Faces of Calvary: meet Susan Hansen

Tell us about yourself.

Our family has been connected with Calvary for over 37 years now, since moving to the area to be closer to our families.   Our family of 4, including my husband Jeff, and children Melissa and Ben , from the very start and still going,  have taken part in Sunday School, Awana, , small groups, and more, developing wonderful relationships along the way.  My husband died in 2019 from heart complications.  While he is rejoicing in heaven, I have much to rejoice about on earth, including blessed relationships with my children (and now 2 grandchildren), other family members (Steve and Sue Hansen), and brothers/sisters in Christ (Knodels with whom we connected at Calvary 36yrs ago+ my current small group). 

I continue to be blessed in watching God work at Compassion Counseling Center and other volunteer positions, and also love my current role of being a grandma.   I love how my current season allows so many choices about how to meaningfully use your time.  I find the blessings are the greatest if I let go of my agenda for the day and replace it with God’s (which is often full of surprises!).  Unfortunately, my weaknesses of distractibility, overthinking, and lack of self-discipline often make me veer off from His plan.  Regardless, each day holds its purpose and many blessings.  

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Lamentations 3:22-23  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;  His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy Faithfulness (which then leads to my all-time favorite hymn of the same name)

But my favorite passage to teach little ones about is Matthew 6:26 about God caring even for the birds and flowers , so how much more does He care for us?

Describe yourself in 5 adjectives:

Reflective, grateful, overthinker,  affirming,   highly distractible(forgive me if I don’t always keep eye contact with you; I still hear you….)

What are you  most passionate about?

Teaching littles about Jesus,  and trying to bless others because I myself have been blessed SO MUCH!

What is your favorite time of day?

Morning stillness, with time to read my Bible, think, and pray before the busy of the day

What is your favorite outdoor activity?  

Hiking out in nature, enjoying God’s creation,especially flowers and birds (Unless hiking with someone, I am worse than a toddler on the path for stopping to attend to all His creative details! )

While I am out,  God’s music of the old hymns always runs through my head:   “When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees…..”

What is something you have that is of sentimental value? and why?

Gifts from my parents or husband that either signify their love for me or their character —e.g. CDs of their life in pictures as shown at their funerals, rings from both my dad and my husband 

What are 3 things you highly value?

Relationships with Jesus and people (I know, those aren’t things….)

My Bible

Music (especially the old hymns, songs from old musicals, plus the songs He puts on my heart  throughout most every day which you may find me whistling, singing, or playing on the piano)