Day 16 - Your views on mainstream music.

Personally, I don't listen to main stream music.

Sure, I hear it while shopping, or in a friend's car, or on tv. But I don't consciously go out and find it, and I don't own any cds of mainstream music except for some Classical songs and I love Jazz, too.

Why?

Music was created for a purpose: to glorify God.

Satan was created as the archangel over all the praises sung to Him, so it should be no surprise that when he fell and warped things, he warped the very nature of music, too.

Not that I am against all music that isn't a hymn.

I think that as human beings made in the image of God, we reflect part of His nature by being creative. Music is an excellent expression of that creativity! I like all genres.

But, if it's not music made to bring glory to God, then I don't make a habit of listening to it.

Music affects us in a way that nothing else does; it doesn't just stay in the realm of the soul (mind, emotions, will), but goes into our very spirit. It can alter the way we think, feel, and treat others.

I'm just very careful about what I listen to. I don't know what else to say... and yes, I know I sound completely ridiculous but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Don't think I'm being "judgmental" about music, because I'm not the judge. God is. Take it up with Him.

-Hannah

Day 15 - Your favorite tumblrs

Actually, I don't follow any tumblrs. I am annoyed that tumblers is spelled incorrectly, however.

But, I do have a favorite blog.

This sweet girl was an acquaintance of mine in junior high and high school, and she is fabulous. I've grown up with her, watched her get married, and now she has a cute baby boy named Ryan!

You can read Mrs. Britney Gulbrandsen's blog here. It's precious.

I love that she tries to make a conscious effort to bring beauty to everyone around her, and always with a smile, too.

Day 14 - Your earliest memory.

My earliest memories are very sweet.

I remember my mom singing and rocking me to sleep every night when I was very, very little.

I remember my dad reading books to me, when I was very, very little.

I remember my first dog, Jed, who had to be put down and comforting my parents in the car when I was very, very little.

I remember asking Jesus into my heart and thanking Him for taking away my sins... when I was very, very little.

I remember making cookies with mom and my cousins, and decorating them with sparkly pink and red frosting, when I was very, very little.

I remember when my parents hid my Easter eggs that I had worked so hard to decorate, and getting SO MAD at that Easter bunny for stealing my eggs. When I was very, very little.

I remember being in preschool and doing crafts and singing songs about rainbows and kitties when I was very, very little.

I

remember

A lot.

And they are all good memories. Thanks mom and dad. :)

Day 13 - Somewhere you’d like to move or visit.

I'm not sure about moving, but I think I would enjoy living somewhere where the leaves change colors and there are actual seasons.

As far as places to visit (and these are not in order):

• Alaska
• Greece
• Israel
• Canada- specifically Prince Edward Island
• Bahamas
• Italy
• Spain
• France
• Austria
• Australia
• Russia (yes, really)
• Turkey
• Africa
• All the US national parks
  

So... basically I would love to go see the whole world? If only!

Scary thing is, this is just the short list. I have a much more detailed one... so, ummm, I'm a dreamer too. This whole challenge thing is making me look at myself in a whole different light. I think I need a reality check! But I reeeeeaaaaaally wish I could see everything on my list. I love looking at God's creation.

Day 12 - Bullet your whole day.

• Woke up late, scrambled to get ready
• Dentist's appointment (funn)
• Run Daniel to Peter's house
• Fill up the car at Chevron
• Run home, eat lunch & grab coffee
• Drive to work
• Work.
  
• Drive home.
• Spend some time with Grandpa & Grandma Jones
• Talk to boyfriend, talk to other friends
  
• Help make carne asada tacos for dinner
• Blog (quickly), check FB (quickly)
  
• Clean
• Help brother with resume and applying to college
• Clean some more
• Write
• Go to bed!
  

Not a particularly thrilling day, but hey no school or homework was involved so YAY. :)

Day 11

Day 11 - "Put your ipod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up."


Ok, here we have:


Deep Enough to Dream by Chris Rice

Everything Glorious by the David Crowder Band

Friend Like That by Hawk Nelson

Work by Jars of Clay

Set the World on Fire by Britt Nicole

Unbreakable by Fireflight

Sadie Hawkin's Dance by Reliant K

Shine by the Newsboys

Jesus Freak by D.C Talk

Salt in the Snow by The Silver Cord

Hmm. So I guess this is supposed to say something about me?

Yup.

Challenge Day 10

Day 10 - "Discuss your first love and first kiss."

I have a friend who was born the same day as me, and our moms are great friends so we've grown up together. Well one day-- we were four I think-- we were playing house. But we knew that we couldn't be a daddy and a mommy without being married first (of course!), so we kissed to "get married." It was cute. But our moms didn't think so!

Ha. Oh, the logic of little kids!

:)

Day 9... My Future & an Arizona Snowman

Right now, I have absolutely no idea what my future holds. I have a bucket list, and I'm already checking things off of it (and I add new things all the time), but as far as specifics go, I don't know.


Hmmm.


All I ask for my future is that I'm following whatever path God has for me; that I haven't strayed. Even if I'm on that path alone, I'm sure it will be glorious!

That's the thing. God is so exciting. If you really know Him, you know that He's positively addictive. That's all I want. Whatever He has planned for my life, I am fully confident that it's better than anything I could think of on my own.


:)

On a totally unrelated note, check out this Arizona snowman! It completely surprised me today on my way to class. It was just chillin' on this random table. Made me smile!

Day 8 of the C.

"Day 08 - A moment you felt the most satisfied with your life"

Ok, so that last post is pretty awful. So I'm going to pretend it's tomorrow and do number 8 too. Aaaaaaaand it's another way to put off finishing my paper (I need a break).

Anyway.

I think that I almost always feel satisfied with my life. Who wouldn't be? I love it.

I have everything, everything in the whole wide world. I am completely happy, because I have JOY. That is what 2010 for me has been about.

Joy.


How to be content, or satisfied, in all things. When my dog is happy to see me... every single day of my life. Or when I feel hopeless studying Hebrew and want to throw my flashcards covered in 7 different verb categories out my second story window.

When I look outside, and see little plump brown cactus wrens making nests in the neighborhood saguaros, crowned in all their glory with snowy white and buttery yellow blooms.

When I see javelinas patrolling the neighborhood, and my mom trying to chase big horned owls off the roof.

When I am at school, and running on little sleep and coffee, and I want to take a nap but it's only 10 in the morning.

When I stop to take a picture of a pretty flower on campus, and someone notices and says hi, and then Bam! I made a new friend and shared a beautiful experience.

When my friend calls me crying because her hamster died, or when a coworker just needs a hug.

When I have my quiet time with God, and He puts everything back into perspective.

When I'm in pain all day, or when I'm not.

When I spend time with my cousins, any of them- I love them all dearly, and whether we're playing Hungry Hungry Hippos or talking about their day at school- I know that I have been blessed with an awesome family.

When little girls at my church share their secrets with me over candy canes and hot cocoa.

When my AWANA girls come in tired from life, and sigh in relief at my encouragement and support.

When I'm feeling ugly and waaaay tired at a friend's party, and my dad catches me sighing in the mirror and says, "Yes, Hannah. You're still beautiful."

When my brother asks me for help- and I may not have a lot of time, but I stay up all night to help him finish a project or show him how to write a resume, or surprise him with a Suns game. He's a great brother, and the only one I've got.

Wow, how's that for rambling.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I really love my life. I won the lottery.

-HJ

Challenge Day 7

Today I have to cover, "Your zodiac sign and if you think it fits your personality."


Confession.


I didn't even know what mine was, I had to look it up.

Turns out, I'm a Sagittarius, which is a horse or centaur (depends where you look I guess?)

I'm supposed to like art, and traveling, and be great at life in general. Well, this could describe anyone really, so I guess you could say it fits me too? I love art and traveling, at least.

Honestly, I think this one is a big waste of time... any of the zodiac descriptions could fit anyone, really.

:)

Challenge Day 6

My own personal style....


Well, it depends. At home, I pretty much live in sweats or my favorite pajamas, because who cares what you look like at home, right?

For school, I have moved this year from school casual to business casual, because I'm in the Provost's office and I have to look nice. That means no more flip flops, and I have to dress up a little. It's kind of fun though! But it takes more time in the morning, so... hmm. I love the Avenue right now as far as places to shop.

As for my hair, it is naturally straight. Lucky me, I know. I like it medium length- I don't like it short, and I would grow it out longer, but then it's too much work. So medium is good. I usually just blow dry it upside down, and then I curl in my different layers so I have cute little curls framing my face. Or, I might put it half back, with a fancy clip or something. Recently, I've discovered those little spin- pins, those spiral bobby pin things? Those are AWESOME. I've been experimenting with putting my hair up, and so far it's been really cute.

I hardly ever have my finger nails painted- I think too many years in marching band broke me of that habit (you're not allowed to wear it). I always have my toes painted though- I feel naked when they aren't painted.

And I rarely ever go out without makeup on.

So, I guess at home it's whatever I feel comfortable in, and at school I'm by no means a fashionista but I do make an effort to look professional.

Challenge Day 5

Today, I'm supposed to write about a time I thought about ending my own life.

I don't think I have ever seriously thought about it- I think I've thought about what it would mean if I died, what it would mean to my family if I were gone. I've wondered if anyone but my family would come to my funeral, but that's always been with the thought that I hope I'm not in a freak accident or something.

Of all the places in the world I could have been born, I was put in America. Of all the families out there I could have been put in, I was put with two loving parents; parents who always made me and my brother first in their lives. Of all the places I could have ended up, I ended up right where I am... able to hold a job, and go to college for free. I have the privilege of putting into other people's lives with volunteer work, and I have an absolutely astounding church family I treasure more than anything. I have few close friends, but many good acquaintances, and I have been blessed with a capable mind and many talents to boot.

Why would I give that up?

Especially because my life is not my own- it belongs to Someone else. He gets to decide when I join Him, not me. What a slap in the face to God it would be if I decided I knew better than Him when that time was. Ouch.

I think it's awful that people feel so sad and desperate with their lives that they feel they have no reason to live. That's tragic, but suicide is never the answer. In fact, it is an incredibly selfish thing to do. It doesn't just affect you; it affects the lives of your family and countless others around you. Yikes.

Anyway. I hope tomorrow's topic is a more positive one!

Challenge Day 4

My views on religion.

In the entire world, there are only two religions. Really. There are many, many shapes and colors of them, but when you look in the box and take off all the ribbon and wrappings you find either one or the other. The first you find is the religion of "I." "I" do good things or "I" don't do this, or "I" can do whatever I want because their is no God (although, that last one falls more under the category of mythology and not religion). The other one is the cross. That Jesus was both fully man and fully God, that he came to earth to suffer and die on the cross as atonement for our sins, as a perfect sacrifice, so that we could spend eternity with him. That there is nothing we can do to get to heaven ourselves, except accept the free gift of salvation and ask him into our hearts. That we do nothing; He already did everything.

That is all.