it's the eve of my 30th birthday and as usual i spent this day remembering, looking back on the last year of my life and on special birthdays like this one i look back a little further. You know, it always has bit of the New Year's Eve feel to it for me, cause i guess in a way it is my New Year's Eve.
And of course there are some unpleasant memories that come to mind like friends i've lost, plans that didnt work out, failures, heart breaks, or simply situations where i didn't understand Gods ways...
but mostly i am grateful. Grateful for being blessed with a lovely family, dear friends and a good church. Grateful especially for those friends where I know that God handpicked them for me and placed them by my side. Grateful for the new home God has blessed our church with. The first home in 29 years that we can actually call 'ours'!
Grateful that for the passed 30 years He was been with me every step of the way, every day, every hour, minute and second. He has been right by my side through the good times and the difficult times, the sad and the happy times, the slow times and the crazy times. And believe me, we have had some fun and craziness together :)
Grateful that He loves and accepts me just the way I am and that He has to taught me to do the same with myself and with others.
I could go on and on, but as usual i know a song that expresses exactly how i feel:
i wake up knowing that you love me
i am so grateful
i smile because i know, i know you are always with me
and that will never change
you know my day, my plan, my thoughts and all i do
you are the fountain of my life
i am so grateful
for all that you've done for me
i can't thank you enought
i am so grateful
i know i'm to be free
and that will never change
all of my life i will sing
sing of your love and your glory
i am so grateful for what you are
i know you are always by my side
oh, i'm so grateful
i'm saved because i know i'm yours til the end of time
and that will never change
i love the way you speak to me when we are alone
i need your guidance in my life
i'm so grateful...
I AM SO GRATEFUL!!!!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
Homecoming Part 2
How do I fit into this?
It all began during my application process for my ‘school of dreams’, where I heard God saying again and again: “You are coming home“. As you can imagine I was a little confused, after all, how could I come ‘home’ to a place I’d never been to before?
But that’s exactly how it was, very soon I started feeling at home and was filled with this sense that I ‚belong’. It really helped me to observe the leadership and staff team, to see their kindness, their openness and their humility.
On April 14, they took us out to the new property for the first time. WOW!
It was a little overwhelming. During our time of prayer I was reminded of Ezekiel 37 and the valley of bones, because that’s what it looked like – an overgrown, abandoned, fallow piece of land. But our God sees beyond that, he sees the army laying in the dust.
On the way home while I was still deeply touched by what I’d seen and heard I prayed: „God if there is anything you have for me here, show me.” The answer came instantly: „purchasing the property is only the beginning; the real ‘fun’ begins when the deal is done and I want you to come alongside YWAM Orlando and help them build up this campus!”
It was about 3 weeks later during a personal time with God, when he started speaking about it again. To sum it up he asked me to help YWAM Orlando build up and expand their prayer ministries. Through prayer, and also by talking to some key people and finding out that they are in fact looking for intercessors, a vision began to form:
- To build up and expand the current prayer room
- To turn the currently temporary 24-7-prayer for the property into a permanent 24-7-prayer for the nations – to kind of bring in my German heritage.
One of the visions of YWAM Orlando is to plant 20 new bases in the above mentioned targeted areas by the year 2020.
- My vision is to take small teams on short term outreaches into those places beforehand. As scouts, so to say, to pray in those places, to prepare them, make a way, but also to check out the atmosphere and to find out if there already are any believers.
- Another area is to help prepare other people to go out long term. I want to mobilize young people for mission and the ministry of Gods Kingdom, I want to enable them to chase after those dreams God has given them and to encourage them to follow God with all of their heart – no matter where they may go.
Thank you for showing an interest in this great opportunity God is calling me into. I want you to know that your prayers are highly appreciated and if you want to know more please feel free to ask.
It all began during my application process for my ‘school of dreams’, where I heard God saying again and again: “You are coming home“. As you can imagine I was a little confused, after all, how could I come ‘home’ to a place I’d never been to before?
But that’s exactly how it was, very soon I started feeling at home and was filled with this sense that I ‚belong’. It really helped me to observe the leadership and staff team, to see their kindness, their openness and their humility.
On April 14, they took us out to the new property for the first time. WOW!
It was a little overwhelming. During our time of prayer I was reminded of Ezekiel 37 and the valley of bones, because that’s what it looked like – an overgrown, abandoned, fallow piece of land. But our God sees beyond that, he sees the army laying in the dust.
On the way home while I was still deeply touched by what I’d seen and heard I prayed: „God if there is anything you have for me here, show me.” The answer came instantly: „purchasing the property is only the beginning; the real ‘fun’ begins when the deal is done and I want you to come alongside YWAM Orlando and help them build up this campus!”
Believe me, I was one big question mark and I told God: “How can I help them, I don’t have a clue about construction work and all that…”
this time the answer did not come right away and so I simply excepted it in faith and throughout the following weeks continued to pray for guidance, revelation and wisdom.It was about 3 weeks later during a personal time with God, when he started speaking about it again. To sum it up he asked me to help YWAM Orlando build up and expand their prayer ministries. Through prayer, and also by talking to some key people and finding out that they are in fact looking for intercessors, a vision began to form:
- To build up and expand the current prayer room
- To turn the currently temporary 24-7-prayer for the property into a permanent 24-7-prayer for the nations – to kind of bring in my German heritage.
One of the visions of YWAM Orlando is to plant 20 new bases in the above mentioned targeted areas by the year 2020.
- My vision is to take small teams on short term outreaches into those places beforehand. As scouts, so to say, to pray in those places, to prepare them, make a way, but also to check out the atmosphere and to find out if there already are any believers.
- Another area is to help prepare other people to go out long term. I want to mobilize young people for mission and the ministry of Gods Kingdom, I want to enable them to chase after those dreams God has given them and to encourage them to follow God with all of their heart – no matter where they may go.
Thank you for showing an interest in this great opportunity God is calling me into. I want you to know that your prayers are highly appreciated and if you want to know more please feel free to ask.
Homecoming
Dear friends,
From Norway to Thailand to Switzerland to Germany to India and Sri Lanka to England – it’s been a long road but now I am finally coming home.
A lot has happened during the past 2 years. After returning from London at the end of August 2008 I took a temporary 1.5 year break from full-time-ministry, mainly to work – first as a hotel-receptionist in Switzerland and then later as a program manager aboard a River Cruise ship. But I also got to spend some time at home with friends & family.
To ease the transition back into full-time-ministry I decided to take part in one of Youth with a Mission’s (YWAM) training programs in Orlando, FL this spring.
I like to call it my ‘school of dreams’. It is designed especially for people like me who “have dreams that they know are from God but don’t know what to do next.”
It was 12 weeks full of inspiring teaching, blessed worship times, good one-on-ones and great fellowship and yes the school did fulfill it’s ‘purpose’.
So without much further ado:
YWAM Orlando – my new ‚home’
The base was founded in 1995 and has been blessed with a tremendous growth especially in recent years. We went from 14 staff in 1999 to 80 staff in 2009 with currently about 200 students a year. This means that we are in desperate need of a new campus as the church building we’ve been allowed to use so far has become far too small and through many miracles, big and small, God has led us to 198 acres of land within the greater Orlando area, just 35 minutes from the international airport. And because this property is a former Christian campground, it already has more than twenty buildings on the premises that could one day become the facilities we need to train and house hundreds of young people, equipping them to take on the world. We believe that God has given us specific parts of the world to focus on:
The 10/40 window - including Muslim nations and China.
Russia and the former Soviet Union
Cities
Latin America
My fellow ‘dreamers’, Glenn Sheppard and I
From Norway to Thailand to Switzerland to Germany to India and Sri Lanka to England – it’s been a long road but now I am finally coming home.
A lot has happened during the past 2 years. After returning from London at the end of August 2008 I took a temporary 1.5 year break from full-time-ministry, mainly to work – first as a hotel-receptionist in Switzerland and then later as a program manager aboard a River Cruise ship. But I also got to spend some time at home with friends & family.
To ease the transition back into full-time-ministry I decided to take part in one of Youth with a Mission’s (YWAM) training programs in Orlando, FL this spring.
I like to call it my ‘school of dreams’. It is designed especially for people like me who “have dreams that they know are from God but don’t know what to do next.”
It was 12 weeks full of inspiring teaching, blessed worship times, good one-on-ones and great fellowship and yes the school did fulfill it’s ‘purpose’.
So without much further ado:
YWAM Orlando – my new ‚home’
The base was founded in 1995 and has been blessed with a tremendous growth especially in recent years. We went from 14 staff in 1999 to 80 staff in 2009 with currently about 200 students a year. This means that we are in desperate need of a new campus as the church building we’ve been allowed to use so far has become far too small and through many miracles, big and small, God has led us to 198 acres of land within the greater Orlando area, just 35 minutes from the international airport. And because this property is a former Christian campground, it already has more than twenty buildings on the premises that could one day become the facilities we need to train and house hundreds of young people, equipping them to take on the world. We believe that God has given us specific parts of the world to focus on:
The 10/40 window - including Muslim nations and China.
Russia and the former Soviet Union
Cities
Latin America
In Him,
Hanna
Hanna
My fellow ‘dreamers’, Glenn Sheppard and Ipart 2 follows tomorrow
Monday, June 28, 2010
We WON!!! and a little wisdom
watchin the match Germany vs. England at church yesterday was quite intense. and a lot of fun.. with each new goal the cheers seemed to get wilder and even more excited... they (and we) were on fire! :) 4:1 or 4:2 as it should have been! Nice goin!!
right now i'm goin thru my 'SOMD' notes and i stumbled across this little piece of wisdom and kinda felt like sharing it with you.
It was during Glenn Sheppard week, he had been talkin about Pride and how one definition of pride is to think more of you than God thinks of you... later on after the teaching we got a study hall assignment of writing down what God had shown us thru Glenn's teaching.
Doing this sorta triggered an old question for me - what if you think less of you than God thinks of you? Isn't that also putting your opinion of yourself above Gods opinion of you?
I remember hearing someone explain this once and it really convicted me. How many times do I say "No, God, I'm not that good or worth that much"... so basically I am saying I am right and He (God) is wrong, which is false humility also know as pride!
It broke me, because it made me realize how mcuh hurt I cause Jesus, just by not accepting who He made me to be. When all i want to do is to bless Him, glorify Him, bring joy to His heart...
anyway, i hope this encourages you to see you for who God made you to be! He loves you and me more than we will ever know or be able to understand..
right now i'm goin thru my 'SOMD' notes and i stumbled across this little piece of wisdom and kinda felt like sharing it with you.
It was during Glenn Sheppard week, he had been talkin about Pride and how one definition of pride is to think more of you than God thinks of you... later on after the teaching we got a study hall assignment of writing down what God had shown us thru Glenn's teaching.
Doing this sorta triggered an old question for me - what if you think less of you than God thinks of you? Isn't that also putting your opinion of yourself above Gods opinion of you?
I remember hearing someone explain this once and it really convicted me. How many times do I say "No, God, I'm not that good or worth that much"... so basically I am saying I am right and He (God) is wrong, which is false humility also know as pride!
It broke me, because it made me realize how mcuh hurt I cause Jesus, just by not accepting who He made me to be. When all i want to do is to bless Him, glorify Him, bring joy to His heart...
anyway, i hope this encourages you to see you for who God made you to be! He loves you and me more than we will ever know or be able to understand..
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
back in Germany..
the flight over was one of the smoothest trips I've ever had!
Except for the fact that I had to pay an horrendous amount of money for my overweight luggage, in fact I ended up having to buy an extra duffle bag, because as it turns out it is cheaper to take a second suitcase ($50) than to simply have an overweight luggage ($150)..
still other than that it was great. I met a bunch of people, some of whom just randomly started talking to me others I started talking to - like at the gate while waiting for my boarding pass to be ready I sat down next to this elderly couple when I noticed they had little 'Vantage' information-packages. So of course, I had to find out where they were going.
For those of you who dont know this... Vantage is a River Cruise Company just like Viking River Cruises the company I worked for last summer, our competitors so to say and well many times when i was at the airport picking up our passengers i would meet people heading for a Vantage cruise, but we also had some of the same destinations and sometimes we would even double-dock, meaning we'd dock next to each other and whoever was on the second ship had to go through the first one in order to get a-shore. As it turned out this time they were headed for Croatia but they had been on the Grand European Tour from Amsterdam-Budapest (the one i was on last year) before - twice actually, once in each direction... fun fun
The flight seemed amazingly short, maybe it had something to do with my entertainment system working for once :) and service and food were good, too. Only downer i never got to close my eyes, for some reason i just didnt get tired, but the minute, I am telling you, the minute i sat down on the train takin me home from the airport - i was out, well, almost out... my luggage kept falling over and waking me up... guess, i still am a railroad-chick after all :)
I've been back for round about 30 hours now... everything still feels kind of weird. I guess, it's gonna take me a bit to get re-adjusted. But at least, i've managed to catch a few hours of sleep - 11 to be precise, cant remember the last time i slept this long. :)
Except for the fact that I had to pay an horrendous amount of money for my overweight luggage, in fact I ended up having to buy an extra duffle bag, because as it turns out it is cheaper to take a second suitcase ($50) than to simply have an overweight luggage ($150)..
still other than that it was great. I met a bunch of people, some of whom just randomly started talking to me others I started talking to - like at the gate while waiting for my boarding pass to be ready I sat down next to this elderly couple when I noticed they had little 'Vantage' information-packages. So of course, I had to find out where they were going.
For those of you who dont know this... Vantage is a River Cruise Company just like Viking River Cruises the company I worked for last summer, our competitors so to say and well many times when i was at the airport picking up our passengers i would meet people heading for a Vantage cruise, but we also had some of the same destinations and sometimes we would even double-dock, meaning we'd dock next to each other and whoever was on the second ship had to go through the first one in order to get a-shore. As it turned out this time they were headed for Croatia but they had been on the Grand European Tour from Amsterdam-Budapest (the one i was on last year) before - twice actually, once in each direction... fun fun
The flight seemed amazingly short, maybe it had something to do with my entertainment system working for once :) and service and food were good, too. Only downer i never got to close my eyes, for some reason i just didnt get tired, but the minute, I am telling you, the minute i sat down on the train takin me home from the airport - i was out, well, almost out... my luggage kept falling over and waking me up... guess, i still am a railroad-chick after all :)
I've been back for round about 30 hours now... everything still feels kind of weird. I guess, it's gonna take me a bit to get re-adjusted. But at least, i've managed to catch a few hours of sleep - 11 to be precise, cant remember the last time i slept this long. :)
still its good to be back... seeing family and friends again. Saw a bunch of people last night, they just happened to have their monthly church board meeting at our house - due to my mom still being on crutches.
Tonight they are showing our next world cup match (Germany vs. Ghana) on a big screen at our church, so i'll be able to see even more people there. Cant wait and i am sooo excited for the match - it is really all or nothing now.
Other than that the only things 'planned' for this week are getting my senses and bearings back, meeting and catching up with more people and developing an 'action plan' for this summer. I tryed earlier today, but I had to give up -for now, because I was still to out of it :D
Btw. the weather here is gorgeous at the moment.. blue skies, bright sunshine with 77-80 degrees outside - lovely; warm - without the sweat running down your face like a waterfall ;)
I'll keep you posted
Saturday, June 12, 2010
the WORLD CUP is on!!!
i am so excited!!! Goin to watch England vs. USA with a bunch a guys at the Nettles today, not sure who to root for yet. I know more about the English team and players then again i AM watchin it on American soil, sooo... :)
tonight we are watchin 'furios love' with a different bunch of people - i'm sure thats goin to be good but heartbreakin
and even better tomorrow its GERMANY vs. Australia, I am so stoked!! I've got my flag, whistle and face point ready - thanks to a dear friend..
FINALLY a weekend to my liking
and then its our final week in SOMD -honestly, where did the last three months go to? From what i hear Creagon is teaching us or at least some of us on Support Raising after all. For awhile they weren't sure how this week would look like since half our school got already pulled into the youth department training for the summer programs.
it's seems incredible, but i am flyin out in like 9 days!!
Anyways, gotta go, its kick off time soon :DDDD
love @ all,
Hanna
tonight we are watchin 'furios love' with a different bunch of people - i'm sure thats goin to be good but heartbreakin
and even better tomorrow its GERMANY vs. Australia, I am so stoked!! I've got my flag, whistle and face point ready - thanks to a dear friend..
FINALLY a weekend to my liking
and then its our final week in SOMD -honestly, where did the last three months go to? From what i hear Creagon is teaching us or at least some of us on Support Raising after all. For awhile they weren't sure how this week would look like since half our school got already pulled into the youth department training for the summer programs.
it's seems incredible, but i am flyin out in like 9 days!!
Anyways, gotta go, its kick off time soon :DDDD
love @ all,
Hanna
Sunday, June 06, 2010
1. International Night
at YWAM Orlando. Last night we had our very first International Night.
The idea is to celebrate and honor the nations and in particular the nations, the diversity that is represented among us as staff and students. It was a blast.
Everyone brought different dishes from their native country or some of our American friends brought something typical from their State/ region.
So cool!
We had 'representatives' from Colombia, DR, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, England, Scotland, Australia, Canada and Germany (myself).
I am telling you this really blessed my heart! It just reminded me how much I really love the NATIONS!!! The diversity in which God has created us!
Here is one of my favorite TobyMac songs that expresses exactly that:
"Diverse City"
They call us Diverse City, we're colorful good
It's like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show's leaving the ground
Up, up and away, baby we don't play, maybe you thought you was done for the day
He said, she said, I said this, that you can't get away from your moment of bliss
Stirring, we'll lure you in and we'll make room for the shade of skin
Short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, bigger, love is the gun and we pullin' that trigger
So you send me and I'll send you hope in the form of a new tattoo
Mine is the shiny city on a hill and yours, of course, is the colors that fill it
We'll take you high, we'll take you higher
Now come to the city where you can praise
If you're black, if you're white, if you're yellow or grey
In the morning, in the night, anytime of day
What's that place - Diverse City
With curls in your hair and braids on the side
Straight shake'em loose, just come on and ride
We're a body with parts, like you and me
Together we make diversity
Welcome to Diverse City, we're colorful good
It's like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show's leaving the ground
Said we're Diverse City, we're colorful goods
It's just a state of mind, we gonna shine the way that we should, baby
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show's leaving the ground
You bring the heart, I'll bring the soul
I'll bring the flag, you bring the pole
We'll fly it high so the whole world knows
The dream of a king 'bout to unfold
We 'bout to do this thing for real
Diverse City got mass appeal
So put your hand in the hand of mine
And we'll spread this love like dandelions
The idea is to celebrate and honor the nations and in particular the nations, the diversity that is represented among us as staff and students. It was a blast.
Everyone brought different dishes from their native country or some of our American friends brought something typical from their State/ region.
So cool!
We had 'representatives' from Colombia, DR, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, England, Scotland, Australia, Canada and Germany (myself).
I am telling you this really blessed my heart! It just reminded me how much I really love the NATIONS!!! The diversity in which God has created us!
Here is one of my favorite TobyMac songs that expresses exactly that:
"Diverse City"
They call us Diverse City, we're colorful good
It's like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show's leaving the ground
Up, up and away, baby we don't play, maybe you thought you was done for the day
He said, she said, I said this, that you can't get away from your moment of bliss
Stirring, we'll lure you in and we'll make room for the shade of skin
Short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, bigger, love is the gun and we pullin' that trigger
So you send me and I'll send you hope in the form of a new tattoo
Mine is the shiny city on a hill and yours, of course, is the colors that fill it
We'll take you high, we'll take you higher
Now come to the city where you can praise
If you're black, if you're white, if you're yellow or grey
In the morning, in the night, anytime of day
What's that place - Diverse City
With curls in your hair and braids on the side
Straight shake'em loose, just come on and ride
We're a body with parts, like you and me
Together we make diversity
Welcome to Diverse City, we're colorful good
It's like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show's leaving the ground
Said we're Diverse City, we're colorful goods
It's just a state of mind, we gonna shine the way that we should, baby
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show's leaving the ground
You bring the heart, I'll bring the soul
I'll bring the flag, you bring the pole
We'll fly it high so the whole world knows
The dream of a king 'bout to unfold
We 'bout to do this thing for real
Diverse City got mass appeal
So put your hand in the hand of mine
And we'll spread this love like dandelions
Thursday, June 03, 2010
week 10 - DNA and values
of Youth with a Mission. It's been very good so far, you know, just being reminded of where we come from as a mission, the heritage we have and to hear some of the countless amazing stories of miracles we have seen God work in our midst. So here are some of our values just to give you a little insight on what we are about:
Know God
Make God known
Hear God's voice
Practice worship and intercessory prayer
be visionary
Champion young people
be broad-structured and decentralized
be international and interdenominational
Biblical Christian Worldview
function in teams
servant leadership
do first, then teach
relationship-oriented
value the individual
value family
relationship-based support
practice hospitality
Love from rainy/stormy Orlando
Hanna
Know God
Make God known
Hear God's voice
Practice worship and intercessory prayer
be visionary
Champion young people
be broad-structured and decentralized
be international and interdenominational
Biblical Christian Worldview
function in teams
servant leadership
do first, then teach
relationship-oriented
value the individual
value family
relationship-based support
practice hospitality
Love from rainy/stormy Orlando
Hanna
Thursday, May 27, 2010
week 9 with Steve Sizemore
on personality and gifts.
So far its been really cool, fun and interesting. I mean, i have done my fair share of personality tests and stuff like that before - but this one i actually understand! :)
Because it is very basic, you know, based on the four elements - fire, earth, wind and water. Which makes it easy to grasp, just think instinctively what each of those elements represents for you or what you think of when you hear the word fire, water...
I am telling you, we've had a few good laughs with it already... mainly at ourselves, you know, recognizing different characteristics or behaviors of ours... and of the others in our group/team as well!! ;-)
Other than that i am doing fantastic! This morning we had an awesome corporate worship time... where God just met with us, both as a group and as individuals.
Only, I cant believe there's only three weeks left of our school, sometimes it still feels like i just got here and this is actually a school where i am not anxious for it to be over for once.
God has and still is doing soooo much, both in me personally, but also in regards to my future. I'm having a talk with my school leader, Dean, either today or tomorrow and I'll be able to tell you more after that..
until then wishing you all the best and a wonderful and relaxing weekend
In Him,
Hanna
So far its been really cool, fun and interesting. I mean, i have done my fair share of personality tests and stuff like that before - but this one i actually understand! :)
Because it is very basic, you know, based on the four elements - fire, earth, wind and water. Which makes it easy to grasp, just think instinctively what each of those elements represents for you or what you think of when you hear the word fire, water...
I am telling you, we've had a few good laughs with it already... mainly at ourselves, you know, recognizing different characteristics or behaviors of ours... and of the others in our group/team as well!! ;-)
Other than that i am doing fantastic! This morning we had an awesome corporate worship time... where God just met with us, both as a group and as individuals.
Only, I cant believe there's only three weeks left of our school, sometimes it still feels like i just got here and this is actually a school where i am not anxious for it to be over for once.
God has and still is doing soooo much, both in me personally, but also in regards to my future. I'm having a talk with my school leader, Dean, either today or tomorrow and I'll be able to tell you more after that..
until then wishing you all the best and a wonderful and relaxing weekend
In Him,
Hanna
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Passion - lat. passio
something you are willing to suffer for... this weeks topic. Originally we were supposed to have Michael Berg, our base director, teach us this week. But some opportunities opened up for him to share about our new property, so we had to switch our schedule around a little bit. Hopefully we'll be able to still hear him later on in the school.
Anyway, so we are doing the Passion-video series with Floyd McClung this week. Pretty awesome!! And challenging at the same time... if you know what i mean. =) you know, aligning our passions with Gods passions, kicking out some of the things that occupy to much of our time...
Last week we had Al McBryan, 'the theologian'. It was pretty intense. With a few heated discussions as well ;) and even though i might not agree with everything it certainly made and makes me think, you know just in general... think things through instead of just excepting other peoples opinions at face value...
gotta go, get back to you soon.
love,
Hanna
Anyway, so we are doing the Passion-video series with Floyd McClung this week. Pretty awesome!! And challenging at the same time... if you know what i mean. =) you know, aligning our passions with Gods passions, kicking out some of the things that occupy to much of our time...
Last week we had Al McBryan, 'the theologian'. It was pretty intense. With a few heated discussions as well ;) and even though i might not agree with everything it certainly made and makes me think, you know just in general... think things through instead of just excepting other peoples opinions at face value...
gotta go, get back to you soon.
love,
Hanna
Saturday, April 24, 2010
time is...
tickin, time is tickin away...
so we just wrapped up week 3 of teaching although technically it is already week 4 of the somd. and so far each week has been better still than the one before... John Bills, Steve Shamblin and Glenn Sheppard... honestly i couldnt say where i learned the most. it is like a well or a storehouse has been sprung open somewhere and is simply spilling out and over.
So far it seems like Johns teaching went to the mind, Steves to the spirit/ soul and Glenns or Papa Gs as we like to call him went straight to the heart. Of course, this is generalising it quite a bit, its just to break it down a little.
But i have to say the most chatty person by far has been God himself or maybe its simply a matter of me finally listening and paying attention again. :) either way i am lovin it. It's like I am finding my way home again. which ties right into something that i have kind of sensed ever since i started planning coming back to the States - it is this inexplicable feeling of having come full circle, yeah, of coming home. Odd as that may be.
love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all
so we just wrapped up week 3 of teaching although technically it is already week 4 of the somd. and so far each week has been better still than the one before... John Bills, Steve Shamblin and Glenn Sheppard... honestly i couldnt say where i learned the most. it is like a well or a storehouse has been sprung open somewhere and is simply spilling out and over.
So far it seems like Johns teaching went to the mind, Steves to the spirit/ soul and Glenns or Papa Gs as we like to call him went straight to the heart. Of course, this is generalising it quite a bit, its just to break it down a little.
But i have to say the most chatty person by far has been God himself or maybe its simply a matter of me finally listening and paying attention again. :) either way i am lovin it. It's like I am finding my way home again. which ties right into something that i have kind of sensed ever since i started planning coming back to the States - it is this inexplicable feeling of having come full circle, yeah, of coming home. Odd as that may be.
love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all
Thursday, April 22, 2010
when you call my name
There’s a hunger in this wilderness for Your revelation
To hear the words of life that strengthen me
Come and show what You’ve prepared for me
Speak your confirmation
Show me how I fit into Your plan
For when You call my name I can see again
Who You are and who I’m meant to be
And as you beckon me I am free to see
Who You are and who I’m sent to be
I am seeking true identity in the light of Your presence
I am longing to know how You see me
In the time that You have given me, release the strength to follow
And the grace to be who You say I am
To hear the words of life that strengthen me
Come and show what You’ve prepared for me
Speak your confirmation
Show me how I fit into Your plan
For when You call my name I can see again
Who You are and who I’m meant to be
And as you beckon me I am free to see
Who You are and who I’m sent to be
I am seeking true identity in the light of Your presence
I am longing to know how You see me
In the time that You have given me, release the strength to follow
And the grace to be who You say I am
Father Christmas has come to town
it seems unbelievable but we are already halfway through our 4th week! Isnt it simply amazing how time flies when you are having a good time. Good?? What am I saying... I'm having a blast. God is so absolutely awesome.
Anyways our teacher this week is Glenn Sheppard, Papa G and it is sooo good. He simply touches your heart just by who he is and by allowing God to shine through him. His topic is the price and cost of revival and we are learning so much. Although it can get a little embarrassing at times when you pierces you with this stare, that makes you feel like you're being x-rayed or rather that he simply KNOWS!!!
love you guys,
keep in touch...
Hanna
Anyways our teacher this week is Glenn Sheppard, Papa G and it is sooo good. He simply touches your heart just by who he is and by allowing God to shine through him. His topic is the price and cost of revival and we are learning so much. Although it can get a little embarrassing at times when you pierces you with this stare, that makes you feel like you're being x-rayed or rather that he simply KNOWS!!!
love you guys,
keep in touch...
Hanna
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Identity - to be loved and to give it away
This week was about identity in the context of ‚Healing the fractured soul, the wounded spirit.’ It was intense! And quite uncomfortable at times because it got so personal and yet it was sooo good. There are two things in particular that God really pointed out to me this week.
1. a lot of the insecurity, uncertainty and confusion during the past months and years particularly in regards to my calling had to do with me being in conflict with my own identity. Unconsciously I simply couldn’t or wouldn’t accept my giftings and thus my calling, who I am.
2. without knowing it, I had transferred my experiences/disappointments with people and especially with spiritual leadership onto God. This left me believing I couldn’t trust God.
And it’s been these two things that have been holding me back all this time, because God in his infinite mercy, put his plans with and for me on hold for as long as necessary. Because He ALWAYS cares more about us and our hearts, than he does about a ministry.
A very big part of my identity is the gift to love people unconditional and selfishly. To love them as they are, no strings attached and regardless of whether they love me in return or not. This may sound great in theory, but in reality it can cause a lot of hurt and heartache. Which is why it was one of my main issues with my identity, something I’ve tried to deny for years – as a result I ended up pushing people away instead of loving them, shutting them out instead of embracing them.
For this I want to sincerely ask your forgiveness. I don’t want to hide any longer, but rather stand for who I am and for all the gifts, big and small, that God has given me. Cause this is the crucial point in all this – it is God who gives those gifts – so that I (we) may use them to bring Him glory.
In His infinite and unconditional love
Hanna
1. a lot of the insecurity, uncertainty and confusion during the past months and years particularly in regards to my calling had to do with me being in conflict with my own identity. Unconsciously I simply couldn’t or wouldn’t accept my giftings and thus my calling, who I am.
2. without knowing it, I had transferred my experiences/disappointments with people and especially with spiritual leadership onto God. This left me believing I couldn’t trust God.
And it’s been these two things that have been holding me back all this time, because God in his infinite mercy, put his plans with and for me on hold for as long as necessary. Because He ALWAYS cares more about us and our hearts, than he does about a ministry.
A very big part of my identity is the gift to love people unconditional and selfishly. To love them as they are, no strings attached and regardless of whether they love me in return or not. This may sound great in theory, but in reality it can cause a lot of hurt and heartache. Which is why it was one of my main issues with my identity, something I’ve tried to deny for years – as a result I ended up pushing people away instead of loving them, shutting them out instead of embracing them.
For this I want to sincerely ask your forgiveness. I don’t want to hide any longer, but rather stand for who I am and for all the gifts, big and small, that God has given me. Cause this is the crucial point in all this – it is God who gives those gifts – so that I (we) may use them to bring Him glory.
In His infinite and unconditional love
Hanna
Monday, April 12, 2010
JUST REACH OUT!!!!!!!!!!
you know how much I love music and lyrics... this one goes out to all the ones who feel alone, lonely, unheard, unseen and unloved tonight. I hope it touches your heart.
JUST REACH OUT
Sometimes the night seems to go on for days
When it's hard to see the light through the darkness and haze
While the world around you makes you feel out of place
And the burdens that you carry are just too hard to face
Just reach out and He'll reach in
Take your broken heart and make it whole again
It don't matter who you are or where you've been
Just reach out and He'll reach in
Standing in the crowd still all alone
Crying out for answers that nobody knows
Everybody's busy looking out for themselves
Is there anyone who really cares about anyone else?
Just reach out and He'll reach in
Take your broken heart and make it whole again
It don't matter who you are or where you've been
Just reach out and He'll reach in
You say you walk ten thousand steps away
But don't you know that its only one step back?
Because the One who hears you when you pray
Is the One who's there beside you
and He'll never walk away!
taken from PETRA's 'wake up call' album
Good Night to you all.
xoxo, Hanna
JUST REACH OUT
Sometimes the night seems to go on for days
When it's hard to see the light through the darkness and haze
While the world around you makes you feel out of place
And the burdens that you carry are just too hard to face
Just reach out and He'll reach in
Take your broken heart and make it whole again
It don't matter who you are or where you've been
Just reach out and He'll reach in
Standing in the crowd still all alone
Crying out for answers that nobody knows
Everybody's busy looking out for themselves
Is there anyone who really cares about anyone else?
Just reach out and He'll reach in
Take your broken heart and make it whole again
It don't matter who you are or where you've been
Just reach out and He'll reach in
You say you walk ten thousand steps away
But don't you know that its only one step back?
Because the One who hears you when you pray
Is the One who's there beside you
and He'll never walk away!
taken from PETRA's 'wake up call' album
Good Night to you all.
xoxo, Hanna
Saturday, April 10, 2010
back to school... again
by now I've been Orlando for two weeks. The first week was mainly an orientation week where we had a chance to get to know our fellow students a little bit more.
In our school we are 8 students:
Tori, 18, Texas Sue, 21, Florida Caitlyn, 19, Illinois Rebekah - better known as Ireland, 21, North Carolina Myssi, 28, Illinois Aaron, 19, Texas Lee, 30, Virginia
and me of course, yours truly
This week we had our first official teaching week with John Bills (he happens to be the son-in-law of Jim and Joy Dawson). The topic was "Bringing God into the Decision Making Process/ Conflict Resolution". Two major topics if you think about it. I am telling you some of the sessions were really intense, made only more so by us students being led to astonishing openness and honesty.
Still it was really good.
And from the sound of it next won't be shy of intensity either - we'll be hearing Steve Shamblin on Identity with a focus on healing the fractured soul!!! WOW!
I'm as excited as I am nervous. :D
I'll keep you posted.
Hope you have a blessed sunday tomorrow.
In Him,
Hanna
In our school we are 8 students:
Tori, 18, Texas Sue, 21, Florida Caitlyn, 19, Illinois Rebekah - better known as Ireland, 21, North Carolina Myssi, 28, Illinois Aaron, 19, Texas Lee, 30, Virginia
and me of course, yours truly
This week we had our first official teaching week with John Bills (he happens to be the son-in-law of Jim and Joy Dawson). The topic was "Bringing God into the Decision Making Process/ Conflict Resolution". Two major topics if you think about it. I am telling you some of the sessions were really intense, made only more so by us students being led to astonishing openness and honesty.
Still it was really good.
And from the sound of it next won't be shy of intensity either - we'll be hearing Steve Shamblin on Identity with a focus on healing the fractured soul!!! WOW!
I'm as excited as I am nervous. :D
I'll keep you posted.
Hope you have a blessed sunday tomorrow.
In Him,
Hanna
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hello from Tampa!
First day back in the USA. It is so strange to be back... I mean afterall it's been almost 9 years since my last visit.
And I've got to tell you it truly is by the grace of God that I am here. 'Cos I've got held up at customs and immigration as usual. Although this was the first time they actually made me miss my connecting flight. The officer I was talking to was all in my favor (he liked my face), but he had to present the case to his supervisor who was very suspicious because there had been some unfortunate mix up at the consulate. As you can imagine I was praying a mile a minute and I am proud to say God came through - they let me in! I even got 2 extra days....
For now I am staying with a dear friend here in Tampa, FL. And incidentally we met at our DTS in Skien, Norway almost 7 years ago.
xoxo, hanna
And I've got to tell you it truly is by the grace of God that I am here. 'Cos I've got held up at customs and immigration as usual. Although this was the first time they actually made me miss my connecting flight. The officer I was talking to was all in my favor (he liked my face
For now I am staying with a dear friend here in Tampa, FL. And incidentally we met at our DTS in Skien, Norway almost 7 years ago.
xoxo, hanna
Sunday, March 21, 2010
hit the road again...
as some of you may already know I did get into the school in March... which takes of in a week from tomorrow. So I'm flying out this Wednesday (March 24). I'll be spending a couple of days with a dear friend in Tampa first and then head over to Orlando next Sunday.
I am telling you this feels so surreal, you know, like it might happen sometime within the next year or decade or so - not within the next week.
Part of me is terrified out of my guts. You know, starting off again into an uncertain future. Not knowing where this road will let nor how to support it (not the school itself, but after that...)...
so many questions, so few answers...
thankfully there is also a part of me that knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God is indeed an awesome God. A good and faithful father and friend.
I'll keep you posted.
Love, Hanna
PS.: Before I forget last month I spent a weekend up in Skien, Norway - you know, the place where it all started, my first base. It was sooo good to come back 'home', to see so many dear friends again, people where witnesses to some very special God-moments and also where God simply spoke into my life - directly, through them or through others...
Blessings!
I am telling you this feels so surreal, you know, like it might happen sometime within the next year or decade or so - not within the next week.
Part of me is terrified out of my guts. You know, starting off again into an uncertain future. Not knowing where this road will let nor how to support it (not the school itself, but after that...)...
so many questions, so few answers...
thankfully there is also a part of me that knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God is indeed an awesome God. A good and faithful father and friend.
I'll keep you posted.
Love, Hanna
PS.: Before I forget last month I spent a weekend up in Skien, Norway - you know, the place where it all started, my first base. It was sooo good to come back 'home', to see so many dear friends again, people where witnesses to some very special God-moments and also where God simply spoke into my life - directly, through them or through others...
Blessings!
Saturday, January 02, 2010
A new year, a new decade, a new beginning?
Hello my dear friends
I know it's been awhile, but you know how it goes when life is busy. After my vacation in October I went back on board the Viking Legend for another 6 weeks or 45 days of working straight. The season officially ended on November 22nd in Amsterdam. After that we had a 2-day VIP-trip for the official Christening of our boat.
I am telling you it was probably the shortest Christening in the history of all ship-Christenings. 3 minutes and it was all over - despite a little hickup when the ships godmother didn't cut the ribbon proberly on the first try. ;-)
Well, anyways I can imagine that you are all curios on what my plans are for this coming year.
First of I wanna start of again in Missions. Or at least part time... I'm not sure of all the specifics yet. What I do know is that I wanna do the YWAM Course: School for Ministry Development in Orlando, Florida. I had thought of starting this January (the day after tomorrow to be exact) unfortunately I didn't get all the paperwork together in time so now I am doing my best to get into the school in March. If you wanna know more about the school check out there website at http://www.ywamorlando.org/traning_school_ministry_development.aspx
As most of YWAMs schools this one is also split into two parts lecture and outreach. Whereas the lecture or school phase will be together with the whole group the outreaches or Field Assignments will be individual mostly as this school is all about seeing the dreams God has put on your heart come to life.
My hope is that through this school and especially through the outreach I can find the place for me - for now. I have enjoyed checking out different places/ministries, but I believe that it is time for me to find somewhere where I can commit to and you know maybe instead of just serving/living there for a couple of months how about a couple of years maybe. I would really like that. To get a chance to really get to know people again and thus having a much deeper impact on them...
enough rambling for today... all that is left for me to say is
to wish you a Happy New Year and a wonderful spiritfilled+ blessed year of 2010!
love hanna
I know it's been awhile, but you know how it goes when life is busy. After my vacation in October I went back on board the Viking Legend for another 6 weeks or 45 days of working straight. The season officially ended on November 22nd in Amsterdam. After that we had a 2-day VIP-trip for the official Christening of our boat.
I am telling you it was probably the shortest Christening in the history of all ship-Christenings. 3 minutes and it was all over - despite a little hickup when the ships godmother didn't cut the ribbon proberly on the first try. ;-)
Well, anyways I can imagine that you are all curios on what my plans are for this coming year.
First of I wanna start of again in Missions. Or at least part time... I'm not sure of all the specifics yet. What I do know is that I wanna do the YWAM Course: School for Ministry Development in Orlando, Florida. I had thought of starting this January (the day after tomorrow to be exact) unfortunately I didn't get all the paperwork together in time so now I am doing my best to get into the school in March. If you wanna know more about the school check out there website at http://www.ywamorlando.org/traning_school_ministry_development.aspx
As most of YWAMs schools this one is also split into two parts lecture and outreach. Whereas the lecture or school phase will be together with the whole group the outreaches or Field Assignments will be individual mostly as this school is all about seeing the dreams God has put on your heart come to life.
My hope is that through this school and especially through the outreach I can find the place for me - for now. I have enjoyed checking out different places/ministries, but I believe that it is time for me to find somewhere where I can commit to and you know maybe instead of just serving/living there for a couple of months how about a couple of years maybe. I would really like that. To get a chance to really get to know people again and thus having a much deeper impact on them...
enough rambling for today... all that is left for me to say is
to wish you a Happy New Year and a wonderful spiritfilled+ blessed year of 2010!
love hanna
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