4 months!

We've been married for 4 months! I LOVE my boy!

It just gets better and better. I never fail to be amazed at this wonderful thing called marriage. It is a precious gift! God is SO smart to have thought of creating it! Wow!

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:18-24

P.S. In the background of the picture you can see Russell's truck and our little trailer. Those are our bedroom windows.

Say "I Love You"

Moments quickly pass and our loved ones soon are gone

Thoughts of love we feel reach the heart, but not the tongue

Words we speak in anger tumble out and bring regret

Words of love are often never said

Say "I love you" while the heart can feel

Say "I love you" while the hurt can heal

Make a heart rejoice, give your love a voice

Speak the words while you can say "I love you."

Life is but a vapor quickly vanishing away

Wait until tomorrow and your chance may flee away

Give a fragrant flower while its beauty still can charm

Give a kiss to warm the longing heart

Say "I love you" while the heart can feel

Say "I love you" while the hurt can heal

Make a heart rejoice, give your love a voice

Speak the words while you can say "I love you."

Say "I love you."

Ron Hamilton: "Cherish the Moments"

2 Months!

It's hard to believe it's been just 2 months since that wonderful day.

For some reason it feels more like 2 years. So much has changed in such a short period of time.

God has blessed me with a wonderful husband. I used to think it was strange when couples who had been married for many years said they loved their spouse more later on in their marriage than they did on their wedding day. Now I understand. I love Russell more now than I did when I married him 2 months ago. Next month I will love him more than I did this month. Love just grows. You can't measure love, because just when you think you have discovered it to the fullest extent you find that it has grown yet again!

Love is like an ancient castle and each room filled with untold treasures. Just when you open one door and marvel at its wealth, you discover yet another door leading to a room with even greater riches. If rusty old doorknobs represented trials and testing, and each new room discovered represents a greater degree of love, then it only gets better with each knob you turn. The more effort it takes to open the door the more appreciation you have for the contents within. Russell's love for me becomes more amazing with every trial we come through. It is those rusty old doorknobs that make our love grow stronger and more beautiful as we enter the next level of loving one another.

Far From the Home I Love

How can I hope to make you understand
Why I do, what I do?
Why I must travel to a distant land
Far from the home I love?

Once I was happily content to be
As I was, where I was.
Close to the people who are close to me
Here in the home I love.

Who could see that a man would come
Who would change the shape of my dreams?
Helpless now I stand with him
Watching older dreams grow dim.

Oh, what a melancholy choice this is:
Wanting home, wanting him.
Closing my heart to every hope but his,
Leaving the home I love.

There where my heart has settled long ago
I must go, I must go.
Who could imagine I'd be wand'ring so
Far from the home I love?

Yet, there with my love, I'm home.

Russell's Visit ~ Day 6

Our backyard under a beautiful blanket of white snow!

"...I found him whom my soul loveth..."

Song of Solomon 3:4

Baby Jonathan is getting bigger and bigger. Russell was amazed at how much he's changed since July. Why do babies have to grow so fast? Russell taught Jonathan how to high-5. Don't tell me babies can't learn and can't understand, because that baby learned how to high-5 within 5 minutes. Babies are smart little people...you just gotta be smarter than them and know when they are trying to outsmart you. Jonathan rode the "Russell roller coaster"; he looooooooooved getting tossed in the air and swooshed around. What giggles and excited screams! So cute! =D

Yup...we're a just little engaged and a little goo goo-eyed. What fun!

I Will Be True

I promise you I will be true

Faithful in all things, loyal to you

Walking beside you, sharing your heavy load

Lifting you high and helping you grow

I promise you I will be true

I will walk beside you through each tomorrow

I’ll be there to help you through every sorrow

Cheering every victory, suffering through each agony

I will keep you close to me

Forever in my heart

I promise you I will be true

Faithful in all things, loyal to you

Walking beside you, sharing your heavy load

Lifting you high and helping you grow

I promise you I will be true

Though your feet may stumble I will be praying

Loving through the hard times, faithfully staying

Though the miles between us grow I will never let you go

Through the years our love will grow

Forever in my heart

I promise you I will be true

Faithful in all things, loyal to you

Walking beside you, sharing your heavy load

Lifting you high and helping you grow

I promise you I will be true

I will be true.

Ron Hamilton, Majesty Music

~ ~ * ~ ~

MARRIAGE

A vow to cherish...

Not for as long as we love.

It's about a commitment that goes deeper than love.

A promise made before GOD...

For as long as we live.

This and That

Well...life continues. How can it already be 2 weeks since I wrote my last post? I have been keeping busy, and Mom has made major progress on my wedding dress. I love it! I can't wait to see the finished product! It is going to be gorgeous!

My future father-in-law took Russell and his two brothers to a basketball game several weeks ago for Christmas. The crowd was invited to send in text messages to be displayed on the score board. Russell was about to send one when Clay beat him to it. The whole Atlanta stadium found out that Russell loves Hannah. =) See it in the picture? Russell told me there was another Hannah in the crowd who received a proposal that day, written on the score board. Neat idea! It's funny--I don't know too many people with that name. I hope the guy wasn't too offended when Russell's message showed up. =D Russell loves me!!! WOW! =)

I see hearts everywhere...even in my salad. (giggle)

In 4 days my Russell is coming to see me for my birthday! I can't wait!!! I just can't wait! This is the last time we'll see each other before our wedding. I'm so glad the Lord has allowed us this extra time together. It will be our 3rd visit as a couple. On our 4th visit we will be getting married...imagine that! God sure works in mysterious ways. I would say it can't happen this way (long-distance) and be God's will...but I know it can happen because this is God's will. I hope I don't bore you all by constantly talking about Russell and me. I just...I can't get over it...this relationship...the Lord's goodness. I think it will take a lifetime of wonderment, and even then I don't think I'll get over it. I don't want to ever get over it...never! I stand in awe beholding the goodness of the Lord.

This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

~ Psalm 118:23

A year ago today...

...Something very special happened to me. Actually, it started several years back.
Let me tell you the story...

I was 17, and the date was May 12, 2005. In response to my heart's desire for a husband, God gave me a promise in Psalm 84:11. "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Marriage is a good thing, as it says many times in the Bible. I knew God would reward me if I did right.

The Lord confirmed His promise to me once again in Romans 11:4 on December 18, 2006, when my heart was broken and I was convinced that not a single godly young man existed. "But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal."

In January 2008 my parents gave me this painting for my 20th birthday. I call it my "Waiting Painting," because the girl looks like she's waiting expectantly for the fulfillment of her dreams...a special someone.

In October 2008 I met the young man of my dreams. Russell. Even before I met him face-to-face I knew I could love him my whole life long. After a week's visit with his family he went home, and I never expected to see him again, though in my heart I wished it to be otherwise.

All through November and December I desperately tried to fight off and ignore the feelings I had for Russell. God hadn't said yes, and I had already learned a hard lesson about leaning on my own understanding regarding such matters. Our hearts often lead us astray, so I knew I needed a definite answer from the Lord. What I didn't realize is that Russell had been praying about me for months. On November 7, 2008, the Lord told him I was going to be his wife.

Meanwhile, I was still searching for answers. Mom saw the tug-of-war going on in my heart. She encouraged me to pray and get an answer from God. So, on the night of December 27, 2008, I prayed and asked the Lord to show me if Russell was meant for me. I prayed 3 specific things:
1.) That God would give me a verse in the next couple of days.
2.) That it would be in my daily Bible reading.
3.) And that it would jump off the page and practically knock me over with its clarity. I wanted a yes or no. No maybe stuff.
Then I went to bed with perfect peace. It was all in God's hands. I let go.

Very early in the morning, on December 28, the Lord spoke to me in Isaiah 66:9. "Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God." I knew from that verse that God was preparing me...He was going to do something. The answer was coming.

What beautiful rays of cheerful morning sunshine warmed me on the morning of December 29, 2008, as I lay on my bed and began to read my Bible! The answer came that day in 1 Samuel 9:24. "...Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee..." Those words seemed to stand 2 inches off the page. Those words were just for me. Those words were a "YES!" Those words...and the only person to fit them was...Russell. God told me that Russell was going to be my husband.

Now, one year later, I have an engagement ring on my finger. Those words spoken to me last year surely came to pass, as all of God's promises have come to pass and will come to pass.

Not only does God fulfill His promises, but He also gives us the desires of our heart...when we delight in Him. As a little girl I remember my mom telling me how Dad gave her a Bible when they met and fell in love. I always wanted my future husband to give me a Bible. The very morning God told me Russell would be my husband is the morning a package arrived in the mail. It was a late Christmas gift...a Bible from Russell to me.

On July 14, 2009, Russell asked to court me. We got engaged on October 23, 2009. Our wedding date is set ~ April 17, 2010!

God still speaks. God still answers prayer. God still reveals His will to those who earnestly seek His direction for their lives. Praise God! All the glory for this love story belongs to Him alone!

Read the full-length version of our story here: A Love Story Written in Heaven

Christmas Collages 2009

I hope you all enjoy these pictures. It took a lot of time, but I had a blast putting them together. I've never done scrap-booking before, but this is how I would imagine it to be...only I did it on my laptop. Each picture opens up large enough for you to see details nicely, so click away if you like...

A typical day at our house, I thought this was too cute not to put up.

Who ever said sisters aren't mommies?

The MAC kid...

The web cam couple...

UGH! We are trying to make the best of this long-distance engagement.

Mom's creativity is amazing!!!

Merry Christmas!!! 2009...

It was the last one I'll ever spend with my family while living at home. It was a memory-maker for sure. God is good! I hope yours was a blessing as well.

Special Memories

I miss making him breakfast in the morning.

I miss listening to his voice as he read the Bible and prayed with me.

I miss sitting on the couch and messing around on our laptops, sharing pictures, talking, or just looking at each other.

I miss walking around the property and the good conversations we had regarding our family and future.

I miss cheering him on.

I miss his cute attempts to show off--watching him throw a basket and miss, which only gave me another chance to tell him that it doesn't matter...cause I'm already very impressed.

I miss running errands with him. (And having folks refer to us and our chaperone/s as a family. (chuckle)

I miss having him insist on opening and closing my car door every time we made a stop.

I miss him joining my family for dinner every night and seeing the faces of my dearest ones around one table.

I miss watching him "reload" a little boy's cap gun and turn a baby's cry to gurgling laughter.

I miss the long drive to my doctor appointments...when I would wake up from a short nap and find him smiling at me as he drove.

I miss shopping together at Target for our house supplies...having him teasingly "scan" me with the registry "gun" and tell me I'm priceless when no amount of $ showed on the screen.

I miss the time he tickled my face with a cluster of artificial flowers as we bought things for our wedding.

I miss texting him during the times we were apart.

I miss hearing his heavy footsteps on the front porch as he came to say goodnight to me after he got off work.

I miss him handing me his "cool shades" when the bright Florida sunshine was hurting my eyes.

I miss play fighting about the temperature in the car, because he likes it cold and I like it warm and we both want it set to please the other.

I miss him suddenly stopping during our walk to write "Russell Y Hannah" in the soft white sand.

I miss having him ask me if I need a cold drink during the hot, humid camp meeting week and fanning his flushed, moisture-covered face during the hours of singing and preaching.

I miss sitting by his side in church and hearing him "amen" and emphatically shout "Sure!" in agreement during the preaching.

I miss dishing out the last scoop of peanut butter fudge ice cream for him and having him feed me a big chunk of chocolate off his spoon just cause he knows I love it.

I miss walking on the beach and gazing off into a brilliant sunset with him standing by my side.

I miss the times he gave me his jacket because I was cold.

I miss a lot of things...but I'm glad that I had them to miss, because some people never get a chance to miss what I had.

If I never did have those special moments with Russell I wouldn't know what I am now missing out on...but I also wouldn't have the precious memories we made together!

I'd rather hurt from missing than miss the hurting because I never had anything to miss in the first place.

God is good!

Home!

We have safely made it back to Holland. Our vacation in FL was very fun, very busy, and also very enlightening. It's good to be home. As they say, there's no place like home!

The Lord was good to us. We headed up to Atlanta on Tuesday morning. It was stormy throughout the night and on into the morning. Branches fell around/on the house, which was kinda scary. We were concerned because there were flash flood alerts all the way from Panama City, FL to Atlanta, GA. As soon as we opened the front door to start loading suitcases into the suburban the rain stopped and it didn't rain at all during the rest of the trip. The weather was fine! Thank you all for praying!

Russell and Aaron drove with us to the airport. It was a long and tiring drive, but we ate dinner at Cracker Barrel. Yummy! That is one restaurant I love! It was hard saying goodbye to Aaron, and especially Russell. I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but I did anyway as we walked beyond sight of each other. It's hard to turn your back and walk away from people who are so dear to your heart. Russell had a hard time saying goodbye in July, but I think it was easier on him this time. So far it has been the other way around for me. One thing I have noticed is that we are never down at the same time. It's like the Bible says, "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." (Ecc. 4:9-10)

On the flight from Georgia we had quite a bit of turbulence. I was very glad when we landed on solid ground. We had a layover in England, which made the trip seem extra long. A layover doesn't seem bad when it's at the beginning of a trip rather than at the end. As far as my family is concerned, this is my last trip into Holland with them. Lord willing, I will have Russell by my side the next time I fly into Amsterdam. What a strange and delightful thought! Once we arrived in Amsterdam we discovered that one of our totes was lost along the way. Thankfully we got it back this morning. Mr. Kamps and Josh met us at the airport and brought us home where the Kamps ladies surprised us as we entered our door. They are so sweet to have cleaned the house and made us dinner. Thank God for caring friends!

Dad is thrilled to be back in the ministry, doing what he loves best. His heart is here in Holland, which was very evident while we were in FL. Dad was sad but now he is glad...and now I am in mourning because I am away from my ministry. Maybe you're thinking, Hannah has a ministry? Yes! I have a ministry...to my husband. This trip proved several things to me, but this is the most important: Before we left Holland it really was not in my heart to leave my family and the country where I have spent more than half my life. Now I can honestly say that I am feeling ready to let go of the familiar and become Russell's wife. The next 4 months are going to be a breaking away period. I'm getting ready to make my own home and my own life. My parents' ministry is theirs and no longer my own, though I am still play my role until my marriage. I am so thankful for my parents and their understanding love...the kind of love that lets go. Love that is true is never passive. Love is active! Just like there is a love that holds one close, there is a love that knows when to let go. This is the kind of love referred to in Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7, and Ephesians 5:31 when the Bible talks about a man leaving his father and mother and cleaving to his wife. Two of those verses mention "one flesh." Though Russell and I aren't married yet, it is becoming evident to me that the Lord is melting the two of us into one. My heart belongs to Russell, and where he is is where my home is. I am realizing now more than ever that home isn't a place or a building, it isn't things, and it isn't affected by surrounding circumstances, whether good or bad. Home is people...a special person who invites you to make your dwelling there. I am thankful for the valuable things I have learned during this trip to FL. I know that God does all things well. He has a special purpose and plan in everything, even when I don't understand and it hurts. The Lord has something bigger going...bigger than I can see or comprehend. He looks to the future while I only see the present dimly. I know that God does all things well. "He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness." That is a precious promise. God knows. I don't know...but He does. And as long as He knows, everything will be okay. Praise the Lord! =)

Well, that's enough rambling for now. Thank you all for your prayers. Lord bless!

Engaged!

Russell & Hannah are engaged!

~ October 23, 2009 ~

We went out to a restaurant called Black Angus. Our parents sat off at a different table, so we had a little privacy. Russell quoted a sweet poem he wrote for me and then ended it by asking me to marry him! Then he gave me a bride & bridegroom bear and a beautiful diamond ring!

We didn't end up eating much; it was more fun looking at each other. =D

Pretty, huh? Russell has good taste!

That’s going to be Russell & me in less than 6 months!

I love my ring! I'm so spoiled. I now have 5 bears, 2 rings, and the sweetest, most handsome guy in the whole world! The Lord is so good to me!