'In Summary...' Part 1: My Trip to Romania & Back

Village children who were eagerly waiting for our arrival...

Amazed.
touched.
overwhelmed.
filled.
stretched.
confused.
enlightened.
challenged.
drained.
inspired.

During my time in that country (Romania) and through everything that we did over there I have experienced all of the above sensations at different times. It's really quite hard to explain exactly what happened 1) in me, while there and what happened 2) in Romania, while I was there. I honestly don't know where to start!

I do know I can say: I am so glad I went.
So very glad I was chosen to go, and quite honored really that anyone --especially God Himself--would think that a 20 year old girl would be any help! I know that if anyone of the precious people over there were blessed by our songs, testimonies (and dance, in my case) ...then we were blessed, ten times over.

Just to be in a different country, and in someone else shoes for a while not only shook me up (in a good way) but also caused to be stop and view my own 'shoes' in a different way. Compared to the multitudes of folks' everyday lives in Romania, we, you & I, live like nobles...like rich people! Physically, we have everything we need (and more) and we think nothing of it. Emotionally, (I know everyone's story is different but ) I at least have been given a very safe, loving and stable home life. So, so many of the Romanians kids, and young people we met & talked to ---like the under 18 yr olds in the juvenille prison--grew up basically on their own, left to their own devices, with little love, direction or guidance. No one lived out an example of Jesus' love for them! No one showed them that their was anything more to life than alcohol, sex, drugs, cutting, pornography, etc, etc... it was so sad to see their breaking hearts, trying to hide their pain from their faces.
My prayer after leaving many of those kinds of places (like prisons, kids homes, etc.) was,
"Lord, show them You, Jesus. Please wrap them in your love over & over, while You show them the truth of Who You are." 

And you know, the thing is... I need that prayer for myself too.  
Don't you? I think we all need more of Jesus, less of 'us'.


{More posts about Romania to come soon.}

{These are Blessings Indeed!}

I must say, I've been blessed. Truly, truly blessed. You all have blessed me! God has smiled on me.
And I don't say that in a cliche "ohymgoodness" sort of way....I really mean it.

The fact that I'm even alive today is a miracle.
The fact that I have a supporting circle of loving people is a true, real gift.
That fact that I have a loving family, and a beautiful, safe home to live in is worth celebrating too!

But today, what I'm thinking of the most is the hearts of the those.....my friends and family....who decided that the dream God gave me of going to Romania, and loving on those lovely, needy people was worth sponsoring.
Worth praying for.
Worth believing in me for.

It's amazing to me!
Because, really, even if I told everything I know and feel about Romania, and what God has said so far to me about it....and even if I admitted that I don't know exactly why I'm going or what will come of it.....it doesn't seem matter to you all!

I'm not talking just about monetary giving for my trip here. (No, but in that respect, I've been extremely blessed as well! Everything has been provided for! Many, many thanks...) I'm thinking of the love, the kind words, the prayers that these folks have given me....each was special!

And I think I'm just standing in awe of God right now.
How He works things out and, how he worked this out for me.
I feel so special! and yet so little, and unworthy of this trip, at the same time!
I promise I will try not to worry about my abilities because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and I promise to carry myself well in Romania, and serve with all my heart, soul, mind & strength! As would befit someone who has been so, so blessed....

I must thank you, my friends, my family & my church.
Love in Jesus,
~Hannah

1 Book, 2 Books, Red Book, Blue Book....

This shall be a post for my own personal gain!
Just warning you! ;)

I would like to asking my reading friends what are the top 3 books you've read & enjoyed this year?
The ones that you can think of first, and you enjoyed reading the most.

The reason I ask is because...

1. I'm a book worm! Bookworms crave more books! One or two is never enough...
2.  I'm on a challenge to read more books this years than I ever have before (way over 250 hopefully!)
3. I genuinely want to know what you guys like to read. :)

So, pretty please, tell me your book favorites in the comments, ya'll!
Or, if you have a Shelfari account like I do, you can just recommend the books right to me through that. :)

{I need this clock. I think it would help me keep track of my time better...}

Conversational Jumpers

I noticed something funny today: people who are what I call 'conversation jumpers'.
Do you know the kind?


You'll meet them and  everything ( your names, whatcha-doin', etc.) is hurriedly exchanged in a few quick sentences back & forth. Then, it's onto the strange, funny & amusing dance of conversation!
You'll say something as they watch you eagerly and try to look like they are listening intently (maybe they actually are, I don't know sometimes)... and then as soon as you pause for a just a tiny space of a few seconds....
 they pounce! Jumping into the conversation!  Just like their namesakes.
(Often how quick they take over the talking can take me by surprise.)
Okay, so then they rattle on & on.... dear things.... about this & that  or anything, nothing and everything! Whew!

Next, you may try to add something later on and start to form a sentence (hooray! maybe you'll get in what you have to say!) but just when you think you're safe.....in jumps the Jumper! And they go, "Oh! yes! Yes, yes, I know what you mean. It's like this one time I---"


And back and forth, on it goes. :) Until they tire (which seems to not happen to quick) or you excuse yourself.
Or....you can do what I like to do and just sit/stand there and watch their fast-paced word patterns and trains of thought ramble all over the place. It's kind of fascinating, really!

I don't know, I like to notice the odd little things we humans do & laugh at them.
Now, I don't mean laugh at those people doing it per se, but rather laugh at us, all humans. We are funny! And we do these funny things. :)
All part of the design I guess.
{Right, God?}