Carrying HIS Light...

Book Review: “Daddy Dates” Greg Wright

2011-06-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

In the book “Daddy Dates” Greg Wright opens up about how raising four daughters has changed his life. He challenges dads today to not only raise their daughters, but to have a relationship with them. Weather you have a small daughter, teenager, or young women this book can really help you understand how to connect to your daughter. From feeling like your relationship with your daughter is slowly going downhill, or trying to figure out how in the world to do this dad-thing, this book is a plus for any dad!

Being a daughter myself, I was very curious as to what Mr. Wright had to say. As I started reading “Daddy Dates” I realized that Mr. Wright is not speaking about what he thinks rather what he knows. This book hit the mark! I have a great dad who has been totally involved in my life. I thank God everyday for my dad, but I have watched too many of my friends suffer from a lack of dad. Weather dad wasn’t there or just wasn’t interested, it hurts just the same. I would recommend that every dad read this book, and not just read, but practice what is says!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"You Are For Me"

2011-05-30T17:05:00.001-07:00

Transition. It's a scary place. You aren't where you are going, but neither are you where you were.

These words sum up my life for the next few months. Transition. Change. Becoming. Growing. Learning. Trusting. Stretching.

This isn't the first transition I've lived through. This seems like the scariest transition I will ever live through! (At this point) Some mornings I wake up wanting to cry, laugh, sing, and scream all at the same moment. If I look into the future too far, I start getting very overwhelmed. When I start feel like the world is going to crash on top of me, this is the song that I sing:

"So faithful, so constant,
So loving and so true,
So powerful in all you do,
You fill me, you see me,
You know my every move.
You love for me to sing to you,

I know that you are for me,
I know that you are for me,
I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses,
I know that you have come now even if the write upon my heart,
To remind me of who you are

So patient, so gracious,
So merciful and true,
So wonderful in all you do,
You fill me, you see me,
You know my every move.
You love for me to sing to you" ~Kari Jobe

You see, it doesn’t matter where I am. It doesn't matter how much my life is changing. It doesn't matter how scared I might be, how worried, or how much the stretching hurts. HE never changes. HE is always constant. HE holds my world in HIS hands. AND..He is for ME. HE loves me. HE's not going to leave me alone in this time. HE's going to be with me every step of the way!

So yes, the fact that I am getting ready to move out of my parents house, halfway across the world unnerves me a little bit. (They live in Togo, West Africa, I will be living in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.) No, not every detail is perfectly outlined for me. (This is hard because I like plans, and perfectly outlined details.) But, it's okay. I trust. I hold onto the Master's hand. I bring each day to HIM. When I start to feel like I am going to go insane, I cry out to HIM. HE leads, guides, and directs my path. That gives me peace!

Whoever you are, wherever you are reading this, trust that HE also holds YOUR world in His hands! He knows just where you are at, and He knows where you are going. He more than likely won't tell you every detail of the way, but He'll guide you. Let peace soak into your heart. Trust. Lean. Learn. "HE is for YOU!"

"I know that you are for me,
I know that you are for me,
I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses,
I know that you have come now even if to write upon my heart,
To remind me of who you are."

Learning to Die

2011-05-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Lord has really been speaking to me lately about denying self. This has been the topic of every sermon, devotion, or lesson I have heard recently. Tonight was no different. Bro Adams gave a devotion about carrying your cross and following Jesus.
I would like to share with you what God has been dealing with me about.

Genesis 22:2-3 "And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two if his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him."

No questions, no comments, no "But God that's too much." He just obediently "Rose us and went." Isaac, his only son, the son he loved, was being asked of him.

Tonight Bro Adams stated: "Abraham’s attitude on Mount Moriah was, “I don’t have to survive. What I want, what really makes me happy in life doesn’t have to survive today. God’s will that is what must survive.”

Today, what I want, what I desire, my thoughts, my feelings, none of those matter. None of that is important to me. Jesus, His will, His desires, they must survive. They must live on. Even when it hurts me. Even when it's uncomfortable, I must die.

Matthew 16:25-26 says; "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

That day, Abraham was giving his all, his very precious "self."

Tonight I sit here faced with a question. What will you give. What sacrifice will you make for Me?

You see when it comes down to it, Hannah doesn't have to survive. Hannah isn't important, but, Jesus, his will, his calling, are.

Paul said in Philipians 3:4-7 "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

Abraham gave all. Paul gave all. What will you give? What will I give? These last few weeks I have been "Learning to Die." Not physically, but spiritually die out to the flesh. Give literally everything to Jesus.

No, it isn't easy. No, i'm not perfect. Yes, there are days when I totally fail. (It's an everyday thing.) Yet, I can't give up. I must die.

So, my question for you is; in these last days when material possessions are everything and people live only for themselves, are you willing to die? Are you willing to give all?

Book Review: "The Final Summit" By Andy Andrews

2011-05-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

This book centers on David Ponders, a very successful 74 year old business man. After suffering the loss of his dearly beloved wife, Ellen, Mr. Ponders finds himself in a pit of despair, feeling unneeded. Contemplating taking his own life, Mr. Ponders soon learns that he is needed to help answer the one question that will save humanity. You will travel with Mr. Ponders as he attempts to answer this question with other figures in history.

After reading the summery I concluded that this book could have some spiritual impact on my life. I was very disappointed that it is not written for that purpose. I would say that this is more like a self help book. Also, I do not agree with everything that was said in this book.

Although the style with which it is written is very easy to read, it did get a bit monotonous in the middle, but it has a very exciting twist near the end. In the beginning it is somewhat confusing, because it follows the book, “The Traveler,” which I have not read. Thankfully, the author gives enough background information that it all becomes clear the more you read.

I enjoyed this narrative very much as a fictional read, but I don’t necessarily feel that it is study guide material. This is simply my personal opinion.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

My Jesus Walks On Water

2011-05-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

Matthew 14:

25: And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26: And when the desciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27: But, straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I: be not afraid.

28: And Peter answered hom and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29: And he(Jesus) said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30: But when he(Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afrais; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and sais unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dist thou doubt?

32: And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

We love to read this story and say, "(tisk tisk) Peter, Peter, why didn't you just trust that Jesus would keep you?" Yet, if you are like me, you do the very thing that Peter did.

We beg Jesus, "Lord take me higher. Higher in you." Then, when he does, we feel the difficult winds and we start to doubt. Knowing that we are sinking we immediately call upon Jesus and he rescuse us asking, "When did you start doubting me?" Just as soon as we reach our "comfort zones" again the wind ceases.

Going higher can be a bit uncomfortable it takes us from the norm to the unorm. In the unorm we are able to feel the winds stronger. If we take our eyes off of our purpose we can become scared out of our minds. But, might I point out that scripture says that he immediately caught Peter. He didn't wait until he was halfway down, or until he felt that Peter has suffered enough. He caught him immediately.

"Oh Jesus, help me. As I desire to draw closer to you, help to realize that you are there. Even when the winds blow, even when I start to feel the force of them you are there. Help me to understand that if I start to sink, you will catch me immediately. Lord, give me the faith to trust you completely with no doutbs."

AND....the lights went out....

2011-04-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

As I came to my senses I thought,"This is the part where prince charming comes in." But, as I opened my eyes, I only saw the old shop vendor with his wrinkles and crinkles. "Surely not him," are the words that came to mind.

Our trip started out as any other. The Nigerian shoe market was our destination. We got there and immediately Mae (One of my friends) found some gorgeous shoes. We were only there about 1 hour when the sun got to be too much for me. I needed something cold to wet my parched throat. As I looked around for signs of something, anything I saw a man selling soft drinks. Thinking this would be a good choice; I bought one and downed it immediately. Feeling refreshed we continued on our shoe quest.

Not more than 15 minutes later....I began to feel a bit nauseated and light-headed. My first reponse was the need to escape the suffocating heat. Doing what every girl knows to do, I called.........my mother. Relief was insight, or so I thought.....

I found my friends and told them of my plans to leave the market. We agreed that I would wait for them, as they were almost finished, too. While watching them try on hats, I began to get the distinct feeling that I was about to faint. Being the romantic that I am, I decided that nothing as exciting as fainting could possibly happen to me.

The next thing I remember....I was sprawled out in the middle of the walkway, hearing my name called out over me, "Hannah," "Hannah." Yes, it was Jaydie. Upon opening my eyes I saw the old shop keeper and not the Prince Charming I was hoping for! So much for my knight in shining armor.

Coming to my senses, I realized that Amber, Jaydie and Mae were moving me to a bench and out of the walkway. How dreadful of them to wake me.... I had been in such a deep and calming sleep, or so it seemed to me. But, reality was certain. I was back in the Nigerian Market. It was still 100 degrees. The sun was blistering and my head was throbbing!

At this point, the "dying yovo" had the attention of the whole market. As, I was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what had just happened, the sweet shop owner was running around franticly doing his best the make me comfortable.

My mother was on her way, but we knew the only way out of the market was to walk. At this point I was becoming a bit nauseated as well. My very brave friends, to whom I owe my very life, set out to get me out of there. Mae got on one side of me and Amber on the other. Jaydie walked behind carrying our bags and making sure we didn't trip.

It felt like the farther we walked through the market, the farther away the exit moved. There were a few points that I thought I wasn't going to make it. But, by the grace of God and with the help of Mae, Jaydie, and Amber, we made it through.

So, what have I learned through all of this?.....fainting is not the romatic excitement hollywood makes it out to be. Rather, it's a bit scary and painful!

Thank you everyone for your prayers. This is one of those stories that we now look back on and laugh at. lol

Falling in Love

2011-04-01T07:44:00.001-07:00

I have never been one to proclaim that I « Fell in love. » In my opinion those words have been way over used in our culture. I decided long ago that I only wanted to say that once in my lifetime to that one special person. Yet I find myself exclaiming these words precisely. Oh, not to a person, but rather a place.
As we embarked on our journey halfway across the continent of Africa this past week, I had no idea what awaited me. I knew of this place, and I tried to love it the best I could before I really knew it, but, as I have come to find out, that isn’t real love.
Our plane made two stops along the way. I am pretty sure that our next to last stop was the longest flight I have ever been on in my entire life. It was only about an hour and thirty minutes from Lagos, Nigeria to Yaoundé, Cameroon, but to me it felt like 21 hours and 30 minutes. I tried to sleep, but couldn’t. I tried to read, but somehow could not seem to concentrate. All I could do was sit and wonder what lay ahead of me.
Wonder, “What’s it going to be like?” “Am I going to like it?” I was afraid of the possibility that I might not like it. So many questions, fears, doubts, and yet unbelievable excitement was running through my head at one time.
When our plane began the descent into Bangui, the capital of C.A.R, I am pretty sure that butterflies over took my stomach. After all these years of waiting, praying, and hoping it was finally here. Yet, I felt like a little girl meeting my lifetime crush for the first time. And then, it happened the landing gear was lowered, may I stop to thank Jesus for this, and we touched down. In that moment, that tiny second that we met the ground, all fears and doubts vanished.
I describe that week in this way, “It was the longest, shortest, most awesome, and yet most miserable week of my life.”
In trying my best to describe this week to a dear friend I told her, “I have never felt the way I felt that week before.” In that week I found my calling, my longing and at the same time felt my own inadequacy. No, I wasn’t prepared for what happened. I wasn’t prepared to “Fall in love.” I am not sure at what point I realized what was happening. Maybe I knew it all along. It was the best and worst feeling all wrapped up into one. My emotions were going crazy. If I had to describe these feelings I would say, “It felt like someone had take my heart, mind, sound reasoning, and emotions and ground them all up and mixed them together.” I wanted to cry, scream, and laugh all at the same time. I experienced joy, pain, and deep sorrow in the same breath.
The work is so new, so fresh, and so white with harvest. I realized in that week that I wasn’t ready to begin working with them. I realized that I myself needed to be trained. Yet, I saw the need. I felt their hunger for teaching; even the children and I thought how can I keep them waiting another 4 yrs. I struggled with this. I struggled with God and the path I knew He was trying to take me. I struggled with myself.

I didn’t want to get on that plane to come back. I wanted to kick, scream, and throw a tantrum fit. But, I knew this more than likely would not help. So, I refrained. I came home broken and with a bleeding heart. Numb emotionally and feverish physically. I prayed asking God for direction for my future. I questioned what He had already told me. I was “torn up” on the inside. Yet, through all of my questioning and just plain hard-headedness, Jesus remained faithful and patient. He is slowly but surely giving me peace to continue in his plan. He is helping me see it not as a detour, but rather as stepping stone. I need to go home and go to Bible School.
I’ve come to the conclusion that falling in love isn’t easy, maybe it isn’t always fun, but it’s worth it.

Walking in the New Mercies

2011-02-23T15:01:00.000-08:00

It's just been one of those days. One of those days that from the word "go" you feel like you are walking in sludge. Sometimes there's a reason we feel this way, but today was one of those days.....there wasn't a reason. I just felt like a dark cloud was hanging over my head ALL day!

It started about 5:40 this AM....I was awakened by a night-mare. After I was awake, there was no going back to sleep. So, I decided to have my "quiet time" with the Lord. I am still not sure what on earth I said to him.....I hope He understands mumbo jumbo, because I think that's what I was speaking! At least I tried....right?

Finally, I was convinced He and I weren't making any progress...I couldn’t go back to sleep in my bed. I had just had a night-mare for goodness sake! So, I went and climbed in bed with my momma. I felt much better then!

Around 7:30 I got up brushed my teeth, put my hair up in a messy bun and made my appearance down stairs. (What can I say? It was just one of those days.) I attempted to commence my schooling, but I kind of..well..I ah....fell asleep on the couch. (What?! I'm a senior...I have benefits.)

Around 9 I awoke and again restarted my studies only to out that a dear friend had been injured. (This dear friend is fine! It was just one of those days!) We got this dear friend home and I finished my school.

If you know me at all....you know a break down was on it’s way . Around 10:30 PM I was ready for this day to be over. But, in the emotional, sludgy state I was in; sleep was out of the question. So, I decided to have a pow-wow with Jesus. In other words....I had a meltdown.

I have decided melt downs don't really help. The more I melted the worse I felt, and just when I thought I was at the end of my rope…………Jesus reminded me of scripture.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are made new every morning, great it thy faithfulness.” ~Lamentations 3:22-23

Just when I thought all of his mercies towards me were used up, just when I thought He had forgotten about me, He reminded me that he gives new mercy everyday! You know something else……..his mercy is enough to last throughout the whole day.
I just stopped typing to smile.

Even when I felt that he couldn’t possibly be around…….his mercies were right there waiting for me to take them. Why does he give us mercy? Because he loves us! Therefore along with his mercy, he gives us a bit of love, too!

You may be wondering……”Hannah, why did you take the time to write this blog?” Here’s why, someone out there needed to know that their mercy with Jesus hasn’t run out for today, and that tomorrow there will be some more waiting on them! Don’t give up just yet, because just when you think you’re at your wits end his mercy is there with you!

Walk in his mercy, dearest!

The key to true beauty

2010-09-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

If you are a girl reading this, then you are going to know exactly what I am talking about......We spend hours making sure we have that "perfect" outfit....the most adorable shoes. Hairstyles, we have those down to a tea. We will do just about anything to make sure that we look beautiful. Once we feel we have achieved that goal....we take one look in the mirror and squeal in horror as we see once again...the image we have in our head doesn't match what we see in the mirror. Why is this?????? Is it because there is something wrong with us? No, it's because we have yet to "put on" the key to true beauty.

"What is this "key?" you might ask. Here let me show you......

The Bible says in Psalms 147:1 "Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."

Now, if you are like me.....you are thinking "What does comely mean?"
Comely means beautiful....

There you have it. The key to true beauty is praise! When I read this verse in Psalms, it just blew my mind! It was like a light went off in my head! True beauty, as we have all heard, comes from the inside. Now, I have often wondered...."How do you make your insides beautiful?" I mean, I could run around and help everyone in need, hug a few babies, and scream "peace on earth," but that doesn't make me a beautiful person on the inside.

Only when we have Jesus Christ living on the inside of us and a heart full of praise to HIM can we be truly beautiful. I know what you're thinking......"Does this mean that I have to walk around with my hands folded singing "How Great Thou Art" in a prayerful manner all the time?" haha No, but when you live a life of praise...you suddenly see things in a different manner. You have more joy in your life, the love and light of Jesus starts to radiate out of you.....people notice a change, and you don't mind talking about the ONE that changed you! You learn to love people, instead of seeing them as mess-ups...you see them as messes Jesus is just waiting to clean-up! A life of praise is a life devoted to the Master. It takes time and commitment. But, it is so worth every minute of it!

Lord, help me to "put on" the key to true beauty, and help my life to become a life of praise to you!

"Because No One Cared About My Soul"

2010-09-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

Psalms 142:4 "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." KJV

As I was doing my nightly Bible reading I read this verse. I have read this verse many times before, but tonight it kind of jumped out and grabbed me.
As I read and reread over it, another verse came to my mind.

Ezekiel 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." KJV

As I sit at the computer and try my best to think of something profound to say, something that will bring you to your knees in tears.....I find nothing. Maybe it's because the burden for the country God has placed in my heart is too heavy. But, maybe just maybe these verse are self-explanatory. All I know is this: after sitting here for what feels like hours this is what I have to say..........there is a world out there dying lost because "No one cared about their soul."

Here are a few statistics I would like to share with you about the country we are appointed to.

The Central African Republic:

Indigenous Beliefs 35%
Protestant 25%
Roman Catholic 25%
Muslim 15%
(Animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority.)

"I won't delay
I won't hesitate
I will obey your call
And abandon all to see
The power of God
Your glory revealed
My nation healed"

"Nevertheless At Thy Word"

2010-07-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

First I have to say that I cannot take the credit for the idea of this blog. My mom taught this lesson. I'm just kinda borrowing it! =D

Simon, James, and John (sons of Zebedee) had been out all night in their boats. They were trying their best to make a living on fishing...But, it just wasn't easy when the fish didn't want to be caught! Finally, it was time to return to the shore, repair the nets, and hopefully get some rest. Simon was just washing his net when all of the sudden a man out of no where jumps in his boat and ask to be taken out a little ways. Simon noticed that something was different about this man. So, out they went.

When they were just a little way from the shore the man said "Stop here." Then, He began to teach the people. As Simon sat and listened to what the man was saying, He realized that this man wasn't just another priest or prophet. This man named Jesus was, was God. Listening to the words Jesus was saying, Simon had no idea that his life was on the verge of being forever changed.

All too soon Jesus finished teaching. Simon began to pull up the anchor getting ready to head back to shore, when Jesus said, "....Launch out into the deep, and let your down nets for a draught. ~Luke 5:4" Simon stopped what he was doing, not sure that he had heard Jesus correctly. "What did you say, Jesus?" "Let's go out a little further and let down your nets for a catch." Simon was dumbfounded. But, again he was overcome by the fact that Jesus wasn't just a good prophet..he was God. So, he replied ""And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." ~Mark 5:5"

"Nevertheless at thy word...." So out they went. Maybe as Simon let down the nets he thought he was going to catch a few fish...at least enough to make a few dollars that day. But, as he began to pull the nets up, they just kept coming and coming. "James, John! I need some help! Bring your boats." Then, before they knew it all three boats were full!

"Nevertheless at thy word..." "Lord, I have to tried to have a successful prayer life before...but,"Nevertheless at thy word!" Lord, I have tried to do this and that before..but, "Nevertheless at they word!"

I don't know who is it that this needs to read this today...but, "Nevertheless at they word Lord!" Try it one more time...do it one more time because maybe, just maybe this is the time that Jesus is gonna step in and make it work!

A look through my eyes/I dream of Africa....

2010-05-28T04:53:00.001-07:00

Some see it as the home of poverty and sickness. Others see it as that place across the world where people live in a jungles and mud huts. The rich man may see it as a place where he can send his money to help ease the suffering and his conscience. The nurse may see as the place where she can make a difference in someone's health. The missionary sees it as a place to help change lives...and all of these different views are well and good. But, me...I see it as my home.

It is the place that I have worked my whole life to get to. Even when I was young, I always knew we would end up here. We went to Madagascar for the most amazing yet difficult year of my life. We went back home, and yearned to return to this incredible place. No matter what my address has been...this is the place I have always wanted to be. The sights, the smells, the people they have all in some way become a part of me. The way their faces light up when you smile and wave. The way the young girls play clap games in the street. The smell after the rain that brings moisture to the hot, dry ground. The way the pressure builds up right before the bottom falls out of the sky. I love this wonderful place. Maybe, you can't appreciate the view through my eyes. Maybe, it's quite difficult for you to understand. But, that's okay. I understand...I love this place.

Most kids my age are dreaming of college and what they are going to do for their lives. While these things are on my mind, they are not what I dream of....I dream of a place called Africa. This is where I belong. God truly has blessed my life to be able to live it here.

Maybe this wasn't the best look into my world....I just felt I should share. :)

Pure White....

2010-03-31T15:32:00.000-07:00

When I think of the color pure white, I usually think of a white linen cloth, a cloth that has no spots, no stains, and no discoloration. It's just....well, it's white.

Here lately it seems like everyone in Togo feels the need to tell me I am "Pure white." One man in the market described me like this, "You are not yellow. You are pure white." He also said that being "Pure white" was beautiful. So, I decided to take it as a compliment instead of an insult. :) Then, the other day a lady told me I was "Pure white" again. This time though I don't think she meant it as a compliment. So, I thought well, maybe I do need to get a little sun. lol I wasn't really upset or hurt that she was telling me I was too white. I was more or less amused. lol When you really thing about it, it is funny.

But, the more I thought about it the more I realized. Yes, I am "Pure white,” not only physically, but spiritually. You see, I have had the opportunity to grow up in an Apostolic home my whole life. I have never had to experience the real evils of the world. My past is "Pure white."

One year I was at youth camp, and a lady gave her awesome testimony about how she was in the world, but Jesus forgave her and brought her back into church. As I sat and listened to her I began to think, "WOW! What an awesome testimony she has. She did all of these things, and then came back to church and found forgiveness. Her testimony will really touch someone's life." But, I have never done anything like that. How can my testimony touch someone when I've never done anything?

(Please note: I am not saying that I want to go out into the world! :))

But, I realized that is the beauty of it. I have a clean slate that is just waiting to be used for the glory of God. I have a whole "Pure white" life to give to Jesus! That my friend is just as powerful as someone who has found forgiveness! My testimony although different can still touch someone's life. I can still tell other teens who have grown up in church and are wondering the same thing I was (do I have a testimony) that you DO have a testimony for Jesus.

Our testimony is of His amazing grace. It's of his anointing on our lives. It's of his blessings, of his keeping us from the things of the world! Our testimony is of being "Pure white!" It's a testimony of Jesus giving us the strength to stand strong for Him! "Pure white" is still an awesome testimony for out King!!!

Maybe you are sitting here reading this blog thinking, "I don't have a "Pure white" testimony. I wasn't privileged to grow up in this truth." Please let me tell you that when you asked Jesus Christ to forgive you, you were baptized in Jesus name and you received the gift of the Holy Ghost.....HE WIPED YOUR PAST CLEAN! He gave you a clean slate and a "Pure white" past. Jesus paid the price for your guilt and shame!

Rejoice because you have a "Pure white" testimony! Be glad that Jesus has given you a life to give to Him!!! I sure am! :)

I am trying to figure out a way to give the pastor telling me I have a "Squeaky voice" a spiritual twist for my next blog! lol ;)

2010-02-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

Mark 14:37-38
"And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."

We know that when Jesus asked His disciples who men said He was, that Peter stood up and declared He was Lord. Jesus then gave Peter a promise and a warning. "Apon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail." The promise....but, He also gave Peter a warning, "Before the cock crows 3 time you shall denie me 3 times."

In the scripture we read that Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane his disciples were with Him. Jesus had gone off by himself to pray. He had left his disciples to pray. When Jesus came back to check on the disciples they were asleep. He then spoke to them..But, I find it very interesting that when He first came back, Jesus did not speak to all of the disciples. He first spoke to Peter. The same one He had warned earlier.

Could it have been that this was Peter's chance to be strengthened in the Lord. What would have happened if Peter had chose to pray instead of sleep? Would He still have denied Christ? Maybe just maybe Jesus was giving Peter a chance to strengthen his flesh. But, instead Peter slept through it.

Don't miss your chance to be strengthened! Jesus is waiting there to pour out some strength to you. Go get it!

Noises can't hurt!

2009-10-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 9:5
"For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but, this shall be with burning and fuel of fire."

Pay special attention to the first part of that verse. "For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise."

Isaiah 37:5-7
"5: So the servant of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6: And Isaiah said unto them, thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid OF THE WORDS THAT THOU HAST HEARD where with the servants of King Assyria have blasphemed me. 7: Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and HE SHALL HEAR A RUMOUR, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."

Have you ever wondered why in a football just as the player is trying to make a hard decision fast the fans of the other team start going nuts? When LSU is playing and this happens I get mad. Because you know that the NOISE is most likely distracting the player. Why is that? Something as simple as a noise scares the mess out of us? Can a noise hurt us? Can they come over and physically injure us in any way? So why then are we so scared of them?

As I was reading in Isaiah tonight, the story of King Hezekiah stood out to me. I had read Isaiah 9:5 a few weeks earlier and that spoke volumes to me. When I read this story of the King, the two kind of clicked in my head. Hezekiah was being scared by the noises of Sennacherib. If you read the whole story you see that he kept going before the throne of God. (Another blog for another day.) Finally, the Lord basically told him "Don't be scared by all these noises. I am going to scare Sennacherib with a noise and he will be killed on his own land."

Okay, if this is making no sense to you......I am about to try to bring it all together. Hang in there! :D

So many times the devil comes in and whispers words of defeat in our ear, and we just go plain chicken! I know because I am so guilty!!! He'll come in and tell me something and right then and there I have heart failure. Then, when my parents try to calm me down and get to the bottom of it, they are like, "Hannah what is your problem? You know the devil lies. So, why do you believe him?" Then, a light comes on in my head and it all makes sense! HB, it's just a NOISE! Here is the thing I have learned about noises....are you ready? This is powerful. LOL THEY CAN"T HURT YOU! WOW! So, are you telling me that the very thing that I am losing sleep over can't even hurt me? THAT'S RIGHT! Maybe I am the only one that got hit in the head with this realization, but to me this is powerful. The noise is a distraction. That's all it can do is distract!

So, quit worrying about the noise. Go get some rest! God is on your side!!!

Love yas.....HB

Joy in the Morning....

2009-09-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

I have never really realized the connection to "The morning" until now. Mom and I are doing a non-denominational Bible study entitled "A Women's Heart" with some of the missionary wives here in Togo. Beth Moore is the writer of this study. It is absolutely wonderful! In these last few lessons she has brought some things into focus that I would like to share with you all.

The Manna was rained down with the dew in the morning. The Israelites had to RISE EARLY to get it because, it melted away with the day. When the Lord gave the Israelites a chance to bless Him, (when they brought their gifts for the Tabernacle) they brought their gifts in the morning! OKAY Here's the coolest part.......Jesus died in the evening right?!?!!?!?! BUT, HE ROSE IN THE MORNING! WOW! What a connection....There's just something about the morning! It brings refreshing, newness......What am I missing by not getting up and COLLECTING my Manna every morning? Just thought I would share this inspiration with you!

Love to all.....HB

2009-08-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

I miss my blog.....I miss my readers....I miss the joy in reading my comments....So, here I come back to my lost love wagging my tail behind me. I have said it time and time again...I hate writing! But, there is something about blogging....It's just soothing for the soul! I love it!

We went to the National Conference in Benin last weekend. WOW! There were 1,200 to 1,500 in attendance and, 186 received the Holy Ghost! It was absolutely amazing!!! I was in awe! The children with their smiling faces....One little girl came up to me when we were leaving one of the services, and, she gave me a hug and told me by! They had the biggest smiles and, the cutest faces...There was just something about them! I fell in love with those kids! Their laughs...their eyes....their smiles...everything! They were hungry!!! I think that when you know a passion is there, but, it has been dormant for a while.....and then, it awakens....WOW! There is something just amazing that happens! Lord, give me the ability to be able to teach them and help You reach their souls!

We have a nondenominational Bible-study for the missionaries here where,Jaydie (the AIMer) and I teach a SS class on Thursday nights. When we went to Kara to baby-sit, one of the girls from our class received the Holy Ghost!!!!!! We were so excited! Great things are happening here in Togo! Great things are happening everywhere!

I am so excited to see what is going to happen in the next few months here and, to hear the great reports from all of you!

Hope you have enjoyed my blabbing....hehe

Love to all,
Hannah

Teaching Sunday School...

2009-07-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

I taught Sunday school to the African children for the first time 2 Sundays ago. I was quite nervous because I wasn't sure I would relate well to them but, God came through and He helped me! I taught on Jesus Power and how the Holy Ghost which is Jesus power, is more powerful than anything else! I told the story of Cornelius and how he knew there was a power but, he wasn't sure what power. I brought out the point that even though he was a Gentile it wasn't Jesus who didn't want him to have the power. It was the Jews. Jesus never said he couldn’t have the HG! I said that, even though they are children that they can have the power also! I talked about how Jesus said suffer the children to come unto me. I brought my Friend Kofi with me. He is in the picture.

I really had a great time teaching! I loved the look on their faces when Kofi came out. This is what carrying His light all is about! No one got the HG but, the seed was planted that, they can have it if they desire it. Jesus didn't just die for the big people but, He died for the small people too! Thank you Jesus!!!!

They have a saying that the children say at various times in the service. They say it in dialect. The Sunday I taught the SS teacher told me what they say.
It goes something like this “Jesus friend of children" a line I can't remember then they say "when you come into the sanctuary. SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" I laughed when she told me that! LOL

Grey Hair, letters, and labels!!!!!

2009-07-13T08:18:00.002-07:00

What do grey hairs, letters, and labels all have in common???? ME! I have recently realized that at 16 yrs old I have grey hair. How depressing is that? LOL Sad to say but, they are there!

Labels…..Well I just spent about 45 mins organizing all of my sheet music into alphabetical order. I also made homemade labels for them as well. Why you might ask…why did I do this crazy thing.....Well, it's simple....I have a problem. I cannot live without organization! I feel incomplete when things are not organized. It is so bad that I have to keep myself from trying to organize others. Why? I have no idea why, where, how, or who this need comes from. But, sometimes it drives me batty! LOL Most teenagers when they are bored talk on the phone, watch movies, or other things.....I…. well, I organize. But, I guess thats enough about my organization.

Now to letters....well you see I have a dear friend who has asked and asked that I write her a letter. Not so hard right? Wrong! I hate to write!!! I can't even make myself keep a journal because I hate to write! That is really funny because, I am always talking to myself and could have written ten fictional books by now. But, again I hate to write! On the other hand I love this BlogSpot and, I don't know why. Anyways so, today when I was organizing I found some really pretty stationary that a lady gave me one time. Only problem, I only had one piece. So, I made copies. The stationary is black and white with music symbols on it. So, now I am going to make myself write poor Kalin a letter!

So, to sum up my ramblings.....Well, there is no point! They are just my ramblings!!! LOL Hope you all enjoy my faithful blog readers!!!

Love to all,
Hannah

Rebuilding Burnt Walls

2009-06-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

I am reading/writing from Nehemiah 4:1-2.

v.1 "But, it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
v.2 And when he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

We find here where Nehemiah had gone back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. This wall had been destroyed during the captivity of the Jews. When Sandballat found out about it, he wasn't happy at all.....Why wasn't he happy? When there is a wall, the enemy has a harder time getting in. Sandballat knew that if Nehemiah and the Jews built this wall back there was no way he was getting in! So, he was going to do everything possible to make sure this wall wasn't going up. He threatened them with threats of attack, ridicule, discouragement, extortion. But, if you read on, you will see where they got the wall up!

Somewhere in someone's life today, you have let some walls fall. You have let the bondage of sin get in and you don't know what to do....Build your wall! You see when you have the wall of Jesus around your heart then nothing can get in unless you let it in. When you build and strengthen your wall everyday with prayer and fasting, it will soon become invinsible!

While you are building this wall, the devil is going to do everything possible to get you to mess up your wall.....Don't stop! Keep building your wall! You see, he knows that if you get that wall built around your heart then you are going to become mighty in Jesus!

Walls provide protection!!!

2009-06-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

Bon soir mes amis,
I am very very sorry everyone (Nana) that I haven't been blogging lately!!!! I have thought about it but well, thinking and doing are two different things... :D

It is the rainy season here!!! I am very very happy about that but, it doesn't rain like I want it to! Oh well....

We had someone break in our house a couple of weeks ago. They came in a very small window in the bathroom that connects Thad, Micah, and my room....(Bad English...Sorry!) They were getting all of their loot together when the police arrived. Someone saw them when they were climbing over the wall to get into our yard and, called the police....For which we are very thankful! The police arrived very soon and all the thief was able to get away with was a small propane tank. He even left his bag and flashlight....No there was nothing in the bag..I checked! ;) The Lord protected and kept us (the children) asleep! Dad woke up when the thief was making his daring escape through the roof. He got away but, he won't be visiting again I can tell you that! ;D So, me being the big scardy cat that I am can't bring myself to sleep in my room yet....but, soon and very very soon! I have hope!

On the French note.... Sunday, Bro Adams preached in French and mother and I understood most of what he was saying! We are very very excited!!!! I love being able to speak another language! (Okay, almost....hehe) It is soooo much fun....

Now for the spiritual note...(I am finding myself not being able to blog without saying something that I have discovered...)

Mom and Dad were able to get the computer charger to work...Which means I have my music that is on my computer!!!YAY Anyways, I was listening to a song by Selah that says, "Oh, draw me Lord. Oh, draw me Lord. Oh, draw me Lord......and, I'll run after you!"
This song is so beautiful because, it's my prayer. "Lord, if you will draw me....Then, I'll run after you!" The Bible says that "No man cometh unless He (Jesus) draw him (man)." I want Him to draw me....I want to be near Him! That's what this life is all about HIM! He created us to be servants of HIM! When it all comes down to the end, all that matters is, did HE draw us and, did WE run after HIM?

"Lord draw me to the deep parts of You. Let me have a close and personal relationship with You! A relationship where You draw me and, I run after you!"

5 Month Mark....

2009-04-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

Today I was writing a comment to someone about the fact that we have been here 5 months already. It has flown by soooo fast! We have had such a great time! I think back to the first night we arrived. It was mixed with emotions of excitement, joy, happiness, and overwhelment. Now, thinking back it has been the best five months ever! There is just contentment in knowing you are in the will of God. Where he has called you. I am soooo happy to be here. As, I sit and type I just cannot truly express how I feel. I have come to realize that Africa is the BEST place in the world!!!! The people, the land, everything!!!!

What more can I say? Except, "Thank you Lord, that you have called us here!! You have given me such a wonderful life!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!"

That's just my thoughts tonight....
Love you all,
Hannah

Catching up....

2009-04-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

Whew....These days fly by soooo fast! I cannot believe it is already Friday!!!

Well, let me see what has been keeping me away from blogging land.....We were only suppose to have a one week vacation from French school. We went back on the 14 I think and as we were walking in the door I turned to Jaydie and said "Wouldn't it be nice if they would come and tell us we had another week off!" Not 5 seconds later here comes the director with his hands spread out like he wasn't going to let us go to our classroom. He says "I am sorry but, we are still having seminars for the teachers. School will resume next week." Jaydie and I looked at each other and bust out laughing.

So, after two weeks off, we went back to school last Monday. We have had school for a week and we get Monday and Friday off for holidays....So, needless to say we are having an abundance of holidays...hehe I have another confession to make.....I have become a face book JUNKIE!!!! That has also kept me away from my beloved blog and, reading yours as well. For this I am truly sorry my dear friends! I will try to do better!

We had a good Easter. We had a revival Easter weekend. 3 adult received the Holy Ghost and 1 child was refilled! Had a great time at Bro. Boko's!!!

Hope you all have had a great last couple of weeks!!!

Love you all,
Hannah

Market day....

2009-04-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Today Jaydie and I went to the market....Shoe market....We had a blast. It wasn't too hot because it rained last night....The only thing was there were mud puddles everywhere. We had mud all over our feet and legs by the time we left.

I found out today that I am beautiful because I am pure white not yellow. I am white from head to toe....Some weird man came up and told me to stay out of the sun....hehe Well, between you and me we won't tell him we are going to the beach tomorrow....hehe

We then came home and Jaydie, Mom, Dad, and I all rode motos to the Adam's house. We looked like a white parade going down the street. It was funny. That was moms first moto ride here. She said she enjoyed it but, she wouldn't want to do it everyday. I love moto rides and, yes! I would ride everyday!!!! hehe

Well, that's the days happenings.

Hope you all had a good day...Right now Jaydie and I are chillin listening to IBC's Music fest....AWESOME!!!!

Love ya,
Hannah

The danger of living WITHOUT a King....

2009-04-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

I was catching up on my Bible reading last night. I was reading in Judges 16-18 and something kept jumping out at me. It would say at the end of every chapter "In those days there was no King in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." It says this a couple of times. And over and over the same saying kept poping into my head "The Danger of Living Without a King."

I looked up the meaning of king. One of the meanings was this...
(A matter of paramount importance.)
( Paramount: Supreme )

In the history of Isreal you read of the kings David, Saul, ect. You read of how Israel followed that king. Yes, the king wasn't always Godly but, they followed him. They weren't going by their own ideas, their own wickedness. When you read in the Bible you see that when there was a Godly king, Israel was Godly, when there was an "wordly" shall I say king, Israel was "wordly." They always followed their king. The king either brought peace or he brought harm and war. The king wether good or bad RULED the people he made Israel what it was going to be in the time era of his reign.

When the people did not have a king they were no longer unified. They each had their own ideas and their own ways. Israel was a crazy place. That's where the danger is...When they had a king weather good or bad they were unified they were all of "One mind and One accord." When they didn't have a king they were fighting amongst themselves.

Is this what is happening in our country, churches even today. Are we losing sight of WHO our KING is? We have to have a king we have to worship something. What would happen if the people in our churches got into one mind one accord under one king? We would break down hells doors we would shatter every strong hold. Are we in Danger of living without a King?

When Jesus created us, He created us to have a place inside our hearts that only THE KING could fill. We have to be careful not try to ignore or give this place to something else...

We are all in danger of living without a king..But, if we have a personal realationship with THE KING then this danger isn't so prominant.

I hope that what spoke to me speaks to you tonight.

Hello SPRING BREAK......

2009-04-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!! Spring break is finally here...A week of no school! YES!! Exciting! I know that my last couple of post haven't been very positive....LOL SO, now I am being positive!

I want to give a saying that my professor at school says all the time......Today is Today....Makes since....Yes, of course...Today isn't tomorrow today it today!!! HURRAY!!!!!!!! LOL

I also want to officially welcome my cousin Cammie to the wonderful world of blog land.....WELCOME GIRL!

I am getting my hair micro-braided tomorrow... I will post pics....I have never had this done before so we will see. LOL

Ok it is 5 o'clock and I have to go prepare for my Sunday School lesson tonight...On Thursday nights we have missionary Bible study and Jaydie and I teach Sunday School....My turn so, I had better get after it....Love you all,
HBENSON

Think Again!

2009-03-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

I HATE "LOVE BUG" SEASON!!!! If you don't know what a 'love bug' is,765 it's a little black fly thing with and orange dot in the middle of it's wings. In Louisiana they come around August, I think. They swarm you when you go outside. They find ways into a house that you never thought possible. They STINK to high heavens! They stick to the front of your car so bad that you can hardly get them off!!!! I HATE "LOVE BUGS." You are probably thinking "Ok Hannah, you are in Africa. They don't have lovebugs." Well, you would be correct, they don't. SO, I thought I was through with the swarming bugs. THINK AGAIN!!! Tonight I was introduced to the weirdest bug ever!!! It marks the end of the Dry season and the beginning of the Rainy season. I HATE THESE BUGS!!! They swarm around your face. They get into your house. They make me scream!!! UGH!!!

I LOVE AFRICA AND THE RAINY SEASON BUT,I HATE THESE BUGS!!!! So, I ask our guard "How long will they stay?" His response "I DON'T KNOW." So, we don't know when they will leave!! UGH!!

Okay, now for a good report. 3 were filled with the HOLY GHOST and 9 were healed today at church!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pray that I don't go insane with these stupid bugs!! LOL I am sure that I am making it 10 times worse than it is but, come on! LOL

Love ya,
Hannah

I shoulda stayed in bed today!

2009-03-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you knew when you woke up that it would probably be better to stay in bed? Today was one of those days. I was tired and just wanted to sleep. But, as usual I got up at 7 to ready myself for school. I wore one of my African dresses today.

So, here I am sitting in class fighting sleep. My eyes are literally rolling. Yeah, it was bad. All if the sudden I feel something very cool on my back. I reach behind me and my zipper which runs all the way down my back is broken. Now, that wouldn't be so bad if there weren't 20 other students half of whom are men in the class. I am sitting in the very front! We get a 30 min break at 10 am. It was like 30 minutes before 10. So, I sink as low as I can in my chair. Well the girl sitting beside me starts trying to fix it. I guess the teacher whom is male and is oblivious to the happenings thought I was getting really enthusiastic about what he is teaching walks right over to ask me a question about what he was teaching. I wanted to say can't you see I am kinda busy here! Well, the time passes and they get the zipper fixed but, it was really embarrassing!!!!

So yeah, Hannah shoulda stayed in bed today! LOL

Hope you enjoyed my little story.
Love ya,
Hannah

My Personality Type???

2009-03-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

I heard about this website where you go and get your personality tested. It's actually quite fun and easy!!! You take a 40 question quiz then they give you what they think your personality is. So, here's mine:

The Giver

You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and you usually succeed.
Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections.
Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down.
You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine.

In love, you are very protective and supporting.
However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous.

At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential.
You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist.

How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

So, does this sound like me?

Here's the sight if you would like to be tested.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourpersonalitytypequiz/

I think mine fits ALMOST perfect.

Hope you enjoy!
Love ya,
Hannah

Clueless Yovo's ( White folk)

2009-03-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

These instuctions came with a carpet sweeper that we got today. Please note that these instructions do not have typo errors in them. They actually say this on the real paper.

1. Do not use the appliance if you are a children or a deformity without any guardian nearby. ( My personal favorite! )

2. Do not switch on the appliance without any person nearby. ( Wonder why. What's it going to do eat you? LOL )

3.Do not fish for the appliance with your hand directly if it drops into the water. Remove the plug first. ( Really, I didn't know that! )

4. Do not use the appliance when there are some abnormal status happened such as emitting smoke or strange smell ect. And send the appliance to service center after remove the charge plug.

5. Do not use charger with the extension cord. Plug charger directly into and eletrical outlet. Use charger only in standard electrical outlet.

6. Before cleaning or maintaining the appliance, the plug must be removed from the socket outlet. ( Wonder why? )

7. Plug the charge plug into jack tightly and fit well.

8. Do not use the appliance near the tinder. ( What's that? )

9. Do not rebuild the appliance with yourself. Do not open the appliance with unproffesional technician. Send it to the service center for mending. ( No, don't do it with yourself! Have someone else there. )

10. Do not use the damaged adaptor cord, charge the plug and the unfit jack. ( iF it's damaged does it still work. And what is an unfit jack. )

11. Use only on dry and indoor surface. Do not use the appliance on the wet ground. Also do not spout the water on the main body. ( Good to know! )

12. Do not pick up abything that is burning or smoking, such as cigarettes, matches or hot ashes. Also do not use to pick up flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline. ( What can I say to that? )

13. Do not remove the charge plug with your wet hand. ( DAH!!! )

14. Do not abuse, damage or crush the charger chord. ( I remember now, that's why I paid good money for it!!! )

15. Never carry the charger or base by the cord or yank it discinnect from an outlet, instead grasp the charger and pull to disconnect.

16. Remove the charge plug when the appliance is not in use.

17. Do not run the appliance with the air intake blocked.

18. Keep appliance away from heated source.

19. A hazard may occur if the appliance runs over the adapter cord. ( Oh Me, Oh My. )

This is really what the paper says I promise!!!! Very Very through. LOL Hoped you enjoyed these instructions. I think this may be an "In Africa only thing!"

Love ya ,
Hannah

Acts 2:38 wins again...

2009-03-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

You probably think this is going to be a real spiritual blog, don't you? Well, NO. This story involves a police officer, my dad, our car, an Acts 2:38 track, and a lady named Sister Jaydie. Now think about this combination for a minute. Make your own assumtions as to what I am fixin' to talk about..............

Ok. So, here it goes...

Today we got out of school early. So, we were going to go do our meat shopping. Yes, we meat shop! LOL So, we are on our way. Just going along. And all of a sudden this police officer starts blowing his whistle and telling us to pull over. So, of course that's what we do. He speaks no English. We speak little French. Finally, we realize that he is saying that we ran a red light. Get this. It wasn't even RED!!!! So, after about 20 mins he walks over and proceeds to tell us that he is going to charge us 10,000cfa which is about $20 bucks for running a red light. Now, in America you would dance for them only to charge you that much. But, here that's way too much!!!

So, we get on the phone and call our guard who speaks English/French. He doesn't really help. We are about to take the ticket when they ask us why we are here in Togo. So, we try to tell them we are Missionaries. But, they don't really understand. Sis Jaydie ( the AIMer ) just happens to have an Acts 2:38 track with her. So, we give it to the officer. Then he changes his mind and dosen't even give us the ticket. He says "Ok, thank you. Bye Bye." So, we get out of there as fast as we can!!!

Acts 2:38 wins again. With Jesus and Jaydie you can't go wrong!

Love ya,
Hannah

Merci Boucoup!!!!

2009-02-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Bonjour!!!
I want to thank all of you for prayers, and concern for my hand!! It really hasn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. I thank Jesus for that. I have a very low tolerance level for pain!!! LOL My hand probably could have used stitches, but the Lord is letting it heal without them. I am very sure it is due to your prayers. I think that it scared me more than anything. I have never been cut this bad before, only little scrapes. So, it kinda of does something to you when you can see your insides! LOL JK!

I have thought about asking the Lord what lesson I should learn from this. I am afraid I already know the answer. DON'T CUT BUTTER IN YOUR HAND!!!!! LOL I think the counter is looking good from now on.

You know, you get a deeper respect for people who have lost their hand or arm for one reason or another. I applaud those people. I haven't even gone a week without my hand and I am already missing it! Simple things we take for granted I couldn't do. Like, wash my hair, or the dishes! ( Ok. so, yeah not really sad about the dishes part! LOL )

French is going good. My bad study habits are showing. WHOOPS!! LOL But, French really is a beautiful language. I think that once we get the basics down it will be a lot more fun! It's exciting to learn a new language!!!

The puppies got their first shots today. They were so funny! Zack wasn't bad he just took it. Wanderer was yelping. I couldn't watch them give them the shots. I am wimpy! LOL I wanted to pick them up afterwards and tell them it's ok, but the flee medicine would cause a reaction to my skin so, I couldn't. They looked so pitiful! LOL They are alright now that the trauma is over. HAHA
Well everyone, hope you are all well!

A demain,
Hannah

The Macaroni Experience..........

2009-02-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

Today I was helping cook supper. I was using frozen butter for the mac-n-cheese. Well,I was using a knife to get the butter off the stick. The knife slipped and I sliced my hand open. About a 1" wide and I don't even know how deep. But, it hurts! So, if I don't blog for a couple of days, it's 'cause it took me 30 min to write this blog. LOL

TIP: Don't use fozen butter for mac-n-cheese! And if you do....don't hold the butter in your hand while cutting it!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya,
Hannah

The Puppet Stand....

2009-02-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

The Louisiana District Sunday School blessed us with a wonderful puppet stand and puppets to use in Children's Ministry here in Africa! We are very excited!!!

So, one day Jaydie and I decide that we are going to put it up and try it out. Like anything you always sit down and read the directions FIRST. We read the directions and we were still clueless. So, we say " ok let's get the stand out and see what we can figure out." It didn't work. So, we watch the slide show they sent in the box and we guessed that it would help if we knew what a button hole is. So, once we figure it out the next thing is to figure out how the pipe goes into the hole. Fifteen minutes later we figure that out. Next, we have to decide which way the pipes hook together. Yeah we know a 10 minute puppet stand shouldn't take an hour. Ok, we are getting it done. Finally we have a puppet stand up and running!!!!

Tip: When putting up a puppet stand have someone like a man there to help. Believe me my dad probably could have put it together in 5 seconds.. LOL

We decided to make the puppets look African. So, we braided the girl's hair. Not in one big braid. But, with little braids all over!!! How cool is that? We have named her "Isabella." So, now we can start the puppet shows up and running..... Carrying HIS Light!

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Love yas,
Hannah

New Look New Name...

2009-02-13T09:45:00.000-08:00

As many of you have already noted, I have a new look. I saw that many other blogging friends had updated their look. So, I decided to jump on board.

The new name comes from a song I have been learning to play. It is by Casting Crowns. It's called "In Me." I love it. It explains why we are here in Africa. Jesus has asked us to carry HIS light in to a foreign land. How can we do anything but except? We can not do it by ourselves. If we came by ourselves what would be the point in coming? So, the new name is my passion. To always carry His light no matter where I go!

I have also deleted my play list. But, I am in the middle of revamping it. So, I hope that the new look, name, and sound helps convay who I am.....who I want to be.

Love ya,
Hannah

Please Pray...

2009-02-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

Please pray for my Uncle Glynn and cousins Melody and Johnathan. Today they have lost a wife and mother. Pray that the Lord would send his comforting angels to them!

Thank you so much!
Love,
Hannah

Zach and Wanderer...

2009-02-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

Meet the newest members to the Benson Bunch.
The black puppy is "Zach" and Thad named him.
The grey puppy is "Wanderer" and Micah named him.
Micah named him 'Wanderer'
because he is always wandering around.

WAWA!!!!

2009-02-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here in West Africa we have a little word that we
use when things aren't going the best. Like the story
I am about to tell. The word is "WAWA."
You might have heard of it before.
It stands for "West Africa Wins Again."
Last night I have used this saying many times.

Mom and I got the idea that we were
going to get the kitchen somewhat organized.
We got everything "put away". Remember our
container has just arrived and we have moved
into a new house. So, all of our dishes are
"put away" as best as they can be for now.
We can see the sink we can see the counters
and the floors. We think we are doing great.
Well, I decide that I am going to clean the
sink and counter. So, here I go I get one side
of the sink cleaned and want to move the facet
to the other side. It won't move. So, Mom comes
and helps and we get it to the other side. Mom says
"Hannah, one of these days that thing is going to break off."
So, I am all happy and smiling we have the kitchen organized
and almost cleaned so, I say "ok". What do you think happened?
I go to move the facet on the other side again and the next think I know I am holding the facet and taking a shower. Yep, it came off
and the water didn't just come out it CAME OUT!!!!
All over my face and clothes. I start hysterically
laughing and screaming for mom at the same time.
She had gone outside to take the garbage out.
You know what she said? She says "turn it off Hannah."
I thought "well I would if I could!" She comes and puts
her hand on it while I go get dad. He was asleep and I
was laughing loudly I think I scared him half to death.
On top of all that we could not find the cut off valve
to the water in the kitchen. So, dad gets a piece of
plastic and a wrench and stuffs it in the water fall.
It remained there until a few hours ago when the plumber
came and put a temporary fix on it until he can fix it totally
tomorrow.

Mom and I start mopping up the water on the
floor and dad goes back upstairs.
He comes back down holding my shower head in his hand.
I had hung my "stuff rack"
Above the shower with the little suction cup
thingys that came with it. (The stuff rack is
the thing you usually hang in the shower to hold your stuff.
But, there was nowhere to hang it. It came with
the little suction cup things. So, I used those to hang it.)
He says "Hannah your rack fell and broke the shower head."
Then he jokingly says "Danan you and Hannah need to go to bed!
That's enough damage for one night!" So, we went to bed.

I think we can safely say that we washed the kitchen thoroughly!
LOL So, our first night in the new house started off with a bang.

I hope you enjoyed our amusing story.
I am sure there will be more where that came from!

Good Night,

Front Page Headline News...........

2009-01-31T05:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!!! Sorry it's been so long since I have blogged. So much has been going on since we have arrived.

We have had to move out of our house. The renter who lives in Paris is coming home for 2 months in June or July and he wants his house. So, after searching we have found another house. This one is so much better in my opinion. I love the new house!!!! The living room has 5 windows and a double glass door leading out to the veranda. There is so much natural light that comes through. It is absolutly beautiful!

I am sooooooooooooooo happy to report we have internet! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY We feel connected to everyone again!

Our container has come!!! With all of our stuff in it. We were jumping up and down in the middle of the street as it was coming down the road. Anyone ever heard the song "Your Promise is Coming Down the Long and Dusty Road"? Well that's how I felt. We were very blessed not only to get our container o quickly but, nothing was really broke!

So, we are packing up one house and unpacking another house. LOL Lots and lots of packing going on!

We also have to little puppies that have joined our happy family. Zack and Wonderer. They are going to be our big macho guard dogs. Although if you were to see them they look like two cute little helpless puppies. Zack is black with a brown and white nose and face. Wonderer is grey with little white paws. Cute as they can be!!!!!!!!!!

Here in Togo it is the hot season so, you can guess that we are nice 'n' toasty! LOL But, I think the rains are starting in April or something like that. You all know how much I LOVE the rain!!!!!

French is going well. Pray for us on that!!!! LOL

Well, I think that's about it.

I will post pictures of the puppies soon.

Love ya,
Hannah

Reported Missing... LOL

2008-12-24T09:07:00.000-08:00

Ok don't send out a Missing person's report for me, here I am! LOL We don't have internet at our house yet. So, we are going else where for internet. That's why I haven't been blogging much. SORRY!!! When we get internet I have soooo much to blog about. But, for now please bear with me!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love ya,
Hannah

Excuse Me, Mam!

2008-12-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

Well, my mom says our trip over was uneventful. Not true! As we went through security in Paris, the security guards took my handlotion out of my purse. She looked at me and said "No!" Now, I had already been through two other airport securities. No one took my lotion there. But, for some reason this lady took my lotion. I was griping to Mom about it when we turned around and guess what we saw. They whole security team was putting MY LOTION on their hands and passing it around. I was furious! So, thank you to Aunt Shirley and Aunt Joy for my favorite lotion. But, it was thieved from me!

Now onto a better subject. We had a great first service here in Togo.

"Jesus Is the Reason Why I Sing"

2008-12-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that I love to sing. I LOVE TO SING!!!!!!!! I am really into the praise and worship choir music. I really don't like the new contemporary stuff. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's just not my style. Maybe it's the pianist in me. I don't know. LOL

Here the the reason why I sing. JESUS JESUS JESUS!!!!! I will be riding down the road and turn on my IBC Cd's and have a jam session in the car! ( IBC= Indiana Bible College ) I sing everyone part whether I can hit it or not. I may be off key, people may be staring at me through their car windows, but there I am, praising my King of Kings!

You see Jesus has given me more than I could ever hope for. A strong stable family, Godly parents, a calling on my life, Joy, peace, love, confidence, talents, and Africa! He has guided me through every storm. He's held my hand when I needed it most. HE LOVES ME!!! And I love him!! I want my heart to be filled with the pure, holy things of him. I know that if He's really in my heart that I'll be OK.

In this day and age of uncertainty one thing is certain, Jesus is Lord of all!!! He'll heal you, bless you, Love you, give you peace that passeth all understanding. HE LOVES YOU!!!!

SO, if you ever wonder "why does that girl sing?" Here's why " Jesus is the reason why I sing. I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free! Jesus is the reason why I sing!"

Love you all. Good night.

The Piano and the Drums...

2008-11-25T20:57:00.001-08:00

As, all of you know we are leaving for Africa in about two weeks. Most know that Thad and I are trying our hardest to allow God to use us in the music field. ( He is blessing us mightily!!! )

We have been praying that God would give us a piano and a drum set to take with us. One of my Nana's friends Miss Connie had a piano that she donated to us. I was soooo elated, excited, exstatic!!! I had been praying that this would happen and it has!!!

Thad has earnestly been praying for a set of drums. My Aunt Deidra has donated a set that she had to Thad. Thad was soooo excited!!! You just can't imagine how excited we really are.

All this happened a couple of weeks ago. I just have been soooo busy that I really haven't posted anything more than " I am busy." LOL

I want to publically thank Miss Connie and Aunt Deidra for giving to the cause of Christ. I hope that Jesus blesses both of you Ten Times over.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

We got the chance to play them a little before they left on the container. They both have great sound to them!

Thank you both ever so much!

Love,
Hannah

These days....

2008-11-23T18:07:00.000-08:00

These days we are all in a rush. Trying to get everything done. There's soooo much to do. We leave in about 2 weeks. I am very very excited. I really can't believe it's happening. "In shock" is a good way to put it.

I PASSED DRIVERS ED WITH A 95%!!!!! OK everyone says..."duh Hannah, only silly people fail drivers ed!" LOL But, I was very excited. Everyone was nervous that they weren't going to make a good grade. But, I think everyone did make a good grade!

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Nana's this afternoon. We all ate so much we could barely move. IT WAS GOOD THOUGH!!!! I am still very full.

Tomorrow we are going to load the container. There's soooo much stuff to go in there. I think we'll get it all in.

My cousin is getting married next Saturday.

These are just a little bit of all that is going on right now. Hope you all are doing well!

Love ya,
Hannah

Here I am!

2008-11-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. We have been very, very busy. We had a great 4 night revival with the Dickson's. You can go to Aunt Denise's blog for some photos of the revival.

I have started Drivers ED classes. That is going well I only have 3 more class room classes. I have a lot more driving to do before I get my permit.

Mom had to go in to the hospital. She had an allergic reaction to her medicine. ( No, her medicine isn't new.) She had to stay in the hospital over night for observation. She, is feeling mush better now! Praise the Lord!!!

Now we are trying to get ready to go to Africa. Time is coming down to the wire. There is soooo much to do! God, is still Good. He has really blessed.

Truth is, I probably won't post a whole lot in the next few weeks. When we get to Africa we will slow down a WHOLE LOT! So, I will catch you all up for the most part then. LOL I will post some and let you know basically what's going on.

Love you all,
Hannah

My Problem...

2008-11-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Ok I have a problem. Maybe not a big problem to most, but to me it's a problem. Some may see me a silly for blogging about this. But, here is my problem.

I went to the DR today for my phisical. Anyone want to guess how tall I am????? 5.2 & 1/2! Only 5.2 & 1/2! Ok so, yeah really not a big problem but, come on. So, I guess I will go through this life short. And, I guess one of these days I will get over it but, today I shall be a little upset.

It's ok I can wear my hair as high as I want to and I can wear shoes to the ceiling if I want to. Know why? CAUSE I AM SHORT!!!!!!

There's my problem in a nut shell. Now I am going to get over it and pray for other people, who have bigger problems.
Love ya,
Strawberry SHORT Cake! LOL

God's Blessings

2008-11-03T18:35:00.001-08:00

Many of you know who Sis Micki Mangun is. If you know of her then you also know she sings, has Cd's everything. I LOVE her music! My favoritest CD I thought I had lost. ( Yes, I know that favoritest really isn't a word. LOL ) The other day as we were going through everything in the Attic, I found it!!! I was so excited!

The big thing was that it was down in a basket without a case over it. I was afraid it was scratched. But, when I put it in the CD player, it played perfectly.

It's the little things that let you know that God still loves you. I can't tell you how many times I have prayed for that CD to pop up. It never did. Then, when I was least expecting it there it was!

So, please enjoy the small things. And remember that they are God gifts from God too.

Love ya,
Hannah

Your probably going to make me......

2008-10-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

I think that it's Micah's age that makes him so funny. Or maybe just his personality. Here is another Micah funny.

Mom and I were busy in the other room and Micah was getting ready to get out the tub. He starts yelling for Mom to come get him a towel. Mom doesn't respond. So, he starts yelling for me to get him a towel. I don't respond. So, he starts trying to get us to do it by telling us the bad things that were going to happen if we didn't. One thing he said was, "If you don't get me a towel, I am going to get water all over the floor and I am not gonna clean it up!" He waits a second and he says "Well you'll probably make me clean it up! But, still." He was talking to himself the whole time. It was soooo funny! He finally got the message that he was either going to have to get his towel or, sit there. So, he got his own towel! LOL When he came in there he said "You didn't get me a towel!" Mom goes " Micah you should have gotten your towel before you got in!" We were trying hard not to laugh. LOL

I hope this little story brightened your day. :)

Love ya,
Hannah

P.S. I want to make the point that it didn't kill you to get your own towel Micah!!! LOL

Jesus, am I adopted?

2008-10-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

I have been blogging about my youngest brother a lot lately. That's because sometimes he is just too much! LOL!!!

Micah has come out with this new question " Mom, am I adopted?" Now I remember having the same question around his age. But, it didn't take me long to figure out that no, I look too much like both of my parents. Now, if you knew my mom when she was little or have seen any pictures of her. You know that Micah looks almost exactly like her. ( If you wonder where his blond hair comes from, that's where. ) So, lets just set the record straight. No, Micah you aren't adopted! ( Like he is gonna read this! LOL ) They tell him time and time again. But, he is very stubborn! LOL

I can just hear a child like voice asking the Lord, " Jesus, am I adopted?" I can almost hear the master say " No child, you aren't adopted. I paid the price for you long ago. You are a blood bought child of mine!"
It almost makes you want to cry as you think about it. These are perilous times no one really knows what going to happen. People, Jobs, everything is so unstable. It is so nice to know that Jesus our Lord and King is a stable never changing father! And, no matter what happens he is in complete control of everything! We are his true blood children!!

I know that no matter what happens, I want to live my life for him! ( Definitely with his help!!!! ) He deserves all the glory for everything in my life! My singing and playing everything. There is a song by Marvin Sapp titled " Where would I be today?" That is a song that I think we can all sing!!!

Just some ramblings from me for today! LOL

We are home from camping. ( Read my moms blog for more details on that. ) We had a great time! I am glad to be home though! LOL

All my love,
Hannah

Most lessons are learned the hard way!

2008-10-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Micah has his little game boy thing. Now because Micah is the baby of the family, Thad and I try to watch out for him the best we can. We were on our way to the mountains with my Nana, Pop, and Sis Ed. ( Nana's best friend.) We went to eat lunch. Half of us went to Chinese the other half went to Mexican. Micah and I were among the Chinese group. He took his game boy thing. Of course, he left it on the table. So being the good sister I am, I put it in my purse. When we got out to the car he took it back. He and Thad were releasing some energy.( playing around ) He laid his DS on the bumper of the car. We had driven out of the parking lot when he screams " My DS." We went back to look for it and found it crushed in the parking lot. And of course he was very, very, very upset!!!! He cried nonstop and grieved about 40 mins. The sister in me wanted to reach out and hug him and tell him I would get him a new DS game boy thing. I didn't because I figured mom and dad had reasons that they weren't doing the same. So, later I ask mom why she had let him grieve like that. She said "cause Hannah if we hand him everything in life then he'll never learn these important lessons. Being irresponsible with your stuff gets it messed up."

You know, that's probably how God looks at it. We get ourselves in these situations and expect him to bale us out every time. Maybe sometimes he leaves us there a while and lets us learn lessons and gain strength. You know before we go to Africa, Micah will probably have a new DS game boy thing, when he learns his lesson. And you know...Just like God, when we learn our lesson, God's gonna come through. So, keep your trust in Jesus. And remember all good lessons are learned the hard way.

Love ya,
Hannah

GOD'S GOODNESS!!!!

2008-10-19T20:05:00.001-07:00

I just had to blog about this!!! GOD IS SOOOO AWESOME!
There is an elderly couple in my grandparents church. They are 80-90 years of age. ( Not sure exactly. ) The man is in his 90's and has Alzheimer's disease. The lady is in her 80's and has a lung disease. They thought the lady was going to die a few weeks ago and God helped her through. She is on oxygen now.

After lunch on Saturday afternoon the man went as usual to sit on the front porch in his rocking chair. The lady watch him from the window. She must have dozed off and when she woke he was gone. She looked for him but, could not find him. So, she called people to come help. They brought out helicopters and dogs and tons of people to look for him. They live by a gravel pit with lots of water around. In addition to Alzheimer's he also has diabetes. They could not find this man at all. They had heat sencers and everything. He was missing about 24 hrs.

After much prayer they found him!!!! The bigger thing was he was ok. He hadn't had his insulin shots or eaten anything in 24 hrs and he was gonna be alright!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't tell me my God doesn't answer prayer!!!!!

A man they thought was dead. He is home safe and OK!!!!!!!!!!! I am telling you whatever you need God can provide!!!!

I just thought I would share that praise report with you.
Love ya,
Hannah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

Thursday was my Daddy's birthday!!!!! I am a few days late I know. Sorry!!!!

I have the best Dad in the world! He is awesome!!!! Very anointed of God!!! I LOVE him sooooo much!!! Sometimes we don't get along but we make it through some how! LOL

I am not sure if you guys know how awesome my Dad is but, I do!!!!!!!! Now I am telling you! So if you haven't given your dad a hug today. Now iss the time to do so! I haven't said much cause my dad is the type of person that you just have to meet him to understand. Words aren't enough!

I LOVE YOU DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your little angel,
Hannah

Finally Here.....

2008-10-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

OK, after 18 months we are finally home! We are here trying to get our stuff packed. Today was our first day with the to do list. It goes on and on! I am starting to think it will never end! I am glad to be home though!
Just thinking about everything that has to be done is very very stressful! LOL Mom keeps reassuring me that we have time to do all this stuff but I am just not sure! I guess that where I need to pratice the "HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE" stuff.
That's probably how God feels. He tells us over and over just believe and trust. and instead of trusting we keep worrying about it. So whatever burden you are carrying or worrying about just lay it down and trust in Jesus. Let him have it!

I am gonna try to do the same and trust Mom! LOL
Love you all,
Hannah

LONG AND WINDING ROADS..Part 3..

2008-10-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hello All!!!

Well here's part 3. Mom and Dad have gone to do the missions conference. Thad, Micah, and I are home!!!! Aunt Nessie, Uncle Steve, and Cammie were so very very kind to come and retrieve us! LOL We met in Jackson, MS and reunited. Mom and Dad will be home Monday.

We are very thankful to be home!!!!!

Love you all,
Hannah

LONG AND WINDING ROADS..Part 2...Ordination...

2008-10-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

All aboard next stop ordination.... Welcome to the "Long and winding road" train stop. We will now travel to our next destination....Ordination...

The last 2 days mom and dad have spent in meetings. This is called outbound orientation. ( The name is self explanatory. LOL ) Today was the last day of meetings. Before all was said and done dad was ordained!!!! It was a pretty special day. Uncle Steve and Aunt Melody Gossage drove from the Indianapolis area to be at the ordination with us! To top everything off Bro Kenneth Haney and Bro Jerry Jones were at the ordination! HOW AWESOME IS THAT????

The ordination service was great!! Dad got a Bible, a Certificate, and a Towel. (The towel had his name embroidered on it, in BIG gold letters. It is sooo pretty!) Now for those of you who don't know what the towel means, I will tell you. ( I was a little confused myself!) The towel is the symbol of a servant. Why is that you may ask? A towel is used in foot washing. Who washes the feet??? A servant! We are to be servants of Christ. So there you have it!

The Lord moved in a mighty way in the service! Afterwards we spent a little while with the Gossages and the Cantrells. ( Missionaries to Berkina Faso.) We had a great time of fellowship! They are all awesome people!

We leave tomorrow for Texas and our Missions Conference with Bro Berks. Stay tuned for "Long and winding roads..Part 3."
Pictures for Part 2 can be found on my mothers blog spot. You can go to blogger buddies on my page and click on her name at the top. This will take you straight to her blog spot.
Love you all,
Hannah

LONG AND WINDING ROADS......Part 1...

2008-09-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember an older song. I am not sure the name of it. But, part of the chorus says " Long and winding road." Yeah, I know you need more than that. But,
that's all I know. Aunt Neesie you'll remember this one!

Well, I made my own version. Ready? It says.... " Long and winding roads never end!!!!" That's as far as I got. You are wondering what in the world does this have to do with anything? Well, give me a minute and I'll try explain. LOL

WE ARE DONE WITH DEP!!!! I thought about crying at the last service. But, I just couldn't find any tears. I know! I know! Pitiful! Being done means we have to go to Missouri. Which means we had a 26 hour drive from New Brunswick to Missouri. Which now leads to the song. Yesterday we did the bulk of the driving, 19 hrs worth. So, you now know what the song is about!

We thought we would never get here. We went from Woodstock, NB to Columbus, OH. We got up at 5:00 on Sunday morning and didn't get to Columbus till 12:30 AM. I thought we were never going to get there.
Needless to say we finally made it and we all crashed into the bed. Today we only had a 7 hr drive the rest of the way! We finally made it!!!! YAY!!!

NOTE: Please excuse our messy car. This is what it looks like when 5 people live in a car for a year and a half! LOL

Love you all,
Hannah

Just plain fun!!!

2008-09-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

We are here in Woodstock, New Brunswick! We have a Mission Conference with the Sully's. They are awesome people! They are so funny!!! We had a great service tonight! We gathered at their house afterwards for fellowship! I have posted a slide show of all the fun that went on!!! We are having a great time!!!!

It's only 1 more service until we are officially DONE with DEP!!! I can hardly wait!
Love Ya,
Hannah

Ok tell on me time......

2008-09-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

I always blog about everyone else. So, today I will let them get even. I am going to blog about my embarrassing moment in History!!!! ( OK there are usually about 1000 times a day I do something embarrassing! Like fall off the platform at church. In front of everyone. Or, squirt coffee creamer all over the pastors wife. But, SHHHHHH don't tell. Let everyone think I am graceful like my name means! )

We were getting ready to walk out the door. So, I was drinking a coke. Well, Mom was trying to ask dad if he had is glasses on. But, she couldn't think of the word. So, She looks at him and says "Honey do you have your flashlights on?" That's the only word she could think of. So you can probably guess what happened. I burst out laughing after just having taken a drink of coke. Well, I GRACEFULLY spit it all over mom. Not on purpose. But, if you haven't figured it out..........You can't have liquid in your mouth and laugh at the same time! It just don't work!!!! ( Yes, I am well aware of the wording in that sentence! That's my best Louisianian accent!!! Thank you Thank you. LOL ) So if you didn't know before, now you know. You can't take a drink and laugh at that same time! Sorry!!!

Hope this brought a laugh to your day!!!
Love Ya,
Hannah

Hello, Hello!!!! Anyone there???

2008-09-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is.......................If you stop by then leave your reply!

That's just a PAIN IN THE NECK!!!!

2008-09-24T12:43:00.001-07:00

Ok so, most of you may remember a couple of months ago my Dad had a slipped disk in his neck. If you saw him you know how he had to keep his head to the side. It was funny for all those who missed it!

Well this morning I was half asleep and my neck started hurting. I get this often and just roll my head around and it usually gets better. Well today I rolled my head around and thought I was going to pass out. It hurt soooo bad!!!!! So, after 5 mins of struggling to sit up. ( You try to get up from a laying position with a hurt neck and see how long it takes you! LOL ) I finally sat up and tried to move my head. OH MY WORD!!!! The pain. So I moan and dad looks at me and evidently realizes the problem. I have a crick in my neck. So, today I have been walking around with my head to the side. So, since we picked on him the whole time he had a pain in his neck. He nick named me "CAPTAIN CRICK."

So, now I have a couple of days to work out this stupid crick and get the pain out of my neck! Hope this story brightened your day. Ok maybe not but anyways.LOL
Love Ya,
Hannah

Inside Edition: My Life On DEP!

2008-09-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ok so, I decided that I would write a blog. Not knowing what to write about I have decided to tell you the truth about MY life on DEP. So this is the one and only inside edition scoop on " my life on dep. " ( Can't you just hear the music in the background? )LOL

Ok so here it goes. I have had soooo much fun seeing all the sites that we have been so BLESSED to see. Sights that if you were not on DEP you might not see. It has been amazing! But, theres also the down side. Ok on Sundays I am not as tired as my parents are. Why because, I don't do as much. I am not my Mom trying her best and doing a great job of telling this amazing story. I am not my Dad preaching my guts out trying to give the message that God has laid on his heart. He does such an awesome job! He is sooooo anointed they both are!

On long drives I am not as exhausted as they are. Why because I get to sleep the whole way to wherever we are going! I don't have to keep the car in my lane. I don't have to watch the gas. I don't have to make sure that the GPS is taking us the right way.

I am not as phone weary as my dad is. Why because, I don't have a million and 1 people to call. I don't have to make arrangements. I don't have to figure out what to do next!

I am not sick of doing paper work as is my Mom. Why because, I don't have a ton of paper work to deal with.

Ok what happened this blog was supposed to be about my life on DEP. How did it get turned around? It got turned around because I have the 2 best parents in the WORLD! So, what I should have named this blog.........Inside Edition: My Parents Life On DEP!
And to think they do all this stuff and still manage to keep going! WOW! How amazing!
I love them. And if you can't tell this blog is a standing ovation to my Mom and Dad! I would clap but, it would prob wake everyone up. Just know that I am clapping in my head.

So, you see theres no down side to my life! It has been great!
Thanks Mom and Dad for all you guys do!!! We love you!

Love you Mom and Dad,
Hannah

Ummmmm????

2008-09-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

We are in Canada. It's chilly here. I can where a long sleeve shirt and a jacket at the same time and not burn slap up.lol The leaves are starting to change. The beautiful oranges, reds, greens, and browns ring out to God's majesty!

We only have a week left tomorrow before DEP is officially over. Yes, we have 1 more preaching point to stop at. I am so excited!!!

Ummm??? Hmmm??? Okay I have nothing else to say sooooo. I will leave you guys with that for tonight.
Love you all,
Hannah

The Sock Theory???

2008-09-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

OK so, it's 1:30 am here. Maybe that's why I had this crazy thought and decided to blog about it. Whatever the reason, Please Forgive Me for my silliness!LOL

So just a few moments ago I was cold. So, I got a pair of socks out of my bag. They had a hole in them. So, here comes the thought. Okay get ready this is a shocker. I really don't care if my socks have a hole in them. I just want them to do what they were designed to do! Keep my feet warm!

So, I am really going to try to make this make some sense cause it's kinda stupid.

Maybe that's the way God looks at us. He doesn't care if we have some wear n' tear scares. He just wants us to do what he made us to do. That's serve him.

I know I know, i'm getting really deep!LOL

So, I will go to bed now. I think I need to that's why I had to post such silliness.
Love Ya,
Hannah

P.S. The spiritual stuff wasn't intended it just sorta came to me! LOL

Canada sighted!!

2008-09-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Ok I have been on quite a few "long" drives in my time. But, this trip to New Brunswick, Canada has seemed very LONG.LOL It was only 15 hours. Not near as long as our treck from Nebraska to California. ( We only had 2 days to make it. And, we had a service the 2nd day! Ok so we didn't make the service. But, we drove a long time.)

Today we spotted the Canadian border. You began to think ok we passed the border we're there right!!!!! Wrong we still had 2 hours to go. But, needless to say we made it. The place we are staying is gorgeous!!!

So, thus the name for the blog. Canada is sighted by the Benson's.LOL

I just wanted to let everyone know that my Aunt Kim who was pregnant and on bed rested, had her baby. She's a beautiful sweet little baby girl named Laci Lynette.
I have posted a picture of her. They thought that there was going to be complications. They had a bunch of people in the room ready for whatever. But, people started praying. And, their was no complications at all!!! Praise the Lord.

Please continue to pray for my Aunt Theresa who has cancer. That's my next praise report by faith!!!

Ok I just have to say this. My dad was just on the phone with a pastor and he says. ( Thank you brother for the room. It's beautiful......I guess we will come to the service tonight.) Keep in mind we are scheduled at this church tonight.LOLOLOL hahahaha Poor guy he really didn't mean it the way it came out.

Love Ya, Hannah

Pennsylvania...

2008-09-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

I have posted some pictures of the Pennsyvania Amish! Hope you enjoy!
Love ya, Hannah

No Subject...

2008-09-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
Hope you had a great week! We are in West Virgina. We will head to Pennsylvania tomorrow. YAY!!! I am so excited! If you do not know Pennsylvania houses one of the largest Amish communities in the USA. It is not the largest though. I think the largest happens to be in Ohio. I could be wrong though.

We will be in Pennsylvania for a week then we head to New Brunswick, Canada. We only have about 4 weeks of DEP left. I just can't believe it. The Lord has certainly blessed us with a good deputation.

While we are in Pennsylvania it is a good possibility that we will not have Internet service. So, I may not be able to post for a while. But, rest assured that if we do not have Internet, when we get it, I will certainly post pics of the Amish!

I hope you all continue to have a great week!!! Please be in prayer for my Aunt Kim. She is due to have her baby soon and she is on strict bed rest. As, most of you know they got a lot of Gustav. They are still trying to recover from this. Also, be in prayer for my Aunt Theresa. She has cancer and needs a miracle from God. WE KNOW HE CAN PERFORM! And please be in prayer for this last leg of DEP. Pray that God will supply all of our PIM needs.

I thank you all for your constant prayers. We can certainly feel them!
Love you all,
Hannah

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

Okay some of you may not know this but, my mother has a birthday coming up!!! She will turn 39. So I am dedicating my blog for a whole week to my mother as my gift to her!!!

Here's a little bit about my mother. My mom where can I start? My mom is a wonderful person. Shes real she doesn't befriend you one day and talk about you the next. She the same every time you see her. She loves her family. She loves "her" country!!! ( Central African Republic ) She is a GREAT speaker. She will blow the socks off your feet when she tells the story of the CAR. My mother is the prettiest mother in the world!!! She is the best mom there is. You want to know why shes the best??? Because shes my mother. She loves people. MY MOM IS AWESOME!!!!

When she prays you can feel the power of God!! She and my dad are the best! I love them both so much!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy the pics of my AWESOME mother! I don't have any pics of her in the CAR so, I put soem of her favorite pics from there on here!

So, Mom on this wonderful day, I just want to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

Happy Birthday!
Love Ya,
Hannah

The Amish!!!

2008-08-29T17:34:00.001-07:00

Okay if you know me you know I LOVE the Amish!!! Today we went to Berlin,OH. We ate at a Fabulous Amish restaurant. ( Miss Yoders Kitchen. ) After our great meal we drove the back roads of Berlin. Because the Amish do not like to be photographed we tried to take pictures where their faces would not be revealed. We took pictures from a distance using our zoom lens. They were unaware of our picture taking. I had a wonderful time! Hope you enjoy my pics.

Please pray for Louisiana and the huricane that is trying to make way there.
Love Ya,
Hannah

I Match, You Match, We all Match!!!

2008-08-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

The other day Mom and I were in the women's clothing section in walmart. We saw this really cute skirt but, we had to go. So, we went back today. I didn't like the skirt so, I got the jacket. I was originally going to get blue but, I got gray. After we got to the hotel Mom got to looking at it and she really liked it. She wanted to get blue. So, we get there and she doesn't like the skirt so, she just got the jacket. The same grey jacket I have!

So we decided to be twins tonight. I have posted a few pics of our outfits. My "pop color" as we call it is a lime green. Mom just has black and grey. I have grey pointy toe heels. Mom has black peep toe heels. I have a black skirt. Mom has a black dress.

I also have a pic of our trip across the border into the USA! Their are a few pics of church as well. ENJOY!!!

Love Ya,
Hannah

We're Back!!!

2008-08-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Okay!!! We are back in the good ole US of A!!! We had a wonderful time in Canada!! It was fun. I loved Toronto.

Our phones are turned back on. I feel connected to the outside world again!LOL Well I just wanted to say we are home.
Hope everyone had a great week!!!
Love Ya,
Hannah

Warning: Don't play with the creamer!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a little embarrassing story for you...
This story took place a couple of months ago.

We had went to church and, had a great service. We had gone out to eat with the Pastor. A couple of other people had come. When they all left we were still talking with the Pastor. Well, if you know anything about me you probably know 2 things I am clumsy and I love to cook!!! On DEP I never have a kitchen to cook in. So, I improvise. I mix anything I can find together. I know it's a little immature. But, it helps when you can't cook real food. I also play with the little coffee creamers in the restaurants.

So, this one particular night I was playing with the creamer. The Pastors wife was sitting right next to me. I was trying to somehow get a hole poked in the creamer. Well, all of a sudden it squirted all over the Pastor wife! She had on this really pretty dark blue jacket. And, it is dotted with white creamer. It got in her hair. IT got everywhere! At first I was shocked. The Pastors wife started laughing. The Pastor was almost rolling on the floor he was laughing so hard! Mom sat with her mouth open and dad was just sitting there. I just burst into tears. I really didn't find anything funny!

It's a good thing we had been to that Pastors church more than once, and had become good friends!LOL She was so sweet she was very forgiving and very understanding! Needless to say I haven't played with creamer since!

Just to let you know this same night I fell coming off the platform! In front of the whole church!Yeah I know!!! Right after doing a really good job playing the piano. Well, that's one way to get rid of pride!!!
Well, I hope my little story brought laughter to your morning!

Love ya,
Hannah

Niagara Falls

2008-08-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

We went to Niagara Falls yesterday. It was awesome!!! Our first stop to tour was the Butterfly Sanctuary. It beautiful!!! All different kinds of butterfly's. Just awesome!

Then we got on the tour bus and went to "Maid of the Mist" boat tour. First we passed the American Falls the we went into heavy rain like mist. If you didn't wear a rain coat you would be drenched! At first you couldn't see anything but, as we neared the Canadian Falls you were able to see more. WE were not able to take very many pics on the boat ride because of the mist. When you got inside the very dense foggy like mist it was like you disappeared. You were not able to see the boat that was in the mist from land. The water was so ruff! It was a little scary because you knew if the boat went down the current would pull you down no fighting! But, we made it. There is one pic of what looks like a whorl pool. That's the water inside the mist.

As you can see by the pics our God created some beautiful "stuff!" Hope you all enjoy the pics!

Love Ya,
Hannah

Warning: Beware of the Bear!!!

2008-08-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

The hotel we stayed at last night was above a grocery/mall. The Pastor told my mom and dad a story about the grocery/mall under our hotel. He told them that one day 2 bears just up and walked in the grocery store. 1 came in the front and 1 came in the back door. He also told them that just last week he had a bear on his front lawn. Thad and I stayed home from church because Thad wasn't feeling well. So, we didn't know about the bear problem!

So, today we stopped at MCD's for lunch. They had a beautiful picnic area behind the MDC's. So, we decided to eat our lunch there. Mom ask the lady in MCD's if they had bear problems before we got out of the car. The lady's reply, " Not sense we moved the garbage can away!" I was wondering why mom was asking the lady about bears. ( They still hadn't told us that they were having trouble with bears in that town!) So, we get out of the car. I ask mom " Why did you ask her about bears?" She told me the story. So, the whole time we were eating, we were looking around for the bear!

Mom and dad were sitting with their backs facing the woods. ( Mom jumped every time there was a sound of any kind.) So, I thought I would play a trick on her. I made my eyes really big and I said in a low voice," Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." Mom just about broke her neck as she turned around so fast!lol Just Kidding she didn't almost break her neck. But, it was funny!

Needless to say we did not see a bear! But, when you come to Elliot Lake " Beware of the Bear"!

Love Ya
Hannah

Sorry!!!

2008-08-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Well I made a mistake and I apologize. We are going to Niagara Falls tomorrow. We had a really long drive today. So, we couldn't go.

Canada continues to be beautiful! The weather has been so nice! Today I wore a jacket most of the day. It has been a while since I have done that!lol

Well everyone, nothing exciting happened today. We just rode all day. So I will post more later after the Falls!

Love Ya,
Hannah

Canada...

2008-08-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today We crossed the Canadian border. As we neared we had to turn our phones off. ( 79 cents a minute in Canada. What would you do!lol ) For the first time on dep I felt as if I had lost connection with the outside world! LOL We got to the border and had to go to immigration. The guy was doing his job asking us about why we were coming in, when we were leaving ect. My nerves were on edge. If you have ever watched "Anne of Green Gables" the one where Gill goes to war and she is trying to find him. You know she gets arrested for being a so called "spy" at the German border.lol Now we are no spy's but, I just couldn't help feeling the anticipation all over again. ( The anticipation I felt when I watched the movie I mean. LOL ) Silly I know but that's was my experience at the border. LOL We had absolutely no problem at all but, you all know me. I am a bit dramatic!LOL

Canada has been nothing but beautiful. The whole drive has been gorgeous! Ok Ok I'll post some pics for you all. Oh and, the weather has not gotten above 65 today!
Tomorrow we go see Niagara Falls! I will post pics then too!

Today we got some Canadian change. Can anyone guess the names? Theres a one dollar coin called a looney and a 2 dollar coin called a tooney! What a hoot. How funny was that! So when we got to the room I said "mom I have a looney and a tooney"!lol

Love You All,
Hannah

Church!!!!

2008-08-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Ok so, we go to church tonight right. Great to go to church I love church!! When we get there we have a WONDERFUL service!!! Praise and worship is just absolutely wonderful!!

Guess who's church we went to. Can you guess??? We went to the Sjostrand's church. You know Sis Janice Sjostrand. I never put 2 and 2 together. Never!!! ( We all know how clueless I am! ) So we have a great service!

We are eating and the youth start talking about their "claim to fame"lol. Their claim is Alabaster box. You know me like a dummy I ask why. The girl looks at me and goes my mom wrote that song. I am like shut up you are kidding me right. I have searched and searched for the chords to that song on the Internet forever and ever. Here I am having supper with the lady that wrote it! To think I almost missed it. I was flipping out all over the restaurant!lol

I heard the lady we were staying with talking about how Sis Sjostrand spoke at GC. I just never in a million years would have thought that we would go to their church... I mean we are from Bogalusa for heavens sake!

So, you know me I got a pic. I am just like elated!!!!!!!!!

You know I don't want my pic taken with famous people movie stars all of them. I want my pic taken with people who are living their lives to the fullest for God! I am so excited to post this pic on here!!!

Oh yeah! The Lord blessed us with wonderful PIM and project!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful night!
Love Ya,
Hannah

Beautiful God!!!!!!!!

2008-08-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

We have been in a beautiful retreat for the last week! We are in Ohio. We have been staying in a guest house. The land was beautiful! The weather was beautiful! As we looked at everything that our Beautiful God created!!! It was just beautiful!lol

We are heading to Canada tomorrow. We got a great project offering this morning!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!! We have a service tonight. We might be going to see Niagara Falls!!! I am SSSSOOOOOOOOOOO excited! I will post pics for everyone if and when we go see.

I am happy to announce......WE HAVE FINALLY FINISHED SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took my last math test on Wednesday! I just can't believe it!!!!

Please continue to pray for us as we finish the last 6 weeks of DEP. Pray that we will get all the PIMS we need and pray that we will get our project raised.

Also please pray for my Aunt Theresa she has cancer and will be going through kemo. Her daughter has battled this cancer. Aunt Theresa will appreciate all your prayers! Also pray for my Aunt Kim she is in her last few months of pregnancy and she is on strict bed rest because of high blood pressure. Please continue to pray for Timo as well.

We love and appreciate you all!!
Love Yas,
Hannah

Praise the Lord!!!

2008-08-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!!! We are in Ohio!!! We are enjoying the beautiful weather!!!HAHAHAHA We don't have Internet. We are having to come to MCD'S to get Internet. So I might not post for a little bit. If I get a little Internet I'll post to let you all know we are still here!

Small update on Timo. ( African MK who had meningitis. ) He was released from the hospital today! PRAISE THE LORD!!! He has come along way. He still has a ways to go in his recovery. Please continue to pray. The Simoneauxs will return to the states for further therapy. He has made immense progress!!!

I will post again pics of Canada and the Amish!!!

Love Ya,
Hannah

2008-08-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

Cooling water.......cooling weather!!!

2008-08-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

We traveled from Tennessee to Ohio. We had about an 8 hour trip. I slept most of the way since I didn't sleep much last night.

When we got here mom and I hit the computer. Since we hadn't had Internet for about two week. We had a lot to catch up on. When we finished we decided we were hungry. So we went to the famous DQ. ( Dairy Queen ) We ate and decided we wanted ice cream. Yum So since the weather is sssssssssssssooooooooooooooo nice we ate our ice cream outside on the tables. Thursday we had a cool front come through. So today on our way up here the weather was like 85 or 87. So, we ate our ice cream in the very very cool weather.

To all my friends and family down in hot muggy Louisiana I say. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your loss.

I am so excited to be going to Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks. We will be going to Lancaster county. That's where the Amish are. Mother and I have a big fascination with the Amish. We have read lots of books written by Beverly Lewis. We are going to Canada in a couple of weeks. Crossing the border. YAY!!!!

So everyone that's the latest news for the Benson's. Hope you all are having a great day.

Love Ya,

Vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I have been on vacation!! Please continue to pray for the Simoneauxs.

Well, we went to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. We met my mom's parents there. We went to the Comedy Barn, Unto These Hills Drama, and the Dixie Stamped. We had a great time. The
Comedy Barn was hilarious. Dixie Stamped was so worth it.

The first day we got there we went to eat. We were leaving the restaurant. You know those people who stand around trying to get you to come tour these time share resort things. ( You know the ones you run from. ) Well, they caught mom and dad. I bet those people promised them the world. They said we'll give you 6 tickets to the Comedy Barn for twenty dollars. We'll also give you a three day two night free vacation. Well, you all know my parents. They agreed. Not only did they agree to go tour this place, but they stood there talking forever. I went to the car and told nana it was the tickets that got em. Nana said, "those tickets!" So, the next day mom and dad went to go tour this place. They are only supposed to keep them 90 mins. Well two hours later mom and dad arrive back at the cabin with the tickets and the vacation. We were at a gas station getting gas that night after the Comedy Barn. Another one of those guys comes up. ( a different resort thingy though.) Trying everywhere to get them to come. They told him no and he leaves. Yay!!!

We went to visit a place my mom used to go on vacation called Sliding Rock. On our way my nana thought she could remember the way by memory. ( She had went there last year on her vacation. ) Well we get to going and we stop for lunch. There was a major discussion between my Mom and Nana about which way we should go. lol So we get to going and Nanna says turn off of 276 to 215. " I think it's down this road" she says. So we come into road construction and dad ask the dude is this the road Sliding Rock is on? He looks at dad with big eyes " yes " he replys. It's in another county. Like another county is 1000 miles away. ( Lets stop and think for a minute. You have traveled all across the country. Another county just isn't that far. I mean come on. Like DA!!! ) So we get to going and we go and we go and we go. We never find it. So we stop at a gas station and ask. The guy tells us the way to go. We thinking we are smart finally have something to put in the GPS. ( We didn't have a specific address to put in the GPS. ) So the nice boss lady GPS gives us a short cut. So we take the " short cut ". So the road is up and down and holes you can put 4 wheelers inside of. A gravel, narrow road we are going down in a dodge darango. So we come to this house this kid comes running out with his mouth wide open looking like a deer in headlights. Then comes his dad or grandpa looking not so friendly. We ask them if this road goes out to 215. Yeah was their scruffy mean reply. So we go a few feet and theirs this weirdo standing at the top of the hill looking out over the house road whatever. Then we get back to 215 and we look back and theirs a sign that reads no cars past this point. What do you think they were doing back there? So we get back to 276 and a few miles we find Sliding Rock in Pisga National park. It took about 4 hours to get to hours away. Needless to say we turned off the road we were supposed to be on. It was hilarious. We played for about an hour and then we went to Unto These Hills in Cherokee. It was good.

Well, if you didn't find our little adventure funny then, I guess you just had to be there.lol

Love you all,

Hannah
P.S. I'll put a slide show up later.

Great News!!!!

2008-08-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

As most everyone already knows we have been praying for Timothy Simoneaux. He has been battling bacterial meningitis he was very critical a couple of days ago. Timo is doing much much better. We still need to continue to pray! God is working on Timo but, he has come such a long way. If you would like more details you can visit his mother, Sis Vicki Simoneaux's blog or his aunt, Sis Tracie Smith's blog. You can link to Sis Vicki's blog from mine and to Sis Tracie's blog from Sis Vicki's.

I probably won't be able to blog for a while because we won't have Internet. So if in this time I do get Internet then I will drop a line to let everyone know we are still here.lol

Please continue to pray for Timo!

Love you all,
Hannah

Our Trip!!!!!!

2008-07-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

We found out a couple of days ago that we were close to Lambert's. ( Home of the throwed rolls. ) So, for the last couple of days Mom and Dad have wanted to go. After Micah received the Holy Ghost last night, we decided to go to Lambert's and celebrate today. It's only like and hour and 45 mins away. We said no big deal. We can do it, right?????? NOOOOOOOO!!!!

Bro. Spencer ( the Pastor we had a service with last night ) told us an easier, shorter, way to go. Get this, he even gave us a map quest map. Okay.... So, we get in the car today about 11:30 or 12, some time around there. Dad realized he forgot the paper. So, he runs in to get it.....He can't find it. So, we say it's only like a 20or 30 min difference. We'll just go by the GPS. ( Global Positioning System ) So, we get to going and we miss our turn. We are still on an interstate that can get us to Sikeston. So, we stay there. Well, we get to where we are supposed to take a ferry. Well, the ferry doesn't run. Probably because they built a bridge, we later thought. We decided not to ask so we wouldn't feel so stupid. We have to go along the Mississippi River, which cost us like 50 miles. We get to see the Delta Land. YYYYYAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!!! ( not ) So, we finally after about 3 hours we get there. We eat. It was good. We get in the car and mom gets out the atlas and finds a really good way to go. And, it works ,right???? ( She thought she was being so smart. ) So, we get to going and the bridge is out. But, the have a detour. No biggy, right??? No, the detour isn't marked. ( The roads that you are supposed to take for the detour I mean. ) So, we end up in the middle of a dead end road in a corn field. ( We decided we were probably in trouble when the crop duster was above us spraying the fields. ) Okay, we are starting to get worried. But, we turn around and go the other way. We end up at a dead end gas station. The good news gas was 2.87. The bad news the station was closed down. So ,then we find an up and running station and go in and ask them how the detour is really supposed to go. They must be really used to this because they have printed up pieces of paper that tell you what to do. They hand them to you when you walk in the door and ask. There was also a man headed to Nashville. So, we followed him till we had to turn off. We finally got home. After being in 4 states, ( Tenn, MO, Ill, Ken ) and going on a trip that was only supposed to take 3 or 4 hours. We rolled into the EQ at 6 in the evening. It took us about 6 or 7 hours to go what should have taken 3 or 4 hours at the most. We didn't even stop to shop.

Needless to say, I am not ready to go eat at Lambert's again for a while! Thank the Lord! We made it though. I honestly wasn't sure if we were going to get home before 11 pm. lol

Hope you all get where your going and back in decent time.lol

Love ya,

Hannah

Praise the Lord!!!!!

2008-07-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

Well, first of all I want to make it known that I was the first ( before mom ) to get this on my blog!!!! Yeah!!!

For a while Micah has declared that he has half the Holy Ghost. We have tried and tried to explain to him Micah you either have it or you don't there's no in between.lol He has always said "no I have half the Holy Ghost". So at the beginning of this year God gave mom the promise that this year Micah was going to be filled with the " whole" Holy Ghost.lol

Well, tonight Micah was running the isle and, he felt that Jesus told him he was going to get the Holy Ghost tonight. So he came back and told mom.

Tonight at the alter call he was up praying and mom leaned down to pray with him and he started praying really hard. I was at the piano playing, Thad was on the drums, and Dad was praying for people. Well, when I saw he was getting close I got the piano player to come play, Thad left the drums, and Dad was already there. I just about fell out in the floor and all the sudden Dad lets out this big whoop and he starts jumping around and hooping and hollering. I realized Micah had gotten "it". By the time I got my barrens together and looked up Micah had already stopped speaking in tongues and had this amazed look on his face.

So we all started jumping around praising God. Well, the Pastor gives Micah the mic I am thinking oh Lord he's gonna preach. ( we all know Micah ) He gets up there and says " you all know I got the Holy Ghost for the first time tonight " hands the mic back to the pastor and walks down. I said to him after service " Micah I thought you were gonna preach " he says " Hannah I could barely talk ."lol

I leaned over and told him " Micah you now have the whole Holy Ghost!" So that's our victory report for tonight.

Oh yeah we had 2 great services!

Love Ya,

Hannah

My tribute to DEP....

2008-07-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well after 15 months we are finally on the last ten weeks of this dep trail. It has been a trip. We have met some awesome people, been to some wonderful churches, seen some beautiful sights. But, we have also met some interesting people,been to some different churches, and have seen some unmentionable sights. I am thankful for the good times and bad. We are experiencing things that will equipe us for our future in the ministry. ( Hannah, Thad, and Micah that is. )

As I think back over the last few months things that at the time seemed horrible now seem hilarious. I am sad and excited to be nearing the end. I know that as this adventure ends another one is slowly unfolding. I still have a hard time believing that at the end of this year we will be boarding a plane that is Africa bound. I am so excited. I hope to be able to work with the children and maybe a little bit of music ministry.

I think that I have gotten out of focus of my ministry these past few months. Maybe because I have gotten into the same ole same ole routine. I am getting back into focus as I regain my passion for the African children. I do have to give credit where credit is do. I read Timo Simoneaux's blog and it pricked my heart, as i realized I had let my passion slip. Thanks Timo for reminding me what God has called me to do.

Well it's almost over. Thanks for stopping by and read my babbles.lol

Love Ya, Hannah

.............

2008-07-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
We are still in Louisiana. We currently are having to go to an office to check our email. So that means I am not blogging. We are going to Tennessee next week. We will be staying in evangelist quarters and so on and so forth. This means that I will not have Internet for the next 3 weeks. If we happen to stay in a hotel then I will slip a little blog in to let everyone know we are still alive.lol

We had a great service last night!!!!! There was a wonderful spirit of God. We raised a good amount for our new project. Now let me tell you about these projects. When you start on Deputation you get a bunch of green forms ( you give these to people who would like to send money in for your project) these green forms usually have about 5 or 6 projects you have to raise on them. When you finish one project you automatically have to start a new one. Right now we have just started to raise evangelism.

I am the official money begger or project raiser in the family. We just switched from shipping to evangelism, which means I have to get a whole new speech. I finally got it together last night. Sunday night was a flop.lol Well I am sure you guys just found this so interesting.lol Hope everyone is doing great!!!

Love ya, God bless ,
Piano Player

Hey Everyone!!!

2008-07-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

Helllooo Out there!!!!
We are in Louisiana. I don't have very much Internet access right now. So for the rest of this week and next week it is highly unlikely that I will be posting very much. Also to let everyone know I am experiencing technical difficulties with my comments at the moment. Please bear with me at as I try to fix this incident.
TTFN tata tata for now,
Hannah

( Yes these are sayings from tiger on Winnie the pooh! lol )

Gonna Get Spiritual!!!

2008-07-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Ok once I get this out the way I am gonna get spiritual. Ok I am using some quotes from some famous people. I got these out of my history book. If anyone is offended because I don't have the guys names on there please let me know. I have them written down but, they are in the car. That is outside the car so that's not gonna happen now. Besides the guys have gone on to glory. ( That means they are dead for all you simple people. )

Ok here it goes.........

Some famous guy that I learned about in history. ( He was in my history book so, he must be famous. ) Said that " Matter is not consumed by fire but, merely changes form ". ( Not the original words but, I can't remember the precise words so.... ) If you are in the heat of the fire and you feel like you are being burnt to a crisp remember. You aren't going to be consumed by the fire I promise.

You know when people ask me the most popular and " hated" question by MP's, are you afraid to go to Africa. ( Or any other country. ) I tell them you know God isn't going to take you where He can't keep you. That co insides with the quotation. So now stop worrying God won't put you in a fire He can't take you through.

Another history book famous guy spoke about "survival of the fittest". So remember no matter what if you can just hold your head up. You are going to be one of the fittest. lol

Now listen to Still Standing by Lakewood at the bottom of my blog on my play list. Turn that frown upside down and get on your with your day. Are you gonna let some little something ruin your blessed in Jesus name day?????

Love you guys,
Piano Player

Hey Hey Hey!!!!

2008-07-05T14:50:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,
After a week with no Internet here I am..... We are in Texas now. We are headed to Louisiana on Monday. I have no new news. I know I know....Hannah your life is supposed to be interesting, your supposed to have some funny stories. Well I am afraid I don't. So when I get some I promise I will update. Until then.....TTFN Tata tata for now.
Love Ya,
Piano Player

2008-07-03T16:57:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,
I haven't had time to post. We are having to go to McDonald's for Internet. I promise as soon as we get in a hotel I will post.
Love,
Piano Player

Someone in my Position....

2008-06-23T16:49:00.001-07:00

Just to let everyone know I will be using the New Living Translation.

Nehemiah 6: 4-9 says......

"Four times they sent me the same massage each time I gave the same reply. The fifth time, Sandballat's servant came with an open letter in his hand. and this is what it said."

"There is a rumor among the surrounding nations and Geshem, tell me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his report, you plan to be their king. He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, LOOK! There is a king in Judah.
You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so i suggest that you come and talk it over with me."

"I replied" " There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing. "

OK here's the part I like....

" They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and STOP THE WORK. SO I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH EVEN GREATER DETERMINATION."

You see I was taught as a young child that the Angels talk. When you are stepping into a new dimension or into your destiny the Angels are rejoicing talking whatever you want to call it.. You see the devil and all his demons were once Angels themselves so they speak the Angelic language.

Right now it may seem people or the devil are talking about or telling you lies about yourself. The reason this is going on is because you are stepping into a new dimension. So don't let whatever it is get you down. They are just lies from hell.

At another time someone came to Nehemiah and said... ( I am going to skip who's grandson he is..okay)
In Nehemiah 6: 10-11 It says...

" Later I went to visit Shemaiah who was confined to his home. He said " Let us meet together inside the temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight."

Listen to what Nehemiah said....

" SHOULD SOMEONE IN MY POSITION RUN FROM DANGER? SHOULD SOMEONE IN MY POSITION ENTER THE TEMPLE TO SAVE HIS LIFE? NO I WON'T DO IT!!!"
He also says...

" I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophesy to me because Sandballat and Tobiah had hired him. They were hoping intimidate me and make me sin. They would be able to accuse and discredit me."

So you see even Nehemiah had problems when all he was trying to do was help God's people.

Here's what GOD did to those people....

In Nehemiah 7:61-62

This is when the people of Israel are coming back from Babylon. The people had to prove that they were descendants of Israel..

It says...
"Another group returned at this time from the towns of Tel-Melah...ect... However they could not prove that they or their families were descendants of Israel.. This group included the families of Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda all these were 652 peoples

They were all servants of the king and, Tobiah was the one who tried to get Nehemiah to run from the danger, God had already promised to protect him from.

So if someone is doing you wrong when you are trying to do right.....just wait if you keep a right attitude and let God handle it....then he will pay them back..

Remember "Revenge is mine thus saith the Lord."

Love you guys,
Piano Player

Hey I am Back....

2008-06-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
I have been at camp for the past week. The services were awesome!!!!! The speakers were Rusty or Russel something or other in the day and Brent Keeding at the night services. They were awesome and their sermons went hand in hand. The theme of the camp was identity.

I can't say that I have any funny stories or anything like that but, God moved in an awesome way. He confirmed and gave peace He performed miracles. He did some great things. I have some picts but they are on a disposable camera so it might take a while to get developed and on a cd. I will do my best to get them though.

Hope everyone is doing great..

Love Ya,
Piano Player

I Long For the Day When..........

2008-06-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Okay here are a few things I have been without for the past 14 months.( I want it all back!!!! A song by Gateway. )

I long for the day when 5 people can move about without running into each other.

I long for the day when I can cook whatever I want whenever I want.

I long for the day when I can sleep in and not worry about check out times.

I long of for the day when we can eat a meal without being interrupted with people doing their job.

I long for the day when going to church doesn't require a project board a table and a DVD presentation.

I long for the day when we can put faces with the names in the story my mom tells in church.

I long for the day when my dad has no one to call.

I long for a DRESSER and a CLOSET for my clothes.

I long for the day when we can dump the trailer in a lake and not think about where our clothes are going to go. ( This will probably never happen. )

I long for the day when my dad will get up to preach and I don't already know where to turn for the scripture text.

I long for the day when my mom gets up in church and tells a different story....LOL

I long for the day when I don't have a choice but to wear a different out fit to church everyday Sunday.

I long for the day when you can jump on the bed and not be worried about mom writing on her paper work.

I long for the day when going to church dosen't require raising MONEY.

I long for the day when we can shred the green and yellow forms. ( I will be taking pictures of that. )

I may not be able to ride around the santuary in a Golf Cart but getting on the plane will be fine with me.lol ( Aunt Vicki... )

Will this day ever get here? Will it ever come. Well I am not sure if it will before the Lord gets back but, what is better than going from a vacation that never ends to walking on streets of gold. ( If you are an MP and you didn't get that then please leave me a comment and I will explain further. LOL )

I am the more loved today!!!!!

2008-06-07T17:14:00.001-07:00

Well our family has this thing. ( Just an example not a true story ) Say mom and I go out alone and I get some gum. We go home and the boys see I have candy then they say wheres our candy.???? Then mom says we love her more.

( Now for the true story. ) So dad has been teaching me to pump gas. I get out the car to pump and Thad says no I want to do it. Dad lets me do it. So Thad continues to be very upset about it all. Dad goes we love her more today.lol ( Not that it's true. Mom and dad just got tired of the pouting.lol ) So we got to the hotel. Thad is still upset. So I being the nice wonderful sister I am make up this wonderful song. So that's the point of this whole blog....Ready..................

I am the beloved child, So i'm singing my tune, They love me more, For today anyway!!!!!!!!!! YAY

I will let you know who is loved more tomorrow.
Love ya,
Piano Player

Our Windy Day......

2008-06-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today the wind was blowing at least 40 miles and hour. Mom looks back at me and starts yelling,"Hannah has a gray hair." I said, "no I don't. show me." So she pulls it out. This wiry gray hair. It was flopping in the wind. I hope I don't go gray before I am 30. ( Please Lord!!! )

So, like I said. The wind has been blowing very hard. We start loading the trailer. Just as we get close to the trailer, things start falling off the cart. All the shoes, the dirty clothes bag, ( all the clothes start falling out ). We finally get all that where it goes. We go to put our hang up clothes in the back. We unlock it and the door all of the sudden flies open. Hundreds of bookmarkers start flying everywhere. The case they are in flies under the trailer. We are chasing the bookmarks and we can't get the case.

We finally get all most all of them picked up and the rack that has our hanging clothes on it starts rolling away. So, I start running for it and my shoe falls off. Can you picture this? A luggage rack rolling away, with me chasing it with one shoe one and one shoe off. It was a sight to behold!

Well, I hope each and everyone of you are doing well.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel along.

Love,
Piano Player

The Voice of Truth.....

2008-06-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

Casting Crowns has a song call "The Voice of Truth." ( you guys are gonna think I only listen to Casting Crowns ) Here's the chorus.........

The voice of truth tells me a different story,

The voice of truth says do not be afraid.

The voice of says THIS IS FOR MY GLORY.

Out of all the voices calling out to me.

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

Can anyone tell what line I like the best?

I often wonder why we are having to wait 4 years to go back. Why does my dad have to go through so much pain. ( He is MMMUUUCCCHHH better thank you for your prayers. )

Why do we have to go through what we what we go through. Why do we fight what we fight.

But, the voice of truth says this is for my glory.

You know we hear all the time God's on your side. He won't put on you more than you can bear.

He loves you. He's on your side. But, it's when you hear songs like this you know they aren't just words they are true.

So I challenge you if you or someone you know is going through something. Be encouraged GOD IS!!! ON YOUR SIDE. The voice of truth says do not be afraid!!!

I pray God blesses you all.

Love ya,

Piano Player

Happy Birthday Sis Cylinda!!!

2008-06-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you a Happy Birthday to you may you feel Jesus near every day of the year Happy Birthday to you a Happy Birthday to you and the best year you've ever had....

Happy Birthday.....

Thanks for being there for us Mk's Sis Cylinda. We love you. The mk's to the CAR appreciate you!!!!!!!!

( I don't have a pic of you so I will put a pic of us singing to you! )

Love,

The Mk's to the CAR

Urgent!!!

2008-06-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Urgent prayer request!!!

My dad woke up this morning with severe pain in his left shoulder. After about and hour and a half of prayer and waiting, they decide to go to the emergency room. When they get there they give him 2 shots of morphine and something else ( not sure what ) the pain eases some but, not all the way. They do x'rays and decide he has a pinched nerve. Upon further advice they decide to go to the chiropractor. ( I am going to call him Dr. from now on. ) The Dr. sends him home on ice. He is going back to see if the Dr. can help in the morning. The Dr. says it's either a bulging disk or a ruptured disk. We NEED God to work a miracle over night. We have to travel to Missouri on Wednesday or Thursday. We know God is able. We thank you for your prayers.

I will give you guys an update when we get another one.

Thanks again much love

Piano Player

My Beloved Music Book!!!

2008-05-31T20:39:00.000-07:00

Remember,if you're a pianist or anyone who plays another instrument, the first time the desire pops up. The first time you touch a piano. You feel the smoothness of the keys beneath your fingers. The first time you play Mary has a Little Lamb. Then you learn what "CDEFGAB sharp minored flat" means. You think, I can do this.

Then one day you can play, "I don't mind waiting." Then a spurt of depression comes over you. You think I will never be good at all. Then you learn more songs. You hardly ever get to practice. But, you are doing okay. Then, your dad preaches that message and you think, "Aw, that song would be awesome with that." You speak to him and the next thing you know you are playing and singing in church. Wow! a big step. ( shaking the whole time )

You are trying your best and hey it doesn't sound that bad. Then you get where you can actually call yourself good ( barely ). Then, before you know it you get your first music book. ( songs you know how to play ) Wow! what a feeling. You understand this isn't just some notebook with scrible scratch in it. No, this book is going to be the first of many. Books you use you play. You might even translate one or two into French for the CAR youth choir to sing. No, you understand this book will one day have siblings. ( I couldn't think of any other word? lol ) These books will have their own shelf they will be looked to for guidance used over and over again. Kept for years to come.

Now, you might be thinking this girl has up and fallen off her rocker. Let me assure you: no, I haven't. Today I got my very first music book. I am the now proud owner of one of these precious jewels. After years of looking at moms and my Aunt's I now have my very own. Wouldn't you be proud? Sure maybe I am going a little over board but, who cares. I am on my way to do great things for God.

It's ok to laugh this was meant to be funny.lol

To think the whole process only took a year. Amazing isn't it. Not without God's help mind you. I would have never gotten this far without him. I love him so much. LORD I'M AMAZED BY YOU.

Love

Piano Player

From MadagasCAR to the CAR!!!

2008-05-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

My parents dream................

...........................My passion!!!!!

Ok I have counted and I think it has been 3 1/2 years since I got on the plane and left ( My World ( Madagascar) ) behind ). Now Aunt Paula Aunt Vicki they are all there. This just isn't fair. Not right at all. I WANT TO GO NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOWWWW. Sometimes I would lay in bed at night and cry. 3 years God three years. My biggest question was why? Why all these years the you have left the CAR without a missionary. What is the purpose what is the deal. Now I have never ask those questions. I know better than to question God.

Now think you leave one awesome place because you are going to another. 31/2 years later you still haven't gotten to the other awesome place. Now I have given you all the depressing news. Now for something great. We have an end of dep date!!!!YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY September 28th 3 years of waiting and I actually have hope of getting back on African soil. I can't believe it. When I get off the plane I am going to be kissing the ground. YYYYYYYaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy.

Aunt Paula Aunt Vicki you guys got your turn. I love ya very much and I am very happy for you guys but, I am going to glory for God in myne.

Love,

Piano Player