it's for you, too.

"The Lord has restored my dignity so much...to the point where I remember my shame no more!"

I look at her from across the table; the lit candles reflect in her joy-filled eyes.
A warm grin spreads across her gentle, Dominican face as she continues,

"I don't belong to my past! AMEN!"

There's power that comes with a restored life and a freedom-filled testimony.

This beautiful woman has seen the darkest side of humanity--the use and abuse of her heart and body. Yet in the darkness of the Red Light, she found Light Himself and allowed His love to restore her life.

I sat there with watery eyes, struck by what an incredible privilege it is to sit at the same table as this woman.

I'm struck by what a miracle it is she's even sitting at this table.

I'm amazed and so thankful she's spending her evening at our bible study, sharing the Word and stories together instead of standing behind an illuminated window.

Jesus caught her heart five years ago and she hasn't stood behind a window since.
She said, "YES!" and actually meant it and let Holy Spirit turn her life upside-down in radical grace.

As I'm sitting there struck by the power of her testimony, a part of my heart stung under her words.
I thought to myself, "how much room have I actually allowed Holy Spirit to restore my dignity?"
And not only that, but how much do I truly believe He's actually restored my dignity? How much do I believe in the power of His radical grace? Do I really even believe His grace is sufficient for me? For all my mistakes, wrongs and self-inflicted pain? Dang it, why is it so much easier to say yes to shame, fear and doubt than to receive grace and forgiveness?!

We continued to laugh, read and cry together for the rest of the night. I penned down her lines of wisdom and let Holy Spirit use them to penetrate my soul.
As I went home that evening, I earnestly prayed,
"Jesus, just like her I WANT TO REMEMBER MY PAST NO MORE."

When I look back, I no longer want to see shame and pain. I want to see grace. I want to see HIS faithfulness and goodness and let it run all over my sin.

Now, please don't think I'm excusing the consequences of poor decisions. We live in a world of cause and effect and we have to deal with those consequences asking for God's grace and wisdom in how to best do so.

But when I look at things past--at things which have gone, I want to see victory in where I am now and see God's fingerprints all over the process of moving past those circumstances.

God's been highlighting the contradiction of shame and grace to me a lot lately; from Scripture, conversations, sermons, worship times, prayer times, other's praying over me...you name it. The Lord keeps speaking, "Hanna, the past is past. This is now, and this is a season of dancing."

This is a season of Grace. 

Like most Christianese words, such as faith and hope, I always found the word Grace as somewhat an abstract concept rather then a world-shifting reality.
So what does Grace really mean? In reference to God's Grace, it means "the free and unmerited favor of God."

FREE AND UNMERITED. 

Never earned. NEVER earned.
It erases shame and "rightful" punishment.
It makes right what was wrong.
It restores broken hearts, minds, bodies and relationships.
Grace is Power. Grace is Change. Grace is Reconciliation to the One who knit us together and to one another.

You know, my name actually means "Grace."

The word Grace is spoken over me day after day after day as people call my name, but it's funny how we become numb to Truth and no longer let it infiltrate our souls.

I've heard about Grace, at times I've actually experienced touches of God's Grace. But very little have I truly accepted God's Grace for myself.
I've tried my best to grant it over others, but rarely for myself.
And when I don't accept God's grace, I don't allow Him to restore my dignity.

But this is a time of self-Grace.
Of Grace pouring-out to come from a place of Grace pouring-in. 

When I hear my name, I desire to no longer hear, "weak, doubtful, fearful and shameful."
I desire to hear the true meaning of my name. To hear the reality of WHO I AM.

I desire to hear GRACE. 
And let the reality of Grace restore my dignity.
Just as He faithfully has, and continues to do, for my sweet Dominican friend.

And I am oh so thankful for His Grace as I continue in this process.
I'm thankful Grace doesn't call us to be perfect, rather simply calls us to receive and be restored.

Hallelujah. 




My Jesus, 

I am so thankful for your incredible Grace. 
I am so thankful Grace is never something to be earned, but always something to be received. 
Thank You that Your Grace IS sufficient and Your mercies are new every morning. 

Thank You that You earned Grace for me 2000 years ago. May I never forget the weight of Your Grace. May I let it fill my words, direct my actions, shape my relationships and restore my dignity. 

I love You. 

Love, Hanna

these wonderful words

Dear friend,

Who are you?
What do people say about you? What do you say about yourself? What burdens your heart and what brings you joy? 

Who am I? 
Well, let me tell ya! 

• I am Confident
• I am Strong
• I am Beautiful
• I am Loved
• I am Enough
• I love raw and large
• I crave authenticity
• I bring people together
• I hate conflict and crave resolution
• I love to empower others
• I am Inclusive
• I am an Encourager
• I am Loyal
• I am Fun
• I am a Leader
• I am Needed
• I am Wanted
• My words hold power and authority
• I am an Explorer
• I am a Musician/Painter/Cook/Writer
• I am Jesus' Best friend, his Bride, my Father's Daughter, and a Home for Holy Spirit. 

Who have I thought I was? 

(Crap. This means raw vulnerability. Okay. Let's do this....)

• unlovable
• too much/needy
• awkward
• too big
• timid
• weak
• fearful
• a bad leader
• a disappointment
• a failure
• a bad friend
• unwanted
• not needed
• burdensome
• forgotten
• not enough
• not talented

Writing that first list was like applying a balm over my raw heart. Those healing Truths seeped into the depths of my need for love...for Love Himself. 

Writing that second list was like scratching off the scab of a seeping wound. Memories, conversations, sleepless nights and dark days replay in my mind as those minuscule but toxic words stare right back at me from my computer screen. 

It's obvious, WORDS ARE POWERFUL. 

I've been learning that more and more lately. 

With the words, "it is finished," Jesus gave us freedom and belovedness.

With words the Trinity created all things. 

They created that fly on your window, that bird and that tree; with words, They also created you and me (ha, that rhymed). 

But in all seriousness, words are influential and are capable of holding life and death. 

When God gave me the title for this blog, "Speak Life," I didn't realize then how that little phrase would continue to reverberate in my life. 

During that time, God was showing me how things I say about people--whether in their presence or not (that's right, I have gossiped. Sorry.)-- actually changes who they are. He gave me a choice; I could speak life and see people walk in freedom in their true identity, or I could speak death and watch them crumble beneath my pride and desire to rise above them. 

To say the least it was confronting, and ever since I have sought (and many times failed, but hey, I'm trying) to relentlessly encourage those placed around me and to really love those who aren't always the easiest to love.

It's not always easy, but it's been liberating in many ways and I have discovered a sweet fragrance of encouragement and love in my life that I have never known before. 

However, in that time I didn't realize how much power I had given negative words in my own mind. 

In these last couple of years, Jesus has been revealing to me words (the lies listed above, to name a few) I have been speaking over myself causing me to crumble in shame and defeat. I was faced with the question, "what TRUTH did I need to speak over myself to build myself up in confidence and identity in Jesus?" 

What conversations and comments by people did I need to say NO to and choose forgiveness over bitterness?

What lies had I believed that needed to be covered time and time again in the Truth God has spoken over and into me as His Beloved? 

Dear friend, do you relate to any of the words in those lists above? Have you ever heard the little lies of list #2 and let them beat you to the ground? 

WORDS ARE POWERFUL. 

And that statement is a two-sided coin.  

Words hold the power to beat you down but they also hold the power to build you up. 

They hold the power to bind every broken place and to make your scars beautiful and make them marks of victory, not defeat...kind of like the eternal scars of our Savior.

You know what's also great? It's one of my favorite things about Jesus...

THE WORDS HE GIVES YOU ABOUT YOURSELF ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN ANY LIE. 

"So shall my Word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
-Isaiah 55:11-13, ESV (italics added)-

His Words stand.

No conversation, no broken relationship, no crushed dream, no lie you've heard or spoken over yourself for years changes the steadfastness of His Words of the TRUTH OF WHO HE SAYS YOU ARE.

And it's in the confidence of actually knowing (not just acknowledging) God's Truth and Words over you that you can experience freedom, victory and even genuine joy in the process.

I don't know about you, but hills and mountains bursting into song and clapping trees sounds pretty joyful to me. It kind of sounds like the Words of the Lord not only stand forever but bring tangible joy and peace; in addition they bring everlasting glory to God!

Do you understand that, Loved One?

The joy and freedom from your victory actually BRINGS GLORY TO GOD. 

God deeply delights in you and your joy. 

And that's the Truth, my friend. 

That suffering relationship, sick loved one, empty bank account or sleeping dream are hard--yes so hard--but the TRUTH OF WHO HE IS AND WHO YOU ARE STANDS FOREVER, all those other things will fade away. 

And it's because of that Truth we have eternal victory and have joy! 

So I challenge you. Make some lists. 

First make a list of lies. Don't capitalize them. In English, we capitalize important words or names. Those lies aren't you. Don't give them power they don't deserve. 

Then make a second list, make a Truth list. Capitalize those words because they are important and they are your real names.

Then burn the lies list. Burn that baby to the ground. Put it in it's rightful place. 

But keep the Truths list and put it somewhere visible and/or important, and repeat it to yourself over and over and over again. It takes time to renew your mind and to replace lies you've been speaking over yourself for years with the Truth of who God says you are. I'm still learning, and will continue to for the rest of my life. 

It's a journey, and it's not for the faint of heart. 

So it's a good thing that God hasn't given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND (2 Timothy 1:7). 

So, do you really know who you are? 

You are Strong. 

You are Made in His image. 

You are Beloved. 

You are Wanted and Needed. 

You are Confident. 

You are Beautiful. 

You are HIS. 

WORDS ARE POWERFUL. 

So NEVER forget His words for you; never forget who you are. 

My Sweet Jesus, 

Your gentle whispers of Truth over me inspire me to bravely proclaim Your Truth over others. 
Thank You for constantly holding my hand and for loving me even when I fight against You and want to give up. You strengthen me in weak places and give me real reasons to rejoice in this life. 

I love You. 

Love, 

Hanna 

These battles are real. They've been ones I've fought a lot in my time in Amsterdam and I'm still struggling. This post is not a finish line for me, but just another mile marker in the journey towards becoming more like my Jesus. Please, contact me if you need encouragement or reference to some helpful material to fight these things...I'd love to offer the little I can. 

Backwards and Forwards

One year.


ONE YEAR.

How has it already been one year?

I look back in total amazement of how fast time flies...

I've lived in Holland for a whole year, and my commitment with YWAM Amsterdam is already halfway through...

I can't help but be filled with gratitude when I look back and excitement as I look forward.
This past year has been one of intense growth, inner-healing and development.
It's been entirely what I never expected.
It's been incredibly difficult yet absolutely necessary.
Jesus has led me through valleys I didn't even know existed and awoken dreams I had totally forgotten about.

I look back on this past year of ministry and I see lessons I've learned. 
I see how intercession and worship play an essential role in missional living and evangelistic outreach.

I see how God has opened doors for me to invest and utilize my gifts in music, art and hospitality. Opportunities have opened for me to worship, prophetically paint and welcome others into my city and into my life.

I see how Jesus has gifted my adventurous heart with travel and discovering new places and people regularly.

I see how God has taken my raw, wounded heart and has radically revived it and is now breathing inspiration, calling and life back into it.

I see how God has graciously opened hearts of the women I minister to in this city; how despite feeling so inadequate at times Christ has shone through me, inviting those lovely hearts to open in vulnerability and friendship. 

I look back and I see a present and active Holy Spirit, a gracious and loving Jesus and a faithful, faithful Abba Father.

Last February, Holland-bound and standing in the security line at Sea-Tac airport, I found myself starting up a conversation with another woman my age.
She was a spirit-filled Christian, and as I told her I was moving to be a missionary her eyes lit up and she said, "I knew it!"
She continued to share with me that before we started conversing, Holy Spirit told her to prophecy Psalm 37 over me--particularly the following passage:

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." (Psalm 37:3-6, ESV)

She encouraged me and said, "I feel like this next season in your life is going to be a one of the Lord fulfilling the desires of your heart as you trust in Him, do good and befriend faithfulness."

With tears in my eyes, we prayed at our boarding terminals and parted ways. I flew over the Atlantic with an encouraged heart.

In my first two weeks in Amsterdam, I heard that exact passage quoted multiple times.
I was shocked. 

And I was ready. I grabbed my bootstraps and said, "Alright Lord, undergrad was great but a hard time of training. Now I'm ready to work in this district, to delight in you and see these ministry desires finally fulfilled!"

But oh, I still had such a vital lesson to learn. 

I definitely wasn't expecting God to remind me that before I could chase after my dreams, I had to first chase after him. Even if it means digging into my past and embracing a deep healing process.

I did not expect that bump in the road, but despite the tear-filled nights and moments of feeling like I couldn't continue--I'm so thankful it all happened.
I'm grateful for every washing tear, every hard conversation and every bound-up wound.

I'm thankful because now I feel more whole than I ever have before.

I feel more equipped to walk with others in their inner-healing processes because now I've been there, too. 

And as I reflect on this past year, I see how it was essential for this upcoming one. 

Exciting things are on the horizon in these next few months!

In April, I'm doing a six-week seminar on my base called Shine. It focuses on the global sex-trade and the Christian response. I'll be immersed in the wisdom of international speakers while still doing weekly outreaches with the ladies in the Red Light District.
I've had a passion for sex-trade abolition since I was fifteen, and I haven't been engaged in it since high school. Although trafficking happens in Amsterdam, abolition is not my team's particular focus. We commit to sharing the gospel with all sex workers, whether they are trafficked or independent prostitutes (majority are independent in Amsterdam).

I've always been passionate about justice, and to be further equipped in sex-trafficking awareness excites me.

In this last year, Holy Spirit has also been putting Southeast Asia heavily back on my heart.

When I was first called to missions as a teen, God called me distinctively to Southeast Asia; hence why I moved to Thailand in 2012 to do my DTS.
It was on my DTS that God told me Western Europe was my next international frontier, but my heart has longed to return to Asia ever since I left--even just for a short trip.

Over Christmas, God confirmed that longing by providing an opportunity to go to Northeast India.
In Aizawl, a beautiful city nestled between Bangladesh and Burma in the foothills of the Himalayas, there is a Christian HIV children's home called Gan Sabra.
This home nurtures over thirty beautiful HIV orphans, providing them with a basic needs, proper medical care, education and the love of Jesus.
My aunt told me on Christmas that she is returning to Gan Sabra (she has been dozens of times, and considers it her second home) with an outreach team of about fifteen other women. She opened up the opportunity for me to join, and as she further explained about the home and the VBS ministry she'll be doing with the kids, I heard Holy Spirit say, "go."

Hence, I am SO excited to announce that I am stepping out in faith and going to Aizawl this August! 

My heart BURSTS with joy as I think about loving on these kids and partnering with Jesus again in Southeast Asia. To do this type of ministry in India truly is a desire of my heart and I can't wait to see God move through our team and in our hearts (links below for more info about Gan Sabra and financial support).

Pictures from living in Thailand--I miss it so!

It's crazy how God sees our desires and in loving kindness he fulfills them in proper time.
If God had provided these opportunities last year, I don't think I would have had the emotional capacity to really give my all. In fact, I think they would have drained me--not given me life!

...And to think, it's only February!
It's only February and I already have two great opportunities put in front of me to love, learn and serve this year in the capacity in which I feel called.
And I am already in such an incredible ministry! My relationships continue to grow with the women in this district and my team has begun doing language lessons and soon will also do Bible studies with some of the ladies. God is moving in this neighborhood and it is such a PRIVILEGE to be a part of it!

All this to say, I look backward and I look forward and I am thankful. 
For the pain the was and is to come, I am thankful.
For the healing that was and is to come, I am thankful.
For the JOY and LOVE that was and is to come, I am thankful.
And for Jesus, my sweet Jesus, who was and is and is yet to come...I am so eternally thankful. 

So here's to another year of learning, healing, growing, loving, relating, serving, giving, receiving, and simply being with those around me--and to passionately pursing the Lover of my soul. 

Doing ministry in the RLD--offering coffee and conversation to the ladies behind the windows.

Jesus, thank you for never giving up on me. 

Thank you for being so incredibly faithful. Thank you for placing Holy Spirit desires in my heart as a young teen. Desires that you are still preparing me for and growing me in. Desires that give life to my soul and joy to your heart.
Thank you for being my first delight and desire. Thank you that I can trust you as I learn to do good and befriend faithfulness.
Thank you that you do fulfill desires. I'm so thankful you actually find joy in fulfilling the desires you have placed on my heart.

Your faithfulness and steadfast love inspire me to pursue you and delight in you as you fulfill the desires of my heart. 


I love you.

Love,
Hanna

For more information about the Gan Sabra home and Orphan Outreach, please visit:
http://orphanoutreach.co/countries-we-serve/india/aizawl.asp

To financially support my trip to India, please visit my YouCaring page: 
https://www.youcaring.com/hannabishop-760674

Knowing to be Known

"To Know God and Make Him Known."

That is the centralized motto of the worldwide missions organization I work with--Youth With A Mission.

My organization is busy sending people from the nations to the nations and training them to do so to others.

It's a beautiful thing, and it works. Which is why in the past 50 years YWAM has developed into the largest mission organization in the world.

But there's a funny thing that happens when you're out on mission and being trained that YWAM never mentions in its vision and mission statements or core values.

They never mention that when you intentionally go forth into knowing God and making him known, it will be the biggest journey of intimacy, vulnerability and battling insecurities you've ever faced.

They never mention it'll be one of the hardest, most uncomfortable yet best things you've ever done in your life.

They never mention you'll cry more than ever while simultaneously laugh more, too.

As many of you know, Amsterdam has been one of the most challenging phases of my life.

...and I thought Thailand was hard with it's farm labor, mosquitoes and literal demons.

Yet I've found this beautiful Dutch city has a sneaky way of getting inside your head and bringing out the unbeautiful; of making you isolate yourself. Of making you believe every insecurity to ever cross your mind. Of making you think you don't matter, won't make a difference, have no purpose and are only known for your faults.

It senses any trace of insecurity and illuminates it with spotlights, flashing neon signs and billboards until you are totally overwhelmed by it.
I know this sounds extreme, but it's something that plagues our city, and it's something even nonbelievers will admit.

In this last year, a fellow YWAMer of mine met with a majority of the Amsterdam Pentacostal pastors and asked this question, "What do you think is the biggest issue our city faces?"

Their answer?

"Loneliness."

Every. Single. Pastor.
Every one quickly gave that same answer without ever consulting one another. That's how obvious loneliness is in this liberal, modern metropolis of over 800,000 "free, happy, hippy" people.

And what causes this city, and ourselves, to isolate in loneliness?
It's believing and acting upon what I mentioned above; it's believing your insecurities are who you are, that you don't matter, won't make a difference and have no purpose because you are only known for your faults.

But oh, dear heart, how that is not true!

You are good for people, and you are good for God. God designed and formed you and said "it is good."

For He "loves you with an everlasting love, therefore [He] has extending his faithfulness to you." (Jer. 31:3, ESV)

You've been through it. You've seen and experienced the nastiness of this world but that is not who you are. 

In John Eldridge's book, Waking the Dead, he claims our hearts are good.
Have they been afflicted? Lied to? Misused and abused? Absolutely. There is a battle between good and evil going on for our hearts everyday.
Nonetheless, our hearts are still good.
Because God resides in our hearts. Our hearts are the Holy of Holies because of Christ; we are the temple. And God can't reside in a place unless it's 100% good.

Broken? Yes. Beautiful? Yes. Good? Yes. 

So if all this is true, and even if we know God and know who Christ is, why do so many Christians still struggle with isolation?
Because love hurts and vulnerability isn't easy, and we think because we've lived broken we aren't worth being loved so we don't let ourselves fully relate with others.

We tell ourselves, "I don't hit the mark, I'm not as smart, pretty or witty as them, so why would they want to be with me? Let alone desire to be with me?"

Yet Donald Miller once wrote something I kind of really like:

"If our identity gets broken, it affects our ability to connect. And I wonder if we're not all a lot better for each other than we previously thought. I know we're not perfect, but I wonder how many people are withholding the love they could provide because they secretly believe they have fatal flaws" (Scary Close, 129).

"I wonder if we're not all a lot better for each other than we previously thought."

Beloved, what lies are you believing that cause you to isolate yourself and not live in freedom and vulnerability? 

What lies are you believing that keep you bound and not living fully alive? 

(Remember, chains can feel awful comfortable sometimes).

It's true, vulnerability and living exposed is scary and can be very painful (just look at the cross), but “the only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell” (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves).

Intimacy is scary. Vulnerability isn't safe. But both are so good. 

 
 
This has been my journey these past ten months. 

As I've been out on mission to know God and make Him known in Amsterdam, all while He has turned the tables and instead wants me to know myself and be known by others. 

...in an incredibly dangerous, intimate, yet healthy way. 

Is it hard? 

Oh, yes. 

I've had to look at those insecurities and lies right in the face (literal faces, at times) and speak Christ-truth and authority over them. Several times. 

Is it scary?

Certainly. 

I've had to remind myself of the goodness of loving without expectation; to love without getting anything back--and actually being okay with it. 

Is it worth it?

Absolutely.  

These past few months have been the most emotional of my life, but it's in that place of deep healing and feeling I can love bigger and better. 

My ministry and friendships have shifted as I've grown to know more about God, myself and my need for others and their need for me. 

So, dear heart, will you join me in this journey of intimacy and vulnerability? 

Will you join me in battling the lies and speaking truth? 

Will you join me in loving big and accepting love in return? 

Will you join me in learning again, what it means to live fully alive? 

Although I've only started this journey I can tell you already it's worth it, because Jesus is in it. 

And there is nothing that satisfies more than being intimate with the Creator and Lover of your soul. 

Jesus, your display of incredible vulnerability on the cross inspires me to lay myself bare and bloody before others because that's what they need--just like how I also desperately needed your bare and bloody love. 

Thank you for being the security in contrast to my insecurities. For being my number-one cheerleader, and for bringing radical healing. 

And thank you for loving me so intensely, and for giving me the bravery to love others the same. 

I love you. 

Love, 

Hanna 

   

The above photos are pictures of Antwerp, Belgium and a canal in Amsterdam that I took last month while my parents were visiting...isn't Amsterdam gorgeous in the fall?! I love it :)



 

Inspirational Profile: Stephanie Semiday

I think I can rightly argue that sisterhood is one of the best gifts given to us in this life...

When it's centered on Christ and drenched in love it's one of the most up-building relationships we can have. 

A true sister is a permanent best friend.
A permanent support.
No matter where life takes you. No matter what oceans, life-experiences, hopes, heartbreaks and joys wedge themselves between; the drawing force of a true sisterhood remains. 

At least, I'm blessed to say that is my experience.

This is my sister, Stephanie:

 

Gorgeous, am I right?

She's one of my two absolutely lovely and adoring sisters.

She has probably the most joyous and carefree spirit of anyone I know...

She is a prayer warrior; a fighter. But she doesn't fight with a tough aggression--she fights with joy and lightness. She battles with the polar-opposite weapon of her enemy. She fights with Christ-identity and freedom. 

I am proud to call this woman my best friend.

Although that was not always the case for our relationship, I am so thankful God healed and redeemed our sisterhood because she has been such a gift to me.

He knew I'd need her to do life with. 

Jesus knew having her in Virginia the past three years was going to be essential for my heart and spirit.

Jesus knew I would need her smiling face to turn my frown upside-down.
He knew I'd need someone to cry, laugh, occasionally argue with, apologize to and often rejoice with.
He knew that I'd need piece of home with me as I learned, related and grew 3,000 miles away from familiarity.
He knew I'd need a caring voice to tell me "Hanna, you can do this. You can tackle these questions, you can write that daunting paper, you can heal through these hurts."

He knew I'd need someone to help point me back to Him when He was the last place I was looking to.

Stephanie, you are one of the most dearest people to my heart. 
I'm in tears as I write this because I miss your lovely heart so much.

I am so thankful to call you my best friend and sister.

Your joyous strength inspires me to push through when the last thing I want to do is dance upon disappointment. 

You have taught me to love when it doesn't make sense, and to hope even when I can't see more than two steps ahead of me.

I miss you, dear, dear sister.
Thank you for always inspiring me through your deep love for Jesus, your husband, daughter, family, friends and for myself. 

You truly are one of my biggest gifts and inspirations. I am eternally grateful for you in my life.

I love you.

Much love from your little sis,
Hannie Bananie