Nearly a new story...

As my friends and family will notice, I am not Hannah Kendell, not just yet. However, it made sense to set this account up in my future name as we are not far from that special date! On the 24th August this year, my Fiancee Sam and I shall become husband and wife.

We may look young in this picture for a couple about to get married... but that's because we are young! When we wed, we shall both be 20.

Our story began when we both arrived at Moorlands College where we are both still studying Applied Christian Theology. I came to college not knowing where I was heading in life and Sam... well he was quite the opposite! Sam came to college never wanting to date anyone un till he had finished his degree and I never wanted to date un till at least after my first year. However, even before the first term had finished, God was already telling us we needed to walk another road, or to let go and let God. After nights praying, nights crying, walks talking and awkward conversations, we became like best friends. Then best friends lead to dating (not before christmas as the college rules state)! Straight after the Christmas holidays we started dating and over time as we started to walk together in life, we became aware pretty quickly that this was no ordinary relationship, this was a relationship ordained by God. After just 9 months of "going out" we were engaged.

This story may read like a fairytale, however there were many rough patches. One of the most difficult times that we have already faced together was the death of my brothers wife. They had only been married 2 years, but she had already become a sister to me. It was one of those events in life that not only do you never think of them happening, but it never even crosses your mind. I fell apart at this stage and all that I felt was an empty shell of a person that used to be me.

Not to dwell on these sad events, I can say that God has pulled us all through. Without the grace and peace of God, and the knowledge that my sister-in-law is with our saviour now, I am sure all our lives would have a different story for the current time.

My brother is now working with Bless in Bethanie and really growing in character and strength each day, he has become a great role model of mine- a fighter, a humble servant of the Lord and a straight talker. I am pretty sure that none of this would be so without the work of God in his life.

I also am even more than myself again, I have been through one of the refiners fires in life. Guided by God, helped by Sam.

Today, Sam and I look forward to starting a new life together, united in the eyes of God, knowing that we shall face harder times than we have ever before, willing to face them and follow God's next instruction. As of the 24th August, I shall become a Kendell. Sam and I shall become 1. And, God shall continue to guide us.

We shall use our past experiences to grant wisdom and help others. More importantly we shall continue to try to let go and let God.