Happy Thanksgiving Break :)

Sorry for my absence in the blog world. I can't tell you how badly I have wanted to have time to sit down and write here so many times, but this semester has proved to be extremely busy. Along with being busy, it seems that I have gotten to be very selfish with my time (not that I haven't always been)... but it's become worse lately. It's hard for me to make myself sit down and do the things that I need to be doing. This especially has been the case with being in the Word... I've always struggled with consistently spending time with Him and can so clearly see the strain that has on our relationship. So that is something I have been trying to improve on... not to rid myself of guilt or because it is a burden but because I know that He will use it for my benefit.



But I am glad to be back, finallyyyy. I feel like things have changed in quite a few ways since my last post.. For one, my sweet Meg and Jack have grown and changed even more. I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holidays, and can't wait to be with them the rest of the week. Seriously, what a treat they are. If only they knew how much joy they bring to our family...

I am also still loving my wonderful roommates -- we recently celebrated the engagement of Lia a couple of weeks ago while we are also not looking forward to her leaving us in December. But on the bright side, she will be going to work at Disney World in January as someone pretty awesome...... Belle! So so excited for her but sad to have her leave. Ak, Louise and I are planning to go visit for Spring Break though so that is definitely something I'm already looking forward to :)

One thing the Lord has really been showing me this semester is my desperate need for gratitude. Not just for the big, obvious things I have right in front of me but also for the smallest things I overlook everyday. I'm currently reading the book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and it has been such an eye-opener for me. She writes about living a life of thanksgiving and how doing just that allowed her to truly see God. I have been so encouraged by it and truly desire this type of change in my heart. Along with this need for a more grateful life, He has also shown me that while I claim to know of His grace firsthand (which I believe I do), I do not always live as though that's the case. I am so thankful for the grace He has granted in forgetting my past and still my everyday sin but so often I get stuck in the past and allow it to hinder my growth and freedom in his acceptance. He has made us free and forgiven for a purpose, and I need to embrace that. His acceptance is all I need after all.

From One Thousand Gifts :

"To learn how to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or hands empty. That is a secret worth spending a life on learning."

"All beauty is only reflection. And whether I am conscious of it or not, any created thing of which I am amazed, it is the glimpse of His face to which I bow down."

"To fully live -- to live full of grace and joy and all that is beauty eternal. It is possible, wildly."


That is all for the night. Hope to have encouraged you in some way :)

aj

Big sister and "her" baby

Jack McCall Jones :)

Currently dying to see those little ones above (especially Jack since I haven't seen him since his arrival into the world). I'm scared to miss their sweet growth since they're several hours away. It really is crazy how much they grow and mature in the short time you're away from them. Oh man, they're precious.

Speaking of kids, I am finally starting to get into more education classes, and I am loving them. I am so thankful that through one class specifically the Lord has given me such assurance of my future as a teacher. I am realizing more and more the importance of this career and the way He can use me to touch people's lives, especially children, and love on them through His unending love for me. I am also getting to go to an elementary school once a week for the semester, and even after the first week, I know it's going to be rewarding. Exciting happenings, folks!

 

Can we talk about the fact that it is September?! August flewww by but I can't say I'm all that sad about it. August is a busy, transitional, awkward month filled with new routines and schedules to get accustomed to. Not to mention you melt when you walk outside (unfortunately this sticks around for too long in Starkville). September brings football (#hailstate), Labor Day and no school, settling into a routine, and a slow movement into Fall (my favorite season). Oh the fun to come...

By the way... have I mentioned my new roommates? I must say I am one lucky girl when it comes to this topic. First of all, I have been blessed throughout college with incredible roommates and friendships. Seriously, they have gotten me through some rough patches and embraced the best with me. And this current set of roommates does not disappoint. Living with Lia, Louise, and AK has already been a wonderful experience. Partly because our house is perfect but mostly because they are phenomenal. I am so encouraged by them everyday and have already laughed enough to hurt several times (shocked, I'm sure). But they really are such amazing women of the Lord, and I feel so grateful to have them as friends and now roomies. They will probably never know how much I love and look up to them, but I will surely try to show them.

Source: flickr.com via Anna on Pinterest

Much love to all. Hope to write again soon :)

anna j

Home again, home again...

Being back in Starkville has already been so great. Reuniting with lots of friends and anxiously waiting to see the rest is always rewarding. My summer in Nashville was such a blessing and I have missed being with my sweet sister and her family. The lord showed me how richly he has provided for my family and I and allowed me to learn even more about who I am through his redemption. He is so good! I am currently back in Nashville welcoming my family's newest addition into the world.. Jack McCall Jones. He is a handsome one I must say. Will have pictures soon! It has definitely been interesting to see how my niece, Meg, has reacted to her new brother, and right now, she is quite obsessed with him. Obsessed and possessive... her baby seems to need her at all times, so she wants to be the only one holding him... we'll see how long this lasts. But Jack and Lori are both doing great and are healthy. They get to come home tomorrow! He is just the sweetest little thing in the world :)

Tomorrow I will return to Starkville and on Monday we have Bid Day and new little Delta Gammas so that will be exciting! And then we start school on Wednesday. I can't believe that! I am unprepared with no books or supplies so I'd better get on that. It is still unreal how quickly this summer passed by. I wish we could have another month or so just to play... or go to the beach, which I've been dying to do, but that's just not reality.


On another note, lately I have felt a lack of confidence and importance in myself. I don't really know why, but it has been bothering me. I have just felt like a disappointment and been down about who I am. I know we all go through these times for whatever reason, but it is tough to deal with. For me it is so easy to get caught up in this world and who I am in this place. I tend to focus so much on other people and what they may be thinking of something I've done or didn't do correctly. I'll admit it, I'm a complete people pleaser. I like to make people happy and give them their way with no conflicts regardless of if it's the best thing for me. So often I deceive myself into thinking that this is okay and that I'm focusing on other's feelings when in reality I am looking out for myself and avoiding being uncomfortable at all costs. That is such a dangerous way to live and not a life of loving others. But as I have been thinking about this time of struggle for confidence, I am realizing that my confidence comes from the Lord, and this is not where I have been looking. Instead of digging deeply into who I am through Him, I have looked outwardly, comparing myself to the amazing people around me, where of course I will feel disappointment. If I rely on the importance I feel in the world, I will get nowhere, but if I realize my importance to God, how can I not have confidence? He chose me to love and to die for and to USE. Whether I always understand my importance or not, the Lord is going to use me for His glory. Now surely I can go and live confidently in that!

Thanks for letting me spill my guts... Be back soon!

aj

I have a longer post half typed and ready to be completed, but I just haven't been in the mood to finish it. So for today, rather than ramble to you like usual, I will just do a quick one.

Two days ago I returned home from Nashville and have already been to Starkville then Jackson then back to Starkville and now to Tupelo again.. just call me a world traveler. I saw friends I haven't seen all summer, and it was even better than I imagined. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder :)

I already miss this yellow-haired girl.

Eager to see my sweet nephew in a month and in this attire.

Excited to find out about this today...

Free Drew and Ellie/Brett Dennen concert in my favorite city during my favorite season? I'll take it.

Currently into creating my own cards (bday, thank you, etc) via stamps, brainstorming creative gift wrapping techniques and gifts to put in them, contemplating new crafts - like distressed frames for my wall, and thinking about cleaning out old clothes/junk taking over my room

Also working on my cooking skills......



And finally, I'm searching for a Vespa scooter or anything similar and researching about having one/convincing my parents of my need.... so if any of you have ANY advice on any of the above, please help a girl out :)


That's all for today! Hope everyone is well :)

Nashville love

As you may notice, I changed up the looks of things around here once again. It's always refreshing to do a little rearranging even though I usually get really frustrated because it doesn't always work out how I would like.. but I'm still alive and well, no damage done. Before I begin rambling, I'll give you a few more pictures from the weekend because I just can't resist..

 <<< Spent my Saturday night 

      with this sweet guy, Earl

                                         And his pup, Dora, who snuggled with me after bedtime >>>

Then yesterday, we made art...

 (complete with a mustache and all.. love this picture)



That's all the pictures for now. There will be plenty more to come from the vacation in the near future, so have no fear! But like I said, I am having a wonderful time in Nashville again this summer and as last summer, am learning so much. During my stay, I get to attend Lori and George's church, Midtown Fellowship, and am always richly blessed by it. Unfortunately, like many others, I have had a difficult time finding a church home in Starkville since I've been at State, and it gets a little frustrating. But I always look forward to my Nashville trips and going to Midtown.

So anyways... this summer I have heard a couple of sermons that have truly stuck with me. The most recent was yesterday when Randy discussed giving glory to God and our freedom. The passage he spoke about was 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1, and he discussed the command to do everything for the glory of God. Through this he reminded us that God IS glorious and doesn't need us to add to his glory. He is totally and completely satisfied in Himself, and we give him glory by proclaiming HIS glory. So often I think we can get caught up in what we are to do and how we are to live and not to live, but it's not about us! We must take the focus off of ourselves and focus on the Lord and be satisfied in His glory rather than living as if we are working, working, working to make Him happier - because we aren't! Randy also talked about our freedom as Christians. We are free from sin and free to do as we please.. but we must be certain not to cause others to stumble. Even though we are free from sin, those around us may not be and we should not cross the line for THEIR sake. This takes the focus off of ourselves and places it on others - which is what the Lord asks of us. How much farther this takes us from sin when we begin to love people as ourselves! It is always so refreshing to understand things in a new light. Hopefully you understood the way I was able to... sorry for my lack of writing skills.. I tend to get a little scatter-brained.

But I hope that you all have a wonderful and fun week!

"Glory to God is finding our deepest satisfaction in Him..."

anna j

time flies...

I am amazed that it is already the end of June. WHERE has the summer gone? As you know, I have done terribly keeping up with the blog along with many other things. My summer has been wonderful here in Nashville. Very much relaxed with lots of golf tournaments and more in between, but the time has flown by. You know what they say... time flies when you're having fun, or on any break from school...

I guess I will do a picture update to inform you about a little of my summer..

Hanging out

Loving on Ripley (who no longer looks like this due to a buzz cut)

AK came to visit and we attended the grand re-opening of Franklin Theatre.. found the Ghostbusters while we were there!

We also went to Musician's Corner...

Just a shopping in Whole Foods

Playing, playing, playing

We played beauty salon...

...and french braided

Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg

So that's just a small glimpse of my summer so far. Can't complain! Next week we are taking a family vacation to Gatlinburg, which should be fun. We'll be there for July 4th so that will be interesting. Imagining a whole lot of patriotism :) I'll be sure to capture some photos. All of the above pictures are actually from my iPhone and most are doctored up by Instagram (a fabulous picture app!), which is pretty impressive, in my opinion. But that is a quick post for now.. more to come, hopefully sooner than later!

anna j

Monday Funday

I made it to Nashville a couple of weeks ago and literally have not had a break since I've been here! Golf tournament season is at its peak and that leaves little down time. For those who don't know... I'm here working for my brother-in-law who has a company that helps coordinate golf tournaments for people. We print hole signs, banners, etc., and do hole-in-one contests and a little contest called predict your distance. "Predict Your Distance" is usually my duty and usually means me standing in the blazing sun for 4 1/2 (dare we say 5 1/2) hours... needless to say I have a love/hate relationship with it. {Love being that we have an extra guy now to do it sometimes instead of just me ;)} Just kidding... I'm thankful to have a job for the summer!

It is unbelievably cold and dreary today in Nashville... I don't know what is going on with this weather. Thankfully we have a slow week this week and won't have to be out in the chilly wind. I'm hoping to catch up on things this week like writing letters to camp friends, blogging, and reading... plus a little internet tv show time. Looking forward to a restful week.

I am starting to really miss all of my friends. I love being here but wish I could be like five places at once and see everyone! Summer is so great and came at a much needed time for a break, but it's always sad to be so scattered from friends. I am really excited about next year though. I look forward to a houseful of new roommates and a real, comfy house with a deck I'm dreaming of at the moment. Cannot wait. Also can't wait for what a new year will bring. There are always plenty of changes, surprises, and opportunities of growth awaiting each new semester!

New blogging member. Follow her.. you won't be disappointed! http://www.throughdivineeyes.blogspot.com/

Psalm 62: 5-7

I find rest in God;

only he gives me hope.

He is my rock and my salvation.

He is my defender;

I will not be defeated.

My honor and salvation come from God.

He is my mighty rock and my protection.



Prayers still for the victims of tornadoes across the South... what a scary and devastating thing. May there be rest and healing in each of those places. Through Him we can never experience defeat. In the end, we are victorious. And I will leave you with that on this Monday evening... Enjoy your night!

it's a boy!

Confession time : This post has been in the process of being written for way too long now... I've been a bit scatterbrained/busy/sick, etc this week. But I am forcing myself to publish it right now.. enjoy!


So... I found out this past week that I am going to have a nephew in August! I'm so excited about this sweet little guy and look forward to adding a boy to our family that consists mainly of girls. Can't wait for him to get here! Be praying for my sister and her clan as they are preparing for change and additions :)


While in Houston for Spring Break, Lia, AK and I heard a song at a church we visited that we immediately loved. It actually brought tears to our eyes. Before we heard it, we had been talking about how so many Christian songs today are focused on being happy and stirring up emotions in people rather than being true, authentic worship. The life of a Christian is filled with good times, bad times, times of spiritual drought, and feeling alone because of the way we stray from Him so often and so easily, and our worship music should allow us to not only praise him but also to admit our brokenness to him. Often times we need for Him to break our hearts. How badly I need this everyday.

"I Want a Broken Heart" by Derek Webb

I’ve got faith in the bank and money in my heart
I’ve got a calloused place where your ring used to be, my love
I’ve traded naked and unashamed
For a better place to hide
For a righteous mask, a suit of fig leaves and lies

I thought the cattle on a thousand hills
Was not enough to pay my bills
And I fell in love with those who proved me wrong
And now I want a broken heart

Now there’s a great pad lock
On the place where I was free
And I’m feeling bad from swallowing that key
Now I work real hard but I mostly call in sick
Of a broken back from the ground fighting back at me

I cannot look you in the eye
So I check the knots on my disguise
‘Cause I fell in love with fashion in the dark
And now I want a broken heart

I’ve got alibis for every crime
A substitute to do my time
‘Cause Your heart breaks enough on both our parts
So now I want a broken heart
Now I want a broken heart
Now I want a broken heart

Listen here...

Well hopefully I will be visiting here more often than I have been lately, but I'm not promising anything. We have like three weeks left of school and my laziness is setting in. It's not good combined with my procrastinating attitude that is already present at all times. But oh well... college isn't about school, right? That's what I hear anyways... Speaking of college, I am about to be a junior. I've probably talked about this before but being a junior in college just does not sound right. Everything is speeding by and I would love for it to slow its pace.

Take care everyone and have a safe weekend! Thanks for reading my rambling as well :)

HAPPY TUESDAY!

From MINI and MAXIMUS

 

This week has been pretty good so far. Super busy with a couple unexpected curve balls but also several blessings in disguise. It's kind of funny how you ask the Lord for certain things, for clarity about things, for a change in heart and eventually He will provide but often never in the way you would expect. Often you may never even recognize these as blessings. It's always good to be reminded of who you are apart from Him and of why we, as Christ followers are here in the first place. I am so quick to forget those things and to take on this life as if it were totally mine in the first place. But it is not. I am not my own. I am so undeserving of the love poured on me every day from my precious friends, family and Savior. Goodness gracious, it's a bit overwhelming. So thankful.

Blessed is the one
   whose transgressions are forgiven,
  whose sins are covered.
 Blessed is the one
 whose sin the Lord does not count against them
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Psalm 32: 1-2

And.... my favorite quote, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" -Aesop

Take care everyone.. Spring Break is soon to come!

AJ

Sorry for another picture post... I'm slacking lately. But I am afraid I'm beginning to feel the nineteen hours of classes that I'm taking for the first time. Somehow no matter how hard I try to change my ways, procrastination always gets the best of me. It's amazing how appealing other things become when you're trying to avoid doing something else like studying (laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc). Hopefully someday I can figure out how to manage my time more wisely. In the meantime, I'm doing a quick post while I should be doing homework...........   :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(For those who know me, know how I love to laugh)

 

 

 

 

 

 

And in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday........

 

 

 

 

Happy birthday to you, doc! 

 

 

 

 

Hoping you are all well!

 

-aj

I hope everyone is doing just lovely. The weather is delightfully sunny and the perfect temperature this week, which always seems to instantly cheer everyone up. I love when it seems that every person you pass walking to class is enjoying their day and happy to share a smile. One of my favorite things is kind, friendly strangers.

I'm in a picture mood today so I will share a few things that caught my eye.

J Crew: I want my kids to be this adorable.. and dressed in J Crew.

Oh my.... no words.

New favorite snack. Delicious.

And... a few for a belated Valentine's Day. Everyone needs a little cheesiness ;)

"I don’t pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you." — Author Unknown

 

Also, seeing this awesome couple (Drew and Ellie Holcomb) and Marc Broussard tonight in M-town with sweet friends... So exciting!

 

 

 

 

much love to you all

Song of my Heart

It is way too late considering I have an eight o'clock class in the morning, but I have been dying to blog for forever (lame- sorry!) and haven't found the time. Sooo here I am at 2 in the morn. There is still the slight chance of it being too icy for school tomorrow, and honestly, I wouldn't mind sleeping in alllll day so my fingers are crossed. I love winter when it gives me the excuse to lay in bed and watch movies as long as I so desire but not so much when I have to walk to class with a frozen face. Anyways....

I cannot believe how quickly this semester is going by... it's already February, folks! After this semester, I will be approaching my junior year of college. That. Is. Crazy. But this semester has already been so wonderful and eye opening. I have really experienced the Lord's love, blessings, grace, and wisdom in this past month alone. He has been oh so good to me.

Grace is a word I use very, very often. It's in the title of my blog, it's written a hundred times in my journal, it's underlined all over the place in my Bible... The Lord's grace for me has been very heavy on my heart lately. I have always known that I am saved by grace and that His grace covers my sins but what I am truly beginning to learn is that that overused word in my vocabulary is what sets me free. It is the reason I have a purpose and a plan that I am not yet sure of and it is why I am at peace with that. It is why the best thing I can ever do is as filthy rags and why I can rest in my failures. It is the freedom I am given to replace my shame and guilt with joy. Grace allows me to be who I am and to be seen as righteous in His sight. How beautiful is that.

I was thinking about it the other day and happened to remember that my name means grace. I also remember that I used to think of it in the context of being graceful and not clumsy (which I've always been), but now it holds much more meaning when I see it through a different light, realizing that the simple word is the song of my heart.

Sorry for a bit of a serious post, but I just wanted to share with you all what has been on my heart since I last wrote to you. On the other hand, as you may have noticed I changed up the blog a good bit! I felt that it needed a good sprucing up and tried to match my style a little more. I probably had a little too much fun searching for just the right changes, but that's okay :)

On behalf of Valentine's Day coming shortly and all you single people reading this, I will leave you with a verse that a friend sent me the other day:

"When you're unmarried, you're free to concentrate simply on the Master. The time and energy that married people spend on caring and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God." 

-1 Corinthians 7:32,34 (The Message)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading and putting up with my spastic writing! I am hoping this week is treating you well :)

Much love, Anna

Psalm 86

A prayer of David

Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God;

save your servant who trusts in you.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

In the day of my trouble I will call to you,

for you will answer me.

Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you,

O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

and I will walk in your truth;

give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

The arrogant are attacking me, O God;

a band of ruthless men seeks my life --

men without regard for you.

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Turn to me and have mercy on me;

grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.

Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

May this be the prayer of my heart. My desire for this new year is to seek after God with my whole heart and to not stray from Him. I need to fully trust that He knows what is best for me much more than I do. I am a worrier and a planner and tend to think I can make my own decisions and often desire for my plans to be what may actually happen. I am learning to trust His plan for me more every day while also learning to let go. Learning that I may not truly need things that I want now and that my future may not go as I am mapping it out. But that is okay; for I am His, and He is mine. He is all I need. I pray for the strength to live by what I believe every day.

-Anna