Connect to your Source.

Last weekend was Easter weekend. (If this is news to you, you obviously haven't been to church or Walmart in the last couple months!) I just wanted to share a powerful sermon that was given last weekend at Crosstimbers. Pastor Toby Slough presented the Gospel of Christ in a very clear, moving, and relevant way. If you're a believer and you feel like you've just lost connection with the Lord, or you're not really sure about this whole "Christian" thing, I encourage you to watch this video!

http://messages.crosstimberschurch.org/easter-2011/



What a WONDERFUL God we serve! All glory to Him and Him alone!

Love,
Hannah

A Romanian Adventure :)

Buna Seara! :) I have some exciting news! But first, a little back-story..

If you've read any of my previous posts, you've seen how the Lord has broken my heart for the nations. He has specifically laid Africa on my heart, specifically the countries of Uganda & Ghana. He has also recently opened my eyes to the need in Kenya, as I pray for my sweet friends the Omondi's who are currently serving in Mombasa. The church I attend, Crosstimbers Community Church, is currently building a highschool in Uganda. The video updates of Pastor Dongo's work in Kampala send shivers up my spine in anticipation of one day seeing the fruit of their labor in Heaven!

If you've ready any of my past ramblings, you've ALSO read about my struggle with desiring not only to go to Africa, but to Romania as well. I've taken several trips there when I was in High School, but have not returned in nearly 3 years. I prayed and cried long and hard over the decision I would make. I had an intense longing to visit Africa, but I knew in my heart God had something different in mind. Over the weeks, Romania kept coming up in different random places. I knew this is where I would be sent this Summer.

So, needless to say, I decided to purchase a plane ticket to Romania in faith that the Lord has a plan. (Actually, I used the ticket I didn't get to use for France last year..) Lord willing, I will be spending two sweet months in Timisoara, taking language and working with kids (of course) in some form or fashion. I have a couple options open to me, so I'll be excited to see what I end up doing! I will be staying with my parents in their apartment, which should be fun. ;) (I'm very thankful to have a good relationship with them so we can all stand to live in such close quarters for 8 weeks ;)) I will be leaving June 2nd and returning sometime in July. :)

Starting now, I intend to keep track of this Summer's adventures! Especially for my/my parents supporters, I'd like to use this blog to keep you in the loop on what the Lord is doing in Romania, so hopefully you can have a taste of the work you're making possible. (On that note, I just have to say.. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!!) I have renamed my blog, "Little Gypsy Soul." The word "Gypsy" is defined as: "a person held to resemble a gypsy, especially in physical characteristics or in a traditionally ascribed freedom or inclination to move from place to place." They live with the freedom of a feather, able to come and go wherever the wind takes them. This is the kind of life my heart longs for.. to be able to move from place to place with nothing holding me down. Romanian gypsies are called the Romani people, and sadly, not everyone is as romanticized by these people as I am. They tend to be the poorest of the poor, and the most unreached in the country. I pray that one day (maybe even this summer!) I will be able to reach out to these people!

So, welcome to my gypsy journey. :) I hope and pray that this Summer Christ may be glorified and the Body encouraged to love Him and His people more. And, if you are not a Christian and all my lingo sounds like silliness, I hope that the stories you read inspire you and broaden your perspectives on the world. :)




I found this picture online, and I absolutely love it. Such a perfect picture of a sweet little Romani (gypsy) baby!

A Thousand Thoughts Tonight.

Hello, Hello. Here I am, my back against the wall in UNT's One O'Clock Lounge, sitting on the floor in a sea of textbooks and midterm study guides.. and all I can really think about is how I've been dying to do a blog post for so long and haven't had the time. So, I'm making time to give room for a little update. :)

The Lord has been doing so many wonderful things in and around me, I can hardly write all of it down. But, one specific idea that has been burned in my mind is the phrase, "Do justly, live simply." This is the prophetic statement for the church that I heard preached at Agape Christian Fellowship in Groves, TX this past Sunday. However, this idea has been bouncing around in my head for a couple months now, ever since Toby Slough preached a sermon over the exact same thing at Cross Timbers Community Church in Argyle, TX. How on earth two pastors that don't talk to eachother and that live hundreds of miles apart preached on the exact same text and exact same concept, was beyond anything that could have happened simply by chance! (At least, in my heart. :)) God has been giving a specific word to me over the last couple months, and I'm slowly but surely learning what it means to be obedient and faithful to that word.

So, what was this wonderful, fantastic, mysterious sermon I keep talking about? I'm glad you asked. :)

Both Toby and Michael talked about Matthew 25:31-46. This is where Jesus talks about the final judgement, where he will "separate the sheep from the goats," which is an analogy he uses for the believers (sheep) and nonbelievers (goats). But I believe there is something a little more to the concept of "goats" that many of us, as "believers" miss. Jesus says this:

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'" (vs. 34-36)

Immediately after Jesus talks about who He considers His "sheep," he mentions the kind of life they lived: generous, sacrificial, and intentional. (Stay with me, I'm not talking about legalism here!) Jesus also goes on to talk about those who live the opposite way.

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'" (vs. 41-43)

He also says,

"...the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"

Jesus talks about the evidence of a life truly changed by the Gospel. It is a lifestyle that gives and loves the "least of these" without hesitation and despite circumstances. Who are the "least of these" in our/my life/lives? As I sat through the sermon that day, I prayed for an answer to that question. I asked for an ability to see beyond the Kingdom that I see with my physical eyes (the one that tells me I'm too fat, i need more stuff, i need to look/act a certain way to be accepted, etc...), and the strength to live in the Kingdom I cannot see, but my heart longs for (things of the Kingdom, eternal treasure, the ultimate glory of Christ!). I believe He has given a very clear answer, and I'm so excited (and nervous!) to see how it all plays out..

I am fascinated with the idea of "less"... of giving and giving until I can't give anymore. However, when it comes to actually living it.. it's much more difficult to do than it is to say.
Do we give until it hurts, and then give some more? Are we faithful in the small things? Are we faithful in the big, trusting that the Lord will provide? Do we grumble? Do we do these things with a joyful heart, because we know there was One before who gave it ALL for us? Do we bring justice to those who have no voice? Do we make a difference in our families, cities, communities, or the world? Do we love as we have been loved?

Tired of the questions yet? :) I just have a few more..

What if we were more intentional? What if we made the little extra effort to buy things that supported good causes? Or, what if we spent more wisely and bought less, so that we were able to give more to those in need? What if we got rid of that extra space we have in our homes and opened up a little more in our hearts?

The call of God is clear. The Redeemed of the Lord are to bring justice to the injustice in the world. Sometimes that means selling everything and moving to a foreign country, and sometimes it means rearranging our budgets so that we were able to give just a little more. Or a lot more. What if every believer made it a point to throw in some spare change or a couple dollar bills into every benefit collection bin they see? They're everywhere: gas stations, fast food drive-thru's, convenience stores, etc. I wonder how much those small, simple donations would add up and make a difference? Can we find out? Can we give up our "rights" to convenience, comfort, and spare change for the sake of the Kingdom?

"The Gospel is free, but it will cost you EVERYTHING."If we believe this to be true, then we ought to be able to take a look at ourselves and ask.. what is the Gospel costing me? If the answer is nothing, we may need to reevaluate what direction we're heading. What do we really believe?


I'll leave you with the words of Jesus, that I read this morning over some Mi Casita breakfast tacos and a cup of coffee...

"give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." -Luke 6:38

All in His timing.

"Good judgement comes from experience. And a lot of that experience comes from bad judgement." -Jim Horning.

It's strange to think I've lived nearly 20 years on this Earth. Two whole decades! It seems like such a long time to me, but I know it's barely the blink of an eye in the view of eternity. I'm so thankful for the experiences I've had so thus far.. and I'm still definitely enjoying being a teenager while it lasts! (And for the record.. I've found that quote to be so very true!)

As I've mentioned before, I seem to have grown a heart for the people of Africa. I have several friends who have the same desires to go there as well, and I love to look at their pictures from past trips & imagine myself being there. Ahh, just to hug those precious babies! However, as I've learned from past mistakes (aka, bad judgement) that to try to push something outside of God's timing is never a good idea. Last summer, I desired to travel to France for missions. Deep in my heart I knew it wasn't right, but I so wanted it to be that I went for it anyway. The thing is, natural beings can't force the Supernatural to work. Too often I think I know better than the God who created time. Well, I learned that lesson the hard way, as I learned a mere three days from departure date that my passport was expired, and I would have to go to Houston to get it in time. This was impossible for me to do at the time, so I had to withdraw from the team.

All that to say, this Summer a trip to Uganda and Ghana with Visiting Orphans has been on my mind, and I feel an intense longing to go. The more I talk about it and think about it, the more excited I get and the more I want to go! I've applied for the trip, and all that is lacking is 2 reference forms and a $200 deposit. But to be completely honest, I'm just not sure if the timing is right. I am literally moved to tears when I think about going to Africa. My heart longs to be with those babies who walk the streets with no one to love them. But is this God's timing? Is this what You have for me, Lord? I'm just not sure. So, I continue in prayer.

Of course, I have also made plans to visit my parents in Romania this summer, where they will be moving (Lord willing!) in a couple of months. I love the people of Romania as well, so very much! I cannot wait to get back to those beautiful mountains and green hills, the dirt roads and the cows walking down the streets! The babies walking the streets there are just as important as the ones in Ghana, and I want to wrap my arms around them as well. But, to be honest.. the tears don't come. Why? Why for one place, and not the other? Maybe because I've been to Romania, and not to Uganda. Maybe because there is more press for helping the poverty in Africa, and not Romania. I don't know.

I don't know, I don't know. I don't know what I'll do. What I DO know, is that God is God. He is in charge, and my only job is to go where He sends me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours, everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause.

I want to leave you with these words from Oswald Chambers, in "My Utmost for His Highest."



February 1st: "The call of God"
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel." 1 Cor 1:17

Paul states here that the call of God is to preach the gospel; but remember what Paul means by "the gospel" viz, the reality of Redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are apt to make sanctification the end-all of our preaching. Paul alludes to personal experience by way of illustration, never as the end of the matter. We are nowhere commissioned to preach salvation or sanctification; we are commissioned to lift up Jesus Christ (John 12:32). It is a travesty to say that Jesus Christ travailed in Redemption to make me a saint. Jesus Christ travailed in Redemption to redeem the whole world, and place it unimpaired and rehabilitated before the throne of God. The fact that Redemption can be experienced by us is an illustration of the power of the reality of Redemption, but that is not the end of Redemption. If God were human, how sick to the heart and weary He would be of the constant requests we make for our salvation, for our sanctification. We tax His energies from morning till night for things for ourselves-something for ME to be delivered from! When we touch the bedrock of the reality of the Gospel of God, we shall never bother God any little personal complaints.
The one passion of Paul's life was to proclaim the Gospel of God. He welcomed heart-breaks, disillusionments, tribulation, for one reason only, because these things kept him in unmoved devotion to the Gospel of God.




This is a picture my sweet roommate Kayla shared with me from her trip last spring to Niger. So sweet!

Hello 2011!

Seems like my entire life it felt like 2009 would never come. That was the year I graduated high school. Now, here I am, wondering where the heck 2010 went! Considering I have no idea when I'll actually graduate college, I have found it better to live day by day, and semester by semester. But for now, 2010 in retrospect. :)


In 2010, I..

became a UNT eagle!
joined an African Dance Ensemble.
took French.
met my best friend.
became a bridesmaid.
toured the US with said African Dance Ensemble.
went to SXSW, at which Bryce Avery basically held my hand. No big deal. ;)
went to NX35.
got an “Incomplete” in a class. (oops)
performed at the Arts & Jazz festival.
moved 3 times.
fell off a Navajo racehorse.
was baptized by my big brother.
changed my major a thousand times.
chose and declared a major that I’m sticking with. (theoretically)
played cops & robbers til 5 in the morning.
took a ride in the back of a squad car.
dyed dark burgundy strips in my hair.
got my nose pierced.
turned 19.
fell in love with the Lord in a whole new way.
spent two weeks in SETX. (during which I met so many lovely friends!)
joined Mocha Club.
lived one semester of dorm life.
fell off my bike on campus in front of many people.
went to my first UNT football game.
went to my first UNT volleyball game.
rode a motorcycle for the first time.
joined Cross Timbers Community Church - love it!
became a Nanny!
became a “regular” at Jupiter House.
moved into my dream apartment in downtown Denton, TX.
messed up. a lot.
learned that there is more of God’s grace than I could ever use.

Praise God for 2010! Through valleys and the mountains God has been good. Though I stumble, stray, strive, and think of myself far too often, God has been good. He has seen me through all 365 days of 2010; all days that he ordained and knew. And however many days He gives me in 2011, whether it be all or some, He has seen them, died for them, and covered them in His grace. So, as Oswald Chambers writes, I “let the past rest on the bosom of Christ,” and I welcome the new year with excitement and anticipation to see what’s next! So, 2011... Bring. It. On. :)

This time for Africa.

Recently, my heart has been broken for the people of Africa.

It all started at the beginning of this year, when I joined the African Dance Ensemble at UNT. It was there that I had my first experience with any type of African culture. The class was taught by a Master Drummer from Ghana, Gideon Alorwoyie. I was awed by the sound of the drums, and had a blast stumbling my way through the tribal dances we learned. :)

Over the summer, I learned about an organization called Mocha Club.

This is an awesome organization that gets groups of young people together to donate what they can to raise money for different projects all over Africa. They understood that most college-age people don't have hundreds of dollars laying around to donate, but they do have a few dollars and a TON of friends! The idea is to donate $7 a month (the cost of two mochas) and give it towards a certain project.
The more people to join your "team," the more money you raise! It's a great opportunity to have a HUGE impact for those who need it! My team supports Education for kids in many countries. If you are moved to join Mocha Club, please consider our team! We are called "One Step Away," emphasizing the point that bridging the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" is not as big as it seems!

I also stumbled upon this sweet sister's blog, called Kisses from Katie. These are inspiring, heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, and TRUE stories of a simple woman's larger-than-life love for people. She has adopted 14 little African girls, and has recently lost one in a court battle. Make sure you have some tissues handy before you read these, and do NOT be afraid to let them move you to action. I pray they do.

So, now what? What can I do, sitting at a kitchen table in Pilot Point, TX? After reading Katie's stories, watching the Mocha Club videos, and reading about all the suffering and injustice overseas, is it really so hard to give up two trips to Jupiter House Coffee a month? Is it so hard for me to not have the iPhone 4? Or an iPad? Or that sweater from Urban Outfitters?

To be completely honest, I'm ready to buy a ticket to Uganda and throw up the deuces to the US and everything here. It seems so unfair, that tomorrow while I'm signing a lease to a new apartment, a little boy is dying from lack of love, care, water, food, parents, etc... It breaks my heart to know that these precious ones in the Lord's sight are starving while I type now. We tend to think we "need" a lot of things, but we don't. Maybe we need a little... less. Maybe we need a reality check. Maybe we need Africa more than Africa needs us.

My Life as a Nanny.

Here I am. In my dorm room. Awake. At 2AM. My roommate, Rachel, is snoozing behind me and sleep-talking every once in a while. She's a good sport, always very patient as I keep the lamp on during my late nights here in Bruce Hall. :)

This seems to be my life lately. A lot of late night studying, waking up within ten minutes of class starting, squeezing in a shower during my lunch break between classes, and zooming off to pick up my kiddos from school right afterward! As much as I do the same thing over and over, I promise you, it's never truly the "same old, same old." There is no such thing in my life these days. :)

First of all, the kids I nanny every afternoon are adopted. They've been through more than a 6 and 7 year old should, and now BELONG to a wonderful set of parents who take care of them, keep them safe, and LOVE them like they deserve. These kiddos always have some kind of new adventure/drama/issue/scheme up their sleeve for me to try to figure out. There's never a slow day! I've worked with kids a LOT over my short lifetime, but never any quite like these. These two are crazy and hyper, they constantly misbehave, challenge me, push the limits.. they rarely listen the first time, they do things they shouldn't, and don't do the things they should. They fight, they argue, they whine. And I love them. They've captured my heart. I love getting my goodbye hugs every day, and seeing those two little blonde heads looking up at me with smiles on their faces. I love it when they sing along to the worship songs in the car, or start singing all on their own. I love feeling so proud of them when they get good grades, have a good day at school, or do something kind without being asked. I love having too many pictures of fish, hearts, dragons, and more fish that they've drawn me than I could ever have room to hang on my wall.

You wanna know the kicker?-- Out of all the churches I've been to, all the sermons I've heard, and all the retreats I've been to... They've taught me the most about God and my relationship with Him. The thing is, they're just like me. They're just like all of us. We all whine, we all fight, we all figuratively (maybe sometimes literally!) slump in our chairs and cross our arms when we don't get our way. We argue with God when we don't want to do what He says we ought, even though we know He knows best. We see how much we can "get away with." God says "don't do that" and we give him the pushing-the-limits-sideglance and do it anyway. And you know what? He loves us the same. He will scold, reprimand, and let us suffer the consequences of our actions, but His love never fails. When we fight and argue, He remains patient and merciful. When we become angry, He is gracious. And, He loves seeing my little blonde head looking up and smiling at Him, genuinely loving Him. He loves walking and talking with me. He loves the hundreds of silly letters I write to Him. He keeps me safe, He protects me from harm. He provides for me, blesses, me, and calls me His own. You get the picture. :) It is just the most beautiful, challenging, heart-wrenching, fulfilling thing I've ever done, to spend time with these kids.

One story of how God has spoken to me through this experience. My little 6 year old girl struggles with controlling her emotions. One time, she disobeyed something quite small, but big enough to earn her a time-out. The rule is, you go to your room for 6 minutes, and then you can come out. Time out does not start, however, until she is calm and quiet. It is a simple enough rule, right? Guess again. This little front-toothless wonder doesn't go down without a fight. She will try to run, fight, kick, argue, yell, etc... just to avoid six minutes in her room. Some days she cools her jets a little quicker than others, but this particular day, she was revved and ready to go. She was not going to serve her time-out sentence. She was going to be the boss and stay in the living room with us. This doesn't work with Miss Hannah. The rules are the rules, and Miss Hannah doesn't bend. ;) After about 15 or so minutes of persistent arguing, my little girl begins to cry, "Please forgive me Miss Hannah! Please! You gotta just forgive me!" So, I calmly peeked my head in the door and said, "Listen, I forgive you. But you cannot come out of here until you are obedient." Immediately after the words left my mouth, I couldnt help but to let out a little laugh. I realized there are so many times in my life I feel I'm in this distant place from the Lord. I've done something to step outside His will or I'm not doing something I should be obedient in. I feel alone, I feel sad, I feel like something just isn't right. And I'll cry, and I'll whine, and I'll complain and ask God "Why, why, WHY do I feel this way?!" I ask God to forgive me, but I kindly let Him know that I have no intention of giving up my fight. I want out of time out MY way. Then He calmly says to me, "Daughter, I forgive you. But you can't come out of this place until you are obedient." And until I calm myself down and decide to obey what He has asked me to do (which is always in my best interest anyway), I will remain in that place. Just like I tell my little girl how she is in control of how long her time-out lasts, I am in control of how long I will be distanced from the Lord. See, the thing is, when I/we feel distant from God, it's never HIM who has done the moving. Praise You Lord, for your eternal faithfulness.


Well, this has turned out to be a much longer post than I anticipated. :) Such is my life these days, so extremely full that I feel like I may bust at the seams!

I do have more to say, about an awesome book I just read, about my church family and what we're doing, and about family things! However, I doubt too many have even made it through this novel of a blog post to care anyway. ;)

Digging Deeper,
Hannah