We’re one month in! On August 1^st I started my apprentice classes and on August 9^th I moved to Denton, Tx to start doing ministry here! This month has been full of joy and fear and sadness and exploring new friendship. I love the new place I live, but have been longing for the deep connections I had during my time at UTD. I have seen glimpses of how God is going to use this transition to bless and to grow me in many ways, while also being unsure of what my role here is at all.

Earlier this week, while I was on a run, I was talking to God and asking him the question “Why have you brought me to Denton?” That question floated in and out of my mind as I ran along. I was passing other people on the trail, and I noticed something that had been missing in my life for the last three years - the people in Denton say good morning when you pass them! And the people in Dallas definitely do not. Then that question floated back in, and I came to an important realization. Is our God so good that He would send me to a place just because I would like it there? I think he is! How cool is it that we get to be loved by a God who is such a good giver of gifts - one who would bring me to a place that I could learn to love for the little joys, like good mornings with strangers on my morning runs. I imagine God will have a much deeper purpose for me here that hasn’t been revealed yet, but this was a sweet moment for me in the midst of a lot of questioning. And if He doesn’t have anything more, then just that goodness is enough for me.

One of the sweetest parts of this job is the two lovely people that I get to work and learn with. Their names are Hannah (yes, another Hannah) and Casey and I could not imagine being here without them. Another member of our staff team has nicknamed us the “aprincesses” because we will not do anything without each other and that is princess behavior.

Hannah, Casey, and I have been taking classes along with five other apprentices (whom I also adore) all month. So far, we have read Genesis through 2 Kings, which is a huge part of the bible! We recently got the opportunity to write a midterm essay detailing what the Old Testament says. In my essay, I explored a theme of God’s people constantly trying to be like God - which is ironic because they already are like God. They are made in His image. We see this with Eve, the Tower of Babel, Samson, Solomon, and more! It was such a cool takeaway from all my reading and classes.

When we are not in class, we are on campus meeting students, leading core, and helping with TNF! Core is our small groups that are the “core” of our ministry and TNF (Thursday Night Fellowship) is our large group meeting which is similar to a church service with worship, fellowship, and a message. I have met SO MANY new students through welcome week events that we hosted every night for two weeks, and my cofa (co-core facilitator) Ava and I have found a great group of girls to meet with each week this year.

I want to highlight one of those girls, named Kaylie, this month for you all to be praying for. I didn’t know this in advance, but Kaylie is the younger sister of one of my friends from UTD, which has been a great connection point for us to start a friendship! She is from a big family, loves everything about nutrition and healthy eating, and is such a bold and inquisitive person. Would you pray that Kaylie will learn how to rest with God, and that she will learn to see herself without the critical lens of perfectionism but rather know God’s unconditional love for her?

This month has felt like a bittersweet time of learning what distance feels like with my friends from college (many of them are pictured in the photo at the top!) while also stepping into the excitement and uncertainty of new territory. It has been an adjustment to live with new roommates, to find new grocery stores, to adjust to a different ministry, and to feel connected enough with these people to truly be myself.

At TNF this week we sang What a Miracle by Elevation Worship, and I was reminded that even though this change has been hard, it is more than I deserve. The song says ‘In the morning I will sing of how you love me, In the evening I will bless your name. Every breath I breathe is for your praise.’ I want to allow those words to shape my perspective in this season—reminding me that even in the midst of change, God is worthy of worship in every moment. My prayer is that I would keep leaning into His love and that I would carry that posture into the way I love and serve students. Thank you for praying alongside me and walking with me through this transition—I am so grateful not to be in it alone.

Love, Hannah