We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Carmichael and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
The most important thing I’ve done as a parent to impact my children is to show them by example what true repentance looks like. When I feel convicted for having a bad attitude, complaining, throwing a fit, playing the victim, or losing my temper, I go back to my kids and confess why my behavior was wrong and then ask for their forgiveness. I have specifically struggled with wanting to pursue my passions and hobbies at the expense of prioritizing my kids. The past couple of years have been challenging as I have, multiple times, tried to pursue a side project only to realize that my kids were being neglected in different ways. I struggled with viewing them as an inconvenience to my dreams rather than as a God-given boundary that He has given me to keep me on the path that He has ordained for me to walk on. Finally submitting to His will and viewing my children as blessings instead of hindrances has freed me to enjoy my home and family and life instead of constantly dwelling on what I could be accomplishing if I only had the time. I have apologized to my kids multiple times for falling again and again into the trap of discontentment. They are always so gracious to forgive me and express their love for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I do not have a brand or product to sell. I am a speaker at women’s conferences and have ideas for writing books. But my main focus right now is to be home with my family, homeschooling my kids. I am excited to one day write a book about the theology of the body. But I am not well known enough to have a publishing company contract me. It has been difficult to balance marriage, raising kids, and church ministry with the projects I am passionate about. I have not handled waiting well. But through the help of my friends, mentors, and a patient husband, I am learning to be content in the season I am in, trusting the Lord to make it clear when/if I should pursue a writing project. For now, I am enjoying speaking periodically at women’s conferences/retreats. And I love directing our women’s ministry at our church where I get to disciple women to love and serve Jesus with all their heart.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to In-N-Out as not every state has one. I would take them to the beach where we would sit and eat acai bowls. I would take them to the Getty Museum in LA to look at and discuss classic art. Other than that, I would mainly invite them to my house to hang out with my friends from church becaues I think my church friends are the funnest people in the world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friends, Tess, Amber, and Suzy from church, have been my greatest supporters in encouraging me to pursue the projects that interest me. My husband invested money into my Master’s degree program, allowing me to continue my education, and he sat with me for hours talking about the books I was reading.

Website: www.sexandthegospel.wordpress.com

Other: Hannah Carmichael is a pastor’s wife and homeschool mom in Los Angeles, California. She has a master’s degree in classical studies and hopes to one day write a book gospel truths in classic art as well as the gospel truths built into our physical bodies.

Image Credits
The photo of me was taken by Suzy VanDyke. Her website is https://vandykephotoco.com/

The photo at the Santa Clarita courthouse was taken with my 8th-grade class after they had completed their mock trial.

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