No more DPC

I'm finished! I completed the Decmeber Photo Challenge! I am so proud to actually post on my blog every day for 25 days! 

Now that I have the habit going, hopefully I'll be posting more regularly! 

See ya soon! 

Hannah!  

DPC- He is Born!

Today we celebrate Jesus' birth! Today is the day that we remember how much he loves us, loves you. Sit back. Remember. Jesus loves you. 

Look at the manger. It is a symbol of His love. It says, "I crossed the gates of heaven to come to you. I gave up my throne for a manger. I love you this much." 

Thank you Jesus! You love is enough! 

Merry Christmas! Let Christ's love fill you with assurance and joy! 

Hannah 

DPC- Christmas Eve

Today is Christmas Eve! 

The whole day seemed filled with a surge of excitement and festivities. We cleaned, wrapped, made, decorated, and more. Christmas songs filled out ears all day. Smiles and laughs each org through the house as we imagined what might be in those boxes under the tree. 

We went to the Christmas Eve service at church, where I was reminded of how amazing God's love is! The Christmas story is spectacular! 

And then it happened. We opened our presents. 

My family always opens our gifts in Christmas Eve. We are more night owls than morning people, so this just made sense. 

After all of the wrapping, planning, bow-making, and buying, it was finally time to give and get presents. 

And it was wonderful! 

I am so thankful for my family, and most of all, for Jesus, the greatest Gift ever! 

Merry Christmas! 

Hannah 

DPC- Crafty

Today was a crafty day. 

We made Christmas cards, ornaments, and cookies. Very fun! And the best part about it all was spending time with my wonderful family! 

 

Don't you love my Legolas, Harry Potter, and Nativity cookies? 

The ornaments were so fun yet easy to make. Everyone's turned out so pretty! 

It's almost Christmas Eve!! 

Hannah

DPC- Harry Potter

Harry Potter is my favorite story of all time (except for God's story).

We watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince tonight.

And so, tonight was a very good night. 

Add a glass of homemade butter beer and things become delicious as well as epic.  

Thank you J.K. Rowling for writing such a creative and uplifting story like Harry Potter! 

Hannah 

DPC- Elf

(Okay, I just realized that this post, originally from December 19th never published. Apparently the internet was down or something. Well, here's the post, a few days late.) 

Today we watched one of my favorite Christmas  movies, Elf! Pair it with warm chocolate chip cookies, and you get a delightful evening! 

Hannah

DPC- Christmas Cookies

After a busy day of running errands and cleaning, my family and I had a relaxing evening watching Holiday Inn and making Christmas cookies. 

 

I am so excited that Christmas is so soon! At the same time, I don't want the holiday season to end! 

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means "God with us"). 

Matthew 1:23 

Hannah 

DPC- Music and Musicals

Today was a musical day. 

First, Rebecca played at her piano recital. She did a wonderful job, very beautiful and persice. 

After going out to eat, we came home to watch quite a different style of music. 

Psych The Musical. 

Yes. The songs are still in my head, dramatically echoing Shawn's voice. I really liked it and can't wait for season eight! 

Hannah 

DPC- Christmas Light Seeing

One of my family's Christmas traditions is going Christmas light seeing every year. But we don't just get in the car and go. There's a certain way to do things. Most of us wear our pajamas. We play Christmas music, which, of course, includes Veggietales Christmas. The we go and get ice cream and eat it while looking at the lights. 

There's these houses a little ways away that always put up a huge display. Every year we always journey over there to look at their rows of soldiers and light-strung oaks. This year was no exception. 

Here's to traditions, family, and light! 

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness." 

-Genesis 1:3-4 

Hannah 

DPC- The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker.


I love The Nutcracker! I love the music, the dancing, the magic, and more. Most of all, I love being in it. I love putting on the costumes and learning all of the dances, whether or not they be my dance.

This year, my studio partnered with Moscow Ballet to perform their Great Russian Nutcracker. Working with them is always so cool, because they are the pros. They know what they're doing. And they speak Russian.


We've been working hard on our roles. I am one of the Arabian girls and a Butterfly. The roles may be the child roles, the ones in the back or on the sides. They may not be the longest dances. But they are our dances. It is my role. And I want to do my best.

I just watched Royal Ballet preform the Nutcracker, and it really inspired me to work hard, the jump higher, to turn faster, and the all of the other little and big things that make up a dancer. The steps may be hard, long, and tiring, but a dancer must never make them look hard, long, or tiring. Technique must be perfect, yet at the same time, a dancer must make it look easy. I call it, the effort of being effortless.

The Nutcracker.

This ballet will always hold a special place in my heart.

Hannah

DPC- En Pointe

Some people, many people actually, don't know that each dancer sews her own ribbon and elastic on her pointe shoes. Well, it's true. The work, pricked fingers, and disorderly stitches are all part of preparing pointe shoes. 

When you buy a pair of pointe shoes, they come like this: 

This is a rather photoshopped picture of my newest pair of pointe shoes. A pair that I need to sew. 

I started sewing them during Nutcracker practice today. While I placed the elastic, two of the younger students huddled around me and asked what I was doing. That opened up an opportunity for me to show them how to see pointe shoes, a skill which they will need soon. 

I really love teaching younger students things about ballet! That's why I can't wait to start teaching! 

Share some knowledge with someone else today, and maybe you'll discover something about yourself along the way. 

Hannah 

DPC- Gingerbread Village

Here's the promised picture of our gingerbread house village! 

Serve, read, relax, sing, watch, or dance, but whatever you do, do it in Jesus' name! 

Hannah

DPC- The Hobbit

We went to see the Hobbit the Desolation of Smaug today. 

It. Is. So. Good. 

(Not a picture I took, found on IMDB) 

I think that this movie is the best Lord of the Rings movie yet, and that's saying something. 

The acting, scenery, story, and action all kept me on the edge of my seet for the whole film. And that's not even mentioning the wonderfully intriguing love triangle. 

You. Must. Go. See. It. 

Hannah

DPC- My Mini Library

Every year, my parents give us all a book for Advent. Over the years I've collected many children's books, ones with tear-tugging stories and beautiful pictures. 

This year, though, I genty ask Mom if she could give a bigger book to add to the collection. 

And so she gave me a beautiful copy of Pride and Prejudice, one oft favorites! 

I am so thankful for the elevan books that my parents have thoughtfully given me and read to me over the years for Advent. I cherish each one, and one day, if God wills, my family will read these books too. 

Read something beautiful today! 

Hannah 

(Note, this is published a day late because my internet connection was down. Sorry!)

DPC- Gingerbread Houses

Hello!

Guess what I did today? (Hint: it is something Christmas-y.) 

I decorated a gingerbread house! 

This is one of my many favorite Christmas activities. I love the creativity and the festiveness of it. My family buys the pre-cut ginger bread houses, and the set we buy has five mini houses, perfect for each person (except Dad) to make their own house. Every year each person does something different. This year many candy canes were used, whether in whole form, cut into strips, or crushed into little pieces. Here's a picture of my gingerbread house: 

I post one of the whole village once we make the whole village. 

Merry Chrsitmas. Jesus is born! 

Hannah 

DPC- Childness

"It's good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Chrisrmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself."

Charles Dickens

I found this quote in The Greatest Gift today and little did I know how much it would apply to my day. 

Today I watched a Veggietales movie. I laughed so hard with Rebecca that I almost peed. I played with my kitties. Yes, I am totally okay with acting like a child sometimes. Or most of the time. 

So don't be afraid to be a little silly, to watch kid movies, to approach God with child-like faith this Christmas season. 

Hannah

DPC- My Favorite Things

In honor of recently watching the remake of The Sound of Music, I give to you, my version of "My Favorite Things."

"Bright fluffy sweaters and soft purring kitties, 

Steaming hot chocolate and fun Christmas movies, 

Gingerbread topped with some homemade whipped cream, 

These are a few of my favorite things. 

Glittery dresses and songs of God's glory,

Pointe shoes and sisters and making up stories, 

Nutcracker music which I always sing, 

These are a few of my favorite things."

Don't be afraid to sing today. Sing praise to God and songs that make you laugh. Sing Christmas carols and love songs. It doesn't matter if you can't reach every note. Sing for the joy of it. Sing because God has given you a voice, one which He created for talking and screaming and singing and shouting. 

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

Hannah 

DPC- Chirstmas Trees

High school retreat continued today! I had a fun time stayin inside, away for the rain, and visiting with my friends!

When I came back home (the camp is only about an hour away), tiredness began to come upon me, but I held it back until after Nutcracker practice. When I came home though, in my sweatpants and on the couch, I couldn't resist anymore. 

Speaking of tiredness, I should be going to sleep. 

Before I do that, here's my picture for today. We finally finished out Christmas tree today! 

Because of Nora, we didn't want to put up the breakable ornaments until we knew how she treated trees. But now we fully decorated the tree, angle and all! Isn't it beautiful? 

I'm thankful for fun retreats and learning and talking about Jesus. More than that, I'm so thankful that Jesus lives in me! I'm thankful for coming home and family and Christmas trees and warm gingerbread, fresh out of the oven. I thank my Father I heaven for all of shod blessings! To Him be the glory!

Hannah 

DPC- Camp Life

No time to write, but Go Jesus!!

(Note: I was at a high school retreat with my youth group when I wrote this post. I thoughts if be able to post this picture? But the internet connection was too weak, so you get it a day late. 

I had a blast, though! It was cold outside, but there was hot chocolate and campfires a plenty, as well as fun people to hang out and grow I God with!

Hannah, a day late) 

DPC- Joy to the World

My sisters and I made paper snowflakes this afternoon! It is very fun! I don't have much more time to write, but let me tell you this, Joy to the World.

Joy to the World. 

Joy to the World. 

Jesus has come, why shouldn't we overflow with joy? 

Let's find joy in paper snowflakes and frisky kitties. Let's unwrap God's gift of joy in laughter and family. 

Joy. Joy to the World. 

DPC- More Nora

Here's another picture of Nora, who is super cute! She is either wildly excited or lazily tired, but rarely anything in between. She has a pattern of playing intensely all morning until I start to wonder how much longer she will last. Then she crashes after lunch and becomes this adorable little sleeping machine, too tired to open her eyes. She perks back up in the late afternoon into the evening and the (hopefully) sleeps all night.

Enjoy the gifts and blessings that God gives you today, whether it be cats or books or walking or dancing. Live in the grace that God gives you each day!

Hannah

DPC- Lights

I decorated my room for Christmas today! It is now filled with white lights, silver bows, sparkly snowflakes, and pink ballerina accessories.

Laying on my bed right now, looking at my festive room, I thank my Father in heaven for the joy and beauty that I get to enjoy. Not everyone has their own room, let alone fun Christmas lights to decorate it with. 

Let's find joy in the little things, things and moments that God has given us. Today I revealed in decorating and my favorite movie, Tangled. However much I love the story of Tangled, God's love story to me is so much prettier! Thank You Jesus! 

Hannah 

DPC- Away in a Manger

While reading "The Greatest Gift" today, I realized something about the manger that I had never realized before.

The manger represents how much Jesus loves us. It represents the distance He traveled to seek us. He came from heaven's throne to a manger. He wanted to let me know to what great lengths He will go through to save me. 

Sometimes I feel that I'm far away from God. When I look at where I am and where I want to be, I sigh at the distance I have to travel. I seem to be functioning under the false idea that I have to do all of the approaching, like I have to come to God in certain way, or else I might scare Him off. I try to seek God, when in truth, I am not able to seek Him. Instead, He seeks me. 

He sought me when I was dead, covered in filthy sin, and cursing Him along the way. When I was completely unlovable, He came to me. He traveled great distance for me. The manger testifies this. If He sought me when I could do nothing to deserve it, how much more will He seek after me when I am His daughter! 

Does this mean that I sit still and wait for God to do all of the action? Do I just go about my day like normal, waiting for God to approach me? I don't think so. 

Right now, I'm trying to find out what it means to be actively at rest in God. What does it look like to rest in God yet walk with Him and obey Him? Must I come to Him or wait for Him to come to me? 

What I've concluded so far is this: God seeks me. He looks for me, and only by His love am I saved. 

This truth is enough. Nothing of my doing can be added to make His love brighter or duller. 

That being said, the very fact that Jesus came to me, slept in a manger, died on a cross, and rose again, makes me want to leap with joy! My being, my soul rests in His salvation, therefore my actions, my words, my thoughts all go out and glorify the One who sought me when I was unable to do anything worth His attention. 

My assurance is at rest, and out of an overflow of my spirit, my actions are very active. That, I believe, is active rest in God. 

So whenever you look at a manger, whether it be in your nativity set or a Christmas movie, remember that God is always seeking you. His love is all around you; take the time to look for it today. 

Hannah

DPC- The Greatest Gift

As I've stated before, I love Christmas. Also, my favorite part of Christmas is Jesus. That being said, I wanted to find a Christmas devotional this year. So, my mom and I are both going through Ann Voskamp's book "The Greatest Gift." I did the first two days today (as I didn't do yestererday's) and really enjoyed it.

Ann has a very pretty language that is so relieving. Her poetic writing captures ideas in a way that I never would have thought of before. I am really looking forward to spending the next several days digging into her book, which centers around God's greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ! 

Hannah 

DPC- Introducing, Nora

So, I decided to start this December Photo Challenge. I'm super excited about the moments and memories that I can share, and I'm also thankful that this will get me into the habit of blogging regularly.

The Christmas season has officially begun in my opinion, because we put up out Christmas tree today. I helped put up the nice nativity set along with the Little People one. I helped decorate many surfaces with figurines and mini Christmas trees. I plan on transforming the while house into a Christmas wonderland. 

If you can't tell, Christmas in one of my favorite times of the year. I like the decorations, the music, the movies, the food, the traditions, and the memories. But most of all, I'm thankful for God's love story to the world through Jesus Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection. 

Today we had a big (well, little if you're being specific) surprise to start the holiday season. 

We got a kitten. 

I was not even aware that this was a consideration. Patches, our cat, has never liked other cats, so we never got a second one, however much we wanted one. But today my sister announced that we were getting one of the kittens that our friends were finding homes for. The deal is this, if Patches likes this new kitten, then we keep her. If Patches doesn't like this new addition, then we won't keep her. I like this idea, and personally, I'm had been on Patches' side, wary of this little ball of fur. But that was all before she slept in my lap. It sort of melted my heart. And she purrs so loudly! 

Hopefully we can keep this bundle of joy! After all, it tis the season to be jolly. 

Hannah