By Janean
As I am writing this, the time is counting down to the exact minute, nine months ago, Hannah’s heart stopped beating, for her, for the last time. A lot has happened these past nine months, but we have other posts that explain all that God has been doing in our lives since we lost our daughter. (The time now reads, 3:57 p.m. August 10th, 2025, officially nine months has come.) I have dreaded this time of the year and this season. Things that happened a year ago came with joy, worry, thrill, concern, excitement, anticipation, and an exciting look toward a wonderous future.
A year ago, we had our Vacation Bible School (VBS) which was led by Hannah. Due to our pastor stepping down and no one stepping in to take on the load of leading VBS, Hannah gladly came forward to take on this challenge. She jumped with both feet into action, figuring out all the different departments and who would best fit the role in leading those areas. She not only was leading VBS, but she also took a part in the play, in which she actually ended up playing the part of my stuck-up, snotty daughter who was self-centered and not happy when things didn’t go her way. She loved playing the mischievous, “bad” person because of the reactions she got out of the children. We had a tremendous turnout of children and parents on the final night of VBS. It was wonderful!
Last week, was our VBS this year. We had the privilege of having the director of WFBC and his wife lead it. We didn’t know how the turnout would be, but the Lord was working in many hearts. Monday through Wednesday, the number of children increased, then Thursday and Friday we stayed around 16 children. Almost all of these are “bus kids.” On the final night, we had a few parents come out and see their children sing and recite verses that they had learned throughout the week. The week was full of blessings.
I struggled with working in VBS this year. It was hard. The memories of other years flooded my mind. I was with all my children, involved in canvassing the neighborhoods, decorating, teaching the younger age class, acting in the skit, and doing whatever else was needed. Last year, I worked closely with Hannah, being her “right-hand man.” I helped whenever she needed things done or something figured out. We grew very close! I asked the director of WFBC this year to not give me any job that was too important, just in case I was not able to help. I struggled with “Do Right”. I didn’t want to help with VBS, but “Do Right”! Remembering everything from last year and asking “why” again and again, but I still needed to “Do Right!” Not sleeping again, waking up scared, and visualizing Hannah beside me, but “Do Right!” Missing my Hannah, but “Do Right”!
The Lord sent me some encouraging moments that helped me to continue moving forward and “Do right.” On Monday, we went to a burial ceremony for a friend from church. After the message, a sweet elderly lady from church came up to me and gave me a great big hug. At first, I didn’t understand why she was hugging me because the person who was being buried was not our relative. Then she whispered in my ear that she had been praying for us because of the next week being VBS. She then started telling me about the memories she had with Hannah running VBS the previous year and how God used her. On Wednesday, another lady from church caught me before VBS and told me that she had been praying for us. She also asked me some questions about what all happened, things that she didn’t understand, but didn’t know how to ask. I took some time to explain and answer her questions. It was a precious time. I was thankful she took that step, reached out, and showed love and care toward our family.
One final blessing the Lord gave was a note from the MBU Advantage Scholarship Donor department which included an essay and thank you card that Hannah had written. They explained that for Hannah to receive this scholarship she had to read a chapter in a book and write an essay on that chapter. In her essay, Hannah said that the chapter inspired her so much that she ended up reading the whole book. The book was about William Tyndale and Humphrey Monmouth who desired to see the Bible read and taught in languages other than Latin. As Tyndale awaited execution he shouted, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes!”. Two years later, the king’s eyes were opened and that’s how we got the King James Version of the Bible. Hannah added some lessons that she learned in reading this book. One was to be fully immersed in ministry by handing out tracts, volunteering in VBS, or going on a mission trip. The second lesson she learned was to be a cheerful giver. “Whatever you give to further a ministry, give it your all with a joyful spirit,” she wrote. Her final lesson was to be passionate about whatever ministry you are working in. She explained, “…while God can do anything, it is easier for Him to use a willing and passionate spirit than to get a lazy spirit to get to work.” Hannah had a determination, purpose, and understanding beyond her years. Even now, nine months later, she is still being used by God to guide, direct, and encourage people in their walk with the Lord. This helped me gain the strength to immerse, give of myself, and be passionate about the ministry at church with VBS.
As Hannah finished out her essay, she wrote, “We should learn from those who have come before us and build upon the work that they have started so one day, when Christ returns, He can say ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’”
We are blessed.
Hannah Helps 