So this is goodbye.
I've never been one to enjoy goodbyes... I don't think anyone is, but today, I see something special. I'm having mixed feelings about leaving this site, but i'm excited for the new journey to begin. On Saturday, in only 2 days (whaaat?), Light Letters will officially have taken lift-off and launched into the whole, wide world. We're sooo excited for you to see it! Friends, I just wanted to thank you for your support and encouragement through this journey. Even through the chaos of this, you've kept on reading these weekly posts (and don't worry, at Light Letters we're still posting on Thursdays, except every other week!). I know i've said this sooo, sooooo many times, but I can't say it enough. Thank you. We hope you'll join us over at Light Letters sometime, and you can still subscribe here to recieve updates on Light Letters and myself (except we've changed the email list name to #thislittlelight instead...), but also EXCLUSIVE content (we haven't done anything like this before) just for subscribers!! Thank you once again for following along here, we can't wait for you to join us over at Light Letters on Saturday! Love, Hannah P.S. If you're letting others know about this blog etc... please make sure to, from now on, to point them to Light Letters @ lightletters.org! Thanks! After hours typing away at this keyboard, after hours scribbling away in my bullet journal, after months of planning and toe-tapping and ponderings we've made it. I'm so excited to announce that Light Letters @ lightletters.org will be officially launching on April 21st! I can hardly wait for you to see it! BUT FIRST...But before everything, I want to thank you. Before hannah-watt.weebly.com doesn't post consist content on it, before Light Letters launches, before Light Letter's email list (called #thislittlelight) launches, I just wanted to say thank you. Without you, this would never have happened. Without you, who actually read these little posts every Thursday; without you who subscribed to my email list, or sent me a note of encouragement or forwarded this url, we wouldn't be here. Today, I just wanted to thank you all for joining me on this adventure. This blog has been a journey, and I can't wait to take the next step with you guys. *SPOILERS BELOW*My email subscribers have already recieved a few little snippets on what Light Letters is going to look like, but for all of you who haven't subscribed yet, here's a little snippet from our About page on what exactly Light Letters is. Light Letters is a place where we can sprinkle stardust on brokenness; a place where we can light a fire of hope; a place where we can come before the Lord broken and messy and vulnerable; a place where we can be overwhelmed by His amazing grace; a place where we can rejoice in the beauty of life, despite the struggle; a place where we can pour out our hurt and our pain; a place where we can ponder our thoughts; a place where He provides despite the situation; a place where hope illuminates the darkness. Will you join this adventure? Will you join us April 21st? Get ready for our grand finale of posting here next week!For the longest time, i've enjoyed following blogs and gaining inspiration from other bloggers. They've become key writer's in my life, their writing styles shaping and forming mine and their words lifting high the name of Jesus. These blogs are each so beautiful, and I am so grateful of the opportunity they have to light a fire for Jesus. So, without further ado, in no particular order, I present to you my favourite 4 blogs so far, of 2018. 1. JAQUELLECROWE.COMThis winter, I had the opportunity to meet Jaquelle and I must say, her heart is ever so beautiful; she's the sweetest person ever. On her blog, she shares simple little things that make her happy, deep profound musings and encouragement for singles, young writers etc. but her love for God is so profoundly displayed. 2. THEREBELUTION.COMFellow teens, this is the blog for you! On a daily basis, published work written by teens for teens rebelling against the low expectations our culture sets for us and learning how to do so. The topics range from social media to missions, from friendship to doubt, but everything is so beautifully built on a love for Jesus. 3. DELIGHTINGINHIM.COMI first 'met' Moriah first through the Young Writer's Workshop i'm apart of and loved her heart for Jesus and her strength and hope in His love despite storms. On her blog, she or a guest writer shares deep thoughts on seeking Him in storms, singleness etc. but no matter who is writing, a love for Jesus is so shines ever so strongly throughout. 4. CREATEINMEBLOGGER.WORDPRESS.COMFaye is such a beautiful writer, and her heart is equally the same. She is the editorial intern of TheRebelution, and she runs her little corner of the internet on the side. Her words are so joyous, so elegant and graceful as she blogs about her love for her Creator, writing, dogs and so much more. She is a blessing to read and oh, how her photos are ever soo beautiful!
Dear readers,
This week's post is going to be a bit different today. (Don't forget, new posts launch every Thursday!) Email subscribers have already received news on new things happening around here, but I wanted to update all of you lovely readers here on the blog! You see, ever since I began hannah-watt.weebly.com, God had laid on my heart a dream unexpected of buying a domain and professionalizing the little corner of the interwebs that God has brought upon me so His Word could reach more people. And, i'm over the moon ecstatic that this very thing is in the works! Please join me in praising Jesus for His amazing timing in this, and praying that through this journey, all the focus will remain on Him and not this physical blog or myself. Also, please be patient as we figure this lil' guy out and pray as we strive to bring the hope and light of the Gospel to a broken world. I can't thank you guys enough for your prayers, love and support! Love, Hannah :) Walking through a refugee camp. Stepping through a pile of trash next to impoverished children looking for food. Riding through a polluted town in a tuk-tuk and waving at the broken, lost people you pass by. Holding hands with children who have seen more brokenness in their short lives than you ever will, or building a church in a third-world country with giant hunks of sun-baked mud. What else do you think of when you hear the word “missions”? While embarking on a mission trip overseas, God allows you to take the adventure of a lifetime to reach the unreached. He gives you the courage and strength and skills only He can provide to equip you with the tools you need to bring the light of the Gospel to those who thirst. Despite missions being focused on sharing the Gospel with others, your walk with Him also becomes stronger. The joys and difficulties missions brings strengthens your relationship with your Saviour, and draw you closer to Him as you learn to cling to Him through this life. 1. MISSIONS ALLOWS US TO USE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTSGod has given each and every one of us spiritual gifts so that we would magnify Him. On the mission field, and even in your everyday life, you have a special opportunity to bring Him glory. God has purposefully and thoughtfully created you with these gifts to be used in a time like this - in missions, and wherever He leads you. 2. MISSIONS ALLOWS US TO GROW CLOSER TO GOD Missions, like every other part of life, doesn’t come without trials. No doubt about it. It’s the reality of our broken, sinful, messy world. But despite the peril of a whirlwind that threatens to swallow you up, God is always there. It’s in hurricanes that we trust in the Creator of the atmosphere. In the sorrow we hold onto the One who will wipe away every tear. In the conflict we have hope in He who will set all things right. But it’s also in the joy that we rejoice in the One who put beauty in these ashes. When difficulty whirls in, we have more trust in our God. We come to lean on Him, not our desires, what we think is best, what we want in life. We stop thinking about what we think is the best happy ending, but instead have faith in Him, because He has the ultimate plan for our lives. 3. MISSIONS ALLOWS US TO GAIN A HEART FOR THE NATIONS Global missions is the hope that we might touch every nation of the world, every unreached person with the life-changing, hope-giving, joy-filling message of the Gospel. We marvel at the wondrous world God created and grieve the brokenness that covers it, but we hope for spiritual multiplication to take place across the nations. Because of how Jesus changes every aspect of our lives and shatters the darkness into a brilliant multitude of colours, we hope to take it to the ends of the Earth, rejoicing. Today, let’s gain a heart for the world. Let’s let hope split the sky as we reach the ends of the Earth with the glorious message of the Gospel. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "A midnight feast!" Her eyes light up in delight and joy as her beautiful imagination runs wild. I think my heart just might explode. Her tiny arms wrap around my legs as her big, beautiful eyes meet mine. I think my heart might explode. They gaze above at the clouds stretching overhead. "Look, over there!" I think my heart might explode. Her wee hands clutch mine, as her tiny legs take their first steps. I think my heart might explode. Little ones are constantly teaching me such beautiful lessons. Lessons on why empathy matters; why loving others matters; to keep smiling even when storms arise; why hugs and love are better than bandaids; why living instead of just breathing is better, the list could go on. But there is one thing i've learned from spending time with these lovely people. And that one thing, is this. Find beauty in the small, simple things of life. Yes, find beauty in little things. Find beauty in midnight feasts, tiny hugs, small smiles and jubilant laughter. Find beauty in first baby steps, in imagination, in starry, doe-eyed little ones. Find beauty in the little things. BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITYEven as He created rolling waves, and great canyons and forests dispersed around the world, He also created the small, intricate details of this universe. He created the heart that beats beneath each and every one's chest. He created flying squirrels and million and millions of ants. He created each and every snowflake that falls toward the Earth, every millimetre of every twig. He created warm scarves we love that double as blankets, and the twinkle in the Christmas lights. Everything. I'm learning from the beautiful little ones that have been brought into my life, that we should enjoy these little blessings God has so graciously given us; like the lovely music that fills my eardrums, the sunshine that streams through my window, sweaters that keep me warm during cold Canadian winters. These little hidden blessings God has graciously given me, i'm learning to see them; to enjoy them. The lovely little things that we can find gratitude for, i'm learning that there is beauty in them. The little things that make my lips smile and my heart explode; it's in those things. The little things. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
HER NAME MEANS JOY.Since we were wee ones until today, i've called her friend. Since she was born into this beautiful but broken world, i've called her friend. Since we first wrapped each other in a hug, i've called her friend. Since we were first adorned in matching outfits, i've called her friend. Since we began scrawling letters to each other, i've called her friend. Since God brought this lovely girl into my life, i've called her friend. Since I could remember, i've called her friend. I've called her my sister; my sister-in-Christ. When I think of you, I see your lovely smile spreading across your face. I see a light illuminated in your eyes and joy flourishing. I remember and treasure each moment we've shared together; from those on the streets of Europe, to that of North America and everyday life. Though our times together can be short; I praise Him for keeping our friendship alive, our sisterhood breathing, and our sharing of our lives living. God has blessed me ever so much. He has surrounded me with beautifully lovely people to live life with; to laugh with, to cry with, to sing with, to feel passionate with, to glorify God alongside. I praise Him for all He is doing in each and every one of your lives and thank Him ever so much for bringing you into my life. Photo Credit: by Erico Marcelino on UnsplashKatie Davis Majors, wrote in her book, Daring to Hope, When we cannot find joy in our circumstances, we can find joy in a God who is unchanged and unchanging. We all have those storms in life. Those circumstances we feel stuck in, those parts of life that feel so broken and messy; but we're glued right into them. But we can choose joy. Our circumstances will change, the boat will rock back and forth, but He stays steady. Don't let your circumstances define you, let Him. Walk through this broken, forever changing life in the arms of He who is constant through the storm. Friend, through the crashing waves, He goes with you. Photo Credit: by Martine Jacobsen on UnsplashThis month, we reached 6 months of blogging! I can't thank each and every one of you enough for reading these posts, for offering encouragement, for editing my writing, for praying for me, and for helping this blog make it. Thank you for joining me on this adventure. A DEEPEST WORD OF THANKSThank you to my wonderful family - Dad who taught me how this whole blogging thing works; Mom who carefully edited my work; my dear brother who constantly reminds me of His grace; my sweet sister who reminds me to pursue joy. To Nana & Papa and all of my biological and spiritual family, thank you for your grace and love. Thank you Jaquelle Crowe, Brett Harris and all of you lovely people in the Young Writer's Workshop. Thank you for helping me keep my dream alive and encouraging me through this wild journey. Thank you to all my dear penpals, all 12 of you, your letters from both near and far, across the country or from next door are so beautiful and hopeful; so uplifting and joyous; I treasure each and every one of them. Thank you to all of you girls at Youth, my sisters-in-Christ, I am grateful for our friendship; the tears we shed together, the joys we share together, the experiences we share; thank you for praying for me and living life with me. Thank you to you amazing readers who read this blog, encourage me to keep writing, and keep my eyes on Him. To any of you who scrolled through this wee blog, encouraged me to keep writing, lifted my arms when they were heavy, reminded me to keep my eyes on Him, answered a question, offered advice, edited an article, shared an idea with me, read my writing and helped make this dream a reality; thank from the very bottom of my heart for joining me on this adventure. Above all, I thank my Creator, my Saviour, my King, my Heavenly Daddy. This blog was created out of a desire to honour and glorify You. Thank you for your indescribable grace; giving me this opportunity to use the gifts and passions you gave my wee self to light a fire for You. I love You. Soli Deo Gloria. If you haven't, make sure to join my email list here!Photo Credit: by Morgan Sessions on UnsplashRain tumbles from the cloudy, overcast sky and washes down onto the dark earth. The petals of honeysuckle flourish with life. The welkin of grey sits above you in despair. But there's that twinge of hope. New life springs up all around you as you skip through the mess of puddles beneath your toes.
Rain. What an enigma of a paradox. One moment you feel clouded with fear, no sunshine fills the atmosphere and ominous fog lurks and looms ahead. But at the same time, beauty is brought forth. Joy springs up from the ashes and life flowers in the midst of darkness. Whatever your storm in life might be, whatever hurricane towers above you, whatever despair clouds your hope, lay it at His feet. He brings forth your brokenness, that fear and He buds new life. He is the sunshine in your sorrow, He is the beauty in the rain. So cling to Him. Give Him all of you, your messiness, fears, dreams, joys and life. Lay it at His feet. Because He springs up hope in suffering. |
JOIN US!Feel free to join us sometime at our new site (as of Spring 2018) @ lightletters.org!
MEET HANNAHWelcome to this wee corner of the internet! I'm Hannah; snail mail aficionado, paper enthusiast and child of God. Join me on this adventure! ARCHIVES
April 2018
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