"i didn't do anything for the kingdom today."

This confession by an awesomely cool guy - who's almost like a second dad - hit me hard.  His name's Tim by the way...and he has a blog :)  Click HERE to visit!  And follow.  Ya know ya wanna...*wink*


So.  Back to the post.  He hates it when I put him on a pedestal, and always tells me to give Jesus all the glory.  So - this is not him - this is simply Jesus working through him to get to me. Just thought you better know that up front.  Anywayyy...


This made me realize I should be putting forth all my effort to at least do ONE THING - even if it's just one - to help The Kingdom of God flourish.  Maybe it could be saying hi to someone who doesn't have any friends.  Maybe it could be going to a *GASP* soup kitchen and lending a hand.  Or even worse! Telling someone that I'm a Christian and ask them if they know Jesus personally.


It might be stupid rambles, but I know I need to get out there and do something.  Something that's gonna last for eternity.  And this might be another stupid ramble, but I think this blog is going to count in eternity.  I made it so I could meet other Christian girls - so they could help strengthen my faith and I could help strengthen theirs.  And I truly believe that God counts that for something.


So.  Did you do something for The Kingdom today?  I did.  I obeyed my parents!  Might sound insignificant, but for me, that's huge.


"Don't waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last." 
--John 6:27

blessings always and forever,
anna :)

And yes, I was up at midnight writing this.  What?!  It was important!

"maybe it's because you really didn't want to see him."

I know, I know. I am horrible, weak, and an absolute failure. What can I say? I'm addicted to blogging. It's because I feel comfortable here - I can say what I want without everyone thinking I'm some sort of creepy writer/artist person. So yeah. Back to the post.

In Prince Caspian - one of my favorite movies! - Susan asks Lucy why she didn't see Aslan. Lucy's reply?

"Maybe it's because you really didn't want to see him."

This hit me really hard. Lately, I've been feeling, sorta...distant from God. And maybe it's because I really don't want to see Him. I should be searching continually, looking for Him everywhere. And I just don't.

So. I'm gonna start looking for Him. In school, at home, at church, on Blogger - everywhere. I should want to see Him so bad that I can't keep myself from looking.

Much love,

anna :)

P.S. - I ditched Ned for Peter. Horrible, I know. But Peter's brave, smart, cunning, and cute. He's a keeper *wink*

merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheesy and typical, I know, but hey, I love you guys :)

And I know this is going to sound typical too, but it's anything but cliché.

While you're unwrapping gifts and eating cookies and all that good stuff, remember that beautiful Christ child born on that perfect night.

Remember JESUS.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

much love,

anna :)

[...and I'm begging You to be my escape...]

Finals start tomorrow.

I.am.going.to.die.

That is if we go to school. The weatherman's telling us we're gonna have freezing rain. Which means slick roads. Which means no school.

But most likely, it will be regular rain and I'll end up sitting in a classroom taking finals, which are 10% of my grade. 10 PERCENT!

So, I'm praying extra hard. For God to be my escape out of all this nervousness. All of this fear. So I can just sit down, take these tests, and do all I can do - MY BEST.

But in the mean time, Relient K is rather comforting.

"I gotta get outta here

I'm stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake.

I gotta get outta here.

And I'm begging You,

I'm begging You,

I'm begging You, to be my escape..."

me and Jesus :)

So, I was tagged by Lily, Bleah, and Hope! You put your iTunes, iPod, or MP3 on shuffle and answer these questions. So yeah. Here goes...

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?

Fireflies - Owl City

Okay…

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

Forgiven - Relient K

Yes, yes, yes!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Nothing Without You - Relient K

Um, no. I’m not codependent.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Here I go Again - Casting Crowns

Gosh, the person in this song is DYING!

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

Walk on the Water - Britt Nicole

Ohh yeah :D

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

Never Alone - MercyMe

To let people know they’re not alone…?

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?

The Last, The Lost, The Least - Relient K

Well then…

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Safe - Britt Nicole

So. I’m safe. Like they can trust me and stuff. Okay, I’m stretching it.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

The Change Inside of Me - MercyMe

They want me to change?! :(

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

World That Breaks - Britt Nicole

True…

WHAT IS 2+2?

Sunshine Girl - Britt Nicole

My iTunes is really stupid. Sorry.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

I Just Want You to Know - Relient K

Okayyy.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Never Look Away - The Museum

Like, I stare at him a lot?! No I don’t! ...do I?!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

You - Britt Nicole

Yeah. I am always coming back to God.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Oasis - Relient K

Bahahahaha :)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Dear John - Taylor Swift.

But the guy I like’s name isn't John...

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?

What This World Needs - Casting Crowns

Um, that’s a little hardcore for a wedding...

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Gibberish - Relient K

Riiiiighttttt...

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Wishes and Dreams - Stellar Kart

Why, yes, I am a dreamer :D

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care - Relient K

Yup. I’m scared of crayons melting on me.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns

Well, I am sort of scared to step out of my comfort zone...

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

Say It - Britt Nicole

Okay. I’ll say it. I LOVE JESUS!!! ;)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

You’ll Always Be My Best Friend - Relient K

WAS THAT PERFECT OR WHAT?!!! :D

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

Lose Control - Stellar Kart

Yeah, that would be pretty bad. I think my parents would disown me.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?

Spending Time - Stellar Kart

Yeah, I do regret not spending enough time with God :(

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

My Savior, My God - Aaron Shust

He does have a sense of humor, I’m telling you. Ironic things tend to happen to me.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?

Break Open the Sky - tobyMac

Um, Jesus coming back would make me happy! Maybe they'll be tears of joy...

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?

The Saltwater Room - Owl City

Guess I’m getting married in the Saltwater Room, you guys.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?

Back to December - Taylor Swift

I am not scared of a month! Sheesh...

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?

High of 75 - Relient K

...guess so :)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

Glow - Britt Nicole

Mkay. Sure.

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?

God Is Alive - Fee

iTunes, you are utterly stupid.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?

Hold On - Stellar Kart

Okay - Hope, Lily, & Bleah you need to hold on. ;)

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?

Me and Jesus - Stellar Kart

EEP! I LOVE THAT SONG! :D

And I tag anyone who wants to do it! :D

relient k = ahmazing :)

So. I have a new obsession. Their name's Relient K. Ya see, I'd heard about them, but I was really stuck on Stellar Kart. Which I still love them with all my ever loving heart, but I think I've 'wore them out', as Bleah put it. I know every single lyric to every single song, and well, they get old after a while. Sure, I'm still gonna listen to them. I think they're the BEST BAND EVER.

But I am turning over a new leaf. It's called the Relient K leaf :)

Matthew Thiessen is witty and clever, and his songs show that.

And this one's my favorite :)

...as of right now...

Anyway, enough with all the chit chat. Here's the song that's been blaring through my headphones for the past week :)

100th! :D

Yes.

It is.

My 100th post!

*Crowd cheers*

Thank you, thank you. I would've never have made it here without ya'll! On this momentous occasion, I've decided to share with all my favorite things in the whole wide world. You voted, dear followers, and favorites won! And since a hundred is a rather large number, I'm gonna do ten of everything ;)

People: Jesus (duh!), my parents (they count as one), Shannon, Lesley, Tori, Adam Agee, Matthew Thessien, Britt Nicole, Melody Carlson, and you of course! :)

Places: Home sweet home, church, on the beach, Centrifuge, under the stars, Shannon's house, Little Caesar's, in my backyard, in any hammock, and the blogging world :)

T.V. Shows: Saved By the Bell, Growing Pains, Full House, Drake and Josh, The Incredible Hulk, The A-Team, America's Got Talent, Bonanza, Leave it to Beaver, and The Sing-Off

Movies: As of right now...Ice Princess, Sleepover, Sydney White, National Treasure (1 and 2), Letters to God, Push, Finding Nemo (the most quotable movie EVER), Before You Say "I Do", The Ultimate Gift, and of course...A Walk to Remember...*sighs dreamily*

Books: The Bible (naww ;) ), The Christy Miller Series, The Chloe Books, The Caitlin Books, The TruColors Series, Percy Jackson, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Last Song, A Walk to Remember, and The Miracle Girls Series

Bands/Singers: Stellar Kart, Relient K, Britt Nicole, Taylor Swift, Hawk Nelson, The Fray, MercyMe, Owl City, Jonas Brothers, and The Afters

Food: You gotta be kidding! I LOVE my food! But if I had to choose...Banana Nut Cheerios, pepperoni pizza (Little Caesar's), butter noodles, ham fried rice, egg rolls, fajita nachos (from Los Amigos), chess cake (Maw-Maw's), cookie and cream ice cream (Scoops), homemade sugar cookies, & puppy chow

Random Things I *heart*: Singing, converse, polka dots, the word "nifty", lots of bracelets, the color turquoise, sand between my toes, thunderstorms, snow days, and...Jesus. Again. Sorry, I had to save the best for last :)

Blessings always & forever,

anna :)

PS - This IS a tag of sorts, so you can do it, too! :D

a quote by yours truly...

"I'm not perfect & I'm not trying to reach perfection. But I AM reaching for the stars. Know why? Jesus is right above 'em."

-anna :)

"life is dull, so let's talk about Jesus."

That's what Nathan at Unashamed said. And I like that philosophy. Like I said in my previous post, I've been really apathetic lately. Life is boring, and it's like I don't even care anymore. But ya know what? I SHOULD care. Even if life is a drag and mundane. I have something to celebrate. I'm going to heaven to be with Jesus! We're gonna have a HUGE party and I'll get to spend forever with Him. My Savior. The guy who died on a cross, just so I could be free.

We should be dancing around, having a blast, and screaming at the top of our lungs, "I LOVE JESUS!" (Add about a million exclamation points to it, and that's about right :D)

Anyway, this song is about that. Just letting go, having fun, and living for Him. Thank you, Britt Nicole :)

apathy in the air?

apathy |ˈapəθē|nounlack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern : widespread apathy among students.ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from French apathie, via Latin from Greekapatheia, from apathēs ‘without feeling,’ from a- ‘without’ + pathos‘suffering.’That's me in a nutshell lately. Apathetic. It's like I don't even care anymore. I don't know. Maybe it's high school. Maybe it's the fact that I'm not in the 'popular' crowd this year. Or maybe I'm just blahhh. I don't know. But it's like I've fallen into this rut of apathy and I can't get out!It's not like I WANT to be apathetic. 'Cause I don't. I try to be happy and full of energy, but I'm just not.All my life I've been an all-A student, but lately, I don't care about my grades. I don't care that I have two Bs. I mean, it's school. It's something we all have to go through, not anything out of the norm.Maybe that's it. I'm sick of normal. Tired of typical. Cringing at complacency.I even have a playlist for it. It's called "apathetic *yawn*". Ridiculous right? Well, here are the songs anyway :)Apathetic Way to Be - Relient KProcrastinating - Stellar KartBe My Escape - Relient KHold On - tobyMacMillion Miles Away - MercyMeEverything Falls - FeeWonderin' - tobyMacBelieve - Britt NicoleNever Grow Up - Taylor SwiftI so hate consequences - Relient KSo yeah. Is it just me? Or is apathy in the air?

so not professional.

So lately, I've been feeling like an 'unprofessional blogger'. Does that sound stupid or what?

Well, it's the truth. *Looks down at feet* I feel inferior.

See, I started this blog 'cause I love to talk. I love to write. And blogging involves both. I thought it would be a fun, laid back hobby where I could get my thoughts down and hear about others.

But as of late, I feel, well, like I said. Inferior. I don't have a professional blog design, my posts are rather short and sweet, not long, inspirational, drawn out posts. I don't have everything all figured out. Not that I'm saying other bloggers do. It sure does seem like it, though.

And then it hit me. I'm a teenager! I'm supposed to be weird, whacky, and everything crazy. I'm supposed finding my passion. I'm not supposed to have it all figured out yet.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. -Romans 12:2

So what? I'm not professional.

...but I'm me :)

well burst my bubble.

So. Today in Sunday school we talked about finding passion.

And I was like, "Umm, I'm a freshman in high school. I have no earthly idea what I want to do with my life and you're telling me I need a passion?! Hold up, rewind, and take a step back."

But then I got to thinking. This makes sense.

Ya know, I've been told all my life God created me with a purpose. Well I figured out something today. Purpose = passion. Really though. Think about it. God created you with a purpose. And you'll have a passion for whatever that purpose is.

*Sighs* I'm still not sure what my passion is. Not at alllll. I love to sing, but, eh, I'm not sure that's what God has in store for my future. But, hey, it very possibly could be.

But I also found out something else. To find my passion, I've gotta burst my bubble. Get out of my own little world and see what's happening around me. See what I care for most deeply. See what God's want for me. What He wants from me.

Sam (a very cool college kid I don't know very well but seems super sweet) loves Gypsie kids. It's her passion. My cousin, Ashley loves to teach. That's her thing.

So now I'm asking God to burst my bubble. I want to see the hurt, the pain, and everything else in the world. I wanna see what breaks my heart. I want to find my purpose. MY PASSION.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

Woo-hoo! Christmastime is finally here! I know some people think it's just something in the air, but I know why I love Christmas. It was when Jesus was born. That beautiful baby boy that was destined to save the world. I couldn't imagine what it would've been like to be Mary. Her baby was God's Son. She was holding a hero in her hands. And Joseph was probably filled with more pride than any Dad that's walked the face of this earth.

So, starting into the Christmas season, I'm trying to keep my focus on Him. 'Cause I get so easily distracted by the cookies, the presents, the preparation. Sometimes I forget what's really important. I know it sounds typical and cheesy like something you read about in books, but it's the truth. We get so caught up in everything else that we seem to forget about our Savior. The precious baby Jesus.

So this year, we've 'adopted' a child so to speak. She's not living with us or anything, but we're buying her a present for Christmas. Her name is Mariamo (Mary-ah-moe). She's in third grade, is a little sassy, and loves Hannah Montana.

Isn't she precious? I think so :) I'm totally jazzed about making someone else's Christmas 10x better. She and her family live in a really rough neighborhood and don't have much. So one big present for each of their family members is gonna be a huge deal. She has 16 other siblings (I think) that are receiving something too. But the main reason for this is to show them the love of Jesus. Ya see, they're a Muslim family and they are pretty set in their ways. So I'm asking you to pray for Mariamo and her family - pray that they accept Jesus. That they won't just be happy about the gifts, but that they'll know why we're giving them.

...because of that little baby boy, born on that wonderful night...

Blessings always & forever,

anna :)

love, love is comin' through your headphones :)

This music video totally fits my situation right now. And it's sooo cute. So I had to share it.

{faithful friends}

Hey girls :) So, I got to thinking, "I really do have some faithful blogger friends. People I can count on, people that'll comment, and pretty much help me out in any way they can." So. I created an award - the faithful friend award. Here's how it works.

*List three of your faithful friends

*Explain how/why they're faithful.

*Award it to 3 other faithful bloggers :)

*Display the picture above on your sidebar (if ya want to).

*Have fun!

Simple enough? :) Alrighty. Well, to get this thing started, I'm awarding it to...

1) Lily @ Snatched from the Wind

2) Emii @ Girlz 4 God

3) Chelsea @ Club CHEA

Lily

Well, Lily's a pretty new follower on my blog, but she is super-sweet. She always has something uplifting to say and we were both born in October. I can tell she truly wants to please God and that's just awesome. Lily, you're a soul sister :)

Emii

Wow, Em! It's been a whole year since we became blogger buds. Emii was one of my very first followers and she has remained true til...well, not the very end, but now :) And I know she'll be there til the end, 'cause she's a girl for God.

Chelsea

Chelsea was one of my first followers too. She's very encouraging, giving me compliments and lifting me up. She is on fire for the Lord and isn't afraid to let others know. Chelsea, you rock!

Annnddd that's it :)

Blessings always & forever,

anna :)

tHesE aRe A fEw Of mY fAvOrItE tHiNgS...

Hey girls :) I wrote my own version of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. 'Cause I'm just cool like that ;) So, um, here it is!

Jesus my Savior

And randomly singing.

Stellar Kart in the morning

And in the evening.

Laughing and talking and cool socks and swings.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Crushed ice from Sonic

And a sky lined with stars

Guys with blue eyes

And the sound of guitars

Doodling in class and cookie-baking

These are a few of my favorite things.

My best friends Shannon

And Lesley and Tori.

Listenin' to music

And telling my story.

Blogging and Facebook and Google and Bing

These are a few of my favorite things.

Loving on people

And making you smile.

Reaching out to my piers

And stuff that's worthwhile.

But Jesus is still most important you see,

He is my Savior, my Lord, and my King.

Haha, wow. I am such a nerd. Oh well! :)

Blessings always & forever,

anna :)

So I am in geometry class with the coolest person alive named, PETER SCOTT COUTTS!!!!!!! He has been my best friend since I was in the 7th grade, man he is awesome

beyond these beautiful lies.

Sorry 'bout earlier, Scott asked to see my computer and I was on my blog. He clicked on 'new post' and (obviously!) posted. He's a goofball like that :) But he's a great friend and pretty much just a good 'ol boy.

Anyway, back to the real post...

I've got two songs stuck in my head at the moment - "Automatic" and "Eyes" - both by *laughs* Stellar Kart. I mean, who else, right? ;)

Anyway, they're both fun, really catchy, and have great message, but I'm gonna focus in on "Eyes", 'cause it kinda deals with the situation I'm in right now.

The world seems to have a lot to offer-"love", "beauty", "happiness." Doesn't seem too bad, eh? I didn't think so either. But while Christians are supposed to be all about God, our society revolves around me, myself, and I. And it shouldn't work like that. Hence the quotation marks ;) And that's kind of what this song is about. To see past the fake beauty, to see what God sees. Which means seeing past the outside and looking at the heart.

Ya see, I struggle with stereotyping, so it really got to me.

Open my eyes

I wanna see what you see

Beyond these beautiful lies

Open my eyes

To find what lasts forever

Look to the soul that's inside

Open my eyes

So, I want God to open my eyes. To the people who need love. To the people who need Him.

Blessings always & forever,

anna :)

PS - "Eyes" is on my blogPod, so you can listen to it right here! :D

standing out. and being proud of it.

Wow. I can't begin to describe how hard it is. How bad it hurts. To be different.

This is going to sound harsh, but...I sort of dropped down on the social ladder. On purpose. Instead of being the group next to popular (like I have been all my life), I am now in the 'odd' group of the freshmen class. And last year, in eighth grade, I was perfectly content with it. Happier than ever. It's drama free and very welcoming. They won't judge you for not dating, wearing Christian T-shirts, and being modest. They won't leave you out of slumber parties or get-togethers. Which I love. I love Shannon for her Christ-likeness, Katelin for her acceptance, Ashley for her wittiness, and Hayley for her sweetness.

But as I walk down the high school halls and people give me looks. Looks that say, "What a loser." and "Freaaakkk." And that's hard. I used to get grins from pretty much everyone I came in contact with. And sometimes, I feel like my old friends think they're doing me a favor by waving to me in the halls. Like, "I'll be nice and wave to the loser."

I thought standing out would be easy. Being different isn't bad, right? Wrong. It's easy to stand out, not so easy to be proud of it. Not easy at all.