Broken Bow Anniversary Getaway

When I was looking through pics for another blog post, I realized I had never posted any pics really of our anniversary getaway in November. It was the perfect weekend to be in Broken Bow!

A Year in Photos

Our first year of marriage in photos!

Year 1, Lesson 5

Lesson #5: It takes more effort to stay mad, than to actually resolve the issue. 

This one is easier said than done because sometimes you feel like you have a such darn good tootin' reason to be fired up. Maybe so, but it takes a lot of effort to be offended and  to stay offended. With everything else life has to offer, I'm learning that maybe I don't want to waste time on being offended. That mindset doesn't help anyone and it sure doesn't benefit you.

It is a choice, but make the choice to not stay angry and offended. Life's too short for that.

Love,

The Hannis

Year 1, Lesson 4

Lesson #4: Don't speak ill of your spouse, especially in front of other people. 

This was one of the most surprising things I discovered in our first year of marriage. It saddens me to see spouses bash each other in front of their friends. Not only is it more common than I would've thought, it is accepted...no almost expected to bash the "stupid" husbands or demean the "ball-and-chain" wives.

Frankly, that is dumb.
Maybe I'm still a starry-eyed newlywed, but that's not a healthy pattern, nor is it biblical. If you keep complaining about your spouse, that makes you part of the problem. C'mon peeps! Words have consequences and we know the Bible spares no expense on instructing us on the power of our words...
One of Clark Whitten's podcasts I heard even before we got engaged talked about the danger of "uncovering" your spouse in public, that is tearing them down in front of other people.

Choose to not do that. Choose to paint a different picture of marriage to a painfully confused society.

Linking this back to yesterday's lesson, maybe better words about your spouse have to start with better thoughts about your spouse.

Year 1, Lesson 3

Lesson #3: Assume the best about each other. 

I read this in one of our marriage books shortly before the wedding and it's a powerful guideline to live by. This seems to solve the other five percent of problems! Truly, in the majority of circumstances, your spouse isn't out to "get you." It's a subtle knee-jerk reaction to assume the worst when there has been a misunderstanding, but isn't it tiring to live like that? 

Especially for Christian couples: if you married your spouse in good conscience that this was who God had for you, why would you assume the worst about them?
We are still flawed human beings. That isn't going to change this side of heaven. But our life follows our words (and thoughts!), so what if our first reaction when something negative happens is to tell ourselves "Well, this wasn't what I was expecting to happen, but I trust their heart toward me," how might our relationships improve?

Communication (ahhhh there it is again!) and working through a misunderstanding may still need to happen, but how much healthier would our attitudes be toward our spouses?



Miss Lesson 1? Click here!
Didn't catch Lesson 2? Click here!

Year 1, Lesson 2

Lesson #2: "The greatest barrier to communication is assuming that it took place." 

What?! He can't read my mind?! 

Earth-shattering, right? But so true. This isn't late-breaking news or anything, but sometimes we make things so complicated! 

Keeping healthy communication lines open truly helps to solve a majority of problems. Just because you love someone and live under the same roof doesn't mean you can read each other's minds. 

I have to constantly remind myself that if something bothers me, I have to be a grown-up and use appropriate words to communicate that. 

If I appreciate something that someone has done, I also have to use appropriate words to communicate that. 

It's a constant process...a constant refining of how we communicate with each other and those around us- nothing wrong with that! 

Guess what...I can't read his mind either...

Year 1, Lesson 1

Nearly 365 days have passed since we became Mr. and Mrs. Hanni.

The year has flown by, and yet it feels like we've been married for years already (in a good way!)

This week, I thought I would share some favorite moments and lessons learned over our first year of marriage.

Lesson #1: A dish is not a "meal" unless it has meat. Unless the dish is being served past 9:00 p.m., lighter fares are then accepted as a "meal." This may not seem like a big deal to you, but it is BIG DEAL to someone-ahem Kurtis-who shall remain nameless.

First grocery list!

Grocery shopping and dishwashing can get old, so I try to not focus too much on the "un-fun" aspects of the job, but instead on the giddy grin of my husband when he and I try a new dish or sit down to a favorite.

That never gets old!

College (Almost) Killed My Love of Reading

One night several weeks ago as we were getting ready to go to bed, my husband and I were discussing books that he was reading/books I wanted to read. 

I haven't read much since graduating college and was lamenting this fact. 

Kurtis jokingly said, "You're a journalist who doesn't read!"

Womp-womp...The hubby speaks truth!

I used to be an avid reader, but the last few years of checking social media and a leftover schoolwork hangover have combined to shred my attention span. 

I decided I was tired of my lack-luster book life and decided to limit how much I checked Twitter and Instagram, found some books that I was truly interested in, and got down to business. In a little over a month (which combined a dance recital, mission trip and now nearly-full time job) I read 5 books. 

All of these books were incredible! We already owned 2, the others I checked out from the library and have since ordered our own copies of two of them. Me hungry for more books! 

I leave you with a lesson from Arthur. 

Be Ye Encouraged

This post contains good news and no disturbing images. You're welcome.

Feeling unprotected from the shots of the Enemy? You might check to see if you have the full armor of God on. Be encouraged by Margaret Thatcher's granddaughter's moving reading of Ephesians 6 at Thatcher's funeral service.

Feeling fearful? Check out my husband's latest blog post.

Feeling overwhelmed? Check out one of my posts from January.

Decide to choose something today that never shifts or changes positions and never lies. Choose God.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

God My Stronghold

I don't know about you, but I feel like our culture has worked overtime in order to outdo each other in deception. We've seen it all in the past 7 days:

Conspiracies. Hoaxes. Lies.

I'm really writing this note to myself, because I wanted to read something that wasn't a hoax, a conspiracy or a lie. If you too are weary of that, please read on.

During my devo time, the Lord brought to mind this old worship song:

"And Lord you are my hope
Because you've created in me
A heart that lives the victory
That you've already won.

"Oh Lord you're my protection from my enemies,
You've set me high upon a rock and you defend my soul.
And when their ways advance against me, I am confident
That they cannot make me less, for you have made me whole."

This is the news story that God want his children to always turn their hearts toward. I can't tell you how this song blessed me this morning.

He is perfect protection.
He is Truth.
He is hope to all who will have Him.

I knew this and I believed this, but my "knower" I guess had to be reminded.

Maybe you don't buy into all this. I would ask you if you aren't tired as well of all the lies. Wouldn't you like for just once something to be true? For something to work out in your favor?

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed." 

Lamentations 3:22

I think it's obvious that left to our own devices, devoid of God, we consume each other. 

From Psalm 73, NLT version:

"These fat cats have everything their hearts could wish for!

They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.

They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.

And so the people are dismayed and confused,

drinking in all their words.

'What does God know?' they ask.

'Does the Most High even know what's happening?'

Yes, He does. 

"Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside...

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak,

but GOD remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."

Be encouraged, friends. God is still on the throne.

I don't know about you, but that's the best news I've read all week. 

The Sweet Aroma of Simplicity

I never was the girl who was constantly "whipping something up in the kitchen."

I just wasn't. I showed my creativity through dance, mainly. But I could definitely follow a recipe and get good results. I could plan a meal, purchase the ingredients and make it happen. I also knew that if boys were involved, they needed at least 2 servings allotted to them.

So upon entering marriage, I wasn't starting from square one...exactly.

Things I've Learned:
1. If there is meat somewhere in the meal, my man is happy. Simple enough but...

2. I don't usually know what cut of meat I actually need. (Remember, I would be happy eating chicken every day). I'm getting better though...

3. If I don't go to the store, food doesn't magically appear in the fridge and pantry. There's no thinking "Oh, I'll just wait until..." Nope. Be a big girl and get to the store....

4. Keep things simple.This is true in food prep and cooking, and life in general!

From Pinterest

I'd thought I'd post some recipes that I have had great success with (and are Kurtis approved!)

And they all have the sweet aroma of simplicity.

NOT DESSERTS

The Best BBQ Beef: Click here

Delicious Italian Beef

My mom gave me this seasoning packet and I loved the results! She said she got it at Crest in MWC- I have yet to pick some more up, but here is what the packet looked like:

From louieseasoning.com

Hawaiian Meatballs: Click here

Note: I omitted the green peppers. I also served this up with Jasmine rice and it was super yummy! 

DESSERTS

Yummy Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies: Click here

Snickerdoodle Bread: Click here

Peanut Butter Cookies: Click here

Happy Cooking! 

A Noteworthy Year: Twenty Twelve

A blinking cursor.

A big white square. That's what's facing me right now as I grasp for words to outline the past 12 months.

But blankness is certainly not what lies behind:

Lunch at Vast

Among many other things...
College graduation.
Best friend's engagement.
My engagement.
Best friend's wedding.
First devotions published
My wedding.
Also throw in a honeymoon, church change, new house, and new part-time job at TriCorps.

Fullness. Newness. Growth. Dreams reaching maturity and blossoming in my hands.

Numerous words have already been spoken on each of these amazing milestones; I am only left with a humble and grateful heart.

I am married to the most incredible man (for his end of the year blog post, click here) and blessed beyond belief to be his wife. My jobs right now are awesome, fulfilling and challenging- and very different from each other!

I have a beautiful home I get to decorate and fix up with my husband.

We both have excellent families that we get to live life with. I could go on...

Tear off that calendar page

What now? What is God speaking to me to focus on for 2013?

The words that keeps resonating in my spirit are: hungry, learn, grow.

Hungry for more of God.
Thirsty to learn.
Eager to grow.

I've been filled to the brim and even overflowing this year, but in an odd way, that makes me realize I do need God more and more every day so I can constantly learn, I can constantly grow, and I constantly bless and influence those around me. That gives me an appetite for God he promises to satisfy. (Matt. 5:6)

What words are echoing in your soul as you close your eyes on 2012 and open them to 2013?

"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." Psalm 107:9

Happy New Year!