So much to do

 Today is kind of a crazy day. I have been going nonstop and I feel like I haven't got much done. Do you ever have those type of days? Grant and I have a couple friends coming over for Denmark tonight and I making them potato soup with dinner rolls. They are bringing the dessert.

 Have you ever just sat down and took a breath? 

There is so much to do today and will be more to do tomorrow.

Take time to thank those who make time for your and love those who love you and who don't love you!

Just take some time today.

From my mom

“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:19-20‬

My mom shared this with me today so I wanted to share it with you. If you see anybody struggling around you, take time to minister to them, encourage them, and a lift them up! Help save their soul my mom shared this with me today so I wanted to share it with you. If you see anybody struggling around you, take time to minister to them, encourage them, and a lift them up! 

 Pray that God will lead you to someone and show you someone who is a lost sheep and needing led back to God's flock. 

Not a ton of time today

 

 

 

I am sorry ahead of time for how short this post is going to have to be.

 

 

My four year old is very excited about cleaning the house and has a oven mitten soaking wet dripping throughout the house as she washes down anything in sight. And I mean anything.

 

 

Jack's cowboy boots, toys, the coffee table... it's all getting a nice little bath right now.

 

 

 

Jack is being Jack. So, he's all over the place. Praise the Lord for that!

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to quickly tell you that God loves you.

 

 

 

You aren't alone.

 

 

 

You are a good mom.

 

You are a good friend.

 

You are a good daughter.

 

You are a good sister.

 

You are a good husband.

 

You are a good cousin.

 

You are a good wife.

 

 

You are doing a good job.

 

 

 

Stop beating yourself up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope that was for someone.

 

 

I'm trusting that it is.

 

 



Distractions

 

 

 

I just had Raylea go to her room because she was playing behind me and I couldn't even read my Bible and understand what it was saying.

 

 

I considered her to be a distraction in that moment.

 

 

Or was she?

 

 

She's in her room, and I can still hear her playing.

 

 

Is she still distracting me? Honestly, a little bit.

 

 

 

Once you have kids, you never have a "you" moment again.

 

 

 

 

 

And I'm happy for that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was selfish and immature before kids honestly. I thought way too much of myself, my things, my hobbies and my life. Now, I have children to focus on and raise. Now, if you're single, or married but have no kids- I'm not saying you're selfish or immature. I'm talking about me. I talk about myself a lot, and I'm pretty bluntly honest. So, don't take what I say personal, I'm just telling you about myself. Plus, I likely don't even know you since ten Russians read my posts yesterday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anywho, back to what I was saying. After focusing on Grant, making sure his needs were met, I was able to shop, hang out with friends, go on lunch dates, sit around and watch tv... you get the picture. Life was able to be about Hannah.

 

 

 

 

 

At least that's how I made it most of the time. I didn't even realize how selfish I was until I had Raylea and realized how much time I spent taking care of me, not someone else.

 

 

 

 

I looked at Raylea as a distraction because I was trying to study for my daily blog post I have been trying to put up and I had been reading only about 10 verses when she started playing so loudly and I couldn't consecrate.

 

 

 

Don't you think God would like a quiet moment sometime? Well, probably not, but I'm just trying to get you moms who view your kids as a distraction all the time or just once in a while (like me) to see that they aren't a distraction at all. Sure, we can make them in a position where they are distracting us from God and our spouse, but that is on us, not the kid.

 

 

 

 

 

I was going to write about Job. Then about Adam and Eve. Then, I sent Raylea to her room and I realized I needed to write about her.

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much social media. Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. Pinterest. Myspace. Or does Myspace still exist? Snapchat. Is that considered social media? Well, you catch my drift.

 

 

 

 

I am a one track mind. If you have social media I'm not judging you. Grant has a cousin who recently started putting videos on YouTube and Facebook that are mini sermons and they are reaching lots of people. Social can be great. For me, though, all that stuff distracts me. I tried getting rid of Instagram for a  month, then a week, then a year, then I would get it back. I always found myself spending too much time on it, at times that I could be getting more done, focusing on my family, resting my mind, reading my Bible, praying, writing an encouraging note to a friend... like I said, I am a one track mind type of person and therefore, if I'm glued staring at my phone, that's all I'm going to want to focus on.

 

 

 

 

Maybe social media doesn't distract you in a negative way. Or effect you in a negative way.

 

 

 

Let's say it's a hobby. You spend hours each week doing this, when you can't even make it to your little girl's softball game.

 

 

Take a break from that hobby, feller.

 

 

 

Hunting. Fishing. Shooting guns. Shopping. Talking on the phone. Watching Netflix.

 

 

 

 

If something is distracting you in a negative way, ask your self if it's also effecting you in a negative way. If the answer is yes, I would suggest dropping whatever that is. It may be a relationship. Maybe it's even with a Christian guy or girl who you have been dating or even engaged to.

 

 

 

 

 

If that person or thing or hobby or website isn't helping you spiritually, get rid of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get rid of it. Plain and simple. Blunt and to the point. How I like things.

 

 

 

 

Well, what will I do with my free time then, Hannah?

 

 

 

 

Find something that effects you in a positive way.

 

 

 

 

Start a ministry of cooking weekly for a family.

 

 

 

 

Write people cards. Everyone loves a card in the mail.

 

 

 

 

Spend time with your kids. I'm going to be homeschooling Raylea starting next year, and I could always spend more time with her.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this today, I hope this was a positive distraction for the two minutes it took you to read it.

 

 

 

I wanted to give a shout out to those of you in Russia reading my blogs lately. I have no clue how you came across them, but I am thankful you did. Several others from different countries have read them too, but next to the USA, Russia has been the country who has given me the most views.

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you're from the USA, like myself, or across the world, we are all created by and have the same one true God has our one true King. He is the ONE MIGHTY HOLY FATHER of ALL.

 

Whether you make Him that in your life, doesn't change what he is. Just because someone says there is no God, doesn't mean that He isn't the God over them. He is God over all. We have the free will to accept Him as our Lord, but regardless, HE IS GOD OF ALL.

 

 

Accept Him into your life. Repent of your sins if you haven't! Cry out to Him while there is still time!

 

 

 

In 100 years we all will be dead and will be spending eternity somewhere.

 

 

 

Heaven.

 

 

or hell.

 

 

 

I will be in Heaven.

 

 

 

Where will you be? Make sure you know and make sure you're ready to meet the Lord!

 

 

 

He is coming for us! BE READY.



Sitting in the deer stand

Well, I thought I would get tomorrow's blog written today since tomorrow is church and since I will be sitting here for the next 2.5 hours. I've already been sitting for 30 minutes.

By reading the title I'm sure you know where I'm at! 

The deer stand!

Well, I wrote a blog a while back about how the devil is kind of like how we are, (we, as in, we hunters.) I understand not everyone hunts or likes it. But hear me out for a second.

I'm no true hunter. I will fess up and be honest.

I don't know what kind of bow or gun to buy or how to sight them in.

I don't know what kind of bullets to with what gun or arrows go with what bow!

I have a crossbow with me right now. And I am pretty confident with shooting it- although I'm not a perfect shot. But, for the past two years, I have sit in this same stand and each time, killed myself a buck.

This is my dads property. His deer stand and the corn pile that this hopefully sweet looking nine pointer is going to come to--- yep, that's his too.

He drove me back here on his mule, (the four wheeler crossed with a golf cart looking thing, not a donkey type animal!) and he carried the bow up for me and then I climbed up about 16 steps to this little one person seat. 

Since its Halloween, and we all know that's one of Satan's favorite days... I have been thinking about all the evil spirits and demons going overboard having a blast this week and especially day. 

As I sat here I started thinking to myself as I do each year, of different scenarios that could happen when a deer starts to walk up. As I started to climb this stand I noticed some tracks at my feet. When dad got down from putting my bow in the tree-  I asked him if those were for sure deer tracks. He said "yep." The deer had already eaten a good amount of the corn that my brother out out last night. There were signs of deer without me seeing one yet. 

As I sit here and I'm imagining scenarios that may happen in about an hour and a half- right before dark likely- I look back behind me and study about how far the trail is that the deer was on that I killed last year. About 30 yards. Same as the distance from the corn pile. Two years ago it walked right in front of me and I shot him at about 25 yards. I grabbed the bow as he was behind a large tree and moved very slowly as I took the safety off and started following him through the trees. 

The devil is a lot like the hunter when it comes to killing.

I don't plan on shooting this deer in the leg or the nose, or even in the middle of its gut- no, I plan on shooting it right in the heart so it'll die. I don't want to wound it. That would be pointless to me. And make me sad! I want to take it home as a trophy deer to hang on our wall!

Satan doesn't want to injure you or shoot you through the leg. 

He doesn't want to make you and you husband argue- he wants to make you cheat on him so you'll end up getting a divorce.

He doesn't want to make you smoke cigarettes- he will maybe start you out with that- but he wants you to get into selling drugs and get busted and spend 20 years in prison. 

He doesn't want to make you feel like you're ugly or fat or skinny- nope- he wants to make you commit suicide because you believe you are truly worthless and disgusting.

Satan doesn't want you to lose sleep over your children- he wants you to become phyisically sick over  them and lose weight, muscle tone and strength to where you're hospitalized and then get a deadly illness that isn't cured.

I took a scent free shower and washed my clothes in scent free detergent. My dad sprayed my down with a special spray that takes away any scent or odor right before I climbed in the stand. 

I prepared for this hunt.

Satan is preparing for you. He has been preparing a lot longer than how long I prepared for today. Even if I was the one to have put the stand up, bought the bow and the arrows, sighted it in and bought or leased the land to hunt on, put cameras and corn out... That preparation comes no where close to the Devils preparation for his hunt for you. 

He is watching and waiting. He has practiced his shot and perfected it. 

Well, how do I stay out of his scope then if he's been hunting me for so long!?

Be on guard and put on the whole armour of God.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬

Read and meditate and memorize this. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Dark or light

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

‭‭John‬ ‭8:12‬

I believe with my whole heart that when someone gets saved- they are a new creature. That's biblical.

Darkness is all around is today's society. 

Sexual billboards, magazines, movies and songs.

Girls showing off every part of their body.

Men abusing their own children.

Mentally and physically.

Mothers murdering their own children.

Pastors wives deciding they suddenly don't love their spouse anymore.

Shows making fun of God.

People beheading other people.

Kids cutting themselves.

People selling their body. Having sex with strangers for money. 

Children killing their parents for money.

Husbands leaving their families for another prettier and younger woman.

Friends betraying each others trust.

Evil is ever present. And I didn't take the time to list anything that had to do with anything too vile or gruesome incase a child was reading this.

The bible says that if you follow after God you will not walk in darkness.

 But instead, you will walk in light.

Are you walking in darkness or light?

Are your thoughts full of darkness and evil and self?

Or are they filled with light and joy and God?

Check yourself today!

Live today fully for Him. 

In everything you say and do and think.

I prayed for you to read this...

Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our Help and our Shield. Psalms 33:20

I just had a free minute to kneel at my alter in my room and pray.

I asked the Lord to guide me in my daily writings. I don't want to do anything in myself.

I don't have social media, except this blog of course, at all. I have no other way to "advertise" this blog of mine. But, I have the greatest tool of all. Prayer. I don't care if only one person reads my post today, the Lord knows my heart. I asked Him specifically to send the people who are to read this post, to my blog today. So, if you are reading this and you are a Christian, Muslim, Atheist, or anything in between, you were meant to read this today.

On my alter, I have a Bible. It is a purple Bible that says in silver, Hannah Jo.

I opened the front cover and it reads, "I, Hannah Jo Gaston, gave my heart to the Lord on March 15th, 2006. (PM service- Jason Bruns)"

That was the best day of my life.

When I woke up that morning, I had no intentions of giving my life over to God that day.

The man, Jason, gave his testimony for the very first time to the youth that night. He gave an alter call and he said that if anyone would like to accept the Lord to come forward and someone could pray with them. Nobody came. My heart was pounding. I felt something drawing me, but I wasn't sure what it was. I just knew I had to pray though. The song came to an end and he said, "I just feel there is someone in here who needs to come forward." I knew exactly who that somebody was. I stepped out of my seat, and fell at the alter. His soon to be wife, Anna, held my hands and explained the simplicity of accepting the Lord.

She helped lead me in a prayer of repentance and I believed in Jesus Christ as my Savior at the moment. She then told me the next steps after salvation were baptism, telling others I was born again, and developing a strong prayer life and reading God's Word. She told me to go home and pray and ask God what He would have me to read. I did just that. I went home and prayed and opened my bible to John 15:16-19.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Jesus spoke those words. Years ago. But what I find absolutely amazing is that He spoke them to me on the very night I accepted Him into my life.

The next day I told my friends who were sitting at the same table as me. They all looked a little confused and concerned, and one, my best friend at the time, said to me that this was just a phase. I assured her it wasn't.

Around 10 days later I was baptized by my pastor. It was such an amazing and spiritual moment.

I lost lots of friends. I gained more though. True friends. People who cared about me spiritually and who would pray with a and for me. Yes, I gained true friends.

I devoted my "what would have been," senior year, to God. I had quite a bit going for me. But God laid it on my heart to focus that year on Him. So, I went to a college a few times a week for a couple months and got the two credits needed to graduate through homeschool.

My life wasn't immediately perfect. And it still isn't. But, one thing I can say, is this. I have grown. I am still growing. Through God's constant mercy and grace that he bestows upon me, I am able to move forward, not backward. I am able to go through valleys and know that I will soon be on a mountain top. I am able to walk through the darkest of nights, and know that morning will come. I can go to sleep knowing that if I died in my sleep, I would meet Jesus immediately.

You may want what I have. What is the plan of Salvation?

In the back of my Bible, there is a short paragraph that words it wonderfully.

It states,

A long time ago, a Roman Jailer asked the Apostle Paul the most important question that could ever be asked, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul's answer was immediate, to the point, clear, and concise. He said:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:30-31)

That's how simple that it actually is. A man named Nicodemus pretty much asked Jesus the same question. Jesus answered him by saying, "You must be born again" (John 3:1-8)

Jesus wants you. He died for you. Ask Him to save your soul and to cleanse you from all sin! Salvation can only come through Jesus Christ! Accept Christ into your heart! Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead! Call upon His name!

If you accepted Him today, tell someone! God will walk with you when nobody else does!

GOD BLESS YOU and YOU BLESS GOD!