November 11th

Today is a special day. Some people know what today is. It is a day to celebrate one thing. Well, today is actually a day to celebrate three things. Two of them are for all Americans and the last one is for a certain set of people around the world. What could these be? I'm glad you asked.

November 11, 1620
A great day in history, especially American history. Just two days before (Nov. 9th) the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. Before disembarking the people of the ship, who were not all there for the same reasons, realized that they were not where they should have landed and therefore were under no set government. William Bradford and several other men realized this was no way to start a new settlement and on this day 1620 the Mayflower Compact was drafted and signed by the whole ship's company.
Today marks a great day in history. Though still under the reign of the king of England, this was the first form of self government written in the US.

(Video) The Mayflower Compact

November 11
First set apart as being the day World War I ended, sixty years later it became what it is now. This is the day we honor all veterns of every war. This is the day we specifically set aside to say thank you to every life lost and life lived for our freedom. It definitely should not be only one day out of the year, but even so, make sure to remember and thank all those who have fought and are fighting now. They are the people who make this nation great.
There is a new campaign to turn on a green (the color) light today and keep it on for all veterns as a way to say thank you. While it should not be a replacement for an actual "thank you", I like the idea. As the ad says, our veterns are most camouflaged when they are at home living their lives. Let's show them our gratitude.

11/11
Like I said before, only a select group of people will know today in another light. Those that can be called "the Wild Ones" that have left a  life of normalcy to journey deeper into the heart of God. These Wild Ones have heard a call and answered it. Today is not so much a celebration or memorial of a certain day in history for these people, but it is a reminder of the call they answered. Today is World Race Day. The World Race is a program of Adventures in Missions in which you travel to 11 countries in 11 months (11n11) doing missions. It is so much more than a mission trip, though. The World Race is a challenge to go with God on a specific journey around the world and deeper into His heart. Only a few are called to it, those can tell you that it changed them in some way. Those "Wild Ones" may not celebrate this day, but my guess is that when they catch a glimpse of the date at some point, they will remember and perhaps have their own quiet rememberance.

St. Patrick’s Day

It is my favourite holiday.  Why?  Well that is a good question. For a while it was just because I like all things Irish and such and March is my favourite month.  Now, though, I have learned much more about the man for whom this day is named.  The man who gave his life to a whole nation that they might know Christ. 

(Disclaimer: this is my own short, quick version of St. Patrick’s story.  You should definitely look it up for yourself or check the resources at the bottom of this post)
St. Patrick was not actually Irish.  He was born in what is now Scotland, the grandson of a priest.  Growing up he ignored the faith of his family until an event that would change his life.
At sixteen his village was raided and he, along with others. was kidnapped and taken to Ireland.  For six years he was a shepherd, a slave, for one of the Irish chieftains.  During those years he spent many, many hours in prayer coming to know Jesus Christ personally.  He had his own encounter with God on those lonely Irish moors.  It was God that directed Patrick’s escape to a ship that would take him back to England, and later it was God that called this man into ministry.
Once more God called to Patrick in a dream asking him to return to Ireland, to the very people that had enslaved him and preach God’s salvation and freedom from their own enslavement to the devil.   Many Irishmen and even kings gave their lives to Christ through his teaching.
Through Patrick’s bravery, courage and compassion the course of a whole nation was change.  That nation’s change would go on to affect the course of not only Christian history, but also the history of our very nation. 

One man. Faith in God. Obedience. Courage. 

“Little is much when God is in it.” ~Bro. Steve Harney

Through Christ,
Lady B
PostScript-  Bro. Don Pinson of Heritage Ministries of Kentucky has two great radio programs about St. Patrick here,  and if you are an Adventures in Odyssey fan (or if not) they have done a great job of telling his story in Saint Patrick: A Heart Afire, Parts 1 of 2.

Be Thou My Vision

an old Irish hymn

Happy New Year

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

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

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

Summer Break is Coming!

I am so very behind on my reading, but there is hope! I see a light on the horizon; summer is almost here!
So in honour of the end of this semester, I thought I would share with you my list of books to read. Hopefully I can knock out at least half of these while on holiday.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill
Meet Mr. Smith by Eric and Leslie Ludy
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (per request)
The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke
Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot
Going Rouge by Sarah Palin
The Joyful Christian by C. S. Lewis
Fire on the Mountain by Norma R. Youngberg
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
To Train Up a Child by Michael and Dabi Pearl
Why God Birthed America by Don Pinson
Preparing to be a Helpmeet by Debi Pearl
When the Enemy Strikes by Charles Stanley
A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot

These are in no particular order and I would love your suggestions on what book to read next!