This Season…

I feel like I just ran a race.

This race was something that I had trained for, waited for, wanted, but had somehow been indecisive about.  It challenged me in countless ways, grew me in many others and left me wondering how on earth I had gotten so far.

I’m smiling as I type this- and if you only knew how true that analogy is you’d smile too.

How on earth did I get here?

This last semester was my last and final semester of college.  Ever.  I student taught at a middle school outside of Mobile, Alabama.  I taught World History to 130 8th graders, and my experiences there were nothing short of a gift.  Each and every one of those kids rocked my world.  And I mean that.  I really do– every one of those kids has a name, and a story.  Their purpose and potential left me speechless, inspired, and abounding in joy.  Being able to teach and grow with them for a semester was one of those things you write on your bucket list, simply to check it off.  It was a gift I never asked for, but readily received, an experience I didn’t know would thrill and change me- but it did so in more ways than I can fathom.

In the midst of teaching five days a week, weekends were filled to the brim with another passion- photography.  Almost every weekend I left Mobile, Alabama and traveled to a Wedding, Engagement Session, or photo shoot for Anna Filly Photography.  It was on these trips that I fell in love with the Audible App, purchased countless new albums on iTunes, prayed things that only God will ever know about, and dreamed big dreams on big interstates about big things.  It amazes me how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it.  Had it not been for those countless hours in the car I wouldn’t have been able to process, pray and ponder about so many things.  Every weekend challenged me to be a better photographer, and an even better person.  I also walked away from every weekend totally amazed at the incredible clients I get to photograph memories for.  I’m so in awe about what I am blessed to do.

Somehow, in the midst of life, the Lord placed me right in the center of opportunity and invited me to take it.  If you haven’t noticed the countless instagram posts, and Facebook shares, I am now a part of an incredible ministry called Delight.  Delight is an amazing ministry whose main focus is to grow, disciple & inspire young women to use their creative passions to glorify Jesus.  It’s a place where intentionality and authenticity are cultivated- not shunned or rebuked.  I literally can’t tell you how much my heart beats for the purpose and passion this ministry possesses.  And the best part?  The Lord has allowed me to not only be a part of this ministry, but lead and write for it.  And in January, I’m flying out to Washington State to see what else the Lord has in store for my heart and this ministry.  The Lord knows what he’s doing, and I’m in awe.

Between teaching and traveling I found consistent community with a group of college students every week.  Not being physically at college it was rare for me to spend time with big groups of people my age.  Until I did.  Every Wednesday a group of us meets to fellowship, grow and dig deeper.  This college community group was another gift I didn’t know I needed.  Every week I left feeling stripped, and refreshed at the same time.  There is a special authenticity within the hearts of those people.  I am ever grateful that I got to, and will continue to get to do life with them.

There are so many other things that have happened.  Tiny, wonderful things that were saturated in significance and are now hanging to dry on the clothes line of my heart.  There were hard things.  Things that broke me, pulled me, challenged me and left me thankful that the things of this world aren’t eternal.  There were moments in busy shopping centers and public places where I just stopped what I was doing and watched, hoping that someone would grab my shoulders and say: “You were created for this, don’t lose hope!”.  There were conversations in restaurants that I’ll cherish forever and a day.  Good conversation and even greater company are two of my most favorite things.  There were moments when I thanked the Lord for not answering my prayers, and other moments when I wondered why he allowed the pieces to fall the way they did.  But, regardless of situation or circumstance he reminded me that he is the only thing that will forever be constant and steady in my life.

So here I sit, waiting for a flight to take me home.  Mulling, thinking, praying, dreaming.  Christmas music is romancing me in the background as people push past each other to arrive at their gates.  It’s as if we all agree, everyone is ready to be home.  Airports are incredible places, aren’t they?  People from all across the world are in the same location, ready to adventure to other parts of the world….

Where ever you are today, dear heart, know that you were created for big things.  Those big things may dress themselves up as tiny, seemingly insignificant things- but that’s the point. The biggest things, are the things we are so easy to overlook.

Don’t overlook.

See.

xo

AnnaFilly