Oil Diving

For I will take you out of the nations;

I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;

I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

-Ezekiel 36:24-26

The past 50+ days have been a nightmare for the people of South Louisiana. The oil spill is affecting our shoreline, our wetlands, our wildlife, our food, and our people... And somehow it seems unfixable! It seems like there is no end in sight, and that's scary, especially as the oil moves toward the gulf stream, and we start looking at the Atlantic coast being contaminated as well. You can't turn the TV on without seeing horrible pictures of dead or dying oil soaked wildlife, hearing stories of the men on the oil rig who lost their lives, or of the fishermen who are losing their livelihood one day at a time. Katrina was horrible for South Louisiana, but everyday we hear more and more people making the claim that this is worse. When we walk out of our house on a windy day, the stench of the oil makes it seem even more real. We can't escape it... We can't fix it... It just seems to be absolutely destroying us!

This situation desperately needs your prayers, and every one of them is much appreciated! The spill seems soooo out of control, and yet I know that I serve a God who is in control of all things... We have tried and tried to volunteer with the clean-up of animals and beaches, but there doesn't seem to be anything they will let us do to help... and so we pray.... and we pray, and we pray, and we pray... we pray for this awesome God-made creation that is quickly being destroyed by human error... we pray for His protection over His wildlife, and His children who have to deal with the aftermath... and we pray that we will be changed for the better through this catastrophe and that God will be glorified.

In normal Anna Kathryn-fashion, I feel the Lord teaching me already through the oil spill... I'll try to share what I'm learning with you as short-winded-ly as possible!

When I look at the images of the pelicans on the news, I can't help but think about myself, and my own stench, the sin-soaked slow death that I was once stuck in. No matter how much I tried to clean myself, no matter how much I did to try to mix this sinfulness with the God I love, I couldn't... In the same way the oil in the gulf will not mix with the pure water out there, neither would my sin mix with my perfect and holy God. I couldn't escape it... I couldn't fix it... It was absolutely destroying me!

Can any of you can relate? It feels hopeless, doesn't it? Like the pelicans, the sea turtles, the manatees and dolphins.... we will die if we're not cleansed by something bigger and better than ourselves!

I've attached some pictures of the process the pelicans are going through, from contamination to being cleaned... I hope you'll look at the pictures and see the awesome example that the wildlife workers give us of our God's cleansing work in our lives! First we see these hopeless birds, just soaking in the filth that they can't escape from on their own. Then we see the workers seeking them out and bringing them to safety where we see them being cleaned and made healthy again. Finally we see the final product, a healthy pelican regaining his strength until he is ready to be safely released back into his pelican community.

How perfectly does this depict our journey toward faith!? While we were still sinners, Christ sought us out! (Romans 5:8, Luke 15:1-7) He shed His blood for us, cleansing us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), so that we can be clean and prepared to go into our communities and the nation to teach about Him and His awesome love for each of us! (Mark 16:15)

Unfortunately, one of the organizations that is rescuing the pelicans is releasing them in Tampa after they've been cleaned... If and when the oil reaches the gulf stream, the very same pelicans that were rescued and cleaned, will be in danger again. Does God send us back into the world after He has rescued us and transformed us? Yes! ....does He send us out there unequipped to face the dangers and sinfulness we will face? No! He doesn't allow us to be tempted beyond what He has given us the capacity to stand up against! (1 Corinthians 10:13) So what does this mean for us? ...for our future? Does this mean when we go out into the world, we shrivel under temptation and dive right back into the oil...? Or do we show gratitude to Him for rescuing us and use the tools He's given us to remain clean?

I guess that's a decision you can make for yourself...

For me... Some days I feel like I do a lot more oil diving than actually using those tools and being grateful to Him for what He's done in my life. Seeing those pelicans everyday is serving as a great reminder to live a life of gratitude. I hope they do the same for you!

Again, your prayers for our people and our coast are greatly appreciated!

I love you all so very much!

--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

He oinks for you!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 8:35-39

Last week I ran into a friend who asked: "Why don't you send emails anymore?" My immediate and not-thought-through response was "lack of content..." Over the following few days, I found myself ashamed before my God for making such an absolutely false claim that He has withheld content from me in this amazingly blessed life He has given me! In those moments, I was flooded with months of content, and today I hope to accurately (and dramatically) recount one little piece that has meant a lot to me and our youth girls over the past few weeks.

It was a cool spring evening... The nine of us were nestled in the back of Chris's pickup truck as he navigated the rocky terrain in the depths of the Texas hill country. We were on a safari! ...hoping to catch just a glimpse of something remarkable! After seeing literally 1000's of deer of varying species (a dream come true for me!), some antelope-type creatures, and a couple of horses, the truck came to an abrupt halt!There it was! ...our remarkable sighting! A little pig family was making its way across the road just ahead of the truck! In silence we watched Daddy Pig lead his baby pigs across the dangerous roadway and into safety. But wait! What's that sound?? It seems that two of his baby pigs strayed away from the family and were lost on the other side of the road! They were so scared because of these strange humans that separated them from their Daddy Pig, and they oinked in desparation and regret for having strayed away in a moment of thoughtless adventure seeking... Suddenly, out of the brush came a loud "Oink!" ...and another! Daddy Pig was calling for them! And he wouldn't stop, he oinked and oinked for them until they safely found their way around us and back to their pig family. A multitude of "Awwwwww's" resounded from the bed of the truck as we realized we had just witnessed a beautiful reunification of lost children to their Father.

Later, we sat around and talked about the implications this little reunification has for our lives, and how this adorable little pig family so closely resembles our own relationship with our Heavenly Father.

How often do each of us stray away from Him, hoping to find some great adventure, or excitement in the worldliness that attempts to separate us from His loving embrace? That's an almost daily experience for me! ...something that I'm learning to overcome as I continually witness His constant calling for me.... Just like Daddy Pig oinked for his lost babies...my Heavenly Father, He oinks for me! And Hewill not stop until I find my way back to Him!

How awesome is that? So.......... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? .............Nobody and nothing! Even our own evil desires cannot drown out His constant calling for us!

We are a sinful people and we will drift away, that's for sure... But in your drifting, listen closely... You'll hear Him, He will always be there calling you back towards Him. It's in those moments that we have a decision to make... Will we continue to wonder on the other side of the road...? Or will we hastily return to our Creator who loves us?

I choose to return... I hope you will too! And be assured, just as Daddy Pig led his baby pigs to safety and prosperity with him, so will your Heavenly Father!

As far as life in Louisiana goes... it's been a fantastic 2010! Our little group of kids is becoming a beautiful family of friends for each other. We spent a week in Texas with our girls at an absolutely amazing place called Camp Eagle, and out of that trip came beautiful relationships and awesome growth that we continue to witness in our girls lives. I have fallen in love with the ministry opportunity I have with the girls in our group, and I can't get enough time with them! I keep begging Chris to let me quit my job so I can use my energy loving and spending time with them! ...that's not going to happen in the near furture, but there are prospects available that hopefully will broaden my capacity to speak into their lives. I ask you to pray for that and to pray for the girls to continue to listen for their Father's "Oink!"

I thank you for your prayers and the encouragement you constantly give me! Even though I have not written much recently, I have thought of each of you often, and have thanked my God upon every remembrance 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

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