comedic relief

At church a few Sundays ago, a little told me: "Miss Hannah, you make me crack!" 

Um...? "What do mean, Chloe?" 

Giggling wildly, she answered, "Just what I said, Miss Hannah. You're so silly. You make me crack!" 

"Oooh, do you mean I crack you up?" 

At that point she was laughing too hard to answer me, but I think I know what she meant.

___________________________

I think the number one thing we all need to know for these 31 days is this:

Hannah makes jokes when she's uncomfortable.

Now, before you start thinking I'm uneasy every time I make a joke--that's not the case. I really just like to make people laugh (and myself, to be honest); but when I feel nervous or vulnerable or a little too exposed, the sarcasm and jokes start flying at remarkable speeds.

Everyone has their own self-protective thing, and this, my dears, is one of mine.

This will probably be important information over the next month, because while I'm guessing that we'll jump deep into some sticky stuff, I can guarantee I'll make a joke about it.

When it happens, just laugh a little with me and let's keep moving, ok?

Do you have a self-protective "thing"? What's the first thing you throw out when you're uneasy or nervous? 

for a complete list of #31days posts, click here

Let's go to the movies! An Out-of-this-World Houston Giveaway

A few weeks ago, I checked my voicemail to find the sweetest little voicemail from Nephew #4, asking me to come along to see Escape from Planet Earth. No way was I passing that up. I met them at the theater, took a seat next to Nephew #1 and asked, "So what's this about?" He didn't have a clue.

We were both in for a treat.

Escape from Planet Earth is an exciting, fun and heartwarming animated film that may be the most pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-children, and pro-fatherhood films you will see this year. It tells of a superhero who finds himself trapped by evil forces on the distant "Dark Planet" (aka, Earth!) where only his nerdy brother Gary can save him, with the help of his devoted "stay-at-home" wife and enterprising young son.

I often need to pick or recommend movies that are SUPER kid friendly, so my "inappropriate radar" is always on when I'm watching films that show potential. Usually there's unnecessary adult humor, jabs at Christianity, or just junk in general. Are you ready for this?...

Escape from Planet Earth has NONE.
Honestly. NONE.
There is not one single moment that even the littlest of littles couldn't see. I could not have been more impressed!

Needless to say, when Whitney from Allied Faith & Family contacted me about giving away some tickets on the blog, I was thrilled.

Whether you have a family full of littles, or no kids at all, this movie is a great pick. Our crew included my sister, her four boys, my mom and dad, and myself. We all loved it!

____________________

What can you win?

Two of you can win:

A family-four-pack of tickets to see Escape from Planet Earth, provided by Allied Faith & Family.

Tickets can be redeemed at any Houston area Cinemark theater, Mon-Thurs (excluding holidays). Passes are valid as long as the film is in theaters.

A $15 Cinemark gift card.

Because I can't let you go to the movies for free and not throw in free popcorn. It would just be silly :) 

How can you win? 

Comment on this post and tell me what your favorite movie is and why. Really. That's it!

If you're not sure how to comment, email me at hannahlanestovall [at] gmail [dot] com and I'll add it for you.

Make sure that I have some kind of access to your email address, either linked through your Google or Blogger account or just leave it in the comment. 

You can comment once per day. You can only win one family pack, but it will up your chances of winning!

When will I announce the winners? 

Monday, March 18. 

Everyone needs a little Monday pick-me-up, right? Movie packs will also be mailed out on Monday. 

____________________

You will LOVE it! I'm certain. 

Thanks to Whitney and Allied Faith & Family for providing our tickets! 

Allied Faith & Family (AFF) is a dynamic PR and marketing service group that encourages and assists the entertainment community in promoting life-affirming messages that touch the heart and uplift the human spirit. Located in the heart of Hollywood and with 21 field offices around the country, AFF exist to build bridges between the faith and entertainment worlds and advance media that entertains, enlightens, inspires and endures.

dear friend on the iPhone

photo courtesy of springwise.com

The infamous letter Dear Mom on the iPhone went from zero to crazy overnight. I can admit that when I hit "share" on Facebook, I wasn't even thinking about all the great moms I know who occassionally glance to the screen every once in a while for a moment of relief. I wasn't worried about the sweet mommas who love social media because, for crying out loud, it's the most practical way for them to have a conversation with their friends. I just wasn't worried about them. I applaud them. I want to be them.

More than anything, I hit "share" because, in ministry, I encounter a handful of littles every week whose faces drop the second I even check the time on my iPhone. They've been hurt by mere ounces of technology. They really just wish Siri would hush.

But what I really loved about that letter? It's 100% transferrable.
It could just as easily have read:
Dear Dad on the iPhone
Dear Grandpa on the iPhone
Dear Brother on the iPhone
Dear Teacher on the iPhone
Dear Roommate
Dear Boss
Dear Coworker
Dear Daughter
Dear Sister
Dear Friend

I know that I, in any of those roles I fill, could stand to read it; and on some occassions, even need to say it.

What could it look like?
In the most relevant form for me (both to and from me), it might sound a little something like this:

 

Dear Friend on the iPhone,

I'd like to think that our time together is worth something, but that's not what I'm picking up from you.

I don't want to be clingy. I don't want to monopolize your attention, but out of the days or weeks or months we're apart, I'm only asking for an hour or two of your time.

I feel like if I sat across the table and sent you texts, you might be a little more into this. 

Your head is down, you're laughing at jokes over text messages.

Someone else is more deserving of your attention.

Someone else is funnier.

You would rather be somewhere else, right?

That's all I see.

That's all I hear.

Could you put it down? Put it away?

Everything you think you're missing will still be there when our hour is up.

But this hour is what we have.

 

My favorite little iPhone feature is the 'Do Not Disturb'

 

From the moment I turn it on, to the second I opt out of self-control and peek at the screen, all notifications, phone calls, emails, tweets, texts, game updates, ESPN feeds, etc are completely silenced. Zero distractions. (Since work and family emergencies are a part of reality, there's even an option to allow calls from favorites.)

 

I love a little technology.

I'm a Twitter nerd.

I like FunJump and Fruit Ninja as much as the next iUser.

So please hear me when I say, I am just as guilty.

 

Guilty, but trying to get over my iPhone.

Trying to get over myself.

 

My one little word for this year is low. I set out to lower my sense of self, and part of that has been lowering the iPhone and looking people in the eye.

 

That's where their story is. You don't want to miss it. You can't afford to.


**look back tomorrow for a family-fun, Houston giveaway!**



 



freedom in submission.

Did you cringe a little at that title? It's ok if you did. I'll admit it's a scary word.
   
Submission. 
   
Inclined or ready to submit; unresistant or humbly obedient. 
   
I often resist.
My heart rarely holds the humility it should.
I ignore and disobey and fight for my way almost daily. 
   
I'm far from submissive. Let's make that perfectly clear. 
   
I am learning, though, that submission doesn't mean subjecting myself to chains. Oh no. Quite the opposite. 
     
When I submit, I'm free. 
    
When I release control of my life, I'm liberated to live life with open hands, equally grateful for what the Lord brings and what He takes away.
   
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21 
   
When I come humbly before the Lord, I can trust that He will provide for me in His time and according to His goodness.
   
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." I Peter 5:6
   
When my desire is to be obedient, He will make the way clear to me.
    
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
      
And there is an overwhelming and invariable joy in obedience. This I've come to know well.
   
But there are two big places in my life where obedience has been lacking...and I can't fight God on them anymore. 
   
My hands are open.
  
I want to obey.
  
I long to submit.     


   

   
I'm writing a book.
Seriously.
   
I want to write. Many of you are aware of that. Hence...a blog. It wouldn't appear that I'm necessarily being disobedient in this area. However, I'm fully cognizant of the stories God has put in my heart that I've been refusing to tell.   
   
Because of insecurity. 
Because of doubt.
Because of fear. 
   
None of which have any place in my life if I'm hidden in the Lord. And I am. Make no mistake.
   
I've resisted because it's scary, and choosing to be obedient doesn't scatter that fear. It's intimidating to walk through a bookstore and feel like my name doesn't belong on those shelves. It's discouraging to think that a story I pour my heart into may never be anything more than a manuscript--a stack of copy paper that's never read or understood or experienced. It's just as horrifying to think that people may actually read it. Autobiographical or not, my heart will be all over those pages. It's nerve-wracking.
   
But, I'll write it. And I'll trust that the God who authored salvation is the same God who was gracious to put these stories in my heart...and He'll be faithful to carry them where He wills.
    

   
I'm embracing the gifts God's given me to work with children in ministry.  
(I'm bragging on the Lord here, y'all. Not myself by any means.)
   
I've been passively saying "no" in this area for years. Long years, mind you. 
   
But I love little hearts, and it's about time I owned up to it. Life is better and faith is sweeter when you sit in a circle on the floor and listen, wide-eyed, to the stories of Christ. Seeing a little girl begin to develop a gentle, but valiant faith or a little man learn early that he has infinite strength and courage in the Lord challenges me like nothing else. 
   
No one is more receptive to the beauty of the Gospel. 
No one teaches me more about having full, joy-filled faith. 
   
I want to love and serve little hearts...however and wherever God will have me do it. 
   
_______________
   
I'm grateful for what He's placed in my hands.
  
I want to humbly please the Lord.
   
I pray that I submit to Him well.
  
"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11


Have you experienced stepping out in obedience? How did you trust? 
Are there areas where you need to make that choice to submit?