Three down. One to go

Well, it’s finals week and I have one more to go! It’s surprisingly been a pretty laid back week. Monday was a regular class day. Tuesday was my first exam: computer. I spent all of last night finishing up my portfolio for English, which was due today before 9. After I turned that in, I had a small break before my art final, so I decided to spend that time enjoying my very first breakfast here at the University of Mobile. That’s right, today was the first time I’ve actually eaten breakfast in the caf. I had a delicious waffle with milk and peaches on the side. I finished up some last minute studying there and then went to take my last exam for the day. My voice jury was also today at 3:00. I am pretty pleased with how that went, although I struggled in a few spots. Overall, today was a good day and I am relieved to only have one more final to go, which is theory tomorrow.

Saturday I’ll be recording all day with Impact and then heading to Montgomery Sunday after lunch. I can’t wait for the Christmas season and celebrating the birth of our Lord! This time of year is always my favorite. I enjoy the cheerfulness and chilly weather. One whole month of nothing but family and relaxation! I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Turkey Day

Well, it was a great Thanksgiving! I headed home Tuesday afternoon about four o’clock and arrived in Montgomery just in time for our annual Thanksgiving meal and service at church. It was great to see my church family and experience this familiar event that occurs each year. Wednesday was a long day of wedding dress shopping with my sister and mom. My sister tried on about one hundred dresses, and everyone  of them looked beautiful on her. On Thursday we prepared all day for the huge food feast that night. We decided to do a Thanksgiving dinner at 6:00. Just like every year, I ate entirely too much and felt like a balloon afterwards. I will admit, however, the food was quite a step up from the normal college student food. I was glad to receive some home cooked meals. Most of all, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family. My brother, a seminary student in North Carolina, came home for the first time since August. I was so excited to see him!

After a fulfilling Thanksgiving day, I headed to Auburn, Alabama for the iron bowl. My roommate, Allie, and her family have season tickets and were nice enough to invite me along with them to the game on Friday. Let me just say, it was quite an intense and shocking game. I was truly not expecting the performance Auburn put on against Bama. From the first row of the end zone, we watched every single play with anticipation. Although the result of the game was not my preference, I was very proud of Auburn and their hard work that day. Alabama was definitely shown out on Friday.

It’s so weird that we are back at school for only one week, then out for Christmas. I really cannot wait to be at home relaxing for a month. This schedule certainly beats the two week winter break we were given in high school. But this means that I have some serious Christmas shopping to do before December 25! This week won’t be too fun with finals, but I’m looking forward to a great break and the beginning of a new semester in January. Until then, I hope everyone makes it through finals and has a wonderful week! God Bless you,

-Hannah

So it has been a really long time since I have blogged. These past couple of weeeks have been pretty busy and crazy. Last night was the final night of Christmas Spectacular, and it was very successful! It was so weird participating in it this year, rather than sitting in the audience like the past five years. I’m so glad I got to be a part of this awesome display of the talent here at UM. Impact performed one song in the program this year, and I was blessed to be a part of that. After a busy week of singing and standing for hours at a time, I am extremely exhausted.

The plans for this weekend are as follows:

Attend a Twighlight birthday party and late night showing of New Moon, which I have mixed feelings toward

Aquire some major hours of sleep on Saturday

Complete a beautiful masterpiece collage for art appreciation

Attend a Christmas sweater birthday party Saturday night

Each much food at  a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday

Enjoy my last weekend before going home

Happy Wednesday!

Hello everyone! It’s the middle of the week and I’m just about ready for the weekend. Things are beginning to get very busy in the CPA department with Christmas Spectacular. Next week calls for many rehearsals and long nights. I am excited about performing at Dauphin Way with the massive choir and many ensembles. It will be quite a change from sitting in the audience the last 5 years. Impact will be singing a new Christmas song we’ve been working on along with the band, orchestra, and a select few from the choir. I can’t believe the semester is almost over and Christmas is so soon! I should probably start my shopping soon for presents…

Something the Lord has been showing me recently is just how selfish I am. I know, very random, but it’s really been something that He’s convicted me about. I find myself so often caught up in my own busy schedule without even taking the time to concern myself with others’ needs. I tend to load myself with worry over schoolwork or obligations I need to fulfill. How do I so easily lose sight each day of my purpose? I was created to worship the Lord and serve others. It’s that simple, yet I fail over and over.

Psalm 37:23-24 says, “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

If I am constantly delighting myself in the Lord, then He is delighting in my ways and my steps are made firm! Even if I stumble, I will never completely fall because He will hold me. So yes, I might fail over and over again. Sin might creep into my life every day, but the Lord will never cease to convict and remind me that this life is NOT about me. What a powerful truth!

Just thought I would share these words… I hope everyone has a great rest of the week! God bless!

Fall in the Smokeys

Wow, it seems like it’s been forever since I’ve blogged. Last week was a bit crazy. It was the first week back from fall break, so classes were very busy. I had three tests, Impact recording, worship choir performance, my roommate’s birthday, and a trip to Tennessee. I was constantly going somewhere or doing something and, needless to say, I did not get much sleep. It is now Tuesday and I’m beginning a new fresh week. Fall has officially begun and the weather is making me happy. I’ve never been so much in awe of the beauty of this season as I was this weekend in the Smoky Mountains. Impact took a trip to Townsend, TN, just  forty minutes from Gatlinburg. It was gorgeous! Every tree was a different shade of orange, yellow, or red. The cool, foggy air made me want to curl up in a blanket by the fire and read a good book. As we sang in two morning services in a church there on Sunday, the Lord moved during our worship time in the hearts of many there. The response that morning was very positive and I’m so thankful we were  able to be used. After a long weekend, I am now trying to get caught up on sleep that i missed. Hopefully I will be able to rest a little more this week. I want to end with a verse that encouraged me as I was reading through Isaiah yesterday.

“Oh Lord, You are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” -Isaiah 25:1

Everything done by God was planned long ago. This verse just affirms the fact that God is all-knowing and faithful in his plans for our life. Be encouraged. God bless!

Home Sweet Home

I’m sitting here in the comfort of my own double bed in Montgomery. It is fall break and I’m so happy to be home! This past weekend my life was consumed by the Montgomery County Junior Miss program. I was invited to come back and sing on Sunday after winning first runner-up last year. I also helped backstage, encouraging the participants and being an extra hand. It was neat being able to watch the program this year and not having to perform with all the nerves. I was glad to see old friends and catch up with everyone.

I have to admit, it’s quite lonely having a fall break when no other schools have one. Don’t get me wrong, I love being out of school and at home, but I can’t see many of my friends because they have class this week. Therefore, I am using this time to spend with family and accomplish much needed tasks…such as getting my hair cut today. I can’t wait to go to my church tonight and visit the youth service. My student minister has asked me to share with the group my experience so far in college, and what the Lord has been teaching me. There’s so much to say! I really can’t believe this semester is already half over. It has literally flown by! My schedule is going to get pretty crazy when I get back to Mobile with Impact and such. In the mean time, I will continue to relax and enjoy the rest of my break while I have time. Sunday I will be returning to the beautiful Saraland! God bless.

Sunday: A day of rest?

Just finishing lunch, I am full of caf food and ready to sleep comfortably in my bed for a few hours on this cloudy Sunday. After all, that’s what Sunday afternoons are all about right? Well, not today. I am instead, forcing myself to keep my eyes open while I read the exciting adventures of the Odyssey. Why do I procrastinate and torture myself like this?

This weekend was really great. My best friend from home came to visit me on Friday. She experienced the real life of a UM student going to Steak-n-shake at 2 in the morning. On Saturday we traveled to Orange Beach and relaxed under the beautiful sun by the gulf waves–the weather was perfect! (In fact, the weather this entire week has been great! Fall is finally here!!) It was really great to hang out with her and introduce her to all my new friends here. I think she enjoyed the U of M.

This morning I experienced my first opportunity to serve at Cottage Hill church. I worked the extended session with three year olds, which probably is the main reason I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open right now. It was neat to get involved in an area besides the college ministry. Hopefully it will open up some doors for babysitting as well!

I am off to the committed study of the Odyssey. I am determined to stay awake!

God Bless you today!

“Everyday I will praise You and extol your Name for ever and ever!”  Psalm 145:2

Beach, relaxation, and rest

Today marks my first time at the beach since I’ve been in Mobile! My friend, Anna, and I left on a road trip to Gulf Shores this morning. I’m pretty sure I’m probably the last person to go to the beach since school started because people go almost every weekend. It was very fun and relaxing. Of course seafood is always a plus. It was a good way to end a busy, crazy week.

Other than the beach, this weekend has been pretty uneventful. It’s nice just to chill with friends and watch movies. I have found something interesting about college…weeks are actually more exciting than weekends. While in high school, everyone is pumped about the weekends. Not that weekends are dreadful here, but I think it’s just because weeks are more busy and eventful. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely nice to have a time to rest and relax.

I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

–Isaiah 26:3–

Another rainy day

Why do shorter weeks always seem much longer in the end? Last week went by extremely slow and quite miserably. It might be because I was looking forward to this past weekend so much! Impact left Friday afternoon for Montgomery to go on a retreat. It was a long weekend filled with singing, bonding, laughing, and more singing. I feel like I know everyone a lot better now. After singing for 12 hours on Saturday, we finished our retreat with a concert on Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, my voice is in need of severe rest.

I am now back to the reality of classes and schoolwork. It’s Monday, and therefore a slow, tiring, and rainy day. I am starting a new job here on campus this afternoon, working for the admissions office. It will be nice to earn a little extra cash for groceries and such. My schedule is filling up quickly, and the school year is moving fast. I can’t believe it will be October soon! It seems like I just graduated from high school. I can already tell that college is going to fly by. So anyways, I’m off to finish up some schoolwork before work. God bless

At Home

It’s quite lonely sitting here in my dorm on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. I have to admit, the campus is pretty much deserted. I will be heading home tomorrow! I really can’t wait to see my family and friends! It’s been exactly four weeks since I arrived, but it feels like I’ve been here for months now. I feel so much at home, and my new friends it feels like I’ve known for years. This past week was pretty good. We had a photo shoot for Impact yesterday downtown at the convention center. It went well, and the pictures turned out great! However, I’ve discovered that it’s impossible for me to make a decent serious face. I always end up looking mad at the world. I guess I shouldn’t pursue a modeling career anytime soon. Well, it was another wonderful week here at the University of Mobile. I hope everyone has a great Labor Day and time off!