Young Homemakers

Time For Change: A New Blog!

2014-04-02T13:15:00.002-04:00

Hello dear sister's in Christ! :D

After much thought, I've decided to step out on my own instead of continuing to blog here. It was time for a new blog, and long overdue, actually. We've blogged on Young Homemakers for 5 years - Jessica hasn't written on here in years, I've grown into adult womanhood, and the “mission” we began it with has taken a few turns around a few bends.

After writing for Meditations of His Love for 5 years I've found I enjoy sharing the faith-lessons God teaches me in my everyday life and absolutely love talking with other young women and the opportunities the Lord sometimes gives me to be an encouragement to them. But I needed my own place to write from the heart of this new, older me that God has taught so much to, so I created a new blog and called it, Real Girls, Real Faith! It's all about being an authentic young woman of God in life and in faith... sharing about day-to-day life, crafts and recipes, and real-girl heart matters. All the things I love to talk about! :D

I'd be honored if y'all would hop on over to my new blog and follow me! :)

{Please excuse the bright blue letter font - with no internet at home, I've been too lazy to feel like getting into that and fixing it yet.}

Only to Him

2014-02-12T15:27:00.003-05:00

I bow.

I surrender it all.

My heart cries no; my fear overwhelms me.

But I know He wants it for my good,

so I tell myself it's okay to let go.

#Surrender.

“Who is among you that feareth the Lord...

that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay {rely} upon his God.”

~ Isaiah 50:10

*Quote from “Satisfy My Thirsty Soul” by Linda Dillow

Dad's Home-Style BBQ Sauce

2014-01-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

I get my recipe creating directly from my dad's side of the family. My aunt, my grandmother who has passed on, my great-aunt, my uncle and my dad all have inherited this nack for creating something out of "nothing. I'm not quite that good, but occasionally I'm inspired. ;) Dad's the sporadic cook on our house, the one who can make (almost) anything without a recipe. Um, except fudge. Unless a "rock" of hard chocolate counts as fudge these days. {I didn't think so...}

My dad completely made this recipe up. Just out of his head years ago. I've been using it for our BBQ recipes ever since, though I still like to try a new one just for fun, on occasion. :) You can use this sauce any way you normally would a BBQ sauce! Try it, it's yummy and oh, so easy to throw together in a few minutes. My favorite ways to use it are to marinate it over chicken, and for pulled chicken sandwiches. {Just thinking about it makes me so hungry now!}

Dad's Home-Style BBQ Sauce
1 (8 oz.) cans Tomato Sauce
3/4 cups Ketchup
1/3 cup Oil
1 tsp. Balsamic or White Vinegar
2 drops Red Hot Sauce
1/2 TBSP. Italian Seasoning
1/8 cup Chicken Broth

Combine all ingredients together. Use right away, freeze in reusable containers or ziploc bags, or pour into a jar for gifting or storage. Keep in the refrigerator when not in use; store up to 3 days.

Blessings!

"Make-It-Your-Own" Soup

2014-01-08T14:41:00.003-05:00

“Make-It-Your-Own” Soup

created by Rachel Phillips

This simple soup became a family favorite – and the cook's favorite too – one wintry night last year when I didn't feel up to the task of looking through my recipe collection for something to make for dinner. This gal loves new recipes, but then I also love a recipe I can throw together without over-thinking it. Again on the menu was chicken, and we had a few cans of green beans lying around. With not much else in the pantry I came up with this beef-less version of a Campbell's soup variety our family has enjoyed in the past, and simply changed a few things to suit the limited pantry.

What I love about this simple recipe is that it's so easy to “make it your own”! If your family loves beans, use some kidney or cannelloni beans. Have sausage on hand? Replace the chicken with chunks of your favorite brand of sausage. Or, use ground beef, make meatballs, do it meatless style, chop up some ham, or brown up some juicy beef stew meat. Exchange some of the vegetables or add more like chopped cabbage, red peppers, mushrooms, or chunks of zucchini. Make it entirely to your family's taste every time you make it – but the cook can relax, it's still the same recipe, so have fun with it!

“Make-It-Your-Own” Soup

This gets a happy cook award for being economical, tasty and easy! ;)

8 cups hot water

3 chicken thighs

3 tsp. salt (add more to taste)

¼ tsp black pepper

½ tsp poultry seasoning (may substitute beef bullion cubes when using other meats)

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

½ tsp ground mustard

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil

2-3 medium carrots, diced

1-½ cups uncooked macaroni noodles

2 cans cut green beans

1 can whole kernel corn

2 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce

2 beef bullion cubes

Fill a large soup pot with the water, chicken thighs, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning (optional), Italian seasoning, ground mustard, chopped onion, and garlic. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-8 min. more or until chicken is cooked through and no longer bloody inside. Remove chicken pieces to a cutting board. Once cooled, peel the chicken with a fork and knife; chop lightly with a large cutting knife.
While chicken is cooling on the side, add the noodles and carrots, stirring occasionally. Cook another 5-8 minutes till noodles are partially cooked but not fully cooked through yet; add green beans, corn, tomato sauce, beef bullion cubes, and the chopped up chicken to the soup. Stir occasionally; salt to taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Cook until carrots and noodles are fork tender. Serve to your hungry family!

2013 At a Glance + Saying Goodbye to MOHL

2014-01-04T16:28:00.003-05:00

Reading.

Quilting.

Creating new recipes... literally on a dime.

Writing and typing and scribbling out little thoughts.

Heart-healing. Being still. Learning to “trust and obey” and “pray without ceasing”.

These are a few of the many things that have filled my year with pleasant delights.

Spiritual: The cloud of doubt and the fog of discouragement that hung over my head and my heart through the year, hardly allowing a single ray of sunshine from God's Word to peek through... that was not something I desired, yet I believe He used the time to further my relationship with Christ this year in a large way. Gone is the little girl and in her place is a grown young woman who knows she is loved by her Saviour. My faith was tested and I learned all over again what it is to “trust in the Lord with allyour heart” and how to “be still” in the midst of heartbreak and chaos.

The song "somewhere in the Middle" by Casting Crowns pretty much sums up my year.. fighting between doubt and truth. God's way and my way. And I am happy to say the fog is gone (for now) and I think next time it tries to cloud my vision I will be better able to stand against it. He's been patient with me as let go and let God do His work. I am ever so grateful we serve a God who is faithful through any trial; who is our Comforter and Healer and Provider.

Favorite book of the year: Moses by Charles Swindoll – Beginning to write my first book I have had so many fears and doubts of myself. Can I actually DO this? Did I hear the Lord rightly, or is this wishful thinking? Not only did reading and studying the character of Moses encourage me in God's will for my life, but broke down wall after wall that I'd built up around myself over time. Here is where I learned how to begin to be still and quiet my soul and seek Him again. I still find myself coming back and referring to some little quote, flipping through the pages and finding encouragement when I fall back into old habits.

My finished reading was 71 books out of my goal of 60 for 2013 and I enjoyed the wide range of history, children's, and non-fiction books I completed. Yeah for good books!! Next year though, I plan to do some rereading and enjoy them at my own speed... not making out a reading goal. I have some new books from the last year or so that I am looking forward to reading too.

Project Update: I really, really wanted to work my way through some of my works-in-progress (WIP's) in this area this year. I have a box FULL (sadly overflowing, really) of unfinished projects.. mostly in sewing and quilting; items that I needed to buy something or got stuck along the way (or simply bored. *cough). I didn't complete as many as I hoped to because my aunt commissioned me to make 4 seasonal table runners for her, and I got carried away and made 11 in total for various purposes for friends and family. ;) I did, however, finish a couple small things and finally completed a fairly large cross stitch 4-seasons piece that I've worked on for a couple years now. Finished - Yeah!

I also managed by God's grace to create some lovely birthday/Christmas gifts for my family and a few friends this year without spending much if any money many at all. Shocking how much I could actually get done with just my own small sewing stash! I was quite pleased to let go of some of my hoard of fabric and not have to spend a penny.

I already have a large list of projects I'd like to make for next year, as well as yes, working through some more of my unfinished projects. So exciting!

Special Happenings: Jessica have had the great privilege and blessing to meet up for a day each with two family's – some of our dear online friends this year. One, our Texas family and their daughters Sarah and Rose who we've had visit us here two years ago and we'd been down there to see last October. It was so good to have our entire family's finally meet all together in person! The other was my friend Julia and her family from Georgia (I couldn't stop hugging this girl!)! Both family's were in the area at different times this year and were able to spend a few hours visiting with us and it made the year so joyful. {So hard to let them leave though!};)

The Erickson's are on the left..yes, we are a short family and they are a tall one. Makes for great fun (and pictures!). ;) And we sadly were too busy enjoying the Holman family's visit to get more than just a picture of us 4 girls together.. hopefully we can remedy that the "next visit". Can't wait to meet more of my cyber friends in the future! :D

Saying Goodbye: After almost 6 years of writing for Meditations of His Love girls devotional blog, Jessica and I and many of the founding young ladies are saying goodbye. I am so saddened to go, but it's time to move on to other things the Lord has in store for us. We ARE very excited and happy to say that the blog will continue on, however, as our dear friend Melinda will be the new administrator and Meghan will still continue to write her beautiful Sunday posts. :) Yeah! I've cried my tears, but I also get to keep each of these girls as my dear friends and sisters in the Lord - so it's not *really* saying goodbye after all. :) {Love you girls!!} My prayers will always be with the new team and that the Lord would work in their lives as He's already been doing through this special group.

We've put together a little video "together" of our last challenge, the Live It challenge, and a little goodbye message. I will ever be grateful I had the privilege to work with these special girls. I've learned so much!

* * *

Overall, even through the days of tears and heartache and doubts, the Lord was good and faithful. (As you can see, there was also joy). We can't always see that in the moment but He's patient with us until we do see. I'm looking forward to the new year and all it may hold both for me spiritually and in other ways as well.

What are you most looking forward to about the coming year?

Hearts & Home Wall Hanging Gift

2013-12-27T15:06:00.004-05:00

I'm catching up on very belated blog updates for you all this week. Before New Years arrives, I wanted to share some of the projects and things I've finished and worked on this year that I never got to show you all! Here's one I made this past summer...

* * *

My mom's birthday was approaching this past June and I wanted to make her something really special.

I'm not always the best daughter, and she has her struggles as a mom, but we love each other and I respect her. As hard as our family's 9+ year journey through the "valley" has been on us kids, it's been more so for my parents and my mom. She's had to support each of us in just about every way: going with my dad to numerous dr. appointments through the years of his back injury and now his heart surgery/recovery, taught 4 and graduated 3 kids during all that, been through her own health struggles, and fed and clothed a family of six on almost no income during those 9 years (I could go on...). Yup. She's awesome!! :D

We have this unattractive bare spot behind our front door. It's been there since we moved in.:P Not cool. So I thought, hey, why not make a nice wall hanging! I've made lot's of quilty things for my hopechest and a few things for others but not much for my own mother... it was time to change that fact. So off I went!

In my browsing through quilt books I knew I'd seen a house block, so that was the foundational inspiration for the design. Hearts were the other inspiration, since there's a lot of love in our home...and I had two very nice country heart fabrics to work with. {I'm sorry, I could not find where I found this block...will try to update that later}

Then I did some searching and found three other quilt designs that fit well together and were different enough from one another.. these are from the Farmer's Wife Quilt book; which is fabulous, by the way!

I love seeing bits and pieces of fabric from old projects and clothing in my quilting! So many fond memories...

I finished it off with lovely straight-stitch quilted borders and a stem-stitched family name and year of my parents marriage.

My mom really liked it (I'm pretty sure). ;) And my dad finally put it up on the wall for us. I bought this nice curtain rod so I can make her some seasonal wall hangings that we can change out for this one in the future. Yippee! Gotta love that.

No Room

2013-12-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

There was no room at the inn, but there was room in a humble stable.

There was no room in the hearts of the self-righteous Pharisees, but plenty of room in those of the broken, the outcasts, and the sinners.

There is more than enough room in my own heart for bitterness, pain, and doubt this Christmas, but I'm clearing it all away...

This Christmas, I'm making room for Jesus.

~*~

"Let every heart prepare Him room."

He is Deeper Still

2013-11-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

“The eternal God is your dwelling place,

and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

- Deuteronomy 33:27 -

Counted Blessings

2013-11-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

{Thank you all for the welcome back with all your lovely comments! Sometimes I guess it's good to take a blogging break, because then you can see how much you are missed.}

It started out with a little slip of paper in a jar. Then another slip of paper. Counting one by one the work the Lord has done in my life this year. A daily reminder of His goodness and faithfulness whenever I felt discouraged.

It's taking the time to count the blessings...

~*~

God's hand in enabling me to “do all things” through His strength. The ability to do a good day's work.

Snow-covered mornings reminding me of God's forgiveness - “All things are made new.”

Sweet friendships that have blossomed more this year into deeper relationships. Laughter, love, and caring relationships have meant so much to me through this valley time. My friendships have been God's precious gifts to me.

The tremendous blessing of answered prayer! Reading George Mueller's writings this fall has encouraged me more deeply in putting my petitions before the Lord always and expecting wonderful things from His hand because He is good, and wants good for me.

My opportunity, in turn, to cheer and encourage sisters in Christ! Oh what joy it brings my heart to be part of the work God is doing in their lives!

Writing the first 1,000 word count in a day – a HUGE accomplishment for this non-writerly gal. ;)

The spiritual encouragement I've found in reading the testimonies of those who've walked this road before me.

Books that inspire me, encourage, and comfort me.

The prayers of sisters (and mothers!) in Christ.

Generosity and love – Oh how many times this year the Lord has used His people to provide for our family in very practical ways to give us food and to help us keep our home this year.

I am not forgotten. God always has His eye on me, caring for me.

Letters and gifts in the mail. It's like a wrapped-up hug from a friend.

The continued hope and promise of the Lord's work in my heart. “His mercies are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness.”

The greatest blessing this year, has been the Light of God's Word that pierces through the darkness during the storms of life. This year has been the hardest I've been through yet, but the Lord has been so faithful to us... to me. When I feel I'm losing my way, He shows me the map. When I am discouraged or lonely, He shows me how much I'm loved. When I grow impatient waiting on the Lord, He understands and gives me hope for the future and strength for today.

“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!"

May the Lord bless you with a Happy Thanksgiving!

Savoring the Season

2013-11-19T15:37:00.000-05:00

Hi there friends! Since our family hasn't been able to afford internet because of low finances this poor little blog has been much neglected. Life has been too full of downs this year for me, too difficult to put into words, that I just haven't even tried to do so in the poor manner I'd be able to when posting here. But oh, how I've missed this!! Therefore, I want to try again to blog more frequently in my little corner of the blog world. :) It may just be an update for friends and family, or I may have a new recipe or craft to share.. who knows! But I intend to have fun with it and I hope you will find some things to enjoy as well.

I have TWO new soup recipes that just need some refining and pictures and then I can share them with you. My dad suggested economizing more any way we can so we can ensure healthy food choices for our family - peanut butter and jelly and spaghetti can get pretty boring after awhile. ;) So my scheme was to stretch our meat as far as I can. I can do that with soup, and it's so perfect for keeping the family warm and well-fed. I can't wait to share them soon!

Also, I've been needing to post pictures of a ton of my crafting projects from this year. My goal has been to complete some of my in-progress projects lying around (wow, way too many!). My aunt also commissioned me to make 5 table runners for her this year, of which I just finished the last one. They turned out fabulously, if I do say so myself. Now, if I could just find those pictures... :/

Usually this time of year we have our fall decorations up already. This year, everything is slow-paced as far as Thanksgiving celebrations go. And, I wish I could say my attitude has been thankful... but with all of life's disappointments I'm learning again this year with new eyes what being thankful is really about. It's not being thankful because you have, it's being thankful for what you've been given.

Hebrews 13:5 says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and learn to be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you.'"

I'm not very patient when it comes to waiting on the Lord, especially when one has been waiting for over 9 years now. I don't know the Lord's plans, I don't know why He delays or why He sometimes seems silent instead of stepping in to give us aid. I don't know why one day He answers my prayers almost immediately yet other times He doesn't seem to answer at all in the way I think I need Him to. But I have learned to trust in Him no matter what is going on around me. The noise distracts me, but His Word quiets me.

One of the many table runners I've made this year. How'd I do?

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,

be constant in prayer."

~ Romans 12:12 ~

***

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught,

abounding in thanksgiving."

~ Colossians 2:6-7 ~

My feelings rage with a thousand emotions, but He reminds me that He is faithful in all things. I can choose to look at the dismal circumstances of my life, or I can choose to remember the blessings: a home, a loving family, food on the table and a bed to sleep in, gracious tender friendships, warm laughter with my siblings, and the ability and strength God gives me to endure each day - whatever it may bring.

That is indeed something to be thankful for.

In case I don't blog again beforehand...

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I'll be back soon!

Yard Sale & Other Unceremonious Events

2013-09-14T15:05:00.003-04:00

I found it was high time to give a little update to this often neglected little corner of bloggingdom. I've had quite a few posts in the drafts folder, but this year has left me quite uninspired for the most part. I could feel upset by this, but I think there is also a time to *stop* speaking and be still in the Lord (maybe I can share on that at a later time). :) However, I thought it might be nice to share what's been going on here with us in the meantime.

Last week, and this week we held a yard sale! It was time. Our basement and home have felt overrun with *junk* of various kinds - some, our own; some given by others to us that we hadn't sorted through much of. Our finances have been extremely tight as well, even with the work my brother has had {The Lord has been good in giving him favor at the Chick-fil-a up here, and they give him all the hours they are allowed to give him}.

We spent a few days sorting through everything and collecting it all and then just put it out, and did okay the first sale, thanks to the prayers of friends and family.

We still had quite a lot, so the family decided to keep it all in our small living room (lot's of fun to walk around this for a week) to sell the next weekend. Friday this week we sold a few small things here and there, but today on Saturday we did much better - again, much in thanks to the Lord and for the prayers of friends and family. Such a blessing to have their support!

We didn't earn a vast amount, but it was enough for some food to provide for our family. God was good to us. And, we were able to sell some of our large-itemed things cluttering our basement (like old bikes, an extra freezer, etc.) which my dad was especially happy about. :)

***

The other piece of news is that while all this was going on, I've been on a mostly-couch-rest from a bad poison sumac infection. I've never had poison ivy or sumac in my life, but one day while I was taking the recycling out in my flip flops, I stepped over/through a patch around our back steps (that I had forgotten at the beginning of summer that dad said to watch out for). A few days later I got what I thought was a mosquito bite, only a day or two later it became worse and worse till I had the biggest blister looking thing on the second toe of my left foot that I've ever seen. {I will not disgust you with pictures. You're welcome.}

It's been almost 5 weeks now that I've been on couch rest, and since I got the infection. Mom said some articles online said for some it could take up to 6 weeks for the infection to fully leave. Thankfully, I can see improvement finally and it's looking only like a nasty scab. {A HUGE improvement, believe me}.

I haven't worn shoes in 4 weeks! And I think I may have been driving my family a little crazy, since I'm not a very good sick person when I am confined to the couch. I was sad for awhile that I've not been able to work on some quilting projects I've had in the works and really wanted to have finished before now. But, oh well. :)

The only good thing all this resting has given me is plenty of opportunity to finish a large stack of in-progress books...for which I shall refrain from going into detail about until a later post. But I'm quite content about that. September has always been a pretty good month for reading with me through the years. Guess it's that "beginning-of-school" feel in the air. ;)

What has this end of the summer brought your way?

Reading, back to school, work, new adventures?

...anyone starting their fall baking or decorating yet? ;)

As always, love and prayers, and the Lord be with you!

P.S. {In other non-news, I'm super excited about the winter Olympics coming in February of next year. It's always a fun event in our house - two weeks of cultural immersion and supporting our country with rousing sports (Um, and food, of course). :) Yippee! I found the NBC Sochi, Russia website if anyone's interested...there's lot's of fun facts already about who's probably coming and what the venue looks like!}

Curly Girl Hair Treatments

2013-08-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

If you're a curly girl like me, you know that taking care of your hair is important, yet can be sometimes frustrating to keep those pretty curls from looking limp or frizzy.

Humid days make my curls bounce, but can also easily turn them into frizzy/poufy hair days. Winter tends to dry my hair out, leaving my curls looking more straight than curly. Add to that a thyroid condition that because of the hormone changes has given me a few white hairs in my 20's...I decided it was about time to take care of what the good Lord has given me.

Not long after we began blogging in '08 I heard of a fascinating (but at the time, disgusting sounding) new way to *not* do your hair that was intended to enhance your curly girl style. It's called the "No-(sham)Poo" method.

At the suggestion and challenge from a friend's curly-girl post, I decided it was time; I'd had enough of limp curls and frizzy hair days, so I tried it. Now I LOVE my curls! Goodbye limp and loose curls!

Here's what I do:

1. I've tossed the shampoo entirely {Read why here}. Starting at the top of my head, I scrunch a little conditioner in around my roots making sure to moisturize my scalp gently. Working my way down, I work the remaining conditioner in my hand just at the tips of my hair. This is where you want the most conditioner.

I gently comb my fingers through my hair beginning at the tips and working my way up to the roots - this helps the conditioner work into my hair as well as get all the kinks out. I no longer comb my hair when it's dry as that takes the curl out (I used to use a wide-toothed comb but I skip that now, again by the suggestion of said friend above).

Letting the conditioner set while I lather and wash up allows it to work it's way into my hair instead of washing right out so it can be really moisturized (helping with the dry curls problem).

2. After I've let the conditioner set for a few minutes, I like to follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse. This brings out the red tints in my hair I didn't know I had, as well as renews the pH balance in my hair follicles and removes hair product build-up {Yeah!!}. I do this about once a week but not always. Don't worry about the strong "sour" scent, as it disappears when your hair dries. However you can add essential oils or fresh herbs and keep the mixture in your fridge to use each time and help it smell prettier.

3. For dry scalp issues, I also like to use this new thing I found on Adornabelle for a brown sugar scrub! It works and leaves my scalp feeling clean and moisturized without making my hair greasy, as I've had troubles with in the past. The sugar exfoliates your scalp but dissolves as you work it into your hair/scalp with the conditioner, so there is no grittiness at all like I feared when I first tried it. I use this as needed in step 1 (probably a couple times a month).

4. When I'm done, I lightly towel dry my hair, making sure I don't scrunch or rub it...just gently squeezing the water out enough so it doesn't drip. I then comb my hair with a wide-tooth comb to get any kinks out - this is the only time I comb my hair; once it's dry, I only use it around my forehead when styling it later...never through the actual curls towards the bottom. This has helped tremendously in my curls lasting longer between showers.

5. Last Step: My friend Melinda offered to let me test out her new *natural* hair gel and oh my goodness!! LOVE it!! You can see my full review here. I just use a little in the palm of my hand and scrunch it into my almost-dry curls. Perfecto! Keeps my hair frizzless on poufy days and really helps define the curls, keeping them pretty and curly for a few days longer without looking greasy.

{Like my hair clip? Get one here!}

And there you go! Each of these steps has greatly enhanced my curls!! They are defined, more numerous, springy, and beautifully natural looking. It sounds like a lot of steps but in reality it actually takes less time than it was taking me before to wash my hair twice (once with shampoo/once with conditioner).

***

Are you a curly girl? What's your best tip for keeping your curls happy?

Farmgirl Organics Hair Gel Review

2013-07-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

Curly girls and natural beauty lovers get ready! I have some lovely things to share with you today. Very recently my friend Melinda started her own Etsy shop; Farmgirl Organics, selling homemade natural beauty products. Now that's something to get excited about!

About Melinda:

A fellow curly girl with a love of using nature's best to bring out beauty in a healthy way. Her mission is in "selling natural and organic body, face, and hair products with healthy, beneficial ingredients!"

My Thoughts:

I hate using harsh chemicals on my hair and body. Not only is it unhealthy, but it can leave my skin or hair feeling greasy, or still unable to give me the benefits I'm looking for.

In much need of, and on the lookout for something to help with the occasional frizzy hair day, I jumped at the chance to try out Melinda's new {natural} hair gel when she asked me.

I chose her Citrus Medley Hair Gel; a combination of aloe vera gel and lovely essential oils of orange, grapefruit, lime, and tangerine. The gel comes in this nice little 4 oz. container for only $6. Since you only need a very small amount in your hair, this is an excellent price - the gel will last you a long time! The gel is also available in Tropical Dream (citrus and ylang ylang scents).

I like to scrunch a little gel into my slightly damp curls on shower day. This is what my curls looked like after I used the gel! It helped my curls look defined and kept frizz at bay, all without making my hair look or feel greasy (and it smells lovely). On the following day, a teensy bit more of gel and some "scrunching" brought sleepy curls back to life instantly. {See my curly girl hair tips post!}

I absolutely love using this gel and highly recommend it to replace using commercial styling gels. It's fabulous!

{Disclosure: I received this product free to review. The opinions shared here are my own. The gel is not intended to "create" curls, only to define them better.}

More Available Products:

Looking for something else? Melinda also sells Chocolate Dreamsicle Facial Cream, Lemongrass Vanilla Deodorant, and Coconut Oil Lotion Bars (available in three scents).

Visit the shop!

To find more about Farmgirl Organics' products, healthy beauty items, and more, follow her blog!

Like and follow on Facebook!

{And don't forget to share with your friends!}

Thank you for visiting ~ Enjoy a lovely day!

July 2013 Book Reviews

2013-07-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Summer's delight... scorching hot, lazy summer days. *bliss* When it's too hot do be outside, sitting with a good book is the perfect way to spend the day. And I've been doing just that. My stack of reading books is far longer than my completed list though, as it seems. However, I've been working hard to complete some of my large non-fictions. Right now I'm in the middle of reading a book on Lincoln (1/3 through), and in finishing Charles’s Swindoll's "Saying it Well" (2/3rds through).

Finished Reads:

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Neilsen
The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Neilsen
Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Williard
Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Williard

My favorite reads of the month:

All the books were very nice reads. I didn't enjoy Son of Charlemagne quite as much but it was still a nice little historical fiction (full review here). The best of the month however, is left to Jennifer Neilsen's books... my sister Jessica borrowed them from the library and the set was passed from sibling to sibling, and then highly recommended to friends of ours (who's family did the same thing). The most exciting story I have read in ages!!

"In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed."

*There are a few things family's may wish to take note of. The children do lie sometimes, the villain is a wicked man who does some questionable things "for his country" implying deceitful way of living. But, it was otherwise a clean work of fiction with no foul language used (if anything, it only says "he swore" at the worst), nor was there any magic involved...which was something I was kind of expecting with this sort of book. On the whole these things were very minor and the story takes precedence.

It was a thrilling tale that kept us all on the edges of our seats. The plot was intriguing and brought many surprises. This tale is so expertly woven together, giving you thrilling new plot twists right up to the very last pages! Sword fighting, horse back riding, secret passages and nightly escapades, and more! We read the sequel and it surpassed expectations, which most sequels do not do.

Recommended for ages 12+

My Rating: Book #1 *****
Book #2 ****

What was your favorite read of July? What are you reading now?

eShakti Dress Review

2013-07-08T14:23:00.000-04:00

Hello there to all our readers. A few months back, eShakti contacted Rachel and I and requested that we do a review of one of their products.

We jumped at the chance. Maybe many of you share our love for their beautiful dresses and skirts. I personally have been drooling over their clothes on pinterest for over a year. However, I always felt like having one of their lovely pieces of clothing in my wardrobe would never happen. Their prices are well out of my price range.

So, I was extremely excited when I learned I would be given the opportunity to choose one of their items and keep it in trade for a review.

eShakti's slogan is "Real Fashion for Real People." I found that to be true. Their sizes range from zero to thirty-six wide. They make their clothes to fit you instead of expecting you to fit their clothes. I have seen several pictures online and on their site of heavier set women wearing their dresses and I must say, they look just as beautiful in the clothes as the skinny models that are also pictured on their site.

They have such a diversity of clothing to choose from. Dresses, tops, jackets, skirts and they even have a section for wedding apparel.

I chose my dress back in April and it came in the mail a few weeks later. I will admit, this review was delayed quite a bit and I apologize for that. Several health problems came up in my family and that took precedence over this. (not to mention, the pictures Rachel and I took went missing until just the other day.)

So, without further ado, here are the pictures and review of the lovely emerald green eShakti dress that I got.

Here is a full shot of my dress. As I said, it's emerald. It's 100% Cotton as most of eShakti's products are and is also machine washable. The fabric is also preshrunk so it won't shrink when you wash and dry it. I also chose to do a customized dress. I used my exact measurements rather than just choosing one of their presized dress sizes.

Also, this dress was originally sleeveless. I was able to add sleeves, change the neckline, and choose what length I wanted my dress to be. I love that I could make the dress something that I would love. How often do us girls look through fashion magazines and think, I would love that, if only it were longer, shorter, had a higher neckline, had sleeves, etc. With eShakti, you can make the dress suit your own tastes. It wonderful!

This is the waistline detail. I LOVE it! The only downside is that I did my EXACT measurements which didn't leave much room for the fabric to lay comfortably. In other words, it ended up being a bit tight in the waistline. Next time, If I get the opportunity to buy some of their products or they ask us to review again, I plan on giving myself an extra inch to allow breathing room.

Here is the bust detailing. The pleats are quite lovely.

The back detailing: I chose a dress that had the gathered elastic back. Partly just because it's pretty and partly for extra space for breathing and comfort. With how tight it ended up being (my fault entirely for not giving myself room to breath when I measured.) I was really glad for the extra space these gathers gave me.

The dress I chose also had pockets and was a pull over dress with a side zipper. Originally, when I first put the dress on, (And I have to laugh at this now) I thought that the zipper ended just above the pocket. That made it extremely difficult to pull the dress over my head. However, later on, when I tried the dress on for my mom, I discovered that the zipper actually follows all the way down to the bottom of the pocket opening. This made it so much easier to pull on over your head.

Overall, I was really impressed by this product. It was completely versatile and changeable to suit my tastes and preferences. I am able to dress down in this dress and just wear flip flops with it or dress up more fancy.

The only real complaints I had were how it arrived and the quality of fabric. With how expensive their dresses are, I expected the fabric to be comfortable however, I felt it was a bit course. The upside of this is that, it doesn't appear that way when you look at it and it makes the dress more durable overall. In reference to my other complaint, I expected with, again, how expensive it was, that it would come in a nice box with tissue paper or something. Instead, what arrived on my door was something the size of a file folder. I thought to myself, "That can't be my dress. It's too small!" So, when I unwrapped it and saw that my dress was neatly folded inside, I was really surprised. My dress arrived in fine condition and there hadn't been any problems with it's shipping so, I wasn't too put off that it didn't come in a pretty box. It just wasn't what I had expected considering their prices.

Their dresses and other products are beautiful, if not extremely out of the price range of what I can afford. However, I found myself hoping that I could use their dresses for my bridesmaids if/when I ever get married. (they have a section for wedding/bridesmaid apparel.) If I have the money in future, I would definitely buy myself another one of their products. I'd just give myself room to breath. lol!

Find eShakti on Pinterest here: eShakti's Pinterest Boards

You can also find them on Facebook here: eShakti's Facebook Page

Or go to their site and look at all the pretty products they sell here: eShakti website

June Book Reviews 2013

2013-06-30T17:23:00.001-04:00

Hey again and happy *official* summer! Hot breezes and excuses to wear flip flops, drinking lemonade, and eating the ever yummy ice cream treats. Haha. ;) I took it easy this month and had fun mostly reading fiction. What IS it about summer that makes you feel like casting all work aside and lounging with a fun book? I don't know, but that's what I've been doing it seems. Hope you all have been having a blessed summer too with your own family's!

Some of My Currently Reading's:
Sense & Sensibility - by Jane Austen
A. Lincoln: A Biography - by Ronald C. White, Jr.
Having a Mary Heart - by Joanna Weaver

Still working my way through the period drama classics this year, and I'm so excited to be reading the Joanna Weaver book. I was in highschool I believe the first time I read her Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World book that started this girl off on her real girl journey - my how far God's brought me! I feel so blessed to have thrown some of my perfectionist tendencies aside to allow God to work through and in my area's of weakness. :) This sequel promises to be just as moving and inspiring (in all honesty, I cried with joy just reading the first chapter preview on amazon...this woman gets me).

These selections are what are in my book stack at present... I have more, but I haven't been faithfully reading anything much in the last month. Guess it was time for a break from my steady stream of nonfiction for a time.

What I read last month:
North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Kingdom's Quest and Kingdom's Reign by Chuck Black
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Emma, Mr. Knightly, and Chili Slaw Dogs

All of the books above were a delight and I enjoyed them tremendously! ...Except the Emma remake one. Sadly, that one turned sour and I was quite disappointed in the author. What started as a fun modern retelling of one of my favorite Jane Austen books/films became a disgusting display of romance near the end {I did *not* complete to the very end at that point}. I have a full review on Goodreads that shares all my thoughts in more detail. Needless to say, please my sweet girls, do not read this and don't be taken in by all the nice reviews on Amazon and Goodreads as I was. This book and it's sequel are not at all Christian and are not clean fiction. :(

Happily, the rest of my reads were quite lovely! Please, please DO read the Chuck Black series if you haven't already - what a faith builder! There is a little of what some may call fantasy with creatures here and there (not too bad though) but overall they are very clean fiction and give such spiritual encouragement! I read the last and final two books in the series and Oh! What joy to think on Christ's return for us! I think part of that "joy of the Lord" comes from that hope we have in the promise of this. :)

My favorite though was Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South. I'm a fan of the film version but the book version surprised me with deeper insight into the motives and character of of each person in the story. Here Mr. Thornton's deep looks have a meaning to them, and Margaret's marriage refusals are not based on a feministic view at all! It all becomes so clear. The added bonus of the author's beautiful writing style, to me, even surpasses Jane Austen {in my own opinion}. :D With the descriptive style of L.M. Montgomery and Austen's ability to weave a story Elizabeth Gaskell has become my new favorite author!

Follow me on Goodreads to see all my reviews!

I'd so enjoy hearing what you have been reading in the last month! Did you finish quite a lot, read anything new or reread an old favorite? :) Are you keeping up with any reading goals you've had for this year? If you don't have any reading plans perhaps you'd like to join my friend Tarissa in her Louisa May Alcott challenge - so enjoyable! If you've never read any of this author's books you really must do so! :)

May you enjoy a happy month of reading!

I Know It's You, God

2013-06-20T19:05:00.003-04:00

It's not by my strength I make it through this day.

If I get through today with a smile on my face that sees past the hurt and the ache inside, to choose joy, with a desire to praise You, Lord...

It's not me, it's You.

It's not by my might that I say a kind word.

To forgive instead of clinging to the words that broke me...
...or to see someone else's pain as greater than mine in this moment, so I can show them some of Your great love...

It's not me, it's You.

They can't see, but I know You can.
You see my heart and the mixed up emotions.. the desires I have between serving You and giving up.

So thank you God.

Thanks for holding, guiding, directing, carrying,
enabling, teaching, loving...
...for your patience, your kindness, your love
that shows me every day how to be more like You...
...even when I'm weak.

Thank you for being strong.

Thank you for being You!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

~ Philippians 4:13 ~

Flip Floppin Sale!!

2013-06-14T19:21:00.002-04:00

Summer is finer when your feet are happy. ;)

I've been so enjoying wearing my stylish flip flops this summer!! Since I know you love flip flops too, I just had to share this amazing offer from Old Navy for their $1 sale on JUne 29th!! Only pay $1 on flip flops? I'm in!

These would be perfect for using my ribbon covered flip-flops tutorial to make them just your style! Such a fun and simple craft. Try it!

Blessings!!

Ribbon-Covered Flip Flops {Tutorial}

2013-06-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

*R*

I made these a few summer's ago for our Summer Blast Giveaway's...they were a lot of fun and everyone seemed to enjoy them a lot. I made a pair for a friend's birthday soon after that and thought in the meantime, why not do a tutorial for you all so you can make some too! I'm JUST NOW getting this tutorial posted!

These are simple to make in a matter of minutes and are perfect for the girl-on-a-budget. I found all the supplies at Joann's for $2 (not counting the fray check)! It's an easy way to spruce up your wardrobe and they make excellent gifts as well. These could also be used as a birthday/bridal shower favor or activity, or fun mother-daughter project. Let's get started!

{Note: I bought all my supplies on sale for less than $5 for everything. Depending on when you buy your supplies and the materials you choose these prices may change. However, if you use a craft store coupon it does help with any costly material choices.}

Materials:

1 pair flip flops in your size (I got mine for $1 on sale at Joann's...they are usually inexpensive there)

1 (10-yd or more) spool of 1/4 or 1/2 inch ribbon (can be found for $1 at Joann's)

1 hot glue gun and glue sticks

Fray check (available at fabric craft stores) - optional

Directions:

1. I like to either slightly burn or use fray check on the ribbon ends just to prevent any possible fraying as I work or from wear in future before I begin. Next, dab a small bit of hot glue on one side of the flip flop as close to the bottom as possible...press ribbon end onto glue quickly before the glue has time to dry.

2. Wrap ribbon underneath the strap, back up and around...dab another bit of glue right on top of the ribbon on the flip flop (not too much...you don't want it to ooze out!) and press the ribbon into the glue carefully with your fingers, overlapping the ribbon slightly as shown below.

You will only need to glue on one side each time to hold it in place.

This is what it will look like after you've wrapped it a few times around.

4. Continue to wrap and glue until you reach the middle of the flip flop, as seen below. Carefully line the ribbon up directly next to the plastic piece where the toe goes so that it is right up against it. Make sure it lies flat and doesn't bunch up or it will become uncomfortable; glue in place.

5. Fold the ribbon around the back and overlap across the ribbon on the opposite side on the toe (as shown); glue in place. The point of this is to cover that area nicely so there are no gaps of plastic. Just do your best...we'll add a cute bow later that will hide any flaws. ;)

6. Continue to wrap the ribbon around again on the unfinished side, gluing as you go, until you reach the bottom. When you have reached the end, snip the ribbon with the scissors; use fray check or burn the edges a little bit again. Glue the end in place (excess glue can be pealed away). Try on your new stylish flip-flop (and if it pricks, you can peal that part away if necessary and try again)!

7. With the leftover ribbon, make two little bows. Dab a bit of glue onto the middle of each flip-flop and attach a darling bow to each flip -flop; cut off any excess ribbon that hangs to low over your toes. Use fray check or burn the edges a little when you have the look you want.

8. Complete the 2nd flip-flop the same way as the first.

Now wear your new stylish summer footwear with pride! :D

HeHe! Aren't they cute?!

Instead of the ribbon bows, feel free to use any embellishments you'd like such as rhinestones, a lacy ribbon bow, small ribbon flowers, a hand crocheted flower, a small applique, buttons... Make it your own!

Here are two more examples for you.

Let me know if you make a pair...I'd love to see what you've made! {If enough people are interested in sharing your creations, maybe I'll see if I can start a flickr group for them!}

Blessings!

May Book Reviews

2013-05-31T14:36:00.002-04:00

Ah! I almost forgot to get this post done! My goodness, is May really almost over already?!

It was a busy crazy month with my dad having heart surgery (I'm sorry I'm behind on posts...that one is coming) and a trip now up to my grandmother's for 2 weeks (Hello from Penn-state!) but, I still managed to read. Whew!

I'm going to try a new system with these. I'll list all the books I read below, share my thoughts on what I liked best or what I disliked the most, and you can always stop by my goodreads page to catch up all month long on what I'm reading and all my reviews for every book I read. Just leave me a message there saying you were from my blog reviews and I'll allow you.

{If you have a question about a book, feel free to *comment*!! *ahem*}

May's Reads:

The Boxcar Children: Mountaintop Mystery *** & Schoolhouse Mystery *****
Joni: An Unforgettable Story by Joni Earickson Tada *****
Twice Freed by Patricia St. John ****
The God Who Sees You: Look To Him When You Feel Discouraged, Forgotten, or Invisible by Tammy Maltby *****

Joni: An Unforgettable Story

This year I've struggled as I settled into the fact that now I have not one, but two chronic illnesses I will most likely have to manage the rest of my life. I felt lead to borrow this book from the library, knowing somehow that God was going to use it to help me in my own struggles through relating in small ways to Joni's story of adjusting to life with disabilities. It was awhile before I was brave enough to actually order the book, or to finally commit to opening that cover and begin reading it, but when I did - wow. I read about half the book in a day I think. Her story is so powerfully moving and inspiring!

Summing up, Joni had a terrible diving accident as a teenager leaving her paralysed from the neck down. Suddenly her world was turned upside down beginning what would be months and years of learning to adjust to a completely new life and a new "Joni". The normal things a teenage and young adult girl would be doing (heading off to college, marrying, getting a job, etc.) were taken away and she struggled to balance her faith in God with everything that was happening. Being written by the Joni herself brought a rawness to it that I fell in love with and helped you really connect with her as she overcame difficulties and

I was right, Joni's story was exactly what I needed for this season of my life. There were some beautiful lessons she learned and shared, and I found encouragement for my own faith, health issues, and even my singleness! Raw and real, Joni shares her faith-journey and how the Lord used her accident for good, and for His glory. PTL!

"I would be pleased if only one person is drawn to Christ. Even one would make the wheelchair worth all that..."

*Just a Note: because this deals with depression (even suicidal thoughts once) and very real emotions, as well as some dating/sexual themes throughout, I'd not recommend this for younger than 15 years old at the least. Still, Joni kept it as

My Rating: ****

The God Who Sees You: Look To Him When You Feel Discouraged, Forgotten, or Invisible

by Tammy Maltby

"For anyone who ever feels invisible, unnoticed, or unappreciated, here's an invitation to rediscover the biblical God who sees you."

This was a free download I found on Amazon and I'm so glad I did because this was a book I didn't know I needed! This book brought me such healing with Tammy's motherly style of writing and beautiful balance of personal testimony and biblical truths.

God sees you...I don't know of any girl who's heart isn't touched when she hears those words. He sees your pain, He knows you - His daughter, and there is nothing we ever need to hide from Him. Tammy's words encouraged and uplifted, challenged, and inspired me. She handles some of the lies we allow ourselves to speak to ourselves, the emotions and hurt that builds up, and the joy that can come when we acknowledge that God sees us. We never have to worry about who we are because there is nothing we could ever hide from Him, and He loves us when we make mistakes and He's closer to us in our trials than we realize.

"We have a deep desire to be seen by someone who loves us no matter what - past, present, and future. Someone who is committed to us and can love us with unconditional love, even when we're less than lovable - even, in fact, when we are at our most unlovable."

The God Who Sees You was a beautiful book, not overly long in chapter length or size overall, and I highlighted many an encouraging quote throughout. I plan to reread this again and again, and have already recommended it to friends. Every girl should read this, in my opinion. ;) I really cannot do this book justice in trying to describe it to you, so you shall just have to read it for yourself!

My Rating: *****

What have you been reading and what was your favorite book read in May? I'd love to hear about it!

Keep Cool! {it's been hot here this week!}

Flair-Up's and Rainy Day's

2013-05-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

Some days are hard. Really hard. Living with two chronic illnesses can be tough. Though my symptoms are light compared with others I know, it still hurts and I still have bad days...for me. I feel like a human weather berometer because I can tell the weather by how I'm feeling. Like this week for instance; it's been raining off and on all week! And my body knows it.

For me, a rainy day is more than a gloomy day, it also is a day that brings a flare-up in my hands with my carpal tunnel (and I think now I must have some arthritis as well). It starts the day before the rain comes with stiff hands and constant pain that a good-sized dose of pain reliever won't touch. I often think I've been working too hard or did something I shouldn't have (washing pots, too many crafts, etc.) to set it off, as that can cause a great deal of pain as well, but once I check the weather for the week it all becomes clear. Rain.

I hate rainy days with a vengeance now because it brings not one, but usually three days of pain: the day before, the day of, and the day after it rains. I can't do much of anything when I have a flare-up because it hurts and I'm so weakened. I sit on the couch either on my computer, or more likely with a movie or a book because I am not strong enough to do much else. I have to rest or else I can make my pain worse. It can be pretty discouraging and the rain doesn't always have great timing. Many times I have things that need to get done but it all has to be set aside.

If I let it, depression can easily set in during these rainy days. But I can't let it. I know that God calls me to rejoice in trials and find ways to praise Him no matter what He allows in my life. That includes flare-up days!

Chase away the Blues:

Sometimes you just need to let out some steam. Holding in my emotions and pretending I'm okay makes it worse at times. If you need to, go ahead and complain and let it out. Set a timer and get it over with. Then it's done. Move on and try to stop dwelling on the bad.

Once I've done that I focus my mind and heart on choosing joy.

...Being thankful that rain helps plants grow.

Joyful that God has provided me a blessing in disguise: a day to rest my mind, soul, and body instead of working.

Um, an opportunity for others to practice the gift of serving others? {I'm so helpful that way}. ;)

It's a me and God time. Renew, reconnect, refresh. It's these times He teaches me.

Flare-up days can turn to day's of praise when I remember that God is with me through each storm and each moment of pain. "He turned my wailing into dancing, He removed my sackcloth and clothed me with JOY!"

How do you change your blue-sky days

to grateful days?

I Love You More Than...

2013-05-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all! Praying you have been enjoying your summer thus far {It's been chilly here this week}. Jessica and I are visiting our grandma for a couple weeks and while I'm here I've been playing around with some pictures and making graphics while I have the free time.

Here's my favorite: while I was watching a Paula Deen cook and chatting with a baking friend, I told her "I love you more than Paula Deen loves butter" - that's saying a lot! ;) I just couldn't help making a couple of sweet poster images to share.

Save it!

Pin it!

Share it!

Print it!

{And I had to make a cute country lass version. I love pink}

And, if you haven't seen it yet, I had the pleasure of doing a guest post on Kindred Grace's new fashion and natural beauty blog, Adornabelle! These fun ribbon-covered flip flops are perfect for gift-giving, inexpensive, and so simple to do. I hope you'll try them! I wear them all around the house now. Hope you enjoy!

~*~

I've also been working on a wedding gift {shh! It's a secret!}. I am surprised and thankful to see how many of my friends are marrying and entering into courtships just this year! One day it's life as usual and the next my sweet girls are entering into a beautiful new way of living. *happy sigh*

It certainly has this girl thinking on many things these days. It reminds me of Christ's second coming...you never know the day He'll return and we want to be sure we're ready for Him, just as we girls are trying to prepare ourselves to run our own homes someday. But we also need to prepare by making an impact in the lives others.

I've been learning so much about God's love for me and for those around me this year, and how He can use me to make an impact in the lives of others through just the little daily things I can do and say. Never underestimate your value in soul-winning and being a faith-encourager just because you are a stay-at-home daughter, or a young lady who hasn't experienced much of life yet, or any other reason. Simply begin by getting involved and showing God's love in the relationships He's sent into your life, then let Him do the heart-work {He's soo good at that!}.

Christ's blessings to each of you!

Joys of Multi-Generational Friendships

2013-05-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

One thing I'm so appreciative to my parents for is encouraging my siblings and I to have friendships outside of our own ages. They made it clear from a young age that we were to include, never exclude, our younger siblings or younger children from our group of young people when we had guests over. And we've had many opportunities to share in the company of those elder than us through the years.

When talking with a sister in Christ recently and this topic came up, I thought it would be good to share some of the benefits and delights of having these kinds of friendships here on the blog.

Friendships with Equals

We all know the joys of sharing with like-minded sisters in Christ of our own age. Giggles and late night girl chats, similar interests, and finding kindred spirits. Girls our own age are often going through many of the same things we are and it's nice to know that you're not alone sometimes. We can always be learning from one another as we strive to worship and honor the Lord in all things.

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." - Proverbs 27:17

The Lord can use our peers to grow our character. As a writer on Meditations of His Love, I work weekly with girls all who are near to my own age. We have different tastes but I'm grateful that the Lord has kept us all close, helping us to focus on how we are alike in Christ instead of on our differences.

Many times God has used these and other girls around my own age as a tool to teach me or to change my heart. I've had years without such friendships, and after years of praying I'm thankful that God has hand-picked some beautiful sister's in Christ for Jessica and I to fellowship with.

I think we need to be cautious however that we don't only have friendships with girls our own age. Though it took time, I've found such delight in sharing friendships with women older than I and in being there for girls younger than myself.

Friendships with the Younger

As an oldest child and the oldest girl, I have not always gotten along with my younger siblings. My sister and I especially fought quite a lot growing up - I think that was a great deal my fault, but I'll leave that for another post. The point is, that I've learned (am learning) to be patient with her, knowing the Lord is working in her character as He is in my own, and that takes time.

All girls need and desire the guidance of older young women to talk with and show them real-life examples of what being a godly woman looks like. We are the next generation, raising the following generation after us. This is our training ground, girls!! This is the time we need to be involved in making an impact in the lives of young girls who will grow up to be mothers someday (some all too soon).

Friendships of older women with younger women is a biblical example:

"The aged women likewise...that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." ~ Titus 2:4-5

We as young women are learning from the older women how to run a home, love the Lord, to submit and obey those in authority over us, and many, many more beautiful lessons. We need to pass what they, and what God, has taught us onto these younger sisters.

There are the benefits for us as older girls as well, in that we can be humbled and reminded of how far the Lord has brought us in our own walk. In talking with younger girls, hearing of there struggles, I'm reminded of my own and can see God's hand on my life as He's guided me from where these girls are to where I am now. I find myself learning a lot from my younger friends...they are wise and often give new insight into God's Word with their young passionate hearts that are so willing to serve the Lord. :)

Therefore, we as young women must do our part by taking the younger girls under our wings and helping to guide them in their girlhood and growing up years! Befriend them, love them, and be there for them through the tough times of growing up, and the Lord will use it in your own life in many ways.

Friendships with the Older

Though I haven't had as much opportunity to gain older friendships, the few I have had I have treasured. There is such wisdom gleaned from talking with women older than I. They have experienced not only what I am going through at my age, but well past that, and have the years of walking with the Lord to teach and encourage me with.

I realized that since I am older now this age group of women who are in their 30's are just above me in age, making them more like big sister's! It's such a delight to have their friendships to encourage me in my faith and talk to when I need some wisdom.

I think there are times as younger girls it can be easy to grow afraid that the older girls won't like you, won't want to friend you, or that you could have nothing to offer to the friendship because you are not both in the same season of life. However, in my experience there are many older girls willing to be friends on closer terms if they knew of your interest. So step out and be brave! Ask questions and look to them as

Our dear mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and motherly-mentors are here to help us as well and teach us, but perhaps we are not having a spirit that is willing to learn? Maybe it's time to be ready to listen and slow to speak.

Over the years I've grown to love sharing in conversations with young mom's and older women. I have so much of life ahead of me and listening to their conversations...their joys and sorrows, their struggles and delights of womanhood makes me feel more prepared for the future. Hearing birthing stories is not exactly what we as single girls like to hear, yet at the same time I have learned to be less scared of what motherhood and being a wife might be like because some of those fairytale concepts we girls get into our heads have been exchanged for real-life examples of the beauty and joy (and yes, pain too) of adult womanhood is like.

Besides the life lessons, these older woman have so much godly wisdom to share with us younger girls! If we submit ourselves to their teaching instead of pushing them away, we'd have so much more to add to our experiences and knowledge. It's a gift! A wise young woman listens and learns from the counsel of those who are older than she is. This is the way beautiful way that God has designed it to be.

So, younger girls, seek out the friendships of older girls and be willing to ask questions and learn from them! Don't be afraid that because you are younger than they, that you will have nothing to offer the the friendship. Some of my best friends are younger than I am!

Food For Thought:

Mother's take notice of this...are you cultivating these kinds of friendships in your girls? Are you giving them opportunities to interact with women of all ages in various settings? Why not host a ladies tea inviting ladies and girls to enjoy the fellowship of being together? Or perhaps work with your girls on a project with other women such as a clothing or food drive, helping with a church event, or helping a young mom/elderly woman with some house cleaning this spring? :)

Older young women, are you keeping an eye out for younger girls you can minister to and befriend? It's all about making time. Don't forget that you are an important part of helping the next generation to live for the Lord!

Young ladies, are you tending to befriend only those of your own age? Perhaps it's time to branch out and learn the joys of talking with mothers and the elderly, and of girls younger than yourself. Take a younger "sister" with you on a babysitting job so she can learn beside you and have time with you. Invite a big sister, a mother, or an elderly woman to visit with you at your house or out at a nice cafe' spot for a chat - it will refresh both of you!

Don't be afraid to step out of your age group...
...you'll be missing something special and beautiful if you do.

For further reading...

"Delight"-ful Dresden Pillow

2013-05-02T09:30:00.000-04:00

There are times a girl needs to drop all other projects and spend a little time making something entirely fun and all together lovely for herself.

Dresdens have long been on my list of things to try when I learned how to quilt and I've finally done it! If you've yet to try these darlings please do so at your earliest convenience (here's a tutorial), as they are so simple to make and put together. And, a girl can't have too many patterns in her arsenal that use up those scraps she's been saving, right?

When I'd finished the dresden patch and made the slip-cover pillowcase I thought it still needed a bit of something. As soon as I saw this embroidery design I knew it'd be the perfect thing for the center.

Now I have a beautiful reminder to look on the bright side of things and to choose to have a joyful attitude throughout my day.

I'm so happy with how this pillow turned out! I've used the cherished scraps leftover from a quilt I made a friend. I call it my "delight-ful" friendship pillow now because it reminds me of my sunny friends and also reminds me to have a joyful and content spirit throughout the day. When I'm sad or discourage I can grab my pillow and hold it while I read my Bible or listen to calming music.

~*~

April Book Reviews 2013

2013-04-30T14:37:00.003-04:00

It was simple to fit reading into my schedule this month, as I didn't really do much else than read. What is it about sunny days that makes me want to sit with a good book in hand? I've yet to figure that one out, but at least I was able to accomplish a few of my reading goals for this month.

My main goal was to complete some of the stack of non-fictions I had begun. I'm very happy to say the Lord gave me plenty of time to do that as I wasn't too busy and was taking a break and a good long rest from some of my other normal activities.

Always True:
God's 5 Promises When Life Is Hard

by James MacDonald

A wonderful book focusing on 5 promises from the Bible to give hope, comfort, and encouragement during trials. My mom won this book in a giveaway and I then borrowed it for something to read on our trip to Texas last Oct. Yes, I just finished it this month - I have too many books I'm reading all at once. *guilty*

"Difficult trials will naturally evoke powerful emotions in us. How would your circumstances look today if you *chose* to focus first on God's promises rather than how you feel?" p.124

What I loved: You can only write about hardship if you know it well, and the author shares humbly of how these promises guided and helped him through his own trials. He shares 5 chapters...5 promises. Each chapter is jam-packed with scripture to back up every point (which I love!). Between the scriptures he shares insight and encouragement for each promise, what it means to us, and how they can ultimately glorify God in our circumstances.

The only thing I could have used more of was his personal story. I don't normally say that but I didn't like the way he shared his story...too many times giving the examples of other people he knew instead of from his own life (he did that too, just not as much as I'd have liked). Still, I was encouraged by the focus on the promises of God for those in the midst of hardships. It was a light read, not too heavy with thought-provoking theology...just simple facts declared by the Lord Himself and shared in a way that reminds us that He is good always and in all things He has control.

"God's promises are an assurance God gives His people so they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work." (p.73)

This book has been a great comfort and encouragement to me this year as I've learned to accept many changes and begun healing a little from the many years of financial struggles our family has been through. These are promises to be reminded of at all times and in every season.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Pollyanna Grows Up

by Eleanor Porter

My friend Emily is a huge Pollyanna fan. Ever since I've known her I think she's been urging me to read these and now at last I finally have. I re-read (listened to it on audio book a few years ago) Pollyanna last year and enjoyed it a lot and this month remembered I'd never gone and read the second book, Pollyanna Grows Up.

I was curious to see what the author would share: Would the book be mostly about courtship and romance as other grown-up-girl books tend to be about? Would Pollyanna still be herself with her "glad game"? I'm excited to say that I was not disappointed and Ms. Porter wrote everything just splendidly.

The first half of the book takes you through Pollyanna's young teen years after her accident, following up what has happened since book one. Then follows her growing up years.

What I loved: There was romance, but it was sweet and mostly not in a mushy tacky sort of way at all. Pollyanna's glad game is taken to new places with new people where she learns and matures and chooses to use it in difficult circumstances. I was challenged again to "rejoice in all things" in my own life!

A new favorite book to add with my collection of "period drama" favorites. You shall just have to read it for yourselves, as it's a lovely endearing book with loveable characters that will inspire you.

Recommended for all ages.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Up the Trail from Texas

by J. Frank Dobie

Okay, you may not know this, but I'm in love with all things Texas right now. I read one giant book last year and have been adding to my reading arsenal ever since. We had this one on our shelf and I just picked it up looking for something besides fiction and my regular spiritual non-fictions to read.

The book was very interesting and had some neat facts, but it was a bit less "thrilling" than I expected and rather tame for a Texas book. I found it to be mostly facts about how the cattle drives worked with some information of cowboys and cattle during a small period of time in TX after the Civil War. Again, interesting, but not exactly exciting. I didn't think it was as good as other Landmark books, but still a good read and I did learn a few things. :)

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Courageous Living: Dare To Take A Stand

by Michael Catt

(Executive Producer of Courageous & Fireproof)

This was a good challenging read. Not overly "deep" in the writing style, but certainly convicting! The author speaks mainly to fathers, or parents at times, but I still found that I could take away most of message. Each chapter is focused on a character in the Bible, as well as a scene taken from the film, Courageous, to provide application and a challenge for boldness in a certain area. I found Catt's theology to be pretty much spot-on and his insight into the problems of our day and age to be helpful.

The only problem I had was that frequently the author would give examples from his ministry: what he as pastor was doing, how his congregation was working to be courageous, etc. I understand that he *is* a pastor so this makes sense, but couldn't help but feel that it often sounded more like bragging about how great they all were compared to other churches, and therefore missed the application behind it. I would have rather he shared more real personal testimony outside of just his church and how he was leading it. And there was a little struggle with the jumpiness of the readability of the author's writing style, but that is a minor thing to take note of.

Favorite Quotes: "If courage begins at home, it must be present in the wives and mothers and daughters, as well as the husbands and fathers and sons."

"There are no shortcuts to spirituality. There's no pill for courage. It is developed and defined in the quiet place."

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Darcy's Decision (Given Good Principles #1)

by Maria Grace

Instead of giving a full long review here I'll simply direct you over to read my review on Goodreads, if you are interested in hearing my thoughts on this book. There are spoilers - I don't normally do this but I felt it was very necessary as I found things I thought reader's should be aware of.

For the "quick" review: I downloaded this as a free book hoping this first book at least would be good, and having no intention of reading the remaining in the series (I read the reviews/plot).

The book was fun in that it shared Darcy's thoughts and the beginning history of his entitlement to the Pemberly estate. There are some beloved characters like Dacry's sister Georgiana, and Mr. Bingly and his sister (okay so maybe she's not beloved). All this was fascinating and enjoyable, sadly there was not enough to give it a good rating above the bad things. I won't go into it here, but let's just say there was a lot more of Whickam than I had wanted in this book. :(

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

The Isle of Arcrea

by Nicole Sager

This was the third and final (for now at least?) book in the Arcrea series I've been reading this year. I don't have a lot to say because I've pretty said already how wonderful I think Nicole's stories are. This one was just as adventurous, following one of the minor characters from the first two books, Falconer - a former spy for the bad guys-turned Christ follower and spy/bodyguard for the good guys. ;)

I was 2/3rds through the book and was thinking, "Well, I guess Nicole decided not to put a salvation message in this one" and lo and behold a few pages later there it was! Where most book are pushy in this with a feeling they stuck the gospel message in there just because, Nicole beautifully weaves the entire story around it so that it becomes (as in real life) the only true conclusion. Besides this, there was a touching message of forgiveness that was so powerful.

My only reason for lowering the rating on this one was because I found that one aspect of the story concerning an event in the past of the main character could have used some help, but other than that it was wonderful as usual!

I'm so sad this is the last book I'll be able to read of Nicole's for awhile - she shall have a nice fan-base when her next book comes out, as I'll be waiting with anticipation!!

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kingdom's Call

by Chuck Black

Up to this point, I have not been overly excited about reading this series. Don't misunderstand me, I know them to be quite excellent and wonderful allegorical stories for young people, really! But, I think in the past I've struggled getting to know all the characters and who they were meant to represent and all (not something I typically struggle with, so you see my frustration).

I came right out and directly asked my sister who this book was supposed to be about compared to the Bible this time and it was a HUGE help! Kingdom's Call is the allegorical tale of Paul, from his life as a persecutor, to his salvation and conversion. Honestly I never really *got* Paul's story, though his words in the Bible have helped me more than on one occasion, but hearing Gavin's story as a parallel to Paul's opened my eyes to see what it must have been like for a man who sought out the lives God's people to do them harm and then to have a change of heart so completely! Absolutely amazing - Praise the Lord for the work He does in all our hearts!

"'Look into my eyes, Gavin,' the Prince said.

'I have been calling you.

The peace you seek you will find

if you follow Me.'"

I look forward to reading the next book in the series, which shares more of Gavin/Paul's story and his mission to share the gospel with those outside of God's kingdom.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

~*~

I hope you've perhaps found some new books to add to your own reading list. What books have sparked your interest and landed on your shelf this past month? :)