To the Creator of the Universe,

Such a big title everyone gives you, huh? I've always wondered if you like that title. Creator of the Universe. Seems like a big load to carry. Knowing that you created every single star in the sky and know every person in the world by name. I know I couldn't do it. I mean, I'm only human. But you're God. You're the air we breathe. You're the sound of my heart beating in my chest. You're the reason for everything good and perfect and pure in this world. You're the Creator of everything. Even little ol' me. So I think the title suits You well. 

You love me, for me. You don't care about what size jeans I wear, or what I ate for breakfast yesterday, or whether I'm going to college or not. You care about me. You care about my heart and my soul. You care about my wants and needs. You hear my prayers. You created me before I was even born. You knew me before there was time. That's always been the biggest challenge for me the more and more I learn about who You are - being able to wrap my head around such a big concept. That you know everything about me, and that there was time before the Universe. I can't fathom that thought. I suppose it's far ahead of what my mind can comprehend. But I still love knowing it. 

Yet sometimes I forget about You. Life gets busy and I get lazy. I forget to thank You that I'm alive and healthy. I forget to thank You that my car is parked safely in the mall parking lot and not somewhere in a ditch. I forget to thank You that I'm not spending my days in a hospital bed. Sometimes I forget to thank You that I'm unbelievably blessed. And for that I'm ashamed. I know, that's not something You want us to feel - it's something the devil puts in our heads. So maybe, I feel more like a hypocrite. I call you my Creator, yet I forget to thank you for simple things? How does that make me the strong Christian that I say I am? Why do I find myself judging someone who I'm not fond of? Why don't I pray more for the people around me instead of only saying that I will? 

And that's something I know I have to work on, something that you've called me to work on. I'm on this Earth to build up others, to love on others, to show them who You are and what you've done for every single person on the planet. 

I'm getting there. Each and every day I hear You more, I listen more, I study more. I'm realizing your presence more and more. 

And for that I thank you.

Christmas Day at the Beach

I cannot remember the last time we've had a green Christmas. It was really weird. Like I knew it was Christmas, but it didn't really feel like Christmas because there was no snow. So we spent the morning in our pajamas, opening gifts (I got a tripod for my camera! YES!), napping and relaxing. We didn't particularly want to stay home the entire day, so I, of course, suggested we visit the beach for the late afternoon. No one objected - which was a surprise.

We also spent our time away from home exploring downtown Holland + downtown Zeeland. Both have absolutely beautiful decorations for the holiday season. I've promised myself that at one point in my life I will live in Holland. It's full of young life and love and stories of the beautiful lives that the city holds. 

Christmas Eve At Grams

My family and I spent Christmas Eve with Grams + her boyfriend. Exactly like Thanksgiving. Except it was more low key than what Thanksgiving was. We ate off of blue plastic plates and jammed to Christmas music. It was full of laughs and love and joy - exactly what Christmas Eve should be. It was an absolute blast. Thanks again Grams for an awesome Christmas.

A Letter To My Future Husband

A new series of posts that I've begun to work on. Letters to the people who mean the most to me in my life - or in this situation not quite in my life yet. 


To my future husband,

As I was at church Sunday morning, I watched all the young married couples walking hand in hand, with their coffee and Bibles in the other. And I couldn't help but wish that I had what they did. Any moment spent with my parents and sister I treasure, but for once, I wanted to be the one with someone there next to me, holding my hand. It seems selfish, I know. To be at church and to be focused on the young, beautiful couple sitting in front of me instead of listening to what my pastor was saying. But in that moment it was so hard. They were so in love, so infatuated with each other. I couldn't help myself, that in that moment I thought of you. That part of my life that is a mystery - an unknown. 

I've always imagined myself getting married in a white dress outside just as the summer turns into fall, the leaves just beginning to change and the perfect time for pumpkins and mason jars to line the isle of chairs. I've always imagined you at the end of that isle smiling, maybe crying, but smiling. Excited to start our future together. I've always imagined my father giving me away, quietly saying a prayer over the both of us or whispering a blessing of some kind. I've always imagined a pastor at my church up there next to us giving us our vows and then us reading some of our own. I've always imagined one or both of us crying, and wiping each others tears. I've always imagined us praying right until the moment the ceremony is over. I've always imagined who I'd be spending the rest of my life with in that moment. 

Life is crazy and life is unpredictable. That's what makes it so beautiful. So maybe I'll meet you tomorrow, maybe I'll meet you next week, or next year. So for now, I'll continue dreaming, I'll continue writing, I'll continue to be the person God has made me to be until we meet. I'll be praying for you that you're the man that God has called you to be and that your heart is full of God's love through your love for Him. And I'll pray for a steady heart and that I become the woman that God has called me to be for you. 

We'll have trials and we'll have tribulations but I promise to be there. I promise to love you with everything that I have. I promise to lead you closer to God as I hope that you will do the same for me. 

I'm excited to meet you. 

A Whole Lot Of Jesus

If you don't know already I'm a big Jesus fan, well more like follower. So when I found this shirt on Etsy I fell in love. Unfortunately when I ordered the size I wanted they were out. After emailing the seller, he told me that they had it in a size down. Now, let me tell you something. If they're out of the size that you want, just wait until it's in stock again. But me being my super impatient self ordered it in a size down anyways. It's not like it's crazy tight or anything, but it's more snug that anything else. I'm still completely in love with the wording, the message and the feel of the shirt. But one size up would have helped. If you plan on ordering it, don't go a size down stick with the size you are. Also these shirts don't fit like mens shirts they just look like them. But besides that I love, love, love this shirt. Absolutely obsessed. You can buy it here.

Sweater: DEB Shops

T-Shirt: MichaelWTees

Leggings: Walmart

Shoes: Payless

Watch: Charming Charlie

Earrings: Kohls

Dress To Impress

Christmas is creeping up right around the corner which is exciting but also scary, because I've only gotten one thing for one person! Yikes. I need to stay clear of every clothing shop and set my focus on Christmas shopping. Speaking of Christmas shopping, I went out last week to Michaels, but ended up finding myself at Cato's a couple shops down. I've never been in there before until then, it's mostly for older women with super professional jobs, but I skimmed the clearance racks and found this gem of a dress/belt combo and cute little owl watch. I was super proud of myself for spending under $20 on two items. Especially when the original price of the watch was $20 (I got it for $5 - practically a steal!). Next time let's hope that I actually go into Michaels for what I need for gifts instead of just shopping for myself.

I've been wanting a pair of bootie heels for quite a long time but never found a pair in my size (I'm a 13 in boots. Ugh.) until I was looking online the other day and found them for under $30! Score! Until I tried them on. These shoes are a killer. Let's not even talk about how much pain I'm still in. I'm trying to make heels a thing in my life, but so far I'm not a fan. No matter how amazingly cute these are. I'll still wear them though. They're definitely sit down shoes.

God bless elastic belts and flowy dress. Honestly a plus size girls dream.

Dress/Belt: Cato (Similar)

Leggings: Walmart

Socks: Payless

Booties: Payless (Similar)

Watch: Cato

Black & White

There's one thing that I know for sure: I do not miss the snow. We have really, really weird weather here in Michigan. Like really weird. Two weeks ago schools were closed because of the snow, and now there's not one pile of snow left on the ground. Score! Snow is absolutely beautiful, but I have a small car. Small car + snow = Hannah stuck in a ditch. Pass. So for now I'm soaking up the fallen leaves from the bare trees and cornstalks that remind me that it's still technically fall even if it is December. 

I just may also have a shopping addiction considering the fact that it's all I think about anymore. Help. Happy Sunday!

Aztec Print Sweater: DEB Shops Still available in some stores!

Striped Top: DEB Shops (Similar)

Bubble Necklace: Charming Charlie

Leggings: Walmart

Boots: Payless