Merry Christmas!

Two weeks till I leave.  Things are coming together better then I ever imagined.  In the last week God has blessed me so much.  I have all the funds I need for my DTS, thanks to all my wonderful family and friends, and job.  I have also purchased a iPad, so that I can continue to update my blog and keep you all up to date on my adventures in Costa Rica.  I feel over blessed with all that I have and wish that I didn't need any of this to get over there, but such are the ways of life and I am so grateful to God and everyone who has been right there beside me, encouraging me and supporting me. 

As you all know I leave soon.  I cannot believe it's in less then two weeks. I have started filling basket of things I'm going to start packing in the next little while.  I also got a backpack for christmas that I will be taking with me for the outreach phase of my DTS.  I have a small sleeping bag, thanks to a dear friend, and many other things that would take to long to list.  

I still feel over whelmed by everything I need to get done, but I know its all going to come together.  I am taking a day off from thinking about it all to remember the reason of this wonderful Christmas season.

Jesus
Matthew 1:18-22
18 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) 19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. 20 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus- 'God's Saves' -because he will save his people from their sins."

Jesus - God Saves
At this time of the year I take a moment to think about the day the Son of God come to earth.  The day God made himself a man to create a way for me to one day be with united with Him in heaven and to be an example for me of how to live my life fully sold out for Him.  Jesus was the perfect gift and I am so thankful.

Please take a moment to remember the real reason for Christmas
Much love,
Hannah

So Little Time

Three weeks tomorrow morning I will be on a plane headed to Costa Rica.

This thought gives me mixed emotions. I am beyond thrilled to be taking this next step in faith and follow God. But I'm human, I also have those moments where I feel sick just thinking of everything I need to get done in the little time I have left and the family and friend I'm leaving behind for such a long period of time.

I won't ever let it stop me, I read this tonight “home is where ever God calls you, and that doesn’t mean it is not hard to leave people behind, but it is going to be so worth it.”. Costa Rica is home for me, for a while. God has called me there. Yes its gonna be hard and I'm going to have those moments where I miss everyone. But my God is gonna get me through, as I serve Him and step out in faith, He is going to look after me. And that friends, is an exciting thought!

While there is so much to do and very little time left, my God is amazing me again and again at how good and wonderful He is. I thought that the learning experience was going to start when I arrived in Costa Rica. But I was so wrong. The things I've learned in the last couple weeks blow me away. God is preparing me and changing me. And I know He's going to continue to do that while I'm away.

Bring it on!

Much love,
Hannah

Past the Point of Excitment

I'm way past excited. There isn't a word to explain the way I feel about this trip. I leave in a month and three days. I can hardly believe this is happening. Everyday I am reminded about how close it is.

My last post was all about how worried I was about little things that needed to get done, today, this week, I can tell you that God as been so amazing and I no longer worry about getting those things done. This week God as provided me with a way to get my passport done on time, he's provided the funds to cover the cost of the program, he's provided a awesome employer who's offered me a job when I come home and he's reminded me of the support I have in a dear friend who has done a YWAM before.

I can't remember feeling so at peace about this trip. Praise the Lord. He is so good to me and I can't believe the things he's done for me in such a little span of time.

God is good!

Much love,
Hannah