Alabama Tragedy

I don't know if any of you have heard about the dreadful tornadoes that came through Alabama this past week, but I would just ask that you all would keep the people of Alabama and all the others who were affected by these tornado's in your prayers and thoughts and even possibly considering giving as the Lord leads to those in need. For me, this has been a very sobering and thought provoking time- hearing stories and even witnessing friends who are grieving the loss of their friends (due to the tornadoes). Reminded that I or any one of us could be called home at any moment; to take every moment that I have and fill it to the fullest.
Here is a story of a father who with great manliness and honor laid down his life for his family. Please pray for this family as they are grieving the loss of their father.

"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is you life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." -James 4:14

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends." -John 15:13

Grace be with you all!

My dear Mothers birthday

Yesterday was my wonderful mom's birthday. She is THE best mom that I could ever ask for. I love her so much.

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." Prov. 31:10-12




I had the pleasure of cooking a special dinner with mom, Elizabeth and Andrew last night. Our menu consisted of hamburgers, potato's, some very impressive onion rings, salad and last, but not least, milk shakes- made by yours truly.





Ending the meal with some delicious brownies- made by Elizabeth. After the meal was over we opened presents and just to finish off the night we watched SOME of 'Pride and Prejudice'.




I just want to personally thank my beautiful mother for all the she has done. She has been such an encourager and a wonderful example to me. God has blessed me so very much by her and Lord willing I'll be just as good a mother as she is one day :)
----- Mom, I love you oh so much!!

Listen to this playlist: Movie Soundtracks

For Liberty and Justice for All!

photo by Jason price

Have you ever sat down and just thought what that meant? "For Liberty and Justice for All"

The ending lines of the Pledge Allegiance are a reminder, hope and freedom for Americans. We have become so caught up in our everyday lives that we don't even think about what our freedom cost those who won it for us. We are privileged to be sitting in our chairs and freely doing what we wish, thanks to those who have worked hard and traveled the long hard road before us. I am so thankful to my God for His mercy towards me and His people! We have so much to be thankful for! Let us take just a few moments and pray for the future of this nation and the freedom that we have. Also to remind us that we MUST NOT forget what He has done for us already! We must NOT forget! The people of Israel forgot what the Lord had done for them when they were in the wilderness (right after they got out of Egypt) and they had to suffer the consequences. We must not forget. Jesus Christ has so richly blessed our nation! May He continue to bless it and give mercy to us all! To God be ALL the Glory!

Psalm 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance."

Psalm 144:15 "Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!"

Psalm 78:6-8 "That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare then to their children, that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; And may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its hear aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God."

Psalm 68:19&20a "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Our God is the God of salvation!"

"I pledge Allegiance to the Flag

of the United States of America

and to the republic for which it stands

one nation under God,

indivisible with liberty

and justice for all"

Here are just some other photos I found on the internet...

Photo by Carina Olsen

Photo by Stacycasephotography

Photo by Colin Wright photography

Photo by Mzz Melissa

I smell summer in the air!

Hey Y'all! It's been a while!

I've been pretty busy... I just finished my voice lessons for the year and I'll be having a recital this Wednesday. I also finished my choral lessons for the year. I will miss them greatly, but thankful for the break!
School is almost done!!! I have already finished up my bible, history and literature. (woot!) Now all I have is math, science and Greek (urg!). =)
We have so much planned for summer. Lately, we have been planning a father/daughter, father/son, and a marriage retreat. The father/daughter retreat will be taking place in the end of June. We have SO much planning to do! I am so excited to see how it turns out and see what the Lord will do in the hearts of the fathers and daughters.
My family and I just got back from a biblical child training conference in North Carolina. We all had a wonderful time there.
We got to the hotel at about 6:00 on Friday night and Elizabeth, mom, and dad immediately went to a session at the Brown Farm. So I had the boys, who had just had a 6 hour car drive, in the small hotel room for about 3-4 hours... WHEW! Let me tell you, it was a difficult night!
The next day... after a restful night ;-), our whole family went to listen to Dan Horn and Scott Brown speak on "How to gain Wisdom" and "22 points of a Proverbs 31 Women" and many more wonderful teachings! Then that night we went to a family's house for dinner and had wonderful fellowship with them! Sunday morning Scott Brown spoke on Leviticus chapter 11. A very interesting passage to speak on... He did a great job! =) Later, we had lunch with the church, then left for home. It was a wonderful weekend! =)

I can't wait for summer! There is SO much to enjoy... Warm weather, birthday's (I'll be 17 soon!), retreats, getting together with friends... Love, Love,LOVE summer! God is good!

p.s. Picture taken by Rachel Fry =)

'Return of the Daughters'

We recently had 10 to 15 families over to our house to view 'Return of the Daughters' a documentary about biblical relationships between fathers and daughters. It talks about how daughters are to be under their fathers authority until they get married. Also, daughters staying busy and productive under their fathers tutelage.

It was a great time to be with other believers to study God's word! It was somewhat new ground to everyone and a new look or light onto what biblical father/daughter relationships should look like! I personally, had a Great time with all the other young ladies there in discussing the movie and what their thoughts were. The Lord is SO good... we had been fasting and praying (prior to that Friday night) that the Lord would bring who He wanted and would touch the hearts of the families that came!

I think there were families there that night who went away with a new vision and a new mind! It was great! Again! the Lord is SO good!

Psalm 144: 12-15 "That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars sculptured in palace style... Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!"

"For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd of your souls"

Here is just a couple of verses that I read in my Bible this morning that really struck me!

1 Peter 2:9-10 .

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy."

It's like we've been adopted into a rich family! =) He has loved us, called us His own, and given us eternal life even though we don't deserve it! The Lord is Amazingly good! Praise the Lord!

Also, 1 Peter 2:15-16

"FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

=D

I will (Lord willing) honor the King with my words, actions, and thoughts! May the Lord be Praised!!!