Hmph.

I haven't updated in what feels like FOREVER.
and what's up with this facebook thing?  Suddenly Xanga's lame and facebook is the next new thing. Alright, im cool with that...except for the fact that i haven't been to facebook yet. I'm feeling kinda lame....haha JUST KiDDiNG!!

I'm going to my old school tonight to see the Zeeland High Players perform "The Pajama Game"!!!!
Can you tell how excited i am??
(Im very excited!!!!!)

I love you ALL!!

Anna Jean

Wow definitely time for an Update!

I've been super busy lately! Mainly because of Seussical...which wow, less than two weeks until opening night! AhhhHhhhHhh! We'll be ready though, i know it.

These snow days have been really nice, i can't remember the last time i was able to sleep in!

This is the day we made our snowman with Animal Cracker eyes!! Anna Michelle is absolutely awesomerifical!

Love you all!

Anna Jean

This week has pretty much flown by! Pretty busy!  Today was especially busy with babysitting for Community Groups starting up. But it was good, though!

Sunday School this morning was awesome! im just gonna leave it at that! I absolutely adore our new couches for the Teen Room! They look really nice!

I just wanted to promote our Youth Group's new Xanga Site! You should all check it out!!! Go To:  www.xanga.com/c180degrees .  It's got some really cool stuff posted from a few of us already..and i think that it'll be a great spot for discussions, and postings of events, and just a place where we can share what's going on in our hearts and lives.  Check it out and drop a comment!

I also have a prayer request:
- I've been struggling with having a desire to do my devotions daily. I mean, i do them whether or not i want to, but my heart isn't always where it should be.  So if you all could just pray that God would give me a desire to spend time with him daily, and that i would truly give Him my whole heart.
--If you guys would pray for me, that would be great! Thanks a bunch!!--

*AJ

Psalm 93 ESV

1 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty,
   The LORD is robed; 
   He has put on strength as his belt.
   Yes, the world is established; 
    It shall never be moved.
2 Your throne is established from of old;
    you are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
   The floods have lifted up their voice;
   The floods lift up their roaring.
4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
   Mightier than the waves of the sea,
   The LORD on high is mighty!
5 Your decrees are very trustworthy;
   Holiness befits your house,
   O LORD forevermore.

Just a Passage that encouraged me today!  I think so many times we (myself majorly included) focus on what we think we need from God rather than just praising Him for who He is. He deserves WAY more praise than I could ever give...but I don't offer Him the praise that I can give enough.

Gaaaaah!  I can't stand confrontation.  I don't like it. I don't like it at all....it stinks! 

But i know that humbling myself and seeking out someone's forgiveness is God's will...it's what he asks of me..and so i do it for his glory.  It's like taking a poison pill and killing your flesh. you know?  Everything in me is screaming "No! Don't do it! Don't do it!"  And is looking for any and every possible excuse out there. 

But my heart hears God's voice.  My spirit is calling me to repent and to follow the ways of my God...knowing that he is all that is important in life, and sacrificing my pride is completely worth my embarrassment. Jeez, i deserve to be embarrassed...i followed my sinful ways for crying out loud!  Ahhhh.

Part of me feels like i'll never be able to get away from this sin. (not any sin in particular...just sin in general.) It's like, i know im not perfect, and im going to sin again. And again, and again, 100 times more.  And then i'll have to go through this same process and repent, and turn from my fleshly ways, and jump into another round of this dreaded confrontation.  It drives me crazy.

But this just brings me to the realization that i need Christ in every circumstance in every way.  He needs to be the rock in which i depend on for strength, courage, and humility. Every time that i sin and repent he breaks me and he humbles me. He draws me near to him and reminds me that i am His child, and he will never let me go.  Even when i stumble and fall, when i sin over and over and over.....He continues to love me with a love so strong that no matter what i do...i'll never escape its touch.

Knowing that repentence and forgiveness and brokeness are things that yes, are embarrassing, and yes, tear my flesh to pieces, and yes, stir up a battle within me...... i want to continue repenting, continue seeking forgiveness, and continue being broken...because I'm trusing in and following a God who is bigger than any other.  And through my humility, His name is Glorified...all that i will ever need i will find in Him.  He is reason that im fighting through this battle...

                      and I will submit to his ways.