Risky business!!!

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

"The LORD has done great things for them."

The LORD has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126: 2-3

Happiest U.S. States Pinned Down

A new study found that a person's self-reported happiness matches up with objective measures of state-level happiness.

The results are based on an examination of two data sets, one that included personal reports of happiness for 1.3 million Americans and the other that included objective measures, such as how crowded that state is, air quality, home prices and other factors known to impact quality of life.

Click here to learn more about the survey and what it means.

Here are the 50 U.S. states (and the District of Columbia) in order of their well-being:

Drumroll please..................................

1. Louisiana..............................? Really??

Since we moved here a year and a half ago, we've heard many sob stories about high murder rate and currupt government, so needless to say, when I clicked on that link, I fully expected to see my new home state at the far bottom of the list..... When I saw it at #1! I was shocked to say the least! Of course, now people around here would probably say we were so happy last year because we just knew the Saints would be going to the Super Bowl!! :)

Nevertheless, despite the murder rate in New Orleans and the corruption, Chris and I love Louisiana and had an amazing 2009! It wasn't always an easy year, I miss my family and friends back in Georgia more than I can begin to express here, and we have certainly shed many tears over many different circumstances over the course of the year. However, we are filled with joy! We may not have always felt like the happiest people in the happiest state in the country, but "the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!"

From some Biblical curriculum Chris has from long ago, he shared with me this description of happiness vs. joy:

"True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. As we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don’t base your life on circumstances, but on God."

This challenge, to not base our life on circumstances, has become an exciting adventure for Chris and me, and as we have entered into a new year and a new decade, I pray that we continue to look at life and joy in this way. I pray that we contemplate His daily presence in our everyday circumstances, and I pray that we continue to find contentment, even if things aren't always so easy.

One thing that I have been convicted of recently is the lack of risk in my life, which, to me seems to indicate a lack of true faith. I know, I know, it took a lot of faith and was a big risk to move out here not knowing anyone, every hurricane season is a bit of a risk, working with youth and being transparent with them is always a risk.... But you better believe all of our ducks are in a row, just in case something crazy and unexpected happens!

Just in case.........? Where is the faith in that phrase? If God called us to do something radical for Him, would we be willing to risk our financial or physical well-being? Of course if He calls us to to it, He will take care of the details, but are we ready, and are we even open or willing to hear Him calling us to risk our comfort or reputation for Him? I know I've passed up on many opportunities where I have felt the calling to risk something, but I've been too scared.... I think I'm ready now to take some risks for Him in this new year, I believe He's calling me and all of us to do that every day..... If you don't believe me, open your Bible to Hebrews 11, where the author chronicles the many risks that believers through history have taken because of their faith!

This is one story, in particular, that we've been talking about in Sunday school with the youth recently, and it's the kind of risk-filled faith that I desire and pray for: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18) I don't know how many times I've read this story, but until we went through it with the youth group, I never realized theHUGE faith it took to actually put this into practice. I highly recommend reading the whole story if you never have....

So... I'm ready to do it! I'm ready to skydive without a parachute, jump into the will of God, and instead of pulling strings or rip cords myself, I'm ready to allow Him to do all the work, and to find joy and contentment wherever and however He lands me! I hope you'll join me this year, so that by 2011, each of us will have our own "By faith...." chapter that we can share to encourage others and enhance His kingdom! I think that's where each and every one of us will find true joy and contentment, despite whatever craziness surrounds us!

I challenge you to join me in this: live in prayer and in His word, ask Him what He wants you to do for Him today, ask Him for strength in that and then just do it! No worries, He holds us in the palms of His hands! He will bring us peace, He will bring us joy!

Thank you all for your love, and your continual prayers for Chris and me and the ministry we've been entrusted with! We Love you all very much!

His,

Anna Kathryn

"I thank my God every time I remember you;

in all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!"

Philippians 1:3&4

Click here if you would like to see the rest of the "happiest states" list:

http://www.livescience.com/culture/091217-happy-state-list.html

"Sorry, Dad!"

Does God know better than we do what is best for each of us?

Sometimes I amaze myself when I hear myself praying, as if God needs my advice.

I try so hard to explain to Him what I consider to be a very seasoned and informed perspective,

and suddenly, it's as if I hear my Father say,

'Really?'

and I think, "Oh actually, you probably understand the situation far better than I do, don't you?

Sorry Dad. You do whatever you think is best and I know it will be best."

Isn't it awesome how the Lord orchestrates everything? Everything we see, hear, read...? I've been reading this great book called Adopted, where the founder of Wears Valley Ranch, Jim Wood, compares the adoption of his three Ukranian children to Christ's adoption of us into His eternal family. It's phenominal, an awesome comparison... Anyways, I'm nearing the end of the book, trying to finish before I have to return it to it's owners this weekend... and yesterday as I read the paragraph I began this email with, I really didn't think twice about what it could mean in my life and the current situation I'm observing...

Today, it's making total sense...

Yesterday, I thought I knew how court would go... This child and her sisters have had the same judge for over a year, the judge knows the situation and the girls... the therapist, the state, the foster family, everyone was on board about this child's situation, whether or not right now is a good time for her to be with her sister's who have a very negative influence on her in their current instability... whether or not she needs to complete the program at the group home so that they can find therapuetic foster care for her... and her therapist and everyone involved was ready for the backlash from the child when she would hear the judges ruling.

As I prayed yesterday for safety in her reaction to the news, and even as I prayed for His will to be done, I definitely had something different in mind... The regular judge was out, and the judge who filled in ruled that in a month, if she can keep it together, they'll meet again and she'll go home to be with her sisters. This is what she prayed for yesterday... that she would be given a second chance to get to live with her sisters... I prayed that she would be safe and the Lord would use her reaction to put in place another piece of her life puzzle. It looks like God said, "OK" to both of us. She called last night, she sounded great, her reaction to the news was awesome, she was totally safe, and she still has the opportunity to live with her sisters.

You'd think I would be so overwhelmed with excitement and great emotions... Did He not answer every one of my prayers for her? I never prayed for court to go one way or another, I thought there was only one way it could go. He heard everyone of our prayers, and He answered them to perfection! But part of me can't help but wonder... Is this what's best for this child? I don't think so... often, when she spends time with her sister's, it seems like she goes off the emotional deep end... Do I know what's best for this child? I'd like to think so... I'd like to think I could "explain to Him what I consider to be a very seasoned and informed perspective."

"Suddenly, it's as if I hear my Father say, 'Really?' and I think, 'Oh actually, you probably understand the situation far better than I do, don't you?'"

Of course! Now I get it! He does understand, it's me who doesn't... He knows completely what's best for her... How would I know? I love this child with all of my heart and soul, and I hope she's part of our lives forever in whatever capacity He allows... But that doesn't mean I know best. For now, it looks like we'll get to play a role of support, prayer and encouragement as she moves on... And I'll continue to pray that the Lord uses her reactions to the events He orchestrates in her life to better her and that she will be a witness of His grace to her sisters.

What a life lesson the last two days have been for me! Gotta step back, AK, and remember you're not in charge! Don't we all have this reaction in the day to day circumstances we encounter? Instead of, "Can You do it this way, so I'll have peace in this situation?" let's practice taking a step back and praying, "Your will be done," I think He will certainly honor that prayer and give us peace as well!

Thank you all for your prayers yesterday, He heard them and came through, as He always does!

I love you all, appreciate your friendships and thank you for journeying with me through these times of learning!

His,

Anna Kathryn

"I thank my God everytime I remember you!

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!"

Philippians 1:3&4

...the awesome provision of God!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4

I know what you're thinking, you thought you were done getting these massive mass emailings.... Well, after over a year of waiting on the edge of your seats..... I'm inspired!!

Our first year in southeast Louisiana has been filled with adventures and newness and the awesome provision of God! The first year of marraige is exciting in itself, add on a new city in a new state, new friends and new jobs, two new homes (one that's ours!) hurricanes, evacuations and Mardi Gras, and and you've got one of my favorite things: extreme adventure! I have changed and grown, I've been humbled and hopefully used. I've learned to eat seafood, crawfish, boudin, hogs head cheese (yuck!). I'm learning to talk with a cajun accent, although sadly, I'm not very good at it. The youth group started last year with 4 kids, and this year there have been 15-20 each week! The Lord has seriously blessed our time here, and we have loved every minute, even the hard ones!

In my personal professional development, there have been highs and lows, achievements and dissapointments, tears and celebrations... I got a job last summer at the Methodist Home for Children of Greater New Orleans. I fell in love with each kid there, but not with the program, which is completely behavior based with absolutely no emphasis on spiritual or character development, or any requirement to love children in order to work there. I left Methodist in March, battling the feeling that I was leaving my calling for a job a the local Honda dealership, but I was overcome with peace as I knew that I could be better used outside of the program at Methodist. Chris and I have kept in touch and become 'visiting recources' for the kids who live there. They can spend days or weekends with us depending on their level in the program. I had dinner a couple of weeks ago with a 13 year old girl who I used to work with at Methodist. She is precious, I love her with all my heart and soul, and since October when she moved in, I've been praying and praying that God would use me to help break down this wall of anger she had put up towards Him.

What Methodist doesn't understand or address is that the route cause of the kids issues is the lack of Jesus in their lives; they don't know Him and they need to. This sweet girl has struggled with self mutilation, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and seeing and hearing voices that tell her to harm herself. A couple of months ago I called to talk to her and it happened to be in the midst of an emotional attack from the enemy. He had filled her mind with images and voices telling her to use a plastic bag in her room to suffocate herself. It's interesting to look back on this event and see how the Lord worked out the details: of all the girls at Methodist, this is the one I don't call; she hates talking on the phone, and the typical '3-11 staff' wouldn't have let me talk to her on a night like this anyways, they would have stated that it wasn't a good night and hung up the phone. But God is much much bigger than all of that silliness! A new staff member I had never met answered the phone, said she had heard the girls talk about me and thought it would be important for me to talk to this emotional girl. She gave me some background on the evenings occurances and put her on the phone. I silently asked God to come near and prepare me for the conversation. This child NEVER let me talk about God for more than a few seconds, but that night when I asked her if I could pray for her on the phone, she conceded. As we prayed, God came near, and I believe He wrapped His big arms around her, she stopped crying, said some brave things out loud to the enemy, and we hung up when she assured me she was ready to face the voices and intrusive thoughts. I believe something happened that night in her heart, and I believe that God continues to move inside of her everyday as she let's go of her anger towards Him and gives Him control of her very being. She has stopped cutting and harming herself, she hasn't seen or heard any images or vioces, and her actions and behavior have rapidly improved. When I see her smile now, it's real, she has found genuine joy in her heart. She is well on her way to graduating the program and moving into the same foster home where her 3 sisters are.

While I was sitting across the table from this sweet girl recently, I realized the opportunity I was given to see where God has brought her since that event and how much she would let me talk about Him. I said, "I'm so glad God brought you to Methodist, because otherwise I never would have met you!"

I was shocked when I didn't get the usual, "Too much God stuff!" Instead, this 13 year old seriously traumatized child responded to my comment with this: "I used to think God hated me because of everything that happened in my life, but now I can see how He brought me and my sisters out of my dad's house where he was beating us and how He brought me to Methodist where I got to meet so many great people, and now He's helping me graduate from Methodist so I can be with my sisters again!"

The Lord continues to use the children He brings into my life to change me, and I hope He never stops! What a testament to what the Lord is doing and can do in each of our own lives, and an awesome reminder that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17)!

At 13 years old, she has gained wisdom that I have yet to grasp, the same wisdom that Joseph shared, when standing before his brothers who sold him into slavery, "Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (Genesis 45:3-8) There's always something more going on that we can't see right now, and God can ALWAYS use for good what was meant for evil! Every day since that dinner I have recalled her words and thought twice about wishing things in my life were going differently, or whining about nonsense... And every day I have wanted to share her inspiring words with each of you!

I have missed this tremendously, and hope to get back into my email writing more consistently! The responses and prayers that y'all have always been so awesome to send my way encourage me and remind me of how blessed I am... Thank you for that! I'm sorry for how out of touch I've been with most of you; that saddens me and I hope this email is able to renew some of our contact!

Please pray for this child, I can't give her name, but she has a long road of healing ahead of her. She is well on her way to finding peace with her Creator, but there are roadblocks at every turn, and she'll have to reach out to Him for guidance and direction in avoiding them. Pray that she has strength and patience to do this!

Thank you! I love and miss you all very much!

His,

Anna Kathryn

"I thank my God everytime I remember you!

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!"

Philippians 1:3&4

Pelicans are the new deer!

The LORD had said to Abram,

"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.

Genesis 12:1-4

It's been a looong time, not because the Lord hasn't been working, He has! It's been amazing just witnessing Him working in our lives since I last emailed!

A brief update:

The wedding date is May 31, that's very soon! You can visit our wedding webpage if you want to, www.mywedding.com/chrisandannakathryn, things are just coming together perfectly, and I'm having so much fun planning our hot pink and orange wedding! Haha, you wouldn't expect anything less from me would you?

So... as the wedding date draws nearer, so does the ending of our jobs at Eagle Ranch! This is very sad, as we both love our jobs and the kids we work with SO much. It's been bittersweet for all of us! We're so excited to get married and start our new adventure together, but we're so sad to leave. The kids are so excited for us, as they daily remind me to change the countdown on the board in my classroom, but they're sad for us to leave also. The relationships are deep, one kid in my prayer group who lives in the home where Chris works asks me often, "Why are you taking Chris away from us?" while two others beg me to stay and keep helping them with science. Another one prays for us, and offers wholehearted support, as he knows his season at the ranch is soon ending as well. He'll miss us, he says, but we're all moving on... we'll be in touch, I know we will.... I'm fighting tears regularly over the thought of saying goodbye to these precious kids and the people I work with. This has been an amazing adventure...

...but a new adventure awaits!

Life after May 31 consists of a week in Mexico, and after that it's been a total mystery! For months, we've been looking and applying for jobs......... nothing........... The Lord kept reminding us "Be patient! I'm still here. I won't let you down!" But He continued to allow our futures to be a mystery. Here we are, a little more than a month from the wedding.... and the Lord has proven Himself trustworthy (duh!) and blessed us beyond comprehension! The Lord has taught Chris and I so much about trusting Him through A LOT of patience, and at the pit of our discouragement, through much prayer and daily renewed faith, we have learned the lesson and seen God! He has diminished doubt and worry from our hearts!! Things seem to be coming together in an amazing way, and it's clear we're at the forefront of a bigger adventure than we ever thought!

We all know I love adventures, I've jumped out of many airplanes in the last few years, but now we're being asked to blindly jump into something big, and it's going to be so exciting to trust God and go on a new adventure as a new family. We'll be asked to leave our families and go into the land He shows us... I fully believe that where we're led, He will honor our faithfulness and be with us every step.

I heard a sermon recently on this time in Abraham's life. Abraham took a huge step of faith when He left his home to follow God. He didn't know where he was going or how things would turn out, but He trusted God and went, and God blessed Abraham and those around him in a huge way! Chris and I are praying for the strength and trust that Abraham had as we leave our homes and go where He leads us. We pray that He uses us in the lives of those around us and that He blesses us through the people He places in our lives. We are so excited to start this adventure together and are constantly on the edge of our seat waiting to find out what will happen next!

The state seal of Louisiana features a pelican tearing away her own flesh to feed the three chicks surrounding her in the nest. Apparently pelicans actually do this in order to keep their young from starving. I'm reminded of how much Jesus loves us, so much so that He sacrificed Himself in order to keep us from suffering. He provides amply for us as we put our lives in His hands to keep us, His children, from starving.

God has been very good to Chris and me, and I know I'll be daily reminded of His blessings as we relocate to Mandeville, Louisiana on June 10th and watch the pelicans fly overhead. Chris has been offered a job as Director of Youth at New Covenent Presbyterian Church and He has accepted. This is a great opportunity, and we are so very excited! Please pray as I look for work. We were in Louisiana for a visit last weekend and I had an interview on Friday with a private Christian school. Hopefully we will hear back soon, but while we wait we could definitely use your prayers! We have a place to live, lots of room for Chris's dog, Joe, and a lot of wonderful people who already have welcomed us into their families!

So, last Thursday, as we crossed the 24 mile bridge over Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans to Mandeville, I found myself as enamored with the pelicans as I am with the deer I see in Georgia. I knew I wouldn't miss the deer too much as I have a new animal to watch for now!

Thanks for your support and the way you've prayed for me over the years! I apologize for being so absent, I hope to keep you all more updated after all this wedding and moving business is over with! Keep praying, the Lord hears all your prayers, and I'll continue to thank Him everytime I think of you!!

His,

Anna Kathryn

"I thank my God everytime I remember you!

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!"

Philippians 1:3&4

big news!!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!!"

2 Corinthians 9:15

Friends and faithful prayer warriors,

You've seen me through a lot of trials and hard times over the past several years, now I want to ask you rejoice with me as I begin a new journey! I was reminded of myself recently as I was reading through Song of Solomon and came across this passage:

All night long I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him.

I will get up now and go about the city,
through its streets and squares;
I will search for the one my heart loves.
So I looked for him but did not find him.

The watchmen found me
as they made their rounds in the city.
"Have you seen the one my heart loves?"

Song of Solomon 3:1-3

For my whole life I wondered around searching for the one my heart would love forever. About a year and a couple months ago I found contentment as I rested in the comfort that Jesus Christ was and is the one my heart loves, and that He would sustain me through all things. There never would be and never will be anyone else who will love me and pursue me the way He always has. The discovery that His love was enough for me astounded me and changed me; I no longer looked for "the one" everyday everywhere, I already had "the one!" I no longer felt lonely or unwanted, because I was never alone, and I was certainly never unwanted! I was finally able to truly be myself!!

Scarcely had I passed them
when I found the one my heart loves.
I held him and would not let him go.

Song of Solomon 3:4

No more than a month or two later, the Lord gave me a gift; He introduced me to an amazing and Godly man named Chris Ellzey who, unbeknownst to me, was the earthly "one" that God set apart for me to meet whenever my heart was ready. At first, I thought I was being tested, but the closer and closer Chris and I got, the more and more I learned from him, and I came to this great awareness that the Lord brought the two of us together.

This past November 4, the Lord gave me another gift, and so did Chris, as he asked me to be his wife, and put a beautiful ring on my finger!! I couldn't be more excited or grateful for this amazing and indescribable gift from God!! I couldn't wait to share my great joy with all of you, and thank you so much for being part of my journey through this life that has brought me where I am today!!

Please continue to pray for us as our seperate journeys join as one this May! We're very excited to find out where the Lord will lead our future! Pray that our eyes and ears will be wide open as He guides us along the way!! We know He holds our future together in the palm of His hand, please pray that we continue to trust Him with unfailing patience as He makes His path clear to us! Y'all are so amazingly wonderful, and I thank you so much for praying for me over the years!! This is gonna be fun! I'm sure there are lots more lessons to be learned in the coming years!!

I love y'all!!

His,

Anna Kathryn

"I thank my God everytime I remember you!

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!"

-Philippians 1:3