There's More To Life Than This

            I look around at the American church, and all I can do is shake my head. Somehow we have made it okay to live for the world first and put our duties as Christians on the back-burner. I'm so afraid that in ten years this will be me, I don't want to conform to the so called "normal" American-Christian lifestyle. There has got to be more to the Christian life than this! If I was truly filled with the Holy Spirit, completely committed to living for Christ, and surrendering every aspect of my life to Him I KNOW that my life would look completely different, as well as the lives of those around me. The Lord says to do unto others as you would have them do to you. I know the truth, and therefore I must share it with others. I feel like I have never even experienced the life God has called me to because I'm to busy living comfortably. So this summer rather than sitting in my air conditioned home in my pajamas, watching TV I'm asking that God fill my days with opportunities to glorify Him and share the gospel. Praying that this summer God completely blows my mind and uses me for His glory! I want to be completely stripped down to nothing but the cross! Cannot wait to see what He has in store!!!! :)

His Daughter,
Hannah Renee'

Right Here. Right Now.

          I have realized that it has come time to refocus. During my devos today I read something that made a huge impression on me. "Instead of praying, 'God, what do You want me to do next? you might ask, 'God, what do You want me to do while I'm right here.?'" I think that this kind of thinking is absolutely brilliant. With only nine days left of my high school its become super easy to be uber focussed purely on the future alone, rather than where God has currently placed me. Although I greatly look forward to future relationships, situations, and adventures God will bless me with I need to refocus and pay attention to where I currently am. My family, friends, neighbors, school, youth group, etc. God, I ask that you fill these last nine school days with opportunity after opportunity to glorify You, grow me, and witness to others. Help me look forward, and prepare for the future, but stay focused on where You've placed me right here, right now.
Your Daughter,
Hannah Renee'

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

trust n. a: Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: One in which confidence is placed. (Merriam-Webster)

It's official! I sent in my $100.00 deposit and I'm now apart of the fall mission trip going to Uganda with Adventures in Missions!! God is SO good!! Now I have to start working on fundraising, oh boy! The trip is $5,000 not including the money to fly down to AIM in Georgia, pay for shots, the things I need for the trip, passports, etc. But I'm going to have to trust in the Creator of the Universe, it's my only option. Since trust has been such a prevalent theme in my life lately I scoured the Bible for verses which pertained to it. Here are a few that I found..

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Psalm 62:8

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5

"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Time and time again I (unfortunately) relied on my own strength and resources, each time I either fell flat on my face or missed out on witnessing one of God's many miracles. I have no idea how in the world I'm going to come up with all of this money. But what I do know is that God is my provider, and that He wants me to trust in Him because He's got this all under control. Besides, God's resources are far more vast than my own! :)

Prayer:

Money for mission trip- $4,900

Money for plane ride to Georgia, shots, passport, etc.

Trust

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'

Mission Trip Donations :)

To Donate To My Mission Trip:

http://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=partFund

Under "Choose Program" click The Passport

Under "Participant Full Name" type Hannah Apelt

Thank you so much for your generosity!!

If you would like to read about AIM (Adventure In Mission) donation policies check out the link below:

http://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=partFund

Culture Crossing And A Little Bit Of Faith

Wednesday at 3pm I received a call from Adventures In Missions, congratulating me on my acceptance to the Passport mission trip to Uganda in the upcoming fall!!!:) Beyond excited! I have two weeks to pray, make my final decision and put in my deposit of $100. One thing is for sure, if I do go this trip is definitely going to stretch me in my faith. The trip costs $5,000 and I currently have... $0.00. BUT I do know that if this is what God wants for me He will provide. Although I feel very secure that this is where God wants me to go, I'm going to keep praying and ask for His will to be shown. I did a little research about Uganda culture and here are a few interesting facts I found..

Ugandan Culture

-Tend to communicate indirectly more than directly.

-Humor plays a big role in communicating but don't use sarcasm.

-Always use right hand when shaking hands.

-Personal space tends to be very minimal in Uganda. People often talk very close to each other and less than an arm’s length of space is common.

-In most situations, Ugandans are not overly concerned with being punctual. People are expected to arrive within the first hour or two after the appointed time.

-Women's ankles and shoulders are thought of to be seductive.

If God gives me the privilege of allowing me to experience this amazing country's culture I will surely be able to call myself blessed. With every fact I learn about Ugandans the more I fall in love with these beautiful people. One thing is for sure, whether or not I go to Uganda I can definitely count on my life being an adventure. I cannot wait!

PRAYERS:

-For God's will to be shown as to whether or not this is where He wants me to be.

-$100.00 for the initial deposit.

-Faith!

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

Sometimes I imagine what heaven will be like. I have no idea if there will be different races, but if there is I think that would be really cool. That once and for all we will be binded despite our differences through Christ. At the Christmas Eve service we all lit our candles and sang Silent Night, itwas so beautiful to see and be apart of. But what made it so special was the fact that an older woman next to me was singing it in German. It made me get out of my "American shell" and realize that Christians aren't just in America. I know that sounds silly but sometimes that self-centered frame of mind is so easy to slip into. God showed me through this experience that no matter what color skin, heritage, or where our home is we can all be connected through the cross. My hope is to get the chance to sing worship with all different kinds of races. I can't imagine how incredibly beautiful the sound of multiple languages of praise for Christ our Lord filling the air. One day I hope to experience worship on earth as it is in heaven.

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'

Nkwagala

I'm homesick for a country I've never visited, missing people I've never met, and in love with a culture I've never experienced. From listening to stories, reading books, and looking at pictures of the country of Uganda and all those who live there one thing always comes to mind; these people are beautiful. And all I want is a chance to be able to love on them, that they might have a better understanding of Christ's love.

"I gave you a new Law. You are to love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. If you love each other, all men will know you are My followers." John 13:34-35

Whether or not I get accepted to the fall mission trip to Uganda through AIM (Adventures In Missions) God has put this desire on my heart for a reason. I know where I am called, and I am ready to love. If He really wants me to go I expect Him to provide a way. Until that time I will continue to love those He puts in front of me and pray for those around the world. But I long for the day I get to hold those little hands, pray over His people, sit with the ill, and dance with the well. I can't wait until I get to say the word Nkwagala...I love you.

His Daughter,

Hannah Renee'