My Valentines

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! I hope this finds each of you very well and beginning your week full ohope and peace. I am doing well, enjoying a quiet night with my dear family. Growing up, Momma always blessed and spoilt us children by making every Christmas, Easter, and Valentines Day special. Some of the special and memorable things she (and Daddy!!) would do were: give us new pajamas on Christmas Eve, always (for my last 21 years!) decorate eggs and hide them on Easter morning, and bring us a special "foo-foo" coffee for our birthdays. For  Valentines Day I have fond memories of helping pick out my siblings balloons and candy from Fred Myers; and I can remember waking up to find Valentine themed trinkets and goodies hand-picked for each of us kids on the table . . . no wonder I love holidays--I have a wonderful mommy who made them extra special for me!! I learned so much from my momma and one of those things is this: it is worth the effort to bless others and make their day special. {I LOVE YOU Mommy and Daddy!} :) 

This year I am very excited because I was able to make a few valentines. In my yonger years I would try to give out valentines to various people ... but that was during schooling years which were full of insecurities and fears. So often I felt that I was on the bottom of the totem pole (and perhaps I was :), and so most of my efforts, thoughts, and actions were aimed at my some how climbing the social ladder and into popularity. :) Needless to say, some of the valentines I handed out were simply for selfish, vain reasons and thereforethey never meant much to me. But this year has been different; this year I was able to make just a few valentines and the dear people I want to give them to are people who I love and that makes a world of difference from my schooling years. For my twenty-first birthday Daddy and Mooma bought me a Cricut and I have been having a blast working with it!! :)

Aren't they cute? I am so excited to give them to my family members tomorrow . . . fun!! Lord willing, we will be having heart shaped biscuits and gravy too.

 I hope that you all have a blessed day tomorrow.

With much love from your sister in Christ,

Photo Credit: The lovely valentine seen above is from graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Being Single

   Greetings friends! I hope this finds each of you very well and rejoicing in the Lord; "For the joy of the LORD is your strength." Much has been going on lately, but I wanted to share a story with you. I hope that you are blessed. :)

Abigail Henry eagerly opened the letter her brother brought home; she loved receiving letters from her dearest friend Lacy. Often the treasured notes held bits of godly encouragement and humor as the two early-twenty cousins shared stories about home, siblings, missions, sewing, and other girlish adventures. With vigor Abigail flipped open the floral stationary and began to read. But today Abigail's brown eyes came across something different, something delightful ... Lacy was beginning a courtship with a godly young man in her church!

Emotions of joy and excitement bubbled up inside Abigail's heart, yet another emotion also rose to the surface--sadness. But before she could address this unwanted feeling Abigail quickly left her room to share Lacy's good news with the rest of the family.

The next morning, beautiful with sunny skies and spring temperatures, found Abigail spending most of her time serving around the house. But while the day spoke of joy, Abigail's heart ached with sorrow. It was not until she jumped into her little car and left for an errand that Abigail began to discuss her troubles with the Lord, something she often did in the privacy of her own car. Out loud, the young woman shared her heart ache with her loving Saviour and Creator.

"Lord, you know I am excited for Lacy ... she deserves a godly husband and the blessing of having her own family. She will be a wonderful wife--but, Lord, why is it that I am still single? Why is it that no one has asked for my hand? Father, am I even worthy of love? Will anyone ever find me lovely and worthy enough to be his wife? Jesus, I feel passed over and forgotten. Am I?"

Dejectedly, Abigail let out a loud and helpless sigh. At that moment, her Lord began to speak to her heart. And Jesus said, "My dearest daughter, I love you (Rom. 5:6-8). I find you beautiful; I hand-made each of your freckles, every strand of your hair, and I chose even the features you dislike so that you may know and love me and that I may be glorified (Ps. 139:16,17). These hands of mine formed you in the womb, they stretched the heavens, and bled on Calvary so that you may have life ... and these very hands hold you safely now (Ps. 104:2, John 3:16). I know you feel forgotten but I have a perfect plan for you, a plan which will bring so much beauty and joy from your life (Jer. 29:11, Rom. 8:28). A plan which will bring others to Christ and glorify my Father's name--if you will only accept it (Isa. 49:5). Abigail, part of that plan is for you to be single right now. I know you want to be a wife and mother, but Dearest, if you cannot cheerfully and obediently accept my the plan I have for you now you will struggle to accept it later. Remember, being single is a gift from God; it is a time for you to 'care for the things of the Lord, that you may be holy both in body and in spirit:' (1 Cor. 7:34) . It is a time in which you can have the freedom to serve others ... do not waste it pining over day-dreams and in self-pity. Only after you accept single-hood as a gift will you be able to truly enjoy and fulfill the calling of marriage. Daughter, remember that I am the Giver of Good Gifts (James 1:17). I have given you the time of being single, therefore, this time is a good gift; I would not give it to you otherwise. And finally, my Beloved, know that you are loved; draw nearer to me and you will realize that I can meet your every need (Ps. 37:4)."

A few moments silently passed as Abigail took in all her Saviour had spoken. It was difficult for her to accept the idea that being single equated a gift. And yet, the teary eyed girl knew her Father was right.

Later that night, Abigail sat nestled in the couch across from her dear parents. The three were spending a few moments before bed visiting and sharing the events of the day. After gathering her bravery, Abigail spilt her tale to her wise counselors. She shared the sorrow that came from Lacy's jubilant letter, the discouragement that over-whelmed her in the car, and the sweet response the Savior gave. Smiling, Mrs. Henry spoke, "Abigail, your desires for marriage and motherhood are good desires ... something for which you ought to be thankful. But you are right in that they must be met in God's timing and way. Trust in Christ to meet your every need. Resting in Christ will not always be easy and you will still struggle with feelings of sadness and loneliness. When those times come, turn to Jesus and know that your obedience will help change your emotions." "Remember,' spoke Mr. Henry, 'to allow Jesus to fill your heart with joy over Lacy's happiness. Your contentment in being single will enable you to bless and encourage others."

As Abigail climbed into bed that night, she thoughtfully recalled all that she had happened that day. Quietly she prayed, "Dearest Lord, by your grace I want to accept and delight in the gift of being single. Be my Joy and Companion and according to Your will prepare me for all that you have planned ... whether that be marriage or not, I will delight in you." 

Dear friends, if you are a boy reading this {I congratulate you!} you may not relate to the main character of this story. If you are a girl, I believe you may have understood  some of the fears and doubts which went through Abigail's heart. Sisters, let us learn to be content in the here and now; let us allow Christ the righful place in our live's and He will ease the pangs of lonliness and worry. 

May the Heavenly Father bless you as you press heavenward!

My Father- Happy Fathers Day Daddy Dearest!

Happy Fathers Day Papi!

Since I was a little girl, you have always been in my heart and on my mind. Your caring and fun ways made for a light and cheerful home. The moments of watching "Star Treck" and eating uncooked macaroni noodles or snuggling in with you, Allie, and Jeremiah while watching "Krat's Creatures" are permantently good ones. Thank you for being the Daddy who changed diapers, who helped Momma with us children and the home, and who was kind and gentle.

Thank you also for letting Momma homeschool, even though it was a challenge!

Thank you for being a loving husband--for having many of the virtues I desire in my future mate!

Thank you Dad for helping me grow from a little girl into a woman (can I call myself that yet?). Thank you for giving my young mind a vision--one of godliness, success, character, and following after my dreams (which means the Lord's). 

Thank you for working with each of us kid's different personalities, for loving each of us in our own way. Thank you for being proud of us and helping us with our schoolwork. Thank you for teaching us our Roman Numerals. :)

Thank you for having a wonderful sense of humor and for being the man God created you to be.

Thank you for being a good and diligent worker all your life. You have met all of our needs and beyond; we are able to joyfully rest knowing that you are providing for us. Thank you for teaching me responsibility!

(Daddy is the handsome, young man kneeling and is the fourth man from the right :).  

Thank you for leading me through the paths of life; for shining a light of knowledge and kindness when my way seems too rough and dark.

I praise the Lord for you Papi!

My heavenly Father was so wise in giving me to you and Momma. God bless you Daddy!

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

-Author Unknown.

I love you Daddy! God bless you!

P.S.- The above pictures were taken following links (in order of appearance):

1. http://www.jmeader.com/paintings/index.html

2. http://www.healingstory.org/nl/page4.html

3. http://daniellefreelances.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/fathers-day/

4. http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=3438