8 more days...Jonathan got a letter from his dog

We're getting so excited to go to the 4Paws training facility! The founder of the organization, Karen Shirk, traditionally sends out letters to the kids from their dogs about a week before training starts. It's a very special announcement just for them. Here's Jonathan's letter from Hans...

Dear Jonathan,

I feel like I have been waiting on you forever. I think you are the most special boy ever for loving me just the way I am. I was so sad and thought no one would ever want me, not that I feel there is anything wrong with me. I can track better than all of them! But you know they gave me that label, sigh. I am so glad you do not care about "labels". I have been working extra hard because I want to be the best service dog ever so you will be so happy with me! I love to play ball and want to sleep in your room. I still remember sitting in the shelter as a puppy praying for a boy to love but all the boys kept coming and taking other puppies. Karen says that is because I was meant for you and I think she is right! So hurry, hurry, hurry and get here to see me, okay?

xoxoxoxoxo Hans

PS Didn't I grow into a handsome dude! Now don't listen to Karen who lectures my ears everyday showing them pictures of German Shepherds and telling them to stand up. I think they give me character!

It's almost time for training!

Our entire family will be traveling to Xenia, OH for service dog training.in three weeks. Actually, I will be the one training...Dave, Andrew and Aaron will be involved in the process a little, but will mostly be taking day trips while Jonathan, his personal aid from school-Karen, and I are at training all day. Both sets of grandparents will be there for part of the training as well. We wanted the entire family to be together for this monumental change in our lives. The training will last 12 days...during which we learning basic commands, public access (malls, restaurants etc.), and search & rescue. Hans (our German Shepherd) will stay with us at the hotel as well, and we will practice the things we learn during the day. The final day, I have to pass a test in order to become a certified service dog handler. I'm excited-but I have to admit-also extremely nervous.
Please pray that Jonathan will bond quickly with Hans. The school district is working very well with us and we plan to start Hans to school with Jonathan as soon as we get back. I will be going into the school to train the staff and talk with the students about service animals. My own school has granted me a month's leave of absence so I can accomplish all of this. They have been wonderful and supportive through this whole process.
So, I'm starting to make lists and figure out how to pack the entire family for two weeks. Life is very full, but will hopefully change for the better once we have our furry guardian angel with us!
Heather

We've reached our goal!

We had overwhelming support from our community and raised over $23,000! Not only did we reach our goal, but we were able to help get a service dog for a second child. Thank you to everyone who has helped us!

This is a picture of our service dog, Hans. He is a German Shepherd, and we will be getting him in September! At that time we will travel to Xenia, OH for a very intense 2 weeks of training to become certified service dog handlers. We are very excited and the summer is flying by. Only 64 days until we leave-not that we're counting!

I googled the name Hans...turns out that it is a derivative of the word John and it means "Yahweh is gracious". That about sums it up don't you think!

Finacial Plus Credit Union's "Big Give"

Today we had our picture taken for the newspaper with all of the tellers at Financial Plus Credit Union. They spent an entire month fund-raising for Jonathan's dog and raised $2,200! They also contacted a local vet- and we have a gift certificate for a year of services and free shots for our dog. Wal-mart kicked in $1,000, bringing the total to a little over 3,200. We are almost half-way there!!!

Wait...this just in...I just answered my door-bell and the student council from Jonathan's school just brought me another donation of $500!

A big THANK YOU goes out to all who have given so much to our family!

Heather

Bowl-A-Thon Success!

A big thanks to Barb Chesser and everyone who participated in our bowl-a-thon! We had a blast and raised over $700. Jonathan even bowled a couple of frames!

Fund Raiser Updates!

I don't know where to begin...this journey is so amazing! The conversations that have opened up as a result of people hearing Jonathan's story...the number of times I've been able to talk to people about God moving and the power of prayer...I may never understand why Jonathan has autism, but I feel so fortunate to have had this moment in time to give God glory for all He is doing in our lives!

This weekend my parents and a dear friend of mine held garage sales and raised over $500 dollars for Jonathan-and a little girl sat for hours at a lemonade stand so that she could give $12.25 to him. As my friend gave me the proceeds of the sale, she thanked me with tears running down her face for all I have done to help her family. She has no idea how much that meant to me.

A credit union in town called after hearing about Jonathan and asked if they could do a fund raiser along the lines of "Oprah's Big Give". They have held several raffles, took over Muffy's for a night, and are continuing to contact businesses until the end of this week to see how much they can raise for Jonathan. They were given $100 to start with by the bank president and told to come back with a report of what they did with it by May 23. We are waiting to hear back from a large company to see if we qualify for a grant-all because of the work of the people at this credit union.

Jonathan's school raised $1,500 in one week! Many of the children were bringing in their own money to give to him. Children have huge hearts. I'm blown away by the way they wanted to help Jonathan.

This weekend is our Bowl-a-thon on May 24. Barb has been working hard on it and I'm so excited to go! If you want to attend, contact Barb at mtnester25@sbcglobal.net.

Our auction team is working hard to pull everything together for the big event on June 20. If you need more information or want to put something in the auction...contact Sherry at sharonjoycestevenson@yahoo.com.

Please keep praying. We have faith that God is working-that He know our every need and that He will answer our prayers for Jonathan.

Blessings,

Heather

Fund Raisers Coming Up!

We have so many people who want to help us raise money for Jonathan's dog!



1. Jonathan's school is currently raising money by having students purchase dog bones to fill up their classroom bowl. The class with the most bones will win a party.



2. There will be a Bowl-a-thon on May 24. $20 to bowl 3 games. Get your team together and sign up! Email me for more infomation!



3. Our church is sponsoring an auction in June. We even have a real autioneer! It will be a lot of fun. We are still looking for all sorts of items to auction off.



4. Some friends and family members are having garage sales and donating the proceeds toward Jonathan's dog.



We are blessed to know all of you! Thank you for walking this journey with us and for showing us so much love and support!