All my typed words are being contributed to a little 10 pager for grad school called “SCHOOL CASE STUDY”. Yes, it is as boring as it sounds.

I got the pics from last weekend to show you, though they seem a little anti-climatic since LSU just got beat by Kentucky. How in the world did THAT happen? I’m telling you, I love me some Falcons, but my college football heart is increasing in size each week. Any given Sunday my foot! Tell that to USC and LSU- I think they would say “any given Saturday ….. we could end up crying ourselves to sleep”.

None the less, I’ve promised my blogmies photos, so I can not withhold them. The first one is the result of this bet- “Hey Chad, if your LSU tigers beat Florida, will you jump off the dock in the middle of the night even though it is pitch black and freezing cold?”

Heck yes he will. Then …..well …. we only grabbed one towel, partly on accident. Jarrett doesn’t mind.

But I’ll be honest, it hurts me to put this one up after today’s loss. I promise I’m not trying to be mean, Chad! Have you SEEN the Georgia Bulldogs lately? Direct quote that I heard on the TV today during the LSU/UK game- “Georgia seems to be the SEC disappointment of the year.” You cut me deep, broadcaster. What next? You gonna talk trash about Tea and Traditions? That’s personal, broseph. Football and tea. My school and my mama. Don’t go there.

In all seriousness (we’ll see how long this lasts after a 10 page paper without one joke), I do want to take some time to talk about the fine folks who retreated to the lake house last weekend. I’ve had a very lucky life- I’ve had a good number of friends, great family, and minimal bodily injuries. But I have NEVER had community like this. I’ve never felt like I was a part of a group of people that chose in their hearts to make a commitment to me and each other- to take care of, love, and depend on each other. We get together every Sunday morning, each a little breakfast, worship, talk, and pray. A few months ago we read the book “Celebration of Discipline”. It was like the road map of what God wanted to do in our group. And everyone embraced it, ran with it, and it has deepened us and transformed us and called us farther. As individuals, as families, as a group.

A few of the couples have kids, the rest will eventually, and as we sat together last weekend, I just got this image in my mind. 10 years down the road. The house is covered head to toe in kids. And we all raise them. (Not like a combine. We ain’t freaky.) But like this- my kids don’t know life without these other families in it. Misti’s sons jump on Brandon’s back as quick as they jump on Chad’s. I take a picture of Jarrett gently holding my son and smiling. I cry at Kate‘s graduation and then pass Molly a tissue. And neither of us are Kate’s mama. It’s an investment thing. I want to invest in these families. They don’t quit investing in me. Praying for me. Loving me.

Call it whatever you want. Breakfast Club. Bible Study. Cell Group. Whatever. I just know I’m a better Annie because of it. Because of them.

I promise a weekend recap blog is coming. The people deserve nothing less. And you deserve to see Chad Ellis jumping off the dock at 12:10am after LSU’s victory.

I’m just very busy these last few days. And will be until tomorrow- hoping to blog tomorrow night.

If you get a chance, pray for me- some “real” writing opportunities have popped up and I’m asking the Lord which ones to take.

(Don’t be offended like my bloggites aren’t real- by “real”, I mean “paying” versus blogging where the currency is comments)

Ok, fine. I can’t resist giving you a weekend photo- to whet your appetite. (And yes, “whet” is the right spelling there- I checked)

I have no idea how Jarrett got up there, but I’m glad Jeff was able to get him down.

You are SO lucky that the photo part of my camera broke temporarily. Because that means I took video footage instead.

That’s right. You go, Molly.

And what distracts a super baby from crawling at warp speed? Water spots on a dock. Duh.

Jarrett, the Prince of BATL returned to reign on his rightful throne. Only this time, he’s faster, cuter, and braver. Just what this kingdom needs.

More good times, good words, and some cute pics (it worked for a minute) to come.

Thank you, Mama and Daddy, for letting us go to the lake. We had a blast.

Journals are more than just bound paper. They sort of have a personality of their own. When I come within 20 pages of the end of the one I am in currently, I go on a mission. Because even though 20 pages could last 20 days …. cough cough 40 days cough ….. it’s not something I’m willing to risk not having. And I’m very picky. It has to be the right size- not big like a notebook, but bigger than an address book. Spiral bound, none of this “real binding” business. Lines or not? That is the question. And it depends on my mood. Don’t be shocked about that.

So this spring, when I was only about 1/2 way through my post-Ghana journal (seen here), I went to Barnes & Noble. Just cause I do. I love that place in a deep way. That’s a whole nuther blog. (And if you don’t know the word “nuther”, we probably don’t live in the same region of the United States.)

Anyways, the journals were on sale. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY FIRST SIGN. I saw one that I loved for Ashley Ward (who comes home tomorrow from India!!) and then I saw one that I loved for Marie Claire. You can see it here. I’ve never been a big fan of red (unless paired with black), and that thought did cross my mind, but I dismissed it. I loved that one page was lined and the next was not. So I grabbed one for Marie ….. and one for myself. Sue me.

Well, I finally got to start writing in it after returning from Scotland. I was eager, yet at the back of my mind was this nagging feeling that this journal was a bad one. Two entries in I knew it was a dud. I didn’t like the handwriting I was using, I didn’t particularly like the “season” I was in, so that led me to write things that made me mad. I wasn’t drawn to writing in it. I couldn’t see myself referring back to it down the road for encouragement or wisdom or good scripture. I felt guilty every time I looked over at it, realizing I should probably be writing more. A guilty journal is a bad journal, people. And you can take that to the bank.

Alas, last night, after 60 days of the journal and only four entries, I let it go. I started to write in it, hoping to resurrect what my heart knew was already dead. Three paragraphs in, I knew. It’s a goner.

I don’t totally blame you, B&N journal. I never did. To be honest, it wasn’t you. It was me.

But, losing a journal mid-entry like that, when I’m feeling motivated to return to it, can be unfortunate. What am I to write in? And then I saw it. Sitting across the room, waiting patiently. A journal I received as a gift from the bride whose wedding I was in back in July. I knew it was right. It was just right.

For a transition.
For a growth spurt.
For a change.
For a turning of the tide.
For a reconnect.
For a blessing.
For a chance.
For a reminder……

Psalm 34:1-10

I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.