Vagabond Summer.

SO MUCH GOING ON!

I've returned from New Mexico, a little bruised, a lot tired, and a TON in love with the Lord. :) It was an amazing one-week experience on the Navajo Reservation outside of Alberquerque (sp?). No shower for the week, no mirrors, no running water, no TOILET.. Sometimes it takes simplifying life and stripping away all the extras that we see as necessities to be able to get a close look at the face of God. And that's exactly what we got last week.

We put on a Vacation Bible School in the mornings, and spent time in the afternoons building relationships with eachother and the Navajos, playing baseball, taking naps, painting the church and playground there.. and even getting to ride (and in my case FALL OFF OF) some of their horses. Yes, that's right, I fell off their fastest racehorse as it was sprinting down the trail, and broke/sprained/strained my elbow (still not sure which). God protected me and shook me up a bit, to revive my thankfulness for life and his creation. The only time we could get phone/internet signal was on top of a mountain behind the res, so at night we would hike up to the top and give family and friends updates on what new crazy thing was happening that day. We had no choice though, but to ADMIRE God's creation before we could even look at our phones. The view of what the Lord created for HIS glory alone was breathtaking, especially since it was completely uninterrupted by buildings, smog, etc.. And, I was also able to be baptized by my hero, protector, and big brother that week, which was a dream come true. I admire many people, but my brother has to take the cake. Needless to say, it was a fantastic week!

Now it's time to switch gears! The time to leave for France is drawing closer and closer, and I'm not feeling ready at all! My laundry isn't done, I actually have no idea what to pack.. and my support is coming in quite slowly. However, I have been very encouraged to hang out with the sweet ladies I'll be serving with, and they are getting me very excited to get over there! Call me melodramatic, but I actually saw a rainbow on my way home today, and it reminded me to think of all the promises God has given, that He will provide for us exactly when we need it, and He walks us through every step. Praise Him, who faithfully pursues our hearts and never lets go!

So many other exciting things seem to be happening at home too.. But more on those later. ;) <3

ALL for the sake of the Kingdom,
Hannah

Eeek!

Support letters for France have just about all been sent out.. Eeeeek!

Navajo Reservation in 5 days!

I'm so completely excited to experience two completely new cultures this Summer, and do so by sharing the Hope that the Creator has given me!


If I haven't said it yet..

.. EEEEKK! :)

Oh, how He loves us!

Whoo. Exhaustion.

I've completely cleaned out my closet/room today. It's so hard to go through years of "treasures" (junk) sometimes! How many pairs of shoes do you keep? Is it okay to get rid of the little Precious Moments doll someone gave you for your baptism? Will I really use ALL these picture frames?! Sigh, so many questions, so much STUFF! Ahh well. Most of it I've chosen to sell, and what doesn't sell to donate. (Hoping to raise enough tomorrow to pay for the rest of my New Mexico trip, and maybe a little extra!) It's felt nice to go through old things from years past, and have the freedom to *let go* of what they represent to me. I'm super excited for this new season of life that's coming upon me, and getting rid of some of the "old me" feels wonderful. :)

PS- I bought 160 envelopes today, hoping to get letters out on Monday! It's gonna be a busy busy weekend! I plan to start a blog for NM and France as well as a Twitter for each. Follow if you dare! ;)

I must be awake in approximately 5.5 hours. Tomorrow will be interesting. All for the glory of God! :)

Bon soir!
<3
Hannah

Parle-vous frances?

EEEK! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself!!! I got the word today, I've been confirmed to go to France this Summer!! We leave in 33 days (and I'll be in New Mexico for 7 of those!), and obviously I've raised zero support. Working with kids is my passion, especially in Europe! Now, the question is.. can I raise $3,000 in just over a month?? No. I can't. Can GOD work miracles and bring in the money in HIS perfect timing? YES, He CAN!

I'm just about finished with my support letter, and as soon as I finish things up around here, I'm off to Walmart and Officemax for (recycled) envelopes and paper! :)

Resting on His Promises,

Hannah <3

New Seasons.

The start of the summer has brought about so many new and good things! I've recently been more and more obsessed with eating healthier and more naturally. I started just YESTERDAY on a new veggie/no sugar/no soda kick. I already feel better, though my body is obviously still adjusting to the lack of caffeine and high fructose corn syrup pumping through my body! Kicking a Dr Pepper addiction is no easy task. ;)

Spent some time with Mom today, cleaning out the memories and cobwebs from the warehouse. It was a good time of finding old pictures, letting go of the past and getting ready for the future! I scored some really adorable, legitimately vintage mason jars, an old form of my Grandma Pugs, and I'm trying to convince my Mother to let me keep some great old suitcases that have travelled the world with my grandparents. Otherwise, I went through some cute notes from friends from Junior High, some things I drew and wrote, and some funny trinkets I've collected over the years. I had to laugh at some of the silliness of keeping some of the junk we had (reminded me of Ecclesiastes: "Vanity! All is vanity!"), but every once in a while I would find some precious gem that reminded me of some sort of joy from the past.. my heart would glow and I would put it in the "keep" box. I hope to keep many things for my future wedding and home, whenever that season comes. :)

In other news, I leave in 16 days for New Mexico to work with sweet little Navajo kids with my brother's church. I'm super excited to spend some time with his High School ministry kids and work with them for the good of the Kingdom. We'll be putting on a Vacation Bible School for the kids on the Navajo reservation. It's way different from anything I've ever done, but I'm really excited to get my hands dirty again in the name of Jesus!

Side note: also praying that God might allow me to go to France this summer to help with Vacation Bible School there! Hopefully I'll have an update on that soon!

Loves!