Christmas Party Number 465

Russ and I have had so much fun going to different Christmas parties. It is so much fun to spend time with people that you love. I hate that we don't make quality time with the people we love more of a priority during the rest of the year. These are a few pictures of a party we went to with my friends from high school. I don't get to see these people too often but it is so much fun when I do. These girls have known me my entire life and have seen me through good and bad times. It means so much to have their support in all that I do. They have been there with me through elementary, middle, and high school, family issues, trips to Ghana and China, and now as we plan to adopt. They even surprised me with money towards my China trip in October.

They accept that me and Russ are a little "strange" but love us anyway! I love them so much and cannot wait to see what God does in their lives.

Surprise, Surprise

Russ and I always take a night before Christmas to spend with each other. The holiday's can get crazy and we love spending time with just each other! So, this year we went to Pickwick to our friend's cabin. We spent two nights and did nothing but rest, eat, and watch Christmas movies.

We took our Christmas gifts and opened them on the first night. Russ surprised me with a new camera!!! I was shocked...I had mentioned it but didn't expect to get it. He had told me that we were just going to get each other a little something. So, I followed that rule. I got him a t-shirt from his favorite tv show and a book. Then, I open the camera from him. He is so sweet and I am so thankful for the husband that he is. While we love gifts, we are mindful that this time is to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Eyes to see

God has really been showing me scriptures about faith lately. I was reading Matthew 9: 27-29. Here is what it says.

"After Jesus left the girl's home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, "Do you believe I can make you see?" "Yes, Lord," they told him, "we do."

"Then he touched their eyes and said, "Because of your faith, it will happen." Then their eyes were opened, and they could see!"

Now I must say that God is not a magic genie that you just rub on the bottle and it will come true. But, according to scripture, God can do ALL. My trouble is BELIEVING. I tend to believe according to what my human eyes see. If things are looking good in life, then I believe God is good and He can do all. When things begin to look grim, then I tend to doubt.

But that is not what faith is. Faith is " being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). God is doing so much more..we just can't see it for our unbelief.

This world would be a different place if people when asked the question "do you believe" answered yes wholeheartedly. My prayer is that I would not view the goodness of God by the realities that I see but by the characteristics of who He is.

Ephesians 3:20

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Love, Anna

Season to love

Christmas season is officially here! Wal-mart is crazy...traffic is everywhere. But, I have really been thinking this year about the true reason for Christmas. When I look around me, I become sad about how much STUFF we buy. I say we because I am the world's worst. I mentioned earlier this year to my family about not buying so much STUFF. I tried to come up with a RULE...mostly because sometimes I like to be in control. Okay, a lot of the time. But, I have realized that it is not even about setting RULES. It is more about just having the realization that Christ is the only reason we celebrate this season. It is about putting HIM first and giving to others. It is about love. I am still struggling with how to balance this all. I was reading this blog and found this video. Please take a minute to watch this.