Acceptance Letter

Hello Beautiful Friends,

I have always struggled with the definition of beauty – trying to see God’s perspective on others but desperately failing to see myself as anything but “missing the mark” or “short of the standard”. Weight gain, weight loss, skin condition, lack of skills when it comes to hair, etc. I am certain I fall short in every category!

I know this is not how I am supposed to feel. I am supposed to see my inner beauty as more important than my outer appearance. I am supposed to see myself as God sees me – “beautifully and wonderfully made…”

What does that even mean??

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I am learning that adopting God’s perspective means accepting everything about myself, whether it fits in our culture’s standard of beauty or NOT. That’s right. Even if “NOT”.

So I accept the weight gain as natural when your diet changes (can you say couscous x 10?) I accept the way my clothes fit. I accept the unpredictable way my hair parts. I embrace the way my teeth crowd. I accept the dark circles under my eyes. I accept the “basic” tone of my skin. I accept the alarming length of my toes and the brevity of my height.

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I even choose to accept the non-physical attributes of myself that I have previously been tempted to reject or hide in a closet. (Think Monica from Friends.) My numerous laughs – including the “less-attractive” ones! My childlike sense of humor. My nerdy adoration of the skies. My slow pace through activities & places I enjoy. My quirky version of Art.

I embrace the moments where I feel out of place or odd, because I know God created me to appreciate moments that our culture may not appreciate.

I also encourage you to do the same exercise: What parts of yourself do you have locked out of sight? It might be time to bring them to Jesus and ask how he feels about them… He might have put them there on purpose!

I hope this post encourages you to think of yourself as a Glorious Creation, because you are.

Much love,
Hannah

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Prayer Requests:

• Provision for the year

• Safety and Wisdom

• Unity – within the squad, for individual teams, and with hosts

• Physical & Emotional Strength

• An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

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Ministry Update:

     On our first arrival in North Africa, my team and Team Daughters of the Light established a connection with an International Church. We brainstormed on how to best serve the diverse community of believers.

     Last night we hosted the first evening of a 3-week Professional Development Workshop. It was a big hit! The next two Sundays will see us teaching congregants how to Study Scripture, and enrolling people in our final event: a Beauty for Ashes Retreat for Women! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the associate pastors and our two teams to develop these events and I have been floored by the amount of talent and gift each team member has brought to the table! It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit will bring unity and “flow” to an event when you give Him the glory! And not just the glory – give Him the reins to control or steer a topic you feel Him leading you toward.

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Next fundraising goal: Only $2,180 needed before Sept. 30th!

Please pray about supporting me and my team as we journey, taking the love and Gospel of Jesus to the Unreached – God’s Beloved. These people are deeply loved and equal to us – they are just waiting for His Good News!

 

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Psalm 16:11a – You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with the joy of your presence…

Thanks for reading!!!!