The Happy Scrappy Quilt Giveaway from the Marie-Madeline Studio

Hey guys, the Marie-Madeline Studio is having a quilt give-away! Visit their blog to enter (http://mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/mariemadeline_studio/2009/11/the-happy-scrappy-quilt-giveaway-again.html), and choose from two adorable quilts. Also check out their store at mariemadelinestudio.com. They have some really cute fabrics and patterns. Happy hunting!

Aprons are Back in Fashion, Girls!

There are many things I love in life; some of those things are more important, and some are trivial. One of the trivial joys of life for me is aprons, which is why I'm very glad they seem to be back in fashion. I've been wanting to make, and maybe even sell aprons for a while, and this week I finally made my first one. Mom and I were at JoAnn Fabrics a while back, and I bought a ton of fabric on the sale rack. Most of the fabrics will look rather eclectic when put together, but I like an eclectic, shabby-chic style, so that's fine with me. Here are some pictures of the first apron:

Pictures! - Virginia

Here are pictures (and a video) from my visit to the DeLaura's house in VA and from Horse Camp.

Left to Right: Me, Amanda (12), Bruce (a friend of the D's), Cat (14), Olivia (7-front row), Anna (9), Nichole (18), Tre (16)

Pictures! - Plymouth/Boston

Alright, since I didn't have a whole lot of room for pictures in my last post, I'm going to devote several posts simply to photographs (I just couldn't resist :-)). Today I'm posting pics from our Plymouth/Boston trip. Enjoy!
(The picture of all four of us was taken at William Bradford's grave)

Summer 2009

Well, there has been so much going on this summer that even though I've had more than enough to write about, I haven't had time to write about it! Isn't that sort of ironic? Well, I was going to write a post on each major thing that has happened, but so I don't bore you to tears with all that's been going on, and to spare myself the traumatic experience of having to write all of that at once, I'm going to briefly summarize.

Part 1: Plymouth/Boston, Mass. -

As I told you before, we had a wonderful time in Massachusetts with Vision Forum. Let me tell you, they know how to put on a tour. I learned so much on that trip and came home ready to read every history book we own. There were so many wonderful speakers, and even though we didn't get to hear all of them, my dad bought the collection of CDs from the trip so we can listen to them throughout the year. I also met many new friends. It was wonderful to be with so many like-minded believers simply enjoying celebrating the Lord and learning together. Listening to Charlie Zahm sing his old Scottish songs and hearing a thousand voices join with him was so beautiful. I think there is a great call for more musicians who write and sing encouraging music that will inspire the young people of our day to pick up Christ's banner and go to the battle-field.

On another note, I can't tell you how many beautiful costumes I saw. Some girls even had more than one so they could wear different ones each day. At certain times each day many of the men, women, girls and boys who are a part of Vision Forum would dress up in the most amazing costumes and pretend to be reformers or someone involved with the Reformation. I got to meet Anne Boleyn, John Wycliffe, and many other famous people who told me all about themselves and the part they played in that amazing time-period. One of the most exciting events was when we marched in the Children's Parade. All the girls and boys wore their costumes, and the boys got to hold flags from every different country. We got many smiles and interesting looks from passers-by as we walked through the streets of Boston from a park to our hotel singing hymns. I am so excited about the San Antonio Film Festival this coming year, which we plan on going to. Now that I've been to one Vision Forum event, I can't wait to attend another.

Part 2: Horse Camp and a visit with friends in VA -

A week after we got home from Boston, I left for Charlottesville, VA to visit my dear friend Nichole and her family. We've known each other since we were toddlers, and when I go to visit the DeLaura's I become a member of their family for a few weeks. This year I stayed for 3 weeks, which is quite a long time, but after working at horse camp for 2 weeks it's good to have a little time to relax and do a few things with my friends. The weather was nice while we were at camp; however, I can assure you we still got hot. No matter how "nice" the weather is, when you've sat in the sun from 9 to 4 o'clock giving rides in a pony cart and helping little girls learn to steer, trot, etc., you're bound to get sweaty. But it was worth it.

I love being in my old jeans, cowboy boots, and a horse-stained shirt. I love not having to worry about getting my hands dirty because they're already covered in horse hair and who knows what else. And I love being able to walk into a field whenever I feel like it simply to say hello to the horses and give them a pat. This year not only did we get to see the horses at camp, but my friends bought 3 horses that arrived the day after I did, so we had horses all day long.

Besides horse camp, we celebrated Nichole's graduation by going to see Much Ado About Nothing at a marvelous little theater in Stanton. Our whole group was able to sit on the stage which was big fun because the actors like to play with the audience who is on-stage. We laughed through the whole play. We also got to climb up part of Humpback Mountain which I really enjoyed. It was steep, and it made me realize how out-of-shape I am, but the view at the top was amazing. Talk about a bird's-eye view. One of my favorite things about Virginia is being surrounded by mountains, trees, and lots of blue sky. Living in a neighborhood with a tiny backyard and a few puny trees, I really appreciate the landscape when I go up there.
So far, I've visited VA 4 summers in a row. I hope to make that 5 times next year =)

Part 3: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice... -

Soon after coming home from VA my family got to take care of Selah and Elaina Hernandez (3 and 2) for a week while their parents looked for a house in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez have done such a wonderful job of obeying the Lord and consistently training their children. Those are the sweetest children I've ever seen, and it was such a joy to have them as my little sisters for a few days. I got to play mommy, read books, change diapers, give baths, and go to the zoo. And I enjoyed every minute of it; but I must admit, I was glad when nap-time came around.

Part 4: The big finale!

I got my hair cut! I've been wanting to do this for several year, but it was a really hard decision because I love my long hair, and my mother loves it too. I kept telling my friends that "next summer" I would cut my hair, and then summer would roll around and I would procrastinate. But no more. I finally gave into myself and did it, and I love it! Mrs. Vaughn, a sweet lady at our church, cut it for me. She gave me a couple of cute styling ideas, and I've been having lots of fun with my curling iron. As much as I loved my long hair, I think I'm going to enjoy having it short just as much.

Alright I know this was long, but don't be mad; at least I included pictures, right? =D I am hopeful that you will not have to wait as long this time before I write again. But until then, God's love and grace be with you.

Long Time No See

Well friends, it's been quite a while since I've written anything. I'm afraid to say that with the business of school and then summer trips I've gotten quite lax with my writing, but I am determined to begin again. My family attended Vision Forum's "Reformation 500" conference this past week, and we all had a wonderful time. I would love to write about it, but I must wait a little longer before I can tell you every little detail. The reason is that I am leaving tomorrow for Virginia. I have a very dear friend who lives there, and every year I go to horse camp with her for two weeks. This year we will be counselors (along with one of her sisters) for the second year in a row. After horse camp I will be at her house for another week, making total of three weeks! I am so going to miss seeing everyone at church, but I hope to keep you updated during the trip. If I'm not able to, rest assured I will write as soon as I get back (with pictures, of course).

The Lord has really been blessing our family these past few months, and He is changing my heart as well as my thinking. I believe "Semper Reformanda" (always reforming) perfectly describes where I am right now, and I am so blessed that it is "Sola Gratia" (by grace alone) that I am saved, and not by anything I can do myself.

Vision Forum Sale

Hello everyone,

Vision Forum is having a Spring Sale right now that ends March 18. Head on over to visionforum.com and check it out. You'll find great items like "Ten P's in a Pod," Messages from the 2008 Father/Daughter retreat, and the films "The Widow's Might" and "Fireproof." Take advantage of these wonderful offers before the sale ends!

Thank God for Texas!

My family went to the rodeo last week, and boy did I feel like a true Texan. We haven’t been since before we moved to Louisiana, which means I would have been younger than seven years old. I had so much fun watching those cowboys rope the calves and hold on for dear life to bucking broncos and crazy steers. Of course, it was slightly painful to watch when they fell off J. My mom’s favorite thing was the Mutton Busters, which is an event where four to six year olds (the miniature cowboys) ride sheep and hold on as long as they can. I enjoyed watching the teenagers scramble after calves for a chance to win one to raise and show next year. But everyone in our group agreed that by far the most wonderful part of the evening was the prayer. Tears ran down my face as I listened to the announcer speak in the name of the “Lord...Jesus Christ.” I love Texas for its cowboys, horses, and all things country; but what I love the most is the freedom that we have here to worship God. I am so blessed that we live in a state that, though not perfect, has citizens who aren’t afraid to speak the name of the Lord at a huge event like the Rodeo. Thank you, Lord, for Texas!

Amazing Grace

You know, a lot of times we sing songs without thinking much about the words. Now I know you've all heard the song "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, and I know you probably all know the words. But be honest, how often do you truly consider and dwell on those words that speak of our Savior's precious love for us? I've written the song out but have re-worded it. I find it sometimes helps me to understand an author when I re-write in my own words:

Amazing grace, oh what a sweet, sweet sound; it saved me, a wretched sinner! I had lost my way, but now Jesus has found me. I was blind, but now I can see.
His grace has taught me how to fear God, and it has taken away all other fears. Oh how precious that grace seemed when I first believed.
I have already come through many danger, toils and snares. God brought me safely through, and His grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised that good will come to me, and I trust His word completely. He will be my protector and my inheritance as long as I’m alive.
When we’ve been in Heaven for ten thousand years, and we’re bright and shining like the sun, still we have no fewer days to sing God’s praise then when we first began it.

Babies...and more babies!

Last week a friend and I had the privilege to stay with a family from church for a few days because they have a new addition to their family: a sweet, adorable baby boy. There is always excitement about a baby, especially a brand new one; that's the way God made us, to have joy about what He has created. I thoroughly enjoyed my time getting to play with the little ones and received great joy from being a help to their mother. When we give, we bless not only others, we also receive a portion of the blessing. I think that is one of the amazing gifts God has given us on this earth. I very much look forward to doing this again in the future; it was a great experience to practice being a mommy and I now have another family I can call my friends.

Aborted...And Lived to Tell About It

I am currently reading a book by Jessica Shaver about a woman named Gianna Jensen. Gianna is the victim of an abortion, and yet she is alive today because God willed that she should tell the world her story. It is an amazing story that testifies to the fact that life does not start at birth, it starts at conception; it is a precious gift from God that is to be treasured. I highly encourage you to read this book and share it with others. As David so beautifully writes in Psalm 139:19, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to my blog! I've been thinking about creating a blog for a while, as I believe it is a wonderful way to practice writing, sharing your beliefs, and simply keeping friends and family informed of whatever might be going on in your life. My prayer is that everything I write will bring glory to God. I also hope others will be encouraged as I share what I'm learning. I love comments so please leave them, and constructive criticism is especially encouraged =)