...And We're Back!!

My sincerest apologies for our recent absence. We have both been busy and life is keeping us on our toes! We will try to do our best to give you a post every day throughout the summer, but please give us grace for the times that we miss.

I have some exciting news! I took my driving test this morning and...I passed!!! So I now have my license. =) Yes, I will be seventeen soon and got my license way after a lot of my friends, but I am just happy to finally have it. =) The driving test examiner was so nice and I managed to miss the thunderstorms. Esther, don't worry. When you go to take your test at some point, you will do absolutely great!

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So, I am starting a Bible study for incoming 6th grade girls on Monday. I was at Walmart today and was buying several journals for the girls. The lady at the check-out made a comment about how I would be doing a lot of journaling soon. I explained the purpose for my purchase and she was quite pleasantly surprised at my answer. She called as I was leaving, "This is a good thing that you are doing. They need guidance!"

This got me to thinking. Yes, they need guidance. We all know how miserable middle school can be. However, they aren't the only ones that need guidance - We, I, need it too. Can you imagine what would happen if we had no one to look up to, no one to ask questions, no one to work things through with? What would happen to us? I have found that I grow the most when I am being held accountable, when specific people are speaking into my life about specific people. Others see what we cannot because we are blinded by our own perspective. People can see things in us that we cannot see in ourselves because we are biased in our view. Perhaps we don't notice how often we get upset, or how quickly we tell a white lie. We need to have people in our lives that we can trust to pull us aside and say, "Hey, I think that you need to work on this." We need the counsel of wise people. Notice that I didn't just say "people", but rather "wise people." That is an important distinguishing factor.

"The simple believes everything,

but the prudent gives thought to his steps."

~ Proverbs 14:15

"Without counsel plans fail,

but with many advisers they succeed."

~ Proverbs 12:22

"A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

~ Proverbs 18:24

If we listen to the words of the world, we will likely make some of the stupidest decisions ever. However, if we listen to godly, wise counsel, we will be much more likely to make wise decisions ourselves. We need people to speak into our lives. 

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Do you all ever have days when you just feel out of it? As in just way out of your normal attitude and personality. However, life has just been a bit different lately and I think that it is affecting me in strange ways. =P Although, you never know, it could be just the strange music I'm listening to at the moment, like this and that. 

Blessings,

Hannah

The Necessity of Wisdom

Greetings from Texas! The weather here is fabulously delightful (and quite warm!), and it makes me extremely happy. =) Let me fill you in a bit about the last few days of my life...I have been to a farmer's market, shopping multiple times, out to eat (my family in Texas likes to eat out fairly often), watching lots of movies, baking a peach cobbler, and reading. I am so excited to finallly be able to have the time to sit down with my book for hours at a time! It has been way too long! I hope that your summer vacation is going as well as mine is!

Something that I value very much is wisdom. Wisdom is not the same thing as knowledge, in fact they are very different things. Knowledge is about what you know; wisdom is about taking what you know and applying it in the path of truth. This is not by any means a complete explanation, but it is a bit of a description of what I value. Life is hard, if you know what I mean. It is filled with hope, joy, and dreams, but also with pain and sorrows. Without wisdom, I never would have made it this far in life. Wisdom must be sought for, and it is a gift. I want to encourage each of you to seek wisdom.

"For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

~ Proverbs 2:6

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold."

~ Proverbs 2:13-14

"Des not wisdom call?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

On the heights beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

beside the gate in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

'To you, O men, I call,

and my cry is to the children of man,

O simple ones, learn prudence;

O fools, learn sense.

Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what is rigth,

for my mouth will utter truth;

wickedness is an abomination to my lips.'"

~ Proverbs 8:1-7

How is that for some serious words? I think that these words are abolutely amazing. I think that it is so awesome to be able to read these words. These words are lifegiving. So many people go through life relying on their own knowledge, believing that it is enough to carry them through. If we believe that we can go through this life completely on our own power, I think that we will find that we are sorely mistaken. Wisdom is essential to life. I encourage you to seek wisdom with your whole heart.

Blessings,

Hannah