𝓜𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓗𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪𝓱 𝓑.
I have personally known Hannah since before I met Christ. She is a kind, gentle, and caring person, and this quality is reflected in everything she does, including her motherhood, fitness, and taking care of the well-being of others. She is the kind of woman who brings blessings to the lives of those who know her. You can see there is something different (in a godly way) about her!
Her words have blessed and inspired me to be a better mother, woman, and follower of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope that her words will also light a fire in your soul for the love of Jesus.
What do you do for a living?
Administration Assistant and K-4 PE Teacher at Newton Christian School, in-home caretaker, and Fitness Instructor
What is your life verse and why?
Colossians 1:13-14: "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." There's so much hope in a couple of sentences. This is the message of the gospel!
And Matthew 9:37: "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field".
When life gets busy and fast, I can forget my mission. This verse reminds me of the mission field I'm in. Wherever I am, use me, Lord. Wherever you want me, send me. There's so much work to be done, and I want the privilege of being a co-laborer with Him.
What is your favorite book in the Bible & why?
I feel like it's continually changing! But if I had to choose one, the first one to come to mind is James. James was probably the first book of the bible I truly studied for myself in middle school or high school because it was so easy to grasp. James taught me that if I was truly a believer in Christ, my life should show it from the words that I say to the way I endure trials and everything in between. Now, as an adult, I continually return back to it for the same reasons. It was the first (and only) book I attempted to memorize in its totality. I also really love 2 Timothy. And Colossians. And Romans!
What is your favorite Worship song?
Closer by Brandon Lake. Really anything by Brandon Lake 😊
Kelsey: ME TOO!! Brandon Lake is by far one of my favorite Christian artists!!
Do you serve at your Church home? If so, what do you do?
I do - I lead a small group on Wednesday nights during our kid's ministry, and I occasionally serve during Sunday School with our older group of kids.
In what ways do you praise Jesus?
My hope is that I praise Him in all I do. Like 1 Cor. 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." In motherhood, in my work, in where I spend my time, how I interact with people, everywhere. But more specifically, God created me to love movement. I was a dancer from the age of 4 up until I went to college (I happen to really love the fact that David "danced before the Lord with all his might" - 2 Sam. 6:14-22). It took me a while to learn that I could run, lift weights, and even teach fitness classes to the glory of God, but when I did, it all clicked. I also praise him in the tension of motherhood of wanting to keep my kids safe and protected yet realizing His hands are the only place that will provide that.
I praise Him by surrendering them up to Him and by trusting Him with them because I know I will never be able to love them like He does. I praise him by writing, by talking to him, and by listening to Him. By reading His word, being in nature, by seeking His face, and sitting at His feet.
In what ways do you proclaim Jesus?
I proclaim Him in my home to my kids, to the kids I work with at school, to the participants that come to my fitness class, to my friends over coffee, and wherever He allows me to proclaim His name.
In what ways do you promote Jesus?
I am involved in the Phoenix Phase Initiative, which is a local organization that benefits women who have been involved in sex trafficking. I want my heart to be broken for the things that break God's heart. I want to grieve at the things He grieves. I want to promote His love through things that He cares about. I also coach soccer and do in-home care, and those are opportunities to share God's love with those that I work with.
*For more information on this organization, please visit: https://phoenixphaseinitiative.org/
How old were you when you caught fire for the Lord? Tell us a little bit about that story.
I'm extremely thankful that I grew up in a home that taught me about the truth of who God is. I don't remember a day when I didn't believe that God was real. Growing up I thought that was "normal," but as an adult, I realize how blessed I was with the childhood I had. I was 4 when I accepted Christ as my Savior. I remember acknowledging my sin for the first time and believing that the work on the Cross was the only thing that could offer true forgiveness. Since then, He hasn't left! There have been seasons of all kinds, but the biggest fire he set on me as a believer was when he taught me what true repentance was. I believe there's a time in each of our lives when we have to choose who we will follow - God or our own desires.
When I chose to follow him, he called me to repent. He called me to turn from the desires of the flesh and to follow the Spirit (Romans 8). Making that decision is never easy because usually there's something to give up, someone to seek forgiveness from, or somewhere to turn away from. Sometimes it comes with making serious changes in your life. But when I took the steps He was asking of me, I got to experience His nearness like never before. The biggest blessing that came from that type of obedience was simply His presence alone.
Another season was when He taught me to truly seek him. I've always prayed, but I haven't always waited for an answer. I began studying verses like, "When you seek me you will find me" (Jeremiah 29:13).
It sounds simple, but I really wanted to know what it meant to seek him. So, I just started being really honest with him and asking him questions. I really wanted to know if He would heal someone if a believer touched them and prayed for it. So, I asked him...then I waited and listened.
I really wanted to know how he wanted me to walk alongside someone who was dealing with something really tough. So, I asked him...then I waited and listened. I really wanted to know if all of these dreams he put inside of me would ever amount to anything. So, I asked him...and then I listened.
I asked simple questions, theological questions, questions out of frustration and honesty, and more. I just brought everything to him. Spoiler alert, he always answered. Sometimes it was a promise from His word.
Sometimes, it was the peace of His presence.
Sometimes it was a whisper in my spirit. Each one was equally as powerful because it was an answer from Him.
It was proof that my Father listens, cares, and will never leave me. Even in my questioning, He will always meet me right there.
Did you experience a moment in your life when God revealed Himself in a significant way?
Oh yeah, God is so cool. I’ve always said that we have a God who reveals Himself. If you want to experience Him, just ask! One time, I was at an event with a group of fitness instructors. I had conversations with 3 different people who all said something to me that worked together to send me a message God wanted me to hear. The coolest thing about it was that I didn’t know it at the time. It wasn’t until I came home and told my husband about my weekend. As I was sharing those details with him, he added a fourth piece that made the whole thing come together. Listen, I know it sounds crazy. But if I told you the whole story and all the context needed for it to make sense, you’d get it!
I’m going to leave it as a cliffhanger because there isn’t really a short version of the story 😉 but in the end, he used different people to all play a role in me knowing God was getting my attention. Just know that God can use anything, anyone, or any scenario He wants to. He isn’t limited by anything! Most of the time, when you hear a story about how God works, it may not make sense from the outside. But he works in creative, mysterious, and deeply personal ways to grow our faith and show His glory!
What keeps your fire for the Lord lit?
Living life abiding in Him. Spending intentional time with Him is important, but "abide" means to "stay" or "remain". God has given me some really cool opportunities lately, and they are ones I need to fully rely on Him for.
He keeps me in this place of needing His spirit to work in order for me to accomplish what He’s asking of me. Needing to continually trust that He will work through me keeps my fire lit!
Also, living in the truth that the Spirit of God is alive in me has been a powerful comfort to me. I don't seek his spirit to be better or accomplish more, but because I am an ambassador, a co-laborer, and a co-creator with Him. Being a representative of the Savior of the World is a massive responsibility- but one that I want to accomplish well.
What is your favorite hobby or something you like to do for fun?
Right now, watching my kids play their sports is the highlight of my week! With fall sports wrapping up, I'm looking forward to watching cheesy Hallmark movies (I know I know, I can't help it.), exercise, and go on date nights. We are an outdoorsy family, so we love our fishing and camping trips, but I also really love a shopping day. I guess my 3 boys have really pushed me into the boy world, but I love all the girly things too!
What advice or words of wisdom do you have for other women?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Luke 10:27). That isn't just another verse we can recite and nod our heads to. Ask the Lord what it truly means and ask Him to search your heart.
The book of Revelation says to choose a side - hot or cold - because he spits out the lukewarm. (Rev. 3:16) (I cringe writing that sentence because I really don't like to step on any toes. But if His word says it, I have to stand by it too.) By deciding to be a follower of Christ, you’re giving Him control and willing to lay down your entire life to Him. There is so much beauty in that because then, you have no choice but to fully rely on Him. And when you fully rely on Him, you get to see His faithfulness at work. Life is so much better relying on the one who created you rather than yourself.
Wow... 🔥🔥🔥
Reading this has me so inspired to continue being on fire for the Lord.
Thank you, Hannah, so much for sharing the details of your God-given story and parts of your testimony by sharing the glory, goodness, and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As I was praying for a verse for you, Galatians 6:9 came to my heart, "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." You mentioned above that the harvest is plenty, and the workers are few, I pray, Hannah, that God will continue to use you and your family to create more workers. The seeds we plant will grow in different seasons, and I pray for your courage and endurance to run your race well. Your words of wisdom are priceless, and I can really tell you used the guidance of the Holy Spirit to write this.
I am so blessed to know you, Hannah, you are truly an inspiration to me, and your boldness to stand firm in your faith is motivating! Thank you again for sharing this story, and I pray it touches every single person who comes across this.
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