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