May 2008

Each year for Mother's Day, my daughters and I attend our church's Mother-Daughter Luncheons, and this will be the first year we are not able to attend. My husband and his parents have pulled together to provide a much needed vacation for our family. Instead of attending the luncheon we will be at Disneyland. Although we treasure our times together sharing Mother's Day with our friends in the ministry, we are excited to be able to go a family trip!

If you do not currently have a tradition for Mother's Day I strongly advise that you create one. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:28, "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." (KJV) Ancient landmarks were created as a testimony to the Lord, to show what He has done in the lives of His people. Ancient landmarks are traditions of reverence to the Lord and as mothers we have the responsibility of creating landmarks for our families to hold in high regard as they grow in the Lord. Creating family traditions will bring your children's minds and hearts back tot he family as each special day approaches throughout the rest of their lives.

Families who lose their traditions are least likely to pass down their heritage, which is so vital in today's world. We must do all we can to establish traditions that help to hold our families together. Here are a few ideas of what you can do each year to build memories, strengthen family ties, and bring honor to the Lord in your lives.

1. Hostess a Mother daughter Luncheon of your own: Invite friends and family to participate in a yearly event to honor mothers and their relationships with their daughters.

2. Have a home cooked Sunday meal: Although this is ideal for every Sunday, a special Mother's Day lunch or brunch with the family is good to bring honor to mom and include the husband and brothers.

3. Plant a garden together: Whether it's an herb garden or new flowers in the flower bed, plant a small garden together each year in honor of Mother's Day.

4. Make a Public Announcement: Many newspapers will sell ad space especially for Mother's Day. You can send in what makes your mom so special. They print it in their Sunday Mother's Day edition. You can also find various magazines that promote a Mother's Day contest as well.

5. If your Mom is far away: Some of you have gotten married and moved far from home. You can send flowers, and a card, or even a gift card to her favorite restaurant. If you're in driving distance, consider surprising her by showing up at her door with flowers.

We pray that this special Mother's Day edition will be a blessing to you and your mother.

GGM has a two new writers! Please welcome Miss Virginia and Miss Hannah to our team. You'll see them contributing throughout the month.

This month we have decided to place a hold on a few of our regular features to bring you our special Mother's Day Edition.

~Sisterlisa
Editor in Chief

To view the entire magazine in one post click here. Please be patient while all the graphics load.

Featured Stories:
Florence Nightingale- Lady Jess
We Salute You- Miss Amanda A tribute of honor for our Armed Servicemen and Ladies.
World Press Freedom Day- Miss Amanda Announcing this year's theme.
Honoring Mothers- Our Winner!
GGM Interview- In Ministry With Mom, Missionary mom and daughter from the island of St. Lucia
Thank you Mom, a Poem from Miss Kaitlyn
Mother Cat- Miss Monica June


Download Your *NO Longer Available*

Download the PDF version of No Longer Available

Life and Faith
Faith Factor-Sharing a spiritual birthday Miss Monica June
Thorns & Roses: Biblical Womanhood- Miss Jocelyn
A Mother's Listening Heart- Mrs. D. Listen to this mother's heart in her column Bridging the Gap.
Your New Best Friend- Miss Amanda A look into the mother daughter relationship, from the daughter's heart.
Emotion Commotion

Health and Nutrition
National Salad Month- Lady Rachel
I Scream!- Lady Olivia
Chocolate Chip Day- Miss Hannah with Lady Rachel
Healthy Steps- Lady Jess


Recipes
M & M Pancakes- Miss Monica June
Growing an Indoor Herb Garden- Lady Rachel
Eggs A La Golden Rod- Lady Olivia



Lifestyle and Culture
Blessed Girlhood: National Scrapbooking Day- Miss Jocelyn and Mrs. D. (And a giveaway valued at $100)
A Hardened Heart- Sisterlisa An article about courtship
Freedom Flyer- Sister Angie
It's Your Mother That Matters- Sisterlisa
Mother Daughter Movie Recommendation- Lady Jess
Polished Cornerstones- Miss Amanda Bringing Biblical motherhood back into today's culture.
Sibling Lovelry- GGM Team
Think Pink: Host Your Own Tea Party- Miss Jocelyn
Portfolio de Couturier: Interview Olivia-Kate - Miss Jocelyn

Education
Snuggle Up- Lady Rachel Book review and a giveaway!
A Life of Faith- Miss Alyssa
Clean Your Room Day- Lady Rachel

Graphics by designer G's
Some photos from iStockphoto
and sxc.hu Stock Exchange
For ad information please contact our
Senior Ad Executive, Miss Jocelyn at our Ad Dept.

Senior Editor: Sisterlisa
Senior Executive Editor: Jacque Dixon
Assistant Editor: Sister Angie
Print Magazine Editor and layout designer: Lady Jess
Senior News Room Correspondent: Miss Amanda e-mail

Special thanks to:
The Life of Faith Girls
Misty Brown
Mrs. Lindsay and Miss Kayla
CS Flowers

Sibling Lovelry

Brothers and Sisters Day is celebrated May 2nd. The Bible tells us in Psalm 127:3-4 that

3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

This means that all children are a blessing, including your brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters should be best friends. They should love each other in the Lord and always look out for each other. Of all neighbors you will know as a child, brothers and sisters are the nearest. Galatians 5 tells us:

14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Throughout the Bible, there are examples of brothers and sisters who are kind and those who are mean and even hateful. Joseph had 11 brothers, and ten of them rose up against him and sold him into slavery. Read about it in Genesis 37.

Can you match the other brothers and sisters in Bible? Hint: There are more than two siblings in some cases. Look for 8 sets of siblings!

Cain ~ Jacob ~ Hophni ~ Seth

Martha ~ James ~ Rachel

Shem ~ Andrew ~ Mary

Esau ~ Peter ~ Phineas

Leah ~ Ham ~ Abel

John ~ Japheth ~ Lazarus

Sometimes brothers and sisters make bad choices in their decisions about the way they treat us. The world will tell you that it is expected that brothers and sisters fight and don't get along. They will say that sibling rivalry is normal. The Bible tells us that we are to "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" Romans 12:10. That means that when a sister or brother offends, we prefer them above our own feelings of being upset or offended. We are supposed to be friends with our sisters and brothers. We also should not put other friends above our siblings.

We are also to "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not." Romans 12: 14. This is not always easy to do. Sometimes it is frustrating, but know that God has placed you in your family for a purpose: His purpose, and He will help you to get along and love your brothers and sisters. God places quite an importance on families and expects us to get along and walk in love. If you still don't believe me about getting along with and loving your brother and sister, then listen to what God has to say about that in Romans 12:16-19:

16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

God said that getting back at your brother and sister is for Him to be concerned with. That makes it very clear as to our place in the relationship: We are to live peaceably as much as we can, and let God take care of the rest. He is a just God and will deal justly and mercifully with those who sin against us.

A good resource if you are struggling with having a good attitude with your siblings is Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally.

Answers to the Bible siblings:

1. Cain, Abel, Seth

2. Martha, Mary, Lazarus

3. Peter, Andrew

4. James, John

5. Esau, Jacob

6. Rachel, Leah

7. Ham, Shem, Japheth

8. Hophni, Phineas

Take some time to acquaint yourself with some of these siblings and ask yourself if their relationships were God-honoring or not! While you are at it, evaluate your attitudes of your siblings. Do you have a "sibling rivalry" or a "sibling lovelry"?

The girls at GGM feel the same way about siblings - they LOVE 'em!

My Brothers and Sisters by Miss Hannah
I like to blog like my sisters and write articles. Now I am going to write articles like they do. I have seven brothers and sisters. I love them very much. I like to help my baby sister and my big sisters. I like to help in the kitchen because I love them a lot. I do the barn chores with Rachel, Eric, Jocelyn and Amanda.

I like to go to the store with them too. I am a nice kid to my sisters. It is fun to have big sisters because they help you do things. They help you do the dinner and help do the dishes. They help you get dressed and help you put your shoes on you. Like I said, it is fun to have big sisters to help with. I promise you, if you have a clean room, you can play with your sisters. You will be able to sit and do things with your sisters. Remember, there are others out there just like you. I am a great sister to all my siblings.
Sincerely,

Siblings by Lady Olivia
My brother and I are total opposites in so many ways. You might think we probably don't get along so well. If you were thinking that then you were mistaken. We do have our ups and downs, but as strange as it seems we are the perfect match.

I am the older sister and Zach is my only brother. We mostly enjoy playing outside together with our neighbor's dogs, playing at the creek, or any kind of sport. I try to set a good example for him. When we mess up or something we are always there to help the other one. Sometimes when he wants to give up I encourage him and ask Jesus to help him. Zach is definitely a prayer warrior in our family. When he knows that I am having problems he prays for me. I love my brother very much and I know he feels the same about me.

Our Siblings by Miss Alyssa
What would our lives be like without siblings? Really, think about it. Oftentimes, I think we take our siblings for granted or even worse, we do not think of them as a good thing/a blessing at all. But what would you feel like if you woke up tomorrow and had no siblings? You had grown up with them your whole life, and you knew each other so well. Then, they had disappeared! If, after a few months without them, they came back, would it change the way you thought of them?

I want my younger brothers and me to be close friends, but I need to do my part by being a friend and treating them as friends. Also, my parents have made a good point: When your siblings are Christians, they are also your brother or sister in Christ.

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
For a long time, I thought this meant brothers (and sisters) were born to fight with one another :). However, according to my recent understanding, a brother is born for adversity means a brother is born to help in times of adversity (trouble).

Lady Jess:

Siblings. The world’s philosophy is the lesser the better. I will tell you this is not the case. The Bible says that children are a blessing. Therefore siblings are a blessing. I have so many dear friends who have large families and a large amount of siblings. They always seem so happy. My siblings are a blessing as well.

I love it when my little brother and I play Legos or cars. We have so much fun together. My littlest sister is as much fun also. I love playing make believe with her. She is such the little mommy. I like spending time with my other sister as well. We always play duets on the piano and I love being a part of this magazine with her. I always cherish the times that all of us are gathered together and are enjoying a nice movie.

So many of the people I know think that having siblings is a pain and that it would be so much easier without them. Again, this is not true. I have a few friends that are the only child. They always tell me how lucky I am to have siblings. I always think to myself “I know.”

Living In A Large Family by Miss Jocelyn
I live in a large family... we have eight kids. Whenever I want someone do to something fun with or someone to help me, I always have someone there to ask.

I have two sisters who are in their teen years who I enjoy joy doing "big stuff" with. One of our favourite times is late at night when we all sit down together and watch a movie, usually after Rachel (14) has made popcorn. Sometimes a few of the Littles may stay up with us.

Hannie is my eight-year-old sister can be such the little helper and she does enjoy getting anyone something to drink or holding the baby, LucyLillie. I have a very important task as big sister to help train both Hannie and Lucy, though it can be very difficult at times.

Then I have three brothers... Eric (10), Isaac (4), and Caleb (2) who all boy. That in itself can make it pretty crazy around here. I've always wanted to have an older brother, but for some reason the Lord gave me three little brothers.

Yes, we do have quite a bit of chaos around here, but having all these brothers and sisters is definitely worth it. When we're all grown up we'll always have someone to call friend and that is definitely one of the biggest blessings of being an older sister in such a large family.

By Lady Rachel
I love living in a family with 8 children! Around here, there is always something going on. Everyone helping out. The sibling I do the most stuff with is Eric, my 10-year-old brother. I can get him up in the morning, and he will do chores with me. If I need to take a shower and I ask him to clean out my rabbit's cage or take my doggy out, he will. He is one of the best brothers in the world!

My sisters also are my best friends. I don't have very many close friends besides my siblings. My sisters are very important to me. Jocelyn has the patience to teach me something or help me do something. Amanda is my model. I try to be and act like her. She has a great many desirable qualities that I hope some day I will be able to gain. I hope that I can also be that 'model' for my younger siblings, and have patience to help and teach them. I would not trade any of my siblings for any other in the world!

I also think that you are an example when you have younger siblings. I found this verse about following Christ's example, in John 13:15, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." We have a big job being an older sibling. I want to follow Christ's example. I hope you do too. :)


By Miss Amanda
Being the oldest sister in a family of eight has been a really special experience. There are so many things you can do with them because they are all different ages and are at different stages in their life.
I have so enjoyed watching LucyLillie grow up in the past year. As I get older I remember more things and since I was 17 when she was born, I remember a lot. She has been a constant joy in my life this past year.
I have also so loved watching Caleb go from infant to toddler to little man. He has changed so much in the last year and I have noticed it too. I wish I could just gobble them both up!
I have enjoyed being the oldest sister because it gives me more opportunities to get to know each of my siblings more. I have my driver's license and I always take a sibling with me wherever I go. It is always fun because I have a buddy with me to talk to and I can get to know them more.
I really do love all my brothers and sisters and I am so thankful that God has given them to me to set an example for.
Being an oldest sister is such a joy with a lot of responsibility to love and show the Littles the way they should be!

I love my sister Jess. She held me in her arms when my friend Kelly passed away. She encourages me when I am doing something well! Virginia lets me take pictures of her, and she lets me have her lay in my lap for far distance drives. Timothy snuggles with me when we watch Television, and play together all the time!
I love my siblings all the time. Nobody can ever make me not love them!

I have two older sisters and one little brother. I share a room with my oldest sister and she teaches me how to keep my room clean. My other sister loves me. She fixes my hair for me and helps me make sure my clothes match. If I fall asleep with my glasses on, she takes them off of me and puts them in a safe place for me. When we drive to far away places she lets me lay down in her lap. I love my brother, even if sometimes we don't get along. I like to help him at his Tball practice. I like to cheer for him at his games.

Mother Cat

One day our cat Fiona started getting larger. We thought she was eating too much food, so we cut down. Every day she fatter than usual, we realized, “Well, it is not the food, because she was getting fatter without as much food.” What is happening to Fiona?



My mom called the vet, to ask how we know for sure if she is really going to have kittens. They said it will be hard to tell if she is really pregnant, until closer to delivery. They said to look for increased weight gain. A couple of weeks before she delivered, we noticed her belly getting bigger. We cleared out underneath my mom’s bathroom sink, so it was safe and harmful things were out of reach. Fiona climbed in there all the time to be alone and to relax.

One morning around three in the morning, my mom heard pounding on her bathroom door, my mom figured Fiona was just playing around. A little while later my mom heard a teeny tiny *meow*. She knew that the first kitten had been born. She jumped up out of bed and raced to the bathroom. When she opened the door, Fiona was standing on the bathroom counter facing the door with a kitten in her mouth, and it looked like she did not know what to do, it was her first time. My mom showed Fiona underneath the bathroom sink. Fiona then knew that is where she is supposed to go. My mom raced to the living room and got the camera. She raced backed to the bathroom and stayed by Fiona’s side till all of the kittens were delivered, I bet Fiona felt safe.

My mom called us all in there to see the kittens. I was so proud of Fiona I gave her a big hug, of course I did not touch the kittens or else Fiona would not take care of them. My mom took lots of pictures and showed us them, they were so cute!! I love those kittens so much they are so cute!!!!!!!!

1. Make sure to find a safe quiet place where the kittens would be bothered by other animals or small children.

2. Put a small box on the floor and put an old blanket inside to make her feel safe to have her kittens in it. Make sure the mother cat is capable to get in and out of the box

3. Show the mother cat where the box is and put some cat food and a water bowl next to it so she will go in and feel comfortable there. Bring your mother cat back to the box everyday and sit there for a while. Stroke her for a while so she will become very protected, she should get back into the box when she is about to have her kittens.

4. When the mother cat has her kittens, make sure everything is quiet, or else the kittens will get frightened.

5. Have a litter box close by so the mother can train her kittens to use the box. Be sure the sides are low enough for them to get into it. While they are little, the mother cat will cleanse them until they can follow her into the littler box.

~Don't put the kittens bed in a loud area.

~If you have other pets, keep them away from the mother cat!!

~Make sure you love the mother cat and give her lots of attention.

~Don’t pick up, hug tightly, or do anything that will make the mother cat insecure.




Sometimes there is a smaller kitten and the mother might not give it the same attention as the other kittens. The stronger kittens might crowd out the little one from feeding time. You can observe them and try to help the little kitten to get a spot to feed. If the kitten does not seem to be growing at the same rate as the other kittens you can buy cat formula from your local pet store.

National Salad Month

May is National Salad Month. In honour of that, I am going to give you lot of different type of lettuces, dressings, and things to put on your salad. So, first I will tell you a little about greens and what are good in salads.

Genesis 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." (KJV)

Salads are one of the most-healthful foods you can eat. Fresh greens are full of nutrients that have been known to give you energy, fight off disease and help you maintain a healthy weight! Salads are truly one of God's best foods.

The best-tasting salads start with fresh lettuce that come right out of your own garden. Lettuce is easy to grow, and since it is a cool weather plant, you can plant it in early Spring. It's grows best in a cool weather area. You can also plant it in ealry Fall for late lettuces. Following this link, http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-16-177,00.html, Salad Garden, you can learn all about growing your own lettuce. A salad garden is simple to grow, and very satisfying if you don't have enough room outside or are just growing an indoor salad garden. Some different kinds you might try are:

Buttercos
Butterhead
Crisphead and Iceburg
Looseleaf
Romaine (Cos)

For a great salad, mix a bunch of different kinds of salad greens, including dandelion greens, with some spinach, and you have a great salad! Also remember that the darker the leaf, the healthier and more packed with vitamins it is. We try to use darker greens instead of lighter ones, like iceburgs and crispheads.

There are so many different toppings you can use for your salads:
Croutons, tomatoes, onions, peas, carrot shreds, cheese, cottage cheese, sunflower seeds, cranberries, cucumbers, and bacon chips (you know the little pieces of bacon). You can also cook up some breaded chicken, add some spices, and put it on your salad. Does anyone have anymore toppings they like to put on their salads?

Some Dressings You Can Make Yourself:

Italian Dressing
2 1/4 cups soy, corn, safflower or canola oil
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 tsps. salt
1 1/2 tsps. garlic powder
1 1/2 tbsps. onion powder
1 tbsp. basil
2 tsps. dried parsley

Blend first 5 ingredients on high for 1-2 minutes. Pour into small bowl and stir in basil and parley. Chill. About 3 cups.

Easy Thousand Island Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp minced onion
1/4 tsp. red pepper (scant)
2 tbsps. pickle relish
1/3 cup ketchup
Mix together until well blended. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

French Dressing
1 cup soy, corn, safflower or canola oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup honey
1 tbsp. paprika
3/4 cup tomato puree
1 tbsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsps. salt.

Blend all ingredients on high for 30 seconds. Chill in covered container. About 2 1/3 cups.

We like using Ranch Dressing and Olive Oil and Vinegar. You can mix some garlic and spices in with the olive oil and vinegar dressing. It kind of makes a vinegarette. Check with your parents to see if it's o.k. for you to look online for some more dressing recipes, or look in a favorite cookbook. You can also try mixing two together and make your own. I would love to know what your favourite dressings are! :)

Snuggle Up With A Good Book - Elsie's Endless Wait

Elsie's Endless Wait Book One of the Life of Faith: Elsie Dinsmore Series
by Martha Finley
Published by Mission City Press, Inc
199 pages

This book is based on the bestselling literary classic, Elsie Dinsmore. Written by Martha Finley.

Here is a little about the history of Martha Finley. Martha Finley was born on April 26, in Chillicothe, Ohio. Her mother died when she was young, and her father was a doctor and devout Christian. He soon remarried, Martha's stepmother, Mary Finley. Mary Finley was a kind and caring woman and helped to start Martha's career as a writer. After her father's death in 1851, Martha began her teaching career in Indiana. She later lived in New York City with an elder sister, where she continued teaching and began writing stories for Sunday school children. Martha also lived in Philadelphia, where her early stories were published by the Presbyterian Publication Board. Though she sold several stories, her early efforts at novel-writing were not successful. Three years after she began writing the Elsie Dinsmore Series, the story of the little Southern girl was accepted by the New York firm of Dodd Mead. Released in 1868, Elsie Dinsmore became the publisher's best-selling book that year.

The Elsie stories eventually expanded to 28 volumes, and included the lives of Elsie's children and grandchildren. Martha published her final Elsie Dinsmore book in 1905. Four years later, she died less than three months before her 82nd birthday. She is buried in Elkton, Maryland, where she lived for more than 30 years in the house she built with the proceeds from her writing career. Matha Finley was a remarkable woman who lived a simple Christian life; yet through her many writings, she effected the lives of several generations. She never married, never had children, yet she left behind a legacy.

Elsie's Endless Wait is a Christian fiction book set in early America. Elsie lives on a cotton plantation called Roselands, near a coastal city in the Old South during the early 1840's, some years prior to the American Civil War, and the abolition of slavery. A girl of 7 or 8, knowing how to read, would probably really enjoy this book. I greatly liked it, and I am 14, so I think it would be well-liked by a girl of any age. It could also be used as a mother-daughter read together, a read-aloud or for a group of girls reading it together. It is a wonderful story, and has lots of good, character-building traits in it.

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

There are good morals and values that will build character, not destroy it, throughout the story. Anyone who reads it will see that. I loved all the Scripture that was used in the book. Sin is confronted in the book as sin. I have found many places in the books that people realize they have sinned and many have turned from it. The sinful nature of the 'bad guys' in this book, would be the other Dinsmore children, who often taunt and tease little Elsie. A child who is old enough to understand what good and bad morals are can easily recognize sin. If you are reading it as a mother-daughter book, then you can point out where someone is being sinful or mean.

Ephesians 4:25-27 25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil.

I was very convicted of some of the sins I commit everyday to my siblings. The way the other Dinsmore children acted was so mean and hateful. I realized that I often act the same way. I encourage you to not just brush off a feeling you have when you read some of this book. Do something about it.

Another thing I loved was the names of the characters. Elsie is such a cute name, don't you think? I thought it was a cute name for a little girl when I first started reading. Some other names I like are Adelaide, Enna, Travilla, and Miss Rose Allison. Aren't they just elegant? I think they are. I hope you enjoy the names in the book as I did.

Elsie's faith in God made me think about my own walk with God. I surely wasn't as strong as Elsie was in her faith. She never gave a snarky remark back to her mean-spirited aunts and uncles. She will not sin and hide something, as Arthur, her uncle, does a lot. I think you will be a bit convicted of your own sins when you read this book. I can't wait until I am able to get the second book in the series, Elsie's Impossible Choice. I can't wait to find out what happens! Can you?

You can find more books like this one at A Life of Faith.


Life of Faith Books has graciously donated their Collection book as a free giveaway! GGM can ship this collection to a US Resident. Simply reply below to be entered for the drawing.
If you post about this article and giveaway on your site, and bring us the link, we'll enter your name TWICE!

Here's what you can win!

The Life of Faith Collection
Which includes:
Elsie's Endless Wait
Millie's Unsettled Season
Violet's Hidden Doubts
Laylie's Daring Quest

May 10th is Clean Your Room Day

James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Oh, what a joy it is for someone to come into a clean room! Do you ever have that feeling? Living in a house with ten people sometimes makes it a little difficult to achieve that "perfectly clean" house stance. Yes, of course, everyone wants a clean house. Who wouldn't? Wouldn't it be nice to have everything cleaned for when Father gets home from a long day at work? But you know what that means? Check out this recipe I made myself:

The 'Get It Done' Recipe
1 cup of WILL
3/4 cup of MINDSET
2/3 cup of MOTIVATION
1 1/2 cups of A GOOD ATTITUDE
1 cup of GOALS

Now, mix all these ingredients into your mind. Set them aside. Go to the 'cleaning closet', get a broom, a dustpan, a few rags, some spray cleaner (organic is best for this stuff), and a vacuum, if you need one. Now, gather all your ingredients and supplies, go to the room you are about to clean. Next step would be to stop, fall to the knees and ask for God's hand to be over all you do. Ask Him to give you a GOOD ATTITUDE about cleaning. The last step would be to START THE CLEANING!

Have you ever thought about what it means to people when they see the room you are in charge of clean? I think it shows character. If a stranger came to your house and you were forced to give up your room to him, what would he think if it was all messy? It would show you have no respect for the things you have. I am not trying to put anyone down. I too myself struggle with keeping a clean room. But let me tell you, it is possible to keep you room clean.

I know this verse has nothing to do with cleaning your room, but cleaning you body and soul. I liked it:

James 4:8
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Having a clean room also brings to my mind about that woman in the Bible who is probably the most referred to: The Proverbs 31 Woman. Take a look at these verses,

Proverbs 31
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I think they stand out a lot more than some of the others. Verse 27 I think would sort of be talking about keeping your room clean, "27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." We should not be idle, because there is always something to do around the house. Even if you live with a family of four or five. :)

Here are some things for getting started on cleaning your room:

1. Make sure all of your clothes are put away. You will probably have some dirty clothes lying around too. Make sure the clothes you put back in your drawers are clean. Take your dirty ones down to be washed. I find it to be much easier to clean the rest if there aren't clothes all over the floor. Hang your shirts and skirts up. Fold your pajamas and pants into your drawers.

2. Pick up all those toys. If you are sharing a room with a younger sibling, or have younger siblings, then you are likely to have some toys to pick up. Don't just put them in the Littles room; actually have them come and take them, follow them and show them how to put away their toys. It will be a lot easier than just throwing (them) into their room so you don't have to take care of it. And it will help them to be good stewards of their things.

3. If you have papers, as I do, either of drawings or just things you need, pick them up and put them on the desk or dresser. You can sort through them and the ones you don't need, throw away. The ones you do, put into a pile to take care of in a minute.

4. Clean your dresser off. It's not hard to do. If you have a bunch of stuff, take all the things down, put them on your bed. If you have a hutch on your dresser with books and stuff, take all that down too. Wipe off your shelves, and then get the books and place them nicely on it, putting the books into a nice and neat order. I like to arrange my favourite books to my least favourite books. But you can do it any way you want to. With the remaining items from you dresser, get what doesn't belong on it, and put it away. The items you would like to stay on it, put back nicely.

5. Your desk. If you have a desk, you will probably want to do things at it, like writing, reading, or drawing. For this you will a clean environment. Put all your pens and pencils into one place. If you have inks and dipping pens, put them somewhere out of the reach of Littles. My half jar of ink was dumped onto the floor not to long ago by my 2-year-old brother who was trying to write like me. If you need some organizers, you can probably get some in the craft aisle. I find it much easier to draw and write on a clean desk. I get frustrated when I am trying to do something and I can't find the thing I want because of the mess I am working in. It will be much more enjoyable to have a clean desk. You will probably want your papers on there too. If you want, get a manila folder and put all the papers you intend to keep in it. That will help take care of them being all over.

6. Make your bed so it looks nice. All you have to do in the morning when you get up is pull the covers straight, tuck them in and place the pillows right. It will make your room look so much cleaner. :)

7. Clean the windows. I don't mind cleaning windows. I think it adds to the shine when you clean your room to have clean windows. All you need is some window-cleaner, a rag and a strong arm. It takes about two minutes to clean a window. Take that little step to a cleaner room. Use vinegar to make a glass-cleaning solution. Wash windows or glass with a mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and warm water. Just dry with a soft cloth and it leaves the windows streakless. Also, if you have some stubborn hard water spots, get some undiluted vinegar and gently rub them off. You can use newspaper too. Newspaper leaves glass lint-free, and gives it a dirt resistant film. Here is a page about cleaning windows, with some tips you might find useful: Window Cleaning Recipes.

8. This is the last step: Sweep the floor. I like sweeping with a broom and then taking a vacuum to make sure all the dirt is off the floor. You can also reach up in the corners in the ceiling and get all the cobwebs down.

I promise you, if you have a clean room, it will make you much happier and much more enjoyable. You will be able to sit and do things in it instead of having to find a place to do it. :) Remember, there are others out there just like you. :) God bless you!


Photos from Pottery Barn Kids

Blessed Girlhood: Scrapbooking

Winner Selected, click HERE for details!
**************************

Scrapbooking is one of my family's favourite pastimes. Mother Dear started scrapbooking several years ago and, when my sisters and I were older enough, she let us do our own albums. Staying up late at night to scrapbook with Mother and the girls was and is something I've always enjoyed.

A lot of people scrapbook while others think it's a big hassle and don't even think they could do it. Let me tell you that it is an easy task to scrapbook. Just think of it as another craft such as stamping, basket-weaving, sewing, or jewelry-making.

Like the crafts mentioned above, scrapbooking is something every girl, at any age, can do with her Mother. Not only is it a time to spend together and bond, but also a time to preserve memories. I mean who doesn't have fun putting together pretty pages with funky paper, stickers, and memories you've captured through photos?

How We Scrapbook:
When we scrapbook we usually set-up a couple of our six-foot long tables in a room, which we can leave "out" for a few days until we've completed our projects. After we get the tables set-up everyone picks a spot they will be using and be able to layout their supplies. Make sure you have somewhere to throw the scraps. We have used tissue-boxes, sand-pails, and other containers to set on the tables to throw scraps in.

We use scrapbooking supplies from a direct sales company called Creative Memories, which means it's not sold in store but through a consultant. You can purchase scrapbooking supplies from hobby stores or even Wal-mart, but we have found that they don't have the same safe quality that Creative Memories does for your photos. So I would discourage you from buying supplies from just any store.

Basic Supplies:
Here are some of the basic supplies you'll want to purchase to get started for your scrapbooking projects. For any of the below supplies please check the "made with" materials for lignin. If it does, you don't want to buy it.

"Lignin is a natural substance found in wood pulp that gives wood its rigidity. Without lignin, a tree would not stand upright but would bend like rubber. Lignin causes paper products, such as old newspaper, to turn yellow or become brittle over time." - Creative Memories


Pack of photos
When you're getting ready to scrapbook it's easiest to start an album if you have a pack of photos of something specific, like a family vacation, a birthday party, graduation, etc.

A photo album
Like I said we use Creative Memories, and they have a wide variety of albums in several different sizes, styles, and colours, depending on how many photos you have. Of course, now with everything being digital, you can do a digital scrapbook, which Creative Memories also offers. I have not personally done this because I prefer to do the traditional album, but it looks really neat.

Photo paper and mats
Once you have your photos, you can easily pick out paper that will go well with them. If you're doing a family vacation to the beach, paper that is bright and printed in beach themes will do great! Never use construction paper or printer paper for photo albums!

Stickers
Ah, stickers! Stickers are so much fun, aren't they? You can find stickers in almost any theme or design, but not all are safe for your photos, and some will eat right through the photos, paper, and album pages.

Adhesives (sticky stuff)
First thing about adhesives is never use glue, wet or stick. That is not safe for your photos and will eventually eat through them. I wouldn't recommend Scotch-tape either, but an adhesive that is sticky on both sides so you can stick it to the photo/paper and then to the album page. Creative Memories has a safe adhesive called a tape-runner, which is very ideal and safe for your photos.

Tools
Some basic tools are scissors, decorative hole punches, and photo/paper trimmer. Because your tools aren't something you're actually going to stick in your albums, purchasing them at a hobby store is perfectly safe.

Journaling Pens
When you've completed a page in your album, and added the last sticker, you'll want to either title or caption photos, so you'll need some journaling pens. Don't use a regular ink or office pen. You'll need to get pens made specifically for scrapbook journaling.

Once you've acquired all of your supplies and have set up your tables, you should be ready to go. You'll have so much fun getting all your stuff out and making beautiful layouts to go with your photos. Say goodbye to shuffling through photos and shoeboxes, and say hello to fun organization and memory making with your Mother, sisters, and - hey - boys can scrapbook too!

Last year I asked my Great Grandparents, who are in their 80s, if I could have all their old photos that were sitting in boxes. My Great Grandmother gave them all to me and I put together a very nice and elegant album for them. They were so surprised and enjoyed it so much to look through the pages and remember the memories the photos brought. It was simply a treasure. When you open a completed scrapbook, you are opening a history book.

Food:
When we scrapbook we usually set up a small card table just for food and drinks. You always get hungry when you're working. When we sit down to scrapbook, we usually get some snack foods like chips-n-dip, chili, party mix, etc. Don't forget the drinks, but remember to never set any food or drinks on the scrapbooking tables. You don't want to accidentally spill anything and ruin all of your supplies!

Discussion (replace my answers and post in comment):
Have you ever scrapbooked? Yes!
Do you scrapbook regularly? Not as regularly as I would like.
What brand of supplies do you use? Creative Memories
What's your favourite part about completing a page? Adding the stickers onto the paper
Would you consider making a scrapbook for someone as a gift? Yes, it's very fun, especially if it's a secret.
What are some different themes you could do a scrapbook for? Hmmm.... a few I'd do would be: wedding, trip across the USA or to Europe, and one of our farm.


I look forward to your replies on this article!
Blessings to you as you Grow in the Grace of our Lord!

National Scrapbooking Day

NSD is always the first Saturday in May. Our family knows it well, because I was a Creative Memories consultant for the past five years. In that time and a few years before, my children and I have enjoyed creating beautiful and fun page layouts with our family photographs. We have also made and given away several albums as gifts, too, which is a fun idea!

National Scrapbooking Day, created by Creative Memories Inc. was made to gather scrapbookers together in the spirit of their mission to teach the importance of preserving the past, enriching the present, and inspiring hope for the future. Most families take pictures, and most people store them in a shoe box, a drawer or the photo packets they came in! I even have many rolls of the film canisters, just waiting to be put in print and into an album.

Scrapbooking has come a long way with the new digital age. Many scrapbookers are opting to create digital scrapbooks and/or store their photos online or on discs and hard drives. For me, personally, I love to get out those albums and look at them with our children, with the event recorded in mine or their handwriting!

Interesting Scrapbooking Facts*:

• Over 25 million people in the United States alone consider themselves to be scrapbookers.
• Almost 30% of all U.S. households have at least one family member who scrapbooks.
• Scrapbooking is the fastest growing sector of the craft and hobby industry and now considered to be the third most popular craft in the nation. From 2002 to 2004, sales of scrapbooking products increased by over 27% across the United States.
• As of 2003, there were over 4,000 independent scrapbook stores in the United States. Most major craft stores, such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels Crafts, also have extensive selections of scrapbooking supplies.
  
• 98% of scrapbookers are women
• The average scrapbooker spends almost three hours per week working on layouts and other related projects.
• Over a six month period, most scrapbookers will work on three different albums.
• The average scrapbooker owns nearly $2,000 in tools and supplies.
• In a typical month, at least 75% of scrapbookers read Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, or other popular scrapbooking magazines.
• Over 75% of scrapbookers have a space in their home devoted to the hobby.

*information from Love to Know Scrapbooking

NSD is a fun time to go to an event and work on albums with other scrapbookers. There are usually awesome prizes given away, and snacks or meals are served. As a matter of fact, sometimes, NSD events take place on an entire weekend! I have taken the girls many times to crops and NSDs, and we always get a lot accomplished and have fun in the process. A couple of other benefits to going to a NSD event or any crop is that you get to use the consultant's tools, and there is always new products and old favorites available for purchase.

Why have we personally, as a family, invested so much time and money in scrapbooking? Because of the delight we have in looking at our albums. Because of the fun we have remembering. Because I love to look at their projects and handwriting and will continue to love it!

National Scrapbook Day is May 3rd. Find out if there is an event in your area. If there isn't, get together with your daughters, a few friends, your mom.... Get out your supplies and have fun!

GIVEAWAY EXPIRED

The Prize Package:

Picfolio album
Action pack
2 Mini picfolio albums
Petal multi-maker punch
Storybox mats/journaling boxes
Scissors
Photo organizer
Photo splits

This prize package sure is full of a lot of goodies, and it's worth over a $100 so make sure you enter for your chance to win it. The contest is rather easy so I hope you all enter and tell your friends!

We want to thank Misty Brown for donating this WONDERFUL prize package. What a blessing this was! You're welcome to contact her if you wish to inquire about scrapbooking supplies.

Misty Brown, Scrapbooking Consultant
Email: fancythismarble AT embarqmail DOT com
Location: North-East, Indiana

This giveaway ends on Friday, May 16th! Please be sure to all three rules to participate before then!

A Mother's Listening Heart

Sitting on the couch working on the laptop, I can hear just about everything that is going on around our house. Inside. Outside. There is nothing that escapes my hearing. I hear the older girls talking to each other about friends and what they are writing. I hear the quick tapping of fingers on the keyboard. I hear the Littles outside talking to each other; Hannah is directing them as she rides her bike around the yard. I can hear cars that pass on the road a ways down and roosters crowing.
I hear Lucy's soft breath as she sleeps at my feet.

In honor of Mother's Day, I want to encourage you this month, Moms. I want to commend you in your love and your good works in fulfilling one of the highest callings you have: to care for and shape the lives of your children. To hear their wants. To hear their hearts. To daily fill them with just what the Lord has for them for their lives. Not just for changing their diapers or wiping up the muddy floors, but especially for educating their hearts and minds and teaching them how to love the Lord in their daily lives.

It is not always easy to stay at home and care for our homes and our children. It's amazing how we get caught up in daily life and before we realize it, so much has passed. Some days, it seems that the pressure is too much or even that we aren't cut out for the huge responsibility it is to teach and train and raise a child from a sweet and snuggly little pumpkin to a God-fearing, considerate and loving adult.

Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Sometimes we don't hear their hearts. Sometimes we can't. It is so hard in our home to find peace and quiet sometimes, that feeling overwhelmed can be quite easy. Sometimes the cries of the heart are my own. And sometimes it seems as though those cries are overpowered by the cries of my children. Or the phone. Or the dog. Or the goats! In all of this, I cannot lose sight of the fact that it is an honorable career to be a mother. More than that, it is my heart, my calling. In quiet moments, I know it is my heart. I know that mothers are shaping the future of the world and directing souls to heaven. We are honoring the Lord.

I assure you that our cries are heard by Our Heavenly Father. I can assure you that crying out to God is your safest defense. It becomes the greatest joy. It will refresh you and sustain you through loads of dishes, piles of school books and endless chores. It will strengthen you to teach your children daily and not count on it to just be caught. It will give you the desire for knowledge and wisdom and enable you to hear the instruction from the Lord. All of this is necessary to be the woman and mother who is fully the Lord's and can impart the fear of the Lord to her children.

Proverbs 1:7-9
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Being teachable and listening to their hearts. Sometimes my children's words and attitudes can be deceiving. I am learning to listen to their hearts and watch their reactions and encourage them. It is healing to my heart to realize a broken heart or see a spontaneous or deep joy in my children's eyes. It is my calling. It is my heart.

I have not yet seen the end of parenting any of our children yet, but I have seen the fruits of enduring and hoping and knowing that His ways are higher than mine and that He is able to do more than I could ever hope to do. I am still listening. I am listening to the Lord, listening to my husband and listening to the hearts of my children.

Mother's Day this year is May 11th. I would encourage daughters to honor your mothers on this day and think of all the reasons you need to spend this next year honoring her each day. I think everyday should be mother's day. I think every day should be father's day too. This is God's plan: to honor your Father and Mother daily. Moms, keep their hearts. Keep them for the Lord.

Keeping their hearts ~ Bridging the gap~

National Chocolate Chip Day

National Chocolate Chip Day is May 15th. I love chocolate chips.
My favorite kinds of chocolates are:

• Chocolate Chips
• Milk Chocolate
• Dark Chocolate
• Cherry Chocolate
• Caramel Chocolate
• White Chocolate

What I really like to do is make chocolate chip cookies. I make them with my older sister, Lady Rachel. The cookies we make are very good. I like to make chocolate cakes too. And here is the cookie recipe for you:

Chocolate Cookies

• 1 cup margarine or softened butter (shortening works best with half the butter)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 egg
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts
• 1 (12oz.) package semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375*. Mix butter, sugars, and egg. Stir in flour baking soda and salt, (dough will be stiff, mine wasn't!) Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto un-greased cookie sheet. Bake until light brown, about 8-10 minutes.
Note: If using self-rising flour, omit baking soda and salt.

We also have another favorite chocolate chip recipe. We made it out of peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.

Peanut Butter Cookies

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Mix sugars, peanut butter, shortening, butter, and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least three To this recipe, I like adding a 12-ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips. Mix it in last.

Heat oven to 375*. Shape dough into 1 1/4inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with a fork. Bake until light golden brown, 9-10 minutes. Cool them for 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet and place on wire cooling rack. *If you don't have a cooling rack, you can just set them on a plate to cool.

Some other things I think chocolate chips are good in:

• melted, on pretzels
• trail mix
• chocolate cheesecake
• fresh berries and whipped topping
• eating right out of the bag!
• pancakes
• on top of ice cream
• milkshakes
• brownies
• muffins
• bread
• use on s'mores instead of chocolate pieces.

If you try my recipe, please let me know how you like them!

Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

Honoring Mothers

We had an incredible time reading through our entries for the Mother Daughter contest and wish we could award each of you with our wonderful gift, but alas we can only select one.

Introducing our Mother's Day Winner:

Why I Love My Mom

My mom is so great,
and she never lets me be late.
When there is no sun,
She helps me to have some fun.
When I am lonely and sad,
She helps me feel happy and glad.
When I miss my dad,
Sometimes I feel sad and mad.
She comforts me
and makes me happy, very happy.
She is so, so very nice,
like sugar and spice.
She calls me sweetie pie
and she wouldn't tell a lie.
She would give her life for me
that makes me feel lots of glee.
She's a very good cook.
I think she should write a cookbook.
I love her so very much!

Love, Munchkin (age 8) and Mom, also known as DevilDogsWife

We will contact you for shipping information and get your Mother's Day Package off to you this week!



My mom is the best person in the world because when I was born the very first moment I saw my mother I knew I was the luckiest girl in the world. I had the greatest gift anyone could ask for, and from that moment on I loved her and was proud to call her mom and when I was sad I looked at her face and I would have the biggest smile in the whole world. I loved her and still now when I’m sad I look at her face and I smile.

You can see I have a great mom that makes me so happy the stars stop their shining and the wind stops and even my heart stops and it makes me know for sure I have the nicest mom in the world and that is why my mom is so special.

Miss Sabra and Dawn


What makes my mom special? My mom chose to stay at home, raise my brothers and me, and homeschool us. My mom prays for each of us. She loves us and is very forgiving.
My mom encourages and supports me in my dreams and goals. When I want to do something very hard and/or challenging (i..e. writing a book, making movies, etc.), she doesn't just say, "Oh, you're way too young to do that. What are you thinking???" She cares about me and my interests. I am very thankful for that. My mom can be silly and funny. She smiles and laughs a lot! My mom and I enjoy talking together. My mom is a creative cook. She improvises with what can be found in the kitchen. My mom gives great massages. I enjoy it when she brushes my hair; she's also a great hair stylist! My mom dresses modestly and she has raised me up to value modesty. My mom is my personal editor (and she doesn't charge :)!).

Thank you, Mom, for all you do for me! I love you!
Miss Alyssa and Mom


My mom is special in a lot of ways. I think one of the most special things about her, is the fact that she chose to homeschool my younger siblings and me, instead of getting a job, and working away from home. My mom and I have a lot in common. We both like to read, to sing, and listen to music, learn new things, and go away with each other. In March, we went to a Casting Crowns concert, our second one, and had a ton of fun. We like to go on vacations, and love planning them together.

A lot of people think that we look alike, and we're starting to even sound alike. When my dad calls from work, he sometimes even gets up mixed up!!!!!

I like being able to spend so much time with my mom. She's my mom, but she's also my friend.

Miss Ashley and Mom, Heidi


My mom is special because she is always so caring and she gives me hugs when I feel sad. When I wake up in the morning she is always there. She helps me with my school when I need it. She always knows what to do when I feel sick. She always helps me find something fun when I am bored and she always plays games with me. That is what makes my mom so special.

Miss Abby and Mom, Tammy




Mom needs a good mothers day since last year was not so great. She is special because all that she does for us kids and all of our family. She teaches all of us and helps us have fun.

From Miss Mollie and Mom

A Hardened Heart

There are twenty-four places in the Bible that talk about a hardened heart. The most famous passages would be when Pharaoh hardened his heart against God and would not let the children of Israel leave the land of Egypt and slavery.

We know that Pharaoh did not believe in God, he believed in his own gods and in himself. Pharaoh did not worship and love the Creator. He loved his own gods. We have seen many times throughout the Bible where people turned their hearts away from the Lord and towards other things that caught the attention of their heart.

Samson left what he knew was a right life to be with a woman who caused his fall. Solomon walked away from the Lord and had many wives. David left his first love and sought out Bathsheba. The people in the days of Noah had hearts that were only evil continually, and they missed the boat! Then we have Peter who denied the Lord three times.

We can clearly see what trouble it causes when people give their hearts away to the wrong thing/people. This is where young ladies need to be very careful with their hearts. I grew up in the world, living the way the world teaches we should. Having many 'boy' friends and crushes while in my younger, unsaved years. Each time I gave my heart over to a boy, not only would my heart be crushed, but it turned further and further away from my own daddy. My focus was on whoever the 'cute' guy was and not on making my daddy proud of me.

Within a very short amount of time I had developed a deep abiding desire to be wherever the boy was. I wanted to sit at the lunch table that had the clear view of him, without being noticed of course. I sat near where he would play soccer at the lunch time field. I would play handball just to keep an eye on him. My crushes became obsessions! Somewhere in the depths of my heart, I also began to believe that NO ONE else was 'allowed' to like him, because *I* liked him first! The very first time I noticed another girl keeping her eye on him too, there would be a wildfire burning within my soul!

This was a vicious cycle in my life and among my friendships. It would soon come out that the boy would realize that I had eyes for him and he would make it very clear that he was not interested in me, calling me names, ignoring me, gossiping about me, etc. The next thing I know he likes the other girl! Life, as I knew it, was ruined! Until a new guy would catch my eye that is. That green eyed monster would soon be unleashed again. Jealousy would keep me bound in chains of misery time and time again. After a while my heart became hardened. I no longer trusted a boy. By the time I met the man who did become my husband, I had a very difficult time allowing him to have my heart. Where does this crazy merry-go-round end? Get off before you get dizzy and pass out.

Deutoronomy 6:5, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (KJV)

Sigh* What a relief! All I need to do is love the Lord my God, with all my heart, soul, and might!

Sing this song with me: 'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus'

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Chorus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Chorus

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Chorus

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Just turn your eyes upon Jesus and keep HIM in your sights! Keep your eyes on Jesus and make your focal point in life to be of Him. Jesus loves you and you will never feel the devastating break of the heart from Him. He tells you that He loves you and will never speak ill of you. He will never fail you and will always be there for you.

Don't allow the things of earth to strangle you and cause you to have a hardened heart. God has a plan for your life and He wants to have your heart until the day He opens the door for you to give it to the man you will marry. Until then keep your heart and eyes on Jesus and allow your daddy to protect you from the pain this world tries to snare you with.

Mother-Daughter Movie Night

Since this month is Mother's Day month, I have decided to write an article about a nice movie that you could watch with your mother. "Little Women" is one of the cutest movies that I have ever seen. I have watched the older version and the newer version. Both are very cute movies. You do not have to worry about profanity, because ladies did not use profanity back then.

**SPOILER WARNING** If you have not seen the movie or read the book and do not want it spoiled, do not read on.

What I enjoyed about the newer movie is that there is more of a distinct line between the sisters. They all have there own distinct identities. Also, it is easier to tell what the characters are thinking because they portrayed their emotions better. This movie was made in 1994. A few of the actresses in the movie are: Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon.

What I liked about both movies was the fact that they were both pretty close to the book. The mother daughter relationship in this story is so strong. They constantly look out for each other.

What I liked about the older movie is the fact that it is so innocent. Even though Jo and Laurie are friends, there is a certain amount boy-girl respect. This movie was made in 1933. A few of the actresses in this movie are: Katharine Hepburn, Frances Dee and Jean Parker.

Either one of these movies are a great mother-daughter movie.

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820. She wanted to work as a nurse, but her family did not want to allow it because the hospitals back then were dirty and dark and the nurses were sometimes just drunken women. The occupation of a nurse was not a good reputation back then. Finally, at age 33, she was able to obtain some minimal training and begin her career.

She learned, in 1854, that the wounded soldiers were being poorly cared for. When she arrived at the battlefront, the male surgeons there were not happy with the interference of a woman. While there, she was loving dubbed the title "The lady with the lamp", by the soldiers of the Civil War. She worked tirelessly to care for the patients, and improve the living conditions at the hospital. Her determination increased standards for sanitation and nutrition dramatically in the medical profession. While at the front lines, she became ill and never fully recovered.

She was appalled at the conditions she witnessed while serving in the war so, in 1859, she helped to establish the first VNA (Visiting Nurse Association). And, in 1860, she established a school that that sparked the modern nurse training. She was considered an expert on the scientific care of the sick. She was often asked by the United States government for her advice on caring for the wounded soldiers of the Civil War. She continued her aid throughout her life unto her last days on earth. She was the first woman to receive the British Order of Merit. In 1907, The International Red Cross Societies listed her as a pioneer of the Red Cross Movement. She passed on in 1910 at the ripe old age of ninety.



Photos from WikiMedia

In Ministry With Mom

I am pleased and honored to be able to introduce you to two wonderful ladies that I know personally. We had the opportunity to get to know Mrs. Lindsay and her family while they were on deputation in the States. They stayed with Miss Rachael (from our first issue of GGM) for two summers. While the Lindsay family stayed we were able to spend some good time together in fellowship and go to ask many questions about their ministry to St. Lucia.

GGM: Miss Kayla,How old were you when your parents told you that you were all going to be a missionary family? Please explain briefly how you felt about that.

Miss Kayla: Well, first of all, I was 15 years old when I found out that we were going to be missionaries. To be perfectly honest, I was somewhat of a rebel at that time. I completely surrendered to it on the outside, but not really in my heart. It took a while for me to see the big picture, but God is so good like that to have shown me what this is really all about.

Mom has always been supportive of Dad's decisions even when they were hard. The Lord dealt with her as well about St. Lucia, so she followed 100%.

GGM: What kinds of things are there to do in St. Lucia together that are different than in the States?

Miss Kayla: Well, me and mom do everything together like the laundry and the cleaning. What I love most is cooking together.

As far as special memories go, well , I think there are too many to count. I love the times when everything seemed to be going all wrong and she would make me laugh so hard that my sides hurt. Laughing the pain away....

We both enjoy having what we call "girls day out". Where we relax and do whatever we want like paint our nails, talk, just be girls.

GGM: What's your favorite thing to eat that you don't have in St. Lucia?

Miss Kayla: Wow, this is the hardest question yet! :) I LOVE Chili's Honey Chipotle Crispers. I guess that would be my favorite!

GGM: I have heard a lot about Chipotle and we have one in our town and I have not even been there yet. You have me convinced that I really must go!
Have you learned any new recipes from women in St. Lucia?

Miss Kayla: No, I have not learned any recipes from the Lucian women, but someday maybe I will.

GGM: Tell us what makes your mom special to you?

Miss Kayla: Well, I love the fact that she is not only my mama, but she is one of my best friends in the whole world. She knows me better than anyone besides God, and she still loves me. AMAZING! We have so much fun together, always laughing, never a dull moment. And more than that, she encourages me to follow the Lord's leading in my life; she has always encouraged me to do my best in everything. I hope I can be half the woman she is.

GGM: Mrs. Lindsey, you have a very sweet daughter! How do you plan for time alone with Kayla with such a busy schedule in the ministry?

Mrs. Lindsey: We really can't "plan". We just grab any opportunities that come our way.

GGM: What kinds of things are there to do in St. Lucia together that are different than in the States?
Mrs. Lindsay: Open markets and local food.

GGM: How well are you doing at learning the language there?

Mrs. Lindsay: That isn't an issue here, they speak English. :)

GGM: How do you educate your children in St. Lucia?

Mrs. Lindsay: We homeschool using Abeka and Alpha Omega.

GGM: Are you able to help educate the children that live there?(other than Bible)
Mrs. Lindsey: Sunday School and Bible School are the only opportunities so far.

GGM: What do you miss most about the States?

Mrs. Lindsey: Food, shopping, selection, quality, prices, conveniences, etc.

GGM: What kinds of things do the mothers and daughters of the people of St. Lucia do together?

Mrs. Lindsey: They walk to school and work.

GGM: That sounds like the earlier years in America. We're so blessed to have automobiles here.
Can you briefly describe some of the cultural differences there?

Mrs. Lindsey: They live a much simpler life. Main goal of Lucians is to obtain necessary things to live daily. No luxuries or nicities usually.

GGM: There are times that I wish we had that simple life again here in the busy state of California. Do you have hobbies from the States that you miss due to it not being available in St. Lucia?

Mrs. Lindsey: Yes; bargain shopping and decorating.

GGM: What other things do you do?

Mrs. Lindsey: We cook and work in the yard.

GGM: Now that sounds like my family. We have limited space and so we need to plant in pots, but we sure love being in the garden together.

Thank you both so much for sharing your relationship with us here at Growing in Grace Magazine. May the Lord bless you richly there in St. Lucia!

Thorns n Roses: Biblical Womanhood

What is Biblical Womanhood? As I start thinking of what I would write for the May issue of Thorns & Roses, which purpose is to expose the lies the world tells us, I wanted to write something about Mothers. I wanted to expose all the lies the world tells us about motherhood, but the article really wouldn't be about motherhood nor wifehood. I came to the conclusion after much thought that the term Biblical Womanhood was what I was looking for.

The reason being because when we as young ladies , soon to be women, fulfill Biblical Womahood we are not only women, but wives, mothers, and elderly women in the church. When you do what the Lord has instructed women to do, you will then be a Biblical Woman.

Mothers play a big role in a lot of peoples' lives. Whether it's a biological mother or some who acts as a mother or someone who is like a second mother to you, we all have one. There are a lot of types of Mothers. God designed the family where the Man leads and disciplines and the Mother cares and loves. He gave us Mothers. He put a special place in us that Mothers are to fill. When we don't have a mother or a motherly-figure in our lives, we feel empty.

A few years ago I heard a girl about fourteen or fifteen years of age say, that to marry and live your life as a Biblical Woman was to put yourself at everyone's feet and be a doormat, especially to the husband. My heart ached for this girl because she had been raised to view the role of a woman, as intended by God, as a disgrace and insult to oneself.

I hold this whole topic very near and dear to my heart, and I have been writing and speaking out against this lie for over two years in the public's eye. In doing so I have received many strong, disagreeing replies and emails about it. It is so foreign to so many that I, a lot of times, sound like some brain-washed Christian. Before I go on, I want to let you know, whether you agree with me or not, that I am not brain-washed and I know that women can do anything. That is not the subject in question.

The purpose of which woman was made was to be a help meet for a man. This is very clearly stated in Genesis 2:17-23, but it certainly doesn't mean you must lay down and be walked all over. According to the Bible, men and women are absolutely spiritually equal in God’s sight. We are both sinful, and we both need God’s grace to be forgiven. However, the Bible portrays clear and distinct roles for men and women. Men are to be leaders, and women are to be followers. That doesn't mean women are to be doormats or subjectable to all men. Young ladies are to be under the authority of her parents until she marries (Genesis 2:24) and wives are to be under the authority of their husbands (1 Peter 3:1). A wife is simply commanded to submit to her husband. Submission doesn't mean you're weak; it's an example of your love and devotion.

The world tells you that to be a full-time Mother you have to give up so much for yourself. You have to give up having your own career, money, and other luxuries, but is that so? Yes, when you are a full-time Mother you do give up having all those things, maybe going without, but the Bible says not to lay up for yourself treasures on earth. Instead lay up for yourself treasures in heaven as Jesus says in Matthew 6:18-20. Because we live in a pagan world they don't understand that, and half of them don't even believe in heaven or trust in the promises Jesus made to us, which is why we can't listen to them.

Fulfilling the role of a Biblical Woman is such a beautiful thing, and it just saddens me to see what the whole idea of it has become to many. They view it as a bondage, when in fact it is a blessing. As Christians we are to always follow what the Word says, and in Titus 2:3-5 God gives instruction of how to be Biblical Women as well as in Proverbs 31:10-31.

Biblical Womanhood is a perfect picture of what Christ and the Church is. Jesus was under the authority of God the Father. He did not do his own will, but deferred to The Heavenly Father, even unto Christ's own death on the cross. Families are the same. We as women have an authority, our husband, who we are to defer to and respect. Was Jesus any less worthy than God the Father? No, of course not. Is a woman less valuable than her husband? No. We have different roles and responsibilities before the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:5 says that "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."

In everything we do as Christians, and a Biblical Women, it must not be for ourselves, but for Christ, because He laid everything down for us. Don't listen to the lies of this world. The world and all it's treasure shall pass away, but the treasures we store up.... Godly traits, being obedient to our parents/husbands, training our children.... shall never pass away and will await us as a golden crown when we come to Jesus in the Last Days. If we do all this Jesus will be able to say "Well done, good and faithful servant"!

I pray that you will embrace your role as a young woman and that God will bring you a loving and gentle leader to be your husband one day. True freedom comes in obedience to the Word of God.

I look forward to your replies on this article!
Blessings to you as you Grow in the Grace of our Lord!

C.I.A.: Your *NEW* Best Friend Is:

A friendship is a special relationship. It is even more special when it is with your mother. There is so much that mothers can offer their daughters in a friendship sort of relationship and there is so much a daughter can learn from their mothers and do for their mothers in a friendship.

I know from personal experience that it is best to have your mom as your best friend. While you may not always agree and you may argue and be mad at each other, you can always know that your mother will love you without any strings.
I am so blessed to have a mother who will forgive and forget all the horrible things I have done. There was one time when we were not friends. That was almost the undoing of me! I now treasure our friendship. I am excited also because we are entering a new phase in our relationship of not only being mother and daughter, but since I have hit adulthood, we are at a new level of friendship.

I searched the Bible for scripture on mothers and daughters and have come up empty handed! There is one example though, that truly shows us how we as daughters can be friends with our mothers: Ruth and Naomi.

Ruth 1:22
"So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab."

Ruth and Naomi are the perfect example of a selfless and loving friendship between a mother and daughter. We know that Ruth was Naomi's daughter in law, but she was her daughter and acted like her best friend. Even though Ruth could have left Naomi and remarried, she understand that she was a part of Naomi's family now and it was her job to be with her.

Ruth 1:14
"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."

Ruth and Naomi had the kind of relationship that I want to have with my mother. Ruth stayed with her, provided for her, lived with her, and eventually when Ruth remarried she still cared for Naomi.

The relationship of Ruth and Naomi is one that we can look to for an example of how we can be friends with our mothers. Ruth and Naomi show us the importance of sticking to each other even when it is hard to bear. Ruth loved Naomi very much and out of love her actions came through.

In Mom's February Bridging the Gap: Mother ~ Daughter Time article, you can find a great list of many different things you can do as mothers and daughters. Somethings I would add to her list are:

Go to the coffee shop together.
Talk about life, goals, what you would like to do in your future, etc. Get to know your mom. She can be your best friend!

Do a deep cleaning of a closet, garage, or some other room that needs the lift.
You can also talk about life and other things while cleaning out your garage! Not only will you become closer with your mom, but you will have a clean garage, but you will also have a happy dad too!

Write up or make up a school project.
Make a really neat project up about something you are studying in school. Or maybe a verse you and your mom have been reading that is something you want to remember. You could make a plaque of it.

Have your mom cut your hair or you cut hers.
Not only do you get some quality time together, but who doesn't love to have their hair cut? I do!

Give each other a manicure or pedicure.
My mom loves it when she gets a pedicure. Mom's are pretty much always on their feet, so when they sit down wouldn't it be nice to surprise your mom by giving her a pedicure? Not only will she be relaxed with nice soft feet, but you will also have a special bond with your mom, AND it is free!

Those are just some ideas. There are so many things you can do with your mom! She is one who will never leave you and will always be looking out for you. That is the kind of friend I want to have. Mothers and Daughters have a special bond because daughters are supposed to learn from, look up to, be like and love their moms.

I am so blessed by the mother God has given me. We have our rough times and we come through better each time. Although, hopefully, our rough times will soon subside and we will just have the loving ones.

There is so much you can learn from your mom if you as a daughter will just let her become your best, kindred and bosom friend! Let us remember the friendship that Ruth and Naomi had as mother and daughter. You don't have to wait to grow up to be best friends. These are the best years of your life. Why? Because these are the years that will shape who you will be in the future and along with God you have the best modeler there is: Your Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, but especially to my Mom! Without her, who knows who, where or what I would be! You are a part of me and I truly cherish the friendship we have! Love you, Mom!

We Salute You

On May 17, we celebrate the single holiday where we can thank the military members for their patriotic service for our country: Armed Forces Day.

On August 31,1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced that there would be a day to replace the separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force Days. That day was Armed Forces Day. The reason for this day was from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department-the Department of Defense and to honor the Americans who served or are serving in the five services.
Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop its own specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day, but the Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.

The first Armed Forces Day was May 20, 1950. It was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows.
Although we celebrate Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday of May, Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on Armed Forces Day.

As the people gathered to honor the Armed Forces on this occasion, so too did the country's leaders. Some of the more notable of these leaders' quotes are stated below:

"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."

Former Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson

"The heritage of freedom must be guarded as carefully in peace as it was in war. Faith, not suspicion, must be the key to our relationships. Sacrifice, not selfishness, must be the eternal price of liberty. Vigilance, not appeasement, is the byword of living freedoms. Our Armed Forces in 1950--protecting the peace, building for security with freedom--are "Teamed for Defense ..."

General Omar N. Bradley
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

"It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world."

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953

"Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he--the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine--who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail."

Admiral Forrest P. Sherman

"...Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard."

President John F. Kennedy, 1962

"The support of an informed American people is increasingly important to the Armed Forces in these days of rapid technological advance, quick reaction time, and grave threat to our freedom. I, therefore, encourage members of the DoD to observe Armed Forces Day by informing the American people of our 'Power for Peace' and by confirming their faith that in our strength we will remain free."

The Honorable Robert S. McNamara, 1962
Former Secretary of Defense

"Armed Forces Day, above all, honors the dedicated individuals who wear the uniforms of their country. Each serviceman, wherever he may be, whatever his task, contributes directly and importantly to the defense of the nation. The task of each one is the task of all the Armed Forces: to protect the freedoms which underlie the greatness of America."

General Earle G. Wheeler, 1967
Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Let us honor those who are serving in the Armed Services this May! They give so much for our freedom!

On May 26th, we celebrate Memorial Day in honor of all the veterans who have died serving this country. It was first called Decoration Day, but has since 1882 it has been called Memorial Day. It did not become more common until after World War II, and it was not declared Memorial Day as the official name 'til 1967.
Memorial Day was first begun to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War who had given their life, but after World War I, it was set to honor anyone who died in any war or military action.

The first Memorial Day observed was by some freed slaves at a historic Charleston race track in 1865. The track had been a former Confederate prison camp and a mass grave site for Union soldiers who died while in the camp.
They had a parade of thousand of freed slaves and the Union soldiers followed them and sang patriotic songs and closed with a picnic.

While that was the first observed Memorial Day, the birthplace of Memorial Day is actually in Waterloo, New York on May 5, 1866. Generals John Murray and John A Logan admired how the South honored their dead on the special day they set aside, and decided that the Union needed day like that too.

On May 5, 1868, General Logan, who was commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veteran's organization, issued a declaration that "Decoration Day" would be observed nationwide. It was first observed on May 30, 1868; that date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. The people of America decorated the tombs of fallen Union soldiers in remembrance of the day.

Many of the Southern states refused to celebrate Decoration Day, because of lingering hostility towards the Union and because there were very few Union Army veterans in the South.
Columbus, Mississippi celebrated its own Decoration Day on April 25, 1866 and commemorated both the Union and Confederate dead that were buried in its cemetery.

We owe very much to the veterans who have given their lives, so that we can live in the country we live in. Many of the young men who have served were not much older than I am and some were younger. We must always remember what Jesus said about giving a life:

John 15:13
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Let us also never forget to thank the veterans who are still living while we have the chance. There are very few of them left.
I had the greatest opportunity a couple years ago to make a service album for my grandfather who served in WWII. It was such a wonderful experience to be able to talk to him, when he would talk, about his experiences and different places he went. This Memorial Day remember the veterans who gave their lives for this country and for the freedom of all!

It's Your Mother That Matters!

There were times while I was growing up that I wanted to spend the night at a friend's house and, while there, would be extra special and kind to my friend's mother. I wanted to be on my best behaviour. Have there been times when you've been at a friend's house and you were extra good? I wonder if we work as hard to be as kind to our own mothers?

Ephesians 6:2,"Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;" (KJV)


My mother taught me that any time I am a guest in someone's home that I should put forth extra effort to make my stay enjoyable to them. I would help clean up after myself and clear the table after dinner, I would help my friends with any chores they had, etc. My daughter, Lady Jess, really knows her way around a kitchen and every time she's with her friend she goes out of her way to help cook dinner and clean up afterwards. Her friend's mother tells her how much she appreciates her help. My daughter adores their family and always goes out of her way to take extra special care of her friend and her mother while in their home.

While all of this is very good and appreciated by any mother, what matters most is YOUR mother. I am pleased to know that Lady Jess does this for her friend and her mother, I am glad that she also does these things for me. Do you go the extra mile for your mother? We'd love to hear what you do for your mom. Please do leave a reply and share your ideas on how you make your mom feel that she matters most.

Cloak and Dagger: As Polished Cornerstones

I am working through Polished Cornerstones by Pam Forster as part of my studies. This book's purpose is to lead girls toward maturity, prepare girls to be Godly YOUNG Ladies, to grow together as you work with your daughter/s, and to encourage single parents.
The reason behind this book can be found in:

Psalm 144:12b
"That our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:"

Polished Cornerstones is a study that will really help you not only get into the Word on a daily basis, but also allow you to be able to apply the Word and what you have learned through the assignments to use what you have learned.

The first chapter was about becoming "A Godly Woman". Through Polished Cornerstones, I have gone over so much scripture on this topic. One of the verses I have been reading is one we all know and love:

Titus 2:3-5
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

As I read it over, I started to get angry. It wasn't at the verse itself, but because that is not how the "aged women" today are. Most aged women today do not teach the younger women in the Word. And the younger women do not want to be taught.

The "aged women" nowadays seemed to be too worried about belonging to clubs, going shopping, making sure they look young by their clothes, their hair, makeup and tans, nails, etc. They seem to care more about if they have a more expensive car than the neighbor and what people think of them. A lot of times, it seems they care more about their social status.

If only they would forgo those things, we would have young women who know how to love and train their children, to love and submit to their own husbands, to be keepers at home, to be chaste, obedient, etc.
We would probably have more married couples who would stay together, if they, the "aged women", taught the young wife that she is supposed to submit and love her own husband in all things. Most couples now get divorced in the first 5 years of marriage. Is that sad or what?

I love this part of the verse: "obedient to their own husbands". Did you catch that word, "own"? They are not supposed to be obedient to any man, just their own. Which, if she is working, she can't do that.
I guess that means that you can't have it all. Well, at least the all that the world tells you. As a wife, it is our place to stay home and minister to our family by being what the Bible wants you to be.

My Mom and I have talked about how I won't have the excuse, "I didn't know any better. No one taught me." She was in tears as she told me how, when she got saved, neither her pastor, nor his wife, nor anyone else taught her what the Bible says. They didn't teach her that she should not play softball when she has 2 little children to care for. She paid dearly for that. She broke her leg very badly. God always shows us what we need to change and, though it may be painful, we must do it.

They didn't teach her that she should love and submit to her husband completely. So now after having many hardships and troubles, she is just learning this. Although it is sad that she wasn't taught and helped when she should have been, I can rejoice in the fact that she now knows all this and can teach it to me, so I can do what I am supposed to and not have the same troubles and hardships she has had.

I am praying for all the "aged women" to come to realize the meaning of Titus 2. I pray that they will see what they should be filling and that they fill it. We need the "aged women" to teach us younger women. How will we learn unless someone teaches us?? How can we teach unless we are taught to??
To all of the older women I know, I pray for you daily. That you may have the opportunities to teach the younger women and that you will do it.
To all the younger woman I know, I pray for you daily. That you may have a teachable spirit and learn something from the "aged women".

I am thankful that I have a Mom, who will take the time to teach me, not only academics, but character training and much more. I am thankful to all the Mom blogs I read because I always glean something from your experiences. I am thankful for all of the "aged women” I know and have come to love who are setting a good example for me.
Whether your experiences are good or bad, just know that there are young women who will learn from them. We need to get back to doing what we are supposed to do. The things that God has created us for.

Portfolio de Couturier: Olivia-Kate

This edition of Portfolio de Couturier is a little different than the previous ones. We're not going to show you any old fashions or a biography on a very important lady from history. Instead we're going to being interviewing Mrs. Spade, a 21st century seamstress, who owns and runs OliviaKate clothing. OliviaKate is a Mother-Daughter business Mrs. Spade and her daughter, Olivia Kate, team up to bring elaborate and colourful clothing for little girls. I hope this interview will give you a a behind the scene look at her as a seamstress and designer.

GGM: Is knowing how to make your own clothes something in your heritage? Did your grandmother, aunts or mother know how to sew?

Mrs. Spade: Both grandmothers and my mom enjoyed sewing, crochet, knit and hand embroidery. They loved making gifts for their children and grandchildren. I have fond memories of my mom sewing play dresses for me when I was little. I still have a beautiful applique quilt from my grandmother on Olivia's crib. Growing up around home projects made it easy for me to start creating after my own daughter was born.

GGM: When did you learn how to sew and what was your first project?

Mrs. Spade:I learned to sew at around 14 years old (if I remember correctly) with my mom who taught me the basics. My first project was a simple dress. I'm pretty sure mom did most of the sewing for that, lol...

GGM: Why was sewing something that interested you enough to learn to do it well?

Mrs. Spade: My interest in sewing came after my daughter was born. I wanted to make some clothes for Olivia and started learning new techniques which eventually developed into a small home business. Sewing is valuable in so many other ways as well; I can make my own dress skirts, make play dresses and church dresses for Olivia, take in my husbands clothing or make gifts for loved ones. I recently machine embroidered hats with the words "Jesus Saves" on the front for my family. These are my husband's favorite.

GGM: Why do you think it's important to know how to sew?

Mrs. Spade: Sewing is how I get rid of stress. It also allows me to make things at a very low cost which is beneficial when something needs repaired. I recently took in all of Edward's dress pants (my husband). This would have been expensive if we went to a seamstress for alterations. It's also something I look forward to teaching Olivia.

GGM: What ways can knowing how to sewing better one's life-style and home?

Mrs. Spade: If you know how to sew, old things can become new with little effort. Whether you're making something pretty to wear or sprucing up the pillows in your living room with new fabric, there are endless possibilities without spending a fortune at a retail store. I love to search local thrift stores for vintage fabrics and notions. I find items (many are brand new) for pennies that can be worked into my sewing.

GGM: Your little girl's clothing is cute. Where did you come up with the styles and what gives you inspiration for sewing projects?

Mrs. Spade: My greatest inspiration is my daughter Olivia. Right now I love bold, bright colors and using entire lines of fabric in one set. I also enjoy mixing vintage and new clothing patterns to come up with a set that's completely unique.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to speak with you and your readers. I have to thank the Lord Jesus for all the many blessings in my life. Also I have to thank my husband Eddie for being so supportive and all of my family and friends that have encouraged me along the way.

Thanks for taking the time to join me, Mrs. Spade. Many blessings to you in your business! You can visit Mrs. Spade and little Miss Olivia by going to OliviaKate.com. I hope you as a young lady or even a mother will be inspired by this article to start learning how to sew yourself. It's a wonderful homemaking skill and life-essential.