CAN'T BUY ME LOVE

I learned something about blogging this week. 

If you want to sound really smart, begin your blog with a quote. 

The beautiful thing about this tactic is you don't even have to be smart enough to say anything worthwhile yourself! You just have to be smart enough to type "quotes about ------" into google. Bam! Instant genius in the eyes of the public. 

I just had a difficult time spelling the word "genius". 

I think the reason this makes me seem so smart is because it makes everybody think I read. I think the fact I really, really want to be a person who reads should count for something. I seriously wish I read more then I do. But here's the thing, when you throw a quote into a conversation... the person listening won't say, "Um, you read that whole thing?" because unless it was in somebody's facebook status that week, they haven't read it either! So they don't dare question you. I think the point I'm trying to make is this - If you don't read, have dumb friends. Also, don't post on your blog the reason you wanted to start your post with a quote is because you wanted to make everyone think you were a smart reader. This makes you as dumb as your friends. 

Today's topic is MONEY. Mon-aaay! Green. Pap-ers. So I went to google to find a brilliant quote. And I found many. 

"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one."

-Ben Franklin

"Money often costs too much."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson 

"Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money." 

-Someone Hilarious 

"Don't tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I'll tell you what they are."

-James W. Frick 

And my personal favorite... 

"I never completed high school and I am very rich and very successful." 

????

Ok... 

So I'm going on two missions trips this summer... in case ya haven't heard. Thats right, you know where this is going... 

Readers, you know I'll keep you in the loop about everything! Here is a copy of my check list for this summer:

Willingness - Check 

Passport - Check 

Courage - _____(working on it)

Walking shoes - Check

$5000 - _____ 

Yeah, what was that last one?? 

Ok, here is the good news! As of yesterday, I am $5 past the $2000 mark! Yeah-ya! According to my math, that is 32.6% of what I need! Which is why I decided to stop trying to do math... and simply tell you that I only need $2995 more by July.  

(Don't judge me. I'm busy with my reading.)

I am really encouraged by how well the fund raising has gone so far. People have shocked me into tears multiple times with their generosity. It's hard to ask people for money, especially when I feel overwhelmed about going. When someone gives, it truly makes them a part of this trip... which to me, makes the stakes higher. But my heart has been so touched by people's faith, both in God and in me. 

Yes, it's a big number. But I serve a big God. 

I have prayed and asked God for some heavenly perspective on this and I know I'm not waiting for your money to come through, I'm waiting on God's provision which occurs in His perfect timing. But you know, for my sanity, now seems like a great time to give! 

In all seriousness, it would truly mean a lot to me if you would commit to some time in prayer about supporting me this summer. 

You can give online (which is super easy) at...

give.ccci.org 

Just search for "Hannah McDowell" and follow the steps. My number starts with 55, just click on "give a gift". All donations are tax deductible and can be cashed in directly for heavenly blessings. 

Or if you would like to write a check or give a cash donation, just leave a comment on this post with your e-mail and I will send you all the information you need to make that happen. 

I will keep you updated on how God is providing, it's going to be amazing to watch it happen! 

I'm not sure if ending on a quote makes me sound quite as smart as beginning with a quote (or at least attempting to begin considering I felt the need to ramble on before I actually posted one), but just in case it does... Let's end on this: 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 

-Paul 

INTRODUCING ME

Hi. 
It's me. 
It's been a while since we talked. 


I don't have the time, energy, or desire to apologize, process, or explain. So I'm just going to make this fast. 


Here are a few things you may need to know....
I leave for Jamaica- June 8
I leave for Australia - July 12 
What was I thinking? 


My days are currently all about work, second work, and preparing for this summer. And in between doing those things, I freak out about doing those things. I thought what I needed was a miracle. 


Good thing I found out this to be true:

 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

  Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:26-29

Here is a fact -

Nobody drowns gracefully. 

No use getting overwhelmed. 

After all, if God is on my side, who can be against me?  

In short:
A little more peace
A little less worry
A little more patience
And a little less hurry


More God then I can imagine
He gives me more love then my mind can conceive 
AND THE MORE I TRUST IN HIM
THE MORE HE IS FAITHFUL 
Over and over and over He's able
More God
More God to me
-NewSong


This is a deep thought I had this week: 

Why does it always feel like if I act terrible you will leave me? You know, maybe if you weren't always on the verge of leaving, I wouldn't act so terrible. 


Here is another thought I had this week:
Why is society always telling me to make myself happy? 


My entire life has been defined by my unwillingness to ever push myself to do ANYTHING painful, uncomfortable, or outside of my comfort zone. 
But guess what? 
God asks us to do those things sometimes. 


So now I have to sit on the floor and cry because the thought of being out of control is that difficult for me?
Forget that.  
My life is fearful when it ought to be free. 
I'm tired of drowning in a sea of people who proclaim the highest goal in life to be comfort. 


What if I could gain something higher by sacrificing my self-indulgence? 


Here is a resolution I made this week: 
FINISH SOMETHING. 
Do you know the number one reason people don't finish things?






They give up. 


I am a troubled mind, I am a calloused heart
A failing engine from driving way too hard
Trying way too hard
I pulled a 38 out of my bleeding heart
I killed my selfishness for bringing me this far
This far away from you.

When the daylight breaks through the buildings of Chicago,
I will stand alone in the valley of tomorrow.

Oh, this is the way I wanna go down
(This is the last time) I'm starting over with you,
This is the way I wanna go out.

I never second-guessed the little voice I heard
It's just a whisper that sounded like a scream
I ain't never felt so free.
-Needtobreathe 




I couldn't possibly keep my job if I'm gone all summer, right? 


I finally worked up the nerve to approach my boss and quit. She looked and me for a moment and then replied that I didn't have to do that. She will hold my job for me until I get back.


... that you, God?  


Here is the quote for this week, accurately portrayed in artistic format: 

And finally, 

I am so blessed. 

I just don't think I realize that enough. 

And if you made it to the end of this blog you probably feel like you just had a great deal thrown at you. 

That makes two of us. I love you, reader.