Waiting- A Verb

Waiting, it seems to be my lot in life or so it feels.  I have often struggled and at times still do with waiting, but I have learned something recently and straight from God too (those are the best lessons)- waiting is a verb!  Before I could learn this lesson, though, I had to be broken; more broken than I have been in a long time.  See I was complaining to God about having to wait, “I’m tired of waiting, God.  I want to do something.”  And many such pleadings, but then in that moment when I ran out of things to say God whispered to me, “Are you willing to do nothing for my sake?”  That stopped me; was I?  I pleaded, I thought, I cried and then, oh so sweet, I surrendered.  Was it hard? Yes.  Do I struggle?  More than you can imagine, but I know where my peace is and it is to Him I turn.
As I said I have learned waiting is a verb. It is not just about sitting around twiddling thumbs.  The years of waiting are a time to do.  These are the years we have to learn and serve freely.  Here are a few things that God has provided for me in this waiting period.
Recently my church has started an emergency response team.  We are in the training stage right now, and so far I have been able to get my First Aid/CPR, chainsaw safety, and power line safety certifications.  I am also working on the FEMA IS classes (well, I’m supposed to be).   Who knows how this will be used in the future, but it is definitely good to know!
God has also given me the opportunity to volunteer once a week at our local crisis pregnancy center.  I absolutely love it!  Being a part of saving the lives of many innocent children and helping many women/families that have no where else to go is a blessing.  To see the faces of the girls and women that come in, some are heartbreaking and some are so full of joy.  Also in my free time I have been able to read some of the curriculum for the parenting classes we offer. 
Of course I have been working also.  As of right now I am working at Allstate and cleaning.  I rather enjoy both and I most definitely am learning from both jobs.
Another opportunity God has presented to me is being a part of coordinating our local father/daughter dance.  My dear friend asked me at the beginning of this year to come alongside her and another lovely friend as the third person on the “team”.  It has been so exciting so far and a little daunting, but this is God’s dance and He has everything perfectly planned.
Of course what better to spend my time of waiting than with my family.  I have had the delight to visit with several family members just in the past weeks.  And there is the perk of being a homemaker in training (if that is the path God takes me down). Being able to hone my gardening skills will be fun this year (some day I will be like my Nana)! And as always there are the kids at church I can pour more into. 
As you can see waiting has not caused me to become lax or lazy, but just the opposite.  By surrendering all my time to God (moment by moment preferably), He has opened up many opportunities to serve Him, serve others, and even learn new skills. 
With all of this going on it is sometimes hard to stop, but the sweetest part of this period is by far my time with God.  Spending time with my Beloved Bridegroom could never be matched.  Though I am often distracted, using this time to know Him more will carry me so much farther than any other skill I pick up through life.
In what ways is God asking you to wait? How have you been using the time?

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14

As the Snow Falls

‘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.

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

Update

This is rather a mix of things (from news to blog happenings to sewing) but that is okay.

Two posts ago I asked you to please pray for my nanny.  Thank you for your prayers.  She died Sunday morning.  Nanny loved to sing and I know she is singing her praises with the angels!

I know I am quite behind on this but…over at Feelin’ Feminine they are having a Jane Austen tour (exciting is it not)!  They are hosting all kinds of Austen related things, so meander on over and check it out!  I did not think I would get to join in until…

I finished the dress I have been working on for a few months!  This is my first dress/outfit I have ever made.  And I did it without a pattern!  I am quite excited about it!  Here are a few pictures of it…

 

I hope to do a better photo shoot with it, maybe outside.  The inspiration was a tent dress received from my former employer.  I discovered that by tying a ribbon just under my bust it created the look of a Regency style dress!  I do not know what the fabric used is because it was something I found lying around the house.  The shirt was another Goodwill find (my favourite store).

What made the dress even more special was that I was able to wear it to our pastor’s last Sunday as our pastor.  He served our church  for twenty-eight years; his leadership will be greatly missed.

Well, what do you think?  I would like to hear your input good or bad!

I hope you all have a lovely day!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen