Testimony Time

Hello dear friends and family!

I hope you're having a wonderful day today!  :)  I was asking the Lord what to blog about next, and I strongly feel that I need to share the detailed version of the story of my first SOLD painting!  This is a beautiful story of God's faithfulness.

Here's a little back-drop...
A year ago May 10th, 2014, I was with my team here in Nashville doing a massive outreach downtown.  Many churches and ministries collaborated for twelve hours of non-stop worship at a public amphitheater while smaller teams broke off to do street evangelism on Broadway.  Since we love to incorporate our creativity with our ministry here at Provision International & Thunder School, there were visual artists assigned to draw or paint each hour by the stage at the amphitheater. 

Here's where I come in!
A few weeks before this big outreach, I had talked to the art coordinator, Maddie, about wanting to do prophetic art.  However, I had since forgotten about mentioning that to here, and was quite astonished when I saw that I was scheduled to paint for the first hour of the day!  At first I was a little scared not knowing what on earth I was going to paint.  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of a sketch I had saved of a vision He gave me a few months earlier for a time like this.

So here I am at the outreach excited by definitely nervous.  I didn't have a completed concept of what to paint, just an outline and the Holy Spirit to guide me.  I consecrated my hands to Him and asked the Holy Spirit to paint through me. I painted it in about an hour (miracle), completely letting go of perfectionism and my own preconceived ideas of what it should look like (miracle). Even the wind knocked my painting into my palate making a mark on it. However, I knew I wasn't supposed to fix it; I was suppose to let it be and go with the flow. And that I did, with supernatural grace. My whole being was completely surrendered to and in sync with Him.  It was an AMAZING experience!  Why was it a miracle, you ask?  Because it was TOTALLY abnormal to my natural tendencies.  It was supernatural.

Next thing I know, Maddie asks if I want to sell it if someone is interested. The concept of the possibility of selling it was the farthest thing from my mind, but I happily agreed and asked her how much I should charge.  I mean, what do I know about selling paintings?!  She suggested $75, so that it was!  I honestly didn't expect anything to come of it, but I did have a spark of hope flickering in my soul.

A couple hours later, Maddie tells me that people have been asking about it. Just then a guy inquires about it. He asks if I have seen “Father of Lights” film (which I have) and says he is in film school making a documentary similar to that. He was actually holding had a heavy-duty camera that he was using to film the outreach that day.  Then, he says he had just recently asked the Lord for a picture to use for his album artwork. I tell him the price and he says he'll get back to me. Some time went by, but he didn't get back to me.  I felt strongly that the Lord wanted him to have this painting, so I approach him a few hours later and say that if money is an issue, I'll take whatever donation he can give. I mean, after all, it costed me nothing to create the painting - canvas and paint were provided - and even if I get $20, that's $20 I didn't have before! We exchanged numbers and he said he would contact me.

That night he texted me saying he had money he forgot about, and that he wanted to buy the painting. I WAS SO EXCITED! Someone wanted to buy my painting.  My first EVER prophetic painting.  Wow.

Two days later my friend, Ahriel, and I met him at Starbucks. I had named the painting “Poured Out,” but all weekend I couldn't get away from the title “The Father's Heart Poured Out” even though it's such a long title. I added “The Father's Heart” in front of “Poured Out” right there in the coffee house and that's when he said the title of his film is: “The Father's Heart.”  He then hands me a wad of $20 bills and said that God told him to give me a double portion.  Um... Excuse me, WHAT??!?!  I opened it later to count the bills and it was $140!

This is such a testimony to God's grace because He told me that He would pay for my rent in a different way that month than in previous months.  This amount was not only what I needed, but even more!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

A Day in the Life of Hannah

Hello, Hello, Hello!

This will hopefully be the first of many little blog posts explaining the various activities I find myself participating in as an intern with Provision International.  This post will be about my every-day life!

I live on Provision's campus in the midst of the projects of Nashville, TN with 24 other staff and interns. (Meet us here!) Every day I participate in an outreach/service of some sort considered "primary" mission work, and various practical ministerial jobs or "secondary" mission work.  For example, I help host prayer meetings and community services, lead worship and intercession, and participate in various evangelistic outreaches on a weekly basis.  I also do administrative work assisting the Pastors' Assistant and the Media Department with emails, media communications, etc.

I really love my job as I am very administratively wired and detailed.  I see the big picture and all the gaps that need to be filled, then delegate accordingly.  Almost all of my creative and practical gifts get utilized in some way, which makes me feel very useful, but can also drive me crazy if I'm not careful!  I am learning a lot this year as God has expanded my horizon and I am responsible for a lot more than before. 

Another "job title" I have is Dorm Mommy!  This just means that I help maintain order in my apartment.  There are six of us girls packed into a little two-bedroom apartment.  Needless to say 'tis quite cozy and sometimes a challenge with so many personalities!  But we really love each other deep down inside and help each other grow in character.  :)

Learning to accompany mercy with justice and speak the truth in love is no easy task, but necessary in a leadership position of any kind.  I am incredibly thankful for the pastors and staff who continue to give me advice and trust me with the tasks given. 


Thank you for reading!  I hope you enjoyed this little blurb about what I do here in Nashville.  Hey- why don't you let me know your thoughts?!  Leave me a little comment below.  :)

Until next time,
Hannah Garrett

Newsletter March 2015

Greetings Beautiful Family & Friends!

I hope you are having an incredibly fabulous year! It has been a long while since I have updated my blog or sent out a newsletter, but I treasure kingdom friendships and truly desire to stay connected. Here is me offering a little glimpse into my life and the journey I am on with the Lord! :)

The Lord is Faithful

Last year, I began a journey of dependence on God's guidance and provision on a level I had never encountered before. I enrolled in a missionary internship that changed my life and stretched me in ways I never would have imagined. My entire existence was completely in His hands as I was dependent on His provision for my every need. At first, it was hard to fight the anxiety that came from not knowing how my rent would be paid or how I would put gas in my car, but as God provided in miraculous ways month after month, my faith grew and I became less and less anxious. I grew more sure of my calling as He prepared the way before me.

Faith & Soar

At the beginning of internship last year, I asked the Lord to give me two words that would be the theme for me in 2014. He gave me the words “faith” and “soar.” I cannot tell you how true that was for me! My faith grew leaps and bounds as I watched Him provide for needs, turn situations around for good, protect me from scary situations and work miracles in the lives of those we minister to. I soared as I continued to sing and learn piano, in leadership and ministry, in expanding my gifts and creativity, and in responsibility. There were many painfully stretching seasons, but I was determined to keep on!

Provision – Story Time!
 

In May 2014, God provided for my rent in a way I least expected. The thought never would have crossed my mind in a million years. Our team was working with many churches to do a huge evangelistic outreach in downtown Nashville. Part of this 12 hour outreach was non-stop worship in a public amphitheater where I was scheduled to do a prophetic painting for 1 hour. It had been a long while since I had painted, but the Lord had given me an idea weeks prior and I was excited to paint with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Long story short, a guy bought it for DOUBLE the amount I asked! I had never sold a painting in my life and was certainly not expecting to sell anything that day, but the Lord clearly had other plans. Praise Him! 



As many of you know, my little '94 Honda Accord got stolen on September 11, 2014. Thunder School had just started on the 7^th and I was, along with the other interns, on staff for the school. My friend found my car missing the morning of September 12^th. The police found my car less than a mile from The Foundry (where I live) on the other side of the train tracks (where the projects are still kinda rough). The sunroof was gone, ignition ripped out, shifter lock was cut out, one of my vents was missing and my car was completely trashed. The police called me the next week saying they found my vehicle and I could pick it up, but I must refund them for the $135 tow fee, and I had 24 hours before they would start charging me for storage at the lot. I had NO money. Like nada. I prayed to the Lord, asked my friends to pray and then miracles started to happen! One after another, my friends and even some Thunder School Students came and put cash in my pocket. I asked my pastors here to send a message to our church fellowship and in one day $500 was raised to recover and repair my car! In addition to that, I received donations that covered my rent for that month and the next - all because my car got stolen! My car has since been repaired by a gracious mechanic who made it work within my $500 budget. 

(I have since given my car to my sister as the Lord led, so I now don't have a car!)

The Mystery of it all...

God sure works in mysterious ways, and He is very good at using situations meant for our harm and turning them into blessings. Through it all, I learned to lean on Him and not on my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) I learned the discipline of not being anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to make my requests known to God so that His peace would guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) His faithfulness and infinite goodness was displayed to me in that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Even so, I do not say that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (Philippians 3:12)

The Future

I have returned to Nashville for another year of missionary internship with Provision International. The Lord very clearly showed me that I am supposed to be here for another year which I am super excited about, AND He showed me a glimpse of what He has in store for next year – 2016!!! Finally, the end is in sight for me to finish my certification as a midwife! An opportunity opened up for me to finish my schooling with Mercy In Action (the same school I trained with in Idaho and the Philippines) starting February 2016. As always, the Lord was at work behind my back and completely set me up for this school and the timing of it. Every last little detail was in place. It couldn't have happened any earlier or later, just at the right time. :)

Prayer & Praise

God is creating beautiful things out of the ashes here in Nashville, TN, both in the lives of us missionaries and those in the inner-city community surrounding us. As the Lord leads, I would be honored if you would stand in prayer with me for the following:

1. that many people would be impacted by God's love through me this year
2. that many people will be saved
3. and that God would strengthen and sustain me to continue His work.

I hope this letter was an encouragement to you! May God richly bless you this year and may you continue to bear fruit for His Kingdom. May you grow in the knowledge of the Lord and seek Him above all else.

Blessings to you all,

Hannah Garrett

Holding on to the Promise

"And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. But what do the Scriptures say about that? 'Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.' So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman." (Galatians 4:28-31 NLT)

We've been discussing Galatians during our weekly Bible Study.  Chapter four references Abraham and his seed of promise, Isaac, vs his seed born under the law (his attempt to obtain the promise through human effort), Ishmael.  I was thinking a lot about the promise God made to Abraham; how it took many years to fulfill; how all earthly possibility was gone; how Abraham ultimately tried to make it happen on his own; and how his action had a lasting impact on humanity. I realized on a deeper level the importance of believing God and letting HIM fulfill His promise in our lives, and how Satan's schemes to divert us from God's promises are a daily occurance in ways we are not always aware.

 

Here are some of my thoughts:)

 

When God tells you something, don't listen to your own reasoning, your mind, your thoughts; hold on to the promise God put in your heart; take captive every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of God (thoughts that say they know better than God). Literally choose to not dwell on those thoughts. Say, "those thoughts are not my thoughts and those feelings are not my feelings." (something my Dad taught me:) 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 NKJV)

Thoughts from the enemy (anything that contradicts God) become strongholds if you dwell on them. These thoughts come from the principalities of darkness; they are not the truth, therefore they are arguments against the truth. We Demolish strongholds and arguments of they enemy by not entertaining thoughts of doubt.

"...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

We must protect the seed of faith & promise that God has planted in us, not allowing strongholds to choke the seed and prevent it from bearing fruit.

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)"

"Guard you heart..." Your heart is where God plants seeds of promise. It is a garden that He has given you to steward. Your heart "determines the course of your life"!

 

This is our weapon against the enemy. His only tactic in life is to convince us that what God said isn't really true, planting seeds of doubt in our hearts. Take what he said to Adam & Eve,

"Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'? ...You will not certainly die... For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1, 4-5 NIV)

The devil doesn't just provide another option like, "oh I think this is a good idea," he actually attacks God's authority, questioning His word. First he questions, then he blatantly contradicts it ("you will not die"), and then he says he has a better idea. His goal is to convince us that God doesn't know what He's talking about to create suspicion in our hearts against God.

 

God is always speaking to us. Consequently, Satan will always try to convince us that God is a liar. How twisted is that? We know God is a God of truth; therefore, anything even remotely contrary is a LIE. We must protect what God tells us (His promises) as the most precious treasure, above anything; we must guard it with our lives.

Thankfully, even when we make mistakes and doubt God (and we've ALL done it), He is so faithful and merciful to us. He always turns our mess into something good!

Oh how He loves us!


The Musicianary Midwife (in the making),
Hannah Garrett
 

Sacrifice

I have been reminded the past few weeks of the challenge God gave me when He told me to commit to internship.  He challenged me to embrace SACRIFICE.  At the time I didn't understand the fine-print of what internship or sacrifice would look like, but the picture is now unfolding before me... 

Sacrifice the closeness of family  -- I was reminded of how I miss one of my dear cousins; how I'll see her only three times this year, maybe less.  Same with the rest of my family, unless they come down to visit. 

Sacrifice the security of salary  -- I have NO CLUE where my rent money will come from for next month (or the rest of the year) other than the fact that God WILL provide.  And the fact that I'm basically helpless (apart from God) because I have no means or option of supporting myself.

Sacrifice convenience -- I have been daily reminded of the luxury running water is.  Several pipes burst on campus during the cold spell in early January and my apartment still has no running water after almost 3 weeks.  Thankfully my roommates and I can go to other apartments or the dorms to do dishes, take showers, etc.  I have been counting my blessings!

Sacrifice selfish desires and pride -- Oh, the joys of living in community!  Friction and confrontation are unavoidable.  I can try to hide in my fears, but it won't be long before I must deal with things.  Community living forces me to humble and submit myself, not allow myself to be offended, and put others needs and desires above my own. 

Sacrifice independence and control -- I was reminded that I no longer have complete control over my life.  I must follow schedule, submit to authority, report my productivity, etc.  Sometimes the rules insult my pride and independence.  But that pride has to go and I know if I really apply myself, great character will be formed in me this year. 


The truth is, all these realities I will experience in even greater measure when I become an overseas missionary -- what I've always dreamed of.  I will be far, far away from my family for years; I will have to trust God for much more than a few hundred dollars; I will surely live with unreliable water and power sources; I will be living in community of some sort that may not be as loving and gracious as this; and I will never have complete control over my life as long as I follow HIM! 

The funny thing is, I have to keep reminding myself that I AM a missionary! This isn't only training for the mission field, this IS the mission field and I am a missionary here and now!

I am so encouraged because God is doing a GREAT work in me.  I can feel it!  My faith is more tangible than ever because I am desparate for Him.  I am literally dependant on Him for everything, every day.  I can't wait to share with you all the testimonies of the provision and the miracles He is going to do!  You can't have a testimony without a test...  So as long as I persevere, I am bound to have a testimony.  :)


The Musicianary Midwife (in the grinder....)
Hannah Garrett

Video Update

Hello, hello:) ....drumroll.... Here is the long awaited video from Hannah and Davina! Woohoo!  Please share this with your family and friends and anyone who you think may be interested in what we're doing in Nashville.  We are praying for Prayerful & Financial Partners.  We SO appreciate ALL of YOU!!!








                                                                                      (Video credits to my sweet Daddy)

Nashville

Here I am! --sitting on my porch overlooking Clinton St in Nashville, TN.  This is my new home!  Almost everyone is here and we're getting ready for our new lives as musicianaries (musicians + missionaries) in the Hood.  Tomorrow we will get the run-down for the week, maybe a little sneak peak into the year, and our individual jobs will be assigned to us.  I am eagerly waiting to have a clearer picture of what my life will be like in 2014.  :) 

(May apartment is the top right.  I share with two lovely ladies!)

I have to admit...  More than once the thought popped into my head,

"Hannah, what on EARTH are you getting yourself into?!  Basically signing your life away for a solid year, not having a CLUE what the details are of where it will take you, and not only having virtually no money, but not even being able to provide for yourself...?  I  mean, who would do that to themselves????"

Well, the answer is simple.  Many in history have taken this risk in order to follow God in obedience to His will, and I am no exception.  Take Abraham for instance.  God literally tells him, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."  (Genesis 12:1)  He didn't even know where he was going, let alone what he would do there.  God told him to go and he went.  No questions asked.  "...So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him..."  (Genesis 12:4)

If we really think about it, as Christians, we never really know what the final outcome will be from an act of obedience -- if our lives are fully surrendered to Him.  He typically only shows us one puzzle piece at a time.  In retrospect we see that He carefully planned every step, but in the moment it seems ludicrous to march around a city seven times, to send home over 90% of your army, or even walk naked for three years.  (Exodus 6:15, Judges 7:2-8, Isaiah 20:3)

Sometimes fear and control get in the way and cause us to reject the Lord's plan because it's not going the way WE want it to...  Yet, how can we so easily forget that full surrender to God's will is the only way to escape complete disaster?  We know all too well the story of Jonah.  I know I can't hide from God, but I certainly don't want to run from Him! 

The truth is, if I would have run from God and His call back to Nashville, I would have a storm raging inside me right now.  There would be no peace, there would be no excitement and anticipation; there would be no hope or purpose.  I would be thrown and tossed by the waves of directionlessness, until finally I throw myself overboard in full surrender.  Then God would somehow swallow me up and take me to the horizon of Nashville.  God doesn't have a plan B.  Either you submit to His plan, or He gets you there the hard and fishy way.  I know for a FACT God would bring me right back here, no matter how much I might have kicked and screamed.

Thankfully, I didn't put up a fight.  I know I am in His will!  And that's exactly where I want to be -- not in the belly of a smelly fish...  I have hope; I have purpose and direction.  I have SO much anticipation because I know that God takes pride in what He does and He wants to use ME!!! 

Even if this were a horrible place to live with the worst case scenario, I would still be content to be in His will.  I heard a story today of an old missionary lady who said she is happy everywhere she goes, because Jesus is in her heart and He is her home!  I couldn't agree more.  Thankfully, this is far from the worst case scenario at the Foundry.  Though some things are tough (i.e. my apartment hasn't had water for days) I am surrounded by a loving, encouraging community of people who Love God and Serve People.  This is home!

...And so Hannah departed as the Lord had spoken to her, and Davina went with her.  And Hannah was 22 years old when she departed from Winchester, KY...  then Hannah took Davina her sister, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and they departed to go to the land of Nashville, TN.  So they came to the land of Nashville...  :)

Until next time,
Hannah Garrett (The Musicianary Midwife)