Living For Jesus

Call it a conviction, call it God getting his point across to me, call it anything you want.... lately, God has really been teaching me that this life on earth is worthless without Jesus Christ in your life. I've been a Christian, and grew up in a Christian family, so I guess Christ has always been a part of my life. Maybe I'm just too used to the routine of things now, but God has been continuously showing me every day that I need to LIVE FOR JESUS, in everything I do, everywhere I am. 

I've thinking and praying a lot about applying to work at a Bible camp this summer, and as I began to fill out the staff application, the questions "How have you shared or lived for Jesus?" stuck out on the page. Wow. I have lived for Jesus in many ways; My music, trying to be a good whiteness and role model to other kids, having Jesus shine through my life and actions, and even sharing His love but I've really come to the point where I know I haven't gone ALL OUT for Jesus, and the foolish part of it all, is that that's why I am here on this earth, to love, live and glorify His Holy and precious name! 

God has really shown me the past few days that He wants all of my time. Not %99, He wants %100, and that's what I am going to do. LIVE FOR JESUS. Please pray for me, as I continue to learn and grow closer to the Lord, and that I will always be serving and glorifying Him.

Hannah

A Bitter Cold Winter

A couple of days ago, we heard a weather report saying that it was going to get VERY cold! So, of course we started getting things set up for lots of  wind, and cold weather (Extra hay for the animals, and things tied down nice and tight....). On Saturday we started getting very high winds, but the temperature was not unbearable. Sunday morning though, we could all feel it! It was -11 with a -20 degree windshield factor! Crazzzzy freezing cold! On top of that, the motor to our pump was acting up, so it was a really stressful day. Thankfully, the Lord worked everything out, and our pump is working once again.

Woke up again today and it was still really cold! Dropped to -16 but less wind.
As I went out to do the chores, I was just praying that the Lord would continue to protect and keep our animals healthy, and our house safe and sound.
Stay warm everyone!

H.H

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

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.