Ringing in the New Year

It's that time of year again. People have eaten too much food. Everybody and their mother's aunt are making New Year's resolutions - because you HAVE to do so.  Everyone feels guilty because of the holiday-money-grabbing-charity scams (not to be confused with real, helpful organizations - which are awesome). Moms are trying to get rid of things around the house. Dads are watching football. Kids are sleeping in and playing with new toys. Yet, what if, just maybe, it's more than this. What if we had a different goal this year - something other than losing weight and going on a vacation? Something that made a difference to someone other than you. That's a challenge for sure. 

Watch this video, then keep on reading. (Go to the link, and watch the YouTube video.)

Amazing, huh? For those of you who have never heard of the Rebelution or Alex and Brett Harris, stop for like ten minutes and go visit their website to check them out.

What if this year our resolution was to live for more than ourselves? Yes, you only live here on earth once, but there is more to life than YOLO. Really. Maybe, it's time that our generation did something to change the world around us in a positive way. What if we stood up for the kid at school who gets bullied? What if we made friends with the girl in Special Education classes? What if we chose to spend our spring break - wait for it - not in Florida  but helping an organization like Habitat for Humanity? What if we realized that there is more to life than going to college because everyone else does, and then getting an 8-5 job in an office someone? There is more to life than that (not that I'm knocking those who do that - I'm just commending people who do something else with their life). What if we were different?

We normally ring in the new year with fireworks, parties, and friends. We make lists of things that we will never accomplish. This year, commit to doing something that you can do. Write a thank-you note. Volunteer for an organization. Knit scarves to send overseas. Send care-packages to soldiers. Pass out food at a food drive. Do something different. Please. I'm begging you. 

Think about what you can do and then do it.

Blessings!
Hannah

She Appears!

(The setting is an abandoned attic. The camera pans over dozens of cardboard boxes, covered in a thick layer of dust. Suddenly, a box trembles from within. The camera zooms onto the box. The top of the lid bursts open, and out pops an adorable creature with an elf hat on her head.)

It's meeeeeeeeee!

*cough* *cough* *hack* *choke*

Almondo, you need to do something about this dust.

ALMONDO: I'm on it!

And Sloshy.

SLOSHY: Yes?!

Just do what kappas do, okay?

SLOSHY: . . . Okay.

Wow, it's been awhile since I've been here. Hannah's been doing great by keeping her side of the blog clean, but mine is just a little -- just a little -- bit dirty

ALMONDO: What's this bra doing here. It's way too big to be yours --

Shaddap Almondo!

Anyway, as you can see by my snazzy elf hat, I am definitely in the Christmas spirit! I think I would make a great elf if I were a tad shorter and had cute, pointy ears. And those cool elf shoes with the curled up ends. Anyway, a lot has happened since I mysteriously disappeared for no good reason. Let's do a catch up post.

I got my driver's liscense

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS. THE STREETS ARE NO LONGER SAFE!

Driving brings out the aggressive, foul-mouthed side of me. That would be okay if I could actually drive, but I can't. So basically, I am an angry goblin with wooden blocks strapped to my feet so I can reach the pedals, careening out of control on the highways because I can't read the traffic signs.

Sigh.

I ended with a 4.0 GPA in IvyTech

I know I only took two classes, but it is nice anyway. A fabulous end to a good semester.

I wrote a poem about a dead boyfriend I never had

It was for school. We had to write an elegy, or a poem about death. I haven't experienced a lot of sadness in my life, so the only logical thing to do was make up some of my own misery. I'll show it to you guys if you are interested.

Volleyball season ended

It was my very last season as a Warrior. I regret that I haven't started playing volleyball sooner. It is such a wonderful sport. But my lovely coaches gave me several parting gifts, so I am happy. I've made lots of friends and memories.

I got a new phone for my birthday

Galaxy SIII.

Oh, and I'm 18 now. I'm legal in many ways except for two in America and 4 in Sweden. I'll let you guess what those are. (Hint: It has to do with llamas)

I taught a literature appreciation class

Unfortunately, because of a long hiatus, some pieces of literature went unappreciated. . . I hope we get to appreciate them later.

I started a journal

You know that's right. I've never been able to keep journals for more than three days. This being the fourth day, I think I've broken some sad, sad record.

Some other things

Lot's of other things happened. Some drama, emotions, fights, and losses. I won't give into them because complaining is for goblins.

And I am an elf.

As the countdown to Christmas continues, I shall be here, doing my thang. Back to you, Hannah.


Esther

When Tragedy Strikes

It's hard to know how to respond when tragedy strikes. Should we cry? Send a letter? Pray (always!)? Try to ignore it? It's tempting to do any or all of these. We all just want to do something. But what is the "right" way to do it? Right now, the tragedy in Newton, Connecticut is fresh in all of our minds. We grieve with the families involved. Over at A Surrendered Life, Emily offers some of her thoughts as a response to what has happened. Check it out. 

Blessings!
Hannah

My Playlist this Christmas

As it's that time of year again, I find myself humming along to well-known songs and letting myself get lost in the melody...I know, I'm a music freak. I thought I would share with you a few of my Christmas favorites that I'm listening to this year...Enjoy!

White Christmas

Aude Lang Syne

Last Christmas

All I Want for Christmas is You

Cold December Night 

Mary, Did You Know?

Holly Jolly Christmas

The First Noel

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

This is by no means an exhaustive list..I just wanted to share a few of my Christmas favorites with you! Comment below and let us know what you favorite Christmas songs are - I would love to know! 

Also, I know that some of you do not celebrate Christmas; do you celebrate something else? For those of you who do celebrate Christmas, what is your favorite tradition?

Blessings!

Hannah

Strength from the Lord

It's easy to get busy. It's easy to be tired. Honestly, guys, I get eight hours of sleep (well, on about three nights per week) and I am still exhausted. I wake up tired. Lately, I've really been clinging to verses in the Bible about God being our strength. However, as I was sitting in worship this morning (we were singing Everlasting God), I was struck by the fact that praying for strength is different than asking God to wake me up. 

Let me explain. Lately, I have been asking God to be my strength, because I know that I cannot do it on my own. In asking this, I have expected God to simply give me more energy, make me more alert, and help me to function on six hours of sleep. However, I think that I am asking for something different. In the song Everlasting God, there is a line that says:

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,

we will wait upon the Lord,

we will wait upon the Lord.

As I was singing this, I was struck with the thought that strength, real strength, comes from waiting expectantly and patiently on the Lord. This "real strength" is not often going to come in the form of God making me more awake or helping me to function on less sleep. Could He easily do this? Absolutely! However, I now think that He is trying to teach me to patiently, consistently, and expectantly wait on Him and call on His Name. From this, my strength - inner, resilient strength - will come. 

Blessings,
Hannah