Recap of the week!

This past weekend/week has been full of many adventures...To begin, My best friend Janie and I got to go lead a group of girls for Disciple now at Summerville Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama. The weekend was so much fun, and as wonderful as it was to lead the girls, I found myself being refreshed and renewed in a whole new way! God is so good! I can't say it enough!!

Here are some pics from the weekend...

Some of my sweet Sr. High girls :)

Janie and her group of Jr. High Girls

Brandi, One of the biggest highlights to my whole weekend! Such a joy to be around!

Janie and I! So glad we were able to lead together!

It really was such a great weekend to get to know the youth at Summerville and encourage them as some began to investigate and others fall more and more in love with Jesus!

As the weekend came to a close, Janie and I headed back to Troy where we hit the ground running with school work. For those of you who don't know I am an Elementary Education major, and am beginning to feel it more this semester than ever!

These are the classes I am taking this semester:

Language and Literacy, Integrating Physical Education, Integrating Music, Integrating Art, and Children's Literature.

Wait...I know what you're thinking, they sound easy, and they are so much fun, but they all require a lot of effort and work. Of all my classes, Music is by far the most entertaining! So far we have made home made instruments, ( I made a guitar and tambourine) we are learning to play the recorder, and the most recent assignment...Making puppets! Not only did we have to bring our new friends to class, but we had to lead the class in song, using them! haha oh how i have really gone back to my childhood memories! Who could complain though?! I get to sing with puppets for a grade!

Meet Marvin the Monkey and Priscilla the Parrot...

I'll definitely be sure to keep you posted on my adventures to becoming an Elementary Ed teacher! I have a feeling, many more projects are ahead!

On another note, I have been cooking!! Sadly, I have been forgetting to take pictures, but I did manage to get a few tonight!

Simple but oh so Tasty!

Chicken and Pepper pasta, with Caesar Salad

Chocolate Chip Muffins for the leadership team :)

From a weekend of discipleship, fun classes, and great fellowship it has been a wonderful week! Looking forward to this weekend! Mom, Rachel, and I are having girls night! Can't wait!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Blessings,

Han

It feels like home!

It has been such a long time since I have blogged, so I will try and make this post interesting to make up for the lack of posts! There has been several new changes that have happened since I last posted, but the most recent is that I have moved into an apartment with one of my friends who I met since being at Troy and absolutely LOVE it! It is so much fun having a place on my own and although I felt I was getting the full college experience in living in the dorms I have discovered the freedom of being able to have my own place. You can imagine this has definitely been an adjustment after living in the sorority house for 2 years. Although I loved living with 13 other girls, I have now come to the conclusion that I can go to bed before 2 am and wake up formy 8 o clock feeling wide awake and ready for the day! Imagine that!

Though there have been adjustments, my favorite has been being able to cook. Though there is a funny story to go along with this...I went to Wal*Mart the other day thinking, well I'm not sure what I was thinking, but had no particular meal in mind, nor a list to go off of, so needless to sat after about 10 minutes of wondering aimlessly around the food section, feeling a little overwhelmed I called my mother and admitted I felt like a kid in a candy store, but instead I was a college student in the grocery store. Kinda sad I didn't know what to buy, I know how to cook and know the basics, but when it comes to cooking dinner every night and what will go a long way, etc. I don't have a clue! Thanks to some great advice from mom I ended up with the basics, some good meal ideas and a delicious dinner by the end of the night!

It is so amazing how everything came together so smoothly and it truly was an act of God how even to the last minute how everything fell right into place. One of the coolest things happened on the way home from Passion 2011, (which I will have to post about next!) I was going to get some bedroom furniture from a friend of mine in mobile, but for whatever reason no U-haul, cargo van , or any other type of transportation was available so that ended up not working out.When many would have gotten discouraged, my amazing mother immediately hit her knees and began praying Lord, what are you trying to tell us? It wasn't much later that my dads secretary called and shared that another woman from our church's mother was moving into assisted living so she had several kitchen items and ( you guessed it!) bedroom furniture, that she wanted to give away! After hanging up the phone, mom immefiately called me almost to the point of tears, and wow is it more than we could have ever asked or imagined. It is the most beautiful furniture that I could have ever dreamed for. Once again I don't know why I allow myself to doubt that he won't come through or things will not work out.

Matthew 6:28-34 says it best... "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

It is so true, no matter how much I try, and worry, when we let go and let God He does more than we could have ever thought possible, but we must be patient and wait on Him!

With all of that to say I am #1 excited to see all the Lord has in store for this upcoming year as I start another semester. I am praying for boldness with those who do not know him, but more than anything to bring glory to Him, through any and all circumstances. My joy must come from Him, and him alone! # 2, I want to learn and experiment in the kitchen over the next few months and will try my best to keep you updated on my progress! My new years "goals" were to become more diligent in my time with Jesus, and to journal more, the last (and I do mean it this time) is to learn to cook! So far I'm off to a pretty good start, but I will keep you posted! Until then...Let the adventure begin!

Here is some pictures of my new place!

In EVERY season!

"All of my life in every season, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship!

Desert Song (Hillsong)

It's inevitable, we must all go through different seasons and times of transitions, but can I be honest for just a moment and say, it's hard sometimes! Lately I have not been able to explain it, but I have felt discontent and distant from the Lord. It's not that I wasn't in the word, I was, but I finally hit me when Dad preached on Attitude, this one specifically was "Hungry" It was then that I realized I am desiring more and am hungry, longing for God to take me from where I am to a new place. I am in transition and am ready for a new season, but must learn to embrace the season I am in right now, As Mordecai said to Esther, "You have been prepared for such a time as this, " we too must embrace and welcome the current moment we are in rather than longing to see the answers ahead even in the next month. I don't want to miss where God wants to use me now, because I am wishing ahead. I must trust him in any and all things! To worship with joy because I know through it all, He is with me! That can be so hard though right? Saying it and even meaning it is the easy part, but its the putting faith into action that is the test. As many of you know I was able to go to California this summer and do an amazing internship at Bayside Covenant. Before even returning home I didn't want to leave, I absolutely loved it out there and truly thought that was Gods will, to move me to California! I'm not saying one way or the other, because only He knows, but lately he has shown me , I know NOTHING! I can't help but think that is exactly where He wants us though. Its times like these I really see how much I try to do, when the one who desires to have it all knows all of the things I need before I even ask. So why is it hard for us, to be even more real, why do I continue to worry, and even panic thinking I need to take care of things. Its as if I am saying, "God, you've never forsaken me, but don't forget this one thing!" When put like that it seems so foolish, who would say that to God, the one who is the provider, and is for me?! But we all do it in some way or another. It's a constant battle to live in the spirit and trust, rather than die to the flesh and worry about everything.

Going back to feeling discontent, I could not grasp what was going, the only way I could explain it is that I was in a funk, and desperately needed to shake it off. Thankfully, nothing in my life is terrible, I am blessed, I have a wonderful and healthy family, and a God who loves me, but I was saying in my actions that wasn't enough! How SCARY! So what to do? What do you do when you just feel blah! Do we run to our girlfriends, a husband, a carton on ice cream and a spoon, or ill let you feel in the blank? Whatever it is, we may find a very SHORT temporary sense of relief but it won't last. The best and only thing you can do in this situation is to RUN to Jesus. Isaiah 26:20 says , "Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by."

Another version says ,"Let us keep close to the Lord, and separate from the world; and let us seek comfort in secret prayer."

That is the very thing we need and must do! Take some time, get away from the distractions and even the noise of the world, and just sit and wait until the peace of God comes and refreshes your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I'm not sure who, if anyone is in the midst of feeling this way, but if you are stay encouraged and push through this funk, and although it isn't easy embrace this season until he tells you to take the next step. Continue to draw near to God, He longs to draw near to you!

Praying for refreshed hearts!

-Han

Momentum Ministries

I have posted about Momentum before, but for those who do not know, Momentum Ministries is a student led Organization that takes place on Troy University's campus every sunday at 10:55 am. The purpose behind Momentum is to share the gospel with those who have not heard it before. To provide a time and place for worship that is welcoming to all types of people and we are all united under one name...JESUS!

This past sunday we introduced something new that I wanted to share...Dad (To be professional, Pastor Keith Waldrop) spoke on Prayer and we had an illustration of different forms of worship.

These were:

Prayer one on one: Students could go and pray with students at the cross for specific needs

Prayer on a poster: Students wrote things to pray for, both in our world, on our campus, etc.

Offering: Students gave freely of what that had

Cross: Students came and literally nailed to the cross things that had become idols in their lives

It was an incredible time of worship, not only in song but in all of these acts of worship. I am discovering more each day worship is a two way conversation, it is not limited to song, prayer, or even offering, but it is the very way we connect with our father. There is freedom in surrender and I am thankful for all of the things laid down at the cross this past week. God is at work in a big way on our campus and in this city! Stay focused, He is at work!

Check out our new website:

http://momentuministries.org/

To Him be the glory!

Braves Game!

Last Saturday, September 11th I had the privilege of going to my first Braves Game! It was such a fun day, my only disappointment...That I hadn't gone before now!!

In honor of 9-11-01...Crazy to think that was nine years ago...

The BEAUTIFUL Sky!!

Now for the Game...

It was a sold out game...

Didn't get a chance of the final score due to all of the excitement...

But the Final Score: Braves-6 Cardinals 3

It's the process...

I'll start this post with lyrics from one of my favorite songs right now...

No mountain, no valley, no gain or loss we know
could keep us from Your love
No sickness, no secret, no chain is strong enough
to keep us from Your love
to keep us from Your love

How high, how wide
No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

Our present, our future, our past is in Your hands
We're covered by Your blood
We're covered by Your blood

-Healing Is In Your Hands (Christy Nockels)

Now that school has officially begun I have found it is so easy to get in a routine and stuck in the same routine that I have grown so comfortable in since beginning at Troy. That is exactly why I have decided to do the opposite, and make no plans and let go of "believing" I am in control. I am such a planner, need to know what's going on, but lately not only has the Lord shaken that concept up but has made it to where my plans have not happened. When this first happened I become frustrated, but then became thankful, let me explain. This summer I had the opportunity to serve at Bayside Church in Sacramento California where I learned comfort is not a place the Lord calls us to, in fact where in the bible did God choose to use people who were comfortable? You won't find it because he chose to use not only the weak to lead the strong, but those who were willing to abandon there comfort zone and trust in the Lord with everything they had.

After arriving back in Alabama many people have asked what is one of the biggest thing you learned this summer and I say this: I learned I had become so comfortable in my life/settings/friends/etc that I had completely taken the Lord out of being in control. Life had become such a routine, that I was not only missing out on the joys of life but I wasn't experiencing the freedom that we have in Christ. Freedom to not worry about the little things, but to trust God in and with EVERYTHING! Seems like a basic concept right, so how did I miss it?

I let so many "good" things fill my life, serving in this ministry, helping out with this, and so on, that although they were good things, I was missing it!

Lie:If I can stay in control (If I am strong), then I will be safe.

*Truth: True strength and safety come through surrender.

(Psalm 62:6-8)

All this to say, I have realized how easy it is to slip right back in to the very thing the Lord broke me free from this summer, so what can i do? Cling more to his word now more than ever! After all, we may struggle with the same thing time and time again, but if we are truly giving it to the Lord, a pattern often occurs. Each time the realization of the pattern shortens and eventually, we break free. This isn't always the case, there are times when it is instantaneously; however, I often find its the process that makes it worthwhile. Its in our state of desperation and our times of crying out to him that He shows us in his own sweet way He is there and has been all along. He is there to comfort us, hold us, and even cry with us as he patiently waits for us to realize our strong need for him!

Take this time to ask what process the Lord is trying to take you through right now. What does he want to heal you from today? What are your struggles/desires you just can't seem to let go of? I encourage you to let go and let God take it. It may take time, it may not, but let him love on you as he wants nothing more than for you to cling to him.

He cares for us more than we can ever imagine. What an incredible God!

-Han

Birthday Weekend!!

This past week I celebrated my 21st birthday! Such a fun weekend to post about...To begin, it was such a fun Weekend/Monday! I was so excited to go home after an amazing kickoff service for Momentum last sunday afternoon and enjoy a bday dinner at Maw Maws. Such a wonderful dinner joined with family time, and of course...Red Velvet Cake! I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family, It was so great to be home. After Dinner at Maws Maws on Sunday, I spent the night at home, and woke up to breakfast in bed...How much better could it get?! Just wait...

Dad was so sweet to get up extra early for me, and then leave for prayer! He reminded me, "You may be 21, but you will always be my little girl!" I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Best Breakfast Ever! Boy have times changed, a few years ago this would have been 3 :( Krispy Kreme Doughnuts...haha, now this is my favorite! Mom knows me so well!
Homemade Red Velvet!!
Maw Maw and I! Thank you for such a special night! I love you

Mom and I...The Woman that has shaped me into who I am! I love you!

(Not to mention, can you believe she's old enough to have a 26 year old, and a 21 year old?)

After going back to Troy, my friends had some people over to celebrate my birthday!

Becky and I!

Janie and I! (Roomies since Freshman year!)

Sweetest Surprise...When I got home from class on monday, some of the girls had decorated my room! :)

I LOVED IT!!

We had Chapter Monday night, so we carried out the bday celebration and went to Yanni's on Tuesday night to celebrate! Several of my friends were able to come! Thank you all so much for such a special night!

Tia and I!
I can't believe I'm 21! (It really feels old!)
Caroline, me and Janie after class. Love these girls so much!

To sum it up all in one sentence. I AM BLESSED! The Lord has not only blessed me with such an amazing family, but has brought the most incredible young men and women that I have grown to love more and more over the last few years. Although 21 seems old, I know there is so many exciting things ahead. The "Big" Birthdays may have come to an end, but the next phases of life hold there own stages of excitement as well! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special. It was a weekend I will never forget!

Love Han