10 Years!

Posted on November 26, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

How can it be ten years since my parents went to heaven? It’s a milestone that marks not only a changing of the guard in my family but of graduations, first jobs, engagements and marriages. The budding of the next generation!

Our immediate family did not shrink when my parents crossed-over, but has grown from 6 to 14… 3 spouses plus 5 grand babies so far. And those are just the ones we can see and count here on earth 😉 The Father has shown us the preciousness of life with each passing year. 

How grateful I feel this Thanksgiving. Each memory reminds me of how far He has brought me. Each face shows how much He loves me. Each moment that passes proves He is not finished with me. I’m thankful for every new day, anxiously waiting to see what He will do with us next. 

“Now may The THEOS of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭

Our next dividend coming 2025!
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Little Cabin in the Woods

Posted on November 4, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

Spending the weekend cleaning out cupboards at my in-law’s, I discovered many forgotten treasures. Photos, decorations, maps (100s of maps!) even some never-given Christmas gifts. Each was a surprise of some sort.

I was overwhelmed by how much time has passed since I became a member of this family. It’s hard to believe 37 years ago I stepped through their door. So many celebrations have come and gone: birthdays, anniversaries and holidays… especially Christmas! 

Christmas at the log cabin has always been epic. Time shared, memories made and of course lots and lots of homemade food. Think large crowd, small space, everyone sleeping anywhere there’s a spot.  Those moments stand out in my mind but all the time here is special. 

I tried to explain it this morning. This home is a haven. A refuge. Like a lighthouse. It’s where we each come to find peace and feel love – be reminded of where we belong. Personally, I believe it comes from open arms, an extra chair and many spoken prayers with family gathered. 

As time passes the faces change.  Some of the decor does too, but the spirit remains the same. This is HOME. Not only for my husband’s parents but for all they welcome. 

Thank you, John & Debby

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Nice to meet you!

Posted on September 2, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

If I met you this summer during my travels, it was a pleasure. If I told you I’d pray for you- I have! If I gave you a painting it was to see you smile and to say thank you. It’s what I have to give: a listening ear, a word of encouragement, and some tiny art. 

God has given me these gifts and I want to share them with whoever crosses my path. I really enjoy meeting new people, and hearing their stories. You are a treasure from God to me.

Thank you for sharing your life. Thank you for accepting my gift. Know that I remember your face and your words  even if I forget your name… hopefully I wrote it down! I lift you up daily before my Heavenly Father.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance to you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

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mission travel

Posted on August 29, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

My husband and I have traveled a lot this summer! Some of it was planned and the rest unexpected. Heading out yet again, someone asked him if it was a mission trip this time. He wasn’t sure how to explain that for us – all our travel is a mission. 

No matter where we are – at home or abroad we are Ambassadors for Christ, everyday and everywhere. Our prayer each morning is, “use us” and each evening, “thank you.” We seek to share God’s love with whoever we meet and bring every conversation toward Jesus.

We have been surprised with how much more receptive people are to faith talk since 2020. I love to start a conversation and just wait for their “GOD-story” (who He is to them) then share about my Jesus. Sometimes that draws others to join in. I haven’t had anyone refuse a chat or prayer since that strange year.

What an incredible time in history. People sense the closeness of His coming. May each of us look for Divine Encounters today. Many are aching for the truth. If you are bold – you just may get a hug in response. ❤️Anna

Beseech the Lord of the harvest, therefore, that He might send out workmen into His harvest.

Matthew 9:38

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Never Changing

Posted on August 7, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and to the ages” Hebrews 13:8

Never before in my life have I needed these verses so desperately. To know for sure that one thing in my life is stable and secure and not anout to flip-flop or deceive me is gold. When I’m confused or disoriented all I need is a few minutes with my Bible to reset the focus. Solid Truth.

Each morning I thank the LORD that He is: still there! Ever present- in control- on the throne… knowing that in the next few minutes I will hear some more earth shaking, soul shattering, shocking news. This constantly-changing world is moving like a roller coaster. Hold on.

…YOU however are the same and the years of YOU will never end. Hebrews 1:12b

Peace comes easily, effortlessly when I trust that HE is who HE says HE is, and will fulfill ever purpose of HIS perfect will. Everything that comes will ultimately be for HIS Glory and even more amazingly for my good! Wow. Fear has no place to land and anxious thoughts have nowhere to hide. Song:

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! ❤️ How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore! ❤️ How He watcheth o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; ❤️ how for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne.

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Perfect Timing

Posted on July 21, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

I was particularly excited to cut grass this week. The riding mower had been repaired and I could not wait to go out and spend time praying in the field, calling out requests and singing praises! My thoughts were all on our adult kids. Big grown-up needs pressing. I wanted peace in the waiting. 

Suddenly I realized the blades were cutting, but far too high .I tried and tried to release the “deck” but it was locked. Instead of crying, I just keep cutting. Some was better than none. After I finished and parked … the deck released to the proper height. “Why didn’t You help me sooner?!” I cried. 

Starting up again I zipped back around, cutting everything to the proper height. Amazingly, no huge clumpy mounds of cut grass were left in my wake. That’s when I heard a whisper in my heart, “sometimes later is smoother.” I knew it was Jesus and He wasn’t just talking about mowing.

I’d asked for peace in the waiting and had been given an object lesson on timing. Cutting the yard twice took longer but caused less mess. Maybe delays to prayers had purpose too. Will we trust Him with His timing? Will we be faithful in the meantime? Even when it means “mowing” the whole thing twice? 

Just like that, I had peace. ❤️ForGlorySake.com

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Killer Bees

Posted on June 26, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

On our annual anniversary trip we discovered a beehive right in the backyard of our rental – about 15 feet from the door. For a few days we were completely unaware, even walking under the tall bush. Then a visiting family member, standing too close got stung and jumped into the small pool close by! 

Soon we realized there was a cloud of activity and called for some help. The bee catcher was VERY surprised to find such a large hive. He explained these were no ordinary bees but aggressive “africanized killer bees”- meaning they are stronger, produce more honey and can attack as a group to kill. His advice was to stay back and leave them alone OR clear the premises before he could remove them. 

Full realization of a threat is a game changer! As with so many other minefields David and I have navigated in our 35 years together, this was a visual reminder that fear of the enemy is not wrong, it’s how I handle the fear that matters! We had nowhere to move to, so … could I now let go and trust God? This would require prayer.

Unique as killer-bees are, we stopped to list other impossible evils that had come against our family. God saw us through those deadly issues in such miraculous ways, surely, we determined, He would protect us here as well. I confess it takes focus and self control to  creep into the pool and relax. Psalm 91 and 139 have been on repeat❤️ Yet He has helped me again to trust and wait on His good timing.

The LORD holds me in a tight grip. (Psalm 139:10)

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Tradwife

Posted on June 12, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

I read there’s a new trend called “trad-wives:” staying home to raise your children, cooking and cleaning for the family, willingly serving your husband, even homeschooling the kids! I had no idea that me and my 55+ age friends were so hip. We could’ve made money, money on Tik Tok with millions of followers. 😂 

It’s not exactly the “making of desciples” that we imagined, but possibly our example of trusting God’s Word and putting Him first has benefitted others. It’s certainly has been a beautiful and fulfilling journey for me. I’m thankful that what my mom modeled became my ideal and is now passing on to some women of this current generation. In the face of a culture telling them it’s not that important- they’re willingly giving it a go.  

I can attest after 35 years and now 6 adult kids – nothing compares to a traditional roll of motherhood. Its been worth every sacrifice I ever made. Of course my husband and I made mistakes BUT we had Jesus and He always provides awesome grace. As we continually prayed (and keep praying), He works everything for His Glory. And that’s what life on earth is all about …where our hearts are directed! He keeps really close tabs on that.

Paul said it best in his letter to pastor Titus, “encourage women to love husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, managers of their homes, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the Word of God will not be discredited.” Titus 2:5

Im always interested that following God’s directions turns out for the best every time. Like I used to tell my children, He didn’t set guidelines to be cruelly restrictive, but to show us how to find -fulfilling peace -ultimate joy -abundant life! 

I definitely found it. ❤️Anna

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Good for something!

Posted on May 15, 2024 by For Glory Sake!

My parents were savers! EVERYTHING: from twist-ties to old nails, newspapers to sandwich baggies, plastic containers to old Christmas cards. Wrapping paper for family gifts was always “the funny papers.”
They did NOT believe in waste of any sort, believing there was a use for everything – “give it a second life.”

An average Sunday afternoon was a long bike ride with the whole family and afterwards my parents would go back in the car to glean treasures from the garbage they’d passed at the curb. Since my dad could fix anything, our neighbor’s old damaged riding toys were repaired and useable in our backyard. We had go-carts, Big Wheels and bicycles in every size.

I can’t say I appreciated all their frugality as a child (summer was hot in Georgia without AC until late July), but I did learn valuable lessons around true recycling and necessity vs luxury. Today my cupboard isn’t filled with mismatched containers nor do I dust with old underwear 🙄, but I do reuse almost everything multiple times -to the amusement of my DILs.

It’s true- everything is good for something (except maybe mosquitos). Even me, God has found use for… because I asked Him. Nothing too fancy or public, yet He does use me again and again and for that I am grateful. It might be a listening ear or kind word, to change a diaper or wash little hands, pray a prayer, sing a song… you get the idea. When done for Him, it’s all good.

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She can’t see

Posted on April 16, 2024 by For Glory Sake! 
Deep heart
Rich soul 
Beautiful face
But she can’t see

Contagious laugh
Lovely smile
Gracious presence
But she can’t see

Warm welcome
Comforting embrace
Wonderful friendship
But she can’t see

I told her yesterday
I tell her today
I’ll tell her tomorrow
Until she can see 
❤️Mom

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