Spending the evening at one of my favorite places. God changed my life at @ugawesley in such a deep way, more than I’ll ever be able to measure. I’m so grateful. 
I’m preparing to interview @quothdouglas this morning, so I opened the brand new Every Moment Holy Volume II: Death, Grief, and Hope. And here is where I landed. And it is no accident today because yes, we are a nation grieving tragedy upon tragedy. ..... • Two children killed in Nashville • A school shooting in Knoxville • Daunte Wright killed in Minnesota ..... And those are just three examples from the last week in a long line of tragedies. (There are many more in many communities, I know.) I don’t know all the right words to say to my white friends or my Asian friends or my black and brown friends. I honestly don’t even know what to pray- thank God for Every Moment Holy. But I sit with you in the tension of being a person of faith in an unjust world, sending emails to my government representatives, praying clumsy words, and trying my best to love my friends well. May God be very present to those grieving the loss of ones they love and may God have mercy on us. ♥️ 
I thought my heart was gonna beat out of my chest a few times during this #thatsoundsfunpodcast episode with Francis Chan. Y’all. Y’ALL. There are so many moments that I won’t forget... particularly the idea that we just get to be the receptionists that lead people to the Doctor. Wheeeww.😭 ..... To listen along (plan to take notes maybe?), just search “That Sounds Fun” in your favorite podcast app and Pastor Chan Episode 286! I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!!♥️ 
People ask me a lot about my day of rest every week. Yesterday included a @vandyboys game from the top of the parking deck since seating in the stadium is limited. I opened my trunk and we sat in the back, the weather was perfect, and I worked on my talk for @cotcdowntown (thank y’all for having me today!). I cheered for @vandyboys and @baseballuga (it was a complicated game for my heart 💛🖤❤️) and the minutes crawled in the best way. ..... Having fun is so necessary in order for my brain to rest. And the sunshine and the friends and the baseball were all very good for my soul. ..... Tell me how you had fun that led to rest this weekend? I’d love more ideas!♥️ 
Just for my friends, meaning YOU and your friends, #thatsoundsfuntour tickets are on pre-sale TODAY (before we open it up to the world on Monday!)... and you need a code. ..... No one is surprised. The code is FRIEND. Head to anniefdowns.com and click on the tour banner and use the code FRIEND to get your tickets! ..... There are very limited VIP tickets still available and we are being super safe in each city and following local COVID guidelines on the night of the event, so some venues will have limited capacity. So what I am saying is HURRY AND GRAB YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THIS THING SELLS OUT. I don’t want you to miss it! ..... Here’s what I can guarantee every night of the tour: • a live podcast interview with a different special guest in every city • giveaways • LAUGHS • super fun VIP experience • @bowtiecomedy • my teeth will not be this shade of white😂 • lots of surprises I keep almost saying then being told DON’T TELL which is hard for me. ..... Again between now and Sunday night, you can only buy tickets with the code FRIEND. So text your husband or wife or small group or neighbor or come alone and make some friends (we have plans for this- people do not leave my parties without making a new friend!).... get your ticket(s) today and let’s have the best time! ..... Already have your tickets?!? Where will I see you? 
Today’s #thatsoundsfunpodcast episode is a NOTE TAKING EPISODE do not say I didn’t warn you. @jonacuff brings the heat about changing what we say to and about ourselves and each other. Make sure you grab a copy of Soundtracks today, too! ..... Just search “That Sounds Fun” in your favorite podcast app and Jon is Episode 285! I cannot waaaait to hear your thoughts (and soundtracks!)!♥️ 
DID👏🏼Y’ALL👏🏼SEE👏🏼THIS👏🏼?!? EEEEK I AM TOO EXCITED! ..... #thatsoundsfuntour is happening! Swipe to see which cities will be overrun in June with fun friends and really special conversations and lots of good times! ..... These nights are going to be super safe and super fun and exactly what you and your friends need after the last year. Couples, soccer teams, book clubs, friend groups, men and women, all are welcome! ..... Pre-sales *technically* start on Friday with a code, but if you sign up for my email list (link in bio!) you’re getting access to buy tomorrow at 9amCT! ..... Okay so what city will I see you in?!? And tag your friends who are coming with you!🙌🏼♥️ 
I’m feeling a little sappy today, knowing what is announced today on #thatsoundsfunpodcast (go listen!) and remembering that five years ago today, #LookingForLovely released. It’s the book that represents the season of my life where I learned how to quit quitting. Everything that is happening today in my life- work and personal- is because of what God did in my life and how He shaped me through the painful days I write about in this book. Also my #LookingForLovely jar is still in my office. It means so much to me. ..... Today ONLY on shopanniefdowns.com, #LookingForLovely is 15% off! If you’re looking for a quick read that will get you out of a rut, this birthday gal is the one for you! And you’ll get your own jar to start collecting, I bet.😊 ..... Happy birthday, #LookingForLovely! You changed me forever. ♥️ ..... PS- another insanely beautiful cover by @matt_lehman. I told him I wanted it to be the color of a July night. Think those are fireworks? Nope. Matt illustrated EMOTIONS, y’all. Please judge this book by the cover.😂♥️ 
We are BACK with a new guest and a new #thatsoundsfunpodcast episode! HAPPY MONDAY GET READY TO LAUGH. ..... Today @bowtiecomedy joins us for a super fun conversation that will get your Monday started in the best ways. He is the exact right guest to start this week (it’s a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT kind of week, friends) and you’re gonna love why he’s the right guy for today. ..... To listen along- and LAUGH- just search “That Sounds Fun” in your favorite podcast app and Mike is Episode 284! I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!!!... but don’t spoil anything in the comments. Speak in code only. 😂😂😂♥️ 
I wasted Lent. ..... It’s been a wildly busy few months. This isn’t even a swimming duck situation where it’s seemed calm on top but kicking legs under the water. It’s been flapping wings and kicking legs and a few cuts in my webbed feet kind of season. I wish I would have prayed more and read more and listened more. I wish I would have done Lent better. ..... I haven’t been waking up well. My sleep has been weird and the mornings have been hard. I’ve been more frustrated than connected and more tired than hopeful. ..... Three years ago, Lent changed my life. And I feel like every year I’m trying to live up to 2018 again and when it doesn’t feel like it’s happening, I feel like a failure. ..... So here we are, on the night Jesus was betrayed. And I feel a pit in my stomach over it. I guess I’ve always been more like Peter than I want. Sigh. So for any of us who have reached this weekend with less and not more, with brokenness and not growth, with more failure than success, may we encounter a risen Savior this weekend. May we leave Maundy Thursday as Peter of the Gospels and finish Easter Sunday as Peter in Acts- not because of what WE do, but because of what Jesus did. He is risen indeed. ♥️