I never want to fall in love again!

:photo:

Sooo....now that my title has peaked your curiosity, let me explain.


You heard [ahem, I mean read] me correctly....I NEVER WANT TO FALL IN LOVE AGAIN! I have been there and done that and I'm telling you, it's no good.


Let's think about this for a second....
I don't want to FALL down the stairs.
I don't want to trip and FALL on my own feet, or over a dog, or into a bush, or into the mud, or really FALL into or over anything! So why on earth would I want to FALL in love? I associate this action with something bad, painful, unexpected, scary. It can turn into a bad memory that you just can't get rid of and it almost always always ends in a scar, or at least a bleeding scrape. Besides, people always talk about how they just fell out of love. 


When I love someone, I want them to love me back [they may not always like me, but that's a different story for another time]. I don't want someone to turn to me one day, just out of the blue and say, "I just fell out of love with you." or "You just don't cut it anymore." or "I know I said I would love you forever, but I just changed my mind." All of these things have been said to me before and I'm telling you....IT HURTS!


MAN!


I fell....HARD! And it stung like fire for what seemed like forever. No amount of encouragement or kind words from anyone else could fix it. And sometimes, when I think back to those words I can still feel that pain that cuts me right to the core. My mom once said, "That it's like watching your child in a train wreck." Some days I thought a train wreck would have been easier. But here is the real kicker, I didn't learn my lesson the first time. I don't know why, but I just kept falling and each time I fell it was a little harder to get back up and stand on my own two feet again. 


BUT FINALLY FINALLY... I MADE IT! Well actually...me and God made it. Although I had a ton of encouraging people cheered me on, I had to make the decision! I CHOSE!


Which brings me to the point of all this...I chose God! Some days it is still tough, because my human nature likes to dig up my past, but God is remaking me. He has removed the person who kept pushing me down and I can finally breathe without having to wonder if I'm adding up. 


So from now on, the next person I love is going to the person that I CHOSE to love. The person that God CHOOSES to have love me back. I don't want to fall, I want to CHOOSE! You can choose whether or not you are going to have God be Lord of your life, you don't fall into Him! Choosing sounds much safer and when it comes to my heart, I want someone who is going to keep it safe. 


So GOD! Choose for me, because I'm tired of falling!




--Hanna

My Addiction Monday

It's true. I have an addiction. It's quite serious, so let me elaborate...


I am addicted to:
All things God.
[books, videos, quotes, songs & my Wednesday night Bible Study.]
     ---Books? Yep! If you know me you know that reading isn't one of my favorite things....I'm trying though.The newest book I would like to read is "The Christian Atheist: Believing in God, but living as if He Doesn't Exist" by Craig Groschel. Think my toes are going to be completely stomped on after reading this.


All things Crafty. 
[Pinterest, StumbleUpon & Craft Gawker]


All things Food. 
[Pinterest & StumbleUpon here too, Food Gawker, Food Network & Crock Pot Girls]


All things Organization. 
[Real Simple Magazine & Pinterest]
     ---I'm not super organized but since I'm going to be a teacher, I'm trying to be.


All things TEACHER. 
[Pro Teacher Community, Different Blogs & of course, Pinterest]


All things Wedding. 
[Say yes to the dress: Atlanta, Bride magazines & The Knot]
     ----And before you ask.....No, I'm not engaged. And no, I'm not dating anyone. And no, I'm not on a man-hunt. Best friend is getting married in March, but I have to admit I was addicted long before that. It never hurts to be prepared, right??


And all things Photography. 
[I "like" so many photographers on Facebook and I long to own a nice camera.]


Here are some links I am talking about. I'm sure you will get addicted too.


Pinterest
StumbleUpon
Craft Gawker
Food Gawker
Pro Teacher Community
Crock Pot Girls
The Knot

This Video is currently my faaaaaavorite song :o)

Enjoy <3



So there you go...it's all there, but I'm sure I could come up with other things if I thought long enough.
What are you addicted to today??


All my love, friends.
Hanna

It's all about [perspective]

It's all about how you look at things. You have a choice every time. Are you going to go with the good or with the bad? I am not always the most positive person, but with a new school year starting today, [which is possibly my most challenging] I have decided that putting it all in a positive perspective is a must.


Everyday it's a decision....


This morning I couldn't get on the bus I wanted because it was too full.
While waiting for the bus there were some cute boys I had my eye on, hehe.....perspective.


I found out this weekend that my ex is getting married.
I am sincerely happy for him and hope he's happy......perspective.


I lost him and he found someone else.
I gained myself and I'm learning to be patient......perspective.


I wanted to graduate may 2012, but won't graduate until December 2012.
God has a better plan for the delay.....perspective.


I couldn't get a parking spot this year and now I have to walk 60 miles [maybe not that far] to class.
I hope to have great legs by the end of the year.....perspective.


When I get stressed or upset.
My Jesus is a steady calm voice to guide me.....perspective.


What are you putting into a positive perspective today? Half of what we fuss over is just the devil's way of trying to get us off track.


My Jesus has a funny way of putting things into perspective for me if I forget how.


All my love.
Hanna

An Anniversary I can Appreciate.

Today is a very special day.
To most it is Earth Day.
Or if you live in the High Country (ahem..no pun intended) it is more commonly known as National Weed Day. Weed Day + Earth Day + Boone, NC = You use your imagination!
{Have no fear. I will not be participating in the Weed Day Festivities}

But to me and my family, it is the 26th [if I'm not mistaken] wedding anniversary of my parents. :)

I am very appreciative of the love that my parents have not only towards each other, but also to me!
They might not have it right all the time (I think my mom has only been wrong like once in her life), but they do the best they can and give God the glory. They have each other and most days...that's all that really matters! They are an example of a couple that can overcome opposition and do it all with a certain amount of class and by the grace of God. If I can find a love that is half as strong as the love that my parents have for each other, I will be doing pretty good!

So here's to you, Mama and Daddy!
I love you with all my heart!
Have a wonderful anniversary!

All my love.
Now and Always.
-Han

"You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." --1 Peter 3:4-7

victory, peace, encouragement, & rest.

So the title of today pretty much sums up this week for me.


Victory & Peace.::.I woke up this morning [early] but I was rested, nervous, and stressed all at the same time. I had to take the writing portion of the Praxis [for those of you who don't know, it's like the SAT for education majors]. So many what if's ran through my head and I felt defeated before I ever reached the testing room. When I got there I prayed over my test and just left it in the Lord's hands. I did the best I could do and God will take it from there. 

{For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. --1 John 5:4}

Encouragement.::.On the way to my class, I received the sweetest most encouraging message. EVER. It was from an old mentor of mine....and by old I mean from a few years back, not that the person is old ;o). I was pretty much in tears on the way to my class. People were staring...Hardcore! But I didn't care!

{Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. --1 Thessalonians 5:13}

Reeessssstttt.::.Just Find It!!!!

{If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. If you want to be reborn, let yourself die. --From my "Sabbath" book.}

Own the Victory God has given you already. Receive the Peace that He has waiting for you. Be an Encouragement to someone around you. And make time for your resssttt. 

All my love. Now and always.

Hanna

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a very Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that you felt loved and shared your love!

I got some wonderful treats today from my mama and daddy :) 

All my love. Now and Always.

Han

Fabulous Friends and Family Friday!

YAYYY!!! TODAY IS FRIIDAAAYYY!!!

I'm sure that y'all are just as excited about this as I am!

Today is a very special post for me, because I just want everyone that reads this to know that, I have the best family and friends in the WORLD!

YES! THE WORLD! 

Now, I know that everyone says this at some point in time. But I'm really not kidding! They are fantastic!

Family first: I woke up this morning to a Valentine sitting at my door from someone in my family.

[who will not be named because I don't like to show favoritism, but they know who they are...or who they aren't]

It was the sweetest thing...really. 

Oreo cookies and Reese's. A sweet note with something inside it too :o)

I know I know...you're jealous! 

Anyway, I have 2 of the best parents! They are encouraging, loving, kind, patient beyond belief, hard working, Jesus loving, and the list goes on and on. Let's just say that if I can be 1/2 the parent that they are to me, I will be doing great!

My aunts, uncles, and cousins are also beyond compare! And of course, there are the grandparents! They spoil me to death! I'm the oldest grandchild on both sides, if that tells you anything. ;)  Although, on my mom's side, we all have a little healthy competition because of a new sweet one by the name of Garrison! xoxoxo

Friends Now: Ok, so by now you know that I also have the best friends ever. I am constantly surrounded by people who tell me how much they love me, almost everyday on Facebook :) {Taylor}.

I've got roomies that listen to me rant and rave about something EVERYDAY! They occasionally refer to me as their "Boone Mom," but that is a different story for another time.

I've got my guys friends, TG and Josh [among many others] who would do anything in the world for me!...you have been warned!

I've got BT in Arkansas and Sare in Statesvegas!

I've got adopted families and parents, movie night friends, and a fabulous church family!

I also have my avid blog reader and mentor...Melissa :)

They are everywhere and I am loved!! There is no way in the world that I could possibly name everyone of my friends and family individually {that's how many I have.}

But I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew how much of a blessing everyone in my life is to me. I would do anything in the world for you (no lie and no exaggeration)! You've all played huge roles in how I got to be where I am and who I am. I love you all to the very core of my heart. God has so richly blessed me and it would take me from now to eternity to thank Him and you!  

I know that this was lengthy, but as always..thanks for stopping by to read about me today!

All my love. Now and Always.

Hanna.

Hanna Babe.

Han.

Hannie.

Hannie Poo.

Hanna Banana.

HP.

P.

Love Bug.

Pippa.

an. over.whelming. wednesday.

Today started "with the best of intentions." [if you know country music you know the song reference]
Anyway...Last night I got to talk to one of my favorite people EVER....BT! I love her <3
I got off the phone and tried my hardest to get to sleep. Nothing happened!
About an hour and a half later I finally made it. Only to be disturbed numerous time with a series of bad dreams. You know the kind. The ones where you know that if you could just wake up it would be over. I would wake up and try to stay that way until the dream left my mind. I would close my eyes and lo-and-behold...there it was. 

{Again}

To make a long story short.

I woke up with achy and puffy eyes and a headache. 

I had no resssst. The one thing I have been searching for since the start of the "Sabbath" book.

So where is my rest coming from today, you ask??

The back corner booth. in Central Dining Hall. where I am writing this and no one knows that I even exist.

And right now. In this moment. I'm okay with that. 

"The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence." -2 Samuel 22:3

all my love. now and always.

Hanna

monday. mania.

Hello everyone.
Yes, it has been a long while since I have been on here to post anything, but not too much has been going on.
Today was a a wonderful Monday.
I had lunch and chats with my sweet mama.
A nice drive to Boone.
One...yes ONE. Class this afternoon.
Supper with my one of my favorite girls and roomie, Julie <3   


I have been reading a book called Sabbath by Wayne Muller! If you read, or even hate to read (much like myself) you should definitely give this one a shot. It talks about how we take for granted that we were built to neeed rest. 
All the hustle and bustle of this life is necessary to make it through our busy days, but rest may actually be more important!

It doesn't have to be anything that is extremely time consuming. 

{just 5 minutes or 30 seconds}

Take that time to be restful.

Keep or regain your sanity.

Enjoy being alive.

For as much as God created us to do...He also intended for us to rest. 

"Better is one hand full of quietness than two hands full of toil and striving after wind." Ecclesiastes 4:6

I found my rest today. Where did you find yours??


All my love.
Hanna