Friday, March 30, 2012

Big Change. Bigger God.

So like I said yesterday there were two good good things that happened in my life within 24 hours.  The first being the celebration of one of my friends birthday!  It was such a perfect celebration.  Now second thing... 
First you should know that thoughts are running though my little mind wayyyyy faster than I could possibly piece them together.  So with that being said, hang tight. It's coming.
As most of you know or have read, the past few months have been tough for me.  I have been sick, but through it the Lord brought about one of the biggest blessings.  I have been saying that I will one day share, but I have had to keep it a little secret (which was super hard).  Well, guess what?! Today is the day!
After lots of prayers and waiting....it official! I AM MOVING FOR A YEAR!!! Yep you heard that right. Shocked? So am I, but let me explain.
During the new year the Lord starting tugging at my heart, and I knew something had to change.  I seriously didn't know what or how.  I just started praying for a very very clear sign, but it was not coming.  I remember sitting in Bible study one night and my leader was talking about the importance of knowing the Bible.  Not just reading a little here and there but really knowing it.  She was explaining how so many times we become obsessed with secular books, but we have failed at really knowing the Word of God. So Paige if you are reading this I will never be able to THANK YOU enough for saying those words that night. Seriously. 
After hearing and meditating on those words it became clear to me that I was trying to proclaim and live something I really didn't know.  So what did I do? Pray. A lot.  I was home one weekend, and I started to discuss all this with my mom.  She reminded me of this program that focuses solely on studying and knowing God's Word.  I remember that she had mentioned this to me a couple of years ago, but I just threw the idea out the window.  But this time I listened, and I started to pray.  Soon I could not stop thinking about the possibility of studying the Bible for a year.  
Fast forward a couple of months later, and  yesterday I was sitting in Katie and Elizabeth's room when I received an email.  I had been accepted to attend this school in the fall! Yes! It's true! I will be moving to Lake Lure, North Carolina for a year to study the Word of God!  Does that place sound familiar?  Yep, it just so happens to be the place that I have grown up all my life, and I have dreamed of the possibility of being able to live there one day.  Now that dream is soon to be a reality! Only a sovereign God!
So here I am at a stage in my life that I can't help but praise Him for giving and taking away!  My good health was taken away from me for the past few months, but He was giving and working in all of it! Yes, He is good! 
Stay tune for more about this super exciting new chapter in my life, and I will fill you in on more details.  So just in a matter of months, I'll be blogging from the mountains of North Carolina. YIPPPPEEEEEE!

Ready to sing from the mountain top!

Anna Lauren

Monday, March 26, 2012

Seeing His Glory

It has been a couple of weeks since I have blogged, and A LOT has happened in just those few days.  Don’t worry I have not forgotten about the story of Ruth, but I want to spread it out until Easter.  It is the PERFECT story to journey us through Holy Week, and so therefore I have it planned out perfectly.  Yeah, who knew Anna Lauren could plan?? Now I just have to stick to it!  With that being said, I just wanted to share what the past couple of weeks have consisted of. Nothing over the top. Just the pure sovereignty of God! (okay that alone is over the top!)
So the past few weeks I have....
Cried some. Laughed a lot. Been lazy. Witnessed a very successful Centerpoint Challenge.  Had spring break. Soaked in the sun.  Enjoyed my spring break at home...with my parents.  Seen some doctors.  Got burnt.  Studied a lot.  Loved on some siblings.  Had some trials.  But had some major triumphs.  Struggled.  Been captivated even more by His grace.  Had supper with Tim Tebow.  Gone power walking. Wondered how people enjoy power walking.  Had to stop running.  Missed my family.  Grown even closer with my friends.  Started reading again.  Been heart broken for the 163 million orphans.  Begged my parents for my siblings.  Longed for Peru.  Seen Act of Valor.  Appreciated this country even more.  Voted.  Had some scary moments. Clung to The Father.  Seen beauty from ashes. 
and through it all HE WAS AND IS SOVEREIGN!
Brothers and sister, take a moment to rejoice with me that God has been faithful and sovereign over the past two weeks of your life (actually before you were even formed in your mother’s womb, but lets just talk these past two weeks.)  No matter how great our needs were, His grace was sufficient.  He was and is worthy of our praise over every trial and victory we have encountered over the past two weeks.  This is GOOD GOOD news!
I love Exodus 33:20, “But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man and see Me and live.”  Moses was hungry to see the glory of God.  Earlier he had a glimpse and wanted more!  He longed to see the splendor!  Praise God that we don’t serve a God that just gives us those giddy warm feelings but a God whose glory we cannot even fully fathom and see.  It would simply take our breath away!
Sing and Rejoice!
Anna Lauren