tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18753234952403757282024-03-13T04:54:22.069-07:00Hannah's Ministry UpdatesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-91230067626391079952017-06-03T07:53:00.000-07:002017-06-03T07:53:38.081-07:00Thank You!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our students made this!</td></tr>
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My apprenticeship with FOCUS officially came to an end on May 31st. I just wanted to tell you all how thankful I am for your support. I can't really put into words how much doing this apprenticeship has meant to me. God has taught me so much about Himself and His work on this earth, I got to make some really sweet, lasting friendships, and I gained an experience that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a big part of making that possible.<br />
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I'm sad to take a step away from FOCUS. I know this transition will be hard for me to figure out.<br />
But I'm gonna go ahead and follow Paul's advice to not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to God. He's so near, and He's shown Himself to be faithful and good my whole life. Why would He leave me hanging now? :)<br />
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Please keep in touch!<br />
Hannahjk11@gmail.com<br />
972-345-1293<br />
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Here are some pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0CCQW71xHO8/WTLK0_QGvgI/AAAAAAAAAO0/k27PLNzTRAsvM_JJEV6PiYawSG_J78AWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0CCQW71xHO8/WTLK0_QGvgI/AAAAAAAAAO0/k27PLNzTRAsvM_JJEV6PiYawSG_J78AWwCLcB/s400/IMG_3849.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last Preston Ridge Women's Core being goofy. <b>Please pray for these girls</b>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet friend Angel (the one on the right) got baptized last month!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin, Leah, myself, and Amy on our retreat to Galveston! I'm so thankful for these women and this trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samantha and Michelle at SICM (Student Institute of Campus Ministry). I love them both so much! They have been such a big part of our ministry at Preston Ridge this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leenu and I :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jgcIKowhxA/WTLK1bNuhyI/AAAAAAAAAPA/C0XEmTYrAp4BlAg-mItSHJoavfVeeVLDQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jgcIKowhxA/WTLK1bNuhyI/AAAAAAAAAPA/C0XEmTYrAp4BlAg-mItSHJoavfVeeVLDQCLcB/s400/IMG_3981.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Sam, who I met on campus this past year. Please pray for him. He's leaving for Egypt (his home) this summer. Pray for save travels, and pray that God reveals Himself to Sam in a big way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oleEkmD30Hs/WTLMjePuw0I/AAAAAAAAAPM/o80sYDM1VXsIdQ5BaCxPSmqSDRjnHEsCQCLcB/s1600/staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="960" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oleEkmD30Hs/WTLMjePuw0I/AAAAAAAAAPM/o80sYDM1VXsIdQ5BaCxPSmqSDRjnHEsCQCLcB/s400/staff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collin staff. Gosh, I love these people so much!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7BonXc3o68/WTLK1igrOoI/AAAAAAAAAPE/yQChM6mjbdogtz_ODU4alG1tNEYOjPlCgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7BonXc3o68/WTLK1igrOoI/AAAAAAAAAPE/yQChM6mjbdogtz_ODU4alG1tNEYOjPlCgCLcB/s400/IMG_4067.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last but not least, my sweet friend Shayla. I'm still planning on harassing her and spending all the time I can with her, even though we don't work together anymore ;)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-70764794018098936422017-05-02T15:11:00.001-07:002017-05-02T21:27:37.764-07:00Freedom and Michelle<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.</i> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
This verse has been a comfort to me this month for a lot of reasons. It's from Paul's letter to the Galatians, one that I have read time and time again in my six years walking with the Lord. But this particular section has never been more impactful to me than it has been lately. At the beginning of this month, I felt like God put the word "freedom" on my mind. I prayed about it, talked to Garrett about it, but then tucked it away in my mind without putting much stock into why. And then I read this the first verse of chapter 5, "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free". I read it again and again and still didn't really understand why God would want me to take note of it. And then in our New Testament class with Ronnie Worsham (we were studying Galatians at the time), he asked us to share things that were sticking out to us from the book. I told him this verse was something that had been on my mind a lot. His response was "Hannah, do you know what type of personality you are?" It caught me off guard, and I wasn't sure what answer he was looking for, so I stayed quiet. "Amiable". Amiable... someone that is typically likable (and in my case, someone who likes to be liked!). He went on, "that leads you to be a people pleaser. Do you know who that makes you a slave to?" Really hesitantly, I responded, "... people?"<br />
I was right! Then Ronnie went on to talk to me about that, in front of the whole class mind you, but I didn't mind. I'm in tears just writing about this. As he was speaking to me, I felt like the Holy Spirit was speaking to me through him. It was exactly why God had put the word on my mind. I have so much freedom to not have to please people, or be the most liked, or try to justify myself before God with anything else than my submission before the cross. What's even cooler, is that this verse is something that has come up so much in my ministry. I've brought it up with just about every girl I spend consistent time with, and we've had such neat conversations about it. I was talking to a girl about it the other day, and in the middle of that conversation, another girl texted me and said, "what was that verse we talked about again?!" I just thought that was kinda funny and sweet.<br />
I am so thankful God works in the ways He does. I'm thankful scripture speaks to us in different ways, and I'm so thankful that the Holy Spirit is alive and active inside us!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle got baptized this month!</td></tr>
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April was a pretty laid back month (especially after the craziness that was March), so I don't have a ton of events to talk about BUT I wanted to tell you guys about my sweet friend Michelle. I met her at the beginning of this semester, and I immediately liked her because she was wearing overalls (and cuz she was like super sweet, whatever I don't just judge off of appearances but I like overalls okay?). She came to Core the next week, and has been a huge blessing to the women's side of Preston Ridge ever since then. She and I have gotten to study the Bible together over the past few months, and it really has been one of my favorite parts of this apprenticeship. To describe to you the type of person she is, she recently posted a picture of herself on Facebook with this caption, "Shout out to [the person who took this photo] for the headshot of me doing what I love-- playing volleyball, doing outreach, and being a part of this student ministry!" Like does that not just make your heart melt?! It made my heart melt. We prayed for a girl like Michelle. She has caught the vision for what God is doing at Preston Ridge and in His world. She gets to go to SICM this month! I am so thrilled for her to take what she's learned onto the campus next school year. I wanted to talk about her because the investment you're making in me and this ministry is going towards girls like Michelle and all the people she is going to reach out to. Thank you!<br />
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Tonight we have our last Preston Ridge women's Core. We'll spend the night encouraging and affirming one another and celebrating what God has done this year. I love these girls so much. I'm so sad that Core is coming to an end, but I have so many happy memories from all the times we've laughed, cried, danced, eaten, encouraged, and loved one another.<br />
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Don't worry, this isn't my last post. I'm planning on writing another one closer to the end of this month. It'll be a cryfest, so stay tuned.<br />
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Love you all so much. Thank you so much for investing in my apprenticeship so generously and sacrificially.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last Preston Ridge FOCUS of the year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a good lookin' staff right there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Cierra (a supporter of mine and good friend), Dawn (a future UNT apprentice!!), and Lorena (a girl I studied FOJ with like a billion years ago... how she got anything out of that study is a complete testament to God and His ability to work through bozos) got to hang out when I went to Denton a few weeks ago!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-30373738051720755012017-04-03T16:26:00.002-07:002017-04-03T16:26:26.293-07:00March MadnessI'm sitting next to <a href="http://pedro.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Pedro</a> and I asked him what the title of this blog post should be. In our combined efforts, March Madness was the best we could come up with. While I know essentially nothing about basketball, I can say with confidence that March was definitely filled with lots of madness, but the good, non-sports-related kind! We've had a lot going on, here are a few highlights:<br />
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<b><u>IMPACT</u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An outreach event at Spring Creek campus</td></tr>
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FOCUS has a relationship with a ministry up in Washington state, and every year that ministry sends a group of students to our campuses (during their spring break!!) to reach out to students and do some other cool stuff with our ministry. This year was particularly special, because students from Bellevue College (a community college!!) in Bellevue, WA came down for the first time to get a vision for what campus ministry can look like on a community college campus. They began planting a ministry there three years ago, and expressed a lot of similar feelings I had about Collin's Preston Ridge campus at the start of my Apprenticeship. It can be difficult trying to start something so new, it's hard to get people excited, and it feels lonely at times. But they were such an encouragement to us. To say it was a blessing to have them here would be a complete understatement. Every day, they were on campus meeting students, going so far out of their comfort zone to have conversations with them about Jesus, working through exhaustion of a 2 hour time difference, and re-applying sunscreen every 30 seconds. Did you know Seattle has seen a total of 30 hours of sunlight since October? They literally have to take Vitamin-D supplements.<br />
One of my favorite things about having them here was to hear them talk about the Holy Spirit. They love Him, and they believe in His divine power to work in powerful ways. They completely rely on Him when they are having conversations with people, or when they're prayerfully preparing for the day. Sometimes I put the Spirit in a box. I assume He can only work in ways that I'll be able to understand. But of course the Spirit is going to move in powerful ways, ways that I can't even comprehend. Matthew, Jack, Lindsay, Katie, Erin, and Marina (pictured below, minus Marina) helped me remember that. Also, major shout out to our students at Collin who attended the events we had all week. They were fired up by having our Washington friends here, and God really worked in our ministry!<br />
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Please stop reading this and pray for their ministry in Bellevue. Pray that God has His way on that campus, that their team is aware of and encouraged by the Spirit's work, and please pray for all the students that they met while they were here, that God continues to grow the seed He's planted.<br />
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<b><u>Spring Showcase</u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister and I got to emcee :)</td></tr>
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Technically this event happened in April. But all of the preparation happened in the months preceding this one, so I'm totally allowed to post about it now. Like I mentioned in my last blog, we send students to SICM every year, and this event is a fundraiser to lessen the cost of that. Every year, I'm blown away by how talented the people in this community are. But more than that, I'm blown away by just how generously and faithfully God provides. To all of you that came to the event, purchased art, performed, volunteered, literally did anything, THANK YOU!! You helped make it a possibility for our students to go to SICM and learn skills that will hugely impact their ability to minister on their campus. Please pray for the students that get to go to SICM next month. Pray for ears open to hear what God's saying to them, for the relationships that will be built, and for no broken bones.<br />
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<b><u>After the Apprenticeship</u></b><br />
I've been putting off talking about this, but I think now is a really good time to fill you in on my plans for next school year. As y'all know, the Apprenticeship ends on May 31st. After a lot of time praying and many hours in conversation with Garrett, Shayla, my sister, my team, and lots of other wise people, I've decided to pursue a career in social work once my Apprenticeship is complete. I'm not someone who wrestles with fear or worry very much, but this decision makes my flesh fear and worry. I'm fearful of leaving a ministry that has been my home for the past 6 years, I'm fearful that I won't be as connected to Jesus, I'm fearful of what my relationships with people will look like, I'm fearful for my sweet girls who I've gotten the chance to minister to this semester, for Preston Ridge, for not being able to find a job, the list truly does go on and on. However, I have a conviction that I am not supposed to hold onto those fears. In the past couple months, God has taught me a lot specifically about how close He is, and how He really does hear us and answer prayers. I think God has been preparing me for this jump, and He doesn't want me to be afraid. That's really all I have to say about that. Please join me in prayer about these things:<br />
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<li>I would be super attentive to God, and obediently follow wherever He wants me to go, whether that's a social work job or not.</li>
<li>That God would glorify Himself in how He works in my life during this transition.</li>
<li>For all the other Apprentices and FOCUS staff who are going through transitions this year.</li>
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Here's a song that has encouraged me for the past couple of months. I hope it does the same to you!<br />
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I really can't thank God enough for each of you. Thank you for investing in me, sacrificing for me, praying for me, and loving me.<br />
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HannahAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-48115158668577473752017-03-04T14:39:00.000-08:002017-03-04T14:39:39.241-08:00How Is It Already March?!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZpXoAWu0Mw/WLs_spPOHQI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ttkC_yBW-y0Pw3Jou_48uHZglFm-qRVCACLcB/s1600/F68310AD-5A2E-4CC8-9396-5A43918B559C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZpXoAWu0Mw/WLs_spPOHQI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ttkC_yBW-y0Pw3Jou_48uHZglFm-qRVCACLcB/s320/F68310AD-5A2E-4CC8-9396-5A43918B559C.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some cute girls and me hanging on campus!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi!! I’m so happy to be writing this. I had many moments this month where I thought to myself, “I can’t wait to put this on my blog!” February seemed to zoom by, and here we are in March with a new post! This month, God has revealed so much to me about Himself. As I reflect on what He’s shown me, I grow more and more convinced that His timing is absolutely perfect, He is very near, and He is very good. I’m praying this blog post will help articulate why I’ve come to that conclusion, thereby blessing you in your understanding of Him!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Us Apprentices recently finished up our Intro to Pneumatology class (I’m convinced it’s called that because Garrett, the guy who teaches the class, likes big words… In simpler terms, it’s our class on the Holy Spirit). I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to take that class! We read through the book </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paul, The Spirit, and the People of God</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Gordon Fee. That book totally rocked my world but my favorite part of class was getting to discuss with Garrett and the other Apprentices about what we were learning. One day Garrett was talking about how many of us have an objective understanding of God, we know Jesus forgives us, but how many of us can say, “yeah, and I know the guy! Here’s what He said to me last week, here’s how He’s changed my life, etc.” This is how the Holy Spirit works! He isn’t some watered-down version of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is God! And He is a “He”, not an “it”. Learning about Him in this class has allowed me to experience Him more and more. He really does answer prayer, He’s so close, and He’s so, so loving.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPrHl96zcCY/WLs-9UrMRTI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ZCbP8KVuuCIv8LeZPjUYQ1s8jju0DlimACLcB/s1600/pizza%2Btheo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPrHl96zcCY/WLs-9UrMRTI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ZCbP8KVuuCIv8LeZPjUYQ1s8jju0DlimACLcB/s320/pizza%2Btheo.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twice a year we put on this event for all our campuses called Pizza Theology. It’s 4 hours of lecture on a particular topic lead by multiple speakers, sometimes our own staff and sometimes guest speakers, with an hour break in the middle to eat pizza. Earlier this year we had a Pizza Theology on Hearing God, which was so helpful and I’m still thinking about it months later! This semester we focused on the topic of race. I wish I could adequately articulate just how much I enjoyed it, how much it blessed me and so many other students, and how thankful I am for the work God is doing in this community to bring this topic, which so many choose to stay silent on, into the light. The topic of race is something I’ve been thinking about a lot in the past year, (mostly due to conversations I’ve had with friends, not because of any goodness in myself). God has taught me a lot through people who have had different experiences than me, and this Pizza Theology was so helpful in continuing my understanding of race, ethnicity, culture, class, and how to interact with all of these things as a disciple. One of my favorite things that was said was “if something matters to my brother or sister in Christ, it is my responsibility to understand and make that thing important to me as well.” One of my sweet friends and fellow Apprentices, <a href="http://sandra.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Sandra</a>, is one of those people that I’ve gotten to have conversations with about race over the past year. Her, and others, have been patient with me through my ignorance and bombardment of questions. She got to share her experience as a Mexican-Salvadoran American to our community as a part of Pizza Theology. She reminded our community that “we must not see people as tokens, but value and learn about everyone’s culture, especially minorities.” I’m so thankful to get the chance to learn from people like her, and I’d so totally 100% two thumbs enthusiastically way up encourage you to <a href="https://anyfocus.org/resources/media-page/" target="_blank">listen to it</a> as soon as you get the chance!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReVZCD5coRU/WLs--Y2YSAI/AAAAAAAAAKg/y2vacYznVdcRRykfbv-HFl5bHiwAoDj6gCLcB/s1600/sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReVZCD5coRU/WLs--Y2YSAI/AAAAAAAAAKg/y2vacYznVdcRRykfbv-HFl5bHiwAoDj6gCLcB/s320/sam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember Samantha, who I wrote about in a previous blog?! She got baptized!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />I wanted to write a little bit about something I think God said to me earlier this week. And it’s all a little bit heady and vague, but I’m hoping you’re encouraged by it. I’ve lately been trying to grow in some pretty specific areas, and I’ve got a lot of support from different people like Garrett, Shayla, and others who hold me accountable to those things. One day, I was struck with such confidence that God works in ways that are so perfect. His timing is perfect. Me doing this Apprenticeship at this time is not an accident. Him putting specific people in my life, letting me move to a different city from where I lived last year, going through challenging things, everything! He works it all out. I wouldn’t be growing and stretching if I wasn’t in the place I’m in right now. I sometimes don’t trust Him, and I’ve always had a hard time with the verse that says “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. I’ll read that, or sing songs that say that, and in my head I’m like “... no way. God working for MY good?” It sounded to me like He’s this little task-master sort of going from person to person to make sure they’re doing okay, and calculating their every step to make sure whatever is good happens for them. But I realize more that He is good, and if we just stay close to Him, anything we face will turn out for our good. When I was a kid (and sometimes even still :) ), my dad always made me hold onto His hand when we were walking through parking lots. He would hold it so, so tight. And I would get so distracted. I’d just be doing my own thing, and then I’d feel the tug of his hand when I strayed too far. But as long as I stayed close and held his hand, I’d make it to wherever we were going safely. I feel like God reminded me of this. When all is boiled down, following Jesus and pursuing a relationship with Him is a matter of holding our Dad’s hand. He really does want what’s best for us. I’m so thankful He reminded me that His timing is the best, and that He really is so kind and good.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5ySXuPBk4s/WLtB8hkd8YI/AAAAAAAAALI/pzjFLg9ubnIiWzklJsavOlnA8XaVbNkowCLcB/s1600/SpringShowcasePageBanner2017A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5ySXuPBk4s/WLtB8hkd8YI/AAAAAAAAALI/pzjFLg9ubnIiWzklJsavOlnA8XaVbNkowCLcB/s320/SpringShowcasePageBanner2017A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last thing, I wanted to invite you to Spring Showcase!! This is one of my favorite things we do. Every year we send a group of students to Student Institute of Campus Ministry (SICM), which is a conference in Bellingham, WA, that equips them to do campus ministry. Needless to say, there are some expenses involved in that. Spring Showcase is a concert-fundraiser for SICM. And y’all for real, I’m blown away every year by how incredibly talented my friends are. There will be art for sale as well, and some student testimonies. This is me inviting each of you. Selfishly, I’d love to see you :) but also it would bless our students so much who would get the chance to go to this amazing conference because of you purchasing a ticket! Also, yours truly will be co-emceeing with my sister, <a href="http://sarah.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Sarah</a>! If you’re interested in attending, you can check out <a href="http://anyfocus.org/showcase">anyfocus.org/showcase</a> to get more details and to purchase a ticket.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love you guys so much. I love the students I get to work with every day, and you are such a huge part of the work I get to do with them. Thank you so much for investing in me this year and for being my biggest fans. You’re not just investing in me, you’re investing in individual students whose lives are being changed because of Jesus! How cool is that?!</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some pictures… </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8k6B_Rm_zVs/WLs_FWNPvyI/AAAAAAAAAKo/NocmThVffcgqme4Kv463NxNZ_-tRF5HiwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8k6B_Rm_zVs/WLs_FWNPvyI/AAAAAAAAAKo/NocmThVffcgqme4Kv463NxNZ_-tRF5HiwCLcB/s320/IMG_3140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Tattoos on campus to meet students</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRITiFSunZI/WLs_FY7IEZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/aWo4HXbrHOgWpm7D3TCD6CV0imNZ6dmCQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRITiFSunZI/WLs_FY7IEZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/aWo4HXbrHOgWpm7D3TCD6CV0imNZ6dmCQCLcB/s320/IMG_3141.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's one I drew... I just want y'all to be impressed by my ability</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YuKC4UZXjDQ/WLs_F8hBHYI/AAAAAAAAAKw/mGG5Yxco29EdVvaIMpi62ONHh5i7_zm9gCLcB/s1600/IMG_3190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YuKC4UZXjDQ/WLs_F8hBHYI/AAAAAAAAAKw/mGG5Yxco29EdVvaIMpi62ONHh5i7_zm9gCLcB/s320/IMG_3190.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some dudes talkin' about love for an outreach event we had on campus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siCndzA1qY8/WLs_Gt5weCI/AAAAAAAAAK0/10pbJAeq508NPWZmbmF8hHthGODLbnucwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siCndzA1qY8/WLs_Gt5weCI/AAAAAAAAAK0/10pbJAeq508NPWZmbmF8hHthGODLbnucwCLcB/s320/IMG_3242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outreach on Spring Creek Campus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtw6jiCb_0/WLs_VRdbWII/AAAAAAAAAK4/p_YF1LS1VYsZOXEl1LNSDESlQdKueNhaQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtw6jiCb_0/WLs_VRdbWII/AAAAAAAAAK4/p_YF1LS1VYsZOXEl1LNSDESlQdKueNhaQCLcB/s320/IMG_3228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mainly just wanted to show you this picture because I like these people. But it's also relevant because we're all Collin alum at the wedding of another Collin alum AND previous Collin Apprentice!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much, much, muuuuch love,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hannah</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-16935062931848087472017-01-31T14:37:00.002-08:002017-01-31T15:06:49.567-08:00Growing Pains<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zy_kDKt5uU/WJEMDcImVsI/AAAAAAAAAJY/V2eRIA90QHEiLBy5iZyTwKrjAWycGrjMQCLcB/s320/CAMP%2BUSE%2BTHIS%2BONE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought around 600 students to camp this year!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy February (one day early)! I’m honestly feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of writing my blog this month. There’s so much to talk about! January has been filled with a lot of neat things and I’ve gotten to see God work in big ways. Yay! Let me tell you all about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Winter Camp</u></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32E5mDfkRms/WJEMJCPv30I/AAAAAAAAAJk/HHor8YwjOGMYnzaxezGY4oDn6hAtYnFuQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32E5mDfkRms/WJEMJCPv30I/AAAAAAAAAJk/HHor8YwjOGMYnzaxezGY4oDn6hAtYnFuQCLcB/s320/IMG_2887.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Samantha and I at camp.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around the middle of January we invite the FOCUS ministries from every campus (UNT, TWU, TWU Dallas, UTD, Richland, Collin College both Spring Creek and Preston Ridge, NCTC, and UTA, that is :) ) to come together for 4 days for our annual Winter Camp. Camp is truly one of my favorite things in the world. This year, our speakers spoke on the Church (if you’re interested, check out their sermons <a href="https://anyfocus.org/media/exiles/" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I was so encouraged by what they had to say. One of the most memorable things coming out of camp was when <a href="http://garrett.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Garrett</a>, campus minister at Collin College, said that God uses broken people to heal broken people. That’s what the Church is! We’re all just beggars just telling other beggars where to find food. God’s redemptive work in His beloved Church is awesome and big and it’s happening right now! Gosh. On top of hearing speakers, our students participated in worship, got to bond over card games, play indoor volleyball, jump on a giant pillow, play outside, eat, laugh, dance, and learn from one another for the 4 days we were there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I asked a girl in my Core, Samantha, to share about her experience at camp and this is what she had to say:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Going to camp, I was excited. Returning from camp, I was free. Truly, I felt encompassed by the Holy Spirit throughout the entire weekend. I felt love toward everyone and equally felt that love back. I learned amazing insight by those with both great and tough life experiences. My camp experience encouraged me to break from the fear that has held me back and empowered me to be a fool for God. "</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Outreach</u></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday morning at Preston Ridge</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This semester at Preston Ridge has been so awesome! One of my big prayers going into this semester was that God would bring us more girls. We have a solid group of girls who have grown so much this semester and I am so beyond thankful for them in my life. But I’ve also been really encouraged to dream big and trust that God is capable of really big things, we simply have to ask Him! And let me tell you, IT’S BEEN GREAT. This semester already, we’ve been meeting so many girls, have had new girls come to be apart of our Core, new FOJ studies starting up, and generally more friendships being made. It’s been so cool to watch our girls reach out to their peers and invest in one another. I’m so proud of them and so thankful for the Spirit who is at work within them!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Growth</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This month has been challenging for me for a number of reasons. If I had to describe my feelings about the Apprenticeship for the past month in only one word it would be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">refining</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A lot of my friends who have done the FOCUS Apprenticeship told me that they felt this way. They experienced so much growth and shed many many tears in the process. I definitely believed them, but I was kind of in a place of “I’m doing fine. I know I’m going to grow but like… probably not that much.” Maybe that was coming from a place of pridefulness, maybe it was not believing God would have any interest in growing me, or maybe a mix of both. But MAN was I wrong!! All throughout the Apprenticeship, but this month especially, I’ve been face to face with my own issues, sin, and ways of thinking that are not honoring to God. I’ve come to the conclusion that I am hopelessly flailing about in life without Jesus, and I am totally desperate to simply be faithful to Him. I think I’ve experienced the many tears shed part, but I’m really hoping that God uses the remainder of my time as an Apprentice to refine me and grow me into the woman He wants me to be. But listen to this totally awesome fact: I’m not doing this alone! I have people surrounding me who care about me so much and who want the best for me. I am way too blessed by the amount of time, money, and emotional energy people have given me. Again, God uses broken people to heal broken people. Man, that is good news.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As always, thank you so much for joining me in this work. All of what I wrote is possible in big part because of how you’ve chosen to invest in this me personally and ministry in general. Please let me know how I can bless you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to leave you with a song that has been a comfort to me through the Apprenticeship. Sometimes I doubt God’s goodness, I question why He’d want to work through me and draw me closer to Him. But I cling to this truth: “I may be weak, Your spirit’s strong in me. My flesh may fail, My God you never will”. I’m praying this song ministers to you in the ways it has ministered to me.</span></span></div>
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Much love,<br />
Hannah<br />
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P.S.,<br />
Pictures<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smLBClv6JM0/WJEMKq1i-sI/AAAAAAAAAJo/4ogGDh5CzIIwqCsOtFR8tAgJyt5xsWcIwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smLBClv6JM0/WJEMKq1i-sI/AAAAAAAAAJo/4ogGDh5CzIIwqCsOtFR8tAgJyt5xsWcIwCLcB/s320/IMG_3076.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Sunday nights, a group of students goes running (It's called Running Club and it's really cool). Look at these sweet athletes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ8yDyR_llI/WJEMHcd8TsI/AAAAAAAAAJc/yhCWF3odT4Ay_vCYuhDvm9o153A7-o7fACLcB/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ8yDyR_llI/WJEMHcd8TsI/AAAAAAAAAJc/yhCWF3odT4Ay_vCYuhDvm9o153A7-o7fACLcB/s320/IMG_2946.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preston Ridge crew getting off the bus from camp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two girls I've gotten to spend time with this semester made the decision to get baptized! This is Leenu...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is Ma'Jestic (in very poor quality mode). Join me in praising God for the work He's done to draw them close to Him!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-31652591558068947532017-01-07T23:09:00.000-08:002017-01-09T19:40:55.239-08:00Halfway!Happy new year! Here are some observations...<br />
1. I'm currently sitting about two feet away from this space heater from the '80s that periodically makes the electricity in my apartment shut off. It's so worth it because it's negative degrees outside if you're calculating it in Celsius!<br />
2. The holidays are most definitely over but I'm still listening to Christmas music.<br />
3. I am officially more than halfway done with my Apprenticeship. What?! Time has flown by and it's super bitter sweet!<br />
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I'm eager to begin another semester and hopeful for what God will do. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend some restful and purposeful time with family and friends. I had such a great end to the year, and I’m excited to tell you about it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwMYjjMMUpk/WHHi3jCiqII/AAAAAAAAAIo/Uw5QvDDs958aW_2l_S6yKHt83NYd7FlQwCLcB/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwMYjjMMUpk/WHHi3jCiqII/AAAAAAAAAIo/Uw5QvDDs958aW_2l_S6yKHt83NYd7FlQwCLcB/s320/blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Apprentice Christmas party! We did secret Santa :)</td></tr>
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I’ll start off with the most recent thing, staff retreat! All of us on FOCUS staff caravanned to Burnet, TX to spend some time preparing for the coming semester. We spent time worshipping God together, playing, enjoying yummy meals, and growing closer to one another before the busyness of another semester. We also spent time discussing a book together. During our break, we read The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning. This ministered to me so much and I highly recommend you pick it up! Every day a different staff person lead us in a discussion of a specific idea that Manning talks about. These conversations were truly life-giving to me and made me so excited to continue to invest in my relationship with our kind God, and made me even more eager to go out and do His work on campus!<br />
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One of my favorite parts from that book was when Manning was reflecting on how much he wants to be able to present himself as worthy before God. He says “I still struggle to let go of the preposterous pretense that my paltry prayers, knowledge of Scripture, spiritual insights, tithing to the poor, and blustering successes in ministry endear me to God’s eyes. I resist the saving truth that I am loveable simply and solely because He loves me.” I loved this and I feel like this is something that God has been re-teaching me throughout my entire Apprenticeship. At the end of the semester, the Apprentices get to give a sermon to the rest of FOCUS staff with the subject “My Gospel”. An idea I talked about was the fact that God has told me specific things about Himself and how He views me, why would He have told me those things if they were not the truth? And it <i>is</i> true that He loves us, He’s the one who enables us to come before Him, and He died for us and loved us at our very worst. That’s so cool! I’m thankful that God has put this truth on my mind and is teaching me more about Himself!<br />
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Lastly, I wanted to talk about this month’s student testimony. Chiazo is one of my dearest friends, and her story is so encouraging to me. Her friendship has had such an impact on my life, and I know God will continue to use her obedient and loving heart to do His work. Thank you so much for investing in students like Chiazo through your investment in this community. I’m reminded more and more every day at what a special opportunity I have to work as a minister this year. I couldn’t do it without you all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mIS1oMkVTs/WHHh5viccZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/cQiNPt5JfDYs_2eTMB_p471otcMwsgmowCLcB/s1600/chiazo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mIS1oMkVTs/WHHh5viccZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/cQiNPt5JfDYs_2eTMB_p471otcMwsgmowCLcB/s400/chiazo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click <a href="https://i0.wp.com/anyfocus.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2016-JAN-Staff-Update-Final-01-01-01.jpg?w=2280&ssl=1" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge this photo if you're having a hard time reading it :)</td></tr>
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One last thing, we've got our annual Winter Camp coming up on the 13-16th of this month. I'll talk about it more in depth in my next blog, but just know it's the BEST. It's such a fun time for our students and staff! Please pray that the students that come would encounter Jesus as they never have before. Please also pray that God would receive all the glory for all the good that will come from this camp. I'm so excited for our students to experience it!<br />
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Love you so much,<br />
Hannah<br />
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Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Core Cookie decorating... This picture is awkward but sweet, kinda like our Core</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTi0wRU1zuY/WHHiz2q-B-I/AAAAAAAAAIY/qvH5VJpsLVQbKCs_-ejignAAWTxEjzkuwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTi0wRU1zuY/WHHiz2q-B-I/AAAAAAAAAIY/qvH5VJpsLVQbKCs_-ejignAAWTxEjzkuwCLcB/s320/IMG_2709.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to dress up as a snowman for a Christmas party in New Orleans! It's a long story...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preston Ridge students at our "Awkward Family Photos" Christmas Party</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exam week outreach at Preston Ridge!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-66729284687678925702016-12-02T10:37:00.001-08:002016-12-02T10:37:18.736-08:00I'm Cold!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkYRISxBS3Y/WEG7MXUPVmI/AAAAAAAAAHY/vngTp7pVSgoNMosrBj1-8JCR0meiN9JMACLcB/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkYRISxBS3Y/WEG7MXUPVmI/AAAAAAAAAHY/vngTp7pVSgoNMosrBj1-8JCR0meiN9JMACLcB/s320/IMG_2209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's an awkward photo of some of our Preston Ridge crew to start this lil blog!</td></tr>
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It’s December! I’m sort of a grouch when it comes to cold weather. I told my sister recently that I feel like I either have to dress super cute, or look homeless. There’s no in between for me. Despite this, I do love this time of year. I love Christmas, having more time to spend with students and my family since classes are nearing an end, and listening to “Mary Did You Know” by CeeLo Green (I don’t care who you are, that song is good, y’all)!<br />
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One of my favorite parts of working with Preston Ridge FOCUS this year is meeting up with this girl, Raven.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ditDTW6UeQ/WEG4rNV3uoI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BbboBBIET5wiVwI8tmGQjeszrHhhfkUjwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ditDTW6UeQ/WEG4rNV3uoI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BbboBBIET5wiVwI8tmGQjeszrHhhfkUjwCLcB/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were printing out signs to put out during Tuesday Morning FOCUS. "Join Us" was the only thing we could think to put, but also both agreed it sounded kind of creepy. So that's what she was goin' for in this pic :)</td></tr>
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As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I co-lead a Core (small group) with her and Shayla. Raven is kind-hearted, passionate, bold, affectionate, and silly. I’m learning so much from her simply by observing how she befriends people. One thing we’ve spent time talking about in our one-on-one time is how the only thing we need and can rely on is the Lord. We both struggle with wanting to do things that make us feel worthy enough or qualified enough or whatever enough. In our time together, I think the Spirit has broken a lot of that down. We’ve read scripture together, thought through tough questions, and spent a lot of time in prayer. There’s definitely still a lot of room for the Spirit to work in both of us, but I’m praising Him for the gentle way He has transformed our thoughts thus far. I asked Raven to tell me some ways God has grown her this semester, and this is what she had to share:<br />
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<i>God has been growing me in many things this semester, but I think the biggest one is my thoughts. What I mean is that at first I would always keep my thoughts to myself; I think it hindered my relationships and most importantly hindered my relationship with Abba. Once I started to speak what I was I feeling, it helped all my relationships and it allowed me to be an open book, which I feel like God calls us to be.</i><br />
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I’ve gotten to see this in Core. Her openness and vulnerability with the girls she ministers to has set the pace for them to open up and share ways they’re struggling, or tough things they’re thinking. I’m so thankful to get to work with this girl!<br />
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Speaking of Core, we had our last one of the semester this past Wednesday. It was such a special time with lots of tears. We had our girls go through different “worship stations”. Basically, there were 5 different areas that we spread all through the house we meet in. They wrote a Psalm to God, spent time in silence and asked God to speak, they watched a video on really beautiful images of God’s creation and were invited to praise Him for that, they drew a picture in worship to God, and they spent time reflecting on any relationship in their life that might not be pleasing to God, and asked Him to show them what to do with that. We spent about an hour freely moving throughout the house, and then came together to share what we felt God was communicating to us, or what our response to the night would be. This was so encouraging! Our girls were so vocal and honest about what they’d learned, repentant and excited to be more like Christ, and vulnerable about how they’ve doubted His existence and goodness. Upon reflecting on all of that, I think God used that night to show me that He has truly been working in each of them individually, and He’s brought this special group of girls together for a purpose. I love them so much, and they really love eachother. This is only the work of God. Please join me in praising Him for His work! I can't wait to get to spend time with them at Winter Camp (which I’ll talk more about in my next blog) and next semester.<br />
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<b>I am so excited to tell you all about our Keep FOCUS Growing (KFG) campaign. This is an annual fundraiser we have to keep our ministry running, and to help prepare ourselves to go wherever it is the Lord may be calling us. As some of you may know, we’ve been prayerfully considering planting a FOCUS ministry on SMU’s campus. KFG will play a huge role in this exciting venture. Our goal this year is to raise $55,000. I want to invite you to take 2 or 3 minutes, and visit <a href="http://anyfocus.org/kfg">anyfocus.org/kfg</a> to give. You’d be investing in students all across our campuses who have been blessed by this community. Speaking of which, here’s a testimony from a student at Collin, Sammy. There are countless other students like Sammy all across the metroplex, and your gift can help us meet them and show them the love of Jesus!</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNUVMWnESA0/WEG8oPp_68I/AAAAAAAAAHw/HjfOjqQx-Iwk8u0BXmuPsRulq9uQx0kkACLcB/s1600/Sammy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNUVMWnESA0/WEG8oPp_68I/AAAAAAAAAHw/HjfOjqQx-Iwk8u0BXmuPsRulq9uQx0kkACLcB/s320/Sammy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As always, thank you so much for your support. We had our last Thursday Night FOCUS last night, and I was sitting there in disbelief that I'm close to halfway through with this school year. I could not be doing this work without people like you, and I pray you know that you are a huge part in these students encountering Jesus. What a blessing it is to work with you all!<br />
<br />
<b>Please pray</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>As the semester closes, that our students would finish their semester well and not be overloaded with stress!</li>
<li>That our students would not fall off during the break. Please pray they'd continue to invest in their relationship with the Lord, and with one another.</li>
<li>Our KFG campaign. Please pray that the Lord provides, just like He always does, and that we'd trust Him and praise Him no matter what.</li>
</ul>
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Here are some pictures from this month:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd1K-D0weaE/WEG7MBa_4dI/AAAAAAAAAHM/woLO8bAzNzYlxEtzX-kpcc95BTY3T2djQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd1K-D0weaE/WEG7MBa_4dI/AAAAAAAAAHM/woLO8bAzNzYlxEtzX-kpcc95BTY3T2djQCLcB/s320/IMG_2056.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our students, Austin, inviting people to answer questions we had during Outreach at Preston Ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAuusSkx6AU/WEG7MoBBO-I/AAAAAAAAAHc/4BnA24Cp5mcP09U9UwkOqh-rBTIDyAOOwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAuusSkx6AU/WEG7MoBBO-I/AAAAAAAAAHc/4BnA24Cp5mcP09U9UwkOqh-rBTIDyAOOwCLcB/s320/IMG_2253.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shayla.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Shayla</a>, after one of our last classes with <a href="http://matt.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Matt</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pOxqF9talS0/WEG7MI6LhmI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/_bZyWRFLSPA-JJVo8GoDerSt844trU7pQCEw/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pOxqF9talS0/WEG7MI6LhmI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/_bZyWRFLSPA-JJVo8GoDerSt844trU7pQCEw/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our students at Pizza Theology: students from all campuses joined to eat pizza and hear from a speaker on hearing God's voice. This was an awesome event!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love you all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hannah</span></div>
</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-13754630714708786032016-10-31T16:22:00.000-07:002016-10-31T16:22:07.037-07:00It's November!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as I say every month, it is so ridiculous to me that it’s already November. Partially because October went by in the blink of an eye, and partially because it's still 90 degrees outside. But this month was filled with lots of exciting things, and I’m sitting here thinking about all the ways I’ve seen God work and I’m tearing up! He really is so good, He’s not a distant, uncaring being. He’s a kind, involved, loving Father who desires us each to accept the invitation to come to Him and find rest. Woo! Let me tell you about this month.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>20 Year Celebration</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWC1NtJo57s/WBfODV_SGSI/AAAAAAAAAGM/7TJKmaErnroS2f63A5pvVZnzfekc8tgBwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1936.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWC1NtJo57s/WBfODV_SGSI/AAAAAAAAAGM/7TJKmaErnroS2f63A5pvVZnzfekc8tgBwCLcB/s320/IMG_1936.JPG.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FOCUS had its 20th birthday this year! Praise God. We got to celebrate this by inviting any past FOCUS alumni as well as friends, family, supporters, and current students to join together for some reminiscing, celebrating the work God has done, and to be reminded of the vision and mission we feel God has called FOCUS to. It was such a blast, and I was so happy to see some of you there! I’ve been so blessed to be a part of this community since before I even started my Freshman year at Collin College. I feel God used this ministry and the people in it to change the course of my life. The fact that it is the community it is now is a complete act of God’s grace. We’re here not because we’re good, but because God is good! I was so happy to get to experience this event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Reflecting On What I've Learned</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think I really do a disservice to myself (and more importantly, to God) when I forget to consider the ways in which I see Jesus working to make me new. I’m not very good at recognizing the things He’s doing, so I wanted to take some time to talk about that. I get the huge privilege to meet with <a href="http://garrett.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Garrett Davis</a> every week. He’s on staff with FOCUS as the campus minister at Collin. One thing we’ve spent time talking about is the idea of having a vibrant prayer life. Part of the way I’m trying to grow in this is by going to God first when anything happens, when I’m stressed, when things are going well, when I have questions about Him. I’ve realized I have the tendency to call Shayla, one of the other Apprentices, or my sister, my friends I’ve known for years, my dad, pretty much anybody before I go to God. I’ve been reminded of this time and time again since Garrett brought this up to me. I can think of multiple times where something has been stressful to me, I’ve felt discouraged, I have a question, I’ve wanted to celebrate, and I pick up the phone to tell somebody. I feel like it’s in those moments where the Spirit has gently said, “Hey! Remember me? Talk to me about this.” Who do you go to first in times like this? Is God someone you tiredly talk to at the end of the day, after you’ve had the chance to debrief with your roommates, spouse, friends, mentors? Do you seek Him? Do you trust that He’s listening, He wants to be the first one you go to, and He really can (and wants to) give you life? These are questions I’ve been asking myself in trying to figure all this out. I’m so thankful to be learning this lesson.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Thank you!</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again, I am so incredibly grateful for all of you for your continued support. I hope you know that the Apprenticeship has been such an enriching experience for me. I feel like I’ve grown more in love with God, I’ve gained understanding on His character through experiencing Him in new ways, I’ve gotten to build relationships and make new ones that are so special, I get to learn from people and follow their example as they follow Christ. I don’t take for granted the chance to do this. I couldn’t experience ministry in this way without you. Thank you so much for investing in the vision.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Here are some ways you can pray:</b></span></div>
<b><span id="docs-internal-guid-f7eb1c8a-1cf7-4756-dd5b-d4d9c5dcf20c"></span></b><br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For Preston Ridge. God has built a cool community there, please pray that we will continue to seek Him to show us what to do and selflessly continue to reach out to the students on that campus. Please pray for this ministry and what it will look like next year.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For all of our students who go out on campus to do outreach. They take time out of their day to just make new friends and have spiritual conversations. Please pray that they are bold, loving, and that they seek to join the Spirit where He is moving. Please pray that the people they encounter will have open and willing hearts.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For FOCUS staff & our student leaders. This time of year is always a little bit of a challenge. Classes start picking up and getting busy, and as people settle into a routine, it’s easy to get burned out.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For all the one-on-one studies that are happening in our ministry. I'm so thrilled and thankful to get to spend consistent time with some awesome girls. I'm so hopeful for what God is doing in them, and I know I'm not alone in thinking this! Please pray for everyone being studied with, and that they encounter Jesus this year.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Enjoy some pictures:</b></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bQPPmEDfgY/WBfN_sAhKoI/AAAAAAAAAGA/LE2bsy13Xw8qoooDVX2id2qs6yxTRV1WwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bQPPmEDfgY/WBfN_sAhKoI/AAAAAAAAAGA/LE2bsy13Xw8qoooDVX2id2qs6yxTRV1WwCLcB/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of our boards during Tuesday morning FOCUS at Preston Ridge. It was a great way to meet people in a not-so-intimidating way. We plan on doing more things like this on Tuesdays to meet people and build relationships. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9LEqzkAQCc/WBfODMOvO4I/AAAAAAAAAGE/ASYBPmC9ZE8UUlgTG-MSk_usC8UE-kl4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9LEqzkAQCc/WBfODMOvO4I/AAAAAAAAAGE/ASYBPmC9ZE8UUlgTG-MSk_usC8UE-kl4gCLcB/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">This is just a portion of our ministry at Preston Ridge during our Tuesday morning FOCUS meetings. I was looking at this and realized only 3 of the people in the picture were involved in FOCUS before this year. Pedro & Ryan, (Apprentices) and Raven (the girl I lead Core with). Everybody else we've met just in the past few months. Wow! God is really cool.</td></tr>
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</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K40322Qb52E/WBfODF_1j0I/AAAAAAAAAGI/jOIokde3w0skcai7uR9ggyQ8BCxjpAK7QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K40322Qb52E/WBfODF_1j0I/AAAAAAAAAGI/jOIokde3w0skcai7uR9ggyQ8BCxjpAK7QCLcB/s320/IMG_1998.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Core! We went out to dinner to celebrate some of their birthdays. Aren't they cute? Please pray for these girls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again, thank you so much. <b>Please let me know what I can do to bless you.</b> Love you so much.</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Christ,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hannah</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-11167509599287547642016-10-01T22:02:00.000-07:002016-10-03T20:15:35.849-07:00October!It's technically Fall! So even though I'm at risk for getting a heat stroke in the afternoon, I'm still thankful for the morning and evening weather that calls for sweatshirts and hot chocolate. I'm also thankful for all the super great things God has been doing this past month! Here's a couple highlights I wanted to share with you:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Lemonade FOCUS</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0n6z_Sg_0s/V_CPt3hcUyI/AAAAAAAAAFI/9CMit94bPpohCiJacTUxi8CmR3XaExWCgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0n6z_Sg_0s/V_CPt3hcUyI/AAAAAAAAAFI/9CMit94bPpohCiJacTUxi8CmR3XaExWCgCLcB/s320/IMG_1110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, check out this artsy aerial shot of these sweet friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In all honesty I’m not sure if we’re technically calling it by that name (it used to be called that because we gave out lemonade, but we definitely don’t do that anymore…), but nonetheless on Tuesday mornings at Collin’s Preston Ridge campus in Frisco, we meet out on the lawn in the center of campus to play games, color, talk and laugh together, and generally just try to meet people and offer them friendship and genuine community. It really has become a favorite moment of my week. I’m so encouraged by our student leaders who are willing to play volleyball and lay on the grass in 90+ degree heat for the sake of reaching their peers (although now it’s starting to cool down, and we’re all very thankful!), all without ever complaining. We’ve met many students, and God has been working in this time to build community with our little ministry we have at Preston Ridge. A quick story about one of these Tuesdays: I’ve been praying that God would bring girls to these times. For some reason, we meet a lot of boys, but girls just seem to be a lot less receptive to us. Well, God has definitely answered those prayers and we’ve met more girls over the past few weeks than we have all year! This past week, there were two boys that came to play for the first time. A girl walked by that they knew, and <i>they</i> invited her to come play. She agreed, and not long after that I got the opportunity to ask more about her life. She just moved here, and said she hasn’t met anybody, and “literally does nothing”. I told her about what Core was, and her face lit up! She said, “really?!” I was so happy to be able to invite her! She came the next day, and opened up to the girls, and our girls welcomed her with open arms. Wow!! God reminds me in things like this that He is faithful, and a super involved Father. I’m so excited to meet more people during this time and see the ways God will continue to work!<br />
<br />
<b>Fall Camp</b><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRh49uRjWV0/V_CPtWibhiI/AAAAAAAAAFE/GYsQB93t10sIKVcSbuM12iNdsvep0hoWgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRh49uRjWV0/V_CPtWibhiI/AAAAAAAAAFE/GYsQB93t10sIKVcSbuM12iNdsvep0hoWgCLcB/s320/IMG_1194.jpg" width="320" /></a>At the beginning of the school year, we invite our students to spend 24 hours together in “one giant sleepover with all their best friends” as my fellow Apprentice, <a href="http://shayla.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Shayla</a> would say. We drove about 100 students to Camp Copass, a camp in Denton, to spend time with one another, play games, listen to messages given by staff and their peers, worship God, and just have a time to get excited for the coming semester of ministry together! It was so encouraging to see the students bond with one another, get out of their comfort zones, and realize that they were there to be with God and learn from him and one another. At one point, we had an open mic sharing time. The students got up to talk about something God put on their heart during our time of worship. Student after student, they opened up and shared what God revealed to them. Some shared personal stories of their families, how they’ve been hurt in the past, how they’ve made mistakes, but how God has remained faithful. I’m so proud of them, and it’s such a huge honor to get to work alongside them. Thank you for praying for this time.<br />
<br />
<b>Core</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBxh2NYw3CE/V_CPteB7wWI/AAAAAAAAAFA/hqYUM62q6aYix4TTWXIf1zTdAvWktddYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBxh2NYw3CE/V_CPteB7wWI/AAAAAAAAAFA/hqYUM62q6aYix4TTWXIf1zTdAvWktddYQCLcB/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our Core girls at Camp!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I get to lead a Core with Shayla and Raven for the girls at Preston Ridge. Cores are our gender specific smaller groups, aimed at building relationships and growing together towards Jesus. Sometimes we do Bible study, other times we just share about a specific topic such as vulnerability, shame, time management, etc. They’re called Cores because we feel that this is really where the core of our ministry exists. I am truly dumbfounded as to how we have girls that show up. This is how faithful God is, you guys: Shayla and I are not students at Preston Ridge, Raven is not taking classes this semester, so we’re not in classrooms inviting people. We’ve just tried to invite people we meet when we spend time on campus, the guys Cores will refer girls to us all the time, and sometimes just a random girl walks in and we’re not even sure how she heard about Core! What?! That is so cool to me. Obviously, God has been moving, and He does what He wants to do despite the odd circumstances that may be in effect :). Our girls have been so faithful and consistent, they’re learning to be vulnerable with one another and trying hard to build community with each other. Every week, they meet up with one of the girls they haven’t gotten to spend a ton of time with just to grow closer to one another. They initiate hanging out with the others, they celebrate together when good things happen, and they mourn together when crummy things happen. Gosh, I get to be a part of their lives! Why God has allowed me to have that privilege is beyond me. But what I do know is that He is working in these girls, and He is working on Preston Ridge campus through them.<br />
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Day by day, I’m reminded of how crazy it is that I have the opportunity to do this Apprenticeship. I have countless people investing in me to make sure I’m learning and growing. I’ve built relationships that are so incredibly priceless, and it’s only been a few months. I’ve been given the chance to learn graduate level theology, and I’m taught by some of the most humble, spiritual, intelligent people I know. I get to sit outside on this beautiful day (Fall!! WOO!!) and articulate ways that God has been working over the past month. AND I have people like YOU who choose to invest in me, and invest in the Kingdom. I’m so thankful for you. I wish I could articulate more how much your support means to me. But in the meantime, I’ll just keep giving you virtual hugs.<br />
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<b>Here are some ways you can pray:</b><br />
- That all the Cores would grow in their love for God, their relationships with one another, and that people in Core would catch a vision of what God is doing to bring His Kingdom here.<br />
- For the outreach at both Spring Creek and Preston Ridge campus. Preston Ridge in particular is very quiet. There’s essentially no student life happening there. Please pray that we’d meet people and foster a dynamic at these campuses that makes people feel welcomed and like they can hang out on campus and make friends.<br />
- All the one-on-one Bible studies that are happening on all our campuses. That people’s hearts would be softened by Jesus and they’d enter into deep relationship with Him!<br />
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Also, I'm sure a lot of you have heard about this, but if you haven't, you are totally invited!! It is going to be such an exciting time, and I would love to see you all there. Please contact me if you have any questions about this (or anything)!<br />
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Man I love you guys, and I'm thankful for you.</div>
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Hannah</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-51803988803369406942016-09-01T23:25:00.000-07:002016-09-01T23:25:47.219-07:00September UpdateI’m having such a hard time understanding the fact that it is September already. Where has the year gone?! This past month has been full of experiences that have stretched me and helped me understand God’s heart a lot more than I have before. So much has gone on, but I have just a few highlights that I want to share with you.<br />
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<b>Welcome Week</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxlKsS-S4jo/V8kaEfw3UwI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ruUoDnAOr0ktd38euS04iaP0EChABe7LgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxlKsS-S4jo/V8kaEfw3UwI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ruUoDnAOr0ktd38euS04iaP0EChABe7LgCLcB/s320/IMG_0813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were on Preston Ridge campus asking students what they hope to get out of their time at Collin. This spurred some really cool conversations! (ft. a cool pose from Cody, one of our corefas)</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
Collin began classes in the last full week of August, and all that week there were events on campus that we got to participate in to help make friends and invite people to the different things we had going on for those few days. This is such a significant time in a campus ministry, and we strive to cast our nets really wide. We spend a lot of time in prayer and a lot of time on campus. God definitely met us there. Thank you for praying for this time. I was so thankful to get to watch the student leaders do what they do best: love people! One of our Corefas (small group leaders) told me he took off work that entire week strictly to be at Welcome Week events. This sacrificial and positive mindset seems to be the norm with these students. I watched as they boldly invited people into conversation, went up to total strangers and invited them to play games or hang out, and tirelessly asked people for their phone number so they could hang out soon. It was such a blast getting to do this alongside them!<br />
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<b>TNF</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Thursday Night Fellowship</td></tr>
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Last week we had our first Thursday Night FOCUS of the school year. As I was sitting in my chair, looking around at some faces I knew but a lot that I didn’t, I could only muster one thought: God is AWESOME! I’m in awe at the sheer amount of young people giving up a night that could have been spent studying, spending time with friends, watching Netflix, or anything else that may have otherwise been enjoyable, to sit in a crowded cafeteria to learn more about Jesus. I’m in awe at the student leaders who work so hard to take huge steps out of their comfort zones to invite people into their lives and show them the treasure they’ve found in a field. I’m in awe that God has brought this ministry so far and blessed so many people through our faulted efforts at being obedient to Him. I’m in awe that God lets someone as clueless and broken as me witness, experience, and participate in His life-giving work.<br />
A lot of these students are just starting off their college career, they’re away from their friends from high school, they have more independence from their families in some ways … Where is God going to lead them? What lessons will He teach them this year? How will He change their lives & draw them closer to Him? The fact that God might allow us to be a small part of Him working in them individually is what gets me so excited to work in ministry! In pondering all that, I kept thinking about all the people that have passed through this ministry, and how I’ve seen God use those people to further His kingdom elsewhere. I wanted to share some of those stories with you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8aJe98eqZU/V8kTovBvaPI/AAAAAAAAAD0/we027ZUYw7U8t9di9Ni439HaC18NG2vMgCLcB/s1600/Tabby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8aJe98eqZU/V8kTovBvaPI/AAAAAAAAAD0/we027ZUYw7U8t9di9Ni439HaC18NG2vMgCLcB/s320/Tabby.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Tabby. She attended Collin as a student for two years prior to transferring to UNT. Currently, she’s involved with Denton North Church, and is pursuing her Masters in Counseling. I also got to live with her for about a month when I was moving out of my house in Denton and she was moving in, which was easily one of the most fun months of my life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOEPFCewXgU/V8kTnl9J9AI/AAAAAAAAADw/8vQ2nReqJlgqxVFd2m5NZU4z5EpFAWlIgCLcB/s1600/hanna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOEPFCewXgU/V8kTnl9J9AI/AAAAAAAAADw/8vQ2nReqJlgqxVFd2m5NZU4z5EpFAWlIgCLcB/s320/hanna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Hanna. She was a student at Collin before transferring to UNT and will graduate in December. She wants to be special education teacher. Right now, she’s working with students a UTD in their FOCUS ministry. She was a huge part in me becoming a Christian, and I really can’t even explain how being involved with ministry along side her has impacted my life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P65BsjhlIZo/V8kTnl3CHNI/AAAAAAAAADs/xvnsKv0sgFsdkMPQeb9CFGPOpS7WUBbpwCEw/s1600/brianna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P65BsjhlIZo/V8kTnl3CHNI/AAAAAAAAADs/xvnsKv0sgFsdkMPQeb9CFGPOpS7WUBbpwCEw/s320/brianna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Brianna (the one on the right ;)). Like the other two, she attended Collin before transferring to UNT. There, she helped plant a FOCUS ministry. Now she leads Christian Teen Fellowship, the teen ministry, at Wylie Northeast Church. She also was on staff at Collin during my time there as a student, and lovingly befriended my obnoxious 18-year old self. She’s married to Tyler and has a daughter named Reese who I wish was my best friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Each of these girls served the FOCUS ministry at Collin. Look at the ways God has worked in them! Look at how He’s grown them into the women they are now. This is most assuredly NOT because FOCUS is good, this is only because GOD is good! I share these stories with you in hopes that you’ll be encouraged by the ways God has shown Himself to be a kind, involved father who does big things in the lives of His people. What will God do with our students this year? Wow! I love that God lets us dream big.</div>
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<b>Here are some ways you can join me in prayer this month:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>For our Cores, which are our small groups, that God would begin friendships here, that the students would be vulnerable with one another, and that people would get to encounter Jesus.</li>
<li>Fall Camp. On September 24th & 25th, our students will go to Camp Copass in Denton for 24 hours of Jesus & fun. Please pray that God would move powerfully here, and that people would be really excited to get out of their comfort zones to attend and build relationships once they get there.</li>
<li>All the new faces we've met and will continue to meet. Will you pray that God would continue to prepare the hearts of students we meet, and that He'd let us be faithful with who He has brought our way?</li>
</ul>
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Thank you so much for believing in this vision. I'm writing this late at night in my cute little apartment, full of roommates that I love. I get to wake up tomorrow and eat a meal with a student I've met this week. Later, I get to read through the Old Testament and learn about the heart of God. Next week, I'll get to go to class with people I look up to and get to deepen relationships with. I'll go on campus and have conversations with people who God so dearly cares about. I couldn't do any of this without your support. I'm truly honored that you would consider investing in me in this way. God is very, very good. He is full of grace and truth and He is a King who is making everything new. Praise Him for letting us do this work together.</div>
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I really love you!</div>
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Hannah</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875323495240375728.post-44457065197438480402016-08-07T21:36:00.000-07:002016-08-07T21:36:45.259-07:00August Update
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">August
is here! This means my time as an Apprentice with FOCUS has officially begun.
It has only been a week, and the Spirit has already begun working in the
special ways only He can, and I’m eager for Him to continue to work in these
next 10 months I’m blessed to be on staff. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTZZegUkmzQ/V6gIMSobjDI/AAAAAAAAACw/2AUeqSNiVJQbyX2-gZlB_-1CMGLw8JeIgCLcB/s1600/throwback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTZZegUkmzQ/V6gIMSobjDI/AAAAAAAAACw/2AUeqSNiVJQbyX2-gZlB_-1CMGLw8JeIgCLcB/s320/throwback.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start; text-indent: 48px;">This is a little throwback for ya from 2012 when I was a student at Collin College. God has done so much since then on the Collin campuses and I'm thankful He's brought me back to this school with a different role! I'm the one up front in the red shirt, and fun fact: the pretty girl to my right is </span><a href="http://ryan.anyfocus.org/" style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start; text-indent: 48px;" target="_blank">Ryan</a><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start; text-indent: 48px;">'s wife, he's another Apprentice working with Collin this year.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
Apprenticeship began with Staff Retreat. Our entire FOCUS staff loaded up and
headed to Austin, Texas for 4 days of work and play. During our time together,
we read through a book called <u>In the Name of Jesus</u> by Henri J.M. Nouwen.
In it, Nouwen discusses his reflections of Christian leadership. He examines 3
temptations that he has observed Christian leaders to struggle with and give in
to: the temptation to be relevant, to be spectacular, and to be powerful. This
book seriously rocked my world, and I highly recommend you pick it up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At
the beginning of the week, Brandon (FOCUS Director and campus minister at UTD),
shared with us that he felt the Spirit leading us to sing the song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nothing I Hold Onto</i> after each of our
sessions. Here’s the basic gist of the lyrics:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I lean not on my own understanding<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My life is in the hands of the Maker of
heaven<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I give it all to You God, trusting that
you'll make something beautiful out of me<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There's nothing I hold on to<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There's nothing I hold on to<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I lean not on my own understanding<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My life is in the hands of the Maker of
heaven<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will climb this mountain with my hands wide
open<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will climb this mountain with my hands wide
open<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honestly,
when I heard we would be singing this song with such frequency, it produced a
small amount of anxiety in me because this has been a song that I’ve always
found to be so confusing, and have spent time in prayer asking God what it
means, I’ve gotten advice from other people about what they think the writer of
the song meant when he said, “I will climb this mountain with my hands wide
open”, and came back with no concrete thoughts. After having sung that phrase
dozens of times in a week, I am so thankful that Brandon was open to the Spirit
leading us to do that, because I think God was able to teach me a huge lesson
about what all that means. I’m very tempted to try to minister to people using
my own strength, relying on my personality or how much I think I understand of
God to be able to draw people to Him. This is a dangerous temptation, because
it doesn’t show people Jesus, it shows them more of myself (yikes). In leaning
not on our own understanding, coming to Jesus with hands wide open, empty of ourselves
and ready to take whatever He’s kind enough to hand us, He equips us to
minister to others and lead them towards the true life He offers!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are
some things you can pray about in no particular order:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That God
would prepare our student leaders for the crazy month of August. They’ll be
very busy spending time on campus reaching out to their peers, inviting them to
the events we’ll be hosting, planning their small groups, not to mention working
hard in their classes!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For students
coming to Collin College. That God would prepare their hearts, that they’d be
open to hearing the message of Jesus and experiencing spiritual friendship.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the
Apprentices and the rest of FOCUS staff. August is just a pretty crazy month,
planning events, Welcome Week, meeting literally hundreds of students a week,
classes, and balancing our time. Please pray that God would give us energy and
positive attitudes, and He’d get all the glory for the cool things that will
happen.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">My
fundraising! I’m at 92%, all thanks to you! Praise God that He’s made a way for
me to do this, and please pray that He’d let me be fully fundraised very soon.
Please also pray for all the other staff’s fundraising.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some
pictures from the week:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVKg3qeSvXM/V6gIPmmRK6I/AAAAAAAAAC4/Q8F3M-WMJPUPqZSU88-YwdWA4L_1SqsWQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVKg3qeSvXM/V6gIPmmRK6I/AAAAAAAAAC4/Q8F3M-WMJPUPqZSU88-YwdWA4L_1SqsWQCLcB/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll be coleading a Core (small group) at the Preston Ridge Collin College campus with these two beauties, Shayla (left) and Raven (middle). I’m so excited to get to work along side them, they both are so special to me!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2ZhO-cyX-E/V6gIPtNWdsI/AAAAAAAAAC8/jax2WzZNve8XhhhfJkV2EZbSY3lvfTSBwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2ZhO-cyX-E/V6gIPtNWdsI/AAAAAAAAAC8/jax2WzZNve8XhhhfJkV2EZbSY3lvfTSBwCLcB/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;">This is the Collin staff for this year, <a href="http://pedro.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Pedro</a>, <a href="http://garrett.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Garrett</a>, myself, <a href="http://shayla.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Shayla</a>, and <a href="http://ryan.anyfocus.org/" target="_blank">Ryan</a> at church (all Apprentices, other than Garrett, who is the campus minister at Collin).</span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;">I’m so thankful to get to work with all of them, whom I look up to and love a lot.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atOsjYwVeV0/V6gIPfCHU2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/iVG1wGs1MUgZ8RmPfLhTUI7VLNZRQ7GpgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atOsjYwVeV0/V6gIPfCHU2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/iVG1wGs1MUgZ8RmPfLhTUI7VLNZRQ7GpgCLcB/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The beautiful view from our balcony at Staff Retreat.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
want to end this post by expressing my huge gratitude to you all. I simply
could not do the work I get to do without the generosity of people like you. If
I were not doing the Apprenticeship, I’d likely be working full-time, having a
small part in campus ministry. Because of you, I get to dive head first into
this awesome work, devoting my time to these students that God cares so deeply
about. Thank you for investing in this vision, and for investing in me. Please
let me know how I can bless you. I’m available all the time, and I’d love to
hear from you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Christ,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622478446451963799noreply@blogger.com3