2016 Newsletter

It’s natural to reflect one’s past as the New Year approaches, and with so much having transpired in the short  1 1/2 years of our marriage, we thought a Christmas letter was appropriate to commemorate all our adventures and thank you for your part in them.

So what has happened in that time?

It all started June 6th, 2015 when we vowed before God and our many witnesses to have and hold each other for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or in health. Our adventures commenced immediately with our surprise honeymoon to Hawaii and Southern California, which truly was a surprise to me (Sarah), since I found out our destination when the blindfold came off at the airport and I was handed my plane ticket. :)

In late July we found out that we were expecting a baby, and how joyous that news was! In early September, we bought a beautiful home in central Coeur d’Alene and immersed ourselves, Sarah’s family, and all available friends in giving it {a lot of} TLC.

October came and with it brought a late night scare with the police and the SWAT team calling us out with our hands up, thinking that the previous owners still lived there…fortunately, it ended peaceably with a good night sleep, until the next day…when the {wanted} previous resident appeared at the door and tried to get in the house. For the next couple months, we learned to ‘be wary but not weary’ and trust in the Lord even more. The former occupant, who was wanted for several felon charges in the State of Idaho and Montana has since been arrested, jailed, and released one year later, as of October 2016.

My pregnancy brought some craziness too, with threatened miscarriage early on, extreme weight restrictions, and a torn abdominal muscle—not desirable ever, but even more so when you’re trying to renovate a house, move in and organize it, and prepare for a baby coming!

In November, our sweet little niece Ivy was born, and Sarah was there a bit helping, while Alex continued working long 6 day weeks between his USPS Rural Carrier and Delivery jobs. December was crazy as usual at the Post Office with the package scurry, and we well remember that night we {elves} took our suburban  crammed full of outgoing packages to the Spokane plant and came home past 11pm. [Don’t forget to thank your mailman this year!!] Special memories!!! 

January came, and we finally got the last of our boxes moved into their appropriate rooms. Then…..we hit a moose late one dark night…or rather, unbeknownst to us, the car 1/4 mile ahead of us hit its neck with their roof rack. We, being good citizens, saw their flashers and moved over to the other lane…where we promptly hit the moose and pushed it 30 feet before flying through the air and sliding on our our side for 100 yards. We landed on my passenger side which sent the side mirror through the window and in the process broke my arm. 

Praise God, baby was okay, and I got my elbow-to-fingertip cast off 3 1/2 weeks later…1 day before I woke up in premature labor. Turns out, I sustained a seatbelt injury (it was either that or being beheaded if I hadn’t worn one), which caused a delayed placental abruption (which is when the placenta starts detaching from the uterine wall), and 5 hours later, on February 3rd 2016, our tiny 4 lb 2 oz, 17 3/4” long, 8 week premature son was born. Perfect, whole, alive.

After 2 days, we finally got to see his face and named him - Alexander David - “Beloved Defender of Mankind”. A fighter he was: against his lungs which didn’t have enough surfactant to open, against bacteria, against jaundice, against bleeding, and against the tubes in his mouth. :) We transported him on Day 3 to Deaconess Hospital (best  Level 3 NICU in Spokane!), where he remained for 6 weeks, and I with him at the Ronald McDonald House. All through this, Alex was the exemplary husband—cooking, cleaning, helping in every way he could when I couldn’t even crack an egg because of my arm. He was the perfect support through labor, and the best dad a preemie could want. With his rigorous work schedule, we didn’t get to see each other as often as he still lived in Cd’A for the most part. That was REALLY tough, but it almost felt like we were courting again with those late night phone calls. :) 

Baby Alexander came home on St. Patrick’s Day, at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and we became a united family. It was amazing. That same day, Alex ended his time at his one delivery job, which left us time to figure out our new routine and bond as a family. God has perfect timing!

Since then, Alex has been working USPS, doing graphic design and other projects on the side, dabbling in cars, doing house projects, teaching Alexander to say ‘Da-Da’, and changing diapers.

This summer, I became a consultant with L’BRI—the natural, nontoxic Aloe Vera-based skincare and makeup line that I’ve been using for 5 years which cleared up my rosacea and Alex’s bad acne. God truly did make plants for our healing! If you’re curious, you can find out more here: www.facebook.com/GotHopeWithLBRI 

Alexander is now 10 months old, 20 lbs, 1/2 my length, is crawling, has been wearing 9-12 month clothing since he was 8 months old, says Dada, climbs up or over everything, walks along furniture, loves food (loves Mama more), is almost always happy and laughing, knows ‘No’, and is our miracle baby.

We want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers, encouragement, support, food, gifts, help, and love during the many transition periods since our wedding. As some of you know, we haven’t finished getting our wedding thank you cards mailed, and I apologize for that. In my defense, the document I had it all compiled on disappeared when my computer hard drive failed a year ago, and miraculously appeared late this Spring amongst other files on my backup drive.  Please know that you each have our deepest heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your wedding gifts and each has been put to good use in our home. Please accept this note in lieu of a separate card.

Looking forward to 2017, we don’t know what’s going to happen, but we know that God has everything in control, and we’re really enjoying living life day by day, trusting God, and asking for Him to continue enlarging our borders and blessing us how He sees fit (1 Chronicles 4:10).

May God bless you as you seek to know and serve Him more in this coming year!

Alex, Sarah, and Alexander Henkoski

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."

- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 -

A Surprise For Papa

Papa turned 50 this year, and Mama really wanted to surprise him....so, we did some big planning. Mama was the brains behind it all. We had a 'surprise' party for him on his birthday, and the boys and I decorated the dining room all gorgeous (in colors of life and vibrancy), in preparation for the 'real' shebang.

David, Samuel and I had lots of fun putting this all up!! :)
The centerpiece was leftovers from past centerpieces, ribbons, paper creche flowers I made out of streamers, and the old wrapping off of store-bought flowers, stuck into an old floral block. :)

We gave him his presents and all too, and had a lot of fun reminiscing back over the years (unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of that, as I was videoing it)... It was really precious! :)

Mama is an excellent cook, and we just love her!!!
Rebekah and Esther had fun decorating Papa's chair and making his poster.

Surprise! :)

The boys decided to play a practical joke on Papa--he absolutely LOVES his mom's rolls, and it's been a family joke for a LONG time... Anyway, they put one into a balloon and had Papa pop it. :) Boy, was he a happy camper! :)

 One thing I love about my dad is that he is a listener. He's very wise, and I love talking to him... He also isn't pushy, though when he has made a decision, though he is open to appeals, it stands. He's always making everything fun, and is a diligent, innovative worker. I love working for him as a boss, and enjoy the times we drive into town together.
Papa is extremely competitive, creative, humble (and as his daughter, I can say that ;p), determined, resourceful, and generous. I am so blessed to grow up in the home that I have, and to have the father that I have.

Papa, I'll always be your little girl!!! <3

Some random pictures we took...I don't get many of me at family events since I'm mostly behind the camera, so it was fun to find these two. Had to post this one of Rachel--isn't she beautiful?! :D

So....on to the big event.
Papa was home all day Saturday, and we had it scheduled for Saturday evening. We were a little worried that we'd be able to pull it off without him suspecting something (since there were going to be 75 people there that we were feeding...) However, he was so busy in the office working on stuff that we even set the tables right under his nose!!!

The plan was that his cousin's family was going to be coming into town and would be eating dinner with us. The hope was that Rick would be able to get him downstairs and playing games before the guests started coming.

That's where we started having issues. You see, Rick was just a bit late, and the guests started arriving. We were able to lock the dogs up before they barked too much, and the girls went out to the lions halfway down our driveway to direct people to park up at the barn and wait until they were signaled. It was an almost catastrophe.

Finally, Rick and his family arrived, and made a big hullabaloo in the entryway, while we tried to motion to him to hurry and get Papa downstairs. He made up some story about how he'd been telling his wife "all day" about how much he was looking forward to playing pool with Papa, and so he was able to get them settled down there JUST IN TIME, for they weren't even out the doorway when a guest tried to walk in the front door. We were able to motion "NO!" and get the door shut just in time that Papa didn't see (since his back was turned), leaving a bunch of people freezing on the doorstep.

 What memories!!! Finally, everyone assembled, including Papa's brother from WA who drove all the way out here with my cousin to surprise him, and he led the charge downstairs to shock Papa. It was perfect. Everyone followed, and we started singing Happy Birthday. Papa was so surprised to see Uncle Jim that he didn't even see the flock of followers for probably 20 seconds!! Then it was a roar again.. ;)

Papa and Uncle Jim

The look on Papa's face was priceless "Who are all these people??" ;)

After welcoming everyone personally, we went upstairs and ate, followed by blessings or memories folks shared with him, and more visiting. It was so special!!! I made a slideshow of his growing up that we showed at the very end after dessert, and that was a lot of fun for people to reminisce over!!

I am so VERY blessed---we are so very blessed to have Papa as our father. Thank you Papa for following God with your whole heart and teaching us what that meant by word and deed!

I love you!!!

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;....but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

~ Joshua 24:15 ~

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

~ Psalms 127:3-5 ~

January | Week 1-2

Well, I'm  going to try to do things a little differently this year.... (Yes, I know I'm starting this in February, but that's okay) =) My sweet friend Tasha (Alex's sister) has been doing a Photo-A-Day post for the last year or two, and I've decided to try to do that in variations as possible this year too, plus a a few other additions as well.

ONE: The second conference (with Chris Hogan) for Couples

TWO: Alex and I during the conference.

THREE: The leftovers of my cousins' snowman they built at Christmas.

FOUR: Skiing with the Hogans

FIVE: Ice Skating (sorry the picture is blurry! :/) Christopher, Kellie, Alex & I

SIX: Taking our skates off

SEVEN: Our chickens taking a stroll, having flown captivity :)

We had a lovely time with the Hogans, but unfortunately, my photos of all of us are unable to download right now. The conferences were amazing and blessed a lot of people, and encouraged us all. We had a little celebration for both Uncle Chris' and Papa's birthdays, as they both turned the "big 5.0.". It was a lot of fun and quite special for all of us kids...our visit wasn't long enough though.

I haven't ice skated in a few years, and it was so much fun, though my balance still isn't good yet..

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good work, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." 

~ Matthew 5:16 ~

July's Jubilants

I can hardly believe July is over. It was wonderful, crazy, so full of changes and happenings that I'm still trying to process it all!! Of course, the first day was my birthday, and boy, was I in for a surprise!

I had told my family that I really wanted a surprise party, and after a partial-surprise party the week before (while I threw one for my Grandpaw), I figured that was as good as it was going to get. Well, I was proven wrong, when they pulled a 110% surprise party on me, complete with decorations and even an out-of-town guest!! What memories!!

I was so surprised, I screamed.. :)

July 4th was wonderful as well, with a small gathering of family and close friends.

Hamburgers!!! Mmm...

July 11th was specifically significant too, which you can read about in my next post...

The Murillo's left  towards the end of July, leaving a hole in our home and lots of memories to treasure. However, we had almost no time to contemplate the hole, with our family reunion happening the week after, and my, what fun that was, especially seeing cousins that I haven't seen in years!!!

All the girls

My sweet friend Hannah!

Another happening that is bittersweet is the adding of 2 little brothers, gone to be with Jesus in June and July: Phinehas Aaron (meaning 'Proclaiming God's Word: He is my Help') and Jason Eliezar ('Healer and Bringer of Light'), bringing the total of my siblings and I to a blessed 26, for which, each one I am unspeakably grateful.

Another thing that I'm really excited about is completing my quilt with the specific help of my dear Aunt Nancy and Oma, as well as many of my cousins, aunts, and even uncles, who helped tie and sew binding on!! What memories were made...

Most everyone got in on the fun!

Even Uncle Gary and Uncle Jim.....

...and my Papa! =)

With so many happenings here in July, I'm glad August is here, bringing some reprieve from the business, though scattering most of my family around the US for a couple weeks. God is so good.

"This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever."

~ Psalms 118:23-24, 28-29 ~

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things."

~ Joel 2:21 ~

Birthday Blessings

Yesterday was my birthday...and most of my birthdays, comparatively, seem to be pretty unique... They are usually filled with a combobulation of joy, fun, and...well, some big "whack!" God is or wants to teach me...
I thought this year would be different...and in a way, it was.

My siblings always spoil me...in fact, sometimes, I feel sorry for some of my other siblings at their birthdays, seeing how much I am lavished on mine...though, I am quickly told that it must have something to do with their just trying to reciprocate....whatever.

Anyway, this year, being my 20th, I was especially spoiled and blessed, above my imagination. My parents decided to get me my own sewing machine! I grew up mainly using my mom's Bernina 1090 S (which was a fantastic machine), and after many hours of careful research, I decided on the Bernina 750 Quilter's Edition....talk about a gem!!!

With this user-friendly machine, the sky is truly the limit. Not only does it have almost 900 stitches/patterns on it, including the regular sewing stitches,  decorative stitches/patterns, but also has the quilting stitches and some embroidery patterns! It also has a 9mm stitch width capability, and an incredible 10" throat space (to the right of the needle)! The free arm is extended, and it has a USB port for importing/exporting your own patterns. That is only the tip of the iceberg, talking nothing about the BSR (Stitch Regulator), dual feed, color touch screen, memory, automatic buttonhole, etc. etc. =)

I really excited to get back into sewing after a nearly 2 year siesta from almost all creative work (because of my medical/mission work and intense work/study schedule), and I count this machine as a very special part of my trousseau, which will last me a life time. Look for my future projects!!

Rachel gave me a Gerber F.A.S.T Draw Knife (which I love!), and an adorable baby outfit (for my hope chest) that I was drooling over at Walmart last month...Just love that girl!!

Samuel gave me a beautiful necklace--a "faceless" angel, as he calls it, with a heart for the body! Isn't that precious?! I just love it, because it brings the gold into it, which is supposedly my best metal color...

David and Samuel, the wonderful brothers they are, decided to make me little Firework Spinners and "Bangs", which they lit off last night...those were pretty fun!!

And, a bunch of my other siblings gave me funds for Belize..(a post coming later).

My parents and I also purchased me another doppler, to replace the one that I left in the Pilipina Bukid (and gifted to my friend and aspiring midwife-Jemil) when I came home early. This one is the one I fell in love with at the Mercy Clinic, and so I am quite excited to have it for future use.

Our cousins are here, and so we had a lot of fun swimming in the lake--even with the 100F weather, it was a little cooler than we expected, but we soon adjusted.. ;-)

I am really excited to see what God has for this next year, and can rest in the following verses:

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

~ Job 1:21 ~

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

~ Proverbs 2:6 ~

We can trust Him through all times life, even during the storms. Praise You Yahweh!!

Coming of Age

"...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."  ~ Luke 12:48

Just as there was an age distinction made in the numbering of the children of Israel, my parents have striven to make those distinctions in our home. As we see in Deuteronomy 1:39 ("Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it."), there is a distinction between infants and children who understand good and evil.

We have observed that this change usually comes around the 6th birthday. So, it is at that time that our little ones stop taking naps, and take on more responsibility (though carefully balanced with corresponding maturity).

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

~ Proverbs 20:11 ~

Jewish customs have a Bar Mitzvah for boys at age 13, which is their Rite of Passage into young adulthood. We have chosen to do something similar for young men at 13 years old, and for girls at 12 (as they mature earlier), which we call a 'Rite of Passage'. For months prior, my parents specifically disciple each child, and prepare them for young adulthood.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:11 ~

Once they have completed that time, then we have a special ceremony, where they share what the Lord has taught them and the special Bible passages they have memorized and meditated on. Then they sign a covenant which they together with my parents have put together, which includes purposes and commitments they have made for their future, including their growing in the Lord and waiting for marriage until they are prepared, as well as receiving the full blessing of our parents, and for us girls, that includes giving our hearts to our father for his safekeeping.

We then have specific people sign them as witnesses to keep them accountable and encourage them during this next phase of life, because, as we all know, the teenage years are some of the hardest, as it includes a time of internalizing all we have been taught, and embracing (or sometimes not) it as our own.
With that new stage of life (and hopefully maturity as well), they take on more responsibility (including legal responsibility at various ages), and receive more privilege, in various aspects.

In this day and age, our US legal system has created various ages at which, a young adult legally receives certain freedoms, rights, responsibilities, and particularly "emancipation". However, emancipation is a worldly view. Everyone will always be under authority. Even when young men become the leaders of their own home, will be under God's authority, whereas we women will always be under the authority of our fathers or husbands. The workplace shows the same--we are under the authority of our employers.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

~ Romans 13:1-4a ~

The Pentateuch shows many times that males were considered "men" at the age of 20, when they could go out to war. (However, in war times, here in the US, if you hiked that age up a bit, then you got a LOT more drafters.)

And the Lord spake unto Moses.....Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel...every male by their polls; from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel...

~ Numbers 1a, 2-3 ~

Thus, we also have a "Coming of Age" at age 20 in our family. Mine was last weekend. Unlike the Rite of Passage, this one was a much more intimate celebration, which was unique, because with a large families, it only takes a few to make a whopping 80. ;)

Family and Friends

Introduction and Blessings

Love my dress!!

Most of my closest friends and mentors were there, and besides feasting and fellowshipping, I gave a blessing to each one of them for what part they have had in my life, and they gave me words of wisdom and encouragement for this next phase of life.

My brother. My confidante. My comforter. My prayer partner.

My cohorts since childhood...thank you dear sisters!!

Dear Tabitha...she flew all the way from Chicago for this!!

It is amazing to me how the Spirit of the Lord moves. He has done so much this last year to prepare me for this time, but the finale was completed in Mexico, at which I had at first been very hesitant to go to. Though I know that in myself is no good thing, and I see the inadequacy, selfishness, and pride of my heart, I know that God will continue to faithfully mold me into His image, and that as I look to Him and those who have gone before me, He will lead and guide me.

My precious Oma

Dear Esther

My daddy and I

I am excited for this next phase of life, whatever it may hold, and embrace it completely, knowing that my ultimate goal is to walk closer to the Lord, and shine His light without shame. All glory to God!

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

~ Philippians 2:3-4 ~