Her Price is Far Above Rubies

Let's Sing!

2015-05-02T22:59:00.003-06:00

Hi friends!

Just wanted to give you all an update... As of now, my blog has hopped, skipped, and jumped over to Lifesong - http://singofyourstrength.blogspot.com/, where I will do my best to share my thoughts, feelings, and (sorry) sarcasm. I will be doing my best to post at least once every week, so I welcome your help in keeping me to that! So, head on over to Lifesong and follow my song through life.
Thanks for all your support over the years! It has meant so much.
Charity

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goodness in the land of the living

2014-01-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

This week has, so far, been completely and totally bizarre (all rhyme unintentional). Our family came down with the same flu-like thing that's been systematically attacking others in the area. I just texted a friend and said that I'd never gotten a weird sickness like this before...really and truly. Let's just say (in my experience) it's like hormones and mood swings - up, down, worse, better. And when it's worse, it's worse. My poor mom probably got it the worst of all of us...she planned on going on errands Monday or Tuesday. Didn't happen then, so she planned to go today. Didn't happen then either...she literally stayed in bed for hours. Dad very kindly went to the store last night on the way home from work and got enough for dinner last night (which was eaten in bed by two of us...). Thanks to this little bug, I've gotten almost no schoolwork done today. Fortunately, school is not officially in session yet so none of us are missing classes.

So now that I've detailed the sad saga of our, umm, disease (?), I'll stop the bad news and start with the good. A few hours ago, I was thinking about just how blessed we are, even in the middle of some pretty crummy days. We are together, safe, warm, not dangerously ill, not suffering great loss, and the list goes on. Medicine, cough drops (my addiction), beds to rest on...it could be much worse. It really could. The special thing about all of the above, however, is that they are gifts from a loving God, who has decided that His plan for this week is something better than schoolwork, cleaning, errands, and feeling great. His plan was that we would get sick and throw most of those coveted goals out the window. Better? Whatever do you mean?

It all comes down to this - God is sovereign. He has every minute, every day, every step of our lives planned out - and get this. It's for His glory and our good. Therefore, whatever happens is what's better for us - better even than those (good) goals we have in mind for ourselves and others. God decided that He was going to send us some sickness and teach us to trust Him. I'm telling you, when you have that attitude, it's pretty hard to get upset and worried about things. It'll calm you down in a hurry - if you listen to it and trust Him.

Soon after I thought about these blessings we have, I started feeling the worse I've felt since I came down with this. I was freezing cold, my body hurt, and I wanted to cry. I was wandering aimlessly around because I couldn't figure out what to do with myself. Thankfully (remember that blessings part?), my mom told me to take some Advil and go to sleep. Little detail, but it's another blessing - she said I could sleep in her bed if I wanted to. Ooooh. Fun. When I started feeling so awful, my earlier thoughts came back (there's this thing called sanctification...God will take you up on what you thought/said. Do you believe Me or not?). Ouch. Seriously? God loves you? I'm completely miserable and I don't know what to do and God loves me? No way. In other words, I failed that test.

Remember this: He holds His precious children in the palm of His hands, thanks to the work of Jesus, and nothing can pull us away. There will be times when, thanks to your sinful nature, you will absolutely doubt that He loves you and He takes care of you. Times like when you're driving over 2 hours to meet somebody, you're running behind, and you get a horrible attack of acid reflux on the interstate. Not cool beans. Ever try driving hunched over your steering wheel to try and stop the pain? Scaaaary (which is why I didn't bother to try it for too long). That test was another fail.

Remember this too: when you come through the flu, the pain, the grief, the tragedy (and hopefully during these things), you will see that He was with you the whole time. You will also see the blessings He's given you even in the midst of all that - and you will confess your sinful distrust to Him and understand that He forgives. And then, you will thank Him with a full heart for His grace, His mercy, His presence, and His love.

Lately...

2012-01-10T09:00:00.017-07:00

...I've been reading (actual books)...

Emma by Jane Austen
Love's Enduring Promise by Janette Oke
Like Gold Refined by Janette Oke---5 stars
Nothing Daunted by Dorothy Wickenden
A Pediatrician's Journal by Brian Orr
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

...I've been listening to...

Short Term Memories (Chris Rice CD)
Spirit of the Glen (Royal Scots Dragoons CD)
Tangled Soundtrack
songs from the 2009 BBC production of Emma

...I've been reading (internet)(oh, now that (actual books) makes sense...)...
Rachel's post on listening in motherhood
Bethany's post from November, actually, on her upcoming blessing (CONGRATS, GIRL!!) May I also say that this post ranks in the "Top 5 Creative Ways of Announcing Big News" section!!!
Sara's blog - amazing. Enough said.
Angie's post on choice - may I just say that this is a must-read.

...I've been watching...
Emma (2009 BBC production w/ Masterpiece Theater)
Cars
Cars 2
Curious George
Courageous
Youtube videos that have to do with Emma 2009 - check out my playlist for them!

...this has been going on...
~two friends were married in a beautiful ceremony 3 weeks ago
~I dropped my trusty Kodak on its lens - broken. now looking for a new one
~stayed up until 3 a.m. watching Emma w/ my super cool, totally patient mom (actually, staying up that late and watching all 4 episodes was HER idea - which I had no problem w/ at all!!!)
~waited to see Courageous at the dollar theater...$2, baby, and we just waited until January. $2 for an amazing, inspiring movie - now that's cool
~planning piano music to play at an independent living facility (Good Samaritan) in the area
~gearing up to start CHESS!!

{yes, I know, the pics really don't apply to what I'm talking about, but...}

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What Do You See?

2012-01-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

While looking at my blog just now, I wondered...

what do you see?

What do you, you kind readers, see? What is it that makes you follow this blog, that makes you read it? Ok, so we don't have to go into all those specifics (I follow her b/c she's following me, etc.) but it makes me wonder. My blog is where I post about what I'm thinking, what I need help with, what I need prayer for...

But at the same time, I could just be putting up a front here - I mean, you can't really tell who I am. And I'm sad to say that often I am putting up a front. It's all too easy to sound all spiritual on a blog post/comment, to be happy and kind to your friends at church, but then to turn around and snap at your sibling or be disrespectful to your parents.

But...

What do you really see? When you walk past me in the store, what's your first impression? When you overhear my conversation with my besties, what's your first thought? What do you think about me when you see me shopping for clothes or eating at Chick-Fil-A? (Which, by the way, is a place you'll probably find me...)

This is what I want people to think, to see, to read on my blog:

There goes a girl whose chief delight is her Lord, whose main passion is serving and glorifying Him, whose main occupation is becoming more like the Lamb.

~flowers from our wonderful vacation in Grand Junction~

I'm inviting you to be honest here - keep me accountable. I've recently been trying to make my way through the usual problems of teenage-ness. Several months ago, I literally felt depressed, which I had never felt before. Of course, that just exacerbated the whole hormone thing... actually it was all connected, you know what I mean?

ANYWAY. I am trying to change - make that I am begging God to change me. To make me more like His Son. I want patience. Forbearance. Kindness. Joy. Contentment.

What do you see?

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Best of All

2011-12-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

...the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Hark the herald angels sing, GLORY to the newborn King!

As you celebrate Christmas this year, may God be with you and may you remember the BEST GIFT OF ALL - Jesus. Thank You Lord Jehovah!

~AMEN!~

Merry Christmas!!!

Love you awesome people,

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Things On My Mind...

2011-10-05T18:41:00.000-06:00

I know, not the most inspirational/creative title. But that's what this post is going to be about... :-)

Several things:

First, my deepest apologies for leaving you guys in the dust for so long...
Second, Soul Surfer - more on this coming, read on.
Third - I have grown spiritually a lot in the time since I've been off of Blogger, and I want to continue growing and sharing that with you all!

Also, I don't want to forget what happened a little over 10 years now.
A lot of people I know can tell you exactly where they were on that day. A day that changed America and her people forever. That's not a dramatic statement, either. It's true. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I was or what I was doing, but that doesn't matter.
On that day, people filled with hate against God and against others wrested the controls of 4 planes from the pilots and, in one horrific tragedy, killed nearly 3000 people (Wikipedia), and shocked the nation. Now, 10 years later, we remember that horrible day. There are really no words to describe it, though. Anger, sadness, a thrill of knowing that America is still strong and we will fight back...
To those who have lost family members or friends in the 9/11 attacks - my prayers are with you all. I can't imagine how horrible that must have been and how horrible it still is, but I pray for all of you. May none of us ever forget the victims or stop fighting the perpetrators. Ever. And thank You, Lord, for keeping us safe from more attacks in the past 10 years.

{source}

{source}

This is one of the most moving pieces of music I have EVER heard. My mama and I listened to it yesterday and I cried - so did she. Beautifully written, beautifully played, and an amazing tribute to those who lost their lives.

------------------------------

Now, to Soul Surfer. Truly amazing movie. Anna-Sophia Robb + Dennis Quaid + Helen Hunt + Carrie Underwood (oh yeah!) = awesomeness.

{source}
Bethany Hamilton (Robb) is a passionate, talented surfer who loves, you guessed it, surfing. It's practically in the family - her parents and 2 brothers are also surfers, and the Hamilton family lives in Hawaii, surfer paradise (in my mind at least). **Note: the Hamiltons are homeschoolers! Yeahyeah!** But Bethany's happy life is suddenly interrupted when a shark attacks her and she loses her left arm. Now, she must learn to live - and surf - with one arm. Powerful, powerful movie. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" is quoted by Bethany and her father (Quaid), and there is a beachside worship service with Carrie Underwood (she plays Bethany's youth group leader) singing "Blessed be Your Name". Although I think the Gospel could have been presented more openly and distinctly (like Sherwood Pictures does in their movies), Soul Surfer still had a definite Christian undercurrent. One of my FAVORITE lines, which is specifically important in this culture of body image, the perfect look, Photoshop, and people (both men and women) who only value you for what you look like, was when Bethany's mom (Hunt) is consoling her daughter after the attack. Bethany is worried that no man will want to marry her if she has only one arm. Her mom replies that the right man will love her for who she is, and only one arm won't make a difference. (That's my paraphrase, so I'm sure it's a bit different in the movie.) That was great to hear in a movie! All in all, watch this movie if you haven't already! It's out on DVD and it's worth a watch! (One note: a good chunk of the movie is surfing/swimming/beachside scenes, and pretty much all that the ladies' swimsuits' consist of are bikinis, which I don't think was necessary. But I also think that this is not a reason to keep you or others from watching the movie - its good qualities FAR, FAR outweigh things like this.)

One last word: This amazing song by Keith and Kristyn Getty has been on my mind a lot these past couple weeks - it was played at a funeral of a friend of ours back in June, and I think that this is one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard (and you've probably heard it many times too). Usually my favorite songwriters and singers of all time are Casting Crowns, but the Gettys do a superb job with this (also listen to the version by Geoff Moore and Adrienne Liesching!). Let your heart really think about these words and meditate on them!

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

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

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand

{source}

Well, I need to bid you all adieu, but please, please, don't hesitate to comment! I always love to know what you guys are thinking about what I write! Also, I hope to make some big design changes too, when I have the time, so we'll see about that!

Soli Deo Gloria,

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I Love You Mama!!

2011-03-26T13:29:00.001-06:00

Monday was my dear mother's birthday...

My apologies, Mama, for not posting that day. But, here's your bday post...

Thank you for showing my sister and me how to be gracious ladies, how to set the table, how to do laundry, and the million other things.

Thank you for being there when I need you, when we all need you.

Thank you for the oh-so-wonderful hugs you give... =D

Thank you for showing me what a loving, kind woman is - how to be a wonderful wife and an AWESOME mom. And thanks for being my "wall" - protecting me, teaching me, guiding me (and thanks Daddy too!!!).

There's lots more I could say - but I am so glad you are my mommy - and I think, no, no, I know!! - you are

The BEST MOMMY.

No arguments.

And I love you a million and one + fifteen hundred times to Pluto and back. And more...

From your oh-so-grateful-and-thankful daughter...

Chare

"Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty
who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing,
praise to Your holy name.
YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING
and I will adore You..."
~Revelation Song

HELLO!!!

2011-03-22T21:01:00.000-06:00

Ok guys - my sincere apologies for not posting in the LONGEST time. Long story - but I'm back.
Many of you have been asking re: snakes, Cadia, where I've been!!! LOL.
So - snakes - from May to October we had FOURTEEN - that we killed. And we saw more than that. FYI that number is, I think, snakes that we killed with shovels... not ran over. So probably more killed than that! :-) Anyway, I was thinking over my posts - and I've resolved not to complain about the snakes anymore. Now y'all know - and the prayers are very much appreciated! We are still so far all safe and healthy, including doggie! Praise the Lord - and thank you guys too. But I don't want to vent overly about personal problems - but use this blog to encourage people....
Regarding Cadia - Megan (the founder of Cadia) told us sometime in May/June (sorry I can't remember the exact date!) that she felt that God was calling her to shut Cadia down. So she did... I was rather disappointed at first, but I'm not anymore - and it is very providential that it happened, because in September I started high school, and quite the extensive high school too - NOT complaining, though, I've had more fun doing this than I have in almost anything else in my life. The people and the school I do it with are so encouraging, fun, sweet, friendly, awesome, etc.... :-) Anyway, it was in God's plan, and I am not upset at all now. Yay! He really does know best, and He loves me so much - it's incredible. Thank You Lord...
So, that's what happened to Cadia - I'm sorry for y'all's sake, because I know those of you who were subscribed to Cadia loved it, and I'm glad you did! Thanks for your support, all of you!!!!!! But it wasn't the Lord's plan. Maybe, just maybe, sometime we can start another magazine. We'll have to see, but just maybe. Thanks again!! :-)
So, my apologies again! And hang in there, all you WONDERFUL followers... hopefully some pretty cool changes coming soon... Lord willing.
Much thanks and hugs,

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I see a...

2010-05-20T19:06:00.001-06:00

...snake.

no kidding.

(this first part was written on May 8)

This morning, I was getting my breakfast ready when Tim, my younger brother, tears in the house screaming, "Mom!! Mom!!! Dad saw a snake!!" Um.... needless to say, we all freak out. Everyone in the house runs to the window and strains their eyes to see...

My daddy killed the snake.

Phew.

But it gets worse: you remember when I said that the snakes weren't out yet because of the ever-changing weather?
Well, I was right. They AREN'T OUT YET.
But, hmmm, they do have nests. Apparently, they stay in these nests over the winter... (i didn't know that!). These nests weren't in an good place, either (not like anything snake-ish can be in a good place) - they were under a woodpile. Which of course, is dangerous.

Fast forward to May 20::

Downstairs working on schoolwork when I realize that there's a big commotion going on upstairs...

And my sister yells down the stairs "Chare!!! Another snake!"
So I make my way upstairs... and guess where this snake was??!!!!
Right in the spot, less than a foot off of our driveway, where my baby brother plays with his trucks. Right there. And I don't want to even think about what would've happened if he had been outside...

My mom, who is scared to death because first of all, this snake is HUGE, and 2nd of all, because this is the closest they've ever come to the house (like 4 feet away), calls the neighbor, who hops on his quad with his rifle and shoots the thing.

Now you might think I'm crazy - but I almost started crying. The stress got to me...
And, I can't stand watching people kill. Now, I am NOT a crazy environmentalist, but I am very tender-hearted. And when the neighbor pulled the trigger... the bullet shot into the snake's head... the snake started writhing. And twisting. And it was awful. Not because of the gore, but because it was dying. And if by now you still have no clue what I'm feeling like...

Needless to say, we are all quite shocked and scared. My mama has already said that we may not bike or walk farther than a certain spot on our driveway. And I'm contemplating staying in the house all summer. Because this is nerve-wracking... it really is.

Trust - that's what they say. And I know they are right. But how? And... and... and... oh my, I'm running out of steam.

Jesus, please, please Father, keep us safe. And please help me to trust in You...

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{And yes, we would definitely appreciate your prayers.}

To Mom...

2010-05-09T15:44:00.003-06:00

What do I say?

What do I say to the one who has inspired me, loved me, hugged me, laughed with me, and cried with me?

She’s taught me how to read, how to be a woman, how to be feminine…

She’s my mother.

What do I say to her?

Who will forget the night I reviewed my Bible test notes with her… and said “reincarnation” instead of “predestination?” We laughed that night ‘til we had tears in our eyes – and beyond. Who would forget the time she and I were singing “Climb Every Mountain” along to the Sound of Music CD… (Note to readers – I sooo wish that: 1-you had been there, or 2-that I had video-taped it)… let me just say that it was sooooo funny.

What DO I say anyway?????!!!!

Well… I will do my best with mere words...

To the prettiest, most fun, most loving, most kind, and most godly mother a girl could ever want:

Thank you for being such a wonderful mother, example, friend… and so much more. Thank you for putting up with me and my craziness (and the rest of us too).

When I think of you, I think of several things:

1. The comforting feel of my momma's arms around me...

2. All of the fun that we have

3. The invaluable things that you've taught me - and still are teaching me

4. This verse:

"Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

Proverbs 31:28

Now I know what they mean when they say that “a girl’s mother is her best friend.”

The above quote is in the closest thing to orange I could find on Blogger... because orange is my mama's favorite color. ;-)

I am so glad and thankful that you are my mother! ;-)

To my best friend:

I love you!

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Xoxo…

~Your Kumquat~

Note: to all of the mommies out there with an 'angel baby' - Happy Mother's Day to you too. You ARE mothers... and you forever have a little one up there waiting to greet you. My prayers are with you today! You are a beautiful mother!

And to ALLL mommies::::

Gotta love Google! ;-)
(that is Google's Mother's Day doodle!)

And TO THE BEST MOMMY IN THE WORLD::::::

I love you!!!!!

Image Credit

Thoughtful Thursday

2010-05-06T16:52:00.000-06:00

**below is something that my mama emailed to me several days ago...**

The center of all reality, physical and spiritual, is God. The great end
toward which time itself moves is God's glorification and revelation.

...Satan('s)...only goal - to turn humans from giving God glory, infuses his
every thought, word, and action. He tempted Eve, who tempted Adam, to
reveal a stronger love for a thing than for God. In Job 1 he snatches away
all Job's possessions and kills all Job's children to tempt Job to admit a
stronger love for his things or his family than for God.

What form will your temptation take? Or mine? Satan spares no one. Neither
does God. God himself tested Abraham, placing Issac in the scale opposite
God. Whom would Abraham love more? God's tests strip away confusion and
distractions, revealing truth. Abraham, while loving his son, trusted and
loved God more. God's test of Abraham brought glory to God, strengthened
Abraham's faith, and worked toward the ultimate revelation of God's love in
Jesus Christ.

Satan's temptations, too, cannot thwart God's plans; his efforts merely
reinforce God's grandeur. Neither good nor evil can supersede God Himself.
In Job 1, Satan's cruel attacks only revealed that Job's love for his good

life was inferior to Job's love for God, the giver or good things. Satan's
sly tempting of Eve, to which both she and Adam succumbed, led directly to
the most powerful revelation of God's character in all time: His forgiving
grace through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

All my anxious thoughts and bitter cries occur when I forget that God's
glory is the point of life. Everything around me may appear to go wrong,
especially if I think my success, my happiness, or my comfort own the center
stage of life. But the moment I remember that God's glory cannot be
tarnished, I can see my troubles for what they are: temptations to indulge
my love for me or tests to reveal my love for God.

"Lord, help me grow stronger daily in my love for You, so that neither the
addition nor the subtraction of good, and neither the addition nor
subtraction of ill can reveal anything more but more love for You. Amen."

- Mary

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the LORD, 'You are
my Lord; I have no good apart from You.' " Psalm 16:1,2

Quick Update

2010-05-04T19:15:00.003-06:00

This is really really interesting.

I'm not kidding you! Who, me?

because...

do you remember my post about the snakes? or, as Eldarwen and I have taken to calling them in our emailing, "OUR snakes"

By now, if those dratted things were following the pattern they usually take, they would have been out and about for several weeks now.

But you know what?

We haven't seen head nor tail of snake!

And I kid you not. They are simply non-existent for the moment.

So as you can imagine... we're havin' fun. =D biking, hiking. dancin', twirling. havin' fun. Without too much significant worry of getting chomped on.

Which brings me to saying...

Thank you. Thank you for your prayers.

Because this is highly unusual.
I believe that ~~God is working thru your prayers~~ *wait a minute, that sounded wrong. What I mean is that God has heard your prayers and mine (AS ALWAYS)... and He is answering them (AS ALWAYS - in His own way and His own time*... thank you all. and Thank You Father...

Why are the snakes not out yet?
Well, we think that the weather hasn't stayed warm enough (consistently AND consecutively**) for them to make an appearance. Ha! And I haven't noticed the days being any colder than they usually are in the springtime, a.k.a. my favorite season. And yet, the snakes are not here yet!

So thank you. Thank you for caring about me and my family enough to pray about this (wait a minute, that sounded sorta weird). But you know what I mean. I think the blogging world is awesome for that kind of stuff. It really is. What a way to connect with other Christians! Thank God for technology! ;-)

Thank you.
Love in Him,

oh, and yeah, i know you're thinking "what does the 2 ** mean?" If you're not, well, um, sorry. Read the post again, then.
** = i love using big words. that's just a natural side-effect of learning to read at 2 years of age. didn't know that?
big words rock. so make sure you have your dictionary when you're reading my blog.
dictionary? yep.

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Our God is an Awesome God!

2010-05-01T20:47:00.003-06:00

You thought I was excited before...

Now I am sky high.

Crazy sky high.

Cadia's May-June Issue

Officially

Released!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm reading it right now... boy, is it spectacular.

What's even better is that you can see Jesus shining through the pages... which is what we prayed for.

I'm not trying to brag here...

but Cadia is...

*sputters for lack of adequate words*

wonderful. beautiful.

Amazing.

And NOW - I get to reveal something that I've wanted to,

but also wanted to surprise y'all with:

my interview with LESLIE LUDY is in THIS ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really cannot say just how happy and grateful I am right now... but...

all glory, honor, and dominion to God my Father and Jesus His Son. for helping us, guiding us, leading us... my Father is wonderful. He is an awesome God... He reigns... His wisdom is unsearchable.

Thank You Father.

Thank You Jesus.

He is risen...

and now we live.

Our God is an Awesome God!

Turn the sound up crazy high and let your praise fill the earth! The room! HE REIGNS!!!!!!!!!!!

GO CADIA!
www.cadiamagazine.webs.com
www.cadiamagazine.blogspot.com

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The Trip :: Part Uno

2010-04-23T19:34:00.001-06:00

Well, as I'm sure you've guessed by now from my post, I'm back from the trip! I had an absolute blast... it was great seeing family... and Maria, her sister Amanda, and her mom! Maria, Amanda, and I met through Cadia Magazine, and after being 'email pals' for months, we finally got to meet! I loved seeing you two... thanks for taking time to go to that Wendy's! {Remember the KFC?}
I have soooooo many pictures to post - I have taken 502 pics. So, the pictures will be divided into several posts - this is the first!

Rosann's engagement ring!

The flower girl dress - see the two baskets on the right? The small white one is the flower girl's, and the bigger one is one of the bridesmaids'! I thought it was a neat twist that they had baskets instead of bouquets...

the M&M holder... man. GO M&M's!!!!

the cupcakes... yummy! They had chocolate, white, and red velvet. you can guess which one I took!

This was rather special - the Bible that Rosann's grandfather carried in World War 1 and used after his safe return home. That's his insignia on the right corner... It was displayed right behind the sanctuary for the guests to view after signing the guest book!

I think that this is the best picture I got out of the whole thing... it's my cupcake {red velvet, lol} sitting on the table. It was delicious... and so is the picture.

My corsage - this is my second favorite pic. Their colors were apple red and white - the dresses were beautiful.

The candles at the tables - can you see what they did? They turned those fancy wine glass things upside down, stuck them on top of a little mirror with a rose inside of it, and put the candles on top! Several of the ladies at church contributed their glasses... :) and made the food! Boy, was it delicious.

Well - that's it from the wedding!

at my Grandma's house!

Kitty kitty... a.k.a. Blythe. That's her real name - but nobody ever calls her that. The poor cat - I've got lots of pictures of her. Let's just say that.

isn't she CUTE?

Grandma's flowers... I forget what this one is called. if any of you green thumbs out there know - could you please provide assistance?

More kitty. See, I told you I pestered the cat! She has lovely eyes - cameras don't do justice to that sort o' stuff. At least mine doesn't!

These next several pictures were part of an emotional side-trip... first to see my Grandad's grave...

Grandad died in June of 2007 - it wasn't unexpected, but it was still a shock. If you've ever had that happen, you know what that feels like...

I was rather sad, standing there and looking at it. And then I remembered something my Aunty had said to the sorrowful grandkids at the funeral: "Your Grandad wouldn't want you to be crying and sitting around... he'd want you to be happy. To be laughing and having fun."

And she was right... because that was Grandad. And he would've wanted us to be happy, because he was home. No more pain, no more sorrow, his Alzheimer's would be gone. He is perfect now - rejoicing in his Savior.

So... I stood there next to my grandma... looked at the gravestone... and silently rejoiced. Because he is home.

I hope you can read what's on the back of this gravestone... it's very special to our family. At night, when Mom tucks us in, we always sing this last verse...

note: that isn't Grandad's gravestone

We sang this at Grandad's funeral... the 'Crimond' tune. It's absolutely beautiful, and the descant makes it sound like something that people would sing in heaven... and they are singing it.

I love you Grandad! We miss you... but we will see you again. I know that for sure.

-----------

After we visited the gravesite, we also went over and saw the birthplace of my great-grandma! That was really really cool...

Well, more pics coming soon!! :-)
As a side note: Thanks so much for your prayers about the snakes! They are very appreciated... and oh yes, I will keep you updated!!

makeover!

2010-04-22T19:49:00.004-06:00

Well, I think I can say that the makeover is, um, almost at completion. What do y'all think? Like the new look? Don't like it? (That's ok). Like the layout? What do you think of my signature? Got suggestions, tips, etc.? BRING IT ON, BABY. I am in no way a pro at blog design and graphics stuff... but I'm working on it.
And that reminds me...
No. I wasn't the one who made 3110 look so beautiful and well-designed with its new 3 column layout...
Many thanks to my wonderful friend Nana for doing such a wonderful job... wow. I love it, and I'm seriously considering telling Firefox that my blog is a harmful site (to my computer) so that I will quit looking at it and, yes, admiring it. I've got some pride... :) Thank you soooo much Nana! I love you and I'm glad that we've become such good friends! Maybe we can meet someday, mmkay?

I highly recommend her services... :)
And to clear something up:
'3110' will be, from now on, my 'name' for this blog in my posts, labels, etc., you get the point. Typing '3110' is just SOO much easier and faster than typing "Her Price is Far..." and getting all the capital letters in there, spacing it right, ETC.!!!!!!!! So, remember! 3110 from now on refers to this blog. And, why '3110'? Well... hmm... you need to figure that out yourself. ;-)
Hint hint::: Think about the title of this blog...
if you get it, you automatically get brownie points.

Have a wonderful day (and now night) rejoicing in His love!

Planting Chums {Week 2}

2010-04-16T20:43:00.002-06:00

I've updated this post - read on!
A big thanks to Hannah for doing this fun stuff... you go girl. :)

She says:

"If you missed it, last weeks topic was Food Loves...this week's is, as you can see by the title, Fun Games. Okay. Don't leave yet. It won't be that bad--trust me.
This topic is all-encompassing to your favorite game--dodgeball, monopoly, dutch blitz, you name it! What game is a tradition among you and your family? What game is special? What made it so? Why do you like it so much?"
There are two games...

The first: Well, this is HUGE appropriate timing! Because, every Friday night is our family game night - and tonight {after I finish posting LOL}, we will be playing

UNO!!!

It's definitely a tradition.

What made it special? Well, it has good memories... UNO is the game that our volleyball team played during breaks at our volleyball tournament in Denver in 2008! We won 2nd... :-) Good times. Also, our family is very competitive - we also enjoy teaching each other new things! And that includes UNO... now my little sister can play by herself! Of course, little David {4} makes general chaos of the whole table when he's bored playing... you REALLY have to guard your cards then, lol.

So, it's very special because we're all together... we're having fun... we're laughing our heads off {seriously}.... we're teaching other teamwork, good sportsmanship, and love... i could say a lot. But we LOVE UNO!!! :-)
The second game?


SPOONS.

You guessed it - I LOVE spoons. Totally love it. HAhahahahaha. And I'm rather good - so watch out. LOL; sometimes I get so blonde that I don't even know what I'm doing.
Spoons is, well, a family tradition. For real. And it's been passed on... that's awesome.
Why do I love it?
because of the jam-packed action.
i love action.
so, I love spoons.
Why do we play these games??

We have fun. As a family. Isn't that what makes those crazy jammin' good times what they are?

I think so.

Blessings to y'all! Please also visit my most recent posts:

Urgent Prayer Request

Does your life show your thankfulness?

At the Christian Wedding Blog:::::::: A Great Post from a Fellow Blogger

Head over to Hannah's blog after you do your Planting Chums post and link up!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!! :)

Excuse the rather *un creative?* post. I'm tired... and ready for some UNO. Bring it on, baby.

image credit: Google Images

Urgent Prayer Request...

2010-04-15T18:25:00.003-06:00

I have a prayer request for all you faithful followers...

Where we live in Colorado, we have lots of rattlesnakes. The bluff at the back {west} of our property {we have 35 acres} is the den for the snakes in the wintertime, & in the spring, they come down from the bluff, cross our property {and all of our neighbors’ properties}, and go east right across the road to where the prairie is – lots of prairie dogs, little things, etc. to eat out there. Right now is when they start coming out – my brother just came in the house 15 min ago, and he heard a snake. They’re around all summer, and then in about August/September they start heading back west, across our property again. We’ve shot at least 5-6 of them, and killed the rest with shovels, rakes, or by running over them with the truck. But, as you can see, it’s quite dangerous. We have to wear boots these days when we go outside. Our neighbor down the road got bit once – she was in the hospital for 3 days, even though it wasn’t that bad – and she’s an adult. It’s even worse for kids my siblings’ ages – 8,7, & 4. My little ‘baby’ brother David found the first one we saw when we moved in 2 yrs ago – he was 5 ft from the thing. Fortunately, he didn’t go and try to pet it… don’t ask me why he didn’t. It was God, plain and simple. I don’t even want to think about how bad it would’ve been if that snake got him – he was only 2. The baby snakes are the most dangerous – they don’t know when to stop pumping the venom in. Also, any snake is pretty hard to see, because out here we’ve got dirt roads, dust, etc., and they thrive on that because the hawks {and other predators} don’t see them. They camouflage right into the stuff. But, could you please pray for us? That nobody would get bit and that we would be kept safe? Also, the little kids don’t remember that much to watch where they’re walking and to swash around with a stick or something before they bend down and pick something up. So could you pray that they remember to do that? THANK YOU! The ‘snake season’, as we call it, is a pretty stressful time…

Needless to say, I think about 1000 times a week, "Why do we have to live somewhere where we have RATTLESNAKES?" But God is in control - and He has placed me where He wants me, when He wants me. I have to trust - and obey. With His help alone... and plenty of shooting snakes. :-)

P.S. – the snake that my brother heard – my mom went out there to get it, left me to hold down the fort, and when she got there, there wasn’t anything there. But, it’s only a matter of time b4 we really start getting them…
Sorry if this, um, isn't to your liking - but this is it -

ugh.
God has made them too - for a reason. And I'm thinking it's so that we learn to trust Him more... no matter what. Snake or no snake.

Thanking God for all you fabulous bloggy friends and your prayers,
Chare

*post on Cadia coming soon! and the Prov 31 Woman Series, of course.*

A Many Sub-Titled Post...

2010-03-19T18:33:00.001-06:00

Hello dear friends! I hope y'all are doing great... :).
As the title says, this post is going to cover several subjects!! So read on:

First of all, I'm leaving for good old Pennsylvania on March 24 for a wedding!! My cousin Rosann is getting married, and as you can imagine, I'm soooo excited. I'm going to be gone for 10 days, so you're not going to get any posts until later!! Sorry...

The second thing is:
THE IMPENDING HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL. This travesty of our rights as Americans is 'up to be passed' on Sunday - the very day we are supposed to be worshipping and praising our Lord and Savior. What irony... My momma has been calling senators and representatives across the country - I'd encourage you to do the same, if you can! This is our liberty we're fighting for here - this so-called "health care reform" plan includes taxpayer-funded abortion, euthanasia, and gives the already-untrustworthy government the power to decide who to give healthcare to, how much healthcare is enough, and whether or not certain people even NEED HEALTHCARE OR NOT. And that's not all...

Friends, we are fighting for our country here. We need to band together and STOP THIS BILL! The senators' and representatives' switchboards are JAMMED - their phones are RINGING OFF THE HOOK! America is finally realizing that we are in danger of a radical government takeover - finally! And you can be a part of it. Call your representative or senator NOW and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 3200 - Obama's healthcare reform bill (ObamaCare).
And now, to add insult to injury, Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi are trying to ram this bill through Congress using the reconciliation tactic - this is plain out cheating. The Democrats complained about people using this very same tactic several years ago - and now they are trying to use it to get their own agenda through... This is bad. We have to stop it NOW. Pray for our country - pray that this healthcare bill will be stopped, pray that Obama will be stopped... there are many things. But PRAY that this would be stopped. PLEASE.
***I DON'T USUALLY USE THIS BLOG FOR POLITICAL POSTS, BUT THIS IS URGENT. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND!!! LET'S BAND TOGETHER TO KEEP AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE!!***

*Update - Mike Huckabee has started a website: Call Congress Now!! This site has ALL of the numbers right there for you to call your representatives, etc. Visit CallCongressNow.com right away!!*

:::And last, but not least, the best announcement for y'all:::
[drum roll]
My mom and I are going to be hosting a Proverbs 31 Woman Series on here!!!!! We will be going through each verse in that passage individually on this blog starting with Proverbs 31:10... We hope to start this series after my trip to Pennsylvania! So, look for it probably the 2nd week of April...
We will be {hopefully} posting one verse per day! I am so excited to do this...
There will be a button coming soon for your blog, webpage, etc.!!!

Before I go, I'd like to post a passage that has been very encouraging to me these past several weeks, what with the healthcare bill and everything else!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:28-39 (KJV)

Blessings,
Chare

Another Award or Two...

2010-03-08T21:53:00.003-07:00

Well! Me again!
I got an award from TwinkleToes and Alexandra... and here it is!

The 'Beyond Your Imagination Award'!!

Thanks girls!!

Rules for this award:

1. List 8 stories or books that you would like to live in for two weeks
{SOMETHING I'M ADDING - add which character you would like to be}

2. List 8 other bloggers who deserve this award

3. Comment on their blog, and tell them they won an award (and if you're a follower i don't really have to do that do I? lol)

So - the 8 books that I would like to live in for 2 weeks:

1. The Inheritance - Louisa May Alcott {as Edith}

2. The Love Comes Softly Series - Janette Oke {as Marty}

3. Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery {as Anne - who else???}

4. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen {as Elizabeth-totally!}
5. The Kensington Chronicles - Lori Wick {as Sunny}
6. Roses for Mama - Janette Oke {as Angela}
7. Promise Me Tomorrow - Lori Wick {as Rusty}
8. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis {as Lucy}

{Disclaimer: Those books were not in order... lol. Also, those are not necessarily my top favorite books - they were the only favorites that I could think of. That is annoying - having about 10 million favorite books - and when somebody asks you what your favorite book is, you hem and haw because you can't remember. Irritating!}
So now I have to award somebody don't I???!!!!! 8 other bloggers to be exact. Bleh...
1: Lexi @ Choosing to Wait
2: Emily @ Ramblings of Emily Rose
3: Nicole @ Nicole's Soul
4: Chloe @ Blooming in Christ
5: Hannah @ Aspire
6: Rachel T. @ Girlz of Faith
7. Annie @ Here I Am, Lord
8. Rachel M. @ HopeJourney
If anyone else wants it, you're more than welcome! You have to follow the rules though... and leave a comment on my blog telling me you took it! Thanks!

And woe is me (no I'm just joking!):
I have a second award!

This award is called "My Prince Will Come to Rescue me, But Until Then I will wait". And if I got that wrong please bear with me and tell me what it really is!
This award comes from Eldarwen...
And it's to: "all my female followers who are waiting for their knight in shining armor"!! So go ahead... just leave a comment! Thanks...

Now, I think that's all the awards for now! =D. If you awarded me and you don't see it (and make sure you check here too), let me know and I will get to it ASAP.

Blessings in Him!

Chare

Sunsets...

2010-02-25T18:07:00.001-07:00

Sunsets - and sunrises. I love 'em. Like crazy.

And - I can never get pictures that look like the REAL sunset. So you will have to use your imagination and "amp up the glory!"

The heavens declare the glory of God

The firmament shows His handiwork

Day unto day...

MORE TO COME...

------------

I just love sunsets. Don't you?

P.S. A bit of a Disclaimer: If i follow your blog and you haven't heard from me in a while, please know it's nothing against you =D, it's just that I only comment if I have time... and I'm quite busy! So bear with me...

Blessings!

Wow: Am I EXCITED!!

2010-02-22T19:12:00.002-07:00

Hey all!

I am not sure how many of you know about this, but I just found out that The Rebelution is starting their Book Bomb for Alex and Brett's new book Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are. I am so excited - I am not sure if I will be able to do the Book Bomb, but I will definitely try - and spread the word!! You can read more about Start Here and the Book Bomb right HERE @ therebelution.com.
Please check it out... :)

A little side note:
UPDATE: We now have 173 subscribers... and counting!! Keep it up... SUBSCRIBE by emailing Megan @ cadiamagazine@gmail.com!
Cadia is coming along just great! As of Saturday, we had 172 SUBSCRIBERS!! Wow! Thank You Lord! I am so excited and I'm sure you are too... this is an answer to prayer. Right now, I'm working on the editing/photography stage and revamping the staff application, etc. Also, Cadia has Facebook and Twitter!! So check it out, friend/follow us if possible! You can also check out the Cadia Magazine blog (www.cadiamagazine.blogspot.com) and follow it! We plan to start posting on the blog in MAY! So follow it! And please, tweet about Cadia, blog about Cadia, post something on Facebook about Cadia, etc. If you would like more info, if you want to get the forward email for Cadia, or get the HTML for the Cadia button, shoot me an email @ missbear {at} skybeam {dot} com! Thank you!

The Purity Challenge Week 3

2010-02-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

First of all, an apology :D. I didn't do last week's purity post because I was SOOO busy - I'm sure you understand??
But here's week 3...

This week's theme: Talk about why you committed to purity. Tell your story…when did you first hear about the term and why did you decide to take a stand? What has God been doing in your life since you committed?
I think I will do this in parts... :D
Well, why did I commit to purity? I think I need to tell my story first...
My family and I have gone through a very painful situation in the past year... to make a long story short, I'll just say this. People treated us very badly, gossiped, etc. and really made a bad name for Jesus Christ... It was very painful and is still very hard - our life has changed quite a bit since February 17, 2009.
But back to the story... the summer of 2009 was very uneventful as we settled into the "new normal". Nothing really was too unusual - we were just trying to heal in our own way and our own time. But sometime in August, that changed for me. Noticing me trying to deal with the hurt the best way I knew how, Satan decided this would be a perfect time to pull me away from God & my faith. He put the thought in my mind, "What if God isn't keeping His promises? What if He doesn't care about me like He said He does?" From that day onward, I was miserable. My attitude (which I admit hadn't been the best in the first place) sunk even lower. This went on for at least a month and a half - me sorta believing the lie, and sorta believing the truth. It was a truly awful time... And I never told anybody. But about a month and a half after Satan fed me his awful lie, my mom noticed that something wasn't right - I was so miserable that I couldn't keep it inside. It was spilling out of me. And in a dark Walmart parking lot at 7:00 at night, she asked me, "Chare, what's wrong?"
I sort of hummed and hawed my way around the question, but she didn't give up. No sir, she wanted to know what was going on. And finally, I poured it all out. My doubts. My fears. My sadness over what I was feeling like. My dejection over the whole situation I talked about earlier and my confusion & anger about the situation we were in now. I don't remember exactly what I said, but the distinct memory of that night is the lights of Walmart shining into our car and the tears continually running down my cheeks. I remember my mom telling me, "Either God is real, or He isn't. Either God keeps His promises, or He doesn't. Which one is it?"
That was the breaking point.
From that night, the ice was broken and Satan was finally losing the battle.
I don't remember when it happened, but something changed - I strongly believed that God was faithful, that He DOES keep His promises, that HE IS REAL.
And when I realized that, it was like a curtain had been pulled away: I could see HOW TRUE those verses, sermons, & Scriptures were I had heard. For the first time in my life, I was interested, really INTERESTED in the sermons I heard. And life was... brighter. Like the wonderful hymn "God hath not promised skies always blue", I was realizing that God doesn't promise that He'll keep us out of the valley, He promises that He will walk through it with us. He hasn't said that there won't be pain in life, but He HAS said that He will be with us in it!
I feel like that moment when the curtain was pulled open was my "rebirth" - I UNDERSTOOD now. I wanted to LIVE IT now. And living like a Christian didn't seem so hard anymore. Sure, it's not easy. But who says it is? =D
But where does my testimony about purity come in?
Around early October (I had just turned 13 in July), our family was spending the afternoon at our pastor and his wife's house. I was "browsing bookshelves" when I came across a book titled, "Romance God's Way". It was by a couple whose names I had never heard before: Eric and Leslie Ludy. And since I'm a total romance gal, I picked it up right away, although a little wary - would this book be interesting? Or sort of boring? I shouldn't have worried - I loved that book! However, I forgot about it until probably late October, when I picked it up again and then Googled "Eric and Leslie Ludy". I found Leslie's website and then Eric's website and I loved every bit of what I saw! And then later on I found their book "His Perfect Faithfulness", the story of their friendship, THEN courtship, THEN engagement, THEN MARRIAGE!!! =D I loved it... And that was when I was introduced to the term "purity". I figured out what it meant - and immediately realized what a wonderful thing purity was. I had made some unwise emotional choices, and I realized that was wrong, I realized what it was to be pure, and I completely revamped my thinking about the guy-girl stuff... I will {hopefully} write about that in a future post.
Since then, I've realized how important purity is, why it's such a wonderful thing, and much more. I am a different person than I was a year ago, and I thank God for it!!
I hope you've enjoyed this {slightly long} post... Nice to know a bit about me huh? =)
But make sure you head on over to Lexi's blog, become a follower, and definitely check out the purity posts and those linked back to her blog!!
God bless and thanks for reading!!
Chare

Sorry!

2010-02-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

I fixed my previous post on Cadia Magazine - forgot to include something SUPER IMPORTANT - I hate that. Don't you????
*PLEASE GO OVER TO THE INCLUDED LINK AND READ THE UPDATED POST!!!!!!*
The update is in ALL CAPS, is italic, and surrounded by these thingies - **** :)
Thank you and sorry again...
Jesus Hugs!

Cadia Magazine (Again :D)

2010-02-04T19:59:00.004-07:00

Do you guys remember my post a while ago about Cadia Magazine? If you don't I gave the link - but I wanted to say that we are making some progress!! (I work for the magazine). All our articles are due tomorrow - photography comes after that and then editing work I believe!! So the first issue will (Lord willing) be sent out April 30! I just wanted to tell you this because of two reasons -

We appreciate your prayers for the magazine AND we would appreciate continued prayers!! We pray this magazine will bless our sisters in Christ in their walk with the Lord and glorify God!
Also, we would like more subscribers! We have around 50-60 subscribers right now and we are hoping to get 100 or so for the first issue! Wouldn't that be cool?? So to subscribe: PLEASE DO THIS: email Megan at cadiamagazine@gmail.com and put "subscribe to Cadia Magazine" in the subject line! THANK YOU!!! So if you haven't already, please do this!! :) Thanks! We all appreciate it!

****NEW UPDATE: I AM SOOO SORRY TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ THIS BEFORE I FIXED IT - CADIA MAGAZINE IS FREE AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY EMAIL!!!!! I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THAT CONFUSION...****
Also, in May the Cadia blog will have its first post!! I would encourage you to click the included link and FOLLOW this blog so you know when the first post comes out!! Thank you so much!!
<3,
Charity

Lexi's 2010 Purity Challenge!

2010-02-02T20:38:00.009-07:00

Hello! I'm proud to announce something a very dear friend of mine is doing:
The 2010 PURITY CHALLENGE!! *applause*

the 2010 purity Challenge...

Here is what Lexi says:

The idea of the challenge is to get teens across the country to join in and share our hearts waiting on God to bring our spouses. We want to encourage our teen generation to go beyond the expectations of the world around us and lift each other up in prayer to live by God's standards - to be holy, pure and perfect. None of us can do it alone - but together we can help keep each other accountable and remind each other how blessed it will be on our wedding day to stand before God, our family and friends having our hearts pure being given to our spouses. We can each be that unopened gift on our wedding days and experience our first kiss right there knowing it was saved for a moment such as this.

Read more here.
Now for MY part of this: :)

Purity: It's a word that gets rather bandied about these days. People say, "I'm saving myself," but are they really? To answer that question, we need to know what purity means. Purity is saving yourself, physically and emotionally, for your future spouse ONLY. No one else. But, of course, as many Christians tend to do these days, you can know what it means, understand it perfectly, and NOT LIVE IT.
Living your purity is many things. There are many things to do! But the most important thing that you can do to keep yourself pure is to surrender your life to God. The One who made you, loves you, is sovereign over you, and cares for you. SURRENDER is a hard thing for many of us; we oftentimes think "But if I surrender myself, God will completely wreck my life! I want to have fun while I can, have as many dates as possible, and live my life the way I think I should. If God takes over, I'm not going to have any fun, He'll make everything boring, and I won't be in control! No way."
But surrender is wonderful: When you surrender yourself to God, tell Him (even though you may have been a Christian for years) that you're surrendering all to His control, you are right. Because when you surrender to Him, you're saying, "Lord, here I am. Mold me, make me clean in Thy sight. Make me be a light to those around me. Make me glorify YOU and YOU alone." God has control over your life: yes. But it isn't like He doesn't care, like He doesn't want you to have laughter and love. He does! For more on this :) read Eric and Leslie Ludy's book - "Romance God's Way".
But my point is: to be pure, to save yourself totally and completely for your husband, you must surrender yourself to God - and quit trying to live like the world.
Here's the next part: MY commitment to staying pure.
I am staying pure:

because God has commanded me to
because sex outside of marriage is wrong, dangerous, and defiling to both your body AND God
because sex outside of marriage is a BAD example to fellow Christians and unbelievers alike - it may lead other Christians astray, and it makes those of the world think, "They say they're Christians, but they don't act like they are!" When that happens, you are giving Christ and His Church a BAD name.
because i want to be able to kiss my husband on our wedding day and say - I have saved this for YOU and YOU ONLY. That it was hard to stay pure but I DID IT for THIS DAY. For YOU. That the temptation is OUT THERE to give myself away, emotionally and physically, I saved myself emotionally and physically for YOU.

Why are YOU staying pure? I encourage you to post about that, leave a comment on THIS POST about it, and I PROMISE I will read it!! And comment :D.

So, with that in mind, a couple closing thoughts.

First of all: Join the 2010 Purity Challenge today!! (This link is the how-to post by Lexi

A verse I really like:

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Purity is the will of GOD! Stay pure & surrender your all to God - you will NEVER regret it!
One (actually 2) more things:

And the song I referenced (surrender all to HIS control is in it) (and it's one of my favorite songs from Facing the Giants)

Finally, don't forget to PRAISE HIM for saving you, for sending His only Son to die for YOU a sinner!!
Love and God Bless!!
Charity
P.s. I apologize about the first video stretching off the page - Youtube doesn't have the right size :( but it's still a good video!!
P.P.S. I hope to be posting a pic of my purity ring soon!!! :)
P.P.P.S. (lol) did i mention that February is a great time to do the purity challenge? Because it's 'Valentine's Day coming soon' and that means the emphasis is on LOVE. And when you save yourself, your all, physically & emotionally, you are LOVING your future spouse - even if you don't even know him and have never met him!!