Monday, December 31, 2012

Highs and Lows of 2012

Here we are, December 31st, 2012. It's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by already. Another year older, another year full of joys, sorrows, and many lessons learned. I praise the Lord most of all for the lessons I have learned, even if they were difficult to see at the time that they were happening.
Our family usually gathers at the cabin this time of year, but because (and understandably) of busy lives, it's just my family, and Grandma this New Year's Eve. In the past, when our whole family does gather at the cabin, we would eat a meal, then share what our highs and lows of the year were. I thought I would share a bit of my highs and lows with y'all on my blog, some of which you may already know. 
I have a few highlights from 2012, so I will go ahead and say all of them.... hope you don't mind.
The first is probably the fact that I was baptized with my father, and two brothers in June, it was indeed a blessing that I had been praying for a long time!
The second highlight was being given the opportunity to go to Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp with my dear friends McKenzie and Sophie. The Lord really taught me a lot that week at camp, and the friendships I made were a blessing as well.
The third highlight was from a recent event; taking my lifeguard and first responder course at the YMCA in Duluth. It was a week full of new things to learn, fighting off sickness, swimming in the pool for hours on end, and just striving for the outcome of passing the two written exams, and in-the pool test. The outcome was passing with flying colors! I was so relieved, and thankful that I made it through the week, and for all of the prayers that I would stay healthy through it all.
As of right now I can't really think of any Lows of 2012. Not saying that I haven't had difficult times, because believe me, I have, but nothing comes to mind that was extremely hard for me. I've just realized how blessed I am. The Lord is truly wonderful! To have a wonderful family, good health, and Jesus Christ in my life is so awesome!
As we enter a new year, my prayer is for health and strength, for God's love and wisdom, and for our country, as hard times are sure to come. I also pray that people will come to know Jesus Christ, and the fullness of His Love. 

Love, Hannah Jo

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Praising the Lord, all the days of my life.....

Well well well, look who hasn't been blogging enough! It seems like every time I start a new post, someone says "Hannah, I need help with this!" or "We have to go do something outside." then before you know it, I forget to finish the post. But, not today! Since I have finished all that has to be done outside for the evening, and I  have some time before supper, I decided I needed to get back on here. 
Updates, updates....... 

Our whole family has been very busy this fall: 
Papa and the boys have had a couple of small jobs here and there, and quite a few of roofing projects, (and we all know how much Leif loves roofing.... no really, he doesn't....). We are very thankful that papa has work here and there, even if it just gives us enough to get by. 
Seth has planted a few winter crops, and hallelujah! They are coming up GREAT! Just yesterday, seth picked all of our corn field, with his new corn picker. 
Leif is busy doing school, working with papa sometimes, and assisting anyone that needs help. 
Mama's doing a wonderful job being a mother, and wife. She has tried out a few recipe's this fall, and most of them are delicious, but there have been a few meals that there's been "enough food for leftovers tomorrow!". We love her joy to try new things.... 
Me: 
I've been busy with school, my advanced piano lesson each week, baby sitting, riding, and I have even taken up running this fall! Lots of baby animals here on the farm keeps me busy as well.... The Lord has been teaching me a lot lately, patience for my future that He has planned for me, reading my Bible and praying a lot more, and being content with where I am at in life right now. I think it's natural in your late teens to be restless, and that's one thing that I have learned the most, is that He DOES have everything worked out, if I'm going to the Torchbearer's school in Austria, if I do go to college, where I will end up living, so on and so forth... :) I'm SO thankful to have a Savior that loves me so much, that I don't have to worry, because He has me safely in the palm of His hand. I am at peace with all that the future has in store for me, because I know that His way, is the only way. 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Camp!!!!

On June 18-22nd I attended Bluewater Covenant Bible camp in Grand Rapids, MN. It was my second time going to this Bible camp, and I was with my two best friends, McKenzie and Sophie Larson. 
I was soooo blessed by the whole week! Everything about it was amazing! The theme was "Transformation",  Romans 12:2  "Do not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." was the main verse for the week. 
Hearing the speaker talk about the subject of not following the world really impacted me, because so many times I fall short and follow what the world has to say, but then the verse in Romans comes to mind, and the Lord always brings me back to Him. I can't possibly type everything that I learned from the speaker. Another thing that blessed me during the week was hearing a testimony every morning from one of the staff members, and hearing mission work that some of the staff had been on. Luke (a counselor) gave a testimony that was so moving, hearing how God pulled him back to the Lord in his darkest hour, and how he just knew he had to surrender to Him. TJ (one of the staff members) spoke on how even if you don't go far away to another country, you can still be a missionary in your community, and spread the word of Jesus Christ. This really impacted me, it was so good to be reminded that I can spread Jesus' love to so many people in my daily life! It's still pretty tough, but the Lord will always bring up the right opportunity to share about Him. 
It rained two days out of the week, which you would think it was a bummer, but we all had THE BEST time ever! Playing games in the mud, mud fights, lots of board games, and coloring inside by the fire place of the dining hall. 
Our counselor's name was Molly, and she was the crazziest, most fun counselor ever! 
To sum up the whole week: I was so blessed. By all of the speakers, the fellowship with other campers,  talking to the staff, and everything else we did!  
I could go on and on and on about how much camp really strengthened me as a Christian.... If anyone would like to hear more about it, or have any questions, just pop me an e-mail or give me a call.... I love talking (most of you probably know that....). 
Enjoy the pictures! 


Love in Christ, Hannah

Kenzie and our crazy counselor Molly!
My bunk bed.
Kenzie and I.
Sophie's ready to start the week!
Cassie and Alex at the craft hall.....




Playing carpetball.



Janzyn knitting!
Cassie, me, Kenzie, and Sophie at the Look Out platform.

Me climbing the rock wall! I did the medium difficulty in 30 seconds! :D
This is what our cabin looked like after we were pranked!
They put two park benches, two funyaks, and ALL of the life jackets in our cabin!

Alex and I.
We played a super fun game called nine realms! It was kinda like 4 square, but much more fun! 
A view of the cafeteria.
Me and Janzyn (a girl in my cabin)
Me and my friend Kole on the last day of camp. 

Me and McKenzie and Sophie's cousin Jared Espe.
Haha! Janzyn stole my camera for a little while once...
While I was at camp, I found out that Luke Christianson (Above) went to North Park University, and knows my cousin Pete Anderson, Pete's wife Anne, and is best friends with Anne's brother! Small world! 
There were three boys (Zack, Cameron, and Dossin) who called them selves the Three Musketeers. They all lived at camp because their parents worked there... 
 This is Jared, and one of his campers on the last day when they were saying goodbye. Nick (in the shorts) played the Ukalalee (sorry if I spelled that wrong!) for us while it was raining. 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

PRAISE THE LORD!

A couple of weeks ago, my whole family was going to the Quarterly church meeting that we attend. (I believe I have blogged about it before...). We were not planning anything whatsoever, just going to hear the Lord's word preached, and have some great fellowship with friends. Ok, now back up with me to December, 2011. We were driving home after a very moving sermon, and I felt the Lord convicting me to be baptized, so I told my parents, and they were so happy for me! I knew I would probably wait until summer for all this to happen, and was just going to let the Lord take care of everything. Alright, now fast-forward to June 2012. After a really good sermon on baptism, a girl was going to be baptized, when the pastor looked up and said "would anyone else like to be baptized?" both me, and two brothers, Seth and Leif, and my dad all were baptized together! It was all so spur-of-the moment, and so wonderful! I was so thankful that the Lord took care of everything... Praise the Lord! I thought I would share that with all of you. Please keep praying for me, and for what the Lord has planned for the rest of my life. 

With Love,
Hannah

Monday, May 21, 2012

I found this picture the other day, and as I was looking at it, I just realized how blessed I am to have such an amazing family. Yes, my brothers drive me crazy, dad is crazy, and mom.... well, she's mom. I'm kidding. But yes, I am so thankful that God has given me wonderful parents, and brothers. 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

In March, we (my whole family and I) went to Thunder Bay Canada for the weekend. We had a great time spending time with good friends, and heard some really good preaching. Such a blessing!!
Here are some pictures from our time there....


 Little Daniel



 Seth in his cap from Grandma


 Leif being silly!
 Uh-oh! He's going to be squished!
 Don't fall!
 Levi and Daniel
 Ben, Leif and Seth
 All of us, and the Bailey's!
 There was a beautiful wood stove that papa loved, and hopes to build someday!
 Anna and her camera

Little Daniel and I.