tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59031550480696195462023-11-16T02:59:56.290-08:00P.S. It's Okay to be DifferentMatthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-73605460943021884782010-09-16T12:28:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:41:57.507-07:00Return of the Blogger: Part 1Hey guys!<br />Oh my goodness! I missed you all and the blog and everything sooo much! :)<br />Ah! You have no idea how good it feels to be BACK!! Lately I've been so busy it's not even funny, and I've been waiting for one moment to catch a breath and WRITE!<br /><br />My heart is seriously about to burst since I haven't written in so long, so I knew that if I didn't start again soon, my life was in grave danger. (I'm just kidding, by the way!) <br /><br />So first I wanted to start off by saying hello and telling you somethings that will be new this fall with my blog! First off, I will most likely be posting at least once a week during the soccer season(now!). Also, it has been about a year since I posted my very first post on my blog, so it is my 1 year Anniversary! Yeah me:). Because of that, I would like YOU, reader, to select your FAVORITE post of mine and contact me about it(annagp.16@gmail.com)so I can re-post it at some point to celebrate my 1-year Anniversary.<br /><br />Another thing I would like to start doing is taking tips or suggestions for things I can add to my blog or you would like to see me write more about, so feel free to tell me anything you want! <br /><br />I AM really glad to be back! Don't forget me!<br />I love you, readers:).<br />Until Next Time,Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-35053013382569696962010-06-14T12:32:00.000-07:002010-06-14T12:34:00.684-07:00Summer Vacation!Hey!<br /><br />I am taking a big summer break from my blog.<br />I will miss it, but it will be nice to take a break. <br />I will hopefully return in the fall with much to write about and share! Please keep reading then.<br />I hope you all have a WONDERFUL and safe summer!<br /><br />With much love,Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-64809737847566498732010-06-01T12:13:00.000-07:002010-06-01T12:29:03.142-07:00Did You Know?Here are some really random, yet funny facts.<br /><br />~Because of animal crackers, many children until they reach the age of ten think that a bear is as tall as a giraffe.<br /><br />~"Singapore" means "City of Lions", but none have ever been seen there.<br /><br />~The average American(here we go again, slamming the Americans!)comsumes enough caffine each year to kill a horse.<br /><br />~Christopher Columbus was blonde(I don't know if it's true, but I think it's funny).<br /><br />~Julius Caeser was self-conscious about his receeding hairline, hence he wore the laurel wreath. (I don't know if that's true either:))<br /><br />~Elephants can communicate using sounds below the normal human hearing range.<br /><br />~A goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds(I love this one!).<br /><br />~The percent of men who wash their hands after using the restroom is 55%....ew!<br /><br />~There are 6,500 windows in the Empire State Building.<br /><br />~There are 45 miles of nerves on human beings' skin.<br /><br />~Fish cough....I cracked up about this!! :)<br /><br />~Men get hiccups more often then women.<br /><br />~A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can't.<br /><br />~<br /><br />~Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-43859788622101157292010-05-26T17:31:00.000-07:002010-05-26T17:50:33.074-07:00All Around the World<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdPZinRcbI4GA63escDaB1_DNXoe4wx7riu268dEoIGVoEFWrZasZSp-BH6Ofgaw5iE9IxcTjsQCik0_z6W7WKpAZpRRt7jkzIFVSXBmOBBT5ycI_zfKPgngCOoqF_Hbd67WheIUNLgM/s1600/first-home-buyers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdPZinRcbI4GA63escDaB1_DNXoe4wx7riu268dEoIGVoEFWrZasZSp-BH6Ofgaw5iE9IxcTjsQCik0_z6W7WKpAZpRRt7jkzIFVSXBmOBBT5ycI_zfKPgngCOoqF_Hbd67WheIUNLgM/s320/first-home-buyers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475745726825860978" /></a><br />Home:).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4_gggxBUA5mWKD6POqSDXryGG4XJbSw-Vmzwhf2fFrdSd75sPwmZJlZbjaWLLSoQYS-Odnzsj4LBXjzlMYmRADqhw4PocZvSFG9N7wAI3NF7xdPJXrtsO1rIsHa2qYA3EsfibFbdzeo/s1600/forest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4_gggxBUA5mWKD6POqSDXryGG4XJbSw-Vmzwhf2fFrdSd75sPwmZJlZbjaWLLSoQYS-Odnzsj4LBXjzlMYmRADqhw4PocZvSFG9N7wAI3NF7xdPJXrtsO1rIsHa2qYA3EsfibFbdzeo/s320/forest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475745378343633730" /></a><br />I love trees and the great outdoors!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PRUHiD2eZJ5CjEmCprndEl3IkMCavzlqxaF8QdxqDVRAd4u2AfXvO07OTlmHoUWZfGw2En4P1VDXSjhSbFNSjc2EhAznBWn2PEzjl2QKg790exQ1FNJpvHN7K9w8f6OPgQ0GNz70Lz8/s1600/washington-dc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PRUHiD2eZJ5CjEmCprndEl3IkMCavzlqxaF8QdxqDVRAd4u2AfXvO07OTlmHoUWZfGw2En4P1VDXSjhSbFNSjc2EhAznBWn2PEzjl2QKg790exQ1FNJpvHN7K9w8f6OPgQ0GNz70Lz8/s320/washington-dc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475745150944584962" /></a><br />Washington, DC<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X3f7M0ctfdwRq9z-4rJyP3UPZCpUpWxIslzwsV-kOAZXsQIA3YggQ5DasyUvoHARYD7Av62_5LUFHF3xf_23Y983b9b-yiOq_RXxWNwXvhyphenhyphenUpCM0X0KFdcTu3LCLSGtY-cSeoED4XTo/s1600/pineTree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X3f7M0ctfdwRq9z-4rJyP3UPZCpUpWxIslzwsV-kOAZXsQIA3YggQ5DasyUvoHARYD7Av62_5LUFHF3xf_23Y983b9b-yiOq_RXxWNwXvhyphenhyphenUpCM0X0KFdcTu3LCLSGtY-cSeoED4XTo/s320/pineTree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475744372914580562" /></a><br />I have a pine tree I like to climb and sit in.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3cSfNKDChPrHBi53b_a_jtkXh7bTR6X2QVK-FIdXY6OovfzWd8OOzTcjh86m-HHntdtVsWA3vBA9vLKh75-J5kNEMk6THLD9JNkNJjh520xLmrMhb_YnOvf9HL53KwKideiTLPVfWVk/s1600/rocky_creek_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3cSfNKDChPrHBi53b_a_jtkXh7bTR6X2QVK-FIdXY6OovfzWd8OOzTcjh86m-HHntdtVsWA3vBA9vLKh75-J5kNEMk6THLD9JNkNJjh520xLmrMhb_YnOvf9HL53KwKideiTLPVfWVk/s320/rocky_creek_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475743996722524882" /></a><br />I love to sit by creeks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfik931KC4gAdVR9xaLDZynInV_ZXYpoo57GOSjUI_5Scsl4aoceRnlSJC3Th929csmcNz1O66Abnl2ARRQGsGDWknCs5o6r3UuP1_pgF8dDQ6YEa-3bwMumiQzxMK6EpnHw8QvEYducc/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfik931KC4gAdVR9xaLDZynInV_ZXYpoo57GOSjUI_5Scsl4aoceRnlSJC3Th929csmcNz1O66Abnl2ARRQGsGDWknCs5o6r3UuP1_pgF8dDQ6YEa-3bwMumiQzxMK6EpnHw8QvEYducc/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475743245379922466" /></a><br />Badlands, South Dakota<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTXNjczcEXCc8tZ_EbSN6MRoP6SUWHZ_jWRSqiZJr34r9x1nfmLtIkzoNL2J75AC_aYlv2-M9YWb3sedm3XKUc4UyfwIuW887Y0AdtrRzCqxXJsGTUZV8DxXrFZ8dJ299U0RvSr0Nv9E/s1600/5-763042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTXNjczcEXCc8tZ_EbSN6MRoP6SUWHZ_jWRSqiZJr34r9x1nfmLtIkzoNL2J75AC_aYlv2-M9YWb3sedm3XKUc4UyfwIuW887Y0AdtrRzCqxXJsGTUZV8DxXrFZ8dJ299U0RvSr0Nv9E/s320/5-763042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475742910049903346" /></a><br />Rehoboth Beach, Delaware<br /><br /><br />So I haven't written on my blog for a long time....too long. And here I am, sitting at the computer at 8:30 PM, wondering what to write about. There are lots of interesting things in my life, yes. But what can I put into words?<br /><br />How about I show you some of my favorite places on earth?Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-70289968644797468592010-05-20T13:26:00.000-07:002010-05-20T13:32:22.711-07:0016 and a half days until summer and Sam's graduation.<br /><br />30 days until Nemacolin.<br /><br />40 days until the Fourth of July.<br /><br />About 68 days until I get to see one of my best friends ever.<br /><br />98 days until my parents' 25th anniversary.<br /><br />Where has my life gone?!<br /><br />I am running out of ideas for things to write about...sorry I can't come up with anything better:).<br /><br />Hope you have a great day!Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-1980345518391418902010-05-17T13:15:00.001-07:002010-05-17T13:20:25.892-07:00Awesome Verse:)Romans 8:35,38-39<br />Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor any thing else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-48038499379075611252010-05-15T07:00:00.000-07:002010-05-15T07:02:06.932-07:00Footprints in the Sand by Mary StevensonOne night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. <br /> Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. <br /> In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. <br /> Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, <br /> other times there were one set of footprints. <br /> <br /> This bothered me because I noticed <br /> that during the low periods of my life, <br /> when I was suffering from <br /> anguish, sorrow or defeat, <br /> I could see only one set of footprints. <br /> <br /> So I said to the Lord, <br /> "You promised me Lord, <br /> that if I followed you, <br /> you would walk with me always. <br /> But I have noticed that during <br /> the most trying periods of my life <br /> there have only been one <br /> set of footprints in the sand. <br /> Why, when I needed you most, <br /> you have not been there for me?" <br /> <br /> The Lord replied, <br /> "The times when you have <br /> seen only one set of footprints in the sand, <br /> is when I carried you."Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-57354593449939191602010-05-12T11:52:00.001-07:002010-05-12T12:09:38.958-07:00What I Need to KnowAh! I haven't been on my blog in what feels like AGES:(. <br />So sorry! Life just got away from me. Oh, gee, speaking of just that, the other day I just thought to myself, where has my life gone?<br /><br />I'm stinking gonna be in middle school next year! I honestly cannot believe time goes this fast. Before I can even stop to protest, my life will be zooming down teh road to college, then marriage, and motherhood. Sometimes I have to take a moment to just look at myself, at my life, and remind myself that this is MY life, this is REAL.<br /><br />One of my biggest questions is: What splits the boudary between what I NEED to know, what I WANT to know, and what I truly understand?<br /><br />WHAT I NEED TO KNOW:<br />I need to know how to go to sleep without my blankie. I need to know how to run the house when mom is gone. I need to know how to stand up for myself and say no. I need to know how to handle criticism and bullying. I need to know how to fend for myself. How to operate a credit card, what's the difference between credit and debit?<br /><br />I need to know how to drive a car, how to make decisions, how to save money. I need to know how to work hard and never give up. I need to know how to give my best, but never everything I live for. I need to know how to say, "Sorry, I called the wrong number." instead of just hanging up.<br /><br />I need to know how to make enough time, know when to leave, and when to arrive. How to use passwords, how to work a key, how to say sorry when I really don't want to. I need to know how to speak, to a person who just lost someone very close, and how to handle the pain, when I loose the person I love the most.<br /><br />What do I need to know?Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-85662706704434738892010-05-05T13:12:00.000-07:002010-05-05T13:19:12.904-07:00סוףHow will it end?<br /><br />Will it end in fire, in a big explosion, a giant mushroom cloud?<br /><br />Will it end with a bang, a boom, a flash of light?<br /><br />Will it end with yet another fight?<br /><br />How will it end?<br /><br />Will it end with a shout, a triumphant cry, when it ends, will we ALL die?<br /><br />Will it end like it begun, every nation peaceful, every battle done?<br /><br />Will it end with all of earth asunder, every particle split apart?<br /><br />How will it end?<br /><br />In my heart of hearts, I know it will only end when God has finished His plan.<br /><br />When Jesus comes again.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-76971468811530077782010-05-04T13:12:00.000-07:002010-05-04T13:14:29.370-07:00Daisies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtbVd5ofSP-RFBmXdX6DCuHht96Oh-I6py9B3E817_ttCSPiU241fP8hJlTtw4ilJIP7rpVpBRXXQDx7X_ySZ0mV4H7Ahvd6BFv2kdsQMD64YH82kFAJw0KAgriUn5dVP3lfdSf7DWyM/s1600/100_0284.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtbVd5ofSP-RFBmXdX6DCuHht96Oh-I6py9B3E817_ttCSPiU241fP8hJlTtw4ilJIP7rpVpBRXXQDx7X_ySZ0mV4H7Ahvd6BFv2kdsQMD64YH82kFAJw0KAgriUn5dVP3lfdSf7DWyM/s320/100_0284.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467510797146313778" /></a><br />My favorite flower....sorry I was lame today:).Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-6095235344318117682010-04-28T16:45:00.001-07:002010-04-28T16:53:03.030-07:00The Face of the EarthWhen someone falls off of the face of this earth....<br /><br />Another person is hurting. A congregation sings. A funeral is held. All dressed in black. <br /><br />When someone slips into heaven, the land beyond our world....<br /><br />A daughter is broken. A wife is devastated. A girl is touched.<br /><br />When a very special person gets taken by the hand of death....<br /><br />Another person wonders. A soul is grateful for the life that they lived, for the words and wisdom that they always were willing to give.<br /><br />When an amazing Christian passes away....<br /><br />I wish I could have known him better. I wish I could have said so much more. I've never been so touched by a human before.<br /><br />May the light of God shine on all of those who have lost a loved one. <br />Just remember that they're in a much better place, looking at Jesus. Face to face.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-11935956771824394982010-04-26T12:50:00.000-07:002010-04-26T12:57:07.297-07:00FAQWho am I? Where am I going? Does this look OK?<br /><br />How are you? Where are you from? Is there a God?<br /><br />How much longer? Where did you get THAT?! Really?<br /><br />How do I do this? Are you OK? What is wrong with you?<br /><br />Are you hurt? Am I doing it right? How did you do that? <br /><br />Why can't I? Huh? Me? When?<br /><br />What time? Where? What's your name? <br /><br />Why?Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-61941839023976661202010-04-22T15:20:00.000-07:002010-04-22T15:43:46.195-07:00For HimRing ring ring. No answer. Ring ring. I guess I'll wait one more ring, I thought to myself. Ring. Nata.<br />"Do you think I should just go up there?" I called to my mother, "Or wait?" <br />"Um, you can go up if you want to, if it's a good time for them." came her reply.<br />"Kay, I'll go!" I slipped on a pair of shoes, swung open the door, flew down the steps, and into the fresh spring air until I could tell myself otherwise.<br /><br />Though I was scared, my legs a bit shaky, I prayed to the Lord that He would give me strength to do what I knew I needed to do. So many times I had shoved it aside, excuses swirling in my mind, "I'm too busy. Maybe tomorrow. I have too much homework." There was no excuse to avoid this anymore.<br /><br />I looked down at the pebble-filled driveway, remembering so many games of tag and laughter and fun. What hung here now was silence, and the faint trace of remembrance, hanging by a single thread. A little slower, as if my legs had been weighed down, I climbed the three small steps and wrung the door bell.<br /><br />After waiting about a minute, and debating whether to stay or leave, someone opened the door, beckoned me in, and had me wait until he was off the phone. Blind to what I was going to see, I walked into the carpeted room, where a hospital bed seemed so out of place in the beautiful sun-lit place. <br /><br />A monitor flashed green and red, an IV plugged into his fading white skin. Drowsy from the pain medication, mostly from the pain itself, waiting, eagerly longing for eternal life. All the words I thought I was going to say slipped out of my mind and vanished right before my very eyes.<br /><br />Words stuck in my throat, I felt like a kindergartner, trying to form the right kind of words to say after I fell and scraped my knee. I could have said thank you. Thank you for all of your words, thank you for all of your insight, your wisdom, your faith. Thank you for changing my life.<br /><br />Instead, tiny tears swam around in my eyes, and all I could say was, "I'm praying for you." In reply he told my that he loved me and that I should just continue to honor God and that he was glad I was in his life. As one final word he said, unafraid and heartfelt, "Goodbye."<br /><br />As his wife apologized that he couldn't talk more and walked me downstairs, she handed me a homemade cookie. A cookie. In all of her distress, she gave me a cookie. I walked home, happy and sad, threw away the cookie, for it was too much to eat.<br /><br />Then I cried. I cried for all the words he'd said to me. I cried for all the cancer patients who had nothing to hold onto. I cried for all of the world, that it would know Jesus. I cried for him.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-40422713811842908882010-04-19T15:58:00.001-07:002010-04-20T13:40:16.663-07:00The Joy of Photography<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgzILso8wSghcdfTNT1noQkqg1VWy9__RCoVikQCGE2CdN79O1rItx2-aWGAAhgq_uEdFXT_o-sZ4qLuJ-x2a4WjmfD7takFmrreavq7mLUe0Hw74LlOnewrO_pXEUrcXVNxzjYyRhuQ/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgzILso8wSghcdfTNT1noQkqg1VWy9__RCoVikQCGE2CdN79O1rItx2-aWGAAhgq_uEdFXT_o-sZ4qLuJ-x2a4WjmfD7takFmrreavq7mLUe0Hw74LlOnewrO_pXEUrcXVNxzjYyRhuQ/s320/018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462322242293054178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPn5ky-h-qXJnY02d69qMuFPB3W8ReKNtT-NpJY59ig1uU2TrQTpKNv7SJZjw9PfWliBbbe_UR4wcJtI-m4OxGiOiib_iGcKvcEI-iVvVApra7dwnLo2_KYcb7iwhmo2vbBsLY-7Nark/s1600/301.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPn5ky-h-qXJnY02d69qMuFPB3W8ReKNtT-NpJY59ig1uU2TrQTpKNv7SJZjw9PfWliBbbe_UR4wcJtI-m4OxGiOiib_iGcKvcEI-iVvVApra7dwnLo2_KYcb7iwhmo2vbBsLY-7Nark/s320/301.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462322013069660578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6sCF_TsZeI1AjqyoW3M1e3n2_GW-fu1QbVSKEv6YhCd2wpGuwmZI_6xE4i7V7TzEzcHuT9KOAismXw4cnZgXsQ_YbCOc98o8QUqWHTRsQgPRDzbhuMQ1Tk_sQZQiondoCvu5IMtXvJ8/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6sCF_TsZeI1AjqyoW3M1e3n2_GW-fu1QbVSKEv6YhCd2wpGuwmZI_6xE4i7V7TzEzcHuT9KOAismXw4cnZgXsQ_YbCOc98o8QUqWHTRsQgPRDzbhuMQ1Tk_sQZQiondoCvu5IMtXvJ8/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462321755265002770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aKJXzMannnAYuA2Ah9r5Ki3-w7SEC8qF0F9wKE_UnCbTqiMi_Dyxp4v2H7-IlYHkq6WpN1q6Dzzf7GfrXd9k87RR6TTOS2UJSNhbgC8WDaxbsmP-J-N12LnyHU4xaWlNI4rIj3-rgjU/s1600/May09+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aKJXzMannnAYuA2Ah9r5Ki3-w7SEC8qF0F9wKE_UnCbTqiMi_Dyxp4v2H7-IlYHkq6WpN1q6Dzzf7GfrXd9k87RR6TTOS2UJSNhbgC8WDaxbsmP-J-N12LnyHU4xaWlNI4rIj3-rgjU/s320/May09+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462321443135220466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W-KJRIbpapxt-AEXmZPFjIlzNpQ49vP-caS-Byup9eNl_ziKutQAemb9v24xc76MvnntdRafzmnDDfmAPFYDpCjJeKatOzgs3UJzNjpSyLWEc20GzroVQZuRiZyWAWuWBodYhTHy8sc/s1600/May09+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W-KJRIbpapxt-AEXmZPFjIlzNpQ49vP-caS-Byup9eNl_ziKutQAemb9v24xc76MvnntdRafzmnDDfmAPFYDpCjJeKatOzgs3UJzNjpSyLWEc20GzroVQZuRiZyWAWuWBodYhTHy8sc/s320/May09+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462321274088734946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1oMW0qCNGgJccsfuEadGJdbaQJnT_XlWTXhzUPn5mD6CxkGNxXbgtdg70W9eAJinLTn9m49ieWBjSkY4Tk7SjuUDMh1TVylGrbnU_p82JQQEuD7ll4um58csXwK5kOnel9BLyViDVD8/s1600/May09+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1oMW0qCNGgJccsfuEadGJdbaQJnT_XlWTXhzUPn5mD6CxkGNxXbgtdg70W9eAJinLTn9m49ieWBjSkY4Tk7SjuUDMh1TVylGrbnU_p82JQQEuD7ll4um58csXwK5kOnel9BLyViDVD8/s320/May09+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462320857985635714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmoiwrX829tCE4YbzLmxm-6ZPNyUN1WkUIfWuk8HaexZ9TWY2A_wr61QYI0m6S1vHjj7Zsj6PHzcdgUtTH7of2I3L-3DFSHFAik-KnRcPbJIDHaCVUZhZBizodJF4uHQthcKHJ4CmPE4/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmoiwrX829tCE4YbzLmxm-6ZPNyUN1WkUIfWuk8HaexZ9TWY2A_wr61QYI0m6S1vHjj7Zsj6PHzcdgUtTH7of2I3L-3DFSHFAik-KnRcPbJIDHaCVUZhZBizodJF4uHQthcKHJ4CmPE4/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462320610414153394" /></a><br />Oh, I just love taking pictures! The freedom of taking them is so amazing. You can take one of nothing, and it will be sure to turn out as something. You can mess up, mess up, mess up, and then get it right. You can pull out a camera at any given moment and snap a few photos. There is no test, there is no knowledge level you must have to be good at photography. Just a camera and an idea:).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVJHGzTPibeuYED6D1njJnviDCkafjVjTNO3wp3ooKZ5U8wVXRJcXdrM7kUjJOWyx_oPS6AuSOw5nFF-DjzF_sI4iLkqhGQaOBOz-pLggDKAHMHqOgazjvBsWJFklnrdezG56fO7d834/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVJHGzTPibeuYED6D1njJnviDCkafjVjTNO3wp3ooKZ5U8wVXRJcXdrM7kUjJOWyx_oPS6AuSOw5nFF-DjzF_sI4iLkqhGQaOBOz-pLggDKAHMHqOgazjvBsWJFklnrdezG56fO7d834/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461988036842456322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XEqulfZ_wfiNk4RBSp-oMDU9Jx592SSk8so6JJqiZhrH6wPMy8ed-gInlESjlZYhGMmWkCPupFxQxQ39fDLtHcmL9aOoflL3TWFsFlB_g8n8He1CGHL_DLdzXo3j8okwNsm_S1HrdOs/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XEqulfZ_wfiNk4RBSp-oMDU9Jx592SSk8so6JJqiZhrH6wPMy8ed-gInlESjlZYhGMmWkCPupFxQxQ39fDLtHcmL9aOoflL3TWFsFlB_g8n8He1CGHL_DLdzXo3j8okwNsm_S1HrdOs/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461987767994888770" /></a>Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-82533446882676432122010-04-17T13:52:00.000-07:002010-04-17T13:58:25.893-07:00Ah!Hey! I am sorry I didn't post a poem today as usual. I am also sorry that my posts have been brief. My life has been very hectic the last few days. My parents have been gone, both sets of grandparents are here and have come, and my brother is in a musical at the high school!<br /><br />Phew! Just I couple of minutes ago I had to sit down and pray for patience to get through this crazy weekend:). It's so amazing, how God's love and mercy works, because just after I prayed, it felt like this huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders and now I am so free and much happier.<br /><br />It's a good thing God is always listening when we pray...I don't know what I'd do without Him:).Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-22333355070501448782010-04-14T14:03:00.001-07:002010-04-14T14:15:03.767-07:00I am Weak...but You are StrongFor times when you feel lonely, weak, afraid, or feeling like giving up......<br /><br />"He said to me, 'My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.' So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, and hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong."<br />2 Corinthians 12:9-10<br /><br />"The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give you strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry."<br />Isaiah 58:11<br /><br />"If God is for us, no one can defeat us...we are completely victorious through God who showed His love for us."<br />Romans 8:31, 37<br /><br />"He gives strength to those who are weary and more power to those who are weak...the people who trust the Lord will become strong again."<br />Isaiah 40:29, 31<br /><br />"I find rest in God; only He gives me hope. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated. My honor and salvation come from God. He is my mighty rock and my protection."<br />Psalm 62:5-7Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-8206241344694715962010-04-12T14:06:00.000-07:002010-04-12T14:22:17.971-07:00Learning to Play the Game of LifeLast night as I lay awake in bed, I started to compare playing soccer to "playing" life.<br />Seriously, there are a lot of similarities. When I play a soccer game, there are lots of things that I try to remember...I would list them, but what's the point? When I'm on the field in a game, sometimes I get all caught up in trying to remember all the little details, where to pass the ball, who to pass it to, where I should stand, etc. <br /><br />And when I get all caught up, I forget to play soccer. This really does happen. My brain is going so fast that I don't have time to even think...in fact, it's as if I ate too much McDonald's and my artery gets clogged, so I can't eat McDonald's any more(sorry, McDonald's, but it's a true fact).<br /><br />This is just like life. When we live our lives, we try to remember how to treat people, do the right thing, make perfect decisions, and always try our hardest. Just like playing soccer, we tend to get caught up in trying to remember things. What we need to do is just step back, and remember that all we need to do is honor our God.<br /><br />We are not perfect. We won't always make the right decisions or do the right thing, but at the end of the day, God still loves us. All He wants us to do is play the game.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-88172813825136084522010-04-07T13:38:00.000-07:002010-04-07T13:44:22.350-07:00Save the Drama for Your MamaDON'T say it. Don't even say it....that dreaded word! D-R-A-M-A...grrr.<br />Today is a message for all my sista-girls out there:<br />Friendship is more important than guy-ship...okay?<br />I have three things to say to everyone who dates at this age:<br />1.) You ARE TOO YOUNG!!<br /><br />2.) You will be much happier if you spend more time with your friends, because boys will just break your heart in the end, anyway.<br /><br />3.) THERE IS NO POINT! Why not just be friends with all of the guys now, wait 'till later for all that romantic junk.<br /><br />Yeah. Sorry. Just my opinion. Oh, one more thing!! Save the drama for your mama....<br /><br />P.S. It's OK to be different!Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-27265045027857149702010-04-06T11:54:00.000-07:002010-04-06T12:00:01.200-07:00Spring Checklist1.) Flowers are blooming~check<br /><br />2.) The sun is shining~uber-check<br /><br />3.) The grass is green~check<br /><br />4.) The snow is melted~check<br /><br />5.) The weather is warmer~CHECK!<br /><br />6.) Dairy Queen is open~check<br /><br />7.) I am getting homesick(I guess)for the beach~CHHHEECCKKK!!!!!<br /><br />8.) I am reallyyy tired of school~check!<br /><br />9.) The trees are green~not yet<br /><br />10.) I hear the oh-so-sweet sound of birds chirping~check:)Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-69202505267613916212010-04-02T06:54:00.000-07:002010-04-02T06:55:35.006-07:00Easter Break!Hey everyone! I am taking a break from my blog for Easter!<br /><br />I hope you all have a wonderful vacation celebrating the wonderful joy and life in Jesus Christ!Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-90568954282770667272010-03-29T11:44:00.001-07:002010-03-29T12:04:58.400-07:00Yeah, it IS OK to be Different!She sat in solitude on the swingset, kicking at the soggy mulch and dipping her toes in the small puddle below the swing. A gentle breeze lifted her dark brown hair off her neck for a moment. A group of kids on the kickball field were arguing over an unfair play, their arms flailing in every direction.<br />The distant sound of squealing could be heard as a clique of drama queens chased a boy around the blacktop. But she would never fit in. She was too weird, too mature, too out-of-fashion for the rest of the world. No one would ever accept her.<br />She thought to herself as she swished up and down on the swing, "What does it take to fit in? Coolness? The best clothes? The prettiest hair? A spectacular body? A dirty mouth?" A silent tear rolled down her cheek and splashed into the puddle below. "How can they not see?!" she wanted to scream, "How can they NOT know that the way they are living is never going to get them anywhere?!"<br />Three more fat tears raced down her face, and she wiped them away just as quickly as they had come. What is so wrong about being different? She started to get up and walk away, seemingly invisible to the rest of the children out playing. She walked and walked and walked until the whistle blew. <br />No one made sure she was there. No one walked with her. No one stood by her. It went on like this for weeks, months, and she couldn't stand it any longer. She wanted to make sure someone noticed her for once in her lifetime.<br />She left. She walked straight out of the playground, unto the busy road, into downtown, past her house, and disappeared. When the children lined up at the end of recess, no one noticed her absence. At the end of the day, her teacher didn't know where she was. By 6:00 that night, the police had been searching for nearly three hours.<br />When they found her, she was at a church, talking to the youth pastor that had stayed late to help clean up. She told him about how much she wished she could be heard, but no one would listen. She told him about how much she wished she could be seen, but no one would look. And she told him about how much she wished there was something or someone out there who loved her, but no one did.<br />He, in response, told her about God. <br />To all of you who are struggling to be different in this world, who feel alone and unloved, God is there for you. Just remember this girl. Think about what COULD have happened if someone would have approached her on that swingset, talked to her, told her SOMETHING nice.<br /><br />P.S. It's OK to be different.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-16526357245019600832010-03-27T09:11:00.000-07:002010-03-27T09:15:49.801-07:00SavedWe've never met, but I know you so well.<br />I've seen you from the inside out.<br />I've seen you hurt, and cry, and I've seen you try to take your life.<br />You've come so far along the way, you've stumbled and fallen, your hands are bleeding.<br />Your face is stained with dirt and tears, but you will be clean.<br />I will wash you. Cleanse you. Set you free.<br />And if you ever fall again, I promise to catch you, and when your tears leak down, I will dry them.<br />And when you come stumbling to my feet, old and tired, forgiven and saved, I will let you in.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-63176198362990292812010-03-24T16:19:00.000-07:002010-03-24T16:29:39.426-07:00HaitiMy post today is about Haiti. I have no idea what they must be going through. I have no idea how they're going to fix up their mess. I have no idea how many people are dead, dying, or missing.<br /><br />All I know is that God's got a plan. <br />Jeremiah 29:11<br />"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NBAzSouhEz8IoHdZPeV-Ifb6rddJxzSLDuSGiTO6tYLkCR1Y3DIRcBVnk3Lzj5wiamLw22L6ZPvwkIYoqVP9AuIRdfIUZ10Vw8TLYuxEZZH7uH6cxxWBNq6CNipmQ3dcXNaJboKfPHk/s1600/haiti-earthquake-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NBAzSouhEz8IoHdZPeV-Ifb6rddJxzSLDuSGiTO6tYLkCR1Y3DIRcBVnk3Lzj5wiamLw22L6ZPvwkIYoqVP9AuIRdfIUZ10Vw8TLYuxEZZH7uH6cxxWBNq6CNipmQ3dcXNaJboKfPHk/s320/haiti-earthquake-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452346375935227026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvDZomkTJPKOQp5H5n1Tw_KG5gfBETjlNqx0_5Ah0IR-k6G_fqQMHPo9O1e4ig6K8Mg6P54tcYLclEqCjVXO_YK7uDSUO_IRMU-iAcUNuj3N5i1ihdg78ek2HXLOq35MAkWsn4JKa3Yk/s1600/Haiti-Earthquake_Gree(6)_20100113090246_640_480.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvDZomkTJPKOQp5H5n1Tw_KG5gfBETjlNqx0_5Ah0IR-k6G_fqQMHPo9O1e4ig6K8Mg6P54tcYLclEqCjVXO_YK7uDSUO_IRMU-iAcUNuj3N5i1ihdg78ek2HXLOq35MAkWsn4JKa3Yk/s320/Haiti-Earthquake_Gree(6)_20100113090246_640_480.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452346300138213106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE1-Vk9kGKyvR_K7mFlg7QP4L5-QO1y2DE27v1-Qkm7zGbfNKx8EXWyK0XY5FlPWOIIbckFxY53QbkqzmgW6KGWhd4aWk3Yqz96bX48RL6a3qNpLRDPvqmyux8FE8Uowac9E4AUviyUs/s1600/haiti-earthquake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE1-Vk9kGKyvR_K7mFlg7QP4L5-QO1y2DE27v1-Qkm7zGbfNKx8EXWyK0XY5FlPWOIIbckFxY53QbkqzmgW6KGWhd4aWk3Yqz96bX48RL6a3qNpLRDPvqmyux8FE8Uowac9E4AUviyUs/s320/haiti-earthquake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452346217380841218" /></a><br />Hey! Sorry I'm late today! I had a bit of a busy afternoon:)!<br /><br />Pray for Haiti.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-53090275632817429452010-03-22T12:59:00.000-07:002010-03-22T13:22:14.934-07:00RememberingOn Saturday morning I had nothing to do. I meandered outside into my driveway, kicking at lose asphalt and dry leaves. I slowly walked to our silver van, opening its rusted door, a tiny piece of paint chipping off the handle.<br />As the door swung open, the sunshine streamed onto the dull gray material. I sat down on the middle seat, thinking to myself how fast time flies, I chanted over and over in my head, "Sam is turning 18. 18! He's actually going to leave for college! 18! College!"<br />I stared down at the beaten old floor mat, remembering the many feet that had trampled it. The old van almost seemed to creak in remembrance too. Our Silver Bullet(aka: the van)has served us well for seven years, and is now the junky one compared to our new gold Honda.<br />Our Silver Bullet doesn't have automatic doors, or a super-nice sound system, or a pop-up table, it can't switch the track on a CD from the steering wheel or even blast cool air for more than a couple hours, but our beloved silver van holds so many memories.<br />It holds sandy feet from Rehoboth beach, it holds mud and sweat from thousands of soccer games. It holds the wins and the losses, the ups and the downs. This van has a map for crazy adventures, instructions on how to get lost, and a GPS that always knows the way home.<br />This van holds dirt from the wild west, laughter and music, hymns from Sunday mornings when there was no church, and unforgettable conversations. On the floor, as I look, I remember many liquid spills, chip bags opened improperly and strewn across the floor. <br />I sighed and let the memories take me away for awhile, before I would forget them. Who knew a van could hold so much?Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903155048069619546.post-58275170847867069722010-03-20T06:27:00.000-07:002010-03-20T06:30:19.507-07:00The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls By Henry Wadsworth LongfellowThis is one of my favorite poems ever, enjoy:<br /><br /><br />The tide rises, the tide falls,<br />The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;<br />Along the sea-sands damp and brown<br />The traveler hastens toward the town,<br />And the tide rises, the tide falls.<br />Darkness settles on roofs and walls,<br />But the sea, the sea in darkness calls;<br />The little waves, with their soft, white hands<br />Efface the footprints in the sands,<br />And the tide rises, the tide falls.<br />The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls<br />Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;<br />The day returns, but nevermore<br />Returns the traveler to the shore.<br />And the tide rises, the tide falls.Anna Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909298153940787833noreply@blogger.com0