Glimpses Into a Life Infused with Grace

The Lord has been good to my husband and I. He's provided for us (above and far beyond) in every aspect of our lives. He's given us our relationship, family, friends and a beautiful home! God's grace gets me through daily allowing me to be driven by faith and not by my circumstances whether they be good... or bad. May my home ever be a reflection of His never ending, always abounding grace towards my husband and I!

My living room! Please excuse any mess, it's late and company just left!
My fireplace and Harvest Mantle

By bed :) Thank you Uncle Doug and Aunt Wendy!!!

My lovely dining room, kitchen, etc... and... my coach purse from my handsome husband :)

Justin's office

Some apples I bought today to bake an apple pie (hopefully tomorrow) displayed in my lovely bowl from Aunt Wendy!

My spice rack - one of the best things ever!!- I like my food to be infused with different spices!

My fireplace (the fire is dying)

I apologize that the pictures aren't as clear... however, I wanted you to have a glimpse of my home in the moment. It's nearly midnight and my husband is due to be home any moment from work. Welcome my friends to my life.... where circumstances aren't always easy but grace, love and hope abounds endlessly!

Life With My Honey :)

My dear husband and I will have been married officially 2 months this Wednesday... and life has been blissfully busy, wonderfully chaotic and incandescently sweet :)


The sweetness of marriage is beyond my capabilities of describing other than, waking up beside my best friend every morning, having the love of my life at my side when I need him, sharing everything I have and everything I am with him.... is what keeps me going. I love him with every breath I have and cherish every moment that I have with him. I look forward to growing old with him, to raising a family with him as the head of my home... our home :)


Marriage is a lot of give and takes everyone has and would say... and I agree. But, this man's willingness to sacrifice everything... anything... on my behalf leaves me speechless. How did I end up with this man??? He's much too good for me isn't he???


He is the perfect picture of how grace works, just in a very down to earth, day to day expression of it in that, there are days, I wonder how it is he's not upset, or disappointed, or mad,... or something with me. I know there have been many times, when anyone else would've given me what for over something... and he doesn't. In fact, the other day, I was having a difficult time, making life miserable for everyone else (Justin) I'm sure... and he gets up earlier than he needed to, got dressed, made up the bed, walked me to the car and kissed me goodbye as I headed to work... When I got home, there was a sweet note on the bed; the laundry was done... etc, etc, etc. Instead of chastising me for an attitude well deserving of it, I was blessed... Wow... He's so good to me.



Well, I guess that's enough gushing... I must go to bed... my day begins early tomorrow.


Oh how I do and forever will, love him!

Sweet After-Thoughts/ Reflections

My friends, I (Hannah McConnell) am officially back from my one week (blissful) honeymoon.

In reflection of the past few weeks, it is nearly entirely impossible to hold back the tears of thanksgiving. My God is so good to me. A whole church... my Harvest Church... pulled together to give me what has been dubbed a Fairy Tale Wedding! It was surreally perfect and beautiful! Then my Harvest Church sent my Justin and I on a surreally perfect Honeymoon! What can I say? Thanks is simply not enough.

Right now "Thank you" card after "Thank you" card is sitting in our bedroom being composed... There are soooo many to write.... That my friends.... is called blessing!

For now though, I must keep everything short,... however allow me to share just a few of the lovely pictures from my "Fairy Tale Wedding"

Breathless

Wow, in just about an hour I can officially say that my wedding is tomorrow. Amazing!

A myriad of emotions are surging through me right now, and I am at a loss as to how to express them... however, I am going to try.

First of all, I am thankful for the man that God has placed in my life to be my husband. Justin is far better than I could have ever found for myself. I am ecstatic about beginning a life with him :)

Second, oh how I love, and how deeply I will miss my family and this home. They've been a rock for me in my life, and my love for them goes so deep, I know not how to express it. Marriage is a bittersweet event. I will not loose my family, however, our times together will look drastically different, esp. considering the fact that I haven't even moved out of this home yet. It is the one home I've known... well, pretty much since I can remember. I am sorely going to miss it while I love the new season of my life with Justin. JUST KNOW!!!! You can't get me to stay away from my family; several visits, etc, etc, etc, will be necessary!!!!

Third, what is a wedding without a Harvest Family?! If I were to sit down and count the hours that loving Harvest members have poured into my wedding, and the sacrifice that they've embraced on my behalf... I would soon be stumped. Wendy Cantrell has taken on the reception to end all receptions! The Bower Family has offered their BEAUTIFUL property along with the most beautiful barn you ever will see. The Damrons have cooked meals, and Christina is doing my hair.... Several people have taken me out, offered their time, gone out of their way to help me.... I cannot mention them all... how can I ever do these good people justice?!

Desirving of Much Thanks

It is time for me to express my limitless gratitude and humble thanks to someone who desirves the moon and more right now.
The scripture says: "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend." Today the need for someone to literally die for a friend (well here in the U.S.) is rare to pretty much, non exsistant. However, what is some of the things we Americans hold dearest?

Time,
Money,
Comfort,
Emotional Stability,
Consistency....

In essence, if we were to re-write that scripture in the language of the modern day American it might say something like this: "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his, personal comforts, time, emotions, money and consistent way of living for his friend."

Wow, and the scripture says we are to love one another "in this way". That is a high calling, that very few will ever attain.

However, may I praise one in our midst who is and has been doing for quite sometime just that for me?

My mother, Sheila Atchley, has been pouring countless hours, her hard earned and long saved money, her comfort, her emotions, her everyday stability, her availability, her physical comfort, etc, etc, etc,... into ensuring that May 15th is a day I'll remember as one of the most beautifully perfect days of my life.
Not only has she embraced the change that is about to come (my marrying and cleaving to my husband), but she has labored to make it possible even far beyond what I could ever dream of putting into it myself.
In times of uncertainty and times never before seen in this family... deep spiritual battles.... she's labored to not only be the mother over her children, the wife to her husband and the homemaker that is the foundation of this home....... but the wedding planner to end all wedding planners. How can one do so much?

It would be more than enough right now for her to just "cope" with everything that is happening right now, and if she did just that she'd amaze many. Believe you me, these are no small, trifling times.... but, beyond coping she rises to be the wife that dad needs, and more, the mother that homeschools and nurtures her children,... even when it's not appreciated, and the homemaker that makes coming home a pleasure.... and does all of this for me.

If anyone is a walking talking testimony of grace right now that would be my mother. I pray for more over her in these coming days... and I pray for blessing beyond measure.

Mom, you'll never know how blessed I've been by you. I know the depth of what it takes for you to do this, only in the smallest sense and even that stuns me.
Your love for me, brings me to tears.

You truly are and forever will be my best friend (other than my husband of course:)

I love you,

Thank you,

Hannah

86 Days and Counting

Time surely does fly by when the mind is set on the extraordinary things that are to come.

I am exstatic to say, that in 86 days and counting I will be Mrs. Hannah McConnell; and things are coming along almost perfectly.
As of yet, I am still searching for a job, however, the Lord has been sustaining me. Just when I felt I hit the bottom He was faithful to refresh my joy and almost even more so, my expectation/hope. My future ... my ability to be Mrs. McConnell is not going to rise or fall with my current job situation or any of the impending circumstances that my or have arisen... the only thing that can affect my future in that way... would be My Savior Jesus.
My Father has plans to "prosper (me) and not to harm (me). Plans for a hope and a future."

It occured to me just last night the reasons for my circumstances. It would seem that the trials point towards a "difficult marriage" -- maybe even bad timing for it all. I say rather, that the exact opposite is happening. You see, the test is pinpointed in the exact area that God has called us to. And thus, we will stand up to the test and "pass" with flying colors because our calling is to be together in order to walk in the ultimate calling that God has placed on Justin's life and in effect my own beginning May 15th.

This may not be the best post, it could be broken and hard to read.... you'll have to forgive me; I'm light as a feather and overwhelmed at God's faithfulness to me just now and I had to share it in as little time as possible:)

Thanks for listening.

"Emo" Fashion

Over the past few years I have had much interaction with several kids from different churches and I've watched this "emo" style/and even lifestyle- turn into a trend. This scares me because, we all know, teenagers don't always understand the spiritual implications of taking part in certain trends. While I was a teenager the trends were mini skirts, belly shirts, low cut v's.... etc. Had mom not made a stand against the trend (believe you me, I wouldn't have gone too far, but my dress couldn't even hint of it... would I have fallen into the sexual stuff? no, but I wouldn't opened up a door for Satan to get a foot in had I echoed even the look of one in fellowship with those spirits) I could have fallen into or strengthened not only in myself but my family and even harvest the pornographic, sexual spirit that was hosted by that trend. The generation of that day has today, become a fallen - generation in those specific areas. Those who are my age hasn't fallen into random sin, but the very sin of sexual immorality which I believe is directly represented by the trend that they sported back when.

I see today, the devil is trying to get his foot in using the same avenue just in a different "seemly harmless" style. We know today, that God is looking for His strong children to be able to stand against the whiles of the devil in these hard times. As such, God needs children who are tuned into His truth and not overly tuned into their own emotions in ANY regard even the seemingly "spiritual concerns". While you may see children who dress like it but haven't gone so far as to tune into the emotion of it; I warn you. Trend is not harmless. You wear the clothes and I don't care how strong you are, you are marking yourself as a target for the devil.

I may be called legalistic over this, but I have seen this as true time and time again. Clothes provide for a young person a lot of their identity. Believe you me, they're identifying with being "different" when they wear the "emo" style clothes.

For an example, and I am sure Sarah wouldn't mind me sharing this, when Sarah was young she loved to wear boys clothes... as a result, when she wore them, she would carry herself like..... drum roll please.... a boy! She would even spit... like a boy. Mom saw this, and decided it was not cute, nor okay. Sarah's identity was not to be that of a boy, but of a young woman. Thus, Sarah was put into dresses, into cute GIRL clothes.... what did Sarah suddenly begin to identify with? Being a girl! Sarah was never "transsexual" or any of the like, however, had a mother not had the Holy Spirit bring some revelation, Sarah wouldn't have been able to early on realize who she really was in Christ AND GET HER CONFIDENCE FROM TRUTH, AND NOT FROM A REALITY THAT CAME FROM WEARING A STYLE OF CLOTHES THAT WAS A LIE!

Multitudes of the parents of these kids that I know today who are supporting a spirit (in they way their kids are allowed to dress) that will cripple the ability of the next generation to be strong and secure in who they are in Christ, to be able to reign over and reign in their emotions in order for the truth and only the truth to be their rock, to be able to be a rock in uncertain times... are unaware of the spiritual war that is being waged right now.

How many know that the devil is pinpointing the very area that will be necessary for this next generation to possess in order to be who Christ wants them to be, in order to make a difference in the kingdom and in order to be strong men and women of the Lord. Without the confidence that you find in Christ in these next years, we're goners. In the last days we need to be stronger than ever... and the devil is trying to setup a "trend" that will earmark the young ones later for FAILURE!

Please,. I beg you, don't be so blind as to see it just as a trend... just as clothes when your child wears in ANY ASPECT something that reflects even in the least this "emo" style. It has been fashioned to cripple and nothing less. Even if your child does not reflect emotionally or spiritually the side effects of this trend,... believe you me, they're at the very least setting themselves up as a target for the devil to see as an opportunity. The devil will try to send as much drama their way... and Lord knows at this age, drama is too easily found as it is. Don't allow them.

Vision

Capture in your minds eye for a moment the ideal of what the church body could do if we had vision. We have the potential to be an unstoppable force if we could only have God-given vision along with the faith to match. What is the scripture?; "if you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains." So many of us Christians would claim to have faith, even faith with actions... But, what the church needs more than anything in these times, are visionary faith leaders. Believe you me, faith is vision and visa versa vision is faith.

The most influential church leaders, missionaries, and even secular leaders are the ones who've had vision and tenacity (i.e. faith). History was founded by men and women who stuck to their visionary guns even through hard times. Rather than sitting and working towards figuring out what their future would hold, the took hold of something I fondly call the "now opportunity" seeing the potential instead of searching for their "reality".

What if we stopped searching for "the faith" to witness, and entered into vision- the of seeing a country who's heart is turned back to God. What if we already saw that as potential, instead of searching to see if it is a possible reality. To heck (slang yes, be glad I used it :) with our supposed reality and revel in the possibilities. God is above circumstances; thus, shouldn't we as His trusting children, have the ability to see beyond our circumstances with the vision of God before us. God would will that all would serve him and enter the kingdom of Heaven... therefore it wouldn't be incredulous to claim that vision for ourselves here on earth, in the midst of our circumstances.

Doesn't scripture say that God's desire is to prosper us and never to harm us? Therefore can we capture a vision that is in line with His promises? Much of this is faith, however, there is a whole other step we can take in faith that leads us into the land of vision. This is what I am hoping to portray in this blog.

The founders of our country were visionary men, men who had an ideal of freedom. Freedom of religion and then the freedom to be an independent country. Had there not been this vision... had these men been content with their circumstances and content to just "trust God through them" rather than step into the vision that God would have for them, we would not be here today. It took visionary men to invent much of the commodities we have today; had they been content with their reality, there would be no electricity, medicine, hospitals, toilets, electronics, cars, heat, air, etc. Vision.

What we need as a church, is visionary men and women. People to have the creativity to see outside of reality and grasp in their minds eye the possibility. Then, not only to have some grand vision, but for it to be so real to them, that they walk in faith towards that cause. This should be the place of the church. We should be a creative, innovative people for the Lord; for His Kingdom.

I encourage you, do you have a dream; a vision? Hold it dear and work towards that vision. Vision is what moves things, it brings necessary change and breeds hope. Vision is a source of strength and a wellspring of delight. Productive vision is sincerely lacking today as the devil has found so many outlets to use to zap us of any "need" for creative juices. However, it is time for it to rise up again. It is time for the Apostle Paul's, George Washington's, John Adam's, Martin Luther's, Martin Luther King Jr's, David Livingston's, Albert Einstein's, etc. to rise up again and claim for Christ was what created by Him in the first place.... VISION!

Seasons Come and They Go

God's ways are definitely beyond my own. I will never know what He is thinking until I have arrived to the end of my story.

As it is, I am only 21 going on 22 and my story already has so many twists and turns that figuring out how it will end would be impossible except for His promise of His goodness.

Many know but, for those of you who don't... my company that I've worked for going on or over 5 years is closing. I don't know how long they're going to allow me to sit here in my office yet; but, I know it won't be for too much longer. In the face of that however, I find peace. In the face of my current circumstance... not yet having another job lined up, etc. I am happy! The Lord keeps reminding me of His goodness and His providence. For instance, let me tell you a story.

Yesterday, as I was at work... while I was in the middle of a conversation with my boss in regards to finding work, what she's going to do, what I'm going to do, what about my wedding, etc. I received a phone call from my mother, "Hannah, when do you get off?",

"At around 5:30ish." I answered, "Why?"

"Well, I'm standing here looking at the most beautiful dress (wedding dress that is), and if it's as stunning on you as it is on this hanger it'll be a miracle."

I didn't get my hopes up... there's no way this dress could be perfect. It was only $115.00- ordered off of Ebay... first one I will ever have tried... period... the FIRST!

Well, I got home that evening... came back to mom's room and slipped on this beautiful dress. People, it fit like a glove! No alterations necessary PERIOD! Not only that but it looks like it was made for me and I for that dress. A more lovely dress I have NEVER seen in my life. This IS THE DRESS! And, it has to go down in history as the most pain free dress purchase there ever was. It came with everything I'll need for it, and the only thing I will have to do is steam it. Wow!

Now tell me, that it's not God who provides a gift like that? Tell me that He didn't know that He was interrupting a conversation with someone in regards to how "we'll make it" to give me something extravagent and filled with hope and dreams of a future and His promise of provision?! Tell me He didn't make THAT DRESS FOR ME! Ya'll I'm the only one who's ever worn it too... it still had the tags on it. That dress God made for me and for THIS SEASON!

Thank you God not only for provision, but for Your divine blessings!

God's Word to His Church, Harvest Church

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Dad (Pastor Tim Atchley) gave an excellent word on giving. It was entitled...
"Never Say I Can't" and afterwards, we had a time of ministry from our "Wee Scottish Prophet" Joe Ewin via Skype. Joe Ewin shared that he heard the Lord speak to Him from Psalms 65:9-13 for Harvest Church. It an excellent word too, to sum it up... The key point to it was "God is going to crown our year with many blessings."

Psalms 65:9-12 in the NIV version says:

"You care for the land and water it,

you enrich it abundantly,

The streams of God are filled with water

to provide the people with grain.,

for so You have ordained it.

You drench its furrows

and level its ridges;

You soften it with showers,

and bless its crops.

You crown the year with Your

bounty,

and Your carts overflow with

abundance.

The grasslands of the desert

overflow;

the hills are clothed with

gladness.

The meadows are covered with

flocks

and the valleys are mantled with

grain;

they shout for joy and sing."

If you are at all like me, when you hear this, you breathe a sigh of relief with the image of a cruise-like future ahead of you. This is a promise abundance... what more could we ask for. We won't need or want for anything... in fact we're going to have more than enough.
These were my thoughts (in a sense) on Sunday the moment I heard that Word. In my mind it was timely and perfect. My company that I work for is going through very tremulous times, and I'm getting married in May. I really needed this Word.
Then, God spoke something to me very clearly, and He told me that I was not even in the ballpark of seeing the big picture that He had in mind for me, and even more importantly.... for Harvest Church.
You see, just before that Word, a just as timely one was spoken on giving. You wanna hear another crazy thing? All this week and even all last week, that was exactly what God was speaking to me. In fact, I taught on giving in my middle school class just that Sunday before
(the 4th).
God spoke something else very clearly to me,... the message that we heard on Sunday, and the prophetic word of encouragement from Joe Ewin later that same day, were to be seen and heard hand in hand. They were not separate, but rather they complemented one another in a very real way.

To continue my story, for two weeks God kept saying over and over again, "Give, give, GIVE" always three times in a row and over and over again. So, I kept trying to find more ways to give. Then, Monday, driving home from work, I once again heard God's voice whisper to me: "Give, give, GIVE". To which I responded this time, "God, I am giving... what are you trying to show me?"
His response both startled and confounded me, "To live abundantly, you MUST give abundantly. So, give in abundance that you may live in abundance."

Now, this may have been enough of an explanation for you, but it still confused me. But, I remembered Luke 6:38 (a scripture I'd used in my Sunday school class)

Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure,

pressed down,

shaken together

and running over,

will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.

Then it hit me, God has supernaturally been showing this in the spiritual and in the physical and it's only just hitting me. Even in my office God has been using people to show me His intentions for Harvest Church.

Now, all of this may be a little muddled. It's taken me 3 days to get up the nerve to even try to communicate this because I know, that without the grace of God granting understanding, the weight of this will be missed. However, I want to say to you...

"Give, give, GIVE.... give abundantly that you may live in abundance."

We've heard some crazy words and promises but, let's not get caught up in the surface meaning and let's get down and let's ponder what God's really saying. This is the season in which we are supposed to lay aside current circumstances and give by faith. God said so. Let me tell you, He has some crazy things in store for us if we do.

Remember, "It is more blessed to give, than it is to receive."

Who's up for that blessing He's promised?!!!

Thankful, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was undoubtedly difference from what I have been used to. But then, so is so much of what is happening in my life this year. I found this reality made this Thanksgiving all-the-more sweet.

This year we were missing a few family members due to circumstances. Some live too far away to make it in, and others had to stay home with other family... on the flip side of this however, we added a few to the "family".

-note: you'll see Rambo in many photos... that is because, scoff as you might, he is part of our family :)

A very dear couple (friends of ours) opened up their home to us for our family to celebrate Thanksgiving with them. We drove up Wednesday evening to stay the night and begin our Thanksgiving early on Thursday. Mom's side of the family (excluding those I mentioned before) drove up Thursday at noon along with my fiance' Justin McConnell... and the celebrations began.

I will keep my narative short, because if I were to list all of the "goings on" of the day, it would be a post that you'd never finish. But, I must say, having my fiance' there with me was oh-so-special. I was able to fellowship with my family, which is extremely important to me, it makes me happy... and have him there with me! Life couldn't have been better.

This was the last year that I will celebrate Christmas with my family as an Atchley. However, as a McConnell, I trust family dynamics will remain sweet. I am very close to my family- my twin Sarah, my parents and my brothers. I suppose it comes along with being homeschooled, and learning to bear with one another through the trials of a father/husband in the ministry. There's a bond there I personally, don't think anyone else could touch.

I love the fact that my Justin, is loved by and loves my family. It does my heart good. So, for that... I am very Thankful This Thanksgiving.

Good Morning Dear Katherine!

This morning, I would like to honor a friend of mine who has been in my life for at least 7-8 years now. We've grown up together, changed with the seasons together, learned hard lessons together... and celebrated together.

Katherine Damron has been a faithful, loving dear friend for the entirety of my teenage years til now, and... I fully expect for a long time hence!

Dearest Katherine,

The Lord bless you today as you finish up some of your classes at Lee and begin your journey home for Thanksgiving! I love you so very much!

Thank you for always being faithfully there for me, in prayer, with support, and with the joys that come with growing through the seasons together.

Can You Rest?

Sometimes, words just simply aren't enough.

This past week has been so abundantly overflowing with the richness of God.

Do you know my God as one who gives much more abundantly than one could ever ask or think? I know Him.

He is the one who knows my deepest desires, and in turn, gives only what is better!

In uncertain times, of this I am truly certain: my Father will more - than sustain me. How do I know this? He has always been a more - than Father to me... He's unchanging... so He must be planning to always provide in this way, for His daughter.

His sustaining grace hasn't always been recognized by me. This is due to my understanding being so far below His and visa versa, His ways being so far above my own. He knows that to reach me and to provide for me, he must go deeper than I can myself, possibly go. I see the superficial need, the need that is on the surface, He see's the needs of my heart and of my soul. He will always reach these before He ever touches the surface.

Thus, though at first, I may not see His hand reaching into my circumstances, I can know that I know His hand is there!

Thus, just as was shared this past Sunday, I can be continually encouraged even when discouragement is the trend of the world and... even some believers.

Why? Because I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God is going to more-than sustain me. He is going to touch and enrich my very being. Circumstances are surface issues, while larger issues are being dealt with,. My soul, my inheritance, my very worth is wrapped up in His loving arms even through these days.

I rest, I in fact am at peace knowing that I am in my Father's care. Can you rest?

My God is So Good *To Me*

Saturday, November 8, 2008

My parents 22nd anniversary was today. They're celebrating 22 years of life and love together. Today, I can honestly say that they are more in-love with one another than when they first began.

I've always cherished this about them and have determined, that come my time to marry, it will be with a man who will love me more and I him each and every year we're together just like how my parents share.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

I took a trip to the mountains with my Justin McConnell. We drove the loop and looked at the colors in the trees.... all the while listening to James Taylor, "How Sweet it is to be Loved By You". Then we drove on to Gatlinburg to ride the Trolley of Lights... it's a trolley that takes you through all of the Christmas lights in Gatlinburg.

After a much longer time on the trolley than we both would've thought :) Justin took me to a nice restraunt in Gatlinburg.. where we had Fettuchini Alfredo.

From there Justin drove me to a park, and under a gazebo that he had filled with lit candles... he pulled out his guitar and sang to me a song he wrote-- FOR ME!!!!

Then, much to my surprise out of his pocket comes a white box, he's on his knees... asking if I would be his wife.

So, ladies and gentlemen... soon, I will be Mrs. Justin McConnell!!!!!!!

I couldn't be more happy... I love this man so much!

I have been wordless for sometime now.
Sorry,.
Forgive my boring page while my spirit is slowly being refreshed.
Once my cup begins to "runeth over" I will for sure post something on here: )