Currently Reading The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, Book 1) By J.R.R. Tolkien see related

Well, yet another thing has been added to my life today, another step toward the new normal...

I was accepted to the Wheaton Conservatory as a vocal student.

YEAH!!!!!!!

I don't think I've been hit yet with all that receiving this letter means; there's been so much build up to it.  But, as the months start slipping by, and I start thinking about rooming and classes, the fact of my acceptance will become tangible and concrete (yeah for poetic sentences! go Dickens )

I really am very excited.  I know that this is where God wants me and I can't wait to see what He has in store.  This is such a direct blessing from Him: not only do I get to pursue my passions at an excellent, God-honoring conservatory, I get to live 20 minutes away from my dear, dear family and go to school with many of my very good friends!!! 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Happy New Year!!!  Thank God for the blessings of 2006 and ask Him for His wisdom, guidance, and work in your life for 2007!

Love Hannah

Psalm 103

Of David.

 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
       all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
       and forget not all his benefits-

 3 who forgives all your sins
       and heals all your diseases,

 4 who redeems your life from the pit
       and crowns you with love and compassion,

 5 who satisfies your desires with good things
       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 6 The LORD works righteousness
       and justice for all the oppressed.

 7 He made known his ways to Moses,
       his deeds to the people of Israel:

 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
       slow to anger, abounding in love.

 9 He will not always accuse,
       nor will he harbor his anger forever;

 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
       or repay us according to our iniquities.

 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
       so great is his love for those who fear him;

 12 as far as the east is from the west,
       so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 13 As a father has compassion on his children,
       so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

 14 for he knows how we are formed,
       he remembers that we are dust.

 15 As for man, his days are like grass,
       he flourishes like a flower of the field;

 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
       and its place remembers it no more.

 17 But from everlasting to everlasting
       the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
       and his righteousness with their children's children-

 18 with those who keep his covenant
       and remember to obey his precepts.

 19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
       and his kingdom rules over all.

 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
       you mighty ones who do his bidding,
       who obey his word.

 21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
       you his servants who do his will.

 22 Praise the LORD, all his works
       everywhere in his dominion.
       Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Currently Listening Awake By Josh Groban see related

I'M STILL ALIVE!!!!!!   (Just in case  you were wondering )

So, now that the school year is half over, how about an update?

I love all my classes...especially theory (it's phrygian cool....ha ha ha!)

Family is all well and good.  Dad's busy as ever, but he's on his last part of the project, thank God.  He's very tired, but God's grace is sufficiant.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers. 

Yesterday, I had my audition at Wheaton College, and I am very happy and thankful to say that it went well.  I sang my German art song, and they chose the aria from Marriage of Figaro.  The first piece could've gone better, but the second one went better than I expected it to, so that was exciting.  The poem they gave me to read was great (thank you Mrs. Burick!), the sight reading was really easy, and I messed up on the rhythms, but was able to fix it pretty well.  The judges were all very nice, and everyone on campus was as friendly as ever.  Now I just have to wait until Dec. 31st; I'm excited! 

Love y'all!  Thank God for the Christmas season we get to enjoy right now: the joy and bustle, and most importantly, the gift of a baby born in a manger.

'Till next time!  Hannah

First week of school done and all I can say is no complaints!  Whew...

LOVE my classes, especially theory.  That class is going to be awesome, if only because of the people who are in it. 

I really want to build some deeper friendships this year, even though it's the last one.  I need the accountability.  So much going on inside that people never see.....

Hey, if you remember, my dad could really use some prayer right now.  He's working on a huge project at work that just keeps getting into trouble.  And he's literally losing a lot of sleep working on it.  He needs mental and physical rest, wisdom, and anything else you can think to ask for him.  Thanks!

Today, thank God for knowing every little thought that goes through your head and understanding it perfectly. He loves you still.

Hannah

Currently Reading The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing By C.J. Mahaney see related

Here's my schedule!  And, yes, I am part-time again:

1) study hall (piano)

2) drama

3) study hall

4) French IV

5) lunch

6) choir

7) study hall

8) music theory

Choir retreat was awesome.  All senior girls slept in the tower.  We had great games, hilarious skits, and incredible music ahead of us.  I believe both choirs are well inspired for the coming year.

For those who want to know, my trip to NYC was great.  We stayed on Times Square, saw Beauty and the Beast and Phantom, went out to eat, and saw about everything in New York you could possibly see.  All in two days with my daddy.  AWESOME!!! 

I've been reading The Cross-Centered Life vt C.J. Mahaney lately.  It's all about re-establishing the gospel at the ceter of your life.  Very challenging.

Thank God for his ever-present love today.  He is good!!!

Much love,

Hannah

Currently Watching Wives and Daughters By Justine Waddell, Bill Paterson, Francesca Annis, Keeley Hawes, Tom Hollander, Anthony Howell, Michael Gambon, Penelope Wilton, Barbara Flynn, Deborah Findlay, Iain Glen, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Ian Carmichael, Rosamund Pike, Anna Maguire, Elizabeth Spriggs, Richard Coyle, Doreen Andrew, Peter Copley, Shaughan Seymour see related

Here I am, back in good old Illinois.  And getting ready to leave tomorrow for Indiana.  I hardly even unpacked my suitcase...

So, vacation was great.  I had one perfect night, where we ate outside at beach club, with live jazz going on, a virgin rasberry daquiri in my hand, and dessert for dinner.  It was awesome! 

Then we went to Georgia to spend a few days with my AWESOME relatives.  I spent a ton of time with my cousin, Britta (who is a vocal performance major ), and it was really fun: music, coffee, shopping, talking, working out...cool.  While we were there we  had ice cream, and watched Star Wars, James Gaffigan, went to late church, told stories, and laughed.  That part of the trip was my favorite!

Anyways, planning for choir retreat is making me impatient to begin.  I am soooooo excited for this year!  This will be the most greatest senior year ever!!!!

Thank God today for his promised strength that is available to us at any time through his Holy Spirit in us!

Hannah

P.S. If you like Jane Austen at all, watch Wives and Daughters....seriously!