Christmas Concerts Part 2

The second Christmas concert I went to this December featured Matthew West and American Idol' Mandisa. Here are some pictures from the event.

Matthew West:

(I'm sorry, this one is a little blurry.)

Mandisa: Matthew West and Mandisa:

I would also like to point out that both of the concerts I attended this Christmas season were free to my family. Yes, we were given tickets to two concerts in the same month! Thank You Lord for that blessing!

Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009

First of all, Happy New Year everyone!

I can't believe that the year is 2009! Where has time gone? It seems like yesterday it was the new millennium. Time sure does fly!

I spent New Year's eve with my friend Lauren, her mom and sister, and my mom. That afternoon we went and ate a delicious lunch at Old Charlie's and afterwards went and saw the movie "Bedtime Stories."

After the movie, Lauren and I went back to her house and watched Pride and Prejudice and ate chocolate brownie ice cream. It was wonderful!Chocolate and a romantic movie. Every girls dream!

We stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York city. As the ball dropped, my cell phone began ringing rapidly with tons of 'Happy New Year' text. I couldn't reply fast enough before a new one would appear. It was hilarious!

After all of the hoop-la (word in honor of my mother), I finally fell asleep sometime around 3:30. I was exhausted.

Lunch, movie, great friends, good times, and chocolate ice-cream. That about sums of my new year's eve.

This past year was a wonderful time for me. Overall, 2008 was good. Life was a little bit rocky at times, but my God was always there to pull me out of Life's little surprises. (Thank You, Lord.)

May God bless you in 2009 as He has blessed me in 2008.

Christmas Concerts Part 1

During the holidays, I attended two different Christmas concerts.

The first concert featured Leeland, Jars Of Clay, Sixpence None The Richer, and Sara Groves. Here are some pictures I took from the event.
Leeland:Jars Of Clay:
Sixpence None The Richer:
Sara Groves:

The concert was an amazing experience. I enjoyed every minute of it!

(Check back later for part 2!)

CD Spotlight: Opposite Way

CD Title: Opposite Way

Artist: Leeland

Genre: Christian/Indie/Rock

CD Release Date: February 26, 2008

My Favorite Songs: All of them (But especially: Opposite Way, Count Me In, Enter This Temple, Let It Out Now)

My Rate On This CD (on a scale of 1-10): 10

The True Meaning Of Christmas

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:1-14
Just remember....Jesus is the reason for the season.

My Daybook 4

Outside my window...

A warm December night (I know warm and December usually don't go together). Darkness is present. Clouds cover the moon like a blanket.

I am thinking...

I have soo many gifts to wrap and soo much shopping still to do in soo little time (if you haven't counted lately, Christmas is in 10 days).

From the kitchen...

Breakfast: Strawberry Toaster Strudel and maple link sausage.

Lunch: Wendy's with my grandmother.

Supper: Not much because i've been sick, and I didn't feel well tonight, but I would have eaten fried salmon crochets, salad, and yeast rolls.

I am going...

To bed. I had a busy day shopping with my grandmother (aka Memaw).

I am wearing...

My bare feet, lounge pants, and a purple t-shirt with the words 'Go Ceiling' on the front (it was part of my fall festival costume- I was a ceiling fan...get it? Ceiling-fan? I know...I'm weird).

I am reading...

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. (I think I've been reading this book since the summer. I just don't seem to have time to read for fun lately.)

I am hoping...

That I will feel 100% better tomorrow night for the concert. That my guitar lesson goes really well. That my grandmother will get her short-term memory back.

I am hearing...

The sound of my fingers typing. Cars driving by my house. My mom re-arranging the kitchen. My Dad watching a Christmas movie.

One of my favorite things...

Decorating the Christmas tree with my mom.

My picture thought...

The reason we celebrate...

CD Spotlight: Stay

CD Title: Stay

Artist: Jeremy Camp

Genre: Rock, Pop, Inspirational/Worship, Christian

CD Release Date: 2002

My Favorite Songs: Walk By Faith, I Still Believe, Take My Life, In Your Presence, and Right Hear.

My Rate On This CD(on a scale of 1-10): 9

Have You Counted Lately?

"Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings...name them one by one....count your many blessings, see what God has done."

Last week at church we sang this hymn. It fits just perfectly for the time of year because it's the holidays. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years.

I know I know...we have sung this song many times before and we know the words...but do we ever really think about the meaning of this all to familiar hymn's words? Do we count our blessings? Do we really thank God for ALL that He has done for us?

As I'm writing this, I'm getting this image in my head of a child sitting at the dinner table during Thanksgiving dinner telling their mommy and daddy all that they are thankful for. The child proceeds to tell them that he or she is thankful for their teacher, their pet, their favorite toy, etc. The child's parents believe that this is all the child is going to say and giggle at the child's innocents and proceed to say "That's great, sweetie." Then the child pauses, with a pondering look on his or her face. After a couple of seconds, the child says, "And mommy and daddy....I'm thankful for what Jesus did for us."

"For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Next time you pray, thank God for His salvation and His great, great love for us. Remember what He did. Remember the Ultimate Sacrifice...and thank Him for it.

Good Job Guys!

Well the Crimson Tide just finished their season with a great win over Auburn, 36-0. They finished 12-0. It feels soo good! Good job, John Parker! (And good job to all the seniors. It's been a great year!) Good Job, guys! (Even though Nick did better...no offense, Tommy.)

All that there is left to say is...ROLL TIDE!

Happy (Early) Thanksgiving

I know this is a day early but I'm not sure if I'll have time to get on the computer so.... Happy (early) Thanksgiving everybody!!

I'm going to list 5 things I'm thankful for in honor of this holiday.

I'm thankful for....

-My Salvation

-A mom that is always there for me when I need her.

-A dad that cares.

-Our (kind of new) home

-Good friends

-Having the chance to have my grandmother live with me (even if we don't always get along).

-The future blessing of waiting on God's timing. (I'm speaking in faith!)

-God's great mercy that He so faithfully shows His child.

-The opportunity to be homeschooled.

-My future and all that God has planned for me to do for Him.
-Good turkey (Hey, I had to throw that one in there. It's Thanksgiving!)

I told you mine, now tell me your. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Nation's Repentance

Tonight I attended a presentation at a local church on God and government that was extremely fascinating. The man that was leading the presentation referred to this prayer and I thought that you might like to read it.

The original prayer was delivered on January 23, 1996 by the Reverend Joe Wright to the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka, Kansas.

"Heavenly Father, We come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it moral pluralism.

We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy.

We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us O God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state.Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of your son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

My Daybook 3

Outside my window...
The darkness clothes the house like a blanket...the temperature is cooler tonight than the night before...only light jackets are needed tonight.

I am thinking...
That my eyelids are not going to stay open long enough for me to go to Kohl's with my parents so that they can shop for a winter coat for Mother.
From the kitchen...

Mother made the "Family Buffet", consisting of the weeks leftover meats and vegetables. I picked out hamburger steak with gravy, baby Lima beans (I prefer to call them butter beans), and carrots and potatoes in a butter sauce with seasoning salt. Simply delicious! I know... they were just leftovers but when your hungry... anything taste good!

I am going...

After our trip to Kohl's...hopefully bed...I'm sooo tired!

I am wearing...

My favorite pair of dark washed Levi's, a hot pink, knit, long sleeve t-shirt, and cute black ballet flats with a silver buckle on the top.

I am reading...

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. (Good... but soo sad!)

I am hoping...

That my aunt and cousins will be safe traveling...that my cousin will get better.

I am hearing...

The sound of my grandmother and my mom talking...the television...news I think...my father getting seconds on supper...typing keyboard (oh that's me).

One of my favorite things...

A cell phone that holds a charge! YAY!

My picture thought...

A good place to be...ROLL TIDE! (I hope we win tomorrow!)

After The Election...

Well... the election is over. I have to admit, when I first saw the words on the TV screen "Breaking News: Obama Wins The Presidency", I was a little shocked. OK, little is an understatement. I was befuzzeled! (And that isn't even a real word!) I was thinking, 'OK God. What are You up to? I know You're in control and you're going to take care of us, but I don't understand your plan.' Then the thought popped into my head: "Anna, My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways; My ways are higher than your ways."

Please continue to pray for our leaders, even if you don't agree with what they stand for. "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44, ISV) I don't know about you, but when I hear about people who believe in everything that I'm totally against, I view them as my enemy. Well, Jesus said that we are supposed to pray for them, and not only that, but we're supposed to love them too! I have to admit, I haven't done either as often as I should! (Lord, forgive me.)

This is the time for the children of the most high God to stand up and speak out for Christ. He has given us an opportunity and we should be obedient to whatever He asks us to do.

Next time you pray, just remember our leaders and our country after the election.

CD Spotlight- Dying For A Heart

CD Title: Dying For A Heart

Artist: Krystal Myers

Genre: Rock/Christian

(Note: Since this CD was released, the artist has released a CD that is strictly Pop.)

CD Release Date: 2006

My Favorite Songs: ALL of them, but my number one favorite is "Beauty Of Grace"

My Rate On This CD (on a scale of 1-10): 9

Pray The Vote- Day 28-30

Day 28- November 2- Matthew 21:21-22
Ask, believing, for God's leaders to be elected. Trust Him now.

Day 29- November 3- Psalm 25:4-5
Thank God for your salvation and that He has led you in to His truth during these days of prayer.

Day 30- November 4- Amos 7:7
Vote Today! Consider fasting today also. Read the following quote by Matthew Henry:

"God bears long, but he will not bear always with a provoking people. The remembrance of the mercies we formerly received, like the produce of the earth of the former growth, should make us submissive to the will of God, when we meet with disappointments in the latter growth. The Lord has many ways of humbling a sinful nation. Whatever trouble we are under, we should be most earnest with god for the forgiveness of sin. Sin will soon make a great people small. What will become of Israel, if the hand that should raise him be stretched out against him? See the power of prayer. See what a blessing praying people are to a land. See how ready, how swift God is to show mercy; how he waits to be gracious. Israel was a wall, a strong wall, which God himself reared as a defense to His sanctuary. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall. He measures it; it appears to be a bowing, bulging wall. Thus god would bring the people of Israel to the trial, would discover their wickedness; and the time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be spared no longer. But the Lord still calls Israel His people. The repeated prayer and success of the prophet should lead us to seek the Saviour."