^^ Sorry about my picture being sideways.  I honestly could NOT figure out how to adjust it. haa!

Hey everyone!  This is so exciting!  First off, my name is Sara Anne Hansen.  I turn 19 on November 22!  Growing up I was never fond of having a common first, middle, and last name because im nothing close to common.  With that being said, people started spelling my name as "Saraw" and its been like that ever since.  It also helped because there was four other Sara(h) Ann(e)'s in my high school!  So, you can call me Saraw!



I live in Big Lake, Minnesota!  Although I lived in Minneapolis during my preschool years, Big Lake has been my home ever since.  Yes, we have a lake but no, it isnt big :) Thats usually the first question people ask!  Big Lake is a fairly small town, most people know about everyone and everything but were close enough to the cities to do fun things.  Most people know about the Mall of America, well... I live about 50 minutes away for there!  I experience harsh winters and "for me" hot summers.  Sadly (and not trying to complain) but Im not really a fan of winter OR summer.  Fall or spring is defiantly what makes me happiest.  I cant wait for all of you to make fun of my Minnesotan accent, it can be quite thick at times! ;)

Just like many of you guys, im not attending college as well!  Five years ago I would have thought someone was crazy if they told me I wasnt going to college when I graduated, and here I am!  I decided when I graduated that I had no idea where God was taking me, and I wasn't quite willing to spend lots of money searching for a degree.  For about 12 years of my life I was a dancer.  In my heart I still am, but im currently not enrolled in any group/competition/classes/ect.  I danced tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop.  As embarrassed I am to admit this, I am without a doubt best a hip hop. HA!  I never quite did any other sports in high school but I was the social butterfly.  I got best eyes, smile, most likely to get out of trouble by smiling, and brighten your day for the yearbook senior year!  WOO! I was also Big Lake Ambassador 2009-2010 Most Congenial for my town.  Yes, its kinda like a pageant but I am most defiantly not a pageant girl.  I did it because I wanted to be the light for other towns and because you do A LOT of community service and I got to know people who work really hard to help the community.  

On my free time i'm constantly working.  This is defiantly new to me, because I've never worked this much in my life!  Ever since I was accepted for this trip (which was recent), i never want to stop working.  I work at Buffalo Wild Wings as a hostess and cashier and also at Caribou Coffee as a barista!  Im sure many of you from down south only know Starbucks but TRUST me, Caribou is much muchhhh better!  

To make this easier:

My likes:  deep worship sessions, studying the bible, history, culture, pillows/blankeys, chick flicks, lazy days, sleeping, poetry, ELEPHANTS, greys anatomy, taking pictures, dressing up, coffee, tea, gloomy days, rain, thunderstorms, late night talks, tattoos (I was supposed to get my sleeve so many times, but I keep investing in more important things..aka: MY TRIP), Bird cages/Birds, Tulips, Road trips, MUSIC and weddings!

Dislikes:  Deep water, heights (but i LOVE airplanes and roller coasters), Tomatoes, Spicy food (Thailand..I know), Spiders, Snakes, Awkward silences, waking up early, scary movies, 

I've only been on one missions trip before!  It was in Rosebud, South Dakota.  I remember trying to talk my way out of the trip but my good friend insisted on paying for my ride there and I couldn't turn it down.  Little did I know that God had been planning my arrival and gave my life a 180.  I fell in love with the people and the land.  Although It was only a state away from mine, i felt like I was in a different country!  I was told that Rosebud is one of the most dangerous places in America and I could see why!  The poverty there was unbelievable and knowing that my own country was at fault made me weak in the knees.  I also found out there that Adolf Hitler got ideas for his concentration camps from researching what America did to the Native Americans throughout history.  We put them on land that we expected them to die on.  God had a different plan for them though, and im blessed to witness his mercy and love in a place so broken.  

There are so many things that make me excited and nervous to attend this trip!  I dont have family support so its tough staying strong and remembering that this is what God is calling me to do, but Im reminded why each and every day!  I was accepted into this trip just recently so I only have 1000 saved up, so I have to raise about 5000 by December and Its overwhelming but im praying God will reveal himself in miraculous ways!  Im relying on the Lord completely and I hope I will have the chance to meet you all!  Pray for me PLEASE!  Also, if you guys have great suggestions on how to raise money let me know!

I can already tell Im gonna love you girls so much!  Cant wait to meet you all!!!! 

Saraw Hansen