Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Being Boastful

I apologize for my silence over the last few days. My family is going through one of the most difficult seasons we have ever faced and that pretty much consumes all of my free time. I'm not going to get into it here, because quite frankly I'm not entirely sure who all is reading this and I respect the privacy of my family. However, a prayer would not be wasted on the Simon's.

I keep remembering that even in the midst of this time, God is still God. Just because it feels like my world is being taken apart, brick by brick, God never ceases to work in our lives.

A week or so ago I was doing my Bible study homework and the author quoted a verse about not boasting in yourselves, but about boasting in the Lord. At the end of ever lesson there is an activity where you can write something that you found meaningful during that particular lesson and then turn that verse or whatnot into a prayer. That day my prayer went something like, "Lord, give me even more reasons to boast about your goodness in my life." I had no idea what I was praying. Over the last few weeks I have seen people healed, finances put back together, ministries flourish, lives transformed...its been incredible.

So, here's my thinking: I asked God to give me more reasons to boast about Him. Maybe this season that my family is facing is one of those times. God is taking us through this so that we will be able to look back on this time in a few months and say, "My word, how God is good." I know that I will be able to say that. I can say that with full confidence right now, but I look forward to saying it in regards to this season and being able to see where He worked.

Psalms 44:8
"In God we make our boast all day long,
   and we will praise your name forever."

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Non Serious Tuesday

I was going to write a really serious post tonight. It was going to be about the things God is teaching me about obedience and how I've suffered because I chose not to obey...but then I realized it was Tuesday. I don't do serious posts on Tuesdays. On Tuesdays I get up and go to school and talk about the pros and cons of the death penalty. I gives speeches. I take math tests. On Tuesdays I drive home through 5o'clock traffic. I run inside just long to put on a pair of yoga pants and grab a Healthy Choice(love those things) and then I leave again to go see Emma. I do not write serious blog posts on Tuesdays. Perhaps I will do a serious Wednesday post. Today, however, I'm going to tell you about some of the more mundane exciting aspects of my life.

I registered for winter quarter on Sunday night. I'm taking two online classes and two in class classes. I'm really excited about the online classes, although I often lack this little teeny thing called self discipline, so I should probably get crackin' on that....later.

 Tomorrow I am finally getting my hair cut. I only cut my hair about every 5 months because I'm really lazy busy, so by the time I actually get around to getting it done, it really needs it.

I bought a Joyce Meyers book the other day. I have a long running debate with my friend Diane about who is better, Joyce Meyers or Beth Moore. Now, I realize that having a debate about which Bible teacher is better is a bit sacrilegious, but I digress. I've decided that I am just going to start this book with an open mind. I've heard nothing but good things about Ms. Meyers so we'll see...

Next week is my last week of classes until January! I am beyond ready for a break. I'll be going to Florida to visit family the last week of December, which will be a lovely treat because I'm going to be working so much over the next four weeks. Can you believe we are nearly a short month away from Christmas? Where does time go?

Now, if you'll excuse me. I'm going to go make some tea and read my Joyce Meyers book. Goodnight!

Hannah

Monday, November 15, 2010

Dear Jesus, please explain...

Guy: "Hey, so do you wanna grab coffee sometime?"

Hannah: "Well, see, I would love to, really, but I just feel like I need to remain single for a while. To focus on my relationship with the Lord. Ya know?"

Guy: "You could have just said no."

So, here's the thing, if some single lady*raising hand* feels that God is calling her to a season of singleness(singlehood?) what is said single lady suppose to say when invited out for coffee by a boy who, under normal circumstances, she would LOVE to sit down to a skinny vanilla latte with? I'm sorry, but the Bible just doesn't cover this. I don't want all three of the boys who ask me out  those boys who ask me out  to think that I'm trying to avoid saying no, but at the same time, I'm not going to be disobedient. Would it be easier if I just said no? Perhaps I should just give them my blog address and have them read this.

This would be one of those times when I wish God had provided a how-to manual for this season. I mean, what will the three boys  all those boys think if I keep saying no? I'm not sure I'm cool enough to be a woman of mystery.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited to be at this place with God. I cannot wait to learn the things He's going to teach me during this season, but how does one explain this potential dates? Explain this one, Jesus.

Hannah

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

I Survived

Driving home from church this evening, I was reflecting upon my day and the only thing that came to mind was, "Well, I survived.". Sometimes, I think that's all we can do. Its was a hard day for a lot of reasons that I won't go into, but I'm glad that today is done and now I can go on to tomorrow. I have an unexpected blessing of an actual day off and by 'actual' i mean, I'm not working or going to school or volunteering. I just get to have a day where I don't have to do anything. I feel like God planned this because He knew I would need it. He is so good. Since I will have more time to write tomorrow, tonight's post will be super short. I do however want to encourage to go here and listen to this song by MercyMe. Oh.My.Word.This song has been speaking a word over me the last few days. This is truly God's message to the world.  Sometimes God is just too much.

Blessings,
Hannah

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Sunday Funday

This past summer I had a lot, I mean a lot, of free time. I read about two books per week, went out with friends almost every night, slept late, watched Rachel Ray and The View religiously, read blogs, painted my toenails, all kinds of fun things. About mid-way through the summer I was at my friend Diane's house remember saying, "You know Di, I know all of this free time isn't going to last, so I'm just going to really take advantage of it." And oh boy, did I. Rachel Ray, I miss you. What's for dinner tonight???

Over the last 8 weeks I have been busier than I think I have ever been in my life. Work has really picked up(Praise the Lord), school is crazy(I love it), sleep is...an afterthought. Some mornings I wake up and think to myself, "My gosh, when did I become a grown up. And can I go back???"

I love being busy, but I was exhausted. Between work and school and church commitments I never saw my family, friends or the insides of my eyelids. Finally, a few weeks ago I just couldn't take it anymore. I knew that I needed to make some changes. The best decision I have ever made was to change my availability at work so I no longer work Sundays. My word, I feel like i can breathe again! Even though my weeks are ridiculous and I'm exhausted by Wednesday, I know that there will always be another Sunday in just a few days. This makes the week so much more bearable.

What do you do to stay sane in this crazy thing called life?

Hannah

Monday, November 1, 2010

A List

1. I worked 16 hours on Saturday.

2. I finally put all of my summer clothes in hibernation for the winter. This means that I can now buy more winter clothes!

3. My mother disagrees with #2.

4. I was on the phone with Dell last night for 30 minutes. They referred me to Walmart. Who referred me back to Dell. Who referred me to Microsoft. Microsoft was closed.

5. My computer still isn't working right.

6. Tomorrow the new Nora Roberts book comes out.

7. Tomorrow, we vote.

8. I'm more excited about #6 than #7.

9. Emma peed on me last week. I've been babysitting since I was 12 and this event has NEVER occurred. It wasn't something I was particularly excited about.

10. I slept with my snuggie last night.

11. I swore I would never wear leggings. I said the same thing about skinny jeans.

12. I now own two pairs of each.

13. How did I ever live without #11?

14. I made some pumpkin cookies this weekend. Oh.My.Word

15. My highlights need done. Amen.