Blessings

Sometimes, I like to just sit there and think about how blessed I am. I'll admit, I don't do it nearly as much as I should. Often times, I spend hours and hours talking about how expensive school is, how much I need a car, how much more money 'this person' makes than I do, and on and on and on. But then, I'm like, "Hold up, Hannah. Before you mope about everything you wish you had, why don't you take a minute to think about all you have been blessed with?"

A fantastic family.
There are so many broken families in the world today. So many parents who said their vows "till death do us part" and broke that promise like it meant nothing. My parents have been married for twenty-six years and have never even thought about divorce. I have two brothers who are more protective of me than you or I could ever imagine. They aren't the 'don't care' type. They have wives who I proudly call my sisters; not my sister-in-laws. I have a perfect nephew and another niece or nephew on the way. I am blessed with having a family who loves my boyfriend as if he were there from the start. I'm thankful that we have a standing "family night" every Thursday night so that, no matter how busy our week gets, we can all come together and spend time as the close-knit family that we are.

An amazing best friend.
For the past ten years, Katie Nowak has been my best friend. She's been there for me through everything. She listened to me cry after my favorite cousin passed away. She was there when both of my brothers got married. She stayed up late so I could talk about every guy on the planet, even though she could care less about my tween love life. Most friends who are close enough to be sisters have lots of drama. They have more than a few blow-out fights and they "break-up" countless times. Our friendship never had that. Don't get me wrong, we know how to get annoyed with each other, but we never "weren't friends anymore." I'm so thankful to have a best friend I can count on. One whose always there for me and who knows I'll always be there for her.

A loving church family.
With all that's happened within the past few months, I've really learned to appreciate my church family so much more. I've even learned to appreciate those who constantly disrespect and try to bring harm to my church family. If it weren't for them, our church wouldn't be as close as we are today. We have come together with Jesus Christ as the center, and in doing so, have grown so much stronger in Him.

Sebastian Michael Brown.
I am so so so so thankful for this Godly man that was sent my way. I always dreamed of my prince charming coming into my life, but the perfect guy in my dreams wasn't even half as amazing as what God blessed me with. These past two years {and four months} have been everything I could have hoped for and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. God has given me a faithful, loving man to love and be loved by, and although we have traveled some bumpy roads, He has always seen us through. I keep falling more and more in love with Sebastian with every day that passes.

I may not have that brand new Ford Fiesta, but I have a car that runs, and a good paying job that will help me save up toward that goal. Instead of always looking at how much better off it may seem others have it, take a few minutes to count your own blessings. I know for me, I get incredibly humbled by seeing how much the Lord has given me.

Chr1st Fellowship Community Church

When my family left Calvary Temple, we had no idea what the Lord's plan for us was. Were we suppose to start a church? Was my dad suppose to co-pastor with someone else at a different church? Were we suppose to just attend a church and be a part of the congregation? No one knew. The only thing that was certain was that our time at Calvary Temple was finished. 

Within the past three weeks, a lot has happened. We have met at The Founder's Inn twice and have had fantastic turn-outs both times. A church contacted my dad and offered us their old chapel to use on Sundays - no charge. The catch? The chapel isn't available until one o'clock. When everyone was informed of our new meeting place and time, more than one person was not pleased with having to meet in the afternoon. However, that is what God opened up for us. 

Just like that first Sunday {three weeks ago}, we drove to this church, not knowing what kind of crowd would show up. After all, many people would normally go to Sunday School at one church and then go to church at Calvary Temple. Or in the more recent times, The Founder's Inn. It would be much easier to go home and not have to come back out for a one o'clock service. Much to our surprise, we had another awesome group with even more new people. 

Over the past three weeks, my dad has really sought the Lord's will, and over the past three weeks, the Lord has shown my dad what He wants him to do. 

Plant a church. 

Through this whole situation, one of the biggest things that has been taught is how important it is to be in one accord. How important it is to keep Jesus Christ in the center of everything. We've seen what can and will happen when people take their eyes off of Jesus and start to focus on money, land, and other materialistic things. Therefore, our new church is being founded on the promise to always keep Christ first.  

God has some mighty things in store. 

That's Very Nice of You

Have you ever had your wisdom teeth taken out? No? Well, you should get to that!

I had mine cut out on Wednesday. They were extremely impacted and they just had to go. I was so nervous going in, but it wasn't too bad! In fact, I might even venture to say that it was..... fun. Not just for me, but for anyone who crossed my path that day.

When they put the gas mask over my nose, I got somewhat giddy. I waited to be lifted into the light, fluffy clouds and carried all around the open sky. Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. The ceiling in the room was made of old tiles with different spots on them. Those were the stars. The lights were the huge square kind that took up four tiles. Those were the referees. When the gas mask went on, the stars started playing a game {a game that's too hard to explain} and the referees would go from game to game making sure there were no fights. There was a championship going on, but everyone was nice to each other, so the referees didn't have to do much. Just move around and get paid. :)

While all of that was going on, the doctor was trying to put the IV in my hand so that they could start the anesthesia. After a failed attempt at my right hand, they moved to my left hand and got everything going. I remember the doctor saying, "We're about to make you veeeeery sleepy." Next thing I knew, they were waking me up to move to a different room.

Welcome to the life of Hannah on Meds.

My best friend brought me a bag of things including this key chain. I spent a lot time trying to figure out how she knew my middle name {Grace}. We've been best friends for ten years. Of course she knows my middle name. :)

During my recovery, everything was 'very nice'. You can kind of see that robe in the background and I thought it was a 'very nice dress.' I asked Sebastian if he would wear it on our next date and I could wear a 'very nice dress' that matched. Then we could be 'very nice' together. He said he wouldn't wear it, but after I got sad, he said he would think about wearing it - giving my medicated self hope that he would change his mind.

They didn't give us an ice pack when we left, but that was okay. I told everyone that we didn't have to worry about it because my mom was a redneck and she knew how to rig something up! My mom corrected me and said that, since she grew up in the south, she knew how to improvise. Then, with an accent, I made sure everyone knew that my mom was a southern bell, not a redneck. She took two sandwich bags filled with frozen peas and wrapped them up in a light cloth. Then, she took an old belt and fastened it around my head. Smart, right? :)

Ryder and I have the same nose. We are going to start a nose modeling business and are going to become rich and famous. If one of us is sick, the other one can go in our place and no one will be able to tell the difference. Right once I ran the plan by the baby, he smiled and laughed. He agreed and it's now a plan. Watch out, world. These Amos noses are about to blow you away. 

Katie brought me lots of movies from the library. I had to explain to everyone that there is The Note and The Note Two and you are suppose to watch The Note Two after you watch The Note. If you watch The Note Two first, then you won't know what's going on, so you have to watch The Note first and then The Note Two so that you know what's going on the whole time. 

My daddy got me flowers and that was 'very nice of him'. 

My mom ground up everything so I could eat it. Although one of my favorite things in the world is apple sauce, it's nice to have something a little different. This right here? A Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich and Chick-Fil-A sauce. Not as good as the real thing, but not too bad, either!

I couldn't get over how well the Nowak's knew how to rhyme! I was very impressed.

I'm still quite the chipmunk.

He's very good at making me feel better.

Wednesday was a good day. I think my cheeks have finally reached their peak chipmunk point. Hopefully, they'll soon start getting back to normal!

Well, my nephew just came through the door, so I'm gonna go enjoy those chubby legs and double chins while he's still small enough for me to do so.

Standing on the Promises of God

Have I mentioned lately how FANTASTIC our God is? Oh, I have? Well, let me say it again. GOD IS GOOD!!

This morning, my family met at The Founder's Inn to pray. We didn't know who else would come {we never asked anyone to leave Calvary Temple when we did}, but the Lord told my dad to reserve a conference room; He would do the rest.

Eleven O'clock rolled around, and would you like to guess how many people were there? Ten? Twenty? Thirty? Try fifty-five. People who have been going to Calvary Temple since the doors opened fifty years ago, people who have been a huge part of the church's "life", people we haven't seen in years, and people who we just saw last week, all at Founder's Inn to worship our Great Savior. FIFTY- FIVE!

Our little five man band {the orchestra} busted out our instruments and played as everyone sang Because He Lives and Victory in Jesus. How fitting those songs are!! We then spent a good forty-five minutes on our knees thanking the Lord. Praying for the church that He is molding even now. Praying for those at Calvary Temple. Seeking His will. What has happened over the past few weeks is nothing to be angry about. It doesn't give us a reason to be bitter towards those people that have caused so much pain. If anything, we should raise up our hands and thank our Heavenly Father. It is because of those things that God has shown us His love, grace, mercy, and even more, His overwhelming peace. He has taken us out of Calvary Temple so that we can forget about the all that has happened {and is still happening now}, and we can look to the future and focus on winning souls for Jesus Christ! As I look back at all that has happened, I'm so thankful. As I look at those who have tried to destroy the calling God gave my dad, I'm thankful. Without any of that, we would have woken up this morning, gone to Calvary Temple Church, and had another average day. There wouldn't be a fire in so many people to want to seek the Lord and His prefect will.

"Our God is greater, our God is stronger.
God, You are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, awesome and power.
Our God, Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?"

One more time -- GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!

I've Got Those Picture Takin' Blues

I have a dilemma.

I want to go to a nice open field and take lots of pictures of adorable little kids. Or couples. Or dogs. The dilemma? We're about to have a terrible storm. If you know me at all {or even if you don't know me from Adam}, you know I'm not that dare devil kind whose going to go ask to be struck by lightning.

Well, I guess there really is no dilemma. There's just the ugly truth that I'm going to have to put my new camera lens away and save it for a less rainy day. {See what I did there?}

Oh, Virginia Beach. Let's just stay sunny for awhile, shall we?

Closing a Chapter.

Today, I woke up, got dressed, and went to Calvary Temple Church for the last time. Words can't express all of the emotions that are running through me right now.

I was three years old when Pastor Sentell asked my dad to be the associate pastor. That means that I have been going to Calvary Temple for almost fifteen years. I have never known another church. I've never had to "visit around". I've never had to search for a church family. Since before I was old enough to even really understand, I would wake up every Sunday morning and go to Calvary Temple. On September 29, 2002, I sat in that beautiful sanctuary and asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart. It was in that same sanctuary that I was baptized weeks later. I participated in countless vacation Bible school's and took part in just as many children's plays. I made friends, I lost friends, and I made friends again all in that old brick building. I ran up and down those cold hallways with kids that I couldn't of imagined my life without. I didn't have a care in the world.

It was when I was in that in-between stage that I was welcomed into the "teen class". Why? Because that perfect little church didn't have the numbers to create separate classes for every age. I had my first lock-in in what's now the Lamar Sentell Fellowship Hall. I went to Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, bowling, skating, Ocean Breeze, movies, and so much more, all with those I call family. I made snow cones, funnel cakes, and cookies every second Tuesday of the month. We had After Glow's every third Sunday night after church. While I was going to Cheesecake Factory with the older kids, I was going to valentine's day and harvest parties with the younger ones.

As we got older and a little bit more mature, we started loosing those I had grown up knowing. Some moved away, some just left, but my family never did. After all, my dad was the associate pastor. It was during that time that God was sending new people our way. Calvary Temple has never been a huge church, but it's had it's good days and bad days when it came to attendance. For example, Easter? GREAT day. Sunday after Easter? Not so much. Honestly, that's one of the things I loved about that church. Everyone knew everyone. You didn't have to wander around like a lost puppy because you didn't know anyone, when you walked through those double doors, you were family.

A couple of years ago, Pastor Sentell passed away. The church voted, and my dad took the role of senior pastor. We loved it there. Like I said before, it has always been my home church. If I ever went to a friend's church, I would always compare it to my own. And nothing ever topped my church and my church family.

Unfortunately, we hit a bump in the road. That bump grew and grew and grew and ended up being a huge mountain. Things were thrown at my dad from every direction, but he never took his eyes off of the Lord. While others were wanting money and power, daddy wanted what the Lord wanted. He has sought guidance from Jesus Christ and has been led every step of the way. Yesterday morning, the Lord told my dad that it was time to move on. After being at this church for almost fifteen years, it's time to close this chapter of our lives. It seems so crazy, but who are we to question the Lord?

This morning, daddy preached his last sermon in that pulpit, Stacey and I sang our last song on that stage, and my family sat through our last service in that building. Fifteen years of getting up every week and going to 5639 Brickell Road; over.

As hard as it is to understand now, I know that God has something so much better for us up ahead. We don't know what it is, but that's where faith comes in. I'm going to miss being at Calvary Temple, but when God says to do something, you do it.

To my church family, thank you so much for the overwhelming support you've given my daddy. You've impacted our lives more than you will ever know and we love you so so much. Only God knows what the future holds, but knowing that is enough.

The Lord is faithful.

Life Through a Camera Lens

Lots has happened since I blogged almost a MONTH ago. I'm terrible at this, I know. Anywho, instead of taking up most of your day with having to read about my life, I decided pictures would do. Boy, do I love pictures.

My fantastic boyfriend went clean shaven for one of our dates. The first time in over a year. :) 

My little man got bigger. Which is unfortunately not going to stop anytime soon.

I got bangs then got my hair highlighted. 

Geese decided to overtake my yard. 

AJ came for a few days and we met his awesome girlfriend. 

Then we went to Cracker Barrel.

Mom had surgery and got beautiful get well soon flowers. 

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I did my first fishtail! Along with a stupid duckface. ;)

Ryder smiled GREAT for the camera! 

Lydia and I went out to get one of Ryder's new toys. 

Jesse, Lydia, Sebastian, and I went on a double date. You can be jealous.

We went to Water Country and Chickfila. If you're wondering what this picture has to do with that, I have Water Country hair and I'm in the Chickfila bathroom. ;)

Ryder got a new outfit. 

I fell more in love with him then I was last time I told you. 

More than that happened, but I can only take so many pictures, you know? :)