My AMAZING Weekend!!

Ok, so I'm taking a break from the 30 day challenge today, because I HAVE to tell you about my awesome weekend... and it's not even over yet!!


First, I spent Friday at the beautiful Desert Botanical Gardens for work. We were developing a "walking mathematical tour" for kids, and it was pretty awesome! It was an absolutely gorgeous day.


The sky was just perfect.
Soo blue!

They even had my favorite-- little owls!!!! And all conveniently in a barrel, too. ;)



Another look at the sky, from the front entrance ramada.


Friday night I spent with an AWESOME group of friends at the Arizona Science Center! First Fridays of the month you get in free as an adult. I made a vortex, assembled light circuits, played with a magnetic wall, and laughed at the trippy two- way mirror they have that splits your face with someone else's, and it is worth doing. I'm so glad I went! Afterward we all ate at IHOP, and I had some pretty good pancakes.



And then.


Oh. My. Gosh.


Today was just a perfect day... one of those rare days that just smacks you upside the head with how awesome it is.

I spent the day with my cute boyfriend, Scot, and his friends (well, mine too) Kala and Jeff. We started at 8 in the morning for Flagstaff, and played in the snow out in the middle of the forest for a while. It was so pretty! Powdery white goodness, wet shoes and socks, and Scot pushed me down a little road on a sled. It was quiet (except for us), and you could hear the wind blowing through the trees. The Aspens were beautiful, too, and matched the ground.

We got pretty chilly though, so headed back to the car and just decided to go to the Grand Canyon! Yes. Yes we did. Huge thanks to Scot for driving today, you get some special points for that.

It was breathtaking. Literally, it was so cold, it took your breath away. ;) No, not really, but the views sure did!

See what I mean!

I love the snow. It lets you see little details in the canyon that you can't see without it.

And of course, the BEST part was spending the day with Scot. What a gentleman, and seriously I'm impressed. The whole day, AND the Grand Canyon. I'm speechless.

Aren't we cute? Yep. I know. :)

So, the weekend isn't even over yet! Tomorrow, I'm going with my AWANA kids to play laser tag... haha, they better watch out!

Anyway, this year has been amazing so far, and it's only the 8th. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds!

Day 24 - Your favorite movie and what it’s about.

Well, this is hard.

One thing I've noticed about myself is that I don't necessarily only have one favorite of anything... and this includes movies.

I think number one is Dances With Wolves, and it's about an American soldier who befriends a Native American tribe and helps them escape destruction. I like it because the main character actually takes time to get to know the people, actually learns the language, and respects them. I also love the scenery in the movie.




Second on my list is Ever After, and of course that is a version of Cinderella. I'm not particularly thrilled with Drew Barrymore in general, but I think she did a pretty great job in this one. I love how the story is portrayed, and that it's told like a real story.

















My other favorite is the Anne of Green Gables series (there are three), the ones from Sullivan Entertainment. I always wanted to be just like Anne after seeing those, and I think I still do! Smart, courageous, puts others above herself, always looks on the bright side of things... what's not to love about Anne?








Oh wait a minute. I lied.



Ok, so my ALL TIME favorite movie is definitely Blast from the Past starring Brendan Fraser.


The first time I saw this one, I was literally on the floor laughing, with tears streaming down my face, and my dog was going crazy because he'd never seen me act that way before.

I love it. It just is about the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Plus, I love Brendan Fraser.


So, there you have my favorite movie, and movies. Ha.

Days 21 and 22 (of the 30 day challenge)

Day 21 - One of your favorite shows.

Day 22- how you have changed in the past 2 years.


Hmm, I like old shows, such as the Walton's, Andy Griffith, Wonder Years, Wind at My Back, MASH, I Dream of Jeanie, and Leave it to Beaver (yes, really. "Hey, Beave.") Yes, I know I'm living in the wrong time, but I think they are way better than the junk on tv now. What, I do!


As for how I've changed in the last two years:

Well, there are little things, such as learning Hebrew and Greek that are different.

And then there are other things, that are a little bit bigger of a deal. Such as the fact that I honestly, truly, cross- my- heart know beyond a shadow of a doubt that living for Christ is worth it. That I've been tempted in ways that were pretty intense, but with God's help ran away and came through unscathed and intact. I think I've grown more patient with people, too. I've learned not to let people walk all over me, and that friends who only take from you and never give back are not really friends at all. For a long, looooong time I just felt like I was a bank, and people kept withdrawing and withdrawing from it, but never depositing anything. Not fun, and while I still love everyone in my life, I've learned that it's ok to not be a doormat or strictly a caretaker.

I've also learned, most importantly of all I think, that God really is enough. That during those times when I've felt completely alone, I really wasn't. I always had Someone to talk to, who was always glad to spend time with me and listen. It helps knowing that-- it helps a whole lot. In fact, believing that has changed everything for me.

Fortunately, the past two years have also brought some really great people into my life; people who are genuine and seem to appreciate me for me. Yay! They are literally an answer to many year's worth of prayers.

I've also learned that I need to slow down a little in life. That sometimes, it really IS ok to stop and smell the flowers... that it's ok to relax once in a while!! I've found new books to read, places to go, things to do. That while it is good to work hard, it's also good to have fun. The key is balance, which is still an area I'm working on, because I seem to work too much and not play enough. I have to admit... I'm really hoping that things slow down a little once I graduate. I don't think I can keep this pace up! But it has definitely improved (a lot) from what it was.


Ok, there are my midnight ramblings for today. And don't you like my new owl background? It brings much joy to my heart. I love them.

:)

Day 20 - How important you think education is.

I will begin this post with one of my favorite quotes, from C.S. Lewis:

"A man who has been many places is not likely to be deceived by the local errors of his native village: the scholar has lived in many times and is therefore in some degree immune from the great cataract of nonsense that pours from the press and the microphone of his own age."

Education is essential to being a human. We must learn; if we don't learn, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we remain stagnant in our thinking, and become complacent in our attitudes about life.

Also, education is an avenue by which we can learn not just about God, but also help us to discover who He actually is. In learning about God's creation, we see just how complex it is, and how to take better care of ourselves through the studies of science and medicine. We discover new ways to be creative, to be helpful, to improve the quality of life for those around us.

In the arts, we discover how to express not just ourselves, but more importantly truth. True art is when a depiction of truth meets our souls. At least, that's my definition.

Probably the most important thing we get from education, though, is a broader view of the world around us- from history, from other cultures, and from the Bible. Education takes a lot of focus off the self and replaces it with focus on others.

Learning language is important too; if you don't master it, you will be mastered by someone who has (I forget just who said that). Also, language has some power. It is performative; for instance, when a minister says, "by the power vested in me by..., I now pronounce you man and wife," his words make them married. When someone says, "I forgive you," they are restoring a relationship.

The Bible begins with some words, too. God speaks creation into being: "...and God said, 'let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis). God changes names (what are names? words!), and speaks to His people through words of prophets in the OT.

God speaks to us today through written words, making written language important as well. It is the way that the whole story of humanity was preserved for us-- by written language. Very specific ones, too. As someone who has studied both Greek and Hebrew, I can tell you that those two languages were not picked to preserve the word of God by accident. They are very, very specific-- much more specific than English is. It's a hard thing to explain if you haven't studied a foreign language, but the grammar is much more complex and particular.

Anyway, just as the Bible begins with spoken words, it ends with written ones; we see in John's Revelation the Book of Life, and that book has names written in it. Those names written down are what allows people into God's kingdom or not. Pretty powerful stuff.

Ultimately, I believe that education is essential to living life to the fullest. Think about what happens when people are not allowed to think critically about things, are not allowed to question, and are not allowed any outside influences to shape their thinking... things go very wrong. Can anyone say "cults," for instance?

Education is freedom.

It is liberty.

It is us asking questions, and asking questions is, if you think about it, part of how you get to know someone. Education ultimately should lead us to get to know the Someone who made everything; the Someone who has all the answers and looks forward to answering them, because it's part of the process of getting to know Him and who He is.

Sorry, I could go on about this for much longer, but I think I covered the most important points of what I think. I'll leave you with that. :)

Day 19 - Disrespecting your parents

All I have to say is,

WHY would you do that?! They put up with you, and are there for you no matter what (well, at least that's been my experience).

If you think about all of your stuff they've put up with for your lifetime, and all the sacrifices and things they've given up-- just for you-- I think it's pretty darn selfish and ungrateful to disrespect them.

Of course, I've had great parents. I'm incredibly thankful for them, and for the examples they have been to me. I know that parents are not perfect, but I have to say that as far as parenting "perfection" goes, mine are definitely at the top of the list. I can only imagine how disappointed and hurt they would be with me if I did that. Ouch.

Day 18 - Your beliefs.

(I'm skipping day 17. Because I can.)


Anyway, my beliefs.

This is titled, "On Your Worst Day"

You really are clean, holy, alive, forgiven, new, beautiful, acceptable, complete, Spirit indwelt, adored, chosen, adopted, able, intimately loved, smiled upon, planned for, protected, continually thought about, liked, enjoyed, cared for, comforted, understood, known completely, given all mercy, compassion, guarded, matured, bragged on, defended, valued, esteemed, held, hugged, caressed, kissed, heard, honored, in unity with, favored, enough, lacking nothing, directed, guided continually, never failed, waited for, anticipated, part of, belonging, never alone, praised, secure, safe, believed, appreciated, given all grace, all patience, at peace with, pure, righteous, shining, precious, cried over, grieved with, strengthened, emboldened, relaxed with, never on trial, never frowned at, delighted in, at rest in, healed, nurtured, continually sheltered from the full brunt of devastation, taken shame from, carried, never mocked, never punished, all of your jokes enjoyed, partnered with, not behind, not outside, given endless affection...

-written by John Lynch

All of my beliefs rest upon the fact that God loves me because He chooses to, and not because of anything I've done or have to do. He simply loves me for me, and I am enough just as I am. I believe that God is not an angry God with us, but one who loves us more than we allow ourselves to give Him credit for.

This is why I follow Him; because I trust Him.

It is possible to obey God and not trust Him. One cannot, however, trust God and be disobedient to Him.

That explains me, and my beliefs... why I live my life the way I do, and how come! Don't you want that? If you've never trusted Christ as your personal savior, ask him to be right now. Admit that you are in need of some help, and that you gladly welcome Him into your life. Amen.

If you already have, know that it's ok to start living like this is true, all the time-- because it is!

You see, God is not a God that waits for you to screw up so he can punish you. No; rather, he cries for you! He feels your pain like his own, and he sent His only Son to die a horrible death... for you. It is my wish that everyone should know the God that I know, and that everyone would know and understand what it is to be unconditionally, irrevocably, loved.


-Hannah

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!! There is something so fresh and exciting about a brand new year with no mistakes in it. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and to think about what you want to see happen in the next year. A time to bring out the sparkling cider, sugar cookies, and glow sticks.

So, I spent my new year's eve with my boyfriend's friends (I mean they're mine too, but still mostly his), and what a night it was! They had food, and Jeff decorated with streamers and shiny things, and we played a bunch of games. It was a blast.

We talked about many things last night: Charlie the Unicorn (I had never heard of him, and thought they were kidding until they showed me the video), what glow sticks are made of, and discussed at length the humor in Zombieland (ok, guy humor is not my favorite). Interestingly enough though, no one brought up the topic of New Year's Resolutions.

No one! I guess because most people end up breaking them in February, or don't take them seriously anyway. It was kind of a relief though- I usually only make one resolution every year, and it's the same one. It was really awesome not to be put on the spot and asked about "how I'm going to improve my life." We just relaxed, had fun, and enjoyed each others' company. Yay for good friends.

Yay for good friends!!

So, what are your guys' new year's resolutions? Did you make any? :)