My Brave Story- Hannah Hogner

The greatest thing in blogging that I've experienced is the friendships I've made with other bloggers. Hannah Hogner is one that I've been so honored to call friend. She's been encouraging and supportive since Day 1. Blogging takes having "thick skin," we pretty much bare it all when it comes to sharing our lives and our hearts through what we type and it's definitely nice to have others who know what you're going through and will stand in your corner. I highly respect Hannah for her values and what she stands for. She's the definition of BOLD when it comes to proclaiming Jesus to the world and the compassion she has for lifting others up and really showing them the love of Jesus truly inspires me. Here Brave Story is a rarity in our culture and we're so excited to share it with everyone!

Candace

Standing on the shore...

I have spent some time thinking and praying on this and I feel like I am supposed to share my personal testimony of my love life and stepping into the person God wants me to be. So brief history, my parents got a divorce when I was in first grade. I remember the sadness that was involved and so when I was in first grade I started praying that my first boyfriend would be my husband. Now I can fast forward some... my dream growing up was pretty much like so many others, to get married and have kids! I wanted to be a wife and a mommy so bad. I would never dream past that for myself. I figured I would marry and I would then basically find my identity of who I was supposed to be in my husband. Boy, was I wrong and God had a much bigger plan in mind.

He calls my name...

Haha, when He called my name, oh, it was a gentle nudge that turned into a shake in my mind! In the winter of 2014, I felt Him start to work on me and my boldness more and more. I felt a tugging on my heart that I was supposed to start stepping up. My dad and step mom (Momma Jo) who is another mom to me. We don't like the word "step" 😉. They have been in Cowboy Ministry for over 20 years now. My dad past away about 7 years ago and I have stayed with Momma Jo to be a blessing to her, help with the ministry and my home is here. So I have helped by singing or speaking when and where needed. Now back on topic, lol! I have struggled from time to time getting up to sing or speak in front of people, but I kept feeling Him slowly nudge me that way. Every time I would get up I would pray that He would guide me and every time boldness arrives to help me. Come January 2015, I felt it again, that I was supposed to start doing more. I got a call from one of our pastor's at my home church asking me to do the Sunday service at the end of that month. She said she felt like I was really supposed to do it. One side of me was screaming, "Nooo, your not ready!" Then the other side, my soul said calmly, "Yes, you are!" So I prayed and said, "Yes!" By being obedient doors began to open and I finally felt like I was stepping into who God wanted me to be and finding my identity in Him not my future "Hunnie" (nickname we gave him to pray for him, lol!)

Stepping out into the waves...

That first step was to trust Him and let Him lead me. When I finally decided to fully turn my whole heart over to Him and be willing to leave the "old me" behind, I was able to step into the ME, the encourager, the singer and the speaker that He wanted me to be. I felt boldness like no other. "Hunnie" has not shown up yet and I have never had a boyfriend, but I am way more content in my heart and not sitting here waiting and wondering where he is. I'm living my life and doing what He wants me to do. I want to be a light to others knowing in the end that their "Hunnies" will show up in God's perfect timing. We need to let him fill the void and loneliness in our hearts first.

Don't look back...

I've had fear in being different and always being looked at as the goodie two shoes. I know I'm not like others and becoming a minister, in a way I felt like... "Lord, now no one will like me (guy wise)." They will only see me as the preacher's daughter who is becoming a preacher. We all have those insecurities of some sorts and this was mine, feeling like no one my age would want to love a girl like me. I just turned 30 in August and I see people getting engaged and married and having babies and it's something I have always dreamed of and I would be sad for a quick moment. Then, I would snap out of it real fast and remind myself that that's what I'll get when the time is right! I am more content in my heart now by letting Him fill that void in my heart and life.

“When you step into or do what God is telling you to do and fully trust Him, amazing things can happen.”

Reach for His hand and take hold...

I have learned so much and it was so worth it! When you step into or do what God is telling you to do and fully trust Him, amazing things can happen. Boldness takes over and you can accomplish major things and hurdles! Psalms 46:5 says, "God is within her she will not fail." So this is my motto for 2016 and as an encourager I hope all who read this know whatever your facing and going through He can help you through it! All you have to do is let His love fill you and be Brave! Remember who lives inside you!