Romans 8:38 {anissa's blog}

I have decided to fulfill a previous commitment!!! Reading the whole bible cover to cover in one year (I'm trying for less!!!!) and when I started in Genesis I found this very interesting and something amazing...


YAHWEH-YIREH

this simply (yet completely awesomely means: "the LORD will provide"


I find myself so many times being a hypocrite...

I always say that I trust the Lord 100%, that I have complete faith in Him, and I give my all...

Yet I hold some things from Him, saying that I'll handle this one.. you probably couldn't understand.... (Oh how very wrong I am!) In the back of my mind I know that He has control over all things, but I try to "keep Him out of it" I selfishly cling to my way, as if it's the only way. I basically make His story about me....

It doesn't work that way, but God says ok... if you wanna control it then fine, I'll step back and see you soon! He knows that I'll fail because my way isn't the right way and it ends up getting me no where...

Later on when I'm broken, shattered, and hurt I come to Him. I humble myself at His feet and admit defeat, I was wrong. He knows this already and He's always been at my side, He never left, but I ignored Him....

The awesome thing here is something amazing happens, He's been waiting with open arms waiting for me to return... He is loving and wants the best for me, we start back at square one, but not with a heavy heart, but with a loving saviour who forgives.. He tells me to move forward and don't ever look back...

It is so easy to look at the past and regret and feel lost, but God never gives up on us. He is a loving and amazing creator who always will leave the 99 to find the 1. Nothing is impossible for Him and even through Him. He makes us whole again, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

We are saved and forgiven throughout he blood of our saviour! He loves us so much that He sent His one and only son to die on the cross so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be in heaven with Him! I can't imagine sacrificing that much, I couldn't fathom all that Jesus did for me, right down to His last breath on the cross....

"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son so that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16


It's mind blowing to think that someone could care so much....

As I sit here now, with the knowledge that I know I can't help but want to scream Yahweh- Yireh!!!

A great song that talks about this is "let go" by barlow girl :)

"Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "the LORD will provide")." Genesis 22:14 NLT


~anissa

Ok, before I start this post, I'm going to say that it might not all make sense, but I feel as though I need to get this out.....




I have begun to have a hard heart towards something... Lately I have found myself not wanting to talk to my mom and even see her for visitation. I kinda have begun expecting to get let down by her and just to not get excited or expect anything to happen with her....


I know that sounds bad that I have had a hard heart towards her and it's definitely something I'm struggling with, it feels wrong not to want to pursue a relationship. I mean, it's my mom...

This has always been really hard and seems like it's impossible to have a true relationship with her.... I've prayed asking if I am just to "cut myself off" from her or give it 100% It seems like every time I try to pursue it I just end up getting hurt and hurting the ones I love and that are here for me... In some cases I'm still dealing with hurt feelings, and I don't think things will ever be the same....

Recently she decided after months of planning and promises that she wasn't coming out to see us the day before she was supposed to come... My sister was terribly disappointed, but I felt numb. I guess deep down it hurts but I've kinda given up. It's hard, and currently I don't know any other way to turn, but away....

Hopefully things will be revealed to me soon! There is a reason for what is happening and I'm sure it's bigger than me, I'll just continue to trust in God and pray!!!

~anissa

I am still at the crossroad of whether to stay at my job or find something more suited to my taste. I would rather work in a retail store or something of that nature. It is a struggle to figure out the answer so I am playing it day by day.

I went hunting twice now (for deer). We were unsuccessful both times but we had a lot of fun and enjoyed being outdoors. :) The second hunt went much better than the first and we ended up finding a new place to try next year! :) I also got a bunch of new pics while we were out!!!! I love photography and I never cease to be amazed by God's creation!!! There is no way this all happened by chance!!!

All is going well with life it is the typical school, homework, and hanging out at the house or with friends. Nothing exciting has really happened recently, which is okay with me. No news is good news... ;)

I am excited about celebrating Thanksgiving, Jenna's birthday, and Christmas soon enough!!! :D

~anissa

I work at Taco Bell which isn't my favorite place.... I have been discouraged lately about the job and just waiting to get fired or quit, well that hasn't been the case...

I got called by work yesterday and I missed the call, but I saw they had left a message, I thought to myself what could it be, I'm not supposed to be into work until 4, and they had called around 2-ish... I was thinking to myself, is this it, are they finally coming to the end.... are they going to fire me....

.... Nope they had called because they wanted me to go into work early, reluctantly I got on my work clothes and went in at 2:30. I sat in the car thinking, great *sarcasm* another 6 hour day at work.... I almost had wished it would have been them calling to fire me....


I went into work and immediately go t started working, they put me in the the front (walk up) I wasn't super excited about this, but I did my job anyway. Next they decided to make me do drive thru (training), making and cutting pizza's and going and getting whatever else they needed at the moment... my head was spinning, but i tried to keep up with the demand... I was tired and had a mild headache when I went to work, but it got worse as the day went on...

I was coming to the end of my rope and this wasn't helping at all, my boss was also upset that I took Halloween night off, but he gave it to me anyway...

Then something good came out of working front....

I met a little girl, I think she was 10 or 11 and she had come in with her family....

"Go ahead, tell her." whispered her little brother.

I kinda blew off that comment because they were toward the end of giving me their order. Then when her dad went to pay he said, "my daughter has the same name as you! You even spell it the same."

I asked, "How do you pronounce your name?" I asked this because I know of people that have the same name as me, but they pronounce it with an "e" instead of an "i".

She replied, with a smile on her face, "Anissa (with an "i")".

I was smiling at this point, "Me 2!"

She said, "I have never met anyone with my name before!"

"It's an awesome name" I replied.

She quickly interjected, "yes! it is!" and walked away with a smile on her face. :)

Later on that day while I was cleaning tables in the front, I got to witness something extrodinary....

A man came in and ordered his lunch and sat down to eat....

Later another man came in and bought his lunch and sat down to eat at a different table....

The first man that came in went over and sat down with the second man that came in and began a relationship and started witnessing to him! :) He decided to take the time to walk across the room and share his faith! Toward the end of their conversation the other man gave his life to christ!!!!! :D It was so uplifting! He invited the man to go to his church and wrote down all his contact information. The man who shared his faith also helped as a pastor to a youth group and so the other man's kids could have a place to go as well! :) It was truly an act of God and it was encouraging!!!! :)

Later on in the day my coworkers, who haven't been very pleasant, we telling me that I was a fast learner, a great worker, and good at my job! I got compliments from customers, and was uplifted further! Even though my legs were sore, my head hurt, I was tired, I was hungry, GOd showed me a light in the darkness!

I think these events were a way of God telling me not to be discouraged, he's not done with me yet! I think he is going to use me in a big way there and I just need to focus more on Him and be more positive about things, I shouldn't just give up because I am discouraged. I may have one plan, but He has another! I am anxious and excited to see how He is going to use me to further his kingdom!!!! I thank Him for all my blessings and those to come!!!!! :) He is awesome!!!!! A couple of verses that i am reminded of to help me through my discouragement are.....

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5-6

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11


~anissa <3

Ok, I know, I know... It's been a long time since I have blogged..... I like to read other people's blogs though, they are very interesting, I am soooo far behind.... I have had some amazing things happen thorough Christ and i should have taken the time to blog, I am giving no excuses...

I went to the revolve tour this last weekend and was greatly moved by the speakers there, they all shared a similar story to my struggles and I felt like I could relate. It was a reassuring feeling knowing that they had family struggles and yet they still came out amazing and they are touching so many lives and reaching out to so many people through the glory of God. I found this to be very encouraging and I congratulate them all for the work they are doing, it is truly AMAZING!!!!

More news:

So far so good, I haven't had any accidents while driving (thank God!!!!) Although I have a had a couple near ones, HE is definitely watching over me and protecting me!!!!

I finally got ahold of the Prom pictures from school last year!!! YAY!!!!! :) And here they are!!!! (see above post)

School is going well it is still weird to think that I am a senior this year! I am working at Taco Bell, which is it's own mess.....

I have been blessed so much by the Lord and He has given me so much more than I deserve and I hope and pray that I become more like his son in all that I do!!!! How great is our God.... <3


~anissa :)

I am so excited!!! VBS starts next week, on the 10!!! We are doing a Dr. Seuss theme this year. :) My group is the "Sam-I-Am's", they are mostly 4th graders. It will be an interesting change for me; I taught 6th grade last year (VBS) which got me teaching Sunday school because I had so much fun!!! :) (We did an Indiana Jones theme last year :)


I started decorating my classroom today and I can't wait! It is really starting to come together, which is AwEsOmE!!!!!! :) I am excited to see how God works in the hearts of these children and I hope they grow in a stronger relationship with him!!! (Especially if that means starting one!) I hope that I can come to grow in a relationship with the kids and also that I could decrease so God can increase and make a lasting impact on their lives!!! One of the coolest things to me is when a child (or anyone) makes the choice to follow God and/or get baptized. Last year I was able to be a part of the amazing process of three children that decided to do so!!!!!!! I couldn't have been more on fire for Jesus as was then!!! I also couldn't have been prouder of the children!!!! :)

I pray that God gives me wisdom through the coming weeks and even after that. In the hope that I can be used to expand his kingdom, and impact so many lives!!!!!!!!!

~anissa :D

I am so excited for what is to come!!! I got my permit today, which was a painful process, but I still got it!!!! :) Why was it painful? Well I'll tell you.....

I had an appointment with the Rancho Cuc. DMV office to go and get my permit this morning at 8:55. Dad and I left the house at 8:30 and made it in good time, thankfully! :) I was so excited to finally get it, so I had all my paperwork with me and I was all ready to get it. I got up to the counter and I was ready for my test..... Here is where the problems began...

I had given the lady at the counter my paperwork and she was entering it into the computer, my social security number wasn't working, it didn't go through as me.... which I thought was odd...

She said that I couldn't get my permit until I had that problem worked ou, she told me that someone might have misspelled my name or something to that effect so I wasn't showing up on their system.... ugghhh (inside thought)

Then she told me to go over to the social security offices and have that worked out and that I could set another appointment to come back.... The next available appointment was August 19 at 11 am..... another season of waiting...

This is when the disappointment and sadness set in, more waiting.... *sigh* The thought running through my head was I have been prepared for so long, I have studied, I have done all my requirements, who are you to tell me to wait some more! Do you know all that I have been through to finally make it this far in the process?! (I know that isn't a respectful thought, but I was upset...)

I left the DMV office devestated, holding back tears I was determined not to cry at least not in there. I fought back my emotions as I headed defeated to the car.... I wanted to know who had messed up this chance for me. Dad apologized because he was being nice and knew I was hurt.

This is the good part where things started falling into place! It gets better! :)

I just have to say before I continue that I have an awesome, loving dad! He rocks!!! :)

So he decides that since the SSA office is in Pomona we are going to get this issue straightened out. We go to the SSA office and try to figure out who goofed and where....

So after talking to a very helpful and sweet SSA lady we figured out the problem...

Jenna and I have very similar social security numbers..... Our numbers are different by the last two digits, hers ends in 25 mine ends in 27. We both have military IDs that have our SS#s on them, her number was placed on my card and that is why it wasn't matching up. So we talked to the lady helping us and figured this out, the military goofed.... *sigh* Now I am working on getting a duplicate SS card :) No more confusion!

After this I was a little happier...

Here is where my dad really made my day and showed me how much he truly loves me and cares.... He drove over to the Pomona DMV because it was only a few blocks away and sat in the DMV (while I was a non appointment!) and let me get my permit today!!! I am really blessed!!! :) We waited for a very long time and before I went to go take my test he said I better pass it after all that he had done, I knew that. :) I took my test and passed!!! :) The day took a turn for the better and I am so grateful!!!!!! :) I am so lucky to have such an awesome dad! :D

~anissa

sorry i haven't blogged in a while!!

Yay for summer!!!! It is the best season of the year because there are SO many activities to do! :) It is great because you don't have to get up for school everyday.... (not my case ;p) I love the summer because it is when you can make new friends, hang with your old ones :) Unfortunately that is also when some can move away or just move on in life, school, etc. It's all good though! :) Hopefully this will be an exciting, awesome, amazing, legit, crazy, fun, summer!!!!!

lates!
anissa

P.S. 23 days until my 16 b-day!!! :) (very excited!!!!)

P.P.S. congrats to all the grads!!!

Here are a few prom pics, I don't have all of them...


Here's a headshot
Taylor and I
Megan and I
Minnie did my hair, the back looks cool :)
It was an awesome night, we danced the night away and had a lot of fun! What a way to end the school year!!! :)

~anissa

I am reeeaallllyyy excited about my prom (they call it a prom, it's more like a spring formal...) that will be at the very end of may! :) I think it will be a lot of fun and a good close to the end of this school year. I already have my dress it is plaid (black, white, and silver/grey) and I got my hair done last night.... I can't wait! :)

I am excited about graduation/promotion season, but it is also sad... I am happy to see Amanda graduate from high school (yay! :), Jenna promote from middle school (yikes! another highschooler! ;p), Terisa promote from kindergarten, and one of my best friends this year, Victoria, graduate from high school as well! :) It is unfortunate that I won't see her next year, but I am excited to see her graduate and start on the next part of the path God has paved for her! :) All this graduating is exciting and I can't wait to see what God has in store!!!! Congrats grads!!!! Good luck and may God bless you on the new adventure!!!!!!! :)

Updates:
- getting braces in a few weeks, had my 1st orthodontist appt on Wednesday :)
-hopefully getting my permit soon so that I am one step closer to getting my license :)

Yay! Youth group is tonight, which is always fun and exciting! :) I am ever excited to go!

The trip is more than likely going to be in July, which I'm okay with because at least I still get to go! :) It sucks that the swine flu had to break out, but God had a reason for it.... It will make the July trip even more fun because of the anticipation! :) the suspense will build ;p


As you know this is my first blog so I am still trying to figure things out on it..... I am wanting to change the layout on my blog to something more interesting, but all I can get to work is the default blog layouts offered..... I also want to change the title to something more interesting, I am trying to figure out how to add pictures and things (to blog title/name) If you know please tell me how! :) It is greatly appreciated!!!!


That is about all for now, life is good! (eternal life is better ;p)
Everyone is just preparing for summer and all the fun that it will hold..... Jenna is anxiously waiting for the end of her 8th grade school year so she can be officially a highschooler! :p (where did time go? She was just being the boss of Pre-K yesterday.... good times ;p) I remember how I felt when I was in her spot (2yrs ago! yikes! ;p) it is an exciting yet scary time.... for you and your family ;p (trust me, you and your family are praying for your safety and innocence at this time ;p) I think she will do well in high school, like everything in life she will face hardships, but she will overcome them and come out a strong christian woman! I belive in her! :) She is a good little sister, it is just hard to watch her grow up so fast! Can't we ever just make time stop?! :P Oh well, I trust God that he has great plans for her! :)

~anissa

It is unfortunate.... I was just told that the Mexico trip was canceled.


They canceled the trip due to the Swine Flu epidemic. I wasn't afraid of getting the seine flu the problem was knowing if the borders would be shut down....

We didn't want to take the chance of going to Mexico and then getting stuck there because the spread of the swine flu. The trip is going to be postponed probably until July.....

God is good and he has a reason for canceling the trip and I trust that he will use me in some other way during the weekend. It is hard when I have my own plans, but god has others for me; I just have to trust him and go with whatever he decides for me to do.....


~anissa

I figured that I should post since I haven't in a while. I am preparing my heart, my mind, and my suitcase for the upcoming Mexico trip...

I am really excited about getting to go on the "bee a blessing" trip this year. I am trying to wait patiently for Friday to approach.....

It will be interesting to experience mission work for the first time, I am so Stoked! :p

I am getting to go with a great group of ladies who's hearts are al for God's work and glory, they are inspiring and I couldn't have asked for a better group! They really put everything they have into their work and I hope that I can do the same! :)

All else is going well, the school year has gone by way too fast and it still keeps going. Jenna is going to graduate middle school soon and Terisa is about to finish Kindergarten and Courtney is going to be a sophmore in college before we know it!!!! It has gone by crazy fast and it has been fun! I hope next year holds good surprises and Jenna enjoys the whole new world of highschool! :)

lates!
anissa

Easter this year was so much fun because I got to participate in something new to me! I got to teach Sunday school and share the love of God with children! I hope it impacted them in a big way because our savior gave up so much and he rose again, he saved us from ourselves! He did no wrong yet suffered on the cross for our sins, he was perfect and selfless, the kind of person I want to be!!! Who could ask for a better savior?!

I started off my day by going to church (which was packed!!!! :) and then I taught Sunday school, because God has blessed me enough to have the opportunity to share his love with others!!! :) Then the family went over to gma's house and had a delicious lunch and a fun Easter egg hunt! We all were happy and having an amazing and fun day! (just being able to celebrate Jesus rising from the grave is awesome!)

After all that excitement we went home and hung out for the rest of the day... I worked on things for the Mexico trip (excited!!!:) after I finished with that Terisa, Jenna, and I decided to have a water balloon fight in the back yard....(Terisa had gotten water balloons from gma)

We were all allowed to use 5 water balloons apiece and it turned into all of us being soaked and having a BLAST!!! (we were mostly soaked due to the hose....)




Later on, around 10:00pm Jenna and I were playing with the big lego blocks that Terisa has and I started to put them on our dog, Katie... She let me put a whole bunch on her 2 times without moving or pushing them off, I thought it was hilarious.... ;p




Over all it was an awesome Easter with lots of laughs and fun! Praise God for that! :)

~anissa

I am having a hard time when it comes to waiting to hear back from a possible employer, it can drive you crazy! I want to hear back from them and get the job, it is hard to be patient. I have applied all over the place and still haven't heard back...(exaggeration, it has been only a few days) Getting a job before you are officially 16 is difficult, but I am determined to keep my head up and keep trying! I know that God has a plan for me whether I know it or not! I trust him, sometimes I can't stand the wait!

All else is going well, still very excited about Easter this weekend! :) I am sure God is going to move in so many lives and make a real impact and difference!!! :)

~anissa

Yay! Yesterday I applied for my first job! I applied online to work at Raging Waters this summer.... I haven't heard anything back yet, but I am hopeful that I will get the job! :)

I went to the range today, which is always FUN! :) I got to "expand my horizons" by trying out new pistols and things, it ended up being a good day.... My shoulder kinda hurts now though... ;p

Not a lot else is going on, school is going well and so is everything else! :)

I am excited about my upcoming trip to Mexico with my church, I think it will be a lot of fun and a great learning experience! (I am going with the "be a blessing" group in our church, yes Sandy is going this year again :) It will be a great experience to serve others!

It is hard to believe that Easter is next week, but it is always an exciting time of year! I hope that the decision to make Christ a part of people's lives happens in a big way! It is great to know that someone else can share in our loving God's grace and mercy and can have a relationship with him!!!! :)

~anissa

The prank with my dad didn't work out because my mom didn't get home in time to pull it off....

I was going to have Sandy park dad's truck around the corner and pretend like she got a call form the police saying I got in an accident in his truck. I was going to go hang out at the library when this process happened, but Sandy didn't get home until 8:30 and I was at youth group by that point.

He decided to try to get me back for the pranks that I was able to pull on him...
He safety pinned my blanket to my bed thinking I wouldn't notice, it didn't work... but it did make him laugh, so he had his april fool's day fun ;p

A day specifically for all the sarcastic pranksters out there....hmmmm.... sounds like fun to me! ;p I decided to prank people this year, it made things interesting to come up with some of this stuff overnight....

I did a few mild pranks to start off the day this morning:
- I made ice in a bowl overnight and covered it with a little bit of cereal and gave it to Terisa, she claims that she is gonna get me back when she gets home from school...we'll see about that ;p
-I put plastic wrap across Jenna and Terisa's door frame after they went to bed last night, unfortunately Sandy found it at midnight... don't worry she didn't get hurt :)
- I took one of each of my dad's shoes last night and hid them around the house, he wasn't too happy this morning when he couldn't find them ;p
- I put a small piece of post-it note over the laser on my dad's computer mouse, I was going to do it to Sandy as well, but she had court today...
- I am going to get Jenna to play the "funnel game" ;p (it will be quite funny)
- The best prank is the one I planned for my dad...
- He has been paranoid about the big prank that I am going to do to him so he locks his bedroom door every time he leaves his room and is watching me very closely...
- i think he is frustrated because he can't figure out what I am going to do, which makes it all the more fun
- I will explain the prank in my next post, hopefully it works ;p (don't worry it isn't anything too bad!!)



I am excited because youth group is tonight as it is every Wednesday, but it is something I always look forward to! :)

~anissa

Hey!

Wow, my first blog..... I hope this blog interests you and makes you want to read more. I have come on a long journey the past year and it has been amazing how much God has moved in my life. He is awesome! I had emotional problems as well as family drama and I let it take over my life and God became less and less relevant and I was drowning in emotional pain... I turned my life around thanks to my wonderful parents cracking down on me, it really made me realize how much I am loved and cared about. Life is always going to hand you tough issues but by the power of God you can make it through! He stopped me from following the same destructive path that other family members have, he saved and changed me and I owe him EVERYTHING!! :) I am glad that I found the lord again and he is using me in so many ways and I hope he continues to do so! I love that he has given me the opportunity to share his word with others through Sunday school (5th grade rocks! ;p), youth group, home school, Sunday worship, and many other things.... He also provided me with a great support system of family and friends to help me through the good and the bad... Thank you guys! :) I don't know what I would do without you! I hope he continues to open more doors in my life so that I continue spreading his grace and love to those around me! :)

in HIM,
anissa