Favorite Verse: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3: 7-8)
Introduction:
That’s me in the center with two of my good friends from church– Jennifer and Nicole :) They have been a huge blessing and encouragement in my life– serving our English ministry, youth ministry, and elementary ministry together (though not all at the same time…haha).
I’m a recent college graduate trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life! It’s a little daunting at times; yes, but I that’s when I become SUPER grateful that God knows exactly what he’s doing.
My interests? Well, I’ve always had a heart and passion for people! Haha, it may not seem like it when you first meet me because I’m pretty quiet and shy; but I love to interact and connect with the people that God brings into my life. I love spending time with my family and friends doing the simple things! Eating or grabbing boba (noms!) are my favorite hehe. I love blush pink, tiffany blue, and the color mint accented with gold. I enjoy cold weather, bumming it on the coach with a good movie, and I love keeping active!! I will be your ultimate gym buddy!!! I really want to run a full out marathon one day! I enjoy looking at yummy recipes (actually trying them out is a different story >.<…working on that!), and I looking at and attempting DIY projects are always fun too! Ooh! And I love my dogs, Samson and Lola. They are adorbsies!! :)
A Bit of my Testimony:
I was raised in a Christian household, but I wasn’t really a Christian until the summer of going into my sophomore year in college. I started really questioning my faith and the religion of Christianity when I was in junior high. I remember a lot of church revivals were going on in that time, and I remember going to one and really not enjoying it. I just didn’t get the whole “Christianity” thing…it seemed like it was just something people called themselves, but it didn’t really make a difference in their lives. I continued to question whether I was truly saved, because deep down, I didn’t feel like I was. People assured me that as long as I believed in Jesus Christ, I was saved, but the problem was, I didn’t know whether I really believed…or what it even meant to believe.
High school was a really confusing time for me…a lot of things that happened didn’t directly happen to me, but it definitely impacted me. Around my freshman year of high school, my dad lost his job. During that same time, my grandma was also struggling with lung cancer. Things around the house changed a lot…and most of the time, I felt really alone. It sucked at the time because I felt while most people my age were thinking about grades, or looking good, being popular, or having fun…I was just trying to figure out what the heck was going on. I started to think about really morbid things I suppose…like death (since it was so close), and the purpose of life. I guess at the time I felt like it was unfair…like I was being pushed to grow up a little faster. But it was during this time that God really let me know that He was real, and that He was there for not only be, but for my family as well. However, I can’t say that I was saved during this time, because that realization didn’t impact the way I perceived and lived out life; it didn’t affect the way I treated others. I was extremely hardened towards church and towards people in general; I really closed myself off, and that, I see now, was due to my own pride.
God broke down my pride for good freshman year of college (but of course, the issue of pride is an on-going struggle). Oh gosh, freshman year of college…I was such a sad, sad person lol. Extremely, super bitter at this point. I really didn’t like my church. I didn’t like people at times. And I think worst of all, I really didn’t like myself. But God needed to bring me to that point to show me that I’m not the center of the universe!! My hardened nature made me very prideful towards people, the intentions in my heart seemed to always be unloving; I could feel that the impatience and selfishness in my heart was eating me away, and I didn’t know how to fix it. I couldn’t fix myself no matter how hard I tried because I couldn’t fix the attitude of my heart. I wanted to change…I didn’t want to be such an unhappy person…and that’s when God brought me to my knees and drew me close. I read the Bible one day during summer vacation…and the words hit me. I was going through 1 Corinthians 2…and I think what struck me the most was Paul’s humility. He did not bring any glory or attention to himself or Apollos, but he reminded the people of Corinthians that only God provides growth. I don’t know why this particular chapter to be honest…but gosh, reading that just struck a cord in me. I guess maybe it’s because Paul reminded me that life isn’t just about me…it’s about God, and it’s about people. Then, the Gospel finally started to make sense to me…
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
At that point in my life, I felt like a horrible person because of the darkness that resided in my heart. But…God told me, as I sat in my room by myself, that He loved me. He loved me from the very beginning, and He would always love me. And that was beautiful. In my eyes, I felt so unlovable…but God saw me for all my sinfulness, and still called me to Him. It blew my mind that every struggle in my life thus far was so that I would come to this point before God! To know that you are unconditionally loved, and no longer bound…that you are no longer slave to your sins…that is true freedom!
So I guess you can say from there, the rest is history. God’s love is enough to break down the sinner’s heart. His love is always enough…because He is a gracious, kind, loving, and faithful Father. Even in discipline, He is good. He is truly worthy of all praise, and I love God very, very much.
If you’re struggling with God…don’t give up! Continue to seek His face, and He will surely meet with you.
Grace and Peace Always,
Hannah
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Grace & Peace Always 