So I'm not quite sure how this update is going to sound or what it's going to say even. I know that in the past 11 days a lot of things have gone through my mind and I have been dealing with them. A few of you know these things and know them to the full extent while most of you do not. I'm the kind of person that thinks and thinks deeply and usually stays within my mind and don't voice things to people or very many people.
When I was in high school, mainly freshman and sophomore year I suffered with depression. Only 2 people and my team know partly about this now, (before you all) but I never told people about it, it was a suffering that happened within me and I didn't want anyone to know. (Before we go further, I am fine now, God really helped me through it and depression hasn't occurred since.)
The feeling of depression came from insecurities, of feeling worthless, not having a boyfriend and not feeling beautiful enough; hearing comments about being fat (or big boned or whatever you want to call it), short jokes, blonde jokes, you name it. Basically, I felt very inadequate and worthless. To top it off, the world was saying I needed to look a certain way and dress a certain way to be beautiful. Also, it felt like the Christian community (EVEN though they said you should wait for marriage and so on and so forth), pushed marriage and dating upon me. It felt and sometimes still feels like I'm in a never ending struggle with the race to "find a Godly man" and marry and have babies. These are all feelings I face and still face on occasion.
Being here on this trip, on Acts 1:8 I feel like I get to grow closer to God everyday, I feel shut off from the outside world and I'm around my team all the time, so I'm getting uplifted and encouraged. Everyone is called to a different life story, and mine is still unfolding. I'm still struggling with whether I'm ever going to get married or even if I'm called to a life of singleness. I've heard so many times, the verse "God will give you the desires of your heart"; HOWEVER my agenda is not God's, my will is not His. And people have told me if the desire to get married is in me then they believe it will happen. I'm not completely sure. Just because the desire is there does not mean I'm meant to get married. Would I like to? YES!!! Do I want to??? ABSOLUTELY!!! But right now I'm called to grow closer to God.
I've longed for so long to be completely focused on him and a million percent in complete mysterious, wonderful, passionate, intimate love with him. I feel like at this moment, that's why I'm on this trip to REFALL head over heels in love with Christ. There could be a million other reasons I'm on this trip too.
In the book "Sacred Romance" by John Eldredge, he says:
"Romance has most often come to us in the form of two deep desires: the longing for adventure that REQUIRES something of us, and the desire for intimacy - to have someone truly know us for ourselves..."
I've been given an adventure of a lifetime that is so hard to explain to anyone else, and I have this desire for someone to know me (but no one will ever know me that well, EXCEPT for Christ- as an example of the lady at the well John 4:1-42, specifically where she says "Come see a man who has told me everything I ever did." which only indicates that God is the only one who can ever FULLY know us).
Then, in the same book, Eldredge uses a quote from C.S. Lewis that says:
"All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of it (the romance) - tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear. But if it should really become manifest - if there ever came an echo that did not die away but swelled into the sound itself - you would know it." I'm waiting for whatever the plan (decision) is to swell into the sound itself.
Part of our devotion time is reading Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest", and on June 9th's reading it says: " We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask."
And it all just makes me think about this situation, marriage or a life of singleness; I want to get married one day, but I don't want to waste my time on it if it's not going to happen; and this summer is meant for growing closer to God. It might be something I could "suffer" of even, a longing all my life and it never happen because it's not meant to happen.
There's so much going on inside my head I could probably write about it for the rest of my life.
Then there's this whole idea, maybe even dream, I'm not sure what it is yet. I have had thoughts for a long time since junior year of high school of adopting one day. The number of kids has grown to a certain number and stayed there for about a year. My hope is that one day I could adopt 20 kids (not just out of the U.S., but IN the U.S. as well). I want to adopt them and start a school where they have a family and learn TRUTH and not just the stuff public schools or private schools teach but TRUTH and the LOVE of Christ. Let me also say, I do NOT NEED a husband to do this with. Yes, it would be helpful, but go to kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com and it is a girl around my age who has done close to the same thing and is not married. Like I said, I don't know what this really looks like or means but its something on my heart.
I guess the main thing is that I ask you all to be praying that I will guard my heart this summer from anything and everything. Right now, it's meant solely for God, and there is not a space for someone else to be in. I don't know if I'm completely right or maybe way off base on this, but these are things and struggles I'm facing and thinking about.
Again, a lot has been going through my mind and I could talk about this for the rest of my life but at the moment I need to sleep since we have an early and LONG day tomorrow.
~Anna
5.19.2010
Update
Some of this might sound like a repeat from the one I did earlier but here you go.
I leave for my Acts 1:8 summer in exactly 2 weeks. 2 weeks from this moment, at 11:30pm I will be at the Southern Seminary in Louisville.
Thank you all for your prayers, and I ask you to continue them. Right now, we're all getting ready, starting to pack (or at least figure out what we need to pack). I have been informed, in the last few days, of some things I'll need specifically while we're in Haiti, so I'm working on getting those things.
One thing we were informed of was that while in Haiti we'll be doing a vision clinic, so if anyone has any old glasses they don't use and would like to donate, we are collecting them, so please let me know.
Recently, people have been asking me what my team is doing in each place we go to, and I have to say I really don't know. In Haiti we'll install water purification systems and do the vision clinic, but aside from those things I don't really have any details or anything. I know in Louisville and the Appalachian Mtns. we'll be doing different missions but I really have no idea what. In my last update, I said I wanted God to just throw me in there, and well, it looks like He is (haha). He has a funny sense of humor.
I'm the type of person who likes to be "in control" and MANY of you know this about me, you've even seen it first hand (haha), but being thrown into this and not really knowing is making me have to fully trust God. In all honesty, when I have no idea what I'm doing, have no details, and have to fully trust Him is when I am the happiest and have the most joy. Sure, it's ridiculously NERVE-WRACKING, and I get STRESSED OUT to the MAX, but I don't want to be in control, because when I am in control, I mess up A LOT! Whatever it is that I'm doing is not as FANTASTIC and GREAT as it would be if God was in control.
Another thing going on, is at our last conference call we were given a couple logistics about Haiti, and I've thought about what it's going to be like there, but I guess before that call, I never REALLY thought about it, and it freaked me out to no end. I think I spent a good hour to hour and a half crying that night in my bed. However, I asked God to throw me in, I asked Him to MAKE me UNCOMFORTABLE; so although it is still scary and I'm afraid, I can't let fear be what I worship, I can't let it get in the way of worshiping God.
This past Sunday at the 10:45 service at my church, there was this video of this little boy and he was singing "How He Loves" (I think), and he was singing it at the top of his lungs with all the air in his body that he could muster (it was really cute and moving). I remember sitting there thinking I want to worship God like that ALL THE TIME! Not just on Sundays or Thursday nights (at the BCM) but ALL THE TIME. In everything I do. I want to yearn for that daily and I want to burn with passion for Him. So I sat there thinking, why am I so afraid to face some little "fear" while in Haiti or anywhere? I asked for an adventure, and HELLO, He's giving me one. The phrase "be careful what you wish for" comes to my mind right now.
Something else that happened... yesterday, when I went to lunch with my grandmother, she asked me what I would do if I felt unsure and uncomfortable and missed home or didn't want to do the summer anymore, would I be able to get out of it. When she said this, my mind got defensive and my heart was racing (the whole fight or flight scenario comes to mind), and I remember thinking I don't want to come home, even if I feel unsure or "miss home" or anything I'm NOT GOING TO QUIT! Quit is what Satan wants, because he knows THIS SUMMER ACTS 1:8 is what GOD WANTS me to do; so I CAN'T and I WON'T! Because with God it'll all be okay, He'll get me through it.
I guess, what I'm trying to say is please be in prayer for my fear. I know God is in control and He will never put anything before me that I can't handle, however, I tend to let my fears get to me sometimes. Please also be in prayer for me being able to get everything that I need for the summer and for us to be able to collect all the glasses we need for the vision clinic in Haiti.
I'm sorry this update is so long, when I think, I think a lot and ramble.
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and support.
~Anna Key
I leave for my Acts 1:8 summer in exactly 2 weeks. 2 weeks from this moment, at 11:30pm I will be at the Southern Seminary in Louisville.
Thank you all for your prayers, and I ask you to continue them. Right now, we're all getting ready, starting to pack (or at least figure out what we need to pack). I have been informed, in the last few days, of some things I'll need specifically while we're in Haiti, so I'm working on getting those things.
One thing we were informed of was that while in Haiti we'll be doing a vision clinic, so if anyone has any old glasses they don't use and would like to donate, we are collecting them, so please let me know.
Recently, people have been asking me what my team is doing in each place we go to, and I have to say I really don't know. In Haiti we'll install water purification systems and do the vision clinic, but aside from those things I don't really have any details or anything. I know in Louisville and the Appalachian Mtns. we'll be doing different missions but I really have no idea what. In my last update, I said I wanted God to just throw me in there, and well, it looks like He is (haha). He has a funny sense of humor.
I'm the type of person who likes to be "in control" and MANY of you know this about me, you've even seen it first hand (haha), but being thrown into this and not really knowing is making me have to fully trust God. In all honesty, when I have no idea what I'm doing, have no details, and have to fully trust Him is when I am the happiest and have the most joy. Sure, it's ridiculously NERVE-WRACKING, and I get STRESSED OUT to the MAX, but I don't want to be in control, because when I am in control, I mess up A LOT! Whatever it is that I'm doing is not as FANTASTIC and GREAT as it would be if God was in control.
Another thing going on, is at our last conference call we were given a couple logistics about Haiti, and I've thought about what it's going to be like there, but I guess before that call, I never REALLY thought about it, and it freaked me out to no end. I think I spent a good hour to hour and a half crying that night in my bed. However, I asked God to throw me in, I asked Him to MAKE me UNCOMFORTABLE; so although it is still scary and I'm afraid, I can't let fear be what I worship, I can't let it get in the way of worshiping God.
This past Sunday at the 10:45 service at my church, there was this video of this little boy and he was singing "How He Loves" (I think), and he was singing it at the top of his lungs with all the air in his body that he could muster (it was really cute and moving). I remember sitting there thinking I want to worship God like that ALL THE TIME! Not just on Sundays or Thursday nights (at the BCM) but ALL THE TIME. In everything I do. I want to yearn for that daily and I want to burn with passion for Him. So I sat there thinking, why am I so afraid to face some little "fear" while in Haiti or anywhere? I asked for an adventure, and HELLO, He's giving me one. The phrase "be careful what you wish for" comes to my mind right now.
Something else that happened... yesterday, when I went to lunch with my grandmother, she asked me what I would do if I felt unsure and uncomfortable and missed home or didn't want to do the summer anymore, would I be able to get out of it. When she said this, my mind got defensive and my heart was racing (the whole fight or flight scenario comes to mind), and I remember thinking I don't want to come home, even if I feel unsure or "miss home" or anything I'm NOT GOING TO QUIT! Quit is what Satan wants, because he knows THIS SUMMER ACTS 1:8 is what GOD WANTS me to do; so I CAN'T and I WON'T! Because with God it'll all be okay, He'll get me through it.
I guess, what I'm trying to say is please be in prayer for my fear. I know God is in control and He will never put anything before me that I can't handle, however, I tend to let my fears get to me sometimes. Please also be in prayer for me being able to get everything that I need for the summer and for us to be able to collect all the glasses we need for the vision clinic in Haiti.
I'm sorry this update is so long, when I think, I think a lot and ramble.
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and support.
~Anna Key
5.17.2010
writing isn't my thing
So maybe keeping a blog isn't my thing, or it's that I have a group on facebook where I write to everyone AND I have this. Either way, I really should keep this more up-to-date. I guess maybe I haven't felt like a lot has been going on, but enough of my excuses.
As of today, I start my Acts 1:8 summer in 15 DAYS!!! I'm so excited and nervous. I'm excited because I really want a different experience than I've ever had before and I know it's going to happen this summer, but I'm nervous because I have NO IDEA what to expect. It's the first "real" time that I don't REALLY have a schedule and I'm just "going with the flow". I hate that phrase, by the way. When people say that they don't really mean it, you usually DO have a schedule of some kind.
We'll start out in Louisville, doing different missions things and having seminars about leadership and what that looks like. Then, we'll go to the Appalachian Mountains and do more missions. And then come back and get ready to go to Haiti. We leave for Haiti July 8 and get back July 20 and then debrief till July 27.
I guess you could say I'm scared. REALLY scared. They were explaining some things that we'll face in Haiti and I guess I KNEW about it before but didn't really THINK about these things. I'm very conservative when it comes to anything public or outside or whatever. I'm very modest and these things make it hard for me. I'm not a camper of any kind and although we'll have beds, some things are "camping style".
HOWEVER, yesterday at the 10:45 service at church there was a video talking about what gets in the way and what we worship and the word "fear" popped up there. I can't let my "fear" get in the way of what God wants me to do this summer. Not to mention, I DID ask God for an ADVENTURE this year. Well, low and behold here it is. The saying, "be careful what you wish for" pops in my head right now.
He has a funny sense of humor, but sometimes I feel like I do need to be thrown into things to learn sometimes, being sweet and gentle doesn't always work for me. Sometimes I need to be hit in the head with a stick. I also did ask to be thrown into it so yeah, no need for anyone to say I told you so or whatever. I know, "be careful what you ask for". I also know, He'll never place anything before that I can't handle without Him. So please pray for me that I won't allow my fear to get in the way.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and please continue to do so.
This is all for now as I do my best writing at night, so I'm sorry if this is scatter-brained.
Crazy in Love with Christ
~Anna
As of today, I start my Acts 1:8 summer in 15 DAYS!!! I'm so excited and nervous. I'm excited because I really want a different experience than I've ever had before and I know it's going to happen this summer, but I'm nervous because I have NO IDEA what to expect. It's the first "real" time that I don't REALLY have a schedule and I'm just "going with the flow". I hate that phrase, by the way. When people say that they don't really mean it, you usually DO have a schedule of some kind.
We'll start out in Louisville, doing different missions things and having seminars about leadership and what that looks like. Then, we'll go to the Appalachian Mountains and do more missions. And then come back and get ready to go to Haiti. We leave for Haiti July 8 and get back July 20 and then debrief till July 27.
I guess you could say I'm scared. REALLY scared. They were explaining some things that we'll face in Haiti and I guess I KNEW about it before but didn't really THINK about these things. I'm very conservative when it comes to anything public or outside or whatever. I'm very modest and these things make it hard for me. I'm not a camper of any kind and although we'll have beds, some things are "camping style".
HOWEVER, yesterday at the 10:45 service at church there was a video talking about what gets in the way and what we worship and the word "fear" popped up there. I can't let my "fear" get in the way of what God wants me to do this summer. Not to mention, I DID ask God for an ADVENTURE this year. Well, low and behold here it is. The saying, "be careful what you wish for" pops in my head right now.
He has a funny sense of humor, but sometimes I feel like I do need to be thrown into things to learn sometimes, being sweet and gentle doesn't always work for me. Sometimes I need to be hit in the head with a stick. I also did ask to be thrown into it so yeah, no need for anyone to say I told you so or whatever. I know, "be careful what you ask for". I also know, He'll never place anything before that I can't handle without Him. So please pray for me that I won't allow my fear to get in the way.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and please continue to do so.
This is all for now as I do my best writing at night, so I'm sorry if this is scatter-brained.
Crazy in Love with Christ
~Anna
2.16.2010
A Letter from the Lover of my Soul
This past week on Thursday, all the girls at 707 received a letter; which was from God for Valentine's Day. I felt like I should share it here, so here it is...
"My Precious Princess,
I remember when I formed you while you were still inside your mother's womb, and I planned out all of your days - I planned all kinds of wonderful good works that you would do, and I rejoiced in the knowledge that you would be Mine forever. I have loved you with an everlasting love. Nothing aand no one in all the world can gve you that kind of love. I am completely worthy of all your trust, I will never let you down. Sometimes you might feel like I don't love you because of the hard things I allow you to go through - but I wish you could see that even the hard things are a sign of My love for you. I know that you will be most joyful when your trust is completely in Me, and not in the blessings that I give you.
You are a child of the King! Walk like it! Lift up your head and rejoice! The world needs to see that you are victorious because of Me. Be proud that you belong to Me, don't be ashamed of My love for you. When I look at you, I see a pure spotless Bride - someone who has been redeemed from the old way of life. Don't live in the past - all of your past is forgiven because of the Cross, and it hurts Me when you live like I haven't forgiven you. Walk in newness of life because of My love. Act like a Princess - because that is what you are!
I am the Lover of your soul. Wait on Me. I have enough love to fill you completely - even if My love is the only love you will ever have. Do you believe that? Live like it instead of looking everywhere for someone to love you. I know exactly what you need and the people I have planned to put into your life will be there at exactly the right time. Don't spend Valentine's Day wishing that some guy would write you a love letter - there may be time for that in the future. Instead, spend this day rejoicing in My Word - your love letter from the Creator of the Universe.
Oh, My beloved - can you feel My face shining down on you today? Can you feel the warmth of My smile as you walk in My ways? I love you - I created you to know Me and glorify Me forever. Your life is in My hands - trust Me with every single detail. Lift up your face and smile, for you are My Bride.
Neverfailing,
The Lover of Your Soul"
So let me know what you think if you have anything to say about this.
~Anna
"My Precious Princess,
I remember when I formed you while you were still inside your mother's womb, and I planned out all of your days - I planned all kinds of wonderful good works that you would do, and I rejoiced in the knowledge that you would be Mine forever. I have loved you with an everlasting love. Nothing aand no one in all the world can gve you that kind of love. I am completely worthy of all your trust, I will never let you down. Sometimes you might feel like I don't love you because of the hard things I allow you to go through - but I wish you could see that even the hard things are a sign of My love for you. I know that you will be most joyful when your trust is completely in Me, and not in the blessings that I give you.
You are a child of the King! Walk like it! Lift up your head and rejoice! The world needs to see that you are victorious because of Me. Be proud that you belong to Me, don't be ashamed of My love for you. When I look at you, I see a pure spotless Bride - someone who has been redeemed from the old way of life. Don't live in the past - all of your past is forgiven because of the Cross, and it hurts Me when you live like I haven't forgiven you. Walk in newness of life because of My love. Act like a Princess - because that is what you are!
I am the Lover of your soul. Wait on Me. I have enough love to fill you completely - even if My love is the only love you will ever have. Do you believe that? Live like it instead of looking everywhere for someone to love you. I know exactly what you need and the people I have planned to put into your life will be there at exactly the right time. Don't spend Valentine's Day wishing that some guy would write you a love letter - there may be time for that in the future. Instead, spend this day rejoicing in My Word - your love letter from the Creator of the Universe.
Oh, My beloved - can you feel My face shining down on you today? Can you feel the warmth of My smile as you walk in My ways? I love you - I created you to know Me and glorify Me forever. Your life is in My hands - trust Me with every single detail. Lift up your face and smile, for you are My Bride.
Neverfailing,
The Lover of Your Soul"
So let me know what you think if you have anything to say about this.
~Anna
2.04.2010
life in full gear
So much has been going on in my life, I don't know how I'm not pulling my hair out and screaming at the top of my lungs. Classes at Murray State are in full motion and everything for Acts 1:8 has slowed down a bit, but still moving. Sometimes I wish I could literally step out of my life and watch it move from a different perspective.
I've been looking for a church to go to while I'm in Murray. I was going to one for about a year and a half almost two years now, but I just feel like I haven't been going for the right reasons. I feel like I was only there for the music and children's ministry, and if you're not going to a church for the right reasons then you need to go to a different one. I went to a different church this morning and I really liked it. I liked the sermon as well as the music, and it felt a little more "home-like" then the last church. Don't get me wrong I do like the other church too, they do some really great stuff. But, I do need to go to the church I went to this morning again to really be able to form a good opinion of the church. I've really been praying about all this and still continuing to pray about it, because like I said I don't want to be at a church for the wrong reasons, at the same time I don't want to leave a church for the wrong reasons either. I don't want to go just because all my friends are or aren't going there.
It makes me think about the verse Psalm 139:23-24; which says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." And also the verse, Proverbs 13:20; which says, " He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." I most definitely want to leave or stay for the right reasons and want to make sure I'm being fed and the Word of God and His truth is being spoken wherever I go.
As far as Acts 1:8 and all that goes, there are so many questions starting to reform or form that I thought were clear and answered but now I'm not so sure. I used to think I would go to seminary for children's ministry and be a children's minister; but the more I think about it, the more I would rather do missions and be a missionary. I could still work with kids and start children's ministries in other places and teach the community there. I don't know for sure, but I do know that God is going to answer some questions this summer and bring me new unanswered questions also.
That's all for now. Have a great week!
~Anna
I've been looking for a church to go to while I'm in Murray. I was going to one for about a year and a half almost two years now, but I just feel like I haven't been going for the right reasons. I feel like I was only there for the music and children's ministry, and if you're not going to a church for the right reasons then you need to go to a different one. I went to a different church this morning and I really liked it. I liked the sermon as well as the music, and it felt a little more "home-like" then the last church. Don't get me wrong I do like the other church too, they do some really great stuff. But, I do need to go to the church I went to this morning again to really be able to form a good opinion of the church. I've really been praying about all this and still continuing to pray about it, because like I said I don't want to be at a church for the wrong reasons, at the same time I don't want to leave a church for the wrong reasons either. I don't want to go just because all my friends are or aren't going there.
It makes me think about the verse Psalm 139:23-24; which says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." And also the verse, Proverbs 13:20; which says, " He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." I most definitely want to leave or stay for the right reasons and want to make sure I'm being fed and the Word of God and His truth is being spoken wherever I go.
As far as Acts 1:8 and all that goes, there are so many questions starting to reform or form that I thought were clear and answered but now I'm not so sure. I used to think I would go to seminary for children's ministry and be a children's minister; but the more I think about it, the more I would rather do missions and be a missionary. I could still work with kids and start children's ministries in other places and teach the community there. I don't know for sure, but I do know that God is going to answer some questions this summer and bring me new unanswered questions also.
That's all for now. Have a great week!
~Anna
12.22.2009
long time.
I've decided I'm really bad at keeping things up to date.
So I've been on my Christmas break, away from school for a little while. I really love my family, I am so thankful for them and I am so blessed to have them. In this day and age, there aren't a lot of families who have both parents married to each other for 30 years. You just don't find or see that anymore. I don't really know how I would be or how my life would look if my parents were divorced or one was deceased. I do know that I really have fantastic parents and I don't tell them enough how great they are. They really truly care and although I've questioned their parenting on a couple ocassions when I was younger they really do know what they're doing, especially when they turn to God.
I only hope and pray that if I am ever a parent I will turn to God always for parenting skills and advice. I also hope and pray that if I ever get married God will bless me with a marriage like their's and like my grandparents. My parents have been married for 30 years now, they celebrated in October; and my Grandma and Grandpa Key were married for over 60 years. I only hope and pray that I could have a marriage like that.
I also have fantastic brothers, which I definitely don't tell them enough how really truly great they are. They get on my nerves quite a lot, but they come through when they're needed. My older brother, Nathaniel, is 28 now and even though I'm sure I got on his nerves a lot when we were younger, he is definitely a great big brother. Now he's married, and has a baby, bt even though he has a whole other life he's there when I need him. I really feel like the last few years (that I've been in high school and then college) we've both really grown up and can relate on a better level. He's really smart which I guess when I was younger I really didn't realize very well. He's brilliant at all that computer stuff and he's a great father which I've noticed in the past 2 months that their baby has been in this world.
Andrew is the mini-me version of Nathaniel. He acts just like him, its really kind of funny and annoying at the same time. AJ is 17 now and going to be a senior next year. It's crazy to think about that because I remember like it was yesterday when he was very very little like 5 or 6 and we would pretend like all of our books were part of a library and we would play library (I know... sad... but true). He's actually pretty smart he just doesn't use his brain productively. He always manages to give me a laugh.
Marcus, what can I say about Marcus... I really do love him. He's my baby brother. He's 15 now which is ridiculous because he's not supposed to be that age, he's supposed to be 4 still. In a year, my baby brother will be driving and I will most definitely feel old because I still remember driving in my mom's car for the first time ever. Marcus is a tough person to explain... He has ADHD and some other things that I don't remember the names of, but I do know that through my whole, almost 20 years, of life he has constantly challenged me to love and have patience. I am a person with a very short temper and have not always showed compassion. But I truly believe God put Marcus in our family to show us how to love and how to have patience. Marcus is ridiculously smart! He's sooooo good at science and he has a passion for it which is weird. He has so much compassion and loves people unconditionally and doesn't judge - it really baffles me! Recently he told my parents that he wants to be a pastor which I think he would be a great one.
So I guess you might have realized this post has turned out to be just talking about my family. I didn't intend for it to be, but I've been thinking about all these things for about a year now and I feel like I should share them.
I want to give a brief update about Acts 1:8. The first $900 is due January 15 and God has raised $500 so far for me. I say he has because I have not, I mean I sent out letters and talked to a couple classes, but God has done it all I have done nothing. It's really fantastic actually! I am so excited about Acts 1:8 this summer I don't have a clue what's gonna happen but I'm so excited to see what God's gonna do.
please continue to keep everyone involved with Acts 1:8 in your prayers and thoughts. If you have any questions or comments email me.
~Anna Key
So I've been on my Christmas break, away from school for a little while. I really love my family, I am so thankful for them and I am so blessed to have them. In this day and age, there aren't a lot of families who have both parents married to each other for 30 years. You just don't find or see that anymore. I don't really know how I would be or how my life would look if my parents were divorced or one was deceased. I do know that I really have fantastic parents and I don't tell them enough how great they are. They really truly care and although I've questioned their parenting on a couple ocassions when I was younger they really do know what they're doing, especially when they turn to God.
I only hope and pray that if I am ever a parent I will turn to God always for parenting skills and advice. I also hope and pray that if I ever get married God will bless me with a marriage like their's and like my grandparents. My parents have been married for 30 years now, they celebrated in October; and my Grandma and Grandpa Key were married for over 60 years. I only hope and pray that I could have a marriage like that.
I also have fantastic brothers, which I definitely don't tell them enough how really truly great they are. They get on my nerves quite a lot, but they come through when they're needed. My older brother, Nathaniel, is 28 now and even though I'm sure I got on his nerves a lot when we were younger, he is definitely a great big brother. Now he's married, and has a baby, bt even though he has a whole other life he's there when I need him. I really feel like the last few years (that I've been in high school and then college) we've both really grown up and can relate on a better level. He's really smart which I guess when I was younger I really didn't realize very well. He's brilliant at all that computer stuff and he's a great father which I've noticed in the past 2 months that their baby has been in this world.
Andrew is the mini-me version of Nathaniel. He acts just like him, its really kind of funny and annoying at the same time. AJ is 17 now and going to be a senior next year. It's crazy to think about that because I remember like it was yesterday when he was very very little like 5 or 6 and we would pretend like all of our books were part of a library and we would play library (I know... sad... but true). He's actually pretty smart he just doesn't use his brain productively. He always manages to give me a laugh.
Marcus, what can I say about Marcus... I really do love him. He's my baby brother. He's 15 now which is ridiculous because he's not supposed to be that age, he's supposed to be 4 still. In a year, my baby brother will be driving and I will most definitely feel old because I still remember driving in my mom's car for the first time ever. Marcus is a tough person to explain... He has ADHD and some other things that I don't remember the names of, but I do know that through my whole, almost 20 years, of life he has constantly challenged me to love and have patience. I am a person with a very short temper and have not always showed compassion. But I truly believe God put Marcus in our family to show us how to love and how to have patience. Marcus is ridiculously smart! He's sooooo good at science and he has a passion for it which is weird. He has so much compassion and loves people unconditionally and doesn't judge - it really baffles me! Recently he told my parents that he wants to be a pastor which I think he would be a great one.
So I guess you might have realized this post has turned out to be just talking about my family. I didn't intend for it to be, but I've been thinking about all these things for about a year now and I feel like I should share them.
I want to give a brief update about Acts 1:8. The first $900 is due January 15 and God has raised $500 so far for me. I say he has because I have not, I mean I sent out letters and talked to a couple classes, but God has done it all I have done nothing. It's really fantastic actually! I am so excited about Acts 1:8 this summer I don't have a clue what's gonna happen but I'm so excited to see what God's gonna do.
please continue to keep everyone involved with Acts 1:8 in your prayers and thoughts. If you have any questions or comments email me.
~Anna Key
11.18.2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
This is my first blog of the year. I have 2 and a half weeks left of this semester, till I can finally have a much needed break. School is good, just really busy, but I guess that's what you get when you have history and art history as your major and religious studies as your minor... = lots of projects and papers... Today looks like this - german, humanities, study for civ test #4, work, sfg group, sociology group project (we're doing a video and a powerpoint), study for civ test #4 some more, sleep... Somewhere in between that time I'll grab a quick bite to eat. Tomorrow, it only gets busier, but that's okay - I'm not complaining, I'm just stating a fact.
On with the more important stuff, I have recently been accepted on the Acts 1:8 Leadership Experience EAST Team. Which means this summer from June 1 - July 27 I'll be in Louisville for a few weeks, the Appalachian Mountains and ROMANIA. On this adventure I'm learning about leadership and the kind of leader God wants me to be as well as doing missions (which is something I absolutely LOVE!).
In Louisville, we'll be doing kentucky changers and we'll also conduct bible studies (we'll be staying at southern seminary). In the Appalachian mountains (which happens to be the second poorest area in the US) we'll be doing much of the same type of stuff. In Romania, we'll be doing water purification and vision centers. Romania is where the biggest population of "gypsies" live (by the way, they don't like to be called that and they think Christians eat children).
Today I have started praying for the places my team and I will be staying and the places we'll go and the people we'll encounter. I am so excited for this adventure I just want to see awesome things. God is incredible and I know he's going to do incredible things.
This is all I have to say right now, because unfortunately I have to study for a test.
In this Crazy Love with Him,
~Anna Key
On with the more important stuff, I have recently been accepted on the Acts 1:8 Leadership Experience EAST Team. Which means this summer from June 1 - July 27 I'll be in Louisville for a few weeks, the Appalachian Mountains and ROMANIA. On this adventure I'm learning about leadership and the kind of leader God wants me to be as well as doing missions (which is something I absolutely LOVE!).
In Louisville, we'll be doing kentucky changers and we'll also conduct bible studies (we'll be staying at southern seminary). In the Appalachian mountains (which happens to be the second poorest area in the US) we'll be doing much of the same type of stuff. In Romania, we'll be doing water purification and vision centers. Romania is where the biggest population of "gypsies" live (by the way, they don't like to be called that and they think Christians eat children).
Today I have started praying for the places my team and I will be staying and the places we'll go and the people we'll encounter. I am so excited for this adventure I just want to see awesome things. God is incredible and I know he's going to do incredible things.
This is all I have to say right now, because unfortunately I have to study for a test.
In this Crazy Love with Him,
~Anna Key
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