Welcome to my life...as a Not-So-Newlywed!

Encounter Weekend 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000

This past weekend was our annual Encounter Weekend for our high school and jr high students. I believe we had somewhere around 71 students who came this weekend. It was a great weekend of small group time, worship, a speaker and lots of fun!

I was with the 9th and 10th grade girls all weekend. One thing that hit me hard, is how much these young women are dealing with. It hurts my heart to think how many of them have to play the role of "parent" because their own parents aren't stepping up. Or the other young women who find their identity in whether or not they have a boyfriend. Or the young women who are using drugs and alcohol to numb their pain.

These are 14 year old young women! Such hurt and pain for such a young woman. Lord, please heal their broken hearts!

Belly Shots :)

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Kendall Left Today for Basic Training

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +0000

From Erica's Wedding

My brother-in-law, Kendall, left for basic training this morning. He and my sister just got married on September 25th, so they've had a very short time together as a married couple before he headed off.

Last night, my family had an impromptu Pray-Off party for him. Throughout the morning, my sister has been texting me as she's struggled through saying goodbye. Its moments like these that I wish I was closer to home.

But, there is a purpose for everything. :)

Pregnancy Milestone - Maternity Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Today, I have hit a pregnancy milestone. My first full day in maternity jeans...and I love them! They are so comfortable! No more having to use a hair tie to hold buttons together. :) Thank you Megan and Aimee for the maternity clothes!

Other than that, not much has been going on. Matt is heading to Champaign tomorrow for the big football game of Michigan vs. Illinois. So I'm looking forward to a much needed day of rest.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Week 13!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Today marks week 13 of our pregnancy. Its going by quickly!

Monday through Wednesday my mom was up here to visit, which coincided with two speaking engagements she had. It was wonderful to have her here for an extended time and she brought with her an organizing energy that I really needed.

Tuesday night we tackled our bedroom. At first, I thought that was the last place we should organize but my mom is so smart. :) It was exactly what we needed. Four hours and three trash bags later, our room is decluttered and feels great!

We also tackled the kitchen, the bathroom and other areas that I tend to pile things in. I feel like I have a new living space! We didn't get to the guest room, which will become the baby's room, but we have plenty of time for that.

All in all, its been a good week!

Sleeping Through The Night...

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:05:00 +0000

Last night at 3am, I had an epiphany. After getting up to use the restroom (at least once every night), I was wide awake. Suddenly it hit me. I will probably not sleep straight through the night ever again...at least for a long time.

That thought kept me up for a while. Of course, I know things are going to change with Baby McClane but they aren't reality as of yet. For some reason, this hit me hard. I felt like I was mourning "my old life" for a moment but was trying to think of all the positives at the same time.

Anyway, I came to a resolve that in order to go back to sleep, I'd just have to be okay with not sleeping well ever again. :)

Aside from my early morning realization, everything is going really well! I've not had too much nausea, however I feel like my energy is zapped before I even get out of bed.

And the pregnancy dreams...Wow! They are very weird and so realistic!

30 more weeks to go!

Please be praying for Mary!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:35:00 +0000

I'm reposting my mom's blog post, but all of that to say, please be praying for Mary!

When you read this blog post today, will you please pray for Mary Provance? Mary is my daughter-in-law's mom and she has been diagnosed with leukemia. And of all the kinds of leukemia there are, she has the bad kind.

A little over a year ago, Mary and I were lighting the two candles on either side of the unity candle at Evan and Julie's wedding. Today, Mary is in Northwestern Hospital in Chicago fighting for her life.

When you read this today, would you please pray for her? We're storming heaven today on her behalf. If you want to learn more or post a note of encouragement for her, the family is keeping a blog at: http://maryprovance.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much!

We're PREGNANT!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:25:00 +0000

I haven't posted on here in a while, merely because I haven't wanted to spill the beans. :) But its now public knowledge. We're preggers!! Very excited!

I haven't been too sick, which is a huge blessing. For those who don't know, I just started a new job at our local high school as the Substitution Secretary. My work day starts at 6am. So, I was very concerned that morning sickness would come in the way of that, but I've only had two days where I've been sick or felt extremely crummy. Thank God!

So, other than nausea and a hormone roller coaster, we're doing well!

This will make you laugh so hard!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Fun Wedding Entrance

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:42:00 +0000

I just saw this video and thought it was a lot of fun!

Changes...

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:24:00 +0000

I'm not sure if anyone really reads this anymore since I'm not consistent in posting, but if you do could you please be praying for us? There are a few things in our life that will be changing for us in the near future and guidance would be a huge help! I'll post more when I can.

Thanks! :)

We're Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:39:00 +0000

We had such a great trip and I'm so proud of our students! If you would like to read more about our trip head over to the Juarez09 blog (http://juarez09.blogspot.com).

Click on the thumbnails below to see all of the pictures from the trip:

Juarez 09

Juarez09 #2

Juarez09 #3

Matt's Ready :)

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:12:00 +0000

Matt just came into my office and announced that he was ready for Mexico. He has the shirt I designed for Mexico and he bought a special hat. I was laughing so hard...I just had to take a picture and share it with you.

I must...

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:10:00 +0000

I was just reading through some of the pre-trip devotionals we have in our guide book and was challenged by this:

Read Romans 12:9-19. Try putting your name and "must" in front of each sentence. How does reading it make you feel?

Romans 12:9-19 "⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Spiritual Warfare

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:50:00 +0000

I think God has something big in store for us in Mexico, because Satan is definitely attacking. Alot of my own personal struggles have been in full force this week. Please be praying for our team!

@PrayersOnline recently started following me on Twitter, so I checked out their website and was challenged and encouraged by what the most recent post said.

We are all made with an incredible plan by God. He wants us to be creative and bring glory to his name. But how do we do this? By submitting our lives to him everyday.

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the Lord of my life. Show me where I am wrong, where my heart is selfish. Teach me to love others as you love me. Bring about your plan in my life so that I can be a blessing to those around me that do not know you.

FREE Book Download

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Hey Everyone...I forgot to mention that my boss is giving away a free download of his new book "Navigating the Mortgage Maze." I would really encourage you to go grab a copy of it while its still available (only a few more days). It could help you save money whether you are a first time home buyer...but definitely if you are looking to refinance!

Check it out: http://mortgagempowered.com/ (on the right you'll see a box with the download)

Mexico Here We Come!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:36:00 +0000

This week is going by so quickly as we are getting ready for our mission trip to Mexico. Our students are excited as well as all of our leaders. Matt and I are working on a lot of the last minute details...such as flights, hotels, transportation and activities. So, if you could be praying for us we would greatly appreciate it!

If you haven't been able to look at the Juarez09 blog, I would encourage you to check it out as we will be posting updates when we get there. You can find it here: http://juarez09.blogspot.com/.

On a more personal note...Matt and I helped some friends of ours move to Aurora. It was a bittersweet moment for us. These are some great friends who were in youth ministry as well; so it was nice to have another couple that understood what we were going through.

They have two little boys, Noah and William. While William is a baby, Noah is 2 and full of energy. So I took him yesterday morning while everyone was packing so that he wouldn't be in the way. We were at our house and Noah kept walking around our apartment, pointing at pictures of Matt while saying "Matt". It was so cute!

That's my fun little story for today. Hope all is well in your day today!

A text from one of our students...

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:44:00 +0000

hey! read ecclesiastes 3: 1-14. please remember to pray for the suffering thats going on in Juarez right now. pray they find peace in God :)

Come As You Are Postcard Template Sample | Inkd

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:05:00 +0000

I'm so excited because one of my designs was accepted to Inkd.com, which is a reseller of designs. They're pretty picky so I was excited to see my postcard design was accepted!! Exciting!

Come As You Are Postcard Template Sample | Inkd

Courtland Won!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:01:00 +0000

I know several people have asked about updates on Courtland. Well...they won!! I'm so proud of Evan! He did a great job! Here are some pictures...

586 Families are Waiting

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:50:00 +0000

These are some of the faces of families waiting for homes. If you look you will realize that these are pictures of birthdays, family outings, graduations, Christmases and weddings. They are of children that have dreams, mothers that only want to give food to their children, and fathers that have promised they will provide for their family. Each of these families has come to us asking for our help; for your help. We are asking you to help us make that possible. Right now there are 586 families who are waiting to receive homes. Without your help they WILL NOT receive them. Each of these pictures tells a story; would you be willing to be a part of their story?
~ Brittany Girle, Team Coordinator

We are very excited to be a part of Casas Por Cristo's mission to build a home for one of these families. We recently discovered that the family we will be building for has been waiting for 14 months for a home. 14 MONTHS! Its exciting to be a part of the remedy!

Read more updates at the Juarez09 Blog: http://juarez09.blogspot.com/

Do You Have Beautiful Feet?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Last night, Matt and I watched the movie "Slumdog Millionaire". I have heard some good things about it before, but had never seen it. It was a good movie, but left me with a very heavy heart. My fear is that people will watch the movie and not think about how it is real life...it is not a set that someone created based off their imagination. But people actually live their lives in poverty such as this. They are forced into life situations based on their circumstances. I've seen it with my own eyes on many mission trips.

This is one of the many reasons why I am excited that we have not cancelled our trip to Juarez, Mexico. We leave in a few short weeks. I know so many have expressed concern, but I have excitement and anticipation. Our students will be exposed, probably for the first time, to what true poverty looks like. It is real, and we are called to do something about it, swine flu or not.

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you.

Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Romans 12:13
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

I read about situations like the cyclone in Bangladesh and my heart breaks for the children that were effected. It makes me proud to partner with organizations like Compassion International and Buckner. I am proud of our students who are meeting every week to pray for the city of Juarez, Mexico and the family we are building for. I am proud of the students we have going to Mexico and their excitement rubs off on us! I am proud of the ministries our church partners with, such as Rio Bravo.

Romans 10:15 says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

I hope that the day I meet God he tells me I have beautiful, well-worn feet that walked wherever God wanted me to go!

So, how are you responding to the call to help others? Where are you going to "walk"?

If you would like updates on our trip to Juarez, Mexico you can check out the blog: http://juarez09.blogspot.com/.

Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Matt's sister, Haley, graduated a few weekends ago and decided to come up here with us after Graduation. So, she hung out with us for a week. I'm sure we were really boring...but we did head down to Chicago for a day and then went back when Matt's dad and step-mom came up to get her. Two days in Chicago = very sore legs! Here are some pics from downtown:

Courtland

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Please cast your vote! :) http://www.wcicfm.org/contests/opening-act/

FINAL 2 VOTING!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne) — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:21:00 +0000

YAY! Courtland has made it to the Final 2! This is awesome! We really need your help this week to get them through as the Winners. There were 12,000 votes last week and only 500 votes separated the top 2 bands. PLEASE cast your vote this week. You can vote 10 times from each computer.

Thank you again for your help. If you haven't heard their music, check out http://www.CourtlandMusic.com or myspace.com/evansavagemusic