No Mistakes

Today I was spending some time playing through the hymn book - it's one of my favorite things to do, especially when I'm thinking. It seems to clear my mind as I meditate on the songs I play. I came across a song by Kim Moore, titled, "God Makes No Mistakes" and as I read the words my thoughts flew to my own life, as well as the lives of others that I know, how often it seems like God is making a mistake by bringing some hardship or trial in our lives, but then looking back one can see how it all worked out for the good. The chorus of that song goes, "I know God makes no mistakes. He leads in ev'ry path I take along the way that's leading me to home. Though at times my heart would break, there's a purpose in ev'ry change He makes: that others would see my life and know that God makes no mistakes."

Often when I'm in the middle of something that seems impossible to me, my attitude does not reflect God's presence. Instead, far to often I find myself focused on me, and my problems, not on what God wants to do in my life through this difficulty. I'm sad to admit that I've even flat out told God that He was making a mistake, that I didn't want this, and it was too hard for me to bear. How I want that to change, to become more open to my Father's leading, His kind correction, and His knowledgeable stretching of my faith in Him. I want my heart's cry to be "More like my Savior" but that can only be accomplished through a heart that understands "God makes no mistakes."

I Need to Write...

I recently realized how long it's been since I've actually written, and it's been forever. But you see, there's this problem...I'm having a serious case of writers block. I keep coming up with topics and ideas for my blog, but they're just not flowing properly off the keyboard. It's quite frustrating to say the least. Ah wells...just so everyone knows, I'm still alive and kicking...but nothing out of the ordinary I guess. My days consist of waking up, working, sometimes working after work. Going home. Doing something around the house. Talking to Kyle. Sleeping.......and on it goes. I think I need some variety in my life. Any ideas???

Word of God Speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's OK

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what you would say

Word of God Speak

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your Majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your Holiness

Word of God Speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You

Beyond the music, beyond the noise

All that I need is to be with You

And in the quiet, hear Your voice

Word of God Speak

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your Majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your Holiness

Word of God Speak

I'm finding myself, at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's OK

~MercyMe

Doylestown Trip #2 and Kyle's Graduation!!!

As I'm sure you've noticed by the title, I once again made the trip to Doylestown...only this time my entire family went as well! The following are pictures from the visit:

*****At Kyle's graduation...the ceremony lasted around 3 hours!*****

*****Kyle and Gran*****

*****I'm sooo proud of him*****

*****My family and Kyle*****

*****One of my favorites!*****

*****Cousins*****

*****Brianna*****

*****Ummm....I really have NO idea*****

*****Nom, nom, nom!!!*****

*****He's happy about something! :D*****

*****Ian*****

*****Amanda*****

*****Cuddle Buddies*****

(I LOVE this picture)

*****Ivy looks very pleased with herself!*****

*****Lil Miss Smiles*****

*****Brianna playing a video game*****

*****Paige*****

*****Sushi*****

*****Nanna and Kyle*****

*****To make up for not having a picture of Michaela from last time I made sure we had a pic together this time!*****

*****At P. Graham Dunn*****

How Shall We Sing in a Strange Land?

Part of the final for my US History class this semester was to write a short essay on how the United States backed Israel at the beginning of her new country-hood in the 1940s. I thought I'd post it on here as well!

It has been said that World War I prepared the land for the people and that World War II prepared the people for the land. This statement is referring to the Jewish state of Israel in the center of an Arab dominated region, and the Jews who had been scattered across the world for thousands of years following the Roman Empire of Jesus’ time.

The forming of this Jewish state would not have happened were it not for the help of the former United States President, Harry Truman. Truman was a staunch supporter of God’s people, the Jews. He wanted them to have the land that had been granted them by Britain in the Balfour Declaration following World War I; in fact, Truman believed that indeed the Jews deserved a homeland. Although he had to go against his trusted advisor, friend, and hero, Secretary of State Marshall, President Truman did what he knew was right, and eleven minutes after Israel declared her independence, the United States became the first nation to fully back the new, yet ancient, country of Israel and her new Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion.

While defending his stand on the Nation of Israel, President Truman often called to remembrance the 137^th Psalm. “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a son; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?”

Drastic Changes

My summer plans have changed drastically...in a good way. The original plans were for me to stay at Shawnee and work, well, my job at the ammo factory kinda fell through the last couple of weeks of school so it was decided that it would be much better for me to go home, which I was more than willing to do. Although, I must say after having psyched myself up to be at school all summer, the thought of going home was slightly odd.

Friday night after graduation me and a friend hopped in my car and headed north. My friend, Amanda, lives about 45 minutes south of my house, so I dropped her off and the continued home. I got home about 2:30 am!! It was a loooong trip, mainly because we ran into some really bad weather.

My great grandma is at my house right now, so that was yet another good reason to be home...I haven't seen her in quite a while. I spent the weekend resting, and being in the kitchen (which to me is the best thing ever!) Today I headed out fairly early to start the job-hunt. I filled out bazillions of applications, and had 3 right off the bat interviews, which ended up in me getting 2 jobs! WOOO HOOO!!! I've never had so much success so fast while job hunting. It had to have been God!!! I got a job working mornings as a hostess at a pancake restaurant, and working close at Wendy's! I start tomorrow at the pancake place, and next week at Wendy's.

I also took my cello in for an appraisal today as well...the prognosis is a lot of money! :-/ So I don't know yet what I'm going to be doing with that. He had REALLY nice cello for a really good deal, but even that good deal is almost the same as an entire semester of college. So that's on hold for now too.... I'd appreciate everyone's prayers on that cuz I really miss playing.

R.I.P Sherwood

Sunday, May 2, 2010, Sherwood "Woody" Drazich died of a broken neck. He lived a short, but amazing life of six years. He was my friend, companion, and most of all a fellow partner in crime, my cello.

No one knows what happened, only that I opened my case to play in the church orchestra on Sunday morning and he was broken. I cried many tears. Several people were standing around and no one knew anything about it. I put him back in his case and left. I got to church Sunday night, and the high school band teacher came to me and said, "Hannah, were you messing with your cello this afternoon?" My response was a resounding "No!" She said, "Well, come look at this..." I walked back to the music room and my cello case was laying on the floor, closed, but not latched shut, and I could see the strings hanging out of the case. I knelt down next to Woody and opened his case. His neck was completely broken off and the tail piece and bridge were also off. Again, no one claimed to know anything.

I took some pictures which were emailed to a repairman, and the estimated cost for reviving poor Woody is not worth the money. In other words, my dear Woody is dead forever.

We shared some good times together from the first day we met until his final hours. From running all over creation together, zillions of lessons, hours of practicing, many times of playing in church, at special events, in nursing homes, weddings, and just goofing off with friends, our times together were always filled with much enjoyment.

My favorite memory of Sherwood is the time that I was playing an offertory one Sunday in New York. The end pin wasn't quite right, so I moved to adjust it. Apparently, the music director, who was sitting right behind where I was playing, moved at the exact same time. Suddenly there was a loud CRACK!!!!!!!!!! Good old Woody had hit the music director in the head - HARD! It was hard enough to knock the strings horribly out of tune. By this time my pianist had already started playing the introduction to my song. Well, I unsuccessfully tried to tune him, but it was of no use. So, I played, or rather, I attempted to play. It was quite disturbing, but I made it through the song. What happened to the music director, you ask. He had a knot on his head for almost an entire week!

Woody will be missed forever and ever, but his memories will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

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The Good Times!

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Sadness!

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