Thankfulness - Day 28, 29 and 30: SURPRISES, White Noise and Truth.

I am thankful for surprises! I decided last week to fly home for Thanksgiving - and kept it a secret from my siblings. I love family time, inside jokes, seeing my niece, mash potatoes with gravy, and laughter. 

I am thankful for the free 'white noise' app called "Sleep Machine Lite". It is a gem of an app - and I use it every night - at home, on planes, sharing a bed at a conference... yes.

I am thankful God gently reminds me He's got everything under control. It's all to often I find myself  trying to make sense of everything (probably my 'Activator/Strategic' side coming out)... but He reminds me:
"Hannah, don't limit MY creativity." - (John 11)

Thankfulness - Day 27: Yes.

Thankfulness - Days 24, 25 and 26: Videos of my niece, Fall and my friend Jennifer Visser!

I am thankful for little videos like from my adorable niece, Addison (she got a little distracted at the end) :

I am thankful for fall weather - time for boots, scarves and coats! 

I am thankful for my friend Jennifer Visser. Today, November 26th, is her GOLDEN BIRTHDAY! Jenn and I have shared so many memories together:

One of the FUNNIEST moments in my life - road tripping back from Summer Project in Virginia Beach, 2008. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard.

At the Summer Project final banquet.

Snowboarding in West Michigan.

Enjoying some fondu...

 Indy Christmas Conference senior year.

The honor of standing up in Jenn's wedding 9/10/11!

I love you Jenn!

Thankfulness - Days 22 and 23: Spanglish and Dried Fruit

I am thankful for Spanglish. In my time here in Panama, I am rooming with two girls, students, from El Salvador. Ellie speaks a good amount of English and Marcela speaks a little. Funny enough, I've spent the last couple nights, talking more with Marcela - both of us learning and practicing each others languages.

Ellie is on my left and Marcela is on my right. We are sporting some Indigitous conference SWAG!

I am thankful for dried fruit, like raisins and banana chips, that travel well. Sometimes, the places we travel, we cannot eat the the fruit and vegetables because they are washed - and we don't know if our stomachs can handle the local water.

I bought these raisins in Sweden 2 weeks ago...

Field testing with the Netherlands STINT Team

Having dinner with the Netherlands STINT team at one of their favorite restaurants in Tilburg.

Last week, I was privileged to join the first Netherlands STINT team in their campus ministry. They welcomed me with laughter and open arms! During my stay with them, I toured the campus, met the Dutch staff they work with as well as many Dutch friends they have made in the 3 months they have lived in Tilburg.

Thursday morning, I joined their staff team meeting and cast vision of time we would later go on campus and initiate conversations with students. (Cru calls this "sharing" or in verb form "to go sharing".) They were all excited to get trained in using a new resource for campus ministry.

After the JFM training, everyone chose a few follow up questions before going out to "share".

I'll admit, I was a little nervous to go sharing again - it had been about 3 years since I went sharing back in my undergrad days at GVSU! But God graciously led Eric, Alyson and me to several conversations, in various degrees of Spirituality. Besides the valuable perspective I gained from this experience for JFM, it seemed to "stir the pot" of spiritual awareness among the Dutch students. Not every conversation led to a full explanation of Gospel, but we left them thinking more about God than they had the hour before we met.

I am excited to take what I have learned from this campus experience, and help refine the process - developing better follow up questions and possibly going sharing at UCF - the local campus near my apartment in Orlando. In fact, this whole experience warmed my heart to the idea of campus ministry. Who knows what's next! :) 

Yesterday, I received an email from Shelby, one of the Netherlands STINTers. Here is what she had to say:

"I had a followup today with a student we met using La Liberté and in our conversation she brought up how watching the film brought her to think about God again for the first time since she was a little kid. She told me about how far removed religion and spirituality are in the culture here, but how grateful she was that we came and talked with her and gave her the chance to start thinking through these things.

Thanks to the film, I was able to go through the gospel with her today and she wants to meet regularly to learn more about Christianity and who God really is!"

Thankfulness - Day 19, 20 and 21: Worship in different languages, Hair Gel and Coffee.

I am thankful for worship in different languages:

I am thankful for hair gel. If I did not have access to some, my hair would be so crazy and out of control!

I am thankful for coffee. I've only been a "drinker" for about a year and a half. I've recently grown to appreciate different brewing methods, beans and types of coffee.

In 2006, Panamanian coffee 'Kotowa' was ranked 4th best in all of the world!

Thankfulness - Day 18: Tis true - let us rejoice!

Thankfulness - Days 14, 15, 16 and 17: Transportation, Marketing Jesus, Music and Photography

I am thankful for transportation. In the last ten days, I drove a car, rode a tram, flew in many planes, rode a few trains, took a couple bus rides, had a boat tour, took a taxi and rode a bike.

I am thankful for my job. When I graduated college with a Business and Marketing degree, I would never have guessed the experiences I have had, places I've visited, people I've met, and work God has prepared for me. It's cool that my job currently is essentially "marketing Jesus". I really enjoyed field testing via sharing on campus with the STINT team in Tilburg.

I am thankful for music. I've recently been enjoying the new 'Jenny and Tyler' album called "Open your doors". 

I am thankful for photography. It is one of my outlets for creativity. It gives me so much life! Cultures, shadows, angles, lighting, colors, people, motion, beauty, experiences, memories - I love them all.

Thankfulness - Day 13: Jeremiah 31:3

I am thankful for His love.

Thankfulness - Day 12: Verses of truth and perspective

I am thankful for verses of truth and perspective, reminding me of what is healthy and eternal.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” - Colossians 3:1-4

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” - Romans 8:1-8 

Thankfulness - Day 11: Technology

I am thankful for technology like this, that tells us where films by The JESUS Film Project have been viewed.

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

Thankfulness - Day 8, 9 and 10: Culture, Friends Abroad, and Creativity

I am thankful for the vast array of culture. You can learn so much from other people!

I am thankful for friends like Lindsey Hendrix, who live abroad. I am thankful God has called her to live our her faith in Sweden. I am thankful that He has given her such great ability to learn and speak Swedish so well! (I was very impressed!)

I am thankful for all of God's creativity. Being introduced to a new culture, seeing the "every-day-life" of a friend living in another country, and just appreciating the beauty of European architect. There is so much history and even Spiritual meaning behind some of the buildings.

Thankfulness - Day 6 and 7: Adventure, True Peace and Spiritual Conversations

I am thankful for adventure - memories, pictures, cultures, meeting new people, trying new food - there are always good stories that come from adventure!

I am thankful for true peace that only God can give. One of my bags was lost on a flight - in it are important things like my computer charger, SLR digital camera and gifts for missionaries I'm visiting. I'm choosing to rest in the peace of God, knowing HE knows exactly where it is and if/when it will be returned to me. Prayers for this would be appreciated!

I am thankful for spiritual conversations. This is something I develop ministry strategies using film, for these types of conversations in my "everyday office job". This morning, I met a girl on my flight, Marrieke, who was wearing a sweatshirt for the University/town I was traveling to. In the course of our gate-waiting, flight and train ride, we became friends (even on Facebook!), talked about University (College) life, work which led to spiritual things. In my small group from church, we've just started a study looking at the gospel more in-depth. Having this fresh on my mind and heart, God led me to share what the "gospel" is to her - as it can be a 'Christianese' word, that we sometimes don't take time to explain. Please pray with me that Marrieke will get connected to the Cru (Life Agapé) ministry here at her University (of which I have staff friends to connect her with!).

I am also thankful for the STINT partnerships that have developed with Jesus Film Media. They are the ones who help field test these ministry strategies using film - specifically internationally and across many different cultures. I am looking forward to field testing with the team in The Netherlands soon!  

Thankfulness - Day 5: Cheesy pictures, Laugher and Girlfriends

I am thankful for all these silly laughing pictures.

I am thankful for the growing friendships between each of my college girlfriends in all the pictures over the years.

I am thankful there is ALWAYS laughter when we are together!

April 2009

March 2010

April 2010

July 2012

October 2013

Thankfulness - Day 4: Prayer

I am thankful that I can freely pray and that my God hears me.

I am thankful that God graciously and patiently teaches me things and gives wisdom and counsel as He sees fit.

Thankfulness - Day 3: Oceans and Music

I am thankful for the message in this song.


I am thankful God has a plan and desires to lead me in ways that require me to surrender and trust HIM. 

Thankfulness - Day 2: Football, Rain and Crafts

Today, I am thankful for football.

I am thankful that the Spartans played an excellent football game against the Wolverines. 

I am thankful for the needed rain that has cooled the weather.

I am thankful this dreary Saturday, which encouraged me to stay inside, work on some painting projects and have some introvert time.

I just went to town repainting picture frames. I added these to our kitchen.

I bought this canvas at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Here is the before and after!

I like it much better.

I painted this frame too and hung it around our key rack.

Thankfulness - Day 1: Thankful for 30 days

This month, I am going to try and post something I am thankful for, a cool quote or verse each day. I want to practice the art of gratitude and surrender the attitude of entitlement.


Ponder this: