from Ben's mom
When I was a little girl, my mom took us to hear one of our favorite author's Ann Kiemel Anderson. (I think she had just barely added the surname at that point.) Just like in her books, she was refreshingly honest and a wonderful storyteller. At the end she stood in the back and we stopped by to say, "hey, we like your books." I will never forget how she bent down to my level and told me how special I was to Jesus and that He was going to make something beautiful of my life. It affirmed the desire every little girl has; to be valuable, to have a future and a hope. I never forgot that day.
Flash forward to bringing her up to my (almost at that point) husband who remembered living in the same area as her and observing that things were not quite right with her and her marriage. I was horrified to hear that. After all, hadn't she "gave God time" and waited for her Prince Charming?
Recently I came across a quote from her new book Seduced by Success. It led to an internet search that turned up her keynotes to the Calvary Chapel Women's Conference in Seattle last year. I listened to all five yesterday and was refreshed. After a horrible marriage (that ended when her husband died of cancer) and an addiction to painkillers, Ann is back, declaring once again the goodness of the Lord. From her love for her imperfect children and frankness about her addictions to her candid statement that the Lord graciously took her husband before her sons entered adolescence, she is still real and full of love and good humor. Her parenting gives me hope that I do know what I'm talking about and makes me wish that others I know could benefit from the kind of "beautiful words" she speaks to her children, and that my mom spoke to me.
4 comments:
Just to let you know that Ann Kiemel Anderson passed away this morning, March 1, 2014, according to an announcement on her facebook page. I had been following Ann's blog, www.annkiemelanderson.com for some time. Only a few days ago, she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that had metastasized. How unfair that such a vibrant, honest disciple of Christ was taken while mean and nasty people will probably live to be 100.
Rachelle, can you post a link to the conference Ann spoke at in 2004 that you made reference to?
Thank you!
Jeri
I loved Ann so much - she helped raise up a generation on Christian women and added her voice to recovery for believers. She was quite candid in her blog about the disappointments and pain her marriage sometimes so raw that her sister cautioned her but it was her truth to speak out. I was so shocked when she entered into rehab in 2014 to wean off pain killers only to be diagnosed within days with a nasty, fast moving cancer that took her from her sons, beloved grandchild, twin sister and family. She stepped into the arms of our merciful Savior and put aside forever her all struggles on earth. I exchanged condolences emails with her assistant Debbie and was touched to know Ann liked my posts to her especially from The Message - Matthew 11:28-30 .....the unforced rhythms of grace.
I had hoped she was still with us but it is definitely God's grace when He chooses to take His beloved one home to Heaven.
As teens my good friend & I would buy Ann's books for each other for birthdays Christmas gifts. We had an understanding between us that the one giving a book had permission to read the book before gifting it to the other.
Ann you were a great inspiration to my friend & I throughout our teen years, which were tough years at times. Thank you for your honesty, openness, encouragement and straight forward way of teaching us cover to cover!! You will be remembered to the end of my days on earth. And I look forward to joining you in Heaven!!
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