october 1st

I woke up this morning and had this great feeling. That feeling of waking up on a december morning after the winter air had invaded your room overnight. It's cold but you like it, and you head downstairs following your nose to the kitchen where your mom had started fixing breakfast - coffee cake and eggs and bacon. Then you go snuggle into the sofa with your coffee mug warming your hands and your heart, listening to the crackle of the fire, and it's not until then that you realize it's Christmas day.

So maybe I woke up today and realized that I wasn't at home on Christmas day in my comfy bed with bacon on the stove downstairs and coffee waiting to be sipped on. Instead I was in a dorm room. But I found that instead of disappointment, I felt contentment. I swung my legs over my lofted bed, fixed a bowl of cereal, put Nat King Cole on the Crosley, and settled into my hammock. Molly and I decided that because it was October, it was now officially fall and the season of holidays. Which is the best time of the year. And the reason I felt so content this morning is because I have decided my favorite part of my everyday routine is waking up in the room, feeling at peace with no cares in the world. There is absolutely no feeling of being rushed... we eat, drink coffee, read, journal, have a quiet time, and listen to the record of choice for the morning. Not a bad way to start the day.

This morning, I opened the book "Bittersweet" by Shawna Niequest, and sure enough, the chapter is called 'love song for fall.' She talks about pumpkins and changing leaves and moving forward as seasons change. She elaborates on how we were made to create and how it makes us feel whole and alive. She notes that there really is no need for another artist in the world, but then interjects, saying that the world may not need another painter or musician, but you might. Sometimes it is so easy to put aside your craft - whatever it may be - and just do mindless work: clean the kitchen, do your laundry (read my accounting book...). But as an artist, sometimes you just have to set that stuff aside and focus on your craft. Get off your butt, get off that wifi you're stealing from your neighbor, and create.

Sometimes all we need is someone who is pursuing their own art to be right there beside us for that boost of creative energy. Shawna talks about going to a coffeeshop to meet a friend, and while they don't talk much, they both know they're there for each others encouragement. That being said, I think the best friends you can have are those whom you can share silence with and not feel awkward, but at peace. And while Shawna focuses on honing your craft, your innate drive to create, there's also something to be said for enjoying those artistic endeavors of others - music, literature, paintings - whatever they may be. One of the greatest artistic endeavors I marvel at is the world that was created for us to live in.

While this morning could not be better as of yet, the plan for tomorrow morning involves a walk to a coffeeshop, the outdoors (tis the season), and Harry Potter. Oh, yeah.

love,
anne

hipster faith

I'm guessing that if anyone reads this blog, they know I go to Belmont, and if they've talked to me about school, they know a thing or two about how it's slightly different from your average American university... We don't have a football team. If you don't play an instrument, you're in the minority, because we 'do' music here. Guys roam the campus in brand-name skinny jeans and v-necks with their hairs all did up (nothing wrong with that, just different). All of this is to say that Belmont is, when it comes down to it, a 'hipster' school, or at least the hipster factor makes up a large majority (but we do have a whopping three sororities!).

The other day I was looking on google images for a potential computer background photo of Sufjan. Instead, I came across this article. It's all about the new 'Hipster Faith' that has emerged... everything in this article describes Belmont (and myself, to be honest) to a tee. The reason I came across this article in the first place is because it mentions the popularity of musical artists like Sufjan among our generation. And while it points out the good things about our generation and how we live out our faith, it points out what needs to be fixed as well. It's a good read, it's relevant, and it's where my mind is at, so I thought I'd share it with anyone and everyone.

Love,
Anntie Anne

P.S. I'm on facebook & twitter hiatus right now (indefinitely)... so please stay in touch through things like this blog or phone calls or talking in person (preferable the last option, unless you don't live in Nashville).

gimme s'more

I've been trying to think of something to post about for the past couple of weeks but haven't found myself in the 'mood' to blog - not to mention that I couldn't really think of something worthwhile to share. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of events and emotions, chill time and non-chill hyper time, lots of coffee & cereal, hours spent hammocking (in my room), with lots of attempts (some successful, some not) at music making, and the whole "oh yeah I'm in college to get an education, but what am I really going to do with my life?"

I have no idea. And the stress of not knowing what the future holds seems to be on the minds of everyone I know here at Belmont... it's something everyone has - that whole "mid-college life crisis" thing. Today my dad came in town and asked me how things are going, jokingly adding the "You aren't in the sophomore slump, are you?" I didn't even give myself time to think of the question before I answered... immediately I began to list of things I was involved in to prove that I was spending my time wisely, even though I really have no idea what spending time "wisely" entails. Is it more important to cram for that test the next day, or spend time with the friends who will last you a lifetime instead of 3 credit hours one random semester? How about that movie at the Belcourt? Waste of time?

I think the conclusion that is beginning to take form in my mind is this... college is another four years of your life you get to spend "growing up" (as they say). Does anyone really go to it for the diploma? High school is a pre-mature version of college, as you still live with your parents. You go off to college - and life never seems as exciting as it does your freshman year. Everything and everyone is new (at least in my case where I ran off ten hours from home to a small private school), and you get to do whatever you want. Cafe Coco at 12 AM? Hell yeah.

Now that it's sophomore year, you've got everything down. Not so fresh like freshman year. Now that I'm knee-deep in college waters, I'd like to think I'm ready for more intentional conversations - meaning what you say, and saying things that have meaning... past the shallow get to know you's and small talk. Putting the "s'more" in the word "sophomore," instead of letting it become a slump.

Belmont has encouraged us to "Live a Better Story" this year. A couple weeks ago, Donald Miller (author of Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years) spoke to the student body and everyone at the event was given an envelope with either a $5, $10, or $20 bill with the reminder that it was (and is) God's money. With the money was a short Bible study and instructions to multiply the money in some way to "Live a Better Story." Do I have any idea what I'm going to do? Nope. But I'm excited for this opportunity... what a cool way for Belmont to encourage the student body to be serve.

Right now, I'm feeling my feet drag a bit. I want to serve, but I don't know how, or when, or in what capacity it will be... I want to have more intentional conversations but find myself caught up in the drama of the day even when I don't want to be. It's okay. That's life. But the goal of this year? Live a better story... The encouragement? "Shun the cravings of youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, peace and love along with those who all on the Lord with a pure heart."

love,
anne

back in nash

I've been back in Nash for a week and life has been different. Ain't in Branson or Dallas anymore. It almost feels like I never left, but at the same time, I find myself walking around campus seeing 1,400 new little freshman faces, not eating at the caf half as much, and living in a new dorm without blood on the shower curtains.

Besides that, there's not really much to report on. Getting back into the groove. When I have something interesting to write about, I'll come back...

anne

kanakuk: part 2

Let's just say that going back to be a counselor was one of the best decisions I made.

Those who know me well can tell you that I hate babysitting. After a couple of bad experiences (one of them involving the kids shooting me with air-soft guns), I quit trying that whole "taking care of kids" thing. That being said, I was a bit nervous that being a counselor would be like babysitting... it wasn't.

I had Cabin 13 - aka Excellent Deal - aka the oldest two-weekers in camp - aka 12 and 13 year olds. My co-counselor was none other than Michaela Prince (a veteran counselor that I had heard nothing but fabulous things about).

If the job description for being a counselor had to be reduced to three adjectives, those three adjectives would be fun, exhausting, and worthwhile. That was my experience to the tee.

The twelve girls in my cabin were spectacular and my co-counselor showed me what it takes to be a counselor by setting a great example. We all had fun, but we also got serious at devos and tuck-ins. And while kamp is for the kids, working at kamp, whether you're an office girl, photographer, maintenance man, or counselor, is always just as beneficial for you. I learned a ton not only through the Matthew Bible study, but also via my girls, via late nights and early mornings, and via all the staff that surrounded me. And I had a blast!

Callie, my Bible Study leader, mentioned Psalm 16:11 in my final evaluation and it really hit home with me:

You make known to me the path of life;
In your presence is fullness of joy;
At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

As I head back to school, my prayer is to not only remember that verse, but continue living life as Paul advised Timothy to:

Shun the cravings of youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, peace, and love along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.

The girls in my cabin were striving to live out that verse. When I finally had the chance to crawl into bed late at night, I would look around and see flashlights glowing on the pages of Bibles. Left and right girls were serving our cabin in the dining hall or comforting others when they weren't feeling well or were feeling homesick. Not only do I miss their pure hearts, but I miss sweating myself to sleep, helping them make their beds for honor cabin, being a proud parent when they performed in their plays, and watching them do improv skits. Thanks for sending your kids to kamp, parents... I had the best cabin a 19-year-old college kid could ask for!

BML.
Anne

P.S. My level of maturity has returned to that of my 12-year-old self. I don't mind.

back to branson

Tomorrow I leave to go back to Branson. I'm stopping in Tulsa halfway to spend the night with a friend I met at kamp in June (and future amazing race partner) Megan Gelmers. I'm more than excited. As I go back to K-1, please pray that I would be a light to these kids I'm going to get to spend two weeks with. First term I got to be photographer, which is a whole different ballgame. This time around, I'm responsible (with a co-counselor) for 10-12 girls. I don't know what age I'm going to have, I don't know who my co will be, and I don't really know any of the third term staff... but I'm trusting that it will be a grand time and letting the Lord figure out all the details. Also, feel free to write me letters! I'm only there for a couple of weeks but I sure do get excited when I get 'em... Anne Fogerty, 1355 Lake Shore Dr, Branson, MO, 65616.

Love,
Anne

sleep

It's slightly comforting and eerie to know that the majority of the entire world's population spends about a fourth to a third of their day sleeping. Yes, some spend their days and nights toiling and only manage to catch a few Zs, if any at all. Meanwhile, lazy teenagers find themselves relishing in their summer days and sleeping in until it's almost time for supper. Here's a statistic to think about: if you live to be 80 years old, and you sleep an average of 6 hours a night, you've been asleep for 20 years of your life.

One of my favorite nights of sleep was one where I barely got any at all. A couple of weeks ago, I was on a whitewater river trip with my family. We set up camp on the rocky shore of the Colorado River with the red rocks of Moab surrounding us on all sides. Instead of taking a snooze in the traditional tent, I cozied into a little cove of rocks I found. I laid back and stared in awe of the millions of stars in the sky. That's something you don't see in Dallas.

I love sleep because I love the opportunity to lose total control of my mind and track of time... sometimes you have nightmares, other times you have the most wonderful dream and you wake up believing it's real. I love that we were created to have such creative and intricate minds that keep ticking every second of the day.

sweet dreams,
anne

p.s. In a week I'll be dreaming on a bunk in a cabin back at K-1. I'm returning to be a counselor for the last two weeks of the summer, and I'm more than excited.