HISTORY
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
PHILIPPIANS 2:13
HISTORY
YOUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
WRITTEN BY KATIE ROBERTSON
To our Anchor Community:
Thank you for your support and commitment to The Anchor Gathering We have just finished our fiscal year and wanted to share an update on what God has been doing this past season at The Anchor because of you!
THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR WE...
have successfully completed our fourth season of the monthly Anchor at Home (October-June) on our YouTube channel We are thrilled to share that we have an impressive 292,000 views on YouTube and the numbers continue to grow
reached 125 watch party hosts in our system in 63 cities and growing
are excited to announce our church initiative and partnership with six churches that are hosting our Anchor at Home program, which offers a Women’s ministry and serves as an on ramp into the Church
were awarded a grant from the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, to hire a Director of Operations
successfully hosted three large gatherings in the Pacific Northwest in December, March, and May, and are excited to welcome 200 women to our Anchor Day Retreat August 21st in Gig Harbor, WA, to be encouraged in faith and friendship
have increased our staff to keep up with the tremendous growth of the Anchor:
• Darby Carlisle Full-Time Director of Operations
• Loren Callahan
Program Coordinator & Leader Care
• Alexis Caldwell Webmaster & Creative Lead
• Rebecca Saar
Executive Assistant & Event Planner
. are proud to announce that we have our first office, our official headquarters, located in Gig Harbor, WA
. effectively organized two wine tasting benefits and premiered our impact video .
Your generous support has brought The Anchor so far! We are so grateful for all of your prayer and support, please join us in praying for the impact of The Anchor, that the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope we have in Him would spread far and wide Your investment in The Anchor plays a crucial role in empowering women to find abundant life today and eternal life in heaven Thank you for partnering with us in this mission! If you haven’t been able to give this year or want to give an additional gift, please visit theanchorgathering com/give
HISTORY
LOOKING BACK: ANCHOR DAY GETAWAYS
WRITTEN BY LOREN CALLAHAN
I have always loved retreats! They provide such a nice break from the normal rhythm of life I come away refreshed; there is something about getting away, even if it is only for a day, to focus on my relationship with the Lord I think back over the last three Anchor Day Getaways
The first ever Anchor Retreat was in 2021 for a small group of Anchor Leaders aboard the historic 1930 ferry boat, The Concordia I had never spent time in downtown Gig Harbor before and found it to be an adorable, quaint little harbor . It was a beautiful summer day We had the most wonderful time of fellowship and prayer, not to mention meeting new friends Two things always amaze me: how small the world is and how quickly one can connect with a new “Sister in Christ "
Here is a prayer I wrote during my quiet time at the retreat: “I feel such peace here by the salt water, with the wind flowing over me . Lord, be my Anchor and my guide this year Shine your light into my dark places and help me to shine it on others Be my rudder, my director and my guide I want to be a ‘Rosemary’ too! (Katie shared a message about a woman named Rosemary.) Lord, help me set my priorities Time with you Time in the Word Time in Prayer ” At the end of the day I felt blessed beyond measure to have participated in this special day
The second Anchor Day Getaway happened in 2022 and was held at the Wesley Inn in Gig Harbor We had delicious pastries and fresh fruit to start the day, an amazing assortment of salads for lunch, and Katie Robertson and Emily Jamieson for our speakers Joy Zorn was our emcee, interrupted by “Paula” our Anchor funny girl who makes me laugh so hard I cry! The theme was “Grace & Peace” (2 Peter 1:2) Katie shared about being anchored in Jesus, how to meditate and memorize God’s truth, how to be Anchored in the calm before the storm, and keeping The Anchor Watch: we need one another to notice when we are drifting! Emily Jamieson shared about fixing our eyes on Jesus to better hear him speak
The third Anchor Day Getaway was also at the Wesley Inn! We filled the room to the brim . The theme was “The Lord is my Strength & Shield ” (Psalm 28:7) Anne McNeil talked about servant leadership and inspired us all to lead with love focusing on 1 Corinthians 13
Debbie Macomber shared stories from her heart about her journey with the Lord and pointed out the value of the community we share in The Anchor
I am so excited about our fourth Anchor Day Getaway coming soon! Our theme for the upcoming season is “Jesus is our Rock & Refuge .” (Psalm 62:5-8) Did I mention I love retreats?!
"I FEEL SO UPLIFTED AS A RESULT OF BEING AROUND WOMEN OF GOD WITH A COMMON PURPOSE ." –TAMMY REEVES
"The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love."
PSALM 147:11
LIFE'S EVER-CHANGING STORY HOPE
PEARLS OF WISDOM:
Wise sayings and pieces of advice coming from others who have forged the way ahead in life, inspiring us on how to adorn our lives with that which brings beauty and confidence.
WRITTEN BY ALEXIS CALDWELL
The below was written during the season of life just before my marriage to my now husband, Connor, in April 2024. It was a whirlwind of exciting changes. I was on the cusp of starting a new life in Washington, moving away from my family for the first time, and juggling the demands of planning a wedding. At the same time, I was diligently working towards my master's degree. Amidst all these transitions, I continued my work with The Anchor Gathering, a role I am truly passionate about and blessed to hold. What an exhilarating and transformative period it was!
Reflecting on the whirlwind of memories that shape my life feels akin to flipping through the cherished pages of my favorite childhood books. I spent countless hours immersed in those stories, crafting an ideal picture of my future life and family while finding solace in a world where emotions and love held profound significance.
Despite the blessings and excitement, there’s a sense of apprehension and fear for the unknown. With marriage approaching, I’m moving away from my family, stepping into a new life, seeking to build new connections, navigating the intricacies of marriage, and more.
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Concurrently, I’ve begun another significant journey: attending therapy sessions to better understand and emotionally prepare myself for the future
Amidst it all, I’ve leaned heavily on my faith, seeking solace and strength amid emotional stress Daily Bible readings, weekly young adult Bible studies, and solitary moments of prayer have become my sanctuary In these moments, I’ve felt God’s unwavering presence, guiding me through every hurdle and those looming ahead Some verses that I find inspirational during this time include 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Isaiah 43:2:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
–2 Corinthians 12:9
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
–Isaiah 43:2
As Connor and I gear up for this new chapter, I carry with me the echoes of childhood adventures and the insights gleaned from introspection It’s a journey intertwined with spiritual growth and self-discovery, navigating this maze of transformation Amid the anticipation of our upcoming wedding, I hold onto treasured childhood memories while eagerly embracing the promises of a radiant future, supported by both the enduring echoes of my imaginative past and the newfound clarity about myself
HOPE
ANCHOR MOMENT
An Anchor Moment is a time in a woman's life when her faith has truly anchored her, inspired her or directed her decision making.
ROSEMARY MUKALAZI
is a registered nurse and avid prayer warrior who strives to share the gospel of Christ with anybody who may not know Christ’s salvation. She was born in Uganda and has lived in the United States for over 30 years. Rosemary has incredible empathy for others and is a faithful friend who believes in the power of prayer. She calls on God by His many names to meet her at her place of greatest need. Rosemary loves to travel, garden, and spend time with family and friends.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR FAITH JOURNEY:
I grew up in a God-fearing family, however in my teen years, I started searching for more about God I went to a small Church in Kampala, Uganda where I grew up I come from a family of thirteen — most of my family members fear God but some of them at that time didn't have Christ as their personal Lord and Savior .
ABOVE: View of the city from the hills above Kampala, Uganda
When I was 14 years old I started teaching Sunday School . Eventually I was sent to a conference and was the youngest one there I was being trained on how to be a better teacher, and that's how I found Christ During that conference I met a friend of mine, Rita, who invited me to a church that had Bible Study for the youth I started serving at Rita’s church in the youth ministry and other ministries within the church and that's how I came to fall more and more in love with Christ
TELL US ABOUT AN ANCHOR MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE:
During the time I was serving at Rita’s church, I had some friends who are missionaries come to serve in Uganda When the wife arrived, she got really sick and I ended up taking care of her It was during the time Uganda was at war and because the missionaries appreciated the work I did to care for her, they gave me an offer to come to the United States!
I came to Auburn, Washington and I love Washington for that reason I've been here for 30 some years and one of the things that I've come to love is sharing Christ with people One of the talents that I know that God has given me is having empathy for people
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In the last few years, I've had some health challenges It's easy for me to pray for other people and it's easy for me to share the gospel . It's easy to say, “God is a Jehovah Rapha,” or “be anxious for nothing,” but if struggles reach your own life, it's a little bit different and challenging .
In 2017, I was diagnosed with a blood clot I was okay because I was in the US and I was able to get treatment . I had many friends that I’ve met over the last 30 some years as well as people from all over the world praying, and I was healed! I've been moving on along since then
In 2023, I went to Uganda to visit my family and spend time with them While there, I was having a difficult time Spiritually, I wasn't having great fellowship and emotionally, I was having some personal issues And then I got another blood clot I could hardly walk or move; all my muscles were sore
I ended up finding myself in a very small hospital in Uganda but God showed up During my time in the hospital I had an opportunity to meet believers and to share about Christ I love the term Jehovah Rapha because it translates to “The Lord Our Healer ” I always like to use it when praying for people and say, “May Jehovah Rapha meet you .”
And I did really meet Him That name for God had deeper meaning to me when I had fellowship with my friends and family Jehovah Rapha covered my eyes so that I didn't realize that the clot was overwhelming for the doctors Everyone was worried and I didn't even know! I was at peace, an overwhelming peace, and enjoyed my fellowship time with people that didn't know Christ
Philippians 4:6-7 talks about being anxious for nothing and having God give us a peace that surpasses all understanding That became real in a big way because He reminded me that He was all I needed . Another name for Jesus I love is Jehovah Jireh which translates to “The Lord Our Provider ” God provided beyond peace: he provided the finances for me to receive treatment, caregivers to take care of me, and friends and family that stood by me
It also reminded me of God being my Jehovah Shalom which translates to “The
RIGHT: Me & my family
LEFT, BOTTOM: Me with some of my friends and my pastor in Uganda
LEFT, TOP: My niece, Julie
Lord is Our Peace ” The doctors cautioned my sister to not let me talk and she was like a bodyguard! She wouldn't let people call in so I could save my breath . But I was at peace because I remembered He's my Shalom I was denied flying home because I wasn't healthy enough to travel . During this whole time, I knew of several people that had clots smaller than mine, some even younger than me, that had passed away God had protected me! I was finally able to come back to the US
I still have the blood clot today, but God’s still in the business of healing! A couple of weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night and God showed me that I could trust in Him He reminded me, “By his stripes we are healed ” (Isaiah 53:5) I woke up the next morning and I could hardly walk to work, something I had been able to do previously, but with every step that I took He kept reminding me to quote the scripture, and I did! There are days I wake up and I can hardly walk, but I do wake up and I do go to work I find myself saying, “By your stripes I am healed By your stripes I am healed ” Before I know it, I'm at my desk
God is healing me slowly but surely Recently, I was able to read my report from Uganda and found out that the clot was bigger than I could ever imagine, to the point that my provider now has me set up with several different treatment plans I feel much better; before, I could only walk about 100 feet before I had to stop, breathe, and pray These days I can walk up to 300 feet without a hitch I'm grateful for that and I'm grateful that God, through it all, has been my anchor and my source of hope and strength . I hope He does the same for you — that He will come up as your Jehovah Rapha when you need healing; that He'll meet you as your Jehovah Jireh to provide for you; and that He'll be your Jehovah Shalom to bring peace in whatever you're going through May God bless you!
“I HOPE THAT HE WILL COME UP AS YOUR JEHOVAH RAPHA WHEN YOU NEED HEALING; THAT HE'LL MEET YOU AS YOUR JEHOVAH JIREH TO PROVIDE FOR YOU; AND THAT HE'LL BE YOUR JEHOVAH SHALOM TO BRING PEACE IN WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING THROUGH.
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."
JEREMIAH 17:7
HOME
TRUTH
INTERWOVEN
WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE NOSSEIR
Have you ever examined both sides of a tapestry? One side showcases beautiful designs while the other is a mass of strings haphazardly suspended At times, we feel similarly like a “hot mess,” don’t we? I most certainly do! To feel suspended, at loose ends, waiting for something not knowing what the future holds, can bring some tension (it certainly does for me) . Once completed though, every tapestry is beautifully woven, a work of art God’s Word is like that to me Every word is beaded together, creating a string of truth; each strand is masterfully woven and breathes life into us as we live His Truth We are works in progress (I know, I most certainly am!), spinning and weaving God’s truth into the fabric of our beings, as he patiently reveals Himself to us
John gives us a peek into Jesus‘ identity: “In the beginning, there was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1) and “I am the truth, the Way and the Life ” (John 14:6) We are gifted with a treasure called the Bible, and the Holy Spirit’s presence can illuminate understanding from Genesis to Revelation; every word becomes interlinked He
becomes our Teacher, Guide, Helper, and Counselor How precious are we, that God sent Jesus through Mary, intertwining Himself with humanity . Women are part of God’s truth interwoven — a love that transcends all comprehension!
We, too, have an identity; God has placed a rising desire within us to embrace who He made us to be . We use whatever tools at our disposal to embark on our unique and amazing journeys Take the internet, for example Many will utilize ancestry .com to trace their lineage and history, hoping to shed light on their identity We are seeking answers and information Who hasn’t run to friends and family for further clarity on their personalities, previous likes and dislikes, and forgotten familial stories?
WE WERE BORN WITH A PLAN AND A PURPOSE.
Our challenge is to utilize our unique gifts, personality, talents and skills Our purpose is to be the salt and light in every season (Matthew 5:13-16) What better way to “be”
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than to discover the truth about our identities, mind, body and soul! “For we are wonderfully and beautifully made .” (Psalm 139:14) There is a need within to belong and be loved, approved, validated, and accepted without pretense
Self-awareness is so very important in overcoming falsehood with truth (at least for me) We need to overcome our fears and anxieties “For perfect love casts out fear ” (1 John 4:18) God’s love encompasses all that we seek and so much more . To be set free from what shackles us is a gift to be embraced and cherished (“If you abide in my Word you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free ” John 8:32) The Master Weaver longs for an intimate personal relationship and interlaces our story with His
Over a decade ago, God whispered to me to live the truth . I had absolutely no idea where and how to begin It was like when we first learn to walk, one faltering baby step at a time, painful and frustrating However, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we learn to walk with confidence to live the truth, love the truth, and speak the truth (The Oxford dictionary defines truth as “the actuality of events or things, fact or spiritual reality” and the word Interwoven as “to twist together two or more pieces of thread; to interweave something with something”.)
He leads us according to where we are in life God’s love, patience and mercy becomes evident and welcoming I did not realize we have our own personal guide: it would have saved me from stumbling in the dark! In John 14:16-17, Jesus said “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth,” and in John 16:13 we learn, “but when The Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth ” Jesus is the Revealer of all truth He knows us better than we know ourselves This produces a freedom in our souls, for truth begets freedom . All we need is to be still, surrender and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10)
THIS BECOMES OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH, A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY OF TRUTH, SACRIFICE AND FREEDOM STILL UNFOLDING AS IT’S WRITTEN.
Life is to be enjoyed, explored and cherished whether we are on the mountain top or in the valley! Whatever He teaches you on the mountain top, He will test you on in the valley We have all we need to overcome . We just need to allow the fruit of the Spirit to flow through us Listening and quietly conversing with Him in our prayers, we continuously grow in intimacy with Him for His work and His glory
You never know when you are needed to encourage another soul searching for comfort, support and compassion We have the power within us to answer God’s calling, His divine plan! God has a purpose for each of us, Whatever life throws our way, we can handle it with grace and strength . He is our Anchor, our Hope, our Master Weaver, our North Star!
LEFT: The front of a cross stitch
RIGHT: The back of the same cross stitch
ABOVE: Two of Christine's many passions, gardening and being a volunteer firefighter!
HOME
MAKING SPACE
WRITTEN BY KELSIE CROZIER
Kelsie Crozier is the mama to three kids, ages 10, 12 and 14, and wife to her husband, Graham. This past summer, she took her hobby to the next level and started her own business, Homegrown Floral. She loves sharing homegrown bouquets from her Woodinville yard, and flower starts that she grows in her home-office-turned-greenhouse.
When the weather is nice, she spends every spare second working in the garden, and has found so much joy and purpose in creating beauty in the margins, when she isn’t driving carpool or cheering her kids on at their various extracurriculars.
Though she no longer works in the role, she’s also a registered dietitian and is passionate about teaching her family and others to eat well, stay active, and to nourish their bodies spiritually, physically and emotionally. She loves processing her thoughts on life in writing.
Last month, I took a solo trip to California, which was arguably the best thing I have ever done for myself I had signed up for a destination half marathon, and built in time for self care surrounding the race Nothing summarizes my personality better: running 13 1 miles and “resting” concurrently I had taken time away for a night or two in the past, but never a full five days alone . I felt equal parts elated, undeserving, and nervous .
My trip was booked before I knew the hardships I would face in December and early January, with a sudden and traumatic medical crisis where we thought we were losing my dad . To add insult to injury, each of my three kids were facing their own challenges, and they all seemed to be coming to a head at once I found myself
with time to do little else beyond caring for my people and then going on a run Training for a known goal had felt like such a buoy for my sanity during a period of time where there seemed to be endless unknowns But Jesus knew And a path had been clearly orchestrated before me
As I stared down the week of my race, it felt like both the absolute worst time to peace out on my home life, and also the absolute best time . I desperately needed a break to process everything I was wading through .
I discovered the day before my flight that my race had been canceled I was devastated and confused Jesus, was it not you who put this plan in place? Feelings of guilt seeped in around me, quickly replacing my disappointment We all could use a
break and it felt luxurious to be spending our vacation budget on a trip just for me Could I still mentally justify going? Was my need for time away alone valuable enough, even without the race? The answer was a resounding YES I hated that I wasted even a moment second guessing My therapist was quick to remind me, “You aren’t going alone Jesus is going with you What if there is something He wants to tell you?”
I confess I thought it sounded a little cheesy, but still, I liked the idea I wanted to hear from God more regularly At home, I rarely sat still long enough to give Him a chance I was good at making noise, drowning out silence, every second of my life planned out just to keep all the balls rolling
Every year, I like to pray for a word to bubble up that I can embrace and lean into as my theme for the coming year The word usually comes from a thought, idea or situation that has been weighing heavily on my heart Sometimes I have to fight for a while with a handful of words, unsure exactly which one the Holy Spirit is impressing upon me This year, a word came to me as the dust was settling with the crisis surrounding my dad It was the word HERE
Prior to my trip, I thought for sure HERE was my word, signed, sealed and delivered . I felt like I had received a second chance with my dad, and I wanted to be more present in this precious life I spend so much time in my head, my mind always thinking about the next thing, my to-do list, the errands I need to run I thought the Holy Spirit was reminding me of the importance of me being present wherever I am I thought this word was going to be something I actively needed to do more of Another thing to add to my agenda Little did I know that what God had for me was a gift meant to be received
My first morning in beautiful California, I sat outside in the sunshine, basking I loved just sitting there, with nowhere I needed to be I fought against the voices in my head, telling me this trip was indulgent I pondered the idea of intentionally carving out regular, unfilled space in my life I longed for a shift, to not have every moment planned and scheduled, attempting to squeeze it all in
That morning I wrote this in my journal:
“Holy Spirit, I welcome you to this weekend. I pray urgently for your guidance, direction, wisdom, healing and voice. I want to be closer to you. Commune with me and speak the words you would have me hear this weekend…What do you want me to know? The race I came to do was canceled. My phone is glitching so I’m even more ‘here’ than normal. I will walk the town in my body, going with what I see, smell, and hear. Unplanned, spontaneous adventure. As I ran through the sunny hills this morning, I felt so alive. I came here alone. I’m exploring, discovering, diving into the things that are pleasurable to me – puzzles, books, silence, sun, wandering, the ocean. God, thank you for your gifts. Thank you for paving the way. I’m here and ready to receive.”
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Two days later, I found myself in the Ventura Botanical Gardens I wandered my way through the gorgeous hilltop trails, breathing in the fragrance of the plants and flowers around me I soaked in the sun and the views of the coast, listening to the sound of countless birds, equally charmed by this piece of paradise . I marveled at the freedom from the voices of my small people, telling me, “This is boring,” or “Can we go now?”
Again, I journaled:
I don’t think I’ve ever said so few words. The silence is nice.
I see the word spelled across a rock wall in front of me: DELIGHT. Ocean waves are lapping against the cove in the distance. I’m in the shade of a beautiful tree, a tree native to South Africa, I believe. A hummingbird sits in it above me. I’ve never heard one make this sound. It’s calling to all its friends. I’m surrounded. They, like me, are in heaven. I’m here, taking notice.
I’m not in a hurry
When it comes to your spirit
When it comes to your presence
When it comes to your voice
I’m learning to listen
Just to rest in your nearness
I’m starting to notice
You are speaking.
Reagan, Will. “Not in a Hurry.” Tell All My Friends, by United Pursuit Music, 2017.
Thank you Jesus, for the gift of time, time where I don’t have to be responsible for a soul. I can stay here in the garden as
long as I like. I don’t have to worry about boredom or feel the pressure to keep others entertained.
Just a moment ago, I laid myself down on a bench, no pen for jotting notes, no music. I was just going to listen for the Holy Spirit in silence for 5 short minutes, a practice that couldn’t be less natural for me. I made it 15 seconds and the hummingbirds whirring around me decided to start a band. I’ve never heard such a racket. Of all the things to distract me from Jesus, I wouldn’t have pegged the hummingbirds. I laughed audibly.
Leave it to me to come up with the lamest excuse in the book for my meditation failure. “I couldn’t hear God because the hummingbirds wouldn’t stop singing.” But looking around, how could they not? The hummingbirds are singing the glory of God. They are delighting in this heavenly place. They are teaching me with their presence, their uncontained joy. What if I spent my days bursting with delight the way they do? I delight in you, oh Lord, in your creation, in your presence. In you there is safety and gentleness. Why do I try and run?
I don’t think you could have wiped the grin off my face if you tried, sitting up there alone and smiling from ear to ear This feeling welling within me was none other than sheer DELIGHT I loved this new word God had given me, literally written on the wall in front of my bench It was as if He was saying to me, “Slow down Taste and see that I am good ” By first giving me the word HERE, God wasn’t trying to add on to my list of to-dos . He was clearing a path for me to settle in long enough so he could bless me with the gift of DELIGHT He wanted me to bask in all that He is and all that He has made, and I could only do that when I carved out some unclaimed space for Him to fill I looked up synonyms for the word “bask,” and immediately chose “sprawl” as my favorite Can you picture a more relaxed posture, literally sprawled out, taking in the goodness of God?
With all the trials we face in life, it can feel difficult to proclaim God’s goodness When we find ourselves in those hard and dark places, intentionally carving out unfilled space isn’t typically the remedy we reach for We tend to do a lot of grasping for control, blaming, even disowning I’m wondering how our stories might look different if we adopted this practice, if we regularly made space to listen for what the Holy Spirit has to say . It’s a bit counter cultural . I am convinced that when we invite Him, He shows up, though never in the way we anticipate . Sometimes, perhaps on a good day, a word from Him might literally be written on the wall Other times, He might speak through a flock of hummingbirds that cannot keep silent I wonder how often we miss the gentle word He has for us simply because we do not have the space He wants to speak to you Will you make room?
HEART
MELODIES OF FAITH
WRITTEN
BY KATIE
ROBERTSON
One of my favorite things about The Anchor is listening to the anchor moments shared each month by different guests I have found that life is made up of many anchor moments when we see the Lord to be real and at work in our lives These moments have helped me stay grounded in my faith and stand strong amidst the challenges of life
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
MATTHEW 6:21
This month, I have been reminded of one of my very first anchor moments that I experienced as a new mom . It was June of 1991, and my daughter, Karina (who is in heaven now), was 9 months old, and I came
to a crisis moment in my life . I had just finished teaching fourth grade and came off a challenging year I had been a working mother and new mom, wrestling with the demands of work and motherhood . I would come home every day tired and burdened with schoolwork, dreaming of what it would be like to stay at home with my baby girl . My husband worked full-time in ministry as an Area Director for Young Life in Snohomish, WA, and it was necessary for me to work to help with our family finances
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ABOVE: Karina enjoying our new piano
Shortly after school let out, I joined my husband on assignment for three weeks at the Young Life Camp Malibu located in British Columbia He had been there a week prior to school ending, serving as the head leader . Karina and I made the long trek from Snohomish to Vancouver, BC, and endured the eight-hour boat ride into camp aboard the Malibu Princess to join him .
At Malibu, we stayed in a little A-frame cabin named Minatch, and it was in this little house that my memorable moment happened Late one night, when Ron and Karina were asleep, I sought the Lord with my burden of wanting to stay home with my daughter I knelt beside the bed and shared with Him that I didn’t want to teach anymore and be away from my daughter If only there was something I could do to earn the money needed to help supplement my husband’s income and stay at home with Karina I thought, “I can draw, and I know how to play the piano — could I do anything with these gifts?” I loved to teach, and I had taken piano lessons for eight years and knew enough of the basics, but one giant problem I had was that I didn’t have a piano That is when I asked
the Lord if I could teach piano lessons, could He provide a piano? I knew it was a HUGE ask, but I laid my heart and request out before Him and decided to wait and trust
I was astonished at what happened next A week later, we got a call out of the blue from our dear friends Jan and John Carlson asking if we would like to store their piano! I couldn’t believe this news — it was more than I could ask or imagine! The Lord had heard my heart and prayer and answered so timely . Getting the piano was truly a gift, and for the next thirteen years, I taught piano lessons out of my home and enjoyed motherhood to the full!
Fast forward to today, and I still teach one student one day a week I teach one of my former students’ daughters, and I cannot even begin to express the joy it brings! I have learned so much from my piano teaching Not only do I have the privilege of teaching and guiding a student on how to read and make music, but I have also found a lesson in it to hopefully encourage us all
As I sit at the piano weekly for just those 30 minutes, I am reminded of an analogy that resonates deeply with my heart The elements of music are a great analogy for life As I teach about piano theory and the different kinds of notes — quarter, half, and whole, rests, staccato and legato, piano and forte, sharps and minors — I am in awe of how a combination of all these elements composes a beautiful song Week after week, as I look at music, I have thought that life is like a song composition I see the Lord as our master composer, writing a song for our lives filled with happy parts, some minor keys, rests short and long . God is our ultimate Creator and Composer, always at work to make our lives beautiful and unique masterpieces .
My anchor moment many years ago was truly a miracle, and I am so thankful to have the Lord as my master composer and anchor!
HEART WRITTEN BY SUSAN HUTCHISON
A MOTHER'S LESSON
Susan Hutchison is best known in Western Washington as an Emmy-award winning TV news anchor, reporter and executive (CBS) for 25 years. She was the Republican candidate for US Senate in 2018 and is currently a speaker and communications consultant working in both Seattle and Washington DC.
She has served as a trustee at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the Wilson Center (DC), Chairman of the WA State GOP, Vice Chair of the AllStar Orchestra on PBS, Chair of the Seattle Symphony, Chair of CRISTA Ministries, and Chair of Young Life where she still serves as a trustee.
Susan and her husband Andy, a retired US Marine Corps Colonel and Boeing Executive were high school sweethearts and have been married for more than 40 years. They have two grown sons: John, whom you’ll read about here, and Brian who is an intelligence officer in the USMC. She hopes you will share this story with the men in your life, too.
My son John is a car nut From the youngest age, he’s been wild about wheels He knew cars by make and model before he knew his letters and numbers
This love of wheels didn’t come from me or his dad (I’ve been known to drive a rental car, leave it in a parking lot without noticing the make or color–was it beige, black, silver? Uh oh…)
John’s interest in vehicles has brought us together in wonderful ways When he was just a tyke, we bonded watching fun road construction videos, learning the functions of front-end loaders, graders and excavators For his 13th birthday, his Dad and I took him to Detroit, and besides visiting the Ford Museum and the Automobile Hall of Fame, we toured a GM factory and watched new
Buicks roll off the assembly line every 3 minutes! As a teen, and for 15 years since, John has accompanied me car shopping . Nothing like having an expert in the family!
John now works as an investment banker in Los Angeles, and last year, we visited him for Mother’s Day He told me his gift was a surprise “experience .” He told me to dress in “athleisure wear” which I assumed meant a day at a Spa Instead, we drove to an industrial area in south LA and to my dismay, a luxurious day of pampering was not the plan
John had signed us up for the performance driving school at the Porche Experience Center track How nice for John, I thought, but for me?! What am I doing here?
BELOW: My piano student, Rosie
Reluctantly, I climbed into a bright red Porsche 911 Carrera S; John was in a blue one I’d never even sat in a Porche sports car, much less driven one . There were a dozen other drivers, all men, sharing the track with me that afternoon My instructor, also a Hollywood stunt driver, sat in the passenger seat next to me I was not feeling very confident . What if I crash the car? Or someone crashes into me?
What if I just can’t DO THIS? All these speeding cars seemed very dangerous . My instructor must have sensed my trepidation He looked at me kindly and asked, “Are you scared?” “Yes,” I answered meekly
What he said next, I’ll never forget,
“IF YOU TRUST ME AND YOU TRUST THIS MACHINE, YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE.”
I certainly wanted to believe his promise But then, he pointed to the lone mound in the middle of the track called Ice Hill, paved in Teflon and coated with water to simulate skidding on black ice Whahhht? My heart pounded . Ok, if I have to trust this guy next to me, I realized I have to follow his instructions . So, for the next hours, I concentrated with all my effort on obeying everything he said
Sure enough, I skidded down the hill again and again, but eventually survived it My instructor complimented me, “You’re doing great! So much better than the guy I had this morning He thought he knew it all and wouldn’t listen You are following my directions!” With new confidence we drove to another wet, shiny surface and practiced a stunt called “donuts ” Again, very slippery But I listened and followed his instructions carefully and safely spun the car in circles Round and round It was actually fun .
Next was the obstacle course On the final stretch he told me to gun it and then slam on the brakes “as if you’ll go through the windshield .” It sounded dangerous but I did what I was told The brakes worked and my face didn’t come close to slamming into the windshield
Next came the most dramatic stretch of track, where I learned “launch control” for instant acceleration Sure enough, in seconds, I was speeding at 110mph Thrilling! If the G-forces had allowed, it would have been funny to see the envious expressions of folks poking along in traffic on the freeway next to our track
And then, before I knew it, my driving session was finished And surprisingly, I truly hated it to end! It wasn’t just a “great experience” as my instructor had promised, it was unforgettable — the time of my life!
For weeks as I retold the story of my son’s amazing gift to me, the Porsche instructor’s promise, “If you trust me…” rang in my head It occurred to me that this was more than it seemed — it was also a lesson for my spiritual life I thought of the Psalms, where King David says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you ” (Psalm 56:3) Or the disciples, when Jesus says to them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled Trust in God; trust also in me ” (John 14:1)
Trusting is not blind faith; it is tested faith . Just as I was determined to do everything my Porsche instructor said, I can find Jesus trustworthy by following His commands, and obeying His Word As the old hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no better way…”
Now, when I think about the beautiful, powerful Porsche I was told to trust, I think about the beautiful, powerful Word of God that we can count on through all life’s challenges “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your path (race track!) straight ” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
And best of all, I think about how trust and obedience result in the “great experience” my instructor promised, and, as the Bible says, “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine ” (Eph 3:20) Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might have life, and have it abundantly ” (John 10:10)
So simple and yet, often times, difficult to believe And that’s when I think of Jesus, leaning toward me with kindness in his words, “Are you scared? If you trust me and trust my word…”
LEFT: John & me at the Porsche Experience Center
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
MATTHEW 5:16
HOSPITALITY
BARELY-BAKED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
BY RUTH MCKEANEY, @HUNGRYFORHOME
The lovely thing about cookie dough is everyone wants to lick the bowl. It’s sweet. Salty. Decadent. I went on a quest to find a cookie twenty years ago that maintains that doughy goodness of cookie dough, and thanks to Lisa, this is the result. The key is to take them out of the oven the second the edges turn brown. It’s won every informal competition among friends, and they call these “Ruth’s Barely-Baked.”
INGREDIENTS
4 sticks butter
2 tablespoons vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2½ cups brown sugar
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ teaspoons baking soda
5 cups flour
1 bag of good chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Soften the butter until partially melted Stir in brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, and eggs
2 . Combine salt, baking soda, and flour in a bowl
3 Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix by hand . Do not over mix! Stir in chocolate chips
4 Using an ice cream scoop, spoon generous balls of cookie dough onto a greased and lined baking sheet . Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (or overnight)
5 . When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F on the convection setting
6 Put the cold cookie dough tray into the oven and bake until the edges are brown but centers are still gooey (about 10 minutes) They will look “barely-baked ”
Ruth's Pro Tip:
I often double or triple this recipe and freeze the raw dough in pre-scooped balls so we can have warm cookies whenever the mood strikes.
HOSPITALITY
EMPTY POCKET PRAYERS
WRITTEN BY LESLIE PARROTT
No matter how much we are loved by family and friends, moments come to each of us when those who most love us and whom we most love in return, reach the limits of their capacity and leave us feeling alone, invisible, and completely misunderstood . This can be surprisingly painful, especially when our feelings are not for the others’ lack of caring or concern .
First Samuel tells the story of childless Hannah, whose well-meaning and bewildered husband said to her, “Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren’t you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8) We’ve all been there, in that moment, when loved ones minimize our distress because it threatens to overwhelm them with its largeness, and they can’t bear the load They just want us to be okay but feel like we’re saying they are not good enough to make us happy But we are hurting and cannot make that hurt go away So — not wanting to be another’s source of pain — we must not only carry our distress but also bury it
Hannah did this As 1 Samuel 1 tells us, after weeping bitterly, Hannah pulled herself together and ate the family meal as a part of their shared worship experience She did it and we do it too: pull ourselves together and share warm conversation even when we are troubled beyond words
POURING OUT OUR HEART IN PRAYER
But when she could, Hannah slipped away to the temple, and once safely alone, she placed her crushed soul into God’s hands She poured her heart out in prayer . And so have you & I You have laid out in prayer the unfulfilled desire of your deepest heart — the baby not conceived; the marriage not yet entered into or ended in crushing loss; the job you wanted but didn’t get to pursue because your time and attention was needed at home; the job you cannot leave because your family’s well-being depends on it; the diagnosis that you cannot accept . Maybe you stretched out prone on the floor in the privacy of your home, or took refuge in the safety of your shower as the waters poured down, disguising the sounds of your aching sobs Or maybe you have entered into an empty sanctuary and knelt at the altar in solitude to pray
Some prayers are visceral, coming from someplace beyond our mind From the deepest chambers of our heart, they pass through our inmost being, rising like a lump in our throat Sometimes we feel it so much that all sound is swallowed up within us and we can only move our lips, as Hannah did, when she knelt on the altar and poured her heart out to God Her desperation for a child was so palpable, her silent prayers so filled with emotion, that Eli the priest mistakenly thought she was drunk Some days we too are drunken with sorrow, our deepest longings welling up within us Psalm 42 is a prayer for these very moments:
A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, Deep draughts of God
I’m thirsty for God-alive
I wonder, “Will I ever make it —
Arrive and drink in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears — Tears for breakfast, tears for supper All day long People knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?” These are the things I go over and over, Emptying out the pockets of my life .
–Psalm 42:1-4
EMPTY-POCKET PRAYERS
There are days when we reach down deep and pull the pockets of our heart inside out and empty them . Its funny what we carry in our pockets In an episode from that old classic Leave It To Beaver, the ever-present mom, June Cleaver, is pulling things from Beaver’s pockets before laundering his jeans Ward Cleaver walks in and she points out the variety of curious items, including a dog tooth When she asks Ward why in the world a boy would want to keep a dog tooth in his pocket, he thinks for a moment and then responds, “I don’t know, but I do know that I wouldn’t trust any boys who didn’t want to ”
I think God totally understands, and even delights in, the things we hold in the pockets of our hearts . And in doing so, he has great compassion for us when we turn them out Memories and dreams, longings and desires We carry these things around with us, saving them for the perfect time to pull them out and enjoy them But often life doesn’t work out that way Our treasures cannot be saved up Moth and rust do destroy . Thieves break in and steal Divorce is one thief; disease is another . Even the natural process of aging steals the treasures of our youth (as this menopausal mama can personally attest) War, natural disasters, political strife, and corruption all take their toll
No one thinks for a moment that Hannah’s barren womb is her own fault She is both lovely and loved Yet the pockets of her heart are turned out, emptied And she lives on a diet of tears So she prays, thirsting for Godalive She places her dream on the altar asking God for his answer . And without knowing how God will respond, she gets up from the altar with a lightened spirit, a restored appetite, and a radiant glow to her face
She has emptied her pockets into the hands of God-alive and he is holding her treasures now
When Hannah’s baby was born, she named him Samuel, meaning “God listened ” Samuel became one of Israel’s greatest judges, a priest and leader mentioned in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith . And it all started with Hannah’s empty-pocket prayer, when the only One she could depend on to know her hurt and hear her heart was God-alive .
God does that . He works your wounds and mine into a plan of redemption that reaches so far beyond us it becomes a part of the story he is writing in this world, a story that goes out from us to others in restoration and grace
Adapted from Soulfriends: What Every Woman Needs to Grow in Her Faith (Zondervan 2014)
HONING IN
REFLECTION & NOTES
p . 10 During Alexis’ latest journey, she leaned heavily on her faith through daily Bible readings, weekly young adult Bible studies, and solitary moments of prayer What ways do you lean on your faith in moments of unknown?
p 12 Try addressing God where you need His presence today: Jehovah Rapha (healing), Jehovah Jireh (provision), or Jehovah Shalom (peace)
p 17 How do you use your unique gifts to be the salt and light in every season (Matthew 5:13-16)?
p . 19 Every year, Kelsie likes to pray for a word to bubble up that she can embrace and lean into as her theme for the coming year What would your word be for this year?
p . 24 Have you ever had God answer a very specific prayer? Is there something specific you can pray for today?
p 27 Susan reminds us that, “trust is not blind faith; it is tested faith ” How have tests of faith led you to trust God?
Through trust and obedience, God grants us “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine ” (Eph 3:20) How does knowing this allow you to better trust God?
p . 30 Is there a time in your life when you kept it together in front of friends or family, but were able to pour your heart out to God in private?
Can you empty the pockets of your heart today? Ask God to “work your wounds into a plan of redemption ”
HONING IN
REFLECTION & NOTES
JOIN US FOR THE ANCHOR AT HOME!
God promises to be our rock and refuge every day. Join us this year as we explored the theme of what that looks like to be anchored on the truth that Jesus is a rock and refuge for whatever we face.
Visit theanchorgathering.com/anchor-at-home for more information.
HONING IN
MEET THE FOUNDER
KATIE ROBERTSON FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Katie Robertson, of Gig Harbor, WA, faced one of life’s greatest storms after losing her daughter to a five year battle with cancer
In the midst of this loss, Katie held firmly to the Anchor of her faith, Jesus She knew she was not the only woman experiencing the trials of life; her heart broke for the women in her community facing storms without any anchor at all
She felt the urgent need to share the hope we have in Jesus to encourage and anchor one another in faith and friendship
HONING IN
WHAT'S A GATHERING?
Women of all ages are welcome to enjoy appetizers, drinks, music, community, and stories from women about their faith, and engaging in the deeper questions of life with a dynamic speaker
The Anchor at Home is a virtual gathering on YouTube, premiering the first Thursday of the month, October through June Watch on your own, host a watch party, or attend a watch party in your area .
Anchor Gatherings are hosted in person on a quarterly basis with amazing speakers, hosted appetizers and wine, drawings, and best of all, each other! If you're not local to an in-person Gathering, don't worry — we capture the whole evening to be shared with watch parties across the globe! We're excited to include all Anchor at Home watch parties in the evening's festivities!
GATHERING TOGETHER TO BE ANCHORED IN HOPE, FAITH AND FRIENDSHIP.
COME BE ENCOURAGED.
theanchorgathering.com katie@theanchorgathering.com @theanchorgathering
The Anchor Gathering @theanchorgathering