The countdown says....

0!!!  0!!!!  0!!!  0!!!  0!!!!

I've been counting down for months waiting for the day I can say, "I'm going to Oklahoma today."  And as of 29 minutes ago, I could say that!!!!  It's beyond unbelievable!!!  It's like a wild dream that at any moment I'll wake up and wish it could be real.  But in less than 24 hours, it will be real.  I will once again, be standing on that beautiful red dirt! 

It's now been a year and a few weeks since I moved home to Michigan from that state I called my home for two years and that will always be a second home to me.  It's baffles my brain to think, a year, a whole year!!  That's crazy!  It seems like just yesterday I was living the life of an MC.  But at the same time, I've settled down here, learned to live life again living at home. And sometimes it seems like it's been a long year. 

Now, with the joy of finally getting to visit all the amazing people who so cared for me the two years of MC's, nerves and fears come with the excitement.  It will be so different- they have changed, I have changed and things have changed.  I will only see one of my classmates, and a few of the students from my second year.  How will it feel being there without my class and fellow "turns"?  I can only imagine what it will feel like. And what about the dreaded goodbye?  The loneliness of getting back on that plane all alone after so many good times is something I don't look forward to at all.  

But one thing I know for sure, I'm going to soak up every moment I can there!  I'm going to take every minute and call it precious.  And though my time there will be short, I know it's not forever.  For many people, I feel like I've been living right alongside them this last year, (thank God for facebook, skype and phones!) and it will just be a reuniting physically.  I know it will be hard to say goodbye, but as a wise person once said, "it's not goodbye, it's see ya later."  And as cheesy as that is, it's so true!  Forever!  We have forever together in the mighty family of the body of Christ. 

Some things will be different, some will be the same.  But I know the more I think about it, the more I will crazy with feelings and anticipation!!  So tonight, I'm going to lay down, and thank God for the beautiful gift of relationships He's given me, and fall asleep dreaming of the great things He's going to do in the future!

Toms DIY makeover!!!

It was two years ago that I got my first pair of Toms in the mall of America.  I was the happiest girl alive carrying my new favorite shoes home that night.  A few months later I would get my second pair, and still be in love.  Then, a year ago I got my third pair and hopefully this week, I will say hello to my fourth pair of Toms shoes.  I know, many of you are probably thinking I'm insane!  Maybe a little, but I really love shoes!  And for some reason, Toms are number 1 on my list.  I just love the way they feel wearing them, the way they look with jeans, shorts or even skirts.  And I love that they come in so many different, distinct colors and patterns. 

As I said, my first pair I got two years ago, and after being worn day after day, in all sorts of weather, all over the country, finally a game of soccer did them in and made them slightly more then "worn."  Here is what they looked like after that game:

Well loved, and well worn.  Somehow I still couldn't make myself get rid of them :)  A few weeks ago, my mom told me about some blogs she had been reading where people were patching up their worn Toms.  I started looking up crafty ideas to fix the well worn shoes and found some great ideas!  So I decided to give it a try.  Having plenty of time on my hands this last week, I gave it a shot.  I started with my black, less worn out pair tonight, and I think they look great!!  I found many creative ideas from covering just the toe area to re-covering the whole shoe.  I started covering the front and shortly realized it was going to take lots of glue, and patience! 

So for this pair I decided to just do the toe and back part where the holes were.  I used some jean fabric to cover the holes to insure they would stay closed. 

For the fabric, I spent a little more money and got a think craft fabric in hopes it would hold up a little longer then regular fabric.  It also takes the glue a lot better. 
I then removed my Toms flag on the backs of them so I could cover the back and then glued the flags back on. 

They look awesome and I love them!!  No, they are not perfect and won't last forever but I have new shoes and I made them myself!!  I am proud :)  I will let you know how the second, probably harder pair goes as I will be covering the whole thing!  Wish me luck!!

So, tomorrow evening, I will be boarding a plane, in my favorite shorts, new jacket, and made-over shoes on my way to a place I once called home (another post for another time).  I am beyond excited for this journey and I'm stoked to wear my "new", well loved beautiful shoes!!

It's official.....Hannah's bored

2 days, 3 hours, and 21 minutes....

That's how long I've not been working....and already I am bored out of my mind!!!!  So far I've watched football, picked up my room, watched way to much TV, watched fire, played guitar, mopped the floor....and ate food.  And the weekend isn't even over!!!  I have a hard time being bored.  It doesn't take me long to be bored and feel like I need to be doing something with my life!  I'm trying to save all my big projects for this coming week I have off so I don't totally lose my mind.  The hardest part of this boredom, is not spending money since I'm not making money right now. 

So, help me people!  Give me games to play, crafts to do, songs to sing, Anything that will keep me busy this week that doesn't involve sitting in front of a TV or computer screen!  Already I feel like I'm going blind!  I want to hear what you do when your bored! 

I'M BORED!!!!!!

Emotion

I am amazed at the crazy things I think, deal with, and wonder about.  Sometimes I think, "Am I the only one feeling this?."  Many people could tell me of course not, but still I wonder. 

I hate change for example, even if I'm confident I'm doing the right thing, I still hate it.  But I also hate doing the same thing over and over.  I feel like a puppy chasing his tail.  For example, I feel the Lord calling me to take another job with less hours to give him more of my time, but now that tomorrow is my last day at my current job, I wonder....what the heck am I doing???  This brings me back to something....

Two years ago- I lived with a wonderful host family and was happy, safe and comfortable there.  Then, He spoke.  He asked me to move.  "WHAT??!?!?!  Why would you not want what I want God???"  But I followed anyway.  And though it was hard at times, and I often wondered why I did it, I would NEVER give up that experience for a million years.  In the moment I didn't see why or understand how, but I gained so much through following him.  I gained two of the most amazing families that pushed me to grow and learn so much in the Lord and that is well worth the tears and stress in the moment. 

See, in the moment we lose our vision.  We wonder why we do things that put us through temporary discomfort and distress.  We blame God and ask why he would challenge us and put us in a hard place, after all, doesn't he love us???.  But that's just it, He loves me so much he's willing to watch me cry and hurt for a moment so he can turn my tears to laughing, my mourning for dancing!  And in the end, I will look at him and say, "God, you are good, and most worthy of praise." 

So here I am, knowing it will all be ok in the end, but still so confused and frustrated in the moment.  I don't want to say goodbye tomorrow to wonderful people I've worked with, crazy kids and awesome families who have brought me so much joy and frustration all at the same time! Though I'm overwhelmed with emotion, tomorrow will come and go.  I will be sad, I will shed tears, and I will ask why.  But I know the outcome this time.  I may wonder....but I won't doubt that He IS good.