Not So Serious

Today, I felt prompted to write an update today.  I typed "Not So Serious" as the title because it was feeling like sort of a peaceful day when my mom called and said that my dad is being taken to the ER due to severe pain and vomiting, likely caused by a kidney stone.  So, the invincible Brent Hanson may have an Achilles' heel after all.  Just kidding, I am hopeful that he will be out of pain soon.

It has been almost two months since I last wrote, and a lot has happened.  Here are a few highlights in no real order of chronology or importance:

1) We had a wonderful Hanson Beach Week with our family from Virginia, Atlanta, and Texas.  Lots of memories made and love shared. 

2) We found out that Cassie going to have a baby SISTER, and we are naming her Celia after my aunt that we all affectionately call Che Che, but her real name is Celia.  Reese and I are in a Bible study group with couples that between us have 12 daughters, and the first son is arriving in October.  One of our leaders, Jen, felt moved to make a prayer book for us to put a picture of each daughter and a prayer for her in it.  So, I had been thinking a lot about what I wanted my prayer over each of my daughters to be.  Here is what God laid on my heart....

I pray that Cassie would be like Esther--beautiful, worthy of a King, faithful, and fearless in following the unique will of God for her life.

I pray that Celia would be like Ruth--known for her character and her unfailing commitment to God and to her family , and that she would know the joy of being cherished and ransomed by her Redeemer. 
3) Reese and I enjoyed a much needed getaway as a couple (without Cassie) to Maine in August.  We hiked, kayaked, ate good food, enjoyed the company of our wonderful host Martha, toured scenic towns, ate lobster, etc.  We even had an extra day/night of an adventure in Boston due to some unexpected travel changes.  Reese took a picture in front of Harvard's Graduate School building and posted it on facebook saying that he was excited about his first day of class.  Ha.

4) Some changes going on in Reese's business and in my job as well.  All good things, but things that make you stop and take stock of where you are and where you want to go. These have made us press in to the Lord and really seek to quiet the competing noise and listen close for His whispers in our lives about what His unique purposes are for us in this season.  One resounding whisper is that our family and raising our children to know Jesus is our top earthly priority, and we will have to fiercely protect that, even if it means making hard choices.

5) My mom had her second dose of chemo for this go around last Monday, and she is feeling pretty good so far.  We are enjoying every second with her and making the most of all of our time. 

6) My dad turned 60 on September 8th, and we had a fun party at the beach for him. 

7) My cousin Leslie had a baby, Mary Harmon, on September 19, even though she was not due until December 30 (same day as me).  Mom and baby are both getting stronger every day, and we praise God for this new addition to our family and for His neverending mercies as He holds both of them in the palm of His hand. 

8) Cassie is walking, talking, using a spoon, shaking her head "No" often, all in all expressing her freedom and personality.  I am loving her more and more all of the time and enjoying getting to know the little person that God has made her to be. 

So, there was a not so serious post from someone who feels seriously blessed.