Something as small.....

Something as small as a just-big-enough tree and a yellow worn out swing can influence a life. My littlest brother and sister run daily with glee to this swing for half an hours worth of amusement. There have been many tears shed over this precious swing, many golden kisses from the sun, many red noses from the wind, but still they go,bare feet and all. They go to the place they love. The much loved path way is no longer green lush grass, it is loose dirt that stains their little toes.
I think about this 'path' and wonder, isn't this how Jesus wants us to be? Every day running with glee to him? Wearing out the path till it is dirt? The wind stings, the sun burns, the rocks on the ground hurt, yet we still go. We go because we love Him. We go because He refreshes our soul.

Something as small as two hands, 94 years old, taking a much smaller pair ,12 years old, into it's own , teaching the rhythms of knitting, investing in a life. She didn't have to, it was late. She did anyway. Now ,three years later, anytime these two people meet, the older, wiser one asks "have you knitted anything lately?" and I reply "Yes!...." and go on to tell her of the latest half-finished scarf or doo-dad. I see her hugging my little sister and hope that one day I may teach her to knit, telling her the time when (great) Grandma taught me. I wonder, when I have been on this earth for 97 years, what will be my story? What will people say I did? I hope that they will say I was a follower of Christ, a loving daughter, sister, friend, a (hopefully) devoted wife and mother. I hope I have proof with many arrows to influence God's world, and if not, I hope that I can be a good example for my little brothers and sisters, helping to raise them for the glory of God.

Baby Stellan

PRAY FOR BABY STELLAN!!!!! Go to Mckmama's blog and read about this miracle baby...

'Orange' happy...

(picture)memories of the weekend....

Romance Novels part. 2

It has taken much thought to come up with a part 2!! I considered saying "Part 2 coming in a few years when I am married!" I felt like I had said all I could say.....

Most rn (romance novels) end up with a marriage or a clear idea that the couple are going to get married. The kind of rn I read are historical. I have probably only read one or two modern day romances. What I find interesting is how in the historical romance the ladies are preparing to be married. They are serving their families. Learning to be wives and mothers one day, not just sitting around waiting for it to happen and going into marriage knowing nothing.

During these teen years we need to be learning all we can to prepare for being wives and mothers.

Learning to cook healthy, delicious meals.

Learning how to manage the household chores:

laundry, dishes, everyday cleaning.

Learning how to can and preserve food.

Learning how to be frugal in spending our dad's (and mom's :) money.

Learning how to take care of little children.

All of these are things we need to know to manage a household smoothly.

We need to be practicing serving our brothers and dad now so that when we get married we will have a good understanding of how to serve our husband.

Titus 2 verse 3-5 :

.........and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

I think this verse sums up what we should be trying to accomplish.

1. self controlled~ restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires

2.pure~ unmixed with any other matter (2): free from dust, dirt, or taint

3.working at home (homemaker)~one who manages a household especially as a wife and mother

4.kind~of a sympathetic or helpful nature

5.submissive~to yield to governance or authority

All of these are traits that can be practiced out right now.

I am reading a book, Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Goldy Wife and Mother by

Carolyn Mahaney

In this book Mrs. Mahaney goes in-depth to explain each of the virtues listed in Titus 2 3-5.

So as we are reading these wonderfully romantic books, lets enjoy them but also use them as a tool for learning how to prepare for marriage. Look at what the girls are doing in the books.

How are they helping their families? What are traits you admire? What are their faults?

~ Homemaking-being a full-time wife and mother-is not a destructive drought of uselessness but an overflowing oasis of opportunity; it is not a dreary cell to contain one's talents and skills but a brilliant catalyst to channel creativity and energies into meaningful work.~

Dorothy Patterson

Happy Birthday!

I just wanted to say 'Happy Birthday' to the VERY best father in the whole world.

I love you daddy!!!!

Dawn Awakening

I awoke this morning, in the warmth of a quilt, with a little body next to mine. The day, just beginning. A new day. A fresh day. One to right any wrongs done yesterday. One to ask for His help. Every day God gives us is a renewal time, a time to ask forgiveness, start over, do better.
I creep out into the cold, crisp air and snap a picture, a reminder, that today is new.

Romance Novels part 1

OK, I admit it! I am a romance novel guru......

Now please know that when I say 'romance' novel, I am not talking about the kind that you turn over at garage sales to keep your younger siblings from looking at the covers! :o)
I am talking about the simple kind of romance, The kind that follows families for generations.

Such as the Love's Long Journey series by Jeanette Oke. ( If you have never read the books but have seen the movies, just know that the movies DO NOT DO JUSTICE!!!)

In general people are all the time saying things such as, 'Reading any kind of romance creates ideals in your mind that aren't true' or 'Men really don't act that way in real life' or 'Marriages aren't like that at all'

Well.....no. and yes.

Sometimes it depends on the author, other times, the mind that reads the words.

I am fifteen year old young lady. I enjoy reading these stories (because that is all they are!)

I have tryed to be really careful not to let the, I'll just say 'sweetness' effect me. BUT,

I am afraid I am now a hopeless romantic at heart. Is that a bad thing??

As far as reading these books and them creating ideals, yes, they do. But not one that is necessarily untrue or bad. If you are reading someone like Jane Austen or Jeannette Oke you will know that it is not 'Love at first sight' blah Sometimes the people hate each other!

I HOPE that one day when (and if God allows it) I get married, I love the man I am marrying!

Now I know that he will most likely not sweep me up in his arms in the middle of a pouring rain or come riding up on a white stallion.

But, he will be my prince charming. It is all in the way you look at it.

No,most men do not act like the men in these novels.

Most of the so called 'men' out there in the world do not even act like men.

They were not trained to work hard, protect ladies, be the leaders of their family, etc.

But, there are guys out there who were trained to do that.

Now to point three,

Marriages are not like that at all'

What? Are you sure?

Because when I look at my parents I see everything that is sweet,lovely, and yeah, even a little

(as much as you can be with 6 kids) romantic.

My dad:

He opens doors for my mom

He sends her flowers for no reason

He rubs her feet every single night (!!!!)

He buys her small gifts about once a week (new watch, chap stick,new clothes)

He LOVES to be around her. (He'll go anywhere, as long as she'll go with him)

My Mom:

I see her tirelessly giving of herself to my dad.

She is constantly coming up with ways to serve him and make his load lighter.

She makes it a point to make his favorite meals.

She will be the first to admit that she has a lot of learning to do in this area. (although I think she is doing great)

Now, I say all of this not to prove whoever thinks or says the above things about novels is wrong.

I am just simply stating my opinion on the matter. :o)

-taylor