Do for 1 What You Wish You Could Do for 100

"Who You Become is Determined by How You PRAY."-Circle Maker

So I need to take back the words I said in an earlier post... Now I wasn't telling a story when I said "Life is HECTIC" but I had no idea how non-hectic my life was, compared to TODAY! 

Ever feel like your To-Do List keeps growing faster than you can check things off the list?

BAMM.. That's where I am today.

Boy, I had NO IDEA how many details there are to pulling off a wedding!

In the midst of feeling overwhelmed, I've become so extremely grateful for my family and the company of good friends who remind me of the importance of this union. It's not about the flower arrangements, the color scheme, or the weather that day...

September 20th, 2014 - (Yeah that's right.. WE SET THE DATE!) is about only one thing. Proclaiming the love of God to everyone we know, by promising with all our hearts: to care and support one another till the end of our days... To love one another selflessly, lifting the other up to stay strong in our faith.

Gosh, I'm so overwhelmed (in an VERY good way!) by just HOW GOOD God is... That He would make someone so wonderful, for someone like me.

I'm reading several books simultaneously right now, on top of the mountain of other things going on, that are helping me build a more solid foundation as I prepare my heart for this next year:

1. "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas 

This book is centered around this one question : "What if God designed Marriage to make us Holy more than to make us Happy?" Sometimes we get swept up in the whole "Romantical" part of being married that we get a blurred depiction of the real reason God gave us marriage.. I'm only two chapters in, but I can already this book is going to be GOOD!

2. "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson

This book is helping me to understand the importance of intentional prayer. I started this post off with just one of the MANY awesome quotes from this book.. "Who You Become is Determined by How You Pray." 

What a convicting message! 

How do you pray? I know personally I kind of use the sandwich system when praying.. 

I say thanks for things going on in my life right now, I talk with God about my concerns, I pray for Jordan and then I sandwich the whole thing by saying either "I love you Lord & help me do what you want me to do today" or "help me get some rest and get ready for what's in store for tomorrow". 

While there really isn't anything wrong with this prayer style, its not INTENTIONAL... I'm not being BOLD with my prayers. 

Another awesome quote from this book:

"Bold prayers Honor God, and God Honors BOLD prayers."

There is nothing God loves more than keeping promises, answering prayers, performing miracles and fulfilling DREAMS.

God is for you, not against you. Let me say that again.. 

God is FOR YOU, NOT against You!

Let's plan on working on two things next week:

1. Share with God your Thanksgivings AND your Biggest Dreams. 

Tell Him your heart's desires and ASK for them to come about..not for your glory but for His. That you can turn around and share that Good News with others, "Hey look what's happening in my life! I asked God for this to come about and He DID IT!" 

2. Define the Foundation on which You are Building Your Relationships.

Are you making the most of the time with you friends and family? Are you telling those you love just HOW MUCH you love them, and as often as you can? Guys, life is short and there isn't time to lose. Set aside the To-Do Lists and pick up the phone and tell someone that you might not have told in awhile how much you appreciate them in your life. Get in your car and drive to meet a loved one that you may have lost connection with for whatever reason and tell them how much they mean to you.. that you're ready to break down the barrier and start something new.

I know that I've not been so intentional these past few years with my time with friends and loved ones. I've let life and all the hectic-ness that comes with it get in the way. I'm making that a personal goal to not let the stresses of life, wedding planning, To-Do lists get in the way of telling someone on a daily basis how much I need them in my life, how much I want them in my life, how much I love them.

How uplifted would our spirits be if we just took those couple of minutes every day to send that message of love and support to someone else? And think about the impact it would make on their life as well.

Christ showed us the greatest example of love the world has ever known by enduring the cross. He laid down His life for the sake of all. 

This quote has really impacted me this week and might be something good to remember and keep on your heart:

"Do for 1, what you wish you could do for 100." 

That number may be 100, or 1000, or one million..

Make a difference in one life what you wish you could do for so many!

Father, Help us to be intentional with our time in this life. Help us to not take for granted the time we have to share love with friends, family and even strangers. It is through love that we can truly become closer to You because we know Father, that You ARE Love. Thank you for our many blessings and help us to not be fearful of sharing our hearts desires and biggest dreams with You. We sometimes forget just how mighty You are Lord, and how so desperately You want a relationship with us. Let us be BOLD with our prayers and the relationships we have here on Earth. We love you Lord. -Amen

Start praying BOLD prayers and keep on doing good, friends.

Until next time,

#futuremrsbell :)

We Are Sponsoring A Child!!!

"He said Freely, Freely, You Have Received. Freely, Freely Give.. Go in Thy Name and Because you Believe, Others Will Know That I LIVE!" 
-Lyrics from "Freely, Freely"

First order of business. HAPPY FRIDAY!! I don't know about y'all, but I get even more excited about the weekends after working a full week. 

Knowing that I have some hours of free time to be with my man AND being able to work on all things WEDDING gets this girl excited :)

Second order of business. I've got the MOST exciting new to tell you..

Jordan and I want to introduce you to the PRECIOUS new addition to our lives. I've been praying about this for some time now. Back in my unemployment days, I made a pack with God..

 'If you supply with me a job and the monetary means, I will take any extra funds I have to give back for Your glory.'

He supplied and I haven't forgotten.

Meet UDESH! 

He is our precious baby from Sri Lanka that we have decided to support and love on through World Vision.. an INCREDIBLE organization that internationally helps children in need and the communities that they live in!

We honestly can't wait to see how God is going to move between the two of us.

Just like the song I mentioned earlier.. We have been given the ULTIMATE gift of eternal life for FREE. Our Father only asks that we ACCEPT Jesus as our Lord and Savior, allowing Him to come into our hearts...making us die of our old sinful ways.. And become new in Him! Then GIVE that same blessing to someone else.

Luke 6:38 NLT "Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full [...] The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

I don't know about you, but that verse sent me into conviction overload. 
I honestly can't even remember the last time I genuinely gave back to another human being without asking anything in return. 

What better time than now to shake off my self-centered ways?! 

I mean, after next year I'm no longer going to be just Anna Ellingburg. I'm going to join with Jordan in one of the most beautiful gifts God gives to His children. 

Two sinners, dying to themselves to become ONE.

Nope.. no room for selfish, self-centeredness there. 

GOSH, I've got chill bumps just thinking about it!!!! YAYY!!!

Jordan and I spent some time looking through all the precious children (and by "all" I mean there are A LOT of babies needing love) that the LifeWay Christian Bookstore had available at the counter, but this little guy stood out to us. 

He immediately tugged at our heart strings.. 

You might even say it was "love at first sight"!

Udesh is 1 years old right now... But you can see we don't have too long to go before we get to celebrate his 2nd birthday with him! He doesn't have any brothers or sisters, and like I was saying earlier, lives in Sri Lanka. 

Still not sure exactly where he lives in Sri Lanka yet, but we'll be getting a FULL Welcome Kit in the mail very soon learning more about our little boy!

The awesome thing about sponsoring a child through World Vision is that we get to interact with Udesh as much as we want.. letters, pictures, lightweight gifts.. we can do it all!! We just give the gift of $35 dollars a month.. $35 dollars to help feed and support him and his community!! 

Part of our money gets tied in with all the other families/people out there that are supporting a child in/near his town in Sri Lanka and the other part goes right to him!

They do everything from giving him the necessary health and hygiene support he needs, to getting him in school, to sharing the hope and joy of Jesus with him and his family!

Can you tell just how THRILLED we are?!

GOD IS GOOD. 

Can I get an Amen?! haha.

Just had to share the awesome news. Be praying for our special little one, that the Lord may help us reach out to him and give him the guidance he needs to one day understand just how much his Heavenly Father loves him.

Thank you Father for providing us with the monetary means to help this sweet sweet child. Lord, you always provide whatever we need, all in Your timing. Help us to not fall short in providing little Udesh the love and support he needs, from all the way across the world, to know You more! Continue to be with us as we get our hearts and minds ready for all the exciting changes to come in this next year and may all the glory and honor be yours! -Amen

If you feel like this might be on your heart, to help a child in need, I totally encourage you to pray about it and make sure this is a commitment you are ready for. And as always, reach out to me with any questions you may have or prayer requests.. ae.ellingburg@gmail.com

Until next time :)

- #futuremrsbell

LONG OVERDUE!

Psalms 30:11-12 "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!"

What truth is in this scripture! I CANNOT be silent!

Friends, this post is LONG overdue! SO very much has been going on in these past two weeks and I can't believe it has taken me this long to sit down and share it all with you.

The last time we talked was during my first few days of work! Gosh how things have changed..

What an exciting/scary time my first week was...

 I was overwhelmed by the fear of change, but the Lord always provides y'all. He put me in the company and comfort of good friends who gave me guidance and courage! And ironically that fear also gave me the opportunity to encourage a friend with her fears of starting a new job.

Totally God working in our lives, bringing us back together again after several years of being apart! Glory to Him!

AND THEN..... 

In the midst of all this change and nervousness of a new job... BAMM!!! 

Jordan PROPOSED Y'ALL!!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!

The love of my life created this ring just for me! 

He took time to design the intricate details,

to choose the perfect cut diamond, to engrave his words of love on the inside..

All for ME!

I've got big ole HAPPY crocodile tears in my eyes as I'm typing this. 

God is SOOO GOOD!

If I've learned anything from this past season of walking and listening to Him, it is to TRUST wholeheartedly in His timing!!! He is such a loving Father who wants nothing more than for us to love Him and be happy! He'll give you the desires of your heart ALL IN HIS TIME.

I can't wait to spill my guts and talk ALL about the proposal.. Currently making a video of the proposal, engagement dinner and, what we called our, "Mini Moon"!! 

"Mini Moon" Definition: **He ROMANTICALLY whisked me away to a Celebration Vacation with his family to Destin! (ahhhhhh!! still screaming like a little girl...) 

Details to come ;)

Oh yeah...AND I'm creating our wedding website! So much to do!

In the mean time... Here are a few pictures until I get on the ball...

LET THE WEDDING FESTIVITIES BEGIN!!

Flowers Before my Prince Charming
Picked me Up!

At Dinner with My Ring!

Posing at Jessica & Jeff's GORGEOUS wedding in Natchez, MS!
First time I was introduced as his Fiancé.. Loving the sound of that!

I'm telling you I could not quit staring at it!
Ahhh! Jordan Did Good!!

The Love of My Life!
Song of Solomon 3:4 I have found the one whom my soul loves.

Father, Thank you for this joyous time in my life! You've given me the clearest picture of how perfect your timing is Lord, and I am so thankful you made this incredible man just for me! I pray that you prepare our hearts for all the special moments to come and that You be at the very center of our union. Father, please help those who don't understand Your timing by giving them peace and understanding. Help us to be a friend to those who are hurting and love one another just as You love us! We thank you for all our many, many blessings! -Amen.

Until next time :)

#futuremrsbell