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Hello again! I'll try to not be so long-winded this time! :)

 This year I went to Charity Youth Bible School in Ephrata, PA. I was very blessed by the messages spoken there. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the dismissal of students according to the Fruits of the Spirit. Based on a students last name the speaker sent us out according to the an assigned fruit. For example, I was "H" for Halbert so I believe all "H"'s were goodness. I say all of this to tell you that I hope to do a study, and post the results, on the Fruits of the Spirit. It is my hope that as I understand more of what the Lord desires of me I may apply it and live it out. I'm excited!

I look forward to this adventure and invite any and all who may want to do this for themselves. If you find anything interesting or different from what I learn let me know!

How exciting that the Word of God can become alive to us!

 Excitedly yours,

O What Joy That Fills My Soul- The story of a clean conscience

Dear sisters in Christ,
 Greetings on a bright and beautiful Missouri day! I hope your day is as beautiful as mine. Well, I have some very good news. I am rejoicing in the Lord's goodness in leading me in forgiveness and repentance. I've had some struggles (and am still dealing with them) in different areas in my life. My heart has been misleading me and I have fallen head first into different areas of sin and rebellion to my Lord- being discontent with my life right now, covetousness, rebellion to my parents (in subtle hidden ways), being unsubmissive, vainity, love of self, and a judgmental heart. Praise the Lord He shows mercy to those who call on Him! I know that many if not all of these areas gained strongholds in my heart and so it will be a battle to overcome them, but  "because greater is he that is in you [me], than he that is in the world" I can have victory through Jesus my LORD! 1 John 4:4. As you can tell I'm very excited.

I just want to encourage every girl to maintain a pure and clean conscience before the Lord. We must remember that He is holy and requires us to be so as well. I hope to continue "in well doing" and apply my heart to godly things. Here are a few good things I can do, we all can do, to continue and press on in the Lord.

~ Learn to love the LORD with all our heart. I can do this by finding joy in His will- things like obeying my parents, loving my siblings, being modest inside and out, controlling what I see and hear, speaking only good and pure things, watching what my mind thinks on, and offering my life as a living sacrifice. These things seem so simple, but they really require an effort on our parts. Good works do not always come natural to us. Find practical ways to improve in the good works God desires of us!

~ Have a daily quiet time and prayer time. Oh the joy that comes from having a quiet time! I've neglected this many times and have learned that it does not pay off. Something I've learned is to make your quiet time your own. Enjoy it. I've been trying to read at least one chapter from the Old and New Testament each day and then I write down any lessons I've learned. . .this has helped really soak in what I read. I've really enjoyed this and look forward to pressing on! :)

~ Think on good things. Oh the difficulties that plague me when I choose to think on ungodly things! Let's remember that we are not our own and that God requires us to be clean in the heart. He alone can see our  impure thoughts (sin) and it grieves Him dear sisters! Let's remember Philippians 4:8 which says,
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

These are just a few things that I know I can improve on. God has given us such an important opportunity and privilege in serving Him. Let's do it with all our hearts dear sisters!!

God bless you as you press on!
 With love,

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Tim. 4:18

We Are Not Our Own

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1Corinthians 6:19, 20

Dear sisters in Christ,

 Greetings in Jesus name! I hope this finds you well and growing in the Lord. I know I am. Last night after listening to a Charity Ministries tape by Brother Rick Leibee on the crossroads in life (Youth Bible School 2001) and listening to a tape titled "Ye are Not Your Own" from Youth Bible School 2009 by Brother Tanner Leibee, I became very convicted. Brother Rick Leibee spoke on the different crossroads in life that many young people face- our death, vanity, the world, and so on. I am very convicted because I have become closer to the world, merging with it in tiny ways, befriending it. A little bit of worldly music, a little bit of gossip, watching wrong movies, and caring too much for myself. This has brought much grief to my heart as sweet peace left and confusion took its place. Why, I wondered, am I facing so many trials and difficulties? Listening to "Ye Are Not Your Own" I realized that I am not my own and that I am Gods. It doesn't matter if I do not feel or want to obey, I am not my own. My desire and hope is that as I grow closer to the Lord and become more fully and truly His I will want to obey. . .sweetly and quietly. I hope this post will be an encouragement to you. If you are fully surrended to the Lord. . .good, praise the Lord. But if you are struggling with your flesh and doubts, I would encourage you to turn to God's Word and allow Him to point you the way. Ask Him for His help and trust in Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Only He can give abudant life.

I looked up the word surrendered on http://www.merriam-webster.com/ and found the below definition very interesting.

Surrendered

transitive verb

1 a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

2 a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

intransitive verb

: to give oneself up into the power of another : yield

May we as Christians and daughters of the king wholeheartedly fit the above definition.

Emmie's 20th Birthday

I just wanted to wish my dear friend, 
Emmalie Coman,

 a blessed 20th birthday tomorrow. I'm so thankful for our many, many years together and through thick and thin we'll always  know the other one is still there. God has blessed us and brought us together as friends for His good purposes and I thank Him for giving me you as a  friend. May you have a fun and lovely day, a year full of God's love and His peace, and the knowledge that you are always in my heart. I love you Emmie-lou! BFF, 

I created my signiture from the following website: http://www.mylivesignature.com/. Thanks Mrs. Adams for posting thuis information. I thought it was so neat and feminine!