The Big Picture

Well, just to let you all know, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, and I have not abandoned my blog either. : )

I wanted to post something but I wasn't sure what to write, so I thought about it for a while, and then decided that I would post this. A deluge of thoughts followed it.


I wrote this almost three years ago.
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Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
The costly gift of being free
From my sin, from the past,
From deep fears that held me fast.
You gave your life upon the Cross.
Too expensive would be that loss,
If I knew not what happened next.
But in the Bible's truthful text,
The story's told: you rose again.
You gave your life, endured great pain.
The very least that I can do
Is give my very life to you.
So use it, Lord, to do your will,
And in my time, if things go ill,
If I am called to die for you,
I pray that I'll be ready to.

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For as long as I can remember, I have deeply admired Christians who stood fast until the end, giving their lives for God's glory. For hours at a time I would sit poring over an 1895 edition of Christian Heroes and Martyrs of the World. I think that one of the greatest honors a Christian could be given is the chance to give his or her life in His service.

I have wondered if I would have enough courage. I suppose that I would if I stood strong in my faith, but would I be strong? I desperately hope that I would, but I won't know for sure unless I am someday put to the test.

These verses pop into my head every now and again:

For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8

Now, I don't know if I will ever be faced with this challenge, but I want to be ready. I want to be strong in the Lord's mighty power. I pray that God will give me the strength to face every challenge head on, and stand firm until the end.

I tend to get annoyed over little things and have self-pity parties regularly when I am going through some difficulty. Then I realize how self-centered those thoughts are, and turn to God, confessing them and thanking Him for His forgiveness. I spend so much time thinking about frustrating little things that happen to me, while all around the world people are being rejected, tortured, and killed for their faith.

Every now and then God gives me a glimpse of the big picture, and I get so overwhelmed by the hardships that other Christians go through - so thankful for the easy life that I have here (and yet somehow wishing that God would think me ready to face that same challenge).

My mission trips gave me especially clear glimpses of the big picture. In PNG the tribe that I visited didn't know the truth about God. They had heard diluted, mixed up versions of the gospel and added that to their own religion. They were so lost. Now they have heard the truth, and many have believed and are growing in their faith, but those who accept the truth are subject to rejection and ridicule. It is a hard choice for many people - especially for women, because they face the possibility of being sent out of their homes if their husbands are not believers.

While in Mexico, I learned that churches there have to be registered and approved by the government, and home Bible study groups are not allowed. Technically, what we were doing there, having a Bible study time every night, was illegal. I had no idea that such was the case!

There is so much going on that I don't see because I'm focused on the small, everyday things in my life! I don't want to live like this; I want to see the big picture and be a part of God's work, whether that means being a witness here in the States or going overseas. Either way, I don't want to be stuck in a routine, paying no attention to the needs of the Body around the world.


I've been rambling.... I hope my thoughts aren't too hard to follow. : ) These are just some of the things I've been considering lately. Well, I suppose that's enough for now.

The First Two Weeks....

Well, the first two weeks of college are over. I now know that 15 hours of college classes is a heavy load, but I am also confident that God is with me through every minute of it. (Thank you, Lord!!!!)

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This first semester I am taking Biology I, Composition I, College Algebra, Archaeology Method and Theory, and Honors Symposium.

I have a great professor in biology; I really enjoy that class. So far we've been reviewing basic biology and chemistry principles. Thankfully, this is an honors course, so it is a class of about 15 kids.

My composition course is not at all what I had expected. We are required to do in-class writings once a week and will complete four essays over the semester. Then each of us also has to give a fifteen-minute presentation once during the semester. All of the in-class writings, essays, and presentations will be based on early American history. So it has turned out to be a comp/speaking/history class. This is another honors course of ~15.

The college algebra lectures are given in an auditorium which seats 400. That is the largest class I have ever taken! (Obviously, since I have been homeschooled for my entire life.) We've been working on some review and then the first four lessons in the textbook, so it hasn't gotten too difficult...yet. ; )

Archaeology is a lot of fun! I really like my professor; she is kind and encouraging towards the whole class. This is a junior level course, so it is a lot of hard work. I had to write a paper by the end of the first week. We all have these archaeology workbooks that have several assignments in it. In the first assignment, I was given a whole bunch of data (artifacts that were found here or there, how deep they were found, etc.), and then I was supposed to write out a possible history for the people groups in that area. It took a long time to write, but I really enjoyed it!!

The honors symposium is a required course for all honors freshmen, so I didn't get a choice about that one. Every week we listen to someone give a lecture (in a class of 400), and then we break out into smaller groups to discuss the topic. This year the theme is "The Evolution of a Community."

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So, that's an overview of the classes I'm taking this semester.

I have a few friends at UCF, but so far I haven't found anyone that I've really clicked with. As it is now, by the end of the week, I'm desperate for some good Christian fellowship.

Thank you, God, for my amazing friends and wonderful church!!!! Thank you for being faithful, and for loving me just as I am.

Help me to shine your love to everyone around me!!!


~ Hannah ~

travels

This past weekend we drove up to Virginia, where we visited Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. I have wanted to see those places since I was 6 or 7 years old, so I was really excited about the trip!

July 27

At Williamsburg all of the historical sites were spread out, so we had to walk a lot. We were exausted and our feet were very tired by the end of that day, but I had so much fun! The first building we visited was the Governor's Palace. From there we went to the saddle and harness shop, the print shop, the weapon and powder magazine, the public gaol, and the courthouse.
I love history, and I have always enjoyed studying colonial America, so I thought it was really neat to visit this town where people like Patrick Henry and George Washington had been.

The Governor's Palace

One of our favorite places was the hedge maze behind the palace.

July 28

Sunday morning we drove to the Jamestown Settlement, where there are replicas of the Jamestown fort, an Indian village, and the ships that brought the settlers over from England. My favorite part of that day was visiting the ships. I love to read about adventures on the high seas, but I don't think I would like to have to be on a sailing ship for very long - I need my space. : )

Godspeed, Discovery, and Susan Constant

Below deck

July 29

It was a gray and rainy morning. We visited the Jamestown Glass house, where we watched several people blowing glass. I could have watched them for a long time; it was really neat!

Just a few years ago, some people found the actual site of Jamestown. Now there is an active archeological dig, so we went to see that.

The glass house was right next to the James River. We spent some time just walking along the bank.

The James River

My lil' sis and lil' bro

My Dad, lil' sis and big lil' bro

Later that day we visited Yorktown, where the last major battle in the War for Independence was fought. We all really enjoyed Yorktown. First we went through the museum, then to the army camp, and finally we got to explore the trenches on the battlefield. I loved that the most. Having an extremely vivid imagination, I could all but see the men, hear the muskets, and feel the determination during the siege in 1781. I thank God for the men that gave their lives for my freedom. I thank God for the men and women that are giving their lives, today, for the freedom of millions around the world.

Me and a cannon at the Yorktown battlefield.

EnviroCamp

Zach, Bekah, and I went to EnviroCamp on July 9th through 13th. Zach and I were volunteers, while Bekah participated in the camp. It was held at the Geneva Wilderness Area near Oviedo. The kids that attend have the opportunity to be field biologists for the week. They learn to take wildlife samples by using Sherman mammal traps (metal boxes that have a door which closes when an animal steps inside) in the woods, and minnow traps (wire mesh traps that have funnels which allow fish to swim in but not out) in the lakes.

We're on the way into the scrub to check our mammal traps.

Every time the kids found a trap that had caught something, they had to dump the animal into a ziplock bag so they could weigh and measure it.

Whenever we came across a Gopher Tortoise the kids had to take down all the data on it.

Along with the field work, we also had some class time. Everybody was glad to come back to the air conditioned room. : ) The two people who ran the camp were Amanda and Steve (they are the ones standing). We've known Steve for years. He works at the Central Florida Zoo, and we have done community service there since I was about 9 years old. I met Amanda when I helped with EnviroCamp last year. They did a great job, and they're a lot of fun to work with!

Zach, with a real smile!

Bekah, Amanda, Devin, and Cassidy

Bekah, Karis, and Amanda

Checking the minnow traps.

A Golden Silk Orbweaver

Elijah and I. Elijah was a trouble maker for most of the camp, but the last day he started opening up. He and I had a long talk about what it means to be saved, what it would have been like to live during Jesus' time, and what struggles we have. At one point he said to me "I don't let people pull me down, because if they do, they will walk all over you. So if I'm telling the truth, I'll stick to the truth; and if I'm telling a lie, I will stick to my lie." I had to smile, because I had seen the evidence of that all week. We got all of our problems settled and he gave me a hug before he left.

Kittens

A few months ago our dog found two kittens under our shed. We got the kittens out from under it and have raised them. They are really cute and a lot of fun to play with!

At first they were so little that we had to bottle feed them.

This is Benny. He was really scared when we first pulled him out from under the shed, but now he is the most curious little cat. He has something to say about everything. : )

Shadow is my favorite! He is adorable and really sweet!! His coat is so gray, its almost blue.

Bekah loves Benny!

Aren't they cute!


Jesse and Shadow.

Bekah and Benny. : )

High School Graduation

I graduated from Circle Christian School on May 19th, 2007. There were over 70 graduates. When I was called up to the stage, Mom and Dad came up too. Dad handed me my diploma and Mom moved my tassle. While that was happening, a recording was playing through the speakers. Mom and Dad had pre-recorded a poem that Mom wrote. It was modeled after one of my favorite books by Dr. Seuss.

Oh. the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations Hannah!
Today is your day
You're off to great places.
You're off and away.

Where will you go?
What will you do?
Please don't ask us.
We don't have a clue!

But we know One Who does,
Who has authored your days
And planned in advance
Your best for His praise.

On a cloudy, misty mountain
The world half-way around,
The Tobo shared their lives with you
And made your heart their own.

It wasn't hard, you understand
Because your heart is soft.
You choose to love the least of all
The weak, the poor, the lost.

As a wee little girl you trusted in Christ
And you share Him with those you love best.
You walk in His way and love with His love
And let Him take care of the rest.

So follow your dreams,
Hold tight to your Lord.
Go where He leads
And you'll never be bored!

Life is always an adventure;
Sometimes it's a test.
We have confidence you'll succeed
'cause Hannah, you're the best!!



I couldn't believe that they wrote that for me! I love my parents!!! They are so cool!!!!



Circle Community Church graduates (L to R) Stephen, Shane, Me, Tyler, Haylee

My First Attempt....

Well, this is my first attempt at having a blog, so I'll give it my best shot!

First of all, I am a Christian. I love God and want to serve Him in everything that I do! Every day is an adventure when you live for Christ!!!

I love to travel, which is one reason for the title of this blog. I've been on trips around the country with my family many times, but my first big trip was in the spring of 2006. I went to Papua New Guinea with a group of people from my church, to visit some missionaries that we support. It was amazing!!! That trip completely changed me!!!! The main lesson for me on that trip was TRUST. I learned that I need to trust God completely and that He will provide for me.

And just this summer I went to Mexico on a mission trip with my youth group. Again, I had a wonderful trip!!! I learned a lot about how God works through prayer and how He can use people even if they can't speak Spanish or don't have a lot of construction knowledge or aren't great at being leaders. : )

I will try to post more on the Mexico trip as soon as possible.