Surreal.

Written by Annie on December 11th, 2009

When I moved to Nashville, I had no plans. No idea with what to do with my days.

Except to cry and beg God to let me go home to Atlanta.

[That went well.]

But now I sit here, a writer. A nanny. An employee. A friend. And it’s crazy.

Jeremy, Annie, Kyle :: H-P team

Jeremy, Annie, Kyle :: H-P team

Most recent new title: Help Portrait Events Coordinator.

I know, I went all fancy on you. [Oh, and by the way, I made up that title. I mean, it really is my title, but I just created it and made everyone else deal. with. it.]

Anyways, here’s where things get surreal.

Wednesday, after we left the Fields Museum, I got a voicemail. From Chris at Relevant Magazine. Wanting to interview me about Help-Portrait.

[I died. In a good way.]

So please go with me to that moment.

I’m walking down the streets of Chicago. [I've never been there before 2009.]

In a serious snowstorm. [I grew up in Georgia. This is foreign to me.]

Walking with 2 of my dearest friends. [That I have met within the last 2 years.]

Doing an interview for Help Portrait. [That Jeremy just invented in his mind and I get to play along.]

With Relevant. [A magazine I HIGHLY esteem.]

And at one point, as my black jacket turned white with flakes, and I huffed and puffed down the streets of Chicago telling Chris about this amazing project, I just had to stop.

Because while I would have never planned for my life to look like this, God has again overshot my expectations.

By about 100,000 snowflakes.

And HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU. Just ask. That’s all I did- I asked for God to run my life and I asked Him to show me His love. And what He did for me, He will do for you.

I’m sure of it.

HERE is the article for Relevant.

And OMG HERE is an article I wrote for the ONE Campaign.

Can you believe that dorky macaroni-lovin’ AnnieBlogs got published on the ONE Campaign blog?!?

[I know. I died again. In a good way.]

27 Comments so far ↓

  1. Dec
    11
    1:42
    PM
    Southern Gal

    Yes, I can believe it.

  2. Dec
    11
    1:56
    PM
    Beth

    WOW, Annie, this is So awesome! And to think I had the blessing of sitting at the table with you in Bible Study!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Dec
    11
    2:12
    PM
    Treneka

    YAYNESS!! that is super awesome! I can believe it!

  4. Dec
    11
    2:28
    PM
    Deanna

    Congrats!!! How exciting for you AND H-P! God sure has a way of working things out, doesn’t he?

  5. Dec
    11
    2:41
    PM
    becky

    amazing annie! Loved reading this!

  6. Dec
    11
    3:06
    PM
    Bethany

    i am loving reading your blog! You’re precious! Talented! And so right on!!

  7. Dec
    11
    4:23
    PM
    Julianne

    Annie this was awesome. Thank you for posting it. Love you!

  8. Dec
    11
    5:28
    PM
    Victoria

    Lots of dying, huh? Christ died. In a good way. You did too…to yourself and that’s always a good way to die! You have me dying laughing at every turn and you get me crying too. I love your heart and your words and your sharing of the Truth! Off to read your business! =P

  9. Dec
    11
    6:33
    PM
    Lori Zimbardi

    Yeah for you Annie! I hope you remember all of the little people when you rule the world.

  10. Dec
    11
    6:45
    PM
    Lindsey Smith

    I just blogged about some of the same things. God is so good. He has exceeded my dreams time and time again. Thanks for sharing!

  11. Dec
    11
    7:54
    PM
    Kimberly

    So glad He’s blessing your socks off! Yay God and Annie!

  12. Dec
    12
    1:49
    AM
    holly

    a. i love chicago. love it. (but could never live there)
    b. i love snow and miss it badly (grew up in michigan)
    c. i love relevant magazine! woohoo!
    d. i love the whole help-portrait concept.
    e. i cannot wait until tomorrow (i should be in bed)
    f. i like lettered lists. sometimes. like now.

  13. Dec
    12
    9:27
    AM
    Chipper

    I’ve tweeted. I’ve Fbooked this bad puppy. AWESOME! And you look so happy in your picture. Mo doubly awesome!

  14. Dec
    12
    10:43
    PM
    Marla Taviano

    ANNIE! My hubby did HelpPortrait all day here in Columbus, OH. He got home awhile ago and showed me all his pictures and told me stories. WOW. WOW. WOW.

    So, then he’s watching a video clip of the news in Nashville, and all of a sudden, I’m all, “ANNIE! That’s ANNIE!”

    Anyway. Very cool. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you guys did/are doing. Thank you!!

  15. Dec
    13
    4:55
    AM
    Maureen

    Awesome! I actually put together a HP Tel Aviv this year, and it was awesome. Great Idea!!!!! Your work is definitely spreading….

  16. Dec
    13
    10:05
    AM
    tamara b

    Thank you so much for this…exactly what I needed to be reminded of this morning. So incredibly encouraged to see the way God is moving in your life…

  17. Dec
    13
    12:40
    PM
    grace

    good on you, annie dear. good on you. :) i prayed last night he would just continue to bless you. and i meant it.

    ps. are you short or is jco just that tall??

  18. Dec
    13
    3:07
    PM
    mandythompson

    I LOVE it when the People of God find themselves smack-dab in the middle of the amazing-ness that God has for them!!!

  19. Dec
    14
    3:42
    PM
    cyle lewis

    Annie,
    I really needed to read this today. My husband and I are really in a faith walk right now. I prayed the prayer and know that your blog was a kiss form heaven today!

  20. Dec
    15
    12:21
    AM
    Darla Baerg

    Annie-

    Just wanted to stop by and tell you that after I read your blog I booked Serendipity for my daughter and I. We got back last night and had THE most incredible time ever. And we went to Serendipity!!! So glad you turned me on to that. Off to blog about our trip … but I think it’s gonna to take about two weeks of posts to cover it!

    Merry Christmas!

  21. Dec
    15
    1:22
    PM
    Debs

    Wow, He never ceases….always amazes…ever good! I am so happy for you Annie…thanks for the encouragement! Living by faith and not by sight, nothin’ better!

  22. Dec
    15
    4:50
    PM
    ginny martyn

    LOVE that mag! Congrats!

  23. Dec
    16
    3:15
    PM
    kurt

    Wow, that looks really legit. And the promo video is stinking sweet. I’m sure it went well, and I’m excited for you!

  24. Dec
    16
    11:25
    PM
    Ashley

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful news! May God continue to bless you beyond your wildest imagination, and may you continually grow in Him.

  25. Dec
    17
    4:36
    PM
    Sarah Martin

    So proud of you girlfriend!

  26. Dec
    19
    12:35
    AM
    Sarah

    Thank you so much for sharing God’s Love and how He is working in your life, it is a blessing

  27. Dec
    20
    10:49
    PM
    Natalie

    Love this idea and LOVE that you have introduced me to this wonderful magazine! As a new blogger and relatively new Christian (well, about 8 years now – maybe not new…) I had no idea it existed. Thanks so much – what a great project!

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