Father's Day

Today we celebrate Father's Day.

God has blessed my sisters and me with a wonderful, loving, and compassionate father.  He is our rock and provider.

I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for him (Seriously, I probably wouldn't be in Baton Rouge).  He has encouraged me in every aspect of my life and to glorify God along the way.

 

Two LSU Tigers!

Dad,

You are an amazing man and I can only hope and pray to meet a guy like you someday.  Growing up you were always present.  I can't think of a time where you weren't in the stands cheering us on at whatever sport or event we were in.  Most importantly though, you are a man of God.  I'm so thankful for you not only today but everyday.  Words cannot describe how lucky I am to have you in my life and I'm so proud to be your daughter.  I love you and I appreciate you.

Love,

Hannah Jane

More Beautiful You

Like I promised, I am going to blog my thoughts on a study I've been reading called "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz.  I'm only halfway through and it's so good.  (When I quote the book it'll say MBY)

How do you define BEAUTY?

We are bombarded on a daily basis of what the world thinks is beautiful.  It's in the magazines, movies, and all over the Internet.  Those girls and boys are beautiful and look absolutely flawless.  What we don't see though are all the "touch-ups" they do on each photo to make it look so perfect.  They wipe away every blemish and bump with the click of the mouse.  Their teeth are whiter than white and their hair is perfection.

So what's the problem???

"The problem is we have been conditioned to judge beauty according to the same standards the world uses.  But the truth is the world's standards are completely distorted."

-MBY

I'm so guilty of this...

Of course I want the rockin' body, those pearly whites, and that flawless complexion.

Who doesn't?

I often find myself only inches away from the mirror inspecting every flaw on my face and comparing myself to others.  Wishing I could change some things about me.

But WHY??  Why would I want to change anything about myself when I am made in God's image??

"He purposely planned and precisely created every intricate detail of our beings.  That means nothing about our physical design is a mistake." -MBY

Let me share with you God's description of beauty:

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

1 Peter 3:3-4

"God places far more value on our inner beauty that He does on our external appearance." -MBY

I've always said a person's personality can make or break them.  I've seen beautiful people with zero personality and also some average looking people with the best personality in the world.  It's true that looks are the first thing you see but it's the personality that keeps you there.

"True beauty, as seen through God's eyes, has nothing to do with the number that comes up on the scale, what size bra we wear, how pouty our lips are, or the way we look in a pair of designer jeans.  True beauty becomes evident when we happily accept the attributes He has so precisely crafted into us and strive to use the abilities He has so generously gifted us with to bring Him glory and share His love in this world." -MBY

My challenge for you and for myself is to think about beauty apart from what the world defines it.  I want to enhance my inner beauty so that it will shine brighter than my outer appearance.

According to MBY:

We must include three basic steps in our beauty regimen if we want our lives to display the true beauty God has created inside each of us:

1.  True beauty comes from spending time with God.  All His beauty secrets are written for us in the Bible.  If we want to discover them, we need to read it every day.

2.  We need to spend time praying - sharing our fears with Him and allowing Him to place His peace in our lives.

3.  We need to learn from other Christians who can help us develop godly priorities and grow in our faith.

Read the Bible daily, pray, and surround yourself with those who will encourage you in your walk with Christ

So, you think we can do it?  I DO!

SMILE :)

You are beautiful just the way you are.

Believe that and you will shine brighter than ever before.

"Instead of searching for what the world calls beautiful, we should look at the One who created beauty in the first place." -MBY

Mother's Day

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31: 25-31

Today, we celebrate Mother's Day.

Today, Deborah Meeks Moody, I celebrate you.

My mother is:

A Godly woman

Beautiful

Faithful

Loyal

Compassionate

Creative

Extraordinary cook

The list could go on and on.  But one thing I always can count on is that she is always THERE.  Through thick and thin my mom is there for me when I need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.  I have a sense of peace and comfort knowing I can always count on her.

Just last weekend, Pi Phi was having their annual Senior Luncheon for the seniors and their mothers.  I knew my mom would be at the beach and we had talked about her maybe flying in but, in the end, it wasn't going to work out.  I was still going to attend the luncheon no matter what because I wanted to be with my friends and it was important to me.

All week my friends kept asking me if I was going and I kept saying yes, yes I'll be there.  One of my friends said we could share her mom for the day and that they would pick me up before the luncheon.  I didn't think much of it when people were asking if I were going and figured it was the normal routine we have in making sure all of our friends will be wherever we are going.

The day of the senior luncheon finally arrived last Saturday and it started at 11 o'clock.  Of course I kept snoozing my alarm and my roommate, Brooke, finally came in my room after she woke up at 10 and asked if I was still going.  Again, I said yes and she quickly encouraged me to get up and get moving, so I did.  Right after I got out of bed I heard the doorbell ring and assumed it is just one of our friends.  Next thing I know my mom is walking in my room with her arms filled with luggage.  Talk about a sweet surprise!!  I hugged her and cried, then quickly explained that if I had known I would have cleaned my room!   

Apparently my mom had contacted my friends and they were all in on the surprise :)

Here I am at 21 years old and my mom still never ceases to amaze me.  I was so glad she was there with me for my senior luncheon and couldn't have asked for anything more.

Mom,

Not only do I recognize all that you do for me today, but everyday.  I know I don't say it enough but I love you and I appreciate all that you do for me.  Even when I've had a bad day you remind me of all that is good in my life and encourage me to push through with my head held high.  I can only hope and pray to be half the woman you are someday.

All my love,

Hannah Jane

 I hope every mother had a wonderful day today!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy your weekend and treat yourself :)

Current Events

When I was in Junior High, we had to bring in a "current event" every Friday for science class.  Our topics could be anything science related and would range from medical advances to the latest fad diets. 

Well with all the events that have taken place in the last week I would have so many topics to choose from!  

(even though they aren't all "science related" they are still current events)

In the past week devastating tornadoes hit Alabama, Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, and Osama bin Laden was killed.

WOW, what a week it has been!

Here's my take on the current events:

AMERICA

Starting with the most recent, I want to say I have never been more proud to be an American.  We are a free country and the murdering of bin Laden shows that we will fight for our freedom as long as it takes.  I would like to thank all the military men and women who bravely serve our country to protect our freedom. Without you this country wouldn't be what it is today.  The death of bin Laden equals justice.  I will never forget the day of 9-11-01.  I was in 7th grade and even at that age I knew the intensity of what had happened.  I wrote down everything I did that day and my thoughts so that I would never forget.  I never knew it would take 10 years to find bin Laden but we did and I am so proud!

"For the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out." Proverbs 24:20

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Why yes I watched the Royal Wedding at 5am last Friday morning.  We went out the night before and went straight to a friend's house to watch this momentous occasion.  I have been looking forward to this wedding since the day I found out they were engaged back in November.  Their love story is so intriguing.

Kate is beautiful and flawless

I admire her

I am obsessed with her

I want to be her

She looked so beautiful in her Alexander McQueen wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton.

William and Kate's story is one of true and unconditional love for each other.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Tornadoes in Alabama

Even though other world changing news has taken place since the tornadoes, we cannot forget what happened that day.  On April 27, 2011 one of the most devastating tornadoes ripped its way through the cities of North Alabama.  I didn't realize how destructive it was until I saw all the pictures of the aftermath.  I know Tuscaloosa was practically flattened but also many other cites including my hometown was affected.  I can't even begin to imagine what it was like that day and how scared everyone must have been.  The closest I can relate is when hurricane Gustav hit Baton Rouge at the beginning of my sophomore year of college.  But with hurricanes you have time to prepare and I was able to evacuate home during it.  

Tornadoes, however, are fast and they are furious.

A Pi Phi at Alabama who I met on my mission trip last December is from Baton Rouge and contacted me asking if we would like to donate supplies for Tuscaloosa.  Without hesitation I said we would love to and began spreading the word.  She was coming in town for the weekend and was heading back up on Monday to take supplies back.  I was able to email the Pi Phi chapter here and spread the word through facebook with overwhelming feedback.  Everyone wants to help in some way or another.  One of my friends who is from Louisiana even said that many people helped them out during hurricane Katrina and now she wanted to return the favor.  I plan on taking more supplies up after my graduation and staying a few days to help out.  I know that by then there will be many people exhausted and new help is always refreshing.

This song is one of my new favorites.  I like to listen to it as if it is God telling me these lyrics.  So, to all my Alabama friends and family, just know that we won't let go and neither will God.  We will stand by you and help you through.  We are here praying and helping as much as we can and will continue to do so as long as it takes.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

One thing leads to another...

Have you ever had a thought that leads to another thought that leads to another thought until eventually you wonder how you got to thinking about what you're thinking about?  Well that happened to me last Friday on my drive up to Greensboro, AL from Baton Rouge.

During those long drives I find myself flipping through XM stations to find a song I like.  After a couple of hours on the road I feel like I've heard everything twice and I end up getting pretty bored with the music.  Well last Friday I stopped at a gas station and when I got back in my car I had a picture message from Adair.  She had taken a picture of the song she was listening to called "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz.  It's an awesome Christian song that I had introduced to Adair last time I was home and when it came on XM she thought of me and sent me a picture.

So as I got back on the road it got me to thinking...

I couldn't find anything I wanted to listen to on my favorite XM channels.  So I thought why don't I listen to the Christian music station?  I don't listen to it regularly because I like to know the words of the songs I listen to, but if I listened more I'd eventually learn all the songs.  I then turn XM channel 32 "The Message" and start listening to the music.

As I was listening to Christian music it got me to thinking...

I thought back to my daily devotional that I had read that morning.  Part of the devotional said, "Though I never leave you, you can essentially 'leave' Me by ignoring Me: thinking or acting as if I am not with you.  When you feel distance in our relationship, you know where the problem lies.  My Love for you is constant; I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.  It is you who change like shifting sand, letting circumstances toss you this way and that."  I know that when I actively read God's word and listen to Christian music I feel closer to God and more at peace.  I also can hear Him more when I open my heart.

While thinking about how to become closer to God spiritually it got me to thinking...

A lot of people question God.  I grew up in a Christian home and God was never a question.  I go to church, read my Bible, and pray daily.  I have never questioned if God exists but I was thinking about those that do.  They want some type of proof of his existence but Christians live on faith. There was a quote I once read in a book called The Shack that says, "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading,"  That is so true.  I thought of situations where I might see God and that is in miracles and amazing stories that people tell.  As I continued to think about God, I thought about my prayers.  Normally when I pray I tend to thank God for everything more than I ask for anything.  Although I know if I ask I shall receive.  However, that is not in my nature.  Even in my daily life I rarely ask for anything and I try to give as much as possible.  Some of the things I have asked God for in prayer are things like "please allow me to do well on this test" or "please don't let me get pulled over by that cop."

Since I was driving while thinking about cops it got me to thinking...

A few years back I was in a conversation with our Pi Phi president who is a wonderful Christian girl and she was talking about how she hates sitting in traffic.  But when she got to thinking about it she said there is a reason God has her in that traffic and that is so she doesn't get somewhere sooner than she needs to be.  Timing is everything.  Ever since then I think there is a reason I get stopped at certain red lights and it could be to avoid some wreck or there is a reason I leave somewhere when I do.  Even if I get stopped by the police (which I unfortunately have once or twice) there is a reason and God wants me to slow down and be careful.  God has a plan and He knows exactly what He is doing.

So I have this random train of thought while driving up through Mississippi and listening to Christian music...

  Literally, right after I'm finishing this thought I turn a corner and see the first cop I've seen all day sitting on the side of the road waiting to pull someone over.  Although I am not driving much over the speed limit, I instinctively tap on my brakes to turn off my cruise control.  I also find myself praying to God asking Him to not let this cop catch me and pull me over.  My prayer was answered and I was not pulled over.  Then I thought well that was weird because I was just thinking about cops and then I started laughing.  I instantly reflected back to my thought on how some people question God's existence and how I see Him through life's situations.  Like I said I've never questioned Him but some people want proof on how Christians "know" or believe in God.  Well ladies and gentlemen, God led my weird train of thought all the way to cops knowing that right after I would see a cop and say a prayer.  It's as if He were saying "I'll show you proof that I exist by putting a cop in your path and lead you to pray and talk to me."  

I called Adair and thanked her for sending me that picture message.

God is amazing and He gives us signs of His existence daily.  I pray that I continue to actively think about and read His Word and listen to Christian music so that it will open my eyes to see His beauty even more than I do now.

This is the video of the song "More Beautiful You" that Adair had heard on the radio and it led to this whole scenario.  It's an amazing song and I even bought Jonny Diaz's study in "True Beauty" that correlates to this song.  When I finish it I will blog about what it has taught me.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Happy Wednesday!