Knowing isn't believing.

Skye and I have been going to a new church in town. LifePointMountVernon.com is the website, I think. The pastor there, his family is long time friends so going seemed to click. The last three weeks he's been doing a sermon called "Man Up" specifically focusing on men in general. But I've been getting a lot out of the sermons. The 2nd week one sentence stood out to me and I've been stewing over and over it.
"Fathers, it's not enough that your children know you love them, they need to believe it."
That is really powerful. But, take out fathers and children. Just simply put in people.

"People, it's not enough that people know you love them, they need to believe it."

That's revolutionary. How many times do you just ramble as your getting off the phone....ok, love you, bye! But do you really mean that. I know it's become so routine to say I said it to our realtor TWICE! But not only speaking the words but our actions? Do our actions SHOW that we love someone?
 Do we talk about them behind their back?
Do we shun them when we disagree with them?
Do we lie straight to their face?

Seems honesty and real are qualities hard to come by nowadays. I want to be a real person. Constant in who I am so others know...welp, that Hannah! I want to be real, but full of love. I want to speak truth even when it's the unpopular vote.

Wouldn't it be revolutionary if we were all real with our "I love you"'s? To never doubt...to never fear or wonder...but know!

Stew on it for a bit. Do those you LOVE believe it????

Mr. Miller

It was the coolest thing. Skye and I have been so downtrodden lately with all that is going on. We've been working on the house, just the two of us, and this one truck keeps passing our house daily. I don't know why it caught my eye, but it always did. Well I was in the house and Skye was in the driveway and this truck pulls in. Skye yelled asking me if I knew who it was, and I didn't but it was the truck I've been noticing. Two men got out and introduced themselves to us. We started talking and such and push come to shove we started talking about our faith and God. Well that opened up the flood waters...and they stood there and spoke words of encouragement and love and support into our lives. Skye and I were moved, deeply moved. It was another thing that just says to me that God is real, he is alive, and he is part of our daily life. It was an amazing moment in our lives that we will NEVER forget!!

So please, if God ever asks you to speak to someone, DO IT...it might forever change their life!!

It's so loud, I can't hear anything!!

Have you ever been hit with a huge life changing decision and you absolutely can't clear your head enough to make the correct decision? Well that is Skye and me. It's so loud with outside influence, selfish desires, and chatter we can't think straight. The hardest part is...I don't like any of the options, really.
I have been blessed with a couple groups of women bible studies in my journey across this fine country. But my MD ladies spoke into my life, forced me to grow, challenged me to try harder, seek more, believe more. They are an amazing bunch and I miss them so. Since we've been here in Ohio we've not taken the opportunity to dig in and find like minded friends who will do that same. It's extremely difficult to feel convicted on something and know no one else on that same road. I am not good at self accountability.

Please be praying for Skye and I as we commit to prayer this week and really focus on God and what he is saying to us. Decision are hard enough for the two of us, then add in kiddos and moving across the country again and we seem to allow confusion to set in.

Thanks, friend!
Hannah

in 32 years..

In 32 years I've learned so many things, between the joyful moments and the sorrowful moments. Anyone can write a list a mile long of all the woeful things in their life. Right now, I feel so heavy with that list but I'm trying so hard to focus on God, on the blessings of my life. So, here a list of things I am blessed to have learned, or things I am blessed with in my 32 years.

1. I am a child of God!
2. I have an amazing husband, who loves me dearly, and I just adore him.
3. God has blessed us with 3 living, breathing, wonderful children.
4. My parents raised me to be a smart, independent, God fearing woman.
5. I have too many family member to count that I love and cherish.
6. I have too many friends all around the world that encourage me, push me, challenge me, and inspire me.
7. I've learned you can't count on tomorrow, so make today count.
8. Fighting with someone is NEVER worth it.
9. Proving MY point, doesn't get me an inch closer.
10. Dying to self is a daily choice.
11. My convictions are my convictions, and when I don't follow through, I am sinning.
12. God whispers...stop talking and listen
13. Underlining thing in my bible is important for the learning process.
14. I am stronger than I thought I was.
15. I smile not because I have to, and not because I want to, but because I choose to...and that makes me smile more.
16. Learn from other peoples mistakes.
17. Don't judge, love.
18. Just because I don't agree, doesn't mean I don't love.
19. There is nothing else in this world as important than my relationship with Christ.
20. As much as I adore my husband, I must to love God more.
21. Obedience doesn't have to be hard, when you trust.
22. Submission isn't bad thing, it's a gift I give.
23. Laughter really truly is the best medicine.
24. Just because BAD things happen, or bad situations occur doesn't mean I did something wrong and God is punishing me.
25. Stop expecting people to do as I do, or act like I would.
26. Stop, and listen to people...everyone has a story I can learn from.
27. LISTEN to advice...digest it, and apply if necessary.
28. Tell people you love them, life is SO short.
29. HUG people...and give them LOTS of grace.
30. Work hard, play hard.
31. Enjoy your journey.
32. Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Older...or wiser?

Funny, I believe it now. You never really "feel" older...just become wiser!! Seems like growing "older" has been hitting me in the face lately. Not at all that I'm "old", but when my baby's babysitter is starting her freshman year of college, or friends younger siblings are getting married...or my own children are getting close to double digits...I'm starting to feel "older".

It's really a blessing though to start to see things through the "older" crowds eyes. I'm the "wiser" one now...giving advice, praying for the younger, seeking God on their behalf. It's a real blessing to be on this side of the walk.

Speaking of the walk...Skye and I have really just settled in our spirits that God will move in our hearts when it comes time and we will just "know". I think I know what will happen, but I'm waiting on God to settle that in Skye's heart.

Homeschool is going great. I'm really enjoying the teaching...working on learning to motivate. These kids are awesome, and fun, and funny. I am blessed beyond measure to be given them for this time in my life.

If you think of it...remember to pray for our college kids...in my experience that was a super rough time trying to figure out who you are...because you're not who you were in High School, and you don't quite know who you are in college, and the real world is staring you in the face. I'm just glad God gave me a best friend to walk beside me through it all!

The Ultimatum

I've been putting off this post for a while now, as I am impatiently waiting on God to make the path clear so I can write about how He moves. But...right now he's asking us to stand very still and wait...like at the red sea I guess.
It all started with a phone call. A buddy of Skye's called and said that he saw via work that Skye was being sent back to MD . Skye laughed this off because no one in their right mind would move us back after only 8 months here. We were dead wrong. The company gave us an ultimatum...go back to PAX or go wherever we send you...but go, we can't stay. We had 3 days  to make the decision.
Back and forth and back and forth. We're so full of different thoughts and ideas and emotions. The water is too muddy to make a clear decision. If you didn't know, were about 1/3 of the way into BUILDING OUR OWN HOUSE!!!
Prayers being said, quiet moments trying to hear God. We've found peace in our decision...


We wait on God to move.