October 01, 2017

I thought I was pretty - gleanings from John chapter one

October 01, 2017/ Anna Kathryn Ellzey

As I’ve read through the Gospel of John, so many memories have been stirring… and as I’ve worked through them, I’ve been constantly drawn to you: the young girls crying themselves to sleep at night, praying to be somebody they’re not, begging to be somebody worth knowing. I see you in my story, and I see us in John. May I share with you?

I remember being very young, around five or six, and my dad asking me what I liked about myself.

I said, "I think I'm pretty."

September 27, 2017

We're Singing: Seeds Family Worship

September 27, 2017/ Anna Kathryn Ellzey

My Mercy is a songbird. She loves music and she LOVES to sing. She sings about activities she's doing, she sings herself to sleep at night, she sings to her dolls and toys... and let's not forget her daily Frozen and Moana performances!

It always amazes me how she remembers words of songs she hasn't heard in months... but then again, I know in a heartbeat I could sing every word of "I Will Always Love You" or "Hero." No doubt, no matter how many months or years have passed.

There is just something about music that clicks in our brains and memory.

September 25, 2017

Busy mamas, let's read the Gospel of John together!

September 25, 2017/ Anna Kathryn Ellzey

I know you're busy, and I know life is crazy because I'm right here with you.
With that said, I'm gonna go ahead and invite you and challenge you to do this with me: read the Gospel of John with your kids!

The Gospel of John is, in the words of the author:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

There can't possibly be a better place to begin the journey of daily Bible reading with your children. And here's why my kids and I LOVE the way we've been reading with a group of leaders and girls in our youth ministry!

September 20, 2017

Let's Celebrate! ...it's the series finale of "Confidentiality and Foster Care!"

September 20, 2017/ Anna Kathryn Ellzey

Foster parents, let’s celebrate the children in our care!

Let’s celebrate BIG! Let’s celebrate often!

And since we know celebration can and does exist outside of social media,

let’s celebrate privately.

Y’all remember that time I was a Christmas villain?

Please know this: I needed to celebrate my brand new foster son that Christmas morning, and he needed to be celebrated. He was worth celebrating, and we were overjoyed for such an opportunity. It wasn't the photo that broke confidentiality, as it didn’t reveal his identity in any way. And it wasn't our BIG celebration that broke hearts. The public privacy setting broke confidentiality and the public words of celebration broke hearts.

September 14, 2017

Achieving Confidentiality in Foster Care

September 14, 2017/ Anna Kathryn Ellzey

Please know, I did not come to this place easily, nor did I want to arrive here. I'm a photographer, and I happened to have the two best cheeks on earth living with me. I longed to share photos, I longed to share specific prayer needs, and I also just longed to share him. I just knew that if people experienced his precious, sweet perfection, they would be less inclined to fear foster care, and more inclined to sacrifice everything to love these children...

I still believe that to be completely true, but at some point there was a shift in my thinking... As much as I believed his cuteness could convince every person in this country to look into foster parenting, this one constant thought just wouldn't stop badgering me: that is not his job. He didn't sign up for this. I did.