His first swing set

When Mimi and GP were here, they surprised us by getting Xander his first swing set! It is really incredible. It has a slide, a glider, a teeter-totter, two swings and handle bars to swing from. He absolutely loves it (of course) and asks to go outside and swing every day!!! Of course, now he wants me to come out with him and push him really high! ;) It has been so fun watching him enjoy such a fun gift...Thanks, mom and dad!

Drive-In Movie

We had a successful event with our high school students in Waterford last night. We hosted a Drive-In Movie @ Elly's house. Elly's family owns a lot of property & have a perfect location for hosting large events. They have been very gracious to let us have 2 events there so far.
It was a long day for Brandon as he left the house at 7:30 am and did not get home until almost 11 at night! He stayed in Waterford after church with a few guys from the high school group who helped him set up all the media equipment...of course there were a couple kinks & problems with the sound system so it was a good thing they decided to set up early. I got out there around 6 pm, after running to the store and getting all our last minute items & leaving Xander with our friend Charisse, who is so awesome to watch Xander when we need some help! We watched the Nightmare before Christmas & the students loved it. I was surprised that many of them had never seen it before, or did not remember it because it had been so long ago. They all seemed to have a great time & we were happy to have about 75 students come out for the event! It was a lot of fun & we are encouraged to see the students warming up to us & feeling like they are getting to know us.
After the movie, one of the guy's trucks wouldn't start so we had to search for jumper cables & took about 45 minutes to get his truck to turn on. Most of the crowd was gone by then. We were all packed up & ready to be home so we loaded up & drove away. As Brandon was driving up the hill to leave the property, one of the girls' trucks stopped working. She claimed her battery died and she coudln't get it to start again. They let her work on it for about 10 minutes until they finally decided to all back up & they would roll her truck backwards to jump start it. ONce they had all moved their cars, one of the guys got in her car to jump start it & as he turned the ignition it started right up. Turns out she hadn't had the clutch all the way in...
Always some sort of excitement at a high school event!

Potty Training

So we have been dedicating the last few weeks to potty training. Xander is doing great...loves the treats the follow the time in the bathroom. It has been quite the adventure...

A student's prayer

So things are going really well at the church in Waterford. Brandon officially started working there on September 20, and has really enjoyed getting to know the students and the staff. We had our first event with the students last weekend...we had a BBQ BOnfire at one of their homes. It was really fun & we had a great time talking with all the students. We have been meeting with the high schoolers on Sunday mornings for our large group gathering. This morning, Brandon decided to give the students an opportunity to pray for each other before he began his lesson. A few people shared about about some really deep issues or concerns and then one of the guys broke the ice. He reminded us that this month was Breast Cancer Awareness & asked that we pray for all the breasts...

Sunday Afternoon Update

Today went well in Waterford. Brandon spoke & did a phenomenal job. Thanks for al the prayers. We were both able to connect with many of the students and enjoyed our lunch afterwards. We had a great time speaking with the parents & staff. There was a lot of interest in us and our plan for the ministry. Many of the students were very excited and kept asking us great questions. We are looking forward to what God has in store for us. Brandon will be meeting with the pastor this week. More news to come...

Waterford

Please be praying for us as Brandon has his final meeting/interview with a church in Waterford, Ca. He is speaking to the high school students tomorrow (Sunday) and then we are attending a luncheon with some o f the staff, parents & volunteers in the high school ministry. This is the final step in the process and we are really hopeful that this may work out. The church is about 20 minutes from our home, which would be awesome that we wouldn't have to move. We are excited to see what God has for our family next & anxious to begin ministering to high school students again. We know that this is what God has called us to and it has really been hard to be out of the ministry this summer. Please pray that Brandon would speak well, that the church family would be welcoming & excited to meet us, that their questions would be positive, that Brandon would have the best answers & that God would give us His clarity, wisdom, direction & peace throughout the rest of this process.
We are so grateful to all of our friends & family who have been such a huge support & encouragement to us during this difficult time in our lives. We love you very much & appreciate all of your prayers, friendship & love that you have given us. THANK YOU!

Hendriks 3 B&B

This is what our house should be renamed: The Hendriks 3 B&B
We have had a fun time with our friends and family visiting over the past few weeks
We have had Shana & Kristena (friends from college)
Gerry & Anna (Redding family)
Tiffany & Drew (Oregon family)
Tiff & Drew again
Aaron & Carrie (Super friends from South Carolina)
And then we have coming up:
Kim (from Redding)
Aaron & Carrie again
My Mom & Dad
Hopefully some of the Faires family
And then hopefully Brandon's Mom & Dad

note: if you do not see your name listed about there is a problem. Please consult Melissa immediately so that we can get this sorted out & put a date on the calendar asap for you to come & visit!!!