Officially Omitting Online Operations

Things have been quite busy this summer...
I don't recall all that we've been doing
but the days are passing by quickly.
As the days are flying by,
I find myself feeling some self-induced pressure
to try to find time to blog and trying to find
something to blog about.
Therefore, I've come to the decision that I am going to
take the month of July off from posting...
This way I can enjoy the calm pleasures of summer
when we aren't so busy.

I still plan to post my daybook every Monday,
which I've only been doing anyway;
but I just wanted to make it official.

So I hope you all enjoy your July
(particularly this Saturday as
we celebrate our country's independence)
and I hope to be more inspired
to have a "real" post next month.

Happy Summer and God bless!

Young Maiden's Daybook - June 29

Today…
June 29, 2009

Outside my window…
Hot, sunny, with somewhat of a breeze.

I am thinking…
I REALLY need to find something else to post!!

I am thankful…
For the lovely morning I had out with my family.

I am wearing…
My brown dress.

I am reading…
1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew;
"Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot;
"Bruised Reed" by Thomas Lambie;
"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

I am creating…
Various crochet projects.

One of my favorite things…
Ketchup =)
I've been having some strange cravings lately,
and at the top of them is anything with ketchup!

For education this week…
Foreign languages and Keeper at Home skills.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
Motherhood skills.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning...
Humility.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Being quiet and dealing with trials without complaining.

Scripture I am memorizing…
I'd like to start memorizing Matthew 10:6-42

I'm praying for…
The Lord's guidance in my life.

For the rest of the week…
I hope to POST SOMETHING(!!!),
purchase my new guitar, put new mandolin strings on,
steel guitar learning, crocheting, learning languages,
grocery shopping, juicing with the new juicer we bought,
eating up the delicious sherbert in the freezer,
figuring out what to do for Independence Day,
and whatever else comes my way.

A picture I’d like to share...
A sweet surprise from my 6-year old sister yesterday at church...



Have a great week!

To learn how to participate, click HERE.

If you participate, please leave a direct link
to your Daybook post in the Mister Linky below
or in the comments section of this post. Thank you! ;o)

Young Maiden's Daybook - June 22

Today…
June 22, 2009

Outside my window…
Hot, sunny, and a nice breeze.

I am thinking…
I sure need to find some time to post!

I am thankful…
For God's wonderful mercy and longsuffering.

I am wearing…
My blue shirt and khaki skirt.

I am reading…
1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew;
"Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot;
"Bruised Reed" by Thomas Lambie;
"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

I am creating…
Various crochet projects.

One of my favorite things…
A nice, cold shower in summer!

For education this week…
Foreign languages and Keeper at Home skills.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
Motherhood skills.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning...
Submission to those in authority.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Being quiet and dealing with trials without complaining.

Scripture I am memorizing…
I really hope to find something this week.

I'm praying for…
The soul-winning blitz this Saturday...
that He will soften hearts and give us the words to say.

For the rest of the week…
I await the arrival of a mandolin I ordered,
steel guitar playing, crocheting, learning languages,
resting from an exhausting weekend,
the church's soul-winning blitz on Saturday,
and whatever else comes my way.

A picture I’d like to share...
My babies =)


Have a great week!


To learn how to participate, click HERE.

If you participate, please leave a direct link
to your Daybook post in the Mister Linky below
or in the comments section of this post. Thank you! ;o)

Young Maiden's Daybook - June 15

Today…
June 15, 2009

Outside my window…
Sunny, calm. and hot.

I am thinking…
Of supper with guests later on today.

I am thankful…
That my terrible chest pain is a lot less bad
than it was yesterday.

I am wearing…
My blue dress.

I am reading…
1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew;
"Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot;
"Bruised Reed" by Thomas Lambie;
"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

I am creating…
Various crochet projects.

One of my favorite things…
Winter!

For education this week…
Foriegn languages and Keeper at Home skills.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
Motherhood skills.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning...
Humility.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Being quiet and dealing with trials without complaining.

Scripture I am memorizing…
I'll plan to find something this week.

I'm praying for…
The Lord's guidance in my life.

For the rest of the week…
I await the arrivals of a mandolin and new guitar I ordered,
learning my steel guitar I recieved last week,
crocheting, learning languages,
and whatever else comes my way.

A picture I’d like to share...
A verse that's been on my mind lately...

I took this picture about 2 years ago...
I love all the birds we get in our backyard!

Have a great week!


To learn how to participate, click HERE.

If you participate, please leave a direct link
to your Daybook post in the Mister Linky below
or in the comments section of this post. Thank you! ;o)

*Ü* Graduation *Ü*

As most of you may know,
last Saturday was my graduation!!
We arrived about an 1/2 hour early to prepare.

The ceremony started with a congregational hymn,
and I sat in the library waiting for "Pomp and Circumstance";
which, when played, I walked in and up to the front row...




My dad then went up to give the "Challenge to the Graduate"...

What he said was very sweet and touching,
and he also blessed mom and I with a rose...


After another hymn, my uncle gave the Prayer of Dedication.
(Noone took pictures during prayer :)
Then Mrs.C sang "Only One Life"...


Then I gave my speech, which I really enjoyed doing!
Thankfully, I was NOT a bit nervous, I had fun...

I ended my speech by playing an arrangement
of "I Surrender All" on the piano...


Then Pastor came and gave a very convicting message...

After pastor's message, my dad presented to me my diploma...



I then went and shook the pastors' hands...

and then I flipped the tassel and am now an official highschool graduate!!


The ceremony was about an hour,
and then we had the fellowship...




Here was my display table
(there were LOTS of photos!! Over 400!)...


Here I am with my diploma...

My diploma up-close...

After eating, I opened all the gifts and cards...

While cleaning up, Stephani and I had fun
with the decoration ribbons...


It was a very fun and exciting day!!
Stephani spent the whole weekend at my house as well.
My uncle left Monday and my Grammas left yesterday.
Such a busy and thrilling past week!!
I hope you all are having a good week.

Young Maiden's Daybook - June 8

Today…
June 8, 2009

Outside my window…
Sunny with clouds, and VERY hot!!

I am thinking…
Of the nice morning I had with my grammas
and mom - we ate out at Red Robin :)

I am thankful…
that graduation went well!!


I am wearing…
My purple dress.

I am reading…
1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew;
"Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot;
"Bruised Reed" by Thomas Lambie;
"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

I am creating…
Thank You notes for all those
who gave to me for graduation.

One of my favorite things…
Music! I plan to order a few new instruments this week.

For education this week…
Nothing!! I'm GRADUATED!!!! :-)

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
Motherhood skills.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning...
Faithfulness. God is so faithful in forgiving me,
I should be faithful in resisting temptations!

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Still charity, but I desperately need the Lord's help with meekness.

Scripture I am memorizing…
"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked,
fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
2 Peter 3:17-18

I'm praying for…
My grammas to feel better.
They're not doing so good,
and are having to leave sooner than planned.

For the rest of the week…
I plan to post about graduation,
spend more time with the grammas b4 they leave,
order an instrument or 2 (madolin and dobro/steel guitar),
writing 'Thank you' notes,
and whatever the Lord sees fit to add.

A picture I’d like to share...
The balloon my mom bought for my graduation...

LOL.

Have a great week!

To learn how to participate, click HERE.

If you participate, please leave a direct link
to your Daybook post in the Mister Linky below
or in the comments section of this post. Thank you! ;o)

Family Fun and Chocolate Cakes...

I know, it's a little tacky for a title, but it's true!!
Maybe I've just been aching to share the dozens of
pictures I've been taking with my new camera ;-)

My uncle and his family arrived on Monday.
Since then, we've been doing quite a bit.
We couldn't help but laugh at the weather forcast...

What was even funnier was that there really was
a lot of smoke because the base was burning leaves!

Tuesday was my mom's birthday and we went to the ocean.
We stayed there 3 hours!
For the first time ever, I actually got a sunburn.
(I've only ever tanned, and I'm not easy to burn)
Wow, sunburn hurts!!! I'm glad I've missed out on it before!!

Later on, we celebrated mom's birthday by eating cake.
I made her a cake, but one of the roses got smooshed
and the bag busted so there was excess scribbling...

See what I mean? Oh well, it tasted good!

We later we took her out to Olive Garden (her favorite),
where I drank some of this...

Yummy strong brewed decaf coffee!!
(Olive Garden's is almost as yummy as Starbucks!)

Yesterday we went to the Aquarium.
It is on an island and I loved the view over the bridge...




The aquarium was quite fun (and exhausting).
The stingrays are my absolute favorite... I love petting them!
They're so friendly!
I couldn't get a very good picture of them though
because of the bad lighting and they swim and flap too fast.
Here was a waterfall...


This was a neat albino toad...


This adorable snake was looking right at me...


Afterwards we went to the beach on the island...




Today my mom picked up my gramma
and my great-gramma at the airport.
From 10am-2pm I was busy making cakes for my graduation...





My theme colors are black/pink/white.
I made the tassel on the smiley the same as my tassel.
It was kind of weird writing 'congrats' to myself!

This evening my dad and I are meeting with pastor
at the church to do a rehearsal for graduation,
as well as do things with the sound system.
Tomorrow we're decorating the church :-)!!!
I hope you all are having a great week!

Here's a random pic I took this week
(did I mention that I LOVE my new camera!)...

Young Maiden's Daybook - June 1

Today…
June 1, 2009


Outside my window…
Very sunny and beautiful!

I am thinking…
My uncle and his family will arrive soon today,
and graduation is in only 5 DAYS!

I am thankful for…
The Lord's provision for family being
able to travel 1,000 miles to come :)


I am wearing…
My blue striped dress.

I am reading…
1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, 1 John;
"Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot;
"The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey;
"Bruised Reed" by Thomas Lambie;
"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

I am creating…
Various afghans.
(3 and a baby blanket to be exact)

One of my favorite things…
My new graduation present!
(There's a picture at the end)

For education this week…
Whatever I learn on the way :)

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
Motherhood skills.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning...
Submission.
It's not just obeying, but honoring wishes and preferences.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Still charity, but I desperately need the Lord's help with meekness.

Scripture I am memorizing…
"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked,
fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
2 Peter 3:17-18

I'm praying for…
The Lord to send out more missionaries.
Particularly the places He's laid on my heart:
Algeria, Benin, Comoros, Czechoslovakia,
Greece, Mauritania, and Somalia.

For the rest of the week…
My uncle being here anytime this afternoon,
my mom's birthday is tomorrow,
preparing for more family on Thursday,
trying to rest (fibromayalgia has been bad lately),
practicing my speech a few more times,
decorating the church on Friday for
GRADUATION ON SATURDAY!!! *Ü*

A picture I’d like to share...
My parent's graduation gift to me...

They took me to pick it out yesterday.
My favorite feature is face recognition!
You program a face into it, and on the 'smile' setting,
it automatically takes a picture when you smile!

Have a great week!

To learn more about how to participate,
click HERE.

If you participate,
please leave a direct link to your daybook post
in the comments section.
Mr. Linky is having problems
but a list of particpants with your daybook link
can be added to the Mr. Linky link below, too. ;o)




*P.S. The next 2 weeks are going to be very busy for me
with family coming to stay with us a while and my graduation this Saturday.
I'll not be able to post very often and may only be able to do the daybook.
But I do hope to post about my graduation when I'm able.
Also, I may not be able to visit all of you right away
or respond to your comments and daybooks.
I hope to be back to regular posting and visiting after the busyness.
Thanks for understanding :)

Young Maiden's Daybook - May 25

Today…
May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial Day!

Outside my window…
Sunny blue sky with lots of clouds.
There's been a break in the rain!

I am thinking…
About graduation... NEXT WEEK!

I am thankful for…
God's forgiveness and mercy.
If we had gotten justice we'd surely be lost;
But we find mercy when we kneel at the cross!
from the song Mercy


I am wearing…
My dark blue dress.

I am reading…
1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, 1 Peter
"Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot;
"The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey;
"Bruised Reed" by Thomas Lambie

I am creating…
Various afghans.
(3 and a baby blanket to be exact)

One of my favorite things…
Music!

For education this week…
Whatever I learn on the way :)

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
Motherhood skills.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning...
Dealing with suffering.
I believe I give into being discontent about
my physical ailments more than I like to admit.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Still charity, but I desperately need the Lord's help with meekness.

Scripture I am memorizing…
I plan to find a verse sometime this week.
I admit... I didnt' last week :(

I'm praying for…
My poor mommy to feel better :(
She's had a bad cough and now
she's lost her voice completely.
I tried making an appointment, but doctors are closed today.

For the rest of the week…
Whatever might happen today
(something may come up later for Memorial Day),
preparing for family coming next week for my graduation,
resting (fibromayalgia is starting to kick in more lately),
work on a rather difficult fiddle arrangement of
"Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" from
Ken Lych's Sacred Solos For Advanced Violin book,
and whatever else the Lord sees fit to add!

A picture I’d like to share...
This was the cake I made for my friend's aunt's graduation reception...

It took me 2 days to make.
Actually, I had hoped to arranged the flowers differently,
but when I made them all, a bunch of them
fell on the ground and got smooshed :(
Thankfully all of the roses survived!!
Have a great week!


For more information
on how to participate, click HERE.

If you participate,
you can sign the Mr. Linky below,
leaving a direct link to your daybook post,
so I and others can visit.


**Mr. Linky is currently having some difficulties.
If you participate,
please leave a comment on this post
with a link to your daybook entry.
Thanks so much!

A Courageous and Convicting Prayer...

Joe Wright opened a meeting at
KANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with this prayer.
I thought it was rather interesting and convicting.
He was quite brave to say this in a HOR,
and a few people walked out during it.
But it spread a lot of conviction to other
Christians who heard it over the radio and such.
I thought I'd share it...

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today
to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance.
We know your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good',
but that's exactly what we've done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word
and called it moral pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it muilticultural.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn child and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children
and called it builing esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbor's possesions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity
and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers
and called it enlightenment.

Search us O God and know our hearts today;
try us and see if there be any wicked way in us;
cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide us and bless these men and women
who have been sent here by the people of Kansas,
and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state.
Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their
descisions direct us to the center of your will.
I ask it in the name of your son, the living savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen."


spoken by Joe Wright on January 23, 1996