the kids if they were behaving, eating their veggies, making their beds and brushing their teeth.
We still need to start our Christmas cards, and there are piles of laundry, and things to be dusted, but we have each other and we hope that you and yours are doing well also. Thanks for your notes of encouragement and enquiry. Love from Chris & Alesia Haak
Pray for those who persecute you....
Matt 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven...."
Matt 5:44" But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of the Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.....
Phil 4:5-9 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
2nd Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
We adopted 4 older siblings from Ukraine in 2010 and hope we can help.
We will share what we learn and help you when we can. There are great supports here on this page. Sometimes it's one day, moment and breath at a time. And you're not alone. Love, Alesia & Chris
