In the whirlwind

I know I know....you're going to wonder why in the world I'm blogging at a time like this.
This is definitely one of the busiest weeks of my semester! Good busy.
Maybe too much good busy though.
Anyways, I just scarfed down some macaroni cheese and a pickle.
Don't judge.
Now I'm off to choir, then ceramics, and then it will be time to hit the books!

Mhmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Breathing in and out,
Aanna

The Unexpectedness of Mondays

Today I had one of the coolest opportunities...

Dordt has a business consultant profiling students for our public relation funding currently and I have had the honor of being her photography assistant.

I learned how to think fast and innovatively, take charge, and be efficient in my portrait photography.

However, I also was in the ideal environment to have journalism experience. A huge part of the profiling is interview...watching the consultant interview, interact, and extract the story was huge for me.

Amazing confirmation that I love what I'm doing here at Dordt.

On another note...

I've been thinking about selfless love a lot--I know, I know, drastic shift. Bear with me.

Something that hit me was that the hardest part about selfless love is that in doing so, you give up the right to ask for it in return. Last year I asked God to teach me what it meant to love with a selfless Christlike love...and man oh man, He's definitely given me opportunities to learn. It might be trial and error...but the things I have learned will last me for my whole lifetime. It's a constant growing process--one that takes a soft and surrendering heart with each new morning.

I've noticed that the hardest part for me is the lack of reciprocation. What do I do when I'm pouring Christ's love out and not getting any in return? Placing my security, comfort, and strength in God will result in a fill that will never be drained. There's some days when I'm so focused on Christ and what He is doing in my life and the lives around me that I feel as though I can't pour out fast enough--it's simply the overflow of what God is pouring into me! Sometimes the hardest part is knowing how to place all of our insecurities, worth, and desires in our Savior.

I'm going to end this with a challenge; a challenge as much for me as for you:

Throughout your day, ask yourself "What does Christ's love look like in this situation?" Be quiet for a while, and God might reveal it to you.

As Christians, we are blessed to be a blessing.

Peace.

Golden Opportunities...

So many wonderful opportunities...

People ask me what my major at Dordt is. From what the majority of my time is spent on, people would immediately say photography. This year has provided so many chances to put my photo passion to work and, in turn, I'm learning sooo much.

I'm working for the advancement office/year book. It's great.
I get paid for going to basketball games. Can't complain. ;)

I'm also working for the school newspaper as a photographer and staff writer...after adding a jounrnalism minor my Junior year, I thought it best to get as much experience in as possible. It's been a huge learning experience...let's just say my goal of challenging myself more than the previous college years has definitely been accomplished!

In the past 3 weekends I've had 1-3 photoshoots whether it's for a jazz band concert, play dress rehearsal, or senior photos. Right now I'm swamped with over 1,500 photos to edit.... shh..don't tell.

This photo was taken at my 2nd Sioux Center home, the Fruited Plain, with my cousin Elisabeth. She came down last weekend to visit and get her senior photos done. It was a spectacular time filled with laughs, pictures, and brownies topped with fudge and ice cream.

Life is good. Eternal life is better.

Don't forget to thank God for your blessings today!

Just Be.

So many sounds, smells, sites, and not to mention thoughts surrounding me on all sides. The Fruited Plain is a quaint coffee shop/winery and attracts the biggest variety of people.
Whether it's the people sitting in the corner discovering new rubic cube solving tactics, high heeled and straight haired women enjoying their wine and night out, or simply a run down college student like me with their hair half up and a water bottle by their side frantically doing homework...it's sure to be a good time
--if not only good means for people-watching.

I'm hurriedly typing away on my computer in order to finish my paper due before break starts tomorrow. It's only a short 2-day plus weekend break, yet I feel as though it's Christmas Eve.

Reality has hit. I haven't lived in my house I call home for longer than a 6 week period since highschool. As the years have passed since then, my appreciate for family has grown--my heart aches to just Be. To be with the ones I've experienced life with--the ones who know me best. Perhaps writing my essay on home in the previously mentioned writing class has spurred these thoughts. I've realized that my home is not limited to a physical structure.

If home is where the heart is.

Well.
My family is my home.