Monday February 9th, 2015

Fashion

Happy Monday! Yesterday was such a beautiful day! The weather was 70 so I got to wear sandals… 🙂 As much as I like the cold weather, I just LOVE the warmer weather. But today I’m sharing an outfit that is very typical for us Texans! We can’t wear thick sweaters because by noon its so hot… So I have to stick to layers and scarfs. I love the texture of the sweater mixed with the pattern of the scarf. Here’s to an awesome week! 🙂

Photography: Abbey Burge Photography

Sweater: Nordstorm / Scarf: Target / Jeans: Topshop x Nordstorm / Shoes: Steve Madden / Earrings: Nordstorm BP / Bracelet: Alex & Ani Initial / Ring: Kendra Scott / Watch: Michele / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Aviators 58 mm / Lipstick: NARS in ‘Roman Holiday’ / Lipgloss: Bobbi Brown in ‘Petal’

Thursday February 5th, 2015

Fashion

Happy Thursday! Today I’m wearing a sweater that is a little crazy… My cousin Bailee bought this sweater over a year ago at Canton Trade Day’s and never wore it. So the other day she offered it to me. I probably would’ve never bought this sweater but I love it! It just goes to show that sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to try new things! Cream and sweaters are two of my favorite things! Perfect combo.

Also, if you live in the Dallas/ Fort Worth Area you need to check out my amazing hair stylist Bailee! She always keeps my hair looking great. Call Shelton’s Salon in Fort Worth to schedule an appointment with Bailee. 🙂

Photography: Abbey Burge Photography

Sweater: Canton Trade Days- can’t remember the shop name / Jeans: Topshop x Nordstorm / Shoes: Steve Madden / Purse: Celine / Watch: Michele / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Aviators 58mm / Lipstick: NARS in ‘Roman Holiday’ -my new favorite lipstick! / Lipgloss: Bobbi Brown in ‘Petal’ -my new favorite lipgloss!

Wednesday February 4th, 2015: Sometimes Life, and Most Times I, Feel Just Like A Sailboat.

Devotions

Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a good week so far. If you read my blog often you’ll know that I like to write posts inspired by songs and today is one of those posts. I wanted to talk about something that I struggle with constantly. And honestly if you’re a human being, you do to. Sometimes I feel like I’m just walking around aimlessly with no end in sight. No matter how hard I try there seems to be no direction. Ben Rector’s song Sailboat captures this feeling perfectly.

I feel just like a sailboat
I don’t know where I’m headed
But you can’t make the wind blow
From a sailboat

I have seen the sun
Felt the rain on my skin
I’ve been lost and found
But mostly I’ve been waiting

Oh I’m out in the waves
I’m hoping and praying
Please let this wind blow me home
Night after night there’s an empty horizon
And my God do I feel so alone
Sometimes life, most times I, feel just like a sailboat

I’m pretty sure I’m heard
At least I know I’m speaking
But I feel like a fool
Cause I can’t hear you listening

But I’m not giving up
Oh I will move on forward
I’m gonna raise my sail
God knows what I’m headed towards

The only change I see
Lost or found, let’s see
The only difference is believing I’ll make it in

Sometimes I just feel like a sailboat. I don’t know where I’m exactly headed. I try to figure it out in my own human strength but I can’t figure everything out perfectly (hello I’m not perfect so how could I orchestrate something to be perfect… that’s for another post!). I’m out in the waves of life hoping to be saved, feeling alone. It’s not because I’m a depressed person. It’s not always because of any particular reason. It’s sometimes just life.

“But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.” Matthew 11:30-32 NLT

Do you act like Peter when you see the waves? Do you start to sink? Well the good news is, Jesus reaches out to grab you. You have to have faith though. If you can’t trust God in the storm you might just sink!

“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” Isaiah 40:21-26 NLT

He may seem far off in the distance laughing at you while you suffer, but He is right by your side. He knows your name. He knows your situation. He hasn’t lost you like a mom loses her child in Walmart (y’all know what I’m talking about.) He sees your troubles, hears your cries and it not scared by them. He understands you. He has not forgotten about you.

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep.I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.” Ezekiel 34:11-12 NLT

If you feel like me sometimes, aimlessly walking around with no end in sight, don’t worry! There is an end in sight, it’s called Heaven! (can I get an Amen to that!) Don’t feel like a sailboat without hope. You’ve got the greatest hope and His name is Jesus!

Always,

Hannah

Prayer requests can always be sent to thatotherhannahblog@gmail.com

You can download Sailboat here and watch a music video here! 🙂

Tuesday February 3rd, 2015

Fashion

Today I wearing a really cozy cape. I had been looking for a cape but didn’t want to spend over twenty dollars so I waited and like always, Kohl’s came to the rescue. I LOVE Kohl’s. I can always count on Kohl’s to have the best prices and sales. I refuse to ever buy something there full priced. This cape cost like $17.99. You can’t beat that! The pattern is fun without being too busy, which is what I like to wear! Check those sale racks this time of year for awesome scarfs, capes, hats, and gloves on major sale! Happy Tuesday. 🙂

Photography: Rachel Gracy

Cape: Kohl’s / Black Undershirt: Upscale / Jeans: Topshop for Nordstorm / Boots: Hunter / Necklaces: Express and Kelly’s Treasures / Watch: Michele / Lipstick: NARS in “Schiap”

Monday February 2nd, 2015: I’m Back!

Devotions

Hello! I am so glad to be back after a little hiatus. 🙂 I don’t know about you but my soul needs a break from social media every once in a while. It’s so easy to get caught up in the world of social media… But anyways! It’s about to get real so hold your britches’ (as we like to say in Texas.) 😉

This year has been off to a pretty rocky start. Actually it’s sucked (stay with me, there’s a good ending!) January 2^nd my grandma fell and broke her femur. The hardest bone to break in the body, fyi. So to fix that, they inserted a plate and screws to repair the break. Two weeks later she went in for a check up and they discovered her body literally rejected the plate and 8 screws, which the surgeon had never seen. Then they find out, her leg is infected, with Staph nonetheless… So we had two options. Take out her knee, part of her femur, and part of her tibia, then place this cement ‘spacer’ in until her infection clears up OR amputation. So on January 23^rd she went in for the removal of her knee, part of her femur and tibia. In surgery they found out the infection was worse than first thought. So the next step is clearing up the infection then we can move on to a total joint replacement. But if her infection doesn’t clear up our only option is amputation.

It’s almost laughable. I mean she came in with a broken femur and now we’re talking about possible amputation?? How did it get this far? How did we get here? This wasn’t our plan.

I was listening to the City Church Podcast (one of my favorites) the other day and Pastor Judah was preaching a message called The Problem With Hope. The message is essentially saying without Jesus there is no hope. Without Jesus I have to reason to be positive. Without Jesus life sucks.

The point is that without Jesus as my rock I wouldn’t be able to make it through all this. Without Jesus in the waiting rooms with me I would be a mess. Without Jesus to put my trust in, I’ll be stressed out of mind worrying about what could happen. Unbelievers can try to be all positive or optimistic but let’s be honest; apart from Jesus there is no hope for a better tomorrow. Whenever I meet an unbeliever I wonder how they make it through the day. Seriously. Hebrews 6:16-20 says this,

“People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Because of God’s nature, He cannot lie. It’s impossible for Him. And because He can’t lie we know that when He sent Jesus, the hope of the world, He wouldn’t leave us without hope! Jesus is the anchor for our soul that is firm and secure.

I share this because even if you don’t believe in Jesus, you may be a “positive person,” but that isn’t enough. You NEED an anchor for your soul. You can be a “good person” but you NEED an anchor for your soul. You NEED a firm and secure HOPE. Being positive is a bi-product of a relationship with Jesus.

As I sat in the waiting room while my grandma was in surgery I started to think about this. I would be a mess without hope in Jesus. He calms my storm (Psalm 107:29.) He brings peace that surpasses ALL understanding (Philippians 4:7.) What are God!

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus and have any questions email me at thatotherhannahblog@gmail.com. Also if you have any prayer requests email me at thatotherhannahblog@gmail.com. Happy Monday!

Always,

Hannah

More verses about hope:

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

“Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” Psalm 3:2-6 NIV

“Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” Romans 5:2-7 NIV

Monday January 5th, 2015

Fashion

Happy Monday! I’ve been on Christmas break for a few weeks and any free time I have I spend it curled up in my bed watching Gossip Girl (I. Can’t. Stop.)… My sister jokingly said, you need to an outfit post on what you’ve really been wearing on Christmas break. So I decided to take her advice and do a little casual outfit post! Just a little side note… The slippers I’m wearing are my absolute favorite! They are like fuzzy socks but better.

Photography: Rachel Gracy

Shirt: New York Dream Center / Leggings: Lululemon / Sweater: Old Navy / Slippers: Snoozies / Lipstick: NARS in ‘Schiap’ / Lipgloss: Smashbox in ‘Pout’ / Coffee Cup: Anthropologie / Chairs: Weir’s / Throw: T.J. Maxx / Ottoman: Target / Rug: Tuesday Morning / Candle: Yankee Candle in ‘Christmas Cookie’ -one of my favorites

Tuesday October 7th, 2014: Blessing To Be A Blessing

Devotions

I go to a very compassion driven church. We are constantly serving in some sort of way. Whether its single moms, abused foster kids, or orphans in India, we’re serving someone! Because of this culture, serving has become a huge part of my life. I want those who are in difficult times to know that Jesus loves them and He hasn’t forsaken them.

I have a heart for the homeless. I think that so many of them lose hope (because of their living condition) and this couldn’t be more saddening. Jesus never ever gives up on these people, but so many of them don’t realize this.

Over the weekend I went with a group of kids from my youth group to Downtown Dallas to serve the homeless with some hygiene and food items. We had all the items in backpacks and as we walked around we gave away the backpacks. We had the opportunity to pray with a lot of them too. It’s really interesting to talk to the homeless because you find out you actually have a lot in common with them.

I had the privilege of meeting a sweet man named Larry. Larry looked like a normal dude. He had on very normal clothes. Normal haircut. As I was talking to Larry he began to tell me his story. He was from California and had been a drug dealer for 19 years. He had gone to jail, which forced him to get sober, and found the Lord. Once Larry was released he came to Dallas to start somewhere new. He has only been living in Dallas for 2 weeks and currently lives in a shelter but is in search for a permanent living situation.

By the end of our conversation I realized that his story is much like mine. We’re both sinners in need of Jesus! Even though I’ve never sold drugs or served jail time, we are so much alike.

My point in sharing this with you is to share how important serving is. We get caught up in one point of view of life and forget that not everyone grew up in church like us, or go to Christian schoo,l or have iPhones. When you serve, you become humbled. You learn that you aren’t better than the drug addict on the streets. You have sin in your life too! If you don’t currently serve, find a way to serve someone! Maybe you can get a group of friends together and hand out free water at the mall or offer prayer to people waiting in hospital waiting areas. Maybe it’s serving your mom or dad by putting your dishes into the dishwasher. Don’t get overwhelmed feeling like you have to do this huge service project. Start small and see where God takes you from there.