Thoughts from Ellerslie

Picture and Quotes to Think About

2012-01-28T14:25:00.001-05:00

It has been almost three years since that night, but I can still picture the faces of those girls, still remember the revulsion I felt shaking the brothel owner's hand after I declined to make a purchase. I am haunted by the truth of slavery because I have seen it with my own eyes. ~Corban Addison in “The Human Face Of Modern Slavery”

Find Yourself

2012-01-21T23:38:00.001-05:00

A friend just posted this on his blog. I really like this song and I really like the thoughts he shares to go with it.

…Jesus is the Commander of my destiny. Our destiny. He is guiding our steps and making our paths straight. Even when things don't make sense from my limited perspective.

God sees the end and the beginning. He is painting His picture on the canvas of humanity, and I am thankful that we can be a part of His masterpiece. I am thankful that in God, we truly find ourselves. ~John

Through Christ,

Lady B

Sometimes I Surprise Myself

2012-01-19T23:12:00.001-05:00

I was just going through some old documents on my computer (trying to clean it up) and came a cross this essay. I wrote it for college English about, well, two years ago now. I don’t claim to be a great writer, but I found this kind of interesting as I was wondering if I really wrote it.

The Spirit of Ages

The picture unfolds before us; a sweet damsel in some form of distress, perhaps she has been stolen away by some vagrant, but there, a knight ready to fight to the death to save her and her honour with such a noble chivalry in his manner and speech. Throughout literature chivalry has been a great source of many stories. What is it about this character of chivalry that should draw us so? What is it? There are so many different ways to learn about knights and chivalry not only through research but throughout literature as well. We can take a look in a few well chosen books and a peak at some history of chivalry as it defined the knights who bore such an honour.

Chivalry is a word we hear quite often (at least where I live). A lot of times we hear chivalry in terms of the infamous quote, “Chivalry is dead.” (I take the stance that chivalry is not dead, it is being revived.) But what is all this chivalry? According to Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary chivalry is “[t]he system of knighthood; the privileges, characteristics or manners of knights; the practice of knight-errantry, or the heroic defense of life and honor.” (Noah Webster) Chivalry falls into one of three areas- God, country and fellow Christians and women. We often think of it in the last area, women or the art of courtly love, but there is much more to chivalry than treating women correctly. In A Code of Chivalry Brian Price gives a detailed list of the ten characteristics of true chivalry. Nine of the traits he listed are prowess, justice loyalty, defense, courage, faith, humility, largesse and nobility. The greatest guide to a knight, or any other person, trying to be chivalrous is one’s honor. (Price)

Chivalry has been the topic of many, many books. I could not begin to scratch the surface in trying to share books that are about acts of chivalry. Such books have been written almost since time began. I will, however, try to whet some appetites. Probably the most popular of chivalric tales are the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Of these knights Sir Lancelot is the one most know to us for his courtly love, one of the three areas of chivalry. His chivalry is more a love for his lady and a vow to serve and honor her to the death. One of the greatest examples of chivalry in literature has to be The Scottish Chiefs by Miss Jane Porter. The words of Sir William Wallace himself give more testament to the lady’s writing and use of chivalry than I ever could:

Rather so fall the enemies of Scotland! From this hour Wallace has neither love nor resentment but for her. Heaven has heard me to work our country’s freedom or to die. Who will follow me in so just a cause?...All is lost to me; I have now nothing to do with this world, but as I may be the instrument of good to others! The Scottish sword has now been redrawn against our foes; and, with the blessing of heaven. (Sic) I swear it shall not be sheathed till Scotland be rid of the tyranny which has slain my happiness! (Porter)

This is only the beginning of a story that drips with chivalry. This is not the quaint chivalry of tales gone past, but the deep, soul-stirring chivalry of truth, dignity and honour! This is the stuff we long for.

Chivalry seems to entrance us. Could it possibly be because in our heart of hearts we long for that true knight to one day come and fight for the weak, the poor and the helpless? Could it be that are hearts were created for such a longing? Perhaps all the stories throughout the decades were the echoes of something deeper something real. Jesus Christ is the truest fulfillment of the chivalrous knights. Is it not to Him that all the stories seem to point? Whatever we believe one must know that chivalry is not just a thing of yesteryears, only fit for stories, but a characteristic that can still be cultivated even now.

Quote of the Day...

2012-01-18T16:33:00.001-05:00

"Never trust someone that has not brought a book with them."

~Lemony Snicket, aka Daniel Handler

Where I’m At

2012-01-17T19:25:00.001-05:00

I came out of a indescribable (really, there are so many words to try to describe it but none of them actually fit- a lot of different emotions in one moment) time with my King, Shepherd, The Ancient of Days- God- with this song on my mind.

I want so much to please my King. To be a warrior, a mighty woman of God but also to have the heart of a five-year-old. I want that unwavering trust coupled with heavenly audacity and swagger. I no longer want to live. I want Jesus to make my every decision and to live His life through me! He has given me a promise and I will hold to it with hope and trust!
“I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord”

Through Christ,

Lady B

It Came. It Came, It Came!

2012-01-17T13:32:00.001-05:00

Your Passion 2012 Digital All Access code has arrived!

:D

I am so excited! I have already started downloading the FREEDOM film. I’m looking forward to all the talks and specials and of course the new Passion: White Flag cd/album!
Yippee!

Through Christ and to Him alone be the Glory!

Lady B

Repost…27 Million

2012-01-11T21:55:00.001-05:00

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Did you know there are 27 MILLION people enslaved right now? Maybe you know but do you believe it? Maybe you know and believe but what are you doing about it?
27 million is not just a number they are people- men, women, children. They are someone's son, daughter, sister, mom, cousin, friend, etc. What are we, as Christ's church doing about it?

Are we as the church of Christ blocking out their cries with our endless projects, worship, and busyness?
These are not bad but are they…

Too Loud?

I just watched The Diary of Anne Frank last night. I "enjoyed" the movie but the history behind it churned my stomach. How anyone could be so overcome with evil and greed to do such atrocities is just unfathomable. But it is not just Hitler and the Nazis that made me sick, it was those that could have done something and didn't- especially the Christians.
I once read that Jews, when they were being transported to the concentration camps, would yell for help especially when they saw a church along the railroads. The Christians in the church heard them, but instead of finding away to help they sang their hymns all the louder.
I began thinking, as I was drifting to sleep- What is it that we as Christian do “louder” to drown out the cries of those in need?
There are orphans all across the world; at least 143 million children have no family. There are slaves everywhere but we, in our comfortable lives barely get exposed to that reality. The poor surround us but we expect others, or the government, to take care of them.
So what do we do? We turn up our Christian music, we bury our heads in work, school, leisure. We make ourselves feel better by say a quick “prayer”…James 2:15-17 says, "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (NKJV)
We are to be the body of Christ; His hands and feet. But what are we doing? I am learning this too, and just as there were some who chose to risk all to help the Jews; there are those who choose to serve those in need…in whatever capacity they are able.

Mission Trip?

2012-01-09T19:33:00.001-05:00

I have been given a great opportunity to go with Cool Kids Ministries on a mission trip to Kiev, Ukraine. This will be my first since I went to Romania five years ago. I’m super excited about being able to work and serve with Bro. Steve and the others going on this trip. Please pray that if it is God’s will (I am stepping out on faith here) He will provide the money. Here is Bro. Steve’s recent email about the trip.

Through Christ,

Lady B

Could You Help Make This Trip Possible?

Dear Friends,

Here at Cool Kids we are excited about the New Year and all the new opportunities that such a time brings. As you know we have begun and new partnership with Manna Worldwide. We are so excited about this partnership because for the first time in seven years we now are ministering to boys and girls internationally. What a thrill to be able to touch lives not only here at home but around the entire world. As I am typing people are preparing to deliver shoes to children in the Philippines that we raised money for this past summer. How awesome! In March I, along with several others, will be going to visit Smile House in Kiev, Ukraine, for which we also raised money this past summer. It is with that trip in mind that I am writing. Our trip was originally planned for May, but due to my daughter expecting our first grandchild the day we were to leave, we had to change our dates to March 23-31. So now it becomes urgent that we raise money quickly for our trip. Smile House is a “Bridge to Life Home” operated by Manna Worldwide helping orphaned children have a better life. We will be working on the house itself, visiting Safe Haven (another BTL home) and ministering to children in the Ukraine as well as making plans for a camp that we will be running this fall. I can’t wait!!!

So, could you help us make this trip possible? The trip will cost $2500. Any amount you could help us with would be greatly appreciated. Since we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, every dime you give is tax deductible, but more importantly than that, it is an investment in the hearts and lives of boys and girls that you may never meet this side of heaven. I promise you, I will bring back pictures, videos and stories of all that God has done and share with everyone.

If you can help, here is what to do:

1. Go to our website (It will be back up and running on Thursday morning with a brand new face lift, new ideas and features) and click the Smile House Trip donation button. Then the rest is up to you.

2. Or, you can make a donation by check. Just mail your check to Cool Kids Ministries, PO Box 44, Union, KY 41091 and mark it Attn: Smile House Trip.

I am truly excited about this trip and all that God is going to do. Won’t you take a moment and help invest in the life of a child that needs to hear about Jesus? Cast your bread upon the water and watch what God can do!!! (Eccl 11:1)

God’s Birthday Present

2012-01-06T16:29:00.001-05:00

Jesus has truly blessed me today! My brother and I just finished watching the last session of Passion2012 and I cannot put into words how I feel!

My prayer request for this new year, my 22nd year, is that it would be all about Christ and that I would speak fearlessly/boldly of His mystery!

"I lay me down, I'm not my own, I belong to You alone, lay me down, lay me down
Hand on my heart, this much is true, There's no life apart from You, lay me down, lay me down! And it will be my joy to say, Your will, Your way!"

“On the alter of our praise let there be no higher name, Jesus Son of God, You laid down Your perfect life, You are the sacrifice, Jesus Son of God, You are Jesus Son of God
Be lifted higher than all You've overcome, Your Name be louder than any other song, There is no power that can come against Your love, The Cross was enough, the Cross was enough"

I Am Pretty Excited!

2012-01-05T16:29:00.001-05:00

Passion 2012- Students making a difference. That’s what Jesus does!

2012-01-04T21:39:00.001-05:00

We raise our white flag
We surrender
All to You, all for You
We raise our white flag
The war is over
Love has come, Your love has won!

Lift the cross
Lift it high, lift it high!

Passion 2012!
God, let this be the
beginning of Your great revival!

It has begun!

2012-01-02T22:08:00.001-05:00

Passion 2012 is here, it kicked off tonight and if you missed out try to make sure you make it because Jesus is lighting a fire!

The enemy’s plan is to steal, kill and destroy- that’s it. He wants to carry us out to death and bury us, but Jesus wants to intercept and step into the middle of our funeral procession, and put His hand on our deadness and say “Rise up!”

Follow the link^ to watch. Below is the schedule too.

SESSION TWO
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012, 10:45 AM EST
SESSION THREE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012, 02:00 PM EST
SESSION FOUR
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012, 07:00 PM EST
SESSION FIVE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012, 10:45 AM EST
SESSION SIX
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012, 02:00 PM EST
SESSION SEVEN
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012, 07:00 PM EST
SESSION EIGHT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012, 10:45 AM EST

If you are able to make it, please do! I am hoping for a snow day tomorrow so I can catch some more.

Check out Luke 7:11-17 and Ephesians 5:14!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T16:54:00.001-05:00

This is my prayer today and this year!

Old Dreams, New Dreams- Part One

2011-12-17T11:07:00.001-05:00

This month has been a hard month. I have felt at such a loss. I really do not know what God wants me to do right now. Different things have happened that have caused me to question myself and whether I have really heard from God. One thing that I find strange is a reawakening of different desires and dreams. I want to share a few of them with y’all.

Orphans/Missions
For the past few months really, but especially this month I have found my heart so burdened for these people- mainly the children. The least of these…Every time I see anything that has to do with orphans or slaves or just those who need Jesus so desperately a little piece of my heart ~~breaks~~ is crushed. I want to go! I want to hold them! I want to let them know they are loved and they can have a Family!
It seems that in the past few weeks everywhere I look there is something about these beautiful people that awakens the longing even more.

A dear friend is headed back to Guatemala to work with an orphanage and missionaries down there. She spent most of this summer there and listening to her talk about it is amazing. I am so excited for her and yet a little jealous. She is also raising funds for Operation Baby Rescue.

Another friend wrote this post about God calling her to missions. I remember those same thoughts and feelings when I first felt God’s call.

Her^ mom shared this blog with me.

Two friends posted these videos

Enter video caption here

With every song, note, conversation, etc. my heart is just breaking. What can I do? Why does it seem as though God has me here right now when I want so much to be His hands and feet to these broken people? Maybe He has called me out and I am only just starting to hear Him. I do not know what He is asking me to do but I do know that something has to be done. When, where or who, I don’t know, but I will wait on my Beloved!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Oh!

2011-12-05T22:58:00.001-05:00

Be Born In Me

2011-12-05T13:48:00.001-05:00

Young Men as Leaders…Now

2011-12-01T16:57:00.001-05:00

I found this post (linked to picture below) by a good friend of mine so encouraging . Guys this one is for you!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Personal Importance of Prayer

2011-11-29T15:46:00.001-05:00

Bibles read without prayer; sermons heard without prayer; marriages contracted without prayer; journeys undertaken without prayer; residences chosen without prayer; friendships formed without prayer; the daily act of prayer itself hurried over, or gone through without heart: these are the kind of downward steps by which many a Christian descends
to a condition of spiritual palsy, or reaches the point where God allows them to have a tremendous fall.
~(James Charles) J. C. Ryle

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:02:00.001-05:00

I thank God for so much in my life!

~My Bridegroom and Prince- Jesus Christ- Lover of my soul, my All in all!
~Wonderful family- everyone everywhere but especially those closest to me (Mama, Papa, MG, Daddy, Lady C, etc, etc, etc.)
~Mr. Knightley
~Amazing friends (thinking of specific ones but definitely all of them)
~Church family
~Wild craziness
~The simple things
~Health
~Autumn
~Freedom
~The Mayflower Compact
~So, so, so much more!

I hope you will remember what this day is about and why we celebrate it. There is so much to be thankful for.

Give thanks with a grateful heart!

Through Christ,

Lady B

A Fragile Life?

2011-11-23T23:48:00.001-05:00

So, I am the kind of girl who really enjoys Jane Austen dramas (on screen and off) and even dreams of living in those genteel times, but when comes right down to it; I would never make it. Oh, yes, I would so enjoy having those manners and decorum and all that, but I could never live life as one so-- fragile.

Give me the rough and tumble women of the wild west or the pilgrim/pioneer wives and daughters.
Women who were all girl but worked with their hands and hard!

I want to live life to its fullest. I do not want to spend my life, my health, my abilities sitting and doing nothing for fear of breaking me. I want to have fun, get dirty, break nails, even get a few scratches and nicks (see comment below for a favourite quote), go until I am almost spent (within bounds of reason), work, serve, play. I want to do everything even if that is impossible. I do not want to sit at home all the time! Even when I am at home I want to be busy.

Do I do all this now? No. Am I shunning relaxation? No. I am just saying that every moment I have should be spent.

I just recently listened to an old podcast by Eric Ludy called Should We Not also Have Scars? (unfortunately I cannot find a link to the audio, but here is the transcript- very short) and that (plus some other thoughts and such) is what got this post started.
In the podcast Eric speaks of following Jesus and how we as Americans “are quite a sedentary lot.” We want to stay comfortable but, as Eric shares, Amy Carmichael once said,

We follow a scarred Captain,
Should we not also have scars?

Wow, my Jesus was scarred in so many ways. Do I even have one scar to show for Him? Now, I do not mean physically- for the most part. But has my heart and spirit been scarred because of my work for the Kingdom?
Have I been seared by scenes and thoughts of the poor, needy, slaves and orphans? Have I stood against friends and family because of what I know is true? Have I been shunned by those I love? Have I taken blows for my family, friends or even strangers, because I dared to stand against the enemy on their behalf?
Have I spent my body working to rescue those in need? Helping the weak, poor, sick and injured? Have I pushed myself to the limits because I was so busy praying? Have I gone without food, not so much by choice, but because my heart was so burdened?

I could go on and on…I want my life to be full, I want it to be worth something to my King. I do not want to take up space. I do not want to waste time.

I do not want to be fragile so that God cannot use me!

Once Upon A Time…

2011-11-22T17:42:00.001-05:00

There was a very nice girl who liked to have good, clean fun.

This girl was asked to be a counselor at a D-Now weekend.

She very excited to be able to attend and be an example of Jesus. The theme was one she was super excited about too- The Bible.

With a great group of girls, a good friend to teach with, fun host parents and an exciting weekend what could go wrong?

Well…

Let’s just say that said host parents were a little too fun…

The girl was a little corrupted…

And enjoyed herself a bit too much (though no one knew it at the time)…

Oops.

The End

(Yes that is my youth pastor’s Jeep and yes we did saran wrap it, and yes I felt horrible; until after church the next morning.
Not that I am proud of it or anything…at least you all know I am not good all the time :))

D-Now was great and God was there. The girls were great and listened so well the whole weekend. I am sure that they will never forget our last devo that ^ night.

The Many Names and Faces of Lady B

2011-11-18T00:28:00.001-05:00

So, I was going back through a friend’s blog and noticing all the different times I have changed my screen name and picture. I found it kind of funny that I have not even had this blog for two years and have already had at least three names and maybe five pictures (if not more of either one).

Brooke

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lady Helen Mar

Lady B

I think I am quite content with my name…for now. The picture I can make no promises on.

Anyway…

It is late, I should be ~~working on my lessons~~ sleeping, yet I am not…

Through Christ,

Lady B

Please Pray!

2011-11-16T17:06:00.001-05:00

Please pray for a dear friend of mine. He is in the hospital right now with cerebral malaria. Please pray fervently for his healing! I believe God is able to do a mighty thing in his body!

Lessons, Lessons, Lessons

2011-11-16T17:03:00.001-05:00

Some learned but most (this week) being taught. Shew, this week is going to be a growing, stretching time for me. As of right now I am teaching four times this week (not counting what I do at work). Really and truly I should be working on my lessons and collecting my props but I thought I would share this and ask y’all to pray for me. Tonight at AWANA I teach the Sparkies. We are going to talk about the Armor of God. Tomorrow I will be teaching my mom’s class about Ukrainian egg decorating. And this weekend we are having D-Now. I believe I am teaching two sessions about the Bible being more than just words on a page. I am rather excited and a little nervous. I pray that God alone is seen and heard in all of this. Anyway that is a quick summary of what is going on with me. Hope you all have week filled with God’s presence!

RAK CHAZAK!

2011-11-15T23:20:00.001-05:00

Introducing…

2011-11-09T22:43:00.001-05:00

I Just Adore…

2011-11-09T22:33:00.001-05:00

My Backyard!

It was so lovely outside I could not resist at least trying to capture some of it!

The sunrise was beautiful!

This spot is not what it should have been but there is something so very Secret Garden-esque about it.

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This afternoon I discovered Steve Rosen’s website and listened to clips of his cd Call to Glory all evening. I just could not resist running outside. Even though it was a little chilly and still quite wet from the rain I just had to get out somehow and it looked just how I was feeling. I had to grab some more pictures!

The sky…who couldn’t resist!

The sun, the sky, the trees, the fence…

The Son is one day coming in His glory!

It seems so secret from this perspective

I wonder what it must be like to…

The neighbor’s yard.

Again with the burning bushes

I hope your day was just as lovely as mine!
Through Christ,

Lady B

Tidbits

2011-11-02T22:43:00.001-04:00

There is so much here to think about! I listened to all of these today and now my mind and heart are in such an uproar. “God, I want to be Your lady of prayer, following Your call, fighting with/for You, completely obsessed with You and bringing You complete glory- simply because You are worthy. No other reason but You.”

Tell me what time you spend alone with God and I’ll tell you how spiritual you are. ~Leonard Ravenhill

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I want to be one who compels them to come! I want to lend to God, but not so I can be repaid, just because I want them to know they are loved!

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I want this passion! I want to want to fight without desiring comfort!
”We were called to advance a Kingdom! To live with a Passion! To fight for Him! And to only, every once in a while, drop our swords and look up for a smile.” ~Paul Washer

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Am I all out for Jesus? There is no in between and that makes a simple question both hard and simple. Am I all out for Jesus?

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“Lord Jesus, I’m going to obey you, and love you, and serve you, and do what you want me to do, as long as I live, even if I go to Hell at the end of the road, simply because you are worthy to be loved, and obeyed and served…” ~Reidhead
What is God going to get out of me?

PostScript- I am trying to type up my full testimony. I believe it is about time I had it completed.

Did You Know Columbus was a Christian?

2011-10-24T19:28:00.001-04:00

"It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me)...that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter... [But] There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures..."

(Columbus, Christopher. August 3, 1492, as recounted by Bartolome' de Las Casas. Samuel Eliot Morison, Admiral of the Ocean Sea (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1942), p. 149. John Eidsmoe, Columbus & Cortez, Conquerors for Christ (Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 1992), p. 106.)

No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service...
Oh, what a gracious Lord, who desires that people should perform for Him those things for which He holds Himself responsible.

~Christopher Columbus

A New Blog…

2011-10-24T18:14:00.001-04:00

No, not by me but definitely one I am interested in…for multiple reasons ;)

Wedding Bell Dreams

Book Questionnaire/ AKA- Yes, I am still here

2011-10-23T15:13:00.001-04:00

*Stolen from a friend's blog* I don't normally do this sort of thing, but I felt guilty for the lack of posts and I do not feel like sitting down and typing something up (I know, horrible, right). Life is really crazy but good. Work is fun, but it has it’s moments and I am trying to get over chest congestion. I have so much to do and the computer just is not fitting into that right now. So I hope this will suffice.
Please keep seeking Jesus. He is the only one that matters!
Through Christ (my Bridegroom),

Lady B

1. Favorite childhood book?
Narnia, Nancy Drew, Saddle Club and Pony Pals

2. What are you reading right now?
The Fellowship of the Ring (with my brother) and Emma (still)

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Actually none right now…sad day isn’t it

4. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Four or five books on Pysanky (Ukrainian eggs) and Webster’s 1828 Dictionary all of which are due back this week :(

5. Do you have an e-reader?
Nope. I prefer having a physical book in my hands. Something about the feel and the smell of a good book *sigh*

6. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Well, I used to read several at a time, but that is becoming harder to do. I can sometimes read one non-fiction and one fiction together or maybe more than one non-fiction…

7. Can you read on the bus?
Are you kidding?! I read on the bus all the time and in the car. Now days I can’t really do it, though, must be something about age.

8. Favorite place to read?
Wherever and whenever I get a chance!

9. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Depends on what kind of book it is. Informational books or my Bible, yes, I do on occasion. Never a library book though!

10. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Only my Bible and maybe a study book

11. What makes you love a book?
When it makes me feel like I’m in love. (<I think I will keep that answer) When it draws me closer to my Savior.

12. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
When I love it and I think other people will too!

13. Favorite genre?
I have been reading a lot of non-fiction lately. Fantasy, mystery, classic (clean) romances (think Jane Austen)

14. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I just give my opinion, take it or leave it, but as long as I am not dead set against the book, then I say read it yourself and form your own opinion.

15. Favorite Poet?
Ruth Bell Graham, her poems are so real and attainable. There are some classic poets I like, but I would have to say she is my favourite.

16. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
When I was younger and had more time (aka before college), I could have up to twenty or so checked out. Whether I read them or not, now that was a different story. Now, I think I have trimmed it down to five or ten. We interchange or cards so much ‘round here that it is un-tellin’ who has what checked out.

17. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Haha, all the time. I usually pick up crafty books to look at but rarely have the time to do so.

18. Favorite fictional character?
Aslan, William Wallace, Lady Helen Mar, Myles Falworth, The Pevensies, Mr. Knightley, Jane Bennet, Eustace Clarence Scrubb, Much-Afraid, The Shepherd, etc. Way too many to list!

19. Favorite fictional villain?
Does one have a favourite villain?…I honestly cannot think of one at the moment.

20. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
My Bible and whatever I am in the middle of

21. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
For fun? Two semesters, and now I am still trying to learn how to read for fun once more. A very sad fate!

22. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
House like a Lotus by Madeleine L'Engle. I do NOT suggest it. Inappropriate in parts.

23. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Sometimes t.v., conversation, the world passing by while riding in a car(or motion sickness, whichever comes first).

24. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe(Walden Media), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (WM), Pride and Prejudice (BBC and Focus Features), Emma (BBC and Gwyneth Paltrow version), The Lord of the Rings, I am sure there are more.

25. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Prince Caspian and (when I read them) Eragon

26. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Crudeness, language, too graphic, etc..
If was unavoidably, unforgivably, un-ignorably, against my beliefs.

27. Do you like to keep your books organized?
Not really. I guess there is a method to my madness, but it is one I only understand subconsciously.

28. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
If I like them- keep them and hoard them in a glass case! They are my treasure. Though I might loan them out…if I trust you.

Now I think I will go read a good book!

“Precious in the sight of the LORD…”

2011-09-22T14:23:00.001-04:00

“Is the death of His saints.”
Psalm 116:15

Pepper, a man no body could dislike. He loved everyone but most of all he loved his Jesus and he loved kids. He would turn a 15 passenger church bus into a 30 passenger bus because he knew how important it was to get those kids to church. He was there for everybody.
One Bible verse I remember best is Luke 2:52- he challenged me to memorize when I was in fourth grade, and I have never forgotten it. Now I pray it over the children at work and others I have baby-sat. He has been Jesus to so many and is still touching lives!

How true!

This world will never be the same but I know Heaven is rejoicing to have him home.

Missions

2011-09-21T14:06:00.001-04:00

Tonight is the kick-off for the missions conference at my church. I am so blessed and proud to be a part of a church that has a heart for missions. I believe there s so much need all over the world both here and the foreign countries. Missions makes up a big part of my heart. In honour of the mission conference here are a few things to think about.

Through Christ,

Lady B

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MIS'SION, n. [L. missio, from mitto, to send.]
1. A sending or being sent, usually the latter; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; commission; as sent on a foreign mission.

How to begin, how to accomplish best
His end of being on earth, and mission high.
Milton.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

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Our young men are going into the professional fields because they don't 'feel called' to the mission field. We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants. We must begin thinking in terms of 'going out', and stop our weeping because 'they won't come in'. Who wants to step into an igloo? The tombs themselves are not colder than the churches. May God send us forth. ~Jim Elliot

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Just a Few Days…

2011-09-20T21:19:00.001-04:00

This Monday! Will you be there?

Click the picture to join in!

“I look for better…”

2011-09-14T15:44:00.001-04:00

The shadows of the evening that precedes a lovelier morning are drawing down around us both. But our God is in the shadow as in the shine, and all is and will be well: have we not seen his glory in the face of Jesus? and do we not know him a little?...This life is a lovely time, but I never was content with it. I look for better --- oh, so far better! I think we do not yet know the joy of mere existence.... May the loving Father be near you and may you know it, and be perfectly at peace all the way into the home country, and to the palace home of the living one -- the life of our life.
~George Macdonald

Love “The Broken Ones”

2011-09-02T22:32:00.001-04:00

Listened to this tonight at our HeartsAlive Bible study

Maggie came home one day with a raggedy, Raggedy Ann.
She said " Mama, look what I found in the neighbors garbage can."
It had a missing left arm, and a right button eye hanging by a thread
She carried it gently up to her room and laid it on her bed
with her other dolls.

Chorus:
She loves the broken ones, the ones that need a little patchin' up
She see's the diamond in the rough and makes it shine like new
It really doesn't take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch
If everybody loved like she does, there'd be a lot less broken ones.

Twenty years later at a shelter on Eighteenth Avenue
A seventeen year old girl shows up all black and blue
with needle tracks in her left arm, almost too week to stand,
She says,"I'm lost an I need help", as Maggie takes her hand
And says, "Come on in!"

Chorus:
She loves the broken ones, the ones that need a little patchin' up
She see's the diamond in the rough and makes it shine like new
It really doesn't take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch
If everybody loved like she does, there'd be a lot less broken ones.

Bridge:
If you call her and angel, she'd be quick to say to you
She's just doing what the one who died for her would do

Love the broken ones, the ones that need a little patchin' up
See the diamond in the rough and make it shine like new
It really doesn't take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch
If everybody loved like He does, there'd be a lot less broken ones
If everybody loved like He does, there's be a lot less broke ones.

If only we would all do this!

Picture My Weekend

2011-08-29T18:10:00.002-04:00

I am sure these

are the loveliest flowers

I have ever seen!

“Thank you so much for your many blessings, Lord!”

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript- I hope you all had a blessed weekend! God has been teaching and showing me so very much about Himself and His word, but I have not learned enough to share. Oh, what a mystery; what an adventure!

That Time Again!

2011-08-22T15:54:00.001-04:00

The Passion Live Link is here! I am most definitely looking forward to this year! If you want to join in click on the picture. I can promise that God will show up and it will be amazing!

Ever Changing

2011-08-18T21:44:00.001-04:00

One of the neat things about giving your whole life to God is the variability. I once heard that it was like chasing a wild goose only there is purpose with God.

One of the crazy, unexpected turns my chase has taken me on is in the form of working. That is right, I am working, and at the same daycare. My boss sent me a text last Thursday asking if I was interested in working permanently. I only had that afternoon to pray about it, and pray I did. And, well, I said yes. So now I am working in a classroom four days a week for about three and half hours. I love it.

My first week has included such things as screaming kids, dirty diapers, scolding, saying no twenty dozen times and cleaning up vomit- twice. But you know what, I love it!
I also get to do things like soothe an upset child, read stories over and over, sing songs, listen to children's laughter, be piled with six kids wanting to sit in my lap at the same time, pat backs at nap time and laugh at the antics of toddlers. I am a big part of theses kids’ lives and, even though they are only 1 1/2, I have a chance to help shape them. I want to bring Christ into their lives as much as possible!

I have to say God does surprising things but I do so love “chasing the wild goose.”

Through Christ,

Lady B

Seeking, Learning, Finding, Growing

2011-08-16T19:54:00.001-04:00

I cannot even begin to fathom how to describe the past few weeks!

God has been teaching me so much. Truly, every time I turn around I feel as though I have just finished a journey and then I am starting a new one. Looking at it from a simple human perspective it seems tiresome, but seeing it and experiencing it with God, as I have been doing, has been so refreshing and amazing! I will admit, I have gotten tired at times, but the amazing thing is- that is part of the journey, and in those times I rest in the arms of my Beloved or I learn stamina.

I have been reading When God Writes Your Life Story which has been an experience (I am still reading it- little by little). Then God began to take me on a quest to learn what it truly means to seek Him. I have been a little sidetracked but I am beginning it again. And I have been visiting a friend’s church. The messages have been about who the Holy Spirit is. How could I have not known this?!? So a few Sundays ago I invited the Holy Spirit to be a living part of my life! Since then it has been…Ineffable!
I have prayed in ways that I never imagined myself praying, and I have seen prayers answered in amazing ways! As I read my Bible or other things and even while I listen to songs I see things in a new light. I am almost literally sitting in my chair going “Oh, oh, ah-ha!”
Every day is a new day- a gift- to surrender. Truly when you “Draw near to God…He will draw near to you.”

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript- Yes, this is my 100th post, and it seems fitting.

Time Passes

2011-08-02T22:02:00.001-04:00

As I sit here sipping my tea (Rosehip since it is late) I cannot help but have mixed feelings about the future, namely tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my last day at the daycare, and while I am excited to have my days back, I am also a little sad. This season at the daycare seems so much different than the last two. I feel like I have bonded more with the kids and connected to the other girls more. I also feel as though I have learned a lot. I would not be surprised if I shed a few tears tomorrow evening. I do plan on staying on as a sub this fall so that makes it a little easier.

As far as this fall goes…I feel as though I have talked and thought about it a lot today. It is kind of funny trying to explain why I am not working through the fall since I am no longer in school. My plans right now are to-

1. Clean my room (for seriously!)

2. Clean the house

3. Put up some tomatoes (if there are any left)

4. Decorate eggs (at least twelve by October)

5. Continue on my quest (something for another post)

I have a lot to look forward to this fall or so it seems. *the clock strikes ten* Ah, well, that must bring this post to a close.
Continue seeking the Father, Spirit and Son all three but one!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Today’s Quote- Worship

2011-07-28T21:00:00.001-04:00

I do not know much about Mr. Stott but sadly he passed away today.

If worship is right because God is worthy of it, it is also the best of all antidotes to our own self-centredness, the most effective way to "disinfect us of egotism," as one writer put it long ago. In true worship we turn the searchlight of our mind and heart upon God and temporarily forget about our troublesome and usually intrusive selves. We marvel at the beauties and intricacies of God's creation. We "survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died." We are taken up with God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit...Because we are normally so turned in on ourselves, we will not find this easy. But we have to persevere, since nothing is more right or more important.
~John R. W. Stott

Revolt

2011-07-25T19:54:00.001-04:00

It is time to Revolt! Neutral is not an option!

Click on the picture above to join the LIFT Camp evening services for this week. Clear Vision Drama is there and HeartSong is leading the worship and Brian Moore is the speaker. It will be really great I can promise you that. God will be lifted up and you will bee touched if you allow God to do so.

Join in and be blessed!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Today's Quote:

2011-07-22T09:21:00.001-04:00

Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens.
~Daniel Webster

Today's Quote:

2011-07-18T11:07:00.001-04:00

What gives us conviction of sin is not the number of sins we have committed; it is the sight of the holiness of God.
~Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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Yesterday’s-
It is idleness that creates impossibilities; and where people don't care to do anything, they shelter themselves under a permission that it cannot be done.
~Robert Smith

Surprise?

2011-07-13T11:02:00.002-04:00

“I have a surprise for you.”
“Can I have a hint?”
It predates our meeting and it's purple.

Thus was the beginning of my weekend. That conversation with Mr. Knightley (which is actually a piece of two) took place Wednesday and Thursday. So for three long days I contemplated and imagined and, yes, even talked to myself out loud trying to figure out what this surprise could be.
Predates our meeting? That is before 2003!
And purple? Well that could be anything.

I went from a car to many other crazy things…half of which I do not remember and the rest I do not care share because a lot were just way out there. I am sure the people at work thought I was crazy.

Nothing I thought up was anywhere close to what it was…

There is a story behind this but, as I have to leave, I will have to share it later.

Through Christ,

Lady B

Oh my.

2011-07-02T01:20:00.001-04:00

I did it! I have deleted my facebook! I am looking forward to the things God has in store for me! This begins my official 4o day journey.
As of right now I will not be online for the next forty days. I really feel like God is calling me back home in Him. I know myself; if I do not lay down strict boundaries (Leslie has a good devotion about that) I will try to fudge here and there. So, for the next forty days I will only turn the computer on to check my email (every other day), and the only websites I will allow for myself are Set Apart Girl, Ellerslie and Yahoo mail. I have not decided on the blog…I may post since I can do that without getting online but then again maybe not.

A quick update before I go, even though there is not much to it.
~I do finally have a job for the summer- Papa is very happy. I am back at the daycare! I am really enjoying being back and I love the kids! It is tiring but I think it is pretty worth it.
~Mr. Knightley is home! I know I posted about that already, but it just seems like it is hitting me! This will bring a new chapter to our courtship.
~I have two ladies interested in putting my eggs in their stores! Now I just need to get real busy…oh, and more eggs!

That is life for me right now. I am really enjoying it and I must say- This year has lived up to its label.
What an adventure!

Through Christ (my Beloved!),

Lady B

Ask yourself

2011-06-28T09:08:00.000-04:00

My god…a confession

2011-06-23T11:18:00.001-04:00

¹ And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. ² The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. ³ The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. ⁴ The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. ⁵ I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said:
⁶ ‘I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
⁷ ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.
⁸ ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁹ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ¹⁰ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

~Deuteronomy 5:1-10

How many times have I read those words and just moved right along saying- of course. How many times have I told myself- You have no other god. It is not a verse I often take into account but the other day God kind of knocked me up side the head with it. As I read it, I was ready to move along as I always do but there was something holding me back. So I read it again and tried to move on and still I could not. I finally stopped and took a minute to think on those words and when I did my life was laid before me to search and I found something I did not like. I had another god. I had bowed down to another and had been for a very long time.

What is this god? My computer; namely Facebook. Facebook is not bad but it is addicting and distracting. I have noticed my “addiction” in the past and even taken time away from it but at the end of the week or month or whatever it is always the same.

Facebook has consumed my life. It has taken away my time from my family, it has reduced my communication with family and friends to mere jots on a “wall”, most of all my relationship with God has suffered to the point that I feel as though we barely ever talk. That is a scary, horrible feeling and I do not ever want it to become a hold in my life. I have struggled with giving it up which in turn tells me that it has become entirely too important in my life.
Yes. I do like to keep up with my family and friends but I would rather have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with them than what I get from Facebook.

I am ready to get away with my Bridegroom!

Striving to live the Normal Christian life!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Wednesday, June 22, 2011!

2011-06-22T08:50:00.001-04:00

Mr. Knightley, comes home today!! After two long months I am quite excited to see him.

I know this is a bittersweet day for him so as excited as I am, I also feel a little pang for him too. He is leaving such an amazing family (in Christ) there and that is hard. Please pray for him.

There are not many words I can say!

“"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.”

Through Christ,

Lady B

New Favourite

2011-06-11T00:17:00.001-04:00

Mr. Knightley and I finally finished Men of Iron! I really enjoyed it, and I am pretty sure it ranks right up there with Scottish Chiefs!

I wish I could write about it as I did Scottish Chiefs, but it late and I must sleep. I leave you with a few quotes that I was certainly feeling as we finished it.

“My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter.”
~Thomas Helm

“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”
~Paul Sweeney

A good book should leave you…slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it.
~William Styron

Through Christ,

Lady B

Bible Study

2011-05-29T22:51:00.001-04:00

If you will remember back in March Mr. Knightley and I decided to read through a book of the Bible and discuss it. Well we finished Ephesians last week and it was amazing! God really used it. Now, after some thought and prayer, we have started on 1 Peter. Wow, once again I am so blown away by God and His sovereignty! I just have to share! I hope you are as blessed by this as I am!

Through Christ,

Lady B *dancing as I worship my Beloved!*

1 Peter 1:1-12 (NKJV)

Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims
¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
A Heavenly Inheritance

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen^[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
¹⁰ Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us^[b] they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Eyes that sparkle in amazement…

2011-05-27T00:22:00.002-04:00

Actually posted May 26, 2011.

That is what mine are doing or, at least, that is how I feel! It has been exactly three months since Mr. Knightley and I have entered into this courtship, and I have to say it has been the most amazing three months I could ever imagine! God is so awesome, and His love and blessing never cease to amaze me.

As I sat here thinking about what this all means I realized something. Courtship is not really something that can be measured by time. Oh yes, we can count the days and weeks and months (maybe even hours, hehe), but that is not what the relationship should be measured by.

What do I mean? Hm, that is a good question. I think there are other deeper ways to measure a relationship like how close it has drawn you to God. That is one of the reasons for this relationship, is it not? To draw one another into a deeper relationship with God. There are others too- communication, honesty and emotion are all important. Honestly, when we first started this courtship I was a little intimidated by all of these. Could I handle it? When would they start to grow? And so on, but as I have trusted my One true Beloved, I found that these have all grown over the past three months! It has been so beautiful, and I cannot put into words the thoughts and feelings I have as I look back at what God has done and is doing and forward to whatever He has planned!

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript~ Mr. Knightley will be home in twenty-six days!!

Life Beautiful

2011-05-23T01:03:00.001-04:00

It has been five weeks since that lovely week in April and three months since this courtship began. How the time has gone by so quickly I will never know, but now it seems to have slowed considerably. I realized this past Monday that although one month is much better than two it is still, or seems to be, so far. As the week went on I just began to notice little changes, missing Mr. Knightley more. It was not until this weekend that I realized how much harder these next few weeks are going to feel. It was like a whole new wave of emotion and amazement washed over me. I really do not know how to express it and I am not sure that I want to. Life has been beautiful and it will continue to be with God, the Master Artist, painting it all.

Through Christ,

Lady B

My Husband

2011-05-12T00:59:00.000-04:00

My husband will be:
All together lovely, good, faithful, true, just, harmless, resisting temptation, obedient to God the Father, zealous, meek, merciful, patient, compassionate, benevolent, loving, self-denying, righteous, humble and forgiving.

He will come in on his pure white horse to rescue me. He will take me to his mansion where we will be married. All will rejoice in our marriage and we shall live happily-ever-after.

My husband is even now preparing for that day as He has done for the past thousands of years. For you see my husband is the one true Bridegroom. He is Jesus Christ, the Lord!

Revelation 21:22

We as Christians are all the Bride of Christ!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Happy Mother’s Day

2011-05-08T15:48:00.001-04:00

First, I want to say how blessed I am to have two moms to celebrate today-

Happy Mother;s day Lady C!

Happy Mother’s day, Mama!

Today is the day to celebrate moms. I love moms. I mean, yes I love mine but I love moms in general. They put up with so much and yet they love so much. I wish I could thank every mom in the world especially those Christian mother’s who have instilled God’s truth in their children. Since I cannot really do that let me just say here as publicly as I can, Thank you to all the moms out there for your love and patience and for sharing and showing the love of God!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Tidbits from My Weekend

2011-05-01T18:15:00.001-04:00

"Wonder is a deep, profound experience. The typical secular education of our day makes us suspicious or callous to wonder. It seems so unscientific, so unsophisticated, and ultimately, so seemingly unnecessary. So they say. But to lose the sense of wonder is to lose one of the great beauties of life. Worship, on the other hand, exercises our sense of wonder. It helps us see things and hear things and feel things, that not everyone recognizes. Worship, in essence, is wonderful."
~Hughes Oliphant Old

Set Apart Girl magazine April 2011 Page 32 Living by Faith Not Feelings

The Passing of a Legend

Tribute to David Wilkerson (May 19, 1931- April 27, 2011)

Jesus, You're the center of my joy
All that's good and perfect
Comes from You
You're the heart of my contentment
Hope for all I do
Jesus, You're the center of my joy

Luke 14:13 (New King James Version)

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.

I hope you all have had a lovely weekend and have learned much and drawn closer to our Bridegroom, Christ Jesus!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Something There…

2011-04-28T01:37:00.002-04:00

*deep breath and sigh*

What a lovely, wonderful, amazing week! I am sorry to be behind on posting this, but how can I even come up with words to describe the week. It all seems like a dream and yet now I can really say I am in a courtship and it feels so much more real!

Saturday. (sorry no picture I can post)

Mr. Knightley came in on Saturday (the 16th). Mama, MG and I picked him up at the airport. That wait in the airport…I do not think I have been so excited. I really thought I was going to bust. I watched the arrival screen for almost the whole thirty minutes or so we stood outside security and then it happened! He came down the way and for the first time since we started courting we saw each other (face to face)! And, yes, we did hug. We all ate at Texas Roadhouse- yummy- and took the long trip home. He was able to meet Papa for the first time. It went well (aside from Papa trying to embarrass me, ha). After supper we left for his house. It was a lovely drive! I spent the “weekend” with him and his family, which was a lot of fun.

Sunday.

Sunday was a little wild, but it was lovely just the same. We all attended a new church, had lunch with some of his family, met his nanny and went to a camp he spent several summers at. The picture is from that camp. It was absolutely beautiful! I loved the whole day, but this was probably the highlight of the day. He has told me so much about that place and to finally see it was very special. We ended the day with Thumbelina. Which was a of of fun since I was the only one who had seen it. (Don’t marry the mole!)

Monday. (also no picture for this day but I can supplement)

Ah, Monday. Dear, dear Monday! That was our day; our first official date and it was amazing! *said with twinkling eyes, hands clasped and a little spin* We went out to eat at a local restaurant and it was positively delicious! A quick trip to the airport and then to the park. It was just a beautiful day! I learned a little about flying, we fed ducks and geese, hiked some and played putt-putt. The drive to and from the house was fun too. We did a lot of singing together. If you know me at all, that is pretty big as I am slightly self-conscious of my singing. The day ended beautifully!

Tuesday.

Unfortunately, I think nerves, sugar, lack of sleep and adrenaline finally got to me. I woke up sick that morning. But after prayer and some more sleep I felt fine. I still felt bad because we had all planned on meeting some more family for lunch before I left. It all worked out though, because his sister, Lady Joy, and I got to spend the day together just talking and praying. Later when he and his mom got home I was made even better...Mr. Knightley brought me some beautiful flowers!

How could one feel bad after receiving something so beautiful!

I did end up going home that day so he was able to have some time with his family.

Friday.

All of us girls took Mr. Knightley back to the airport. He actually flew out quite early the next morning so we stayed at a lodge that evening. The drive up was a lot of fun. We stopped at a wildlife rescue and saw all the animals, in the rain, and got a lot of good photos. One of my favourites being the one above. We saw all kinds of animals, but I think my favourites were the black bear and the eagle- oh, and the snake. The lodge we stayed at was actually one he and Lady Joy spent a lot of time at over the years so, yet again, a very special place. While we had a break in the rain the three of us decided to walk around, only to get caught and have to take refuge in the gazebo. But that was okay!

The rest of the night was spent just having fun- playing Apple to Apples, watching VeggieTales, etc..

Saturday about four- did you know it came twice a day- rolled around much to soon (for many reasons). We took Mr. Knightley to the airport and said our not so happy goodbyes. It did not fully hit me until I was back at the lodge (after I got some more sleep and woke up at a more sane hour). Mr. Knightley was on his way back to being a thousand miles away. Suddenly that distance seemed a lot longer than it did before. I went out on the back porch and just sat on the swing- thinking, crying a little and praying a lot.

How can God bless me so much?! I am speechless at the love He has poured out on me!

A thousand miles is not too far. Two months is not too long.

Through Christ,

Lady B

This Man

2011-04-24T00:08:00.001-04:00

He was beaten until almost dead, forced to walk uphill to the place he would die and nailed to a rough, wooden cross.

He died a hideous death- each breath brought more pain than life.

He was rejected by the One He had never been without because He was cover with my sin and yours.

For two long days it seemed evil had won.

But as that third day dawned something happened.

Death and hell were defeated! satan was crushed and Jesus Christ- the Son of God- was raised up, alive and still living and seated at God's right hand!

Today we celebrate the victory Jesus won! Today we remember what it cost God that we might be seated with Him. Today we reflect on what being a Christ follow truly means.

Praise God, Praise God, PRAISE GOD!

Through Christ

Lady B

Picture Anyone?

2011-04-20T23:27:00.001-04:00

It was a wonderful, amazing, lovely weekend! All I can really say right now is,

‎"I am speechless, I'm astonished and amazed
I am silenced by Your wondrous grace"

Celebrities?

2011-04-10T15:59:00.001-04:00

They do not excite me. Let me meet real men and women of God. Those who are willing to lay everything down for the cause of Christ. The ones who will live for their King as well as die for Him. Men and women like Amy Carmichael, Richard & Sabina Wurmbrand, Elisabeth Elliot, Eric and Leslie Ludy, Danita Estrella etc. People who are ridiculed for living life God's way, those who are being beaten and tortured because they chose to love God and speak His truth, who are working to save the lost, the orphans, the hurting, the least. They are the ones I get excited about meeting.

One Week!

2011-04-09T23:21:00.001-04:00

I really have no words for this moment! In just one week Mr. Knightley will be home! I am excited and happy beyond words, and I am so in awe of my Father! At the same time I am a little nervous. This is the first time we will see each other since starting this courtship. What will it be like? That moment, the week? I am counting the days even more so now than when I first started (if that is possible). Let the butterflies begin!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Todays Psalm and Excitement!

2011-04-02T21:11:00.001-04:00

Two weeks!! Mr. Knightley will be here in two weeks! Here, as in here, this state, my house! I will get to see him for the first time since we started this courtship! I mean we have seen each other on Skype but that is just not the same. I am quite excited; can you tell!?!

Today’s Psalm was lovely as well. It has been a beautiful day!

Psalm 92

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day.

¹ It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
         And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
² To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
         And Your faithfulness every night,
³ On an instrument of ten strings,
         On the lute,
         And on the harp,
         With harmonious sound.
⁴ For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work;
         I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
⁵ O LORD, how great are Your works!
         Your thoughts are very deep.
⁶ A senseless man does not know,
         Nor does a fool understand this.
⁷ When the wicked spring up like grass,
         And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.
⁸ But You, LORD, are on high forevermore.
⁹ For behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
         For behold, Your enemies shall perish;
         All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
¹⁰ But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;
         I have been anointed with fresh oil.
¹¹ My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies;
         My ears hear my desire on the wicked
         Who rise up against me.
¹² The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
         He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
¹³ Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
         Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ They shall still bear fruit in old age;
         They shall be fresh and flourishing,
¹⁵ To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Through Christ,

Lady B

Of Poems and Eggs

2011-03-31T23:02:00.001-04:00

For the past month or so I have been working on a poem inspired, of course, by this courtship. Let me just say it was not coming along very well. I thought I had a good one written, one that I had actually written during week two, right up until two nights ago. Mr. Knightley and I were talking about it and I told him it was still in the editing process so later that night I pulled it out and found that what I had written was not all that great (in my personal opinion) and not something I wanted to share. After writing it down (I did still want to keep it just not share it) I prayed that God would give me a poem. So today, after some inspiration (and a lot of sitting) lines just kind of came out. It was rather exciting right up to the last line…There is no last line. I cannot think of anything! I do not like my poems to rhyme too much but this one needs to, at least on this line it does. So this quote has described this area of my past month…

I am hoping that means this poem is going to be beyond average because if not I may cry.

Also since I was asked, I thought that I would post some pictures of my Ukrainian Eggs. The pictures are not the best- I really should invest in a camera before April 16th- but they will have to do.

My collection. Most of the ones seen are mine. They range from the first ones I ever drew, to ones made just last year.

I made this one just last week for a good friend of mine.

Another one made last week for another friend of mine. Eggs are a symbol of friendship, especially Pysanky eggs.

This one was actually made last year but it is one of my favourites. The design is one I made up as a derivative of a coat of arms I designed for myself.

There you are. I hope you all have had a lovely March, I almost hate to see it go, but April holds so much promise! May your April bring you May-flowers, and may you not be fooled too much!

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript- Mr. Knightley’s spring break is in fifteen days! To say I am excited is an understatement. The butterflies are already visiting me rather sporadically.

Feeling Ambitious

2011-03-28T17:08:00.001-04:00

I still need some form of income- a job- per Papa’s request. As I was praying about it this morning an idea popped into my head, one that I had actually thought of before- briefly. I think I mentioned minutely in a post some time back about Ukrainian egg decorating (Pysanky). I am not all that great yet, but I am thinking, maybe if I can practice some more, I could sell some of mine. Nana C. has sold quite a few of hers (of course she has had a lot more time to hone her skills) and that is what gave me the idea. Who knows, I might even throw knitting washcloths in the mix or something crazy…then again maybe I should just focus on one thing at a time…I am feelin’ ambitious today!

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript~ The eggs pictured are not mine. I just used a picture from the internet.

One Month!!

2011-03-26T14:26:00.001-04:00

Wow, can it really be true?! Mr. Knightley and I have been courting for exactly one month! How could it have gone by so quickly. I am feeling so, so very blessed. God is so awesome and His plans are so amazing!!!

Isaiah 55:8 (New King James Version)

“ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

Also the first thing he had me do the morning when we got on Skype was listen to this song:

He then proceeded to tell me he is moving back home! ~I think I failed to mention that he has been working as a teacher out of state for the past two years.~ Now he feels that God is leading him back home! I am so excited!

School is not out until June, but his spring break is coming in three weeks and he will be flying in for that! The excitement is almost too much…but not quite.

I have had a lovely morning and have not stopped smiling yet!

God is so good!

With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I'm grateful again
'Cause it's more than enough just to know I am loved
And you are good
So how can I thank You
And what can I bring
What can a poor man lay at the feet of a king
So I'll sing you a love song
It's all that I have
To tell You I'm grateful
For holding my life in Your hands

Through Christ,

Lady B

Practicing

2011-03-19T21:19:00.001-04:00

I was thinking about a conversation I had the other day and somehow it led back to a post I wrote a little while back. How one led to the other, I do not know but they went together because of my contradictory nature. Here we go again. This one is almost cute but at the moment I did not think so. See, I have often joked that my practical side would not like the idea of getting random gifts (i.e. flowers, candy, books, clothes, etc.) but I am such a hopeless romantic that, that side would win out (I wish I could find how I worded it)*. Back to that conversation, it was actually an event in a conversation. Mama had been to the store all day to pick up some things she and M.G. needed for a camp they are going to. She had also picked up a few extra items- two shirts for me, one for a friend of mine and some pjs for her. I , instead of showing gratitude that she would think to give my friend and I these gifts, started picking about her spending money. How absolutely horrifying! Here she was so excited about these shirts and all I can say is something about spending money! I hate when other people do that yet there I was doing it myself.

Another thought in connection with all of this is, “Would I do that to my husband one day?” Would I snub his gift because “we didn’t have the money”? I would like to think I would not but is that not what it seems I have practiced in my life? Practice does make perfect, whether you are practicing bad habits (perfectly bad) or good habits. The way we act in our future, whatever that may be, is being practiced right now.

I think I shall go apologize and tell Mama thank you for such a sweet thought and gift!

Ever learning

Through Christ,

Lady B

*PostScript- I found it in a status: “So I'm the practical sort that thinks money should not be wasted on flowers especially in this time....but I'm so much the ‘hopeless romantic’ that I don't care!!”

Just below a friend commented- “God made beautiful things for us to enjoy... money spent on flowers, trips to England, or an evening at the symphony is by no means ‘wasted.’ :P”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

2011-03-17T23:18:00.001-04:00

I had quite a lovely St. Patrick’s Day and I hope you all did as well!

This is my favourite holiday! Maybe it has to do with my Irish roots, but I know a big part of it is the man this day is for. Have you ever actually studied St. Patrick? The things he had to go through were incredible. I will not go into it, but this man was kidnapped, taken to a foreign land (he is originally from what is now Scotland) for several years, finally escaped and returned home only to go back to the people (after several years) who enslaved him so he could share the gift of God that would make them free!
Today is not really a day of green, shamrocks and luck, but a day to remember the man who brought the truth of Christ to a dark land once ruled by evil. He impacted history in more than one way. Take time to learn more about the man who's day we celebrate!

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript- Today also marks the first holiday as a couple for Mr. Knightley and I!

Reading

2011-03-17T00:58:00.001-04:00

So, I was gathering up all the books I am in the middle of reading, and it was a little overwhelming, but I am really excited too. Anyway, I just thought I would share them with you! So here is a peak into my world of reading…

The Bible. I know, you are thinking, “well, of course” but I wanted to share what I am reading. Right now I am reading through Psalms, one a day, (as heard from "’someone’) and it is great! I have always really like Psalms and so to read one every day is a lot fun and it kind of puts things in a little better perspective. I am still trying to read the Bible through chronologically, but I am being very lenient with the schedule and learning to let God guide me in what I read.

Also, Mr. Knightley and I are reading and discussing Ephesians. That has been a real eye opener to me. I have learned a lot about Ephesians, myself and him (not anything I could put into words but it is there). Though, I do feel bad that I seem to be “making” him do all the talking.

As of this Friday, I may also be rereading Esther for a ladies Bible study by Beth Moore (one I have done recently but did not get to finish). I am really looking forward to that (especially session five – maybe I will learn something special).

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. This is the book our book club, the Inklings (yes, it was named for the group C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were a part of), is reading. Sadly to say, this is my first time reading it even though I have suggested to many others (I had read their stuff online). I am really enjoying it and of course wishing I had read it as a teen. I am quite glad the Inklings are reading it because they are all in the “teen” age. We even have one little boy who is twelve and he absolutely loves it!

Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I got this book from a good friend of mine for my birthday and promised her it would be the top book on my stack (more like bookshelf full). I did start reading it and let me tell you, it is intense! I had to start taking notes which is something I have never done before except to jot down quotes I liked. Somehow I put it down and never got around to picking it back up…not so cool. I am really looking forward to diving back into though!

Preparing to be a Help Meet by Debi Pearl. So, I actually started this sometime last year and got caught on one of the activities it gave to do…writing out my testimony. For some strange reason this is hard for me. I do not know why but it is. I think it is because I just do not know where to start and what to share (not that there is all that much). It is a great book and I am so excited to have it. I guess I just need to step up and '”do hard things” and move on.

Emma by Jane Austen. I really liked the newest movie version of this, and just recently I watched the Gwyneth Paltrow version (with Mr. Knightley’s sister, actually, which is one reason he has been dubbed so) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I made it to the married Knightley's’ Christmas visit before something came up and I set that book down (are you seeing a pattern? it is not normal I assure you…or at least it did not used to be).

Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman. I started reading this quite by accident. A lady in our homeschool group accidently left at the church where we meet; Mama and I happened to be the last ones in that room so we picked it up and brought it home. Mama looked through it and suggested I read the introduction. I was not all that thrilled about adding more reading to my agenda, but now I am so glad I did. I am hooked and while I have not been able to pick it up very often when I do it is very encouraging. This is the type of stuff I want to learn!

Why God Birthed America by Don Pinson. I am reading this again 1) because it is really good and everyone in the world- or at least the United States- should read it, and 2) I may have the opportunity to help him in his children’s seminars! So, I am also reading it to really study and learn it—which is a good thing to do if you are going to try teach it. As soon as I have Mr. Pinson’s book down I will more on to America’s Providential History by Dr. Mark A. Beliles and Stephen K. McDowell as he suggested.

Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. I just got this as a late birthday present and it has been a lot of fun to read and look through. It is for my hope chest, but I hope to try some the recipes out soon.

Men of Iron by Howard Pyle. I have been saving the best for last. Technically I have not started reading this yet, but I will, hopefully, Saturday. Mr. Knightley and I , in addition to our Bible study on Sundays, have decided to read a book together on Tuesdays. It was his idea and I found it quite agreeable—okay, more like exciting. I can barely stand it though, I have had the book for a week now and it has taken some effort not to peak. It definitely looks like my kind of book!

Well there you have it, a look at what I am reading. I definitely recommend any and all of these to you and I would enjoy hearing what you are reading right now!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Amazing Morning!

2011-03-16T22:17:00.001-04:00

Wow, God is so amazing! I cannot even begin to put into words the awesome time I had with Him this morning. First off, I was talking to Him about living a set apart life in not just my inner man (character) but also in my outward man (environment, time, dress, etc.). Afterwards I read Psalm 75 which was really good but I felt like reading more so I went to my reading schedule (which I have not been keeping up with but God had a reason for that) and read Leviticus 19-23. It was amazing! There are at least five verses that spoke about being holy or set apart, I was so excited that I just felt like God put them there for me today! Then I went into my prayer time, and I have only done this once before, but I made a list of all the urgent prayer requests and as I made the list I added people as they came to mind. I had no idea why I was praying for some of them, but if they came to mind I wrote them down and prayed for them. It was the most amazing prayer time I have ever had. I spoke with God about decisions people had to make, I called out to Jehovah-Jireh and pleaded with Jehovah-Rapha. I shared my heart with my Beloved and my Father. I cried; I laughed. I feel a little weird sharing this stuff with you but I really feel like I need to. Honestly, this is only the second time I have ever done this and I am so ashamed that I have not called out to God like this on behalf of so many. That is something I want to change. I want this kind a prayer to be just like breathing!

That was not the end of my amazing morning, though. When I got up, in the time it took to wash my face and brush my teeth and one or two other things (about ten minutes), Mama told me about an email we had gotten asking for prayer. As I read it I just started crying all over again. It was from one of those people who had happened to pop into my head. Everything I had prayed for (before reading the email remember) was in that email! Wow, I am beyond blown away. I had no idea but God knew and He led me to pray for this precious family and their ministry!

Never, ever think that your prayers are not important! God hears them and He leads His people by His Spirit to pray for those in need! I love my Lord and I am falling more in love with Him ever moment! It is the greatest thing in the world. I could go on and on, but I am sure it would be repetitive.

Please continue to call out to God daily for those in need and those that He brings to mind. You never know when it will be life changing for someone, may be even you!

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript: I really feel like God must have something big planned, because satan is really on the prowl.
Please pray for those you know and do not know. Pray that God would send in His angels to do battle. That He would raise up warriors willing to fight for Him!

Who Needs a Title…

2011-03-12T19:53:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to finally share what some of you have already figured out!

As of February 26, 2011 at 11:20am I am in a courtship with an amazing man of God, a true Mr. Knightley!!

We made the big Facebook announcement today. I am so excited and thankful! God has been a part of this in such an undeniable way…I cannot even put it into words!

O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

~Psalm 71:17

Through Christ,

Lady B

Heavy Hearted

2011-03-12T10:02:00.001-05:00

It is with a heavy and breaking heart I write this now. I do not even know where to begin.

Wednesdays I help teach AWANA, which is always great fun, but this past Wednesday I spent several minutes talking with three fifth grade girls and what they told me broke my heart. We were taking about boyfriends (how we got on the subject I will never know) but as we talked I learned some things. Two of them have had a boyfriend for at least three years or more (remember this is fifth graders), I know the whole “oh, they are just kids it will be okay” thing; I do not buy into it. When I asked them what exactly they do, or what is the point of having a boyfriend this is the list they gave me:

To hold

To hug

To kiss

To make out with

etc.

I am sure you can add a few things you have heard too.

It really broke my heart! These are the lies society has told our children- our young girls. What ever happened to the days when little girls could be just that- little girls? They could laugh and play without any thought of boys except to squeal when they came around because “boys had cooties”. What happened to the sweet innocence little girls were encouraged towards? This is what society has done. Given us girls who are huntresses right down to the second grade. Little girls who think they have to wear make-up (not “Mommy’s make-up”) and provocative clothes to be “right”. Gone are the days of dolls and house; now it is all make-up and boys.

What can be done? How do we fight this and take back what the enemy has won? How can we protect our little girls?

I do not know where to start or what to do, but I know these little girls need Godly ladies and men to pour into their lives. They need God’s truth and love shown to them. They need better examples than they are getting on t.v. or maybe even at home. Most of all they need to know that they are loved no matter what they look like or whether or not they have a boyfriend. They need to know that The Greatest Lover of all time loves them now. Will we step up and show them that. Will we take back what the enemy has stolen?

Through Christ,

Lady B

Dirt Under My Nails

2011-03-10T20:30:00.001-05:00

Okay, so technically there is no dirt under my nails because I wore gloves (ugh, come quickly warm weather- and stay) but, oh, the lovely smell of horse that is surrounding me- all over me- right now!

I have started working for a lady, grooming and helping her with her horses (four and one on the way). It is not much money and it is only once a week, but it is so worth it (and it is $ more than I have right now)! I am content…okay, let’s make that happy. It has been at least two years (maybe more) since I have really gotten to be around horses. Now I get to help care for them, plus she has three dogs and a cat, only one thing is missing and it would come close to pure felicity.

Mm, the smell of horse; it is something only a horse lover would understand.

I saw horses…

Through Christ,

Lady B

A Very Special Bible Study

2011-03-06T23:26:00.001-05:00

Today was the first of what I hope are many Bible studies with a special person! It was an amazing study…actually it was more like a discussion but it was so in depth. We read through Ephesians 1:1-14 and I was completely blown away by God’s sovereignty and glory. Wow, He has completely overwhelmed me with His love and power and glory! I actually am not going to say much more; just read it for yourself and see what you think!

Through Christ,

Lady B

Ephesians 1:1-14 (New King James Version)

Greeting
¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Redemption in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, bothwhich are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. ¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ¹² that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

That is what blogs are for, right?

2011-02-28T23:22:00.002-05:00

I think I am going to bust! In just a few moments you may just find a pile of Lady B.

I do not know whether to cry or jump up and down on the bed (that seems a little immature…) or, or, *exasperated- but happy- sigh* I figure the safest thing at the moment is to post here.

I think I may have to stay off of Facebook for a little bit just so I do not say something crazy, because I am feeling a little crazy at the moment.

Ack, I think I may be scaring people. I scare myself sometimes. Is it immature to rant on like this; if it is I apologize. I hope I did not scare you too awful much. I suppose that is the passionate side of the “I” part of my personality coming out. Oh well.

Hope everyone has a lovely night and wonderful March 1st! (I know I am looking forward to it.)

Through Christ,

Lady B

Lord, I’m Amazed By You

2011-02-26T14:33:00.002-05:00

Wow, just wow! I had no idea that God would answer so fast! He is so awesome and I am so amazed. It is a beautiful day!

You dance over me,
While I am unaware.
You sing all around,
But I never hear the sound.
Lord, I'm amazed by you
Lord, I'm amazed by you
Lord, I'm amazed  by you
How you love me.
You paint the morning sky
With miracles in mind
My hope will always stand
For you hold me in your hand
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
How wide, how deep, how great, is your love for me.
How wide, how deep, how great, is your love for me.

Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
Lord you love me.

Through Christ and For the King!

Lady B

Absent

2011-02-25T22:49:00.002-05:00

I am sorry for my absence and I wanted to inform you, dear readers, that it will continue for a little longer. I have much to pray about and I do not need the distraction of the computer. I did have many posts planned but they may or may not be up whenever. We will just have to see what happens.

Through Christ,

Lady B

Hello!

2011-02-07T16:00:00.002-05:00

Hello, I just thought I would extend a warm welcome to some newcomers that may be here. I hope you will enjoy my little blog. I am not a great blogger, but I do try to share my thoughts on the lessons God is teaching me and the joys of learning to be His daughter.

I do have a few requests.

1. If you know me please do not share anything too personal. This is a very public blog and I am not too keen on my personal (name, church, school, etc.) information being out there.

2. I would rather not have this shared all over facebook right now.

3. Please keep a Christian atmosphere. If I feel a comment is not to the standards of Christ it will not be published.

4. Feel free to share your thoughts or ideas or even positive criticism as long as it follows number three^.

5. Most of all, know that Christ will be lifted up!

So, pull up a chair have a cup of tea (or if you insist coffee) or whatever you like and enjoy.

Through Christ,

Lady B

Debating

2011-02-03T22:43:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking and debating about whether or not to share my blog with everybody I know . I have told a few people about it and y’all maybe reading now but I have not made my blog public to everyone who knows me. I think part of it has to do with fear. A fear that others will not like what I have to say. Fear of letting people that close to my personal thoughts and feelings. Fear that once I know everyone is on here I will not act –err- write like myself. Hm, maybe all of it has to do with fear. I do not know what I will decide but it may be that I finally share my blog. Only time will tell.

Through Christ,

Lady B

Learning- The List

2011-01-23T20:38:00.002-05:00

I feel as if I keep learning more about myself. Today it was the fact that apparently I have not completely surrendered the pen of my love story to God. I realized that although I had “surrendered” it to God I had my own ideals of the kind of man I want to marry. I even went so far as to say, “God I do not want to marry _____.” Maybe I have good reasons for saying I do not want to marry a certain person but what reason is good enough if it is God’s will?

It is hard to lay that down. As ladies we tend to make lists (guys may also, I do not know) but what if the man God had for us matched nothing on own carefully constructed list. Outside of being a Christian who follows and serves God what if the man God has prepared for us is nothing we ever wished for? Would you be willing to lay down your desires for God’s will? Will I? I hope I can lay this down, take up my cross and follow God into whatever He leads me.

Through Christ,

Lady B

As the Snow Falls

2011-01-20T23:50:00.002-05:00

‘Tis snowing again. The ground was white within twenty or thirty minutes once it really started and it is still snowing. I am not one who gets upset and wishes all the snow away, normally, but for some reason this year I am ready for Spring. Papa and Edwin are sure it is going to come soon and I hope they are right. I want to learn to be content in whatever season I am in; I guess that means literally as well.

Also, I have taken on menu planning and couponing. It has not been that hard except for people changing my meal plans after carefully planning them. Ah well, I must learn to be flexible.

Yesterday I was listening to some music on youtube and the song In Christ Alone came on. This has been one of my favourite songs for a few years but yesterday it really stood out to me. Mostly it was this line-

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

It just grab me and I had to listen to the song over and over. Sin has no hold on me because I am bought with Jesus Christ’s blood. How awesome.

Another song actually seems to be the topper to how my year is beginning is Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman.

You know how people will often, at the beginning of the year, choose a word for their year. Well, I have never done that before; I thought about it last year but never did it. It seems this year I have had a theme chosen for me. Adventure. Ever since seeing Voyage of the Dawn Treader the second time, I have been basking in the fact that I am living my own adventure, only I know Aslan’s true name. I cannot explain it, but I feel as though I could conquer anything. Really, as long as I am following God I can. He is my guide and leader.

This is the life like no other,
This is the great adventure

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

P.S. You may notice some changes around here so do not be surprised, especially if my name changes.

Twenty-One

2011-01-03T20:19:00.002-05:00

I will be twenty-one in a few days.

Am I supposed to be excited? This birthday holds nothing exciting for me except the fact that I gat to celebrate another birthday. Mama threw a wonderful party for my brother and I both (he turned thirteen on Christmas day) and everyone is excited for me about being twenty-one, but I am not. I mean I am excited this year to really draw closer to my Lord and really learn what I will need in the future (the things I should have been learning already, erg). Other than that what is twenty-one to me? I have no desire to drink or gamble and really that is all there is to be excited about when it comes to the world. With eighteen at least I had voting to look forward to.

Another thing, I am a twenty-one year old lady and college graduate; what do I do now now?

I would love to be a stay-at-home-daughter but I do not see that happening for me. I have insurance(s) to pay and Papa does not want me sitting around the house (I am an adult, I should act like one). I am thinking perhaps of getting at least a part time job (as I have done for the past seven years) but where? That is my prayer…actually it is “What is my next step, Lord?” I want my whole life to honour Him and be in His will. Right now, I am thinking about putting in an application at our library, the Christian bookstore and a little boutique in town. I do not know which one God wants me at or if he even wants me at any of them or if I am going to have to get a job at all. Papa is actually starting a business (hopefully it works out) and I may be able to “work for him.” It is rather exciting!

Ah, dear twenty-one, I do look forward to you but not with the excite of so many others. I look forward to another year drawing closer to my Lord and perhaps my dreams? Whatever God has in store for me I will, as Susan, “go on and take the adventure that shall fall...”

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

P.S. My dears, please take a look at the two polls I have posted on the <side. That would be a tremendous help to me. Thanks much!

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T20:16:00.002-05:00

I am a little late but I hope your new year is going well so far! I have a few resolutions, well actually several, I keep thinking up new ones. Top on my list is to draw even closer to God this year and serve Him and others more every day!

Have you any resolutions for this year?

Hope it is the best yet!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T17:03:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas, dear readers! I hope today finds you filled with love and joy but most of all I hope you will remember why we even have this holiday.

Remember that today the King of all kings, Majesty and Glory Himself came down from His throne and became the lowest- a child born in a dirty stable to a young girl betrothed to a carpenter. He came down for one reason; His love for lowly you and me. His journey was painful and his death excruciating but His love overcame it all. Now we can know His love and His power as He lives today if we will just except the greatest gift ever given. He truly made away in a Manger.

Merry Christmas!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Homemade Christmas

2010-12-20T17:40:00.001-05:00

What a lovely week away from the computer it has been! I feel so refreshed; I did not even want to get back on the computer. The only problem about not being on the computer was the fact that I cannot check my email and that is how I communicate with the majority of my family (I despise talking on the phone). Since finishing my classes I have received my grades and…I passed! Hurrah!! No more classes! I am done! Of course, as many of my friends have pointed out, God may have other plans and I may just end up taking more classes, but for now I can relax.

As for Christmas, this is one of my favourite holidays. First because of what it is and what it means and second because of the hustle and bustle and warmth that comes with it. I do ask for your prayers as I have had three deaths in my family this year and Christmas will be hard for them. Pray that they will receive God’s love and comfort and come to know Him.

So far I have been quite busy since I finished finals. Because of the economy and Papa being out of work, Mama told us this year we had to give something that was homemade or used. I have been very busy working on my gifts. I knew immediately what I wanted to give Mama (which I would post, but she reads this so that would ruin the surprise). My brother and Papa were a different story. It took me a few weeks to decide on ‘Edwin’ (temporary pseudonym for my brother until I can ask which character he would like to be known as) but I finally chose to make him a countdown to Christmas calendar. I am pretty sure he will be happy to have one of his own. As for Papa, I still have not decided I think it will just have to be a scarf I made for Edwin- he said it was itchy when I asked if he wanted one (he thought it was for Papa). That leaves two other people, my dad and step-mom. I have a candle (decorative not one you would want to burn) my aunt gave me that I will be regifting to Lady C and as for Daddy I haven’t the faintest. In the past Lady C has given me ideas on what to get him but now…this is only the second Christmas since the divorce. Traditionally, I get him a wallet every other year but I cannot remember what I got him last year. Oh dear, what to do; what to do! Any ideas would be lovely. That is my homemade Christmas. It is nice to give someone something you have been working on just for them. And as I write this, it reminds me of Christmases gone by, even that first Christmas. Now, I know Christmas was not around until the Middle Ages, but if it had been what kind of gifts do you think Mary and Joseph would have given? Perhaps once they found a house Joseph made a bed for Mary to put the baby Jesus in and Mary would have made Joseph a new tunic. Somehow it makes the holiday a little more cozy when it is homemade and a little closer to that time when God gave the greatest gift of all, His Son Christ Jesus.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

“There is the Utter East”

2010-12-11T16:23:00.002-05:00

I just returned from Narnia. It was amazing!
It may seem hypocritical since I despised (past tense, now I am only perturbed by it) "Prince Caspian" because of the changes, but the changes in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" did not take away the magic of Narnia. I feel like if I sit and dwell on it too long it will diminish the magic! So lovely! (And yes, I cried.)
*happy sigh*

Go see it! Take as many people as you can! For you see, the making of the next one hinges on the success of this one. Plus we need to let Hollywood now these are the kinds of movies we want to see. Good, clean, family friendly movies (with Christian themes too!!).

For Aslan!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Done!

2010-12-10T23:42:00.002-05:00

I am done! Je suis fait! Ich bin erledigt! Tá mé ag déanamh! Am terminat! ฉันทำ! Ya he terminado!

‎"The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning." ~Aslan

I just completed my last final! Now all I have to do is wait for my grades. Hopefully I passed everything (a little worried about my science) and if so I will be done completely with college. No more textbooks, quizzes, tests, etc.! I am still unsure as to what God wants me to do now. I pray that He will guide my steps and give me wisdom. I can finally feel like I am part of my family and not just a wraith that moves in and out from time to time. I get to read all the books that have been on the back burner and I get to get in a normal routine. Most of all I will spending all the time I want with my Prince and the King of Kings!!!

The first order of business, as of tomorrow afternoon, I will be shutting down my computer and putting it away for a whole week. Yes, a whole week. Why? Because I can. I have nothing to check every day, no homework to turn in and no tests to worry about. I am free!!!!!! I hope all of you have a lovely Christmas break! I will probably be back on before then but then again maybe not….

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Oh, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is here!!! I will be seeing it tomorrow. No matter what I do I am excited. “Oh please, dear directors, writers and such, do not crush me as you did with Prince Caspian!”

Narnia Night

2010-12-04T20:45:00.001-05:00

I was able to attend Narnia Night at Asbury College last night and it was absolutely wonderful! Here are my notes or, at least, what I can read of them. If something does not make sense just ask and I will try to give you answer.

The night started out with some Narnia trivia (I have to brag a little and say my brother won a shirt and I won a book) and then a video of Michael Flaherty welcoming us to the night.
They then showed a trailer (just a normal one) with Carrie Underwood's song played over and clips of her singing included.
A clip of the movie was shown also: Coriakin showing the map.
This was all before the official welcome from the President of Asbury, Dr. Sandra Gray.
The rest of the night went as follows (along with my notes):

*C.S. Lewis: Why He Matters Today (Brief introduction to the world Jack was born into {Nietche, Freud, Darwin} and his conversion)

C.S. Lewis: Why He Matters Today "Reclaiming Christian Reason" ("He [Christ] told us to be not only 'as harmless as doves', but also 'as wise as serpents'. He wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head.”)

Chris Flaherty spoke some about what he got out of this story. He mentioned, "My favourite character from this series is Lucy Pevensie." The reason he gave was because she always looked for the good, the blessing in every day and each trial she came to. That is what he encouraged us to do also. He quoted his father, “God writes straight with crooked lines.”

Clip of Georgie talking about the Dufflepuds and how imaginative Lewis was to be able to create them.

Clip of "the guys" meeting the Dufflepuds

C.S. Lewis: Why He Matters "Restoring a Christian Vision of Humanity" (Mentioned how Jack said his faith was paralyzed, stuck in the stained glass, Sunday school version of Christianity. He wanted to bring it back to life which is one reason he wrote many of the books he did.)

Challenge: How will we use our talents, skills and imaginations to Reclaim, Rediscover and Restore Christianity in our world today?

After this segment Dr. Devin Brown came up and talked about four things to look for in the movie.

Eustace:

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Aslan still loved him even though he was a “record stinker”. In Amazing Grace John Newton said, “I am a great sinner and God is a great Savior. Eustace as to first be made aware of the first truth before he can know the second. He also shows how a Christian grows- He began to be a different boy- it was not all at once.

Reepicheep:

What is it he truly seeks? He is an experienced follower of Aslan but he still has struggles; such as with his pride and honour. Is his honour more important or is what he seeks?

Aslan:

More behind the scenes in this book/movie, just as sometimes Jesus is not always visible but He is always there, guiding everything.

Lucy

Here my notes are severely lacking and I cannot understand the reminders I wrote down. Something about her own faith (in Aslan) is paralyzed and throughout the story it is given life (just as C.S. Lewis described himself).

When Dr. Brown was done we watched six clips from the movie:

*Another Name

*Painting to Dawn Treader

*Eustace Steals an Orange

*Book of Incantations

*Dragon Eustace

*Lily Sea and beginning of description of Undragoning

Last but not least we saw the super trailer. I am sorry I could not take notes on that but I was kind of was sucked in.

There was a cookie reception afterward and we were able to meet Mr. Flaherty. He showed the little girl in front of us pictures of the Queen on his phone. We talked about the fact that he is ready to be home. He started this week in England for the Royal Premiere and ended it at Asbury. I do have to say I am so very mad at myself. As soon as I shook his hand my brain just froze. I was so glad when some friends of ours walked up and started talking, how embarrassing!

That was my night! A lot of fun and even more excited about the movie!

Long live Aslan!!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen (Wunderkind4HIM for those form Narnia Web)

P.S. You can host your own Narnia Night. Just go here for more information and some downloads (including the videos about C.S. Lewis)

Here is information about Dr. Devin Brown. His newest Inside Narnia installment (Inside The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) is now available.

Thoughts for This Season

2010-11-22T01:48:00.002-05:00

1. I have been on the defensive. In my spiritual walk, I have waited for satan to strike and then fought back in prayer. I realized this Thursday, when I found out Grandpa had died. I knew him for eleven years, yet I never once fell to my knees begging God to turn his heart to Him. Not once did I ask him if he knew Christ, and then I found out he was dying a few weeks ago. Then I prayed; then I tried to speak to him, but was it too late? Has satan already struck the ending blow? Not just with Grandpa but others, I have waited and now I wait no longer. I want to be on the offensive. I want to be there attacking satan (with God) before he even gets the chance to choose his next target. It will take practice but no soldier goes into battle without some training. Sometimes the battles even make him stronger.

2. I want a man who will cherish me. I want a warrior-poet. Often I dream of the warrior side as just fighting for the things of God. Yes I do want that to be my husband’s focus, but I also want him to be my warrior. I want a man who will stand before me, God and the world and proclaim, “I love you. I will fight for you; I will die for you!” And, yet I have already found the perfect One who says, “I love you. I am fighting for you; I died for you!”

3. I did, in fact, watch Prince Caspian tonight for the first time in two years (since the day I watched it in theater). Honestly, it is a love-hate kind of thing. I hate it because it does not follow the book!!!! (what can I say, I am a purist) But I like it because, well, it is Narnia. Just do not expect anything more from me or I might go into a rant. (very spiritual, I know)

4. I will get my school work done so I can get to working on my Christmas presents and other projects.

5. I will finish cleaning my room when I wake-up.

6. I need to stop staying up so late and implement the schedule I wrote up Friday nigh…er…Saturday morning.

7. This Thanksgiving when you think about the first celebration, remember the tragedy those Pilgrims went through before that day. When you see the family of four think- the husband recently lost his wife (perhaps in childbirth), the wife was widowed the previous winter and the children lost their parents to some disease. Yet they all came together to make a family and give thanks for this new country. A country of freedom.

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Can it be?

2010-11-20T02:05:00.002-05:00

Yes, it is true and do not ask me what I am thinking because it is way past my bedtime. I have created another blog (I kind of think it looks prettier, but do not tell dear Ellerslie- it might upset her). I present to you

Once Upon a Time… (this is a working title, so do not be too surprised if it changes over the next few days or weeks)

This blog is definitely the dreamer in me coming out, as well as the hopeless romantic. I hope you will stop by and tell me what you think!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Update on Grandpa

2010-11-18T19:26:00.002-05:00

I have been meaning to let all of you know about Grandpa since I got home Monday but I have not gotten to it until now. As I right this I have just gotten off the phone with my step-mom. Grandpa died at about 1:46 this afternoon. Thank you all for your prayers and please continue to pray for the family. I was able to talk to my aunt and she said she does have a relationship with God, but I do not know about the rest of them (I have talked to and prayed with my cousin but I am still unsure). Thank you all so much.

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Please Pray

2010-11-13T13:10:00.002-05:00

Dearest Readers,

I am sorry I have not kept up with my Give Thanks posts but right now, between school and other things, it has been really hard. At this moment I am out of state at my aunt and uncle’s. My grandfather is not doing good at all. I mentioned in an earlier post about him having mesotheleoma. As of right now we are on day eleven of the one to two weeks the doctor gave him to live. I still do not know whether or not he is a Christian and I have not been able to see him yet. He gets very disoriented and sometimes fights with whomever is taking care of him at the time. Please pray God will heal him either physically, spiritually (is saved) or both. If he is saved and he does die then he will receive the ultimate healing (Heaven). Pray also that I would have wisdom to know whether or not God wants me to speak and when to do so. Thank you all so much!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Give Thanks Day 10

2010-11-05T11:15:00.002-04:00

Psalm 149
¹Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
²Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
³Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
⁴For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
⁵Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
⁶Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
⁷To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
⁸To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
⁹To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Give Thanks Day 9

2010-11-04T10:48:00.002-04:00

Psalm 147 (King James Version)

¹Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

²The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

³He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

⁴He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

⁵Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

⁶The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

⁷Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

⁸Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

⁹He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

¹⁰He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

¹¹The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

¹²Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

¹³For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

¹⁴He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

¹⁵He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

¹⁶He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

¹⁷He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

¹⁸He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

¹⁹He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

²⁰He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Give Thanks Days 7 and 8

2010-11-03T21:32:00.003-04:00

Really, I need to stop skipping days!

Day 7. I am thankful for the opportunity to vote! I hope everybody in the United States went and voted! My verses that I claimed yesterday were Psalm 22:25 and Proverbs 16:33

Psalm 25:22 (New King James Version)
²² Redeem Israel [America], O God,
Out of all their troubles!
Proverbs 16:33 (New King James Version)
³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.

Day 8. I am thankful for my (step) grandpa and the times I have gotten to spend with him and Grandma over the years. I have only known them for eleven years but what is time to family.

My dear readers, please, please pray for him. He is not doing well. He has stage four mesothelioma and he is not good. My step-mom is there now and if nothing happens I will be going up next weekend. I do not know whether he is a Christian or not. Pray for him and pray for God to grant me boldness when I get there. Also pray for my step-mom. This time last year, she was trying to comprehend the fact that my dad had just left her and going through the divorce process.

Thank you to all of you and I pray each of you have a blessed night.

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Days 5 and 6

2010-11-02T02:38:00.002-04:00

I missed yesterday’s post. I did not forget though, I just forgot to post. Yesterday (and of course today and probably forever) I was/am thankful for our missionaries to Romania. In 2006/2007 I was able to go with some other students from youth group and our youth pastor, to Romania on a mission trip. We spent a lot of time with Rika and Cathy. Their testimony is amazing; I cannot put it into words, at least, not in such short a time. It was eye opening and heart changing. Months after we came home I surrendered to missions (whether home of foreign).

Last night Cathy and Rika were at my church to visit and raise more support. It was so good to see them and spend a little time with them. Rika shared their testimony again. It never gets old, hearing how God brought someone to Him and then changed their life and used them to reach others.

Today I am thankful for my wonderful family and their random craziness. My brother and dad were out in the backyard this afternoon, running from one end to the other and back again with a big tarp. They talked me into it as well. So there we were yelling and screaming as we tried to run with this tarp as the air filled it and held us back. My brother then decided (with some prompting…from me) he would try to…erm…fly. So while the three of us (Mama came out) sat back and watched, he tried to fly away, using the tarp as a parachute. (I kept singing the “fly a kite” song from Mary Poppins.) Our poor neighbors knew we were crazy but I think they got a new taste of it today!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Thankful Day 4

2010-10-30T21:06:00.002-04:00

I am thankful for my church’s Pumpkin Patch festival. Thirteen years ago we came to our church for the first time, and we have been there ever since. Our church was the only one at the time that had an alternative for trick or treating and Wednesday night kids church. If it were not for Pumpkin Patch I do not know where we would be, church-wise. It has changed a lot over the years and now I am working in it. How fun to serve where I use be served!

What are you thankful for today?

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

{this beautiful life} Photo Contest

2010-10-29T12:13:00.001-04:00

Polka Dot at Life is Too Short Not to Wear Red Shoes is hosting a photography contest. Seeing as I enjoy pictures so much and how they can capture God’s glory I thought I would join in. Here are my entries. Enjoy!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

I am Thankful Day 3

2010-10-29T11:17:00.002-04:00

I am thankful for this passage of scripture this morning. When I first read it I was thinking, “well okay Lord that is nice but that is not what I was looking for this morning.” but then I read it again and again and again and it really stirred my heart. Just think this same God sent is Son to die for me, for you, just because he loves us! “Thank you, Father, for such a possible closeness!!”

Psalm 97

¹The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

²Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

³A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

⁴His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

⁵The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

⁶The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

⁷Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

⁸Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

⁹For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

¹⁰Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

¹¹Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

¹²Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Day…uh…Two

2010-10-28T15:59:00.002-04:00

So I missed out on the first day, but not worry I am here for day two. Over at Modesty is Next to Beauty they are hosting the 30 Days of Thankfulness event. I thought it sounded like a wonderful idea so here it goes.

Today I am thankful for the family I have. God has given me a mom, (step) dad and brother to love, learn and spend my life with, and a dad who loves me where ever he is. My extended family reaches beyond the ties of blood and marriage and I am so happy they still choose to claim me even though they do not have to. They may not be perfect, but God has placed me with them. I would not have it any other way! I love my family!!

What is it you are thankful for today?

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Thoughts from Ellerslie

Picture and Quotes to Think About

Find Yourself

Sometimes I Surprise Myself

Quote of the Day...

Where I’m At

It Came. It Came, It Came!

Repost…27 Million

Are we as the church of Christ blocking out their cries with our endless projects, worship, and busyness? These are not bad but are they…

Too Loud?

Mission Trip?

God’s Birthday Present

I Am Pretty Excited!

It has begun!

Happy New Year!

Old Dreams, New Dreams- Part One

Oh!

Be Born In Me

Young Men as Leaders…Now

Personal Importance of Prayer

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Fragile Life?

Once Upon A Time…

The Many Names and Faces of Lady B

Please Pray!

Lessons, Lessons, Lessons

RAK CHAZAK!

Introducing…

I Just Adore…

Tidbits

Did You Know Columbus was a Christian?

A New Blog…

Book Questionnaire/ AKA- Yes, I am still here

“Precious in the sight of the LORD…”

“Is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

Missions

Just a Few Days…

“I look for better…”

Love “The Broken Ones”

Picture My Weekend

That Time Again!

Ever Changing

Seeking, Learning, Finding, Growing

Time Passes

Today’s Quote- Worship

Revolt

Today's Quote:

Today's Quote:

Surprise?

Oh my.

Ask yourself

My god…a confession

Wednesday, June 22, 2011!

New Favourite

Bible Study

Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims

A Heavenly Inheritance

Eyes that sparkle in amazement…

Life Beautiful

My Husband

Happy Mother’s Day

Tidbits from My Weekend

Luke 14:13 (New King James Version)

Something There…

This Man

Picture Anyone?

Celebrities?

One Week!

Todays Psalm and Excitement!

Two weeks!! Mr. Knightley will be here in two weeks! Here, as in here, this state, my house! I will get to see him for the first time since we started this courtship! I mean we have seen each other on Skype but that is just not the same. I am quite excited; can you tell!?!

Psalm 92

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day.

Of Poems and Eggs

Feeling Ambitious

One Month!!

Isaiah 55:8 (New King James Version)

Practicing

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Reading

Amazing Morning!

Are we as the church of Christ blocking out their cries with our endless projects, worship, and busyness?
These are not bad but are they…

“Is the death of His saints.”
Psalm 116:15