What Have You "Made It"?

One of my favorite songs from my days in the youth group at my home church was "Heart of Worship"  by Matt Redman. It sounded beautiful when sung and I liked the words. I was recently reminded of the words when we sang it at a singing service I attended. The chorus of this song is "I'm coming back to the heart of worship where it's all about you. It's all about you Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it when it's all about you- it's all about you Jesus."

It got me thinking. What have I "made it"? "It" being church, worship, my Christian life, etc. Well...


It has become a social event. A place where I can go and know that I can see friends and connect with people. I have made it an escape. A place at the beginning of the week where I don't have to think about homework or school or life- I can just relax. I've made it a concert-where I can just listen to the song leader and the people around me sing pretty songs. And I've made it a way to feel better about myself. When there is a pointed lesson I can listen to it and think "Well hey, I haven't had an affair, so I'm good!"

What I'm forgetting when I do that though is that this week I gossiped about someone in my class. I lied and said I was busy when someone asked me to hang out because really...I just didn't want to do something with that person. I made fun of someone in my head for asking a dumb question in class. I let my anger get the best of me and snapped at my best friend. When this realization started pouring over me this week, I realized I've got "it" all wrong.

Church and worship isn't a social event. It's not an escape- at least in the way I've been viewing it. It's not a concert and it is definitely not a way to feel better about myself. It is a way to be challenged. It is a place to connect with others on a deep, intimate level- not just saying hey to my friends and catching up on the week's news. It's a place where I can be free to pour out my heart to God in worship, and be humbled by the message the preacher brings. It's a place where no matter my sins or my hurt, or other's sins and hurt, I can be me and come into the embrace of other's that love God passionately and without abandon.

My challenge to you is this week, make a list. What have you "made it"? Write it down. You don't have to show it to anyone, but there is something powerful about being completely honest with yourself and with God. And then think of ways to change your list. Instead of making it an escape from the craziness of life-thinking of it as the one day a week you can just sit and have your kids be quiet and not have to pay bills or cook a meal or do homework-  make it a refuge where you can feel the peace of God surround you. Instead of thinking of it as a concert, think of it as a place where you can completely let yourself go, and let the words and the music wash over you and encourage you, lift you up, raise your spirits. Instead of a place where you feel better about yourself, try to think of a challenge from every lesson that the preacher brings. I promise you- if you look for an area of improvement you will find it.

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship, where it's all about you. It's all about you, Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it when it's all about you- it's all about you Jesus."

Be salt and light!!
~Hannah~

The Proposal Story (ah!!)

Here is the promised proposal story. Enjoy! 

I went to Atlanta, Georgia for a mission trip with the youth group I was the youth intern for, and Evan decided to take a week off from his internship in Springfield, Missouri and go home to Georgia. He had e-mailed the youth minister I was working for (Matthew) and told him that he was going to propose, and asked if I could have a night off. Matthew, being the awesome, understanding boss that he was of course said yes. Now, I should have known something was up when I was talking to Matthew and Evan, because both of them kept absolutely insisting that I take Wednesday night off. Well, on Wednesday of that week Evan picked me up from the place I was staying with the youth group and took me to his house. I  thought that we were just cooking dinner for his parents, and then hanging out with everyone. However, when we started to cook dinner his parents disappeared upstairs. Before we had started dating, Evan had taught me how to play chess. He had led me to believe that I was pretty good by letting me win several of the games. Apparently, he was just being nice. He suggested that the person that won the next game got to decide the next activity we did. I was pretty sure of myself, so I agreed. ....I lost in about 5 moves. HIs suggestion was that we go on our first official date. At Evan's house on the night of the proposal, he had bought a new chess set. He suggested we play a game while dinner was cooking. After he beat me (he always wins), he came to sit by me on the couch and said that he had thought of a good analogy for life that involves a chessboard. He said that a lot of times in life, things will happen and you will lose "pieces", like in a chess game. He said that while some pieces may go out of your life, sometimes you are lucky enough that God sends you just the right person that will always have your back and will do anything to protect you, like the queen piece in chess. He said that he was so lucky, because God had sent him that person, and that it was me. He got down on one knee, pulled out a ring, and said "I am so lucky that God sent me you. I know that you will always have my back, always do anything to protect me. And for the rest of my life, I want to be that person for you. Hannah Wren Stone, will you marry me?" I, of course, said yes.

Sorry it's been so long coming. I've had a lot going on, some of which I will address in my next few blog posts. I hope all of you have had a marvelous start to your new year. 

Be salt and light!!
~Hannah~

It's the Little Things

I guess you could say that this is a combination “devotional” post and “bride to be” post. Last week was such an extremely stressful week. Monday, especially, was the most exhausting. I had class at 8 am, went to babysit from 9-1, went to class from 1-2, then babysat again from 2-5. At one point, I was alone with twelve 2 to 9 year olds on a playground. Needless to say, I was absolutely exhausted. I was also not in the best mood. I knew that Tuesday was going to be even more busy and Wednesday would be crazy as well. On top of classes, I had my speech client this week, a ton of work to do, and extra homework and quizzes. Knowing that my week was just beginning was almost too much to handle. When I got out of babysitting, Evan called me to tell me to meet him behind the student center. He had picked me up one of our favorite meals. When we were done eating, he took me to the student center, bought me ice cream (comfort food works miracles) and watched a couple tv shows with me, even though he had a lot to do that night. To add to this, earlier that day, I had asked him to turn in these postcards I had filled out for work. All I thought he had to do was turn them into the office. Well, turns out they had to be stamped. There were approximately 75 of these postcards. Now, I would definitely not have blamed him if he had just texted me explaining that, and then given them back to me. But that sweet guy stamped all of them and turned them in for me. Not only that, he sat in my chapel seat so that I wouldn't be counted absent (he knows I'm running a tad low on chapel skips).

Now, all of these things are not that big of a deal. They weren't some huge, monumental actions that forever changed my life. They were just little things. What made them special though was the thought that went into them. It's the fact that he made an effort to show me that he cared and that he would do anything to make my day better. 

Besides being reminded yet again that I am incredibly blessed to be engaged to/best friends with this guy, I started thinking about how many times I had missed opportunities to do “little things” for people. Think about your own life for a second. How many times have the “little things” made a huge impact on your day? If a stranger compliments you on your shirt, doesn't that make you feel good? Or if they hold the door open for you are carrying your books, doesn't it help you out so much?

One more story. Whenever we are checking out at a store, or getting our cards swiped to get into the caf, or come in contact with anyone who has a fairly monotonous job, Evan always goes “Hi, how is your day going?” Usually, they answer “fine”. But I've noticed that the people he does this to regularly recognize him now. They smile as soon as he comes up, and some have even talked to a little longer. One time, one of the workers in the cafeteria that everyone thinks is a bit mean seemed particularly sad. Evan asked her if she was ok, and she said “Well, I have back problems and because I've been standing up all day my back really hurts. It's been really hurting lately.” Well no wonder she looked mad all the time-if I was in constant pain, I would be mad too! Evan replied “I'm sorry to hear that, I'll be praying for you!” And walked off. You should have seen her face light up. By Evan just asking her what was wrong, he improved her day tremendously. This was just another reminder that it really does not take much to turn someone's day around.

So this is my challenge to you. As you go through this week, try and do little things for people. Smile at them. Ask them how their day is going. Compliment them on their hair or their shirt or the presentation they did in class. Focus on doing little things for others, and try to recognize the little things people are doing for you. I promise, you'll smile a lot more when you realize that people are going out of their way to be nice to you. And remember that it's the little things you do that may make the biggest impact.

Who by Worrying....

Last night, one of my best friends, Nicole, surprised me by coming up to Harding for a visit. I don't know how Evan kept it a secret, but he did. It had been an extremely long week. I had work, clinic, tests in two of my major classes, and a ton of assignments due. I was so incredibly stressed that multiple times this week I just wanted to break down.. But now I'm sitting here, outside of a coffee shop with two of my best friends. Today, we are all hanging out and then later today, I am going over to Kelsey's and cooking dinner and going to the football game. There is a slight breeze and the weather is the perfect temperature.  I can hear kids giggling and playing in the open area next to this coffee shop, my coffee was made just right, and I have nothing I need to do any time soon. And I'm realizing something.

Being stressed did not help me any.

If I hadn't let myself be stressed- If I had just relaxed, taken a few deep breaths, and not worried so much, I would still be in the same boat. I would still be sitting here on this perfect day with people that are so dear to me. The weather would still be perfect, I would still be going to the game tonight, and I would still be smiling so much my cheeks hurt. But I wouldn't have wasted so much of last week being tired and stressed and worried. I could have had even more time like the time I'm experiencing right now.

Realizing that has let me know that I shouldn't stress as much. Stressing doesn't do anything. I know that I will still be stressed, I'm not fooling myself. But hopefully, this was the wake-up call I needed to try and tone it down. The next time I get stressed out and tired, I will be able to think about this day and remember that it will all be ok, and an awesome, stress-free day will be just around the corner.

So my challenge to you is to just take a few deep breaths. Relax. Enjoy the day. Spend some time outside. And don't worry. Whatever is going on, it will all work out.

Be salt and light!!

Smile

Today's blog post is short. I have been thinking about something profound I could write, something that would cut to someone's soul and completely change their life. And I'm stumped. So I don't have that this week (but you should check back next week- I may have some profound epiphany by then). I just have a little advice.

Smile. Smile smile smile. There is so much to be happy about. I realized that this week, though it has been a stressful one already, has given me so much to smile about. And think about how you feel when someone just smiles at you. A full on, all-teeth-showing smile. I know for me at least it brightens my day. That person's cheerful mood cheers me up. A smile can turn your day around, and your smile can turn someone else's day around. Yes, I realize that sounds extremely corny. And yes, I realize that bad things happen. There may be a day where your car breaks down, your phone breaks, you break up with your boyfriend or you made a grade on a test that was so bad your teacher didn't even bother to put a grade on it (if that last one sounds oddly specific...there is a reason....woops.) You may be thinking right now that there is nothing to smile about. But you know what?

You are a child of God.

What more could you possibly need? If you can't think of a single thing to be happy about, then focus on the fact that you are an heir to the one who created the universe. Really, really think about it. Cool, huh?

So smile. Make someone's day better. Just choose to be happy and choose to focus on the good. Once you start focusing on the good, it will become a habit and pretty soon it will be a way of life for you.

Have a wonderful week, be salt and light!

My Own Fairytale... pt. 1

So, as you can probably guess by the title this is going to be one of my "bride to be" blog posts. I have had several people as where/how we met, how Evan proposed, etc... So here we go! Here is the story.
It's actually kind of amazing how I even got to where I could know who Evan was. Our paths don't cross at all- different majors, we started at different churches, different sets of friends...if it hadn't been for a random chance we might not have met. Going into my freshman year of college, I didn't know my roommate or my three suitemates. One of my suitemates, Victoria, asked me if I wanted to go to sonic with her and some of her friends one night in October. I still didn't know that many people, so I said sure. Evan was one of the three guys that we met there.  Now we didn't really talk much to each other. Actually, I didn't talk much at all to anyone because as it turns out, I had 103 degree fever that night. The only thing I really remember from that night was him offering me his sweater because apparently, I was shivering and looked awful. It was a fun night of talking though.
Fast forward to Spring semester.
I had been going to church a lot by myself my first semester at Harding, and Victoria asked if I wanted to start going to Highway Church of Christ with her and some of her friends. Well, Evan was included in that. I remember calling my mom to catch up that Sunday after church, and said "They were all really nice! And one of Victoria's friends complimented every girl and said that she looked beautiful". Well, that was Evan. I noticed him talking to each girl individually and telling them each that they looked nice that day.  It was refreshing because you could tell he genuinely meant the things he was saying.
About a week later, my youth minister from back home asked if I knew of any guys who would be interested in applying for the youth internship at our church. Other than the occasional word or two, I hadn't really talked to Evan, but I knew that he was a good guy, extremely spiritual, and...well, that's basically all I knew about him. So I gave his contact info to my youth minister. We started talking more after that, just randomly when we saw each other at church or in the cafeteria. One day out of the blue, he texted me and asked me if I had ever heard of this song before, because he knew I liked music and so he thought I would appreciate this song. I met him for coffee and we ended up talking for about 2 hours. Over the next few weeks we would occasionally meet for coffee and talk. He found out I didn't know how to play chess so he taught me how to play chess. We talked about everything under the sun, and he had mentioned a couple times that he was going to Africa in the fall so he wasn't looking to date. It wasn't in a rude way, just a fact. We asked get to know you questions. His were deep "Where do you see yourself spiritually? What's a metaphor to describe your life?, etc" Mine were a lot of "What's your favorite color?" I'm not that creative.
(We're in the home stretch now!)  Well, after a few weeks of this, he suggested we play chess again. We had been playing many times since he taught me, and I had actually been winning quite a bit. He decided to add stakes to this game, though. He said that the person who won got to ask one question, anything they wanted, and the other person had to answer. I was pretty confident that I would win because I had been winning so much. Well, he beat me in about three moves. Turns out he had just been letting me win. Lame, I know. Anyway, his one question was....would I go on a date with him.

So, that's the story. There's a lot more but this was already pretty long, so I cut it "short". I know people say that they didn't work out because the timing was wrong. I don't agree with us. The timing was not right for me and Evan, at all. He was going to Africa in the fall and that distance is tough on anyone, even if they've been dating a long time. But when he asked me on our first date, I knew that it was going to be something special. He makes me a better person. He makes me laugh even when I'm mad. He is goofy enough to bring me out of my shell. I am completely myself around him, and miraculously enough he still loves me. He pushes me more spiritually than anyone ever has in my life, and I have grown so much more in my faith because of him. And I am so grateful for that.

Well, I'll probably do the proposal story in the next couple of weeks...and I promise it's a good one. So, this is part of the story of my own little fairy tale. I have several devotional thoughts for the next couple of weeks, and more bride-to-be posts. So, check back in!

Have a wonderful week, be salt and light!
~Hannah~

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!!

It is sad to say, but the title of this blog is how I live my life basically 24-7. I am always rushing from one thing to another, hurrying along because the NEXT thing I am going to is so important. Now, before you cast your judgement upon me and tell me to slow down, smell the roses, all that jazz...think about yourself. If you go to school, how many times do you look at a clock during a single class, wondering how it is that you've been in that class for six hours and yet the minute hand on your watch has only moved five minutes? How many times do you find yourself impatient at a red light, tapping your fingers just waiting for the light to turn green? When you're in a grocery store, do you leisurely walk through the aisles, or are you planning in your head the fastest way to get out of the store? I am guilty of all of these on a regular basis. Now, I realize there are people that don't struggle with this. So, if you are one of those people you can stop reading now. But, if you are like me and find yourself constantly rushing and hurrying, I may have some thoughts that can change your mind about this.

I didn't realize that this was a problem until very recently. The first wake up call I had happened the other day at Wal-Mart. It was very crowded that day, and the aisle that Evan and I were shopping in was crammed with people. He left to get something farther down the aisle because my cart couldn't fit through everyone. I realized an older lady was waiting to get an item my cart was blocking. As I start to apologize and attempt to move my cart, she reached out her hand to stop me and said "Honey, it is fine. I am in absolutely no hurry at all."

Those 12 simple words struck me silent.

If I could find this lady and thank her for her words, I would. She probably doesn't remember saying them, but they have left a profound impact on me. She has it figured out. At that moment, I didn't need to be rushing. There was nothing else I had to do that day. How often have I been stressed and trying to hurry to do something, when it didn't need to be done in a hurry?

The second thing that happened was something that I read on Evan's mom's facbeook wall. She always posts such positive stories, updates, etc. They always encourage me, but this one challenged me in a way that equaled the lady in Wal-Mart. Please please PLEASE take the time to read this. I realize it's long, but hopefully it will have the same impact on you that it did on me. This is the story that she posted-

 A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


~~~~~~~~~~
Wow. When I read this, I realized that something in my life needed to change. I was saddened by the thought of how many beautiful, wonderful moments I may have missed because I was rushing from place to place.

My encouragement to you is this. It is easy on the surface, but much more difficult to execute.

Walk slower. Talk to strangers in the store. Stop looking at your watch in class (how many would jump at the opportunity to be in the classes that we are in, yet we take it for granted). Relax. Read a book. Drink some tea on your porch. Remind yourself that life is not a race, but a series of beautiful moments that can easily be missed if the time is not taken to look for them.

I hope that you have been challenged by this. I wish you all a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

Be salt and light!!
~Hannah~