Semi-recent photos and semi-insights

I think I'm growing up. :o) Well, maybe a little bit...

Why? Cause I'm not afraid of being ordinary any more. It actually quite appeals to me...

I still want to make a difference. In the world, in people's lives, "for eternity", - but I no longer believe I have to be special or extraordinary to accomplish that. I guess being younger, I always wanted to know I was special. Smart, funny, verbal, crazy, curious, loud... anything but bland or vanilla. Anything but not offensive.

Today, I want to strive to be the following:
- Forgiving. Especially towards people dear to me that hurt me. I mean, really forgive them. Forgive without closing my heart and distancing myself. Forgiving by waiting. I've made so many mistakes myself. Honestly! I've lied, hurt, trash-talked, recented, patronized, judged... I'm a pale copy of the person God intended for me to be. But at least that insight makes me motivated to forgive! Really forgive.
- Humble.
- Honest.
- Patient.
- FEARLESS.

Yeah well... What can I say? I've had a crazy year. For a while there I thought I had completely lost myself. In pain, confusion, hurt and circumstances. I'm still struggelling, but I know God is in charge. Completely! I know his truths are unchangeable, regardless of feelings or circumstances. I know I gotta keep doing what is right; SAYING with is right, and he will come through for me. He has to. He promised it.

In the meantime, I'm going to be thankful. For my beautiful, wonderful, amazing family! :o) I am truly blessed.

More wedding photos...

Bec and Kane's wedding

All right.
I know it's been forever.
I'm a mother.
And a wife.
And I love Jesus.
So have mercy will ya'?

Here are finally some more Aussie pictures. From Phillip's youngest sisters wedding as a matter of fact. She was stunning... Enjoy.

Caleb up on his feet

I took these photos just a couple of days ago and I I know some of them are a bit blurry, but it's hard to catch him standing completely still! :o) Caleb looooves moving around. He pulls himself up, using chairs, tables, drums mummy bought backpacking in Africa thousands of years ago, his own bed... the oven! :o) Ah well, you know. Then he moves around, grabbing table legs, back to the chair and so on... He falls a lot though, which always is scary. But I guess they have to fall. Hundreds of times before they learn. Just like us, only we usually give up before we've accomplished what we set out to do.

Birthday pictures

I know it's been a while ago, but you only turn 32 once. :o) All these pictures are from that same day.

In the morning, Phil, Caleb and I went to the Mornington peninsula and in the evening my husband and I went out for that nice dinner I've already told you all about... With the Melbourne skyline as a backdrop. It was a good day.

Sudden deafness and thankfulness

Hello again...
Sweden has hit spring. Or spring has hit Sweden. It's refreshing. Gives a sensation of new beginnings...

The Close family is doing good. Australia was amazing but it was nice to come home to the structure we've spent a couple of years establishing now. Serving at church, loving on young people, meeting up with friends, enjoying our simple little home... We feel like we're in an exciting time of transition with a lot of changes coming about, and it's not just Caleb being able to stand up by himself. :o) I'll be able to tell you more later...

With the longing Phil and I have, to see God work and move and transform, an inevitable struggle follows. As if the devil can't predict God's next move, but is still so scared he'll try just about anything to knock you over. I've felt it. Parts of it has been tough. Fighting to not close your heart or nurture a silent, hurting unforgiveness. But to rather keep forgiving. Keep looking for the best in people. Keep letting God fight your battles...

I've been reading Hebrews lately, and the part where it says that even Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering, stands out. If HE had to learn obedience that way, who are we to think we can get away without it?! :o)

Finally I've been able to see a specialist about my left ear, that I haven't heard anything with since the end of November, - anything but a loud, really annoying ringing sound. The doctor gave me the diagnosis "sudden deafness", and said there isn't anything to do about it. It's a permanent damage for which there is no cure or prescription. Had the previous doctors that examined me, not concluded it was fluid behind the ear-drum, but instead referred me to a specialist, my hearing could have been saved. Not anymore however...

All the way home from the doctor, I was singing out loud:
"I found a love, greater than life itself,
I found a hope stronger and nothing compares,
I once was lost, now I'm alive in you!"

So, I'm half deaf.
So, my broken knee-caps has prevented me from running since I was in 5th grade.
None of it matters, because I'm alive in Jesus.
In him I've found a love that is greater than life and a hope that is stronger than everything.
It makes me want to shout of joy and thankfulness and humility!

Maybe God will heal both knees and ears while I'm still on this earth.
Maybe I'll have to wait until I'm in heaven for a new, healthy body.
Regardless: - Jesus is still on the throne!
God is still my redeemer, my hope, my joy, my healer, my provider and my king. No man, no sickness, no challenges or disappointments in life can ever change those facts. It remains untainted, uncompromised truth.

And I am so very blessed.
So very, very happy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I'm 32 years old. Thirtytwo. That sounds old, but I don't mind. We never feel as old as we are. Yesterday, when Phil and I were in the city, having the most amazing birthday-dinner by the Yarra River, not far from where he asked me to marry him, he looked at me across the table and said: "So, you're 32 now. You're 32 and I'm... what? 27?". "Honey," I replied, "you'll be 29 this year!". Ha, ha... It was funny, especially since I've always laughed at my dad's continuing reassurances that he honestly thinks he's still 25 on the inside. But I know what he means now, I think...

I had an amazing birthday-evening. The air was so warm, the skyline on the backdrop of a black sky was beautiful and I had my very first nice-dinner-expensive-restaurant-experience ever! We danced just outside the restaurant, to the music that was coming from the inside... and if that wouldn't have made you feel like you were in a movie, I don't know what would! :o) Maybe the diamond earrings my husband gave to me as a birthday-present... ;o)

Anna - 32

Phil's got a job!

I am very proud of my husband, for various reasons.
One is that he, in choosing to live in Sweden, not only had to give up his career as a professional musician and college teacher, but had to exchange it for washing dishes, wrapping boats in plastic (!) and carrying heavy sound-equipment. He went from being a sought after musician in Sydney, music-directing at Hillsong, to being a nobody on the music scene of Stockholm. I hold his character, his self-esteem, humility, maturity and sense of responsibility in the highest respect. I love him.

Almost every other day since coming to Australia he's been online trying to find a job back in Stockholm. He's applied for several and finally got a respons from an English speaking school in Stockholm! Based on references* and CV alone, they've decided to offer him a full-time position as a music teacher and "after-school-teacher". I am so proud of him. Not as much for landing this job as I am of him enduring all the months previous to it! We're arriving in Stockholm on a Friday, he starts work on Monday!

What is there to say other than God is a faithful, gracious, good God. The one and only. Now all we need is a place to stay and we'll be set! :o)


* Thank you Håkan!

News...

Caleb's got his first tooth! It just popped through a few days ago... I couldn't be more proud if he'd graduated from college!

I love Queensland

After having been in Australia for almost six months over the course of three years now, I've gotten to see some cool places. I think my favourite area of the country so far, is Queensland, all though I do love Sydney. I think I always will... Here are some cool pictures of Phil, Caleb and I discovering different parts of Queensland; Noosa, Montsville, Glasshouse-mountains, Brisbane, etc.

Sydney walkabout

We've been on a little mini-vacation, within the vacation again. :o) I feel so ridiculously spoiled to have this opportunity of just seeing amazing cities and doing fun stuff. Exploring, trekking, sun-bathing, swimming... We've had a great time. Here are some more photos of Sydney, where we've been again... Also got to go back to Hillsong for a few different services which has been yet another huge blessing. I love that church.

Valentines day in Sydney

I don't know if I've ever been much of a Valentines-day romantic... It all just seems so hyped. Like New Years Eve's parties or holiday's in Thailand. ;o) But this year; our third Valentine's as married, in a third country, we really had a great time. We had dinner by the ocean, Coogee beach Sydney. :o)