Surreal.
Written by Annie on December 11th, 2009When 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
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.]





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Yes, I can believe it.
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WOW, Annie, this is So awesome! And to think I had the blessing of sitting at the table with you in Bible Study!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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YAYNESS!! that is super awesome! I can believe it!
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Congrats!!! How exciting for you AND H-P! God sure has a way of working things out, doesn’t he?
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amazing annie! Loved reading this!
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i am loving reading your blog! You’re precious! Talented! And so right on!!
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Annie this was awesome. Thank you for posting it. Love you!
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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
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Yeah for you Annie! I hope you remember all of the little people when you rule the world.
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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!
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So glad He’s blessing your socks off! Yay God and Annie!
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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.
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I’ve tweeted. I’ve Fbooked this bad puppy. AWESOME! And you look so happy in your picture. Mo doubly awesome!
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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!!
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Awesome! I actually put together a HP Tel Aviv this year, and it was awesome. Great Idea!!!!! Your work is definitely spreading….
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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…
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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??
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I LOVE it when the People of God find themselves smack-dab in the middle of the amazing-ness that God has for them!!!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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LOVE that mag! Congrats!
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Wow, that looks really legit. And the promo video is stinking sweet. I’m sure it went well, and I’m excited for you!
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful news! May God continue to bless you beyond your wildest imagination, and may you continually grow in Him.
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So proud of you girlfriend!
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Thank you so much for sharing God’s Love and how He is working in your life, it is a blessing
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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!