God is in charge of everything... yep, even TSA

Today I had a rude awakening to how really in control God is. When life/plans seem to be smashed to smithereens, God still has it together. Here is my story:
I arrived at Fresno Airport this morning at 5:00. Sadly said my goodbyes but was also ready to fly home to my husband.

5:05 - after standing in line for several minutes, waiting for the self check in machine (the check in lines were ridiculously long) I opened my wallet to retrieve my license. It wasn't there. I started freeking out and searched my purse through several times.

5:10 - No ID. My plane leaves in 50 minutes, and the short and easy tsa line i had expected at the small airport, was getting really really long. The united check in line is also pretty long!

5:28 - I finally get to the front of the united check in line, confessed my lack of ID (in a shaky and very nervous voice). They send me back to the self check in. Again, it didn't work. [ps. I know it was 5:28 because the guy told me I only had 2 more min before the self check in would shut down, 30 min before my plane left]

5:30 - I am frantic. Standing in a line that runs 200 yards to getting though TSA. But I have a boarding pass in hand. at this point I asked my husband to pray and I told God that I knew getting through TSA without a ID was impossible, but for him, nothing was impossible.

5:55 - as my name is paged on the over head speaker, I am standing in TSA trying help the supervisor see that I am being honest, I really lost my ID, and I live in Denver.

6:05 - as I get ready to pass through the new X-ray machine I glanced up and could see that my plane had departed. But it was Ok. God had gotten me through TSA. I was in!  Nothing was going to make me leave that air terminal. Now all I had to do was find a new plane route home.

6:30 - I sat and waited for the United Airlines employee to finish boarding a plane to Los Vegas so that she could get me a new trip to denver.

6:35 - She (united lady) handed me a nonstop flight to Denver that left at 7:50am and arrived at 11:08am. Even though my flight from LA to Denver had originally been with on Fronteir airlines, it didn't hinder me getting a direct united flight at all. I headed to my new gate thanking the Lord. He had gotten me through security, given me a ticket, and now he place me on a straight shot that landed 1.5 hours before my original flight, and I didn't have to deal with a layover in LA.  I have continued to marvel at his planning, and his control. What a good God, who created us, but is so involved in our everyday lives and knows the disheveling things we face.

Here are a few pictures I haven't posted from my trip to CA:

 I managed to capture this picture when I arrived in LA last Thursday night. Its Gabi running full speed to come hug me. I was exhausted. It was 12:45am Colorado time. But it was all ok because a whole SUV full of my family was jumping out of the car to come hug me.

 Hugs all around at LAX when I arrived. (noah was sick in the car :( )

 Spent most of Friday and Saturday laying in the california sun with my all my brothers and sisters, mom and dad. Read a little bit of spring cleaning shortcuts out of Real Simple to make sure I was ready for this weeks cleaning :)

 Once we got back to Kingsburg, i convinced grace and josh to have a slumber party in my room every night. We had some special times talking before we fell asleep. Memories I think I will remember forever!

 Got a pedicure with my mom and sis (in-law). Had a real special evening with them Tuesday. What a blessing to have another set of family :)

 Arrived home at 12:30 today. It was so good to be with my husband again. He cracks me up. Just a week of being away and I forgot his goofy sense of humor. So good to be home :). I dove in to cleaning out our food pantry. No time to waste ;)

Anywho, Stephen has 1 more test tomorrow and then we have 10 days of freedom (mostly). Looking forward to the time for some R&R (and fun adventures of course). 

Thanks for reading about my day and my Father above who was very involved in it.

Much Love,

Hannah

Away Vacay: Day 4

Made it back to Kingsburg last night after dropping Gabi off at LAX to fly back to Tulsa :( Here are some more pictures from the last days.

 Was out for a nice run on Saturday, soaking in the fresh ocean air and the breath taking view from Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach. It was a good day to be on a run, I was feeling really good, then WHAM!!! My shoes caught on the rough road and i dove head first down the steep hill. Somehow my hands got it the worst (lost the most skin), then my chin, my stomach, and my thighs (thats right, don't ask how but my knees didn't get a scratch, it was a true sprawl). So my beautiful run was quickly ruined only 15 min in :( I got to cut off my own skin, and enjoy having an invalid right hand for a few days.

 My mom always said, "there is something special about your college friends". Now I am really understanding this. I got to spend several hours with my beloved friend Emily Williams in LA yesterday. What a treasure that time was. I was so encouraged by our time together and so refreshed! She is a woman who truely loves the Lord and has a heart for his people. She inspires me! I love her! It was a great time.

Picture after church at Rock Harbor (where I went during my Biola days). Sermon was on Judas, best and only sermon I have ever heard on Judas.

 Before we dropped Gabi off at the airport we made a starbucks run (thanks to Noah and his iphone navigating skills). We all "toasted" (including mom and her trenta sized ice water: top middle) to loving Gabrielle. It was such a special few days with her and the youngsters (although I fear Noah will soon pass me up and I won't be able to call him a 'youngster' anymore).

Last picture all together at Starbucks :) 

Having a good time. Enjoyed swedish pancakes with Grandpa Don and Grandma Jo this morning. 

Still missing Stephen, but treasuring the time here in CA! 

Much Love

Hannah

Away Vacay: Day 1

Well, I flew, I landed, and now am in California. I miss my husband bunches and bunches and bunches, but also am having a really special and fun time with my family! Here are some pictures from today:

 Good story: So we were getting our beach chairs, towels, and sunglasses to spend the morning and afternoon in the warm laguna sun (in the backyard of the house my grandparents have rented) and out walks josh with a full beach bag... overflowing with snacks he brought from home. A whole bag! It was hilarious! He has candy, cheese its, waterbottles, etc. We all got a good laugh at our clown 9 year old brother.

 The girls at the entry way to the fun place we ate dinner.

 Just being goofy, its so much more fun!

 Dinner at "The Beach House". An old house converted into a beach side restaurant in Laguna. It was so beautiful and really fun. We had great ocean views :)

In honor of my husband, I made a great sacrifice and got the steak :) It was fabulous! Topped off with frozen yogurt and a trip to Trader Joes. I bought whole wheat cous cous and dark chocolate, you know, the basics :) 

Anyways, having a good time relaxing but wishing Stephen was here too. 

Much love

Hannah

Quarter One, Done!

Haven't blogged forever! Needless to say these last few weeks have been pretty crazy! Today I finished Pathophysiology with a comprehensive final! Feels so good to be done and free for 2 weeks. I am really liking this whole quarter system! 11 weeks and your done!
So now that I have all the time in the world... its time to clean. I will confess, the house has been getting spot cleanings here and there the last few weeks, but the tub is screaming for a scrub!
Then Thursday I fly to the beautiful California to spend time with my family(s) and friends. Leaving my love all alone for a week does sadden me though, but he keeps assuring me its going to be great! I would probably drive him crazy if I was playing all week and he was deep in books finishing his Neuro class.

So although I have not blogged in forever, I have thought several times throughout the weeks "Oh, this would be a good blog!" about several things, but just didn't have the time to sit down a type a little.

Last monday I made broccoli soup. Really good broccoli soup. I have become really bad at following recipes, and 60% of the time it turns out better, the other 40% I am wishing I stuck to the recipe. Anyways, it was good soup. Everytime I make, eat, or see broccoli soup I think of a short story. I remember several years ago (probably 10 or so), Nonnie (my moms mom, my grandma, or Nonnie as I have called her from age 2) was over at our house making broccoli soup. One thing led to another and somehow the lid wasn't placed on the blender before the power button was hit and soup ended up all over the kitchen.
Well here is the point of this lovely story:

Although I did not forget to put a lid on it, somehow soup ended up all over the counter, stove, etc. And instead of being frustrated, I immediately smiled because of the memories I recalled. Thanks Nonnie (love you :)

Anyways, on another note, God has continued to bless us and has been so faithful to supply us with whatever we need, such as a call, an encouraging coffee date, a time of laughter, and the list goes on. I am currently in the middle (more like at the beginning) of learning more of who I am as a daughter of the Lord, and what that means for my life. I was listening to a message from a pastor the other day and he said this: "In 30 years of ministry I keep preaching the same thing over and over again. But us humans need it". Yes I do. How many times has God walked me through who I am as his daughter and how that impacts my life. Yet again I have forgotten and am now seeking to learn this lesson again. If you would pray that I would have a soft heart so that it would not just be head knowledge, but heart knowledge, that would be really awesome!

Stephen and I are really looking forward of 10 days of spring break together when I get back! We both will be in between classes and so won't have work consuming our days. WE ARE SO EXCITED!

Welp, thats all for now, but more shall come soon :)
Hannah