Mrs. and Mr. Hallbeck

 The day started with lots of sugar per request of the bride!:)

 My man doing his thing:) He was the videographer.

All the Girlies! 

Friday couldn't have been any better! God blessed us with such a perfect day!

ERIKA!!!

 My big sissy Erika is getting married tomorrow!! We had a great bachelorette party for her earlier this month. With a dinner at Chino Latino and a fun slumber party we celebrated her bride-to-be-ness. I am so excited for her! Tomorrow is going to be such an amazing and special day!

 Erika and Dan in California earlier for his Marine boot camp graduation.

 Cutie love birds!! Dan will be wearing his dress blues at the wedding, I think it is going to look so good!!:)

Proud MOH!!!!

RE-Cap Summer Training

This summer I coached about 20 kids from my old high school for nordic skiing. It wasn't quite what I expected, it was even better! We got pretty good weather through out the 6 weeks only a couple thunderstorms and some pretty hot days, but the kids were troupers and toughed it out. We did numerous time trials and some great specific strength intervals. But most of all we did a lot of technique work, and it payed off. The kids worked through many falls and frustrations to become comfortable and efficient skiers, some have some more "tweeking", but over all I am pleased with how hard they worked and how much better they all look. It was so fun for me and such a good learning experience.

Back to it!:)

Today was my first day of class of my Junior year of college. It is so weird to think that college is more then half over. But I am finally into my major classes so the topics should be more marketing and communication based aka more up my alley. :) This week is super busy besides the start to my school year. It also has my first blood tests on Wednesday morning. So I will be getting started on the process of donating marrow here soon.

But best of all in my sissy's wedding is on FRIDAY!!! I am so excited! We have been waiting all summer for this week, most of the preparations are all set and ready. Dan is home and is spending ever waking second with his bride to be:) He will be off to more training after their mini moon in Minneapolis.

Well I hope you all have a great day!

<3 Hannah

God asks a lot from people who are blessed with a lot.

Today I was informed that I am bone marrow match for a 21 year old male. This past February some of you may of remember the MAZE presentation that I went to. It was a great magic show with some holy spirit mixed in. At the end we found out that the man that put on the show should have been dead 2 years earlier, but was saved by a young girl who gave him a bone marrow transplant. He gave us all the opportunity to sign up with the Be The Match Foundation. I gave a swab of my cheek to a lady and all my paper work, thinking that I was doing such a great thing by signing up.

Never did it cross my mind that God would give me the chance to save someone's life. I got a call today saying that I needed to get blood work done ASAP because I was a match to this young man. I would love to tell you all that I was full of joy for this opportunity, but honestly I burst into tears. As the lady read through the list of requirements for me for the next few months, my stomach dropped. All I could think of was the pain that I would have to go through, all the time I would put into this and how much of my fitness I was going to end up loosing. Thinking of my sports seasons and my D2 eligibility engulfed my whole mind fogging the face of the man I could help.

After many tears and a chat with my family, my mom reminded me of one thing, that sometimes the people that God blesses a lot, with families and talents and stability, sometimes he asks a lot of them. In my head at the moment this seemed huge ( in a negative "self pity" sort of way) but God wants me to think of it as a huge ( Love the Lord and serve him to your fullest sort of way.)

I am not sure about how far I will end up going in this process, but I know with the Lord by my side, I will go as far as my body allows. Please pray for this man that he will find the donor he needs, and if I am the one, I thank the Lord that he brought us together.

Etta

I have been spending the past few days learning how to drive a manual. We are  a tad short cars this summer with Erika's job being down by the airport so I am driving our 1972 BMW to work now. Manual driving is fun, but I still get super scared when I am driving. Etta is the name that this german made car was named right when we got her and it has stuck ever since. I am hoping we have a great and safe summer together!:)

Mainly May

Hello Bloggers!
Back from my hiatus for May. The month was full of fun! I have continued love for my newish job at LOFT, it is super great to work at a place that I love, my shifts are full of great co-workers and super fun LOFT  shoppers. Its amazing how much joy I get from just a smile on a lady that loves the way LOFT clothes make her look. I encourage you all to come check us out, we have great deals going on for summer essentials:)

May also included my sisters first bridal shower at my Auntie Linda's place. She lives in a one room loft, but it was just a perfect size for all us ladies. She served delicious, beautiful food full of fun flavor. ( haha say that line 10x faster) Erika was super thankful for all the great gifts and the fun games that we played full of memories of Erika and wishes for her and Dan. Speaking of Dan he left a few weeks ago for boot camp. He is now gone until just a few days before their big day. ( August 26th)

Monday is the start to my training group. I will be coaching 23 kids for 6 weeks this summer. We will do mostly roller skiing, but some running and strength/agility exercises also. I am super pumped to get going it should be a fun and definite learning experience for all:)

The book I am reading ( What happens when woman say yes to God) is super great. Touching my heart and making me cry almost everyday:)

I hope you all have a great day and stay cool in this heat!<3

~Hannah

Sweet Summer Time

Hello my lovely Bloggers!!

So, I am thrilled today! Not only is it the start of my summer va-cay, but its blessed with a 90 degree sunny day!:)
Today I received all my grades from this semester, I thank the Lord that he blessed me last week and helped me to do well in every final. I am glad to report that I am done with every accounting class I will ever have to take.

Also this week, I became a sales associate at LOFT ( formerly Ann Taylor LOFT). I am so exited to finally be in retail and its with such a great company.

WOW summer has blessed me in the past 48 hours, I cant even believe it!

After a great mothers day on sunday, and a fun girls night with the beautiful girls from Edinbrook I ended my night with a great start to a new book that my sister Erika and I are going to read together. Its called What happens when woman say yes to God and just in the first few pages the author Lysa had me in tears. I am excited to continue it tonight, and I will fill you all in tomorrow. If you are not reading a book at the moment, pick it up, I would love to chat about the book with you!

Have a great night!
<3 Hannah

Half way there

Today was the last day of classes for my sophomore year of college. This year has gone by so fast, not that I am not happy to be done with the accounting and economic era of my life, but I will miss all my friends, teammates and roommates they have all been a support system that I never thought I would be blessed with in just a couple years. Last night was our Ski banquet we said goodbye to too many teammates this year, they will all be missed very much!

After this last week of finals I will be heading back to Maple Grove to help teach some kiddos some ski technique and hopefully work at Ann Taylor Loft. ( fingers crossed for my interview)

This Summer should be super fun and full of new exciting things! I hope you are all thinking warm weather and flowers, cause they cant come soon enough!

A"must post": Beautiful Kate:)

Keep your fork!

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.

'In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork ... the best is yet to come." The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye.

A good cry for the morning:) 

Have a great day!!<3

~Hannah

A day without shoes

Yesterday was marked as a day without shoes. People every where spent the whole day without shoes on to help bring awarness to the problem all around the world of people not having shoes. Jon and I took part in this even and just a day for me was hard, I cant imagine every day! My feet were freezing and walking on some terrain hurt.  

TOMS shoe company is the brains behind the operation. In 2006 Blake Mycoskie started this company and the one for one operation. He created his line of shoes and for every pair sold he gave a pair to someone in need.

His story is so great and his movment is even better! Check him out, and check out the adorable shoes he makes!:)

I hope next year even more people take a day without shoes, and for every weird look and question they get is just one more person that will be able to help out.
http://www.toms.com/

~Hannah

In the tub with my sister:p

This weekend was so full of fun. It started with my friend Anna's Birthday which was so fun and yummy:) Then I got to go home and be with my great family. I got to see Baby Vandis for real, and he is so precious! Also Erika and I went to Edinbrook for church and it was super great seeing everyone, and of course Pastor Ivan gave a great Sermon! We also got to see a great baptism, the girls testimony was very touching.

It made me think back to when I was baptized. I was about 10 years old, and I remember telling the story about sitting in the bath tub with my sister when I was littler and I asked her about Jesus and she prayed with me, and I asked Jesus into my heart right there with my big sis in the tub:) It was so long ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Its kinda weird how you can remember certain moments of your life perfectly no matter how long ago they are:)

But when I think about my story and then the girls yesterday it reminds me how everyones walk with the Lord is so different, he personalizes every moment just for you, whether your in a bathtub and your little or you are 20 and you feel Jesus tugging on your heart.

I love it! Id love to hear how the Lord has personalized a moment so special for you, that you could never forget it!

Have great week friends! <3

~Hannah

Comments from CRU:)

This week at Campus Crusades for Christ which is a organization on many campuses around the country, we heard from a wonderful woman named Pam Nelson. 

Right now Pam is a life coach, she sits and meets with people and listens about their life. But she didn't start out doing that, Pam has been all over the world on missions trips, starting from when she was just a teenager. She had many wonderful and amazing experiences all because she said she left herself open for God.


She spoke on using our gifts from God to help bring others to Christ. Whether the gift is your height or making a weird whistle noise with your hands, making yourself open to the Lord in every way can bring great things.

Using the analogy of a Cracker Jack box... The best part about a person is the prize inside. The prize inside is the Lord.

Open yourself up for the Lord, embrace the gifts he has given you:)

~Hannah

Ephesians 2:8-10 

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Insecurities

There are so many things that people are insecure about. Whether its your weight or speaking in public. I have been hit with many of mine this week. But I found this cute song by Britt Nicole that makes me come back to earth, about how much the things your afraid of most about yourself do not have to hold you back. Jesus wants you to jump in no matter what. I find that very hard sometimes. Being as competitive as I am. I don't like to do things that put me out of my element, things that I don't think I will be good at. I am insecure about not being good at something. But I cant think that way.

This past week I did my first swim triathlon. It was an indoor one at my school.. and WOW WEE! Swimming is one of the hardest things ever! I had so much fun in this event, and I almost didn't do it just because of a 15 minute swim. As hard as a 15 minute swim is ( that I found out) it was worth it, I found a new challenge that I can take on, I don't and won't be the best, but thats OK, I met knew friends and found new training partners. :)  

Now I just have to work with being OK that Accounting is not my thing, and will never be!:)

I love you all! Have a great Sunny day!

Also Welcome BABY VANDIS! My friend Sarah had her baby this week, he is a cutie!

Ski Season Recap

Now that the ski season is officially over I like to look back on the year. It was full of trips first in the can to Montana, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Duluth. Then it was in the coach bus to Marquette and Houghton MI.  It ended sort of bitter sweet with some good races and some bad races. The end of the season was sort of discouraging due to the warm weather which makes the wax pretty hard for the classic races. Also the last weekend in Michigan we had to move races back a day because there was 60 mph winds, over the course of the day I guess 6 trees had fallen down over the course, so thank Jesus we weren't out there skiing all day.

Now all thats left is a dinner with the team to say thanks to coach for the great year and for all he does, and to say bye to the seniors which is always sad. This year we have 5 seniors so it will leave our team pretty small for next year. Hopefully we get some new recruits to add to our now pretty young team.

Well thanks for the great season girls!


PS: Today is my puppy Norah's 8th Birthday!:) Happy Birthday NorBABY!

~ Hannah

Hold my hand:)

Cause I've been there before 
And you've been there before 

But together we can be alright. 

Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold 

We hold each other till we see the sunlight 

As surprising the artists can be together this song is so great:) I love thinking about how just holding someone's hand can make you feel so many things, whether it be happiness, comfort, protection love or just warmth. 
Then when you think about being hand and hand with Jesus its all those feelings x a million!:) I love holding hands with Jesus as I make my way through life. The great thing is that as special as you feel when you hold someone's hand, Jesus can give that feeling to everyone! He loves everyone and wants to hold your hand all the time!<3 


~ Hannah 

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. -Ecclesiastes 7:14


The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.- Psalms 33:5


O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.- I Chronicles 16:34


February is known to everyone as the month of love, but for my family and I it was full of even more love!:) On Valentines day my sister Erika was proposed to by her boyfriend Dan. He is super great! He is from Hudson WI, but originally from Chile:) He is also on his way into the marines. I am so excited to finally have a "brother". So now we have the wedding fever running through our house! It is so great looking at dresses and picking out chocolate covered strawberries:) 

God is doing great things in my family and I am so thankful everyday that he blessed us.


~Hannah
<3 <3 <3 <3  <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3  <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

Semi- Wordless Wednesday

My week has been full so far, of tests and homework and will end with one race after the other. Skiing is almost over only one week of practice left. Then spring break:) and then I recently decided to get an extra bone taken out of my foot. Only 1 in 4 people have this bone and normally goes unnoticed, but due to skiing mine is swollen and is very painful at times. So I will get to be in a boot for a month after the surgery  in mid March:/ But it will be good to not have the pains anymore.

Little thing Jon stumbled upon: A dad that puts his own cute little spin on the everyday events that happen in his cute daughter lives.

Have a  great rest of the day!

Love~Hannah

Demi

This summer we were blessed with a short haired collie puppy. My mom got her to help raise her with Can-do-Canines as a service dog. She is a wild jumpy little girl, but she is super cute and great:)

But we found out today that tomorrow will be our last day with her. She is moving on now with another family to finish her training. We all knew this day would come, but its so sad now. Training puppies is such a bitter-sweet experience:( I pray that Demi continues to become such a great little girl and blesses a little kid some day. Love you Demi. <3

~Hannah

Monday:)

What is a maze? A confusing network of passages where a single, uninterrupted path is the only solution… Well, really, the maze is an illusion show that redefines what you would expect.


In Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University tomorrow February 1st at 7:00 pm and its a free show since it is sponsored by Campus Crusades for Christ. I invite all to come who can make it! It will be a great show!


******************************************
This weekend was more racing in Houghton MI. It was a long drive in the bus ( 8 hours) but the races ended up even better then last week! :) 

Today I started the day off with shattering my full length mirror in my room while I was putting my make-up on it fell down on me. Ahh! It was scary! Maybe God is telling me that I really don't need to put make-up on anymore. :) 
Well I hope you all had a great day!! Love Love!
~Hannah

Chris Medina- A story that brings you to tears.

His name is Chris Medina he is a new contestant on this round of American Idol. I watched him tryout and his story is unbelievably touching and emotional. He told us and the judges about how he has been engaged to his love Juliana for 3 years now. After proposing to her they planned on a 2 year engagement. Yet one night she was in a terrible car accident and was paralyzed due to brain damage. Chris and her family had to postpone the wedding due to medical costs and Juliana's recovery.

At his audition he sang his heart out to the song by the Script "Break Even" you could just see how he was singing to her. It was so touching. I was balling! He talks about how 2 weeks before this accident he was going to make the vow that through sickness and health he would be with her. I am so touched at how this mans life has been thrown up in the air, yet he is still so strong and trusting that everything will turn out fine. I admire this man incredibly. Just shows how God is always there for you and how he brings amazing people into your life, as he did for Juliana.

 Here is a song he wrote prior to the audition while Juliana was in the hospital.

~Hannah

Many Thanks MONDAY!

This weekend was super fun filled!:) It started with Jon and I making the trek to Maple Grove on Friday to stay with my parents for the weekend. I had ski races at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis all weekend, and so a couple girls from my ski team stayed with us as well. Saturday started with a very cold skate race with my mom, dad and Jon watching. It was Jon's first ski race and he was loving every minute of it!:) The races were followed by a family nap including all the pets!:) Then Jon Erika and I went to Davids Bridal so I could order my brides maid dress for my beautiful friend Laura's wedding in July. Saturday night Jon and I drove down town to the Old Spaghetti Factory to meet his mother and Aunt for dinner. It was super fun meeting up with them! The Collins family sure loves food!:) Eating it and talking about it!<3 

 Dan, Erika, Mumsey and Jon

 Sunday was filled with more races and more family!:) Erika and her boyfriend Dan came as well! It was so great to have them cheering for me! Then Sunday was finished with hamburgers and pizza and the Packers!! YAY they are going to the Super bowl! Jon is a big Packer fan:P It was such a great weekend! Thanks to all my friends and family! Now back to school today studying for my first Accounting 2 exam!

Hope you all had a great day! <3

~Hannah

MAZE

Check him out! <3
Information Coming soon! He will be in St. Cloud on February 1st:)

Accepting Everyone:)

Being on a college campus such as St. Cloud you get a sense of how much diversity is going to be around you everyday in the real world. We have a whole dorm that is only for international students and many cultural experiences and presentations around campus. Some you can tell really throw themselves in the whole mix really trying to learn as much as they can about the different cultures and traditions, and others not so much. The weird thing about the school being so diverse is that it is thrown in the middle of one of the most known racist cities. I think this is why both our international and our Minnesotan residents have a hard time accepting each other. They are all from two different worlds. But since this is college and we are all suppose to try to be adults, I think it is ridiculous the way some people treat each other. God calls us to be accepting and loving to everyone!

The hard thing is that its not just accepting peoples cultures but also accepting peoples views. The way I see it is that when trying to spread the word about Jesus Christ some people end up ruining their chances. They start out being too judgmental. Kids in college that have questions about Jesus are already scared enough asking you about him. They have no idea where to begin. You have to meet the more then half way. I found that out this week in more then one way. A lesson I have learned and still struggle with is to not just surround yourself with just Christians to help your walk with the Lord easier, you should be friends with non- Christians as well to help your walk grow with the Lord. God wants you to be friends with who you are attracted to be with, who meshes well with you.

Romans 14:1
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Yes sometimes it is hard, but God puts you in those situations for a reason. Its easier to live for him when your with church friends all the time, but go out and meet new people, you will surprise yourself, you meet amazing people, and you can see Jesus working his way through your friendship everyday even if it is just for a moment every once in a while. This is a hard topic I feel especially when in college to talk about, but I just felt it on my heart this morning. I hope you have a great day!

<3 ~ Hannah

Fashion to Sweets:)

Hi Bloggers:) Some random things from the first week of school!:)

This morning I was up with the sun as usual, out skiing in the very chilly morning! My team was in Duluth this weekend racing. It went super well for all us! Thank Jesus none of us got frost bite because it was cold both days.

Last week were the start of my new classes, and WOW I have my work cut out for my this semester! But my new Business Law class is super interesting, I think I am going to really enjoy that class! New fact i learned: In a civil case there is normally 2 settlements both are money, but one is called Punitive this is what it sort of sounds like a "Punishment" after the company pays the physical and or emotional damages they can still sue for a 2nd amount of money to just punish the company. But the person suing gets all the money from both! This is how people that burn there mouth on a cup of coffee at McDonalds walks away with millions! WOW huh?:P

Yesterday me and Jon made malts with his new malt maker!:) He is such a "sweet" enthusiast, its always about the dessert:)

Being the "fashion" enthusiast I am I need to share some pics from my favorites at the Golden Globes!

 LOVE THIS!!

 Jade was the color for this year.. super pretty!

 Who wore it better? Scarlet or Sandra