Capture Life: Monumental Mountains

These past two months in Europe, I've been so encouraged in how many outlets there are for me to create and capture. 

Music. Photography. Painting. Writing. Even coffee.

My heart is coming alive as I'm surrounded by beautiful places and people.

Last month I had a privilege to visit Switzerland and France with my friend Allison for a long weekend.

There are few times my camera has been used so consistently.

Switzerland was especially breathtaking. 

The Alps. The Alps. The Alps. 

The Swiss Alps were the first thing to see on my travel checklist and they were INDESCRIBABLE.

That's Friedrich, our trusty little 90's Subaru that transported us everywhere!

...says the girl who grew up in the North Cascades.

I wish these humble captures could do these monumental mountains justice.

Switzerland was incredible. Even spiritually it is such a place of rest. Neutrality and peace leak throughout all aspects of the country.

From the quaint streets to the deep valleys and mighty peaks, Switzerland boldly reflects the Glory of its Creator. 

My heart burst with inspiration as I fell in love with this continent even more.

Although, the whole time I was homesick for Amsterdam. For no peaks or lakes can compare to the love I have for my city.


Jesus, thank you for creating Europe. 

Thank you for this amazing place full of so many incredible people who have embraced me so dearly. 

Thank you for homes away from home. And thank you for creating such beautiful and breathtaking places that point directly back to you. 

I love you and being inspired by Your creative work. 

Love, Hanna   

Living Called

It's hard to believe I've already been in the Netherlands for an entire month.

One of the most common questions I've been asked this past month besides "where do you come from" is, "what brought you to Amsterdam?"

That's a loaded question.

What did bring me to Amsterdam?

My common, quick response is that, "God called me here."

I'm here now. So I was called, and I came. Now what?

I know from past transition periods (I've had about three big moves in the last three years alone), that it's important to not look at the upcoming chapter of life as a destination. When we look at what's next as some sort of "ultimate goal" or even "promised land," we tend to subconsciously (or even consciously) put huge expectations on it hoping it will bring fulfillment.

The Lord warned me not to do that with Amsterdam. Because I did that with both Thailand and college and had really rough transitions full of disappointment and confusion.

So my question for God these past few weeks is, "God if you did actually call me to Amsterdam, and I'm here, what am I called to now?"

God simply and sweetly responded, "My Heart."

"Hanna, I am forever and always calling you back to My Heart. Despite geographical location, age or circumstance, I am always calling you to My Heart and into Intimacy because that has always been your ultimate purpose and calling on your life."

His Heart is my home.

No matter where that is. No matter who that's with. God's heart is my home. It's where I can find comfort, it's where I can find love. It's where I can find acceptance and purpose.

...does it also happen to be a crazy coincidence that the big sign on top of one of YWAM Amsterdam's building is the Dutch phrase, "God roept u" or "God calls you"?

I love it here in Amsterdam. I am surrounded by so much love, acceptance and encouragement here. I've been apart of this community for hardly four weeks and I already feel like I've known them for years.

I know people genuinely care for my heart and my well-being. Even the people I minister to on the streets and behind the Red Light windows care for my heart, which is ironic because I thought I was just supposed to be giving to them all of the time...

When we give Him our all, or even when we don't, HE ALWAYS GIVES US HIS ALL.

He already did 2000 years ago.

What a sweet reminder as we're in a season of focusing on the gift of the cross but even more importantly the victory over the grave.

His Love gives us love, which we can give to others and receive back from Him and others.

It's a beautiful cycle and I'm amazed on how much I've experienced it here in Amsterdam on so many levels.

From hugs after spending an hour talking about family, love and God with a prostitute or even a coworker. My ideas of what internal and external ministry is being shaken from the roots.

I'm so thankful. I'm so thankful to be a Called One.

I'm so thankful for His gift of life. I'm so thankful for His gift of love that I can give to others and receive back in the most unexpected ways.

I'm thankful that even when things are hard--when encouragement seems scarce and provision almost obsolete--He is still good and is still calling me to His Heart.

Live Called today, friend.



"The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice...
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...
I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."

-John 10:3-4;11;14 (ESV, emphasis added)


Jesus, your calling voice inspires me to follow you. The one and only Good Shepherd who graces me with life and love. Thank you for always calling me back to you.

Love,
Hanna



Again, the above pictures are just quick shots from my Iphone. I promise I will put up some higher-quality DSLR ones soon ;)

Giving Up to Grace

There’s nothing like being taken out of all that is familiar to realize how incapable you are...

 

But. But. But.

I’m adventurous Hanna! I’m the girl who was always the first one out the door and to raise my hand to volunteer for something new and uncertain.

I’m always the one looking for the next exciting thing. The new territory to be discovered and land to be pioneered.

But. But. But…

I can’t. 

Yesterday marked one week of being in Amsterdam.

One week and I’ve already discovered how incapable I am to do anything without God’s Grace.

Since new staff orientation starts tomorrow, my opportunities to minister this past week have been limited.

But even with just one night in the Red Light District and one evening working with the homeless in our Hidden Treasures ministry, I’ve discovered how incapable I am of effectively ministering.

I don’t know the language. I don’t understand their life situations.

I have no idea how to speak Dutch (although I’m trying to learn) or Spanish and have no idea what it’s like to move to a big city in hopes to provide for a suffering family back home.

I have no idea what it’s like to give my body to man after man to earn money to send to a sick mother back home.

I have no idea what it’s like to travel to a strange city with hopes of better financial provision for my family back in Romania, only to find myself again on the streets drenched in rain and disappointment.

And I have no idea how to do what I’ve been called here to do.

But there’s one thing that God is teaching me to do…

TO GO LOWER.

To humble myself. Because it’s in the place of “no idea” where God shows His power and glory through his people and lives are forever changed.

It’s in the place of loving submission I find myself being healed through grace and others are joining me along in that journey.

It’s in the place of “giving up” that God’s grace and gifts are poured out even more and my “can’ts” become His “cans” and it is in that place my heart is full and people are healed. 

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” -John 3:30 (ESV)

I know that verse is probably the #1 verse on humility, but can we take a moment and actually meditate on it?

Less of me, MORE of Him.

Not saying I have to become a vegetable in order to be used by the Spirit. God made Hanna, just like God make Ryan, Bethany, Anne, or whoever else may be reading this.

God made unique souls and His glory shines through our personalities in restored relationship.

In that passage, John the Baptist was reacting to his disciples who came to report people leaving his ministry to follow Jesus.

I love John’s reaction.

“My ministry must decrease so people can see the One who actually restores their hearts and heals their wounds.”

God. That is my cry.

As I enter a new ministry, a new phase of life.
As I daily walk the streets of a desperately lost city and talk to hurting hearts I want to shine Your glory.

Simply so others can experience Your everlasting love.

I lay down my “I can’ts” and even my “I cans,” because I know that You only say “I can,” and Yours are so much bigger and better than mine ever could be.

I lay down any expectation I hold over myself to be able to minister “correctly,” because I can’t relate these people. My life is nothing like theirs. But I can offer them love, because You have given me love.

Jesus, Your “cans” inspire me to go lower.

You inspire me to surrender daily, because I know I can’t do anything without You.

I love you.

-Hanna


The photos are simple Iphone shots of Iceland and Amsterdam I took this past week.

Just One Little Word....

TRUST.

noun
1. firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.
verb
1. believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of.

That beautiful yet terrifying word up there is the word God gave me for 2016. It’s not a word to describe what my 2016 will be, it’s an action I need to do for the next 12 months and beyond--it's not the noun usage, it's the verb. I must actively trust Him.

TRUST.

Today, one week before getting on a plane and leaving all I know and love for a beautiful and dark Dutch city, the leader of my ministry Skyped me to inform me that my YWAM ministry has been dissolved.

No more YWAM Lighthouse. No more Red Light District specific ministry with YWAM Amsterdam.

TRUST.

She says I should pray and choose another ministry, or do the Evangelism Team if I want to still work with the ladies in the district.

She said, “Our particular ministry has stopped, but the work has not. We are still very active in the district with the Evangelism Team.”

Funny thing is, I didn’t freak out at all. 

I was overwhelmed with such an amazing peace.

Why? I originally applied for the Evangelism Team in the first place but settled on The Lighthouse out of fear.

When I started scoping out YWAM Amsterdam last year, I spoke with a couple of staff at the base, one was on the Evangelism Team. According to that staff member, my interests matched well with the Evangelism Team, but I would have to be willing to do other street ministry outside the Red Light District—ministry with the homeless and drug dealers. I would have to be willing to do active street Evangelism several times a week.

That sounded great, but honestly really exhausting. So I said “No” because I didn’t think God could sustain me through that type of ministry and decided to fall back on something familiar.

TRUST.

Now I find myself, one week from flying out, being placed into a ministry I was originally terrified of.

TRUST.

Yet somehow, I know God will sustain me.
Somehow, I know God will give me a genuine LOVE for the streets of Amsterdam and the people I meet there.
Somehow, I know that God will grow me immensely—grow me more than He could if I was at The Lighthouse.

I trust, despite my fears, that He will surround me with the right teammates and friends.
I trust, He will provide in every way—financially, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
I trust, He will grow my heart to love more—to love like Him, and to help me see Amsterdamians through His eyes.
I trust in Him, because I KNOW that he is reliable, true, able and strong.

I trust that trusting Him is the best thing I could ever do.

Join me and trust Him today?
Trust Him to provide your every need?
Trust Him to guide you, lead you, and place you right where you need to be.

And please, pray that I will continue to trust Him too.
Because He is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children.



TRUST.

Jesus, your reliability, truth, ability and strength inspires me to trust you.
Thank you.

Love,
Hanna


The pictures above are from my Boston trip way back in October. Finally got around to showing a couple of the few hundred I took that week ;)

Inspirational Profile: Elizabeth Rohr

I move away from Virginia in three days. 

THREE. DAYS.

Three days from now I'll be standing in the Richmond International Airport security line probably sobbing my eyes out as I wave goodbye to two of my dearest friends. 

Three days and I have to say goodbye to someone who has blessed me more than I think she could ever realize.

This someone is named Elizabeth Rohr. 

I, and many of our other friends, often call her "Rohr." Not only because there are about 123418237921 other Elizabeth's at Regent University but because it fits her personality completely. 


Her name is prophetic. 
Her name describes a huge part of her being. 

How so? She Roars. 

She's someone who would perfectly fit the shoes of a lawyer, yet instead she chose to give a voice to the voiceless in a more gentle and nurturing kind of way.


She has chosen the humble life of a teacher. 

A profession that helps the younger generation develop their own sweet voices to be heard in a bitter, cold world.

Her desire to enter a world where ministry is found in everyday living and every-moment examples inspires me. 

Her passion to vocalize whats right and to teach others to do the same encourages me to stand up for justice and equality. 

Her ferocious loyalty in her relationships encourages me to love larger and longer.

Dearest Rohr, dearest friend. I am so inspired by your steadfastness and strength. Thank you for being a wonderful friend to me these past two years. I look forward to the years to come, faithful friend. 

I love you to the moon and back.

Love, Han

P.S. 
Remember one of the first times we hung out and had a photo shoot in the snow with my new fancy camera? Yeah, thought those were worth pulling out again. You're welcome ;)