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Anna Filly Photography

Anna Filly Photography

Roanoke, Virginia Wedding Photographer specializing in timeless wedding, engagement and lifestyle photos.

Calling Oneonta Home – Redeemer Community Church

4 Comments

Calling Oneonta Home - Redeemer Community Church- Northern Alabama Photographer

Calling Oneonta Home

Like morning sunlight breaking across the dark night sky, or a swelling of music after a dramatic pause, here I am, writing to you.

It’s been quiet on the blog around here lately and I am so thankful for your patience.  After my husband and I moved from Mobile, Alabama to Oneonta, Alabama last September, Anna Filly Photography had it’s busiest season yet. Following that busy season, were the Holidays, and then before we knew it a New Year had begun.

We finished 2018 serving and loving our clients well.  I decided that for a short span of time, I’d stop blogging as I slowly began the process of planting my roots in Oneonta’s soil.  I love blogging, so stopping was hard.  But stopping allowed for me to settle in our new home, and embrace our new life here.

The transition of moving to a new place, making it home, building friendships and running a business in a new location has been a little overwhelming at times.

I have a tendency to want to rush the process in order to hold the product in my hands.  I want to rush the process of making friends, so I have them.  I want to rush the process of building a business in a new location, so I’m known here.  I want to rush the process of putting down roots, so I feel secure.  You get the idea.

But, the one thing the Lord keeps whispering over me is that good things grow slow. Planted seeds don’t produce fruit the next day.  The sweetest fruits don’t blossom & ripen overnight.

      Time is life’s most valuable secret ingredient.Calling Oneonta Home - Redeemer Community Church - Northern Alabama Photographer

In time, Oneonta has become home for us.  This tiny community has welcomed us in with open arms and Southern charm.  It’s amazing to me how closely knit this small town is.  Everyone knows everyone, and the history of how and why runs back for generations.

David and I have loved getting to know the members of our new church.  Attending there has been such a breath of fresh air.  Which brings me to the images in this post.  Over Christmas, I was given the incredible opportunity to photograph our church staff and their families.  It was SO fun to share my love of photography with our new church family, and I am so thrilled to introduce them to you today!!

Redeemer Community Church

Calling Oneonta Home - Redeemer Community Church - Northern Alabama Photographer

This image ( above ) was used on our Church Christmas Card!!

Calling Oneonta Home - Redeemer Community Church - Northern Alabama Photographer

This is Matt Scott, our Pastor at Redeemer Community Church.  He and his wife, Stephanie ( whom you’ll meet in a moment!) started the church three years ago.  Matt has such a sincere heart for the people in Oneonta.  He’s a man on a mission and after meeting him, you’ll walk away inspired.  Matt and Stephanie’s son, Davis, is such a cool kid.  Him and David (my husband) have become such good buddies!

This is Stephanie, our Director of Redeemer Kids.  Stephanie sparkles.  Seriously.  She has a heart of gold and a beautiful way of making life brighter.  Her love for kids is one of the sweetest things about her.  She is incredibly intentional, extremely organized and is the BEST supporter and encourager to Matt.  Her family means everything to her, and goodness gracious, she treats everyone like they are family!Calling Oneonta Home - Redeemer Community Church - Northern Alabama Photographer

This is Jared.  Jared is our Director of Student Ministries.  He teaches, disciples and loves on the teens and youth of Redeemer Community Church each week.  Jared is incredibly passionate about diving deep into the Gospel and teaching it to our students.  Him and his wife Emily are precious together, aren’t they?!

This is Perry!  Perry is our Director of Discipleship as well as our *new* Pastor for a brand new church campus that we are launching in Altoona, AL in April!  Perry has a great sense of humor, a deep love for the Lord, and a sincere desire to see lives changed by the Gospel.  His family is absolutely PRECIOUS, and his wife, Mary has become such a sweet friend to me.  This bunch is so sweet!

This is LaNeia, our Executive Assistant at Redeemer. When you walk into the offices, she is the first person you see.  This lovely lady keeps everyone organized, on task and efficient.  She is SUCH a radiant asset to the staff. 

This is David, if you know me, you know how deeply my love for him goes.  David is my husband, as well as the Worship Pastor at Redeemer Community Church.  David has such a humble and sincere heart for Jesus Christ.  His love for the Lord reflects in everything he does.  As the Worship Pastor, he intentionally invests in the volunteers that lead worship with him.  He strives for musical excellence (not perfection) each Sunday, and is one of the most amazing people you will ever meet!  ( I may be a little biased!)Calling Oneonta Home - Redeemer Community Church - Northern Alabama Photographer

I am so grateful to start blogging again, and to start sharing our lives with you once more.  Thank you for joining this journey with us, and for cheering us on.

We love you.

xoxo Anna Filly

Filed Under: Personal

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    January 24, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    Anna, you have such a way with words. We are so blessed that the Lord brought you and David to Redeemer. We love you guys!!

    Reply
    • AnnaFilly says

      January 26, 2019 at 1:49 pm

      Thank you SO much for being such wonderful friends to us. We are ETERNALLY grateful for you, Mary!

      Reply
  2. Pres :) says

    February 6, 2019 at 11:00 pm

    Yess!!! Love that your W O R D S are back !! You are such a voice of His heart and truth . . .
    L O V E Y O U

    Reply
    • AnnaFilly says

      February 7, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      I love you more than wordssssss!!

      Reply

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More about Anna

Hi there! I’m Anna Filly, a Wedding & Portrait photographer in the sweet, deep South. I love hosting dinner parties, sparkling water, & magnifying love through the art of photography. I have a slight obsession with fresh cut flowers, ice cream is my guilty pleasure & crinkling nose laughter is my muse. Grab something sweet & browse the site! I’m so glad you’re here.

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The most darling couple on the dreariest day. 30 m The most darling couple on the dreariest day. 30 minutes of “light sprinkles” of rain, a family home & a dress from Poland. What a sweet session capturing Olivia & Andrew !
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#annafillybrides #annafillyphotography #RoanokeVa
The dreamiest details, the dreamiest memories ✨🤍 #annafillybrides #annafillyphotography
I am a momma of four little ones. Four little live I am a momma of four little ones. Four little lives look to me for comfort, direction & love. It’s the most magical calling. My days are filled with play & discovery & my nights are filled with feedings, reassurances & sleeplessness. I have struggled so much with balance in this season. Is the work/motherhood balance ever perfect ? (Asking for a friend 🙋🏻‍♀️). One thing raising four little kiddos ages 3 & under has taught me is that it all goes by waaaaay to quickly. This season won’t last forever. It won’t be long before Judah starts grade school & Lina starts to walk. Before I know it ,our foster son will be joining a sports team & our foster daughter will crawling. 
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The most meaningful moments are found in what seems to be the most mundane.  Knowing my kids, loving them & growing with them means I must forsake all else & just be with them. To me, that’s what matters most about being a mommy. Letting go of expectations, people pleasing & perfection is the key. 
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I love this season. It’s grown me leaps & bounds. It is such an honor. It’s a joy to be called “mommy”. I have incredible women who have raised me & walked along side me throughout my life. I am so grateful for each of them & all they have taught me. I’m grateful for my foster children’s birth mom. She’s such a beautiful human ! I’m in awe of the moms that I get to do life with & they ways they love their families.  Motherhood is hard & wonderful, selfless & humbling. I have never been more grateful for this little life 🤍
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And to the women yearning to be mommas, I see you. I have been in your shoes. Your yearning is not in vain. And to the ladies broken by their lack of a mother, I love you. You are not alone 🤍
Yesterday was all kinds of wonderful. 🌸✨🌿🍾
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Cait & Brad celebrated their love with their most favorite people in Richmond, Virginia. Bright colors, tender moments & JOY echoed in every detail of their wedding day. It was so much fun capturing them !! 
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I got home at 2am but by golly it was worth it !! 
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Aren’t they cute ?!
#AnnaFillyPhotography #AnnaFillyBrides
Today is gonna be a good day ✨ Congrats to Brad Today is gonna be a good day ✨ Congrats to Brad & Cait on their gorgeous wedding day !! #AnnaFillyPhotography #AnnaFillyBrides
And just like that, we became a family of six. ✨ And just like that, we became a family of six. ✨
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These last two weeks have held so much for our little family. One day I will share all that has happened & I will ooo and ahh over the ways the Lord has been ever faithful. 
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But for now, I will say this: God is gracious & kind. Our family is thrilled to welcome our foster son’s littlest sister into our home. This sweet baby was born one week ago today. I got to be in the delivery room with her momma & cheer her on as she brought this precious baby into the world. She’s so lovely. She looks just like her brother did when he was first born ! The resemblance is breathtaking. 
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Our family is so grateful for these birth parents, for this new life & that our journey with them gets to continue. Foster care is hard, but it is beautiful. I will never stop praising Jesus for asking us to trust him in this way. It has been one of our greatest journeys.
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And in case you’re doing the math, we have four kids, three and under (3, 13 months, 9 months & a newborn) living under one roof 😉
When your bestie finds the love of her life, she s When your bestie finds the love of her life, she sparkles ✨🤍

Karley has been by my side for twenty years. Countless sleepovers, memories & adventures have been woven together to create our sweet friendship. She is the first to pack a bag & be on a plane before you can even ask where she’s going. She’s a snuggle bug, a deep feeler & has the most beautiful appreciation for meaningful things. I love that about her. She has a zeal for whimsy & loves to experience the fullness of life.

Then came Matthew, the kind, well grounded man who swept her off of her feet. Matthew is hospitable, thoughtful, warm & fun. He’s the first to hug you & feed you, offering you company & conversation as you sit at his table.

When Karley fell in love with Matthew, all of her friends did too because he let Karley be exactly who she was, & somehow she became better.

Their friendship has blessed Dave & I so much. I am thrilled to celebrate this season of engagement with them. Soon & very soon these two will be married. You better believe I’ll be laughing & crying that whole entire day !! #annafillybrides
A precious bundle of joy was welcomed into the Wex A precious bundle of joy was welcomed into the Wexler home this month. Little Jack is a dream, with the sweetest temperament. His big brothers are so tender with him & it is such a treasure to capture this family.

Photographing fresh babies never gets old 🤍

#roanokeva #roanokevirginia #roanokevalley
When searching for a wedding photographer never be When searching for a wedding photographer never be afraid to ask for a peek into a full wedding gallery. SO many beautiful details and moments can be found when you look through a wedding day as a whole.  Plus, you get a better idea as to the photographic style & personality of the photographer!

Melanie & Matthew’s wedding day was captured in Point Clear, Alabama at the Grand Hotel. What a beautiful, stunning day full of captivating details & precious moments.

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Merry Christmas !! It’s so crazy to think that t Merry Christmas !! It’s so crazy to think that this time last year we were a family of three and now we are a family of FIVE ! Gods goodness never runs out. Wishing you the most magical holiday with those you love most ✨🥰🎄

A huge thank you to @kaylanchisholmphotography for these beautiful images 🫶🏻

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