well, besides being sick for a week and not being able to run (I start coughing up a lung each time), all is good. I am feeling better today. It is sunny and beautiful, but very very windy outside.
I am learning about propogating and container gardening today at JMG training.
Yesterday we made these precious bird baths (pics to come soon). It wasn't until later in the afternoon that something I said early in the morning to one of my friends, I can apply to my spiritual life and God. I wrote "come and drink" inside my fountain, and one of my friends, Lindsey, was trying so hard to write "08" in hers, but was really struggling.
Linds: "Hannah, how did you make your letters so clear?"
My response: "Go deeper." (meaning for her to dig deeper into the concrete)
My connection:
It's this simple. If I am not seeing results with what I am doing in my prayer life (and we can take this further...to every day living), I must dig deeper. Deeper into scripture. Deeper into relationships. Deeper into the difficult situation. Linds, couldn't see "08" from her point of view, but when she stuck the stick deeper into the concrete, the numbers developed much more clearly. To see true results, we must be deeper than we are right now. Where is it that you aren't seeing results?
I'm off to do more JMG...which I am falling in love with. More to come later...especially pictures. Adios.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
invasives...
this blog entry could be titled nothing but invasives...
yesterday, JMG training was excellent. a bit of a surprise when the first hours of the day were spent making crafts for gardening to teach students in the future about gardenin, but none-the-less, i still learned so much.
in the pm, after a sack lunch and time spent with some of my closest girls in the program, we went back to class to learn about all of the invasive plants, trees, vines, ground cover, aquatic plants, etc that are invasive to the ecosystem in Texas. the lady teaching it was very animated and made it interesting. looking around the room, i saw my classmates falling asleep in the dark-room, some taking notes, and others with glazed over eyes- not caring a bit in the world about what she was informing us about.
i kind of got giggly during her presentation. she knew so much about so much! it was amazing to see her passion shining through and that is what i want to address in this note.
passion. and how it ties into invasive things, people, etc in life.
for a long time, i have lived my daily life being passionate (or what i find passionate) about things that i love. i usually don't hesitate in sharing with others about these thoughts, ideas, creative likings, etc. usually it strikes up great conversations with people and great memories for future stories to be told, however....there always is however. lately, looking around at my environment, classmates, people at church, people I see every day...i am learning there are not just invasive plants in this world, but people. the master gardener said that invasives are FOREIGN to an area and CAUSE DESTRUCTION to the location that they have decided to take over.
foreign and destructive.
in my Christian walk, this alarms me, yet makes me rejoice. i am writing this to encourage those reading who have found invasive people, ideas, plans, things, jobs, etc in their lives to handle them. unlike invasive plants, (the lady yesterday says that most are impossible to get rid of), i think that through the Love of Christ acting on our surroundings as believers we can terminate the invasive culture and mindset of those around us. it seems like a large challenge, but hey, i like challanges. i haven't gotten to where i am at age 21 without a slew of them to remind me that invasive people, places, and things are in the past to Christ.
i challenge myself and whomever shall read this today, to not feed the invasives (with gossip*, slander, ego-feeding, people-pleasing*, etc, etc) with things of this world. it is important that we take care of them at their roots (sometimes one common root or the many that they have developed over time). change their hearts. using the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can uproot that icky plant (that detroys everything in its way), and grow a new plant from the ground up.
time? yes. this takes time. lots of time.
patience? yes. this takes patience.
care? yes. this takes some TLC- big time.
but what does Christ say?
"Brothers, whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done for me."
God wiped out his people in the days of Noah. He knew he needed to start over. I am NOT saying wipe out the people of our generation. Good gracious, no! Things changed in the New Testament....we no longer have to die completely. Christ has been there and done that...instead we renew ourselves each day, by dying to ourselves and sins (those invasive traits that we as well as everyone else has) and choose to grow natively and beautifully in our natural surroundings that God has placed each of us in.
I pray today is a great day. I pray that we can begin to notice the invasive things in our lives that are taking over us and those we love around us. Where will I begin? me.
yesterday, JMG training was excellent. a bit of a surprise when the first hours of the day were spent making crafts for gardening to teach students in the future about gardenin, but none-the-less, i still learned so much.
in the pm, after a sack lunch and time spent with some of my closest girls in the program, we went back to class to learn about all of the invasive plants, trees, vines, ground cover, aquatic plants, etc that are invasive to the ecosystem in Texas. the lady teaching it was very animated and made it interesting. looking around the room, i saw my classmates falling asleep in the dark-room, some taking notes, and others with glazed over eyes- not caring a bit in the world about what she was informing us about.
i kind of got giggly during her presentation. she knew so much about so much! it was amazing to see her passion shining through and that is what i want to address in this note.
passion. and how it ties into invasive things, people, etc in life.
for a long time, i have lived my daily life being passionate (or what i find passionate) about things that i love. i usually don't hesitate in sharing with others about these thoughts, ideas, creative likings, etc. usually it strikes up great conversations with people and great memories for future stories to be told, however....there always is however. lately, looking around at my environment, classmates, people at church, people I see every day...i am learning there are not just invasive plants in this world, but people. the master gardener said that invasives are FOREIGN to an area and CAUSE DESTRUCTION to the location that they have decided to take over.
foreign and destructive.
in my Christian walk, this alarms me, yet makes me rejoice. i am writing this to encourage those reading who have found invasive people, ideas, plans, things, jobs, etc in their lives to handle them. unlike invasive plants, (the lady yesterday says that most are impossible to get rid of), i think that through the Love of Christ acting on our surroundings as believers we can terminate the invasive culture and mindset of those around us. it seems like a large challenge, but hey, i like challanges. i haven't gotten to where i am at age 21 without a slew of them to remind me that invasive people, places, and things are in the past to Christ.
i challenge myself and whomever shall read this today, to not feed the invasives (with gossip*, slander, ego-feeding, people-pleasing*, etc, etc) with things of this world. it is important that we take care of them at their roots (sometimes one common root or the many that they have developed over time). change their hearts. using the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can uproot that icky plant (that detroys everything in its way), and grow a new plant from the ground up.
time? yes. this takes time. lots of time.
patience? yes. this takes patience.
care? yes. this takes some TLC- big time.
but what does Christ say?
"Brothers, whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done for me."
God wiped out his people in the days of Noah. He knew he needed to start over. I am NOT saying wipe out the people of our generation. Good gracious, no! Things changed in the New Testament....we no longer have to die completely. Christ has been there and done that...instead we renew ourselves each day, by dying to ourselves and sins (those invasive traits that we as well as everyone else has) and choose to grow natively and beautifully in our natural surroundings that God has placed each of us in.
I pray today is a great day. I pray that we can begin to notice the invasive things in our lives that are taking over us and those we love around us. Where will I begin? me.
Monday, January 21, 2008
planted and growing...
Tomorrow I am beginning my junior master gardening training with Mr. Jim. I can't wait to learn, learn, learn about plants, herbs, veggies, and how to make them grow beautifully and offer nutrients to the people were serve them to. I am so blessed to be able to share this time and memory with the girls in the program and one day....the people of the community.
I am reminded of a verse in Psalms:
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Ps. 1:3
After meditating and reading this verse several times, it makes me (once again) amazed at how glorious our Father is. David writes about God...our tree. Other times, He's said to be our Rock, which is great. Don't get me wrong. Rocks are strong, but oh, trees, how great living trees are! (I have a friend who could tell me even more about them...more than I will ever be able to remember, but I am learning to appreciate their (trees) greatness and life. A living tree bearing leaves and fruit, flowers, or nuts...nothing can be more beautiful. God, in every season, stands firm, deeply rooted, and He wants us to be the same, in Him. When we are planted securely, when we water ourselves (daily living for God, reading His Word, talking to His people, hearing/walking in His calling)- we are guaranteed to bear fruit. Beautiful, delicious fruit that satisfies the people consuming it. I know that this illustration is sometimes hard to grasp. Some people don't like gardening, nature, or things from the earth- but, oh how pray the Holy Spirit changes their hearts; they are missing out.
I pray today that your life will be so blessed- even more than you know how to understand. If you want a quick blessing, go outside and stand under a tall, strong tree and know that if it is living, soon it will bear leaves and fruit to show how God's seasons continue regardless of what we do...
"Whatever he does prospers."- and always will.
I am reminded of a verse in Psalms:
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Ps. 1:3
After meditating and reading this verse several times, it makes me (once again) amazed at how glorious our Father is. David writes about God...our tree. Other times, He's said to be our Rock, which is great. Don't get me wrong. Rocks are strong, but oh, trees, how great living trees are! (I have a friend who could tell me even more about them...more than I will ever be able to remember, but I am learning to appreciate their (trees) greatness and life. A living tree bearing leaves and fruit, flowers, or nuts...nothing can be more beautiful. God, in every season, stands firm, deeply rooted, and He wants us to be the same, in Him. When we are planted securely, when we water ourselves (daily living for God, reading His Word, talking to His people, hearing/walking in His calling)- we are guaranteed to bear fruit. Beautiful, delicious fruit that satisfies the people consuming it. I know that this illustration is sometimes hard to grasp. Some people don't like gardening, nature, or things from the earth- but, oh how pray the Holy Spirit changes their hearts; they are missing out.
I pray today that your life will be so blessed- even more than you know how to understand. If you want a quick blessing, go outside and stand under a tall, strong tree and know that if it is living, soon it will bear leaves and fruit to show how God's seasons continue regardless of what we do...
"Whatever he does prospers."- and always will.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
always lasting...all to you
Sometimes the best things in life are those things you just don't think about. Those very things that bring a smile to your face, when the last thing you want to do is cry. The very words you say after reading a memory or note or have a thought. Some things in life are precious. I take these memories (always lasting) and give them to God to place in heaven where they will have their place. This life is too precious to let memories and love go. I place them in His hands today, because what I have is not my own. None of it. All to You we bring our needs, our passions, our desires, our longings, and joys. Today, this is what I do. Here it is. All for you.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
that stingy word: wait.
sometimes, i think my mind is playing games on me. i've got to get that taken care of...meaning the best medicine, the Word.
tonight i pray for my heart, and anyone else's that may be contemplating answers to things that he/she wants or desires. let us not be downtrodden by the thoughts that we feel or the things we think we want in life and are not obtaining. maybe they aren't the things God wants or maybe He wants to see how long we can wait before He says yes or even better, gives us something better.
there are things currently that i want in life- to know my future directions, where i am going to live, where i am going to work, when will i have to take that one exam that makes or breaks my career (i am really not scared, promise). but deeply, the very thing that i have been thinking about the most, He says wait. that's all. "wait." never have i been more sure about this answer, than tonight when i was driving home from livie and james'. wait. it still stings me.
because of my past impatience and ignorance, i know better than anyone else, for me- wait means just that.
may He bless your desires as i pray he blesses mine as well. for whenever we ask, He hears. whenever we voice what we want (or maybe cry out that we don't know what we want), that prayer is heard. promise. what are you praying for?
tonight i pray for my heart, and anyone else's that may be contemplating answers to things that he/she wants or desires. let us not be downtrodden by the thoughts that we feel or the things we think we want in life and are not obtaining. maybe they aren't the things God wants or maybe He wants to see how long we can wait before He says yes or even better, gives us something better.
there are things currently that i want in life- to know my future directions, where i am going to live, where i am going to work, when will i have to take that one exam that makes or breaks my career (i am really not scared, promise). but deeply, the very thing that i have been thinking about the most, He says wait. that's all. "wait." never have i been more sure about this answer, than tonight when i was driving home from livie and james'. wait. it still stings me.
because of my past impatience and ignorance, i know better than anyone else, for me- wait means just that.
may He bless your desires as i pray he blesses mine as well. for whenever we ask, He hears. whenever we voice what we want (or maybe cry out that we don't know what we want), that prayer is heard. promise. what are you praying for?
"Sissy, do you still have your peanut allergy?"
This was the sweetest thing I heard yesterday when I was babysitting. WJ asked Victoria this question as he was reaching for his raisin bread in the bread box (which she cannot eat due to her gluten allergy). It was just the most precious thing to hear him say. He is four and always very curious.
Other things:
1. It's Friday. A day off from school. I don't quite have a day off with all these things to do, but my heart is well and I am running with that notion.
2. Monday I talk with a cooking school about interning. We'll see what God wants me to do...
3. Healing and searching continues...
Other things:
1. It's Friday. A day off from school. I don't quite have a day off with all these things to do, but my heart is well and I am running with that notion.
2. Monday I talk with a cooking school about interning. We'll see what God wants me to do...
3. Healing and searching continues...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
in silence and in tune...
Happy things about today:
I write these because I wasn't happy last night to not read a bedtime story to Livie as punishment because she wasn't obeying...
1. Ran my zoo route --apparently really quickly.
2. The joy in my heart is overflowing on people. I love to see them get things, understand things, and all the while learning how to change things about myself.
3. I know that most people don't like change...but I really do. I love going someplace different every day. Waking to a new running route, new faces on the street (I've been walking to school), waving at different people who let me run in front of their cars instead of waiting for the crosswalk, new tasks, new people to team up with to accomplish those tasks.
4. I wore the white ruffly shirt today that I like a lot.
5. Peace keeps showing up everywhere. In silence and in tune.
6. I get to go to Bible study tonight and continue in the study of Genesis.
This semester is off and running (literally), but I have so many things behind me and so many things ahead of me to look forward to. I pray that life is something that I not take for granted, that my words, and life are examples to all of those around me. Those I know personally and those I only see. I pray that my actions speak volumes of Christ and that He remains the focus of my every day living.
Seek peace, for it will find you. It will comfort you when everything else is gone.
I write these because I wasn't happy last night to not read a bedtime story to Livie as punishment because she wasn't obeying...
1. Ran my zoo route --apparently really quickly.
2. The joy in my heart is overflowing on people. I love to see them get things, understand things, and all the while learning how to change things about myself.
3. I know that most people don't like change...but I really do. I love going someplace different every day. Waking to a new running route, new faces on the street (I've been walking to school), waving at different people who let me run in front of their cars instead of waiting for the crosswalk, new tasks, new people to team up with to accomplish those tasks.
4. I wore the white ruffly shirt today that I like a lot.
5. Peace keeps showing up everywhere. In silence and in tune.
6. I get to go to Bible study tonight and continue in the study of Genesis.
This semester is off and running (literally), but I have so many things behind me and so many things ahead of me to look forward to. I pray that life is something that I not take for granted, that my words, and life are examples to all of those around me. Those I know personally and those I only see. I pray that my actions speak volumes of Christ and that He remains the focus of my every day living.
Seek peace, for it will find you. It will comfort you when everything else is gone.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
directions...
sometimes i get lost. not very often. i usually know which direction that i am going, i may not be familiar with the surrounding streets, but deep inside i try to find myself back to the place where i started or better yet, a way that pushes me along further in my trip. the second of these doesn't happen quite as often as i'd like. i'm a progressor and enjoy moving forward not back. but, in these past couple of weeks, i've tried to jump forward. launching myself into the far ahead, but truly God is saying hold up not too quick. if we leave off/jump off/ahead/whatever the path that we are called, let's say taking a windy path or something unknown and get lost or stuck, or somehow fall into needing great help, He always takes us back to where He left off when He was truly ruling our lives.
truly ruling life.
what rules your life? for the most part, my life has been run by me, there have been times where (in all desperation: a few of them to name- freshman year, a hard job, a couple of really bad breakups, and most recently an overwhelming thought life) i have relied solely on God, but for the most part, i live my daily life trying to control the things that surround me, reaching for things that i think will better my life or help those around me, but ....my directions are changing.
something happened in my life before the holiday season and it broke my heart. i had to let someone down. it hurt. really bad. i did it in obedience. i would like to say with grace, but words aren't always the best sometimes. however, that choice that i made almost 1 month ago (minus 3 days) has not let that person down, but lifted that person to the very Man that can transcend everything -all time, money, love, everything...things are still moving slowly, but evidence is showing through. prayers continue because i know that only God's power in my situation will be the only thing worth anything of value...
my prayer today, is that whomever may read this (maybe just me) may be touched by the Holy Spirit. listen. and please please please obey. for God's rewards in heaven are far greater than the things that we see that we want every day on this earth. (money, education, pride, gain, affluence, popularity, appearances, strength- the muscle kind, etc etc) they surpass all of the things that we could even dream for...our minds can conceive or fathom the greatness of our God, so take the step into what you think is unknown territory- take that direction that you haven't been on before or maybe stepped off of that is leading you back to Him. i promise the path is narrow, but sometimes the narrower the road, the more attention we can have to the little things on the side of the road. think about a tiny two lane country road versus a 4 lane freeway. there's no time to look at the sides of the road on the highway, you can slam into the shiny mercedes bumper in front of you or steer towards the median; on that tiny country road there will be trees, land, horses, an occassional duelly with a hemi pass by with a trailor full of horses, but you get my point- God's greatness can be seen on the narrow roads; there's more to take away.
whether you are the type like my mom or sister that needs a navigation system in the car or the type like my dad and i where we just internally have a compass on the inside of your brain, we all need directions to get anywhere in life. anywhere worth going.
who is giving you directions?
truly ruling life.
what rules your life? for the most part, my life has been run by me, there have been times where (in all desperation: a few of them to name- freshman year, a hard job, a couple of really bad breakups, and most recently an overwhelming thought life) i have relied solely on God, but for the most part, i live my daily life trying to control the things that surround me, reaching for things that i think will better my life or help those around me, but ....my directions are changing.
something happened in my life before the holiday season and it broke my heart. i had to let someone down. it hurt. really bad. i did it in obedience. i would like to say with grace, but words aren't always the best sometimes. however, that choice that i made almost 1 month ago (minus 3 days) has not let that person down, but lifted that person to the very Man that can transcend everything -all time, money, love, everything...things are still moving slowly, but evidence is showing through. prayers continue because i know that only God's power in my situation will be the only thing worth anything of value...
my prayer today, is that whomever may read this (maybe just me) may be touched by the Holy Spirit. listen. and please please please obey. for God's rewards in heaven are far greater than the things that we see that we want every day on this earth. (money, education, pride, gain, affluence, popularity, appearances, strength- the muscle kind, etc etc) they surpass all of the things that we could even dream for...our minds can conceive or fathom the greatness of our God, so take the step into what you think is unknown territory- take that direction that you haven't been on before or maybe stepped off of that is leading you back to Him. i promise the path is narrow, but sometimes the narrower the road, the more attention we can have to the little things on the side of the road. think about a tiny two lane country road versus a 4 lane freeway. there's no time to look at the sides of the road on the highway, you can slam into the shiny mercedes bumper in front of you or steer towards the median; on that tiny country road there will be trees, land, horses, an occassional duelly with a hemi pass by with a trailor full of horses, but you get my point- God's greatness can be seen on the narrow roads; there's more to take away.
whether you are the type like my mom or sister that needs a navigation system in the car or the type like my dad and i where we just internally have a compass on the inside of your brain, we all need directions to get anywhere in life. anywhere worth going.
who is giving you directions?
Friday, January 11, 2008
62-10 and pummy talk
On the verge of making decisions...
on the road, lately, i have been jamming out to michelle branch. i now have an adaptor to listen to my ipod in rhonda, so everything's good.
last night i saw livie and james for the first time in a month and was ecstatic! they are such a joy to stay with. livie told me that i was her favorite babysitter and james yelled from upstairs, 'nana, me need help. cum up heear right now.' it was really funny. i went upstairs and he wanted me to help him turn on the cd player so that he could sing with it. he loves singing! anyway, a joy and delight. tonight will even be better. no homework. no school tomorrow. always a joy for the 2 and 6 year olds as well as the babysitter. :) not that 62-10 is hard math, but keeping the attention of that 6 year old to focus on the problem is another ordeal.
we're better off finger painting or running around the house trying to be cowboys and indians.
much love and peace to all who read this and enjoy children. and if you are one of those sad fellows that doesn't: listen to the laugh of a 2 year old...and hear him say, "stop tickling my pummy, nana."
on the road, lately, i have been jamming out to michelle branch. i now have an adaptor to listen to my ipod in rhonda, so everything's good.
last night i saw livie and james for the first time in a month and was ecstatic! they are such a joy to stay with. livie told me that i was her favorite babysitter and james yelled from upstairs, 'nana, me need help. cum up heear right now.' it was really funny. i went upstairs and he wanted me to help him turn on the cd player so that he could sing with it. he loves singing! anyway, a joy and delight. tonight will even be better. no homework. no school tomorrow. always a joy for the 2 and 6 year olds as well as the babysitter. :) not that 62-10 is hard math, but keeping the attention of that 6 year old to focus on the problem is another ordeal.
we're better off finger painting or running around the house trying to be cowboys and indians.
much love and peace to all who read this and enjoy children. and if you are one of those sad fellows that doesn't: listen to the laugh of a 2 year old...and hear him say, "stop tickling my pummy, nana."
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A new year...
So here we are. In 2008. Finally an even numbered year to celebrate in. A big year for me. I will be 22. I will graduate. I will begin a journey that will take me into the unknown and I am thrilled.
This week is an eye-opener for me. As I think about things I want to do this year and plan for exciting adventures I want to take on, I pray that God will continue to guide all of my choices.
It's been a blessing to be at home with family and friends. I miss my roomies so much, but I know that they will return soon.
God bless your choices this year. I pray that you take on as many adventures as your heart leads you on. Don't bypass any of them. You may look back and wish differently. :)
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