Follow My New Adventures....

My life has taken a turn to be seriously counted in to what God has for me. I am only moving when He says move and only going where He calls me. I want to purposefully live surrendered to God and His plans for me.

I've loved sharing what God is doing in me and through me here but what I am doing now is flowing straight out of being 100% counted into the purposes of God and where God is taking me as I choose Him. 

So for now my life happening's and God's happenings in my life will be shared here!  

You can also follow this link...

http://hannahcarrigan.wordpress.com

Where He Is Taking Me Now

A new adventure is ahead of me so I guess it's about time I get on here and update again. The past couple of months have been a transition time for me. Even while it has felt inconsistent there has been a purpose to all that I have done. Now, though, I'm moving into more of the calling that connects so perfectly to my heart and ignites my passion even more.

My heart is for people. I want to love people, help people, and serve people. That is how I want to spend my life. When an opportunity comes your way that aligns so close with those desires how can you not take it? 

My good friends, Chris and Amber White, started Count Me In over five years ago. Their ministry is directed towards the next generation; they want to raise up leaders and empower young people to operate in the gifts God has placed in them. Because of that they started putting on a youth camp in Kenya, Africa. Each year it grew and more of the country was impacted. God has expanded their ministry through people in Kenya who caught the vision and wanted to run with it. God also opened the doors for them to open up a youth conference in the USA. Their heart is larger than where they have been able to impact but as God opens doors and brings provision they will be able to fully walk out what God has put in their heart. 

Last summer I participated in the USA youth conference. A couple of months later in August I was a part of the team to go to Kenya for two weeks of ministry on the streets, in the orphanages, and with the youth from all over the country. My heart was changed and captured. As the months have passed I have been able to see more and more into the heart behind Count Me In. It isn't just about a camp or a mission trip to Africa. They love people. They want to see people come off the streets. They want to share hope. 

That is where my heart is. I want to be a part of making a lasting change. Count Me In is an avenue that God has provided for me to do that. 

I am now an intern with Chris and Amber at Count Me In and I couldn't be more excited for the journey ahead. I do not know exactly what it will look like but I do know their hearts are for more of Jesus and I couldn't think of anyone I would rather partner with to be His hands and feet.

This is a journey that I've been anticipating for a while. Being a part of an internship like this does mean raising support for myself. I will be able to share my story and give others the opportunity to partner with me as I partner with Count Me In. I am excited to see how God works and provides for this season of my life.

A Dream Come True

"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."

1 Peter 2:9-10

We are a chosen generation. God has special plans for us. He has placed dreams in our hearts and specific assignments in our paths that He trusts will be carried out because of the faith we have in Him to use us for something greater. One of my favorite quotes that sums it up most perfectly says, "We're too young to realize certain things are impossible. Which is why we will do them anyway." - William Pitt (Amazing Grace)

Out of that faith God birthed Passion: For Youth by Youth. He placed ideas, dreams, hopes, and visions inside of us and led us to hold the Passion: For Youth by Youth Conference. It is the beginning of many big things God is doing with us. I am beyond grateful for the part I play in God's perfect plan.

"Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity."

1 Timothy 4:11-12

Visit the website (foryouthbyyouth,wordpress.com) to read more about our story, hear what God is doing, and get more information. You can register for the conference by emailing passionfyby@yahoo.com.

Passion

I have shared this at worship night, but I have been wanting to express it in writing here too.

Passion is such an important part of who we are. We all have it deep within us. We just need to let it come out. During one of my late night talks with God I felt Him stirring in me the importance of passion. Without passion, life is dull and pointless. We have nothing to live for and no motivation to live for something significant.

Generally, when you are passionate about something you spend a lot of time thinking about it or doing something about it. For instance, someone who loves (or is passionate about) music will practice constantly and even be thinking about songs they can write/new music to learn as they go throughout their day. People invest time in what their passions.

What if we took passion to a whole new level? What about becoming completely passionate about God and making the same time for Him as we do for earthly fancies? God will transform your life. You will be so full of God that everything you do becomes about glorifying Him.

After we let ourselves become wholly His, He will use the desires and passions in our heart. The passion for music, baking, parenting, or any other desire in your heart (if pure) is from God. God has put those dreams in our heart and wants to use them, but we have to make it about Him first.

"When we are wholly His we will be more ourselves than ever."

~C.S Lewis

Once we have wholly submitted to His ways we will have the tools needed for the passions He has put in our heart.