Rest.

I am here!

Ahhhh, I can't tell you the bliss of opening my eyes early this morning, only to smile and close them again for another hour. Christmas Break has come at LAST! I have been workin so hard, and I am just so thankful for a breather and some rest.  God is good.

Resting is hard for me believe it or not. I am a very go go go person, and yeah, just the type to work super hard and fast because I want to get things done. But I can get so caught up in the whirlwind of life that I quickly lose sight of why i am doing what I am doing in the first place. I confess I struggle with feeling guilty when I rest, because I know there is always something better I could be doing than "waste my time relaxing". This year has been no exception sadly. However, now that I have two seconds to reflect, I see how God has been with me all throughout.

He has provided me with little pockets of rest here and there, and how refreshing they have been. I have been learning lately the importance of recognizing that I need to take a little time for myself each day, or I will quickly burn out. The past few crazy months I have been having to stick to the raw, straight basics of life: Nursing school, working out, eating, working, and sleeping. That is is folks. Nothing fancy about it. But i am so thankful for the fact that the Lord has been allowing me to focus and just put my head down and run my heart out. I have been waiting for this Christmas vacation for a long time.

I went on a long walk yesterday around my neighborhood. yes, a walk. Hahah which is huge for me. Another weird thing about me is i apply my passion for life to well, everything...including exercise. I have a hard time just walking for exercise. i always feel this unbelievable urge to run or sprint. but today, God told me to walk. So I did. How refreshing it was. yes, it's almost Christmas, but we have 70 degree weather here in Chesapeake. I was walking and just thinking all about a bunch of things, praying. And all I heard God say was this:

" I love you. I am so proud of you."

That's it. That's all I heard. But oh friends, how my heart needed that. I have felt so "far" from the Lord lately. With school, working, and church drama, it has been a real; struggle for me to seek the lord. I have not been to church in almost 3 months, and reading my Bible has been hard too. yet when I have opened it, I have gotten this insatiable desire to read even more. Oh, the power of God's word!! My thirsty soul so desperately needs to be watered with the truth of the Bible. My spirit is weak, and I really feel like a lost little girl in the mall who's been separated from her Mama. But faith. Oh sweet, sweet faith. The Lord grants it to those who ask. i want faith in Jesus. I want to believe that even in dry and hard times like this, he will never abandon me. Even when I turn my back on Him and walk away, he hotly pursues me. Like a persistent lover. He seeks after me, he finds me, and he loves me. I am cherished. Cherished. I love that word.

Well, I have no idea what the point of this post was supposed to be, hahha but that is okay :) Enjoy your Christmas everyone!! Never lose sight of the simple, miraculous point of the season: Unto us, a child is born, to us a Son is given!!

This is my favorite verse of Hark the Herald. To me, it is the Gospel. Listen to Carrie Underwood's version! So powerful!

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

                                




More posts about the BEACH HOUSE coming soon!! Our friends arrive tomorrow from Arkansas, and then we will be heading to Nags Head on the 23rd! I am BEYOND EXCITED!

a psalm, a faithful God, and a note :)

I know it's kind of long, but I'd encourage you to just take a minute and let this passage seep in. I was so encouraged when I read it. It reminded me one again of how faithful the Lord has been not only to me, but also all throughout history to those who love Him and have put their trust in Him. Be encouraged!!

Psalm 89

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1" I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known

through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant,

4 ‘I will establish your line forever

and make your throne firm through all generations.’”[c]

5 The heavens praise your wonders, LORD,

your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?

Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?

7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;

he is more awesome than all who surround him.

8 Who is like you, LORD God Almighty?

You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

9 You rule over the surging sea;

when its waves mount up, you still them.

10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;

with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;

you founded the world and all that is in it.

12 You created the north and the south;

Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

13 Your arm is endowed with power;

your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

love and faithfulness go before you.

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.

16 They rejoice in your name all day long;

they celebrate your righteousness.

17 For you are their glory and strength,

and by your favor you exalt our horn.[d]

18 Indeed, our shield[e] belongs to the LORD,

our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 Once you spoke in a vision,

to your faithful people you said:

“I have bestowed strength on a warrior;

I have raised up a young man from among the people.

20 I have found David my servant;

with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

21 My hand will sustain him;

surely my arm will strengthen him.

22 The enemy will not get the better of him;

the wicked will not oppress him.

23 I will crush his foes before him

and strike down his adversaries.

24 My faithful love will be with him,

and through my name his horn[f] will be exalted.

25 I will set his hand over the sea,

his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,

my God, the Rock my Savior.’

27 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,

the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

28 I will maintain my love to him forever,

and my covenant with him will never fail.

29 I will establish his line forever,

his throne as long as the heavens endure.

30 “If his sons forsake my law

and do not follow my statutes,

31 if they violate my decrees

and fail to keep my commands,

32 I will punish their sin with the rod,

their iniquity with flogging;

33 but I will not take my love from him,

nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

34 I will not violate my covenant

or alter what my lips have uttered.

35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—

and I will not lie to David—

36 that his line will continue forever

and his throne endure before me like the sun;

37 it will be established forever like the moon,

the faithful witness in the sky.”

Amen!!

*Only 1 1/2 more weeks until Christmas break!! I have been so terribly busy the past few weeks. Every day I either have 12 hour clinicals, or I have school and work all day. I MISS BLOGGING. But I am definitely planning on bringing my computer to the beach house with me, and hopefully I will be able to catch up and fill y'all in a bit. In the meantime, I will be praying for all of you! Remember, I do pray for every single one of my readers. I mean that truly. May the joy of the season and of Jesus' birth continue to reign in your hearts! Love you all.

change.

Life is funny sometimes. How quickly it changes. How my opinions of it change. How my outlook and attitude towards circumstances changes. Makes me dizzy to think of quick and easy I am to change my mind.
Life is forever changing. But God never does. His faithfulness to  me never wavers. The seasons come and go, my interests, my passions they all change. But His love never will.

So even when I haven't been to church in almost two months, and really am not interested? Even when I would rather sleep than wake up 30 minutes early to read my Bible and exercise? Even when I hibernate in my room just to  be away from my family because I have no interest in being social or dealing with them? When I want to just sit around and feel sorry for myself cuz I am a broke, stressed out, exhausted nursing student?



Yes. Yes. Yes.

No matter what season you are in, friend...He never changes. Do not fear, do not be dismayed. Your Jesus is your Jesus, and He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never gives up on you, even when you have given up on yourself. So go ahead. Climb in His lap. Cry into His chest. Share your heart with Him. And let Him restore your weary soul.

growing up.

What a whirl of life it's been lately! I cannot describe how busy I am these days. I love and hate it all at the same time. I like being busy all the time because it has really forced me to make better use of my time and manage it well, but on the other hand I just don't have any time for like hanging out or having a whole lot of fun. I wake up early, work out, go to school, come home for 30 minutes, then go to work until sometimes 11 at night. Its really insane. But hey, it's all apart of growing up I guess.

Growing  up...

Been having to do alot of that recently. Just things that are popping up in my life that are forvcing me to face the fact that yes, my time here in my parents home is not going to probably last much longer, and sooner or later, whether I like it or not, I am going to have to be on my own soon. It's so exciting. But I am scared out of my mind. Just talk of college, my own house, my own schedule, my own family...that is about to stop being just talk. I have been telling my family for awhile now that I really and truly am planning on leaving Chesapeake after April. Not because I don't love ny family. Believe me, I am the most home-loving, familky-loving, Daddy's girl kinda person. I love home. But I have been so restless here. So eager to get out and start doing things outside of this small city of Chesapeake. I am ready for new landscapes, new people, new relationships, new environments...again, part of growing up. I never thought the words, "I just want to get out of here!!" would ever cross my lips. But they have. Many times.

I am so eager for anything that God may have for me. Even if it is here in Chesapeake. If he called me to stay here for forever, I would. BUT I have a feeling He has some amazing things for this girl to see. I am praying big. Like HUGE. Like Lord send me to Africa and Europe and the West Coast and just ANYWHERE. Life is such an adventure, and I am more than ready to get going. In this season of just being a young, passionate, energetic and single girl...I know there is SO much I can do for God right now. Things that I just won't be able to do once I am settled in a carreer, get married, and have a family (if that's the Lord's will). I just want to do big things for Jesus. That's all that matters to me. To see His kingdom come and His Gospel preached to all. the. nations.

Please keep praying for me! I am desperate for Jesus right now. I so am in need of direction and guidance because I seriously have no idea what I am supposed to do anymore. I have tried to figure it out, believe me. But once again, I got nothin'. But that's okay. He knows. He has a plan. He is leadin me. And He loves me.

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

p.s. For Thanksgiving, me and my family got to go to the farm!! My dad and I got ot go hunting for most of the trip. He got a buck, and I didin't get anything :( Oh well. Next time! How I have missed that place. Every time I go up there, I fall in love with it all over again. I just know that the country life is for me. I feel so close to God walking through those hay fields, surrounded by mountains, animals, long winding roads, farms and beautiful rolling hills. My sister Naomi said I was talking in my sleep the other night, and all I was talking about was how I just was praying for God to bring me a country boy who would love me with all his heart and who would love God. Then he would take me home to our huge farm out in the country with a huge white house and big red barn, and I would be so happy. Hahaha our dreams sure do say alot! We will see what God has. :))

checking in

I am here, still alive, and sad I havn't d had ANY time to blog. I just started working on top of being in school, so my life is literally go. go. go all the time. But Thanksgiving Break is this week and I am hoping to catch up on some long over-due posts.

But yeah...God is good, He is so faithiful, and I am so greatful for his love. Hope you all are doing well!

Blessings to you :)

early bird's heart.

Okay so I woke up this morning to all three of my alarms going off at 4:55, 5:00, and 5:05 am. Haha
I have been having alot of trouble sleeping the past few months, so in order to fall asleep, I drink two cups of nighttime tea, and take 2 Melatonin tablets each night (it's a natural "sleep hormone" that your body makes, but apparently I'm deficient!) I am so paranoid I will not wake up out of my asleep coma in time to get ready for clinical!!  Anyways, yes I have clinical this morning, and normally I am supposed to be on my way to the hospital right now but I looked at my schedule and of  course, I don't have to be there until 8:30am today. SO i have a little down time.

Well let's see.


I have really been doing okay this past week. God is teaching me so much. Lots of things are screaming for my attention these days like school, work, church and a million others. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling overwhelmed. But I have been learning to take life one day at a time. Seriously. I know that sounds so simple, but for someone like me who wants to have everything planned and wants to know her whole future today, that can be challenging to do. But when you reach a certain point where you are just in over your head and you know it, it is nothing but the strength and grace of God that gets you through. Anyone relating right now?
I just am so thankful to be learning this now while I am still young. Learning how to handle life. By no means will I ever understand it all. But I am coming to realize that life is an adventure, and God likes to surprise His children...so am I gonna' let Him do that? I have a rough idea of what I want my future to look like, and I have somewhat planned how I will get there...and that's good don't get me wrong, but at the same time I am reminded of the verse in Provers: In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. The Lord is leading me and guiding me. And I pray you know the same is true for you too, dear friend! The Lord is guiding YOU. The Lord will reveal His ways to you, in big or small increments. SO do not fear.

So there's that.

Also, I am wondering if any of you all have any input for me. I have been having a hard time with church for the past few months...just lots of drama and heartache there, yet just up and leaving is proving to be extremely difficult, simply because I have gone there my entire life. So anyways, I have not been going for awhile now. I have visited a few other churches, but again am just having a really difficult time connecting with people, which I know is what I need. Really other than my mom, I do not have anyone investing into me spiritually or encouraging me right now, and it is definitely beginning to take it's tole. But while I am in the process of looking around for a new church family, do any of y'all have any recommendations on online sermons, or things like that that I can be listening to or reading? I have heard of a few, but was just wondering if any of you knew of any others. Please feel free to comment or email me! I would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you thank you :)

Well, I better scoot now...time to do Wednesday!! May the grace of our God go with each of you as you embark on another new day. Celebrate His faithfulness! For He is good.

on the verge of another monday...

well, here I am. Sunday night once again. I am dog tired, and not looking forward to getting up and starting a whole new week. But you know what, I have been dwelling on this truth this week, and that is the truth that tere is joy to be found in each day. Littl epockets of sunshine that I think the Lord strategically puts in my path. I know that might seem cheesy, haha but the analogy works for me ;)
So, rather than let you all know how much I really hate nursing right now, or how stressful my life is lol, I'll fill you in on what was really great about today.
I got to sleep in, I enjoyed a long leisurely cup of coffee with my parents, and got to just chill and watch hunting shows. No, I did not go to church. And that is okay. I just felt the need to rest and enjoy the gorgeous day the Lord had given us. My mama and I went for a 5 mile walk on the Great Dismal Swamp trail about 5 minutes from our house. It was awesome. We got to talk, enjoy the sinshine, get some good exercise, and just soak in the beauty of the leaves changing and the peace of a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

After that, I worked on some other things, and just hung out. I have a test tomorrow, but I really really don't feel like studying right now. Oh well, what better way to start the week than getting up before the sun, right? :)

Hope you have a wonderful week friends. Look for those hidden pockets of God's goodness throughout your day...you will be amazed at how much they pop up when you look :)

Your Very Best...

I had a really, really bad two days. Like really bad. So you know what I did? I went on a 95 minute walk on the treadmill while watching one of my absolute FAVORITE movies, Facing the Giants. I have yet to watch that movie and not cry and be totally inspired. Thought I would share one of my favorite scenes with ya'll. I was kinda pathetically sobbing all over myself while watching it, because i have never identified more with anything before. I feel exactly like Broc these days...but I know that my Jesus is right there on the field next to me, screaming encouragement and not letting me quit until i have given it my absolute best. My best.

Hope you are encouraged like I am by this!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zHPhVTw3YgM

Stand in Faith.

Friends, I need to be reminded of this day after day. Faith is someting I honestly don't have alot of these days...but without faith, it is impossible to please God! I want to please my Lord. I do. So in seasons of weakness and struggle, it is so refreshing to find things like this that encourage me to keep holding on.

Stand In Faith

Stand in faith

Even when you can’t see your way

Stand in faith

Even when you feel like you can’t face another day

Stand in faith

Even when the tears want to flow from your eyes

Stand in faith

Knowing that our God will always provide

Stand in faith

Even when you feel that all hope is gone

Stand in faith

Knowing that He is always there for you to lean on

Stand in faith

Even when you feel like giving up

Stand in faith

Because He is there ... saying, "Just look up"

Stand in faith

Even in those times you feel so all alone

Stand in faith

Hold on and be strong, for He is still on the throne

Stand in faith

Even when it’s hard to believe

Stand in Faith

Knowing that He can change your situation, suddenly

Stand in faith

Even in those times you feel it’s hard to pray

Stand in faith

And believe that He has already made the way

Faith ... is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

So stand in faith

Because you already have the victory!

--Evangelist Johnnye V. Chandler

New Blog!

Hey ya'll :)
Yes, I know I have been MIA really really bad recently...more on that later though. I promise :)

I have a new blog! Please visit it, and share it with others!

There's Joy in the Journey

wait...just wait.

For whatever it is that you are asking God for, and not seeing an answer to yet, this poem is amazing. I thought I would share it with you all.

Wait

 by Russell Kelfer

"Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .

And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

"My future and all to which I relate

Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?

I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,

Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,

As my Master replied again, "Wait."

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .

and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

When darkness and silence are all you can see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love

When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of my comfort late into the night,

The faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask

From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.

And though oft My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

© 1980 Russell Kelfer. All rights reserved.

a dream.

So I have been doing alot of thinking recently. About lots of things really, but mainly I have been doing alot of honest, soul-searching questioning of myself. It's funny how differently you think of things when you don't have pressure from outside sources influencing your thinking. Like you can just take two seconds, just you and God, and think, talk and pray.

I've been thinking of life, and what I wanted it to look like.

Everyone has dreams and visions and ideas of the ideal life, right? I know we all go through every day with an ever-present awareness of our dreams and are always on the lookout for ways to make them happen. And if you are anything like me, dreams can often seem so far off, so unattainable, and I am always brought back down to earth  with the reality that it is only a dream.

But what if it wasn't? What if it was indeed the voice of God confirming His will to you? What if it is His way of encouraging you to keep your eyes focused upward and hoping in Him, rather than down at yourself, and all your troubles and worries?

For as long as I can remember, my dreams have revolved around three things: 1) Living on a large working farm with animals, hay, lots of green rolling hills, and a huge garden and orchard. 2) Having alot of kids. Like at least 8. Yes, I have always been one of those people. I want a huge family. I love children and they bring me such untold joy and happiness that the idea of having them as mine to love and look after and teach about Jesus...gaaah it just makes me so happy. And the third thing, well really I would've put it first. I have always wanted to be married. Married young. I don't know why my heart has wanted this for forever, but I guess it just really has been the desire of my heart to be someones partner in life. Someones best friend. Someones encourager, helper and best friend. Going through life with a teammate and never "being alone" just appeals to me. And like I said, my whole dream life has always been revolved around that one guy.

And so as you can imagine, when relationships don't work out and whatnot, I feel like my whole life is going to spiral out of control because a kind of important part isn't there!!

I know God is chuckling at me right now. And it's not just a funny laughing at my craziness chuckle. No, it's one of those where He can't contain the anticipation of having me find out all the things He has planned for me. That little shaking of the head and that, "Oh Hannah, Hannah, Hannah Leilani...Just you wait. Just you wait and see how I am going to blow your mind with the things I have in store for you."

And when I think of it like that, it's amazing, but suddenly my ideas and dreams and plans for my life suddenly mean nothing. I stop planning around the guy. I stop fretting about insignificant details. I stop worrying. Because I remember who I am,  who I belong to, and what my hope is in. Life is only about Jesus. Serving Him, Living for Him, spreading and sharing His love with the world around me.


So all that to say, I have been thinking of a life totally different. Another dream. Another goal. To love Jesus. I have been thinking of other things and other plans that don't involve my other dreams. Like my dream of traveling all over the world as a nurse. Ministering to a hurting world and not only doing what I can to fix their physical pains, but also share with them that they don't have to carry that pain in their hearts any longer. My dream of being a missionary. Of dedicating my whole self to the spread of the Beautiful Gospel. The Good News of Jesus. Sharing all that He has done with those who have never heard! Seeing lives transformed, seeing captives set free from chains of sin, of addiction, of  despair...oh friends, that makes me want to yell with joy. Gathering hurting people and telling them that they are loved and accepted and forgiven.

And finally, my children. Ever since I told Jesus I released my dreams to Him, and that I would let Him lead me, I have been thinking and praying for African children. The Lord told me I will have many. And He even told me that He wanted me to name the oldest boy Isaiah which means, "Salvation of God; the Lord helps me." Whoa!! Yes Lord, bring salvation to my sweet children, wherever they are. Help them Jesus. It's funny, I have never seen, met or heard of any of these children specifically, yet already my heart is lost to them. I pray for them with a passion and urgency that I have never experienced before. I wonder how they are doing, I pray continuously that God will watch over them and keep them safe, and already love them more than words can express or describe.

The Lord has really shifted my thinking. Taken my dreams and turned the focus from me to Him. Praise the Lord! Nothing else matters. In the end, only Jesus remains. All of these things will pass away, but He will forever be there, standing with me.

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3: 8-11



a kiss to build a dream on :)

try not to smile too much!! :)

"When somebody loves you

It's no good unless he loves you - all the way

Happy to be near you

When you need someone to cheer you - all the way

Taller than the tallest tree is

That's how it's got to feel

Deeper than the deep blue sea is

That's how deep it goes - if its real

When somebody needs you

It's no good unless he needs you - all the way

Through the good or lean years

And for all the in between years - come what may

Who knows where the road will lead us

Only a fool would say

But if you'll let me love you

It's for sure I'm gonna love you - all the way

All the way

So if you'll let me love you

It's for sure I'm gonna love you - all the way

All the way."

-Frank Sinatra

 

Remind me.

So I'm not perfect. Surprise surprise.
I don't know why I expect it of myself then! Like where. is. this. coming. from. Seriously. I mean, I know that God loves me just the same on my good days like he does my bad. But like I told my mom the other day, I just feel better about myself when I am perfect. When I do things right. When I work out for an hour, five days a week. When I make A's on tests. When people come to me for counsel, and immediately I have a super spiritual answer and they go away feeling better. When I lose 3 lbs in one week. When I get along amazingly with all 3 of my sisters. When I am happy, energetic and yes, love going to parties, care group and other functions to see people. When I don't want to do anything but go and read my Bible or listen to Christian music when I get in the car. When I go the whole day just praying and talking to God in the back of my mind. When I am motivated to serve others and sacrifice my interests. When I actually crave the salad instead of the peanut butter. When I clean my room. When I clean the kitchen just cuz I feel like blessing my sister by doing her dish night. Those are pretty stinkin' good days right there people. I am happy with myself, my self-esteem is high, people like me (because I'm super bubbly and happy and spiritual remember), church life is awesome, and oh yeah, God definitely loves me and is pleased with me... i mean come on! who wouldn't be??

and then i remember I'm human. the days that go by where I want to exercise, but just feel so daggon lazy, I make excuses why a run really isn't a good idea today. Or when I bomb a test because yes, I went to bed at 7 pm and didn't want to wake up early and study. Or even better, when I just totally skip the whole homework thing. Heck, watching Grey's Anatomy all night is way more interesting. When girls text me, in dire need of encouragement and I go blank. All I say is "Sorry I don't know.... ummm..I'll be praying for you....???"  When I gain 5 lbs and my jeans are once again too tight. When I am an absolutely brat with my family who is being nothing but loving and gracious with me. When I go to church and avoid people, not wanting anyone to know how much I really don't like the way life is going right now. When I cancel plans with people because I just don't want to put on that mask and pretend. When I flat out avoid chores, dish nights and pshh, forget serving. I'll do just enough of MY job so I don't get grounded. When I don't give a care about the salad. I will have that peanut butter. When I think Christian music is boring, and crank that country or hip hop at 6 in the morning. Goodness gracious... am I crazy?

I'm  just trying to be real here. I don't know what the matter is. I just feel like a despicable human being sometimes. Those days where I am like, wow. I seriously wonder if I am a Christian. *sigh*

I'm in a dry season. I know that. Even this blog points to that I am sure. I used to get lots of comments about how encouraging and inspiring my posts were. Now I sometimes wonder if I offend people. I don't mean to complain. I guess I am just struggling. And I hope that somewhere, even if it is just one person, that there is someone who might be struggling with life too. And that they might be comforted knowing they aren't alone.

Friend. Whoever you are...you are not alone.

Life gets tough. I am growing up and realizing that more every single day. The devil will try everything to get you to be discouraged and say "Screw this. God, I don't even feel you near anymore. If you really did love me, you wouldn't let all these trials to come and make me miserable." I'm not going to lie, this thought has entered my thinking many times. And it saddens me. But then...

There stands my Jesus.

My Jesus. My Helper. My Strength. My Strong Tower. My Healer. My Comforter. My Refuge. My Joy. My Song. My Almighty God. My Savior. My One and Only Love. My Provider. My Shield. My Shepperd. My Hope. My Song of Songs. My King of Kings. My Father. My best friend.

He is the one who enables and helps me to endure. Right now, I am in a place of just trying to keep one foot in front of the other. Life is very confusing and stressful. But nobody said it was going to be easy. I am just going to tell you right now. Whoever told you being a Christian was going to make all your problems vanish-yeah, they were lying to you. It is no cakewalk. It is a fight. A brutal, challenging, glorious, life-long, beautiful fight. And praise be to God, He doesn't leave me to fight alone!

 All this condemnation the devil hurls on me...why is it making me so downcast? Because I am not letting my Jesus fight for me. Why am I feeling so anxious and depressed because of life's circumstances? Because I am not letting Jesus lift my heavy burden off my shoulders for Him to carry. Why am I feeling despair and hopelessness about my future? Because I am not trusting in Him and His unfathomable love for me, and am doubting His power to bless me beyond my wildest dreams. Why am I not joyful? Because I am forgetting that I am free. Free to go. The debt has been paid, my chains have been loosed, and my burden of sin has fallen off my weary shoulders into the mouth of the pit as I stand in the shadow of that Wondrous Cross. Of Christ crucified for me. For me. That imperfect, insecure, weary, doubting, sinner. He loves me. He loves ME! Hannah Leilani Hulme. I am loved. And so are you.

So remember that when you are tempted to despair like I am. Let's all remember what price was paid for us on that hill of Calvary. Let us remember the One who endured and suffered all things and conquered them all. Let us remember that he was tempted in every single way we were, and never sinned. Let us remember how we are loved. How we are cherished. How we are carried by His strong arms, and encouraged and strengthened by His Holy Spirit.

That is a reason to rejoice and to hope. Remind me Jesus!

Lattes, laughs...and hope.

Well today...today was a good day.
It was the first day of school for all the public schools, so we no longer have the whole, quiet building to ourselves. Which is frustrating. It's so much louder and more crowded. But hey, lemme tell you one thing. I have never been so happy in my life NOT to be going back to high school in the afternoons! Haha to celebrate, I drove to Starbucks (which is right down the road from nursing...how awesome Lord!) and treated myself to my favorite drink: A grande skinny Cinnamon Dulce latte. I love that latte, man. It's like major comfort and love and joy. All in a single cup :) I do want to branch out a bit though...I need a new favorite drink. I like trying new things. Any suggestions??

So yeah, I had a friend encourage me this weekend. She wrote me a letter that God spoke to her. Just lifted my spirits so much and oh...made me want to hope and believe in the faithful, steadfast love of my Lord once again. I prayed in the car for the first time in awhile. Like actually prayed. Not sobbing and complaining to God. Just prayed. I asked Him for joy, for strength. I asked Him to let me see what a day without Lyme's would be like. Like just so I could get really excited about how much better I am going to be feeling. And by golly, did He answer! I was like CRAZY today! :-) Cracking jokes, laughing my head off at stupid things, not feeling like I was going to pass out from exhaustion while taking notes, actually feeling energy at the end of class...WOW. People seriously. It's like one of those things where unless you have to experience it, it just doesn't sound that awesome. But oh my freaking goodness it WAS. God is good.

I felt real tired after coming home, but went out to the garage and just worked out for awhile. That felt awesome. The doc says it's great that I have been exercising so long because my symptoms could be so much worse. I don't even want to think about feeling worse than I do...

All that to say, I think my faith is being strengthened little by little each day. God keeps sending me conformation regarding things I have been carrying in my heart, and it's crazy seeing it unfold. I have hope again.

I am reading a million books in my quiet time, and it's been GREAT! I highly recommend these books!

• Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon (daily devotional)
• Beside Still Waters also by Spurgeon
• Edges of His Ways by Amy Charmichael (LOVE THIS)
• A Woman after God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George (my little sis Naomi and I are gonna start this together)
• A Place of Quiet Rest by Elizabeth Elliot

Well, I am tired (surprise surprise) and have homework to do yet... love ya'll! God Bless you!!!

it's all about You...

I said goodbye to my dear friends/ brother and sister in Christ, Justin and Libby Ryder yesterday. They are moving to Harrisonburg so Justin can lead there, and the plan was for them to leave in about two weeks, but their little river house sustained some damage in the hurricane, so they had to leave today. Probably one of the saddest moments ever for me. I just seriously was like, Lord...I don't know how much more of this I can handle! What with struggling with Lyme's which is getting harder and harder, trying to stay alive in nursing, and just other things that have been weighing me down...
But it times like last night where I just literally want to cry and not do anything else, I am reminded of the One who is carrying me. Who is sustaining me. Who is holding me. I don't understand why life is so hard, but I am learning day by day that I don't need to understand. What matters is Who I look to when I feel like throwing in the towel. In the end, my eyes are going to look to Jesus, because I am reminded that He is all I have. Hallelujah!! All I have is Christ! I need nothing more.

I am so sad about Justin and Lib moving. But the Lord brought a song to mind that really encouraged me. As I am washing dishes, just sobbing into the soapy water, Let Your Kingdom Come came on, and I could do nothing but lift my hands and whisper "Okay God. This is all for You. For the sake of Your Gospel. So that Your Kingdom may come and so everyone might know Your Name! You are going to use Justin and Lib to advance your Gospel...it's all about You Lord. Your will be done."

Sometimes God just does things because He is Sovereign and He has a plan. And yes, sometimes it just really sucks because it involves losing those we love and going into the unknown. But we are following Jesus, and in the end, He remains faithful. He remains good. And that will never, ever change.


I read this scripture today in my quiet time, and oh, did it encourage my weary heart!

"Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them!"

Psalm 126:5-6

 

No matter how hard the road gets, the Lord PROMISES that we will return with songs of joy!! :-) I will cling to that truth today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random I know, but here are some pictures from my church graduation!

 

 

 

God is good...all the time!!!

"Lord, please help me help my stupid self!"

I did it! I survived the first week of Nursing! :)
So, I don't know if y'all have been praying or something, but I've got to say that so far, things have been going WONDERFULLY! I absolutely love being back in the swing of school, the routine of studying, and just getting closer and closer to April 19th with each passing day!
It is SO much better than last year, I cannot stress it enough. Everyone there wants to be there, wants to learn, and we all get along great. It has turned into a big nursing family honestly. God is so faithful! He hears and answers prayers!

I am still really feeling the effects of Lyme's. Funny how once you know you have something like a sickness etc, you realize how much it is really affecting you! I have been trying super duper hard to follow Doc's orders and cut out all gluten(really all carbs actually) dairy, and sugar. MAN is it hard not to grumble! haha
But no, I think once I do some more research and start finding all the things I can eat, it won't be as difficult. But yeah, I feel for my family. They are so sweet and are trying to support me as much as they can by eating what I do....but I wouldn't expect that of anyone ;)
So yes, please continue to pray for my body to just heal and start working again so I can feel some energy like I know 18 year olds are supposed to have! :-)

Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast this past weekend as I'm sure you all know. We actually evacuated because in the past, our area has gotten alot alot alot of damage from other hurricanes, and so my dad just wanted us to be safe. We went back up to Bluemont Virginia (where I spent the month on the farm!) so it was good to be back so soon, even if it was only for a weekend.
One encouraging little story...

So yeah. We all have that ONE thing that we struggle with in our lives where no matter how many times you mess up and try to change, or how many painful lessons you have to learn...you just CAN'T seem to get the idea that maybe it would be good to shape up a bit and not do that thing?!Let me just say...the Lord is keeping me pretty darn humble. So I am seriously the most forgetful person I know. I literally do not know why this is, or what goes on in my brain, but I make the dumbest mistakes sometimes and I tend to forget things like...alot.
Carelessness. Yep. That's my thing.
I feel like I can never escape it! It happens to me all. the. time. no matter how many times I mess up and pray God would change me and magically make me careFUL, I always end up right back where I was.
And, surprise surprise, Hannah needs a humility check. Among other things that very same weekend, I decide it would be a genius idea to leave all my nursing books at our friend's house! Oh yeah, and not realize it until an hour into the trip! Smooth I know. You wish you could be that retarded!
My family was none to pleased with me to say the least, and let me tell you I felt like the idiot of the century the entire trip.
But God's hand was in all of it.

Backtrack a second...
So we left Chesapeake Friday afternoon, planning to stay until Sunday, which is when we hoped the storm would be over and we could return. WELL! About two hours away from our destination, yours truly decides that she would forget her purse on the outside patio table at the Chick Fil A. And drive away. And not even know she forgot it until a Chick Fil A employee calls an hour later, informing her.
*Forehead smack*
AND since Chick Fil A is not open on Sunday, this girl was looking at not being able to return Sunday, therefore having to miss pretty much an entire day of nursing on Monday (which is literally like missing a week of high school-no joke.) Gaaaaaahh! I was freaking out as you can imagine. I tend to do that. But as I was really panicking, I remembered some encouragement my friend had given me the other day about  going with things, and not getting so hyped up about everything. God has it under control! Okay, so I have no control over the fact that I left my purse, or that Chick Fil A isn't open when I NEED them to be, or that I am going to miss a ton of school. I can't control those things! But that's okay. I gotta learn, as my friend says, to just not give a crap sometimes haha and just let the Lord do His thing!

Well let me tell you, God did His thing! Not two minutes after saying a quiet prayer to the Lord, confessing my anxiety, and letting Him know I was going to trust Him, the phone rang and it was the Chick Fil A owner, saying that they did indeed have my purse, and that they had just lost their home power, so they were at the restaurant, and wanted me to know they would be here to give me my purse at my convenience!!

 Yeah. I wanted to cry.

So back to the original timeline, wherever that was. Oh yes, I had forgotten my BOOKS and we had been on the car about 2 hours longer than planned. Turned out, we finally made it to a meeting point where this sweet Chick Fil A owner actually met us and delivered my purse to me. Such a sweet lady. I was so humbled by God's kindness to me, even in the midst of feeling so dumb. Even in my biggest struggle of being careFUL, He is there to show me how much He loves me, and that He is indeed walking this road out with me. So encouraging!!

Anyways, that's my weekend :) I just got home, and am debating on whether or not I should take a nap or workout first. I'm thinking the nap...it's really dark and stormy looking! Perfect snooze weather.

God bless you all! Thanks again for reading my little ramblings. Praying for you!

The Final Stretch!

Well, yesterday was my first day back to Nursing!! I am so thankful the Lord helped me make in through Nursing I and II. Definitely the hardest thing I have ever done, but He has continued to strengthen and sustain me.
I am excited for this final stretch...I am so ready to be a nurse and get out into the world to start serving the Lord through nursing! It is for sure going to be a challenging year, as it is twice as long of a day, and there are tests and reading and notes and clinicals all the time. But anything worth having is worth fighting for. I am becoming more certain day by day that nursing is where God has called me.

Please continue to pray for me! I am still feeling physically exhausted (I just found out I have had Lyme's disease for about a year now) and life feels kinda stressful still. But GOD IS GOOD and I know He is so faithful to me.



"Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." -Jim Elliot

Love you all! Have an amazing Tuesday!

"Open your heart, girl, let Me make your dreams come true!"

At long last, I am finally sitting down to blog. I have seriously been trying to write for 2 weeks, but everytime I sit  down to post, something else grabs my attention, or I literally can't think of anything to say, which is infuriating because I am one of those kinds of people who thinks about blogging alot and is always trying to find ways to write about everything. Weird I know :)

So here I am. Sitting outside on my screened-in porch with my coffee. The Lord has blessed us so much these past few mornings. We have had a reprieve from the oppressive heat, at least in the morning hours. It is sunny and cool, and there is a breeze making everything just a bit better. I love this porch. I have decided it is going to be my special spot, at least as long as weather permits. We just bought new patio furniture and a rug and cute little lights...so its just perfect.



Well, where to begin.

I came home from the farm last week. Needless to say, I was pretty depressed after coming home. I just don't know. It was so hard for me to leave when I had really been a grown-up for over a month, living away from my family, doing what I absolutely love, surrounded by the beauty of the rolling green hills and mountains and farms. Not that I don't love my family, but it was just nice "growing up" a little bit. So yeah, coming back to Chesapeake was not the funnest experience for me.

I have been thinking and praying so much about what God wants me to do with my life. I have so many directions and dreams and aspirations, it makes me dizzy. And when you are a control freak like me and want to have everything planned and you want all the details now...well, lets just say "being anxious for nothing" becomes a struggle.

Can I be real for a second? Life is hard. And I honestly find it difficult looking to Jesus in seasons like this. I know I am on the brink of a new season of life, and that excited me more than anything. Also it scares the heck out of me, because I honestly have this notion that I am going to completely mess up God's plan for me and I am going to accidentally go the wrong way, and I won't be in His will like I want to be. But He has been showing me and encouraging me through His word that just like scripture says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the Lord directs His steps."
I belong to Jesus, and therefore He is leading me and directing me, even if i don't realize it. I am free to just live. Sounds simple I know, but it honestly gave me so much freedom.

Another thing I have been contemplating this week was something my mom observed...

 I had a legit meltdown yesterday. I just get so anxious and worked up about the future, and then days come where I totally lose it. I feel physically sick and my heart is so heavy from worrying. I don't know WHY I do this, but I don't think we get to pick our sin struggles. It would be nice if we could. Anyways, like I said, I was feeling overwhelmed. I have been walking through a long season of disappointment. You know like when thing after thing after thing just goes wrong? And you get your hopes set on things, and then nothing works out like you dreamed or prayed? Yeah, that's me.

But once again, the Lord remains faithful. I was just sitting on the swing, utterly defeated and weary, and the Lord brought me this reminder...

Lift. Your. Eyes.

Lift your eyes! Get your thoughts off yourself and all the "bad" and look to Jesus! He is over everything you are feeling! Taste and see the fullness of His peace! Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you! He really does love me. Even when I am a mess. Even when I fail miserably. Even when I frankly don't feel madly in love with Him! He loves me. He cares for me. Will I lift my tear stained face to Him and see those loving eyes filled with adoration and mercy and compassion?

Jesus, I want to see you!

So after a long week of struggling and crying and praying, the Lord is bringing my heart peace. My problems don't vanish the second I realize I need to trust God even when i don't want to, and no, my worries and anxieties don't vanish by any means...but I do have that reassurance that in dark times like this, I can lift my eyes to my Jesus, the one who loves me more than anything and who gave His life for me, that I might never have to be alone.

And He has given me hope for my future. Proverbs says, "Hope differed makes the heart sick." I have certainly had many hopes deferred. BUT my story doesn't end there! Goodness gracious, when am I going to get it through my thick skull that God has SO many wonderful things in store for me?!?!

Day by day, I think I believe it just a little bit more.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--

1 Corinthians 2:9

"...Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God!"

Psalm 43: 2-5

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord!"

Psalm 27:13-14

Farm Girl Part One.

*My computer isn't letting me upload any pictures at the moment =( i will try to put them up sooon!*

Wow. It has been entirely way too long since I updated! My original plan had been to keep updating at least once a week while up here at the farm, but I have been so extremely busy, and when I am not, the Internet connection is a whacked out and I can't get on! It has been so frustrating, but also so good! Not only have I not had Internet alot, but I also dropped my phone last week when I was on my run, and of course, even though I have dropped it a zillion times, it decided to break this time. Which stinks. I literally haven't been able to contact people some days.
But then I praised God! An excuse not to be tied to people! Hooray! Haha just kidding. It has been great though, just having to communicate in other ways. I have been writing lots of letters :)

 

Anyways! Yes, I decided to be farm girl for a month this summer! I am up here in Loudon County, Northern Virginia with some friends I have known since I was 5. Their oldest daughter and I grew up together and were best friends for many years. She is away now, living in Pennsylvania, so I am actually staying in her old room while I am here. Her cousins are the ones who live on the farm. The main thing they do here is hay and selling milk. There are also pigs and chickens and goats and produce, so its definitely a full working farm.
I came here for the first time about four years ago when my mom drove all of us up for a visit (she and  my "Aunt" Melinda are best friends) and I have loved it ever since. Just the whole atmosphere of farm life and being away from so much of the hustle and bustle of life and just living a peaceful, quiet, simple life up in the country. For years now, I have dreamed about making that my lifestyle. So this summer, the Lord really opened the way for me to be able to come and stay here, just so I could get a real taste of what it is like, and see if indeed it is what I'd want.

 

And I know now, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is.

 

First of all, the scenery. I am up here in the middle of the Blue Ridge mountains. Which in itself is amazing. I have always  loved mountains. Then there are all the rolling green hills, wild flowers, dirt roads, picket fences, old barns, and little shops. Just the picture of simple life. Another thing I love is that you have to drive kind of a long way to get to places. Like in Chesapeake, we complain if we have to drive more than 20 minutes to get someplace! But here, that's like taking a five minute zip up to the corner store for some milk. So yes, just another element that adds to the laid back way here. There isn't alot of hurrying and rushing around. Just time to drive, think, pray, and enjoy the breathtaking view all around you.
So, I really wasn't sure what to expect coming up here working wise...but I have found hat I have stayed pretty busy! The family I am working for is just amazing. Love them so much. I met them about five years ago, so yeah, jt has been great getting to hang with old friends. We pretend that they are like my cousins and aunts and uncles, so its good.

 

First off, let me say that farm work is not for the faint of heart. Hahah oh. my. gosh. it is tough. I thought it was like the worst thing ever when my mom would ask me to come out and help her weed her little front flower bed for thirty minutes...until I faced not one, but two ginormous vegetable gardens. Which we weed and work in every day for at least two hours. of course, I start sweating like a pig not ten minutes in, and my farmers tan begins to emerge....but I love it. I seriously like enjoy hard, gritty, dirty, sweaty work! Weird i know. So yes, theres the gardening. Oh! And Andy (he's the youngest) and I set up a little Farmer's Market in a little barn they have in the front, and now we not only have the milk that customers pick up every day, but we also have baskets of produce for sale! Very fun. I am quite pleased with how it all turned out.
The two most extreme things I have done would defiantly have to be bailing hay, and butchering or what the call "processing" chickens.

 

Okay, so the hay is awesome! It's first grown, then cut. We leave it to dry and turn brown, then with a rake hooked up to the tractor (which I successfully got to drive by the way ;) ) its raked into rows, then bailed by another machine hooked up to another tractor. Behind this second tractor comes the crew! Ther is someone in the truck driving about 3 mph, and attached to this is the hay wagon. While driving up and down the field, there are two people walking alongside the moving truck, hoisting these like 60 lb. bails up to two more people standing on the wagon, stacking the hay. And yes, I was on the moving truck hoisting hay. Very proud of that fact. However, what I was not so proud of was the fact that I had not been informed I would be bailing hay, so I showed up in gardening attire, aka shorts, t shirt and flip flops. Yes people, flip flops.

 

Don't ever bail hay in shorts and flip flops.

 

Good gracious, my legs were a sight to behold after about an hour of this....and not a pretty one. The hay scratches you so bad and makes you break out in this hives like rash wherever it touches you. After about tree rounds around the field though, the boys had mercy on me :) and I got to drive the truck and later the tractor. I was singing one of my favorite songs the whole time, and it was awesome because the tractor was so loud, nobody could hear me ;) "I can take you for a ride in my big green tractor! We can go slow, or make it go faster down through the woods, and out to the pasture: 'Long as I'm with you, it really don't matter!" ;) So yea, we were probably working for about 5 hours out there, and then we had to deliver it down the street. I felt bad for all the cars stu k behind us. But Jon was making it go as fast as he could....i think we reached 8 mph going downhill at one point. When we got there and the man we were delivering the hay to saw me jump down with all the boys, all sweaty and dirty, he just shook his head and laughed saying, "I tell you what...girls are just too hard core these days!"

 

Awwwww yeeeeaaaaaaaa!! ;) I'll bail hay any day.

 

OH!! And before I forget, GOD ANSWERED A PRAYER OF MINE that I seriously forgot about until this hay bailing adventure! So, my whole life, I have been really, really, really, allergic to hay. Like I immediately feel my lungs close up, I break out in real hives, and I get really serious asthma attacks. Because of this, I really haven't ever been able to go near hay, much less like go into a loft or heaven forbid roll around in it and play in it etc. etc. And that really crushed me the first time I came here to the farm because the kids had all built these mazes in the lift in the barn and were having so much fun, but of course the second I climbed up the ladder, I had to leave because I instantly started having an attack. Since then, my farm dreams were quite lessened because I was like there is no way I can have a farm and be this allergic to hay. So I prayed! I prayed fpr Jesus to heal me of my hay allergies and to just take away all the asthma related to it.

 

And oh my goodness, it hit me as I was heaving a bail up to the top, all the dust and loose hay falling into my face and mouth and all over me...

 

I was totally fine. No asthma. No heavy chest. No hives.

 

God hears the simple requests of His children dear friends!!

 

 

And then we come to the chickens.
I'm not sure if my stomach can handle even recalling it. It truly was the most disgusting thing I have ever witnessed and taken part of. There is blood, feathers, guts and flies everywhere. The unfortunate chickens are taken out of the bed of the truck, hung upside down in a cone thingy, throats slit, put in the scalder, transferred to the plucker, then plopped down on a metal table for the thrilled Hannah to scoop out all their insides.
I have no idea what I was doing or what possessed me to help...but I did. And wow, was it hard core. And for a person who as a little girl would cry and cover her face with a cloth every time her mom took her to the petting farm because she couldn't stand the smell of cows...I'd say that girl no longer exists. Will I ever do chickens again? Probably not for a fun activity on the weekend...but I shall when I have my own farm i suppose. I'm just happy I made it through without throwing up. Not saying I didn't dry heave once...or twice....or five times. Hahah but I made it, and golly did it feel good to conquer the grossness. OH! And I only broke two gallbladders which apparently is really good for a first timer. Everyone was saying the norm is to break five. Oh yeaa :)

 

Another thing I have learned about myself this summer is that I actually do enjoy gardening! It always seemed like such a daunting task...probably just because I know so little about it. But as I have been up here working, I have grown to really love and appreciate the feeling of satisfaction that comes with having a little patch of earth that you can care for and grow fruits, vegetables and flowers in. I have been reading tons of gardening magazines, books and tutorials, and am SO excited to start my own garden when I get home! My mama and I are all excited for me to grow vegetables to can and such, and I am thrilled too! I want to do herbs, flowers, and possibly some apple and peach trees, along with berry bushes. We will see!

 

Well, there is much more to share and talk about, but I don't want this post to carry on for too long ;)
More to come!
Thanks again for all of you who read this. I love having readers. Feel free to share my blog with others! Its always SO exciting getting mew traffic :)
God bless!

MIA.

Friends!

I am still here and alive I promise! I know I have been MIA for forever now, but its because I am up here in Loudon County Northern Virginia working on a farm for the summer! I have been up here since Hawaii. And the reason I haven't blogged is because 1) I have been extremely busy with farm work and 2) the Internet up here is soooo unpredictable, and chooses to not work whenever I try to blog!

But just wanted to check in and let you know I am still alive :)

Lots of posts, pictures and updates coming soon!