tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35044778483197402902024-03-05T05:09:54.117-08:00Simon SaysHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-38864557851089478352012-05-28T08:34:00.002-07:002012-05-28T08:34:57.626-07:00That thing that I am not very good at....<div style="text-align: center;">
I do a lot of things well.</div>
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Do you what I do not do so well.</div>
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Rest. </div>
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I like to be busy. </div>
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Why?</div>
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Because I associate being busy with being needed.</div>
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I like to be needed. </div>
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When I know that I am needed, there is a deep part of my soul that feels whole. </div>
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I believe that we were made to be needed. </div>
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But what am I sacrificing to fill this need to be needed?</div>
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</div>
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Last night I came home exhausted. </div>
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Monday's are my Sabbath, so on Sunday's the whole week kind of catches up with me and I am just a tab bit overdone. </div>
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Monday's are my day to rest.</div>
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</div>
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I was telling my roommate about what I had planned for my day of 'rest.'</div>
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She became quiet for a minute.</div>
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Then she said, "Monday is the only day you have to rest right?</div>
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But you never actually take a day to rest."</div>
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</div>
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Ouch. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But then it got really good. </div>
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"The Lord is chasing you Hannah,</div>
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maybe you should slow down and let Him catch you."</div>
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<br /></div>
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Let me be clear on something, the Triune God, does not need me.</div>
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He is perfectly sufficient all on His own.</div>
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This is the wild part though:</div>
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He wants me.</div>
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He desires to talk to me and for me to talk back. </div>
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I certainly do not make Him any more God when I engage with Him,</div>
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but I sure do make Him happy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In order for Him to catch up with me though, </div>
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I have to slow down.</div>
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I have to rest. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So this morning, </div>
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I woke up[at 6:45.on my day off. I know.]</div>
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and I turned off my iPhone. </div>
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I put aside my laptop.</div>
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And I picked up my Bible.</div>
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</div>
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I sat.</div>
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I talked.</div>
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I listened.</div>
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I read.</div>
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I wrote.</div>
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I laughed.</div>
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I cried. </div>
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I rested in His presence. </div>
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</div>
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I do not think anything monumental came out of those few hours. </div>
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I did not solve any major problems.</div>
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I did not have any grand revelations.</div>
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But I feel refreshed.</div>
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I know that great Friend was delighted as well.</div>
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He is enthralled by me.</div>
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The feeling is quite mutual.</div>
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</div>
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This week,</div>
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I am going to rest.</div>
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I am going to slow down.</div>
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I am going to learn to listen.</div>
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I am going to be filled not by the needs of others,</div>
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but by the love of Jesus.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Be still and know that I am God."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Psalm 46:10 </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-52384040988871980352012-05-25T07:29:00.003-07:002012-05-25T07:29:36.758-07:00Instafriday<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you and iPhone or Android user? </div>
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Do you have Instagram?</div>
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When I got my iPhone last summer, this was the first app that I downloaded and it is still my favorite!</div>
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It takes just an ordinary picture and makes it quite extraordinary. </div>
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I am linking up with Jeannett over at <a href="http://liferearranged.com/2012/05/instafriday-52/">Life Rearranged</a> for</div>
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I always see these really fabulous meals on Pinterest, but when I try and copy them at home this is what my kitchen looks like. Not so fabulous y'all.<br />
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My friend Sierra always brings some instrument with her to the classes we take as part of out <a href="http://www.ihop.org/ihopu/internships/">internship</a>. This particular day it was a drum. Which also doubles as a table.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoA9crehv4QtRjvwVJZ_MnWIUTDRmXuOi-NnsOIyqLXysdCGIvL35p33Nd2Yki58hJObQONh-c139Dzz6n0zv_MKTkHtGbiBf9gqCtXfomLXkkTYByxApJBX5YYhpmon2SATxlWN3U1U/s1600/insta+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoA9crehv4QtRjvwVJZ_MnWIUTDRmXuOi-NnsOIyqLXysdCGIvL35p33Nd2Yki58hJObQONh-c139Dzz6n0zv_MKTkHtGbiBf9gqCtXfomLXkkTYByxApJBX5YYhpmon2SATxlWN3U1U/s320/insta+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It has been in the 90's all.week.long. Using my hairdryer is a rare form of torture on mornings when it is only 7am and its already 80 degrees! Oh, the cross I must bear for naturally curly hair.<br />
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Last week was a particularly grueling one. So Sunday evening I grabbed my housemate and we went on an adventure to find a Coldstone(I had a gift card). This stuff hit the spot. <br />
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When I moved to Missouri I was unprepared for the amount of bugs I would be dealing with. Y'all, it's bad. We had a large number of crickets(three to be exact) in our basement and this is how we chose to get rid of them. We do not play around when it comes to bugs, thank you very much. <br />
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Pretty pretty flowers at my favorite cafe.<br />
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This. This is what I had for lunch yesterday. Black beans, mango, avocado, tomato, cucumber and balsamic vinaigrette dressing salad. It was just...remarkable. Food should be remarkable, amen? <br />
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This morning I took a much needed personal day and woke up to a lovely rain storm. 90 degrees temps. No rain for two weeks. This is a beautiful sight indeed! <br />
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There you have it, my week in pictures! What was the most exciting part of your week?<br />
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Hannah</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-6958016602117098492012-05-22T09:23:00.001-07:002012-05-22T09:23:24.508-07:00The place of prayer, not pancakes....<div style="text-align: center;">
Do ya'll remember that<a href="http://simonsays621.blogspot.com/2011/11/last-six-months.html"> one time</a> when I was moving to Kansas City right after Christmas? </div>
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That was fun right? </div>
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Except, it didn't happen.</div>
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Sometimes, I mess up. </div>
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This doesn't make God any less God, it simply makes me, well human.</div>
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And humans, well, we're just <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2:7&version=NIV">dust</a> when you think about it. </div>
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Thankfully, I serve a gracious and compassionate God who is generous enough to help me get my head on straight when I mess things up. </div>
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So, instead of moving right after Christmas, I moved right before Easter. </div>
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I have a cute little apartment in a cute little town right outside of Kansas City. </div>
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To say that i love it would be, well, the understatement of the century. Grin. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Whenever someone asks me how my time at<a href="http://www.ihop.org/"> IHOP</a> is going the only response I have is this:</div>
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I am not sure who I thought Jesus was before I came here,</div>
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but I like the one I've met in the last eight weeks much more.</div>
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Because, here's the thing: He[Jesus] likes me a lot more than I thought He did.</div>
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He enjoys me.</div>
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He delights in me.</div>
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He loves me dearly.</div>
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You too. </div>
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So what am I doing all day in this crazy place? </div>
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Well, praying. Grin.</div>
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In all seriousness I do spend just about 25 hours each week in the IHOP prayer room.</div>
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A place that has been engaging in 24/7 prayer since 1999.</div>
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Amazing. </div>
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During these 25 hours, I have been changed. </div>
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I have been molded.</div>
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I have been broken.</div>
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I have been put back together. </div>
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God is good.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When I am not in the prayer room, I am usually in classes at IHOPU.</div>
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These cover a range of topics from Revelation to fasting to how to successfully live this lifestyle in the long term. </div>
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<br />I also participate in serve through out the IHOP mission base during the week. </div>
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I help teach a class of kindergarteners on Sundays.</div>
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They are just as sweet as could be. </div>
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During conference weekend[IHOP has a lot of conferences] I often help by serving in the children's classes or ushering. </div>
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You could say I have been just a little bit busy.... </div>
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Aside from the personal work the Lord has been doing in me, </div>
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I have also had the great pleasure of meeting some of the finest people I have ever met.</div>
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People who love the Lord and love His children. </div>
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People who encourage me and have helped me pick up some of those broken pieces of myself. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I will walk away from this internship with[at the very least] the knowledge of who God truly is.</div>
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I will go home, but will never be the same. </div>
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We are called to so much more than a Sunday morning church service.</div>
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We are called to a life of radical relationship with the Creator of the universe. </div>
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Because of Him,</div>
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Hannah </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-14359735068603372612012-02-23T17:19:00.000-08:002012-02-23T17:19:36.235-08:00Loving the pain<div align="center">The past few months I have been <em>terrible </em>at exercising.</div><div align="center">Also, I have been terrible at blogging, but that's another story....</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I needed to do something.</div><div align="center">I was tired. And gaining weight. And never wanted to get out of bed in the morning.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So I signed up for a class. </div><div align="center">A yoga class.</div><div align="center">I became a yogi(yogite???).</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">A few days before my first class, I bought<a href="http://www.target.com/p/Body-by-Bethenny-Widescreen/-/A-12277725"> this</a>. </div><div align="center">I hated the though of showing up to class and looking like....someone who didn't know what they were doing. </div><div align="center">Which I don't.</div><div align="center">Moving on.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I completed the DVD....and was pretty sure I was going to die for about three days.</div><div align="center">"There is not ego in yoga." </div><div align="center">Amen</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I started the actual class. </div><div align="center">And felt like I would die for a few more days. </div><div align="center">It was hard.</div><div align="center"><em>Really, really hard. </em></div><div align="center">There were muscles that hurt, that I didn't know I had. </div><div align="center">It. Was. Brutal. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">But...</div><div align="center">then is got easier.</div><div align="center">A lot easier. </div><div align="center">And I kind of started to like it.</div><div align="center">And then I kinda started to LOVE it. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I slept great. </div><div align="center">I felt great.</div><div align="center">I <em>looked goooddd. </em></div><div align="center">eh hem. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">7 weeks later...</div><div align="center">I look forward to the pain,</div><div align="center">and the strain,</div><div align="center">and the sweat. </div><div align="center">Because I have learned that I am stronger than I thought. </div><div align="center">And my body is capable of</div><div align="center">powerful</div><div align="center">wonderful</div><div align="center">extraordinary</div><div align="center">things. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">A yogi I have become. </div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">Namaste,</div><div align="center">Hannah </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-2964026514033771532011-11-17T08:31:00.000-08:002011-11-17T08:31:52.970-08:00The Last Six Months.....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel I must apologize to those who have been faithful to readers of this blog....because there has been nothing to read!! I have been in a crazy phase of life and have simply not had the time...or the energy... to keep up with the blog. Please forgive me! To give a brief, but concise, update on the last six months of my life, here is part of a letter I recently sent out to my friends and family:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"<em>By nature, I am a planner. I like schedules. I like spread sheets. I end each day by making a checklist for the next. So, you can only imagine my shock and surprise when the Lord placed a calling on my life that did not fit into my carefully orchestrated plans. </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" style="height: 150pt; margin-left: -27pt; margin-top: 77.25pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 150pt; z-index: -3;" type="#_x0000_t75" wrapcoords="0 0 0 21384 21384 21384 21384 0 0 0"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\HANNAH~1.SIM\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="through"></wrap></em></span></shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>After graduating high school I began attending a local community college to get my general education classes and was scheduled to transfer to Liberty University in January of 2012. During the spring and early summer of 2011, as I was preparing for this transfer, something in my spirit began to feel…uneasy. I felt like I had only seen part of what the Lord plans for me were. There was something else for me, and I was missing it. </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>During the second week of July, I took a position as the Junior High Girl’s counselor at a local church camp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards the end of the week this unease that had been plaguing me for the past few months had reached its peak. In a moment of spiritual desperation I prayed the prayer I had always been afraid of: “Lord, I will go where You want and do what You want. Just tell me what it is!” </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" style="height: 105pt; margin-left: 327.75pt; margin-top: 70.55pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 179.25pt; z-index: -1;" type="#_x0000_t75" wrapcoords="0 0 0 21291 21510 21291 21510 0 0 0"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\HANNAH~1.SIM\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.png"></imagedata><wrap type="tight"></wrap></em></span></shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>A week later I was in a leader meeting for a local house of prayer and we were so blessed to have Lauren and Andy visiting from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. They gave an update about what the Lord was doing in their family and what their role at IHOP was. As they were sharing about their role with the IHOP interns I heard the Lord speak to me so clearly it was as if He was standing right next to me. Much to my surprise that voice within my spirit that I had been hearing for so long said, “Go.” </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>This was not part of the plan. I of course had nothing against IHOP, but never imagined that the Lord would ever call me there. After that initial calling, followed much prayer and counsel from wise mentors and the support of my family, I know that the Lord is calling me to complete a six month internship with the International House of Prayer. I will be completing the Intro to IHOP-KC internship which focuses on IHOPs values, ministries and structures, as well as gives training on how to succeed long term as an intercessory missionary. </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em> Because of Him,</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Hannah" </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I am going to IHOP!!! I could not be more thrilled, or more shocked, by where the Lord is leading me. Hopefully over the next few days[weeks], I will get a chance to describe for you in greater detail what this journey has been like. Check back for updates! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hannah</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-86424443779349857072011-08-24T10:26:00.000-07:002011-08-24T10:26:50.802-07:00This Summer in iPhone Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">Things I've been doing for the last two months rather than blog. In no particular order....</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7dz4LzVtbnMv8yzvdEFvWzY9UCMMI0oE9V2ZRUJDBKFS2bQVfKmxXriE1U1hT1seyjHxwnnu0o10jMJqFd3Miyct_A3A5PDt37ZgPmDSWjW6CeKLDDtJ-YYb8eqjcESiJj9vuh2l7tU/s1600/iphone+pics+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7dz4LzVtbnMv8yzvdEFvWzY9UCMMI0oE9V2ZRUJDBKFS2bQVfKmxXriE1U1hT1seyjHxwnnu0o10jMJqFd3Miyct_A3A5PDt37ZgPmDSWjW6CeKLDDtJ-YYb8eqjcESiJj9vuh2l7tU/s320/iphone+pics+002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got the opportunity to teach the high school students at my church one wednesday. Julz helped me prepare...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04ijBxePE6ua6R3tGTuf4VeC-vuob0xtKS1lgqoZnSmJArPZ7UL-P4VcFO6CW2qxO5ioeHdn1V6DnyQ_XBGnKIDo_llc_PjcfY3iMHtwJXU0VLdzr14OADcl3gLBrxMnbTeAHSaJEVkQ/s1600/iphone+pics+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04ijBxePE6ua6R3tGTuf4VeC-vuob0xtKS1lgqoZnSmJArPZ7UL-P4VcFO6CW2qxO5ioeHdn1V6DnyQ_XBGnKIDo_llc_PjcfY3iMHtwJXU0VLdzr14OADcl3gLBrxMnbTeAHSaJEVkQ/s320/iphone+pics+041.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afterwards Chelsey, Tay and I bonded over milkshakes and cheese fries. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Ivl5M9dHFN7x47VZM2qEXBI5DRyT0dk3v-JQS6CBeqqG0tdW6nVzRAyKiPsJKd8r2CRN1Mi570dovU-rxwBg-cXLF354JDvarIGvo0YxNEJhaF-a3BKC45KcucLsq-b_eot-fsIqZY/s1600/iphone+pics+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Ivl5M9dHFN7x47VZM2qEXBI5DRyT0dk3v-JQS6CBeqqG0tdW6nVzRAyKiPsJKd8r2CRN1Mi570dovU-rxwBg-cXLF354JDvarIGvo0YxNEJhaF-a3BKC45KcucLsq-b_eot-fsIqZY/s320/iphone+pics+035.JPG" width="239px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Emma and I visited DQ and enjoyed some ice cream as well. Or in her case a "posicle". (Sorry for the crappy picture)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtzJk0YuYgj3ejcdIgoEUsI3m4cI7IM17MNaAoUUqXSt1dE_rxesPVvYTVRpufGyVTXFZsnmfsbN8EdYX92sz1l_0PAhn24YM3hokjPtMlkr9erjjqOT-HABJQ0-Smp8_Wjqshlq9muw/s1600/iphone+pics+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtzJk0YuYgj3ejcdIgoEUsI3m4cI7IM17MNaAoUUqXSt1dE_rxesPVvYTVRpufGyVTXFZsnmfsbN8EdYX92sz1l_0PAhn24YM3hokjPtMlkr9erjjqOT-HABJQ0-Smp8_Wjqshlq9muw/s320/iphone+pics+033.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I decided to take advantage of my free time this summer. My grandparents pool seemed like a fantastic place to start. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeoFIn2zHpDi5_gZ5lH_LX7JziDKIM9g6O3PDACv0QOOAmQbofIN3-5dybp-jUz3r5oFj-3BYJdDTViXLug2uCdBpR2z4U5OUO9jrHFkcd7JggLO_LGOi6E8a_MOYvvrjxa55QERTZwE/s1600/iphone+pics+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeoFIn2zHpDi5_gZ5lH_LX7JziDKIM9g6O3PDACv0QOOAmQbofIN3-5dybp-jUz3r5oFj-3BYJdDTViXLug2uCdBpR2z4U5OUO9jrHFkcd7JggLO_LGOi6E8a_MOYvvrjxa55QERTZwE/s320/iphone+pics+061.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I even brought the little miss(who will be start preschool on Monday!) with me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaXUWF56vpyMs_cvzHP9-PmiJUXnEAPYK5gBDRqdn8Qpf4GXWw2WVVKwnlF4Ye8RfhDSDfuDN7giQQdaK4yehtb0_lQgh6Ng2Vkby2eRfVwJO29eMxt2I-HOqTaZi6SDFVyYRtT-pUFE/s1600/iphone+pics+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaXUWF56vpyMs_cvzHP9-PmiJUXnEAPYK5gBDRqdn8Qpf4GXWw2WVVKwnlF4Ye8RfhDSDfuDN7giQQdaK4yehtb0_lQgh6Ng2Vkby2eRfVwJO29eMxt2I-HOqTaZi6SDFVyYRtT-pUFE/s320/iphone+pics+112.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to camp this for the first time...as a counselor. Loved my JH Girls. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfSBbwShzucAjs_giraycyJyH0IqdduJ5aTGrC0LXNTxr_in21lofCmHd1FbXoC0hAvCERNlG1ydrUlNoifbnQ7HCzfjXfnDOfG6kqcDWxuqFUbdbZJB8b7nb30pIwm-NrM-RUKHLM_0/s1600/iphone+pics+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfSBbwShzucAjs_giraycyJyH0IqdduJ5aTGrC0LXNTxr_in21lofCmHd1FbXoC0hAvCERNlG1ydrUlNoifbnQ7HCzfjXfnDOfG6kqcDWxuqFUbdbZJB8b7nb30pIwm-NrM-RUKHLM_0/s320/iphone+pics+123.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we made sure to leave plenty of time for the important things....like matching pedicures. <br />
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</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><em>This summer has been a blast. What have you made time for this summer?</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Hannah </span></em></strong></span></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-40378197432670744812011-06-20T19:45:00.000-07:002011-06-20T19:45:36.887-07:00On AdoptionI have known from the time that I was about six, that when I grew up, I was going to adopt. God pricked my heart for His children that need an Earthly parent to show them the love of their Heavenly Father. I pray for the mothers of those children. I pray that they know the Savior that I know. I pray that God blesses them. Honestly, sometimes I just don't know what to pray. Adoption is not always pretty. I know that the circumstances surrounding that precious one being given up for adoption will not be pretty. But I do know that my heart is simply broken for those babies and their biological mothers. <br />
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On father's day I heard an incredible sermon that touched quite a bit on adoption. God's heart breaks for those children who are not in forever homes. Our hearts need to be broken for the things that break His. <br />
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A blogger that I greatly admire shared some interesting articles that I wanted to pass on(along with a few others): <br />
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~<a href="http://orphanjusticecenter.com/2011/06/11/is-the-church-ready-for-the-abortion-law-to-change/">Is the church ready for the abortion law to change?</a> Its time for the the church to stop talking and start doing. <br />
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~<a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/16/my-take-on-adoption-christians-should-put-up-or-shut-up/">A very honest(and so true) take on adoption</a><br />
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~<a href="http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2011/03/what-i-want-you-to-know-adoption-and.html">What I want you to know: Adoption and Assumptions</a> This is plan A. <br />
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~<a href="http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2010/10/our-adoption-story.html">The Howerton's Adoption</a> Be prepared to cry. A lot. <br />
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~<a href="http://www.wearegraftedin.com/2892/jaydns-first-words/">Jaydn's First Word</a> Breathtakingly sweet. <br />
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~<a href="http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/06/adoption-update-he-did-it.html">He Did It</a> This made me ball my eyes out. He did it! <br />
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<strong><em>Hannah</em></strong>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-24218427705807292262011-06-14T09:07:00.000-07:002011-06-14T09:07:52.265-07:00Feeding the SpiritI am incredibly blessed to be a team member of a ministry that is based in my hometown and was started by two of my former youth directors. In our weekly meeting last night one of the directors, Jen, told us about how Saturday night God directed her to make two lists. One list was of things that fed her flesh. The other was a list of things that fed her spirit. She shared how God showed her that the things that fed her spirit were often the exact opposite of what fed her flesh(ex. Confession feeds the spirit where as excuses feed the flesh.). She asked that we take a few minutes spend time in prayer asking God to show us what feeds our flesh and what feeds are spirits. <br />
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Even before I began to pray, God started to reveal things to me. Like Jen, I noticed that the things that fed my flesh were often in direct contrast to what fed my spirit. Buying things feeds my flesh. Learning to be content with what I have feeds my spirit. Spending time in prayer, even when its difficult, feeds my spirit. Watching television and browsing the internet feeds my flesh. Reading fun fiction novels feeds my flesh. Reading God's word and books that help me grow spiritually feed my spirit. <br />
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After we spent time in prayer asking God to reveal these things to us, Jen made an excellent point. She encouraged us to then go about making the things of the spirit stronger and the things of the spirit weaker. This takes time. I may have a few good days when I spent more time in prayer and reading God's word than I do watching House Hunter's and the Bachelorrete, but that does not mean that I can give up and focus on other things. Sanctification is a life-long process. <br />
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Paul says this in Philippians 1:5, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you[and me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God is ever faithful to us. He does not give up on us. It is so important that we be willing to go the distance with Him.<br />
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<strong>What feeds your spirit? Your flesh?</strong><br />
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HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-77103634402944424912011-06-04T09:07:00.000-07:002011-06-04T09:07:35.396-07:00Dearest blog community(all three of you..hi mom!),You have been very lonely I'm sure. I promise that I have not forsaken you and given up on my little bloggy home...I have simply been overwhelmed by reality of late. I get up early and go to bed late. I study. I work. I volunteer. I occasionally sleep. There has simply been no time to sit and type a message to you all. Have no fear though, school is almost out for the summer(Praise the Lord!) at which time I will resume(hopefully) a more regular blog posting schedule. Thank you for you patience, and support. <br />
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Love dearly,<br />
HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-76723968524358986872011-05-19T19:45:00.000-07:002011-05-19T19:45:56.958-07:00MagicalYou may remember a few months ago when I told you about <a href="http://simonsays621.blogspot.com/2011/02/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html">a few of my favorite things</a>. I introduced you to a mouse that I absolutely loved. For years I have been searching for hair products that make my hair soft and shiny, but also give my curls definition and hold. Not an easy task. Curly hair is super tricky. Then I found this stuff and fell in love. It gave me everything I had been looking for. I had found perfection.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And then I was introduced to this stuff. </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXrc4VE9uiwM4WjiKSPDPCJYwflcYOetsvd_bCHkGK4BN7iZGQ8wrXRWwgjNWB3fKPW-gqOM_ZRqYmewVYg4iy0MUvplLcXJgeuog1hKffnzsRm20c0o1rYC_tZqnVSsh2lF8oHZzkds/s1600/spray+gel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXrc4VE9uiwM4WjiKSPDPCJYwflcYOetsvd_bCHkGK4BN7iZGQ8wrXRWwgjNWB3fKPW-gqOM_ZRqYmewVYg4iy0MUvplLcXJgeuog1hKffnzsRm20c0o1rYC_tZqnVSsh2lF8oHZzkds/s320/spray+gel.png" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <a href="http://www.tresemme.com/Products/Flawless-Curls/Flawless-Curls-Spray-Gel/">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="text-align: center;">A customer came into my store last weekend and had Gorgeous hair. Seriously, beautiful. I asked her what she used and that is how I met my little friend. I was a little nervous when I heard it was a gel. I haven't used gels for years because they always left my hair kinda...crunchy. Not a good look. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This gel, however, is in a spray form and is super lightweight. It leaves my hair soft and shiny, but gives me great hold and definition. Seriously magical. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-11203158011703135292011-05-10T17:16:00.000-07:002011-05-10T17:16:38.483-07:00Becoming a victimBack in the day, it was the cool thing in my junior high to read the<a href="http://robingunn.com/PAGES/christy_miller_and_friends.html"> Christy Miller book series.</a> The series followed a group of friends, focused on two particular characters, from high school through college and ending at their wedding day. They were a bit, shall I say...corny, but the theology in them was absolutely fantastic. Recently I found a spin off series and may or may not have read the entire series...in three days. That good, y'all. <br />
<br />
One concept that was discussed often in the book was the idea of being a victim of grace. Rather than being a "victim" in the traditional sense, you choose instead to be a victim of the grace God has given you. This means that you grant forgiveness where its needed. This means that you do not always win, even when you think you should. This means that you embrace I Corinthians 15:10,"By the grace of God I am what I am..." <br />
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I am trying to embrace this idea of being a victim of grace. It takes the weight off of my shoulders, because as I become of a victim of grace I let go of the things that I have held onto. <br />
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<strong>What do you think of the idea of becoming a victim of grace? </strong><br />
<br />
HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-24176810160203330062011-05-03T18:41:00.000-07:002011-05-03T18:44:31.549-07:00On my lack of patriotism and judging othersI have the misfortunate condition in which I possess to ability to keep my mouth shut when I ought to. This has led to a few comments via twitter and facebook(bless their hearts) that I 1. do not possess a patriotic spirit and 2. am judgemental. I'm incredibly offended by number, and I would probably agree with number 2. I'm a blogger, however, which means that I get to defend myself. <br />
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I am not unpatriotic. My father is a member of the United States Marine Corps. I could not be more proud of him and more grateful of his service. The same is true of all of our service men and women. It is because of their service that I have the ability to own a blog where I get to say this. <br />
In the wake of the recent killing of an evil Man, Osama Bin Laden, I am once again in awe of the Navy Seals who risked their lives to bring that man to justice. I firmly believe that we should celebrate and rejoice in the fact that the justice system worked beautifully. I also think we should be incredibly proud of the way that those who were given the task of bringing him to justice did so not with vengeance, but with dignity. I am incredibly proud to be an American always, and most especially during times such as this. <br />
<br />
Now that we've cleared that up, I am also a bit more than disgusted at the way that some have chosen to show their patriotism. Minutes after the death of Bin Laden was announced, someone created a fake twitter account pretending to be Bin Laden 'tweeting from hell.' I'm sorry, this is not patriotic nor is in any way humorous. Be that as it may, whoever created the account has the right to express their freedom of speech anyway they chose. I did not so much have a problem with the person who created the account as I did with the number of Christian's who followed them and then retweeted what they were posting. <br />
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As a Believer, I do not rejoice in the death of another human being. Here's the crazy thing, no matter how evil Bin Laden was(and he was) and no matter how senseless his killings were(and they were), Jesus died for him just as much as he died for me. If the Bible is to be believed(and it is) than I have no right to think I am better than he is. I just accepted the salvation of Jesus Christ, where as he wholeheartedly rejected it.<br />
Believe me, I get that this is uncomfortable to think about. I don't like to think that Jesus died for Hitler and Bin Laden and every other evil person to walk the face of the earth, but He did. I can no more deny what the gospel tells me than I can deny the very existence of Jesus Himself. <br />
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Please don't think that I disagree with the killing of this evil man. The Bible clearly states that God Himself gave authority to our governmental leaders and they then have the authority to bring those who do evil to justice. My heart rejoices for those who lost loved ones on 9/11. I'm so grateful that their prayers(and my prayers) for justice were not in vain. I celebrate that justice was served. I celebrate the victory of our service men and woman. I celebrate that God protected their lives. <br />
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<strong>Please share your thoughts on these events. Remember that any comments deemed inappropriate will be deleted. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
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HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-43689899175844070112011-04-25T10:59:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:59:11.411-07:00ResurfacingYou may remember that back in <a href="http://simonsays621.blogspot.com/2010/11/being-boastful.html">November</a>, my family was pushed into an incredibly difficult season. For a few months, I was simply surviving. I ate. I slept(very little). I went to school and work. I wasn't living. I was going through the motions of living. <br />
<br />
Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that I'm starting to live again. I enjoy things again. My laughter isn't forced. My smiles are genuine. I feel as though I am sprouting after a long, dark, cold winter. How ironic that I am literally watching the world around me come alive again after such a long, dark, cold winter. <br />
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I have to admit that I desperately missed life. I've missed engaging in conversations. I've missed being present. For a long time I was there physically, but emotionally I was invested elsewhere. I just did not have anything left to give. <br />
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I'm so grateful that the Lord saw that this season was coming, and prepared me in advance for it. He placed some incredibly dear people in my life who really carried me through out this season. I can not thank Him, or them, enough for the support. <br />
<br />
<strong>What is new for you this spring?</strong><br />
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HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-66743725575274955412011-04-22T09:25:00.000-07:002011-04-22T09:25:49.337-07:00ChosenSometimes, Jesus, I just don't get it. I don't get why you would love me this much. You chose me. Me? Why? <br />
<br />
Here's the thing though, You didn't choose the pretty me. You didn't choose me the Bible scholar. You didn't choose me the youth leader. You didn't choose me the Sunday school teacher. <br />
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You chose me the sinner. You chose me, the one who looked sin straight in the face...and didn't turn away. You chose me, the one who chose this world over the riches of Your Kingdom. <br />
<br />
Why? This makes no sense to me. It baffles my finite little mind. <br />
<br />
Today I read what You prayed before you were arrested. You prayed to Your Father, "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved me before the creation of the world." <br />
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You chose me, because You wanted me to be with You? Why? <br />
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Lord Jesus, Your ways I higher than mine. You thoughts greater than mine. Though I do not understand Your reasons, I will never be able to express my gratitude. Your love is life to my dying heart. <br />
<br />
What is there to say to the One who knew the kind of person I would be, and chose me anyways? <br />
<br />
"But I, with a song of thanksgiving, with sacrifice to you." Jonah 2:9Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-90272047772573989582011-04-18T05:24:00.000-07:002011-04-18T05:24:12.681-07:00"No, not now." A reflection on fastingOver and over in the Scriptures, we are encouraged to pray and fast. But what does that mean, exactly? Is fasting just starving yourself? That's certainly what I thought throughout my years as a young Believer. Recently though, I was discussing fasting with a group of friends and my eyes were opened to a whole new idea of what fasting truly is. <br />
<br />
Because of sin, we are not controlled by to Holy Spirit, but rather we are controlled by the sinful nature. When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, the Holy Spirit inhabits us, but we still have to choose to be controlled by the Spirit, rather than by the sinful nature. Romans 8 discusses this topic in length. Verse 8 puts it this way, "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." So how do we change our lives from being sin-nature controlled to being Spirit controlled? Fasting is a big part of gaining control over the sinful nature. <br />
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Fasting is not simply starving oneself, fasting is saying to your human(sinful) nature, "No, not now." While fasting, when you body cries out for something that you are choosing not to indulge in, you say to it[your body] "No, not now. I have control." It is taking control over that human nature, because if we are a slave to that human nature, we cannot be fully devoted to Christ. Fasting helps us tap into the strength that we are given through the Holy Spirit and take control over our human nature. <br />
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Fasting is by no means easy, but that is why I think it makes such a huge impact in our lives. We are often at a place where we have to rely on God for the strength to get through this period of fasting and that allows us to take the control from our human nature and instead letting ourselves be controlled by the Holy Spirit. <br />
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Fasting is something that I've really been thinking about lately and reflecting upon. <strong>What are you thoughts on fasting? Please share!</strong><br />
<br />
HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-19443881353794582722011-04-09T07:45:00.000-07:002011-04-09T07:45:14.644-07:00I always did love the story of Noah's Ark....On Wednesday afternoon I pulled a muscle in my leg(no idea how this happened) and had to call off of work for a few days...because I coolant, ya know, stand or anything. I finally got some movement back into my leg yesterday morning and decided that since I was home and couldn't go anywhere I would try tackle my laundry pile-it was getting a little(read:i had no clean clothes) out of hand. <br />
<br />
I went into the laundry room and was rather surprised when I found my feet....wet? I looked down and was even more surprised to find about an inch of water standing in the laundry room floor. <br />
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Our water heater(which was in the laundry room) had started leaking and flooded the laundry room. Thankfully my Uncle is a plumber so he was quickly called and came out. <br />
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The water heater was quickly replaced, as well as the kitchen faucet...but the laundry still needs to be done. <br />
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<br />
<strong>Did you have any surprises this week?</strong><br />
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HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-31138586302154154202011-04-05T09:37:00.000-07:002011-04-05T09:37:22.614-07:00Try not to kill our dog, kthanks.Last week I had the pleasure of house sitting for a couple at my church. They were going out of town for the week and wanted someone to be at home with their elderly dog. Lucy is 14 years old(about 90 in human years) and is no longer able to go to a boarding house because of some minor health issue. So I got to spend the week with Lucy. <br />
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Before Tim and Donna went out of town I met with them to get to know Lucy a little better, pick up keys, ect. They did me a huge favor by typing out a paper with directions on when and how to administer Lucy's medication, how and when she is fed, who to contact in an emergency, ect. <br />
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At the bottom of the typed paper I saw this lovely little line:<br />
<br />
"Please remember that Lucy is very old. You are here as a comfort to her. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Please do not feel bad if she does die while we are away</span></strong>." <br />
<br />
Um, excuse me. If I am watching your dog, and she dies, no matter how old or ill....I AM GOING TO FEEL BAD! I do, however, appreciate that they are realistic that Lucy is in the last years of her life. <br />
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Thankfully, Lucy and I made it through the week with our lives in tact, and we became good buddies to boot. <br />
<br />
HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-44748067566918539282011-03-24T12:49:00.000-07:002011-03-24T12:49:06.526-07:00I'm not deadHi *waving* remember me? Once upon a time I use to blog here, but then spring break came...and my ability to function went away. I spent all of last week studying for and then taking finals. This week I have just been...exhausted. My friend Jenni put it this way, "Its like, when you finally get to take a rest thats all your body wants to do." Amen. So that's what I've been doing, resting and visiting with people I love. Its been fantastic. I'm planning to get my blogging behind in gear next week, but today I thought I would share a few of the blog posts that I've enjoyed reading this week. Enjoy!<br />
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~Emily shares a really fun way to spruce up plain <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/tutorial/ruffled-rubber-gloves-tutorial">rubber gloves</a>. I'm thinking these would be an adorable shower gift for a bride to be!<br />
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~ Beth Moore(yes THE Beth Moore) talks about <a href="http://blog.lproof.org/2011/03/for-real.html">the ups and downs in this walk</a>.<br />
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~Amy Beth reminds us that sometimes, God doesn't our circumstances-<a href="http://ministrysofabulous.com/2011/03/24/changing-the-hard-thing/">He changes us.</a><br />
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~ One of Kristen's readers opened my eyes about <a href="http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2011/03/what-i-want-you-to-know-adoption-and.html">Adoption and Assumptions</a>.<br />
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~ Have you ever gotten a Shellac manicure? They're fantastic, but a pain in the neck to remove. The Pioneer woman shares her technigue for <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/2011/03/shellac-manicure-update-the-removal/">removing Shellac polish.</a> So helpful!<br />
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~ I love just about everything Lindsey writes. Here she talks about her<a href="http://www.lindseynobles.com/2011/03/life-as-a-journeyer/"> Life as a Journeyer.</a><br />
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Thank you for your patience while I recover from the last quarter! <br />
<br />
Hannah.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-26344777580943832882011-03-14T08:21:00.000-07:002011-03-14T08:21:07.080-07:00Beauty in the AshesPlease know there is no pride in the following statement: God has given me a heart that easily forgives. Perhaps it is because I myself have been forgiven so very much, but I can honestly sit here and say(or rather type) that there is no unforgiveness toward another in my heart. While forgiving others is not difficult for me, understanding and accepting the forgiveness Jesus has shown me another thing entirely. <br />
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For the longest time I would sin, ask for forgiveness, know that I was forgiven-but still feel incredible and guilt and separation from God. I always thought that when I stumbled and then asked for forgiveness I had to start back at square one with God and start our relationship all over again. Not true. <br />
<br />
Right now I am reading what could possibly be the best book I have ever read. "Deep unto Deep" by <a href="http://danacandler.com/">Dana Candler</a> takes the reader on a journey into a more int imitate relationship with their Beloved. A few days ago, Dana discussed the topic of forgiveness and completely changed my view of God's grace to His bride. <br />
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"I am set free by the blood of Jesus, and I can bring nothing to the table to motivate the heart of God into the response of forgiveness. He desires my by His own self-replenishing love that exists within Himself, unaltered by my response(pg.96)." Let me rephrase, God forgives me because of the blood that was shed by His Son on the cross, not because of my guilt or shame or even because I asked Him too. His forgiveness is based completely in the love He has for me, not in anything I do. <br />
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How selfish have I been?! Thinking all this time that I had to do something to earn forgiveness. <br />
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This next part is the statement that shook my heart to the core: "In these crises experiences we so often allow ourselves the legal position of salvation yet deny ourselves intimacy with Him. Intimacy seems to pleasurable for what we deserve(pg. 96)." "Though we know the cross is about forgiveness of sin, we neglect its provision for Christ's intimacy with believers who still struggle with sin(pg.97)." In essence, just because I have sinned does not mean that once I repent I must start all over again in my relationship with Jesus. He desires intimacy with me, even though I still struggle. It is in my struggle that His strength is made perfect within me. <br />
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Think of the prophet Jonah. He was called to a task by God, but decided he didn't want to do it. So he ran. He chartered a ship and God caused a great storm to occur. Jonah realized this was a consequence of his sin and wanting to save the rest of the crew, he had them throw him overboard where he was promptly swallowed by a giant fish where he stayed for three days. It was within the belly of that fish that he cried out to God. His prayer is outlined in Jonah chapter 2:<br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> <sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-22550a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>[</em></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-22550a" title="See footnote a"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>a</em></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>]</em></span></sup><em>From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22551"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></strong></sup> He said: </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> “In my distress I called to the LORD, <br />
and he answered me. <br />
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, <br />
and you listened to my cry. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22552"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></strong></sup> You hurled me into the depths, <br />
into the very heart of the seas, <br />
and the currents swirled about me; <br />
all your waves and breakers <br />
swept over me. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22553"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></strong></sup> I said, ‘I have been banished <br />
from your sight; <br />
yet I will look again <br />
toward your holy temple.’ <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22554"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span></strong></sup> The engulfing waters threatened me,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-22554b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-22554b" title="See footnote b"><span style="font-size: x-small;">b</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup> <br />
the deep surrounded me; <br />
seaweed was wrapped around my head. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22555"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span></strong></sup> To the roots of the mountains I sank down; <br />
the earth beneath barred me in forever. <br />
But you, LORD my God, <br />
brought my life up from the pit. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22556"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">7</span></strong></sup> “When my life was ebbing away, <br />
I remembered you, LORD, <br />
and my prayer rose to you, <br />
to your holy temple. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22557"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">8</span></strong></sup> “Those who cling to worthless idols <br />
turn away from God’s love for them. <br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-22558"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">9</span></strong></sup> But I, with shouts of grateful praise, <br />
will sacrifice to you. <br />
What I have vowed I will make good. <br />
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jonah understood that even when we are in the depth of the pit of our sin, God still desires intimacy with us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Candler goes on to say in her book that keeping ourselves distant from God is not only unnecessary, it is a sin and a tool of Satan. The longer that the evil one can keep us from God, the longer he has to corrupt us and keep us digging deeper into our pit of sin. Candler says, "When we do this(keep ourselves from intimacy) we agree with the lie that our weakness is greater than Jesus' work of redemption, and we stand in the way of God Himself by counting our own evaluation of our hearts higher than His(pg.97)." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago and we both remarked how we just wanted to 'get there' in our Christian walks. Wherever 'there' is. We wanted it. We wanted to learn all of the lessons, understand all of the truths, get rid of all of our perfection. Basically, we wanted Heaven on earth. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dear friend, Jesus is not waiting for us to get 'there' before we come to Him. He is simply waiting for us to come. Stop reaching for your own perfection and reach for Perfection Himself. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hannah</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*<em> All quotes are courtesy of "Deep unto Deep" by Dana Candler.</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>* Jonah 2 verses courtesy of Bible Gateway.com and the NIV Bible. </em></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-48068130472668171192011-03-10T18:15:00.000-08:002011-03-10T18:15:23.693-08:00EwwwA few weeks ago I took a teeny tiny road trip to visit my cousin <a href="http://anothersinglemombychoice.blogspot.com/">Melissa</a> and attend a book signing for one of my favorite bloggers, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a>. My cousin is a fantastic mom to a beautiful little girl, Mia. She adopted Mia about four years ago and could not love her more. She has such a heart for adoption(me too!) and is also a foster parent. About a week before the book signing, Melissa received a new foster daughter, we will call her baby B. <br />
<br />
I knew that she was bring both babies to the book signing so I went to Target and put together little gift boxes for them so that they would have something to do while waiting in line. Baby B seemed to take to me quite quickly. She never wanted to be put down! Coincidentally , I took to her as well, so I had no problem holding the little cutie the whole night. <br />
<br />
After the signing Melissa and I each picked up a baby and headed across the shopping center to Starbucks. We grabbed some coffee for us and milk boxes for the babies and sat down for a nice long chat. The girls were fantastic. I had worn a lot of bracelets that day and the girls had some much fun playing with them and just climbing all over Melissa and I. <br />
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Eventually though, poor Baby B just got tuckered out and climbed up in my lap where she promptly fell asleep. I wrapped her up in my favorite black sweater that I had worn that night and she just snuggled in for a nap. <br />
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About 30 minutes into her nap, Baby B woke up and look around for a minute...and promptly started puking. All.Over. She must have thrown up for a good minute. Ewww<br />
<br />
Now, Emma, bless her heart, has puked, pooped, peed, ect. on me more times than I can count so I wasn't too freaked out by Baby B's puke. Poor Melissa though, was blessed with a child who just doesn't puke like this. We rushed to the bathroom where we got Baby B and myself cleaned up(sorta) and then headed out to the cars.<br />
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Thankfully, Melissa only had about a 15 minute drive. I, on the other hand, had about an hour drive. Ewww I remembered that I had a bag of Goodwill bound clothes in my backseat so I grabbed a sweater and did a quick change in my car. <br />
<br />
Baby B is doing much better now and I think Melissa has recovered as well[Love you Melissa! ;)]. Kid's have the best timing don't they? <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Hannah</em></strong>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-16242466689730368702011-03-08T05:00:00.000-08:002011-03-08T05:00:36.826-08:00A Tuesday morning list...1. This past weekend I spent the weekend in upstate New York with the youth group I work with at Snow Camp.<br />
<br />
2. Upstate New York is very far away.<br />
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<br />
3. They also get lots of snow. Lots and lots.<br />
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4. A few weeks ago I cut my hair very short. Its finally getting long enough to leave it curly, rather than straightening it everyday. Yay!<br />
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5. #4 was pretty pointless.<br />
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6. I have a five page paper due tomorrow. I have yet to start it. <br />
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7. Spring break is just two weeks away. Why is it the last few weeks before spring/Christmas/summer break are always the busiest???<br />
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8. I desperately need a pedicure. Seriously, my poor neglected toes....<br />
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9. I still think that October is the craziest month of the year, but I have to admit that March is giving October a run for its money. <br />
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10. I'm making a list today, because I just don't have the energy to construct an actual blog post, sorry. Thanks for reading my list! <br />
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11. Sara Evans' new album comes out today. I am a HUGE Sara Evans fan. Its a good day....<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">12. I got some great news the other day... I was accepted to Liberty University! I had received an email telling me this about a week ago, but there's something about getting the letter in the mail, I may or may not have cried... ;)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">13. I am almost out of coffee, this is a tragedy. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">14. #13 was pointless, but it's my blog so I can post pointless things.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">15. I really love that you took the time to read this randomness. Thank you!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Tuesday,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>Hannah.</em></strong></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-28226404711650887092011-02-28T08:10:00.000-08:002011-02-28T08:10:57.361-08:00The one who deceivesIn the last 3 hours I have read/watched multiple discussions on marriage/faithfulness/cheating. It started when I read this guest post on stuffchristianslike.com about the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and how Christian men in particular deal with it. The author(a guest blogger) was basically making fun of how Christian men either try to avoid getting caught with it or how how they avoid it altogether. Personally, I did really appreciate his mockery of a very serious issue, but that's another post for another day. <br />
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Later I was watching The View and they had a guest on that was a former madame. At one point she said that married men didn't go to other women because they wanted to leave they, "..strayed to stay." They wanted something that they were not getting from their wives so they went somewhere else to get it. In her skewed logic, apparently this strengthened marriage. So...my husband cheating will make my marriage better? Um ok? <br />
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The more I watched and read, the angrier I got. How can they think that these issues are things to be taken lightly? How do they not realize that mindsets like this are ruining marriages and families? Are they just blind?! Actually, they are blind. <br />
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They are blinded by the ultimate deceiver. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of thisdark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Satan would like us to think that we are fighting against the publishers of Sports Illustrated or against the sex industry. In reality we are fighting against the powers of evil in this world that want us to fail and follow after the things of this world, rather than the things of God. <br />
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I have seen this theme of deception creeping up a lot lately. Honestly, it has been there all along, I was just blind to it. Satan constantly making me think one thing, when reality says another. <br />
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Be on guard today. When you find yourself getting angry at the store clerk because you had to stand in line longer than you wanted, remember that it is the prince of darkness who wants you to get angry, but it is the Prince of Peace who urges you to show grace. Remember when you are fighting with your parent/spouse/friend/child today that satan causes us to blow the situation WAY out of proportion. Take a step back, take a breath, and ask God to give you His perspective. <br />
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<strong><em>I Samuel 2:9 "He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,..."</em></strong><br />
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HannahHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-50993806766055461742011-02-21T20:04:00.000-08:002011-02-21T20:04:47.528-08:00In Pioneer CountryLong before I started writing my own blog I read blogs. One of my favorite blogs is <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">ThePioneerWoman.com</a> In short, Ree Drummund, the author, was a city girl who met and married a cowboy and her website is all about how she is making her way through life on their ranch with their four children. It's funny, heartfelt and makes me want to marry a cowboy. Ree wrote a cookbook a few years ago called "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" and recently published the story of how she met and married her husband and their first year of marriage. "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" is one of those books that reads like a fiction book, but is a real life tale of love and a few other things.... ;) <br />
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Ree is currently on a book tour and was visiting a city about an hour from my hometown. I have a <a href="http://babyheaton.blogspot.com/">cousin</a> that lives in said city so she and I made plans to meet and attend the book signing together. Seeing as the city of the book signing is quite a bit larger than my tiny town I drove up about three hours before the book signing. This gave me plenty of time to shop around the shopping center a bit(visited Pier One-in love) and then drop by the bookstore to pick up our line letters which told us when we would be getting our books signed. <br />
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The bookstore had a lovely little bistro offering a special Pioneer Woman cooks menu that evening. I found a table for one(my cousin had to work late and then pick up her two girls so she didn't make it til late) and promptly ordered the Pioneer Woman tomato and basil Pizza. And I took a picture of it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zRo3ID2NUAyRe5Z7QHg-zNUATQRwzDnU6nzZXuu53KVXej1_TzZHb5LJgQL_NWKoI6J6FLzk4dez_SK1zdG4i1Au-TTG6owrZWkCK5F7qlam0KRk2DMmKkmRYCdUS9U-pw-rodcwUN0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zRo3ID2NUAyRe5Z7QHg-zNUATQRwzDnU6nzZXuu53KVXej1_TzZHb5LJgQL_NWKoI6J6FLzk4dez_SK1zdG4i1Au-TTG6owrZWkCK5F7qlam0KRk2DMmKkmRYCdUS9U-pw-rodcwUN0/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Oh.My.Goodness. This was seriously one of the best meals I have ever had. I only ate half of it at the restaurant...and then ate the other half of the way home. No shame here.<br />
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After dinner I grabbed a raspberry smoothie(delish) and waited for the signing to start. Ree came out and stood on the gorgeous staircase of the bookstore and spoke for a few minutes and then took questions. She was hysterical! I loved her humility in openly admitting her nerves. She seemed very down earth and just lovely. <br />
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My cousin didn't make it to hear Ree speak, but she did eventually make it just in time...to wait for us to be called to wait in line. Lots of waiting! Melissa brought with her her two girls. I knew that they would get a bit impatient waiting in line so I headed to target on Friday morning and picked up some little gifts and made them these adorable gifts boxes. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlQg61iXh_kYXsy3-ghSJz-ogvqg0xEA3_K-VKMuSPIFIVFePLGygnUs9TU491WVv3X1KLNKCnFSj5zHAd8aLhphrEDMlqhNHXd_k90pcvxszbVh_smH5ArgxRIZjDiXteE8p6YaC1P0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlQg61iXh_kYXsy3-ghSJz-ogvqg0xEA3_K-VKMuSPIFIVFePLGygnUs9TU491WVv3X1KLNKCnFSj5zHAd8aLhphrEDMlqhNHXd_k90pcvxszbVh_smH5ArgxRIZjDiXteE8p6YaC1P0/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Sometimes I just really love the target dollar aisle. They had little coloring things, stickers, a tiny stuffed animal and fruit chewies. Cute! They looooved them! The perfect distraction for little girls. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cousin's daughter,Mia. Such a sweetie! Mia was adopted from China about four or so years ago and I was actually at the airport when she came home. It has been so sweet to see her become such a fun little lady.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwfrjkWpm7xx2ACaBKuTChcc7pqc3ljXsKMekrHmiKJIWeytjpgpUJcwRxpD1unifCcgdVkMyt-i5oFA5l5OKA1ytneqJrla4-c2HbmV6ue9hNTHsBBkltn0E-jYp-XhfCyUll3kN1AQ/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwfrjkWpm7xx2ACaBKuTChcc7pqc3ljXsKMekrHmiKJIWeytjpgpUJcwRxpD1unifCcgdVkMyt-i5oFA5l5OKA1ytneqJrla4-c2HbmV6ue9hNTHsBBkltn0E-jYp-XhfCyUll3kN1AQ/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The last time we had our picture taken like this we were in the airport and little Mia was still a baby! <br />
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</tbody></table> Well, we finally were called to get in the line to get our books signed. It actually went really quickly and before you knew it we were there! Ree was even sweeter up close. We talked about...her nail polish. Seriously, ya'll. The color was gorgeous! :) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way to look at the camera, Han.</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After getting our books signed we went to Starbucks and talked for a few hours. It was great to spend time with Melissa! The evening ended on a slightly..off note. Tune into later this week to read the rest....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Hannah.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-60571441904527370712011-02-18T06:28:00.000-08:002011-02-18T06:28:31.757-08:00Fashionable FebruraryI have a lot of clothes. Seriously. Two closets. Two dressers. All stuffed. Lots.Of.Clothes. At the end of January I decided that during February I would not buy any new clothes. None. No jeans. No dresses. Nothing. <br />
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This is the hardest choice I have ever made. Not really, but at the store I work at-and buy most of my clothes at- we have been getting all of our spring/early summer clothes in. It's killing me. <br />
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I have purposely not been walking around the store looking at the new clothes because I know I will just want them all! March 1 can not come soon enough! <br />
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I keep telling myself that if I really need something, than it will be there next month. I do not want to be so dependent upon buying new clothes all the time. Honestly, I see it as a form of insecurity in my life. I buy new clothes because I get this idea in my head that if I look a certain way than people will like me more. Forcing myself to be content with what I have is also forcing me to be content with myself. It makes me realize that if someone is only friends with me because of my [rather fabulous] wardrobe, they are probably not someone i want to be friends with for long. <br />
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This also goes along with the <a href="http://simonsays621.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-is-part-of-2-of-my-new-years.html">verse</a> that I am focusing on the last two weeks of February. Hebrews 13:5 "<span style="font-size: small;">Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." I am working on being content with what I have and not needing the approval of others to be happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Are you trying to build character in your life this month? What are you focusing on?</em></strong></span>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504477848319740290.post-41774818170640410262011-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:002011-02-16T11:45:06.951-08:00Winter Blues...For those who live in cold, icy, snowy, dark(ish) winter climates we have officially reached the point in the season when we are all sick of it. We're sick of the cold, the ice, the snow, the dark(ish)ness. We just want some sun! Can I get an amen?! <br />
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Its at this point in the winter when I am just tired. Exhausted. I drink more coffee than anyone ever should...actually I do that in the summer as well, so never mind. <br />
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Everyone is asking right now, "Will winter ever end?!" <br />
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Yes. There is always hope in the winter. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <a href="http://my.whiotv.com/_SNOWDROPS/photo/13040416/6688.html">source</a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><em>"May the God of <b>hope</b> fill you with all joy and peace" </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Romans 15:13</span></div><div align="center"></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805136884204747984noreply@blogger.com0