Contentment

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What do you long for most right now? I bet you don't think, "If I don't have this - I'll die!" but I'm betting you probably subconsciously feel that you will only be happy if we gain one thing. It could be anything. There are little things we can desire - certain clothes, friends, a certain weight on the scale, cell phone, facebook, texting, etc. But there are bigger, long-term things we want to have in our lives. If you're reading this, and you're single, then I'm sure there's one word you've been thinking as you read this. Marriage.


Yeah I know, you're probably thinking, I've heard that I need to make the most of my singleness etc etc, I don't need another reminder. Oh but I'm going to tell you something you might not realize! The day you say "I do", your life will never, ever, ever be the same. You can never have life the same way as it was before. Now, I'm not saying you're going to look back and wish you could go back to being single. (And if any of you are worried, I'm not wishing that!!) Here's what I am saying: when you get married, you are closing a chapter on your life and you want to have lived it to it's fullest. I wish I had been more Christ-centered in my single years, however short they were. For the rest of my life, I will be a homemaker, and hallelujah, thank you Jesus for that privilege! But I will never have that single focus that being single affords. Paul writes:

"The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. ³³But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, ³⁴and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband." ~ 1st Corinthians 7:32b-34

Seize the day! God has given you to singleness today, so live whole-heartedly in your singleness and glorify God with your life. Devote your life to growing more and more like Him. Just a sidenote: I'm not saying hold off marriage for the sake of singleness. I'm just exhorting those who are still unmarried to live 100% for Christ every day that God blesses them with singleness.

Guess what? In case you're still thinking, however subconscious it may be, that once you reach marriage you will be content and happy, hold your horses. It wasn't long after Aaron and I said "I do" that the yearnings for precious little ones crept upon me.  Are these bad? No way! They are God-given desires and babies are blessings and gifts from the Lord! But I wasn't content in the gift God had given me of my marriage! I had crossed the proverbial fence to reach the greener grass, only to discover that the next field hadeven greener grass! So you see, I need to learn the same contentedness in my married-ness, as I am exhorting you in your singleness! In the same way that I will never experience singleness again, once I get pregnant, Aaron and I will never have just the two of us. We can never go back to the way it is now. Again, I'm not saying that babies are a bad thing, just like I wasn't saying that marriage was a bad thing: Aaron and I will just never have life like we do now. So, I'm learning to be content in the green pasture God has led me into. Yes, the grass on the other side of the fence may seem greener, but Lord-willing, I will get to taste of that meadow. It will just be in God's timing. Right now He's calling me to be content and live to the fullest the lot He has given me (and oh, is it a wonderful, beautiful lot!)

Source: vi.sualize.us via Hannah on Pinterest

You know what? I think, once we do have kids, Lord willing, there may be days when I think, "I can't wait till they're all out of the house!" But that's when I need to remember this: this is the lot God has given me now, and my life will never be the same once the kids are all gone. I can't go back to the way it was, with them running through the house and making messes and dirtying laundry that I have to clean up over and over and over again. But then again I will never have their little voices in the night, calling me "Mommy", and feeling grubby fingers in mine, watching them grow up and become Godly men and women.

Live fully right where you are. This is the lot God has given you. Don't let discontentment define your life.

Love,
Anna

Fill in The Blank Friday

1. One of life's most simple pleasures is a walk in the early morning coolness.


2. Unjust accusations and completely skewed thinking make me want to punch someone.


3. I like Rooibos Lemonade at Caribou Coffee because it's sweet and yet it has a bite to it!


4. Puce is a funny word.


5. If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be anything with sparkles. I love sparkles!


6. I'm happy that God gives me second chances.


7. I would never want to forget who I was without Christ. I feel so in awe that He saved me out of all those millions of people He could have chosen, and not at all based on who I am, what I've done or who I'm going to be!


I'm sorry the blog has been rather silent this week. I shall be better next week!
Love,
Anna

For Jaynie: Moonlight

I have been listening to this off and on for about a week now and I could not wait another day to post this for my beloved sister Jaynie. Enjoy!

I was able to speak with her on the phone this morning (which was her late afternoon) and that was really great. Hearing her voice and knowing she's okay and really enjoying where God has placed her was also very encouraging. I read my Daddy's post A sad part and a new beginning this morning to Aaron and it simply made me cry. To think of my precious Daddy feeling pain at leaving his daughter and also just missing my Daddy so much overwhelmed me! He writes so well and really conveyed the emotion of the goodbye. Please continue to pray for Jaynie, and also my Daddy and my brother Joe as they come home today!

Love,
Anna

Link Love

Design on our wedding program done by graphic designer Eric West.

1. I wrote this post on the blog I share with Aaron: It's Worth The Wait . 
2. I read this article and was literally thinking "YES! YES! YES!" the whole time I was reading. Natalie is so spot-on and it's such a great reminder for all of us. My mom calls the desire gone bad idea, "a desire becomes a demand" and that's when your desire becomes a sin. Here is that article.
3. Check out this post on my mom's blog. I love the looks on both my sister's faces! I miss those two cuties a whole bunch.
4. I know I already wrote a post about my sister, but here is another plug for her new blog. You can find her blog here. She's been faithful at keeping it updated so far!
5. I have been on a Steven Sharp Nelson/Jon Schmidt/the Piano Guys listening rampage! Right now, my two favourites are Moonlight and The Cello Song.
6. This blog post by my friend Ruthiey was especially beautiful. I love the way she phrases things and the sweet and gentle way she treated the woman in the article was touching.
7. And finally, this recipe for calzones was sooo yummy and really easy. Aaron and I have had these twice, both times making them together and we had a blast. They turned out really tasty too! 

Love,

Anna

It Is Time

The music in this video may not appeal to everyone's tastes, but the message is powerful and urgent. Enjoy!
Love,
Anna

For My Sister Jaynie

My sister is on the other side of the world. I've known she was going to leave for a couple months now, but it's still a strange thought. Next time I see my family, she won't be with them. My 18-year-old sister Jaynie is flying to Central Asia to live for the next several months. She is going to be a nanny for two American families there on business. She's leaving behind everything she's known since she was eight years old. None of her family will be there with her, none of her friends. But we know she does not go alone! And we also know that her safety is in Divine Hands. She will be recording her travels and her adventures on the other side of the world at her blog: HERE. She already has several updates, so make sure you read them and please pray for her!

But the other reason I wanted to post that is because I want to begin a weekly post as a reminder to pray for her. Jaynie plays the cello. She has only been playing for three-four years, but she has been very diligent and plays very well now. I miss playing with her a lot now that I've moved away! As part of her going to the other side of the world, she has had to leave her precious cello behind. So, I want to post videos of cello music for my dear sister once a week for two reasons:

1. As a reminder for me and all of my readers to continue praying for Jaynie.
2. For Jaynie, so she can listen to beautiful and moving music played on the instrument she loves so much!

So here is the first video of many: 

Thank you for praying and enjoy the music!
Love,
Anna

PS - the pictures are from my wedding in March, Jaynie played on of the most beautiful cello pieces in the world, Saint-Saens' The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals.

True Beauty

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. 



~ Audrey Hepburn


Love,
Anna

One Thousand Gifts

51 late night laughs
52 early morning coffee pick-me-ups
53 anticipation when you're going to see someone you care about greatly
54 curling up next to my husband in the middle of the night
55 dancing around to music and making Mocha dance too
56 Graeter's
57 babies at the zoo
58 the smell of my favourite perfume
59 candles that smell amazing
60 candles that you bought on clearance from Anthropologie

Love,
Anna

Fill in The Blank Friday

1. My most favourite birthday was my 18th birthday. I had all my nearest and dearest friends and their families over (which made for a full house!). Their ages ranged from toddler all the way up to long-time married adult. 


2. My worst birthday was none of them! I am pretty sure I enjoyed all my birthdays. Now, if we're talking about other peoples birthdays, that's a different story entirely.... {is recalling a certain birthday when my family used to only have five people and was located in England}.


3. My favourite birthday memory is on my 13th birthday. My parents took me out for dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town to ask me if I would make a commitment for my future husband to save my heart, emotions and body for him. I did and my daddy gave me a beautiful diamond ring that I still wear to this day!


4. The best birthday present I've ever received was a beautiful heart necklace with a light blue stone in it from my dear husband Aaron for my last birthday. It was so wonderful and special.


5. The best birthday present I've ever given was I'm not sure. I can't recall any birthday gifts over any others. Instead, I'll tell you about what I did for Aaron's last birthday though, I invited his family and a friend over to surprise him. He and I went kayaking for the day and while we were gone, the guests arrived and decorated the apartment. When he opened the door, they all said, "Happy Birthday!" and he was very surprised! 


6. Birthdays are a fun time to celebrate someone, and what a gift from God they are. It's also a wonderful time to bring up favourite memories of other birthdays or of growing up. It's also fun to dig up old photos of past birthdays and see how the person has changed. 


7. My favourite age so far has been 20! Of course, I am still 20, but that's beside the point, don't you think?


Love,
Anna

I Refuse

Love,
Anna

Link Love

1. Two posts at the same blog from my friend Kathryn. Here and especially here. I found the second post to be very good and convicting. I hope both do you good as well! I always appreciate Kathryn's open, honest, humble, sweet and encouraging words.

2. I really liked the quote here at resting, resting. Who are we looking to for our assurance?

3. As usual, Sarah at Ampersand Photography had a really good post about what weekends are for. You can find it here.

4. And a little comic relief: this video, called "Fork Control" about the ridiculousness of gun control in our country.

5. A reminder in perspective: What are we truly living for? Are we aiming for heaven or is our gaze earthly? You can find that here.

6. This post of exciting news for a former orphan coming home to his parents! Aaron and I so wished that we could have been there to greet Samuel and Jamie coming home from Moscow!

7. This exciting blog that my mom is now writing! I really miss her wisdom on a day-to-day basis, and now the whole online world can benefit from her little nuggets! Please read and follow her blog. She takes beautiful photos on top of her insights.

I think I'm getting into the swing of things! Hopefully, more to come.
Love,
Anna

One Thousand Gifts

41 early morning lightning
42 late night prayers
43 friends who are always there
44 the smell of clean
45 a husband who takes me literally and then laughs with me so hard we both cry
46 air conditioning
47 silver nail polish
48 someone who is standing in the gap for the helpless
49 my husband showing off for me
50 receiving a package in the mail

Love,
Anna

Fill in The Blank Friday (even later than before!)

I know it's not Friday anymore, but I'm trying to catch up here so that my dear readers didn't think I fell off the face of the earth! So here we are:

1. My go-to outfit for a dress-up occasion like a wedding is a "little black dress". Something comfy but classy and definitely fancy enough for a wedding. At the moment, I have two dresses that fit that description. I wore one of them to church this morning! 

2. This week has been  a week of catching up! It seems like forever since I've been in routine, but in reality, Aaron and I were only out of town for a week. I think I'm back, but I do have a friend arriving tomorrow so that could throw me off again, we shall see!

3. When it's dinnertime and I'm feeling lazy, I'll usually eat a fruit smoothie. We always have fruit on hand and they're so yummy and cooling and sweet! Aaron likes them too, but he also wants some kind of meat. He's a meat and potatoes kind of guy!


4. My favourite pair of shoes is my sparkly Converse ballet flats! I even wore them at my wedding. They're so comfy but they make me want to dance and make me feel happy inside!


5. A random item that I own that is unnecessary, but I could never part with is my journal. In it, I write my deepest thoughts and emotions, my prayers and yearnings. It's my relationship with God on paper. It's very encouraging to read back through the past and see how God has answered prayer, how He has grown me and changed me more like His image, and also to see my weaknesses. Journal-keeping is definitely a skill I would encourage in any believer!


6. My favourite person is my husband! I love him so very much and fall more and more in love with him every single day! 


Love,
Anna

My Bookshelf

I just wanted to let you all know that I've added another page to my blog! It's the list of books I would like to read or have read this year. I've thought "Oh wouldn't it be nice to have a booklist on my blog" for quite awhile now but it wasn't until I saw Natalie's bookshelf that I knew I had to have one. So - voila!- here it is for all the world to see!

My Bookshelf

Love,
Anna

The Value of Marrying Young

Credit

While folding big piles of laundry from last week with my family, I listened to this 28 minute segment that was shared by a friend from Al Mohler. It's a snippet from a talk he did for teenagers and young adults shared on Focus on the Family radio. I agree 100% with all that Al Mohler shares about young people getting married young. So here it is! (I turned it off after Al Mohler finished talking because the rest wasn't helpful.)

The Value of Marrying Young

Love,
Anna

PS - I am terribly sorry about the long silence on my blog! Aaron and I were gone last week to surprise my family with a week-long visit. It was certainly wonderful, and you can read some about it on my family's blog! I will get things up and running again soon, no worries.