::Last-Minute Christmas Gift Idea::

Okaaay, so it's more like a last-SECOND gift idea.  :)
So, if you're anything like me, Christmas shopping kills you because you want to find that perfect something for your special sister or father, and you haven't seen that something anywhere!!
By now, Christmas Eve day, you are nigh unto pulling your hair out because of this lack-of-gift.

Usually, it's around this time that I remember a gift I used to give as a child.  Something that everyone loved...and always used within 3-4 minutes of receiving.
A coupon book.  But not just any coupon book!

It's when I can't find anything "good enough" that I remember time is the most precious of all gifts.  We are given one life...that is all.  The Lord appoints us a certain number of days with those we love.  We choose how to spend those days.
I want to give all my hours to the Lord's work in loving those He has so graciously given me. 
What better way to "gift the hours" than to give special coupon books for unique activities with the ones you love most?

Here's what to do:

Firstly, you must ban all recipients of these gifts to other quarters while working. 
(Yes, Dad naturally falls into the "hard-to-buy-for" category by simple virtue of his manhood. :)


Personalize!!  I chose some fancy paper colors that I know Olivia loves.


Next, I wrote down some activities that I knew Livie and I would enjoy together.  Just brain-storm for a little bit.


Then, I wrote each thing on an individual slip, taped them to the colored paper, and punched holes in the corners.


This is the cover card.  I embellished the front with some coordinating buttons...easy.


Cut tiny slits in the holes on all the "coupons" (NOT the cover card though). 
This will help them tear off easier when Livie wants to redeem them.  :)


Here's the list of coupons I ended up with, as they appear on the cards:
-A free bike ride...
-One thrifting date together...
-Good for one sleepover in my room...you and me!
-A movie night together.  Let's make popcorn!
-I'll meet you in the back yard for a wrestling match!  :)
-Let's play one afternoon!
-A long hug...whenever you need it.
(Yes, we do wrestle.)


Ta-Daaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!   Just tie it together with some ribbon and there you have it.  A nice little coupon book with personalized activities.  I can't wait to do all these things with Livia.  I really hope she likes it.  :)
I'll be working on Dad's book too...that's gonna be a bit of a challenge.  :)

Speaking of little hand-crafted gifts...CHECK THIS OUT!

My dear friend Mandy MADE this for me, can you believe it?!?!?  She is so incredibly talented!  The whole entire thing is about the same size as a little match box.  It's so beatiful I just had to share it.  I've got it on a little shelf in my room, looks perfect right there.  :)  Thank you Mandy...I LOVE IT!!! 
Christmas is almost here!! 
Blessings!

~Anna  :)

::By Popular Request::

Here is the link to my photography blog.  Yes.  There are, in fact, some pictures from HANNAH AND PETER'S WEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!  ahem.  So, check them out if you so choose.



Blessings,
Anna :)

::Pulling Weeds::

You're out in the yard, working. There it sits, growing heartily in your flower/vegetable garden, right where you don't want it!  A weed the size of a pogo stick is staring at you, laughing at you...it's been ignored too long. You sigh deeply, wringing your hands, thinking about the pain it's going to be trying to yank that beast up.

You give it a go.  Straining, tugging, and grunting the whole time.  You come up for a breather, only to discover that your hands are stiff and sore from the strain.  "Oh whatever," you think, "I'll just go get my gloves.  That'll help me grip it better."  And off you trot to get those garden gloves that the nice people at Lowes were only too happy sell you.

Again you try, with more grunts and tugs, but to no avail.  Perhaps you even try wrapping that long growth around your hand...yank.  "Ouch!  Forget that!" you think.  Then, you reach for the big gardener toys...a shovel or clippers.  You almost hesitate digging up the weed, thinking about the eyesore that will be left in its place.  But no, it must come out.  The health of your beloved plants is at stake!  So dig you must.

After the horrid vegetation comes out with ease, you think, "By Jove! (or something like that)  Why didn't I think of this before?  It's much easier!"
Then away you walk, tossing the weed into a trash can.  All the while cheered by your sensible use of shovel.

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Hebrews 12:14-15
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;  (italics mine)

If your mother is anything like mine, you've probably heard this analogy before.  :)



Sin, is a horrible "weed."
Sometimes I notice a little sprout and think, "Gee, I'm kinda busy right now and it's still small.  But I'll take care of it in a few days."  And then (wouldn't you know it?) there I am weeks later trying to rid the yard of a monstrosity. 

My sin is the exact same way.  It thrives on neglect.  Like a weed, it pops up right where I don't want to see it.  I groan after realizing I've allowed it to fester so long.
So I try to yank it out on my own...no good.  My "sin garden gloves" won't cut it either.  Even when I try to "wrap" the sin around my hand for a good grip, it only ends up hurting me.

You see?  I can't rid myself of deep sin roots with my own two hands.  That's usually about the time the Lord gives me the idea to read His Word (use a shovel).  Oh, what a difference a tool it makes!
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (italics mine)
I can use instruction that the Bible gives me against sin, the same way I would a shovel on a weed.
It cuts it!  :)

~Anna
(PS)  Post dedicated to my Mom...I love you!  :)

::To Brighten Your Day::

Just a little something that I hope will bring some laughter to your lives.
**Warning: Do not watch if you have just recently had wisdom teeth surgery. The hilarity of this clip has the tendency of making you smile...laugh even. I say this from personal experience.  Take Caution!



~Anna :)

::Less Than Two Weeks!::

On December 18th, some very good friends
Hanna Marie Sudow and Peter James Blizzard...ARE GETTING HITCHED!!!
Utter.Excitement.

Here are some photos from their engagement shoot I did back in August. 
(You can view the rest of their pictures by following the link above.)



AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...sorry. I'm just so stinkin' excited!!! :D
~Anna :)

::Isaiah 61 at 2 a.m.::

Last night and early this morning found me with a dear friend, sharing the joys and struggles of our hearts with each other.

The evening started out just as many others we've spent together, pleasant chatting, perhaps a game of some kind (I won! :), eating, more chatting, a fun movie (Emma!), dessert, etc...  It was one of the most wonderful visits we've had in a long while...just the two of us.  At points, we laughed ourselves silly while reminiscing or fumbling around, it was grand.

We didn't start back for my home until 12:50 a.m.  During the short drive, we both began sharing sorrows and unburdening our hearts.  We've been through so much in the past two years.  Very hard, very sad things.  We cried in each others arms all the while speaking encouraging words about God's providence.  Simply letting things out, opening the flood-gates of tears helped to relieve our spirits.

We prayed, simple prayers.  Thanking the Lord for His abundant blessings and His hand in our lives.  Thanked Him for each other.  The time was about 1:30 a.m. by then.
And at the end of it all, we laughed at our miserable looking state, puffy eyes, smudged makeup and the like.  The sight of us was too much, the Lord gave us joy, sufficient for the moment.  :)



Right around 2 a.m., I felt led to re-read Isaiah 61, a favorite passage of mine.  I've gone through today thinking about these words and wanted to share them with you all.

Isaiah 61:1-3
1) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
(italics mine)

My brother Isaac passed away on September 28th, 2007 after a non-survivable motorcycle accident.  We were all shocked with grief.  During these past two years, the Lord has used this chapter (and these verses specifically) to "bind up my broken heart."
And because of His unfailing and infinite goodness, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation..." (v. 10)

We have the assurance that all things, whether wonderful or seemingly horrific, will work to their ultimate end...the GLORY of God the Father!
11) For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

May it ever be!  Receive the comfort of the Lord God.  Amen.
~Anna

::So It Begins::

What a day to start a personal blog...it's cold and rainy, I'm feeling dizzily queasy, and my right cheek is chubby from wisdom teeth surgery.  Yup, I'm going all out today! 
On that happy note...
WELCOME TO MY BLOG!  :)
It is my earnest desire that the words I write will encourage and uplift any and all readers.  I purpose to share my heart: whether it be in happy exhuberance, or a down-trodden state; humorous and teasing, or serious and honest.
In all my posts though, my desire is to...
 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. ~Psalm 19:14

And now, since I believe that posting without pictures can be boring at times, I leave you with this...

Yes my friends, it is exactly what it looks like...a random picture of sandy feet.  :)
Blessings upon blessings,
~Anna