Where Do I Draw the Line? (one of my most honest post yet.)

Where do you draw the line? Once I get into this topic I am discussing, you would think this would be an easy question to answer. Well most of my readers probably would. This topic I am about to write is something that lays heavily on my heart due to several reason and is often hard for me to talk about. I have had conversation about this topic with other Christians, but yet I often still question, "Where do I draw the line?" So I'm sure by now you are trying to figure out what I'm talking about?  Let me break it down for you. I have always been raw and truthful in my blog, so if I say something to shock or offend any of my readers, please know that I truly am writing this from what God has placed on my heart.

Last night after attending a fun Christmas party with friends, I then decided to go out afterward to a local bar in my hometown. Since moving back, I have stayed clear away from places like that in fear that people may look at me differently and being in the position I am in, I don't want to give off the wrong impression. Do I believe I can go to a bar and still hold to my Christian values and standards?  I absolutely do.  Do I think there is a point in going to a bar as a Christian?  There is where I ask the question, "Where do I draw the line?" People use this crutch a lot but for me it is often a valid point. Jesus went to the lowest of the lows to reach out and share God's love. He meets us where WE are so that we can come to know Him.  As His followers and Him being our example, what does that mean or how does that look for us? When I walked in, I saw several people who I went to high school with.  Some in which I have not seen since high school. Several of them looked at me and said, “Hannah? This is not your kind of place?" And for the most part they were right. Knowing the person who I was in high school, anything that had to do with drinking was not my kind of place. Little do my high school classmates know, while I lived in Charleston, I had no problem going out to a bar. The funny part is, my faith and my relationship with God have matured and become way more prevalent in my life while in Charleston than it was in high school. I was the "goody, goody" in high school. I was the typical little "Christian" girl. I'm quoting the Christian part because I don't believe that I truly knew what it meant to be a Christian then, but I knew how to play the part.  So you would think that I would be way more prone to go out in high school than in my Charleston days? Right?  I would often judge and disassociate myself with the people in high school who were partied. I would not have said this back then, but now I realize that my attitude towards them gave me a stone heart against them. Instead of being the hands and feet of Jesus to these people, I could have cared less where they spent eternity. And my friend, that is not a Christian. That is probably the hardest thing for me to admit, but as I have said earlier, this is going to be a very raw post.

So the question still remains. Where do I draw the line?  In high school, I still would not have suggested for me to go to parties where there was underage drinking. That is not what I am implying at all. But as a mature adult, I am now legal to go to these places where people seem to need Jesus the most. Just to clarify, this is most certainly not directed to anyone that I saw last night. I do not know where people stand with their faith and I most certainly do not have the right to assume. I'm simply discussing my observation last night. Is the bar scene truly a place where I think I can reach people? Would meeting them where they are having a beer with them only distort and confuse the person whom you are trying to bring to Christ? Is it too far fetch for me to assume that I could actually be the light of Jesus in a bar where temptation is so prevalent? My heart now cries out for these people instead of being stone cold towards them like I was in high school. I truly care for them. I want them to have the satisfaction and joy that I have found in my Christian journey. I want to try and meet them where they are just as Jesus does to share God's love and grace with them. I truly have a love for people and I know that only comes from God.  I am not saying that I want to become a "bar hopper?" Absolutely not. In my opinion, I would be using God as an excuse to make myself feel okay doing so and that is not what I am trying to say. There was a very short time in my life where I was completely comfortable going out, but that is not so anymore.  I am typically very uncomfortable in that kind of scene. I do however, enjoy going out with my wonderful Christian friends and if we decide to order a drink I have no problem with that.  I guess the real question that I am trying to ask myself is, "would I see Jesus out in a bar?" I might be far fetch when I say this, but yes; I do think I would see Him. He comes to where we are, in our dirty most darkest places in our lives. He wants nothing more than for us to have a relationship with Him. Infact, He is already in that bar; Maybe it is our job to show people where He is. You never know how God plans on using you.

Yet Another Blog About Charleston and Friends :)

Wow, I am writing 2 blogs in one week!?  I have not done this in a while!  Yay for blogging!

Yesterday, as I am about to go home from work this overwhelming desire came over me.  I wanted to be in Charleston, SC and I wanted to be in Charleston NOW.  Of course I had to come to the reality that that would not happen.  I would have to drive 3 hours to get there then drive back in time for work in the morning.  It wasn't going to happen.  So my overwhelming desire to be there turned into an overwhelming feeling of saddness.  During this time of the year, Charleston is simply beautiful.  I could spend all day admireing the historical, danty, classy, christmassy city of Charleston.  Not only do I miss the beautiful city, but more than anything I miss my friends.  If you are a blog reader of mine, then you already know how much my friends mean to me.  The quote saying, "friends are the family you get to choose." holds dear to my heart because I truly do feel that way about them.

At this time in my life, Charleston truly does feel like my home.  Anytime someone ask me where I am from, I sometimes catch myself from almost saying Charleston.  I love the city but more than anything, I love the people.  If you have never been then you should GO!  I will warn you though, you will not want to leave.   ;)

Charleston, I will be heading your way soon!!  Don't you worry  :) 

Proverbs 31 Movement

A few days ago while catching up on facebook, I came across a video that several people were posting saying, “I would rather have a Proverbs 31 women than a Victoria Secret model."  After watching the video, a feeling of hope immediately came over me.  Hope that women from all ages, all over the world would come across this video.  Hope that we as women understand the value and what it means to be a Proverbs 31 women.  Hope that the men in our world understand the importance of wanting a Proverbs 31 women.  Hope that this movement would change lives and help rebuild the foundation of what marriage is intended to be.  Hope that body image will not be an issue in today's society that causes beautiful girls to look in the mirror and pick apart there body wishing they could change.  Whether ladies want to admit it or not, we all have our insecurities.  This "movement" has been so encouraging. Godly men are finally speaking out, going against society and culture to encourage us ladies to be who God intended for us to be. 

By no means am I saying that wanting to look nice, wearing make-up fixing your hair is wrong because I absolutely do not think that; but if you let that consume and define who you are than that is where we let culture blind us from the Truth.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.  Taking care of the body that God has given us is part of our responsibility.  God commands us to glorify Him with our body.  Exercising and not over indulging yourself with food is in part of taking care of the body we were given.  But in doing this, we do so to glorify God NOT glorifying or trying to be what culture thinks we should look like.  In everything we do should ultimately glorify our loving God.

Being a Proverbs 31 lady is something that I want to strive to be every day.  I don't want to get blinded by what society is telling me I should look like or how much I should weigh.  I want to reflect the light from God on what HE wants us ladies to be.  He not only wants us to be a 31 women but he wants us to be more like Him every day.  I do pray that this "Proverbs 31" movement takes off and helps to make a RADICAL change in our society and worldly view.  

Thank you to Alex Eklund who started this movement and to all the Godly men who are supporting it!  Hopefully with me striving to be a Proverbs 31 women, I will one day find my Ephesians 5 guy.  (That's a whole blog for another day  :)

Ethiopia, Here I COME!!!

If any of you read my last blog post I said that there have been things that God has been placing on my heart but I was not quite ready to reveal them yet.  Well, now is the time!

On July 13, 2012 I will be heading to Ethiopia with All God’s Children International!  It is a 10 day mission trip where I will be going to an orphanage and have the opportunity to love on these beautiful children and share God's love with them.  

I have wanted to do a mission trip like this for quite some time, but I would always came up with an excuse to not go.  Whether it be money or not being able to take time off from my job to go.  Several weeks ago, I prayed for God to not only break my heart for what breaks His, but that I would actually do something about it.  I have always had a special place in my heart for the orphans.  I'll never forgot that one day,  (neither will my parents I’m sure) I was around 13, when I came home and announced to my family that I will be adopting children from every country when I get older.  I was so passionate about it then, and that very same passion has never faded.  I remember thinking how beautiful each and every child was and that I wanted to be the one to tell them that they are beautifully made in the image of God and that they are loved by Him so much.  I knew then at the young age of 13 that orphans will be a big part of my life.   

I have recently started sponsoring a little girl whose name is Alemshewa through Compassion International who is from Ethiopia.  I spoke with someone who works with Compassion and he assured me that while I am in Ethiopia, Compassion will be able to set it up where I will be able to meet this beautiful little girl.  I am so excited that God has given me this opportunity.  It will be an amazing moment when I am able to wrap my arms around Alemshewa and tell her in person how much I love her and how much God loves her.  I pray for her daily as well as am able to communicate with her through email and letters but being able to see her in person is such an amazing opportunity.  

During this time of preparation I ask that you please pray for me as God prepares my heart for this mission trip.  My Mother has already had a talk with me that I cannot bring any kids home with me.  She knows that if it were a possibility, most likely I would!  :)  I know that God will provide me financially and emotionally for this trip.  I am super stoked!

If you are wondering why I chose Ethiopia this video will explain why:

National Youth Workers Convention

This past weekend I had the privileged to attend The National Youth Workers Convention.  It was an amazing experience.  Being there with thousands of other youth workers who have a passion for youth was one of the best experiences I have ever had.  Just knowing that there are so many people who share the same passion that I have to help youth is so encouraging.  It is difficult to put in words how this experience impacted me.

Since starting this job, I have had many ups and downs which is normal for anybody in their job for the most part.  Just hearing and talking to other youth workers, I learned that they deal with the same frustrations that go along with this job.  It was comforting to know that I am not alone in feeling the way I do sometimes.  

Since being back, I am still trying to process everything that I learned and felt like God is wanting me to do in this ministry here at Wesley Church.  One thing that Dr. Kenda Dean said was, "Mission is not a trip! Mission is what we are called to do!  If you don't have a mission, you don't have a church.  Mission is the business we are in, young people included!!"  This one statement has completely changed the way I want to do ministry.  

This conference has also confirmed some of the decisions that I needed to make in my own personal life.  I am not quite ready to reveal what God has been stirring up in my heart, but I will be blogging about it very soon!  For anyone who reads this, please just keep me in your prayers as I move forth with my own spiritual journey as well as my ministry here at Wesley.  I want to do something radical with my faith as well as something radical in my ministry :)  

A Girl's Worst Nightmare is Finding the Perfect Jeans

I don't think that I am being overly dramatic when I say that EVERY girl’s worst nightmare is shopping for jeans.  I love shopping for the most part...what girl doesn't?  But when it comes to finding the perfect pair of jeans that fit just right, I would much rather watch a Harry Potter movie (that is saying a lot because I absolutely hate Harry Potter.) 

Saturday, I was feeling brave and decided to go out on a quest for the perfect pair of jeans.  I have not been shopping for jeans in quite some time and I really needed some especially since it is getting quite chilly outside.  Let's just say that it did not start out on a good foot.  Every pair I tried on was just hideous.  They would fit perfectly in my legs but be entirely too big for my waist.  Or they would fit perfectly in my hips but be skin tight on my legs.  And since the "style" is low rise, I had the WORST time trying to find some that weren't.  I guess it's my "old age" kicking in but I absolutely HATE low rise jeans! 

After going to New York and Company, American Eagle, Express, and Charlotte Russe with  no luck, I was thinking this will be an unsuccessful shopping day.  Just as I was about to walk out of the mall I saw Old Navy.  I am not a huge Old Navy fan but I decided I would see what there jeans were like.  I grabbed several pairs of jeans and headed to the dressing room.  I slipped on the first pair of jeans and to my surprise they fit perfectly.  There is no better feeling than finding that perfect pair.  I tried on the next 2 pairs and once again, they fit me perfectly.  I ended up coming home with 3 new pairs of jeans.  And they were under $40 which is huge for me!  I am used to spending way more on the "perfect" pair of jeans.

Any of you ladies out there who are a bit curvier, I would highly recommend Old Navy jeans.  I am super happy with them!  The quest for my perfect fitting jeans is over!  :)

Camping :)

One of my most favorite things to do is go camping.  I am not talking about going to a cabin, I am talking about real, legit tent camping.  I can not think of anything more relaxing than being outdoors experiencing and admiring God's beautiful creation.  There are no distractions of the "real world."

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go camping with 3 of my good friends.  We had a blast despite the fact it took me 2 hours longer to get there due to my inability to follow directions.  After finally getting there, Melissa and Dannielle already had the Tent up.  I must say I was very proud of them being able to get that tent up with no problem.  We went to Poinsett State Park and it was breathtakingly beautiful.  After getting camp set up we did some exploring.  The colors of fall were in full force.  Melissa, being the photographer she is,  couldn't walk more than 5 feet before she would stop and take a picture.  The colors were so vibrant and it made for amazing pictures.  It was any photographers dream.  I had to share some of her beautiful pictures with you guys.  I am already ready to go back this weekend  :)

While we were there we also made up a drink called "The Poinsett."  It was quite yummy so I thought I would share the recipe.  

2 parts Raspberry rum (Cruzen)

2 parts lemonade (Real Simple)

1 part soda water

Mix all together.  Do not shake, you will loose the fizz!

My Heart is Stirring during this Christmas Season

It is that time of the year again!  Let the Christmas music, Christmas shopping, Christmas commercials, decorations, lights, and Christmas trees begin!  I LOVE this time of the year  :)  Believe me though, I do not skip over Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as well. I can't help but get into the Christmas spirit because from November-December all we will see is CHRISTMAS!

Over the past few days I have been struggling with the idea of Christmas.  For me it is such a joyous time of the year but for others, Christmas time can be hard.  I feel for the people who have no family to celebrate with.  I feel for the parent's who can not afford to buy their kids presents.  I feel for the kids who have to see all of their friends receive gifts while they try to understand why their parents can not give them anything.  I feel for the people who never know when they will eat their next meal while people like me gain 5lbs. during these 2 months due to the excess of food.  But most of all, my heart breaks for the people who do not know the true meaning of Christmas and what CHRISTmas truly is about.

I have grown up knowing that every year during Christmas I would be getting spoiled with so many presents and so much love from family not thinking twice about the people who do not get to experience Christmas the way I do.  Did I completely miss the true meaning of Christmas?  Absolutely.

It could be that I am having one of my overly emotional days, but as I sit here writing this blog I can't help but to tear up.  Knowing that there are people in this world who look at Christmas as a sad time of the year or Do not understand what Christmas should really be about literally makes my heart break.  I feel like God is calling me to do something this Christmas that is most likely going to be out of my comfort zone, or even have me make some major sacrifices during this time of the year.  I am still trying to figure out what it is that God is wanting me to do this Christmas.  One of my biggest prayers for myself is for God to break my heart for what breaks His and I do believe He is truly doing that to me right now.

My prayer is for God to give me the direction he wants me to take during this time of the year.  I want my heart to continuously break for the lost, hungry, and poor.  I want to stop talking about it and actually take some action.  I know that God will lead me into the direction he wants me to go as long as I continue to seek him.  I will keep you posted on what God is stirring up in my heart.  :)

Psalm 31:3
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

  

Meet the Brown's :)

This past Friday October 21, 20011, 2 of my closes friends exchanged vows and became husband and wife. I had the privilege of being a part of their big day and it was amazing.  As the beautiful bride, Lindsey, walked down the aisle to her Prince Charming, Steven, a huge smile swept across my face.  Lindsey chose to walk down the aisle to Marry Me by Train (one of my favorites) and it could not have been more perfect.  My favorite part of any wedding is to see the Grooms face as he sees his bride for the first time.  Steven's face was the face of one happy man.  It was a beautiful moment.  As they exchanged vows, I could not help but tear up a little bit.  I have watched their love story unfold over the past year being that Lindsey and I lived together while I lived in Charleston.  I am so blessed that they are a part of my life.  I could not ask for better friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Brown 

Their wedding was a true fairy-tale wedding for them.  I know that they will live happily in love for many, many years to come.  Congratulations to you both!  I love you guys so much!

 

He is ALL We Need

Over the past several weeks I have been struggling with writing.  I feel as if I have so much to say but I do not have the words.  I have started this same blog post at least 6 times and has yet to publish anything.  Writing is my form of expressing myself yet I am struggling.  Because of this, holding things inside have been what I have been doing.  I can't even find the words to say in my personal journal.  Not only am I struggling with my writing but my prayer life has also been a struggle over the past month.  I know it sounds weird...but I have struggled with the words to pray.  It just does not make sense to me.  I have never had a problem with writing or praying.

As I sit here listening to pandora radio, a song called Outside of Me by Mikeschair came on.  The song lyrics immediately became my prayer. 

Outside Of Me lyrics

Give me something meaningful to say
Give me something wonderful to give
Give me something beautiful to sing, yeah
Give me something, something outside of me

All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is something outside of me

Give me something meaningful to want
Give me something wonderful to love
Give me something beautiful to see
And give me something, something outside of me

All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is something outside of me

All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is something outside of me

'Cuz your words give life when my own won't fly
You offer love when my own runs dry
You open blinded eyes
To behold what I can't describe

All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is something outside of me

All I need is You
All I need is You
All I need is something outside of me
Give me something meaningful to say ...

These lyrics are so beautiful and seemed so appropriate with how I am feeling.  I have been dealing with some anger, frustration, disappointment, self-confidence, and sadness over the past several weeks.  These emotions have clouded my relationship with God.  I have let them get to me meaning I have let them get between me and God.  I have not been dealing with these emotions properly and have let them tear me down mentally and physically.  In some previous blog post, I have mentioned how I love to have control and that is one thing I struggle with in my walk with God.  Giving Him ALL control.  I often forget Proverbs 3:5-6. (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways, submit to him and he will make your path straight.)  

I have put that wedge between God and I with letting the emotions get the best of me.  All I need is Him.  It is that simple yet it can be so hard sometimes.  God tells us He will NEVER leave nor forsake us.  It is a beautiful, beautiful thing that God will always be there even if we sometimes forget that He is all we need.  

Just as I am about to post this, "All I Need is You Lord" by Hillsong came on my pandora.  You think God is trying to give me a hint??  :)

The Only Man in My Life Who Has Yet to Let Me Down!

Brody Cohen Ownley ♥

Whats for Dinner!?

I have had one of those "I want to be Betty Crocker" days.  I woke up not feeling my best so I crochet all morning.  Then I napped.  After waking up from my nap, I told my Mom that I would make dinner tonight.  I was feeling a bit better, and I needed to get my tail up and do something.  My mom found a corn chowder that she wanted to try so I had her print it and I went crazy in the kitchen!  My mom knows that I like to cook most meals vegetarian or really healthy, so this recipe was perfect.  I decided to pair the chowder with a cous cous stuffed tomatoe and for desert we had chocolate pie!  The best part about any meal is the dessert and I have to say that this chocolate pie hit the spot.  Not to mention, it is a vegan chocolate pie!  I did not tell my Dad that it was vegan until after he ate 2 big slices of it.  After telling him, he was shocked!  It is quite tasty and you do not feel so guilty after eating it! 

 

If you are ever feeling "Bettycrockish" I recommend you try these recipes! Enjoy  :)

 

Corn Chowder (Taste of Home)

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 C. fresh or frozen corn
• 3 C. reduced-socium chicken broth
• 1/2 C. chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/2 tsp. dried rosmary, crushed
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• Dash cayenne pepper

Coat a large sauce pan with olive oil/cooking spray.  Add onion; cook and stir over medium heat for 4 minutes or until tender.  Add 4 C. corn; cook and stir until corn is softened, about 5 minutes.  Add 2 C. broth; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until corn is tender.  Cool slightly.

 

In a blender, process soup in batches until smooth; retuen all to the pan. Add the red pepper, rosmary, thyme, pepper, cayenne and remaining corn and broth; cook and stir for 10 min or until corn is tender. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

Cous Cous Stuffed Tomato

 

Prepare 1 box cous cous as directed on box.  Add 1/4 C. parmesan cheese and 1tsp. of garlic.  Cut top off tomato and take the seeds out.  Spoon cous cous in tomato.  Top with a mixture of parmesan,bread crumbs and italian seasoning.  Bake in oven on 350 for 15 minutes. 

 

 

Chocolate Fudge Pie Vegan style!  (http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/) 

• 1 package silken or firm tofu
• 1 tsp. cocoa powder
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 T nondair milk (such as almond or soy)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 8 to 10 oz chocolate chips
• 2-3 T agave or other sweetener (When I made it, I omitted it.  It was plenty sweet for me.)
• Optional: splash of kaluah

 

Melt the chocolate with milk (either on the stove or in the microwave.)  Throw everything into a food processor and blend until super-smooth.  Pour into a pie crust if desired. (you can make it crustless in order to cut calories.)  Fridge until chilled.  This gets firmer and firmer, the longer it sits.  YUM!
 

Today Is All About Love

It seems like every song that has come on my Pandora station this morning has been about love.  It seems like everything that I see on Facebook today has to do with love.  There has been posting's of babies, wedding's, and engagements.  It seem's that every blog I come across has to do with love.  I can not escape it today nor do I want to!  Seeing pictures, post, and blog post makes me happy.  I can't help but smile when I see love everywhere.  I know that I will one day be posting about my love story.  Until then, I will enjoy smiling as I look at all my friends and families love stories ♥

Overly Dramatic All You Want to Do is Cry All Day Funks

Do you ever have one of those days where all you do is want to cry all day long for no apparent reason?  That has been me for the past 5 days.  If someone looks at me wrong I want to cry.  If a bug hits my windshield and dies I want to cry.  If someone says something that I take offense too (even though I should not have at all) I want to cry.  When my puppy looks up at me and gives me that look, "please don't leave me" right as I am walking out the door for work, I want to cry.  This has been my life for the past 5 days.  Yes, I am over dramatic and yes I am a girl.  I guess these feelings of wanting to cry all the time are inevitable sometimes.  

My therapy: My plan for tonight after I get off work is to go home, pour me a glass of wine and pop in my Breakfast at Tiffany's DVD.  This is a sure way of getting me out of this funk.  Audrey Hepburn is sure to put me in a good mood  :)  She always does.  I have been listening to Moon River on repeat all day to keep me in a good mood.  I am looking forward to my date tonight with a glass of wine and Breakfast at Tiffany's  :)

Do you have some sort of remedy that you do to get you out of these, overly dramatic all you want to do is cry all day funks?

My Surprise Birthday Dinner!

These are pictures that I wanted to share of my surprise dinner with my wonderful friends  :)  Love them!!!

Yes, the candles say, "over the hill."  Apparently they thought it was funny that I am going through my "quarter life crisis three years to early."

The wine I am holding has to be my new favorite wine!  My friend Brittany gave it to me.  If you live near a Trader Joes, go pick up a bottle...or 2...or 3.  You will not regret it.  It is called Blue Fin and it is the red wine!!  The best part is...it's only $4!!!  

 My friends  :)

 Typical me being goofy!

 Love her!

 Go get a bottle of this wine!  ;)

My favorite restaurant in Florence  :)

22 years young ;)

Today is my second day of being 22 years young.  Yesterday I woke up thinking to myself...am I really 22?  Even though I was having a hard time excepting that fact that I am getting older, I pulled myself together (or at least tried to) and told myself that I will stay positive and be thankful for another wonderful year God has given me.

I woke up early, so I had plenty of time to get ready for work and do some reading before starting my busy day.  I got to and when I walked into my office I had cards and a little present from my co-workers.  Then an hour or so later, my Dad showed up with a dozen roses  :).  That just made my day!  Then the UPS man shows up at my work.  This is how our conversation went:

UPS man: Do you just want me to put the boxes in the work room.

Me: Yes, that would be fine.

UPS man: (walks back into my office for me to sign the computer thingy)

Me: (signing the thingy)  I can NEVER sign these things...it just looks like chicken scratch.

UPS man: (chuckles) Everyone has that problem...What is your last name?

Me: Ownley

UPS man: You have some strawberries in there?  Real fancy strawberries!  Is it like a special day for you...I see roses and now you got strawberries. 

Me: Well it is my birthday, and I am pretty sure you just told me one of my presents. (in a teasing way.)

UPS man: Oh man...I am sorry! 

I rushed to the workroom to look for my "fancy strawberries."  I opened them up and found that my former roommate in Charleston, and her fiance sent me them!  I was so surprised and so thankful!  They are some of the most thoughtful people you would ever meet.  I am so happy to have them in my life  :)

After all the wonderful surprises, my Mom and Dad came to take me out for a b-day lunch.  It was nice to get away from my office and we ate Japanese...so it was wonderful!  For dinner, Fran, my pastor/mentor/boss, took me to one of my favorite places, The Midnight Rooster for dinner.  Thursday they serve sushi and I am always down for sushi, but after getting there I decided to get their wonderful tomato/basil/fresh mozzarella sandwich with the chicken tortilla soup.  It was fantastic!  That night we had our college ministry, so we headed back to church for some bible study.  It was an awesome conversation and such a great time.  

I finally made it home after being at work all day from 10am-10pm.  I came home to some cards from my parents and my brother.  I am saving up to get a Nook color so my parents contributed to that by giving me some money  :).  I also got a sweet card from my grandparents who also gave me money which will go towards my Nook fund! I can't wait to order one!  My sister sent me a present in the mail and it was a beautiful wooden cross.  I already have it hanging in my office.  I know that it will remind me of the faith and support she has in me every time I look at it. It is simply beautiful.

I could not have asked for a better way to spend my birthday!  I am such a lucky girl who has so many friends and family who cares for me so much.  I had many birthday calls/text/facebook comments.  I have the best family and friends in the world :)  I am so grateful.  I am super excited to see what this year brings!

Bring on the homework, studying, and papers...I am ready!

If you had told me 2 years ago that I would be contemplating going back to school or not, I would have looked at you as if you were nuts.  I am not a fan of school, nor have I EVER been a fan of school.  I have always been jealous of the people who love it and naturally excel in school.  Some people could be students for the rest of their lives.  2 years ago, in the middle of my 4th semester of college, I made the decision of dropping out of school.  During that time, I had so many things going on and school was not a priority.  At that point in my life, I have already chose to follow my calling into ministry but I did not feel at that point, school was a necessity.  

Now, 2 years later, I am researching, praying and focusing on trying to further my education.  I always thought that I would go back to school, but never this soon.  I am looking at completing a degree through online courses.  There are no school in my area that have ministry degrees and I do not feel as if God is calling me to pick up and leave Hartsville or my job.  Working as a Program Ministry Director is giving me so much experience and opportunity.  I know that is where God wants me to be so online classes is the only possible way for me to further my schooling.  I feel that furthering my education is almost a necessity for me to fully answer my calling into ministry.  I believe that proper training and education will give me the tools and knowledge I need in order to fulfill.  I am doing a lot of research and prayerfully considering where God wants me to continue my education.  

Once again, God has completely paved a new road for me that I would never have thought my life would go. As I previously said, if you had told me 2 years ago that I would be considering going back to school, I would have looked at you as if you had lost it.  God is always surprising me and keeping me on my toes  :)

Bring on the homework, studying, and papers...I am ready!

Happy Anniversary to My Parents!

August 27, 1983 was the day my parents exchanged vows and said their "I-do's." 

I think their wedding pictures tell their love story way better than I can put in words.  Enjoy!

I am so thankful and blessed to have such wonderful parents who have modeled what a relationship/marriage should be.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!!

I Want My Child-Like Mind Back

When I was around 4 or 5 years old, sitting in my Mame's lap, I asked the question, "Mame, did you make God?"

Yes, that really happend and yes, I was being dead serious.  It was only logical for me to think that.  My Mame is such a Godly women and it shows through and through.  From the time I was able to talk and probably before, she was constantly talking to me about this so called God.  I was fascinated and in aww of how much she knew about this loving gracious person that she called Jesus, God, Christ.  I wanted to know more and more and I just could not get enough.  I was the child who asked so many questions.  I was "that" child that got on everyone else's nerves because of all the questions I asked.  I remember having long conversations with my Dad about God and who He was as a child.  I craved it.  I wanted it.  As I got older, that craving and feeling was not as strong.  That curiosity almost went away.  It is so amazing how a childs mind works.  In my 5 year old mind, it only seemed logical that my Mame made God.  She knew so much about Him and always talked about Him.  Later, I came to understand that my Mame has that child-like mind where she wants to know more and craves The Word.  I am learning to go back to my child hood days to where I could not get enough of God.  Everyday, I want to know more and more.  Before I read my bible, I pray for the understanding and the excitement  that I want to get when I open it up and read.  I want to be more like my Mame who has so much wisdom and understanding of who God is.  I want to be a walking, living example to everyone that I come across.  I want people to see me as someone different.  I want people to want and question why I am so different from this world.  I want the Christ-like mind that only a child has.  I want the curiosity to never go away of who God is.  I want to have so much wisdom and know so much, that a young curios child may come up to me and question, "Hannah, did you make God?"  God wants that intimate relationship with us where we know everything about Him.  He is calling us to have a child-like mind where we can not get enough of Him.  That is what I strive for every day.

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Me and my Mame :)