Author: Hannah_Wandling

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Identity/ytitnedI Crisis

I haven’t blogged in a hot second but for the last year or so I’ve wanted to share about identity. Within this last year I have also learned so much about living in and out of true Identity. Identity is such a fickle topic. Our world is constantly giving us labels and things to look inward on.

Labels and lies stem from past hurts, trama, cultural standards, and many other places. Labels I have personally struggled with: Too fat, too young, too quiet, not enough, lack of talent, and not valuable. Other labels and lies individuals struggle with maybe too skinny, too short/tall, wrong hair color, too loud, talks to much, nothing good to share, never welcome, thinks self as dumb, too sporty, too girly, too manish, etc. These labels hurt and if not addressed will keep us from living in the fullness of who God actually says’ we are.

Lets look first to scripture to see what the Lord says!

Genesis 2:7 AMP Then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].

I love this version because it says in the brackets [] that the man was an individual & complete in both body and spirit. Today I am going to share three truths about our identity according to this scripture.

  1. This man was created as an individual. His gifting, calling, physical appearance, and so forth was fully valuable to God. God created him with intention. Just as Jesus, God, and Holy Spirit are unique individual parts of the trinity this man was created to be an individual. To be fully present in his whole mind, body, and spirit.
  2. He was complete once created by the Lord- this means that no person, career, title, house, or situation could add to or take away from his value. Once a daughter and son of Jesus Christ that is what completes you.
  3. God breathed life into him which means that God is eternal life. Which also means we need God to continuously breath life into us. If God is the breath of life that means that those toxic thoughts and “safety fears” are life stealing. It sucks the life right out of you but it doesn’t have to! Nope! God wants to be your breath of life! You can choose to take in a fresh breath of God and release those “safety fears” to him.

For so long I lived in a world where I let 1/2 truths be my identity rather than the full truth that God completes me and calls me whole. For so long I needed a title to be worth a calling, I needed validation to use my voice, I thought I was less than others, and I didn’t see the value in my gifting. But as I mediated on this scripture I was released from these lies.

That is why I am joining YWAM Orlando Staff. Because I want to walk alongside others as they discover who they really are in Christ. To guide them in the shedding of lies and “safety fears” and to step into true daughter and sonship.

If you would like to join me in seeing people freed to fully embrace fearless living click the link below to learn more.

https://mailchi.mp/727e3f10f48d/mymissionsvision

or check out my staff page.

https://www.ywamorlando.com/staff/hwandling/

If you would like to embrace fearless living check this link out below!

https://dts.ywamorlando.com/fall-2021-m?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand&utm_term=ywam%20orlando&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb3EmirwmcKxm02q5jQlQZ0wui0mWeE0H9G71W4oGmiR7hgDMPZuepsaAllaEALw_wcB

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Don’t Stay in the Dirt

What does A jar of dirt, a Konnect lesson, and the story of Moses have in common?

About a month ago I was given a very clear picture from the Lord about a jar of dirt. I will share this picture with you now.

It was a mason jar full of dirt with a seed that had sprouted and then put into a dark room rather into the light. The Lord so clearly said you are ready, stop hiding.

When pondering these truthful words I was reminded of a beautiful analogy used often with a seed in comparison to our growth as humans. We, being the seed, are put into the dirt, a dark space. In this space we are watered, going through many days wondering if we will be ready to bloom/step into what we’ve been called to. Eventually we break through and get our roots and after those roots settle in we begin to bud. What if we took the bud and put it in the dark? It would flat out die. #yikes. Well the same goes for us. When we are comfortable with dark/the dirt (AKA a season we have been in, a mindset we’ve adopted as truth, etc.) and we begin to bud we have two options: Go back to the dark out of comfort or step into the light and grow like wild.

I have recently been convicted by the Lord that I like all my plants that were flourishing in the light have died, I too have succumbed to comfort or perceived comfort for fear of not having what it takes. I have forgotten the growth in me and the places the Lord has seen me through.

The Lord so clearly shared that I am prepared and am able.

Then several weeks later I participated in a mock interview at my internship. I couldn’t answer the questions. I appeared to be stumped on these seemingly easy questions. The interviewers wanted to know why it was difficult. I revealed that I am dyslexic and have audio processing disorder. After sharing this information my answers seemed to come naturally. I had released a weight that I was carrying. I thought I had to hide parts of myself so that I could be uber strong and put-together. However, I was so wrong.

Later that day I had a conversation with one of the the mock interviewers. He shared with me that I should read the story of Moses. The reason being my hesitation seemed to share similar qualities as Moses. Y’all he( Moses) straight up told God he couldn’t do the work God had called him to so HE was gonna need to pick someone else. Moses wasn’t able to recognize God’s strength despite his weakness.

Knowing your calling and purpose can be so life giving and freeing when walked out with the Lord. BUT…

I realized that I had been taking my calling and carrying the weight trying to figure out how my human self could accomplish a God goal. I crash and burn every time. Y’all the realization that the Lord will give you the strength and understanding for whatever your called to is so freeing.

Today I am recognizing God’s strength. Take a moment to worship our Lord and all the ways He shows HIs strength in your life.

Last Sunday the Konnect (1st-3rd grade service) lesson was on “kids can be leaders too”. In the video two of the actors took a magazine quiz. Those quizzes can be so dangerous when we forget where are purpose and calling come from. Following the quiz one of them decided they would have to be a construction manager and the other one felt incapable because she was just a junior volunteer.

The latter character lost all confidence in the training and gifts she had. She was unable to see it’s not about your age, your title, or your position. It’s about your calling and who you walk with.

How encouraging that God gave us a scripture to remind us that it’s not about the critics but how God transforms us.

The scales have come off my eyes. I can see so clearly that I must work hard but also let the Lord work through me where I lack. I don’t think there is one answer to life and we do have the freedom to choose. However, I do believe we have a calling and if ignored, its full potential may missed. The Lord moves in our life in ways we may have not been open to before when we accept our true calling.

So let the Lord work on your seed in the dark but when you sprout move to the light and continue to bloom. When the Lord puts a calling on your life remember HE is able to walk you through it. Your humanness can’t accomplish it on your own but you truly aren’t’ alone. The Lord will see you through. And while other careers, callings, and lives can look interesting and exciting, you will flourish the most when you acknowledge and step into your calling. You are not too young, to blonde, to short, to tall, to old, to brunette, etc.

YOU. ARE. CALLED. DON’T LET YOUR LIFE GO TO VOICEMAIL. ANSWER IT AND TAKE THE WALK WITH JESUS.

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LIES: Are You Behind Them or Above Them?

Hello friends! Are you stuck in a spiritual rut? Are you focusing more on what you physically see then what is being spiritually revealed? Are you consumed with what your supposed todo today? Are you finding that despite being home you are more busy? Are you scared that if you find out who God says you are it won’t be who you planned to be?

Yeah me too.

I am going to share a story about a simple girl who wanted adventure but didn’t see herself as worthy or ready and refused to open the door. This girl prayed daily “Lord I want adventure, send me into the world. ” But when an idea or a revelation came knocking on her door she ran and hid. Much like Saul when he was about to be appointed king over Israel.

1 Samuel 10:22 MSG; Samuel went back to God: “Is he anywhere around?” God said, “Yes, he’s right over there— hidden in the pile of baggage.”

Let’s mediate on this scripture for a moment. What stands out to you?

Two points stand out to me: First, God is near and can see us where we are at. Whether we are at the beginning of something the middle or the end, He see’s us. Second, Saul chose to hid among the baggage. Rather than being close to God in the unknown he defaulted to the comfort of sitting among the baggage.

I more often than not feel like my totally fictional character above. I tend to impersonate Saul rather than David.

Psalm 23

David knew his God and knew how much He cared for him. He didn’t need to be comfortable to be safe.

Why does it seem easier to hide in our baggage? Because we forget who our God is and think it takes our strength to go down the road of adventure. When God called Moses to lead the people out of Egypt He said “I AM WHO I AM”.

GOD is capable, He is near, and He is inviting you in to something special today.

Today I wonder what is blocking you from letting God reveal a door or take you outside, away form the baggage? Are you holding onto a concept of who you think you should be? A word the defines you? A past mistake? Fear of screwing up your entire life based on one moment with the Lord?

Let me set you free today with a few words that have been shared with me in the past. “You are not that powerful”. I am going to say that again, “You are not that powerful.”

Today I charge you to look deeper. Sit with God a little longer. Journal: What you hear, think, and see. Step away form the baggage. Allow God to take you into the new thing or on the adventure. I know its scary but God is I AM and will guide you along still water and through the valley of death.

No matter where you find yourself today I know God has immeasurably more to share with you.

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Fear Factor

This weekend I rode a bike for the first time in about 10 years. And let me tell you it felt amazing! This may seem like a trivial event, silly even. However there is so much significance behind this event.

For some context when I was 12 riding my bike pride took over. I began to explain to my friends that I could in fact beat my sister no mater how for ahead she was. ( At the time I didn’t realize it was because I was on a road bike and she was o a mountain bike. GO figure.) As I turned back into the driveway my tire gets stuck between the grass and driveway. I fall over and the handle bars drive into my side. I vowed never to ride a bike again.

Until this weekend.

So I only biked in a small circle yet I wanted to continue for a long time. In that short spurt of biking I felt joy and peace! My past hurts were no longer in control of me. This led me to think about other areas of my life that I may have gotten use to not doing something out of fear.

I recognized I that needed/desired even to get back into the practice of stopping and listening to God during my quite time. I had stopped this out of fear of what God might say. Not a lot of trust there I know.

Just as my experience with the bike hurt me, last summer when I was faced with a decision anxiety about listening to God and making the right choice recked me. The anxiety that riddled me was exhausting, embarrassing, and stripped me of enjoying listening to God.

Just like I need to be intentional in getting back on the bike I also need to be intentional about my walk with Christ. I got use to reading, journaling and done. Yet I knew I’d done more before and had felt more before. 

I have decided to: Sit. And. Listen. This like my bike riding has stored fear in my heart because of the past yet Gods sweetness is on the other side of a quite heart and mind.

Today I challenge you to find something whether seemingly silly like ridding a bike or deeper such as sitting and listening. Sometimes we get comfortable in our fear. God has called you to the other side of this.

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

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Dyslexic Diaries

dys·lex·i·a /dəsˈleksēə/

  1. a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence.

Today I had to read a chapter in my textbook. The chapter is 44 pages. 44. Just let that sink in. That’s a lot of pages. For any student that is a big chunk but for this student its an act of congress. I am not sure why I am sharing this but I hope it may bring inspiration and perseverance for those who are dyslexic.

Y’all I used to hate reading. Reading in groups or alone. Reading wasn’t something I’d choose todo. I mean I was only grasping Junie B. Jones when I was in forth grade. But then in 8th grade I began to read the Percy Jackson Series and I was hooked. More about that later.

Now reading for fun still takes a lot of energy however reading a textbook is like a hiit workout or something. Today I am going to share a few things I do to successfully read my textbook.

  1. When my chapters are 30+ pages I split it up. 15 pages one day and 15 the next. This makes the task a little more attainable. I may even split it into three days of 10 pages. Whatever I feel can help me be successful.
  2. I use a half sheet of paper to cover text that I haven’t gotten to yet. This helps me not get overwhelmed by everything I have to read on the page.
  3. Sometimes I read aloud. Personally reading out load is harder because I have a pronounce words correctly and it takes the wind out of me. However, I find that if I read in my head I can start to fake read aka looking at words but dreaming. So inevitably reading out load helps me process better.

In sharing these tips my goal is to authentically show what reading can feel like as someone who’s dyslexic, give tips on how to conquer reading a textbook and let other dyslexics out there know your not alone.

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Stay @Home Work Strategies

Wrote this post for my dad’s business. I hope you can find this helpful as well as encouraging. If you want to check out Warren Wandling click HERE.

With the new reality of the whole family working at home and the fact that I love to talk and share with those around me, I knew we were going to need to  put some parameters in place. If not for their sanity – to keep me in line.

Last summer I read 5 Gears by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram. This book helped me realize the importance of breaks, getting into the zone and the ease of communication. They wrote this strategy based off of the 5 gears in a manual car. While I may like driving an automatic,  in life it’s important to know how to shift work time and activities throughout your day.

To increase productivity and clearer communication in our new home office situation: 

  1. We each get a poster that says Gear 5, Focus Mode and Gear 4, Task Mode. If Gear 5 is posted in a workplace, that means come back later, I’m in the zone.  With the Gear 4, others are invited to come into the room while working.
  2. Each person has picked a special work space in house
  3. Lunch time is planned
  4. Everyone uses this simple communication tool
  5. We choose laughter over fear.

Being at home doesn’t mean you can’t have a schedule and it doesn’t mean there has to be chaos. While it will take time to navigate a new normal we can use these strategies to ease us into this current situation.

No matter the age of your family you can utilize these techniques. If you have young or school aged kids, make a schedule that includes 1 or more chores, reading, using a math app. Be sure to include activities kids enjoy. This format can even be applied for you as a business man or woman. Make a schedule for yourself so that you can be productive and treat these work days 9-5, just as if you were going into the office.

Lastly, make your space enjoyable to work.

Let’s break through the odds and not let location stop productivity.

To get the Gear 5 and Gear 4 poster go over to my shop page where you can download them from Etsy.

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Packing Light

All nonessentials are closing. This phrase is odd and weighty. While I don’t love that this will cause businesses to close, people to lose their jobs and in person experiences to be lost, the word nonessentials has caught my eye.

First I had to think about what I consider nonessentials to be. I mean getting a latte from your favorite local coffee shop is always a highlight. But is a 5 dollar latte essential to everyday living?

Dictionary.com defines nonessential as..

adjective

not essential; not necessary:Nonessential use of gasoline was forbidden during the war.

noun

a nonessential thing or person.

So in other words something not needed or not aloud.

Then I thought about what God says is essential, bread and water don’t even make the cut.

Matthew 4:1-5 (NLT)

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 21:21 (NLT)

21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.

God says that faith is essential! That going to the source of life is essential. The source of life can be found in God’s word, in worshiping, in serving, in engaging in conversation and in prayer.

Together dictionary.com and GOD can help us see that despite the loss we are feeling, we haven’t truly lost what is essential. YOU see we still are able to read our bibles whenever we would like. We can worship our Lord whenever we would like. We can watch sermons and go to church whenever we would like! We still have what’s truly essential.

So yes, we maybe losing out on cherished events and beloved rituals, BUT we have the ability to still have a relationship with Jesus! Makes me giddy just thinking about it!!

Today my prayer for you is that you would find peace and joy in the ESSENTIALS of today.

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The Gym and A Friend

Today I want to share the benefits and funefits of working out with a friend. Just so we are on the same page funefits are the fun benefits. 

Accountability 

The first benefit of hitting the gym with a friend is accountability. This past week I went running with a friend several times. The first time we were barely running a mile but day by day we added laps until we hit two miles. Now every time we hit the gym and decide to run we keep each other accountable to run a full 2 miles no matter what. As I am editing this post we have accomplished running 5 miles. In this journey of working out together we are learning that its mind over body. 

Another tip to keep each other accountable is to calendar the time you plan to workout with each other. Try to pick a certain number of times you want to work out a week and even check up on each other on the days you don’t.

Encouragement

Another benefit is encouragement. When you are with your friends you can tell them they are doing great and they are on fire and they can finish strong! And vice versa. I have been declaring encouraging phrases the last several times I have gone running with my friends. Working out is a mental game, your body can always do more than you think so having a friend to encourage you can help keep the mental game strong. When we are running our last lap I say things like “We are strong” “We our God’s temple” “We can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” “We are able” 

Fun

The Gym with a Friend

Also it’s just fun! Connecting with friends in a healthy way is great. I love hearing about my friends day and new things they are up to. Yes sitting down at a cute coffee shop is always enjoyable however pursuing health with friends brings forth a different type of joy. 

WAYS TO WORK OUT WITH FRIENDS:

Find a class you both enjoy. I like to attend to yoga, barre or HIIT. I have even tried a zumba class. Or maybe y’all want to do cardio together. You can run, bike, swim.  Learn how to do a new skill together. I have some friends who recently learned how to belay so they can go rock climbing together. Or maybe you want to learn a new sport. You can even try a circuit at the gym or making up your workouts in a zone room. Whatever is your cup of tea. 

Maybe you don’t want to hit the gym, that’s perfectly fine. You can go on nature walks, run outdoors or find parks with workout circuits. There are also so many quality videos that provide a great workout. At home workouts I enjoy include Boho Beautiful Yoga workouts and 21 day fix work out videos. There are a plethora of apps, youtube channels and dvds that you can subscribe to or purchase.

Today I encourage you to call a friend and subscribe to your local gym.

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Taking Your Time Back

Do your weeks feel hectic? Do you find that you never have time to breathe? Are you up until the wee hours of the morning finishing assignments? You have come to the right place. I have three tips on how to organize your planner for a successful workday. Not only will your planner be pretty, you will feel a sense of completion and maximize the time God has given you.

Before we begin, I use a Passion Planner. I like this planner because it allows me to account for every hour of my day and has many places for drawings and notes. Now grab your free passion planner printout here and we will begin.

COLOR

Each class, activity, work, social engagement and bible study has its own color. This allows me to see how much time I am investing into each activity. In my planner I draw in the time I am doing each activity. For example: I have class from 4:30-7, so I mark that block of time out for class.

I even plan specifically when I will be doing my homework. This sets visual boundaries and keeps me accountable for my time.

Feeling like you are doing homework or work projects in every “leftover” second of the day isn’t fun. This is why I have started to treat my workdays as 7am-5pm much like a professional business day. By deciding when my work time will be I have room for free time, which I also plan.

Color in action

As you see in my example, work time. exercise time and even social events. Some weeks I plan in watching the bachelor with my friends. Using assorted colors allows you to see where you are spending your time and it’s pretty.

 TASKS

Write down all the tasks you want to accomplish for each area, using the pre-determined color. Here I used seaweed green for one of my classes. Below I have written down all the tasks for the class I’d like to complete this week. When you have identified everything you want to complete, it will make your homework time smoother. These tasks are all the things you want to complete during a week.

snapshot of my weekly agenda

Separately, I suggest getting a small notebook or using notes on your phone to create a checklist of the tasks you must complete for the day.  The success you will feel from completing the tasks is so refreshing. Your energy will also be maximized because you have a daily goal you are working towards.

TIME

So that I am on top of my schedule, instead of my schedule being on top of me, I sit down on Sundays and plan out the upcoming week. Of Course, you can choose the day that suits you best to plan. I like Sunday because it feels like a breath of fresh air or a restart as I step into a new week. Whichever day you choose be consistent so you can stay in control of your schedule. The best part is – it only takes about 15 minutes and I feel way more confident going into the week.

So why color code and write out all these tasks? 

You will feel more peace going into your week. You will notice you procrastinate less. You will be satisfied with the work you complete. So this week I challenge you to down load the passion planner or purchase your planner of choice, get some markers or fancy pens, and give your self 15 minutes.

P.S. If you like an online calendar these same principles apply to you as well.

Proverbs 16:3 MSG

Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.

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Just Walk

Peace. I have walked it. For many of you who read my last post as of August 7th, 2019 I was paralyzed and searching for my life’s blueprint to be handed to me by God. Now logically we know this can not happen. If we knew everything that God would have for us, we wouldn’t dare move or we would think it was all on us. Newsflash it ain’t.

So what changed from August 7th to December 18th 2019, Besides the weather and holiday season?
My actions.
Instead of listening to my brain explain to me that I have to be approved by God and by all the people around me and still be myself and try to accomplish everything in one semester… and and and!
This nearly drove me insane. Well it actually did I spent my entire summer trapped in my head and talked in circles. It was wack!

I remember the week before classes started like it was yesterday. I hadn’t decided on a school for sure because every time I declared one, I then thought of all the reasons I should go to the other. (To help understand more I had already gone to KSU for a year but KU had a program I was interested in because it would allow me to apply for an internship that I have been wanting to do).
Anyway… The days crept closer to the beginning of classes. I had very few days left to choose. I had officially changed schools like three times. The admission people probably thought I was crazy. I was. But I remember choosing KSU. Thinking I need to finish what I started and although this seemed like the opposite of what I wanted, I knew God had called me to return.

Monday came and as I went to my class a peace that transcends ALL understanding washed over me. This peace was unreal. I remember trying to change my major and realizing it didn’t feel right. In my walk of obedience God opened a major within my school of Education that literally fits me to a T.
I still get to apply for the internship I want and be practically finished with school at the time I had hoped for.

All this to say – God wants to use us and has things in store for us.
Sometimes it is painful other times it is a sweet gift.
How can we know what he has if we don’t walk? You see if ever we get off track God is kind enough to lead us back and our off-trackness was already budgeted into Gods plan.
He literally has it under control.

So as I am sitting here reflecting on literally walking past my thoughts of anxiety and fears of my shortcomings, I thank God for overcoming all and restoring this battle I have faced.
As sit here writing to you I mediate on two things:

Philippians 4:6-7 and the Movie Tangled.

0001-4461108059

Rapunzel is one of my favorite princesses. While her story starts off kinda bleak it ends with restoration just like each of our own Jesus stories. He comes to rescue us from our oppressor, Satan. Satan tells us that he knows what is best for us, sending doubt into our minds about what God has for us. This lie begins the building of a tower around us –  of fears, lies, anger, false situations and so forth. He (the devil) fears our potential. The great thing is, no matter how long you live locked up, whether it be 2 days or 10 years, God will rescue you.
There is a purpose God has for you.

Stop holding it in afraid – that you are too much and not enough. Stop worrying that you will mess it up and you’ll disappoint God. Just STOP. God literally made you perfect in His image. There is no one like you. There may be others who you share common interest or goals with, but the way you are wired is unique. So I am here to tell you that I have come through, to the other side and so can you!
Let’s ring in the new year in expectation of what God can and will do.