• Adoption Trip #11 - Write Mason a Note!

    August 5, 2007

    So, I was thinking, here I am writing all these letters to Mason and I know that there are a bunch of people reading this blog who are so very excited about him being part of our family lives.

    So, I wanted to invite you to write something to him as well.

    Just click the “comments” link under the title of this post and then write Mason a message that way.

    I know you want to, and I know that he’d appreciate it (someday!)

    So go ahead, and let him know just how much he is loved…

  • Comments on this Post:

    Comment by: Gabrielle


    1

    Hey there little guy! My name is Gabby and I attend the Well where your mom and dad go. I am very excited to meet you. I remember seeing the first pictures of when you were born and knew I would get to hold you someday. That is kind of weird but sooo exciting! You are going to have a blast growing up in this household. Your older brother Cole is very smart, I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from him. I hope you like to dance and run around really fast so we can play during worship at church. You will feel like you have 10 brothers when you get here because there is a lot of young boys in our church. Anyways, I want you to know that I did pray for you and your birth mom because I knew that it would be amazing to have Todd and Mel bring you into all of our lives. You are loved.

    08/5/07 9:11 PM

    Comment by: Jim Renaud


    2

    Dear Mason,

    I thought I’d cut right to the chase and give you a couple of tips for growing up a Hiestand. First, watch your Mom when playing any kind of board game. She is a cheater cum laude. She’s like those football players you see interviewed and seem like the nicest people in the world, but when they are on the field they get possessed. Secondly, humor your Dad about Chicago sports and when you’re old enough let him know you know Detroit sports teams are far superior. Well, except for the Lions, but true Detroit fans when confronted with the whoas of the Detroit Lions always reply, “Well, I’m more of a college football fan.” Thirdly, thank God every day that not only are you going to a loving family, but you are also going to a family that uses Macs. Remember, you should ask your Dad for advice on most things, but for all things computers, Mason, just IM me. Everything your Dad knows about computers, he learned from me anyway. Fourthly, if you can’t find your Dad anywhere and you’ve searched and searched, there’s a 94% chance he’s at Starbucks. Lastly, your parents are amazing people (I know, even your Dad). You will be loved more than you need and when a teenager more than you want. God definitely has some big plans on your life, Mason. I know this for sure because he’s placed you in a family of kingdom people who love God first (you gotta be a close second!) and tirelessly work to bring God’s love to as many as possible. Follow that example and you will be just fine!

    Get over that fever! And am looking forward to meeting you in November.

    08/6/07 5:18 AM

    Comment by: aunt julie


    3

    oh my gosh. at a bit of a loss of what to say! i love you mason and i am beyond happy that you are finally with your mommy and daddy! just hug them…watch them and hug them…(mommy will like that!). we love you all the way from TN!and- baby, i will always have gum!!!

    08/6/07 2:42 PM

    Comment by: Grammie and Poppa


    4

    Good morning Mason,

    Your Poppa and I are anxiously awaiting your arrival in a couple of days. It has been hard to wait!!! We have been praying for you for many days and we are incredubly grateful that God has chosen you to be part of our family. We promise to LOVE YOU, pray for you, pray with you, play with you, read to you, give you candy and ice cream, hug and kiss you, be the best examles we can be of who Jesus is and always be there for you.

    Please be patient with us as we are quite technologically challenged as your dad and mom know. We just found out how to be able to write this to you. Someday soon you can help teach us lots of new things.

    Your big brother is here and very excited to see you at last. We came to your new house to stay with Cole while your mommy and daddy were with you. We are going to go outside so Cole can play. You will absolutely love Cole. When he asks you “why” just tell him, “because God wanted it that way.”

    Well we are sending you hugs and much love. Pass some along to your dad and mom and tell them we love them so much. They are amazing.

    Hope that you are feeling better today, Mason. We will write later.

    Love- Poppa and Grammie.

    08/6/07 6:15 PM

    Comment by: Tim


    5

    Hey Mason,

    My name is Tim. I attend The Well. We have been praying for you since I heard you were coming to the US. Now that you are almost here, I cannot wait to meet you and hear you laugh. You have no idea how many people are waiting to love you and hang out with you. I know you will bring your family a lot of joy and challenges along the way. that is apart of life though - a life your family is excited to begin.

    I thought I would let you know that God loves you. Even at a young age, I wonder if you can really understand that love. Don’t worry. Even now, I am beginning to pray that you will know the Lord in a real and personal way. As you continue to grow and learn new things, I hope the Lord will capture your heart.

    As other people have already said, you are going to teach us new things. I am ready to learn from you. Hopefully together, we can learn how to be more like Jesus and less of ourselves. Hopefully we can be great friends.

    Just so you know, I am also praying for your mom and dad. They are going to need it. The four of you are going to grow and mold together in a great way.

    Just thought I would let you know. Can’t wait to see you little bro. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to turn towards you and be gracious to you. And may He grant you His peace.

    In Him alone -

    Tim

    08/6/07 8:03 PM

    Comment by: Emmy


    6

    Mason,
    Life is an open book filled with many chapters. Each chapter is very adventurous and exciting. Your book has opened with a chapter filled with love from many different people. God always has surprises hidden in his many chapters; I hope you find love, kindness and understanding from his book along with an inquisitive nature to find out more. You will get a chance to build your story with a family who loves you and a big brother who will show you the ropes! :)
    I can’t wait to meet you and see your great smile!
    Emmy

    08/7/07 4:12 AM

    Comment by: Uncle Scott and Aunt Jill


    7

    Dear Mason,

    This is your Uncle Scott and Aunt Jill from Chicago! We would like to welcome you to the Hiestand family! We have been praying for your arrival for a long time and cannot wait to meet you! We have loved looking at pictures of you since your birth! Your smile is contagious!

    What a gift you are to many! Your mom and dad along with many others have been praying for this special time to come. They will be bringing you home to your new life tomorrow! We are praying that the transition goes well and that you adjust to your new life quickly.

    Please know that you are blessed boy! You have so many people back here in Chicago that love you and will model for you what it means to live in Christ!

    We love you Mason and can’t wait to see what God does in and through you!

    Uncle Scott and Aunt Jill

    08/7/07 4:56 AM

    Comment by: Dorie


    8

    Hi Mason,

    Welcome to the adopted kids club. I’m not quite a full initiated member of the club but I’m still part of it. A secret between you and me: its a really really cool place to be.

    You see, as a member of the Adopted Kids Club, you are both planned and wanted. Your mommy and daddy had to really really want you because there was a ton of planning to get you. You are part of a family because of love and purpose.

    It isn’t always easy. And sometimes, there are things that will strike you as really confusing. That’s okay. Ask questions. And don’t stop asking questions. Ask more questions once your first questions are answered. Some adults might find it mildly annoying and tell you “because I said so”. Ignore them. And then ask more questions. They will learn more from you than they will ever realize.

    You have been loved by many people since the moment they heard about you. Which is very exciting. And your daddy is right - these people will try to spoil you. Don’t stop us, just know how to say the words “thank you”. And know that for the most part, we are trying to show you that we love you and care about you. We are not perfect people and sometimes things are the way we show love.

    We can’t wait to see you Mason. Have a safe journey home and may this be the beginning of many travels.

    With Love,
    Dorie

    08/7/07 6:41 AM

    Comment by: Ryan and Michelle


    9

    Hi Mason!

    We can’t believe that you are finally coming home tomorrow. It seems like your mommy and daddy have been waiting for this forever! And in a sense, they have, because God knew all of this was going to happen even before they did. Which is really cool, and really mystifying. We imagine this whole experience is very confusing to you and we are praying that God will give you the comfort and strength that only he knows you need. Fortunately you are coming home to a place so full of love. Your mom, dad, and brother, as well as all of the other family members and friends you will meet, are committed to do their best to show you that love. We are also committed to praying that you will feel that love and therefore, know the love of Jesus.

    We are really excited to meet you and to watch you grow up with Nathan. We can’t begin to imagine the trouble that you, Cole, Nathan and Dylan will get into! But we are so grateful that you will have each other.

    Have a safe trip tomorrow! We’ll see you soon!

    Love, Ry-Ry and Shell

    08/7/07 10:12 AM

    Comment by: Grandma Hiestand


    10

    Dear Sweet Mason,

    Each special grandchild of mine has a special name, a symbol that is just for them alone. YOU are “my special gift from God” - a present. Everyone loves presents and I really love you. (Cole was quick to point out that you are “OUR” special gift.!)
    Yes, you are everyone’s gift, but that is still my special name for you.

    You are going to have a lot of fun in this new family of yours. A couple things about your daddy. I don’t know why, but he keeps changing his hair style…sometimes it’s long, sometimes it’s short and sometimes he doesn’t have any at all! Just hang around a little bit and it will change! He’s very funny, very sweet and very loving. You are going to love him right back.

    Your mommie is a really laid back, fun-loving mommie. She is incredibly patient. Trust me, your brother Cole asks questions non-stop and she is just so patient! She has pretty dark eyes and dark curley hair. and her smile…when she smiles, her whole face smiles. You are going to love that smile!

    I can’t wait to see you next week. More people to meet and we’ll try not to overwhelm you. God bless you and we love having your in our family.

    Grand ma Hiestand

    08/7/07 1:17 PM

    Comment by: Sammi & Henny


    11

    Hi Mason Carlos :)
    We can’t wait to meet you, and hug you, and get to know who you are. Your life has had a beautiful beginning and we are excited to see what God does with the rest of it! If things ever get too crazy at home :) you can always have an escape with us (that goes for you too, Cole).

    Te amamos (We love you),
    Sammi & Henny

    08/7/07 2:06 PM

    Comment by: Dwayne and Jean


    12

    Mason!! This letter is from Uncle Dwayne, Aunt Jean, Olivia, Heath, and Tobias!!We are so happy that that we get to know you and have you and Mom and Dad and Cole in our family. We have been praying for you, and your trip here for a long, long time. We cant wait till we can visit and spend time together!! Uncle Dwayne will probably make you nervous at first but when you see how cool he is you will want to play dodge ball all the time with him. Olivia will surely bat her eyelashas at you, just smile back. You should probably learn to run quickly, for you will need to either run to get away from Heath or run to keep up with him. Your older than Tobias but Tobi weighs the same as you right now. W pray all you guys will be good friends. We are so glad your home.

    Dwayne and Jean

    08/9/07 9:13 AM

    Add Your Comment Here:

    Mail (will not be published) (required)