A Promise

I read this verse last night and then I came to work this morning and heard this song, it talked about prayer, and the difference it makes when we keep bringing our requests before God in faith. (part of the song is written below)  I love how God always seems to know just what we need at the right time.  I'm so thankful that He doesn't hold back on giving us His blessings & promises... He does it with pleasure... He does it with joy... He does it time and time again just to remind me of His love!

It Pays To Pray
It Pays to call upon His name
It Pays To Pray
To see a miracle displayed
You’ll forget the word, “impossible”
When you seek the Savior’s face
You’ll know He will make a way
It Pays To Pray

Prayer is just as big as God is. Prayer is just as strong as God is strong
Prayer can reach as far as God can reach. Don’t ever give up just pray.

 It pays to pray - Greater Vision

I announce the Winner!!

And so........ I went to random.org, 

entered all of your names, 

clicked on 'Randomize'.... 

and the winner is....

Ashley!

Congratulations, Ashley!  An email has been sent your way.

Thanks so much to all of you who entered. My greatest apologies that most of you did not win. Maybe you will win the next give-away!:)  I don't know when this will happen but I definitely want to do another one sometime!:)  Until then.... Thanks again for entering!

It's a GIVEAWAY!!!

And so.... I announce the first ever giveaway on this blog.

You could win: a $10 amazon gift-card, & some amazing Russell Stover chocolate!  (about the chocolate, it's the finest french vanilla creme covered with silky milk chocolate and finished with crisp white chocolate)

Here's how you win; leave a comment with your first name, and also tell how you discovered  my blog. Then if you want to enter the second time just post/link it on your blog, facebook etc. then leave another comment.
The deadline is December 10.     The winner will be asked to send me an e-mail with their mail address and then I will stick this in the mail and you will have it within days!    Have fun!

26 Blessings

                                                       Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks unto the Holy One

    Give thanks because He's give Jesus Christ His Son....

                                                                   
So often I don't view everything I have as a blessing from God. I become selfish & demanding that God gives me all the things He ever has because; that's what God does right? We always say how; "God likes to give gifts to His children", which yes, He does, but that does not give us the right to claim those things which He gives us as "all ours" forgetting the source from where these things came.  We all know how much more fun it is to give something away when the receiver acts grateful, don't you think God feels the same way?     Oh that I would learn to be more grateful!

   Here's "26 Blessings"...
1. A faithful God   2. Christian friends  3. The Bible   4. Music   5. Sunsets   6. Coffee shops   

7. The free things that can be gotten with swagbucks :)   8. Family   9.Warm houses   10. Sunshine   11. Free sheet music :)   12.Redeeming love   13. Running water   14. Trees & flowers   15. Good books   16. Opportunities to serve God   17. The ability to speak, see & hear   18. Food & clothes   19. Irons & ironing boards :)   20. Encouraging websites like this one   21. nieces   22. nephews   23. Forgiveness   24.Wisdom from people who are wiser then myself   25. Godly examples   26. The hard times in life, if it wasn't for these then we would never discover the depth of God's faithfulness & love.
         What are you thankful for?  

                             O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: 
                            for His mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1

Do you want to win something?

Ok. So this is not a give-away on this blog but there is a cousin of mine that is giving something wonderful away on her blog! Go check it out at daughterwithavision.blogspot.com  I promise you will like it!

(Check back in several days to enter a give-away on this blog.)

Peace (When I leave it in Your hands)

       

Peace (When I leave it in Your hands)

Time and time again I brought my burdens

I prayed and prayed that I could lay them down

But walked away still bearing on my shoulders

A heaviness and heartache You never meant for me to carry 'round

But there's peace when I leave it in Your hands

Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands

Just leave it there and never pick it up again

There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

I wouldn't say I've gained a lot of wisdom

Oh, but I have learned this much along the way

Lord, that You are always there to bear my burdens

At first I might not feel it but if I learn to trust You, come what may, I'll find...

Peace when I leave it in Your hands

Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands

Just leave it there and never pick it up again

There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

When I'm temped to doubt and question You

Lord, just keep reminding me.....

....Just leave it there and never pick it up again

there's peace when I leave it in Your hands

Peace(When I leave it in Your hands) - Legacy Five   listen

My sisters....

...are such nice people to live with....

(I know, It probably seems as though I do alot of posts about my sisters/family etc. but you'll have to excuse me 'cause I rather like to post about them! not meaning to brag or anything ...:)

                      And even though I don't live with Sara anymore I still rather like to go visit her:)

I have been thankful many times over for my sisters, we have good discussions, they give good advice,(we are glad for good advice are we not?:) With them, you never have to go places all by yourself, they provide laughter.... and more good discussions:) They are always there for you and you know that they will pray for you. It's always amazing when I think about what an influence they have had on my life,  I know that how I view certain things in life is largely because of my older sisters influence & example, ( and those good discussions... *winks*)   My sisters are some of my best friends and for that I am extremely grateful. 

Follow You

Today I heard this song and I was inspired to post it, (along with my favorite quote right now..... )It made me wonder if I would really be willing to go to all extremes to follow my Lord, we say that we are Christians and that we would do anything for God but sometimes I wonder... if it actually came down to leaving "our life" (as we know it)would we really follow through with what we say we would? Would I be willing to leave all comfort behind just to tell others about God & perhaps risk my life?  So often I think; someone else can do it. but really, that command wasn't just given to a few people, it was given to all who bear the name of Christ!

You lived among the least of these,
The weary and the weak,
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs, you have supplied.                                                  
When I was dead, you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?

And I'll follow you into the homes of the broken,
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God.
Follow you into the World.

Use my hands, use my feet,
To make your kingdom come,
To the corners of the earth,
Until your work is done.
Cause Faith without works is dead,
And on the cross your blood was shed.
So how could I not give it away so freely?

                                               He walks the streets where we refuse to go,
                                            passes among the last ones we have forgotten,
                                       weeps at the pain and the shame of the city, and wonders...
                                         Where is the Church for which He died?    ~Unknown
                                
                            "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."
                                                                           Mark 16:15

This weekend...

                                       ....I get to go on a little trip with these sisters...

                 ...and this sister!  (I love this picture of Rhoda, it explains her personality perfectly!:)
 We have never done this yet with just us girls (tho we definitely talked about it alot!) & we are expecting to have a rather fun & happy weekend.... ahhh....shopping with a favorite aunt & cousin, and a graduation "party" for the cousin on this next picture(I was told that it's not gonna be a graduation 'ceremony' but a graduation 'party' ,which sounds like more fun anyway...:)

            the cousin that is preparing to graduate!(I know Allison, you pry wont like me for putting this picture on.... (sucking the sucker & all :) but I had no other... uh... I mean, none that I liked as well as this one...)

   In 2 weeks I will get to see my new niece for the very first time!! I am quite exited about that....

Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend!
    Hannah

2 Cor. 7:1

 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.   2 Corinthians 7:1

 In following the Lord there must be a continually renewed commitment to set ourselves apart to be pure vessels, ready for the Holy Spirit to use for God's glory. May we fulfill the call to personal holiness by heeding the scripture and cleansing our selves from the things that defile our hearts and ministry..  

be set apart for holiness.... K.P.Yohannan

An update!

So I have really been enjoying myself & I have also been told by several sources that I really should update my blog. Thus you see the following.:)

                I 've enjoyed having these wonderful cousins for "sisters" in the past week & a half.
 

I will really miss these 3 little people.

 

                       Last night there was time for a photo-shoot. Here are a few of my favorites.

 I told Allison that I didn't think I would like Alabama as well as I did & she was convinced that the only reason I liked it was 'cause I got to be in a studio every day. she is probably right though I must admit that I liked the southern accent, hospitality, friendliness etc. It is quite different then the nice North though:)   Well, I really ought to go now... so we will until next time:)      Hopefully you all have a good weekend...

Catching up on all the things that should have been posted....

Hello everybody! In a way it feels like I have been far removed from this blog for a little while now, maybe I really have been or perhaps it's just because a lot of things have been going on...? one can never tell...  Anyway, Wes & Sara were here over July fourth which was great! And as of  last Friday I am once again a new aunt! Joseph & Anna now have a girl and 2 boys, I am so happy for them! Her name is Haley Nicole. (I do really like that name:)    
   On Sunday, My aunt Karen & Victoria & Teresa came for a day (& some hours :) it was what one might call "short but sweet"   *winky face*  --So on Monday us girls went to a coffee shop, an antique mall & a little fudge shop. we had great fun & we missed Naomi ('cause she had to work)so we took her a white chocolate frappe to make up for it....   

the coffee shop. a kind lady took the picture for us...

Rhoda, Teresa & I.... (Teresa named her drink Marvin, she was so proud of him:)

Victoria & Dorcas

We thought it was so cool to find a "Bontrager" banner in Warsaw!  (even though we are Schrocks & Millers, our moms were Bontragers)

our mothers......:)

...these two are one of a kind, enough said.

my dear aunt Karen.... it is highly entertaining too hear her tell her & Uncle Tim's love story *laughs*

Victoria & I,   I love you girl, your heart for God inspires me.

Sooo... there you have all that... I have also started working at the bulk food store (that my brother Jon owns) about 2 days a week & I really enjoy that. Speaking of the store & my brother it reminds me that Jon is coming tomorrow for 2 days.:) I must add that Dorcas got her long & patiently waited for camera! now can we do a photo shoot? CHEERS!    This weekend both Dorcas & Rhoda will be leaving for a week. We will miss them. :)   And in 2 weeks I will be leaving to travel with the Bontragers. (namely my uncle, aunt, & cousins:) I will be with them close to 2 weeks & I am very much so looking forward to it! It will be a new experience & I like those.:)   Well I really must go... Hoping you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

Untitled.

Hello everybody! This is real quick....I just read a good article on femininity/womanhood, if you wish to read it, go to this blog.
Hope you all have a wonderful day!  

Micah

I am so glad to have you for my brother...

 

some things I like about you... 

• Your love for flying,(you're becoming a wonderful pilot!)
• Your passion for God & His will in you're life
•  All little children love you
• You always take time for people
• You make wonderful brother
• And.... you're favorite verse :)

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.  

Isaiah 40:31

                                               

The beginning of a story written by God's hand...

 Yesterday was a normal day, we were doing the things that needed to be done, I had just finished trimming the row of bushes in front of house, Rhoda was mowing, Micah & Dorcas were at work, Naomi was in town, Mom was working in the garden.... And then the phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number but without a doubt it was Dad's voice, there were sirens in the background & he asked to talk to Mom, he said he was in the ambulance on the way to the University in Iowa City, & that he thinks he had a stroke. He couldn't talk long 'cause he felt it coming back again.... Mom was crying when she called the children to tell them & Rhoda & I sat on the couch looking at each other not quite sure what to think or say. Being 6 hours from your Dad in a time like this is hard!   Those sorts of things always seem to happen to other people, and it seems really close home when it's your own Dad. Every week when he leaves I always take for granted that he'll be back in a few days. It makes me more grateful then ever for Him.
Me being the sort of person that thinks there is a song for every situation was having all manner of songs running through my head at once....  I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands...    be still, there is a healer, His love is deeper then the sea, His mercy it is unfailing, His arms, are a fortress for the weak, let faith arise....   strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord....  our God is greater, our God is stronger.... what if your blessings come through rain drops, what if your healing comes through tears.... I'm strong in the strength of someone else, trusting a hand that never has failed...
 Already we can see God's hand  in all of this. With Dad's job he could have easily been in Minnesota where there was no family, it was such a blessing that he was only an hour from both his & Mom's families so they could go up & be at the hospital with him... when he felt it coming there was a place for him to pull off right away, & most of all he is basically back to himself again! Last night Micah & Mom left around 7:00 for Iowa & we are so grateful for the friends that called & said they were praying for us & also the gifts of money to help pay gas etc. We are forever grateful to you! 

 (the rainbow is kinda faint but you can see it a little right above the trees)

 Last night it rained a soft gentle rain for about 5 minutes, just long enough to bring a rainbow, it felt like a gift from God.  Us girls  went to  Sonic to get supper, then we took it down to the lake to eat it & watch the sun set, soon we heard that Dad was looking/doing much better... I think I am learning all over again about answered prayer! 

 Even though there are still some uncertainties (like, will dad be able to keep his truck driving job after something like this etc.) we know that even though the story isn't finished yet, God will continue to take care of all the details like He has so far!  It's also a blessing that it happened on a week that our brother Jonathan was planning to come out for a few days!

....today is the day you have made, I will rejoice & be glad in it....

I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.

For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalms 57: 9-11

3 verses, 1 quote

 Hear my cry O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.   Psalm 61:1-2

 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 

Psalms 63:1

 

~~~~~~

  "The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us. "

— A.W.Tozer

My passion

        
      -Faithful to the Cross-

 I love songs like this! Songs that encourage you to run the race well that God has asked you to run, it's a song that reminds us of the example God has asked us to lead for those coming behind us. It makes us look at the real reason why we are here....    Some seek after fortune & fame, so when we're gone the world will remember their name, but I am learning that what matters most can't be held in my hands, & that riches don't measure the worth of a man.... It's found in being FAITHFUL TO THE CROSS!

You never know who might be looking to you as an example. It may be the poor children who are looking for acceptance in life, It may be the insecure teens that are trying to find their place in life, it may just be the person that needs encouragement today. Who ever it is, there is someone who is looking up to you & we have been asked by God to leave a godly example, because.... you might be the only bible another man ever reads.

53 weeks & 5 days of blogging...

...This blog has existed that long! I do enjoy it (even if you don't :)) & I think we should celebrate in some way but everyone does that,( giveaways when their blog is a certain age etc. :)) ... So maybe we will wait until sometime when nobody is expecting anything and then we will have a little surprise! Don't we all like that? alot?       But to admit, I am a little curious as to who all is reading my blog, the stats show that alot of people read it every day so I think that perhaps some of you read it & never comment & that's fine if you don't want to, (I hate feeling obligated to comment on someones blog) but in case you want to comment, now is the time to make yourself known.   In your comment please say your first name, where you're from, how you found/heard about this blog, and for curious me, which is your favorite of the following:  coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, ice cream, gummy bears or raisins.

The happy things in life...

Last night was amazing! While we were eating our supper it was raining such a nice, refreshing rain outside. Afterward the sun came out for a little & there was such a brilliant double rainbow. So we decided to go on a little walk down the road, it was still thundering quietly & raining ever so softly & it made me think of this song;   

Word of God speak                                                

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That Your in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness  

It was so what I was needing, to be reminded of God's presence all over again. A rainbow is such a promise of His faithfulness, justice, & peace.             

Today I got a CD in the mail from my sister, it was one that I loved & she decided to get it for me,  it was supposed to be a surprise but I had a pretty good idea that it was coming (thanks to Amazon's history:)  I have already listened to it about 5 times total! (this is what I do w/ new music:)

To day was my younger sister's birthday, she is now 14 & I am 15 which seems kinda funny 'cause just a few short years ago we were lots younger & weren't involved in all the "girl conversations" etc. *tee-hee*


Here is a quote that has inspired me to thinking lately:

Am I fully prepared to allow God to grip me by His power and do a work in me that is truly worthy of Himself? Sanctification is not my idea of what I want God to do for me - sanctification is God's idea of what He wants to do for me. But He has to get me into the state of mind and spirit where I will allow Him to sanctify me completely, whatever the cost. 

-Oswald Chambers

 

This is my desire, that I would be like pliable clay. that I would allow God to sanctify me, mold me , & use me for whatever He plans.  

A Sister is.....

....Happiness,  Someone to laugh with,  Understanding,  Someone who can read your mind :),  Random hugs,  A person who very happily will eat coffee beans with you!

Some things I like about you Rhoda:

• Your love for life
• The very fast songs you play on the keyboard:)
• Your happy / carefree spirit
• The stories you write ;)
• The twinkle in your eyes when you think you know something great * grin*
• Your "prophecy" :)
• You are fun to tease *ahem*

 Rhoda & I are about as different as day & night (especially in personality)  but I don't know what I would do without her,  she adds spice & sparkle to my life & whoever she is around. I love you Rhoda!
(the next post will be about another sister ;) guess who??

The Risen King!

 

This time of year always makes me think of why Jesus came. We all know that He came to free us of our sins & that we can now live with Him in Heaven someday, but the following words of a song has made me realize a deeper reason why He had to go through everything He did. We will never go through anything worse than what Jesus did, & He had to go through all this so that He would understand everything we go through. It's humbling to realize that He did it all just so He could know each one of us personally, so that we all can be forgiven of our sins. He did it all for me.   AND HE DID IT WILLINGLY!

If Jesus had the riches of earth, the

poor would never know the abundance of Heaven.

If the Lord had lived in a palace, the

homeless would never know a refuge.

If the Savior had not been rejected the

outcast would not know acceptance. 

If the Redeemer had not been cast into the dungeon,

the shackled would never know freedom.

And if my Champion had not fought the raging forces of hell, 

the soldiers of earth would never know the peace of Heaven!

  If our Savior hadn't gone through all of this there would be no refuge for the homeless children, there would be no acceptance for the little 5 year old girl who lives daily with verbal (& maybe physical) abuse.   If the tomb wasn't found empty  there would be no hope for any of us. I so often take for granted that someone actually went through pain, & turmoil, & rejection just so that there would be hope for my life!

Oh Hallelujah He is Risen

Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb

Who conquered death and hell, Who died and rose again!

In an empty tomb they realized what Christ Himself had prophesied

That death could never hold their King!

For when they found nothing, they found everything!

Spring!!!

I am just loving this season! There's good things about every season but spring is so invigorating & happy! :)  To list some good things:

• The freshness of everything is good for our souls :)
• One can never get too many gentle breezes.
• Sun that is just the right temp. (not too hot :)
• Open windows, which brings the sound of happy birds into the house.
• Daffodils & red-bud trees.
• Oh yes, perhaps we should add to this list the fact that all 3 of my sisters female cats will be having kitty's in a few weeks!! O.K. so I guess it isn't THAT exciting for me ;) 

I hope you all are doing well & enjoying a wonderful SPRING  Filled with God's richest blessings! :)

Brothers & Sisters...

...are wonderful things!

 

 I am so blessed to have 3 amazing brothers & 4 amazing sisters! :) (it makes for some pretty amazing conversation sometimes) I have been thankful many times over for having been born into a family that loves God & cares about each other. I feel so privileged & blessed!

Home...thoughts...quiet blog

I have been home now for almost 2 weeks & in those 2 weeks I have been busy, both "mentally" & with actual things to do:)   I'm enjoying being home again after nearly 5 weeks, ( it's amazing what all can happen in that amount of time :) *winks*  It seems as though 3 little people have been suddenly been removed from my life, there is no longer a little girl who, as soon as she hears I am going to wash dishes, does a little dance & says; I want to! ( Aubreys version of dish washing consists of filling all manner of cups & bowls with water & lining them up on the counter:)  there is no longer a little boy who begs for you to do puzzles with him & there is no longer a very small baby to hold. *sigh*  I just now thought of it that since I came home I have not watched "Bullfrog"  or Mark Lowry once! Please note: kidders favorites :) not that I mind because after watching them time & time again one is prone to get tired of it! I do wonder though how often their dear Mother has heard the bluegrass music of  "Bullfrog" etc. since :)
It is very springy here for which I can be grateful. This season is very good at clearing out ones brain so that more mind boggling thoughts can enter :)
I have been thinking of a new series of blog posts that will perhaps appear on here before long. this is kind of exciting!

 On another note:
I am learning that self pity is a very awful thing to allow into ones life ( I admit I'm not completely free of this) It hinders ones ability to think of others before ones self & it can very fast steal joy & make life seem empty. It is a sin that perhaps only your own self knows about but it makes whatever life it is living in very miserable.  This is why the bible stresses putting Jesus first, others next,& ourselves last.  Oh that I would learn how to do this better, That I would learn to live without trying to squeeze myself  in between God & others & sometimes even trying to get in line before God, This has never worked & it never will!

These verses are slowly making more & more sense to me;

          And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple Luke 14:33

Psalms 4:3

 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. Psalms 4:3

 

  "The highest, most sacred call the Lord gave us is to walk with Him, to love Him, and to know Him."  K.P. Yohannan

 ~~~~~~~~~

Cookies & Sunday...

What fun it must be to get a box in the mail containing all kinds of nice things, including a baking set & recipe cards!  Thus the next day we MUST make Frosted Sugar Cookies:)

Butterflies, flowers & kitty's waiting to be baked.

Kyler rolls out cookie dough under Aubreys watchful eye.

Let's see... what do we do next?

...we make the frosting!

 Kyler's goggles... when there's nothing to keep them on your head they must be held on! :)

Sunday photo session...

cheese...

dear Kyler, how we love him, according to him I am "his Hannah":) take for instance that he likes to jump on "his Hannah's" bed :) (once in a while I jump with him:)

the trains that Sara & her kidders made :)

This afternoon was quiet, just Mya & I, the rest were taking naps so I decided to update this blog.  Kyler just woke up a few minutes ago so I fixed him an orange & we are sitting at the kitchen table, me doing this & him eating the last of his orange. Today after lunch I took them outside for awhile, what fun!  I hope you are all fairing well... good-day.