Dan

Happy Birthday Dan!!

Dan, I hope your day is very special. I know your wife will do a fantastic job:) 

The saying "Friendship isn't a big thing, it's a million little things" is pretty true! 

Thanks for all the little things that you are and that you do...being your sister is so special, fun and exciting!

I love you so much!

"Show me Your ways, LORD, teach me Your paths. 

Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

 for You are God my Savior

and my hope is in You all day long."

Psalm 25:5

I believe in miracles...

...don't you?

This chubby little guy was waiting for me when we returned from church one Sunday morning. Sitting there on the step, trying to get his summer tan in, and waiting for his dreams to come true. 

Bethany suddenly called "Anna, look who's been waiting for you..." Several things ran through my mind, but none were quite accurate for there on the step sat a frog. Now to the ordinary public that might not seem like much...but that's just because they don't know the truth. But I will let you know this might not be just an ordinary frog, this little guy held the possibility of becoming my very own prince.  Sometimes miracles happen! The impossible may just become reality. Yeah, go ahead and laugh, but you just never know. 

I rushed to his side, my heart beating. I hardly dared to hope. He was a little plump for my type, but nothing that a good solid workout couldn't cure. His eyes were a little beady, but I was sure that was just a mask...a mask to hide his gorgeous, piercing completely-lose-yourself-in blue eyes. His breathing looked a little lazy, and he didn't look like he was ready for an adventure...but that's probably because I took so long getting home:)

I'm already 19...practically desperate, so I would take my chance with him...and if you really look, look deep beyond the surface...you might find some cuteness in there...somewhere. 

Well, I'm getting off the subject and looks aren't really everything...are they?

Anyway, I swept him off his feet and looked him straight in the eyes, my future was hanging by a thread. My mind reeled with what could be. Ahhh, the possibilities...pure bliss...or slimy lips. I decided to be optimistic and hope for the best...the pure bliss part. 

So I puckered my lips and...MWAH!

Nothing.

I was left with the slimy lips part.

My hopes were dashed, once again. My dreams faded into nothing. I felt like throwing that little stinker across the yard. And if Dan and Bethany had a dog I would have whistled it to my side and told it to...but than this thought crossed my mind...

What if he wasn't my prince...but YOURS? 

How could I be responsible for ruining the life of some other girl? I just couldn't do it. So I set that miserable creature down and told him to get lost, and go find a girl better suited to his style. And as he hopped away I couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be another...

So the next time you see a frog, don't view him as "just another hopping creature" but rather as your possible Future Prince. 

Please note: the emotions expressed have been slightly dramatized to fit the story...and the frog was not injured in any way.

Weekend visitors

Everyone was thrilled when we heard that these amazing people were going to fly back for the funeral!

They were flying standby and the flight was completely booked. But we serve a wonderful God and two people didn't show up...so they took their seats! It was so wonderful to see them again!

Praise the Lord!

Grandma

A week ago tomorrow my Grandma went to be with her Lord. And though we will miss her, we also rejoice that she is free from suffering and in the presence of God. What a change it must be for her:)

My Grandma Ann (my mother's mom) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's almost 7 years ago. At 82 she lived by herself in a large house in Fremont, NE. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay there much longer alone we built an addition on to our house. She moved in with us, and with us she stayed.

My Grandmother was a giver. All through her life she was serving others! She was happiest when she was with people; hosting parties, going shopping or just talking. When I was little Esther and I would spend the night so we got to see her in action. She wasn't content until her guests were content. Hospitality was her middle name.

The last seven years changed her drastically. She didn't recognize us, nor could she preform, by herself, the basic tasks life requires. It was hard. It was challenging to watch my own Grandma go through such pain and confusion. But I thank the Lord that He has a purpose in everything. My mother took care of her until the last day, following in her own mom's footstep's as a servant. Esther and I would help Mom with the daily routine, and what a privilege it was to be able to give back to my Grandma these last few years. The Lord taught us many things, like how to give without expecting anything in return.

Yes, tears of sorrow were shed, but there was also rejoicing...for through Jesus death leads to life!

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."      1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 

A free afternoon.

Two girls. One camera.

A beautiful, cloudy, day.

Smiles.

Silly-ness 

Lots of giggles.

A cute new shirt.

Happiness.

Sisters.

Love.

Books

Ahh....books! The very thought of them makes me smile! 

In a book you can go anywhere, be anything. It takes you places. A book can make you cry, laugh, giggle, challenge you and change you.  

Every Saturday morning the local, Purcellville, thrift store had all their books 1/2 price. Amazing! So every Saturday morning Bethany and I skittered in and browsed the ever changing selection. And every Saturday morning we came back to the house with our arms full of wonderful books...purchased at an unreal price. (Yes, that did make for some interesting packing when it came time for me to fly home...and Bethany still has a stack of books in 'my room' waiting until I come visit again:)

Oh, and when I came home I walked into my room...and there, built by my amazing father, were my very own built-in bookshelves! I am so going to do a nice post about them--so watch for it!

Mmm....

Yum.

 Yum.

Yum.

A HUGE highlight of my time in Virginia was getting to spend lots of time with Bethany. My brother whisked her off to VA so fast that I hardly had time to get to know her on a deeper level. We were friends before they were married, and they do visit home, but she is always in such high demand:), so getting to spend every evening with her made for some very special days!

Dan had to study most evenings, so Bethany and I got creative and spent our evenings having way too much fun.

Several times a week you would find us in the kitchen cooking/baking. And wow, the results of our labors...MMMmmmm!!! I wish you could pull a couple of those cookies off the screen and taste their delectable deliciousness! Grandma Hager's molasses cookies were at the top of my baking list, and I don't think they ever got crossed off. 

And don't even get me started on the granola, pizza rollup, strawberry-butterscotch muffins...the list goes on...

And let me say again, the molasses cookies, fresh from the oven, were irresistible! You could consume large amounts of them without even realizing it...right, Bethany? *smile* So after work a couple times a week my brother and I hit the (much needed...lol) gym:)

Actually, even when I am not consuming large amounts of cookies, I enjoy working out...especially when it's with my brothers! The college across the way from where we worked had a pretty nice gym that we took advantage of! And I'll just say it again...I love my brother!

Esther

Happy 18th Birthday, Esther!

18 random facts/things

loves basketball

has a complete servant heart

diligently follows Creighton basketball

incredible sister

my mother's right hand

very missable person

enjoys cooking...and is good at it too

has a great love for gummy lifesavers:)

just flew for the first time--to come see me

smiles continually and laughs a lot

quite competitive when it comes to sports

fantastic teacher

has a heart that is bent on seeking the Lord first
enjoys gardening
very loyal
loves kids
a complete joy to all who meet her
the best sister anyone could ever have--wait did I say that already?

Esther, as your older sister I've watched you grow. And your walk with the Lord challenges me, your simple, sincere servants heart is such a blessing, and the way you tirelessly serve your family, wow! When I grow up can I be like you? I just wonder how I was so lucky to get a sister like you. God knew that I would need you!

I love you!

"Then you will know that I am the LORD,

those who hope in me will not be disappointed."

Isaiah 49:23

Real quick

Want to see some cute kids? Head over HERE!

It's amazing how much little kids change in such a short time. I was only gone for two months...but thankfully there is such a thing as a camera, a wonderful sister-in-law to take pictures and a blog to post them on.

And just you wait...2 whole months with Bethany...that makes for a lot of pictures! And I can't wait to share with you all the joys of life out in VA!

"Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, 

for the LORD is good;

 and His love endures forever."

Jeremiah 33:11b