Pin of The Week

Source: poziomkowa.soup.io via Cara on Pinterest

For My Sister Jaynie

I'm sorry I haven't shared my cello post for my sister in quite awhile! Jaynie, I hope you enjoy this rendition of Carmina Burana! I remember when I played it when I was in the orchestra, it's quite a heart-pounding piece of music!
As for an update on my sister - she will be coming home for Christmas! My family is very excited about this because for a while they thought she would be coming home in January. Make sure you check her blog Lord Send Me for updates on her day-to-day life!

Love,
Anna

Молитва за сирот-video: Guest Post

My sister Lissie from the blog Impassioned Purity wrote this blog post. She went on a ten-day trip to St. Petersburg Russia to work in an orphanage not to mention the fact that we have nine siblings adopted from Russia. It is very exciting for us to see God working among the Ukrainian church and causing people to rise up and stand in the gap for these children who have no hope. Who better than the Church could take great care of these children, teaching them about Christ and giving them an eternal hope? Praise God! Thank you Lissie for allowing me to reshare this post on my blog! 

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This video was created by Ukrainian Christians for Orphan Sunday (November 6, 2011): a day for the church to remember and act on behalf of the fatherless and vulnerable. In the words of Jedd Medefind on the Christian Alliance for orphans blog, the Ukrainian church is "on fire" in its desire to adopt and care for the orphans in its country. *Enter personal commentary: It makes me extremely excited to see Christ's church on the other side of the world passionately living out the Gospel to the needy!*

(The video is called "Prayer for Orphans," and the words at the end basically say that there are more than 30,000 orphans in Ukraine and that each person's prayer can make a difference.)

Is the church in America on fire to live out James 1:27? Please leave a comment if your church is doing something for Orphan Sunday! I would love to hear from you.

~Lissie

I Will Wait For You

Love,
Anna

Link Love

Source: google.com via Natalie on Pinterest

1. Who is the greatest? - I REALLY liked the post. Like REALLY liked it. Especially this part: "People ask me sometimes if my hands get tired at the end of the day. My usual reply is, "You know, sometimes they do get a little tired. It's great though because my husband is really nice and he'll give me hand rubs so that helps a lot." Here is a list of several actual responses I have had to that question: 1. "Really? How long have you guys been married? My guess is not very long" 2. "I'll ask you again in a couple of years." 3. "That's nice, enjoy that while it lasts" Is it just me, or is that really crappy? It makes me terribly sad... Sad to think that somewhere in the path of marriage, people stop loving each other practically. Couples stop putting their spouses needs ahead of their own.
2.  Random Thoughts on Marriage - From the same blog, this is just some thoughts that I felt echoed in my own heart and wanted to share with you all. Don't stop making an effort to look good after you're married! Your spouse is the most important person in your life, why do we feel like we can wear t-shirts and sweat pants around them? We made an effort during the courtship/or dating relationship, why not after you've said the vows? Along those lines, check out this blog with her Frump to Pumps Dressing in Freedom: Frump To Pumps Challenge 
3. How To Make Newsprint Nails - I love doing my nails and I think this is an easy way to go more sophisticated than just plain colour. Thanks Ruthiey for the DIY!
4.  This Road Called Vida - I've been reading this blog a lot because I like her genuineness even throughout the tough stuff, but ever since I found out I was pregnant, I've been paying even more attention since she just gave birth to her first precious one. 

Love,
Anna

Listening to Fireflies Piano Tribute

The Invasion

Love,
Anna

Sister-Friends

Once upon a time, I went on a trip with some people from my church and some people from Pastor John Piper's church to help out the people in Pearlington, Mississippi with cleanup from Hurricane Katrina. The half from my church had never met the half from Bethlehem Baptist. We had some awkward first moments but the group pretty much hit it off right from the beginning. I'd like to tell you about one of my dear friends that I met as a result of those two groups coming together.

Her name is Ruthiey. She's quiet when you first meet her, but she has a radiant smile and a delightful laugh that immediately draw you in. She has these lovely eyes that smile all the time. But the greatest thing about Ruthiey? She's an encourager. I never fail to leave a conversation with her without a smile, a lighter step and most definitely an encouraged heart. She always seems to know what to say, what questions to ask, what answers to give in even the stickiest and most unusual of circumstances.

That's not all either! She's very genuine. When you're with her, you never feel like you're with a perfect person because she's honest about her struggles, that life isn't all daises and rainbows and she pairs that wonderfully with the hope the God offers in all of our daily lives. She doesn't just share about her struggles but how she's actively overcoming those struggles with the help of the Holy Spirit. Ruthiey isn't just talk, she gets up and works to change to become more conformed to Christ.

I can't tell you how much of an encouragement, comfort and inspiration this girl is to me. She's simply wonderful. I am so grateful to God for placing her in my life. I love you, Ruthiey girl!
While you're reading my blog, go check our her blog: Color My Life With Love .

Love,
Anna

Listening to Owl City's Halcyon (Pacman)

The New You've All Been Waiting For...

Source: None via Carlee on Pinterest

... go over to my other blog at Young and Married to find out! It's very exciting news!

Love,
Anna

Listening to Sky Sailing's Brielle

The Inspired Life @ Scribbles n' Things

Today, I'm featured over at Scribbles n' Things with Natalie! Go check out my post and the others in the series!

Love,
Anna

Listening to Vivaldi Double Concertos

God Is Never Un-Motivated

Source: weheartit.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

There are days where it's hard work to simply put my contacts in. The bed doesn't get made, the dirty dishes sit in the sink, and the pile of laundry grows ever taller. Today is one of those days. I think part of the reason everything feels this way is because I woke up sick. I'm feeling better as the day has gone on, but I still feel like normal tasks are just insurmountable. I know I need to do the laundry, or Aaron won't have a clean undershirt tomorrow, but my body just sternly says, "No!".

After a day when I've "had it all together", as in, I taught three violin lessons, went grocery shopping (and didn't exceed the budget!) tidied the house, went through paperwork and generally felt like I looked put-together in my heels and sweater, today is a stark contrast. My to-do list is sitting with my calendar, untouched. I keep telling myself that if I'm not going to do laundry or empty the dishwasher, that I should at least study for my next test, since that doesn't require any exertion. But here I am, blogging.

I don't have it all together. I have my share of bad and hard days, just like any of us. But I know Someone who never changes or has bad days or is unmotivated to get those things on His to-do list done. He never get's frustrated or forgets something, He never leaves something unfinished. I always find that quite comforting on days like this, that God is not like this. He doesn't have something unexpected come up, ever.

So on our days like this one that I'm having now, we can cling to our Heavenly Father who is so far above, better and unchanging than we are. But more than just being comforted, this can urge us to action knowing that with His Holy Spirit we can be like Him and keep going despite our circumstances or how achy our body is or how unmotivated we feel. Because God is so much bigger than all of that!

So off I go to begin laundry and empty the dishwasher. I might sit down after I've done all of my chores to study and rest. And I'll be thinking about how great and marvelous our God is the whole time.

Love,
Anna