God the Tester?

Genesis 22:1-19

I have read the story who knows how many times of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. First off, I think it's so funny that we tell these kinds of stories to our children in Bible Class on flannel boards when they're like five years old. Anyway... the past few times when I've read this story, it just leaves me unsettled. It makes me view God as this Tester. And I'm not a fan of viewing him like that.. Like if my friend made me do something to see how good of a friend I am, I would not be a happy camper with her. You know what I mean? I don't want God to have to test me to find out how much I love him or fear him, as He did with Abraham. Which maybe that means I have to show how much I love him.. I don't know.

What are your thoughts? How do you view this story?

Life and Such

Hm.. what's happened in the world of Anna?

Basketball is over. We ended up getting third place. We were the number one seed, but we just couldn't make anything. But luckily for us, no one is graduating so hopefully next year we'll win :)

I mentioned a few posts ago that I was planning on going to college next year. Well, things change and now I will be attending WCCS next year. Honestly, I'm totally fine with it. I have more options for college now and what not and that excites me. I'm looking at Kentucky Christian, but we'll see what God has in store for me. He's already changed my plans a few times, if you couldn't tell.

Honduras is just around the corner! In three months from today we will be leaving for Honduras. It's crazy. I am so excited and hoping I receive all the funds I need to stay for the five weeks I'm planning on. And so we pray.. God is faithful.

While I'm Waiting

Sorry, I'm an awful blogger. I really do plan on updating about life and such soon.. Things are just very hectic! (What's new?) Anyway, here's a song that was in the movie Fireproof (which to my surprise, was pretty good) and I fell in love with it. So thank you John Waller ;)

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Peace Out 2008!

2008 has officially been over for four days now.This past year was filled with ups and downs. It feels like way more downs than ups, but you have those years. Here are some of the highlights (or lowlights, if you can call them that) of 2008:

- I've been going to WCCS for over a year now. I'm blessed to be going there.
- Many people who are close to my heart have moved this past year : Hannah, The Ellis Family, Allison, The Lombard Family, and Sam. I've probably missed someone because the number of people is pretty big.
- In February, Winterfest was awesome. The lessons totally spoke to my heart. Good times.
- In April, the big 16 birthday was this year! I can now.. um do everything I did before. And drive. That's a nice thing.
- The basketball team got third place at states and I got on the All-Tournament team in February. And this year's basketball season started in November. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season goes.
- In May, I had a bad allergic reaction to a cookie with nuts in it and ended up at the emergency room. What an eventful evening that was..
- My cousin, Tifani, got married in May and my sister got married in August. I have a brother-in-law. That's still so weird.
- I went to Honduras for three and a half weeks in June and it changed my life. The kids at Casa have a big chunk of my heart with them.
- Rachel and I took a trip to South Carolina to visit the Ellis Fam in July. It was great seeing Adam, Dana, Emma and Chloe again. If I haven't mentioned it lately, I miss them.
- Church Camp was interesting, but so good to be around some girls who are striving for the same things and dealing with similar struggles. One of my favorite memories is singing with the girls on the top of the hill. Unforgettable.
- My family has dealt with the illnesses of Grammy and Grampy basically all year. It has been a struggle. I would be lying if I told you otherwise. But God is wonderful and has helped them each time.
- Donna, Sam, Denni and I went to God's Girls in October like we did the previous year. Fun times with fetus babies. Can I get a "Yeah!"?
- Thanksgiving and Christmas were both great times to see family, as they are every year. I'm blessed with such a good family.
- My mom's friend, who was like a brother to her, Tim Wiblin passed away last week. That has been rough for many people. Please keep his family in your prayers still.
- I've gotten to chill with a lot of people this year, and grow closer to many. There have been so many good and funny times.


What I'm hoping and looking forward to in 2009:
- Going to Honduras for six weeks
- Starting my senior year of high school or starting my freshman year of college (I have no idea what I'm doing now)
- Growing in my faith
- Making my relationships stronger
- Making a difference in people's lives
- Being a blessing because I have been so blessed
- Not being born again lazy, but actually getting out and doing something with my life, time and energy

I really can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for everyone around me. I hope more ups than downs.. I'm praying for that anyway. May you have a blessed year.

Much Love

I'm Sick!

I have strep throat. It's gross and I don't feel good. I will have only been at school one day this week when the week is over. And I can't play basketball until Monday which means I'll miss a game tonight and Saturday. It stinks.. If I don't feel better within the next three or four days I have to go back in to get tested for mono. So if you could be praying I recover soon, I would appreciate it greatly.

Much Love

Basketball and School

Basketball has started up. We've had two games and won both of them. The first game we won by thirty and the second game we won by thirteen. I had sixteen points the first game and fourteen the second, and I'm definitely happy with that. I'm really loving the group this year. We all get along well and actually enjoying the time we spend together. Kara, Tiffany, and I are captains again. We're heading to Bob Jones University (Ick) in January for a tournament. Hopefully I'll be able to see some friends while I'm there :) Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next three months of basketball, and making the best of it since it will be my last season.

I've told quite a few people, so why not tell the whole world on my blog. As of today, I'm heading to OVU next year. That's right. I'm skipping my senior year and going to college a year early full time. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm going to miss Wood County Christian, for sure. But I know there's a lot in store for me in the next few years of college. I've made this decision because I hate school. Really, I can't tell you how much I dread it. And also, I feel I'm supposed to be in Honduras and I can't do that until I graduate from college. So even though this is only taking a year off of that time, it's still one year less. It will be good.

I'll have something "amazing" to blog about someday, I'm sure. ;)

The Actress Is Back!

Every year an acting group comes to Parkersburg to do a play with children from kindergarten to seniors in five short days. They audition Monday and Saturday is the show. When I was in second grade, I tried out for the play "Sleeping Beauty" they were doing. I made it and was Maid Number One. I was so important. I had one line and had the other maids out when it was time to go. Let me tell you, that's some pressure for a second grader! The next year, I made it again in "Treasure Island". I was a towns person and once again had a whole one line. Like I said, I'm an important person when I'm in plays. I do my one lines well! The next two years I tried out for the plays and didn't make it. I decided my acting days were over... My dreams were crushed. Not once, but twice. Sad day..
Our school does a school play every year, and last year I decided not to do it. But I decided this year I would do it seeing it might be my last time (another blog for another day) to do it. I told the teachers straight up I didn't want a speaking part. I'll be on stage and that's about all they were going to get. Well, they betrayed me and gave me guess how many lines? ONE! A whole one! I wanted none! Those teachers.. they're sneaky ones.. "The weather always spoils everything!" That's the line. Crap, I shouldn't have told you.. please come still see the play. I'll sell you tickets. Oh, and my name? "Another Woman". That's it. Don't confuse that with the OTHER woman.
So ladies and gentlemen, this is my return debut to acting in "The Other Wise Man". December 5th at my school. Come and watch me say my one liner wonderfully!

Thanks ;)