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annielaughter
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Name: Ann
Birthday: 4/3/1981
Gender: Female
Interests: Spending time with my sweet hubby, church activites, my weekly bible study, deep conversations with others, laughter, ethnic music, dogs, reading intellectually stimulating material, any outdoor activities, working out at the gym, rollerblading (in the rain or off various ramps leading to wetlands), sampling fine foods, hanging out at various coffee shops (Borders rocks!), observing the peculiar behavior of humans, spending time with older people, Saturday morning pancakes, sunshine, thunder, night rainstorms, feeling the presense of God in creation, flipflops, sundresses, spring breezes, magnetic poetry, fabric softener, Chai Tea, Smoothies, coffee, ice cream, Stargazing, sunsets, campfires with my best friends, evening walks, morning jogs, Africa, Traveling, hugging, learning, eyesmiles, cancer patients, and learning to love others unconditionally.
Expertise: Worrying--this will change:)
Occupation: Oncology Nurse
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
1/27/2006
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| OK, so I am very embarrassed to post after having not posted since, um, I really don't remember. But, a few things to be thankful for today:)
Great friends. Fall colors. New experiences. Hot Chai Tea. New pink slippers. And, I have an announcement.....no, I'm not pregnant:)...many of you know just how long we have waited for this paperwork...about 14 months to be exact...but today, my wonderful husband Jason will become an official U.S. citizen!!! We may finally get to Africa after all--just keep us in your prayers.
God is really good:)
Have a super day--
Ann
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| Hello,
Winter is back--I am praying to stay positive:) This time of year is such a tease:) Somedays, you just trust the sun is there, even when it is not shining:)
I have had such a nice past few days:) I have been spoiled rotten by all my favorite people:) Saturday, I was feeling a bit sick--so my nice hubby ran to the store and bought gingerale and double-churned vanilla ice cream--we made floats and I was magically made better:) We also just vegged and watched movies:) Sunday, he treated me to moomer's ice cream. We had a great time with my brother, Eric, sister-in-law, Nancy and my sis, Liz:) It was great--then they all came to the apartment and we had dinner and a good chat:). Then Monday night for my birthday, Jason's parents treated us to home-made pizza--it was a blast!!! They are such terrific people and we always have such a great time together. Plus, I got to share my birthday with my absolutely adorable niece--she turned 1 year old:) Tuesday, I got to work, and my wonderful coworkers spoiled me with cards, cupcakes, and all my favorite snacks:) They are way too good to me at work. I just love those gals:) Plus, last week, a patient brought it absolutely gorgeous flowers for all the nurses--God is too good to bless me with such wonderful people in my life.
Yes, I am blessed--God has given me far more than I deserve--I fail to thank Him enough, or live each day with an attitude of gratefulness. Somedays, I am overwhelmed at how good my life is--how rich it is. Thinking of this, it helps during those dry days of life--the desert moments, when God feels far--sometimes He shows just how near He is by what He has blessed me with--I don't have to look far to find His touch and His hand in my life. Somedays, I struggle to feel that, then I look around and am reminded of how just very near He is and how He has graced my life in every dimension.
I am learning to hold His hand when the way is dark, cloudy and you don't even know where the next step is or exactly where it will lead. I am learning to trust during times when my head and heart don't seem to be saying the same thing. I am learning to have faith in what I don't understand or may never understand. I am learning to stop trying to "figure God out" as if His understanding is to be mastered by the human mind. I am learning that feelings are just that--you don't stop pursuing something just because the feeling has vanished, but to trust that the moment the light hit your heart and mind and the way was made clear, that you pursue despite human obstacles and moments of complete doubt and complete darkness. I am learning that light shines brighter in dark places--dark places in life are good places--places where God truly becomes your guide and your rock. "You are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". I am learning that the touch and presence of God in my life far outweight any material comfort, any human success, or any manmade security. I am learning that NOTHING fulfills but the love of Christ and the presence of His embrace, and pursuing anything else to fill me will never, never satisfy. I am learning that to reach the mountain of God, valleys are necessary. I am learning that if God is holding you, but turns His face, He might just want to see how much you really thirst for His gaze. I am learning that I never want to live a day without my God, devoid of His touch, His love and His presence--and I am learning that I never will--"He will NEVER leave me or forsake me". God you are good, and you are beautiful!!! Thank you for this day, this trial, and these lessons.
Hey, if any of you want a good CD, this is excellent--raw, real and humble--I love it!!!
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| Hello,
I LOVE the sunshine!!!!!! Last weekend was a blessing--Jason and I were able to enjoy tremendous amounts of rejuvenating sunshine and fresh air . And, on Jason's birthday, our new little niece, Eden Noelle was born!!!! Congrats to Lance and Sheri--she is a cutie!!!!!!
A group of ladies from my church and work have been going to a nursing home for the past several weeks to spend time with the people there and sing--it is fantastic!!! Those older people bring such joy to my heart--I can't even tell you. We laugh so much together--there is so much to be learned from them, their stories and their life:)
Hmm, something I have been thinking about that has really struck a cord with my heart. Sometimes, at least for me, the vision of life gets lost in the mundane, you know. Well, I was reading in Philippians and 1:19-26 has impacted, renewed, and spoken to me. Life. Think about it. What does each day mean? We will never know fully here and now. Bear with me. Each Christian is VITAL and has a VITAL role to play in God's story. Not to place upon the Christian a sense of prideful importance, however, think about what Paul said..."Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you". Each day that we are alive and here in earth--we all have a purpose within the lives of those we meet and with whom we interact. We are needed to serve, embrace, love, encourage...the list goes on. I pray my passion in this realm grows--may I never miss any opportunities in which I am needed by another soul.
Blessings.
Ann
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| Good Morning,
I would really like to thank everyone who has been praying for Jason and I --we can surely feel the prayers:)
God has been really sweet lately--several awesome things have happened since I last posted:
I have been doing a new ladies Bible study on tuesdays--amazing woman--I have been so encouraged. We had a really sweet time of prayer the other night--some breakthrough of sorts, you might say:) I love the connection I already feel for these woman--God is really good to bring into my life, a new Bible study just when I need it:)
I spent last weekend with an awesome group of precious friends, who we, unfortunately, don't get to see that often--so it was great to have games, food, fun, laughter, good talks, deep discussion and just lots of down time and fun
God has revealed some really hard things to me about myself and my circumstances. For me, it has been revolutionary and I have been so encouraged. Jason and I have been so attacked physically, and spiritually and mentally to--I can trace it back to when our mission journey began. All was good until that. It amazes me how hard Satan tries to deceive and how stinkin' good he is at it. His subtle, yet obvious ways have really built up over time, that I was feeling so defeated, so discouraged--I didn't recognize the attack--that is right where Satan wants us--he loves it when we don't recognize his schemes, because then we don't refute him with God's word. Anyhow, it is a long, long story--the end point right now, is that things are looking up--praise God!!!! I mean, my circumstances may not change--but my spirit has been lifted.
I have been reading a new book with the ladies bible study. Here is a quote from it, that has spoken volumes to me, "I shall not want....this is the sentiment of a sheep utterly satisfied with its owner, perfectly content with its lot in life. Since the Lord is my shepherd, then I shall not want...no doubt the main concept is that of not lacking-not deficient-in proper care, management or husbandry. But a second emphasis is the idea of being utterly contented in the Good Shepherd's care and consequently not craving or desiring anything more". I think so often of what I look for in my life, realized or unrealized to satisfy, to fulfill and to pacify. It is amazing how God never allows anything in place of Him. I can never be satisfied apart from God alone and my relationship with Christ. It has caused me to take a deep look at my life/my heart to see just where I have been seeking/wanting and consequently not really finding.
Anyhow, I probably have done a poor job of explaining all this--my head is a bit congested--I caught the bug that everyone else had Yeah for sharing families
Blessings
ann
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